Date: 3/18/23 6:10 am From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] [EXT]RBA Tucson, AZ - 17 March 2023
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Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona was made on March 17, 2023; the next update will be made on March 24. Phone your reports to 520-629-0510 X 3, or email to rarebirdalert AT tucsonaudubon.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 http://www.azfo.org/gallery/1main/whatIsABC.html and recent rarity photos can be seen at http://www.azfo.net/gallery/1main/photos_recent.html
GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS A *COUCH’S KINGBIRD, seen in late December and again in early February, continued sporadically at Green Valley Country Club (private property) through 3/16 (m.ob.). The bird evidently spends most of its time roaming the off-limits golf course, but has been seen from the Anza Trail along the east edge. Park at Desert Meadows Park and walk north about 3/4 mile. A *PINE WARBLER also continued sporadically through 3/17 (m.ob.).
GRAHAM COUNTY A *TRUMPETER SWAN continued at Graham County Regional Park on 3/17 (m.ob.). A #GREATER SCAUP was reported at Dankworth Pond on 3/17 (Jeff Coker).
SAN SIMON A *RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continued from the farms south of I-10 and San Simon through 3/14 (m.ob.). Take Nolan Road (the road to Portal) 6.5 miles south from I-10, then take Ratliff Rd east about 2.7 miles to a ranch. The bird prefers the five rows of leafless pecan trees. This is an active farm; please stay on the signed, public roads as a courtesy to the workers. Map: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L22099613
AMADO A female #GREATER SCAUP continued at the Amado STP this week (m.ob.).
TUBAC area (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/yDqi0) Two #SHORT-TAILED HAWKS were reported at the hawk watch at Ron Morriss Park on 3/15; one continued through 3/17 (m.ob.). A #GREEN KINGFISHER continued along the Santa Cruz River between Santa Gertrudis Lane and Chavez Siding Rd this week (m.ob.). A #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was reported along the Anza Trail at Santa Gertrudis Lane on 3/14 (m.ob.). A #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER continued along the Anza Trail at Tubac on 3/11 (Bill Lisowsky). A #PALM WARBLER was reported on 3/11 (Mike Baker). In Montosa Canyon (annotated map: http://goo.gl/8L8tv) a #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER and a #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER continued near the culvert this week (m.ob.).
SANTA CRUZ FLATS A #"HARLAN'S" RED-TAILED HAWK continued near the intersection of Phillips and 11 Mile Corner Rds this week (m.ob.). Two #WHIMBREL were reported (one photographed) along Greene Reservoir Rd west of Barnett Rd on 3/17 (Doug Jenness).
PATAGONIA A #RUDDY GROUND DOVE was reported at the Paton Venter for Hummingbirds on 3/13 (Neil Leeman). A #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH continued along Blue Haven Road between the Patons and the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve this week (m.ob.).
TUCSON area A #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER continued at Catalina State Park this week (m.ob.). Catalina State Park annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/JK93k A #GRAY CATBIRD continued intermittently in a yard at 3rd and Plumer in central Tucson through 3/17 (m.ob.).
SONOITA & LAS CIENEGAS NCA A #WINTER WREN continued in Empire Gulch on 3/17 (Nate Peterson). A #RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER was reported 3/11 (Ryan Hood). #LAPLAND LONGSPURS and #THICK-BILLED LONGSPURS continued from the Davis Pasture this week (m.ob.).
ARIVACA & BUENOS AIRES NWR An #EASTERN PHOEBE continued at Arivaca Lake this week (m.ob.).
SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS At the San Pedro House, a #WINTER WREN continued between marker #6 and #7 this week (m.ob.). A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continued at Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary through 3/17 (m.ob.). An #PACIFIC WREN was reported on 3/12 (Bob & Bettina Arrigoni) in Garden Canyon between the Upper Picnic Area and Sawmill Canyon.
PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/XfXfX) A #GRAY CATBIRD continued in a Whitetail Canyon yard on 3/17 (Rick Taylor). #THICK-BILLED LONGSPURS continued at Willow Tank this week (m.ob.). A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continued in private yards in different parts of town this week this week (m.ob.).
NOGALES area #RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS were reported again in Ramanote Canyon ( https://ebird.org/hotspot/L659733) on 3/17 (Rob Rutledge). High clearance/4WD is recommended for the road in.
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: http://webcms.pima.gov/government/wastewaterreclamation/
RAMSEY CANYON - Ramsey Canyon Preserve is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
ASH CANYON B&B: 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://home.army.mil/huachuca/index.php/about/Garrison/DES/physical-security/visitor-access. 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://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs 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 7AM 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.
ROGER ROAD WRF, CORONA DE TUCSON WRF, and NOGALES STP: Closed to entry; some facilities may be viewed from outside the fence.
