Date: 4/18/25 9:04 pm From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] RBA Tucson, AZ - 18 April 2025
Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Bird Alliance's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona
was made on April 18, 2025; the next update will be made on April 25. Email
your reports to rarebirdalert AT tucsonbirds.org
SEVERAL IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS follow the sightings, including information
on temporary closures and rules for access to other important birding
areas. Abbreviation "m.ob." = multiple observers. An asterisk (*)
preceding a species name in the list indicates that it merits careful, full
documentation. A pound sign (#) indicates that brief corroborating details
are warranted. Documentation and photos of review species may be submitted
at https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/BF88CVJz4qf0zKRBKUGf3cE5FAC?<domain...> A list of review
species can be found here:
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/meJwCWWA5rTzNYW3Yfxh8coNNpQ?<domain...>
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
#Pacific Loon
#Broad-winged Hawk
#Short-tailed Hawk
#American Golden-Plover
#Whimbrel
#Least Tern
#Ruddy Ground Dove
#Buff-collared Nightjar
#Berylline Hummingbird
#Rufous-backed Robin
#Gray Catbird
#Brown Thrasher
#Hooded Warbler
#Rufous-capped Warbler
#Golden-crowned Sparrow
#Orchard Oriole
PINAL COUNTY
A #PACIFIC LOON continued at the main pond at SaddleBrooke Ranch through
4/15 (m.ob.). Note that this gated community is 6 miles north of
SaddleBrooke.
An #ORCHARD ORIOLE continued in SaddleBrooke on 4/15 (Bob Bowers).
PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS (annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/cMSgC2GljPcK0G9rGtXCnc5diO2?<domain...>)
#BROAD-WINGED HAWKS were reported in Rustler Park on 4/12 (Marti Horman),
Whitetail Canyon on 4/13 (Rick Taylor), along FR42 on 4/14 and in Portal on
4/16 (m.ob.).
A #BROWN THRASHER and a #GRAY CATBIRD continued in a private yard this week
(David Steingraeber).
A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continued in a Portal yard on 4/18 (Steve Wolfe),
when a #BROAD-WINGED HAWK was photographed.
AJO
A #BROAD-WINGED HAWK was reported Alamo Canyon in Organ Pipe Cactus
National Monument on 4/12 (Eric Edgar).
TUCSON area
A #SHORT-TAILED HAWK was reported again over the Bear Wallow/Mt Bigelow
area on Mt Lemmon on 4/14 (Brian Nicholas) and over Incinerator Ridge on
4/12 (David Griffin).
WILLCOX & the SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY
An #AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER continued at Lake Cochise by the Twin Lakes Golf
Course through 4/14 (m.ob.).
WHITEWATER DRAW
At Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, a #WHIMBREL was photographed on 4/13
(Kevin Cox) and a #RUDDY GROUND DOVE was photographed on 4/15 (Theresa
Mathis, Steven Tracey).
GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS
A #WHIMBREL was reported in Sahuarita at North Santa Cruz Park on 4/15
(Ezekiel Dobson).
In Madera Canyon (map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/pxcRC3Ymkgf7WME3MUEFWcQ4317?<domain...>), a #BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD
continued at the Santa Rita Lodge and Madera Kubo B&B this week (m.ob.),
but note that a very similar hybrid BROAD-BILLED x BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD
has been seen this week as well (m.ob.). Note the rust-colored bars in the
wing coverts and white flecking on the chin of the female Berylline, and
the solid dark gray wings (including coverts) of the hybrid. In flight,
look for the presence of rusty color in the wings for the Berylline.
In Florida Canyon (annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/UpZmC4WnljTYRWvPWC3Hyc49moI?<domain...>), a #RUFOUS-CAPPED
WARBLER continued this week near the dam (m.ob.). 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 almost all 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. Do
not enter the research station.
TUCSON - Mosquito control operations are scheduled at Sweetwater Wetlands
from 6:30-9:00am on Mondays during the warmer months (usually March -
November). The gate will open when operations are finished. Due to
long-term construction, Roger Road WRF is closed. See the Sweetwater page (
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/lHACC8XrpnfOBMK3MCyUxcyRRMJ?<domain...> for details.
RAMSEY CANYON - Ramsey Canyon Preserve is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
ASH CANYON BIRD SANCTUARY: open dawn to dusk EXCEPT Thursday, when open
noon to dusk. Parking is limited; please carpool whenever possible. No need
to call ahead.
FORT HUACHUCA - access requirements are posted on its official webpage at
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/V0jLC0Aj5NfJYWLvWCNf2c9JwbG?<domain...> The Visitor Control Center is located at the Van Deman Gate on Hwy 90. The
fort is an active military installation and will suspend your driving
privileges on Post for 30 days on your first offense for talking or using a
cell phone while driving. You MUST use a hands free device. Current entry
requirements (subject to change without notice): US citizens must pass a
background check and should be prepared to show photo ID for everyone in
the vehicle at the entrance, and possibly your vehicle registration and
insurance as well. Sometimes, foreign nationals are required to have an
approved military escort; contact the base (520.533.7111), or possibly the
Sierra Vista Visitor's Bureau (520.417.6960) well in advance. ACCESS NOTE:
a REAL ID is required for entry; some state driver's licenses qualify; see
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/kgwOCg7WAOIP4W76WSAh4c4YBL2?<domain...> for details.
SANTA CRUZ FLATS: Management at the Evergreen Turf Sod Farm has asked
birders not to drive into the property (i.e., the 2750 road); birding from
perimeter roads (i.e., Tweedy or Pretzer) is still fine.
AVRA VALLEY WRF: Gates open at 8AM and close PROMPTLY at 2PM (do not
linger, you will be locked inside). Access subject to change without notice.
GREEN VALLEY WRF: Open 7 AM - 2 PM. Use the call box at the gate, follow
the signs for parking, and stay away from buildings and construction
equipment. Access subject to change without notice.
CORONA DE TUCSON WRF and NOGALES STP: Closed to entry; some facilities may
be viewed from outside the fence.
