Addendum - Updates to the 2011 Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona guide (8 th Edition)

Transcription

1 Addendum - Updates to the 2011 Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona guide (8 th Edition) With updates by Matt Brooks, Andrew Core, Sara Pike, Mark Stevenson, and John Yerger. All annotated maps created by Andrew Core and used with permission. Page 16 - Entering Mexico NOTE: As of January 2012, the vehicle permit stations (at the 21 KM checkpoint by Nogales and at the Empalme station just south of Guaymas) are now taking a dollar deposit off of your credit card when you get a permit. It is 100 percent refunded when you turn the permit in. NEW LOCATION Page 36 - New Burrowing Owl spot in South Tucson (near the airport) - A family of Burrowing Owls has taken up residence in the storm sewer drains in the parking lot of "Safelite" Auto Glass near the Tucson International Airport. The location is only a couple of blocks off of Tucson Boulevard making it very easy to include on a trip to SE Arizona for out-of-towners. The owls seem to be easier to see before noon when the building shades the parking area, but they have been seen in the evening as well. Getting to the location: From the Tucson airport: as you depart the airport heading north turn right (east) on E. Elvira Rd. and go two blocks to "Lisa Frank" Ave. Turn left on Lisa Frank and then immediately into the parking lot of "Safelite". The birds are typically on the ground in front of the storm drains in the parking lot or on the roof of the building or even on top of the large neon sign of the neighboring building. Page 44 - Catalina State Park - Another good birding area is the Birding Trail loop on the opposite side of Sutherland Wash from the parking area at the end of the road. In December 2012 a Goldencrowned Sparrow spent a couple weeks along this path. An annotated map of the trailhead area at Catalina State Park: Page 45 - David Monthan AFB Burrowing Owls - As of , the Burrowing Owls are gone from Golf Links west of Wilmot at Davis Monthan Air Force Base. Page 52 - CAP Recharge Basin directions - The second sentence in the Getting to section should say Continue west on Mile Wide for about 2.3 miles. It incorrectly states 1.0 mile. Page 55 - Sweetwater Wetlands access - Sweetwater now has a paved multi-use trail along the river following the south and west edge of the wetlands, plus a new access gate on the west side connecting the two areas. Page 56 - Roger Road Wastewater Reclamation Facility - Roger Road WRF is undergoing a lot of changes in the upcoming year or two, so its access and status is uncertain and changing. For Page 1 of 7

2 additional details on Pima County's main treatment facilities, please see NEW LOCATION Page 59 - Coachline Gravel Pits (also called Marana Borrow Pits, El Rio Open Space, Marana Rock Disk Golf Course) The Coachline Gravel Pit is a large excavation where sand and gravel were removed for construction. It is located between the Santa Cruz River and the north end of the Tucson Mountains. A disk golf course is located in the pit and walkers from nearby neighborhoods sometimes pass through. Tucson Audubon has done some habitat restoration work here, but new vegetation is still immature and the pit and its surroundings are still dominated by a mix of native and non-native vegetation. In large rainfall events (usually in the summer) the pit can fill up with a substantial amount of storm water from storm drains as well as overflow from the adjacent Santa Cruz River. Water often doesn t recede until mid-winter, so waterfowl and shorebirds often use the ponds in fall and winter. Ponds are usually gone by spring but the pit s location next to the Santa Cruz River migratory corridor mean that spring migrants can be found here in numbers, with Lazuli Buntings often being particularly numerous. Habitat is good for flycatchers, with many trees surrounded by open areas for foraging. Vermilion Flycatchers, Say s Phoebes, Ash-throated Flycatchers and others can be expected. An interesting feature of this location is that Sonoran Desert Uplands with saguaros come right down to the edge of the riparian area. There aren't that many places along the Santa Cruz where that's true. This brings in species associated with the upland habitat, such as Gilded Flicker and Black-throated Sparrow. Raptors migrating, or just foraging, in the area often use updrafts along the Tucson Mountains immediately to the west of the pits. Peregrine and Prairie falcons, Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper s Hawks, and even a Common Black-Hawk have been seen there. In fall 2011 and spring 2012 an Eastern Phoebe consistently appeared along the east side of the pit and sometimes among the tamarisks in the northwest corner. To get to the Coachline Gravel Pit, exit Interstate 10 at Twin Peaks Road. Go west about 1 mile and turn right on Coachline Boulevard. Follow Coachline about one mile until you pass the last houses on the right. After a small building with a blue roof and a wall around it, turn right on a dirt road. Follow the dirt road about 850 feet to a parking area at the base of a berm. Park and walk over the berm and you will find yourself on the south edge of the gravel pit. Page 73: Picacho Peak State Park may be closed during the summer months. Be sure to check its status at the Arizona State Parks web site before heading there. NEW LOCATION Page 76. Honeybee Canyon Honeybee Canyon is a beautiful desert canyon in the Tortolita Mountains, to the northwest of Tucson. Watch for basic desert birds such as Cactus and Page 2 of 7

3 Canyon wrens, Costa s Hummingbird, Northern Cardinal, Verdin, Rufous-winged Sparrow, and Gambel's Quail. During migration you can also watch for tanagers and Ash-throated and Browncrested flycatchers, Wilson's Warbler and other migrants. There are two trails leading from the parking lot. One heads south past the bathrooms and the other west and north underneath the Rancho Vistoso Blvd. Bridge. In the past there have been Great-horned Owls and Common Raven nesting under the bridge. If you are following the trail to the north under the bridge, you are basically walking up Honeybee Canyon. During the rainy season, there may be water in the wash. Getting to Honeybee Canyon. Take Oracle Rd. north from Ina Road about 7 miles to Rancho Vistoso Blvd., go left (west) 3.1 miles to a parking area on the left (you will need to make a U-turn around the median). Helpful information: Be aware of the potential for flash flooding during monsoon rains. Be sure to lock your car and hide any valuables. Carry water as the heat off the sand during spring and summer can make the walk through the sand somewhat hot. Page 87 - Control Road mileage fix - The last sentence in the Mile 24.5 sections is supposed to read Try the oaks near the first cattle guard about ¼ mile down the road. Page 90: Forty Niner Golf and Country Club: the neighborhood now sports "No Trespassing" signs. Page 93: Redington Road is now paved all the way to the National Forest boundary. Page 93: There is a Forest Service outhouse at the staging area just past mp 10 on Redington Road, the only such facility along the road. Page 98: Cienega Creek Preserve: a visitor permit may be obtained on line through the Pima County Natural Resources and Parks web site during the business week. The trailhead parking area is now named the Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead. Page 110: Thatcher Reay Lane Sewage Ponds: birders are no longer allowed inside the perimeter fence. View the basins from outside the fence. Page Chiricahua Mountains section - General and post-fire updates: a. All roads, trails and campgrounds have been repaired with Rustler Park Campground slated to reopen in Almost every birding location but Rustler is accessible again. b. All of Cave Creek Canyon is much the same as it was, the only change being more open understory in places, and only up-canyon from the South Fork turnoff. Lower Cave Creek Canyon, Page 3 of 7

4 Silver Peak, Portal-Paradise Rd, no fire at all. All as indicated in the 8th ed. Cave Creek Canyon annotated map: c. Elegant Trogon has been getting much harder to find throughout Cave Creek Canyon, even before the fire. d. The only damage in South Fork was a heavily burned area at Maple Camp and upstream, precisely as indicated in the 8th edition. e. Portions of the north side of FR 42 between North Fork and East Turkey Creek were moderately burned. f. The road from Paradise up to FR 42 at East Turkey Creek is actually called FR 42B, not FR 426. g. Portions of the north side of FR 42 between East Turkey Creek and Onion Saddle were heavily burned. h. East Turkey Creek now flows gently over the road at the crossing by Paradise Jct. Still reliable for Mexican Chickadee. i. Much of the road between Onion Saddle and Barfoot Junction is still excellent for Mexican Chickadee and other high-elevation birds. j. The area immediately adjacent to the spring at the entrance to Rustler Park (at the first parking lot/pit toilets) is still great for birding, although the opposite side of the road and the entire Campground was heavily burned. Red-faced Warbler, Mexican Chickadee, Olive Warbler, Northern Saw-whet Owl, etc nested in that vicinity in k. Barfoot Park looks identical to pre-fire conditions, except that the road between Barfoot Junction and the final downhill descent to the park has heavily burned patches. l. The west side of the mountains, beyond Onion Saddle, are heavily burned - except for Pinery Campground, which was miraculously spared, and some nice patches remain on the way down to Methodist Camp. Pinery Campground still has Red-faced Warbler and Mexican Chickadee. m. Methodist Camp has now reopened as a non-denominational Christian retreat center simply called "Pine Canyon Camp" (full name is Pine Canyon Camp & Retreat Center). n. Below Pine Canyon Camp much of the forest is intact. Page Quailway Cottage: - Quailway Cottage is in a state of transition. Feeders were closed for the summer since no managers were present, but may be open again soon. The owner s are trying to sell the property, so its future status is unclear. Page 133: Slaughter Ranch: Operations are changing there and their web site should be checked for current access information. Page 4 of 7

5 Page 139: Lake Cochise and Twin Lakes Golf Course: be sure to sign in at the visitor log at the information boards to demonstrate that birders use the area. There is a new raised viewing area on the east end of the golf course ponds. Page 150: French Joe Canyon: the road is currently quite rough, requiring a high clearance vehicle. Page San Pedro River Inn (NOT the San Pedro House)- The birding hotspot San Pedro River Inn, on the east side of the San Pedro River near Hereford, has changed hands and mission. Formerly a birder's B&B, with direct access to the San Pedro Riparian NCA, the land has been sold to Echoing Hope Ranch (echoinghoperanch.org). Birders will likely no longer have access once the transition if complete. Any visiting birder should call to find out about access. Page Battiste Bed, Breakfast and Birds - Tony and Julie welcome day visitors to their yard and feeders, which have hosted numerous rarities as well as an excellent selection of local and migrant birds. Lucifier Hummingbird is regular. If you are interested in visiting their feeder station, please call ahead. Please consider a donation to the sugar fund. Directions to Battiste's: From the Hwy 92/Fry Blvd intersection in Sierra Vista: Head south on AZ-92 E/State Hwy 92 E South for 9.7 miles. Turn right (west) onto E Vista Grande Rd. Drive for 0.3 miles, then take the take the 2nd left (south) onto S High St. Go another 0.3 mile and take the 2nd right onto E Robert Smith Lane. Your destination will be on the left (south) two houses down this road. Address: 4700 Robert Smith Ln, Hereford, AZ Phone Page Fort Huachuca access update - The Garden Canyon complex and Huachuca Canyon, both located on Fort Huachuca, an active U.S. Army post, have excellent birding. The Fort is normally open to birders. Current restrictions allow access only to U.S. citizens. Foreign nationals who wish to visit must now be accompanied by a specially trained military escort. (The Sierra Vista Chamber of Commerce may be able to assist you in finding an escort.) Have driver s license, auto registration and proof of insurance (or auto rental documents) to show at the drive through checkpoint at the Main Gate. All passengers should be prepared to show picture ID cards at the checkpoint if requested. Access rules have been subject to frequent change. Currently birders must check in AND out at the Military Police station at the intersection of Christy Ave and Boyd Ave. Be aware that military maneuvers and alerts can limit access at times. Obey all rules. Page Huachuca Canyon update - Underbirded Huachuca Canyon has a sycamore-lined stream amid juniper, oak and pine. Where the intermittent stream surfaces, birds congregate. The first place to look for water is at the first bridge picnic area, where the ABA area s second and third Sinaloa Wrens were found; one in 2011 and the other in September At the last picnic area, the road reaches a wet stream crossing, which is a particularly productive place to bird. The bird Page 5 of 7

6 community is similar to Garden Canyon, but with fewer people. The dirt road is graded for 1.7 miles but after the wet stream crossing, high clearance is needed and most birders choose to park at the last picnic area and walk up canyon from there. Pines begin at 3.0 miles. Arizona s second Aztec Thrush was found in this canyon. The canyon beyond the stream crossing has been a good place to find Elegant Trogons in summer and Williamson s Sapsucker in winter. Buff-breasted Flycatcher has been regular in recent summers about 0.5 mile beyond the wet stream crossing near a small, easyto-miss check dam in the streambed. Good flocks of migrants and a few rarities have also been found at the check dam, where surface water often collects. NOTE: No food on your person or in your vehicle in Huachuca Canyon. Page 189: Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve (annotated map: Page 192: Patagonia Lake State Park (annotated map: Page 195: Sonoita Creek State Natural Area - A free pass is required for this area; available at the Patagonia Lake State Park entrance station. See Alan Schmierer s detailed map here: Page 199: Old Pima County Maintenance Yard: this area is now fenced off and most of the vegetation removed. Unlikely to provide productive birding any more. Page 200: Madera Canyon. Annotated Map: Page 201: Florida Canyon: Annotated map of canyon: Newer format map: Page 206: Chino Canyon. Map: Page 208: Amado STP: (NOTE: The name for this site should likely be changed to Arivaca Junction STP, since Amado is a couple miles south and in a different county.) Do not park on the paved driveway; instead drive to the bottom of the slope and park out of the way in the dirt area and walk back up the slope. People are now living to the east and do not like to have their driveway blocked. Page Tubac Bridge update - The popularity of this new migratory hawk-watching spot has caused some changes in access. To minimize problems with traffic and local residents, please stay off of bridge itself and out of the road. A secondary site nearby, Ron Morriss Park, has become a popular alternative, and may actually be a better spot for raptor watching in mid-march. Andrew Core s Tubac area annotated map is very useful to orient yourself: The Page 6 of 7

7 park can be accessed using the same directions as the bridge. When you reach the fork on the west side of the river take the road south to the park. There is a bathroom here. Page 211: Clark Crossing entrance to the Anza Trail: The Anza Trail may also be accessed near Carmen. Look for signed Clark Crossing Road (see map on page 210). It is best to park in the large gravel area alongside of the frontage road instead of driving down Clark Crossing Road which may be gated or terribly muddy. Walk down Clark Crossing Road and watch on the north side for the Anza Trail where mesquite bosque melds into riparian habitat. The start of the Anza Trail heading south changes from time to time due to flooding in the river. It has been on the west side of the river at times and on the east side at other times. Page 212: Peck Canyon Road ponds appear to be defunct. Page 215: Palo Duro Creek Golf Course is out of business and not being maintained. The ponds are usually dry. Page 220: Pena Blanca Lake (annotated map: Page Montosa Canyon (annotated map: NEW SPECIES FOR THE REGIONAL LIST: Blue-footed Booby - Patagonia Lake State Park - August 2013 Page 7 of 7