Date: 5/8/26 10:35 pm From: Andrew Core (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] RBA Tucson, AZ - 8 May 2026
Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Bird Alliance's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona
was made on May 8, 2026; the next update will be made on May 15. 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/akt-CLAmQOfX33J2RTBfkUyn2xQ?<domain...> A list of review
species can be found here:
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/dzLxCM7nRPI9JJQYqikh8U85WjO?<domain...>
GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS
A *WESTERN GULL was photographed at the Green Valley WRF on 5/5 (Lucas
Pittman). ACCESS NOTE: access is now 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/mFfKCQArYlf9RR5LkiAuOUGr0qM?<domain...>), a #BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJAR
continued near the bridge in the lower canyon through 5/1 (m.ob.).
At Canoa Ranch a #HOODED WARBLER was photographed on 5/5 (Michael Roper).
SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS
In Miller Canyon a pair of *FLAME-COLORED TANAGERS continued this week
(m.ob.) near the old mill. GPS: (31.4112, -110.28177).
A #BROAD-WINGED HAWK was reported from the San Pedro House on 5/7 (John
Carey).
A #TENNESSEE WARBLER was recorded in Lower Carr Canyon on 5/6 (Steve
Tracey).
PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS (annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/XQ8BCR8vZmtQOOAXvUQCGU118R1?<domain...>)
A #BROAD-WINGED HAWK was reported in Portal on 5/2 (Rose Ann Rowlett). A
#BROWN THRASHER continued in a private yard in Portal on 5/6 (Richard
Webster).
A #YELLOW-THROATED VIREO was recorded on 5/2 (Scott Boone) at the Sea
Captain Rock Formation in Chiricahua National Monument.
A #TENNESSEE WARBLER was photographed in the South Fork of Cave Creek
Canyon on 5/3 (Lane Theander).
A #YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER was reported in a Whitetail Canyon yard on 5/2
(Rick Taylor).
A #CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER was reported from the Southwestern Research
Station on 5/2 (Tucker Davidson, Steven Munoz).
TUCSON area
On Mt Lemmon, a #SHORT-TAILED HAWK continued over the Bear Wallow/Mt
Bigelow area on 4/26 (m.ob.).
A #TENNESSEE WARBLER was photographed at Danny Lopez Park on 5/5 (Steve
Nord).
A #WORM-EATING WARBLER was reported on 5/4 (Nate Peterson) from private
property along Sabino Creek just outside the Sabino Canyon park boundary
and continued on 5/7. A #YELLOW-THROATED VIREO was reported on 5/5 (Nate
Peterson) and was photographed later in the day (Joe Aliperti). A
#PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was reported on 5/8 (Marc Passmann).
A #PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was reported at Agua Nueva Park on 5/8 (Alex Patia)
and continued throughout the day.
A #HOODED WARBLER was reported from Bonita Park (Congress St. and the Santa
Cruz River) on 5/7 (Emily Barrick).
PATAGONIA
At Patagonia Lake State Park (annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/8t4HCVJz4qfXZZD8xTEFBUERm_7?<domain...>) a #LEAST
TERN was reported along the Birding Trail on 5/2 (Layton Pickard, Ezekiel
Dobson) and continued through 5/5 (m.ob.).
A #ROSE-THROATED BECARD was photographed along Harshaw Creek Road on 5/3
(Marc Faucher) in the same place as last year. GPS: (31.51621, -110.69293).
ACCESS NOTE: please stay on the road – the creek is private property.
A #TENNESSEE WARBLER was reported along Blue Haven Rd on 5/4 (Jake
Thompson) at Temporal Gulch just past the entrance to the Patagonia-
Sonoita Creek Preserve.
WILLCOX & the SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY
A #LEAST TERN was reported at Lake Cochise by the Twin Lakes Golf Course in
Willcox on 5/7 and continued on 5/8 (m.ob.). A #HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL
continued through 5/6 (m.ob.). A #SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER was reported on
5/8 (Ryan Hood).
NOGALES area
#BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJARS continued at the south end of California Gulch at
the confluence with Warsaw Canyon this week (m.ob.). Annotated map:
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/RsdLCWWA5rTx44A85tOHYUobAA8?<domain...> #RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS continued this week in Sycamore Canyon (m.ob.). GPS
(31.417354, -111.196266).
AJO
An #OVENBIRD was photographed at the Ajo Plaza on 5/8 (Craig Fischer).
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/RK58CXYBgvfG99xZXSQIDUWe9tM?<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/_GOnCZZEkxixjj3Y5tRTgUBxUxh?<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/6vsGC1VkgOfOZZ7XMC4UMUVBqrX?<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.
