Tucson RBA 7 November 2009

[John Yerger]

Hello Birders,

This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast
Arizona was made on November 7, 2009. The next update will be made on
November 13. Phone your reports to 520-798-1005 X 1. Email your reports
to rarebirdalert AT tucsonaudubon.org.

In this report, where directions are not given, they can be found in the
new 2007 edition of "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona", published by
and available from Tucson Audubon.

Updates to the 7th edition, including new sites and access changes can
be found at: www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates_7th.htm

Updates to the 6th edition, including new sites and access changes can
be found at: www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates.htm

SEVERAL NEW IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS follow the sightings, including
information on temporary closures and rules for access to other
important birding areas. Abbreviation "m. obs" = 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.

Please send documentation to the Arizona Bird Committee via the "ABC
online form" link at http://www.azfo.org/gallery/2009/whatisABC.html,
via email to ghrosenberg@... or the ABC, P.O. Box 91856, Tucson,
AZ 85720-1856.


SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:

  Red-breasted Merganser
  Hooded Merganser
#Greater Scaup
*SHORT-TAILED HAWK
  DUNLIN
  California Gull
  Bonaparte's Gull
#Ruddy Ground-Dove
#YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER
*RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER
  Williamson's Sapsucker
  Lewis's Woodpecker
*ROSE-THROATED BECARD
*SINALOA WREN
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER
#RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN
#VARIED THRUSH
*TENNESSEE WARBLER
#CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER
*MAGNOLIA WARBLER
  Black-and-white Warbler
  American Redstart
*WORM-EATING WARBLER
#LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH
#GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW
#Fox Sparrow (Slate-colored)
  Rose-breasted Grosbeak (and other species of local/seasonal interest)


PATAGONIA

The now famous *SINALOA WREN was still present on 11/03 (Matt Brown), in
a restricted area of the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve.  The best
areas to attempt for this bird, which is exceedingly difficult in
winter, would be:  1) from Blue Haven Road about 0.3 to 0.4 miles west
of Paton's Hummingbird Haven; or 2) 0.2 miles southwest of the last
picnic tables in the town of Patagonia, accessed by parking at the
tables and walking to the paths worn into the grass from the shoulder of
Hwy 82 to the fence of the Preserve property.

A #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was reported from the Spirit Tree Inn on 11/04
(Moez Ali, Steve Barlow), and continued through at least 11/6. A
"Slate-colored" FOX SPARROW was also seen here on 11/6 (Mark and Farrish
Sharon).  As this is private property that primarily serves as a B&B,
please contact the Inn prior to visiting (www.spirittreeinn.com).
Remember that the birding there is limited to the driveway and the
courtyard/patio.

A group of 6 female-type RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS were present near the
dam at Patagonia Lake State Park on 11/04 (Matt Brown).  East of the
ramp to the spillway, a *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER was calling.

A GRAY HAWK (considered "casual" this time of year) was seen circling
over the Patagonia library on 11/05 (Abbie Zeltzer).


TUCSON and vicinity

A *SHORT-TAILED HAWK, apparently the same individual that has wintered
in Tucson for 2 previous winters, returned to the neighborhood near the
intersection of E Seneca St and N Ridgeway Rd on 11/02 (Dave Stejskal).
  This area is generally southeast of Grant Rd and Craycroft Rd.

A first fall *MAGNOLIA WARBLER was found and photographed at Fort Lowell
Park on 11/6 (Clifford Cathers, Darlene Smyth).  It was in the area
locally known as "Cottonwood Lane", a stretch of cottonwoods running
east from Craycroft to meet the ruins of the old fort hospital. It
continued through 11/7.

A *WORM-EATING WARBLER was found at the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum on
11/05 (Susan Parker-Hotchkiss). It continued through at least 11/07
along the Gallery wall near the Desert Garden, where it has been
photographed.

A *RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER continued at McCormick Park (on Columbus Blvd
between Glenn and Ft. Lowell Rds) throughout the week (m. obs).

A *TENNESSEE WARBLER was found in the NW corner of Sweetwater Wetlands
on 11/03 (Philip Kline). It was present through at least 11/05.  A
female #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE continued at Sweetwater through at least 11/02
(Andrew Core). At that time it was seen flying to and landing on the
berm between the eastern and western recharge basins (south end of the
complex), which is difficult to view from the main pathways.  A
"Slate-colored" FOX SPARROW was seen near the Hidden Pond at Sweetwater
Wetlands through at least 10/29 (m. obs).  A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was
still present west of the Hidden Pond on 11/01 (Peter Salomon).  Two
BONAPARTE'S GULLS were seen at Sweetwater on 11/6, in the second
recharge basin from the east (Dick Palmer). They departed the same day.

A male #VARIED THRUSH was found at Catalina State Park on 11/6 (Rick
Wright). It was at the signposted Picnic Area.

A first-year #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was photographed in the riverbed
southeast of Sweetwater on 11/05 (Jake Mohlmann). It was also seen in
the portion of Sweetwater immediately adjacent to this point the next day.

Another "Slate-colored" FOX SPARROW was present at the feeder system in
front of Wild Birds Unlimited (southeast corner of Ina Rd and Oracle Rd)
on 11/01 (fide Darlene Smyth).

A male AMERICAN REDSTART was reported from Reid Park on 10/30 (David
West). It was at the "grassy knolls" that are located just south of
Camino Campestre and about a block east of N Country Club Rd.

A male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was reported from a yard west of Robb Wash
in the vicinity of Wrightstown and Pantano Rds on 11/04 (Todd Hope).

A female HOODED MERGANSER was present at the Arthur Pack Golf Course
pond on 11/05 (Philip Kline). 3 HOODED MERGANSERS were also seen in the
smaller/upper pond (north of the probation office) at Sam Lena Park on
11/5 (John Higgins).

A BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD was coming to feeders in a private yard near
Mountain Rd and Roger Rd on 11/04 (Rich Hoyer).  This may constitute a
first November record for the city.

A CALIFORNIA GULL was still present at Kennedy Park on 11/2 (John Higgins).

A LEWIS'S WOODPECKER discovered near the pecan grove on Woodland Road on
10/29 (Brian Nicholas) continued through at least 10/31. Also present
here on 10/31 was an AMERICAN CROW, which is extremely rare in Pima County.

A late male BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK was reported from the desert area
behind Udall Park on 11/01 (Glorya Anderson).

A male WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER was photographed on 11/06 at Way Out West
Nature Preserve (Christopher Vincent).  If you have a strong desire to
see this bird, please contact the private B&B-style property first
(520-305-9690 or www.wowarizona.com).

An OSPREY is still present near Swan Rd/Skyline Dr and/or Pontatoc Rd in
north Tucson (Bob Miller). An OSPREY was also at Lakeside Park on 11/5
(Mark Stevenson).


TUMACACORI

A female *ROSE-THROATED BECARD was relocated on the Santa Cruz River
about 200 yards south of Santa Gertrudis Lane on 11/04 (Keith Kamper).
Also present about 400 yards north of the Lane were male/female #RUDDY
GROUND-DOVES, and a female BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER. A BULLOCK'S ORIOLE
was also a very interesting find.  A male WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER was
seen at the Lane on 11/5 (Sally Johnsen), as was a LEWIS'S WOODPECKER
(Diane Touret).

PLEASE NOTE: this is a private lane, but birders are currently welcome
to park along the I-19 Frontage Rd just outside the lane's entrance and
walk in.  Please respect private property.


TUBAC

A *TENNESSEE WARBLER was discovered at the Tubac Bridge (on the north
side) on 11/6 (Dave Stejskal). A male AMERICAN REDSTART was also seen
about 250 yards south of the bridge.

A female-type #CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER was reported from the Anza Trail
just north of Tubac Bridge on 10/30 (Paul Suchanek). It was in the area
near where a log has fallen across the trail and onto one of the trail
markers.


BENSON/ST. DAVID vicinity

An apparent *RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER was discovered at Holy Trinity
Monastery on 10/31 (Ann & Alan Miller).  The other two birds discovered
so far this season have proven to be "purebred," so it would be
interesting to know if that is the case with this individual, as well.
An OSPREY was also seen at the Hwy 80 bridge across the San Pedro River
between here and Benson.


HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS and SAN PEDRO RIVER

A #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was found along the river near the San Pedro
House on 11/6 (Stuart Healy), about 80 yards south of trail marker #7.

An AMERICAN CROW was reported along the San Pedro River south of
Hereford Rd on 11/5 (Pete Sockness). A few were reported not far from
here last week (Gordon Lewis).

A female WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER was reported at the middle picnic area
in Garden Canyon on Fort Huachuca on 11/04 (Ann & Alan Miller).


SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS and GREEN VALLEY

A #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was observed in a sycamore above the feeding
station at Madera Kubo on 11/5 (Laurens Halsey).

*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued at Proctor Road in lower Madera
Canyon this week (Laurens Halsey).

4 #GREATER SCAUP were present (along with 12 of the much more common
Lesser Scaup) on 11/5 at Green Valley WWTP (Michael Marsden).


WHITEWATER DRAW WMA

A BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER was reported from the mudflats at Whitewater Draw
Wildlife Management Area on 10/31 (Dave Beaudette).


SANTA CRUZ FLATS

One DUNLIN was present in a flock of 85 Least Sandpipers at the
intersection of Tweedy and Pretzer Roads on 10/31 (David Pearson).  On
Baumgartner Rd, 2 miles east of Picacho Highway, a LEWIS' WOODPECKER was
seen in the dead pecan trees through at least 11/01.


WILLCOX

A lone BONAPARTE'S GULL was seen at Willcox Twin Lakes on 11/5 (John
Yerger, Jake Mohlmann).



ANNOUNCEMENTS:

SIERRA VISTA - Construction continues on State Route 92 on the east
side of the Huachuca Mountains. Be prepared for delays.

FORT HUACHUCA - will suspend your driving privileges on Post for 30
days, on your first offense for talking or using a cell phone/Blackberry
while driving. You MUST use a hands free device.

SANTA CRUZ FLATS: Managers at the Evergreen Turf Farm (vicinity of
Tweedy and Pretzer Rds) have requested that anyone birding there on the
weekends please leave by 5:00 PM. This is due to security issues
experienced by the Sod Farm. Birders are still welcome here at other times.

BAIRD'S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL in the San Rafael Valley
is considered to be off limits to birders due to the thoughtless actions
of a few birders. DO NOT ENTER THE PROPERTY. Stopping within 0.25 mile
of the corral is banned.

PENA BLANCA LAKE - Is now reopened. There is very little water in the
lake, as it is slowly refilling. However, the paths are still open for
birding and other recreation.

GREEN VALLEY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: ALL birders in a party must
sign in, not just one representative of said party. Also, please DO NOT
park on the grass, due to fire danger from hot catalytic converters.
Recent access change: you must now approach the gate and follow the
directions on the call box there to contact the operators to open the
gate for you.

AVRA VALLEY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: has now reopened! Gates now open
at 6AM and close PROMPTLY at 2PM (do not linger, you will be locked
inside). Please see this link for important information regarding
access:
http://listserv.arizona.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0908a&L=birdwg05&T=0&O=A&P=4747.

NOGALES SEWAGE PONDS: Remain closed to birders.

CORONA DE TUCSON WASTEWATER RECLAMATION FACILITY: Access to the ponds
here, about 1.5 miles west of Houghton Rd on Sahuarita Rd, has been
granted strictly under the following conditions:

1) Site visitation MUST be prearranged. Normal hours are 6AM-4PM. All
visitors must be off site before 4:00 pm. DUE TO UNFORESEEN WORK
CIRCUMSTANCES, YOU MAY FIND THE FACILITY CLOSED PERIODICALLY EVEN IF YOU
HAVE MADE PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS. RESPECT ANY CLOSURES!
2) A list with names and contact information of the persons/group that
will be on site needs to faxed or emailed one day prior to arrival, to
the Corona de Tucson WRF (Fax: [phone]; Email:
coronadetucson AT wwm.pima.gov).
3) ALL visitors must check in at the Facility office before they start
roaming the site and again when they depart.

The Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department is currently revising
security procedures and these rules are subject to change any time. Your
cooperation is greatly appreciated.


Good birding,
John Yerger
Tucson, AZ

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