Date: 12/26/25 9:04 pm
From: Andrew Core (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...>
Subject: [AZNMbirds] RBA Tucson, AZ - 26 December 2025
Hello Birders,

This update of Tucson Bird Alliance's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona
was made on December 26, 2025; the next update will be made on January 2.
Email your reports to rarebirdalert AT https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/O9HoCM7nRPIk49ODptwf7F8HfNb?<domain...>

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/S71NCN7oVgIPm9lJYF4h4FyEBRl?<domain...> A list of review
species can be found here:
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/urqECOJpWjfZmwRlDikiEFGkybN?<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/GvprCP6q0kCNEZG9BhjsWFx0Oq2?<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/ficGCQArYlflj9AgnSrtYFGpOB-?<domain...>

For more information about Tucson Bird Alliance field trips, lectures and
educational opportunities, please see https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/__yiCR8vZmt0qQmowioulF11YOS?<domain...>

SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
#Rough-legged Hawk
#Winter Wren
#Tennessee Warbler
#Ovenbird
#Louisiana Waterthrush
#Rufous-capped Warbler
#Golden-crowned Sparrow
#Orchard Oriole

WHITEWATER DRAW
At Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, a #ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK continued this week
(m.ob.).

GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS
In Madera Canyon (map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/u4IFCVJz4qfkoXwmVtWCLFEPaZc?<domain...>), a #WINTER WREN continued at
the Santa Rita Lodge on 12/23 (m.ob.).

PATAGONIA
At Patagonia Lake State Park (annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/hE1tCWWA5rTXmx9Z1fLFgFoDJkh?<domain...>) a #WINTER
WREN continued along the Birding Trail this week (m.ob.).

NOGALES area
A #TENNESSEE WARBLER and an #OVENBIRD were reported at the south end of
California Gulch on 12/21 (Keith Kamper, Chrissy Kondrat). Annotated map:
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/1L3gCXYBgvfDoG5jlfrH3FWsbha?<domain...>
A #RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER continued this week in Sycamore Canyon (m.ob.).

SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS
At the San Pedro House, a #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH continued this week
(m.ob.).

TUBAC area (annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/ilWuCYVDjwfp2g1mKTwI1FxDGMi?<domain...>)
A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was photographed from a private residence in
Salero Ranch on 12/20 (Sue Carnahan, Curtis Smith).

TUCSON area
An #ORCHARD ORIOLE continued along the river south of Starr Pass Blvd on
12/23 (m.ob.). GPS (32.205158, -110.988782)


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/GvprCP6q0kCNEZG9BhjsWFx0Oq2?<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/M06sCZZEkxi89x4A1UmSDFB4g0d?<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/2eNZC1VkgOfBNOzxrukTOFVs-15?<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/k1ZVC2GljPcZz6lWLimUEF5OLZ6?<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/IkFAC3Ymkgf9zxAojf8cqFQqC9p?<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. 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/ip1BC4WnljT9K60EZf8foF49eyW?<domain...>

 
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