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Tucson Audubon Society
Tucson Audubon Afield: Nov & Dec 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 February 2007 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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While temperatures cooled in southeast Arizona by the end of 2006, birding defied this trend by heating up. Large numbers of wintering waterfowl, raptors, and sparrows competed for birders’ attention. Multiple rarities were found during November and December, making a day afield all the more rewarding. Christmas Bird Counts were held once again, affording participants the opportunity to make a contribution to science and to celebrate their passion with like-minded individuals. Tucson Audubon Society fieldtrip leaders offered varied trips to many local hotspots.
Water-associated-species highpoints were many. Rarest amongst them was the Rednecked Grebe discovered at Kearny Lake on November 15. It was subsequently observed by many. A Long-tailed Duck at Roger Road Wastewater Treatment Plant in Tucson delighted many with close-up views between long periods underwater. Surf Scoters appeared at Sam Lena Park and Benson Sewage Ponds in November. Also noted at Benson was a Tundra Swan that made sporadic appearances. Clark’s Grebe made appearances at Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant and north of the Ina Road bridge, both in Tucson. A Tundra Swan was noted at the former location. Well-timed was John Higgins’ December 9 ‘Ducks for Dummies.’ Twelve species of waterfowl were observed including Common Merganser, three flavors of teal and Wood Duck. Arizona is not known for great gull-watching, so the four species (Herring, California, Ringbilled and Bonaparte’s) found on John Higgins’ November 11 trip to Whitewater Draw in the Sulphur Springs Valley was impressive. Winter is a prime time to visit the Sulphur Springs Valley. Erika Wilson’s December 16 trip afforded viewers many thousands of Sandhill Cranes, Greater White-fronted, Ross’s and Snow Geese, a Sage Sparrow, and Chestnut-collard Longspurs. Good numbers of raptors were also encountered on this trip, including Ferruginous Hawks.
Raptors were the stars of Doug Jenness’s trip to the Santa Cruz Flats on December 2. Twenty-eight birders from five states and South Africa(!) were treated to an excellent count of 10 Crested Caracaras, a Prairie Falcon, Mountain Plovers, and Bendire’s Thrashers. Two elegant White-tailed Kites were observed on Jim Hayes’ November 21 trip to the San Rafael Valley. Great views of Grasshopper Sparrows and Chestnut-collared Longspurs were enjoyed by the participants.
Clait Braun’s November 29 trip to Pena Blanca Lake tallied 50 species, including two rarities: Varied Thrush and Painted Redstart (rare in winter). Varied Thrushes were also found at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and in Huachuca Canyon in November. The latter location also held a number of rarities including a Least Flycatcher (only a few state records), Blackthroated Blue and Chestnut-sided Warbler, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and Winter Wrens.
Patagonia Lake State Park is a popular birding spot, and with good reason. A permanent stream lined with willows, a large lake and mesquite bosque attract an excellent diversity of avian treats. Lanie Epstein tallied 77 species on her October 31 trip to the park. An Eastern Phoebe and Black-capped Gnatcatchers were the most unusual. Three species of empids were present affording birders the opportunity to learn how to separate these look-a-likes. A rare Rose-throated Becard was found here on December 20. Another excellent birding hotspot, the San Pedro House, was the site of Erika Wilson’s November 25 outing. The highpoint was extended views of a Green Kingfisher pair.
One need not travel far to see a lot of great birds. Sweetwater Wetlands was the site for two excellent Tucson Audubon fieldtrips. Mary Ellen Flynn’s December 12 trip tallied 40 species including Prairie Falcon, the resident Harris’s Hawks and the beautiful Lawrence’s Goldfinch. Liz Payne and her intrepid group braved foggy conditions on the 23rd.A lingering Summer Tanager was noted at Sweetwater; the rare Long-tailed Duck was observed closely across the street at the Roger Roads Pond.
A number of rare species from the east were discovered this winter. A Wormeating Warbler was discovered along the Santa Cruz River on December 22. A Black-and-white Warbler was noted in the same location. A Magnolia Warbler was a good find in Winkleman on November 19.A Palm Warbler was noted at Whitewater Draw. Louisiana Waterthrushes were noted at Patagonia Lake State Park and the San Pedro House. A Chestnut-sided Warbler delighted many at Sabino Canyon. Common Grackles were discovered at Bisbee and in the Chiricahuas.
Waterfowl, raptors and sparrows remain during the month of February; owls and thrashers become more vocal. It is also a great month to join a Tucson Audubon fieldtrip to familiar spots, or somewhere you haven’t yet visited. Many rarities have been observed in the past at this time, so keep a sharp eye out for the unexpected.
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This page was updated on 01/30/07