This update was made October 18, 2024. The next update will be October 25.
REPORT A RARE BIRD: Call 520-629-0510 ext 8 or 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”.
SANTA CRUZ FLATS
A *BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER continued at Evergreen Turf Sod Farm at Tweedy & Pretzer on 10/18 (m.ob.). A #HERRING GULL was photographed on 10/13 (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.
WHITEWATER DRAW
At Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, an #AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was reported again on 10/14 (Amber DeBardelaben). An #EASTERN PHOEBE was reported on 10/15 (m.ob.).
MAMMOTH
A #RED PHALAROPE was reported at the Mammoth WTP on 10/18 (Jake Thompson, Alexis Stark).
TUCSON area
A #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was photographed at Sweetwater Wetlands on 10/16 (Steve Nord) and continued on 10/17 (Alex Patia). An #EASTERN PHOEBE was reported across the street at Agua Nueva Park on 10/12 (Alex Patia) and continued through 10/18 (m.ob.)
A #RED-EYED VIREO was photographed at Ft Lowell Park on 10/15 (Mike Ostrowski) and continued through 10/18 (m.ob.).
At Silverlake Park a #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was photographed on 10/14 (Dominic DeLaca-Wauer).
A #TENNESSEE WARBLER was photographed at El Rio Open Space Preserve in Marana on 10/18 (Andrew Core). Annotated map: http://goo.gl/5vIQSb
GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS
In Madera Canyon (map: http://goo.gl/dXBYP), a #BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD continued at the Santa Rita Lodge through 10/17 (m.ob.).
A #TENNESSEE WARBLER was photographed at Canoa Ranch Conservation Park on 10/15 (Ezekiel Dobson) and continued through 10/17 (m.ob.).
TUBAC area (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/yDqi0)
A #PLAIN-CAPPED STARTHROAT was photographed south of the Tubac bridge on 10/12 (Bill Lisowsky).
A #RED-EYED VIREO was reported along Santa Gertrudis Lane on 10/15 (Rob Rutledge) and continued through 10/17 (m.ob.).
PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/XfXfX)
A #SCARLET TANAGER was reported in a Whitetail Canyon yard on 10/14 (Rick Taylor); a #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and a #GRAY CATBIRD continued this week as well.
#GRAY CATBIRDS were reported in Portal at Bob Rodrigues’s yard and at Cave Creek Ranch through 10/17 (m.ob.).
DOUGLAS area
A #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER continued in Guadalupe Canyon on 10/17 (m.ob.).
ARIVACA & BUENOS AIRES NWR
A #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was reported at Arivaca Lake on 10/18 (Brian Nicholas).
BENSON area
A #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was photographed in a yard in the Dragoon Mountains from 10/12-10/16 (Arlene Ripley).
PATAGONIA
A #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was photographed at the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve on 10/12 (Cathy Beck).
SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS
A #MAGNOLIA WARBLER was photographed at the west end of E Canada Dr on 10/13 (Ken Tracey) and continued through 10/15 (m.ob.). GPS: 31.4891, -110.2158
A #BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was photographed at the Ramsey Canyons on 10/15.
NOGALES area
A #RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER continued in Sycamore Canyon on 10/14 (Ethan Beasley).
WILLCOX & the SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY
A #THICK-BILLED LONGSPUR was photographed along Kimzey Rd east of Kansas Settlement Rd on 10/18 (Steven Tracey).
SONOITA & LAS CIENEGAS NCA
#THICK-BILLED LONGSPURS were reported from Smith Canyon Tank on 10/16 (m.ob.).
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
#American Golden-Plover
*BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER
#Red Phalarope
#Herring Gull
#Ruddy Ground Dove
#Berylline Hummingbird
#Plain-capped Starthroat
#Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
#Eastern Phoebe
#Red-eyed Vireo
#Black-capped Gnatcatcher
#Rufous-backed Robin
#Gray Catbird
#Tennessee Warbler
#Magnolia Warbler
#Black-throated Blue Warbler
#Rufous-capped Warbler
#Scarlet Tanager
#Thick-billed Longspur