Date: 4/10/26 10:04 pm
From: Andrew Core (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...>
Subject: [AZNMbirds] RBA Tucson, AZ - 10 April 2026
Hello Birders,

This update of Tucson Bird Alliance's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona
was made on April 10, 2026; the next update will be made on April 17. 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/kkNOC0Aj5Nf4mxo8qSwfXT9hOmd?<domain...> A list of review
species can be found here:
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/BRQxCg7WAOING30kOSohrT41U6J?<domain...>

Where directions are not given, they can be found in the most recent
edition of Tucson Bird Alliance's "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona".
More information may be found here: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/bR46CjAWEjfARr59Ku5iPTmpChl?<domain...>
For additional sightings in the region, please see the The Arizona-New
Mexico Birding ListServ (https://list.arizona.edu/sympa/arc/aznmbirds) or
the Arizona Birding group on Facebook (
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/kmeACk6WGkC45EWN8S9s2TGIQPA?<domain...>

For more information about Tucson Bird Alliance field trips, lectures and
educational opportunities, please see https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/oEL9Cl8WJltkXrn70s1t9TzXSLb?<domain...>

SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
#Broad-winged Hawk
#Short-tailed Hawk
#Least Tern
#Buff-collared Nightjar
#Black-capped Gnatcatcher
#Brown Thrasher
#Palm Warbler
#Rufous-capped Warbler
*FLAME-COLORED TANAGER

SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS
In Miller Canyon a pair of *FLAME-COLORED TANAGERS was reported on 4/10
(Jake Thompson). Last year they were often seen near the old mill. GPS:
(31.4112, -110.28177).

TUBAC area (annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/QN_2Cm7WKmI6WxJ2BcDuXTRdb16?<domain...>)
From Ron Morriss Park, a #SHORT-TAILED HAWK and a #BROAD-WINGED HAWK were
reported on 4/4 and 4/9 (m.ob.).
In Montosa Canyon (annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/2BSxCnGWL0cxmEO5AipCpTJBUvG?<domain...>) a #BUFF-COLLARED
NIGHTJAR was recorded near the concrete wash below the culvert on 4/9
(anonymous) and continued on 4/10 (m.ob.). GPS: (31.67194, -110.94258)

WILLCOX & the SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY
A #LEAST TERN was photographed at Lake Cochise by the Twin Lakes Golf
Course in Willcox on 4/7 (Jerald Britten).

NOGALES area
#BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJARS were recorded at the south end of California Gulch
at the confluence with Warsaw Canyon on 4/5 and 4/6 (Nick Schleissmann).
Annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/FfuXCoAWMof8vnq4jH7F3TpdYSP?<domain...>
#RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS continued this week in Sycamore Canyon (m.ob.). GPS
(31.417354, -111.196266)
#RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS continued in seldom-visited Ramanote Canyon (
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/TUlUCp9WNpfyA2MD1FxHBTGCv7A?<domain...> on 4/6 (m.ob.). High clearance/4WD is
recommended for the road in.

PATAGONIA
At Patagonia Lake (annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/Z-F7CqAWOqfRXQ0WKhpIvTE3_oj?<domain...>), a #BLACK-CAPPED
GNATCATCHER was photographed below the spillway on 4/6 (Sharon J, Alex
Henry).

PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS (annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/k_G0CrgWPrT62qV9Pc3S3T4ur5n?<domain...>)
A #BROWN THRASHER continued in a private yard in Portal on 4/8 (Richard
Webster, Rose Ann Rowlett).

TUCSON area
A #PALM WARBLER was photographed at El Rio Preserve in Marana on 4/6 (Adam
Colbert, Christina Zarraga) in the northwest corner and continued through
4/10 (m.ob.). Annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/id3ICvm6WyF4A9NXpSgT4TQ2Sca?<domain...>


ANNOUNCEMENTS
The revised 8th edition of Tucson BIrd Alliance's "Finding Birds in
Southeast Arizona" is available here: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/bR46CjAWEjfARr59Ku5iPTmpChl?<domain...>/

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/eyzhCwn6XzHPyj8pJuAUjTJGmNd?<domain...> for details.

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:
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/a_rDCxoWYAIBxlMOnCNc0TyelE6?<domain...>

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/WgeuCypWZBtJL1XnqilfPTxUter?<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/NNp5Czqg1Din41gLQTnhgT9wbHi?<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. Park outside the fence and use the
pedestrian gate; 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.

Andrew Core
SEAZ RBA Compiler - Tucson, AZ
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/pUVaCA8EBztVEQ6YLS6iBTGiH5e?<domain...>

 
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