This update was made December 20, 2024. The next update will be December 27.
REPORT A RARE BIRD: rarebirdalert@tucsonaudubon.org
The sequence of sightings in this report is not random. Species are listed by order of overall rarity within locality. The first locality mentioned contains the rarest species seen during the reporting period. Within that locality, species are mentioned in relative-rarity order or in taxonomic order, if relative rarity is the same, within sub-locality. When the sightings for a locality are complete, the rarest remaining species dictates which locality is mentioned next, and so forth. At any point when 2 or more species are of the same relative rarity, taxonomic order then determines the sequence in which the localities are covered. Consequently, the order in which localities are mentioned will vary from one report to the next.
Contributors are listed in the text. The spelling of names given over the phone is not guaranteed to be accurate. Any errors or omissions are unintentional.
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.
See here for a list of review species in Arizona, i.e., species that the ABC considers “rare”.
WILLCOX & the SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY
A #EURASIAN WIGEON continued at the Faria Dairy pond (https://ebird.org/hotspot/L616368) on 12/18 (Theresa Mathis). View from the road only.
#THICK-BILLED LONGSPURS continued at Lake Cochise by the Twin Lakes Golf Course 12/18 (Peg Abbott).
PATAGONIA
At Patagonia Lake State Park (annotated map: http://goo.gl/GgNvs) a #RED-THROATED LOON and a #GREATER SCAUP continued this week (m.ob.). A #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was photographed on 12/14 (Will Russell) and continued on 12/20 (m.ob.).
At the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve a #BROWN THRASHER, #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN and a #VARIED THRUSH continued this week (m.ob.). A #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and a #WINTER WREN was recorded and photographed on 12/19 (Cathy Beck) and continued on 12/20 (m.ob.). GPS: 31.5308, -110.767 Annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/0pXsdI
A #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was photographed along Sonoita Creek on the Patagonia CBC on 12/19 (Mark Stevenson); access is granted only for the CBC.
AMADO
A #GREATER SCAUP continued at the Amado STP through 12/18 (Steve Nord).
SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS
A #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was reported at the Casa de San Pedro B&B on 12/14 (Peter Siminski).
A #PACIFIC WREN continued in upper Ramsey Canyon on 12/15 (Theresa Lawson). A #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was reported in a flock of American Robin from near the Ramsey Canyon Preserve parking area on 12/20 (Dan Hoobler).
A #BROWN THRASHER was photographed again in a Hereford yard on 12/15 (Nick Whelan).
At the San Pedro House, a #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH continued on 12/20 (Theresa Mathis).
GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS
In Madera Canyon (map: http://goo.gl/dXBYP), a #BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD continued at the Santa Rita Lodge through 12/14 (m.ob.). A #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH continued in the lower part of the canyon on 12/19 (m.ob.).
A #GREATER SCAUP was photographed at the Green Valley Country Club Estates on 12/17 (David Griffin).
In Florida Canyon (annotated map: http://goo.gl/AAzD6), a #RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER continued this week (m.ob.). Directions: About 400 yards from parking lot is a metal gate, and just past the gate the canyon forks. The main trail follows the East Fork, but almost sightings have been in the West Fork to the right. About 125 yards up the rough trail in the West Fork is a large water tank and a low dam. The oak grove is about 1/3 mile past the dam. Note: The trail for the West Fork can be difficult to find, and is steep and rough in places. If you see the sign with distances to Florida Saddle, Madera Canyon, etc you’ve missed the turn. Do not enter the research station.
TUCSON area
A#YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, #CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER and a #TENNESSEE WARBLER continued at Sweetwater Wetlands this week (m.ob.).
#YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS were reported at Columbus Park, Reid Park, Santa Cruz River at Sunset Rd and the Tucson Country Club Golf Course on the CBC (m.ob.).
A #LAPLAND LONGSPUR continued at the Avra Valley WWTP this week (m.ob.). If the gate is locked, try the call box; gate is locked for the day at 2pm.
AJO
A #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER continued at Ajo Community Golf Course on 12/19 (Vikki Jackson).
An #EASTERN PHOEBE continued at the Ajo STP on 12/19 (Greg Gillson).
A #BELL’S SPARROW was reported in the Growler Valley area of Organ Pipe NM on 12/17 (Tim Spahr).
GRAHAM COUNTY
A #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was at Roper Lake SP on 12/14 (Glenn Klingler).
TUBAC area (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/yDqi0)
A#BROWN THRASHER was photographed along the Anza Trail at Santa Gertrudis Lane on 12/16 (Randy Smith) and continued on 12/20 (Tony Shrimpton).
A #PURPLE FINCH was photographed in a yard south of the Tubac bridge on 12/17 and 12/18 (Seth Ausubel).
NOGALES area
A #TENNESSEE WARBLER was photographed at the Nogales Cemetery on 12/14 (Richard Fray) and continued on 12/18 (Tony Shrimpton).
A #GRAY CATBIRD was reported at the Nogales DMV at 3030 N Grand Ave on 12/14 (Geoff Wyszynski, Jeremy Sunshine) and continued on 12/18 (m.ob.).
An #EASTERN PHOEBE was photographed at Las Lagunas de Anza wetlands on 12/14 (Marc Faucher) and continued on 12/16 (m.ob.).
At Pena Blanca Lake (annotated map: http://goo.gl/zBbzl), a #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was reported on 12/17 (John Hirth).
A #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was photographed at Fleisher Park on 12/14 (Richard Fray).
PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/XfXfX)
A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continued in a Portal yard on 12/20 (Steve Wolfe).
SONOITA & LAS CIENEGAS NCA
#THICK-BILLED LONGSPURS continued from the Davis Pasture section of Las Cienegas NCA this week (m.ob.). Map: https://goo.gl/Pj9itL
TUCSON – Mosquito control operations are scheduled at Sweetwater Wetlands from 6:30-9:00 am on Mondays. The gate will open when operations are finished. Roger Road WRF was closed as of 1/10/2014 and it is uncertain when access will be allowed again. See https://www.tucsonaz.gov/water/sweetwater-wetlands
The gravel pit at the south end of Renaissance Ave may be viewed from outside the fence, but do not enter the pit. Similarly, the fields at the intersection of nearby Indian Agency Rd/Los Reales Rd. may be viewed from the road, but the pit is posted “No Trespassing”.
GREEN VALLEY WRF – hours are variable, either 7am-2pm or 7am-3:30pm and it is open daily instead of only weekends as before. Protocol for visiting when open: use the call box at the gate, follow the signs for parking, and stay away from buildings and construction equipment. If you’d like to call ahead, you can try at 520-625-0025. Map
ASH CANYON BIRD SANCTUARY – open dawn to dusk EXCEPT Thursday, when open noon to dusk. Parking is limited; please carpool whenever possible. No need to call ahead.
PATAGONIA – Patagonia Ranch Estates has posted signs that say “No Hunting – No Camping – No Parking” but birders may continue to look along Circulo Montana for grassland sparrows according to Alan Schmierer (July 2017). This is the neighborhood on the west side of the Patagonia Lake State Park entrance road.
FORT HUACHUCA – is an active military installation and will suspend your driving privileges on Post for 30 days on your first offense for talking or using a cell phone while driving. You MUST use a hands free device. Current entry requirements (subject to change without notice): US citizens should be prepared to show photo ID (REAL ID compliant; see https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs for details) for everyone in the vehicle at the entrance, and possibly your vehicle registration and insurance as well. In the past, foreign nationals needed an approved military escort; if this policy is reinstated, contact the base (520.533.7111), or possibly the Sierra Vista Visitor’s Bureau (520.417.6960) well in advance.
IMPORTANT: Ft. Huachuca has posted information on access requirements on its official webpage at https://home.army.mil/huachuca/ – look for the “Gate Information” tab on the left side of the homepage. Read the information at the “Visitors Access” button. If you click the “Installation Access Forms” button, you can see the information you’ll have to provide to get access. The Visitor Control Center is located at the Van Deman Gate on Hwy 90 and opens at 5:00 am. https://home.army.mil/huachuca/index.php/about/Garrison/DES/physical-security/access-control
ACCESS NOTE: Despite the signage, as of March 2016 Garden Canyon was indeed now open to vehicles up to the upper picnic area and foot traffic beyond this. As of late July 2016, it was reported that it was open all the way to the top.
SANTA CRUZ FLATS – 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.
BAIRD’S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL in the San Rafael Valley is off limits to birders due to the thoughtless actions of a few birders. DO NOT ENTER THE PROPERTY. A sign has been posted previously stating that “stopping within 0.25 mile of the corral is prohibited.”
The Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department’s security procedures and rules are subject to change any time. Please see this link for important information regarding access: http://www.pima.gov/wwm/about/pdf/birdwatching.pdf. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
- AVRA VALLEY WRF: Gates open at 6AM and close PROMPTLY at 2PM (do not linger, you will be locked inside). UPDATE: under construction; if the gate is locked, use the call box to request access (not guaranteed). Due to ongoing construction, birders are advised to call ahead at 520-577-7341 to check on access.
- NOGALES STP: closed
- CORONA DE TUCSON WRF: closed
NOGALES area
California Gulch annotated map: http://goo.gl/wSr0mi
SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS
Ramsey Canyon: https://goo.gl/aMh1ke
Hunter Canyon https://goo.gl/CR4YXm
PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS
Portal annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/XfXfX
GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS
Madera Canyon annotated map: http://goo.gl/dXBYP
Florida Canyon annotated map: http://goo.gl/AAzD6
Green Valley WRF: https://goo.gl/FA2TVJ
PATAGONIA
Patagonia Lake annotated map: http://goo.gl/GgNvs
Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/0pXsd
TUBAC area
Tubac annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/yDqi0
Puerto Canyon map: http://goo.gl/fRAa4A
DOUGLAS area
Slaughter Ranch and San Bernardino NWR annotated map: https://goo.gl/uX96Pw
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT
#Eurasian Wigeon
#Greater Scaup
#Red-throated Loon
#Ruddy Ground Dove
#Berylline Hummingbird
#Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
#Red-breasted Sapsucker
#Eastern Phoebe
#Winter Wren
#Pacific Wren
#Rufous-backed Robin
#Varied Thrush
#Gray Catbird
#Brown Thrasher
#Tennessee Warbler
#Chestnut-sided Warbler
#Louisiana Waterthrush
#Rufous-capped Warbler
Bell’s Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
#Golden-crowned Sparrow
#Thick-billed Longspur
#Lapland Longspur
#Purple Finch