Date: 4/6/24 12:03 am From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] [EXT]RBA Tucson, AZ - 5 April 2024
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Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona was made on April 5, 2024; the next update will be made on April 12. Email your reports 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. A list of review species can be found here: http://www.azfo.org/gallery/1main/ReviewList.html
For more information about Tucson Audubon field trips, lectures and educational opportunities, please see www.tucsonaudubon.org.
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: #Greater Scaup #Surf Scoter *MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD #Short-tailed Hawk #Least Tern *ELEGANT TERN #Ruddy Ground Dove #White-eared Hummingbird #Berylline Hummingbird #Green Kingfisher #Pacific Wren #Brown Thrasher #Tennessee Warbler *CAPE MAY WARBLER #Black-throated Blue Warbler #Golden-crowned Sparrow
SANTA CRUZ FLATS Two *ELEGANT TERNS were photographed at Arizona City Lake on 4/5 (Ronnie Reed).
GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS A *MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD was reported along I-19 in Green Valley on 3/31 (Cathy Beck). In Madera Canyon (map: http://goo.gl/dXBYP), a #BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD continued at both the Madera Kubo Lodge this week (m.ob.).
PATAGONIA The *CAPE MAY WARBLER continued this week through 4/3 (m.ob.), most reliably being seen along SR82 (Naugle Ave) on the southwest side of town; it has often been seen in the vicinity of the dispensary at 436 Naugle. A #TENNESSEE WARBLER was reported near the old treatment plant on Costello Dr on 4/5 (Beth Bruckheimer). #RUDDY GROUND-DOVES continued at the Paton Center for Hummingbirds this week (m.ob.). At Patagonia Lake (annotated map: http://goo.gl/GgNvs), #GREATER SCAUP continued along the Birding Trail at the east end of the lake through 3/30 (Joe Mahaffey).
AMADO A #GREATER SCAUP continued at the Amado STP this week (m.ob.). A #LEAST TERN was reported on 4/1 (m.ob.).
WILLCOX & the SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY A #SURF SCOTER was reported at Lake Cochise by the Twin Lakes Golf Course in Willcox on 4/5 (Thomas Bürgi) and was photographed later in the day (Peggy Steffens).
TUBAC area (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/yDqi0) A dark morph #SHORT-TAILED HAWK continued at the Tubac Hawk Watch at Ron Morriss Park through 3/31 (Peter Collins). #GREEN KINGFISHERS continued along the Santa Cruz River between Santa Gertrudis Lane and Chavez Siding Rd this week (m.ob.).
DOUGLAS area A #GREEN KINGFISHER was reported at San Bernardino NWR on 4/4 (Richard Webster). Annotated map: https://goo.gl/uX96Pw
SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS A #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD was photographed at Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary on 4/5 (m.ob.). A #PACIFIC WREN was recorded in Huachuca Canyon at the 1.7-mile parking area on 3/30 (Shawn Miller). A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continued at the Battiste Bed & Breakfast this week (m.ob.).
PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/XfXfX) A #BROWN THRASHER continued in a Whitetail Canyon yard this week (Rick Taylor). A #BROWN THRASHER continued at Cave Creek Ranch this week (m.ob.). A #BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER continued at the Southwestern Research Station on 4/3 (m.ob.).
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.
CORONA DE TUCSON WRF and NOGALES STP: Closed to entry; some facilities may be viewed from outside the fence.
