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Tucson Audubon Society
Tucson Audubon Afield: April – May 2006
Recent Field Trips and Sightings in
Southeast Arizona
by Keith
Kamper See also Tucson Audubon Afield home page
(This article first appeared in the July-August 2006 Vermilion Flycatcher, the newsletter of the Tucson Audubon Society. To receive the Vermilion Flycatcher in the mail, become a Friend of Tucson Audubon.)
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Scores of birds and birders were conspicuous during April and May in southeast Arizona. Migration peaks during this period and all of the sought-after specialties and breeders return. In addition to migrants and breeding species, a few surprises were discovered, while a few long-staying rarities persisted. Possibly due to drought conditions, several montane species including Red-faced Warblers, were noted in lowland areas—a highly unusual occurrence. Gray Vireo, not usually detected in migration, was noted in several locations. Tucson Audubon continued to offer high-quality fieldtrips to interesting and varied locations.
Philip Kline’s April 18 trip was attended by 13 birders, some of whom where inducted into the Solemn Order of the Squirrel (complete with membership card!) by climbing the watch tower high above the Pinal Mountains. In route to the mountains, Gray Vireos were noted in prime breeding habitat; Juniper Titmice called in the distance. A Common Black-Hawk at 6,000 feet and Zone-tailed Hawk were among the raptor highlights. Warblers of the Black-throated Gray, Olive, Virginia’s, and Yellow-rumped varieties were amongst the 81 species tallied. This was the first (and likely not the last!) Tucson Audubon trip to this great location.
Patagonia Lake State Park, an always popular birding destination, was the location of Brian McKnight’s April 22 trip. Shortly after beginning the hike along the Sonoita Creek Trail, a rare Northern Parula was observed. Other more common warblers were also noted, and included scores of Wilson’s and Yellow-rumpeds; lesser numbers of Lucy’s, Townsend’s, Yellow, Orange-crowned, and MacGillivray’s were also tallied. A stop at the world-famous Patons’ in Patagonia produced three species of hummingbirds, including the delightful and very local Violet-crowned. Jim Hayes’ trip to Garden Scheelite and Sawmill Canyons in the Huachuca Mountains produced 13 species of warblers as well as the elusive Montezuma Quail and two sought-after specialties: the diminutive Buff-breasted Flycatcher and dazzling Elegant Trogon. A nesting Zone-tailed Hawk was an additional highpoint.
One need not travel far for great birding opportunities. Several interesting local trips were offered and well attended. John Higgins’ April 29 trip to Kennedy Park Lake and Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant treated birders to Snowy Egret and Wood Duck, as well as both Eared and Western Grebes. The sight of Black-crowned Night-Herons and Green Herons stalking tiger salamanders was a memorable sight for the fortunate group. June Scroggin’s May 6 trip to Sweetwater included highpoints such as the continuing Least Grebe, a Prairie Falcon, Olive-sided Flycatcher, and the rare Fox Sparrow. Some members were even afforded views of a western diamond-backed rattlesnake!
Nestled in Tucson’s backyard, scenic Sabino Canyon was the site of Liz Payne’s trip which included sightings of Greater Roadrunner, Cooper’s Hawk and three hummingbird species. The Santa Catalina Mountains provided cooler temperatures and a leisurely pace on John Higgins’ trip, which included a stop at Barb and Bill Bickel’s cabin. Highlights included Blue-throated and Magnificent Hummingbirds, nesting House Wrens, Red-faced Warbler and a Zone-tailed Hawk.
Thirty-two intrepid birders made the rugged trek to California Gulch and Oro Blanco mine on the afternoon of May 3 with Melody Kehl. Thick-billed Kingbird was observed at the south end of the gulch; while present, Five-striped Sparrows proved to be difficult to see well. Oh, the audacity! As the sun set, Common Poorwills, Western Screech and Barn Owls began to vocalize. Soon after, the star of the show, Buff-collared Nightjar began to call. Up to three were heard, and some fortunate participants were able to get flyover views.
Keith Kamper’s May 23 trip found its most interesting bird while in route to Pena Blanca Lake. A stop at the Amado Sewage Treatment Pond produced a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher perched on the fence encircling the pond. This is likely the same individual found during the Tucson Audubon Birdathon by John Yerger and crew. Several species of warblers were found at the lake; a highpoint was a very vocal Common Black-Hawk which exhibited evidence of breeding locally.
Rarities, both continuing and newly discovered, were enjoyed by those fortunate enough to be afield this spring. Least Grebes continued at two locations in Tucson. Two Glossy Ibises, one at Rio Rico on April 23, and another at Lake Cochise on May 21 were an excellent showing for this accidental species. Short-tailed Hawk was observed again high over the Chiricahua Mountains. A Red Phalarope, transiting into breeding plumage made a stop at Lake Cochise in Willcox April 23–24. A Heermann’s Gull made a characteristically brief appearance on the Amado Ponds.
Ruddy Ground-Doves were noted at several locations, with evidence of potential breeding activity. Several interesting hummingbirds were detected, including an apparent Plain-capped Starthroat near Madera Canyon on May 28. White-eared Hummingbirds were noted in Madera Canyon on a couple of occasions, and were also seen in their more usual Huachuca haunts. Two different Berylline Hummingbirds were observed at Ramsey Canyon, one of which was captured and banded.
A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher north of Marana delighted many birders as it interacted with a Western Kingbird. Eastern Kingbirds were noted at Lake Cochise and Carr Canyon. Rose-throated Becard was reported at two locations in Madera Canyon (the same bird?) and at the traditional Roadside Rest in Patagonia. The long-staying Carolina Wren persisted at the Southwest Research Station in the Chiricahuas through May. The return of the brilliant male Flame-colored Tanager to Madera Canyon drew birders from outside the confines of Arizona.
Vagrant vireos and warblers included a Red-eyed Vireo at Tumacacori, Magnolia and Tennessee Warblers at Ramsey Canyon on April 15, Chestnut-sided and Worm-eating Warbler at Sweetwater Wetlands, and the continuing Rufous-capped Warbler in Sycamore Canyon.
Summer holds great potential for finding strays from south-of-the-border. While typically hot and dry at the beginning, the rains associated with the monsoon in July and August are just around the corner. Perhaps you will consider joining one of the talented Tucson Audubon fieldtrip leaders for an outing this summer.
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This page was updated on 08/22/06