Date: 5/2/25 6:54 pm From: Mark Stevenson <drbrdr...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] RBA Tucson, AZ - 2 May 2025
Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Bird Alliance's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona was made on May 2, 2025; the next update will be made on May 9. 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/I1oYCjAWEjfl5EBwpsWfwfmH9QW?<domain...> A list of review species can be found here: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/emN5Ck6WGkCYWlKRmsVhPfGtZ3C?<domain...>
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
#Buff-collared Nightjar
#Berylline Hummingbird
#American Golden-plover
#Least Tern
#Caspian Tern
*ELEGANT TERN
#Broad-winged Hawk
#Short-tailed Hawk
#Green Kingfisher
#Eastern Phoebe
*PHILADELPHIA VIREO
#Rufous-backed Robin
#Golden-crowned Sparrow
#Palm Warbler
#Hooded Warbler
#Rufous-capped Warbler
#Flam-colored Tanager
SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS
A pair of #FLAME-COLORED TANAGERS was photographed along the Miller Canyon Trail on 4/30., 0.8 miles from the trailhead. (S Koenen, J Kiehl) They continued through 5/2.
A *PHILIDELPHIA VIREO was reported from a private yard in Hereford 0n 4/28 (D. Doyle).
A male #HOODED WARBLER continued along the San Pedro River near the Casa de San Pedro B&B through 5/2 (m.ob.)
An # EASTERN PHOEBE continued, reported from both the Hereford Bridge over the San Pedro River area and along the river near the Casa de San Pedro B&B through 5/1 (m.ob.).
A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continued at the Battiste Bed & Breakfast on 4/27 (Tony Battiste).
PATAGONIA
An *ELEGANT TERN was photographed at Patagonia Lake on 4/26 (L. & D. Sheppard). A # CASPIAN TERN was at the lake on 4/30 (E. Dobson).
A #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was seen at the Paton Center for Hummingbirds on 4/26 (T. Brown) and it or another continued at the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve through 5/1 (m.ob.)
NOGALES and RUBY ROAD
A #BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJAR continued through 4/29 (m.ob.) at the south end of California Gulch at the confluence with Warsaw Canyon. Annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/nqxGCoAWMoflq9g1xsou9fpf_1G?<domain...> A #RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER continued in Sycamore Canyon through 5/2, when two were seen (m.ob.).
TUBAC area (annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/0ddjCp9WNpfQMkVJXh7CGfGfSZz?<domain...>)
A #SHORT-TAILED HAWK was seen from the hawk watch at Ron Morriss Park 4/28 (P. Collins).
A #BROAD-WINGED HAWK was seen from the Anza Trail on 4/29 (E. Dobson).
Two #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBINS continued along the Anza Trail in Tubac through 4/27 (m.ob.).
GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS
A #GREEN KINGFISHER was at Canoa Ranch Conservation Park 4/26-28 (M. Stevenson, m. ob.)
In Madera Canyon (map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/O7zrCqAWOqfL0BExmtvFVfEqt6i?<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.
WILLCOX & the SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY
An #AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was at Lake Cochise by the Twin Lakes Golf Course 4/29-5/2 (T. Rodenkirk, m.ob.)
A #LEAST TERN was at Lake Cochise on 5/2 (J. Bagley)
PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS (annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/-UV8CrgWPrTwVMkzLhLHnf40Bjj?<domain...>)
A #SHORT-TAILED HAWK was over the Southwestern Research Station 4/26 (S. Busch, P. Heveran)
A #BROAD-WINGED HAWK was over East Turkey Creek 5/1 (J. Kiehl, S Koenen)
A female #HOODED WARBLER continued in a Portal yard through 5/2 (R.A. Rowlett)
#GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continued in a Portal yard on 5/2 (S. Wolfe)
TUCSON area
A #PALM WARBLER was found at Avra Valley Wastewater Reclamation Facility on 5/2 (S. Nord).
A #HOODED WARBLER was reported at Rose Canyon in the Santa Catalina Mountains 4/25-27 (J. Ellyson et al)
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/_SQ6Cvm6WyFON1YPMcEIrfQixsX?<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/ZXpACxoWYAImM87grh0T1fyMPC_?<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/_qhvCypWZBt6XD8Q9hvUGfxPKCc?<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.
