Date: 4/11/25 10:16 pm From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] RBA Tucson, AZ - 11 April 2025
Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Bird Alliance's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona
was made on April 11, 2025; the next update will be made on April 18. 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/VSlACxoWYAImxkQWwi8fZcyg09s?<domain...> A list of review
species can be found here:
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/A8wdCypWZBt6LZyBkiMhJcx8Xzb?<domain...>
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
#Pacific Loon
#Broad-winged Hawk
#Short-tailed Hawk
#American Golden-Plover
*UPLAND SANDPIPER
#Berylline Hummingbird
#Eastern Phoebe
#Winter Wren
#Black-capped Gnatcatcher
#Rufous-backed Robin
#Louisiana Waterthrush
#Rufous-capped Warbler
#Golden-crowned Sparrow
#Orchard Oriole
TUCSON area
An *UPLAND SANDPIPER was photographed in Marana along Marana Rd on 4/7
(Joshua Rudolph).
A #BROAD-WINGED HAWK was reported in the Tanque Verde Wash west of
Wentworth Rd. on 4/6 (Elizabeth Weintraub).
A #SHORT-TAILED HAWK was reported again over the Bear Wallow/Mt Bigelow
area on Mt Lemmon on 4/9 (Brian Nicholas).
An #EASTERN PHOEBE was photographed at La Posta Quemada Ranch in Colossal
Cave Mountain Park in southeast Tucson on 4/5 (Dominic DeLaca-Wauer).
PINAL COUNTY
A #PACIFIC LOON was photographed at the main pond at SaddleBrooke Ranch on
4/6 (Karen Vanderwall) and continued through 4/11 (m.ob.). Note that this
gated community is 6 miles north of SaddleBrooke. Ask the guard at the gate
for permission, and stay off the golf course.
An #ORCHARD ORIOLE continued in SaddleBrooke on 4/11 (Bob Bowers).
TUBAC area (annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/JkIZCDwKGDTj3qO80ckuYcjoZLz?<domain...>)
A #BROAD-WINGED HAWK was continued at the Tubac Hawk Watch at Ron Morriss
Park this week (m.ob.). One was reported at Santa Gertrudis Lane on 4/10
(David Griffin).
A #WINTER WREN continued along the Anza Trail in Tubac on 4/7 (m.ob.).
SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS
At the San Pedro House, a #BROAD-WINGED HAWK was reported along the river
on 4/7 (John Hinton).
At the Hereford Bridge over the San Pedro River, a light morph
#BROAD-WINGED HAWK was photographed on 4/10 (Debra Chatham).
A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continued at the Battiste Bed & Breakfast on 4/8
(Tony Battiste).
A #BROWN THRASHER continued in a Hereford yard on 4/6 (Nick Whelan).
WILLCOX & the SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY
An #AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was reported at Lake Cochise by the Twin Lakes
Golf Course on 4/10 (Leo Miller) and continued on 4/11 (m.ob.). Note that a
Black-bellied Plover is also present.
GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS
In Madera Canyon (map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/Q5kdCEKLJEt1pL6ZMtBC7c7pMvn?<domain...>), a #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH
continued in the lower part of the canyon this week (m.ob.), and a
#BROAD-WINGED HAWK was reported on 4/11 (David Griffin). The #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.
In Florida Canyon (annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/y_qSCGwNLJTWAkLzGtYFpcBRxUl?<domain...>), a #RUFOUS-CAPPED
WARBLER continued this week near the dam (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 all 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.
ARIVACA & BUENOS AIRES NWR
A #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER continued at Arivaca Lake on 4/6 (Janelle
Willis) in Cedar Canyon below the dam.
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/30lVCLAmQOfNQKYz4SASVcyxk2P?<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/XwTHCN7oVgIVj7MgXt7UPcyJ_oz?<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/O0lCCOJpWjf5vn2B4fpcxcGqvY7?<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. Use the call box at the gate, follow
the signs for parking, and 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.
