Date: 2/23/19 1:00 am From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] RBA Tucson, AZ - 22 February November 2019
Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast
Arizona was made on February 22, 2019; the next update will be made on
March 1. 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.
GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS
In Madera Canyon (map: http://goo.gl/dXBYP), the *WHITE-THROATED THRUSH
continued this week along the trail between the Whitehouse Picnic Area and
the Proctor Rd trails. It seemed to favor the area closer to Proctor Rd
this week, and was often seen with the flock of American Robins.
#BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued along Proctor Rd this week (m.ob.).
In Florida Canyon (annotated map: http://goo.gl/AAzD6), #RUFOUS-CAPPED
WARBLERS continued (m.ob.) in the West Fork above the dam. Directions:
About 400 yards from parking lot is a metal gate, and just past the gate
the canyon forks. The main trail follows the East Fork, but most sightings
have been in the West Fork to the right. About 125 yards up the rough trail
in the West Fork is a large water tank and a low dam. The oak grove is
about 1/3 mile past the dam. Note: The trail for the West Fork can be
difficult to find, and is steep and rough in places. If you see the sign
with distances to Florida Saddle, Madera Canyon, etc you've missed the
turn. It is not necessary, recommended or permissible to enter the research
station to see these birds. A #VARIED THRUSH continued near the parking
area (m.ob.) and a #WINTER WREN continued near the dam this week (m.ob.)
and a #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS continued on 2/16 (Brian NIcholas). A #"RED"
FOX SPARROW was reported on 2/19 (m.ob.). #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS
continued in Florida Canyon this week (m.ob.); they've been seen near the
Florida Canyon parking area and a short distance up the trail, and at the
old corral at FR488 & 62A.
A #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW continued at Canoa Ranch Conservation Park on 2/17
(Cathy Beck).
GRAHAM COUNTY
The *RINGED KINGFISHER was seen again in the Safford area this week (m.ob.)
near Roper Lake State Park. The kingfisher has been seen in 3-4 different
locations in the area, including Roper Lake State Park, Dankworth Pond, a
few small private ponds between the two spots and in a private pond north
of Roper Lake. This last pond is on private property but the kingfisher can
be heard and occasionally seen from Roper Lake Road. PLEASE do not trespass
– there were some unfortunate events in December that were quite
preventable, if people would just remember to stay on the road. Map:
https://goo.gl/LF6TFh
TUBAC area (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/yDqi0)
A pair of *ROSE-THROATED BECARDS continued about 1/4 mile north of the
Tubac bridge this week (m.ob.).
SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS
A *RUSTY BLACKBIRD was reported at the Hereford Bridge over the San Pedro
on 2/19 (Kai Millyard).
At the San Pedro House, a #GREEN KINGFISHER and a #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH
continued this week (m.ob.) along the San Pedro River. The waterthrush is
often between posts #6 and #8 and the kingfisher has been seen north of the
Highway 90 bridge. A #WINTER WREN continued on 2/18 (Susan Allerton) near
Kingfisher Pond south of marker #8.
In Hunter Canyon (https://goo.gl/CR4YXm), #RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS continued
this week in the upper canyon about 0.7 miles up the trail from the end of
Hunter Canyon Road just as the trail enters the grove of trees.
WILLCOX
A #EURASIAN WIGEON continued at Lake Cochise by the Twin Lakes Golf Course
in Willcox this week (m.ob.).
PATAGONIA
At Patagonia Lake (annotated map: http://goo.gl/GgNvs), a #GREEN KINGFISHER
and #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued this week (m.ob.) at the east end
along the Birding Trail. A #GREATER SCAUP continued on the lake this week
(m.ob.).
A #"RED" FOX SPARROW continued at the Paton Center for Hummingbirds this
week (m.ob.).
SANTA CRUZ FLATS
A #"HARLAN’S" RED-TAILED HAWK continued this week (Doug Jenness) near the
intersection of Green Reservoir Rd and Curry Rd.
SONOITA & LAS CIENEGAS NCA
A #ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK continued this week along Highway 82 east of Sonoita
between mile markers 35 and 36 (m.ob.) on both side of the road.
TUCSON area
A #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was photographed at Gordon Hirabayashi
Recreation Area on Mt Lemmon on 2/17 (Chris Rohrer) and continued on 2/20
(Tim Burkhardt).
BENSON area
A pair of #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued on the Guindani Loop Trail
at Kartchner Caverns State Park this week on 2/18 (m.ob.).
PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/XfXfX)
A #"RED" FOX SPARROW and a #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continued at Cave Creek
Ranch this week (m.ob.).
A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was reported at a private residence in Portal on
2/22 (John Yerger).
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 Wednesday, 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
http://www.huachuca.army.mil/pages/des/accesscontrol.html. 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. Foreign nationals must be accompanied by 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: apparently some states
driver's licenses do not meet federal requirements for base entry (KY, ME,
MT, PA, SC, MN, MO, and WA); see https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs or
http://huachuca-www.army.mil/pages/des/visitoraccess.html 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: under construction, access uncertain. Gates open 7AM and
close PROMPTLY at 2PM (do not linger, you will be locked inside).
GREEN VALLEY WRF: under construction, access uncertain (usually weekends).
When open, use the call box at the gate, sign in and out at the office, and
stay away from buildings and construction equipment.
ROGER ROAD WRF, CORONA DE TUCSON WRF, and NOGALES STP: Closed.
Approximately 10"s of snow on the San Rafael Valley Road this morning Saw 1 lonely Baird's Sparrow and 2 C Ravens on the fence at the Vaca Ranch stock enclosures, west of the Santa Cruz River crossing, at 9;30am.
Made it to Patagonia by about noon, where there was a flock of at least 150 Cedar Waxwings at the post office.
With almost 5 inches of snow during the day today in Vail, I've been watching a SAY'S PHOEBE for the last half hour eating peanut butter from my backyard feeder, seemingly to compensate for the lack of available bugs.
First time I've ever observed this behavior, yet it makes perfect sense.
Hello All, Tucson Audubon is hosting a free poetry reading on Wednesday March 6 at 3pm with Janet Ruth, the author of Feathered Dreams. Many us us remember Janet from her work at USGS here in SE Arizona with Grasshopper Sparrows. She often posted here on the listerve asking for volunteers to help walk though the fields and flush birds to the nets at the Audubon Research Ranch near Elgin, AZ. Janet will be in town for the Tucson Festival of Books and has kindly offered to do this free reading of her poetry for the birders of southeast Arizona. More info can be found on Tucson Audubon's event calendar: http://tucsonaudubon.org/news-events/ I hope you can join us, Jennie MacFarland
Date: 2/20/19 6:03 pm From: David Reynolds <david.reynolds...> Subject: RE: [AZNMbirds] American Robins in Tempe!
I saw 2 AMERICAN ROBINS at about 2:00 PM today in the McDowell Mountains near Tom's Thumb.
From: <aznmbirds-request...> [mailto:<aznmbirds-request...>] On Behalf Of Ernie Nickels Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2019 5:21 PM To: <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] American Robins in Tempe!
Today 2/20/19 after lunch there were 3 AMERICAN ROBINS in big trees in our back yard (Broadway east of College). Later a lone male was on the ground in the grass & white violet weeds. Pretty exciting for a cold February day!
I stopped at the Hardesty Building/Randolph Golf Course ponds this afternoon and found a wide variety of ducks, including Cinnamon Teal, N. Shoveler, Am. Wigeon, Ruddy, Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye, and, of course, Mallard. Also a Spotted Sandpiper, Coots, and still more turtles (Red-eared Sliders) than birds. 22 species total; list is on eBird.
Date: 2/20/19 4:25 pm From: Ernie Nickels <nickelseldesigns...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] American Robins in Tempe!
Today 2/20/19 after lunch there were 3 AMERICAN ROBINS in big trees in our back yard (Broadway east of College). Later a lone male was on the ground in the grass & white violet weeds. Pretty exciting for a cold February day!
Date: 2/20/19 3:19 pm From: Richard Bansberg <rbansberg...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] San Pedro House Bird Walk
There were 22 participants on this mornings walk. Participants split into three groups and recorded 64 species including:
- 4 towhee and 10 sparrow species including a Fox Sparrow and a Cassin’s Sparrow.
- 2 Louisiana Waterthrushes along the river; one near Post 6 and one about 200 yards north of the bridge.
- Raptors including Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Kestrel and Merlin.
Bird walks at the San Pedro House take place every Wednesday and every 4th Saturday of the month. Bird walks during the month of February start at 9:00a. The next scheduled bird walk is this Saturday.
Richard Bansberg
Hereford, AZ
Home Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page. To view archive: click "Archive" on that page.
Date: 2/20/19 3:03 pm From: Tim Helentjaris <tnhelentjaris...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls in the Altar Valley
I was out early this morning to try to re-find and study the FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWLS in the Old Hayhook Ranch location at the northwest end of the Altar Valley and the southern foot of the Coyote Wilderness. I was able to find a second territory ~ 1 mile west of the previous set of sightings and presumably representing a second territory at this location. This constitutes two territories at this location and adds to the 2-3 that have been mapped at the Black Hills location on the east side of the valley (details available upon request).
Interestingly, while I was checking out possible roost saguaros at another location, I saw a promising hole and tried a short stretch of playback to entice the owner to respond. Instead, an indignant GILA WOODPECKER angrily flew in and made a noisy defense of HIS cavity to the supposed interloper. A little touchy there.
Tim Helentjaris
Tucson, AZ
“Men Wanted: For hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.”
- Ernest Shackleton
Date: 2/20/19 10:54 am From: Felipe Guerrero <fillieg...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Baird's Sparrow, Short-eared Owl, Sprauge's Pipit, Graham County
I visited Ash Flat and The Mesas, in Graham County, over the weekend - following up on surveys from November 2017. These areas harbor significant plains grassland systems and important habitat for several species of conservation concern and Arizona status/distribution interest.
On Saturday, Ash Flat was too windy to hear much of anything, but we managed a Short-eared Owl and small numbers of Chestnut-collared Longspurs - both of which were present in fall 2017. A single longspur in a flyover group of CCLO was probably a Lapland though we were unable to get confirmation. Will have to return! If visiting this area be sure to get a recreation permit from the San Carlos Apaches.
On Sunday, The Mesas was less windy and we had easy Baird's Sparrow and Sprague's Pipit - both present November 2017. Additional birds of note, or otherwise infrequently documented in the region, included four White-throated Sparrows across multiple locations, Montezuma Quail, Stellar's Jay, and Townsend's Solitaire in the east foothills of the Galiuro Mountains, Ferruginous Hawk in grassland habitat in two locations, and Dusky Flycatcher at Cluff Ranch Wildlife area.
Date: 2/20/19 10:27 am From: Diane Touret <dctouret...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SE AZ: Patagonia Lake State Park 2/19/2019
Several surprises on Tuesday for me on the way to and at Patagonia Lake SP:
1) Lots of snow along AZ83 south of the interstate - roadside looked like a winter wonderland!
2) Female ELEGANT TROGON at the edge of Nutting's Wash at Patagonia Lake - I didn't even realize that there was a trogon at the lake this year - most of the eBird reports seem to be from Madera Canyon.
3) TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE feeding in the hackberries along Nutting's Wash.
FYI. To those unfamiliar with the older designations for the washes at the lake, Nutting's is the grassy "wash" that goes into the mesquite bosque from near the "Trogon" Bench. It ends in a rocky box canyon.
4) GREEN KINGFISHER perched along Sonoita Creek near the "Cardinal" Bench around noon
5) Western Grebes (2) with the ducks (mostly Common Mergansers)
6) Black Vulture low in tree just south of Patagonia
Date: 2/20/19 8:07 am From: C Wood <cwood022...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Bell's Sparrow
Many thanks to all who offered help on my Bell’s Sparrow quest. I was finally able to find one at Robbin’s Butte and I can return to Connecticut feeling accomplished bird list-wise. Of course, now I will bump into Bell’s every time I venture into sage desert.
Date: 2/18/19 6:54 pm From: Mary and Clive Green <mjandclive...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: Sam Lena Park
Today, 2/18/19, around midday, Mary Jean and I had TREE, VIOLET-GREEN, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED and CLIFF SWALLOWS flying over the ponds. We also saw continuing COMMON and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS and a pair of BUFFLEHEADS. There was a CASSIN'S KINGBIRD in the baseball field by the hidden pond on the right after you enter from Country Club Rd. We had a total of 26 species.
Date: 2/18/19 9:54 am From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] [SPAM?] se AZ: Florida Canyon - Varied Thrush
From the Tucson Audubon Society's RBA (520-629-0510 X 3 or rarebirdalert AT tucsonaudubon.org):
Tim Burkhardt reports the Varied Thrush continues this morning in Florida Canyon. It was just uphill from the parking area, on the west side of the creek.
thanks Tim! Remember not enter the work station... Florida Canyon annotated map: http://goo.gl/AAzD6
Spent some very cold and windy time at Lakeside Park this afternoon. There were some interesting birds among the usual flocks of American Wigeons, Mallards and Coots, including an Osprey, a Ring-billed Gull, and the continuing Snow Goose and Greater White-fronted Goose. 28 species total, complete list is on eBird.
Date: 2/17/19 4:36 pm From: Erika Wilson <terika88...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: Sierra Vista EOP--17 Feb 2019
Hi, birders,
Good group of 17 walked the Sierra Vista EOP dikes this morning, with visitors from AK, CO, NY, VA, and WA. After last week's bad weather and low tally, we had sunshine and found 62 species by morning's end--quite a jump from last week's 48 species.
Widespread burning back of cattails by the EOP staff in the past fortnight has opened up the views into most of the impoundments. Lots of ducks as usual, with a dozen species, including the single male Lesser Scaup that has wintered with Ring-necked Ducks. Still small flocks of Gadwall and N. Pintail around, a few Bufflehead, and the usual large groups of Green-winged Teal.
The group of 17-18 Least Sandpipers is still present, two Wilson's Snipe at the main impoundments, and several Killdeer were looking to make nest scrapes on the dirt dikes. A few Sora were calling, but this winter held fewer than in past years.
Swallows are increasing--20+ Tree Swallows over the Moson Road impoundments, with a single N. Rough-winged among them. Red-winged Blackbirds were on territory and singing, and male Great-tailed Grackles were displaying vigorously.
Next week's walk (24 Feb) will still be at 8 a.m., but please note that March trips will start at 7 a.m. Sunday, 03 March, will leave the parking lot promptly at 7 a.m.
Date: 2/17/19 1:39 pm From: C. S. Wood <cwood022...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] RFI Bell’s Sparrow
Could I request help with my nemesis bird after several unsuccessful trips to Salome/Baseline thrasher spot? Where exactly are the best spots to find a Bell’s? Any help appreciated, please reply offline <cwood022...>
Thanks
Chris Wood
Woodbury, CT
203 558-0654
Flickr: C.S.Wood-Photos
Blog: WoodWarbling
Home Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page. To view archive: click "Archive" on that page.
Date: 2/17/19 10:57 am From: The Cornells <nickandvictoriacornell...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] [SPAM?] Here is how to enjoy rare birds in our area
Many thanks for the " Rare Bird Alert" Ebird info. We are 2 English birders travelling to S.E Arizona and this will be invaluable resource . Thanks. Arizona, birding heaven.
Date: 2/17/19 8:52 am From: Anthony Mendoza <anthony_mendoza...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] AZ: strange humming bird
I got this report from a friend:
On a walk today we saw a hummingbird real close that we did not recognize. Green body, tan blotch on part of the upper wing next to the torso, black head that reflects bright gold spot with sun. We have not been drinking 🤪
Any idea what we saw. Can't find on Audubon site.
At location:
The most exact location is near Tatum and 101 in Reach 11 east of Tatum on paved trail between 3/8 and 1/2 mile from road. Talked with a birder from NJ here for the winter who did not know what it was but hadn't seen it. We were 20 feet from it with my binoculars so had a long and close look at it. A fluke bird?
I don't know if this will do anyone any good but I report it anyway.
Anthony Mendoza
Tucson, Arizona
Home Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page. To view archive: click "Archive" on that page.
Date: 2/16/19 5:14 pm From: Melody <outdoor1...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] TAS Thrasher Adventure, Arlington Valley, 02/16/2019
28 participants joined in the day's adventure. Thank you so much for sharing the day with me. Great people. . . great spotters gave us some really good birding. I think one of the finest showing of LeConte's Thrashers I have had in the last few years. Great study on Bell's and Sagebrush Sparrows with multiple scope views.
Santa Cruz Flats yielded Mountain Bluebirds, but no plovers
All in all, the thrashers were what made the day along with the participants. Thank you again for a wonderful day in the field doing what we all love best.
Date: 2/16/19 2:08 pm From: <gaowings...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] My AZFO Website-Access Problem
Thanks to all who responded to my post re: recent inability to access the AZFO website, especially with suggested remedies! No solution yet, but I'm working on it. Gale OwingsAlbuquerque/Tucson
Home Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page. To view archive: click "Archive" on that page.
Date: 2/16/19 1:58 pm From: Carl Englander <carl...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SE AZ: Madera Canyon - White-throated Thrush
The White-throated Thrush was seen by many this morning at Madera Canyon. I saw it on both the east and west sides of the first loop above/south of the Proctor parking area.
Date: 2/16/19 1:51 pm From: Lori Lehman <nubianlori...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Bald Eagle in Queen Creek
There was a Bald Eagle sighted in the Queenland Manor neighborhood (vicinity of Ellsworth and Queen Creek Rds.) in Queen Creek on February 10 and again today, February 16. A resident posted a picture of it on a neighbor's house on the Nextdoor social network page. Pretty cool!
Date: 2/16/19 10:21 am From: Amanda Moors <amoors...> Subject: Re: [AZNMbirds] Here is how to enjoy rare birds in our area
Thanks for all the info Darlene! Ebird is indeed a great resource and it has more features than some realize.
Amadna
From: "Darlene" <dsmyth3...>
To: "aznmbirds" <AZNMBirds...>
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2019 5:18:53 PM
Subject: [AZNMbirds] Here is how to enjoy rare birds in our area
Birders, especially new birders and casual birders,
Would you like to see more birds? Birders are, unfortunately, not posting their sightings to Listserv as they used to, but there is an additional resource. If you have never explored eBird you are missing a wonderful tool for finding birds.
Here is how to see where the rare birds are and see what other birds were in the area at the same time!
Go to [ http://ebird.org/ | ebird.org ]
Select and click on Explore (close to the top of the page)
Scroll down to Alerts and click on that
scroll down to RARE BIRD ALERTS
and
in the open bar type in Arizona (or another state if you wish).
Just below that bar, you can select subscribe or View. Simply clicking VIEW
will give you the Arizona Rare Bird Alert for the last 7 days.
To save time you can quickly skim through this list by glancing at the “county column” for birds in the county in which you intend to bird.
As you find an intriguing bird in that county, you may click on the checklist of the person who saw the bird to see what other birds were in the area AND you can click on the map link to locate the area. WHAT IS REALLY NEAT is that you also can click on the species name in the birder’s list or in the main observation list and immediately get photos of that species and species information!
If these directions are not clear, please do not hesitate to drop me an email and we can go over this together. If you enjoy using this really great service, please post a quick note to listserv from time to time as many of us love knowing all of you are out there being happy and birding! It encourages the rest of us!
Date: 2/15/19 11:07 pm From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] RBA Tucson, AZ - 15 February 2019
Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast
Arizona was made on February 15, 2019; the next update will be made on
February 23. 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.
GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS
In Madera Canyon (map: http://goo.gl/dXBYP), the *WHITE-THROATED THRUSH
continued throughout the week, though most reports seemed to come in the
morning (m.ob.). It has been seen along the trail between the Whitehouse
Picnic Area and the Proctor Rd trails. The spot most people have seen it is
about 100 yards downstream from the big bridge, on the steep bank on the
east side of the creek, but recently it has been seen closer to Proctor
Road just past where the paved trail splits – usually on the right (west)
portion of the loop. Early in the morning of 2/13 (Kav McGeough, et al) it
was also seen and photographed at the water feature of the Santa Rita
Lodge, providing a first county record for Santa Cruz County; it was seen
later in the morning in the usual spot downhill in Pima County.
#BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued along Proctor Rd this week (m.ob.).
In Florida Canyon (annotated map: http://goo.gl/AAzD6), #RUFOUS-CAPPED
WARBLERS continued (m.ob.) in the West Fork above the dam. Directions:
About 400 yards from parking lot is a metal gate, and just past the gate
the canyon forks. The main trail follows the East Fork, but most sightings
have been in the West Fork to the right. About 125 yards up the rough trail
in the West Fork is a large water tank and a low dam. The oak grove is
about 1/3 mile past the dam. Note: The trail for the West Fork can be
difficult to find, and is steep and rough in places. If you see the sign
with distances to Florida Saddle, Madera Canyon, etc you've missed the
turn. It is not necessary, recommended or permissible to enter the research
station to see these birds. A #VARIED THRUSH was photographed near the gate
on 2/12 (Steve Nord). A #WINTER WREN continued near the dam this week
(m.ob.) and two #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS continued along the trail to
Florida Saddle (m.ob.). #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued in Florida
Canyon this week (m.ob.); they've been seen near the Florida Canyon parking
area and a short distance up the trail, and at the old corral at FR488 &
62A. A #"RED" FOX SPARROW was reported on 2/5 (Matthew Igleski).
A #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was photographed at Canoa Ranch Conservation Park
on 2/9 (Brian Nicholas).
GRAHAM COUNTY
The *RINGED KINGFISHER was seen again in the Safford area this week (m.ob.)
near Roper Lake State Park. The kingfisher has been seen in 3-4 different
locations in the area, including Roper Lake State Park, Dankworth Pond, a
few small private ponds between the two spots and in a private pond north
of Roper Lake. This last pond is on private property but the kingfisher can
be heard and occasionally seen from Roper Lake Road. PLEASE do not trespass
– there were some unfortunate events in December that were quite
preventable, if people would just remember to stay on the road. Map:
https://goo.gl/LF6TFh
TUBAC area (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/yDqi0)
A pair of *ROSE-THROATED BECARDS continued about 1/4 mile north of the
Tubac bridge this week (m.ob.).
WILLCOX
A #EURASIAN WIGEON continued at Lake Cochise by the Twin Lakes Golf Course
in Willcox this week (m.ob.).
PATAGONIA
At Patagonia Lake (annotated map: http://goo.gl/GgNvs), #BLACK-CAPPED
GNATCATCHERS continued this week (m.ob.) at the east end along the Birding
Trail. A #GREATER SCAUP continued on the lake this week (m.ob.).
A #"RED" FOX SPARROW continued at the Paton Center for Hummingbirds this
week (m.ob.).
SONOITA & LAS CIENEGAS NCA
A #ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK continued this week along Highway 82 east of Sonoita
between mile markers 35 and 36 (m.ob.) on both side of the road. It was
also seen along Curly Horse Rd and Swanson Rd.
TUCSON area
A #HERRING GULL was reported on 2/15 (John Higgins) at Lakeside Park.
SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS
At the San Pedro House, a #GREEN KINGFISHER and a #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH
continued this week (m.ob.) along the San Pedro River. The waterthrush is
often between posts #6 and #8 and the kingfisher has been seen north of the
Highway 90 bridge.
A #PACIFIC WREN was reported in Garden Canyon on 2/12 (Diana Doyle). GPS:
31.46012, -110.36425
BENSON area
A pair of #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued on the Guindani Loop Trail
at Kartchner Caverns State Park this week on 2/11 (Susan Allerton).
PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/XfXfX)
A #"RED" FOX SPARROW continued this week in a yard in Whitetail Canyon
(Rick Taylor).
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 Wednesday, 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
http://www.huachuca.army.mil/pages/des/accesscontrol.html. 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. Foreign nationals must be accompanied by 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: apparently some states
driver's licenses do not meet federal requirements for base entry (KY, ME,
MT, PA, SC, MN, MO, and WA); see https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs or
http://huachuca-www.army.mil/pages/des/visitoraccess.html 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: under construction, access uncertain. Gates open 7AM and
close PROMPTLY at 2PM (do not linger, you will be locked inside).
GREEN VALLEY WRF: under construction, access uncertain. When open
(weekends, usually), use the call box at the gate, sign in and out at the
office, and stay away from buildings and construction equipment.
ROGER ROAD WRF, CORONA DE TUCSON WRF, and NOGALES STP: Closed.
Date: 2/15/19 4:19 pm From: Darlene <dsmyth3...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Here is how to enjoy rare birds in our area
Birders, especially new birders and casual birders,
Would you like to see more birds? Birders are, unfortunately, not posting their sightings to Listserv as they used to, but there is an additional resource. If you have never explored eBird you are missing a wonderful tool for finding birds.
Here is how to see where the rare birds are and see what other birds were in the area at the same time!
Go to ebird.org
Select and click on Explore (close to the top of the page)
Scroll down to Alerts and click on that
scroll down to RARE BIRD ALERTS
and
in the open bar type in Arizona (or another state if you wish).
Just below that bar, you can select subscribe or View. Simply clicking VIEW
will give you the Arizona Rare Bird Alert for the last 7 days.
To save time you can quickly skim through this list by glancing at the “county column” for birds in the county in which you intend to bird.
As you find an intriguing bird in that county, you may click on the checklist of the person who saw the bird to see what other birds were in the area AND you can click on the map link to locate the area. WHAT IS REALLY NEAT is that you also can click on the species name in the birder’s list or in the main observation list and immediately get photos of that species and species information!
If these directions are not clear, please do not hesitate to drop me an email and we can go over this together. If you enjoy using this really great service, please post a quick note to listserv from time to time as many of us love knowing all of you are out there being happy and birding! It encourages the rest of us!
Darlene Smyth
Tucson, AZ
Home Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page. To view archive: click "Archive" on that page.
I guess it must have rained last night, as Vail received almost nothing, and facing a gray dreary morning off, I decided to head to the east and south visiting some of our water holes.
I arrived at Willcox Cochise Lakes around 8:30 AM and birded over the next hour. The coolest bird was on the entrance road. Adjacent to the Border Patrol Station, in the rocks between the road and the barbed wire fence, a tired looking MERLIN was on the ground. It appeared kind of bedraggled like it had had a hard night and wasn't really shy about me staring at it.
The best bird on the lake was an unexpected decent flock of NORTHERN PINTAIL. I don't see these all that often and the 50 or so strung out on the lake were quite handsome indeed. Other waterfowl included CINNAMON TEAL, NORTHERN SHOVELOR, AMERICAN WIGEON, RING-NECKED DUCK, 8-10 BUFFLEHEAD, RUDDY DUCK and AMERICAN COOT of course. Over at the golf course, there was a sizable flock of AMERICAN WIGEON, perhaps 300 or more, grass feeding on the fairways to the east of the pond. I tried to scan for other wigeon but lost patience quickly (!). There were several TREE SWALLOWs coursing about, a MARSH WREN was calling and a pair of SORAs argued from the cattails. Small flocks of very noisy SANDHILL CRANEs were circling about and a decent group was loafing in the meadow to the east of the driving range. A NORTHERN HARRIER was perched on the south dock along the lake. A large flock of GAMBEL'S QUAIL was on the driving range. EASTERN MEADOWLARKs were singing everywhere and BLACK and SAY'S PHOEBEs were at the clubhouse. Water levels at the lake are higher than they have been in a while.
I dropped south on Kansas Settlement Road to the Coronado Dairy (formerly Faria Dairy). I was surprised to find a barbed wire fence between the road and the lake and the lake is now clearly marked Private Property for employees and guests only. You can still view most of the lake by walking along the fence line and peering through the pine trees. Waterfowl here included COMMON MERGANSER, NORTHERN SHOVELOR, GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, MALLARD, CANVASBACK, REDHEAD, RING-NECKED DUCK, LESSER SCAUP, BUFFLEHEAD, RUDDY DUCK and AMERICAN COOT.
In Benson, at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (both ponds are now full of water), NORTHERN SHOVELORs were simply choking the shoreline of the northern pond (350-400 maybe more). One GREATER SCAUP was easy to pick out floating with several LESSER SCAUP. A decent flock of 14 BUFFLEHEAD was very cool (stunningly beautiful birds) and the TREE SWALLOW flock here was over 20 individuals. Other birds included GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, MALLARD, MEXICAN DUCK, CANVASBACK, REDHEAD, RING-NECKED DUCK, RUDDY DUCK, EARED GREBE, AMERICAN COOT, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, GREAT-BLUE HERON and KILLDEER.
Date: 2/15/19 9:55 am From: jghiggins <jghiggins...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SE AZ Tucson Lakeside Park
Friday 10:15am herring gull circled lake for ten minutes then left. Maybe watch other ponds today.John higgins, Tucson , AZ
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphoneHome Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page. To view archive: click "Archive" on that page.
Date: 2/14/19 6:57 pm From: Katonak Lynda <LLKatonak...> Subject: Re: [AZNMbirds] AZFO: New photos of Orchard Oriole
Gale, I access the AZFO website to see photos that have been submitted (clicking on Lauren and David’s links) on a regular basis with no problem. Could it be some setting on your computer?
Lynda Katonak
Corrales New Mexico
On Feb 14, 2019, at 3:51 PM, <gaowings...> <gaowings...> wrote:
For several weeks now I've been unable to access the AZFO website either through enabling links in e-mail messages or directly entering the address in my search engine. In each case "This page can't be displayed" message comes back. Wondering if anyone else is experiencing this problem and how to correct it.
Thanks,
Gale Owings
Albuquerque/Tucson
-----Original Message-----
From: Lauren Harter <lbharter...>
To: AZ/NM Listserv <aznmbirds...>
Sent: Wed, Feb 13, 2019 8:37 am
Subject: [AZNMbirds] AZFO: New photos of Orchard Oriole
Field Ornithologists,
Marceline VandeWater and Barbara Buck contributed photos of Orchard Oriole. Thanks Marceline and Barbara!
Thanks to all who use the online form below to submit photos. It makes our job a lot easier and ensures your photos will be posted more quickly.
The AZFO Sound Library of sound recordings is found at:
http://www.azfo.org <http://www.azfo.org/> click on "Sounds Library". Note that the Sound Library cannot accept new submissions at this time.
Arizona Field Ornithologists welcomes Arizona rarity photo contributions from all photographers throughout the state.
Date: 2/14/19 2:51 pm From: <gaowings...> Subject: Re: [AZNMbirds] AZFO: New photos of Orchard Oriole
For several weeks now I've been unable to access the AZFO website either through enabling links in e-mail messages or directly entering the address in my search engine. In each case "This page can't be displayed" message comes back. Wondering if anyone else is experiencing this problem and how to correct it. Thanks,Gale OwingsAlbuquerque/Tucson -----Original Message-----
From: Lauren Harter <lbharter...>
To: AZ/NM Listserv <aznmbirds...>
Sent: Wed, Feb 13, 2019 8:37 am
Subject: [AZNMbirds] AZFO: New photos of Orchard Oriole
Field Ornithologists, Marceline VandeWater and Barbara Buck contributed photos of Orchard Oriole. Thanks Marceline and Barbara! Thanks to all who use the online form below to submit photos. It makes our job a lot easier and ensures your photos will be posted more quickly. The AZFO Photo Gallery is found at:http://www.azfo.orgclick on "Photo Documentation" The AZFO Sound Library of sound recordings is found at:http://www.azfo.orgclick on "Sounds Library". Note that the Sound Library cannot accept new submissions at this time. Arizona Field Ornithologists welcomes Arizona rarity photo contributions from all photographers throughout the state. Use our online form to submit photos:http://www.azfo.org/gallery/PhotoContribution.html If you enjoy the AZFO web site, please consider joining AZFO and supporting our other activities. Details on the web site. We strive for accuracy. Please email any corrections to postings to the photo editors. Lauren Harter and David Vander PluymAZFO Photo EditorsHome Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page.
To view archive: click "Archive" on that page.
Home Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page. To view archive: click "Archive" on that page.
Date: 2/14/19 1:37 pm From: Will McPhail <butcherbird2013...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SE Arizona RFI (specific locations and species)
Hi AZ birders,
A friend and I will be in SE Arizona mid-April for 4-5 days of fast and
furious birding. It has been over 20 years since I have been to the
southeastern portion of the state so I was hoping to learn a bit more about
how best to bird certain locations and tips on finding certain species. I
have been relaying on eBird as a resource and have been closely following
the last reports in the region. That said, I welcome your feedback on the
following:
- California Gulch – it will be my first time to this location and we’re
of course hoping for the two specialty birds. I realize we might be too
early for the Nightjar but eBird has some reports by mid-April. Other than
reviewing Google Maps and eBird, I have no idea about strategy for this
location and would love to hear suggestions. We will be staying/camping in
Arivaca in order to have an evening and an early morning at this location.
We will be renting a pick-up with high ground clearance. Is it possible to
take 39 east to Ruby Road towards Ri Rico when we’re finished?
- We will spend one night at Ramsey BnB and are planning to have an
afternoon and the morning to bird the greater area. I’d like to check out
the feeders at Ash Canyon BnB but was wondering if folks would recommend
Carr or Miller Canyon over the other? And tips on birding either location.
My potential life birds include: Rufous-winged Sparrow (missed it somehow
last time); Five-striped Sparrow; Moctezuma Quail; Botteri’s Sparrow;
Northern Pygmy-Owl; and Buff Collared Nightjar. I would love to hear your
thoughts on finding these species. Black-capped Gnatcatcher, Rufous-capped
Warbler and White-throated Thrush are all sought-after lifers and I’ve been
closely followed reports on their whereabouts.
I’m sure this listserv gets plenty of RFIs and I appreciate anyone’s time
who is willing to respond.
Date: 2/13/19 7:24 pm From: Doug Jenness <d_jenness...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] San Carlos Lake-- Horned Grebe, Tundra Swan
2/13/19
Tim DeJonge and I spent the day birding at San Carlos Lake east of Globe. The highpoints were relocating the HORNED GREBE reported yesterday by Paul Suchanek; finding a TUNDRA SWAN, likely the one reported in December; and 26 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, an unusually high number for mid-February. The Horned Grebe was foraging with several Eared Grebes and was best viewed from the south side of the lake at a pull-out about 0.9 mi. east of Coolidge Dam. The swan was at the far east end of the lake; and the White Fronted Geese was at the east of the lake, first viewed swimming with a SNOW GOOSE. At least 5 BALD EAGLES, 2 adults and 3 juveniles, was an impressive number.
RING-BILLED GULLS with 91 and CANADA GEESE with 115 made a good showing, but AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS (20), cormorants (26), CLARK'S/WESTERN GREBES (24) were way lower than normal for this time of year.
Although duck numbers were down from December and January, there were at least 5,000 NORTHERN PINTAILS, 2,500 AMERICAN WIGEONS, 1,500 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, and 1,000 CANVASBACKS.
Date: 2/13/19 3:25 pm From: David Vander Pluym <scre...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] WAZ: Lake Havasu Red-throated Loon
Today 13 Feb, I had a presumed continuing RED-THROATED LOON off Mesquite Bay on Lake Havasu. Good numbers of Ring-billed Gulls moving north but couldn't pick anything rare out of them. Good birding. David Vander PluymLake Havasu City Home Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page. To view archive: click "Archive" on that page.
Date: 2/12/19 2:18 pm From: Erika Wilson <terika88...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: San Pedro House--Green Kingfisher--12 Feb 2019
Hi, birders,
A fine morning around San Pedro House and along the San Pedro River north of the Rt 90 bridge. Morning tally was 41 species, with the female Green Kingfisher the best bird.
As described by John Broz recently, the Green Kingfisher was 200 yards south of Horsetheif Draw, well north of the Rt 90 bridge. Several young trees have fallen into the river at this point; the female was perched on thin branches 3-5 ft above the flowing river, alternating preening and peering down into the water. She wasn't the least skittish--I watched her for ten minutes (09:32-09:42) at close quarters before she flew, headed south low over the water.
Upon my return to San Pedro House, the gray Western Screech-Owl was sitting in its cavity, facing the sun. It was not visible earlier in the morning when it was still quite cold and frosty. Other birds of interest included Gadwall (7) on the river, as well as four species of dove--Com. Ground-Dove (2), Inca Dove (4), White-winged Dove (22), and Mourning Dove (45).
Date: 2/12/19 1:24 pm From: Steve Hosmer <sjhosmer...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] CEAZ: Tres Rios - American Redstart & Black-and-white Warbler
The Black-and-white Warbler and the American Redstart that were discovered by Robert Bowker yesterday morning at the Tres Rios Overbank Wetlands in Phoenix (Maricopa Co.) were still present this morning. I saw both the Black-and- white Warbler and American Redstart foraging in willow trees along the north side of the middle trail, about 1200 feet west of the west end of the Flow Regulating Wetlands (the area enclosed by a fence). I first spotted them together at 8:35 AM and lost track of them at 8:48 AM. The American Redstart appears to be a first spring male.
New Mexico Rare Bird Report
February 11, 2019
Compiler: Matt Baumann
Phone: 505-264-1052
E-mail address: <mbaumann22...>
This is the New Mexico Rare Bird Report for February 11, 2019 sponsored by
the New Mexico Ornithological Society. When phone numbers are given for
private property, please call before going to ask for permission. In ranch
country, do not stray off the roads. Places mentioned in the report, a
checklist of N.M. birds, and more locations on uncommon and specialty
species can be found in the N.M. Bird Finding Guide. You can purchase the
NM Bird Finding Guide at http://www.nmbirds.org/?page_id=83. A more
complete, updated version of the checklist can be found at
http://www.nmbirds.org/?page_id=1666 for prior records of species in New
Mexico, search the online archive of the NMOS Field Notes at
http://nhnm.unm.edu/partners/nmos/index.html.
NMOS is on Facebook, search for New Mexico Ornithological Society. All
individuals are encouraged to submit their observations to NMOS. This
includes not only records of Review List species and species potentially
new to the state, but also records of uncommon species, species of
conservation concern, records documenting breeding, and early, late, or
out-of-season/range birds. Details and photos should be sent to Sandy
Williams, 1819 Meadowview Drive NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, or (preferred)
to <sunbittern...> Details will be used for NMOS Field Notes,
North American Birds, and the New Mexico Bird Records Committee.
NOTE: Additional reports of unseasonal birds or county rarities can be seen
on the eBird New Mexico Rare Bird Alert:
http://ebird.org/ebird/alert/summary?sid=SN35650. You do not need an eBird
account to view this.
Birds Mentioned and Counties (NMBRC review species are in CAPITAL
letters):
BRANT (Socorro)
MEW GULL (Bernalillo)
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Eddy)
Northern Goshawk (Curry)
PACIFIC WREN (Colfax)
VARIED THRUSH (Bernalillo)
LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCH (Dona Ana, Grant, Hidalgo)
Harris’s Sparrow (Bernalillo, Sandoval, Socorro)
Golden-crowned Sparrow (Socorro)
RUSTY BLACKBIRD (Eddy)
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Otero)
BERNALILLO County:
--VanBuskirk reported an adult MEW GULL along the Rio Grande just south of
the Alameda Bridge February 11.
--Maley reported a VARIED THRUSH in Cienega Canyon in the Sandia Mountains
January 31. It was seen near the footbridge past the last parking area. It
continued to February 10.
--the HARRIS’S SPARROW at the Rio Grande Valley SP just south of Montano
continued to February 8.
COLFAX County:
--Chalmers and Godfrey reported a PACIFIC WREN at Sugarite SP December 29.
It continued to January 3 near the bridge that crosses the beaver pond at
Lake Alice.
CURRY County:
--The juvenile NORTHERN GOSHAWK at Ned Houk Park in Clovis continued to
January 28. It has been seen at the upper park.
DONA ANA County:
--Plumer photographed a HARRIS’S SPARROW near the parking lot to the Calle
del Norte Trail December 25. It continued in the area to January 5.
--up to 21 LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCH have been reported at Tellbrook Park in Las
Cruces. Two continued there February 8.
--Egelhoff reported a LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCH at Leasburg Dam SP October 21.
Three continued to December 21.
EDDY County:
--Nieman reported the continuing LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL at Brantley Lake
December 7. It was seen at Cheapskate Point and continued to January 18.
--Nieman reported a minimum of 8 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS at Washington Ranch
January 26.
GRANT County:
--Wooten reported a LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCH in her Gila yard November 9. Up to
four continued in the area to February 10.
HIDALGO County:
--Tonnessen, Score and Hawksworth reported up to five LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCH
at the Virden Bridge over the Gila River December 27. They continued to
December 31.
OTERO County:
--Rustay and Drilling reported likely the returning YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER
at Alameda Park in Alamogordo November 25. It was seen across hwy 54 from
the NM School for the Blind just north of he beige bridge near the north
end of the park.
SANDOVAL County:
--Hoeksema reported a HARRIS’S SPARROW at the Coronado State Monument
December 26. It was seen near the visitors center.
SIERRA County:
--Pederson reported a first cycle MEW GULL at the Caballo Dairy Farms
December 8. It continued there or at Percha Flats at Caballo Lake to
January 24.
SOCORRO County:
--A BRANT has been reported at Bosque del Apache NWR to February 10. It has
been seen on the pond along hwy 1 and also on the North Loop of the refuge.
--a HARRIS’S SPARROW and GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continue to be seen around
the Visitors Center at Bosque del Apache NWR to February 10. They are
reliably found near the water feature in the Cactus Garden.
Date: 2/11/19 12:03 pm From: robert bowker <bowker657...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] CAZ: Tres Rios Wetlands
Birders-I found a female American Restart and Black/White Warbler in the same Willow along the middle dirt road about 300 yards past the first dam. I put a small wood marker at the edge of the road and drew a V in the gravel to identify the willow.
RWBowker PHX AZ
Date: 2/10/19 7:34 pm From: Brian Nicholas <weehawker2...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ Northeast Tucson "Sleep in Special" TAS Field Trip (start time 2:30 p.m.)
Twenty-two enthusiastic well-rested birders explored northeast Tucson in search of gems. Our best bird of the day was seen right in the parking lot, a roosting Common Poorwill above the Safeway store entrance! Woodland Road did not disappoint with sightings of Lewis's Woodpecker, Arizona Woodpecker, Harris's Hawk, Cedar Waxwing, American Robin, Western Meadowlarks and Brown-headed Cowbird. Tanque Verde Loop added more waxwings, Western Bluebird, and a Great Horned Owl. Driving through the Lakes at Castlerock a Merlin greeted us, perched high in a Eucalyptus. Other birds seen included Common Merganser, Mexican Duck, Loggerhead Shrike, Spotted Sandpiper, Northern Pintail, Vesper Sparrow, and Neotropic Cormorant. A total of 60 species were seen/heard this afternoon. Thanks so much to all participants for finding all these local gems.
Trip leaders Brian Nicholas and Paul Suchanek
Date: 2/10/19 6:59 pm From: Erika Wilson <terika88...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: Sierra Vista EOP--10 Feb 2019
Hi, birders,
The rain did for thr 17 enthusiastic souls, including visitors from CO, MA, MI, VA, and WA, who started to walk the Sierra Vista EOP dikes this morning. Before retreating the group identified 29 species, with ten duck species dominating the list.
Best birds of the short trip were five Tree Swallows, right on schedule for the start of their spring migration. Before the rain closed in a single Am. Pipit was found.
Date: 2/10/19 4:26 pm From: john broz <johnbroz1944...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Sierra Vista, San Pedro House, Green Kingfisher
I watched the continuing female Green Kingfisher hunt along the River for about 5 minutes this afternoon at about 3:40. The sun was coming out after a cold, drizzly, and cloudy day.
The bird was about .5 miles north of the highway bridge near Horsethief Draw, where I and others had seen it in December.
John BrozSierra Vista
Date: 2/10/19 4:05 pm From: <pgoltz...> Subject: Re: [AZNMbirds] se AZ: Tucson - Common Poorwill
I had either a Common Poorwill or a Lesser Nighthawk on my driveway two different evenings week before last, but didn't report it because I couldn't determine which. I often have these species when nobody else does. Low mountain altitudes near Tucson, if that has any bearing. If it is the case nighttime temperatures have to be above 55, that would explain it, and I didn't go anywhere last week.
Good Birding, Pat Goltz
On 2019-02-10 15:14, Andrew Core wrote: > From the Tucson Audubon Society's RBA (520-629-0510 X 3 [1] or > rarebirdalert AT tucsonaudubon.org [2]): > > Not really rare, but unusual: > > Bob and Lenore Perna report a Common Pooorwill roosting at the Safeway > on Tanque Verde and Catalina Highway. It’s been there since at > least 1 pm yesterday when a neighbor spotted it. > > Paul Suchanek & Brian Nicholas report that it continues today just > above the east entrance door. > > It should go without saying, but I'll say it anyway - don't flush it! > Obviously this is a busy place with hundreds of people passing by > without disturbing it, but I'm sure a dedicated effort could indeed > make it find another roost. > > Common Poorwill is the only bird known to spend long periods during > winter completely inactive. Many birds seem to "wake" up in > mid-February and call for a few nights when it is warm. Generally, > overnight lows need to be above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, if I remember > correctly. > > thanks Bob, Lenore, Paul & Brian - > > Andrew Core > SEAZ RBA Compiler - Tucson, AZ > http://tucsonaudubon.org/go-birding/southeast-arizona-rare-bird-alert/
Date: 2/10/19 2:15 pm From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] se AZ: Tucson - Common Poorwill
From the Tucson Audubon Society's RBA (520-629-0510 X 3 or rarebirdalert AT
tucsonaudubon.org):
Not really rare, but unusual:
Bob and Lenore Perna report a Common Pooorwill roosting at the Safeway
on Tanque Verde and Catalina Highway. It’s been there since at least 1 pm
yesterday when a neighbor spotted it.
Paul Suchanek & Brian Nicholas report that it continues today just above
the east entrance door.
It should go without saying, but I'll say it anyway - don't flush it!
Obviously this is a busy place with hundreds of people passing by without
disturbing it, but I'm sure a dedicated effort could indeed make it find
another roost.
Common Poorwill is the only bird known to spend long periods during winter
completely inactive. Many birds seem to "wake" up in mid-February and call
for a few nights when it is warm. Generally, overnight lows need to be
above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, if I remember correctly.
Hi Birders: Checked out Reservation Road today, following up reports of Bendire's Thrasher. Actually found two today, probably a breeding pair, near the Tucson Amateur Astronomy facility: 3250 North Reservation Road. The birds were a couple of hundreds yards north of this facility along Reservation in open Mesquite habitat on the East side. They were easily observable with bins/scope, but for photographers, the bigger the lens you can bring the better, as they didn't seem to want to use the trees closest to the road, and the property where I saw them is owned by the City of Tucson and is off limits.
Somewhat more cooperatively, a pair of Gilded Flickers were using some raggedy Saguaros as a home base nearby. There is a dirt road parallel to the driveway into the astronomy site with an open gate that only says no dumping. The saguaros are only in about 25 yards from Reservation Road along this track, and the birds are easy to observe coming to and from these Saguaros.
For those not familiar with this area; directions- from the South Tucson area, find your way to Kinney Road which is the road that basically parallels the West side of Saguaro West National Park. Drive north along this road, past the Arizona Desert Museum, and past the northern part of McCain Loop. Not too far from the loop, bear left or West on One Mile Road. Basically, follow this road all the way to the end, ( it turns to dirt before the end ). At the end of One Mile, turn right or north on Reservation; ( also dirt ),and drive about 1.25 to 1.50 miles to the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Facility, which is well marked, and then follow the directions above. Cheers, Thor
After 9 days of the worst flu I've ever had as an adult, I was coerced back into the field by my good friend Jeff Haake who was in from Chicago and wanted to try and see the thrush. So we we headed down to Madera Canyon, Proctor Road and started hiking at 8:00 AM.
At the trail crossing of Proctor Road, a "mewing" BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER, a male with a developing black cap, was a first good find.
Per recent intelligence, we ended up along the west branch of the paved trail just after the trail splits above the bat houses. The hackberry forest between the split and the first bridge was our stakeout spot. Thanks to some birder clumping behavior, and Melody Kehl's previous experience with this bird's behavior, we ended up with crippling looks of the WHITE-THROATED THRUSH for about 15 minutes. If you physically crossed the bridge and dropped down to the creek bed on the left as you're going up trail, moved about 15 feet along the creek and looked back across the creek to the east, the bird was hanging out on a slight hillside in the leaf litter among rocks, a grape tangle, hackberry trees and agaves, tossing aside leaves like a pro. I have seen these birds before in Texas, long ago, but I had forgotten how striking the yellow eye ring and the dark streaks on the throat are.
Other birds in the area were a singing DUSKY FLYCATCHER, TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE, HERMIT THRUSH, AMERICAN ROBINs, ORGEON JUNCOs and a few BRIDLED TITMOUSE.
Date: 2/9/19 2:21 pm From: <Oharbour...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SE AZ RFI Bog Hole
Hi,
Does anyone know if access to Bog Hole through the private land is still denied? I checked the Fish and Game website, but there was no indication of the current status.
Date: 2/9/19 12:14 pm From: Scott Olmstead <sparverius81...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: Rio Vista (Tucson) Prairie Falcon
Had a nice walk at Rio Vista Natural Resource Park on the south side of the Rillito River this morning. For those that are into urban birding and/or patch birding, this is my favorite spot within Tucson, with lots of natural desert habitat and scattered mesquites. The best bird of the morning was Prairie Falcon perched up in a tall Eucalyptus snag. Seems this is one of the better places in Tucson to look for Prairies as they winter along the Rillito and probably pass through Rio Vista on a daily basis. An Ash-throated Flycatcher was calling and foraging along the eastern edge of the park (Cactus Blvd), also a nice bird for urban Tucson in winter.
Date: 2/9/19 7:20 am From: will russell <wcr100...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] A note on the Tweedy and Pretzer Mountain Plover
Thanks to directions from a kind soul, Becky Marvel and I were able to watch a sizable group of Mountain Plover on the sod farm on the west side of Tweedy a bit north of Pretzer (Santa Cruz Flats, Pinal Co. AZ) When we arrived, we counted 75 +/- spread out but fairly close. Just before we left, about 12:30 pm, our final count was 11. All the others had settled down in the earthen berm that divides the sections of sod and were essentially undetectable in 12x binoculars. Absent those 11, I could imagine a party of keen, competent birders concluding the field held no Mountain Plover…
Date: 2/8/19 10:52 pm From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] RBA Tucson, AZ - 8 February 2019
Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast
Arizona was made on February 8, 2019; the next update will be made on
February 15. 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.
For more information about Tucson Audubon field trips, lectures and
educational opportunities, please see www.tucsonaudubon.org.
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT INCLUDE:
#Eurasian Wigeon
#Greater Scaup
#"Harlan's" Red-tailed Hawk
#Rough-legged Hawk
#Red Phalarope
#Green Kingfisher
*ROSE-THROATED BECARD
#Winter Wren
#Black-capped Gnatcatcher
*WHITE-THROATED THRUSH
#Rufous-capped Warbler
#"Red" Fox Sparrow
#Golden-crowned Sparrow
GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS
In Madera Canyon (map: http://goo.gl/dXBYP), the *WHITE-THROATED THRUSH
continued throughout the week, though most reports seemed to come in the
morning (m.ob.). It has been seen along the trail between the Whitehouse
Picnic Area and the Proctor Rd trails. The spot most people have seen it is
about 100 yards downstream from the big bridge, on the steep bank on the
east side of the creek, but recently it has been seen closer to Proctor
Road just past where the paved trail splits – usually on the right (west)
portion of the loop. #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued along Proctor Rd
this week (m.ob.).
In Florida Canyon (annotated map: http://goo.gl/AAzD6), #RUFOUS-CAPPED
WARBLERS continued (m.ob.) in the West Fork above the dam. Directions:
About 400 yards from parking lot is a metal gate, and just past the gate
the canyon forks. The main trail follows the East Fork, but most sightings
have been in the West Fork to the right. About 125 yards up the rough trail
in the West Fork is a large water tank and a low dam. The oak grove is
about 1/3 mile past the dam. Note: The trail for the West Fork can be
difficult to find, and is steep and rough in places. If you see the sign
with distances to Florida Saddle, Madera Canyon, etc you've missed the
turn. It is not necessary, recommended or permissible to enter the research
station to see these birds. A #WINTER WREN continued near the dam this week
(m.ob.) and a #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continued along the trail to Florida
Saddle (m.ob.). #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued in Florida Canyon this
week (m.ob.); they've been seen near the Florida Canyon parking area and a
short distance up the trail, and at the old corral at FR488 & 62A. A #"RED"
FOX SPARROW was reported on 2/5 (Matthew Igleski).
TUBAC area (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/yDqi0)
A pair of *ROSE-THROATED BECARDS continued about 1/4 mile north of the
Tubac bridge this week (m.ob.).
A male *ROSE-THROATED BECARD was reported about 2 miles north of the Palo
Parado Bridge on 1/20 (Jim & Gloria Lawrence).
WILLCOX
A #EURASIAN WIGEON continued at Lake Cochise by the Twin Lakes Golf Course
in Willcox this week (m.ob.).
SANTA CRUZ FLATS
A #"HARLAN’S" RED-TAILED HAWK continued this week (m.ob.) near the
intersection of Green Reservoir Rd and Tweedy Rd.
SONOITA & LAS CIENEGAS NCA
A #ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK continued this week along Highway 82 east of Sonoita
between mile markers 35 and 36 (m.ob.) on both side of the road.
PATAGONIA
At Patagonia Lake (annotated map: http://goo.gl/GgNvs), a #GREEN KINGFISHER
and #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued this week (m.ob.) at the east end
along the Birding Trail. A #GREATER SCAUP continued on the lake this week
(m.ob.). A #RED PHALAROPE continued on 2/2 (m.ob.).
A #"RED" FOX SPARROW continued at the Paton Center for Hummingbirds this
week (m.ob.).
PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/XfXfX)
A #WINTER WREN was reported from Sunny Flat CG on 2/5 (Matthias Bieber).
A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continued at Cave Creek Ranch this week (m.ob.).
A #"RED" FOX SPARROW continued this week in a yard in Whitetail Canyon
(Rick Taylor).
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 Wednesday, 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
http://www.huachuca.army.mil/pages/des/accesscontrol.html. 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. Foreign nationals must be accompanied by 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: apparently some states
driver's licenses do not meet federal requirements for base entry (KY, ME,
MT, PA, SC, MN, MO, and WA); see https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs or
http://huachuca-www.army.mil/pages/des/visitoraccess.html 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: under construction, access uncertain. When open, gates
open 7AM and close PROMPTLY at 2PM (do not linger, you will be locked
inside).
GREEN VALLEY WRF: under construction, access uncertain. When open
(weekends, sometimes), use the call box at the gate, sign in and out at the
office, and stay away from buildings and construction equipment.
ROGER ROAD WRF, CORONA DE TUCSON WRF, and NOGALES STP: Closed.
Date: 2/8/19 11:17 am From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba...> Subject: Re: [AZNMbirds] SE AZ: Madera Canyon - White-throated Thrush
From the Tucson Audubon Society's RBA (520-629-0510 X 3 or rarebirdalert AT tucsonaudubon.org):
Keith Wiggers reports the White-throated Thrush 0.25 miles above the Proctor parking lot along the west loop & just below the nearest bridge at 9:30 am on 2/8. The paved loop trail splits above Proctor Rd, and it is currently being seen on the path to the right (i.e., west).
Date: 2/7/19 6:35 am From: Richard Bansberg <rbansberg...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] San Pedro House Bird Walk
There were 16 participants on yesterdays cold and windy San Pedro House bird walk. Participants split into 2 groups and recorded a total of 50 species including:
- 7 species of sparrow; overall sparrow numbers have picked up the last couple of weeks.
- multiple Norther Harriers and Red-tailed Hawks along with a Kestrel, Merlin and Sharp-shinned Hawk
Bird walks at the San Pedro House take place every Wednesday and every 4th Saturday of the month. During the month of February the walks start at 9:00a.
Richard Bansberg
Hereford, AZ
Home Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page. To view archive: click "Archive" on that page.
The White-throated Thrush showed well this afternoon. From the Proctor Road parking lot, we took the trail, took the left girl, and had the bird on the ground there near where an Arizona Grape is labeled, as well as in a nearby hack berry.
Good luck!
On Wed, Feb 6, 2019, 9:36 PM Peter-business <rpy10...> wrote:
> Hello everyone, > > I would like to find this celebrated bird tomorrow! Does anyone know if > it is still there? > > Thanks, > > Peter Yingling > > Prescott AZ (I'm in Tucson tonite) > > Home Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds > To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page. > To view archive: click "Archive" on that page.
My sister and I visited Wilcox Arizona's Twin Lakes Golf Course/Cochise Lake, Eurasian Wigeon site today from 1;30pm till 4;00pm. The wigeon was present, not in the main lake, south of the golf course (I assume this is Cochise Lake) but in some smaller ponds that are behind the south west portion of the course. The Eurasian Wigeon was with approximately 400 American Wigeons. We also saw the wigeons on the golf course itself. The access to the marshy ponds where the wigeons were today; Follow Rex Allen Jr. Road past all the golf course buildings and turn west as soon as you pass the barb wire fence on the south side of the golf course. Follow this dirt track past a wildlife observation hummock and go as far west as possible. There are several ponds visible from this location. The Eurasion was in the nearest pond, to the south of this spot.
At about 2;00pm the Sandhill Cranes started coming to roost just west of the golf course By 4;00pm there were at least 5000 cranes present. Quite the visual and auditory experience.
Date: 2/6/19 3:00 pm From: JOHN HIGGINS <jghiggins...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SE AZ: Tucson Avra Valley Hawk field trip (Tucson Audubon)
Three birders headed off into the rain and were soon rewarded with sunshine and two dozen kinds of birds. Raptors included Cooper's and Red-Tailed Hawks, Black and Turkey Vultures and Kestrels. Highlights were a singing Bendire's Thrasher and close-ups of Lark Buntings.
John Higgins, Tucson, AZ Home Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page. To view archive: click "Archive" on that page.
Date: 2/6/19 9:39 am From: Mark Brown <markb249...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ - White-throated Thrush continues
Several birders viewed the continuing White-throated Thrush this morning, Feb 6, on the Proctor Loop trail, while it was snowing. If heading up canyon, go east (left) at the split. The bird was along the east portion of the trail at the second bench, along with a variety of other common Thrushes, including the Solitaire.
Date: 2/6/19 8:40 am From: Myron Scott <gaia_3...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Central AZ (Tempe): White Pelicans
2-4 PM, Tuesday 2/6/2019, Tempe Town Lake: Two White Pelicans on lake close to upper dam, visible from Playa Del Sol Drive and, west of the bridge, from Tempe Marsh (Tempe Marketplace north parking lot).
Date: 2/5/19 2:08 pm From: JOHN HIGGINS <jghiggins...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SE AZ: Tucson Reid Park GREATER PEWEE
Tuesday from 10:30 am to 11 am several birders were treated to good looks of the GREATER PEWEE in the row of hackberry trees between the south pond and the big south playground (SW corner of Reid park.)
John Higgins, Tucson, AZ Home Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page. To view archive: click "Archive" on that page.
Date: 2/5/19 7:37 am From: mary klinkel <munchita...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Vermillion Flycatcher courtship flight
I had a request to describe this to the listserv from someone out of AZ, so here is my personal version: the spectacular red male starts at the top branches of a tree with sunlight sparking his feathers into a fiery light, flies out with feathers puffed out for maximum color effect and flies in a circular pattern horizontally above and around the female with cadenced wing beats. Although I’m not a diver, I think of him as looking like a pufferfish with brilliant red-orange body and black mask. Other descriptions welcome!
Date: 2/5/19 3:23 am From: Diane Touret <dctouret...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] AZ: Possible second Swamp Sparrow at Sweetwater Wetlands 2/4/2019
Reviewing my eBird Alert for Pima County for yesterday, I saw that a Swamp Sparrow was seen at Sweetwater in the cattails at the back southwest pond. If the 10AM on the eBird report was about the time it was seen, then I was looking at a second Swamp Sparrow up in the cattails in the West Settling Basin (#13 on my Sweetwater map) around the same time. The Swamp Sparrow I saw was eating cattail fluff and was quite visible for some time.
Date: 2/4/19 5:51 pm From: Felipe Guerrero <fillieg...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Swamp Sparrow, Lawrence's Goldfinches in Humboldt, Yavapai Co.
The Swamp Sparrow was along the Agua Fria River just north of Prescott Street, in a willow thicket, foraging alongside a few Lincoln's Sparrows. Lawrence's Goldfinches were in the same area - two landed nearby to the sparrow, calling, then flew up and over the tops of the cottonwoods. Upriver, a hybrid flicker with a half-black, half-red malar and yellow-orange flight feathers was associating with a pure red-shafted flicker.
Date: 2/4/19 11:31 am From: Jim Lawrence <jlmotmot...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Fwd: Rose-throated Becard
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> From: Jim Lawrence <jlmotmot...>
> Subject: Rose-throated Becard
> Date: January 31, 2019 at 8:41:26 AM MST
> To: "<BIRDWG05...>" <BIRDWG05...>
>
> Yesterday (1-30-19) on the Anza Trail two miles north of the Palo Parado trailhead Gloria found us a nice male Rose-throated Becard. It was to the east of the trail and fairly high in the budding cottonwoods. This point is between the third and fourth Anza trail signs south of the river crossing. We saw it at 10:15 AM on our way up the trail and again at 12N on our way out.
>
> Jim & Gloria Lawrence
> South of Sonoita
Date: 2/4/19 11:24 am From: Jim Lawrence <jlmotmot...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Fwd: Rose-throated Becard
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> From: Jim Lawrence <jlmotmot...>
> Subject: Rose-throated Becard
> Date: January 31, 2019 at 8:41:26 AM MST
> To: "<BIRDWG05...>" <BIRDWG05...>
>
> Yesterday (1-30-19) on the Anza Trail two miles north of the Palo Parado trailhead Gloria found us a nice male Rose-throated Becard. It was to the east of the trail and fairly high in the budding cottonwoods. This point is between the third and fourth Anza trail signs south of the river crossing. We saw it at 10:15 AM on our way up the trail and again at 12N on our way out.
>
> Jim & Gloria Lawrence
> South of Sonoita
My sister and I looked for various birds at various locations today. The White-throated Thrush showed very well between 8;45am and at least 9;00am in the vicinity of the 1st bridge up canyon from the Procter Road Parking Area; bear right at the fork in the paved trail.
We struck out on the Rufous-capped Warbler in Florida Canyon. Rain and high winds may have contributed to our lack of luck. Will try again tomorrow. We did have a nice pair of Black-tailed Gnatcatchers and a Spotted Towhee just above the oak grove.
Struck out on Lawrence's Goldfinch at Canoa Ranch and Amado. Finally found 30 to 40 behind Desert Shadows Middle School in North Nogales.
Despite the weather conditions, we had a great day and my sister added 2 lifers to her list
Date: 2/3/19 5:41 pm From: mary klinkel <munchita...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SE AZ: American Robins
Late afternoon walk today along Anza Trail in Green Valley with 20+ American Robins and at least 1 Cedar Waxwing in trees & in grass along golf course. Prior to this, the most robins I had seen along here was 3. Also, yesterday in this area an Osprey sat in a bare tree, my first sighting of this species along here near a pond which may have fish. Today there were at least 2 Canvasbacks in the pond (I can only see a small part of this pond from the trail).
Hi birders: Well it didn't really rain much in Patagonia today, and, despite, or because of, the cool temps, the birding was pretty good at Paton's Center for Hummingbirds.
The Violet crowned Hummingbird(s) showed nicely. It seems like there may be at least two birds on the property now.
Somewhat differently, the rare Red Fox Sparrow, and White throated Sparrow frequented the same brush pile; the one closest to the fence, directly behind the Paton House, but, as usual, they were showing sporadically.
A few other interesting birds included: a pair of Lazuli Buntings, feeding at the tube feeders in front of the house, a Plumbeous Vireo, and Green tailed, Canyon, and Abert's Towhee, ( at the brush pile next to the butterfly garden, closest to the fence ).
Multiple Cedar Waxwings were keeping an equal number of American Robins company around the property. Cheers, Thor
Thor Manson
Green Valley Arizona
Tucson Audubon Volunteer.
Date: 2/3/19 4:02 pm From: Erika Wilson <terika88...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: Sierra Vista EOP--03 Feb 2019
Hi, birders,
A windy day for the 13 folks walking the Sierra Vista EOP dikes, with visitors from MI and OR. Low tally of 53 species was not unexpected due to the increasing winds as the morning progressed, with a light rain shower at the end.
Highlights were: a continuing Great Egret, a duck-hunting Peregrine Falcon, and an early Tree Swallow. A new low of only 22 Yellow-headed Blackbirds was a surprise, since there are usually several hundred. The usual 13 species of ducks were noted, with a male Ruddy Duck courting a female. The Least Sandpiper flock increased a bit, with 24 at Moson Road, but no snipe were seen. Calling Sora and Marsh Wrens evaded our attempts to see them. The most colorful birds today were at least 18 Pyrrhuloxias, most of them moving through soft gray thorn bushes.
Date: 2/3/19 7:44 am From: Lauren Harter <lbharter...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] WAZ: Long-tailed Ducks, Davis Dam
Yesterday, 2/2/19, David Vander Pluym and I had the continuing pair of LONG-TAILED DUCKS just below Davis Dam, on the Arizona side. Also of interest in the area, we had a male Barrow's Goldeneye below the dam on the Nevada side and a female on the Arizona side, and three Barrow's Goldeneyes (2 male 1 female) above the dam in Arizona.
Katherine Landing was boring; a lot of Ring-billed and a few California Gulls.
Hi Birders: Today, the locally winter uncommon Northern Beardless Tyrannulet was fairly cooperative from the parking lot area of Florida Canyon. Yesterday, I found a pair of Black capped Gnatcatchers just beyond the gate a short distance up the Florida Canyon Trail. I didn't try for the Rufous capped Warbler, as there seemed to a good contingent of birders doing that. Cheers, Thor
Date: 2/1/19 4:44 pm From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] RBA Tucson, AZ - 1 February 2019
Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast
Arizona was made on February 1, 2019; the next update will be made on
February 8. 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.
For more information about Tucson Audubon field trips, lectures and
educational opportunities, please see www.tucsonaudubon.org.
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT INCLUDE:
#Eurasian Wigeon
#Greater Scaup
#"Harlan's" Red-tailed Hawk
#Red Phalarope
#Green Kingfisher
*ROSE-THROATED BECARD
#Winter Wren
#Black-capped Gnatcatcher
*WHITE-THROATED THRUSH
#Louisiana Waterthrush
#Rufous-capped Warbler
#"Red" Fox Sparrow
#Golden-crowned Sparrow
GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS
In Madera Canyon (map: http://goo.gl/dXBYP), the *WHITE-THROATED THRUSH
continued throughout the week, though most reports seemed to come in the
morning (m.ob.). It has been seen along the trail between the Whitehouse
Picnic Area and the Proctor Rd trails. The spot most people have seen it is
about 100 yards downstream from the big bridge, on the steep bank on the
east side of the creek, but recently it has been seen closer to Proctor
Road just past where the paved trail splits. #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS
continued along Proctor Rd this week (m.ob.).
In Florida Canyon (annotated map: http://goo.gl/AAzD6), #RUFOUS-CAPPED
WARBLERS continued (m.ob.) in the West Fork above the dam. Directions:
About 400 yards from parking lot is a metal gate, and just past the gate
the canyon forks. The main trail follows the East Fork, but most sightings
have been in the West Fork to the right. About 125 yards up the rough trail
in the West Fork is a large water tank and a low dam. The oak grove is
about 1/3 mile past the dam. Note: The trail for the West Fork can be
difficult to find, and is steep and rough in places. If you see the sign
with distances to Florida Saddle, Madera Canyon, etc you've missed the
turn. It is not necessary, recommended or permissible to enter the research
station to see these birds. A #WINTER WREN continued near the dam this week
(m.ob.) and a #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continued along the trail to Florida
Saddle (Craig Robson, Heidi Doman). #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued in
Florida Canyon this week (m.ob.); they've been seen near the Florida Canyon
parking area and a short distance up the trail, and at the old corral at
FR488 & 62A.
TUBAC area (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/yDqi0)
A pair of *ROSE-THROATED BECARDS continued about 1/4 mile north of the
Tubac bridge this week (m.ob.).
WILLCOX
A #EURASIAN WIGEON continued at Lake Cochise by the Twin Lakes Golf Course
in Willcox this week (m.ob.).
SANTA CRUZ FLATS
A #"HARLAN’S" RED-TAILED HAWK continued this week (m.ob.) near the
intersection of Green Reservoir Rd and Tweedy Rd.
PATAGONIA
At Patagonia Lake (annotated map: http://goo.gl/GgNvs), a #GREEN KINGFISHER
and #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued this week (m.ob.) at the east end
along the Birding Trail. A #GREATER SCAUP continued on the lake this week
(m.ob.). A phalarope was reported on 1/31 (Elizabeth White, Richard
Barmore) and identified as a #RED PHALAROPE on 2/1 (m.ob.).
A #"RED" FOX SPARROW continued at the Paton Center for Hummingbirds this
week (m.ob.).
SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS
At the San Pedro House, a #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH continued this week
(m.ob.) along the San Pedro River between posts #6 and #8. A #WINTER WREN
was photographed south of post #8 on 1/27 (Janine McCabe) and continued on
1/29 (Susan Allerton).
PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/XfXfX)
A #"RED" FOX SPARROW and #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continued at Cave Creek
Ranch this week (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 Wednesday, 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
http://www.huachuca.army.mil/pages/des/accesscontrol.html. 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. Foreign nationals must be accompanied by 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: apparently some states
driver's licenses do not meet federal requirements for base entry (KY, ME,
MT, PA, SC, MN, MO, and WA); see https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs or
http://huachuca-www.army.mil/pages/des/visitoraccess.html 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 7AM and close PROMPTLY at 2PM (do not linger,
you will be locked inside).
GREEN VALLEY WRF: under construction, access uncertain. When open (usually
on weekends), use the call box at the gate, sign in and out at the office,
and stay away from buildings and construction equipment. You can try to
call ahead at 520-625-0025.
ROGER ROAD WRF, CORONA DE TUCSON WRF, and NOGALES STP: Closed.
Date: 1/31/19 8:57 pm From: T.G. Miko <tgmiko...> Subject: Re: [AZNMbirds] se AZ: Patagonia Lake - phalarope
Andrew, Your email is fascinating for the following reason: out here in California Red Phalarope is rare away from the coast. If you are at any freshwater lake, pond, stream, or river, the two likely species are Red-necked and Wilson's. Even when out on the open ocean in the appropriate season(s), half of them are Red, and the other half are Red-necked.
Tom Miko Claremont LA County California (unless an Aztec thrush shows up at Madera Canyon) 909.241.3300
On Thu, Jan 31, 2019, 8:37 PM Andrew Core <andrewcore...> wrote:
> Elizabeth White and Richard Barmore had a phalarope at Patagonia Lake - > any phalarope is rare in winter in AZ, but Red Phalarope is probably the > most likely of the three. There are apparently records of all three in > January for AZ, though. Updates and/or pix would be helpful! > > Location: It was at the east end of the lake along the Birding Trail. If > you were sitting at the "new & improved" bird feeding grandstand at the > beginning of the Birding Trail and facing the lake, it was at your > 11-o'clock and swimming left. > > good birding, > Andrew > > -- > Andrew Core > Tucson, AZ > Home Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds > To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page. > To view archive: click "Archive" on that page.
Date: 1/31/19 8:37 pm From: Andrew Core <andrewcore...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] se AZ: Patagonia Lake - phalarope
Elizabeth White and Richard Barmore had a phalarope at Patagonia Lake - any phalarope is rare in winter in AZ, but Red Phalarope is probably the most likely of the three. There are apparently records of all three in January for AZ, though. Updates and/or pix would be helpful!
Location: It was at the east end of the lake along the Birding Trail. If you were sitting at the "new & improved" bird feeding grandstand at the beginning of the Birding Trail and facing the lake, it was at your 11-o'clock and swimming left.
Date: 1/31/19 5:18 pm From: Betsy Checchia <betsy.checchia...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ -- Hardesty Building Pond -- Common Goldeneye and Lesser Scaup
In the pond behind the Hardesty Building in Tucson at 4 p.m. today, I found 3 female Common Goldeneye and 1 male Lesser Scaup. But there were far more turtles on the banks than birds on the pond. Nothing of note in the golf course pond but many more turtles. Complete list will be on eBird this evening.
Date: 1/30/19 3:21 pm From: Richard Bansberg <rbansberg...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] San Pedro House Bird Walk
There were 32 participants on todays bird walk at the San Pedro House. Participants split into three groups and recorded a total of 49 species. There was a noticeable uptick in the number of sparrows seen from previous weeks. Birds of note included:
- 10 sparrow species, including two Rufous-winged Sparrows.
- At least a dozen Lazuli Buntings along Garden Wash.
Bird walks at the San Pedro House take place every Wednesday of the month and every 4th Saturday of the month. Walks during the month of February start at 9:00a.
Date: 1/30/19 8:19 am From: Tommy DeBardeleben <debardelebentommy...> Subject: Re: [AZNMbirds] SE AZ: Madera Canyon Proctor Road WHITE-THROATED THRUSH
White-throated Thrush continues and was seen not long ago by many birders. Just to the southeast of the paved trail split Laurens mentioned earlier.
Good Birding,
Tommy debardeleben
On Mon, Jan 28, 2019, 4:18 PM Laurens Halsey <desertharrier...> wrote:
> > At 2pm 28 Jan 2019, the White-throated Thrush with a few American Robins > and several Dark-eyed Juncos was foraging on the ground along the east > portion of the Proctor Loop about 2/3s of the way from the paved trail > split and the first bridge you come to taking the left fork when coming > from the Proctor Road parking area. By 2:30 it was lost in the > hackberry/junipers between the trail and the creek. > > Sent from the Desert Harrier iPhone > Desert Harrier Guide Services > Laurens Halsey > Green Valley, AZ > > > > On Jan 28, 2019, at 1:52 PM, JOHN HIGGINS <jghiggins...> wrote: > > Monday 9:45 am the *White-Throated Thrush* was seen in trees just to the > left (if you are coming up the trail) of the first bridge above Proctor > Road. Several "diversionary" Hermit Thrushes and Robins were present, as > well as a dozen birders and up-close photographers. > > John Higgins, Tucson, AZ > > Home Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds > To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page. > To view archive: click "Archive" on that page. > > Home Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds > To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page. > To view archive: click "Archive" on that page.
Date: 1/29/19 8:14 pm From: CARL PERRETTA <cjperretta...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] California Condors at Navajo Bridge, Coconino County
After seeing the Rosy-finches at the stakeout on Rte. 89, I drove over to the Navajo Bridge for a shot at the condors. I was lucky to meet Angela, the wildlife biologist with the Peregrine Fund, who already had the birds staked out, and was making observations. She knew each bird’s individual history, and informed that no.54 is the parent of the still untagged juvenile with which it was perched. This makes the chick a bird that has been hatched and raised in the wild, and thus countable by ABA rules. I posted a photo to eBird.
Date: 1/29/19 8:03 pm From: CARL PERRETTA <cjperretta...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Rosy-finches still appearing at Echo Cliffs stakeout
Had 50-60 Black RF and at least one Gray at the frequently described site on Rte. 89 near Page. I photographed the birds, who got so close, I thought my shoe would appear in the photos. Many thanks to the birder (didn’t get his name) who lives in Flagstaff and works in Page, and who comes by regularly to throw out sunflower seed to keep the birds coming in for easy viewing. If you’re reading this, you know who you are.
Date: 1/29/19 9:58 am From: Mike Butterfield <kb0to1.mb...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] HUMMER
JUST had a
MALE - COSTAS HUMMINGBIRD at the feeder at my residence not 3 feet in front of me - sitting at my window watching the feeder 930AM I live over by the Country House restaurant on Bevers Rd. Mike Butterfield in SV
Date: 1/29/19 9:05 am From: Gary Rosenberg <ghrosenberg...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Arizona Bird Committee News
Hi All,
On Sunday 27 January, the Arizona Bird Committee held their annual meeting - we officially welcomed the two new members elected at the end of 2018 - David Vander Pluym and Chris Benesh. They will be replacing Kurt Radamaker and Eric Hough, both of whom have served four years and are cycling off the committee. The ABC thanks Kurt and Eric for their years of particpation on the committee. The current committee is made up by Lauren Harter (who also serves as chairperson), Magill Weber, Sean Fitzgerald, David Vander Pluym, Andrew Core, Chris Benesh, Scott Olmstead, and Gary Rosenberg (who also serves as secretary). Janet Witzeman serves as assistant secretary - and has been involved with the ABC as either secretary or assistant secretary since the inception of the committee in 1972!
In 2018, the following species were officially accepted onto the Arizona state list: Lesser Sand-Plover, Common Crane, Juan Fernandez Petrel, Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel, California Scrub-Jay, and Little Bunting. Two additional potential first state records were discussed - Ringed Kingfisher and White-throated Thrush (both occurred late in 2018 and early 2019) - all the committee members present agreed that both species were reasonable candidates for vagrancy to Arizona - I will let the public know “when” they are officially voted on and accepted by the ABC.
One controversial report was discussed at our last meeting in July - and the ABC has completed voting on it by the end of 2018. This regards the Red Warbler on Mount Lemmon. The committee solicited Peter Pyle for help with subspecies identification (based on several photos of the individual). It was his opinion that the Mount Lemmon bird was actually of the more southern subspecies found in southern Mexico - and NOT of the more northern subspecies found north to Sinaloa. Based on this information, as well as our understanding that Red Warbler (of any subspecies) is not known to wander away from known breeding areas, the ABC decided to be conservative and not accept this report on the basis of origin. The committee is always open to new information - and if additional Red Warblers ever appear in Arizona, I am sure this record will be revisited.The ABC checklist committee, I believe, followed our lead and also did not accept this bird onto the ABA list. It was the opinion of our committee that almost anything can be caught and transported to Arizona - particularly a bright, pretty bird like Red Warbler - and interestingly, one of the specimens that Peter Pyle examined had been a cage bird! Of course these sort of decisions are difficult - and true provenance is often “unknowable.”
The committee also discussed the status of the next ABC report which will cover 2015-2017 records. David Vander Pluym, Laurens Halsey, and I are currently working on it, and plan on submitting it to Western Birds soon (certainly in 2019). The committee has also embarked on the digitizing of all the ABC historical records - every record post 2007 is already in digital format, but all pre-2007 records going back to 1972 (the inception of the committee) need to be scanned and entered into the database - this will take some time, but when completed, the database will be made available to the public in some form, and we plan on entering all the records into eBird. Currently, I would remind everyone, all the published reports are available on the ABC web page.
The ABC removed the following species from their review list: American Golden-Plover and Purple Finch (although we still want documentation of any “Eastern” Purple Finches). Several other species reached the 30+ minimum for removal (including Black Scoter, Red-eyed Vireo, Blackpoll Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Rusty Blackbird, and Common Grackle) - but the committee decided to retain them for now for a variety of reasons - and their potential removal will be evaluated on an annual basis.
I think this covers much of what was discussed. The ABC thanks everyone for their continued support and submissions - it is much appreciated.
Date: 1/29/19 8:53 am From: Mike Butterfield <kb0to1.mb...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] HUMMER
JUST had a: MALE-COSTAS HUMMINGBIRD at the feeder not 2 feet in front of window this day. 1 29 19 at 930AM Awesome sight. for abt 10secs Live by Country House Restaurant off Bevers Rd
Date: 1/28/19 7:56 pm From: Clyde Morris & Joelle Buffa <clyde_joelle...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Violet-Crowned Hummingbird Sierra Vista
We saw and photographed a Violet-crowned Hummingbird this morning on our weekly walk around the Pueblo de Sol golf course in Sierra Vista. It was at the top of a tree on the golf course. It hawked for insects from the tree top and was using a feeder in the backyard of the nearest house. A photo is attached to our ebird checklist:https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S52143465
Clyde Morris and Joelle Buffa Home Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page. To view archive: click "Archive" on that page.
Date: 1/28/19 6:09 pm From: Betsy Checchia <betsy.checchia...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ -- Tanque Verde Wash/49ers Country Club this afternoon
I birded west in the TV wash from Wentworth Road, then climbed up into the 49ers CC golf course and birded back to the car. An interesting mix of birds, including 1 American Robin, 8 Cedar Waxwings (the first I've seen this year), Gadwall and Ring-necked Ducks on the water treatment pond, and lots of Lesser Goldfinches. 32 species total; list is on eBird.
At 2pm 28 Jan 2019, the White-throated Thrush with a few American Robins and several Dark-eyed Juncos was foraging on the ground along the east portion of the Proctor Loop about 2/3s of the way from the paved trail split and the first bridge you come to taking the left fork when coming from the Proctor Road parking area. By 2:30 it was lost in the hackberry/junipers between the trail and the creek.
Sent from the Desert Harrier iPhone
Desert Harrier Guide Services
Laurens Halsey
Green Valley, AZ
> On Jan 28, 2019, at 1:52 PM, JOHN HIGGINS <jghiggins...> wrote:
>
> Monday 9:45 am the White-Throated Thrush was seen in trees just to the left (if you are coming up the trail) of the first bridge above Proctor Road. Several "diversionary" Hermit Thrushes and Robins were present, as well as a dozen birders and up-close photographers.
>
> John Higgins, Tucson, AZ
>
> Home Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds > To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page.
> To view archive: click "Archive" on that page.
Date: 1/28/19 12:54 pm From: JOHN HIGGINS <jghiggins...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SE AZ: Madera Canyon Proctor Road WHITE-THROATED THRUSH
Monday 9:45 am the White-Throated Thrush was seen in trees just to the left (if you are coming up the trail) of the first bridge above Proctor Road. Several "diversionary" Hermit Thrushes and Robins were present, as well as a dozen birders and up-close photographers.
John Higgins, Tucson, AZ Home Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page. To view archive: click "Archive" on that page.
Hi Birders: Another bit of a big sparrow day at Paton's Center for Hummingbirds in Patagonia today. Besides the continuing White throated Sparrow, and Red Fox Sparrow, we had Lincoln's, White crowned, Chipping, and 5 or 6 Lark Sparrows visiting the brush piles in back of the building.
The White throated, and Red Fox Sparrow are difficult to see. The White throated was only seen in the morning in the brush pile by the butterfly garden opposite the pond, and nearest to the fence line. The Red Fox Sparrow was only seen in the afternoon by the brush pile furthest away from the house, but directly behind the house.
Besides Anna's Hummingbird, the Violet crowned was very easy to see at feeders Y and Z, also behind the house. It was also easy to photograph as it frequently landed on bare branches next to the feeders. Cheers, Thor
Date: 1/27/19 4:11 pm From: Erika Wilson <terika88...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: Sierra Vista EOP--27 Jan 2019
Hi, birders,
Lovely weather for the large group that walked the Sierra Vista EOP dikes this morning. Big turnout today, with late arrivals turned away, as happened last week, too. City imposed group size limit means one should arrive at least 10 minutes before the 8 a.m. start time, as space is on a first come, first served basis. Visitors today came from CA, MN, PA, WI, and ONT. The group's final tally was 58 species at morning's end, about average for this time of year.
Twelve species of ducks were spotted, with two Canvasback and a pair of Bufflehead being the best finds. As as held true all winter, most of the ducks were in the flooded grasses at the Moson Road impoundments, with 150+ Green-winged Teal continuing. Other water birds included three Sora heard calling, the continuing flock of 17 Least Sandpipers, 2 Wilson's Snipe, and an adult Great Egret for the second week running.
Best of the smaller birds was a briefly seen pair of Lawrence's Goldfinches, which are seen about every other week in the mesquites at Moson Road. Sparrow numbers remain low, ditto for Horned Lark, but there was a nice flock of 16 Am. Pipits. No falcons today, much to everyone's disappointment. As usual, the brilliant Yellow-headed Blackbirds were a favorite with our visitors.
Date: 1/27/19 3:51 pm From: greentailedtowhee <skua33...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] San Pedro River (San Pedro House)
Hi birders,
If any of you are in the area of the San Pedro House along the river, in addition to looking for the Louisiana Waterthrush you may also want to add a WINTER WREN to your search. The bird was seen near the water south of post #8 a couple hundred feet. I heard it's call note and some birders confirmed my poor photos on facebook.
I also saw the Louisiana Waterthrush north of the bridge.
Hello birders, Red-breasted Merganser continued this morning with four Common Mergansers in the irrigation pond (small upper pond left of the Deep Pond). Also seen, manny Buffleheads, and above the softball fields, Red-naped Sapsucker, Cassin's Kingbird, and a female Summer Tanager.Cordially,Brett & Peggy WilmoreTucson, AZ
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
Home Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page. To view archive: click "Archive" on that page.
Date: 1/27/19 10:31 am From: David Stejskal <dstejskal...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: Madera Canyon WHITE-THROATED THRUSH continues
Hi birders,
The WHITE-THROATED THRUSH was found again this morning between the Proctor Road crossing and the Whitehouse Picnic area. Specifically, it was uphill from Proctor Road along the West Loop paved trail, just past a signed fork in the trail that had a sign that read “Proctor Parking .24 mile”. If you’re coming down from the Whitehouse Picnic parking lot (like John Coons, Lynn Jaeger, & I did) it was just past the 3rd wooden bridge over the creek.
We left the area around 9:15 this morning and it was still being seen by the roughly 35 birders present.
Currently with CAGOs in crop fields on Alma School Road north of Chaparral.
Chris Wood Currently Scottsdale AZ Woodbury, CT 203 558-0654
Flickr: C.S.Wood-Photos Blog: WoodWarbling Home Page: https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/info/aznmbirds To unsubscribe use the Unsubscribe button on that page. To view archive: click "Archive" on that page.
Date: 1/27/19 6:48 am From: Richard Bansberg <rbansberg...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] San Pedro House Bird Walk
There were 21 participants on yesterdays walk at the San Pedro House. Participants split into two groups and recorded a total of 57 species. Birds of note included:
- 9 species of sparrow, including a White-throated Sparrow at the feeder in front of the House.
- A Merlin along the river adjacent to Kingfisher Pond.
- A Louisiana Waterthrush along the river between Posts 7 and 8.
Bird walks at the San Pedro House currently are held every Wednesday of the month and every 4th Saturday of the month. The walks start at 9:00a.
Date: 1/26/19 9:12 pm From: Jody Williams <fisherwoods...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Two more first of the years. Marana, NW Tucson
On my way to my car in Lowe’s parking lot a Couch’s Kingbird was calling as only they can call. It held for several photos.
At Arthur Pack Park, I finally found an Eared Grebe. They have been absent since early December.
Date: 1/26/19 5:57 pm From: Holly Sweeney <holly.sweeney.hs...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Access to Green Valley WRF (Pima County)-further restrictions
Was told at the gate today that no birding will be allowed this weekend 1/26-27 due to heavy machinery. Worker advised us to call ahead as he was not sure about next weekend either - phone # is 520-625-0025. Good Birding, Holly Sweeney
I decided to slowly and methodically walk the De Anza Trail this morning from the Tubac bridge parking area heading north all the way to the golf course. Th actual weather was much colder than forecast and it was 39 F when I started at 8:45 AM.
There were no Becards for me, but the best birds were at the end of the trail. Right as I got to the small corral, and the trail heads left into the golf course grounds (with the wooden rail fence), a GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE popped up and as I was studying it, I heard a long drawn out "sweet". A pair of beautifully crisp white striped WHITE-THROATED SPARROWs were in the brush pile on the right side of the trail just before it turns left for the golf course. Shortly thereafter I ran into an old friend who alerted me to a HEPATIC TANAGER up the trail. Sure enough, this was a nice bright male east of the creek high in the cottonwood catkins just before re-entering the woodland canopy, not far from the aforementioned sparrows. Later, back near the trail head, I found a BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER among the cottonwoods there.
Other birds along the trail included lots of WHITE-WINGED DOVEs (8-10 perhaps, I think they wintered here though), HOUSE WREN, lots of BRIDLED TITMOUSE, HERMIT THRUSH, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, SONG SPARROW, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, and tons of LESSER GOLDFINCHes, ABERT'S TOWHEEs and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERs among the other common stuff.
At the Amado Wastewater Treatment Plant along I-19, there was a GREAT EGRET, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, a few BUFFLEHEADs, 1 female COMMON MERGANSER and a few other common species.
Over at the Amado Territory Inn, behind the restrooms, there was a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, a VERMILION FLYCATCHER, a SAY'S PHOEBE, and a NORTHERN HARRIER and TURKEY VULTURE to the north of the entrance (east of the wastewater pond).
On my way home along Sahuarita Road, just west of Wilmot Road, a CRESTED CARACARA was circling over the saguaro studded desert here. We don't often get them east of I-19 and this is a good few miles into the open desert east of Sahuarita.
Date: 1/25/19 7:51 pm From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] RBA Tucson, AZ - 25 January 2019
Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast
Arizona was made on January 25, 2019; the next update will be made on
February 2. 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.
GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS
In Madera Canyon (map: http://goo.gl/dXBYP), the *WHITE-THROATED THRUSH
continued throughout the week, though most reports seemed to come in the
morning (m.ob.). It has been seen along the trail between the Whitehouse
Picnic Area and the Proctor Rd trails. The spot most people have seen it is
about 100 yards downstream from the big bridge, on the steep bank on the
east side of the creek. #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued along Proctor
Rd this week (m.ob.).
In Florida Canyon (annotated map: http://goo.gl/AAzD6), #RUFOUS-CAPPED
WARBLERS continued (m.ob.) in the West Fork above the dam. Directions:
About 400 yards from parking lot is a metal gate, and just past the gate
the canyon forks. The main trail follows the East Fork, but most sightings
have been in the West Fork to the right. About 125 yards up the rough trail
in the West Fork is a large water tank and a low dam. The oak grove is
about 1/3 mile past the dam. Note: The trail for the West Fork can be
difficult to find, and is steep and rough in places. If you see the sign
with distances to Florida Saddle, Madera Canyon, etc you've missed the
turn. It is not necessary, recommended or permissible to enter the research
station to see these birds. A #WINTER WREN continued near the dam this week
(m.ob.). #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued in Florida Canyon this week
(m.ob.); they've been seen near the Florida Canyon parking area and a short
distance up the trail, and at the old corral at FR488 & 62A.
A #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was photographed in Amado on the west bank of the
river on 1/21 (Bill Lisowsky).
GRAHAM COUNTY
The *RINGED KINGFISHER was seen again in the Safford area on 1/24 (Bethany
Rios) near Roper Lake State Park. The kingfisher has been seen in 3-4
different locations in the area, including Roper Lake State Park, Dankworth
Pond, a few small private ponds between the two spots and in a private pond
north of Roper Lake. This last pond is on private property but the
kingfisher can be heard and occasionally seen from Roper Lake Road. PLEASE
do not trespass – there were some unfortunate events in December that were
quite preventable, if people would just remember to stay on the road. Map:
https://goo.gl/LF6TFh An *ICELAND GULL continued on 1/19 (Derik Bowen) at Roper Lake SP.
TUBAC area (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/yDqi0)
A pair of *ROSE-THROATED BECARDS continued about 1/4 mile north of the
Tubac bridge this week (m.ob.).
WILLCOX
A #EURASIAN WIGEON continued at Lake Cochise by the Twin Lakes Golf Course
in Willcox this week (m.ob.).
SANTA CRUZ FLATS
A #"HARLAN’S" RED-TAILED HAWK continued this week (m.ob.) near the
intersection of Green Reservoir Rd and Curry Rd.
SONOITA & LAS CIENEGAS NCA
A #ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was reported again in the area, this time off Curly
Horse Rd on 1/24 (Eric Schultz).
TUCSON area
A #HEERMANN’S GULL was reported on 1/21 (Susan Birky, Sherry Kistler) at
Lakeside Park; it was seen by many that afternoon before departing at dusk.
BUENOS AIRES NWR
A #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was reported in the southwest part of Arivaca Lake on
1/20 (Craig Robson, Heidi Doman).
PATAGONIA
At Patagonia Lake (annotated map: http://goo.gl/GgNvs), a #GREEN KINGFISHER
and #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued this week (m.ob.) at the east end
along the Birding Trail. A #GREATER SCAUP was reported again on 1/23 (Bill
Lisowsky). A *LEAST FLYCATCHER was reported on 1/23 (Bill Lisowsky) – a
recording of the vocalization would be helpful in identification.
A #"RED" FOX SPARROW continued at the Paton Center for Hummingbirds this
week (m.ob.).
SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS
At the San Pedro House, a #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH continued this week
(m.ob.) along the San Pedro River.
PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/XfXfX)
A #"RED" FOX SPARROW continued this week in a yard in Whitetail Canyon
(Rick Taylor).
A #"RED" FOX SPARROW and #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continued at Cave Creek
Ranch on 1/23 (Bernard Morris).
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 Wednesday, 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
http://www.huachuca.army.mil/pages/des/accesscontrol.html. 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. Foreign nationals must be accompanied by 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: apparently some states
driver's licenses do not meet federal requirements for base entry (KY, ME,
MT, PA, SC, MN, MO, and WA); see https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs or
http://huachuca-www.army.mil/pages/des/visitoraccess.html 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 7AM and close PROMPTLY at 2PM (do not linger,
you will be locked inside).
GREEN VALLEY WRF: under construction, access on weekends only. When open,
use the call box at the gate, sign in and out at the office, and stay away
from buildings and construction equipment.
ROGER ROAD WRF, CORONA DE TUCSON WRF, and NOGALES STP: Closed.
Date: 1/25/19 6:08 pm From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] se AZ: RFI Tucson area - Help BBC film woodpeckers!
Forwarded for Aaron Flesch with the listowner's blessing. Contact Lance
Featherstone if you know of a Gila Woodpecker actively excavating a saguaro
in the Tucson area.
Please do not reply to this list, or to me unless you are Sir
David Attenborough himself...
Arizona Birders. Anyone in the Tucson area know of specific saguaros
actively being excavated by Gila Woodpeckers? The BBC is hoping to film
excavating woodpeckers in various stages of making cavities for a
documentary to be narrated by the great Sir David Attenborough. If you can
help, please email Lance Featherstone of the BBC at <lance.br...>
or call or What’s App him at 44 7805 644750. Thanks!
Date: 1/25/19 5:55 pm From: Thor Manson <thormanson...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] White throated Thrush P.M. News
Hi Birders: The continuing White throated Thrush up Madera Canyon was seen this afternoon at around 4:00 p.m. The location of the sighting is very similar to previous sightings; in a Hackberry Tree/Bush up from the Proctor Parking area, past Proctor Road, and about 50 yards/meters past where the trail splits, and on the West side of the trail. It hung around said tree for about 20 minutes in the company of a pair of American Robins. A Hermit Thrush was also in the area. After that time it flew West and into a tree towards the creek and then down onto the side of the creek for a drink, before disappearing upslope. Good luck to those looking. Thor
Correction for spelling error (I have spell-check turned off): "past" not "passed"
I also forgot to mention Common Mergansers in the list of diving ducks and that a beautiful male Costa's Hummingbird was at the NWR Visiter Center.
And for me an interesting sighting wasn't so much birds as butterflies and flowers. The healthy winter rains this year have created an almost lush situation on the normally barren hills around Lake Havasu. Many flowers are now blooming and there is abundant green growth suggesting that there will be many more blooming within the next month. Large numbers of migrating Painted Lady butterflies were following the shoreline around the lake on their way north.
-------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: AZ: Buckeye and Lake Havasu Annual Winter Trip 1/23-25, 2019 Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2019 14:03:39 -0700 From: Diane Touret <dctouret...> To: <aznmbirds...>
Buckeye: Burrowing Owl (Old Hwy 80 east of Wilson Ave) Ferruginous Hawk (Old Hwy 80 east of Hassayampa Bridge) LeConte's and Bendires Thrashers (1-2 each at Thrasher Site west of Baseline) Sagebrush Sparrow
*Missed Ruddy Ground-Dove on West Hazen because I wasn't sure where the location was and there always seemed to be a vehicle right behind me when I wanted to read the mailbox numbers!
Both species of Thrasher were singing from 8:30AM to 10AM and the LeConte's was surprisingly easy to see this year. It was hard to tell how many individuals there were because they kept popping up in new locations!
Parker Dam: Black Scoter and Surf Scoter (both directly below the dam overlook, so definitely on the AZ side of the river!)
Take-Off Point: Common Loon (2) and Horned Grebe (close to shore on Weds.)
Bill Williams River NWR: Common and Barrow's Goldeneyes, Greater Scaup
*Barrow's Goldeneyes (3 males, 1 female) were best observed from the Hwy 95 overlook just passed the refuge sign - they were in the westernmost cove of the Visiter Center lagoon, diving around the small island.
Pittsburgh Point: Pacific and Common Loons, Bald Eagle in a tree on the CA side of the lake
Clark's Grebes common, Western Grebes seen mostly near Lake Havasu City
Could not find either of the Black-legged Kittiwakes or any other gull except for Ring-billed
Could not find the Red-throated Loon
Only new bird at Mesquite Bay was Tree Swallow
Water level in Lake Havasu is very high so it appears to be too deep for any but diving ducks (i.e. Scaup, Canvasbacks, Buffleheads, Goldeneye) and Coots
On drive down to motel in Blythe on Thursday afternoon, there was a Prairie Falcon on a pole south of Poston
No Mountain Plover Friday morning at the Stanfield site, but lots of Amer. Pipits and Horned Larks. Peregrine Falcon on pole on Indian Valley Rd.
A flooded field west of the town of Stanfield had Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitchers, Least Sandpipers and lots of Killdeer.
Date: 1/25/19 1:04 pm From: Diane Touret <dctouret...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] AZ: Buckeye and Lake Havasu Annual Winter Trip 1/23-25, 2019
Buckeye: Burrowing Owl (Old Hwy 80 east of Wilson Ave) Ferruginous Hawk (Old Hwy 80 east of Hassayampa Bridge) LeConte's and Bendires Thrashers (1-2 each at Thrasher Site west of Baseline) Sagebrush Sparrow
*Missed Ruddy Ground-Dove on West Hazen because I wasn't sure where the location was and there always seemed to be a vehicle right behind me when I wanted to read the mailbox numbers!
Both species of Thrasher were singing from 8:30AM to 10AM and the LeConte's was surprisingly easy to see this year. It was hard to tell how many individuals there were because they kept popping up in new locations!
Parker Dam: Black Scoter and Surf Scoter (both directly below the dam overlook, so definitely on the AZ side of the river!)
Take-Off Point: Common Loon (2) and Horned Grebe (close to shore on Weds.)
Bill Williams River NWR: Common and Barrow's Goldeneyes, Greater Scaup
*Barrow's Goldeneyes (3 males, 1 female) were best observed from the Hwy 95 overlook just passed the refuge sign - they were in the westernmost cove of the Visiter Center lagoon, diving around the small island.
Pittsburgh Point: Pacific and Common Loons, Bald Eagle in a tree on the CA side of the lake
Clark's Grebes common, Western Grebes seen mostly near Lake Havasu City
Could not find either of the Black-legged Kittiwakes or any other gull except for Ring-billed
Could not find the Red-throated Loon
Only new bird at Mesquite Bay was Tree Swallow
Water level in Lake Havasu is very high so it appears to be too deep for any but diving ducks (i.e. Scaup, Canvasbacks, Buffleheads, Goldeneye) and Coots
On drive down to motel in Blythe on Thursday afternoon, there was a Prairie Falcon on a pole south of Poston
No Mountain Plover Friday morning at the Stanfield site, but lots of Amer. Pipits and Horned Larks. Peregrine Falcon on pole on Indian Valley Rd.
A flooded field west of the town of Stanfield had Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitchers, Least Sandpipers and lots of Killdeer.
Date: 1/24/19 10:07 pm From: Mary and Clive Green <mjandclive...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: Reid Park, Tucson
This evening, January 24, 2019, about 5:30pm, I found a SUMMER TANAGER in a tall eucalyptus tree on the Southwest corner of the smaller pond. I first heard it calling, and it continued to call at intervals. The bird was quite orange in color, with redder patches near the throat and low on the belly.
