Date: 7/3/26 10:19 am From: Diane Drobka (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] cool new science! birding is good for your brain!
Neuroscience Just Discovered This Unexpected Hobby Slows Brain Aging
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Neuroscience Just Discovered This Unexpected Hobby Slows Brain Aging
Jessica Stillman
If you want to slow brain aging, you know you should exercise and eat right. But you probably never suspected th...
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Date: 7/1/26 3:26 pm From: Betsy Checchia (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Birding Grant, Hidalgo and Sierra Counties in New Mexico
I took a 4-day trip this past weekend from Albuquerque to Grant, Hidalgo
and Sierra Counties, places where I have seldom had an opportunity to
bird. I started on Friday on the Sierra County side of the Black Range,
then entered Grant County after I crossed over Emory Pass. Birded several
spots in the Black Range snd stayed in Silver City Friday and Saturday
nights. Continued birding in Grant County along the Gila River on
Saturday. Sunday morning I drove east into Hidalgo County and birded
several spots on the way to the Gila River again, then worked my way down
into the bootheel to Clanton Canyon near the Mexican border. Stayed in
Deming Sunday night, then hit the Caballo Lake/Percha Dam State Parks in
Sierra County on my way back to Albuquerque. County totals for the trip
were Sierra -- 49 species, including Bendire's Thrasher, Peregrine Falcon,
and Clark's and Western Grebes; Grant -- 103 species, inclding Gray Hawk,
Yellow-eyed Junco, Band-tailed Pigeon, Greater Pewee, Olive Warbler,
Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Swainson's Thrush; and Hidalgo -- 53 species,
including Montezuma Quail, Arizona Woodpecker, White-faced Ibis and Marbled
Godwit. Total different species for the weekend across all 3 counties --
132.
No life birds, but plenty of year birds, and lots of birds I'd only seen in
Arizona.
Date: 6/24/26 1:39 pm From: dpsiminski (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] San Pedro River Birding Walk
This morning, 10 birders participated in The Friends of the San Pedro River’s
Birding Walk. From the San Pedro House, we birded the river, Garden Wash, old
farm fields, Chihuahuan desert scrub, a flooded abandoned gravel pit, and an
old oxbow pond along the San Pedro House trail system. This is all within the
BLM’s San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. We saw 45 species of
birds.
Our bird of the day was a juvenile Peregrine falcon. We saw it perched on one
of the Soaptree Yuccas south of the San Pedro House. Peregrines are highly
unusual in the Conservation Area during the summer. We speculated that it
might be a dispersing juvenile from one of the eyries in the Huachuca
Mountains. We had a distant view, but still an exciting sighting.
Some other highlights were a Lesser Nighthawk making as few passes at Black
Phoebe Pond before dipping its beak in the pond for a drink, Barn Swallows
nesting again on the San Pedro House for the first time in many years, and
lots of Blue Grosbeaks.
The one occupied Great Blue Heron nest on this stretch of the river still has
nestlings, but very large nestlings, seemingly as big as the adults but with
black foreheads, not the white foreheads of the adults. With the river
reduced to just puddles on this stretch of river, the puddles are packed with
invasive American Bullfrogs. Easy prey for the adult herons, and tasty meals
for the nestlings.
A non-bird highlight of the walk was three species of velvet ants. The
Magnificent (it is) Velvet Ant, the Thistledown (it resembles a downy creosote
bush seed tumbling along the ground) Velvet Ant, and the Fox’s Velvet Ant.
The Friends of the San Pedro River leads birding walks on the second and
fourth Wednesday of each month. For the months of June, July and August, the
walks leave at 6:00a from the BLM’s San Pedro House south of State Route 90
just west of the San Pedro River. We walk about 4km, and we are out for about
three to three and one half hours. Bring your own binoculars, a hat and water.
The next San Pedro River birding walk is on Wednesday, 8 July, at 6:00a.
See you there.
Pete Siminski
Friends of the San Pedro River
Sierra Vista AZ
Date: 6/24/26 9:41 am From: Bob Eiermann (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Can you please unsubscribe me from this mailing list...
....I don't use this email for personal business anymore.
Early this afternoon (it’s hard for me to leave the Zunis) I found a broad-wing hawk adult in the central Zuni Mountains. It was northwest of Sawyer, at the mouth of what is sometimes called Granite Canyon but is unnamed on topo maps. The location is approximately here: 35.18484, -108.22869. Access is off Forest Road 50 to an unmarked dirt track east of Sawyer called FR 50P on some maps. If you go over a yellow cattle guard and past a big pile of large white rocks, you’ve found the right “road.” It is unsuitable for low-slung vehicles.
Equally exciting (for me anyway) was a singing Lincoln’s sparrow at Red Wall Canyon this morning. This is about and hour’s hike from the hawk location. Red Wall Canyon is a relatively short, wet canyon that is worth visiting just for the scenery, but it is the best place known in these mountains for summering Lincoln’s sparrows. The canyon access is about here: 35.19142, -108.25346. Five large bull elk with substantial antlers in the velvet were at the canyon when I visited. The few other places with water were also heavily attended by all sorts of wildlife from insects to elk when I visited.
Best,
John Trochet
Sacramento, California (now heading home- really)
Date: 6/21/26 6:00 am From: trochetj (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] CWNM: Cibola County eastern phoebe- no
Dear Birders,
En route home this morning I made a check for the eastern phoebe in lower Bluewater Canyon (aka the gorge). I didn’t find it. Playing the recorded song from a few days ago elicited no reply. I hiked no farther up the canyon, so I don’t know the status of the other birds recently reported there.
Best,
John Trochet
Sacramento, California
currently in the Zunis
Date: 6/19/26 8:05 pm From: Andrew Core (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] RBA Tucson, AZ - 19 June 2026
Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Bird Alliance's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona
was made on June 19, 2026; the next update will be made on June 26. Email
your reports to rarebirdalert AT tucsonbirds.org
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. Documentation and photos of review species may be submitted
at https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/v4dYCqAWOqfJOWYgGfZfkcEnhwV?<domain...> A list of review
species can be found here:
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/M6j6CrgWPrT4A9QyXczhXc4MCSL?<domain...>
PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS (annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/cibECypWZBtANnOGECAu9cx1_b0?<domain...>)
A *WOOD THRUSH was recorded in a Whitetail Canyon yard on 6/16 (Rick
Taylor) and continued through 6/18. A #HOODED WARBLER was photographed on
6/13.
A #BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD was reported at the Southwestern Research Station
on 6/13 (Abbie Brozich) and continued through 6/18 (m.ob.).
SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS
In Miller Canyon a *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER continued this week (m.ob.) near
the old mill. GPS: (31.4112, -110.28177). A #HOODED WARBLER was reported on
6/15 and 6/19 (m.ob.).
A #BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD continued in Ramsey Canyon Preserve this week
(m.ob.).
A #HOODED WARBLER was reported at the San Pedro House on 6/17 (Erika M
Wilson).
GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS
A #LEAST GREBE continued at the Green Valley WRF on 6/14 (m.ob.). A #LEAST
TERN was photographed on 6/14 (Parker Davis, Nell Smith). ACCESS NOTE:
access is through a pedestrian gate east of the vehicle gate. Please park
outside the fence and walk in.
In Box Canyon (map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/x5Q4Czqg1DiORLWXvCBCVc9ZVM7?<domain...>), a #BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJAR
continued near the bridge in the lower canyon this week (m.ob.).
In Madera Canyon (map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/cC1hCA8EBztG9YpxMHOFOcGLSbd?<domain...>), a #BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD
continued at the Santa Rita Lodge and Madera Kubo B&B this week (m.ob.),
but note that a very similar hybrid BROAD-BILLED x BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD
has been seen this week as well (m.ob.). Note the rust-colored bars in the
wing coverts and white flecking on the chin of the female Berylline, and
the solid dark gray wings (including coverts) of the hybrid. In flight,
look for the presence of rusty color in the wings for the Berylline. A
#SHORT-TAILED HAWK was photographed in the upper canyon on 6/13 (Michael
Hochstetler).
WILLCOX & the SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY
A #COMMON TERN was photographed at Lake Cochise by the Twin Lakes Golf
Course in Willcox on 6/18 (Dave Stejskal).
TUCSON area
A #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD was reported on Mt Lemmon at the Palisades
Visitor Center on 6/14 (Scott Olmstead, Jennie Duberstein) and continued
briefly on 6/16 (Henry Detwiler).
SANTA CRUZ FLATS
A #SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was photographed at the corner of Nutt &
Barrett Rds on 6/15 (Paul Heveran).
PATAGONIA
A #ROSE-THROATED BECARD continued along Harshaw Creek Road this week
(m.ob.) in the same place as last year. GPS: (31.51621, -110.69293). ACCESS
NOTE: please stay on the road – the creek is private property.
At Patagonia Lake State Park (annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/9HeMCB1GDATzVoWx3u7Hwc28Q8A?<domain...>)
#BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued below the spillway this week (m.ob.).
GPS: (31.493574, -110.874411).
TUCSON - Mosquito control operations are scheduled at Sweetwater Wetlands
from 6:30-9:00am on Mondays during the warmer months (usually March -
November). The gate will open when operations are finished. Due to
long-term construction, Roger Road WRF is closed. See the Sweetwater page (
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/37z2CEKLJEtkWP4wKfKSlc7N4da?<domain...> for details.
RAMSEY CANYON - Ramsey Canyon Preserve is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
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.
FORT HUACHUCA - access requirements are posted on its official webpage at
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/VswMCJEkOMfg8X9kPU8UMcyxJv-?<domain...> The Visitor Control Center is located at the Van Deman Gate on Hwy 90. The
fort 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 must pass a
background check and should be prepared to show photo ID for everyone in
the vehicle at the entrance, and possibly your vehicle registration and
insurance as well. Sometimes, foreign nationals are required to have an
approved military escort; contact the base (520.533.7111), or possibly the
Sierra Vista Visitor's Bureau (520.417.6960) well in advance. ACCESS NOTE:
a REAL ID is required for entry; some state driver's licenses qualify; see
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/7-rECKAlPNfZqJ7Q0UXcXc5AtDS?<domain...> for details.
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.
AVRA VALLEY WRF: Gates open at 8AM and close PROMPTLY at 2PM (do not
linger, you will be locked inside). Access subject to change without notice.
GREEN VALLEY WRF: Open 7 AM - 2 PM. Park outside the fence and use the
pedestrian gate; stay away from buildings and construction equipment.
Access subject to change without notice.
CORONA DE TUCSON WRF and NOGALES STP: Closed to entry; some facilities may
be viewed from outside the fence.
Date: 6/18/26 3:46 pm From: trochetj (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] CWNM: lower Bluewater Canyon near Bluewater Village, Cibola County
Dear Birders,
This morning I walked the BLM parcel signed lower Bluewater Canyon. This is accessed off Interstate 40 at exit 72 for Bluewater Village. Take the frontage road to the north, going against the east-bound interstate traffic, for about two miles. Turn left on Plano Road and go west about two miles. The road becomes a good gravel surface and shortly you’ll find a fenced parking lot on the outside of a right-hand turn. The trail to the canyon begins here. Often it’s useful to have rubber knee boots but they’re unnecessary currently. I walked up to the 11th creek crossing today.
The highlights were eastern phoebe, summer tanager and at least three gray catbirds.
The eastern phoebe was singing nonstop at 05:50, and still singing intermittently 150 minutes later. Its location is near the end of the first “S” turn in the canyon (as you’re going up), where vertical rock runs right to the creek. There are two nests on the rock wall there, one old and one possibly in use. It was just a bit too high on the rock wall for me to see into it. A 74”-tall birder should easily be able to. There was no obvious mate at hand- black phoebes have territories elsewhere in the canyon, and that’s a possibility here, too.
The summer tanager was singing regularly both on ascent and descent this morning between creek crossings three and four. Two of the catbirds were in this reach, too, the other just above the sixth crossing.
At least two ladder-backed woodpeckers are currently in the canyon as well.
Best,
John Trochet
Sacramento, California
currently visiting the Zuni Mountains
Date: 6/18/26 1:25 pm From: Doug Jenness (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] AZFO Field Expedition, Aug 22
6/18/2026
*Help Look for Purple Martins, Cassins’s Sparrows, and Crested Caracaras!*
Arizona Field Ornithologists is conducting a field expedition in the Cactus
Forest area, Pinal County, on Saturday, August 22. This is one of our
eBirds Gaps underbirded areas and includes a lush saguaro forest and an
upland grasslands. Located near Coolidge and Florence, there are three
species that we particularly want to learn more about: Desert Purple
Martin, Crested Caracara, and Cassin’s Sparrow.
If you like, you can meet participants at The Boulders along the
Florence-Kelvin Highway (16 mi. east of AZ 79) and camp out on Friday
night. The rustic campsite is on BLM land. Others can meet there Saturday
morning at 6:00 am. We’ll likely get together mid-afternoon at a restaurant
in Florence to share the results and experiences. Most of the birding will
be along roads and at earthen cattle tanks and will not involve long
walking. More details will be coming. If you would like to participate,
contact Doug Jenness <dougjenness...>. Check the AZFO website
<https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/MK-ICwn6XzHgGjG08uVfycJK7Kp?<domain...> for updates and a map of the Cactus
Forest Area.
Date: 6/12/26 9:19 am From: Doug Jenness (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Global Big Day--AZ results
June 12, 2026
Hundreds of birders were in the field throughout Arizona on May 9 for the
Global Big Day spring migration count. We tallied 304 species, which was a
good showing.
One new species was added to the 23-year cumulative state list for the
migration count: TRICOLORED HERON, amazingly two of them, one each in Gila
and Maricopa counties. For only the second year we tallied American
Golden-plover (Coconino), Black-bellied Plover (Coconino, Pinal), and
Laughing Gull (Pinal). Forty species from 10 counties were reported from
only one county. No county reported their highest number of species in 23
years, but Pima County scored its second highest (208). The totals by
county were: Cochise (218), Pima (208), Coconino (185), Maricopa (184),
Pinal (179), Santa Cruz (171), Yavapai (170), Gila (155), Graham (154),
Navajo (122), Apache (116), Mohave (85), Greenlee (58), Yuma (58), and La
Paz (18).
Only five species were reported from all 15 counties, which was mainly due
to the small totals from a couple of counties. As in most previous years,
Arizona had the third highest number of species in the United States after
Texas (399) and California (376). New Mexico (289) was fourth.
Figures tallied for four wood-warblers that migrate through but are not
known to nest in Arizona were the highest in five years for Townsend’s
Warbler (122), but were lower for Wilson’s Warbler (262), Nashville Warbler
(5), and Hermit Warbler (7). Both Rufous and Calliope hummingbirds were
reported in seven counties compared to their previous high of four counties
each. Forty-four Calliope Hummingbirds and 20 Rufous Hummingbirds were
reported.
The final tallies will be posted on the AZFO website where they will appear
with the results of previous years.
Date: 6/10/26 3:41 pm From: Richard Bansberg (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] San Pedro House Birding Walk
Hello Birders,
This morning 10 participants birded the trails at the San Pedro House and tallied 45 species. A Cactus Wren and a Phainopepla were seen at the house prior to heading out on the trails. While common in the general area these two species are seldom seen on the birding walks, maybe once or twice a year. There were lots of singing birds everywhere we walked and lots of fledgings were noted, especially Lucy’s and Yellow Warblers, Verdins, Towhees and Vermillion Flycatchers. We saw three Great Blue Herons at Black Phoebe Pond and suspected that the herons at the nesting site had fledged, but two large nestlings were still present at the nest when we walked by. Other sighting included several Lesser Nighthawks and a FOS Varied Bunting.
The Friends of the San Pedro River leads birding walks every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. For the months of June, July and August the walks leave at 6:00a from the BLM’s San Pedro House south of State Route 90 just west of the San Pedro River. We walk about 2.5 miles and are out for about three hours. Bring your own binoculars, a hat and water.
The next San Pedro River birding walk is on Wednesday, June 24 at 6:00a.
Date: 6/9/26 3:19 pm From: John Williams (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Morning chorus
One of the great pleasures I have is waking up with the birds.
4:25 two or three Great Horned Owls are having a conversation. They nest nearby and are quite vocal.
The dawn call of the Brown-crested Flycatcher begins with soft churring. A rooster is warming up.
4:35. A Curved-billed Thrasher starts with two note calls. Loud! White-winged and Mourning Doves start up, soon making a solid background tone that blends together.
4:40 A glimmer of dawn… I’m in the shadow of Pusch Ridge so at 15 to sunrise…. Northern Cardinal or Pyrrhuloxia starts up…. I have both, can’t tell them apart by sound.
4:45 House Finch and House Sparrow start, a Cactus Wren ratchets up, Quail in the wash.
4:50-5:00 the first Lesser Goldfinches arrive for water from the fountain. Gila Woodpeckers chatter.
It was better Sunday with less traffic noise, but it is still a nice way to accompany a mug of coffee.
