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Updated on Friday, May 9 at 06:57 PM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.


Hooded Grosbeak,©Sophie Webb

9 May AZ: Google Map to Water Ranch Prothonotary Warbler [Michael C Moore ]
9 May AZFO - New Photos of Prothonotary Warbler and Ovenbird [Michael C Moore ]
9 May Red-necked Phalarope ["Clait E. Braun" ]
9 May SE AZ: Rio Rico - 9 May 08 [Michael Marsden ]
9 May Tufted Flycatcher and Others, 9 May 2008 ["Clait E. Braun" ]
9 May AZ: Gilbert Water Ranch:Prothonotary Wabler continues [Michael C Moore ]
9 May AZ: Tres Rios [Ron Haaseth ]
9 May FOS Migrants and a new yard bird [Janine McCabe ]
9 May AZ: Santa Cruz Flats-- Caracara [Mark Stevenson ]
9 May May 8th Big Day [Scott Schuette ]
9 May AZ: Gilbert Water Ranch: PROTHONOTARY WARBLER [Michael C Moore ]
9 May Botteri's Sparrow [Gavin Bieber ]
9 May More on Portal infrastructure [Helen Snyder ]
9 May NM: El Morro correction ["C.J. Grimes" ]
9 May NM: El Morro Kentucky Warbler continues ["C.J. Grimes" ]
9 May TUFTED FLYCATCHER - 9 May 2008 [Henry Detwiler ]
9 May Rattlesnake Springs: location [Krista ]
9 May Tufted Flycatcher photos [Jerry Oldenettel ]
9 May AZFo - Photo Documentation Needed [Michael C Moore ]
9 May Five-striped Sparrow, Montezuma Quail and Buff-collared Nightjar - Oro Blanco Mine [Gavin Bieber ]
9 May Thick-billed and Tropical Kingbirds - Santa Gertrudis Lane (Tumacacori) [Gavin Bieber ]
9 May Flame-colored Tanager, White-eared Hummingbird, Northern Pygmy Owl - Madera Canyon [Gavin Bieber ]
9 May Black-capped Gnatcatcher and Gray Vireo - Montosa Canyon [Gavin Bieber ]
8 May Tucson RBA 9 May 2008 [John Yerger ]
8 May AZFO - New photos of Semipalmated Sandpiper [Michael C Moore ]
8 May Rattlesnake Springs [Krista ]
8 May South Tucson Migrants-Bullock's Orioles [Daniel Ginter ]
8 May Birding Magazines spoken for []
8 May FW: AZ: Tufted Flycatcher continues Wednesday AM [Laurens Halsey ]
8 May AZ: Tufted Flycatcher continues Wednesday AM [Laurens Halsey ]
8 May AZ: Tufted Flycatcher Continues [James Hays ]
8 May Fw: Tufted FC --Seen Thursday [Mark Stevenson ]
8 May Birding Magazine, no birds []
8 May Tufted Flycatcher(maybe) [Roger Tess ]
8 May Re: AZ: Tufted Flycatcher - found by...? [John Yerger ]
8 May NM RBA for 5/8/08 []
8 May Re: AZ: Tufted Flycatcher - found by...? ["Myron L. Scott" ]
8 May AZFO - New Pictures of Tufted Flycatcher and Golden-cronwed Sparrow [Michael C Moore ]
8 May AZ: Tufted Flycatcher - found by...? [John Yerger ]
8 May Common Poorwill in Catalina Foothills, Tucson [Pam Negri ]
7 May Lesser Nighthawks by the hundreds. [Melody Kehl ]
7 May Yellow Grosbeak not seen today [Tony Godfrey ]
7 May Gila Bend STP [Mark Stevenson ]
7 May Tufted Flycatcher/Chiricahuas Trip Planning [Mark Stevenson ]
7 May AZ: New Arrivals & Drought - Huachuca Cyn [Alan Miller ]
7 May SE AZ: Birdathon 5/3/2008 - Catalinas, Huachucas, San Pedro, Willcox, etc [John Yerger ]
7 May Re: AZ: Tufted Flycatcher continues 5-7-08 [Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory ]
7 May More migrants yesterday [Ernie Nickels ]
7 May Portal, Willcox and Benson [Mark Stevenson ]
7 May NM: Kentucky Warb., May 6, Rattlesnake Spgs., Eddy Cty. [Joe LaFleur ]
7 May AZ: White-eared Hummer continues in Madera []
7 May Northern Waterthrush - Anza Trail [James P Karp ]

Subject: AZ: Google Map to Water Ranch Prothonotary Warbler
From: Michael C Moore <michael.moore AT ASU.EDU>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 16:57:48 -0700
Greetings,

Here is a link to a Google Map showing the location of the Prothonotary
Warbler at the Gilbert Water Ranch:

http://tinyurl.com/4br65j

Mike Moore
Gilbert, AZ
Subject: AZFO - New Photos of Prothonotary Warbler and Ovenbird
From: Michael C Moore <michael.moore AT ASU.EDU>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 16:35:11 -0700
Field Ornithologists,
   
Brendon Grice contributed photos of the Gilbert Water Ranch Prothonotary
Warbler.  By my count, this is the 23rd species of warbler recorded at the
Ranch.

Dennis Wall also contributed photos of an Ovenbird seen last year at Cameron
Trading Post in Northern Arizona.

Photos posted at:
 
http://www.azfo.org
click on "Photo Highlights"
   
Thanks to Brendon and Dennis for their contributions.  Arizona Field
Ornithologists welcomes Arizona rarity photo contributions from all
photographers throughout the state.  If you enjoy the photo web site, please
consider joining AZFO and supporting our other activities.  Details on the
web site.

Mike Moore
AZFO Photo co-editor
Gilbert, AZ
Subject: Red-necked Phalarope
From: "Clait E. Braun" <sg-wtp AT JUNO.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 15:04:11 -0700
Barbara:
        You are the first to correct my lazy fingers and sleep deprived
mind. It was a Red-necked Phalarope.
        Clait
Clait E. Braun


--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rick Taylor 
To: "Clait E. Braun" 
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 14:50:18 -0700
Subject: Re: [BIRDWG05] Tufted Flycatcher and Others, 9 May 2008
Hi Clait,

Barbara Bickel here.  Red Phalarope or the Red-necked others have been 
seeing??

I hope that Tufted Flycatche waits for me to get there next week!

Barbara

On May 9, 2008, at 2:18 PM, Clait E. Braun wrote:

 Those Interested.
         Roger Tess and I made the trek this early AM to Portal, Arizona
 and Cave Creek to Herb Martyr Campground arriving ~ 7:00 AM. We joined
 those at the 'site' looking into the Sycamores and waited. Several 
people
 reported that others had apparently seen the bird between 5:30 and 6:00
 AM. We had a bonanza of different small birds to look at as the trees
 were full of little birds. At 8:05 AM, the Tufted Flycatcher appeared 
 at the very top, right side, of the tallest tree behind the Sycamores.
It
 was fantastic with good light views of the tuft and the color of the
 bird. After several short sallies, the bird moved in a rather looping
 flight to the southeast and over the ridge. It was over at 8:08 AM and 
 we departed having had killer looks. A Life Bird, even in 'retirement'
and
 even having worked in Mexico in the 1970s.
         We worked our way back to Wilcox where we had a Franklin's Gull
 at the pond closest to the road at the east edge of town on 186. We 
 also had a Red Phalarope in with Wilson's, a Semipalmated Sandpiper, 4
 White-faced Ibis, a male Redhead, a female Northern Pintail, 2 American
 Wigeon, a Cattle Egret, and a multitude of the usual suspects at the 
> main pond. We did have 2 Peregrine Falcons simultaneously harassing the

 'peep' flock although the 4 Amercan Avocets and 2 Eared Grebes did not
seem 
 too worried. It was a great day but I did not compile a formal list.
         Clait
  Clait E. Braun
Subject: SE AZ: Rio Rico - 9 May 08
From: Michael Marsden <birdanza AT COX.NET>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 15:02:58 -0700
This morning I scouted part of the route for next Tuesday's TAS field trip. 
Among the 63 species I came across were: 

  Black-bellied Whistling-Duck - 60+ at Rio Rico ponds;
  Cattle Egret - 4 on the fields by Rio Rico ponds (+ Snowy & Great Egrets);
 White-faced Ibis - c125 on the fields south of Tumacacori, 90+ by Rio Rico 
ponds; 

  Zone-tailed Hawk - singleton over the Anza trail north of Rio Rico;
  Crested Caracara - juv on the Tumacacori fields;
  Tropical Kingbird - 2 by the west pond at Rio Rico;
  American Pipit - laggard at the Rio Rico trailhead car park; &
  Brewer's Sparrow - by the Anza trail north of Rio Rico.

Lists on www.eBird.org


Michael Marsden
(520) 269-6240
Green Valley, AZ
Subject: Tufted Flycatcher and Others, 9 May 2008
From: "Clait E. Braun" <sg-wtp AT JUNO.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 14:18:58 -0700
Those Interested.
        Roger Tess and I made the trek this early AM to Portal, Arizona
and Cave Creek to Herb Martyr Campground arriving ~ 7:00 AM. We joined
those at the 'site' looking into the Sycamores and waited. Several people
reported that others had apparently seen the bird between 5:30 and 6:00
AM. We had a bonanza of different small birds to look at as the trees
were full of little birds. At 8:05 AM, the Tufted Flycatcher appeared at
the very top, right side, of the tallest tree behind the Sycamores. It
was fantastic with good light views of the tuft and the color of the
bird. After several short sallies, the bird moved in a rather looping
flight to the southeast and over the ridge. It was over at 8:08 AM and we
departed having had killer looks. A Life Bird, even in 'retirement' and
even having worked in Mexico in the 1970s.
        We worked our way back to Wilcox where we had a Franklin's Gull
at the pond closest to the road at the east edge of town on 186. We also
had a Red Phalarope in with Wilson's, a Semipalmated Sandpiper, 4
White-faced Ibis, a male Redhead, a female Northern Pintail, 2 American
Wigeon, a Cattle Egret, and a multitude of the usual suspects at the main
pond. We did have 2 Peregrine Falcons simultaneously harassing the 'peep'
flock although the 4 Amercan Avocets and 2 Eared Grebes did not seem too
worried. It was a great day but I did not compile a formal list.
        Clait
 Clait E. Braun
Subject: AZ: Gilbert Water Ranch:Prothonotary Wabler continues
From: Michael C Moore <michael.moore AT ASU.EDU>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 14:19:57 -0700
Greetings,

Rich Ditch, Barb and Lou Winterfield and I enjoyed crippling, in your face,
count every feather barbule views of the stunning Prothonotary Warbler at
the Gilbert Water Ranch between 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM.  

We found it exactly where Brendon found it this morning.  It was feeding
calmly in some bushes about eye level along the edge of Pond 4 just inside
the Gate at the NW end of the path between Ponds 3 and 4 (aka Tiger Moth
Territory).  The bird was very tame and approached almost to the limits of
my close focus.  It leisurely fed on seeds on the bushes with little concern
for us.  It was still there when I left.  

Although very brightly colored it appears to be a female with considerable
green on the top of the head.  

I also saw several Wilson's Warblers and a Western Wood Pewee before I found
the POWA.

Mike Moore
Gilbert, AZ
Subject: AZ: Tres Rios
From: Ron Haaseth <verdinron AT MSN.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 14:09:14 -0700
Friday, May 09, 2008 at the Tres Rios Hayfield site from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM
the place was jumpin'.  In addition to the regulars,

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Peregrine Falcon  -  fly-over

Lesser Nighthawk - hunting

Roadrunner

Pacific-slope Flycatcher

Ash-throated Flycatcher (2)

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Western Kingbird (2)

Plumbeous Vireo

Nashville Warbler

Wilson's Warbler (~16)

Yellow-breasted Chat

Western Tanager (2 m)

Black-headed Grosbeak (2 m)

Baltimore Oriole (1 m, 1 f)



The migration of White-winged Doves continues strongly, with 

flocks of 6 birds to 30 birds in a steady stream heading north.

There are many freshly-fledged Verdins, both begging and

on-their-own youngsters. 



Ron Haaseth

Litchfield Park
Subject: FOS Migrants and a new yard bird
From: Janine McCabe <jrmccabe AT NETZERO.NET>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 14:01:40 -0700
Hi everyone,

A great morning along the West Branch of the Santa Cruz River.  So many 
migrants passing through foraging voraciously.  The FOS's for me was 
WESTERN-WOOD PEWEE, BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER, PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, 
and a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT which was actually in my yard in the thickness 
of mesquites.  This is a new yard bird #110.

Warbling Vireo, Cassin's Kingbird, Western Tanager, Townsends and Wilson's 
Warblers were included out back on the West Branch.

Tomorrow (International Migratory Bird Day) should be a productive count.

Good birding.
Janine McCabe
Subject: AZ: Santa Cruz Flats-- Caracara
From: Mark Stevenson <drbrdr AT WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 13:46:15 -0700
Hi Birders,

 This morning Molly and I birded around the Santa Cruz Flats hoping for unusual 
migrants. Both sod farms were nearly devoid of birds. Only a few BN Stilts and 
Killdeer graced the sod....and those in small numbers. 

 We saw a single CRESTED CARACARA among cattle in the field north of the 
intersection of Baumgartner and Cripple Creek. 


 At the Red Rock feed lot we found no small doves. Out farther west on Sasco 
Road where the palo verdes are thick (just before the dry river crossing) we 
heard and saw Inca and C Ground-Doves and may have heard a R Ground-Dove. 
Migrant Bullock's Orioles were numerous. 


    All those houses going in at Red Rock.....is there an STP serving them????

    Directions in the SE AZ bird finding guides.

Good birding,

Mark Stevenson
Colonia WOGAT
Tucson, AZ

Subject: May 8th Big Day
From: Scott Schuette <sschuette01 AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 11:56:43 -0700
 Well unfortunately after last year's 196 Keith Kamper and I couldn't repeat or 
improve upon our success and ended yesterday with 191 species, well below our 
goal. Although it did serve a purpose to show us that Mt. Lemmon is not a smart 
route idea on a SE Arizona big day in spring that is attempting to set a record 
for those of you who might be thinking of using it. We still had a good time 
and saw some nice birds with the tops among them being:Northern Pintail- 
continuing female at WillcoxCanvasback- continuing female at BensonRedhead- 
continuing male at WillcoxLesser Scaup- continuing female at WillcoxCommon 
Merganser- a lingering bird along the shoreline at the east end of Patagonia 
LakeMISSISSIPPI KITE- a bird over the fields just east of the Rio Rico Pond 
around noonNorthern Goshawk- a calling bird in Marshall Gulch at 
daybreakMarbled Godwit- already reported bird at Willcox which picked up and 
left about 5 minutes before darkRed-necked Phalarope- a few birds among the 
reduced number of Wilson's at Willcox8 species of owls- only missing Burrowing 
and Northern Saw-whet among those present in SE Arizona at this timeWhite-eared 
Hummingbird- young male at Kubo and adult male at Beatty'sLucifer Hummingbird- 
male at Ash CanyonTropical Kingbird- a pair along the Santa Cruz river west of 
the Rio Rico pond and a single bird at the clubhouse pond at Kino 
SpringsThick-billed Kingbird- one bird at the north end of the Patagonia 
Roadside Rest and a single bird in the dead tree just north of the Paton's yard 
along Sonoita CreekGolden-crowned Kinglet- calling in Bear WallowSwainson's 
Thrush- along Sonoita Creek at the roadside restOrange-crowned Warbler- 
territorial male in Bear WallowGrace's and Red-faced Warblers- all over Mt. 
Lemmon in the morningFlame-colored Tanager- calling just above the Kubo in 
MaderaBotteri's Sparrow- a weakly calling bird in the grasslands below Madera 
CanyonCassin's Finch- still one or two at Ash CanyonAmerican Goldfinch- a 
molting bird at the Paton's and a breeding-plumaged male at Ash Canyon Like 
always our misses were bad and this time they seemed especially so. The lack of 
mid-elevation and migrant passerines seemed to be a product of using Mt. Lemmon 
so forgive us for not seeing some of these birds. They included Gadwall, 
Pied-billed Grebe, Peregrine Falcon, Willet, Long-billed Dowitcher, Arizona 
Woodpecker, Greater Pewee, Willow, Hammond's, Gray, Dusky, and Pacific-slope 
Flycatchers, Plumbeous and Cassin's Vireos, Pygmy Nuthatch, Hermit Warbler, and 
Yellow-headed and Brewer's Blackbirds.Scott SchuetteTucson, AZ 

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Subject: AZ: Gilbert Water Ranch: PROTHONOTARY WARBLER
From: Michael C Moore <michael.moore AT ASU.EDU>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 12:17:49 -0700
Greetings,

Brendon Grice just sent me a stunning photo of a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER he
found this morning at the Gilbert Water Ranch.  He found it around 9am by
the Pond 4 side of the gate for the path between Ponds 3/4 it then it moved
to the 4/5 path by the yellow tree.

I will post the stunning photo later on the AZFO site, right now I am going
out to look for it!

Mike Moore
Gilbert, AZ
Subject: Botteri's Sparrow
From: Gavin Bieber <kingbird77 AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 17:45:26 +0000
Hello again Birders,
Just a quick note this time. I neglected to mention that we also had a FOS 
Botteri's Sparrow along the road into Pen Blanca Lake yesterday. 



Gavin Bieber
Kingbird77 AT hotmail.com
Tucson, AZ
Senior Leader
www.wingsbirds.com

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Subject: More on Portal infrastructure
From: Helen Snyder <chickcharney2001 AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 10:43:16 -0700
Cell reception sometimes occurs around the Portal fire station on the hill 
above the Portal Store. I have heard it also may work at the forest boundary 
cattleguard between the store and the Visitor Information Center. Cells work on 
hiway 80 from about milepost 398 south and spottily farther north, sometimes 
around Apache. You can hit a NM tower intermittently coming down 80 from 1-10. 


The Portal Library has wireless that works outside the building, maybe only 
from 6 am to 6 pm. Also there are 4 public computers inside; hours are 
10:30-12:30 except Sunday, and a couple of hours into the afternoon on Tues. 
and Thurs. 


Cheapest gas on Tuesday in Willcox was at the Whiting station on the main drag 
thru town (not Rex Allen with all the fast food stores etc). It was 1 cent 
cheaper there than in Tucson. The Circle K at the west end of town usually has 
competitive prices. 


Consider leaving your change from lunch in the Portal Rescue jar at the store 
-- these are the guys who pull your Alamos out of the ditch, and help you get 
to the car keys you've locked in your Budget. And the library take donations 
too... 



 


 
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Subject: NM: El Morro correction
From: "C.J. Grimes" <cjgrimes AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 11:39:40 -0600
As soon as I posted the last message a male Bullock's Oriole came to bathe in 
our yard, and was joined by a pair of Hepatic Tanagers. 

 
CJ Grimes
El Morro, NM
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Subject: NM: El Morro Kentucky Warbler continues
From: "C.J. Grimes" <cjgrimes AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 11:22:58 -0600
It was seeen again this morning near the pool on the inscription loop trail. It 
seems to range about 100 feet from the pool in either direction, and is easily 
observable from the trail except when in thick brush, but it is active and 
doesn't stay hidden for long. 

 
An excellent morning for warblers: in addition to Kentucky, in the oaks around 
the north side of the cliff there were Virginia's, Orange-crowned, 
MacGillivray's, Wilson's and Yellow-breasted Chat. Rounding out the morning's 
list was Dusky Flycatcher, Prairie Falcon, Lark and Vesper Sparrows, Eastern 
and Western Meadowlarks, and the rest of the regulars. 

 
It seems that most breeders and usual migrants have arrived at El Morro with a 
few exceptions: we have yet to see any orioles, western tanagers, vireos, or 
buntings, but I expect them soon. 

 
CJ Grimes
El Morro, NM
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Subject: TUFTED FLYCATCHER - 9 May 2008
From: Henry Detwiler <henrydetwiler AT EARTHLINK.NET>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 12:46:49 -0400
Greetings Birders,

We were just minutes from leaving (and missing the bird again, like yesterday), 
when it showed up in the Arizona Sycamores just below the parking lot at 
approximately 8:25 a.m. It only remained there a minute, and then flew over 
into the second creek easily viewed by the trail to "Little Dam". It flew up 
this drainage, where Troy Corman tracked it by its call, while the rest of us 
raced up the trail, over the creek, and then up the trail again. 


For 10-15 minutes it called its single note and sallied forth after insects. 
Unfortunately, it never stayed in one spot for long, and was often not visible. 
It finally flew up over the ridge to the southeast (?), just past the 
fenceline. Coordinates of the last location where the bird was seen are: 

N 31 51 49.3
W 109 14 32.5

When we first arrived we heard that it might also have been seen at 5:30 a.m., 
close to the dam. 


CASSIN'S FINCHES and RED CROSSBILLS continue at Herb Martyr. Other nice birds 
over the past two days have been MEXICAN CHICKADEE in Pinery Canyon, 
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK & GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW at Cave Creek Ranch (thanks 
Tony!), and ELEGANT TROGONS at South Fork. 


Good birding,
Henry Detwiler
Yuma, AZ
www.southwestbirders.com
Subject: Rattlesnake Springs: location
From: Krista <kmari1222 AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 08:59:04 -0700
To all those who are interested in the location of rattlesnake springs:

It is in NM, 20 miles or so south of Carlsbad. Keep going south of Whites city 
for about five miles and take the turnoff marked for Rattlesnake Springs. 
County is Eddy co. 


Sorry that was not included in my post, I meant to include it. 

Good birding,

Krista Sorra, ABQ.


 
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Subject: Tufted Flycatcher photos
From: Jerry Oldenettel <Borealowl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 11:57:08 EDT
I have posted additional photos of the Herb Martyr Tufted Flycatcher on my 
photo site at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jroldenettel/

Jerry R. Oldenettel
Socorro, NM


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Subject: AZFo - Photo Documentation Needed
From: Michael C Moore <michael.moore AT ASU.EDU>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 06:31:52 -0700
Field Ornithologists,

The AZFO is lacking photo documentation of the following rarities (review or
sketch details species) reported on the recent Tucson RBA:

Swallow-tailed Kite
Berylline Hummingbird
White-eared Hummingbird
Ovenbird
Yellow Grosbeak

We are also interested in additional pictures of the Tufted Flycatcher.

If you have pictures of these birds that confirm the identification, we
would love to have them.  If you have pictures of a rarity and are wondering
if it is documented on the site, you can check here:

http://www.azfo.org/gallery/photos_tax.html

If you want to submit photos, follow the guidelines here:

http://www.azfo.org/gallery/PhotoContribution.html

Thanks to those who have documented the Tufted Flycatcher, Golden-crowned
Sparrow and Semipalmated Sandpiper.  

Mike Moore
AZFO Photo co-Editor
Gilbert, AZ
Subject: Five-striped Sparrow, Montezuma Quail and Buff-collared Nightjar - Oro Blanco Mine
From: Gavin Bieber <kingbird77 AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 06:11:30 +0000
Arrived at California Gulch shortly after 5 and quickly located a pair of 
calling Five-stripes just a few hundred feet downstream from the first crossing 
in Cal Gulch. Some aimless wandering on the road back up to Ruby Road produced 
3 Montezuma Quail between 6 and 7pm. The Buff-collared Nightjar began calling 
at 7:40 but quickly moved well to the south. Also calling there was a single 
Elf Owl and we located a Hooded Skunk prowling around the mine site. 


Jeez, what a day!! Thanks to my participants Paul and Carolee Prappas for their 
tireless enthusiasm and great company. 



Gavin Bieber
Kingbird77 AT hotmail.com
Tucson, AZ
Senior Leader
www.wingsbirds.com

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Subject: Thick-billed and Tropical Kingbirds - Santa Gertrudis Lane (Tumacacori)
From: Gavin Bieber <kingbird77 AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 06:07:10 +0000
As in the last few years both kingbird species are present along the lane on 
the W. side of the Santa Cruz (note - the road is private, to bird the area 
park outside the gate and walk in). A pair of Thick-billed Kingbirds was in 
full display and several Tropicals were calling. Also present were several 
Pacific-slope Flycatchers, and good numbers of migrants. IN the flooded fields 
south of Tumacacori on the frontage road were several hundred White-faced Ibis 
and dozens of Whistling-ducks. 


The Rio Rico ponds held Great and Snowy Egrets. 


Gavin Bieber
Kingbird77 AT hotmail.com
Tucson, AZ
Senior Leader
www.wingsbirds.com

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Subject: Flame-colored Tanager, White-eared Hummingbird, Northern Pygmy Owl - Madera Canyon
From: Gavin Bieber <kingbird77 AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 06:03:23 +0000
The Flame was singing well, between the Kubo and just above the big rock this 
morning. A Pygmy Owl was calling and eventually very well seen just downstream 
from the Kubo and an immature male White-eared Hummingbird was present at the 
Kubo feeders. 



Gavin Bieber
Kingbird77 AT hotmail.com
Tucson, AZ
Senior Leader
www.wingsbirds.com

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Subject: Black-capped Gnatcatcher and Gray Vireo - Montosa Canyon
From: Gavin Bieber <kingbird77 AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 06:01:14 +0000
Hello Birders,
A fantastic day in SE AZ today, I'm submitting the location in separate 
messages to keep things simpler. 


Subject line birds were found a short distance up from the main wash crossing 
early this morning. Good numbers of migrants around as well. The Vireo was 
singing and acting as if on territory. 



Gavin Bieber
Kingbird77 AT hotmail.com
Tucson, AZ
Senior Leader
www.wingsbirds.com

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Subject: Tucson RBA 9 May 2008
From: John Yerger <john AT ADVENTUREBIRDING.COM>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 22:56:54 -0700
Hello Birders,

This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast 
Arizona was made on May 9, 2008. The next update will be made on May 16. 
Phone your reports to 520-798-1005 X 1. Email your reports to 
rarebirdalert AT tucsonaudubon.org

In this report, where directions are not given, they can be found in the 
2007 edition of "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona", published by and 
available from Tucson Audubon. Updates to the 6th edition, including new 
sites and access changes can be found at: 
www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates.htm

Several important announcements follow the sightings, including 
information on temporary closures and rules for access to other 
important birding areas.

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.

Please send documentation to the Arizona Bird Committee via the online 
form at http://www.azfo.org/ArizonaBirdCommittee/abc_documentatio.html, 
via email to ghrosenberg AT comcast.net or the ABC, P.O. Box 91856, Tucson, 
AZ 85720-1856.


SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:

*SWALLOW-TAILED KITE
#SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER
*BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD
  Calliope Hummingbird
*TUFTED FLYCATCHER
  Townsend's Solitaire
*FLAME-COLORED TANAGER
#OVENBIRD
  American Redstart
#GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW
  Clay-colored Sparrow
  Rose-breasted Grosbeak
*YELLOW GROSBEAK


CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS

The big story in Arizona this week is the discovery of what will almost 
certainly be accepted as the 4th U.S. record of *TUFTED FLYCATCHER, near 
Herb Martyr Campground in Cave Creek Canyon. Since its discovery by 
Daniele Mitchell on 5/5, photographs and audio recordings have been 
obtained (he did not have a camera at the time). The bird was seen at 
least through 5/8. For a highly detailed description of where the bird 
was seen, please refer to the end of this report, just prior to the 
"Announcements." PLEASE obey speed limits in and around Portal, and be 
mindful of residents and other non-birding recreators (as usual!)

Also from Herb Martyr, a secondhand report of an #OVENBIRD was received 
on 5/7 (Bill Stocku, fide Jackie Lewis).

At Cave Creek Ranch on 5/5, male and female ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS were 
seen, as were a singing adult and immature #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Tony 
Godfrey). On 5/7, two male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS were seen as well as 
the adult #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Mark Stevenson).


TUCSON

A flyover *SWALLOW-TAILED KITE was reported from Sweetwater Wetlands on 
5/5 (Jerry Bock). There is only one accepted record of this species in 
AZ, from Dudleyville (April 2-3, 1980). This overshadowed a less rare 
transient there, an AMERICAN REDSTART.

Unusual for the middle of Tucson was a NEOTROPIC CORMORANT at Lakeside 
Park on 5/3 (John Higgins).


DOUGLAS area

A female *YELLOW GROSBEAK was found at Slaughter Ranch on Geronimo 
Trail, 15 miles east of Douglas on 5/5 (Richard Webster, Rose Ann 
Rowlett). This bird has not been seen since, despite intensive searching 
on 5/7. The bird was seen around the main pond ("House Pond") in the 
north to northeast sector of the Ranch.


HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS

A female *BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD was reported from Ramsey Canyon B & B on 
5/6 (Henry Detwiler).

A male #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD was seen at the Controlled Access Site 
(CAS) of Beatty's Guest Ranch in Miller Canyon on 5/6 (Tom Beatty). 
Several CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRDS (more rare in spring than fall) continued 
to be seen throughout the week (var obs) at the same location.

#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS continue to be seen this week at Ash Canyon B & B 
(var obs). Multiple birds breed in the area each year, and come to the 
feeders from March-September. Elsewhere in Arizona, this species is 
quite scarce. A bright male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK showed up at the Ash 
Canyon B & B feeders on 5/4 (Peter Dedicoat), and both a male and a 
female were later observed (Mary Jo Ballator).


SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS

The *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER continues at Madera Kubo this week, often 
seen from the treetops near the road (var obs). As a reminder, PLEASE DO 
NOT PARK in front of Madera Kubo. It is mandatory that any birder 
wishing to observe this beautiful bird park at the Ampitheater lot just 
down the road, and walk the short distance up the road to Madera Kubo.

On 5/6, two #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRDS (one male, one female) were seen 
coming to the feeders at Santa Rita Lodge (Bev Postmus). They continued 
at least through 5/7.

A late-ish TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE was found at Proctor Rd on 5/4 (Henry 
Detwiler).


WILLCOX

An unusual number of #SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS (at least 4, up to 7) were 
found at Willcox Twin Lakes on 5/5 (Chris Benesh, Dave Stejskal). Also 
present with the usual Least and Western Sandpipers was a single BAIRD'S 
SANDPIPER. This main lake has also been hosting a few RED-NECKED 
PHALAROPES this week (var obs) amongst the hundreds of Wilson's 
Phalaropes feeding there daily.

On 5/8, a MARBLED GODWIT was seen (Laurens Halsey).


BENSON

A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was discovered on 5/2 in the weeds at the NW 
corner of the south pond at the Benson sewage ponds (Gavin Bieber. I was 
seen at least through 5/3 (Jake Mohlmann, John Yerger).


TUMACACORI

Two CRESTED CARACARAS were seen on 5/2 in the flooded fields east of 
I-19 near the Palo Parado exit (Sue Carnahan). This is the same area 
(south of Tumacacori, accessed from the frontage road) where they were 
reported in March, and is a bit east of the range where they are 
normally found in Arizona (and north of where their range ends in Sonora).


PATAGONIA

A male AMERICAN REDSTART was found at the Patagonia Roadside Rest Area 
on 5/2, about 100 feet south of the picnic table (Mr. & Mrs. Tom Arny).

An interesting sighting on 5/2 was a pair of WESTERN GREBES exhibiting 
courtship behavior at Patagonia Lake (Darlene Smyth).



SEASONAL NOTES

Many regular but highly localized Arizona specialties are being found in 
their usual locations, such as:

ELEGANT TROGON
TROPICAL KINGBIRD
THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD
FIVE-STRIPED SPARROW



TUFTED FLYCATCHER EXTRA DETAILS (courtesy Richard Webster)

At Herb Martyr, there are two streams below the parking areas that come 
together below the lower parking area.  The closer stream is barely 
flowing, comes from the direction of Ash Spring, and is crossed by the 
trail as it leaves the lower parking area.  The other stream ("Middle 
Fork") is flowing more strongly, and the main trail goes up it to Little 
Dam and beyond. The bird has been seen at the confluence of the two 
streams (but relatively infrequently), where the main trail first 
crosses the Ash Spring drainage immediately below the parking area 
(often, in the sycamores), up the Ash Spring drainage about 100m 
(occasionally), and along the Middle Fork stream (often, especially at 
the signed trail junction where the Ash Spring trail takes off from the 
main trail).  Once it went up Middle Fork past Little Dam to the metal 
"stile"  (zig-zag type, not climb over) near the Basin Trail junction. 
Most observations were within 100 meters of the confluence on either stream.


ANNOUNCEMENTS

GREEN VALLEY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: ALL birders in a party must 
sign in, not just one representative of said party. Also, please DO NOT 
park on the grass, due to fire danger from hot catalytic converters.

SANTA CRUZ FLATS: Managers at the Evergreen Turf Farm (vicinity of 
Tweedy and Pretzer Rds) have requested that anyone birding there on the 
weekends please leave by 5:00 PM. This is due to security issues 
experienced by the Sod Farm. Birders are still welcome here at other
times.

I-10 is under construction in Tucson between 29th Street and Prince 
Road. See http://www.i10tucsondistrict.com/29toP.html for details.

AVRA VALLEY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: The facility is now closed to 
birders due to the ongoing construction. Updates will be added as they 
become available.

BAIRD'S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL in the San Rafael Valley 
continues to be off limits to birders due to the thoughtless actions of 
a few birders. Do not bird within .25 mile of the corrals or enter the 
property.

NOGALES SEWAGE PONDS: Remain closed to birders. Construction also seems 
to be ongoing at the Corona de Tucson Ponds, which remain closed to 
birders due to construction.

Good birding,
John Yerger
Tucson, AZ
Subject: AZFO - New photos of Semipalmated Sandpiper
From: Michael C Moore <michael.moore AT ASU.EDU>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 20:55:20 -0700
Field Ornithologists,
   
Dave Stejskal contributed photos of a Semipalmated Sandpiper seen at Willcox
on 30 April 2008.  

Photos posted at:
 
http://www.azfo.org
click on "Photo Highlights"
   
Thanks to Dave for his contribution.  Arizona Field Ornithologists welcomes
Arizona rarity photo contributions from all photographers throughout the
state.  If you enjoy the photo web site, please consider joining AZFO and
supporting our other activities.  Details on the web site.

Mike Moore
AZFO Photo co-editor
Gilbert, AZ
Subject: Rattlesnake Springs
From: Krista <kmari1222 AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 19:06:06 -0700
May 7, 08

Saw the WORM-EATING WARBLER along the stream directly across from the 
restrooms.  Caught a glimpse of a WHITE EYED VIREO by the ditch across from the 
restrooms, didn't give me a chance to really look or photo.  Also in the same 
area a male PAINTED BUNTING. 



May 8, 08
 
More painted buntings, saw the warbler again, and a male VARIED BUNTING on the 
fence along the ditch.  Possibly heard the KENTUCKY WARBLER. 

 

Other birds: 
2 N. Waterthrush
1 male rose-breasted grosbeak
bells vireos
townsends warblers
Indigo and lazuli buntings
orchard, hooded and scotts orioles


Krista Sorra
 


 
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Subject: South Tucson Migrants-Bullock's Orioles
From: Daniel Ginter <dginternmsu AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 18:41:32 -0600
Migrants detected moving through the area this week (May 5th-8th) (noted during 
AM Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owl surveys) near Ajo Highway and Valencia Road 
(1/4 mile South of Ryan Air Field, Tucson Arizona). The vegetation is degraded 
(overgrazed) semi-desert grassland composed mainly of PRVE , Opuntia species 
and some native grasses along the washes. 

 
- Most notable were -Multiple Bullock’s Orioles 20 + (male and female) feeding 
on insects in the PRVE. 

-Wilson’s Warblers (4)-Virginia’s Warbler (1)-Townsend Warbler (1)
-Brewer’s Sparrows (Multiple groups)
-Western Tanager (2) (Male) 
 
Dan Ginter
Daniel Ginter 1035 North Hoff #1 Tucson, AZ 85705 520-419-1516
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Subject: Birding Magazines spoken for
From: PalmerRD AT AOL.COM
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 20:45:06 EDT
Just a note to let everyone know that my offer of  free "Birding"  magazines 
has
been accepted.  Michael Marsden was the first to email at 2:30  PM.  This 
really
works out well for me as he lives in Green Valley, Arizona so no shipping 
involved.
 
Thanks to all who offered to take them off my shelves.
``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
````
Dick  Palmer
1022 W Union Bell Drive
Green Valley,  Arizona
85614-5945
PalmerRD AT aol.com
520-648-6735



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Subject: FW: AZ: Tufted Flycatcher continues Wednesday AM
From: Laurens Halsey <desert-harrier AT COX.NET>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 16:07:00 -0700
I apologize for previous post.  Others were reporting the bird to the
listserv while I was typing my post.  And I get the subject line wrong,
should read Thursday AM, not Wednesday.  Its amazing what you can
(can't) do with very little sleep.
 
Laurens R. Halsey
Green Valley, AZ
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Laurens Halsey [mailto:desert-harrier AT cox.net] 
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 3:59 PM
To: 'BIRDWG05 AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU'
Subject: AZ: Tufted Flycatcher continues Wednesday AM
 
Just returned from two mornings at Herb Martyr with many patiently (?)
waiting birders.  On Wednesday, I saw and photographed (poorly) the
Tufted Flycatcher during what seems to have been his last performance
for the day (8:40 to about 09:00).  I was with Sheri Williamson when she
heard the calls coming from down stream.  I left Herb Martyr area after
11:00am and returned around 5:30pm (hoping for the evening showing).
Two folks from Sierra Vista stayed all day.  The Tufted Flycatcher was
not seen after about 09:00 on Wednesday May 7 to my knowledge.
 
Several of us (Dan, Joe, & Jill (all from Ohio) and few others arrived
just before sunrise.  At 06:00, another unnamed birder/photographer
heard and briefly saw the Tufted Flycatcher upstream (the smaller
drainage) from yesterday's viewing area.  It was thought that the bird
moved south a bit.  Within a few minutes, I heard and then saw and then
showed the Tufted Flycatcher to others (Dan, Margery, and an unnamed
California birder).  The bird was perched on a dead branch of a tall
pine just upstream and up the south slope of the smaller drainage from
yesterday's viewing area.  The bird flew up over the slope to the south.
No photo ops this time.  Further searches in the area between the two
drainages failed to reveal the bird except for possibly a couple of call
notes.  Upon my departure at 09:00, the Tufted Flycatcher had not been
seen / heard since about 06:00 this morning.  There were thirty plus
birder stationed at the viewing area and/or wandering around nearby
trails and stream beds when I left.  Hopefully we will get a (positive)
report from someone later today.
 
Yesterday's viewing area is immediately south and down hill from the
lower parking area and in the smaller of the two drainages, a relatively
clear (albeit rocky) area of the stream bed. 
 
One thing to consider if chasing in the next couple of days:
The bird was not seen after 09:00 on Wednesday 5/7, and so far not after
06:00 on Thursday 5/8 - go early
 
Other things to take into account:
Gas in Rodeo was $3.94 per gallon Wednesday morning! 
No cell coverage I could find.
Pay phone at the Portal Store out of order
Pay phones at the research station work for 50 cents/five minutes
 
Much gratitude those that found this fabulous flycatcher and those that
got the word out. 
 
Add one Marbled Godwit at Wilcox on Thursday 5/8 to Mark's report on
Wednesday. 
 
Good birds,
Laurens
 
Laurens R. Halsey
Green Valley, AZ
 
 
Subject: AZ: Tufted Flycatcher continues Wednesday AM
From: Laurens Halsey <desert-harrier AT COX.NET>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 15:58:42 -0700
Just returned from two mornings at Herb Martyr with many patiently (?)
waiting birders.  On Wednesday, I saw and photographed (poorly) the
Tufted Flycatcher during what seems to have been his last performance
for the day (8:40 to about 09:00).  I was with Sheri Williamson when she
heard the calls coming from down stream.  I left Herb Martyr area after
11:00am and returned around 5:30pm (hoping for the evening showing).
Two folks from Sierra Vista stayed all day.  The Tufted Flycatcher was
not seen after about 09:00 on Wednesday May 7 to my knowledge.
 
Several of us (Dan, Joe, & Jill (all from Ohio) and few others arrived
just before sunrise.  At 06:00, another unnamed birder/photographer
heard and briefly saw the Tufted Flycatcher upstream (the smaller
drainage) from yesterday's viewing area.  It was thought that the bird
moved south a bit.  Within a few minutes, I heard and then saw and then
showed the Tufted Flycatcher to others (Dan, Margery, and an unnamed
California birder).  The bird was perched on a dead branch of a tall
pine just upstream and up the south slope of the smaller drainage from
yesterday's viewing area.  The bird flew up over the slope to the south.
No photo ops this time.  Further searches in the area between the two
drainages failed to reveal the bird except for possibly a couple of call
notes.  Upon my departure at 09:00, the Tufted Flycatcher had not been
seen / heard since about 06:00 this morning.  There were thirty plus
birder stationed at the viewing area and/or wandering around nearby
trails and stream beds when I left.  Hopefully we will get a (positive)
report from someone later today.
 
Yesterday's viewing area is immediately south and down hill from the
lower parking area and in the smaller of the two drainages, a relatively
clear (albeit rocky) area of the stream bed. 
 
One thing to consider if chasing in the next couple of days:
The bird was not seen after 09:00 on Wednesday 5/7, and so far not after
06:00 on Thursday 5/8 - go early
 
Other things to take into account:
Gas in Rodeo was $3.94 per gallon Wednesday morning! 
No cell coverage I could find.
Pay phone at the Portal Store out of order
Pay phones at the research station work for 50 cents/five minutes
 
Much gratitude those that found this fabulous flycatcher and those that
got the word out. 
 
Add one Marbled Godwit at Wilcox on Thursday 5/8 to Mark's report on
Wednesday. 
 
Good birds,
Laurens
 
Laurens R. Halsey
Green Valley, AZ
 
 
Subject: AZ: Tufted Flycatcher Continues
From: James Hays <jhays AT INAME.COM>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 15:51:10 -0700
The Tufted Flycatcher at Herb Martyr Campground was seen by many 
observers at about 9:30 a.m.  Thursday morning.  The bird was in the 
deep stream cut near the point where the trails to Little Dam and to 
Ash Spring split apart, as described in previous reports, and 
remained visible for at least fifteen minutes, sallying forth 
frequently then returning to mostly exposed perches.

The bird was quite vocal and was heard for several minutes before it 
was spotted visually.  Learn the vocalizations of this bird before 
you go to look for it!  Chris Benesh has kindly posted a good 
recording:

http://members.cox.net/cdbenesh/Chris_Benesh_Site/AZ_Tufted_Flycatcher.html

The campground area was very bird-rich this morning with many species 
vocalizing and  visible, including Hermit and Red-faced Warblers. 
Two male trogons flew across the main Cave Creek road directly in 
front of our car on the way to Herb Martyr (appropriately, near 
"Trogon Roost"!)
-- 
***************************************************************************
Jim Hays
Tucson AZ
Subject: Fw: Tufted FC --Seen Thursday
From: Mark Stevenson <drbrdr AT WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 15:40:04 -0700
Thanks Joe.  

Begin forwarded message:

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Joseph Gebler 


Hi Mark,
 
Please pass this along...
 
The Tufted Flycatcher was observed for at least 30 minutes by some 20 persons 
this morning, Thursday, May 8, starting at approximately 9 a.m. The bird was 
along the larger of the 2 streams. 

 
 
GB,
joe gebler  



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Subject: Birding Magazine, no birds
From: PalmerRD AT AOL.COM
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 17:12:47 EDT
To the members of the Listserve:
RE: American Birding Association "Birding" Magazine.
   I have been saving issues of "Birding" magazine (Volume VII -  No. 1) from 
1975 to date 
Volume 40 - No. 2) but now it is time to dispose of them.  The first  person 
who contacts 
me off list who is willing to pay for the shipping may have them.  The  offer 
is good until
Monday, May 12th. at which time I will dispose of them locally.
``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
````
Dick  Palmer
1022 W Union Bell Drive
Green Valley,  Arizona
85614-5945
PalmerRD AT aol.com
520-648-6735



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Subject: Tufted Flycatcher(maybe)
From: Roger Tess <rtbirder AT COX.NET>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 13:40:46 -0700
Tommorow (Friday) Clait Braun & I are seeking this rarity, & have room for 2 
more bodies. If interested, call 393-8237 before 8pm today(Thursday) Roger Tess 
Tucson 

Subject: Re: AZ: Tufted Flycatcher - found by...?
From: John Yerger <john AT ADVENTUREBIRDING.COM>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 16:16:54 -0400
I might also mention that I screwed up the pronouns in my previous post (should 
have read 'he', not she...umm, sorry Daniele.) 


Embarrased,
John Yerger
Tucson, AZ


-- John Yerger  wrote:
Hello all,

It seems as there is some confusion over who actually found this 
splendid little rarity. I was originally told by the first folks on the 
scene that Daniele Mitchell, a vacationing birder from Ottawa, was the 
actual finder. Daniele has confirmed this with me, so I just wanted to 
provide this point of clarification. (She doesn't have much internet 
access since she is mostly camping while here.)

It is entirely possible that two different sets of birders independently 
found and spread the word on this bird, never having communicated with 
each other. If so, great! Such independent observation is of the utmost 
importance for documenting such birds. However, I generally like to give 
credit where credit is due.

Good birding,
John Yerger
Tucson, AZ
Subject: NM RBA for 5/8/08
From: Pinyonjay AT AOL.COM
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 15:10:01 EDT
- RBA
* New Mexico Bird Report
* May 8, 2008
* NMEX0805.08
 
 Transcript
 
Hotline New Mexico
date: May 8, 2008
compiler Patricia R.  Snider
Phone: 719-846-3174
Cell phone 505-803-1807
e-mail address _pinyonjay AT aol.com_ (mailto:pinyonjay AT aol.com)  
 
This is Pinyon Jay with the New Mexico Bird Report for
May 8, 2008  sponsored by the New Mexico Ornithological 
Society.  When phone numbers  are given for private 
property, please call before going to ask  permission.
 
Highlights:  Glossy Ibis, Whimbrels, Blue-winged, Yellow-
throated,  Palm, Hooded, Red-faced, and Kentucky Warblers.
 
Places mentioned and a checklist of N.M. birds are in the 
N.M. Bird  Finding Guide.  Check for earlier reports at 
_www.nmbirds.org_ (http://www.nmbirds.org)    or in the archives  of the 
AZ/NM 
listserve.  For photos of rarities and directions to some  
birding sites check hometown.aol.com/borealowl.
 
For the Bird Records Committee and both Field Notes 
please send reports  to Dr. Sartor O. Williams, III, 
1819 Meadowview NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104  or to 
_sunbittern AT earthlink.net_ (mailto:sunbittern AT earthlink.net) .
 

Birds Mentioned and Counties:
* tells that there is new information  on this species in 
this report.
 
Western Grebe (*Sandoval)
American Bittern (Chaves)
Great Egret (San  Miguel)
Cattle Egret (Valencia)
Yellow-crowned Night-heron  (*Socorro)
Glossy Ibis (*Socorro)
Greater White-fronted Goose  (Socorro)
Common and Hooded Mergansers (Bernalillo)
Mississippi Kite  (Chaves, Eddy)
Northern Goshawk (*Grant)
Gray Hawk (Hidalgo,  Eddy)
Zone-tailed Hawk (Eddy, *Grant)
Lesser Prairie-Chicken  (Chaves)
Wild Turkey (*Bernalillo, Socorro), Gould’s (Hidalgo)
Montezuma  Quail (*Grant)
Common Moorhen (Socorro)
American Golden-plover  (Chaves)
Semipalmated Plover (Valencia)
Willet (Socorro)
Whimbrel  (Socorro, Chaves)
Marbled Godwit (Socorro, Santa Fe, Curry,  
*Bernalillo)
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Socorro)
Wilson’s Phalarope  (*Socorro)
Red-necked Phalarope (Chaves)
Franklin’s Gull (Valencia,  Socorro, *Bernalillo)
Band-tailed Pigeon (Torrance, *Grant)
Barn Owl  (Chaves)
Whiskered Screech-owl (Hidalgo)
Flammulated and Northern Saw-whet  Owls (*Bernalillo)
Northern Pygmy-owl (*Grant)
Long-eared Owl  (Roosevelt)
Blue-throated Hummingbird (*Grant)
Anna’s Hummingbird (Doña  Ana)
Olive-sided Flycatcher (Lea, *Otero)
Greater Pewee (Hidalgo)
Gray  Flycatcher (Otero, Roosevelt, Sierra)
Dusky Flycatcher (Valencia,  *Otero)
Eastern Phoebe (*Sandoval)
Brown-crested Flycatcher  (Sierra)
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Chaves, Socorro)
White-eyed Vireo  (Roosevelt)
Cassin’s Vireo (Eddy, Roosevelt, Socorro, Sierra,  *Otero
Red-eyed Vireo (Roosevelt)
Cave Swallow (Doña Ana)
Pinyon Jay  (Catron)
Mountain Chickadee (Roosevelt)
Red-breasted Nuthatch  (Roosevelt)
Eastern Bluebird (Bernalillo)
Hermit Thrush  (Roosevelt)
Gray Catbird (Roosevelt)
Brown Thrasher (Roosevelt,  Eddy)
Phainopepla (Eddy)
Cedar Waxwing (Sierra)
Olive Warbler  (*Grant)
Blue-winged Warbler (*Santa Fe)
WORM-EATING WARBLER (Eddy,  Grant)
Nashville Warbler (*Roosevelt)
Northern Parula (Bernalillo,  Roosevelt)
Yellow-throated Warbler (Roosevelt)
Grace’s Warbler  (Socorro)
Townsend’s Warbler (Sierra, Roosevelt, Socorro, *Grant)
Palm  Warbler (Socorro)
Black-and-White Warbler (Roosevelt)
American Redstart  (Roosevelt)
Kentucky Warbler (*Cibola, *Eddy)
Ovenbird  (Roosevelt)
Northern Waterthrush (*Lea, Santa Fe, *Bernalillo,  *Roosevelt)
MacGillivray’s Warbler (Chaves)
Hooded Warbler (Sierra,  *Bernalillo)
Red-faced Warbler (Bernalillo)
Hepatic Tanager  (a*Bernalillo)
Clay-colored Sparrow (*Otero)
Lark Bunting (*Santa  Fe)
White-throated Sparrow (Socorro)
Yellow-eyed Junco  (Grant)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Bernalillo, *Roosevelt,  
Torrance)
Indigo Bunting (Socorro, Doña Ana, Valencia, 
Bronzed  Cowbird (Roosevelt)
Orchard Oriole (*Roosevelt)
Hooded Oriole (Doña  Ana)
Scott’s Oriole (Sierra, Socorro, *Otero)
Cassin’s Finch (Doña Ana,  Socorro, *Santa Fe, *Bernalillo)
Red Crossbill (*Grant)
Evening Grosbeak  (*Santa Fe)
 

In Sandoval County:
JK at Cochiti Lake on May 7 had a WESTERN GREBE  and an 
EASTERN PHOEBE.
 
In Santa Fe County:
JB had a female BLUE-WINGED WARBLER in Galisteo on  May 7.
RY at the Alameda Middle School in Santa Fe had LARK 
BUNTINGS and  EVENING GROSBEAKS on May 6.
At the NM Penitentiary on May 4 JB had a MARBLED  GODWIT 
under a sprinkler.  He had a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH at  
Cerrillos.
AJ had CASSIN’S FINCHES in Madrid on April 29.
 
In San Miguel County:
At the Las Vegas Refuge at Brown’s Marsh JA on May  2 had 
two GREAT EGRETS.
 
In Roosevelt County:
At the migrant trap west of Melrose CW, NP, MB, JO,  JP, 
and WW on May 3 had a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER and a male 
NORTHERN  PARULA.  JO and AF on May 4 saw the Yellow-
throated,  a singing  Parula, OVENBIRD, BROWN THRASHER, 
CATBIRD, two LONG-EARED OWLS, a  ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, 
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, a CASSIN’S VIREO, and up to  150 
HERMIT THRUSHES.  MB, NP, and JO on May 5 saw the parula, 
a  NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, and an ORCHARD ORIOLE.
The CW group at Boones Draw near  Portales on May 3 found 
a male BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, WHITE-EYED VIREO,  
MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE, two GRAY FLYCATCHERS, and a BRONZED 
COWBIRD.   JO on May 4 had an AMERICAN REDSTART, RED-EYED 
VIREO, two TOWNSEND’S  WARBLERS, and three CASSIN’S 
VIREOS.  MB and NP on May 5 found three  ROSE-BREASTED 
GROSBEAKS and two NASHVILLE WARBLERS.
 
In Curry County:
At the Clovis Sewage Ponds be sure to tell them that  you 
are there to bird.  JO found a MARBLED GODWIT on the 
ponds on  May 2.
 
In Cibola County:
CJG had at the El Morro NM on May 4 SB found a  KENTUCKY 
WARBLER on the Inscription Trail (photos}.  It was 
still  there in the morning of May 5 and seen by CJG and 
MB on May 7.
 
In Bernalillo County:
JJ on May 5 had a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH south of  Tingley 
Beach and west of Central.
LB reported a HOODED WARBLER in  Tijeras on May 5.  Report 
sent to SOW.
JJ on May 3 heard TURKEYS on  the Cienega Trail in the 
Sandias, with FLAMMULATED OWLS calling at the Doc  Long 
Picnic Area, at mile post 5  on the road, at the Tree 
Spring  Trailhead, and Dry Camp Picnic Area with a SAW-
WHET OWL heard at a turnout a  quarter mile below the ski 
area.
LG had a male HEPATIC TANAGER on the UNM  campus on May 5 
southwest of the duck pond and south of Scholes Hall.
JJ  on May 4 recorded a MARBLED GODWIT at the Tramway 
Wetlands.
DP on May 2  on the west side of the Rio Grande in Albu-
querque a half mile on the path  from the Montaño Bridge 
near a mile 4 sign found a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH in a  wet 
area near the Rio, plus a female EASTERN BLUEBIRD and a 
female  COMMON MERGANSER.
At the Rio Grande Nature Center on May 2 DP on the  
parking lot pond had a male HOODED MERGANSER.  DH on May 
4 saw a  RED-FACED WARBLER on the Bosque Trail Âľ of the 
way to the new bridge.   JJ on May 3 had up to 19 
FRANKLIN’S GULLS there.
DP on April 27 found a  NORTHERN PARULA and a female ROSE-
BREASTED GROSBEAK in the San Antonio Open  Space behind 
the San Antonio Church on NM 14 a few hundred yards up 
the  trail.  The Parula was found later by JJ.
AJ had CASSIN’S FINCHES in  Cedar Crest on May 3.
 
In Valencia County:
DH on May 3 had a SEMIPALMATGED PLOVER at the Taco  Bell 
marsh in Belen.  BV on May 4 had the plover and a 
FRANKLIN’S  GULL with a pair of INDIGO BUNTINGS and a 
DUSKY FLYCATCHER at the Belen  Bosque plus 13 CATTLE 
EGRETS on NM 314 south of the Bernalillo Co.  line.
 
In Torrance County:
TH on May 1 saw a male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK at his  home 
in the Manzano Mts. north of Mountainview.  12 BAND-
TAILED  PIGEONS have been present.
 
In Socorro County:
At the Bosque del Apache Refuge near San Antonio on  April 
29 RV and MH saw a YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON near the 
entrance to  the seasonal road.  And on April 30 
DC had the ten WHITE-FRONTED GEESE  on the seasonal road 
and a MOORHEN at the ditch where the one way road ends  on 
the Farm Loop.  JO on May 1 saw a MARBLED GODWIT.  DH on  
May 3 saw the SCOTT’S ORIOLE pair in the Cactus Garden, 
and a  SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER at the northeast corner 
of the Farm Loop.  He  and MH had a GRACE’S WARBLER on the 
seasonal road near the  Chupadera  Deck.  MH on May 3 
found a PALM WARBLER on the seasonal road after it  turns 
to the northeast, heron and the GLOSSY IBIS on the east 
side of  the Marsh Loop.  CW, MB, and NP on May 2 had two 
SEMIPALMATED  SANDPIPERS near the heronry, several 
WILLETS, and three MARBLED  GODWITS,  CR on May 3 found 
two WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS at the Norton  Blind and 14 
TURKEYS on the Marsh Loop.  DC on May 7 found the heron  
adult and the glossy ibis still at the south end of the 
Marsh Loop with  a CASSIN’S VIREO at the Quail Pond.  The 
WILSON’S PHALAROPE count was  down to 883.
At Turtle Bay Park on the NMTU campus in Socorro DP on 
April  29 saw four male INDIGO BUNTINGS.  MH on May 3 had 
a pair of TOWNSEND’S  WARBLERS, a male CASSIN’S FINCH, and 
a FRANKLIN’S GULL.
CR had a WHIMBREL  on May 3 at Riverine Park in Socorro.
 
In Chaves County:
JSa in the refuge report for April 28 recorded one  
AMERICAN BITTERN, and one MISSISSIPPI KITE,  On May 3 JP 
found a  WHIMBREL on the southeast corner of the tour 
loop.  LM and JoO on May 3  at the refuge recorded a 
GOLDEN PLOVER on Unit 15 and two RED-NECKED  PHALAROPES at 
the Oxbow Slough.  There was a MACGILLIVRAY’S  WARBLER.
MH, SNC, and LG on April 19 found up to 25 LESSER PRAIRIE  
CHICKENS in the Mesacalero Sands leks near the Waldrop 
Rest Stop 40  miles east of Roswell on US380.
The RV group at the Waldrop rest stop saw the  SCISSOR-
TAILED FLYCATCHER and a BARN OWL.
 
In Sierra County:
At Percha Dam State Park DC on May 1 saw two  TOWNSEND’S 
WARBLERS and three GRAY FLYCATCHERS.  DP on April 29 at  
Percha Dam saw a male HOODED WARBLER along the river at 
the north  end.  DC saw the Hooded Warbler male on April 
26.
DC on May 2 had  two BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHERS at the 
creek crossing in upper LAS Animas  “Canyon with a 
TOWNSEND’S WARBLER.  A CASSIN’S VIREO was just before  one 
makes the right turn to the crossing.
JL at his home saw CEDAR  WAXWINGS and a male SCOTT’S 
ORIOLE on April 28.
 
In Catron County:
BH had large numbers of PINYON JAYS in Luna by the San  
Francisco River.
 
In Grant County:
JBi on May 1 had a WORM-EATING WARBLER south of Silver  
City along the lower San Vicente Creek (photo).
In the Burro Mountains  south of Silver City on Jack’s 
Peak DG on May 2 to 6 found the GOSHAWK, a  ZONE-TAILED 
HAWK, the MONTEZUMA QUAIL, many BAND-TAILED PIGEONS, four  
calling PYGMY OWLS, a BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD , lots of 
TOWNSEND’S  WARBLERS, five RED CROSSBILLS, a singing OLIVE 
WARBLER, and four pairs of  YELLOW-EYED JUNCOS.
The Hummingbird Festival at Lake Roberts has been  
canceled this year.
 
In Hidalgo County:
SOW and HW in Clanton Canyon south of Animas had a  
WHISKERED SCREECH-OWL in the campground on April 30 with 
GOULD’S TURKEYS  at Blair Well at the canyon mouth and at 
the Oak Grove on May 1.  A  GREATER PEWEE was singing at 
the Geronimo Seep on May 1.
They had an  adult GRAY HAWK on the Diamond A Ranch land 
on April 30 near  Cloverdale.  Remember thou shalt not get 
an inch off the road to look  for it.
County Hwy.1 south of Animas crosses the Diamond A (Gray)  
Ranch.  Because of events with thoughtless birders, one 
must NOT go  off the road.
 
In Doña Ana County:
JN on May 4 at the Mesilla Valley Bosque Park had a  
a male ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD with a few CAVE SWALLOWS.
At their home near  Radium Springs MS recorded a pair of 
HOODED OIOLES.  On May 2 in the  yard she saw a female 
CASSIN’S FINCH   The pair of Hooded Orioles  were still 
seen on May 2-3.
 
In Otero County:
At the Holloman Lakes near Alamogordo the lakes are  open 
to birding, but permission is needed from Holloman AF 
Base to bird  the Lake G area to the north.
JN at the White Sands NM on May 7 saw CASSIN’S  VIREO, 
SCOTT’S ORIOLE, OLIVE-SIDED and DUSKY FLYCATCHERS, and  
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW.
 
In Eddy County:
At Rattlesnake Springs SW on May 3 found the GRAY HAWK  
and a ZONE-TAILED HAWK, and a PHAINOPEPLA.  WW on April 
30 had a  WORM-EATING WARBLER just north of the main pond 
with a BROWN THRASHER.   JL on May 6 had a female KENTUCKY 
WARBLER at the springs.
ReW on May 4  had a MISSISSIPPI KITE in Carlsbad.
 
In Lea County:
At the sewage ponds in Tatum CW, JP, and group had the  
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH on May 3.
 

Initials of Observers:
JA, Jan Arrott;  JB, Jonathan  Batkin;  MB, Matt Baumann;  
SB, Sarah Beckwith;  LB, Linda  Butler;  DC, David Cleary;  
SNC, Steve and Nancy Cox;  AF,  Andy Fenner;  LG, Larry 
Gorbet;  DG, David Griffin;  CJG,  C.J. Grimes;   DH, 
David Hawksworth;  BH, Brian Heap;   MH, Michael Hilchey; 
TH, Tyler Huning;  AJ, Andrew Johnson;  JJ,  Jim Joseph;  
JK, John Kippe;  JL, Joe LaFleur;  LM, Linda  Mowbray;  
JN, Josh Nemeth; JO, Jerry Oldenettel;  JoO, Jo  
Osterhouse;  DP, Danny Paez;  JP, John Parmeter;  NP,  
Nick Pederson;  CR, Chris Rustay;  JSa, Jeff Sanchez;   
MS, Marcy Scott;  BT, Bill Talbot;  RV, Raymond  
VanBuskirk;  BV, Brad Vaughn;  HW,  Hira Walker;  ReW,  
Renee West;  SW,  Steve West;  SOW,  Sandy  Williams;  WW, 
Bill Wittman; , CW, Cole Wolf, RY, Rob Yaksich.
 

Field Trips:
 
Central Audubon in Albuquerque has Thursday field trips. 
on May 15 to  Hondo Canyon in the southern Sandias with 
Mary Lou Arthur, 299-2565.
 
Saturday, May 10, is North American Bird Count Day for 
each  county.  Contact the leader of your county.  To 
find your county  leader contact is Steve West at 
_lobo AT swwmail.net_ (mailto:lobo AT swwmail.net)  or 575-885-3636.
 
On Saturday, May 17, Central Audubon will check out the
Quarai Ruins led  by Cole Wolf and Jim Mosley.  For 
information call Cole at  505-553-4831.
 
On Saturday, May 24, Mesilla Valley Audubon will explore
around the  homes for migrants in Mesilla at the Dam, 
canals, and driveways to Mesilla  Park.  Contact is David
Griffin at 575-382-2080.
 
Sunday, May 25, Central Audubon will bird Orilla Verde 
near  Pilar.  Contact is Jerry Friedman at 505-753-1946.
 
The Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque has Saturday 
and Sunday  morning hikes at 8:30 a.m. through May. There 
is a parking fee.
 
The Randall Davey Audubon Center in Santa Fe on Upper 
Canyon Road has  Saturday morning bird walks beginning at 
8:30 until 9:30.
 

- End Transcript




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Subject: Re: AZ: Tufted Flycatcher - found by...?
From: "Myron L. Scott" <gaia_3 AT NETZERO.NET>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 17:24:14 GMT
I agree with the sentiments in this e-mail regarding credit. A la Alfred 
Russell Wallace and Charles Darwin - or Rosalind Franklin and Watson and Crick. 


MS
Tempe

-- John Yerger  wrote:
Hello all,

It seems as there is some confusion over who actually found this 
splendid little rarity. I was originally told by the first folks on the 
scene that Daniele Mitchell, a vacationing birder from Ottawa, was the 
actual finder. Daniele has confirmed this with me, so I just wanted to 
provide this point of clarification. (She doesn't have much internet 
access since she is mostly camping while here.)

It is entirely possible that two different sets of birders independently 
found and spread the word on this bird, never having communicated with 
each other. If so, great! Such independent observation is of the utmost 
importance for documenting such birds. However, I generally like to give 
credit where credit is due.

Good birding,
John Yerger
Tucson, AZ
Subject: AZFO - New Pictures of Tufted Flycatcher and Golden-cronwed Sparrow
From: Michael C Moore <michael.moore AT ASU.EDU>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 09:40:44 -0700
Field Ornithologists,
   
Gary Rosenberg contributed a new photo of the Tufted Flycatcher and Tony
Godfrey contributed a photo of one of the two Cave Creek Ranch
Golden-crowned Sparrows.  More photos of the Tufted Flycatcher are still
welcome!

Photos posted at:
 
http://www.azfo.org
click on "Photo Highlights"
   
Thanks to Gary and Tony for their contributions.  Arizona Field
Ornithologists welcomes Arizona rarity photo contributions from all
photographers throughout the state.  If you enjoy the photo web site, please
consider joining AZFO and supporting our other activities.  Details on the
web site.

Mike Moore
AZFO Photo co-editor
Gilbert, AZ
Subject: AZ: Tufted Flycatcher - found by...?
From: John Yerger <john AT ADVENTUREBIRDING.COM>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 07:17:55 -0700
Hello all,

It seems as there is some confusion over who actually found this 
splendid little rarity. I was originally told by the first folks on the 
scene that Daniele Mitchell, a vacationing birder from Ottawa, was the 
actual finder. Daniele has confirmed this with me, so I just wanted to 
provide this point of clarification. (She doesn't have much internet 
access since she is mostly camping while here.)

It is entirely possible that two different sets of birders independently 
found and spread the word on this bird, never having communicated with 
each other. If so, great! Such independent observation is of the utmost 
importance for documenting such birds. However, I generally like to give 
credit where credit is due.

Good birding,
John Yerger
Tucson, AZ
Subject: Common Poorwill in Catalina Foothills, Tucson
From: Pam Negri <panegri1 AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 04:27:16 +0000
Last night, Tues, May 6 at 10:15 p.m. I heard a COMMON POORWILL calling in the 
wash behind my back yard. The wash is north of Territory Rd between Via 
Sempreverde and Via Gelsomino in the Catalina Foothills. This is the first time 
I've heard one in my neighborhood since I moved here 14 mos ago. Are they 
common in this area? 


Pam Negri
Tucson
Happy Birding
Subject: Lesser Nighthawks by the hundreds.
From: Melody Kehl <outdoor1 AT COX.NET>
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 20:58:49 -0700
Jackie Lewis and I spent a delightful evening sitting along the edge of the
Santa Cruz River just north of the Ina Road Bridge watching hundreds of
Lesser Nighthawks eating mosquitoes.  We arrived around 6:45 and the birds
were already on the wing.  

 

Melody Kehl

http://www.melodysbirdingadventures.com

 
Subject: Yellow Grosbeak not seen today
From: Tony Godfrey <kingbird AT VTC.NET>
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 18:25:40 -0700
Just a quick note that the female Yellow Grosbeak found two days ago by
Richard Webster at Slaughter Ranch, east of Douglas, AZ was looked for
today by Henry Detwilers tour group. Despite intensive searching, they
did not relocate it.
 
Tony Godfrey,
Portal, AZ 
Subject: Gila Bend STP
From: Mark Stevenson <drbrdr AT WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 17:48:55 -0700
Hi Birders,

 Paul Lehman et al went to the Gila Bend STP on Watermelon Road this afternoon 
where they saw 10 Red-necked Phalaropes, 35 Long-billed Curlews, 1 Bufflehead 
and a Lesser Scaup. 


Good birding,
Mark Stevenson
Tucson, AZ
Subject: Tufted Flycatcher/Chiricahuas Trip Planning
From: Mark Stevenson <drbrdr AT WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 15:39:38 -0700
Hi Birders,

Just a reminder that Helen Snyder reported that the gas station at Road Forks 
New Mexico (the turn-off from I-10 for the paved route to Portal) is no longer 
in operation. No gas in Portal. Gas in Rodeo, NM (I think). 


We saw gas prices today in Willcox ranging from $3.34 up to near $3.60.

Coming into Willcox from the east we saw three Harris's Hawks just outside the 
town limits, a group sometimes seen out that way. 


Good birding,
Mark Stevenson
Tucson, AZ
Subject: AZ: New Arrivals & Drought - Huachuca Cyn
From: Alan Miller <tyrannulet AT MSN.COM>
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 15:30:43 -0700
We birded the uppermost campground from 6:15 AM to 8:45 AM, and then hiked 
1.25 miles up the dirt track. Our most unexpected bird was Olive-sided 
Flycatcher, found on a high snag in the middle of the camp site. We saw at 
least four Elegant Trogons – they were still hyper-active when we departed 
at 1:20 PM. We totaled 45 species, which is a record for us at this 
location.  Following is a list of birds we deem of interest, for one 
reason or another, with brief comments and a concluding observation:

Turkey (4) – impressive, prolonged display by male
Band-tailed Pigeon (7)
Elegant Trogon (4) – male chasing female 
Greater Pewee (2)
Olive-sided Flycatcher (1)
Buff-breasted Flycatcher (2) new arrivals
Dusky-capped Flycatcher (10)
Hutton’ Vireo (10) – new arrivals; still unsettled
Plumbeous Vireo (17) – new arrivals; still unsettled
Yellow-rumped Warbler (6)
Black-throated Gray Warbler (+20)
Townsend’s Warbler (8)
Grace’s Warbler (2) – see concluding remark
Painted Redstart (+20)
Red-faced Warbler (1)
Wilson’s Warbler (3)
Hepatic Tanager (4)
Western Tanager (3)
Black-headed Grosbeak (20) new arrivals; big, unsettled influx
Bullock’s Oriole (5)
Scott’s Oriole (2) both males; one bathing at 2nd dam

Concluding Note: The Canyon is seriously dry, most plants are highly 
stressed, and we suspect this is (and will continue) impacting birdlife 
negatively. E.g. although identifying clean causal relations is difficult 
in the field, we believe Grace’s Warbler has already been harmed. The 
small group that annually has nested at mid-elevation (where pines become 
common) has recently abandoned their nesting areas. The trees they were 
using are browning out.

Ann & Alan Miller
Sierra Vista 
Subject: SE AZ: Birdathon 5/3/2008 - Catalinas, Huachucas, San Pedro, Willcox, etc
From: John Yerger <john AT ADVENTUREBIRDING.COM>
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 18:02:57 -0400
194 species later, Jake Mohlmann and I totally neglected to post our Birdathon 
results...sorry for the delay! 


At one time or another, we visited the Catalinas, the Huachucas, the San Pedro, 
Patagonia area, and various parts of the Santa Cruz River corridor. Since we 
obviously couldn't cover all of this distance using an eco-friendly vehicle 
like a bicycle, we decided to offset our CO2 emissions through NativeEnergy. 
Thus, our Big Day was effectively carbon neutral. 


Highlights included:

WESTERN GREBE - pair still present at Patagonia Lake, this time the east end 
(too shallow for speeding boats?) 

WILD TURKEY - calling at Ash Canyon B & B
REDHEAD - Willcox Twin Lakes
NORTHERN PINTAIL - Willcox Twin Lakes
CANVASBACK - Benson sewage ponds
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE - finally picked out 1 or 2 from the hundreds of Wilson's 
at Willcox 

#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD - Thanks to Mary Jo's feeders! (bird was a female)
CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD - Thanks to Tom Beatty's feeders! (bird was also a female)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD - a bit on the early side, briefly seen at Rio Rico
SWAINSON'S THRUSH - surprise bird at the Ramsey Vista Campground
#CLAY-COLORED SPARROW - found the day prior by Gavin Bieber, still present at 
NW corner of south pond at Benson 

CASSIN'S FINCH - still plenty at Ash Canyon B & B feeders
RED CROSSBILL - multiples high up in Carr Canyon, always a difficult and lucky 
Big Day bird 

AMERICAN GOLDFINCH - a brilliant male at Ash Canyon B & B


Big misses (in our minds, at least) were Greater Roadrunner, Cordilleran 
Flycatcher, Violet-green Swallow, and NO Gnatcatchers or Kinglets of any 
species!!! We were right on target through Patagonia Lake, but the passerines 
were a let-down there and killed our momentum. The weather was perfect, though, 
and with one more observer we could probably reach the record (Something came 
up for Keith at the last minute.) 


We'll be sending a full report to sponsors, but if anyone else is interested, 
feel free to email me. 


Good birding,
John Yerger
Tucson, AZ

P.S. - If you wanted to donate to a particular team but forgot, it's not too 
late! Just go to http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birdathon/bthonteams08.htm. Of 
course pledges for any team benefit TAS, but I won't object if you opt to click 
on "Birding the Midnight Oil." ;) 

Subject: Re: AZ: Tufted Flycatcher continues 5-7-08
From: Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory <sabo AT SABO.ORG>
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 14:53:42 -0700
Erika Wilson and I were among the many birders who enjoyed the Tufted 
Flycatcher 

this morning, so I thought I'd provide a few details. Between 6 and 9 a.m. it 
made three appearances in the sycamores and oaks along the stream in the area 
just below the parking area. It was present when we arrived, then disappeared 
for about 45 minutes, announced its return with its loud, distinctive calls, 
foraged actively through the trees along the stream, then disappeared for about 

an hour before repeating the entire performance.

Patience was the most effective strategy this morning; as far as we could tell, 

pursuit did not yield any better views or photo opportunities than simply 
standing there and waiting for the bird to return. The visits were brief and 
the 

bird very active, but its distinctive calls alerted us to its arrival each 
time. 

If you haven't had the privilege of getting to know these cinnamon-colored 
beauties in Mexico, be sure to study Chris Benesh's excellent sound recording 
at: 


http://www.azfo.org/gallery/TUFL_Chiricahuas_Benesh_20080506.html

Erika and I enjoyed the company of many fine and enthusiastic birders this 
morning, including (but not limited to) Noel Snyder, Paul Lehman, Rose Ann 
Rowlett, Dave Stejskal, and Tony Godfrey, along with plenty of other birds that 

kept us entertained between the Tufted's appearances: Zone-tailed Hawk, 
Band-tailed Pigeon, Black-chinned and Broad-tailed hummingbirds, Acorn 
Woodpecker, Western Wood-Pewee, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Cassin's, Plumbeous, 
and Warbling vireos, Mexican and Steller's jays, Violet-green Swallow, 
White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, Black-throated Gray Warbler, 
"Audubon's" and "Myrtle" Yellow-rumped Warblers, many Western and Hepatic 
tanagers, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Scott's Oriole. Stops at Cave Creek Ranch, 

a stroll through Portal, and a little birding on the way back to Bisbee rounded 

out our list for the day with Blue-throated and Magnificent hummingbirds, 
Arizona Woodpecker, Green-tailed Towhee, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Black-throated 

Sparrow, Bullock's Oriole, "Mexican" Mallard, Least Sandpiper, two Golden 
Eagles, a healthy looking young adult rufous-morph Red-tailed Hawk with a 
twisted leg, and more. We also enjoyed good mammal diversity, with Coyote, 
Pronghorn, Desert Cottontail, Black-tailed Jackrabbit, Rock Squirrel, and 
several saucy Cliff Chipmunks. Special thanks to Tony Godfrey for his 
hospitality at Cave Creek Ranch.

Good birding,

Sheri Williamson
Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory
Bisbee, AZ
sabo AT sabo.org
http://www.sabo.org

Chris Benesh wrote:
> Hi All,
> 
> I just got off the phone with Gary Rosenberg who present with some 40 
> other birders this morning and observed the Tufted Flycatcher early this 
> morning.  He didn't give specific location information, but it sounds as 
> though it was somewhere right below the lower parking area near the 
> confluence of the creeks.  I just wanted to get the word out to those 
> who might be thinking of making the trip.  Good luck if you go!
> 
> Chris
> 
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> Chris Benesh
> Tucson, Arizona
> cdbenesh AT cox.net
> 
> Field Guides - Birding Tours Worldwide
> www.fieldguides.com
> 
> 
> "Minds are like parachutes.  They only function when they are open."
> James Dewar
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> 
Subject: More migrants yesterday
From: Ernie Nickels <nickelseldesigns AT QWESTOFFICE.NET>
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 14:33:13 -0700
Yesterday's (5/6) cool weather brought in interesting birds along the open 
irrigation ditch between 14 & 15th Streets from McAllister to Mill Ave: 


Cliff Swallows
Male Northern Cardinal
Wilson's Warbler
"Western" Flycatcher
Brown-headed Cowbirds
Lots of White-wing Doves
Usual residents: Curve-billed Thrashers, Abert's Towhees, Northern 
Mockingbirds, House Finches 

Also a Queen butterfly & lots of Whites fluttering around.

Then at home, more Whites, a Green-tailed Towhee scratching in Oleander debris, 
& resident Lesser Goldfinches. 


    Jeanette
    Tempe AZ
Subject: Portal, Willcox and Benson
From: Mark Stevenson <drbrdr AT WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 13:08:30 -0700
Hi Birders,

 Today at Cave Creek Ranch in Portal, Molly, Dave Stejskal and I saw the adult 
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW and not one but two adult male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS 
simultaneously. Cassin's Finch and Pine Siskin lingered. Thanks Tony for the 
viewing opportunity. 


 Along San Simon-Portal Road there was a Mohave Rattlesnake warming up on the 
pavement that refused to be encouraged to go to a safer spot. 


 At Willcox we saw several RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, Eared Grebes, Redhead, a few 
peep, just a few avocets (WAY down from recent numbers) and a few White-faced 
Ibis. Most of the ducks have read the bar graphs and headed out. Paul Lehman et 
al later saw a female NORTHERN PINTAIL on the big pond and a female BUFFLEHEAD 
and migrant passerines at the golf course. 

    
 At Benson STP there was a female CANVASBACK and 3 or 4 LESSER SCAUP and a 
couple or RED-NECKED PHALAROPES. 


    Thanks to everyone who has provided updates on the Tufted Fly.

Good birding,
Mark Stevenson
Tucson, AZ
Subject: NM: Kentucky Warb., May 6, Rattlesnake Spgs., Eddy Cty.
From: Joe LaFleur <joe AT BETTERBIRDWATCHING.COM>
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 12:29:47 -0700
5-6-08, Rattlesnake Springs, Eddy Cty.

Kentucky Warbler, 1F, seen along fenced ditch SW of picnic area.

Joe LaFleur
TorC, NM
Subject: AZ: White-eared Hummer continues in Madera
From: KBAYBIRD AT AOL.COM
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 14:36:31 EDT
May 6 - 5:15-5:45 pm      
Santa Rita Lodge
Madera Canyon
 
We saw the male White-eared Hummingbird several times at the honeysuckle  
bush and at the three feeders on the pole nearest the benches and parking area. 

Also present was a single male Lazuli Bunting with two females, an alternate  
plumaged Chipping Sparrow, a few Lark Sparrows, and the other usual  suspects.
 
Good Birding!
 
George West and Luis Calvo  
_kbaybird AT aol.com_ (mailto:kbaybird AT aol.com) 




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Subject: Northern Waterthrush - Anza Trail
From: James P Karp <jkarp AT SYR.EDU>
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 13:50:01 -0400
Spotted a Northern Waterthrush just downstream from the first foot
bridge at Clark's Crossing on the Anza Trail.  I did not cross the foot
bridge but walked north several yards along the stream bed.  It was on
the pile of driftwood at a bend in the narrow stream.  It was visible
for several minutes, bouncing up and down and bobbing its tail.  It was
distinctly washed in yellow on the entire breast.  The breast was
strongly and darkly streaked.  I did not observe anything else that
would distinguish it from the Louisiana Waterthrush.

 

Also, saw FOS Hepatic Tanager just to the left of the driftwood.  Unlike
many of his kind, a Yellow-breasted Chat presented himself for extended
viewing on the same wood pile. 

 

Jim Karp