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02 May SE AZ: Elves and Whiskers in the Huachucas [Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory ] 28 Apr TUCSON: Photos of Backyard COOPER'S HAWK [Dennis Braddy ] 26 Apr SEAZ: Photos of Backyard NORTHERN GOSHAWK [Dennis Braddy ] 25 Apr SE AZ: NORTHERN GOSHAWK Video [Dennis Braddy ] 24 Apr SE AZ: NORTHERN GOSHAWK at BBO [Dennis Braddy ] 24 Apr SE AZ: CRESCENT-CHESTED WARBLER at Beatty's Guest Ranch [Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory ] 21 Mar Re: FOS White-winged Doves in Tempe? [Brian Enos ] 29 Dec SE AZ: Hawk Stalking in the Sulphur Springs Valley [Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory ] 28 Dec SE AZ: Whitewater Draw and vicinity [Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory ] 22 Dec Harris Hawks, Sabino Canyon, Tucson Area ["Clait E. Braun" ] 2 Dec NM: ABQ Lesser Black-backed Gull [Michael Hilchey ] 30 Nov Birding the Salt River Circuit-Mesa,AZ ["Phyllis B. Martin" ] 1 Dec CEAZ: Maricopa County, LEUCISTIC CORMORANT [Gordon Karre ] 1 Dec SEAZ (Hereford) 12/1 No. Cardinal & Lark Buntings [Tom Leskiw ] 30 Nov WAZ: FWD Lesser Black-backed Gull and Winter Wren [David Vander Pluym ] 30 Nov RBA Tucson, AZ - 30 November 2012 [Andrew Core ] 1 Dec SEAZ: Florida Canyon RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERs continue 12/1/2012 [Laurens Halsey ] 30 Nov WAZ: Lesser Black-backed Gull [Lauren Harter ] 2 Dec SEAZ: Sabino Canyon, Rufous-backed Robin, 12/02/12 [Melody Kehl ] 30 Nov SEAZ: Ruddy Ground Dove, Whitewater Draw [Rick Taylor ] 2 Dec RBA Tucson, AZ - 2 December 2012 [Andrew Core ] 2 Dec Unsuscribe [Vernon Gauthier ] 02 Dec DIGEST [John McLain ] 2 Dec WAZ: Nutting's Flycatcher, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Winter Wren(s) [Lauren Harter ] 30 Nov RFI: Re: Sabino Canyon Robin location [Julie & Chuck ] 30 Nov AZ:11/30/12:Patagonia Sonoita Creek Preserve ["Clifford A. Cathers" ] 30 Nov AZ: Sabino creek Rufus Back Robin still there [Anthony Mendoza ] 30 Nov WAZ: NUTTING's FLYCATCHER is back! [David Vander Pluym ] 30 Nov female Amer goldfinch in east Tucson [Jamie Massey ] 29 Nov Re: CEAZ: Gilbert (AZ) Water Ranch -SRP changes along canal etc [Diana Stuart - FCDX ] 29 Nov SEAZ: Tubac - Lewis's Woodpecker 11/29/2012 [Laurens Halsey ] 29 Nov CEAZ: Gilbert (AZ) Water Ranch -SRP changes along canal etc [Lindsay Story ] 29 Nov SEAZ: Rufous-backed Robin - Sabino Canyon - YES 11/29/12 p.m. [Jake Mohlmann ] 29 Nov Another White-throated Sparrow in Carr Cyn, SEAZ [Hank Brodkin ] 29 Nov NM RBA 11/29/2012 [Matt Baumann ] 29 Nov Montosa Canyon, Santa Cruz county, AZ [Tim Helentjaris ] 29 Nov CAZ: Gilbert Water Ranch Winter Wren continues [Richard Ditch ] 29 Nov Fw: AZ: Sunday birds at BTA [Mark Stevenson ] 29 Nov RBRO in Sabino Canyon [Rob ] 29 Nov AND AGAIN IT'S WITH THE ... SPARROWS! SPARROWS! SPARROWS! [Janet M Ruth ] 29 Nov New Mexico Ornithological Society (NMOS) Research Grants - Call for Proposals [Janet M Ruth ] 28 Nov Tuscon : Ani , Parula , Rufous Backed Robin [Carsten Wintsch ] 28 Nov WAZ: Continuing rarities, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, no LBBG [Lauren Harter ] 28 Nov CEAZ: Gilbert Water Ranch [Richard Rico ] 28 Nov N.M: Another Aztec Pine Warbler sighting/Mymm Ackley [Mymm Ackley ] 28 Nov Say's Phoebe in Tempe 11-27-12 [Ernie Nickels ] 28 Nov CEAZ: Rio Salado Restoration Habitat - Eastern Phoebe, Black-and-white Warbler and Ash-throated Flycatcher [Justin Jones ] 28 Nov Gilbert Winter Wren continues [Steve Ganley ] 28 Nov CEAZ: Glendale Recharge Ponds 11/28/2012 [Jeff Ritz ] 28 Nov FW: AZ: Patagonia Crested Caracara [Mark Stevenson ] 28 Nov NM: Yet another ABQ Pine Warbler [Cole Wolf ] 28 Nov Re: Rufous-backed Robin - Yes [Doreen Cubie ] 28 Nov Rufous-backed Robin - Yes [Doreen Cubie ] 28 Nov NM: ABQ Pine Warbler [Michael Hilchey ] 28 Nov EAZ: Springerville to Alpine (Great Egret, Yellow-shafted Flickers) [Eric Hough ] 27 Nov WAZ: No LBBG, but other rarities [Lauren Harter ] 27 Nov SEAZ: NE Tucson-Wood Duck at Lakes in Castlerock Deveopment [Brian Nicholas ] 27 Nov Re: AZ: Rufous-backed Robin at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area [Mark Stevenson ] 27 Nov SE AZ Merlin, Snipe & Quartzsite Lesser Nighthawks [Tom Leskiw ] 27 Nov SEAZ: St David Monastery/Benson STP [Lainie Epstein ] 27 Nov NM: another Albuquerque PINE WARBLER [Matt Baumann ] 27 Nov SEAZ: Santa Cruz R. south of Santa Gertrudis Ln. this morning [David Stejskal ] 27 Nov NM: Pine Warbler, Aztec Park, Albuquerque [Collin Adams ] 27 Nov Re: AZ: Rufous-backed Robin at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area [Mark Stevenson ] 27 Nov Sweetwater Ani, no on 11-27 morning [jody Williams ] 27 Nov FW: AZ: Rufous-backed Robin at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area [Mark Stevenson ] 27 Nov GreenValley-Madera Cyn CBC [clark blake ] 27 Nov AZ: TAS trip to Atturbury-Lyman Bird and Animal Sanctuary (no rarities) [Kendall Kroesen ] 27 Nov Albuquerque, NM: Pine Warbler! Update! [Raymond VanBuskirk ] 27 Nov Albuquerque, NM: Pine Warbler! 11/27/12 [Raymond VanBuskirk ] 27 Nov SAVE THE DATE! New Mexico Ornithological Society 51st Annual Meeting [Janet M Ruth ] 27 Nov ADMIN: Upcoming move of the AZ/NM Bird list [Chuck & Jaye Otte ] 27 Nov NM, Sandia Mts. owl [Celestyn Brozek ] 26 Nov Continuing birds in Ramsey Canyon Preserve [Susan Allerton ] 26 Nov WAZ: FWD Lesser Black-backed Gull [David Vander Pluym ] 26 Nov Green Valley WTP Green Valley, AZ (NO Eurasion Wigeon) [Michael Skinner ] Subject: SE AZ: Elves and Whiskers in the Huachucas From: Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory <sabo AT sabo.org> Date: Thu, 02 May 2013 10:02:15 -0700 Howdy, neighbors, Last night's Fiesta de las Aves Owl Prowl was a spectacular success. Low-impact owling on moonless nights can be frustrating, but the ELF OWLS and WHISKERED SCREECH-OWLS put on a delightful show for our group. We had the privilege of seeing the male Elf present his lady with a tender morsel, and a male Whiskered joined his softly tooting mate in a duet over our heads before the two fluttered away silently through the canopy. The group enjoyed scope-filling views of both species. We heard at least three other Elves and two Whiskereds on our short walk, so the woods seemed full of owls. After more than a few bad years when the small owls had little to eat and little energy for territorial defense and courtship, it did our hearts good to see (and hear) them enjoying a more bountiful spring. Good birding, Sheri L. Williamson, Director Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory Bisbee, Arizona http://www.sabo.org sabo AT sabo.org Subject: TUCSON: Photos of Backyard COOPER'S HAWK From: Dennis Braddy <dmbraddy AT me.com> Date: Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:37:38 -0700 This male COOPER'S HAWK made several unsuccessful attempts at some of our backyard birds, including chasing an hysterically calling Curve-billed Thrasher round and round a palm tree: https://picasaweb.google.com/111309205567337124331/CooperSHawk?authuser=0&feat=directlink. A video link will be posted later. Dennis and Patricia Braddy Tucson, AZ "He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." - Winston Churchill Subject: SEAZ: Photos of Backyard NORTHERN GOSHAWK From: Dennis Braddy <dmbraddy AT me.com> Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:01:39 -0700 Here's a link to some photos of a NORTHERN GOSHAWK consuming its prey in our backyard - https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/111309205567337124331/albums/5871227311160290385. "I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." - Mark Twain Subject: SE AZ: NORTHERN GOSHAWK Video From: Dennis Braddy <dmbraddy AT me.com> Date: Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:26:59 -0700 Here's a link to video of our backyard NORTHERN GOSHAWK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEmzQph643M. Dennis and Patricia Braddy Tucson, Arizona "What contemptible scoundrel stole the cork from my lunch?" - W. C. Fields Subject: SE AZ: NORTHERN GOSHAWK at BBO From: Dennis Braddy <dmbraddy AT me.com> Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:12:16 -0700 This afternoon a NORTHERN GOSHAWK flew over our roof lugging what appeared to be a Mourning Dove. Perching in a Mesquite tree in the backyard it proceeded to pluck and eat its prey. I watched in admiration from the BBO (Braddy Bird Observatory) as the predator tore off an entire leg and swallowed it, foot and all. The Goshawk flew off half an hour later with a bulging crop. Links to stills and video will be posted after editing and uploading. Dennis and Patricia Braddy Tucson, AZ "Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside a dog, it's too dark to read." - Groucho Marx Subject: SE AZ: CRESCENT-CHESTED WARBLER at Beatty's Guest Ranch From: Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory <sabo AT sabo.org> Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:31:22 -0700 The CRESCENT-CHESTED WARBLER micro-invasion escalated this afternoon with a stunning individual in the oaks at the CAS (upper feeder area) at Beatty's Guest Ranch in Miller Canyon. The bird appeared around 4 p.m. as I was sitting watching hummers and shooting the breeze with Tom Beatty, Sr., Charles Melton, Alan Stanford, and a nice couple from the Seattle area whose names I neglected to ask. We had been watching a handsome BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER working the oaks over the feeder yard when a drab tail and pair of wings caught my eye. Charles had a better angle and could see the white supercilium, yellow underparts, and russet breast bar. The bird worked the oaks diligently for several minutes, left for a few minutes, came back for another short visit, and disappeared. The Calliope swarm reported yesterday by Richard Fray had dissipated, which was disappointing since any hummer that has "all the characteristics of a female Calliope but had orange tail side patches like a Rufous-type" raises the possibility of an overdue reappearance of Bumblebee Hummingbird. I spent the morning in Huachuca Canyon, which was wonderfully birdy, but the CCWA was hands-down the sighting of the day (if you don't count the photos of a Bahama Woodstar in Pennsylvania in my email inbox this morning). Good birding, Sheri L. Williamson, Director Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory Bisbee, Arizona http://www.sabo.org sabo AT sabo.org Subject: Re: FOS White-winged Doves in Tempe? From: Brian Enos <brian AT brianenos.com> Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:15:31 -0700 Chiming in... Near Mill and University, in Tempe, over the last few years, I'm noticing more and more White-winged Doves that stay in Tempe throughout the entire winter. On Eurasian Collared Doves - 5 or so years ago they were a rarity; for the last couple years, however - I see quite a few every day. Brian >>Here is a link to the data entered by >>eBird users for White-winged Dove (WWDO) during the period Dec-Feb for >>AZ and adjacent states. >>(the difference between the red and blue markers is >>red indicates an observation during the most recent 30 day period, blue >>an older >>observation) >> >>http://ebird.org/ebird/map/whwdov?neg=true&env.minX=-116.29288671874997&e >>n >>v.minY=29.973324629747975&env.maxX=-107.13028906249997&env.maxY=34.795149 >>5 >>0729875&zh=true&gp=true&mr=12-2&bmo=12&emo=2&yr=1900-2013&byr=1900&eyr=20 >>1 >>3 >> >>and the same for Dec-Jan >>http://ebird.org/ebird/map/whwdov?neg=true&env.minX=-112.489013671875&env >>. >>minY=33.19043247913695&env.maxX=-111.082763671875&env.maxY=33.78599582629 >>2 >>31&zh=true&gp=true&mr=on&bmo=12&emo=1&yr=1900-2013&byr=1900&eyr=2013 >> >>and the frequency distribution curve for WWDO in >>Maricopa County, AZ (where Tempe is located) >>http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?cmd=decisionPage&speciesCodes=whwdov&getLo >>c >>ations=counties&counties=US-AZ-013&bYear=1900&eYear=2013&bMonth=1&eMonth= >>1 >>2&reportType=species&parentState=US-AZ >> >>Mark Stevenson >>Tucson, AZ >> >> >> Subject: SE AZ: Hawk Stalking in the Sulphur Springs Valley From: Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory <sabo AT sabo.org> Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2012 19:34:48 -0700 Greetings, neighbors, Since Tom Wood and I were the only stalkers on today's Hawk Stalk, we modified the usual schedule and route by adding Kansas Settlement and Willcox to the itinerary and reducing time spent at Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area and on the more southerly back roads. Here's the numbers: Red-tailed Hawks: 57 total - undifferentiated 32 - Western light 15 - Western dark/rufous: 5 - Fuertes's 3 - Harlan's 2 (1 dark, 1 intermediate) Rough-legged Hawk 1 Ferruginous Hawk 8 Cooper's Hawk 1 Northern Harrier 10 American Kestrel 11 Merlin (Richardson's) 1 Great Horned Owl 3 Barn Owl 1 93 birds of prey of 9 species Other highlights included an orange-headed adult male YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD near Elfrida, 22 LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES, and 9 GREATER ROADRUNNERS. Photos of the blackbird and the Rough-legged Hawk are posted on SABO's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SABObird Good birding, Sheri Williamson, Director Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory Bisbee, Arizona sabo AT sabo.org http://www.sabo.org Subject: SE AZ: Whitewater Draw and vicinity From: Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory <sabo AT sabo.org> Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2012 14:40:39 -0700 Holiday greetings, neighbors, Tom Wood and I just returned from a busman's holiday visit to Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area with a friend from California. The cranes put on an excellent show, but we were at least as excited by the "presents" that the recent weather fronts have brought us. Tom checked the hay barn when we arrived and found the female GREAT HORNED OWL tucked up under the roof at the south end. As the first few cranes flew in, we were distracted by a juvenile ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK getting a very hard time from a raven as the two flew over the north pond. A flock of ~45 white geese landed with cranes at the north end of the playa, too far away to determine the SNOW/ROSS'S ratio, but a trio of ROSS'S GEESE flew by close enough to identify. Closer to the platform, a flock of LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS joined the continuing GREATER YELLOWLEGS. On the way back to the parking area, a group of kind birders generously pointed out the continuing pair of RUDDY GROUND-DOVES napping side by side with the continuing INCA DOVE (birds of a feather, etc.). As we left, an elegant female MERLIN was loafing in the largest dead cypress in front of the "bunkhouse" north of the public entrance on Coffman Rd. On Lee Rd., a probable intermediate-morph "HARLAN'S" RED-TAILED HAWK (black underparts with white breast streaking) was unusually accommodating; we were just one utility pole interval away before its scrutiny detector went off. At least one of us will be at Whitewater most Sunday mornings between now and the end of February to lead morning walks and midday Crane Watch programs - hope to see you there! Good birding, Sheri Williamson, Director Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory Bisbee, Arizona sabo AT sabo.org http://www.sabo.org Subject: Harris Hawks, Sabino Canyon, Tucson Area From: "Clait E. Braun" <sg-wtp AT juno.com> Date: Sat, 22 Dec 2012 17:22:52 GMT Those Possibly Interested: This morning there were two foraging Harris Hawks on the ridge (south) between the paved road and Sabino Creek, which was flowing water over the dam! I do not recall seeing Harris Hawks in this particular area. Clait E. Braun Subject: NM: ABQ Lesser Black-backed Gull From: Michael Hilchey <leucosticte AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2012 16:54:14 -0700 Hi all, On Thursday, Andy Bankert found a first-winter Lesser Black-backed Gull at the gull flock at Alameda Bridge. The bird was seen again on Friday and Saturday although it has not been seen today that I know of. The bird was not initially reported because there was some question whether it was a Lesser Black-backed Gull or just an odd Herring Gull. Photos have shown that it is indeed a Lesser Black-backed Gull. There has also been an Adult California Gull associating with the flock. So far this year the best time to go looking for gulls at the bridge has been from 10am to about 1pm Cheers and good luck to anyone chasing the bird, Michael Hilchey High Desert Birding Adventures www.highdesertbirding.com Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: Birding the Salt River Circuit-Mesa,AZ From: "Phyllis B. Martin" <bird6216 AT COX.NET> Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2012 17:03:51 -0800 My wife Phyllis and I enjoyed the morning birding along the Salt River circuit, arriving at Butcher Jones at 9:30. Among the 15 species we saw there were Cactus Wren, Phainopepla and Lesser Scaup. At Coon Bluff, besides all the Phainopepla and a Kestrel along the entrance road, we added Kingfisher, Plumbeous Vireo and, as we were ready to leave, circling overhead were three White Pelicans. Phon D Sutton was next and although slow with only an Osprey, another Kingfisher and a Greater Yellow-legs, we had the bird of the day. Well, it wasn't exactly a bird but we did see a Bobcat walking along the muddy bank of the river. On the way to Granite Reef on Bush Highway we stopped to check out a Cooper's Hawk sitting in a tree and two Roadrunners along the side of the highway. Granite Reef was very birdy, mostly along the fisherman's trail toward the dam. Along with the many Yellow-rumped Warblers, Verdin and Abert's Towhees, were Ladderback Woodpecker, Orange-crowned Warbler and out on the river, Spotted Sandpiper, Red-headed Duck, Bufflehead, Gadwall, Wigeon, Shoveler and Ruddy Duck. The total for the day was 40 species. Enjoy the birds, Adam Martin Mesa Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: CEAZ: Maricopa County, LEUCISTIC CORMORANT From: Gordon Karre <karhop1 AT MSN.COM> Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2012 13:21:09 -0700 This morning Bernie Howe and myself birded the Tres Rios Wetlands site (Permit required) and we discovered an apparent LEUCISTIC CORMORANT. It appears to be a NEO-TROPIC Cormorant. A photo has been posted on my Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/52522884 AT N03/8236022006/in/photostream If someone has a better idea of the genetics on it please email me. Some of the more interesting birds also seen include AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, VIRGINIA RAIL, SORA, several OSPREY, several BELTED KINGFISHERS, ORANGE- CROWNED AND YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, an abundance of MARSH WRENS, and many more regulars. Please be advised that to bird this area, a permit is required. Gordon Karre Happy birding to all! Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: SEAZ (Hereford) 12/1 No. Cardinal & Lark Buntings From: Tom Leskiw <tomleskiw AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2012 14:42:50 -0700 On Sat 12/1/12 There was a male Northern Cardinal in Hereford on Nevada, east of Moson Rd. On Tues 11/27 there were 9 Lark Buntings on SPRNCA behind the Palominas Cafe. Tom Leskiw Palominas Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: WAZ: FWD Lesser Black-backed Gull and Winter Wren From: David Vander Pluym <scre AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:40:14 -0500 Lauren Harter has had a decent day today 30 Nov. She just texted me saying she found a WINTER WREN earlier today roughly a mile past the current end of Planet Ranch Rd. Details on exactly where later. Right now while scanning the Bill Williams arm of Lake Havasu she found the LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL found several days ago by John West. Headed out now David Vander Pluym Lake Havasu City Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: RBA Tucson, AZ - 30 November 2012 From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2012 14:08:18 -0700 Hello Birders, This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona was made on November 30, 2012; the next update will be made on December 7. Phone your reports to 520-629-0510 X 3, or email to rarebirdalert AT tucsonaudubon.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 http://www.azfo.org/gallery/1main/whatIsABC.html. Where directions are not given, they can be found in the most recent edition of Tucson Audubon's "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona". More information including updates may be found here: http://tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/publications/fbi.html. For additional sightings in the region, please see the The Arizona-New Mexico Birding ListServ (http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html) SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT INCLUDE: #Eurasian Wigeon *SHORT-TAILED HAWK *GROOVE-BILLED ANI #Yellow-bellied Sapsucker #Red-breasted Sapsucker #Eastern Phoebe #Black-capped Gnatcatcher #Rufous-backed Robin Northern Parula *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER *"RED" FOX SPARROW TUCSON area The *GROOVE-BILLED ANI continued at Sweetwater Wetlands through 11/26 (m.ob.); it has not been reported since. A White-throated Sparrow was reported on 11/25 (Chris Rohrer) and continued through 11/27 (m.ob.). The Solitary Sandpiper, Black-and-white, Wilson’s, and Yellow Warblers, and two Summer Tanagers all continued this week (m.ob.). A *SHORT-TAILED HAWK was reported from Amphi High School southeast of Prince & Oracle on 11/25 (David Griffin). Documentation of this rarity is solicited; spots to check in the area include Jacobs Park, Evergreen Cemetery & Holy Hope Cemetery. A #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was reported on 11/27 (Pam Negri) at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area and continued through 11/30 (Anthony Mendoza). It has been seen near the picnic table in the riparian area above the dam. The NORTHERN PARULA continued at Ft. Lowell Park on 11/29 (Mark Stevenson); it has been seen in the cottonwood lane on the west side of the park. A Bald Eagle was reported on 11/25 (Nick Bush) over central Tucson (Prince & Campbell), headed southwest. GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS In Florida Canyon (annotated map: http://goo.gl/nn6px) the *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS continued on 11/23 (Carl Lundblad), near the East Bend past the dam. In previous years the birds have been seen occasionally near the metal gate, about 400 yards from parking lot. Past the gate the canyon forks, and the main trail follows the East Fork; most sightings have been in the West Fork. A short distance up the rough trail in the West Fork is a large water tank and a low dam. Many sightings have been in this area. Another location is further up the West Fork from the dam near the "East Bend", where the canyon bends sharply to the east. Birds have been reported here and even further up the canyon. Note: These locations are within 1/2 mile of the Florida Canyon trailhead at the end of the Forest Road 62A. It is not necessary, allowed or recommended to enter the research station to see these birds. The #EURASIAN WIGEON was reported again from the Green Valley WWTP on 11/24 (Laurens Halsey); it has been missed more than seen, however. In Madera Canyon (map: http://goo.gl/I0HEP), the #RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER continued on 11/28 (Michael Lester) near the parking lot at the Whitehouse Picnic Area; it has been seen in the same tree that the one last year preferred, across from (west of) the last parking spot on the left. An adult #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was photographed in the upper canyon on the Carrie Nation Trail at the first stream crossing on 11/28 (Michael Lester). A White-throated Sparrow was reported at Proctor Rd on 11/27 (Mary Ellen Flynn). In Montosa Canyon (annotated map: http://goo.gl/8L8tv) a possible #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER was heard on 11/29 (Tim Helentjaris); the traditional location they have been seen is along the road between the concrete stream crossing and the large culvert. PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS A *"RED" FOX SPARROW was photographed in the West Turkey Creek/Morse Canyon area on 11/24 (Paul Suchanek) about 1/3 mile down the Saulsberry Trail. This is on the west flank of the mountains. TUBAC area An #EASTERN PHOEBE was reported from about 100 yards north of the Tubac Bridge on 11/24 (Matt Brown). A Lewis's Woodpecker was reported from the Tubac Golf Resort near the clubhouse on 11/29 (Ronna Laager & Art Herman, Laurens Halsey). A juvenile #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was photographed on the Anza Trail at Clark Crossing Rd on 11/24 (Carl Lundblad) and continued on 11/28 (Michael Lester). A Black-and-white Warbler was reported on 11/28 (Michael Lester). An American Redstart and a Black-and-white Warbler were found along the Anza Trail south of Santa Gertrudis Lane on 11/27 (Dave Stejskal). The redstart continued on 11/28 (Michael Lester). PATAGONIA An #EASTERN PHOEBE was along Sonoita Creek near the south end of the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve on 11/30 (Cliff Cathers). A Crested Caracara was reported headed downstream over the preserve on 11/28 (Bill Adler). SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS In Carr Canyon, another White-throated Sparrow (different from the one last week) was reported at a private residence on 11/29 (Hank Brodkin). In Ramsey Canyon, a Black-and-white Warbler and a Lewis's Woodpecker were reported on 11/26 (Susan Allerton). ANNOUNCEMENTS The 8th edition of Tucson Audubon's Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona is now available (http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/publications/fbi.html ). TUCSON - Due to long-term construction, access to Sweetwater and Roger Road WRF has changed. See our Sweetwater page ( http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/visit/planning/locations/212.html) or http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/water/sweetwater for details. Mosquito control operations are scheduled at Sweetwater Wetlands from 6:30-8:30am on Mondays. The gate will open when operations are finished. PATAGONIA - The Paton's yard remains open to birders. MILLER CANYON - fire and floods have changed access to Beatty's Guest Ranch; see www.beattysguestranch.com for information on how to visit. RAMSEY CANYON - Ramsey Canyon Preserve is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. ASH CANYON B&B: Parking is limited; please carpool whenever possible. No need to call ahead. BENSON - the Benson Birding Trail is no longer accessible as the property is under new ownership. FORT HUACHUCA - will suspend your driving privileges on Post for 30 days, on your first offense for using a cell phone while driving. You MUST use a hands free device. 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. BAIRD'S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL in the San Rafael Valley is off limits to birders due to the thoughtless actions of a few birders. DO NOT ENTER THE PROPERTY. A sign has been posted previously stating that "stopping within 0.25 mile of the corral is prohibited." The Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department is currently revising security procedures and these rules are subject to change any time. Please see this link for important information regarding access: http://www.pima.gov/wwm/about/pdf/birdwatching.pdf. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. 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. Approach the gate and follow the directions on the call box there to contact the operators to open the gate for you. AVRA VALLEY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: Gates open at 6AM and close PROMPTLY at 2PM (do not linger, you will be locked inside). CORONA DE TUCSON WASTEWATER RECLAMATION FACILITY: Access to the ponds here, about 1.5 miles west of Houghton Rd on Sahuarita Rd, is available from 6:00 A.M to 2:00 P.M daily. List of attendees and group affiliation must be sent in advance by fax (762-0591) or phone (762-0593). Bring identification with you. NOGALES SEWAGE PONDS: Remain closed to birders. Updates to the 8th edition (2011) of Finding Birds in Arizona can be found here: http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/publications/359-fbiaddendum8th.html Good birding! Andrew Core SEAZ RBA Compiler - Tucson, AZ Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: SEAZ: Florida Canyon RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERs continue 12/1/2012 From: Laurens Halsey <desert-harrier AT COX.NET> Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2012 15:10:32 -0700 The pair of RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS where busy foraging, calling, and one sang briefly near the "end bend" at 11:30am. Photos and complete list to eBird soon. - Laurens ------------ Laurens Halsey Green Valley, AZ Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: WAZ: Lesser Black-backed Gull From: Lauren Harter <lbharter AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:37:41 -0800 A longer post to follow, but the LBBG is currently on the Bill Williams Delta. Lauren Harter Sent from my iPhone Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: SEAZ: Sabino Canyon, Rufous-backed Robin, 12/02/12 From: Melody Kehl <outdoor1 AT COX.NET> Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2012 16:52:21 -0700 Out with Pam Baum this morning. . . Pam spotted the robin in a hackberry west of the trail and a bit south of the first picnic table. Melody's Birding www.http//:melodysbirding.com So Many Birds, So Little Time Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: SEAZ: Ruddy Ground Dove, Whitewater Draw From: Rick Taylor <rtaylor AT BORDERLAND-TOURS.COM> Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2012 15:30:42 -0700 Rick Taylor just phoned in from Whitewater Draw where he reports 2 Ruddy Ground-Doves, seen from the path about 40 yards north of the pump. Male Lazuli Bunting, in the NE corner of the south pond A very cooperative Merlin Virginia Rail & Sora in the corner of the pond near the pumping station About 10,000 Sandhill Cranes There is water being pumped into the ponds. Barbara -- Explore the Living Museums of the World BORDERLAND TOURS 2550 W. Calle Padilla Tucson, AZ 85745 Phone: (520) 882-7650 FAX: (520) 792-9205 rtaylor AT borderland-tours.com www.borderland-tours.com Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: RBA Tucson, AZ - 2 December 2012 From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2012 19:31:59 -0700 I posted this on Friday but I think it got lost, so I'm posting again. I've updated a couple sightings. Andrew Core SEAZ RBA Compiler - Tucson, AZ ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Andrew Core Date: Fri, Nov 30, 2012 at 2:08 PM Subject: RBA Tucson, AZ - 30 November 2012 Hello Birders, This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona was made on November 30, 2012 (and updated 2 Dec); the next update will be made on December 7. Phone your reports to 520-629-0510 X 3, or email to rarebirdalert AT tucsonaudubon.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 http://www.azfo.org/gallery/1main/whatIsABC.html. Where directions are not given, they can be found in the most recent edition of Tucson Audubon's "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona". More information including updates may be found here: http://tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/publications/fbi.html. For additional sightings in the region, please see the The Arizona-New Mexico Birding ListServ (http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html) SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT INCLUDE: #Eurasian Wigeon *SHORT-TAILED HAWK *GROOVE-BILLED ANI #Ruddy Ground-Dove #Yellow-bellied Sapsucker #Red-breasted Sapsucker #Eastern Phoebe #Black-capped Gnatcatcher #Rufous-backed Robin Northern Parula *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER *"RED" FOX SPARROW TUCSON area The *GROOVE-BILLED ANI continued at Sweetwater Wetlands through 11/26 (m.ob.); it has not been reported since. A White-throated Sparrow was reported on 11/25 (Chris Rohrer) and continued through 11/27 (m.ob.). The Solitary Sandpiper, Black-and-white, Wilson’s, and Yellow Warblers, and two Summer Tanagers all continued this week (m.ob.). A *SHORT-TAILED HAWK was reported from Amphi High School southeast of Prince & Oracle on 11/25 (David Griffin). Documentation of this rarity is solicited; spots to check in the area include Jacobs Park, Evergreen Cemetery & Holy Hope Cemetery. A #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was reported on 11/27 (Pam Negri) at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area and continued through 12/1 (Vernie Aikins). It has been seen near the picnic table in the riparian area above the dam. The NORTHERN PARULA continued at Ft. Lowell Park on 12/2 (Mark Stevenson); it has been seen in the cottonwood lane on the west side of the park. An AMERICAN REDSTART was reported from behind the Hardesty Building at the northwest corner of 22nd & Alvernon on 12/2 (Mark Stevenson). A Bald Eagle was reported on 11/25 (Nick Bush) over central Tucson (Prince & Campbell), headed southwest. GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS In Florida Canyon (annotated map: http://goo.gl/nn6px) the *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS continued on 12/1 (Laurens Halsey) at the East Bend past the dam. In previous years the birds have been seen occasionally near the metal gate, about 400 yards from parking lot. Past the gate the canyon forks, and the main trail follows the East Fork; most sightings have been in the West Fork. A short distance up the rough trail in the West Fork is a large water tank and a low dam. Many sightings have been in this area. Another location is further up the West Fork from the dam near the "East Bend", where the canyon bends sharply to the east. Birds have been reported here and even further up the canyon. Note: These locations are within 1/2 mile of the Florida Canyon trailhead at the end of the Forest Road 62A. It is not necessary, allowed or recommended to enter the research station to see these birds. The #EURASIAN WIGEON was reported again from the Green Valley WWTP on 11/24 (Laurens Halsey); it has been missed more than seen, however. In Madera Canyon (map: http://goo.gl/I0HEP), the #RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER continued on 12/1 (Molly Pollock) near the parking lot at the Whitehouse Picnic Area; it has been seen in the same tree that the one last year preferred, across from (west of) the last parking spot on the left. An adult #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was photographed in the upper canyon on the Carrie Nation Trail at the first stream crossing on 11/28 (Michael Lester). A White-throated Sparrow was reported at Proctor Rd on 11/27 (Mary Ellen Flynn). In Montosa Canyon (annotated map: http://goo.gl/8L8tv) a possible #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER was heard on 11/29 (Tim Helentjaris); the traditional location they have been seen is along the road between the concrete stream crossing and the large culvert. PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS A *"RED" FOX SPARROW was photographed in the West Turkey Creek/Morse Canyon area on 11/24 (Paul Suchanek) about 1/3 mile down the Saulsberry Trail. This is on the west flank of the mountains. BENSON A #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was reported perched on the fence of the north pond of the Benson STP on 11/30 (Stuart Healy). WHITEWATER DRAW A adult male #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was reported in the mesquites on west side of the northeast berm on 12/1 (Michael Marsden). TUBAC area An #EASTERN PHOEBE was reported from about 100 yards north of the Tubac Bridge on 11/24 (Matt Brown). A Lewis's Woodpecker was reported from the Tubac Golf Resort near the clubhouse on 11/29 (Ronna Laager & Art Herman, Laurens Halsey). A juvenile #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was photographed on the Anza Trail at Clark Crossing Rd on 11/24 (Carl Lundblad) and continued on 11/28 (Michael Lester). A Black-and-white Warbler was reported on 11/28 (Michael Lester). An American Redstart and a Black-and-white Warbler were found along the Anza Trail south of Santa Gertrudis Lane on 11/27 (Dave Stejskal). The redstart continued on 11/28 (Michael Lester). PATAGONIA An #EASTERN PHOEBE was along Sonoita Creek near the south end of the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve on 11/30 (Cliff Cathers). A Crested Caracara was reported headed downstream over the preserve on 11/28 (Bill Adler). SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS In Carr Canyon, another White-throated Sparrow (different from the one last week) was reported at a private residence on 11/29 (Hank Brodkin). In Ramsey Canyon, a Black-and-white Warbler and a Lewis's Woodpecker were reported on 11/26 (Susan Allerton). ANNOUNCEMENTS The 8th edition of Tucson Audubon's Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona is now available (http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/publications/fbi.html ). TUCSON - Due to long-term construction, access to Sweetwater and Roger Road WRF has changed. See our Sweetwater page ( http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/visit/planning/locations/212.html) or http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/water/sweetwater for details. Mosquito control operations are scheduled at Sweetwater Wetlands from 6:30-8:30am on Mondays. The gate will open when operations are finished. PATAGONIA - The Paton's yard remains open to birders. MILLER CANYON - fire and floods have changed access to Beatty's Guest Ranch; see www.beattysguestranch.com for information on how to visit. RAMSEY CANYON - Ramsey Canyon Preserve is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. ASH CANYON B&B: Parking is limited; please carpool whenever possible. No need to call ahead. BENSON - the Benson Birding Trail is no longer accessible as the property is under new ownership. FORT HUACHUCA - will suspend your driving privileges on Post for 30 days, on your first offense for using a cell phone while driving. You MUST use a hands free device. 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. BAIRD'S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL in the San Rafael Valley is off limits to birders due to the thoughtless actions of a few birders. DO NOT ENTER THE PROPERTY. A sign has been posted previously stating that "stopping within 0.25 mile of the corral is prohibited." The Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department is currently revising security procedures and these rules are subject to change any time. Please see this link for important information regarding access: http://www.pima.gov/wwm/about/pdf/birdwatching.pdf. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. 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. Approach the gate and follow the directions on the call box there to contact the operators to open the gate for you. AVRA VALLEY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: Gates open at 6AM and close PROMPTLY at 2PM (do not linger, you will be locked inside). CORONA DE TUCSON WASTEWATER RECLAMATION FACILITY: Access to the ponds here, about 1.5 miles west of Houghton Rd on Sahuarita Rd, is available from 6:00 A.M to 2:00 P.M daily. List of attendees and group affiliation must be sent in advance by fax (762-0591) or phone (762-0593). Bring identification with you. NOGALES SEWAGE PONDS: Remain closed to birders. Updates to the 8th edition (2011) of Finding Birds in Arizona can be found here: http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/publications/359-fbiaddendum8th.html Good birding! Andrew Core SEAZ RBA Compiler - Tucson, AZ Subject: Unsuscribe From: Vernon Gauthier <pabirder AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2012 21:30:35 -0500 Unsubscribe Subject: DIGEST From: John McLain <jackmclain AT mac.com> Date: Sun, 02 Dec 2012 19:21:19 -0700 Subject: WAZ: Nutting's Flycatcher, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Winter Wren(s) From: Lauren Harter <lbharter AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2012 19:13:19 -0700 Testing, testing... 11/30/12 - I spent most of my day exploring Planet Ranch Rd on the Bill Williams River NWR, then afternoon and evening on the Bill Williams Delta. As David posted earlier, the NUTTING'S FLYCATCHER is back at its old haunt, Mosquito Flats (mile marker 2.0). It was "wheep"ing infrequently at about 8 a.m. and eventually gave great looks as it foraged along the road. David mentioned that the road is not in great condition. It was washed out in two strong monsoon storms this year, and it is much worse than last year. A high-clearance vehicle (but not 4wd) is a good idea, but not probably necessary if you are very careful. After spending some time with the flycatcher, I drove to the end of the road and hiked out to Kohen Ranch. I encountered good numbers of expected species in addition to a WINTER WREN. For anyone interested in chasing the wren, it's only about a 15-20 minute hike from the end of the road. Follow the road (ATV tracks), and go to the right when you come to a fork. You'll know you're in the right place when you can touch a sheer cliff with your right hand and see a tamarisk thicket on the left, and powerlines overhead. If you get to the powerlines and you're not next to a cliff, you missed the right fork. The river bed is dry there right now, but with water flowing at Kohen Ranch, it may not be long before it'll be a long wade to this spot. At about 2 p.m. I arrived at the Bill Williams Delta. I still had the Havasu Lesser Black-backed Gull on my mind, and as soon as I arrived I got my binoculars on a gull that looked good. I grabbed scope and camera and walked out to scan, saw a brown gull...and was disappointed to see it was a California Gull. Then another brown gull swung by, and to my surprise, it was a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL! It joined Ring-billed and California Gulls feeding on shad for nearly an hour, then flew over to Havasu Springs. David joined me at this point and we drove to the Springs, where we found the gull sitting on a beach. It was very skittish and before long flew to the breakwater at the outer harbor at the Springs. Of course we assumed this was the same bird found by John West in Lake Havasu City four days ago, but it seemed to have whiter plumage, so David and I have been trying to compare individual feather patterns. This bird seemed (in the field and in photos) to lack the LHC bird's neatly scalloped scapulars and coverts. Looking at John's photos, the LHC bird also seemed to be missing a secondary, which are all accounted for on this bird. In conclusion, we're not sure. Also in the Bill Williams Delta, two White-winged Scoters continued in the CAP inlet while a new bird (maybe the Site 6 bird?) was across the Delta, along with only two Surf Scoters (but we could easily have missed the other two). The Neotropic Cormorant was in its usual place, and turned up at dusk on the powerlines below Parker Dam (seen in AZ only). Still plenty of Greater Scaup and Barrow's Goldeneyes. Also, the Black Scoter was still just off the Nautical Inn in Lake Havasu City yesterday (11/29). 12/1/12 - The Nutting's Flycatcher was cooperative again this afternoon for David and I. At least two other birders saw it as well. They both independently also reported a Winter/Pacific Wren at Mosquito Flats. One, Michael David from PA, wasn't sure about species but Bill Thompson from CA thought it likely a Winter. (This is far from where I had one yesterday.) David and I didn't hear or see it. The Lesser Black-backed Gull continued on the Bill Williams Delta. We saw it from Havasu Springs, but this time it was sitting on the water across the Delta and didn't budge while we were there. David also saw a White-winged Scoter. We didn't really scan from the refuge HQ. Photos, maps, and all kinds of good stuff at phainopepla.blogspot.com and http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=6057 Good birding (and happy posting!!), Lauren Harter Lake Havasu City Subject: RFI: Re: Sabino Canyon Robin location From: Julie & Chuck <cjbirdaz AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2012 14:45:37 -0500 Planning to go to Sabino Canyon to look for the Rufous-backed Robin. Apologies if this seems obvious: How is the specific picnic area above the dam accessed? There are picnic tables above the dam that are accessed from the tram road stop 1. Are there others that can be reached from below the dam? If so, are they on the northwest or southeast side of the creek? Thanks for any information! Julie Michael Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: AZ:11/30/12:Patagonia Sonoita Creek Preserve From: "Clifford A. Cathers" <azcliffy AT Q.COM> Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2012 11:35:06 -0700 With John Harned of Tucson, we found an EASTERN PHOEBE along Sonoita Creek near the south end of the preserve. We also found WILSON'S and a BLACK- THROATED GRAY WARBLER among the more expected species. Clifford A. Cathers AZCliffy AT Q.com Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: AZ: Sabino creek Rufus Back Robin still there From: Anthony Mendoza <anthony_mendoza AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2012 10:29:54 -0800 I saw the Sabino Creek Rufus backed Robin at the picnic area above the dam this morning. This bird was the easiest bird I ever chased. I just walked up to the picnic area and there it was on a branch of a tree. It just sat there letting me look all I wanted. Great looking bird also. Anthony Mendoza Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: WAZ: NUTTING's FLYCATCHER is back! From: David Vander Pluym <scre AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2012 11:33:01 -0500 Lauren Harter is out in the field and wanted me to pass on that this morning 30 Nov she had the NUTTING'S FLYCATCHER at Mosquito Flats in the Bill Williams River NWR. From highway 95 between Lake Havasu City and Parker turn east on Planet Ranch Rd (graded dirt not the best condition). The road is on the south side of the Bill William River just northeast of the NWR HQ. Follow the road to mile marker 2 where the ripirian is right alongside the road and you have tall cliffs on your right. Start listening for the distinctive wheep! call along here. Good birding David Vander Pluym Lake Havasu City Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: female Amer goldfinch in east Tucson From: Jamie Massey <er4az AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2012 10:41:33 -0500 Just had a female American goldie visit my feeder along with the lessers: pink bill, so much lighter yellow, no hint of green. Also, witnessed a huge fallout of birds in my dreams last night. Jamie Massey near Pantano and 5th in the Old Pueblo Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: Re: CEAZ: Gilbert (AZ) Water Ranch -SRP changes along canal etc From: Diana Stuart - FCDX <dms AT MAIL.MARICOPA.GOV> Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:50:55 -0700 SRP is not exempt from federal laws regarding public input, environmental and cultural assessments, or the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. They are very proactive on environmental issues, especially about birds. The public has the right to request copies of all such assessments, alternative evaluations, and to make comments on same. A polite phone call to the main number to request contact information for the department in charge of the canal right of way work should yield accurate information. I'll do a little footwork myself when I am back in the office on Monday. Diana Stuart -----Original Message----- From: NBHC AZ/NM Birds [mailto:BIRDWG05 AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU] On Behalf Of Lindsay Story Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2012 3:48 PM To: BIRDWG05 AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: [BIRDWG05] CEAZ: Gilbert (AZ) Water Ranch -SRP changes along canal etc Some changes may come to Gilbert Water Ranch (GWR) that may be difficult for birders to swallow. SRP wants to cut trees & brush back an additional 25' from the Eastern perimeter of GWR bordering the canal. I don't know where this measurement would begin, but substantial habitat would be lost no matter what. No reason was given other than they have the right to do so. Fellow birder Richard Rico mentioned this situation, and an SRP worker verified the information. The latter said an inspector is working on the plan now. I asked the man about a second project potentially impacting GWR. Underground electric lines are being run along the horse fence at the South side of GWR. Curving around existing trees is unlikely, so some or all of this growth may be lost too. Lindsay Story (Mesa AZ) Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: SEAZ: Tubac - Lewis's Woodpecker 11/29/2012 From: Laurens Halsey <desert-harrier AT COX.NET> Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:00:47 -0700 Possibly the same Lewis's Woodpecker that was found just north of Bridge Road near Tubac last month has upgraded and is now at the Tubac Golf Resort. It was seen plucking acorns from a small oak and storing them in a large cottonwood. This is in someone's front yard so please be respectful. A walk south of Santa Gertrudis Lane along the Santa Cruz produced the Painted Redstart. Though there were many insectivores present I did not see the other rarities recently reported . Laurens ------------ Laurens Halsey Green Valley, AZ -- Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: CEAZ: Gilbert (AZ) Water Ranch -SRP changes along canal etc From: Lindsay Story <klstory AT COX.NET> Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:47:54 -0700 Some changes may come to Gilbert Water Ranch (GWR) that may be difficult for birders to swallow. SRP wants to cut trees & brush back an additional 25’ from the Eastern perimeter of GWR bordering the canal. I don’t know where this measurement would begin, but substantial habitat would be lost no matter what. No reason was given other than they have the right to do so. Fellow birder Richard Rico mentioned this situation, and an SRP worker verified the information. The latter said an inspector is working on the plan now. I asked the man about a second project potentially impacting GWR. Underground electric lines are being run along the horse fence at the South side of GWR. Curving around existing trees is unlikely, so some or all of this growth may be lost too. Lindsay Story (Mesa AZ) Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: SEAZ: Rufous-backed Robin - Sabino Canyon - YES 11/29/12 p.m. From: Jake Mohlmann <mohlmann2 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:30:59 -0800 In Sabino Canyon the RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN sat motionless for m birders- In Sabino Canyon the RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN sat motionless for many minutes between 2:00 - 2:30p.m. in one of the hackberry trees next to the first picnic table above the dam.  It was in the same area as described this morning. Other birds of note in the immediate vicinity were a BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER and 1 PAINTED REDSTART. cheers,   Jake Mohlmann Tucson, AZ jake AT adventurebirding.com ---------- Adventure Birding Company Specializing in flexible, personalized guiding in SE Arizona www.adventurebirding.com 520-495-0229 Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: Another White-throated Sparrow in Carr Cyn, SEAZ From: Hank Brodkin <hbrodkin AT COX.NET> Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:22:14 -0700 A different White-throated Sparrow was in our yard this afternoon. This individual was in first winter plumage and of the white-striped form. Hank Brodkin Carr Canyon, Cochise County, AZ 31°26’59.8”N 110°16’02.8”W hbrodkin AT cox.net "Butterflies of Arizona - a Photographic Guide" "Finding Butterflies in Arizona - a Guide to the Best Sites" http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/hbrodkin/ Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: NM RBA 11/29/2012 From: Matt Baumann <mb687 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:54:25 -0700 New Mexico Rare Bird Report November 29, 2012 Compiler: Matt J. Baumann Phone: 505-264-1052 E-mail address: mb687 AT yahoo.com This is the New Mexico Rare Bird Report for November 29, 2012, sponsored by the New Mexico Ornithological Society. When phone numbers are given for private property, please call before going to ask for permission. In ranch country, do not stray off the roads. Places mentioned in the report, a checklist of N.M. birds, and more locations on uncommon and specialty species can be found in the N.M. Bird Finding Guide. You can purchase the NM Bird Finding Guide at http://www.nmbirds.org/?page_id=83. A more complete, updated version of the checklist can be found at http://www.nmbirds.org/?page_id=1666 for prior records of species in New Mexico, search the online archive of the NMOS Field Notes at http://nhnm.unm.edu/partners/nmos/index.html or refer to prior RBA’s and reports on the AZ/NM listserv at http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html. For photos of rarities and directions to some birding sites, check http://sites.google.com/site/oldenettelspage or the New Mexico Rarities Group on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/groups/nmrarities/. NMOS is now on Facebook, search for New Mexico Ornithological Society. The following link provides a list of the review species in New Mexico http://www.nmbirds.org/wp-content/review-list-september-2011.pdf . Details for any of these species or species not on the checklist should be sent to Dr. Sartor O. Williams, III, 1819 Meadowview NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104 or to sunbittern AT earthlink.net. Details will be used for the Bird Records Committee, North American Birds and the NMOS Field Notes. Review species are in CAPITAL letters. Birds Mentioned and Counties: Pacific Loon (De Baca) Rough-legged Hawk (Hidalgo) Dunlin (Bernalillo, Quay, Sierra, Socorro) LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (San Juan, Sierra) Short-eared Owl (Chaves) Anna’s Hummingbird (Socorro) Northern Shrike (Bernalillo, Rio Arriba, Socorro) CAROLINA WREN (Socorro) Pacific Wren (San Miguel) Gray Catbird (Eddy) PINE WARBLER (Bernalillo, Eddy) American Tree Sparrow (Bernalillo) Fox Sparrow (Dona Ana, Eddy, Lea, Sierra, Socorro) Harris’s Sparrow (Socorro, Union) Golden-crowned Sparrow (Santa Fe) RUSTY BLACKBIRD (Eddy) Pine Grosbeak (Bernalillo) COMMON REDPOLL (Union) BERNALILLO County: --Wolf reported a female/immature PINE WARBLER at Roosevelt Park in Albuquerque November 28. Roosevelt Park is reached from Coal Ave and Sycamore St. It was located in the southeast corner of the park. --Bankert reported a male PINE WARBLER at Sunset Memorial Park (just south of Menaul Blvd. in between Edith Blvd. and Lombardy Rd.) November 27. The bird was seen in the northwest corner of the cemetery. It continued November 28. --VanBuskirk reported a male PINE WARBLER at Aztec Park (one block south of Comanche Blvd. on Moon St.) November 27. It was seen in the large stand of pine trees at the south end of the park. It continued November 29. --Ashli and Larry Gorbet report three female/immature PINE GROSBEAKS in the Sandia Mountains November 22. They were along the trail from the lower crest parking lot to Kiwanis Meadow. The birds were only .2 or so miles (about 1,000 feet) south of the parking lot. They continued November 25. These birds were originally reported by Taliaferro November 20. --Taliaferro reported a DUNLIN at the Tramway wetland November 19. It was relocated by Hilchey, VanBuskirk, and Kitting on the west of the bridge associating with a small flock of Killdeer. It continued at this location to November 21. --Jim Joseph photographed a NORTHERN SHRIKE in far northeast Bernalillo County November 4. It continued in this area for many up to November 25. Directions: At the intersection of NM 14 and the Crest Road, turn east onto Frost Road. Take Frost Road east about 4.5 miles to a 4-way stop with Mountain Valley Road and turn north on Mountain Valley Road. Travel north on Mountain Valley Road about a mile until it turns to dirt where the pavement turns west at the intersection with Entranosa Road. Continue north on the dirt portion of Mountain Valley Road about 0.8 miles. There is a house with a green metal roof and an out building with a big yellow star on it to the east of the road. Check power lines and fences near this house as this is where the bird was first encountered. Hank Taliaferro found an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW in this area near the house with the yellow star November 6. ONLY bird from the road when looking for these birds. CHAVES County: --Jim Black and Mark Watson reported up to 8 SHORT-EARED OWLS at Two Rivers Dam area approximately 10 miles southwest of Roswell October 27 and 28. The birds were 2-3 miles from the gate at this location but the walk is mostly flat and grassy. CURRY County: --NOTE: Please check-in at the Clovis WWTP offices before birding the settlement ponds. DE BACA County: --Wittman reported a PACIFIC LOON at Sumner Lake November 27. DONA ANA County: --Kevin Suter reported a FOX SPARROW in his Las Cruces yard November 24. Contact him for more information on this bird (suterkevin7 AT gmail.com). EDDY County: --Nieman reported two red FOX SPARROWS and a GRAY CATBIRD at Rattlesnake Springs November 24. --Steve West reported a PINE WARBLER at Rattlesnake Springs November 23. The warbler was found around the east end of the soapberry grove east of the ranger's house. --Nieman photographed three RUSTY BLACKBIRDS at Avalon Lake November 16. They were located on the north side of the lake, on the SW side of the bay that goes to the north. HIDALGO County: --Parmeter and Wittman reported a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK along hwy 338 November 23. The hawk was seen roughly halfway between the intersection of I-10/hwy 338 and Cotton City. LEA County: --McCasland reported a red FOX SPARROW in his Eunice yard November 24. Contact him for more information (mccasland_67 AT msn.com). OTERO County: --One can walk past the gate to Stinky Lake at the Holloman Lakes, but not drive in and can still bird there. MT on June 3 reported Lagoon G still closed, with many of the salt cedars removed. QUAY County: --Baumann and Pederson reported a DUNLIN at Ute Lake November 23. It was seen along the north shore near the dam. RIO ARRIBA County: -- Carolyn Mangeng and Dale Spal reported a NORTHERN SHRIKE at the Okhay Owingeh Lakes in Espanola November 20. ROOSEVELT County: ***Boone’s Draw is currently inaccessible to bird watchers until further notice. A locked gate has been put up and a no trespassing sign has been posted. SAN JUAN County: --Adams photographed an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL at Morgan Lake November 9. It was relocated by Reeves November 10. It has been seen at the northeast corner of the lake on the sandbar and also at the west end of the lake near the dam. SAN MIGUEL County: --Strow reported a PACIFIC WREN at Monastery Lake, east of the parking area, November 12. It continued in the same area November 14. SANTA FE County: --Batkin reported a GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW at Marty Sanchez Golf Course on the edge of the main pond November 10. It was on the west side of the pond near the only remaining cottonwood. SIERRA County: --Cleary reported two DUNLIN near the north shoreline of Caballo Lake November 24. To reach this area enter the unlocked gate at about mile marker 23.8/NM187. --Cleary reported a third winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL between Three Sisters and North Highlands, Elephant Butte Lake State Park, November 22. He also reported Five DUNLIN along the lake with one of them continuing at Lions Beach the same day. He reported a DUNLIN at Three Sisters Cove, Elephant Butte Lake State Park, November 25. --Ackley reported the continuing red FOX SPARROW at Paseo del Rio campground, Elephant Butte Lake State Park, November 21. It was seen on the ground along the first part of the footpath which runs along the river. It continued November 23. This bird was previously found by Cleary. SOCORRO County: --Shipman photographed a NORTHERN SHRIKE at Bosque del Apache NWR November 25. It was found near the boardwalk on the refuge. --Oldenettel reported both a gray and a red FOX SPARROW were present at his home south of Socorro November 28. Contact him for more information (borealowl AT aol.com). --Munro, Hawksworth and VanBuskirk reported a HARRIS’S SPARROW and two singing CAROLINA WRENS near the Chupadera Deck at Bosque del Apache NWR November 18. The wrens continued November 22. --Shawn LaBrier reported an ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD coming to her Socorro home November 10. It continued November 16. For more information contact her (shaniriver AT sdc.org). --Brozek reported two DUNLIN at Bosque del Apache NWR November 2. The birds were seen along the east side of the flight deck pond. They continued at the north end of the flight deck pond to November 18. UNION County: --Pederson and Baumann photographed a COMMON REDPOLL in a flock of Pine Siskins and American Goldfinch in the Dry Cimarron River valley November 24. The bird was seen in a sunflower patch along NM 456 in between mile markers 37 and 36. The sunflower patch that the redpoll, siskins, and goldfinch were frequenting is between 1.1 and 1.2 miles west of where the pavement ends on NM 456 (heading west). There was an old windmill and cattle tank on the north side of the road where the sunflower patch is located. --Pederson and Baumann reported a HARRIS’S SPARROW at Clayton Lake November 24. The bird was located at the west end of the currently open camping/picnic loop in sunflowers along the lakeshore. Field Trips: NOVEMBER 29 Tour the Bernardo Wildlife Area, part of the Ladd S. Gordon Waterfowl Complex, with Rebecca Gracey: 242-3821, maryrebeccagracey AT gmail.com Meet at 8:20 a.m. for an 8:30 departure from the parking lot behind the Hawthorn Suites on Gibson and University Boulevard. Bring lunch. For those not driving the shared gas expense is $5 at five cents per mile. The group should be back in Albuquerque by mid-afternoon. The NM Burrowing Owl Working Group is seeking reports of Burrowing Owl sightings year-round. If you observe a Burrowing Owl, will you please help by sending in the reporting form found at http://www.nmburrowingowl.com/, or emailing your observation, with as many details and location information as possible, to admin AT nmburrowingowl.com? Thank you very much. Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: Montosa Canyon, Santa Cruz county, AZ From: Tim Helentjaris <tnhelentjaris AT MSN.COM> Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:04:58 -0700 Was a fair number of year-long as well as winter residents at this location, which helped remind me of their songs/chips in getting ready for the coming CBC's. Saw five wrens (ROCK, HOUSE, CANYON, BEWICK'S, and CACTUS) as well as three towhess (GREEN-TAILED, SPOTTED, CANYON)and a number of other sparrows. HERMIT THRUSHES confused me for a while with their "chert" calls and there was one other loud song that I never could figure out. I heard a gnatcatcher calling just up-canyon from the paved crossing but could not get a look at it; still felt it was most consistent with BLACK-CAPPED. Probably the most interesting, but non-avian, find was a group of coati's loudly foraging in the oaks. They gave me the stink- eye, climbed down, and then retreated off into the brush. Beuatiful weather and birding, as always this time of year. Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: CAZ: Gilbert Water Ranch Winter Wren continues From: Richard Ditch <richditch AT Q.COM> Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:41:21 -0700 My third visit to the Ranch to look for this bird and finally got to see it just before 9:00 am at the same place as reported. But I don't know how long it will stay if birders insist on using playback to see it as happened this morning. The count of American White Pelicans has increased from five to nine, in pond 2. I could not locate the reported Red-breasted Nuthatches. Rich Ditch Phoenix web site: www.richditch.com photo blog: richditch.wordpress.com Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: Fw: AZ: Sunday birds at BTA From: Mark Stevenson <drbrdr AT ATT.NET> Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:36:49 -0800 ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: "pwolterb Sent: Thu, Nov ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: "pwolterb Sent: Thu, November 29, 2012 9:25:34 AM Subject: bt-gray, CEWAs at BTA BOYCE THOMPSON ARBORETUM BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER, CEDAR WAXWINGS From: Troy Corman Date: Nov. 25, Sunday One Black-throated Gray Warbler, a Sharp-shinned Hawk, one Hutton's Vireo and 2 Cedar Waxwings were our most notable finds among 37 species tallied Sunday on our guided bird walk. Doves found included Eurasian Collared, White-winged and Inca; Wrens included House, Cactus, Rock, Canyon and Marsh.  Editor's Note: Troy returns Saturday Dec. 1 to lead the final 8:30 a.m. birdwalk of this year at BTA. His complete checklist is posted at [http://ag.arizona.edu/bta/events/birdwalks.html] _______________________ Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: RBRO in Sabino Canyon From: Rob <azlrover AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:12:39 -0700 The Rufous-backed robin was by the first picnic table above the dam browsing through the brush by the hackberries this morning at 9:15. Rob Modica Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: AND AGAIN IT'S WITH THE ... SPARROWS! SPARROWS! SPARROWS! From: Janet M Ruth <janet_ruth AT USGS.GOV> Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2012 09:29:39 -0700 This is your chance to see Grasshopper Sparrows (and Baird?s Sparrows and others) up close and personal! Anyone who?s interested in sparrows and can walk briskly across lumpy grasslands can help flush sparrows into mist nets. See secretive grassland birds in the hand. WHAT? This field work is connected with a summer study on the breeding ecology of the Arizona Grasshopper Sparrow subspecies (Ammodramus savannarum ammolegus). In the summers of 2010-2012 I've marked a total of 100 individuals with metal and color bands on two sites. I?m revisiting the sites for a few days this winter to try to recapture marked birds to confirm that they are remaining as residents on or near their summer breeding territories (in January 2011 we re-found two color-banded birds on the Davis Pasture site; in January 2012 we re-found three color-banded birds on Davis including one originally banded in 2010). We will also likely capture other Grasshopper Sparrows (either unmarked A.s. ammolegus or winter migrants from the Great Plains ? A. s. perpallidus) as well as Baird?s Sparrows, and perhaps Vesper or Savannah sparrows. We will be using the protocols used previously for winter sparrows, although we may be more informal in order to cover the areas where I worked in the summer. This involves flushing and mist netting sparrows, banding unbanded birds, and recording information about them before release. I need your help in flushing sparrows! Experience removing birds from nets or banding birds is not required. WHERE? Two sites in the Sonoita Valley ? the Audubon Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch and the Davis pasture on the BLM Las Cienegas National Conservation Area. WHEN? Thursday ? Sunday, January 10-13, 2013. See dates and locations below. CONTACT? Dr. Janet Ruth, U.S. Geological Survey, Research Ecologist; email: janet_ruth AT usgs.gov; Note: email communication is preferable and will be accessible when I?m in Arizona as well. Phone: (work) 505-346-2870 Ext. 12. I will be coming to Arizona on January 7 and will be staying at the Audubon Research Ranch. If you need to call, you can reach me (or leave a message) at the Audubon Research Ranch Bunk House/Casita at 520-455-4659. In an emergency you could leave a phone message at the Research Ranch headquarters office at 520-455-5522, but please don?t inundate them with calls if you can reach me otherwise. I will respond as quickly as possible. NOTE: I am sending this message out a little early because my agency is scheduled to do a "migration" from our current Lotus Notes email system to a Google system sometime in the first two weeks of December. Based on experiences of colleagues in other DOI agencies, I'm expecting that my email communication capabilities will be bolluxed up for a while. So if you send me an email response and don't hear from me for a while, that's why. SIGN UP: Please contact me if you are interested and let me know which dates you plan to attend. Please provide an email address and home/cell phone number (don?t assume that I already have it from previous emails). This will help me determine if I have sufficient bodies (or need to draft more volunteers). I will also know how to contact you if some problem (e.g. weather) forces me to cancel an event at the last minute. In other words, if you don?t tell me you?re coming and/or don?t give me a phone number and I have to cancel, I won?t be able to give you a call. I?ll send out reminders closer to the dates. It is usually more difficult to get a full contingent for the weekday dates since many people work, so anyone who is able to come out on those days is especially welcome. Just a reminder that I?ve had to set up the policy that I accept volunteers on a first-come-first-served basis. I cannot handle more than 25-30 volunteers on a day (probably not more than 8 children) ? it becomes too unmanageable and I don?t think people have as much fun because it gets so crowded that folks can?t even see the birds being banded. For this reason, it?s also important to let me know if your schedule changes and you have to cancel for a date that you?d signed up for. I keep a running total of people signed up for a particular date so I know whether to beat the bushes for more volunteers. WINTER 2013 MIST NETTING SCHEDULE Thursday, January 10 Audubon Research Ranch Friday, January 11 Davis Pasture, BLM Las Cienegas NCA Saturday, January 12 Audubon Research Ranch Sunday, January 13 Davis Pasture, BLM Las Cienegas NCA MEETING PLACES For Audubon Research Ranch ? Meet at the Audubon Research Ranch headquarters parking lot at 8:15 a.m. I cannot attach directions to this list-serv message. So if you need directions to the Research Ranch, let me know when you contact me to volunteer. For Davis pasture on BLM Las Cienegas NCA ? Meet at the Steak Out restaurant/Country Store & Shell station at the intersection of Highways 82 and 83 in Sonoita at 8:15 a.m. We will meet and park at the eastern end of their parking lot to stay out of their way. Note: the bathroom in the Country Store is NOT a public bathroom; you should buy something in the store if you want to use it. There is a public reststop just west of the 82/83 intersection that is usually open. DRIVING ON RESEARCH SITES: As in past years, when we congregate at the meeting place I will ask you to combine into as few cars (with high clearance) as possible. We have access to these sites at the pleasure of the land owners/managers and have agreed to minimize the impacts to these dirt tracks as much as possible. Unfortunately I do not have the budget to provide a large government vehicle, like the Suburban I had previously to help transport folks, so I rely on the assistance of those volunteers who drive high clearance vehicles. MISCELLANEOUS LOGISTICS: We will be in the field all day and do not plan to go back to cars at the meeting place, nor will there be access to bathrooms. Sometimes we are done by 3:00 p.m. and sometimes not until 5:00 p.m.; there is no way to predict, so if you volunteer, please be prepared to stay all day. Field day length depends on how many birds there are and other logistics. As most of you know, the weather in southeastern Arizona can be unpredictable. I recommend that you dress in layers so you?re prepared for both a cold, windy day and one that changes into ?T-shirt weather? in the afternoon. If the weather is looking ?iffy? bring rain gear ? we don?t mist net in the rain, but we sometimes wait it out and then have to walk around in wet grasslands. Wear sturdy shoes and pants since the walking can be rough and there are prickly shrubs and cacti. Bring a portable lunch and any additional necessary snacks to carry you through the day. Don?t forget plenty of water, a good hat, and sunblock. But most important, bring an enthusiastic attitude and we?ll have a great time! Cheers, Janet M. Ruth, Ph.D. Research Ecologist USGS Arid Lands Field Station UNM Biology Department MSC03 2020 1 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001 505-346-2870 or 2872 Ext. 12 505-277-0304 FAX janet_ruth AT usgs.gov "If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?" - Albert Einstein Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: New Mexico Ornithological Society (NMOS) Research Grants - Call for Proposals From: Janet M Ruth <janet_ruth AT USGS.GOV> Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:33:22 -0700 The New Mexico Ornithological Society (NMOS) offers two research grants each year to help support research on New Mexico birds. · The Ryan Beaulieu Research Grant for $1000, is presented in memory of Ryan Beaulieu. Following the wishes of Ryan?s family, this grant will support research projects that do not involve the collection of birds. · The NMOS Research Grant is also available for $1000. The criteria for both grants are: · the grant money must be spent while conducting research on birds in New Mexico; · the recipient must either present a paper based on the research at an annual NMOS Meeting or submit an article based on the research to the NMOS Bulletin; and · preference will be given to student applicants A short research proposal (2 pages maximum) must be submitted describing the nature of the project and how the allocated funds are to be spent (e.g., on gas, tape recording, specific equipment, etc.). Each proposal should state clearly whether the project does or does not involve collection of birds. Each proposal should include two letters of reference, one of which should be from a graduate advisor if the applicant is a graduate student. References should comment on the applicant?s commitment to New Mexico ornithology and ability to design and carry out creative, independent research. All proposals will be evaluated together and up to two proposals will be awarded grants. The Ryan Beaulieu Research Grant will fund a project that does not involve the collection of birds; the NMOS research grant is open to all projects that meet the criteria above. Please submit your electronic proposal, ?NMOS Grant? in the subject line, to: Dr. Janet Ruth USGS Arid Lands Field Station Albuquerque, NM (janet_ruth AT usgs.gov) The deadline for 2013 Research Grant proposals is 15 March 2013. All applications will be acknowledged within a week of proposal receipt. If no acknowledgement is received, it is the applicant?s responsibility to follow up with their submission to ensure consideration. Grant awards are announced at the NMOS Annual Meeting (27 April 2013- Silver City). Information available on the NMOS website www.nmbirds.org Janet M. Ruth, Ph.D. Research Ecologist USGS Arid Lands Field Station UNM Biology Department MSC03 2020 1 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001 505-346-2870 or 2872 Ext. 12 505-277-0304 FAX janet_ruth AT usgs.gov "If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?" - Albert Einstein Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: Tuscon : Ani , Parula , Rufous Backed Robin From: Carsten Wintsch <troywintsch AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:14:26 -0700 I am very sorry for some of the belated reports in this post . I got behind on some post for the last few birding trips . On monday the 26th i was able to lcate the groovebilled ani at sweetwater wetlands in the catails by the ramada . It was also seen by sevral other birders . Afterwards , my dad and I headed to fort Loweell park and I spotted the Northern Parula in the cottonwood row around 2:30 . We next birded the Two Ponds by barnum hill in reid park . Nothing out of the ordinary but there was two snowy egrets . Finaly , we birded lakeside park and picked up the countinuoing western grebe . Today , after i got off work , I looked at the listserve and found out that the rufous backed robin was relocated today around 11:30 . I walked over to the area above the dam described in previous post , and got great looks at the bird in the thicket west of the picnic table . Another bider I ran into also was able too see it . "Sorry , but I forgot your name " Once again sorry for the late reports for the ani and parula . Grooved Billed Ani , Northern Parula , and Rufous Backed Robin all in Tucson , all in the same week . Not bad! Best Wishes Carsten Wintsch carstenwintsch AT gmail.com Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: WAZ: Continuing rarities, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, no LBBG From: Lauren Harter <lbharter AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:04:03 -0700 11/28/2012 - Another day around Lake Havasu City did not produce a Lesser Black-backed Gull. The Black Scoter, Red-throated Loon and one Pacific Loon all continued in Thompson Bay. The loons move around but the scoter was once again in the swimming area just off The Nautical Inn. The White-winged Scoter in CA waters across from Site Six also continued in exactly the same place as yesterday. One new bird for today in a spot I rarely visit was a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER at the little xeriscape garden at Lake Havasu SP. Unfortunately it flew out of the garden shortly after I located it and wasn't seen again, despite two attempts later in the day. Another new bird of interest was a NEOTROPIC CORMORANT that flew over Rotary Park, heading south. Good birding, Lauren Harter Lake Havasu City phainopepla.blogspot.com Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: CEAZ: Gilbert Water Ranch From: Richard Rico <rbm56 AT Q.COM> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2012 14:33:31 -0700 I had a good day at the Gilbert Water Ranch today. Overall, I observed 60 different species. I did not see the Winter Wren today, but I did observe it on Monday in the Water Sedge camping area across from Honey Bee Point. I am glad to hear it was observed today. The American White Pelicans are still present in ponds 2 and 7. Additional species of interest included, American Pipit (now in the east side pond 5) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (beginning of pond 1/7 trail) Dunlin (pond 1) Loggerhead Shrike (southeast side of urban lake) Plumbeous Vireo (near mesquites that cover the east end of the pond 3/4 trail) Red-breasted Nuthatch (3 observed in the large cottonwood tree near the east end of the pond 2/3 trail) Yellow Warbler (in the large cottonwood next to the benches on the 1/7 trail) Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: N.M: Another Aztec Pine Warbler sighting/Mymm Ackley From: Mymm Ackley <chukar99 AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:16:00 +0000 Hi Albuquerque birders: Brad Vaughn and I saw the Aztec Park Pine Warbler this morning around 10 A.M. It was in the easternmost conifer of the line of conifers at the south end of the park, with a lot of Yellow-rumps, Bushtits and a couple of Kinglets. It moves a little slower than the Yellow-rumps, if that's any help. Just before we left we saw it fly across the street into a pinon tree...so if it isn't in the park that doesn't mean it's gone for good. You may just have to wait for it to come back to the conifers. It was a year bird for Brad and both a state and a county bird for me! Hopefully it's wintering over and will hang around awhile. Mymm Ackley Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: Say's Phoebe in Tempe 11-27-12 From: Ernie Nickels <nickelseldesigns AT QWESTOFFICE.NET> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2012 13:30:22 -0700 Yesterday 11-27-12 there was a Say's Phoebe hunting from the ballfield fence in the northeast corner of Daley Park near the RR tracks, where it is often seen. Lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers were heard at the George Ditch between 14th/15th Sts from McAllister to Mill. An unexpected sighting was a pair of White-winged Doves on wires in the neighborhood west of College near Daley Park. Eurasian Collared-Doves are heard every day at my house in the Daley Park Neighborhood on Broadway east of College & I think they roost in our big Ebony tree overnight. Jeanette Nickels Tempe AZ Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: CEAZ: Rio Salado Restoration Habitat - Eastern Phoebe, Black-and-white Warbler and Ash-throated Flycatcher From: Justin Jones <mogollonman AT MSN.COM> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2012 13:04:02 -0700 I went back out to Rio Salado this morning. I was hoping to find something new since my last visit. At the path to head to central I relocated the Wilson's Warbler. I was unable to locate the Yellow Warbler or Black-throated Gray Warbler. The are right at central and salt river was pretty birdy. I counted at least 50 Yellow-rumped Warblers. There wasn't a single other species in this flock either. What a shame :) . At this same location I heard and viewed an Ash-throated Flycatcher. I headed over towards 7th avenue. There is a power pole half way between central and 7th Ave, at this spot I dropped down to cottonwoods, willows and the river. In the willows right on the river is where I relocated the Eastern Phoebe. You might have to get wet in order to view it :). There area is full of water and great habitat. While phishing I was able to produce Black-and-White Warbler and a Black-throated Gray Warbler. Other birds included song sparrow, marsh and house wren, black phoebe, orange-crowned warbler, and Lincoln's sparrow. Lots of area to cover. I expect there are other goodies to be found. A good luck to all who visit. Justin Jones CePhx, AZ Sent from my iPad Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: Gilbert Winter Wren continues From: Steve Ganley <sganley AT COX.NET> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2012 12:19:20 -0700 I stopped by the Gilbert Water Ranch this morning and the Winter Wren was at the north end of pond two, at Honey Bee Point. It was about halfway to the benches on the right side. It took about a 10 minute wait to hear it start calling then it worked its way up calling often. Still two White Pelicans in pond Seven. Steve Ganley Mesa, Arizona Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: CEAZ: Glendale Recharge Ponds 11/28/2012 From: Jeff Ritz <vaiboy777 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2012 11:53:19 -0700 I stopped by the recharge ponds this morning, but I didn't have much time. I scanned basin #6 for about a half hour, the only unusual bird was a female COMMON GOLDENEY. Jeff Ritz Phoenix, AZ Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: FW: AZ: Patagonia Crested Caracara From: Mark Stevenson <drbrdr AT ATT.NET> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2012 11:35:06 -0700 From the Tucson Audubon Society's RBA voice mail at 520-629-0510 X3 Bill Adler reports a fly-by CRESTED CARACARA over the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve at 0815 this morning. It was following Sonoita Creek downstream/south. Thanks to Bill for the report. Happy Birding, Mark Stevenson Tucson, AZ Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: NM: Yet another ABQ Pine Warbler From: Cole Wolf <colejwolf AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2012 10:34:17 -0700 Hi all, I just found a Pine Warbler while scouting for the Albuquerque CBC at Roosevelt Park off of Coal & Sycamore. It was in the southeast corner of the park. I also refound the Pine Warbler at Sunset Memorial Park this morning at the location described in Matt's email. Good Birding, - Cole Wolf Albuquerque, NM Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: Re: Rufous-backed Robin - Yes From: Doreen Cubie <doreencubie AT TDS.NET> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2012 09:59:48 -0700 The Rufous-backed Robin was in Sabino Canyon opposite the first picnic table above the dam. The same area where it was seen yesterday. Doreen Cubie Charleston, SC 843-991-1054 On Nov 28, 2012, at 9:46 AM, wrote: > Where was it seen? S.C. or somewhere here in AZ? > > Thanks. Susan > > > > > > Susan and/or John Fishburn > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Doreen Cubie" > To: > Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 9:20 AM > Subject: [BIRDWG05] Rufous-backed Robin - Yes > > > About 9am, multiple observers saw the robin in the same area opposite the picnic table where it was seen last evening. Beautiful bird! > > Doreen Cubie > Charleston, SC > 843-991-1054 > > Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html > To contact a listowner, send a message to: > mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: Rufous-backed Robin - Yes From: Doreen Cubie <doreencubie AT TDS.NET> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2012 09:20:23 -0700 About 9am, multiple observers saw the robin in the same area opposite the picnic table where it was seen last evening. Beautiful bird! Doreen Cubie Charleston, SC 843-991-1054 Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: NM: ABQ Pine Warbler From: Michael Hilchey <leucosticte AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2012 08:54:00 -0700 Hi all, Ashli Gorbet called just now to say that the Pine Warbler found yesterday at Aztec Park in Northeast Albuquerque was refound this morning by Ashli and several other birds. The bird was in the same area as yesterday. It took about an hour to locate. Cheers and good birding, Michael Hilchey High Desert Birding Adventures www.highdesertbirding.com Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: EAZ: Springerville to Alpine (Great Egret, Yellow-shafted Flickers) From: Eric Hough <thebirdwhisperer22 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2012 01:21:41 -0800 Yesterday (11/27/2012) I went birding at several sites between Springerville and Alpine in Apache County. On the drive over to the White Mountains, I had ~125 PINYON JAYS just east of Show Low and a "YELLOW-SHAFTED" FLICKER fly across Hwy. 60 just west of milepost 370. Since I was driving, obviously I could not clearly see the head to tell if the flicker looked to be pure Yellow-shafted or a hybrid, but it definitely had Yellow-shafted genes based on the wings and tail coloration. My first stop was Wenima Wildlife Area just northwest of Springerville where I spent a couple of hours in the late morning walking along the Beavertail Trail to the north along the Little Colorado River, enjoying the unseasonably warm weather. Highlights here included a late BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER and 75+ PINE SISKINS (mostly foraging in the dried sunflowers bordering the first large agricultural field along the trail). After grabbing lunch, I hit Becker Lake which had ~35 COMMON GOLDENEYES and 10 WESTERN GREBES among other waterfowl. After checking the lake I walked a short distance along the nature trail along the Little Colorado River, which lies within the Becker Lake Wildlife Area (I entered via the southern access dirt parking lot along Airport St. nearest the Safeway grocery store in Springerville). Here I flushed another "YELLOW-SHAFTED" FLICKER, but again I was unable to get a glimpse of the head to tell if it looked to be pure Yellow-shafted or a hybrid. At Nelson Reservoir southeast of Springerville along Hwy. 191/180 I had a flock of 40+ WESTERN BLUEBIRDS, a BELTED KINGFISHER, and several waterfowl species. Next, I checked out Nutrioso Lake (off Auger Canyon Rd. in Nutrioso) where I counted at least 105 CANVASBACKS among large numbers of several other waterfowl species, a late KILLDEER (1), and a couple of BUSHTITS (seemed a bit high in elevation for this species, although pinyon-juniper habitat has its ecotone with ponderosa pine forest in Nutrioso). Lastly, I pulled into Luna Lake just east of Alpine just as the sun was beginning to set. A surprise here was a very late migrant GREAT EGRET, which appears to be one of the latest observations for the White Mountains region (a quick search yielded a winter record of one at Lyman Lake on 8 Jan. 2006 that had apparently arrived two weeks prior to that date, and one at Concho Lake on 15 Nov. 2003). Other highlights included an adult BALD EAGLE foraging on the shoreline, a WILSON'S SNIPE, ~20 NORTHERN PINTAILS, and 7 WESTERN GREBES. Two female/immature NORTHERN HARRIERS having a brief mid-air squabble was also entertaining. The rising full-moon against the purple-pink sky to the east and the lava-colored sunset to the west capped off a nice day as the evening came. Several elk near Alpine Divide were the only mammals I encountered on the drive back to Heber. Below are the lists for each site (note: some of the numbers were just conservative estimates...they may be off, especially for the last two sites since I was rushing against daylight): **Hwy. 60 between Show Low and Springerville: "YELLOW-SHAFTED" NORTHERN FLICKER (either pure or hybrid) Pinyon Jay (~125) **Wenima Wildlife Area: Mallard (5) Northern Harrier (1) Red-tailed Hawk (2) American Kestrel (1) Northern Flicker (2) Western Scrub-Jay (2) Common Raven (25) Horned Lark (25) Rock Wren (1) Bewick's Wren (1) Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2) BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER (1) American Robin (50) Mountain Bluebird (2) Western Bluebird (5) European Starling (~75) Spotted Towhee (1) Canyon Towhee (2) Song Sparrow (30+) White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel's) (45+) Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon, Pink-sided) (10) Red-winged Blackbird (3) House Finch (2) Pine Siskin (~75+) American Goldfinch (1) Lesser Goldfinch (~30) **Becker Lake Wildlife Area: Mallard (20+) Common Goldeneye (~35) Bufflehead (25+) Ruddy Duck (60+) Great Blue Heron (1) Pied-billed Grebe (20+) Eared Grebe (30+) Western Grebe (10) Red-tailed Hawk (1) American Kestrel (1) American Coot (~500+) "YELLOW-SHAFTED" NORTHERN FLICKER (either pure or hybrid) Common Raven (7) Bewick's Wren (1) Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1) Spotted Towhee (2) White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel's) (~45) Song Sparrow (~25) meadowlark sp. (4) **Nelson Reservoir: Mallard (8) Gadwall (4) American Wigeon (15) Northern Shoveler (10) Green-winged Teal (4) Canvasback (4) Lesser Scaup (1) Common Goldeneye (10) Bufflehead (~30) Ruddy Duck (~100+) Pied-billed Grebe (~15) Eared Grebe (25) American Coot (~350+) Belted Kingfisher (1) American Crow (1) Common Raven (1) Western Bluebird (40+) Song Sparrow (2) **Nutrioso Lake: Canada Goose (22) Mallard (~45) Gadwall (~50) Northern Pintail (6) American Wigeon (~130) Northern Shoveler (~50) Green-winged Teal (~60) Canvasback (105) Ring-necked Duck (4) Bufflehead (~20) Ruddy Duck (~50+) Eared Grebe (8) Red-tailed Hawk (1) Northern Harrier (1) American Coot (~400) Killdeer (1) Common Raven (1) Bushtit (2) Mountain Chickadee (1) Pygmy Nuthatch (4) White-breasted Nuthatch (1) Western Bluebird (1) **Luna Lake: Mallard (~25) Gadwall (~50) American Wigeon (~55+) Northern Pintail (~20) Canvasback (5) Ring-necked Duck (~30) Lesser Scaup (1) Bufflehead (~65) Ruddy Duck (~60+) Great Blue Heron (2) GREAT EGRET (1) Pied-billed Grebe (2) Eared Grebe (~5) Western Grebe (7) Northern Harrier (2) Bald Eagle (1 adult) American Coot (~350+) WILSON'S SNIPE (1) American Crow (1) Western Bluebird (2) Mountain Bluebird (2) Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) (5) Good birding! Eric Hough thebirdwhisperer22 AT yahoo.com Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: WAZ: No LBBG, but other rarities From: Lauren Harter <lbharter AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 19:37:28 -0700 11/27/12 - I spent the day searching Lake Havasu for yesterday's Lesser Black-backed Gull, without luck. Highlights included three species of scoter and three species of loons. I checked the beach at Rotary Park first thing in the morning with David Vander Pluym. No gull, but the two PACIFIC LOONS (which John West photographed yesterday) continued, and there was also a juvenile RED-THROATED LOON on the bay. Three Forster's Terns, a Bonaparte's Gull and a Snow Goose were also of interest. Next we went to the Bill Williams, but gull numbers there were down from a few days ago. The two continuing WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were in the CAP inlet with the scaup flock, giving good looks. The four continuing SURF SCOTERS were, as usual, far across the Delta. All the Barrow's Goldeneyes were across the Delta as well; we counted 14. Greater Scaup were still present in numbers with 218 (plus another 20 sphuhs that were likely Greater). Parker Dam, Take Off Point and Havasu Springs were all fairly quiet. After lunch I went back to Rotary Park, still no gull. I scanned the lake from Pittsburgh Point (not much), checked Site Six (another White-winged Scoter, this one in CA waters), then went to the Nautical Inn to scan. From there, with good light, I got much better looks at the Red-throated Loon from this morning and was surprised to find a female-plumaged BLACK SCOTER loafing with coots and Ruddy Ducks in the swimming area. John West and David Vander Pluym were later able to see the scoter and Red-throated Loon, along with the two continuing Pacific Loons. Good birding, Lauren Harter Lake Havasu City phainopepla.blogspot.com Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: SEAZ: NE Tucson-Wood Duck at Lakes in Castlerock Deveopment From: Brian Nicholas <WEEHAWKER2 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 19:03:38 -0700 I came across a couple American Robins along Woodland Road on my bike commute home. The big lake bordering the Tanque Verde Wash in the Castlerock development had a continuing Snow Goose (originally found by Chris Kaselemis) and a female Wood Duck. Good birding! Brian Nicholas Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: Re: AZ: Rufous-backed Robin at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area From: Mark Stevenson <drbrdr AT ATT.NET> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 17:13:21 -0700 Hi Birders, Three of us were able to relocate the robin this afternoon. It was holding very still in some trees/shrubs just across the single track dirt road/trail from the previously mentioned picnic table above the dam. Also in the area was a continuing Painted Redstart. Good birding, Mark Stevenson Tucson, AZ Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: SE AZ Merlin, Snipe & Quartzsite Lesser Nighthawks From: Tom Leskiw <tomleskiw AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 16:54:35 -0700 Birders, I just resolved some email problems. On 11/17 there were 7 LESSER NIGHTHAWKS foraging at the Love's gas station in Quartzsite. On 11/24 there was a MERLIN on SPRNCA behind the Palominas Cafe On 11/27 There were 2 Wilson's Snipe along the San Pedro River downstream from Casa de San Pedro on Waters Ln. Tom Leskiw Palominas Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: SEAZ: St David Monastery/Benson STP From: Lainie Epstein <lainie95us AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:59:08 -0800 Fairly quiet at the Monastery but had a couple of good birds and most of the sparrows were accounted for.   At the northern most pond I literally scared up a drake WOOD DUCK who flew up and out heading in a SE direction towards the large pond with the statue.   Close to the end of my loop I watched an EASTERN BLUEBIRD flycatching in the field across from the RV park (the vacant lot with the tall poles).   Then found a PLUMBEOUS VIREO in the willows that line the south side of the pond behind the chapel. The bird was all slate, the spectacles very pronounced, no buff or color on the flanks. As I circled the pond I had another look at the WOOD DUCK on this same pond. Seems like better habitat for him, more vegetation for shelter.   Checked Golden Bell Rd for robins of any kind, came up empty. It was late morning, the woods were backlit by the sun.   Benson STP: 11 Lawrence's goldfinch in the pigweed the south edge of the north pond, right at the fence, not sure I've ever seen so many at once. Good photo op for those who carry their cameras! No unusual waterfowl.   Golf course pond: 2 Snow geese, one with a pink bill, one with a dark bill. Located in the distant pond.   Lainie Epstein Benson Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: NM: another Albuquerque PINE WARBLER From: Matt Baumann <mb687 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:28:33 -0800 Andy Bankert just called to report a male PINE WARBLER at Sunset Memorial Park (cemetery) which is just south of Menaul Blvd in between Edith Blvd and Lombardy Dr. The bird was seen in the northwest corner of the cemetery in the large pines and cottonwoods. Access to the cemetery is from Menaul or Edith.  The address and coordinates are here: 924 Menaul Blvd. N.E. Albuquerque NM 35.107604,-106.634343   Good Birding, Matt Baumann Albuquerque, NM Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: SEAZ: Santa Cruz R. south of Santa Gertrudis Ln. this morning From: David Stejskal <dstejskal AT COX.NET> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 17:07:48 -0500 Hi birders, I took advantage of our lovely late-November weather and walked along the Santa Cruz R. on the Arizona Trail (on the Day Ranch) south of Santa Gertrudis Lane this morning. I came to appreciate even more the mixed flocks of insectivores along this stretch after this morning finding a PAINTED REDSTART in with the first flock I encountered as I headed south on the west bank, a female-plumaged AMERICAN REDSTART in with the second, and an ad. male BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER in the third. I did come across a few more flocks after the Black-and-white that had nothing more than the usual Bridled Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped warblers, Hutton's Vireos, and Bewick's Wrens, so not all of the flocks that I ran across today hosted a goodie. A couple of small flocks of WESTERN BLUEBIRDS were feeding in the treetops just south of Santa Gertrudis, there were a few scattered HAMMOND'S & GRAY FLYCATCHERS about, and a lone GREAT EGRET was standing in the river bed to the north of the lane. No sign of Michael's Winter Wren north of the lane. Good birding, Dave Stejskal Field Guides Inc. www.fieldguides.com http://fieldguides.com/guides/dave-stejskal 800-728-4953 Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: NM: Pine Warbler, Aztec Park, Albuquerque From: Collin Adams <cadams04 AT VILLANOVA.EDU> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:04:44 -0700 Birders, I just re-located and photographed the adult male Pine Warbler originally found by Raymond VanBuskirk this morning. It was in the same tree where he last saw it, about halfway up the tree, relatively cooperative for photographs, not necessarily associating with any other birds. Hetrick, Munro, Kitting, and Hawksworth were able to get on the bird also. I will post photographs this afternoon. Sugar, salt, and fat, Collin Adams Albuquerque, NM www.newmexicobigyear 2012.wordpress.com Always-on-me Cell: 505-934-2914 Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: Re: AZ: Rufous-backed Robin at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area From: Mark Stevenson <drbrdr AT ATT.NET> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:50:11 -0700 Correction: it was downstream from the picnic table, not upstream. Additional detail: seen between 0940 and 1030 by multiple observers ----- Original Message ----- From: Mark Stevenson To: birDWG05 AT listserv.arizona.edu Cc: Andrew Core Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 2:25 PM Subject: FW: AZ: Rufous-backed Robin at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area From the Tucson Audubon Society's RBA voice mail at 520-629-0510 X 3 Pam Negri reports a RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area in NE Tucson. For those who know the area, it was in the vicinity of the now dismantled-for-winter hummingbird banding site above the dam. This is at the first picnic table above the dam. It was feeding on berries in hackberry bushes behind the picnic table and just upstream of the picnic table. Thanks to Pam for the report. Happy Birding, Mark Stevenson Tucson, AZ Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: Sweetwater Ani, no on 11-27 morning From: jody Williams <fisherwoods AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:34:59 -0700 This morning at Sweetwater; no one in search of the Ani reported seeing it between 9 and 11:30 Checked the Roger Rd WWP as well. John R Williams -- __________________ Jody and John Williams 4940 West Waterbuck Drive Tucson AZ 85742 520 505-4468 __________________ Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: FW: AZ: Rufous-backed Robin at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area From: Mark Stevenson <drbrdr AT ATT.NET> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:25:16 -0700 From the Tucson Audubon Society's RBA voice mail at 520-629-0510 X 3 Pam Negri reports a RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area in NE Tucson. For those who know the area, it was in the vicinity of the now dismantled-for-winter hummingbird banding site above the dam. This is at the first picnic table above the dam. It was feeding on berries in hackberry bushes behind the picnic table and just upstream of the picnic table. Thanks to Pam for the report. Happy Birding, Mark Stevenson Tucson, AZ Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: GreenValley-Madera Cyn CBC From: clark blake <mcblake AT NAS.COM> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:12:46 -0700 The Green Valley-Madera Canyon CBC will be held on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012. The compilers this year are Clark Blake and Sally Johnsen. If you are interested in joining this count please email me at: mcblake AT nas.com Clark Blake 348D So. Paseo Lobo Green Valley, AZ 85614 520-625-1015 mcblake AT nas.com Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: AZ: TAS trip to Atturbury-Lyman Bird and Animal Sanctuary (no rarities) From: Kendall Kroesen <kkroesen AT TUCSONAUDUBON.ORG> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:03:10 -0700 Birders, It was a very quiet, but beautiful, morning at Atturbury Wash (at Lincoln Park on the east side of Tucson). Bird list below. Between birds I had to entertain 14 birders by eating native plants and telling them what great birds they would see if they came on my walk there in the spring. Also, they enjoyed learning about the habitat restoration work Tucson Audubon is doing along the wash. -Kendall Kroesen Habitats Program Manager, Tucson Audubon Society ---------- Lincoln Park--Atturbury Wash, Pima, US-AZ Nov 27, 2012 7:45 AM - 10:15 AM Protocol: Traveling 0.6 mile(s) Comments: Tucson Audubon field trip 18 species Gambel's Quail (Callipepla gambelii) 1 Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1 Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) 2 Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) 1 Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 8 Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) 3 Gila Woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis) 5 Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya) 1 Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 3 Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 3 European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 2 Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens) 4 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) (Setophaga coronata auduboni) 1 Abert's Towhee (Melozone aberti) 4 White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) 2 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 2 House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 3 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S12172283 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org) Kendall Kroesen Habitats Program Manager | Tucson Audubon Society 520-629-0510 x7006 office 520-971-2385 cell www.tucsonaudubon.org Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: Albuquerque, NM: Pine Warbler! Update! From: Raymond VanBuskirk <trogon282000 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 11:47:48 -0700 Hello all, As a side note... This bird is NOT responsive to playback! It is easiest to find by locating the Yellow-rumped Warbler flock and picking through that until you find the bird. It is relatively tame. So please, let's limit tape playback on this bird, in hopes that it will hangout until the Albuquerque CBC on Dec. 16, which we still need participants for, by the way! Email me off-list please for more information. Cheers, Raymond VanBuskirk (your friendly neighborhood CBC compiler) Sent from my iPhone Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: Albuquerque, NM: Pine Warbler! 11/27/12 From: Raymond VanBuskirk <trogon282000 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 11:28:17 -0700 Hello all, While out scouting ABQ city parks for the upcoming CBC I discovered a Pine Warbler at Aztec Park. This is a city park about one block south of Comanche Blvd. on Moon St., on the east side of the road. The park is just to the east of an elementary(?) school. There is a large stand of pine trees on the south end of the park and this is where it's hanging out, alongside many Yellow-rumored Warblers. Good luck to all that try. Cheers and Good Birding, Raymond VanBuskirk Sent from my iPhone Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: SAVE THE DATE! New Mexico Ornithological Society 51st Annual Meeting From: Janet M Ruth <janet_ruth AT USGS.GOV> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:36:44 -0700 New Mexico Ornithological Society 51st Annual Meeting 27 April 2013 Western New Mexico University Silver City, New Mexico The New Mexico Ornithological Society (NMOS) will hold its 51st Annual Meeting on Saturday, 27 April 2013 at Western New Mexico University in Silver City. This meeting will include an NMOS business meeting, an NMOS general science session, and an evening banquet with a keynote banquet speaker to be announced later. Further details on the meeting, including the Call for Abstracts and Registration information, will be posted on the NMOS website ( http://www.nmbirds.org) and published in upcoming issues of the NMOS Bulletin, as they become available. Cheers, Janet M. Ruth, Ph.D. Research Ecologist USGS Arid Lands Field Station UNM Biology Department MSC03 2020 1 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001 505-346-2870 or 2872 Ext. 12 505-277-0304 FAX janet_ruth AT usgs.gov "If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?" - Albert Einstein Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: ADMIN: Upcoming move of the AZ/NM Bird list From: Chuck & Jaye Otte <otte2 AT COX.NET> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 07:40:12 -0600 Dear AZ/NM Birds list member; The University of Arizona, who is the host of the the AZ/NM Bird List (BirdWG05) is instituting a software change in the programs that handle internet discussion lists like this one. They are dropping the long running LSoft ListServ software in favor of a different program known as Sympa. The how's and why's of this is complex and we won't go into that other than to tell you that in the next couple of weeks there will be a change. The listowners will be moving the list over to the new software within the next couple of weeks. Just prior to the move we will notify everyone and ask that messages not be sent as they may be lost. Once the move is complete the listowners will send out another message letting you know that you may start sending messages again. There will be a change in the official name of the list as BirdWG05 is rather cumbersome and non-descriptive. We haven't totally decided on the name yet but it will be something like AZNMBirds or close to that. There will also be a new address to send the messages to. All of this will be in the message you receive after the list has been moved. The move will not require you to do anything other than refrain from sending messages. There may be a few tweaks needed in your subscription after the move but we won't know that for sure until the move is completed. The software is new to your listowners as it is to all of you so we'll all be learning together. There will also be some new list guidelines that your listowners will be working on to formalize what has sort of become the defacto guidelines for some time. We'll let Mark Stevenson address that as we move along. If you have any questions on the technical side of this move, please send them to Chuck Otte, otte2 AT cox.net. We suspect that the move will occur late this week or the first part of next week. There's some "behind the scenes" things that we have to do first before we can make the actual move. Again, we ask for your patience during this move but remember that a short period of inconvenience will be worth being able to keep the AZ/NM Bird list going. Thanks for your cooperation! The BirdWG05 co-listowners - Mark Stevenson Michael Lester Chuck Otte +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Chuck & Jaye Otte mailto:otte2 AT cox.net 613 Tamerisk Junction City Kansas USA 66441 785-238-8800 Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: NM, Sandia Mts. owl From: Celestyn Brozek <cbrozek AT UNM.EDU> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 06:01:42 +0000 27 Nov 7:15 PM Sandia Mts., Crest road, 0.1 mi above mile marker 5 (0.5 mi below Tree Spring trailhead). I heard and saw a N. Saw-whet Owl giving its "saw-whet" call. Celestyn **************************************** Celestyn Brozek Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA MY PHOTOGRAPHY: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimorodek E-MAIL: cbrozek AT unm.edu Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: Continuing birds in Ramsey Canyon Preserve From: Susan Allerton <sallerton AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2012 20:53:45 -0700 Today (November 26th), I saw several birds which have been reported recently in Ramsey Canyon. The immature male ELEGANT TROGON showed up in a madrone tree just below the "Bird Alert" sign. A male BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (in nonbreeding plumage) was found about 20 meters above that sign. (There were an unbelievable number of Ruby-crowned Kinglets in the same area at the time.) The LEWIS'S WOODPECKER was perched in the tall conifer near the chimney on the Bledsoe Loop. At the start of the Hamburg trail, a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE was foraging in the madrone trees (with mostly American Robins). When I returned to the parking lot, two YELLOW-EYED JUNCOS were in the trees at the edge of the parking lot (on the side opposite the stream). As a reminder, the preserve is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Susan Currently in Sierra Vista Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: WAZ: FWD Lesser Black-backed Gull From: David Vander Pluym <scre AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2012 21:36:59 -0500 John West just sent me photos of a juvie gull that looks very good for a Lesser Black-backed Gull. The bird was photographed today (26 Nov) at Rotary Park in Lake Havasu City. Lauren Harter and I will be there in the morning. David Vander Pluym Lake Havasu City Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: Green Valley WTP Green Valley, AZ (NO Eurasion Wigeon) From: Michael Skinner <wolfwtch AT MSN.COM> Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2012 14:37:20 -0700 I spent an hour and a half today at the Green Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant hoping to see the Eurasian Wigeon. Alas, it did not show for me at all. The following are what I had seen Gadwall (Anas strepera) American Wigeon (Anas americana) Mallard (Northern) (Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos/conboschas) Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) Green-winged Teal (American) (Anas crecca carolinensis) Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) Redhead (Aythya americana) Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) American Coot (Fulica americana) Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) Warmest Regards, Michael Skinner Tucson, AZ http://www.flickr.com/photos/12921146 AT N04/ Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html To contact a listowner, send a message to: mailto:BIRDWG05-request AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU