Date: 10/2/26 9:34 pm From: Andrew Core (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] RBA Tucson, AZ - 2 October 2026
Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Bird Alliance's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona
was made on October 2, 2026; the next update will be made on October 9.
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/OjZ7Cwn6XzHk8xA5LIVfGpsJb2Jb?<domain...> A list of review
species can be found here:
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/m8K3CxoWYAIDMv9pJHvhErsyElhp?<domain...>
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
#Red-shouldered Hawk
#Broad-winged Hawk
#Semipalmated Sandpiper
#Short-billed Dowitcher
#Sabine's Gull
#Common Tern
*LEAST FLYCATCHER
#Rufous-backed Robin
#Blackburnian Warbler
#Hooded Warbler
#Rufous-capped Warbler
#Streak-backed Oriole
There continued to be a large scale irruption of Clark’s Nutcrackers,
Pinyon Jays, Cassin’s Finches, and Evening Grosbeaks - mostly from the
upper forest but some foothill and lowland locations too.
GREENLEE COUNTY
A #LEAST FLYCATCHER was reported along the Apache Grove Birding Trail on
9/30 (Ezekiel Dobson). GPS: (32.87341, -109.19653)
ARIVACA & BUENOS AIRES NWR
At Arivaca Lake a #RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was photographed on 10/2 (Brian
Nicholas).
TUCSON area
#BROAD-WINGED HAWKS were reported from NW Tucson (Donna Memon) and
photographed at El Rio Preserve (Scott Boone) on 10/2. Another was reported
from Danny Lopez Park on 9/26 (Scott Shaum).
On Mt Lemmon, a #BROAD-WINGED HAWK was photographed at the Sunset Trailhead
(lower Bear Wallow) on 9/28 (Dominic DeLaca-Wauer).
A #HOODED WARBLER was photographed on campus at the University of Arizona
on 10/1 (AJ Vasquez). GPS: (32.23131, -110.95590)
PATAGONIA
#BROAD-WINGED HAWKS were reported at the Paton Center on 9/28 (Sean
Caufield) and Temporal Gulch on 9/30 (Jake Thompson).
At Patagonia Lake State Park (annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/iOYxCDwKGDTwvAn7BFRCG6sjrDfo?<domain...>) a #COMMON
TERN was photographed at the spillway on 9/30 (Jim Krakowski).
WILLCOX & the SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY
At Lake Cochise and the Twin Lakes Golf Course in Willcox, a #SEMIPALMATED
SANDPIPER and #SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER were reported on 9/29; the sandpiper
continued on 9/30 (m.ob.).
At Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, a #SABINE'S GULL was reported on 9/27
(m.ob.).
NOGALES area
At Pena Blanca Lake (annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/RCrQCEKLJEtO9xgwWIxFG9s7jIaI?<domain...>), a #BLACKBURNIAN
WARBLER was p on 9/27 (Henrey Deese, Cameron Tescher) and continued through
9/29 (Tony Shrimpton).
A #RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER continued this week in Sycamore Canyon (m.ob.).
GPS (31.4231, -111.1949).
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/gBWdCJEkOMflrw1k8IKI3psy-sNv?<domain...> for details.
RAMSEY CANYON - Ramsey Canyon Preserve is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
ASH CANYON BIRD SANCTUARY: open 7am 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/YXGbCLAmQOfVj9m0PcYTDzsyBZUu?<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/3ZoLCM7nRPIDO3Rp5HqUZJs8U84m?<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.
