Southeast Arizona Rare Bird Alert

This update of Tucson Audubon Society’s Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona was made on November 20, 2020. The next update will be made on November 27.

• The RBA number is 520-629-0510 ext 6 to report a rare bird, OR email rarebirdalert@tucsonaudubon.org .
• For additional sightings in the region, please see these important resources:
  • The Arizona-New Mexico Birding ListServ on the ABA site
  • The Arizona-New Mexico Birding ListServ on the Sialia site
  • The Arizona Birding Facebook page
• More info on Arizona’s rare birds, documentation and photos of review species may be found or submitted to AZFO.

SEVERAL IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS follow the sightings, including information on temporary closures and rules for access to other important birding areas. Abbreviation “m.ob.” = multiple observers. An asterisk (*) preceding a species name in the list indicates that it merits careful, full documentation. A pound sign (#) indicates that brief corroborating details are warranted.

SPECIES MENTIONED
#Surf Scoter
#”Harlan’s” Red-tailed Hawk
*NORTHERN JACANA
#Ruddy Ground-Dove
#White-eared Hummingbird
*EARED QUETZAL
#Green Kingfisher
#Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
#Red-breasted Sapsucker
#Eastern Phoebe
#Black-capped Gnatcatcher
#Rufous-backed Robin
#Brown Thrasher
#Tennessee Warbler
#Black-throated Blue Warbler
#Worm-eating Warbler
#Louisiana Waterthrush
#Rufous-capped Warbler
#Clay-colored Sparrow
*FIELD SPARROW
#Golden-crowned Sparrow
#Thick-billed Longspur
#Streak-backed Oriole

ACCESS NOTE: Many areas remain closed due to COVID19 (such as the Paton Center for Hummingbirds in Patagonia) and Ft Huachuca is only issuing new passes to local residents. If in doubt, call ahead.

PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/XfXfX)
A *FIELD SPARROW was photographed in a private Portal yard on 11/17 (Lori Conrad, Jim Hengeveld).
One of the *EARED QUETZALS (the male) continued this week, but has moved – it is now being seen about 150 up the canyon from Stewart Campground through 11/20 (m.ob.). The female has not been seen for at least a week.
A #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER continued in a Portal yard on 11/20 (Rose Ann Rowlett).

TUBAC area (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/yDqi0)
A *FIELD SPARROW was photographed along the Anza trail south of Santa Gertrudis Lane the 3/4 mile south of the crossing on 11/19 (Nick Moore), coming in for a drink just past the frontage road bridge adjacent to the trail. Two #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS were reported here on 11/20 (m.ob.), and a #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was about 1/4 mile south of the crossing. Up to three #RUDDY GROUND-DOVES continued along Santa Gertrudis Lane this week (m.ob.). They’ve been seen in the pasture/yard at #12; several Common Ground-Doves have been present as well. Remember to park along the frontage road and walk in.
A #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and a #GREEN KINGFISHER were reported along the De Anza Trail in Tubac on 11/19 (Dave Stejskal).
A #STREAK-BACKED ORIOLE continued in Tubac on 11/20 (m.ob.); see https://bit.ly/TubacOriole for access. It has also been seen in the small park where you can park. Please respect private property in this small neighborhood.
Two #RUDDY GROUND-DOVES continued at Rancho Santa Cruz on 11/20 (Cathy Beck).

WHITEWATER DRAW
A *FIELD SPARROW was photographed at Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area near the observation deck on 11/20 (Susan Rogers). An #EASTERN PHOEBE was reported and a #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE continued on 11/16 (Larry Norris).

TUCSON area
A *NORTHERN JACANA continued at the Ina Rd bridge over the Santa Cruz River through 11/20 (m.ob.). It has been seen in the channel south of the bridge, usually in the floating vegetation next to the tall cattails; best (and perhaps only) viewing is on the bridge itself from the pedestrian lane. Parking is available just to the south and west of the bridge. A #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was reported south of the bridge on 11/14 (Scott Olmstead). Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1b_o0qqVmUwmZQi7U7uuiz5CdgWY
The Himmel Park #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE flock grew to five birds this week (m.ob.), generally near the library. A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was reported on 11/19 (Lindsay Willrick ), and was reported again on 11/20 (m.ob.) generally in the southwest section near the pool.
Three #RUDDY GROUND-DOVES continued at Fort Lowell Park this week (m.ob.), and a #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW continued through 11/18 (Bill Scott).
A #TENNESSEE WARBLER continued at Sweetwater Wetlands on 11/16 (Derik Bowen). A #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was reported on 11/18 and continued through 1120 (m.ob.).
Another #TENNESSEE WARBLER was photographed about 100 yards north of the Camino del Cerro bridge over the Santa Cruz River on 11/15 (Ethan Beasley).
A #BROWN THRASHER was photographed at the Desert Trails RV Park in Avra Valley on 11/16 and continued through 11/19 (Judy White). A #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was photographed in an Avra Valley yard on 11/19 (Andra Doherty).
A #BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER continued north of the Twin Peaks Rd bridge on 11/16 (m.ob.). A #WORM-EATING WARBLER was reported on 11/20 (Thomas Love). Both were seen from the east bank about a half mile north of the bridge, about 100 yards south of the powerlines. Parking is available on Tiffany Loop Rd. near the Groome Transportation hub.

PARKER CANYON LAKE
A #SURF SCOTER was photographed at Parker Canyon Lake on 11/20 (Peter Siminski, David Palmer).

SANTA CRUZ FLATS
A #”HARLAN’S” RED-TAILED HAWK continued near the intersection of Curry and Green Reservoir Rds 11/14 (Doug Jenness).
Up to 4 #RUDDY GROUND-DOVES continued at the Red Rock feedlot on Sasco Rd this week (m.ob.). They have been seen in the feedlot and with the Inca Doves on the northwest side.
#THICK-BILLED LONGSPURS (i.e., MCCOWN’S LONGSPURS) were reported again at the Evergreen Turf Sod Farm at Tweedy & Pretzer on 11/14 (m.ob.). Friendly reminder: Management at the Evergreen Turf Sod Farm has asked birders not to drive into the property (i.e., the 2750 road); birding from perimeter roads (i.e., Tweedy or Pretzer) is still fine.

NOGALES area
Two #RUDDY GROUND-DOVES were reported at Kino Springs between the ponds and the clubhouse on 11/17 (Peter Siminski).
A #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was photographed in a Rio Rico yard on 11/15 (Ron Batie).
A #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH continued in Sycamore Canyon on 11/14 (m.ob.).

SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS
A #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD continued at the Ramsey Canyon Inn on 11/15 (m.ob.).
At the San Pedro House, a #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was reported this week on 9/13 (m.ob.); the usual spot in the winter is between markers #6 and #7 south of the bridge.

WILLCOX
A #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN continued in a yard in Willcox on 11/20 (Max Jarrett). Visitors are welcome, call Max at 520-384-3004. Leave a message and they’ll call you back.

AJO
A #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER continued at the Ajo Country Club on 11/16 (Roger Uzun).

GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS
In Florida Canyon (annotated map: http://goo.gl/AAzD6), a putative #RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER continued through 11/20 (m.ob.). #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued in Florida Canyon this week (m.ob.); they’ve been seen near the Florida Canyon parking area and a short distance up the trail, and at the old corral at FR488 & 62A.
In Madera Canyon (map: http://goo.gl/dXBYP), #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued along Proctor Rd (m.ob.).
A #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was photographed at Quail Creek Veterans Municipal Park on 11/17 (Laurens Halsey).

PATAGONIA
At Patagonia Lake (annotated map: http://goo.gl/GgNvs), an #EASTERN PHOEBE was reported on 11/20 (Gregg Gorton) along the Birding Trail at the east end of the lake.
A #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER continued this week (m.ob.) along Blue Haven Rd between the Paton Center and the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve.

BUENOS AIRES NWR
At Arivaca Lake, a #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was reported on 11/19 (Gavin Bieber); an #EASTERN PHOEBE continued on 11/19 (Tom Brown).

BENSON area
A #RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER was reported in the traditional location of the upper spring in French Joe Canyon on 11/17 (Tim Helentjaris).

SAN RAFAEL VALLEY
A #THICK-BILLED LONGSPUR (i.e., McCown’s Longspur) was reported in the San Rafael Valley on 11/14 (m.ob.). GPS: 31.384,-110.578

Good birding!

-Andrew Core, Rare Bird Alert Compiler