Date: 11/28/25 7:15 pm
From: Andrew Core (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...>
Subject: [AZNMbirds] RBA Tucson, AZ - 28 November 2025
Hello Birders,

This update of Tucson Bird Alliance's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona
was made on November 28, 2025; the next update will be made on December 5.
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/jLebCjAWEjfGgQE4JHWfRCmdWKU?<domain...> A list of review
species can be found here:
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/RCwcCk6WGkCXgzly0TVhRCGx9Eu?<domain...>

Where directions are not given, they can be found in the most recent
edition of Tucson Bird Alliance's "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona".
More information may be found here: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/-tBTCl8WJltPLNGwKcyi8Czn5pg?<domain...>
For additional sightings in the region, please see the The Arizona-New
Mexico Birding ListServ (https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/arc/aznmbirds) or
the Arizona Birding group on Facebook (
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/-CSVCm7WKmIPvNXoYc9sECRI0Ar?<domain...>

For more information about Tucson Bird Alliance field trips, lectures and
educational opportunities, please see https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/IwS4CnGWL0c3nNwZLtmtACJfr5u?<domain...>

SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
#Eastern Phoebe
#Winter Wren
#Varied Thrush
#Gray Catbird
#Tennessee Warbler
#Chestnut-sided Warbler
#Blackburnian Warbler
#Blackpoll Warbler
#Hooded Warbler
#Orchard Oriole

ARIVACA & BUENOS AIRES NWR
At Arivaca Lake a #EASTERN PHOEBE continued through 11/28 (m.ob.).

PATAGONIA
At Patagonia Lake State Park (annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/pWoQCoAWMofPk39VGcou2CpqXL_?<domain...>) a #WINTER
WREN and a #EASTERN PHOEBE continued along the Birding Trail this week
(m.ob.).

PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS (annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/8EROCp9WNpfO53k0Li7CyCGSWBo?<domain...>)
A #VARIED THRUSH continued in a Whitetail Canyon yard on 11/27 (Rick
Taylor).
A #GRAY CATBIRD continued at Cave Creek Ranch this week (m.ob.).

TUCSON area
A #CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER was reported south of Twin Peaks Rd on the east
side of the river on 11/23 (Caleb Gordon) and continued on 11/24 (m.ob.). A
#TENNESSEE WARBLER was reported on 11/24 (Caleb Gordon) and 11/25 (m.ob.).
A #TENNESSEE WARBLER and a # BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER were reported in the
Tanque Verde Wash 0.4 miles west of Wentworth Rd. on 11/27 (Will Russell).
A #BLACKPOLL WARBLER was reported at Sweetwater Wetlands on 11/26 (Debra
Koss).
An #ORCHARD ORIOLE was photographed along the river south of Starr Pass
Blvd on 11/27 (Janine McCabe). GPS (32.205158, -110.988782)

SANTA CRUZ FLATS
A #HOODED WARBLER was photographed along the Santa Cruz River at Sasco Rd
on 11/25 (Nate Peterson).

AJO
An #ORCHARD ORIOLE was photographed at the Highway Tank between Ajo and Why
on 11/23 (Doug Backlund).


ANNOUNCEMENTS
The revised 8th edition of Tucson BIrd Alliance's "Finding Birds in
Southeast Arizona" is available here: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/-tBTCl8WJltPLNGwKcyi8Czn5pg?<domain...>/

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/8gkICqAWOqfk9jByrSvF3CEHZEc?<domain...> for details.

The Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department security
procedures are subject to change any time. Please see the "bird watching"
link on this page for important information regarding access:
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/y9FxCrgWPrTnxlMRjTLHpC4uzd6?<domain...>

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/jxWRCvm6WyFLvz1ngFEImCQbVve?<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/XTOrCwn6XzHVo36EQiXSXCJ1aN6?<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, 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.

Andrew Core
SEAZ RBA Compiler - Tucson, AZ
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/uZeECxoWYAIRZo850h0T3Cy2bZF?<domain...>

 
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