THE QUARTERLY NEWS MAGAZINE OF TUCSON AUDUBON SOCIETY | TUCSONAUDUBON.ORG

Tucson Audubon Society | tucsonaudubon.org

f l y c a t c h e r Vermf li yl ci a to c hn e r5 April–June 2011 | Volume 56, Number 2

Changing World Changing Birds Cold Weather in a Warming World

Rocky Mountains in Southeastern Arizona Birds in the Sky—An Island of Diversity What’s in a Name? Mexican Whip-poor-will The QuA r T erly NewS M A g A ziN e of TucS o N AuduboN SocieT y | TucS o NAuduboN .org

Features Tucson Audubon Society | tucsonaudubon.org 11 Birds in the Sky—An Island of

Diversity in the Pinaleňos f l y c a t c h e r Vermilionf l y c a t c h e r5 12 What’s in a Name? Mexican Whip- April–June 2011 | Volume 56, Number 2 poor-will Changing World Tucson Audubon Society is dedicated to improving 13 Field Identification of the Rocky the quality of the environment by providing education, Mountains in Southeastern Arizona Changing conservation, and recreation programs, environmental Birds leadership, and information. Tucson Audubon is a 14 Cold Weather in a Warming World Cold Weather in a Warming World non-profit volunteer organization of people with a 16 Changing Birds in a Changing common interest in birding and natural history. Tucson Climate Audubon maintains offices, a library, and nature shops in Tucson, the proceeds of which benefit all of its programs. Departments Tucson Audubon Society 300 E. University Blvd. #120, Tucson, AZ 85705 3 Commentary

629-0510 (voice) or 623-3476 (fax) 4 Events and Classes Rocky Mountains in Southeastern Arizona All phone numbers are area code 520 unless otherwise stated. 4 Events Calendar Birds in the Sky—An Island of Diversity www.tucsonaudubon.org What’s in a Name? Mexican Whip-poor-will Board Officers & Directors 8 News Roundup President Herb Trossman 18 Conservation and Education News Vice President Mich Coker FRONT COVER: Montezuma Quail photographed by 21 Field Trips Secretary Julie Gordon Bryan Holliday of Phoenix, AZ. To see more of Bryan’s Treasurer Richard Carlson 24 Birding Travel from our Business Partners Directors at Large Gavin Bieber, Sandy Elers, Richard work, visit his website at www.bryanholliday.com. Fray, Julie Gordon, Linda Greene, Cynthia Pruett, Lindsey 25 Birds & Business Alliance To have your photographs considered for use in the Quesinberry, Ruth Russell, Jessie Shinn, Linda Stitzer Board Committees Conservation Chair Chris McVie, 25 ClassifiedAds Vermilion Flycatcher, please contact Matt Griffiths at Conservation Assistant Chair Linda Stitzer, Development 26 Nature Shops [email protected]. Sandy Elers, Education Cynthia Pruett, Finance Richard Carlson, Membership Jessie Shinn, Nominating Linda 27 Book Review Greene, Personnel Mich Coker Programs & Activities Field Trips Darlene Smyth 297-2315 Library David West 629-0510 Membership Meetings Jean Barchman 629-0510 Rare Bird Alert Andrew Core | Report Rare Birds 629-0510 Birds: Complex Changes in a Complex World of Change Staff (unless otherwise stated, dial 629-0510 plus extension) Executive Director Paul Green ext 7001 Paul Green, Executive Director Accountant Michelle Bourgeois ext 7003 Finance ext 7014 With global warming, vegetation will respond to range boundary nearly 12 miles northwards over a Membership Coordinator Jean Barchman ext 7002 warming temperature and changing rainfall regimes 20 year period. In Finland the same shift happened Special Projects Erin Olmstead ext 7009 Education & Outreach Specialist Matt Brooks ext 7007 (see pp 16–17) by migrating northward or upslope. in 12 years. Our Breeding Bird Survey showed IBA Conservation Biologist Scott Wilbor ext 7004 Birds will of course follow their habitats as climate a 38-mile northward shift over 26 years. None of IBA Program Assistant–Biologist changes. these studies showed a change in the southern Jennie MacFarland ext 7005 Habitats Program Manager Kendall Kroesen ext 7006 Already birders can see that many birds are boundary of northern species. Field Supervisor Rodd Lancaster 256-6909 responding to climate change by shifting their Some spring migrants are arriving earlier on Restoration / Communications Specialist Matthew Griffiths 971-7924 ranges farther north. Increased temperatures in the their breeding grounds (20 bird species in Europe Operations / University Shop Manager Sara Pike ext 7008 more northerly parts of the northern hemisphere, in have advanced about eight days over the past Volunteer Coordinator / Agua Caliente both North America and Europe, allow winter birds 30 years), and many species are breeding earlier Shop Manager Becky Aparicio ext 7011 Tucson Audubon Nature Shops to stay further north, earlier northward migration, in the year (Tree Swallows are now breeding on 300 E University Blvd #120 ext 7015 extended breeding ranges, and breeding earlier in average about 9 days earlier now that they did 30 623-3476 fax / 629-0510 Shop Manager the year. years ago). A topic of much research currently is Hours: Mon–Sat 10 am–4 pm Christmas Bird Count data over the last 40 whether migrants are becoming mismatched with Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd 760-7881 Hours: 9 am–3:30 pm years reveal that more than half of 305 wintering their principle food supplies and showing declines Thu, Fri, Sat (April, May, June) bird species in North America are spending the in productivity as a result, and how quickly species winter on average 35 miles farther north than they can evolve to match their changing environment. Vermilion Flycatcher is published quarterly. For address changes or subscription problems call 629-0510, or write did 40 years ago. This correlates with a climb in the The current human-induced change in climate to Membership Coordinator, Tucson Audubon, 300 E. average January temperature in the United States is faster than earlier episodes of natural climate University Blvd, #120, Tucson, AZ 85705. Submissions are from 27°F to 34°F. Another study of 254 wintering change. It coincides with a battery of other due the 1st of the month, two months before the date of the issue. Please send submissions as Microsoft Word or RTF North American bird species between 1975 and environmental changes we have inflicted on birds. documents, or plain text files, to Matt Griffiths at mgriffiths@ 2004 found a poleward shift in the mean northern While some bird species will tucsonaudubon.org. range boundary of nearly 28 miles, a shift in the adapt and succeed, others Coordinator Matt Griffiths 971-7924 center of occurrence by more than eight miles, and will struggle and decline, Proofreaders Robert Merideth, Tucson Audubon staff, and volunteers the center of abundance by nearly 20 miles. and many will disappear. Design / Layout Eng-Li Green Breeding bird data show similar trends. In VF TREE SWALLOW, ALAN D. WILSON, WWW.NATURESPICSONLINE.COM TREE SWALLOW, © 2011 Tucson Audubon Society Europe southern birds shifted their mean northern

2 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2011 GUEST COMMENTARY PHIL SWAIM Doing What We Can for Tucson

It isn’t surprising that when people We must improve the energy efficiency are asked what they like most about of our aging residential, commercial and Tucson, the majority says it is proximity public buildings. Some solutions are to a unique natural environment. We love simple, and there are tax credits and our mountains, deserts, rivers, and rich assistance programs through Tucson wildlife. We also love our community and Electric Power (TEP) to help. the quality of life it provides. So perhaps We must raise the standards for new the worst news for our community is that construction. Tucson, Pima County, our planet is warming, and the changing The University of Arizona, and other climate that results from both natural local jurisdictions, now require that their

and human actions is having a negative own buildings be built to LEED Silver TUCSONSTREETCAR.COM effect on our natural environment and our standards, a national green building rating This artist rendering shows what a Tucson modern human communities. The good news is system. Many architects and contractors streetcar will look like when completed. The Tucson we can make a difference. It’s clear that are creating green buildings out of habit. Modern Streetcar is a project co-managed by the City of Tucson and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). we need to live more mindfully to reduce You can influence this market by the Visit tucsonstreetcar.com for more information. our carbon emissions. homes you buy and the businesses you How do we do that? While we in the support. districts and other public facilities, Tucson area cannot take responsibility We must conserve water, not just Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, the UA for the entire planet, we should, can, and because we live in a desert (where Tech Park Solar Zone, and businesses, must take responsibility for our region. supply is low, and demand and loss are as well as smaller residential systems, Significant efforts are already underway high), but because it takes an amazing are becoming more common. A Tucson at the City of Tucson, The University of amount of energy to distribute water. Audubon Birds & Business Ally, Sky Bar, Arizona, and Tucson Water to create We are in many respects already a has a new solar system. Now that the plans that mitigate for (reduce our leader in this area, though there is room accounting firm of Beach Fleischman has carbon outputs) and adapt to (learning for improvement. Low-flow bathroom installed solar on their building, you know to live with) a changing climate. Building fixtures are a requirement. We need to it must make economic sense. community support for the plans will be continue eliminating unnecessary turf, We must develop a brand, or hard work, especially with our rough and using even more native landscaping. reputation, where Tucson represents a economy. However, energy efficiency and Our recent local ordinance that requires progressive, sustainable (environmental, resource conservation make economic rainwater harvesting provide half of our social and economic) community that will sense while salvaging our quality of life irrigation needs for commercial buildings attract and support an economy based on at the same time. The measures we was the first of its kind in the country. We high tech, bioscience, optics, solar, and need to employ can be incentivized or also need to use our reclaimed water even ecotourism. required by changes in municipal codes efficiently. It won’t be easy, but our quality of life if necessary. Ultimately we need to do We must plan future growth to is at stake. We are already moving in these things because they are right for create density that will reduce travel the right direction, just not fast enough. the planet, even if the motivation for many and allow mass transit to be effective. Together we can make a difference. VF will be economic. We don’t need to wait Tucson is modifying its Land Use for political decisions to be made. And we Code to support sustainability and infill Phil Swaim, AIA, is president of Swaim can’t afford to wait for the next generation development. However, we still need to Associates Architects, and has been providing to grow up with different habits. find common ground with our established community planning and designing sustainable neighborhoods to allow this to work. In public and commercial buildings for almost 30 spite of the challenges, our downtown years. Phil is a Tucson native, and is co-chair is experiencing tremendous growth with of the City of Tucson Climate Change Advisory housing, restaurants, the Unisource Committee. headquarters, and a modern streetcar (see artist rendition above) creating a The City of Tucson Climate Change Advisory strong urban core. Committee brings with it broad, high-level We must take even greater advantage skill sets, expertise, and vision to address the of our solar energy potential. Increased multiple dimensions of climate change in a efficiency, lower costs, and incentives strategic manner on behalf of the city. Tucson

MATT GRIFFITHS MATT have made solar electrical systems Audubon has a seat on this committee. We need to continue to eliminate unnecessary turf such more viable. Large solar arrays at school as this swathe near downtown Tucson.

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. April–June 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 3 EVENTS CALENDAR

TUCSON AUDUBON April 8. Birdathon kick-off with All-Star EVENTS AND CLASSES teams Rookies and High Rollers (see p 7) April 11. Living with Nature lecture (Tucson): Members’ Meeting and When the Rains Come with John Alcock (see p 6) Learn with the Experts! April 12. Esperanza Ranch fence building Last minute (see below) Institute of Desert Ecology April 16. Upper Santa Cruz River IBA April 28–May 1 sign-up special: HOPE HOLLY Refer a friend or recognition celebration (see p 10) April 17. All-Star Birdathon day: As of press time there were a few the unique bring a spouse and Wrenegades (see p 7) remaining spots in the upcoming 41st landscape of get $50 off! April 23. All-Star Birdathon day: Hoyer’s annual Institute of Desert Ecology. southern Arizona. Voyeurs (see p 7) If you are still considering attending, Don’t miss the April 23. Sabino Canyon invasive species this is the time to do it. As an added opportunity! pullout (see below) incentive, if you refer a friend or bring Location: Catalina April 28–May 1. Institute of Desert Ecology a spouse, we’ll give you $50 off both State Park. Cost $425 ($460 for (see left) ð PIKE SARA participant fees! non-members of TAS, but includes April 30. All-Star Birdathon day: Birds of Join us for a world class learning membership). Fees include gourmet Fray (see p 7) experience in a spectacular setting. food, all instruction, and camping April 30. Composting workshop (see below) Desert ecology will be right at your fees (if you don’t camp, you may May 4 & 7. Birding By Ear class (see p 5) fingertips in this hands-on, four-day also commute from home or stay in May 7. All-Star Birdathon day: Gonzo institute. Learn from experts in the a nearby hotel). To sign up, contact Birders; Fledglings Birdy Bingo (see p 7) fields of herpetology, entomology, Matt Brooks, Institute Director, at May 7. Santa Rita Mountains IBA recognition celebration and International ornithology and more! This is a 629-0510 x7007 or email mbrooks@ Migratory Bird Day celebration at Madera wonderful chance for you to interact tucsonaudubon.org. Also visit www. Canyon (see p 10)

with like-minded, inquisitive adults in tucsonaudubon.org/ide. PIKE SARA May 9. Living with Nature lecture (Tucson): Owls and Woodpeckers with Paul Bannick (see p 6) May 14. Ironwood Festival (see p 5) May 16. Deadline to turn in Birdathon pledges for prizes (see p 7) May 22. Birdathon Birdy Brunch at the Mason Center (see p 7) August 17–21. Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival (see p 6) August 31 & September 3. Specialty Workshop: Warblers (see p 5) September 7 & 10. Specialty Workshop: Flycatchers (see p 5)

Get the Most from your Compost April 30, Saturday 8–11 am Join us at Tucson Audubon’s Mason Center for a workshop on composting. Composting creates SARA PIKE SARA great garden soil, reduces materials taken to landfills, and closes and Volunteer Days River between Tubac and Amado, in giant reed on private land along ecological loop that makes us all Santa Cruz County. Contact Kendall Sabino Creek. Giant reed removal is more sustainable. Rich Johnson from April 12,Tuesday 8 am–noon Kroesen to sign up and for directions: where our TogetherGreen volunteer Tucson Organic Gardeners will teach (optional birding 6:30 am) [email protected] or days began—come help us finish the this workshop, which will consist of Help build fencing that will protect 520-971-2385. Join us at 6:30 am for a job! Contact Kendall Kroesen to sign an indoor presentation and outdoor, RECYCLED GARBAGE CAN COMPOSTER, RICH JOHNSON the Esperanza Ranch conservation little optional birding. up and for directions: kkroesen@ hands-on experience setting tucsonaudubon.org or 520-971-2385. easement from cattle incursions. April 23,Saturday 7–11 am up a compost bin. $10. We will be working with volunteers Celebrating Earth Day, this is our final Contact Kendall at 971-2385 from Sky Island Alliance as well. The TogetherGreen volunteer day of the or kkroesen@tucsonaudubon. easement is along the Santa Cruz season. We will be removing invasive org to sign up.

4 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2011 Expand your Birding Skills Head Back to Class this Fall with Tucson Audubon! Birding By Ear Moving to Mastery May 4 & 7, 2011 2011 WESTERN KINGBIRD, LOIS MANOWITZ Taking birding beyond the basics October 12–November 11 requires learning to use your ears as Classroom sessions: Wednesdays, much as (if not more than) your eyes. 6–9 pm This class will delve into the world For both workshops (taught by Field trips: Saturdays, whole and Specialty of bird vocalizations and give you Homer Hansen): a framework for learning the voices half days Workshops—

NASHVILLE WARBLER, JIM & DEVA BURNS, WWW.JIMBURNSPHOTOS.COM JIM & DEVA NASHVILLE WARBLER, Classroom session: Tucson of our master singers. Taught by Reserve your spot now for this year’s Fall 2011 Audubon (Historic Y), Wednesday, Homer Hansen. Moving to Mastery program. Take WARBLERS 6–9 pm (Warblers: September 1; your birding skills to the next level Classroom session: Tucson August 31 & September 3, 2011 Flycatchers September 8) Audubon, Wednesday, May 4, 6–9 pm with leader and Wings Over Willcox Learn how to distinguish those Field trip: Saturday, Time TBA chairman Homer Hansen. Begin the challenging fall warblers. Key Field trip: Saturday, May 7, time to (Warblers September 4; Flycatchers process of sorting difficult species structural characteristics and similar be announced September 11) based on profile, habitat, and voice. species comparisons will be taught Cost of the workshop: $145 ($110 A focus will be on family groups and during this workshop, along with Cost of each workshop: $145 for members) individual species within groups. A an introduction to learning warbler for non-members which includes key to becoming to a better birder is For more information on these vocalizations. a membership in Tucson Audubon to realize how your sport fits into the workshops, contact us at ($110 for members) wider world of conservation of birds FLYCATCHERS [email protected] or For more information on these and their habitats. September 7 & 10, 2011 629-0510 x7012. workshops, contact us at education@ Moving to Mastery has a maximum Ready to leap into the identification tucsonaudubon.org enrollment of 20 and fills up every of Empidonax and Myiarchus

flycatchers? This workshop introduces or 629-0510 DORIS EVANS VERMILION FLYCATCHER, CANYON WREN, JAMES PRUDENTE year, so reserve early to ensure a x7012. spot in the class. For more information you to the diverse family Tyrannidae on this program, contact us at and highlights the ways to separate [email protected] or the kingbirds, pewees, empids and 629-0510 x7012. flycatchers of southeastern Arizona. Cost: $285 ($250 for members)

Celebrate our Ironwood Forest May 14th!

Come join us as Tucson Audubon, birds, and we’ll have a spectacular the Friends of Ironwood Forest, and used book sale focused on natural the Tortolita community celebrate history titles. Enjoy lunch, relax with our Twelfth Ironwood Festival on your friends, and listen to live music International Migratory Bird Day, mid-day and later in the evening. Saturday May 14th. Meet new friends Begin your day early with a and neighbors and learn about birds, demonstration of bird banding and habitats, and sustainability: how to some early morning bird walks on the MATT GRIFFITHS MATT tread gently on our fragile lands. trail. Learn about efforts to safeguard We’ll have presentations on birds, habitats and wildlife linkages in the come all day — surprise yourself with this year, especially after our recent reptiles and other critters geared at region. what you learn about our desert while hard freeze. Plan now to renew your adults, while our young ecologists, Take a siesta and come back for our having a great time! acquaintance with our Ironwood– the Sunnyside Audubon Student Ironwood Jam in the evening: time Our desert habitats are quite delicate: Saguaro habitats — enjoy a day of Urban Naturalists (SASUN) organize to listen to live local music and enjoy many of the plants and animals living celebrations May 14th at Tucson a full program for kids from 9.00am local beverages as you talk with here live close to their limits for water Audubon’s Mason Center, located through 1.00pm. A wide range of friends under a starlit and cooling and temperature stress (see p16). at the SW corner of Thornydale and environmental organizations will have night sky just a couple of days before The effects of the drought on our cacti Hardy.) interactive activities, including live full moon. So come for an hour, or are becoming particularly apparent

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. April–June 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 5 TUCSON AUDUBON EVENTS & CLASSES Tucson Audubon’s Living with Nature Lecture Series

TUCSON Living with will speak about the role of rain in May 9 • TUCSON (alternate venue) Nature Lecture Series and the two deserts with which he is at The Riverpark Inn (see map at Member Meetings familiar— the Sonoran Desert and the bottom of the page) DuVal Auditorium, NE section of the the vast Western Australian Desert. OWLS & WOODPECKERS with University Medical Center, Bldg. 501 A comparison of the two deserts Paul Bannick N Campbell Ave. Program begins at reveals some similarities, such as Join us for the Grand Finale of the 7 pm, second Monday of each month the critical role of winter rain in the 2010–11 season with a special September through May. production of annual plants, and presentation by wildlife photographer some differences such as the greater Paul Bannick at The Riverpark Inn. GREEN VALLEY Living plant biodiversity of the Australian immersed in the sights and sounds Coupling his love of the outdoors with Nature Lecture Series deserts. Although plants will play a of forest, grassland, arctic, and Joyner-Green Valley Library, 601 N with his skill as a photographer, major role in Alcock’s talk, he will let desert, and in the entertaining and La Canada Dr. 594-5295. Program Paul creates images that foster the a bird or two into the presentation informative details of Paul’s narrative. begins at 10 am, third Saturday of intimacy between viewer and subject, just for us! The hidden life of these birds is each month October through March. inspiring education and conservation. Copies of obvious for those who know how Paul’s presentation on owls Contact Erin Olmstead, 629-0510 ext. John Alcock’s to find it. Paul knows how to find it, and woodpeckers will take us on a 7009 or eolmstead@tucsonaudubon. excellent book, and will bring it to life for us through visual and auditory exploration of org for more information or visit When the Rains photos, sound, and story. habitats of North America through tucsonaudubon.org. Come, reviewed Copies of Paul Bannick’s The the owls and woodpeckers that most in the July–Aug Owl and the Woodpecker will be define and enrich these places. April 11 • TUCSON—UMC 2010 issue of available for sale and signing after This photographic field report ANNUAL MEMBERS’ MEETING & Vermilion Flycatcher, and others, will the presentation. celebrates the ways the lives of WHEN THE RAINS COME with be available for sale and signing after Tucson Audubon’s free Living with these two iconic birds are intertwined John Alcock the program. Our short and sweet Nature Lecture Series resumes in with one another, and their role as John Alcock, Emeritus Professor Annual Meeting with precede the September. keystone and indicator species for of Biology at ASU and author of lecture. the book When the Rains Come, their environment. Audiences are

Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival Presented by Tucson Audubon and The Riverpark Inn LIESE LARRY August 17–21, 2011 Featuring: • Exciting monsoon birding: peak numbers and diversity of bird species! • Some of the best birding in N. America at nearby hotspots! • Sky Islands Birding Cup on August 17 • Birds & Beer Social on August 18 • Welcome Banquet featuring Rick Taylor on August 19 • Keynote Banquet featuring Kenn Kaufman on August 20 • Renowned expert birders, naturalists, educators • Full-day and half-day field trips on Friday and Saturday • Birding & Natural History Talks, Workshops for beginners through advanced • Youth and Family-friendly activities, vendors, and live critter exhibits

• Special Festival rate at The Riverpark Inn JOAN GELLATLY KENDALL KROESEN KENDALL SPEEDWAY For more info visit I-10 tucsonaudubon.org/festival UNIV. OF AZ Find us on Facebook! CONGRESS CONVENTION CTR.

Arizona

TUCSON INT’L AIRPORT Clockwise from top left: Lush upland desert; Broad-billed Hummingbird; Kenn Kaufman

6 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. TUCSON AUDUBON EVENTS & CLASSES

The What and Why of Birdathon Erin Olmstead, Special Projects

APRIL 9: HIGH ROLLERS with Gavin Bieber. Get the lowdown on Sky Island life zones from the top down! This relaxed all-day survey trip explores the Huachucas from Carr Canyon down to the San Pedro, turning up BIRDATHON 2011 a choice cross-section of local bird

LEFT BOTH PHOTOS, MATT GRIFFITHS MATT BOTH PHOTOS, LEFT diversity along the way. ($250) RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, JOAN GELLATLY APRIL 17: WRENEGADES with Jennie MacFarland. Join the Wrenegades for a fun Sweetwater-Madera out-and- Birding is different for every birder. Birdathon Basics: back! Cruise the ponds at Sweetwater, Why do you bird? Is it for the rush, then hit Madera Canyon for a birdy or for the relaxation? For fun, or for Easy as 1-2-3 packed lunch picnic and feeder survey, ending back at Sweetwater by inspiration? For the competition, 1. Ready…

or for contemplation? For solitude 2 pm. ($100) TUCSON AUDUBON SOCIETY Register your team at www. Artwork by Narca Moore-Craig or for social experiences? To tucsonaudubon.org/birdathon OR Join APRIL 23: HOYER’S VOYEURS appreciate greatness in small things, a Tucson Audubon All-Star team with Rich Hoyer. “Hoyer’s Voyeurs” RAISE $50 and earn a limited-edition or to understand nature’s grandeur? are back in hot pursuit of the feted 2. Set… BIRDATHON T-SHIRT featuring the Whatever your reason, this is the Most Species Seen title. This full-on Collect pledges online via your artwork of Narca Moore-Craig (above). season! birdathon around Southeast Arizona personal fundraising page, or on This time of year you sure don’t will shoot for a whopping 175 species, BACKYARD BIRDATHON: Take the paper if you prefer. Share your have to go far to be stopped in your starting with owls and other nightly whole month to rack up a “Birdathon enthusiasm with friends and family. tracks by the sights and sounds of audibles. ($250) Yard List.” Spring. Birds are everywhere! To Start by asking a few friends for a few Donations are tax-deductible, celebrate, we invite you to play a bucks. APRIL 30: BIRDS OF FRAY with Richard Fray. “Birds of Fray” will start and support Tucson Audubon’s little part in something big by joining 3. Go birding! the morning off right at Sweetwater conservation and education programs. Birdathon 2011. Bird when, where, and however you before heading on to Madera Canyon, Birdathon is like a walk-a-thon, like for up to 24 consecutive hours Details online at tucsonaudubon.org/ Las Cienegas, and Patagonia on a except all about birds and nature. during April 8–May 8. Or, take the birdathon laid-back attempt to see 100 species! Think of it as scavenger hunt with month-long Backyard Birdathon ($250) binoculars, or a birdwalk-athon. It’s Challenge. Be on your best birding Important Dates for a friendly competition that links the behavior! MAY 7: GONZO BIRDERS with John Birdathon: Mark Your fun of birding with saving habitat. Yerger. Returning team champions, Calendars! Birdathon is a time to connect with Guided Team Outings for “Gonzo Birders” will set out on a April 8: Birdathon season begins! nature and with other nature lovers, Your Birding Pleasure coffee-fueled frenzy with a goal Rookies too. Don’t have a team or don’t know of 150+ species. This attempt hits These Tucson Audubon expert-led All- April 9: High Rollers where to start in planning a Birdathon hotspots like Madera Canyon and April 17: Wrenegades day? Join one of Tucson Audubon’s Star Teams are open to anyone, but Patagonia, and a few “secret” spots, registration is required. No experience April 23: Hoyer’s Voyeurs All-Star teams setting out every too. ($250) April 30: Birds of Fray weekend from April 8 through May necessary! Group sizes are limited and a minimum “give or get” May 7: Gonzo Birders 8 and treat yourself to great day’s New! Fledglings birding to feel good about. fundraising effort is suggested. For MAY 7: FLEDGLINGS with SASUN & Birdy Bingo Birdathon is an opportunity to info contact Erin at 629-0510 x7009. Tucson Audubon Young Birders’ Club. May 8: Birdathon season ends give back to the birds, and pay it APRIL 8: ROOKIES with Paul Green. Beginners of all ages and families May 16: Deadline to turn in pledges forward! Share the thrill of the chase, Find out what Birdathon’s all about are welcome to wander Sweetwater / materials to be eligible for the wonder of natural beauty, or the on a fun kickoff outing with Tucson Wetlands with this friendly group. prizes journey of discovery with a friend by Audubon’s Exec. Director. This laid- See how many species we can find May 22: Birdy Brunch at the Mason

asking them to sponsor your Birdathon back morning walk begins with an VF

ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD, JOAN GELLATLY ANNA’S together and/or play “BIRDY BINGO” Center effort or join your team. intro to the birds of the Ironwood- for a small donation! 9 to 11 am. Visit tucsonaudubon.org/ Saguaro habitat at the Mason Thanks to our Birdathon 2011 sponsor birdathon to join a team, start one of Center and nearby Hardy PHOTO CONTEST: BEST your own, or make a pledge. We’re Wash. ($100) BIRD PHOTO. $50 entry counting on you! donation.

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. April–June 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 7 TUCSON AUDUBON Happy Birthday! Art Show Benefits NEWS ROUNDUP Best wishes to our April birthday Tucson Audubon members: Cydney Loggins, Marti White and Ruth Canada are Cynthia Pruett, Debbie Bartolazzi, WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! long time artists and supporters Alison Reichle, Richard Fray, Jutta of Tucson Audubon and Mike and Mary Abbey, Beth Acree, Nancy and John Adams, Doris Alexander, Holzhaus, Lynn Kelley-Piper, Bobbie Linda Archer and Curtis Kommer, Vick Applegate, William Azevedo, Anne Lambert, Jean Rios, Cliff Graves, their recent show at the Babson-Gulotta, Judi Backenstow, Bobbie Barg, Mary Ann Bavaria, Donna Yvonne Bir, Aaron Pie, Allan Lawson, Gallery at Agua Caliente Bazzo, Linda Bednarek, Susan Bell, David Bier, Amy Black, Emma Susan Laura Nabhan, Carole Warneke, Ranch House was Bond and Jennifer Bond, Lynn Bossone, Frank Bouchard, Pat Bray, Peter Aschbacher, Lea Ward, a success on many Christopher Broome, Daryll Brosanders, Brenda Burton, Yunghi Choi, Wesley Kendall Kroesen, Susan Mudd, June levels. After the show Clark, Ann and George Cottay, Dan Davis, Vincent Diflumeri, Richard DiRusso, Scroggin, Patricia Orosz-Coghlan, they each donated a Bob Dumke, Edna Dunn, Karen Dunne, Don Elvestrom, Susan Fallon, Jamie Vicki Powers, Barbara Patten portion of their sales Ferguson, Anita C. Fonte, Bettina Fuchs, Richard Fujinami, Joseph Gentile, Best wishes to our May birthday to Tucson Audubon. Bob Gjestland, Michael Glasson, Ed and Kathie Godwin, Cliff and Dee Graves, members: Eleanor Gladding, Kathryn Ruth Canada’s art Penelope Graves, Janice Gruver, Hilary Hamlin, Judy and John Harmer, Kopp, Carolyn Moss, Marshall Moss, piece, Waiting Game, Patricia Hennigan, Jane Hervich, Jerry Holmes and Kathryn Anderson, Pam Kenneth Cookson, Phyllis Webster, was raffled off and the Hopkins, Casey Hovey, Noreen Hotch, Maureen Hughes, Diana Imig, Marcia Judy Meister, Sandra Cook, Ana Johnson, Norman Johnson, Carl Kanun, Jacqueline Kern, Frank Kipper, Ron lucky recipient, Sean Todicheeinie Landry, Dick Stenzel, Adrian Hall, Kroll and Liz Temple, Holly Lachowicz, Denise Lanuez, Roberta Light, Margo (above), then turned around and Roger Fox, Fermin Garcia, Nancy Lightfoot, Claire Livesey, Gary and Eleanor Livingstone, James Lowrey, donated it to the Amity Circle Tree RUTH CANADA Tuhey, Peg Kazda, Audrey Toepper, Maggie Lutz Sanderlin, Susan and Gerald Maggiora, Sherry Manoukian, Chris Ranch residential home, where Sean Kathleen Roach, Donald Goodliffe, Marshall, Patricia McAlarnen, Judy McDonald, Bob McKay, Karen McWhirter, temporarily lives. The ranch offers Jack Padalino, Terri Hamstra, Gay Susan Mudd, Laura and Gary Nabhan, Steve Nagy, Mike Nealen, Jan Newlin, Gilbert, Olga Harbour, Thomas Partel, alternative holistic addiction treatment Maureen Nichols, Allison Nicotera-Holt, Geraldine and Nick Nissen, Rebecca Gavin Bieber, Margie Shiffman, and rehabilitation programs. Odom, Geoffrey Palmer, Martha Pankratz, Jill Perry, Susan and John Pifer, Cynthia Keyworth, Peggy Wenrick, Becky Aparicio Candace Plumlee, Joan V. Powell, Cassandra Rexroad, Emily Rhoads, Licela Morris Ewing, Robert Elliot, Richard Ricksecker, Sereta Robinson, Susan Rolfe, Marilyn Ruckman, Edna Earle Harris, Joan Smith, Mort Womack Russell, Frank Sciannella, Shaffer Dry Cleaning, Laurie Shields, Barbara 2011 Nominees Siegel, Sylvia Simpson, Nancy Sims, Southwestern Research Station, Anita Best wishes to our June birthday Stafford, Darwin Stapleton, Sherie Steele, Dick Stenzel, Richard Stevens, members: Richard Stevens, Jill for Officers and Laura Stewart, James Sugg, Mark and Susan Sullivan, Tory Syracuse, Joan Perry, Ruth Romaro, Lewis Roscoe, Tavares, Alondra Telles-Waite, Rod Thompson, Carol Tierney, Kitty Tobiw, Barbara Johnson, Erin Olmstead, Directors Maria Theresa Tostes-Ribeiro McLaughlin, Steve Utter, Patricia Waits, Peter Anne Westenhaver, June Pacelt, The following names have been Warren, Michelle Waters, Angelina Wehrkamp, Art Weiner, Anne Westenhaver, Theresa Lutz, Patricia Carlson, Don submitted by the Nominating Segraves, Holly Lachowicz, Sandy Kevin Wheatley, Phillip White, Jody and John Williams, Sandra Wood, Beth Committee for election at the Wolf, Art Denison, and William Woodin, Claire Zucker Annual Meeting of the Society on Jean Barchman, Charles Liley, David Rife, Bryna April 11, 2011: Membership Coordinator Ben-Asher, Officers for new two-year term: Peter Bengtson, President: Cynthia Pruett Him Chumbby, Vice President: Sandy Elers Betty Bengtson, Secretary: Ruth Russell Paton Update Mary Ann Bavaria, Treasurer: Richard Carlson Gary Moeller, Andy Bennett, Many people have inquired about and investment in order to reach Cherie Lazaroff, Cynthia Lindquist, Directors at Large the current situation with the Patons’ this goal. We know that the whole Jean Barchman, Tom Sluss, Ruth for second three-year term: property in Patagonia. For more birding community is behind us and Wilderman, Martha Auslander Jessie Shinn than a year we’ve been working on is desperately keen to safeguard this We wish to thank Linda Greene and Linda Stitzer a solution and negotiations continue. birding gem. Mike Hall for their donation to the We continue to work with the idea of for first three-year term: Richard Fray, Board Member birthday fund. forming an independent non-profit Gavin Bieber organization whose initial goal will Jennifer Duberstein be to raise the funds to purchase Debra Finch the property from the Paton family. Robert Hernbrode Subsequent to purchase, the John Kennedy organization will manage the site as Claire Zucker a self-sustaining non-profit business, to fulfill the needs of the birds, visiting birders, and the community. In the coming weeks and months RICHARD FRAY The hummingbird feeders at the Paton property are not only the best place in America to we will be revealing more of our see Violet-crowned Hummingbirds, but also a magnet for many other species. Fruit and plans and asking for donations seed feeders, a pond, and trees attract many other birds.

8 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Volunteer News Roundup Meet Jessie Bhangoo, Volunteer of Becky Aparicio, Volunteer Coordinator the Quarter at Tucson Audubon. Jessie has worked and mostly Earth Day Festivities New Volunteers volunteered on and off for the We welcome new volunteers Rich April 16: Reid Park Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program Barchman, Kathleen Neighbors, April 23: Patagonia Days at Tucson Audubon since 2007. Sharon Tice, and Susan White. April 30: Children’s Museum Jessie recently finished a fantastic Tucson Audubon has more than International Migratory Bird Day stretch of full time assistance for the enough volunteers to fulfill all its May 7: Madera Canyon IBA Program for two months this obligations so we’re just saying NO! to past winter. Jessie is not a birder, new inquiries. April Fools! Ironwood Festival BROOKS MATT but a technical guru and problem This will probably never happen, May 14 (see p 5) solver, and most notably a great guy. degree in Computer Science from given the many demands for Tucson Tucson Audubon’s Bird & We truly appreciate him, and give the University of New Mexico (I Audubon’s services from our Wildlife Festival him big “thank you!”. Jessie is off on started at UA) and my specialty community: far too many for staff to August 17 through 21: Many his travels again, but before he left I is databases, and I also do lots fulfill alone. Tucson Audubon has volunteers will be needed for this asked him some questions. of programming, I thought I could many incredibly committed volunters inaugural event! You won’t want to help. I liked that the IBA Bird Survey but we realize that volunteers come miss this opportunity! See p 6. What is your passion? database would be practical for and go for lots of reasons, so we need Humanitarian work. Helping the people collecting the data, for Please contact Becky, baparicio@ to replenish and train our volunteer communities to do more. The theme science use, and for conservation. tucsonaudubon.org or 629-0510 x staff all the time. When our field trip of my work is always leveraging I liked the tight feedback loop of 7011 for volunteer information. Check coordinator gave up her volunteer simple tools—programs, databases, my work with IBA data users, both www.tucsonaudubon.org/festival for job after many years of committed instrumentation, programming staff and bird surveyors. Then, I got more details. work we were made aware of how language, and computers, getting to thinking about an on-line map important it is to engage all our Volunteers Out and the most out of them, and solving interface and bringing all the GIS volunteers and rely on them for extra About the needs and challenges of an program information from a technical effort. Very special thanks go out organization or community. and expensive program in a simple Birdathon to the field trip leaders who have Who do you like to help? form to IBA data users through free Volunteer Birdathon Team “Bird stepped up and helped us through the I like to help organizations that Google Maps & Google Earth, which Brains” will once again participate in process of adjustment and change. are helping to make the world a was a fun challenge! (We will unveil this fun and fabulous event: day to be better place, such as conservation this map interface this spring!) Volunteer Needs determined (see p 7). organizations, schools, medical What’s Next? I may go back Restoration Tucson Festival of Books clinics, food producers, and other to Guatemala and check on the April 12: Esperanza Ranch fence This event was a huge success for social service organizations. medical clinic I helped last year. building (see p 4) Tucson Audubon due to the many Where have you gone to And, I’ll continue to work on a smart April 23: Sabino Canyon invasive volunteers who manned our booth. Mil pursue that? “Organically” phone/iPod app for the IBA data species pull (see p 4) Gracias! often through the internet, all over collection. I’ll be back to Tucson the world—Canada, rural U.S., soon. I like it here! Guatemala, England, north and What’s your favorite bird? I south India, South Africa, and China. wouldn’t know a bird if it bit me! But, What brought you to help I really like penguins. Tucson Audubon and the IBA Scott Wilbor Program? I have a graduate IBA Conservation Biologist BECKY APARICIO BECKY JOANNE TRIPLETT You Went Outside. You Listened. You Gave. Thank You! Soundscape Ecology: it’s a new “Would you know exactly where discipline headed by ecologist Bryan you were in the world from the birds Pijanowski, a Professor at Purdue that you heard?” That really struck University. Bryan is exploring how a chord with you, and we exceeded

BECKY APARICIO BECKY BROOKS MATT sounds in our environment can be our $40,000 fundraising goal this Top left: Agua Caliente Park Book Club members Sharon, Shirley, Maggie, Lexie, and used to assess ecosystem health. winter. You donated nearly $60,000. Becky take a reading break. That’s exactly what we asked you to Thank so very much for your kind and Top right and bottom row: Volunteers and visitors at Tucson Audubon’s busy booth at the do in our Winter Appeal: to go outside, generous support. Tucson Festival of Books. listen, and answer the question Paul Green, Executive Director

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. April–June 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 9 TUCSON AUDUBON NEWS ROUNDUP

It’s a Party and You’re Invited! Two IBA Recognition Events Coming Up in Southern Arizona Jennie MacFarland, IBA Program Assistant-Biologist KENDALL KROESEN KENDALL JENNIE MACFARLAND

Important Bird Areas (IBAs) pinpoint On MAY 7th the Santa Rita the most important habitats in Mountains IBA has its turn. This Arizona for our native birds. There recognition event will take place in are 40 identified Important Bird Madera Canyon in conjunction with Areas in Arizona and every now and the International Migratory Bird Day then an IBA has its own recognition festivities. There will be expert-led event (aka party!) and becomes a bird walks, some led by the IBA “recognized” IBA. You are invited to crew, into the famous habitat of this two such ceremonies coming up very IBA. There will also be brief talks on close to Tucson! the importance of this IBA to native The first IBA “coming out” party is birds as well as a demonstration of APRIL 16th and will be celebrating how IBA surveys are conducted at the Upper Santa Cruz River IBA at Proctor Loop Trail. Attendees will the Tubac Community Center where also be invited to enjoy refreshments the festivities can take place right and take advantage of the plethora along the IBA. The morning will start of information available from the with birding walks through the habitat attending experts. All festivities will be of the IBA starting from 7:30 am to centered at the Proctor Road ramada. 8 am and going to about 8:30 am. So show your support of the IBA There will then be a series of short program and come out to one or both talks about the IBA program and the of these events and enjoy these IBAs importance of the Upper Santa Cruz right along with the birds! IBA for birds and the communities We thank the Arizona Game near it. All attendees will then be & Fish Department, Arizona Bird invited to enjoy some refreshments, Conservation Initiative, for support visit information tables, ask questions of these events and of the experts present, and generally for supporting the IBA enjoy themselves. Program overall. VF

Upper Santa Cruz River IBA at Esperanza Tucson Audubon conservation easement (upper left); Madera Canyon, part of the Santa Rita Mountains IBA (upper right); and recognition activities at past IBA celebrations. Elegant Trogon (right), one of the species that qualified the Santa Rita Mountains for IBA status.

FERRAN EALES

10 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Birds in the Sky—An Island of Diversity in the Pinaleños BIRD TO SEE BIRD TO RICH HOYER

Birding can be interesting almost Warbler, Scott’s Oriole, and Black-chinned anywhere during April and May. Birds are Sparrow singing up a storm alongside on the move, mostly migrating at night, the non-migratory Crissal Thrasher and WHERE TO WHERE TO GO using their mysteriously and marvelously Greater Roadrunner common in this area. accurate internal navigation systems. But As the season progresses, working come daylight, they prefer to rest, feed your way up the Swift Trail—the only road Sierra Madre of Mexico. One species to and steer clear of predators. While they that leads to the highest elevations—will be especially alert for is Northern Pygmy- may be on the right general route to their bring further rewards. By mid-April, later Owl, and if you find one, take special care breeding territories, their options for any migrants such as Virginia’s Warblers to take notes on its song, or better yet, day’s stopover might not be ideal. So birds and Black-headed Grosbeaks will be get a recording. Do they toot at 100 beats destined for the coniferous forests well setting up territories in the denser oak per minute (like the Mountain Pygmy-Owl north of us might find themselves at dawn woodlands, while by early May, nearly to the south) or 60 beats per minute (like

over the Tucson metro area, and that’s all species should be back, including the Rocky Mountain Pygmy-Owl to the GRIFFITHS ENGLEMANN SPRUCE, MATT why this is a good time of year to check Warbling Vireos in the aspens, Red-faced north)? your back yard, local park, cemetery, or Warblers where a few Gambel oaks are This habitat and the populations that university campus each morning. Anything mixed in with the Douglas-firs, Grace’s depend on it are made vulnerable merely like Western Wood-Pewee, Lazuli Bunting, Warblers wherever there are stands by their isolation and small size—chance Warbling Vireo, Wilson’s Warbler, or of Chihuahua and Apache pine, and events such as fire and insect outbreaks, Black-headed Grosbeak might surprise Cordilleran Flycatchers in the understory as well as direct habitat destruction you with a brief visit. of the deepest, darkest woods. by humans have long been existing But it’s in our Sky Islands, with their The habitat at the highest elevations threats. But now we are witnessing extreme range of habitats, where you of Mount Graham might be better global climate disruption, which effects stand to get the most bang for your buck. referred to as a “Sky Islet.” Right at the are most pronounced at high latitudes The Pinaleño Mountains, capped by top is a very isolated and small patch and elevations. The same potential Mount Graham, are the largest and least- of what is classified as the Hudsonian threats are magnified with the addition of visited of our isolated mountain ranges; Life Zone—a Rocky Mountain-inspired warmer temperatures and drier conditions but they have much to offer. In early April, spruce and fir forest with protected causing the amount of habitat to shrink. the lower elevation oak woodlands and draws of moist vegetation that harbor Some may dismiss as unimportant chaparral at Stockton Pass will already small, remote populations of several such isolated populations of what are have returning Black-throated Gray species. Perhaps most famous of these otherwise common and widespread is the endemic subspecies of the Red species, but we may not fully understand Squirrel once thought to be confined to their value, such as potential banks of the spruce stands at the very summit; genetic diversity not found in other areas. but less known are the birds there. While (For a scholarly article on this topic, doing bird surveys here for a US Forest read “Genetic evidence for the effect of Service study in 1994, I discovered a a postglacial population expansion on tiny breeding population of MacGillivray’s the phylogeography of a North American Warblers, the southernmost in the United songbird” by Borja Milá and others in the States at the time (some were found in May 22, 2000 issue of the Proceedings of the Davis Mountains of west Texas a few the Royal Biological Society.) years later). Our survey team also found The peak breeding season at this Orange-crowned Warblers, both Ruby- elevation is late May into June, and be crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets, prepared for a temperate climate, always Mountain Chickadees, and Red-breasted chilly in the mornings. Be sure to consult Nuthatches, and more recently birders your copy of Tucson Audubon’s Finding have found American Dippers breeding— Birds in Southeast Arizona for more all sounding pretty far-fetched for a details on birding the exciting Pinaleño Southeastern Arizona location. There is Mountains. VF also much to be learned about ongoing speciation, as this area lies in the twilight Rich Hoyer is a Senior Leader for WINGS zone between the major biogeographical Birding Tours Worldwide, www.wingsbirds.com/

FERRAN EALES regions of the Rocky Mountains and the leaders/rich-hoyer. GRACE’S WARBLER AND NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL, JIM & DEVA BURNS, WWW.JIMBURNSPHOTOS.COM JIM & DEVA PYGMY-OWL, AND NORTHERN GRACE’S WARBLER

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. April–June 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 11 Interesting stories about birds with interesting ­names Mexican Whip-poor-will A NAME LARRY LIESE

Have you ever tried sneaking up on

WHAT’S IN WHAT’S a calling Whip-poor-will at night? Before learning the secrets of eye shine I had tried this a number of times, attempting to turn a “heard-only” bird on my checklist GEORGE WEST into a lifer. Most of the time I’d head back to my campsite, wondering just where that bird within ten feet of me disappeared to. Mexican Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus arizonae, was recently split from Caprimulgus vociferus, now called Eastern Whip- poor-will. Long considered a candidate for full species status, the breeding milker” from the Greek aix from aigos and after—but not during—a total lunar range for Mexican Whip-poor-will is far “goat” and thelazo “to suckle.” The eclipse. separated from the eastern branch. Five Romans applied the Latin words capri Mexican Whip-poor-wills (Eastern’s sub-species exist for Mexican Whip-poor- and mulgus, (again, goat-milker) which as well) are strictly insectivorous. They will, extending from parts of Arizona and we have to this day. The more proper forage mostly at dusk and dawn but on New Mexico south through Mexico to designation “nightjar” comes from the old moonlit nights (particularly when nestlings Honduras and El Salvador. Differences world for the “jarring” call of one of this are present) they might hunt all night between Mexican and Eastern Whip- genus’ members there. long. Favorite food items include beetles, poor-wills center on vocalizations, Whip-poor-wills day-roost on the moths, flying ants, grasshoppers, and mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, ground in leaf litter, and don’t flush unless mosquitoes. They have very small bills morphology and egg pigmentation. Most nearly stepped on, so are generally only but enormous gapes, allowing food items of us will have to settle for just hearing the seen when aerial foraging at dawn or as large as 50mm to be caught and Mexican’s burrier call, though if you ever dusk, or (with patience and a flashlight swallowed. Their mouth opening is lined happen upon a nest with eggs belonging held to your temple) night-roosting on with rictal bristles, long thought to help to one, note the egg’s color. Mexican horizontal tree limbs, sitting parallel to the trigger a reflex closing of their mouths Whip-poor-will’s eggs are mostly white branch (sometimes in small groups). Their when contacting insect prey but now with indistinct scrawl markings while the orange-red eye shine is quite bright and thought to be more as a defense against Eastern Whip-poor-will has eggs with can be seen from a surprising distance ricochets into their eyes. Their function is colored blotches or spots. away, but they will flush when a bright not known for sure. Incorrectly called “goat-suckers” for a light is put right on them. My suggestion Where should you go to find some? In long time, nightjars acquired their genus for trying to get a view of calling birds at Arizona they prefer pine-oak woodland name from the Romans, who heard the night is to look for eye shine from a fair below the Ponderosa pine (Transition) story from the Greeks but gave them a distance away, and once found move zone. The upper half of the road in Latin name. As the story goes, Greek quietly closer, finally using your light once Madera Canyon is a good place to hear shepherds would see nightjars flying again but only letting the edge of the light them but getting a view there can be at dusk around their domestic stock beam illuminate the bird. tough due to access. In the past I would (including goats), where the birds would Nightjars in general call frequently, have advised a campout in Scotia Canyon be foraging for insects common around sometimes for much of the night. where one can walk about the dirt roads livestock. Apparently imagination had Moonlight coming up over the horizon (I had my first views of a batch of five in a its way as they thought the birds were can be a strong trigger for calling to start. tree there), but present border conditions suckling the she-goats and they gave This fact can help when searching for a warrant staying away from there at them the Greek name aigothelas “goat- rare nightjar such as Buff-collared. In an night. Mount Lemmon has possibilities area they have been reported in, try for but remember that a permit beyond the Mexican Whip-poor-will, them on nights just after full moon when regular car pass is required for nighttime Caprimulgus arizonae, was the strong moonlight arrives just after activities. Regardless of where you try, recently split from Caprimulgus darkness. An interesting substantiation success will bring you a smile once you vociferus, now called Eastern of this fact was observed when Whip- see one. Good luck! VF poor-wills were heard calling before Whip-poor-will.

12 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Field Identification of the Rocky ountainsM in Southeastern Arizona

RICK TAYLOR HABITAT TYPES HABITAT

I’m happy to say I can hear the by Ponderosa, and accelerating, tinkling notes of singing north-facing hillsides Golden-crowned Kinglets, and the tiny support a Canadian Barfoot Park, Chiricahua Mtns. (above), Golden-crowned “explosion” of microscopic sound bubbles zone admixture of white

Kinglet (left), and north side of Mount Bigelow, Santa SE ARIZONA bursting at the end of each chorus. For and Douglas firs. On the shadiest Catalina Mtns. (below left and inset). me hearing Golden-crowned Kinglets slopes, usually above an elevation of means more than avoiding a visit to the 9,000 feet, there are stands of subalpine to bird the mountaintops in late spring— ear doc; for me this miniature songster fir in the Santa Catalina or Engelmann when birdsong reaches its peak, again in symbolizes the boreal community of spruce in the Chiricahua Mountains. summer—when fledglings are abundant, birds that live at high elevations here in Both trees occur in the Pinaleño and especially in fall. Fall mixed warbler Southeastern Arizona. Mountains above Safford. Each of these flocks comprising primarily Townsend’s Southeastern Arizona is, of course, vegetative types has a representative bird and Hermits may number from dozens renowned for its biological diversity. Many emblematic of the Rockies. to a thousand or more, depending on of our most-prized birds follow the long Orange-crowned Warblers breed the year, and may include seven or more tendrils of the tropics that reach up from along the willow-trimmed streams, Broad- species. Other birds such as chickadees Mexico. The Rocky Mountain community tailed Hummingbirds ply the delphinium and nuthatches frequently join the of plants and birds in Southeastern in the meadows, Violet-green Swallows freewheeling pandemonium. Arizona is both limited in size and seek out quaking aspen chambers for All of our border ranges exceeding comparatively species poor. But for me their nests, and flycatching among open 8,000 feet in elevation support islands of it’s the cherry on top of the hot fudge Ponderosa pine stands are summering Douglas fir and quaking aspen. Because sundae. Western Bluebirds. For the most part, of the Merriam Effect—the larger the Birds: First-time visitors to singing Golden-crowned Kinglets do not mountain mass the greater it influences Southeastern Arizona are always shocked show a preference between Canadian fir local climate—our three largest ranges by a trip to the top of the Santa Catalina and Hudsonian spruce forests. Like the in Southeastern Arizona are most apt to Mountains. Nothing shatters a sandy, birds farther north, all of these species are produce a satisfying day with boreal birds. cactus-studded preconception of Arizona at least partially migratory. Take a scenic drive to the crest of the as much as unspooling a slow drive Most run south ahead of the lowering Santa Catalina, Chiricahua, or Pinaleño down the Bear Wallow Road or scrolling jet stream as winter approaches. A few Mountains. South of Sierra Vista the the length of the Hitchcock Highway of the hardier types—Common Ravens gravel Reef Road switchbacks to above up to Ski Valley. I take a voyeur’s and Mountain Chickadees, for example— 7,000 feet into the upper Huachuca delight in watching a newcomer’s face stick it out. Others, like American Dippers Mountains. Birding here, too, can be as Pygmy Nuthatches glean from the in the Pinaleños, may descend into excellent, but species such as chickadees needle clusters and Red-breasted sheltered canyons to escape the effects are absent except as vagrants. Only Nuthatches patrol the pink, aromatic of ferocious storm events. And others backpackers have access to the high trunks of Ponderosa pines. Meanwhile yet, such as Steller’s Jays, employ both Santa Rita Mountains or to Manning spiraling songs of Hermit Thrushes fill the strategies. Steller’s Jays occur on every Camp in the Rincons. mountain amphitheatres like the score of Christmas Bird Count circle that includes In the candy shop of avian treats a major motion picture. high elevations in Southeastern Arizona. available to birders in Southeastern Habitats: There are brooks, there are But during snowy winters the total number Arizona, for me nothing beats settling meadows, there are groves of aspen on the Portal CBC may slip to a minute down on a mat of conifer needles and Gambel oak, and there is coniferous fraction of their summer abundance in somewhere deep in a secluded mountain

ALL HABITAT PHOTOS RICK TAYLOR; GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET JIM & DEVA JIMBURNS, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET & DEVA WWW.JIMBURNSPHOTOS.COMTAYLOR; RICK PHOTOS HABITAT ALL forest. South-facing slopes are dominated the Chiricahuas. Only six individual birds glen, leaning back against the great gray, were recorded in 2006. Clearly, at least time-fissured trunk of a forest leviathan, in some years, Steller’s Jays are largely and listening to the ethereal song of a migratory. Golden-crowned Kinglet. Chances are a Locations: Paradoxically, Red Red-faced Warbler will be singing, too. Crossbills usually commence nesting And that’s the cherry on top! VF in early winter. But Red Crossbills are probably the least predictable breeding Rick Taylor is Managing Director of Borderland species in the entire pantheon of Tours www.borderland-tours.com. His new Southeastern Arizona’s avifauna. To photographic field guide, Birds of Southeastern fully experience the birdlife of the Rocky Arizona, is available at Tucson Audubon’s Mountains in Southeastern Arizona, plan Nature Shops.

April–June 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 13 Cold Weather in a Warming World

CHANGE JONATHAN OVERPECK

The Earth’s climate is constantly record cold year with a demise of global winds blow more or less straight from

CLIMATE CLIMATE changing in response to many natural warming. Of course, 2010 went on to west to east around the pole and limit the processes, and now increasingly in become a record warm year, and the exchange between cold polar air to the response to human causes. Although the last 10 years the warmest ever in the north and the warmer air to the south. Earth’s surface climate is warming just thermometer record. So much for the long However, when the polar vortex winds about everywhere as the atmosphere discredited idea that the sun is driving weaken, the jet-stream gets more sinuous traps more and more energy from the global warming, or that the sun has more like a big meandering river. When this sun, this doesn’t necessarily mean each influence than increasing greenhouse gas happens, the jet-stream will transport year will be warmer than the last. Instead, concentrations in our atmosphere. more cold air to the south when and it’s the long view that matters when So what about this cold winter weather, where it meanders south, and more warm talking climate. Our most recent winter and all the snow back east? First, it is key air north when and where it meanders provides a nice lesson in how climate to remember that winters are by nature north. This allows more outbreaks of cold change and weather can interact to give cold, and even snowy in some places. Arctic air to the south, giving us our cold us an unusual experience. It is also important to remember that weather and the snows along the East Winter 2010–11 has been an we are experiencing weather, and not Coast. interesting one for people across the climate. Climate is the long-term average Changes in the atmospheric pressure country, including those of us in Tucson. of weather—“climate is what we expect, between Arctic and lower latitudes is a Although not necessarily the coldest and weather is what we get,” goes an old reflection of what is called the “Arctic winter ever, many of us have plants and saying. Well, we got some serious cold, Oscillation” which has more recently trees (my poor lemon tree!) that prove and now scientists are just as intrigued as shifted from the “negative” phase the recent cold snap was very real and the public—so what’s up? described above (weak polar vortex), to unusual. (February 3, 2011, gave us a The quick answer is that no one knows the opposite “positive” phase. It’s unclear record nighttime low for that date of 18°F, for certain, but we have some pretty if—and how—this change is leading to and record lows for a daytime high on the good ideas. An important clue beyond weather impacts down our way. same day of 38°F.) And we’re not alone. our cold winter weather, and the east’s Another idea is that the build-up of Back east, there have been some big snow, is what’s happening in the Arctic. snow in Siberia in recent winters might snowstorms! There, sea ice coverage has been at an also be contributing to our cold and snow. The situation isn’t that different from all-time low through much of the winter. Why more snow? This probably comes the winter of 2009–10. Back then, some This has led to more relatively warm about because a warmer atmosphere folks even built igloos on the Washington ocean water (just above freezing is warm can hold more moisture and changing DC mall and pretended, some seriously, for the Arctic in winter!) being in contact atmospheric circulation is delivering more that global warming must be a thing with the atmosphere, which has led to snow to Siberia. In turn, all this snow of the past. The levels of radiation air temperatures in parts of the Arctic may be driving pressure changes that received at the outer edge of the earth’s warming to well above normal. are making the Northern Hemisphere atmosphere (solar irradiance) hit record In addition to the possible sea ice– circulation more sinuous and capable of lows and stoked some more serious ocean–air temperature link in the Arctic, exchanging air between the Arctic and

BACKGROUND IMAGE CLIFF CATHERS claims on blogs that we were in for a there has also been lower atmospheric mid-latitudes where we live. pressure in the Arctic This is a cool idea but, as with all the (perhaps in part other ideas, scientists can’t be certain. because of the However, a paper published recently colder atmosphere less cold atmosphere lower than in the journal Nature showed—with average sea statistical confidence—that humans are

warm, wet ice coverage), likely causing rain and snow to fall in a cold and this more intensive fashion as we warm the cold cold dry has led to global atmosphere. This makes sense, storms weaker than since warmer air can hold more moisture storms normal “polar and, when wrung out by a storm, that stronger weaker vortex” winds means more water to fall as rain or snow. trade winds trade winds isolating—and Where does that leave us? Certainly, insulating—the the cold weather we experienced in Arctic from lower Tucson this winter doesn’t refute global latitudes. Normally, warming or climate change. The globe Arctic Oscillation: positive phase (left) and negative phase (right) (Source: J. Wallace, University of Washington; NASA) the high-level “vortex” is still warming, and there are many

14 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Cold Weather in a Warming World JONATHAN OVERPECK

other climate changes occurring that are consistent with that warming. I haven’t mentioned the on-going La Niña in the tropical Pacific, which in addition to diverting moisture-laden storms northward of Arizona and New Mexico (as La Niña conditions usually do), may be helping to drive the circulation changes that have allowed more Arctic air into the Southwest and elsewhere. Could global warming be giving us more outbreaks of cold Arctic air? The answer is yes, but we can’t be sure.

Perhaps the outbreaks are due to the ZADINA, BZADINA.COM © BILL steady retreat of Arctic sea ice, or build-up of Siberian snow, or other reasons. However, the science isn’t yet at the state where we can be relatively sure of a linkage between global warming and winter extremes. For now, we can enjoy our more normal and above normal temperatures (shorts weather in Tucson and more than 70°F in Washington DC earlier in February when I was there to give a talk), and wait for the science to become more clear on yet another intriguing issue. VF

As the co-director of the Institute of the Environment at The University of Arizona, Jonathan Overpeck is working to help foster a new paradigm of interdisciplinary knowledge creation between physical, biological and social scientists—all with a goal of serving the environmental needs of society in a more effective manner. Visit southwestclimatechange.org/contributors/ jonathan-overpeck for more details.

Sonoran Desert snowscape (right) and snow-covered barrel cactus (above, inset)

Websites where you can learn more Arctic sea ice: nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/ Arctic oscillation: nsidc.org/arcticmet/patterns/ arctic_oscillation.html Our recent weird winter weather: southwestclimatechange.org/blog/10799 © BILL ZADINA, BZADINA.COM © BILL

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. April–June 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 15 Changing Birds in a Changing Climate

CHANGE SCOTT WILBOR | IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS PROGRAM CONSERVATION BIOLOGIST

CLIMATE CLIMATE Arid desert ecosystems of the western by plants, animals, and people; and an combination of reduced rainfall with high United States are characterized by increased frequency of extreme weather temperatures. low productivity and slow plant growth, events (heat waves, droughts, and Climate simulations for the primarily because of water availability. floods). Furthermore, warmer nights and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Plants and animals in this region live near projected declines in snow pack, coupled Change suggest new, warmer climates their physiological limits for water and with earlier spring snow melt, will reduce arising by 2100 AD will increase the temperature stress, and are particularly water supply, lengthen the dry season, likelihood of species reshuffling into novel susceptible to climate change and climate create conditions for drought and insect communities such as occurred in the variability. As a result, slight changes in outbreaks, and increase the frequency late-glacial past. Some species that exist temperature or rainfall regimes could and intensity of wildfires. Temperatures within ecological communities today will substantially alter the composition, currently considered unusually high will persist, some species will become extinct, distribution, and abundance of species. occur more frequently. These model- and new species will evolve over time. The Climate Assessment for the based projections align with observations Some ecological surprises could occur Southwest (CLIMAS) program at The made in the region over the past decade. that result from elevated atmospheric University of Arizona remarks that there is The drought that develops in our region carbon dioxide, nitrogen deposition, and broad consensus among climate models over the remaining years of the current non-native species introductions. that the arid regions of the southwestern century will be different to major droughts See Climate Change and United States will become drier in the of the past, for example the drought of Ecosystems of the Southwestern 21st century and that the transition to a the 12th century, in that low precipitation United States by Steven R. Archer and more arid climate is already underway. will be accompanied by consistently high Katharine I. Predick. Rangelands, 30 (3): The current prognosis for global climate temperatures. The widespread 2002– 23–28. 2008. change impacts on the Southwest 2003 piñon pine mortality in the Colorado Paul Green includes fewer frost days; warmer Plateau was far more extensive than that Executive Director temperatures; greater water demand from the 1950s drought because of the

Birds are more mobile than many Vegetation changes will mirror our future will bring extreme weather events, other animals. They can shift their ranges changing climate and weather patterns, especially heat waves and drought. rapidly as a changing climate brings about and so too will the animals that live in These conditions may be beyond the changes in habitats. As a result, we can those new plant communities. Ranges of tolerances for heat and water loss of expect long-term changes in the species biological communities will tend northward some species, resulting in increased and number of birds that we see, and and upslope, and high quality habitat mortality. Some evidence already exists where we will be able to find them. patches will attain greater importance for that the combination of thermal and water As conservationists, one of our jobs will the continued survival of certain species. stress affects small-bodied species such be to provide for species as they adapt As our familiar species assume a more as hummingbirds, Verdin, gnatcatchers, to a rapidly changing set of conditions. northern distribution, so more southerly and goldfinches, whose annual survival For example, Audubon California predicts species will move into our region, both as may decline by as much as a quarter. that California’s Important Bird Areas will visitors and as breeders. Management Decreased availability of water may help 16 of 25 sensitive species persist of key habitats will be critical to maintain result in fewer large flying insects through the year 2100, even in the face of species diversity. which would reduce the extreme climate change. food supply for IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA Deserts and birds: The drier, hotter, southwestern climates of the MATT GRIFFITHS MATT RICHARD DITCH GRIFFITHS MATT 16 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Northern Cardinal, flycatchers, and wrens. Reductions in the tall canopy will likely result in declines in species that include Great Blue Heron, raptors, and Changing Birds in a Changing Climate tanagers. Again, we can expect some SCOTT WILBOR | IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS PROGRAM CONSERVATION BIOLOGIST species currently with a more southern range including orioles, mockingbirds, species such as Lesser Nighthawk and and mixed conifer forests as chaparral, kiskadees, wrens, and kingbirds to extend Elf Owl. By reducing lizards, snakes, and scrub oak, and grasslands extend their range north as they find new habitat. small-bird populations, species including upslope. Bird distribution patterns will Key actions to maintaining bird Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy-owl and reflect these habitat changes. Forest birds diversity in these habitats will be to Greater Roadrunner may also be affected. including owls (Mexican Spotted Owl manage for high groundwater levels in A drier climate will impact desert and Mountain Pygmy-owl), nuthatches, valleys; remove invasive, non-native grasses production, which will reduce creepers, sapsuckers, high-elevation plant species; and establish and maintain grass seed availability in winter for bird warblers (Red-faced Warbler and Olive connectivity through broad riparian habitat species that forage for seeds, including Warbler), and some woodpeckers (such linkages. wintering sparrows, such as Vesper’s as Hairy Woodpecker) will decline locally Grasslands and birds: A changing Sparrow. and shift northward. We may experience climate will bring non-native, warm- Aridlands ecosystems are highly more southern Sierra Madrean climate adapted grasses to native susceptible to invasion by non-native flycatchers, wrens, thrushes, and grassland communities, accompanied by species. Facilitated by climate change, hummingbirds as their ranges shift north shrub encroachment. Habitat changes invasion by non-native species could alter to find more suitable conditions. and increasingly arid conditions will result the type and quantity of food for birds. For To manage for the continued diversity in fewer insects, so reducing numbers and example buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare), of our Madrean “Sky Islands” it will be productivity of wintering and nesting birds. prevalent in our wetter eastern Sonoran important for us to actively maintain forest Some grassland birds, such as Arizona desert (6–24 in. of rain), is spreading into connections to allow for elevational and Grasshopper Sparrow may decline, while desert uplands, posing a fire hazard in a northward movements, and to protect others, including Rufous-winged, Black- desert that is not fire-adapted. Buffelgrass cooler and wetter refugia, prevent the throated, and Lark sparrows may increase would threaten birds that nest in areas disturbance of seeps and springs, and in numbers as dense grasslands shift dominated by saguaros and palo verde. conserve perennial stream reaches towards shrub–cacti–grassland mixes. Climate change may lengthen its already within mountain drainages by protecting Again, currently more southern species, long growing season. bankside overhanging shrubs and trees. such as seedeaters, grassquits, and Montane forests and birds: Low-elevation riverine systems buntings, may expand north in “pockets” Climate change models predict an and birds: The drying and warming in wetter years. overall drying of our “sky island” forest will lead to a reduction in the perennial We can maximize grassland bird ecosystems, leading to the loss of some reaches of rivers and creeks, and die- diversity and abundance in the future seeps and springs, and drying of creek back and die-off of mature riparian by managing for prevention of further reaches. This will also increase the risk trees such as cottonwoods and willows, fragmentation of grassland habitats, as and vulnerability of forests to catastrophic especially trees that survive through for example for sub-division to ranchettes crown-sweeping fires and outbreaks of localized “perched” groundwater. and housing developments. The use insect pests, such as pine-bark beetles. Other changes we can expect in the of fire and holistic grazing regimes are We should expect slow changes in riparian zone include an increase in two techniques that help to preserve the vegetation communities, especially at the shrub-dominated vegetation and more diversity and abundance of native grasses higher elevations of our distinct mountain infestations by non-native grasses, and the birds they support. VF ranges, with a shrinking in the including reeds. More extreme Reference range of oak, precipitation events are likely to lead to BirdLife International (2011) Climate change pine-oak, flood events of greater magnitude. is driving poleward shifts in the distributions Some bird species of the understory of species. Presented as part of the BirdLife and mid-canopy zone riparian habitats State of the world’s birds website. Available will thrive in this scenario, for from: www.biodiversityinfo.org/casestudy. example vireos, Yellow- php?r=pressure&id=153. breasted Chat, JENNIE MACFARLAND KROESEN KEDNALL Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. April–June 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 17 Agency and Bureau of Reclamation, CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION NEWS 60 pilot project homeowners are CHRIS MCVIE, PAUL GREEN, KENDALL KROESEN, AND SCOTT WILBOR conserving water in and around their homes and calculating their savings. Participants in the C2E Program track personal water conservation C2E: A New Formula for Conservation and donate their cost savings to environmental enhancement. Those who not wish to track water savings can donate directly to C2E by going to the Watershed Management Group website (http://watershedmg.org/ c2e) clicking on the “contribute” tab, making a donation and putting “C2E”

BOTH PHOTOS KENDALL KROESEN KENDALL BOTH PHOTOS on the comment line. There is currently an “open space check-box” on Tucson Water bills, and the Tucson Mayor and City Council have agreed that some money coming into that fund will be used by C2E for The Atturbury-Lyman Bird and Animal Sanctuary is on Atturbury Wash at Lincoln Regional Park. Though mostly undeveloped, Atturbury habitat restoration as well. Wash has experienced erosion and vegetation die-off. Tucson Audubon is developing a restoration plan there which will be enhanced by The advisory board provides the support from C2E. essential oversight, guidance, and The Tucson Conserve to Enhance would contribute to habitat restoration Sonoran Institute began to push the development component for the (C2E) Program grew out of an idea along rivers and washes, rather than idea forward. However, it turned out to burgeoning Tucson C2E Program. hatched by Sharon Megdal and just facilitating more development. be more complicated than expected The first project chosen to receive Andrew Schwartz at the University’s The proposed mechanism was that due to the Tucson Water billing C2E funds is Tucson Audubon’s own Water Resources Research Center people would see water savings on system and other considerations. Atturbury Wash Restoration Project. (WRRC) (more background at their water bill and make a monetary An advisory board was formed (The Tucson Audubon representative www.ag.arizona.edu/azwater/ donation equivalent to the money they to continue to explore the idea, and on the advisory board recused himself conserve2enhance). had saved on their bill. The donation Tucson Audubon was invited to sit from the selection process due to Sharon and Andrew were would go toward providing irrigation on this board. Under the guidance of potential conflict of interest!) searching for a way to motivate water to restoration projects. the board, a way forward has begun Kendall Kroesen people to conserve water by showing A coalition made up of WRRC, to emerge. Catalyzed by grants from Habitats Program Manager them that the water they conserved Watershed Management Group and the US Environmental Protection

Bulbs made with LED Conservation Corner! technology are available at many local stores and on For years light emitting diodes (LEDs) Their advantages over the Internet. Replacements have had a number of specialized incandescent bulbs include for PAR 38 halogen bulbs are uses. Now they are entering the much longer lifespan and much coming on the market as well. household lighting market. They hold lower electricity use. Compared to Due to the great Tucson Audubon demonstrates LED great promise due to energy savings compact fluorescent bulbs, LED promise of LED lighting, we lighting (left) in the solar-powered, off- and long life. bulbs brighten more quickly, don’t recommend that you begin to use it. grid DC lights on the new composting The federal government contain mercury, have a color more However, because it is in its infancy, toilet building at our Mason Center has created incentives for the like daylight (which many people like) we recommend experimenting with (below)! development of new lighting and often use even less electricity. one bulb to start. If everybody buys Kendall Kroesen technology, such as the Department Lights made with LEDs are now one, it will stimulate manufacturers Habitats Program Manager of Energy’s L Prize (see www. affordable if you take into account to continue to innovate. On the other lightingprize.org). Some states their long life and low energy use. hand, if you replace a lot of your have also mandated phasing out Questions have been raised about lighting now with an early version incandescent bulbs. whether their lifespan will really be of LED bulbs, you may see better Household lighting using LED as long as advertised. But even if products in a year or two and be technology is already on the market. the lifespan is only half of what is stuck with bulbs that won’t burn out Bulbs that mimic incandescent bulbs advertised, that’s still a long time over for 10 years or more. That’s a green can be bought and tested today. which to defray the up-front cost. dilemma! ALL PHOTOS KENDALL KROESEN KENDALL PHOTOS ALL

18 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Wading into the Conservation Effluent Pool

A 1979 intergovernmental agreement under which effluent can be allocated project site. Water that flows through (IGA) between Tucson and Pima to riparian projects. The Pima County Tucson’s reclaimed water system will County established the current county Board of Supervisors had approved it be available at an “environmental authority over most of our region’s in December. rate” yet to be established, assuming wastewater treatment system. In 2000 It remains to be seen exactly that the amount of water required is Effluent-fed section of Santa Cruz River KENDALL KROESEN KENDALL the City of Tucson and Pima County how the use of effluent for “riparian available from the system. Again, the signed a supplemental agreement that projects” will be implemented, operator of the project is responsible allocation of Colorado River water better defined ownership of effluent including who will design and for conveying reclaimed water from is about 144,000 acre-feet per year. and created a 10,000 acre-feet per implement projects. In theory, the existing distribution system to the So even with eventual use of the year “conservation effluent pool” those who currently have rights to project site. CEP for riparian projects, we are still (CEP). The CEP was to benefit wildlife effluent (the county and most of the Interestingly, administrators may taking vastly more water from riparian by making effluent explicitly available local municipalities, and their water recommend an increase in the amount systems than we are giving back. for “riparian projects.” providers) can request the use of of effluent in the CEP. An acre-foot of Eventually the more courageous However as of early 2011, in the water from the CEP for a riparian water is the amount of water it would move on the part of our elected words of Deputy City Manager Richard project. Approval will come from “CEP take to flood one acre one foot deep, officials will be to move much more Miranda, “no effluent [had] been Administrators” consisting of one or 325,851.4 U.S. gallons. strongly toward conservation, so that designated for riparian projects as the person designated by the county and While it is a courageous move we take less water from wildlife in procedural details to implement the one by Tucson. on the part of the city and county to the first place. In the interim, we are CEP were not completed.” That has Effluent, as it emerges from certain dedicate 10,000 acre-feet of water encouraged that the CEP may actually now changed. In January the Tucson metropolitan treatment facilities to riparian projects, bear in mind start facilitating the restoration of Mayor and City Council approved will be available at no cost, though that this is a small amount relative riparian habitat. an additional intergovernmental the operator of a riparian project is to the hundreds of acre-feet of water Kendall Kroesen, agreement establishing procedures responsible for conveying it to the Tucson that area residents use. Our Habitats Program Manager

Birding with Aging Eyes Tedra Fox: In Memoriam

All of us are growing older; those of seemed much flatter and in focus. It is with deep regret that we report • $1.2m in energy savings during us on the downhill side must contend Confirmation also came when I went the passing of Tedra Fox, Pima the last year through such things with changes that affect our birding: to the shooting range and looked County’s first Sustainability Manager. as videoconferencing, turning arthritis, memory loss, hearing loss, through my scope: the targets were Tedra established the long-term off heating and cooling systems loss of bone density, and more decidedly less fuzzy and I could see Sustainable Action Plan for County after hours. besides. It’s particularly discouraging all of the individual bullet holes. Operations, winning the “Innovation With the City of Tucson, Tedra though when companions refer to While I still prefer my progressive in Sustainability Award of Excellence” secured funding to establish a subtle cues, necessary to identify lenses for everyday work, including award from the National Association Regional Solar Coordinator and that cryptic sparrow or fall warbler, reading and working at the computer, for Operations Management. the Solar One Stop Website, and which I am unable to see. Did I need my new lined bifocals give me a much The plan integrated more than The Green Pueblo Map (www. to upgrade my binoculars or get new better view when I use field optics. 100 action items to create a more greenpueblomap.org) which created glasses? My optometrist assured me I am near-sighted and the sustainable workplace. The plan greater awareness and enjoyment that my eyes were perfectly corrected. difference between my normal lenses addresses: Water Conservation of Pima County’s many sustainable Then I got to wondering about my and the bifocal segment is pretty and Management; Alternative Fuel assets. Tedra was posthumously progressive lenses, and decided to try obvious, so if you have less distorted Vehicles; Green Building; Green awarded the Legacy Award from an experiment. I ordered new lenses eyesight you might not benefit. Try Purchasing; Waste Reduction; the Pima County–Tucson Women’s for my old frames but with traditional this test. Look through your binoculars Renewable Energy and Energy Commission for her outstanding “lined” bifocals. When I tried them with without your glasses. Is the view Efficiency; and Land Conservation service in local government. my binoculars I saw a real difference! that much better, the field flatter and and Management. Though Tedra would say that it was Birds focused more easily, stayed in focus, when compared with your Tedra, and the Sustainable Action a Pima County team effort, we know in focus, and the whole binocular field progressive eyeglasses? If so, this Teams she assembled, enabled that none of these accomplishments might be a sign that the progressive Pima County to show measurable would have been possible without PAUL & ENG-LI GREEN PAUL lenses are making it harder for your improvements including: her leadership. We mourn the loss eyes to focus when looking through • Reducing waste streams by 30% of one of the brilliant lights dedicated optics. It might just help you to identify since FY2008 through the “Recycle to improving our community. We will those birds that have been giving you While You Work” Campaign. miss her greatly. See tucsonaudubon. fits, although you will still have to learn • One quarter of Pima County’s org/what-we-do/conservation/296.html the field marks! 1141 Fleet Vehicles now use for a full appreciation. VF Tim Helentjaris alternative fuels. Lilian von Rago and Chris McVie

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. April–June 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 19 CONSERVATION & EDUCATION NEWS

Does Your Representative Know What You Think?

During March we learned that Brewer that withdrew Arizona from the • 68% rate preserving habitat better enforced (66% combined, 18% members of the House Energy and Western Climate Initiative. for fish, birds and wildlife “very strengthened, 48% better enforced). Commerce Committee voted against The Senate has approved and important” (96% total important) When provided with an economic the following amendment: “Congress forwarded to the House two pieces • 66% rate preserving historic sites rationale for reducing some of these accepts the scientific finding of the of legislation under which Arizona and lands unique to Arizona’s standards on major employers such Environmental Protection Agency would ignore federal health and safety history and heritage “very as agriculture and construction, three- that ‘warming of the climate system is guidelines set by the Clean Water Act important” (96% total important) quarters of western voters believe the unequivocal, as is now evident from and the Clean Air Act, which impose • 57% rate protecting recreational current “protections for land, air and observations of increases in global uniform standards over the amount of opportunities in natural areas and water that apply to major industries” average air and ocean temperatures, pollutants that can be discharged into parks “very important” (94% total should be maintained. widespread melting of snow and ice, the air and water. important) One area where voters see the and rising global average sea level.’ SCR 1015 would have Arizona Further, a majority of voters (68%) potential for job growth is increasing Two other amendments, one that voters decide whether to amend the agree “we can protect land and water the use of renewable energy sources, affirmed that human-caused emissions state Constitution to allow the state to and have a strong economy with as two-thirds (67%) perceive this to are causing climate change and become the sole regulatory authority good jobs for Americans at the same be a job creator for their state. Only another that such climate changes over the levels of pollution that can be time, without having to choose one twelve percent think this would “cost pose threats to human health and emitted into intrastate waterways, and over the other,” while just 28% agree their state jobs.” welfare, also fell to defeat in a vote give the state Legislature the authority “sometimes protections for land and Voters indicated that they would along party lines. Incidentally, the 31 to define what intrastate waters are. water and having a strong economy increase the amount of their state’s Republicans and three Democrats These actions are contrary to are in conflict, and we must choose electricity needs being produced by who voted in favor of H.R. 910 (The what the voters say they want. A jobs over protecting natural areas renewable sources to 65%. A majority Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011) telephone survey conducted among a and parks.” Finally, given the state’s agree that it is “time to start replacing have received a total of $350,250 from representative sample of 500 voters budget cuts, six-in-ten (61%) believe coal with other energy sources like Koch Industries, the second-largest in Arizona reports that Arizona voters that it’s “more important to preserve wind and solar power (70% agree, private company in the United States. believe that protecting and preserving existing funding for national parks and 28% disagree).” The survey also Greenpeace reports that between 1997 the natural environment is important monuments, like that from the Land found that “fully 88% indicate a and 2008 Koch Industries donated and, in light of the recent state budget and Water Conservation Fund.” willingness to pay something more nearly $48 million to groups that doubt cuts, want existing funding for the A broader survey of five western each month for this purpose.” These or oppose the theory of anthropogenic Land and Water Conservation Fund states www.coloradocollege.edu/ results are driven by concerns for air climate change. We wonder whose preserved. Among key findings from stateoftherockies/Conservation_ quality. Respondents are mostly (67% interests they have at heart. the survey; West_Survey/ConservationWestSurv supporting and 30% opposed) in favor Meanwhile in Phoenix a bill • 92% rate protecting the quality of ey_02_20_11ev1.pdf discovered that of EPA “requiring reductions in carbon called the “Freedom to Breathe Act,” water “very important” (99% total nine of ten Westerners would rather emissions from sources like power SB1393 would seek to remove the important) spend a day outdoors than a day in plants, cars and factories in an effort Environmental Protection Agency’s • 84% rate conserving lakes, rivers a city, and an overwhelming majority to reduce global warming.” federal authority to regulate fine and streams “very important” (97% of voters surveyed also attach a high Finally, the current Senate budget particulates (PM-10 and PM- 2.5) total important) “importance to having clean water, proposal jeopardizes the ability of microscopic particles of air pollution • 79% rate protecting the quality clean air, natural areas and wildlife Arizona State Parks to function as small enough to penetrate deep of air “very important” (95% total as a fundamental ingredient in the an agency, so no matter how much into the lungs and exacerbate important) good quality of life in their state (87% Federal partners can give for the cardiopulmonary illnesses, as well as • 76% rated preserving natural areas extremely or very important).” Site Steward Program, it’s unlikely regulate greenhouse gas emissions. and parks for future generations of Two-thirds believe the current that ASP will be able to continue to This bill follows an executive Arizonans “very important” (97% laws protecting land, air and water support our park system as part of the order issued last year by Gov. Jan total important) should be strengthened, or at least budget see article at tucsonaudubon. org/images/stories/conservation/ More_cuts_StParks.pdf. We Westerners want to preserve the quality of life we’ve come to love in the West. This is what Arizona voters want. Do your representatives know what you want or are they advancing their own agenda when it comes to our natural environment? Visit tucsonaudubon.org/act-now/ advocate.html for a list of who to contact in local, state, and federal SABINO CANYON, MATT GRIFFITHS SABINO CANYON, MATT SAN PEDRO RIVER, MATT GRIFFITHS SAN PEDRO RIVER, MATT governments. VF 20 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2011 WEEKLY BIRD WALKS TUCSON AUDUBON FIELD TRIPS MATT GRIFFITHS | INTERIM FIELD TRIP COORDINATOR Fridays—8–9:30 am Tucson Audubon’s Mason Center Friday morning bird walks. Learn the very basics of birdwatching and how to identify the birds commonly seen in the Tucson Area. A brief presentation is followed by a slow stroll around the half-mile trail at the Mason Center—genuine Ironwood forest habitat. Led by Mary Ellen Flynn. No reservation required. Loaner binoculars available. Thursdays—8 am Wake Up With the Birds at Agua Caliente Madera Canyon KENDALL KROESEN KENDALL Park. A stroll through the bosque and along the ponds. Loaner binocs available, meet in April front of the ranch house. For more info call April 2—Saturday 9–11 am Pima County Parks and Rec., 615-7855. Sweetwater Wetlands Family Outing Series (first Saturday of every month) Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher Share your love of birding with your children or BURNS, WWW.JIMBURNSPHOTOS.COM JIM & DEVA A Visit tucsonaudubon.org/ grandchildren at one of the “birdiest” places in at Houghton Rd. just north of I-10 at 6:30 am fieldtrips for the latest or Tucson. Borrow our backpacks filled with fun family (leader not present). Meet leader at the The Nature expanded field trip information birding activities, field guides and binoculars, or Conservancy Patagonia Sonoita Creek Preserve in or call us at 520-629-0510. visit our hands-on nature stations. This monthly Patagonia, 150 Blue Haven Rd, at 7:30 am. Map: Note: All phone numbers use the 520 area code outing is self-guided; bring your children and http://goo.gl/maps/TqK4 RSVP Leader: Frank Kee unless otherwise stated. take as long as you like! The Family Outings are [email protected] 775-453-0241 developed in conjunction with Sunnyside School General Information District’s Student Urban Naturalists who seek to April 16—Saturday 1 pm Tucson Audubon field trips are free. For general promote an understanding of the environment Sweetwater Wetlands for New information call 520-629-0510. For specific through engaging birding and nature activities. An Birders information about a trip, contact the leader of adult must accompany children. Leader: Deborah This is an opportunity for people who wish to that trip. explore the hobby of birding. We will take a look Vath [email protected] 490-4835 Please dress appropriately for your field trip. at a variety of species in this popular birding Always wear sturdy shoes, a hat, and use sun April 5—Tuesday 6 am location. Leader will have a scope If you would protection. Bring plenty of snacks and water Florida Canyon like to borrow some binoculars, contact me by for yourself. Always bring your binoculars, Meet in Green Valley at the McDonald’s at 6:00 am April 10 otherwise simply meet me in the parking field guide, and for most trips a scope can be Bring your lunch. Wear good hiking shoes. Lots lot. Leader: Darlene Smyth dsmyth3@comcast. useful. Bring money to cover your share of the of water. Looking for migrants. Mileage: 50. net 297-2315 Leader: Melody Kehl [email protected] 245-4085 carpooling and any required entry fees (eg for April 16—Saturday 8 am state parks). April 10—Sunday 6 am Earth Day Youth Birding: Reid Park Lower Madera Canyon Learn how to use binoculars and identify the Arrival Times Meet at the Green Valley McDonald’s on common birds of Reid Park! Tours will leave the Please arrive before listed departure times. Trips Continental Road. This half day trip will include Tucson Audubon’s Earth Day tables every hour will leave promptly at the time given. hiking the Proctor Loop for 2 miles, exploring the on the hour. Families are encouraged to attend feeder sites at Santa Catalina Lodge and the Kubo. Carpooling Sites this fun introduction to birding for kids. Young Tucson Audubon strongly encourages Spring migrants and returning resident breeding children will make and take their own “recycled carpooling and for some trips it may be birds should make this an interesting hike. We will binoculars” from used toilet tissue rolls and string. required. Check our website for frequently used have an early lunch at the upper canyon picnic Older children can learn to bird with a pair of loaner carpooling sites. You are expected to reimburse area and be back shortly after noon. Leaders: Mark binoculars. Questions? Leaders: Scott Olmstead the driver for the actual cost of fuel. Drivers and and Farrish Sharon [email protected] 840-9567 [email protected] and Deborah trip leaders are not expected to contribute. April 12—Tuesday 7:30 am Vath 490-4835 [email protected] Rare Bird Alert Patagonia to Kino Springs April 19—Tuesday Listen to the latest rare bird alert at Explore Patagonia to Kino Springs. Rock Corral Canyon 629-0510 ext. 3. Report rare birds at 629-0510 In the morning we will hike take a 5-mile hike Come explore a little-known canyon draining to or [email protected] through Nature Conservancy trails in Patagonia the northeast out of the Tumacacori Mountains then head south to Kino Springs to bird. Lunch at and incorporating the Wild Chile Botanical Area. Don’t forget to stop in our Nature Shop the Kino Springs Golf resort restaurant. Limit 10 Lower areas have Rufous-winged and Black- for your field and ID Guides, and participants. RSVP required. Carpool in Tucson throated Sparrows, while the upper parts of the other birding supplies.

Visit tucsonaudubon.org/fieldtrips for updates and more April–June 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 21 TUCSON AUDUBON FIELD TRIPS

exact directions: Kendall Kroesen, kkroesen@ tucsonaudubon.org or 971-2385.

May

May 7—Saturday 9–11 am Sweetwater Wetlands Family Outing Series (first Saturday of every month) Share your love of birding with your children or Rock Corral Canyon grandchildren at one of the “birdiest” places in Atturbury Wash KENDALL KROESEN KENDALL KROESEN KENDALL Tucson. Borrow our backpacks filled with fun family canyon have patches of oak with Bridled Titmouse, birding activities, field guides and binoculars, or Highway in northeast Tucson at 6:30 am. Bring lots Hutton’s Vireo, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Northern visit our hands-on nature stations. This monthly of water and sunscreen. Leader: Clifford Cathers Beardless-Tyrannulet, Scott’s Oriole, and perhaps outing is self-guided; bring your children and [email protected] or 762-3201. some migrants. Maybe we’ll get lucky and discover take as long as you like! The Family Outings are May 17-—Tuesday 7 am a waif Five-striped Sparrow. Walking on rough, developed in conjunction with Sunnyside School Santa Gertrudis Lane to rocky road and trails, steep in places requires good District’s Student Urban Naturalists who seek to Tubac physical ability. Limited to 12 participants, at least promote an understanding of the environment Bird along the Anza National Historic Trail beside 3 of whom are willing to drive their high clearance through engaging birding and nature activities. An the Santa Cruz River. A five mile morning hike one vehicles the 2.5-mile entrance road; carpooling adult must accompany children. Leader: Deborah way. Expect to be done by 10 am. We will shuttle to rendezvous recommended. Contact leader to Vath [email protected] 490-4835 cars to go one way. Limit ten participants. RSVP sign up and to receive further details. Leader: Rich May 10—Tuesday 8 am required. Car Pool in Tucson in Front of Pet Smart Hoyer [email protected] 325-5310 Madera Canyon for the Novice or 1175 W Irvington Rd (shopping area Irvington/ April 24—Sunday 6:30 am Handicapped Birder I19) at 6:15 am (leader not present). Dive I19 south The Santa Rita Mountains New to birding, or simply not up to long to Tubac 41 miles, exit 34. Meet leader in Tubac This spring day, we’ll explore the Santa hikes? This will be a leisurely two hour at 7 am in front of the “Tubac Deli & Coffe” Map: Rita Mountains near Green Valley, from the trip to introduce three Madera Canyon Hot Birding http://goo.gl/maps/R3jm RSVP Leader: Frank Kee grasslands and scrublands, to the canyon hotspots. Spots: Proctor Road, Santa Rita Lodge, and [email protected] 775-453-0241 Join us for a low-key, easy walking day. Meet at the Madera Kubo. At Proctor Road we will stay on the May 21—Saturday 7:30 am Green Valley McDonalds on Continental Road at paved path, so if you are handicapped and use Youth Birding: Agua Caliente Park 6:30 am. Leader: Clifford Cathers [email protected] a scooter, this would probably work for you. Total A half-morning introduction to birding for kids. We or 762-3201. walking is about 1 mile. Benches are available will begin with the basics of using binoculars and at the Santa Rita Lodge, but at Madera Kubo, April 26—Tuesday 4:30 am spend time observing the resident birds of Agua we will be standing. Loaner binoculars and bird Fort Huachuca Caliente Park, as well as any migrants that are books will be available. Limit 10. Meet at Green Birding on foot in some of the canyons moving through the area. Emphasis will be placed Valley McDonalds, 8 am Leader: Nina Hansen on Fort Huachuca. Because the Army limits the on how birds interact with their surroundings. [email protected]. 203-8038. number of participants on the trails, this trip will be Families are encouraged to attend! Please pre- limited to twelve participants (including the leader) May 15—Sunday 6:30 am register with leader. Leader: Scott Olmstead in three high-clearance vehicles. Contact the The Santa Catalina Mountains 840-9567 [email protected] leader by email to reserve a place. All participants Join us for a spring jaunt up Tucson’s Santa May 21—Saturday 6:30 am must have a government-issued picture ID, and all Catalina Mountains for species ranging from the Atturbury-Lyman Bird and Animal drivers must have drivers license, car registration, Sonoran desert to high elevation conifers. Meet at Sanctuary and proof-of-insurance. If you are not a U.S. the McDonalds at Tanque Verde and the Catalina Join us to explore the rich microcosm of native citizen, please let the leader know when you make nesting birds along one of Tucson’s premier your reservation. Be prepared to hike on rough washes: Atturbury Wash. This is a great place rocky trails that are steep in places. Bring lunch. to learn the songs of Lucy’s Warbler, Bewick’s 160 miles round trip. Leader: Jim Hays jhays@ Wren, and many others. The location is lower iname.com (preferred) or 895-3299 Lincoln Park on the east side, off Escalante east of April 30—Saturday 7 am Pantano Road (not upper Lincoln Park off Pantano Robb Wash Bird Walk south of Escalante). Meet at lower Lincoln Park at Spring is a great time to learn to identify the 6:30 am. Bring water and sunscreen. Call leader common birds of Tucson’s urban washes. We will for exact directions or to carpool: Kendall Kroesen, identify common birds by their songs as well as [email protected] or 971-2385. by visual field marks. Beginners are especially May 24—Tuesday 5 am encouraged to attend. We will explore the segment Patagonia Lake State Park of Robb Wash between Speedway and Pima, A great diversity of wildlife can be found east of Pantano. Bring water and sunscreen. at Patagonia Lake State Park, one of the best We’ll be done by late morning. Call leader for birding sites in Southeast Arizona. We’ll explore

JAMES PRUDENTE Varied Bunting

22 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org/fieldtrips for updates and more TUCSON AUDUBON FIELD TRIPS

Join the following All-Star Teams on their Birdathon Days April 8: Rookies April 9: High Rollers April 17: Wrenegades April 23: Hoyer’s Voyeurs April 30: Birds of Fray May 7: Gonzo Birders, Fledglings See page 7 for full details.

Chiricahua Mountains MATT GRIFFITHS MATT

grassland, desert scrub, riparian, marsh and open water and we should be rewarded with a high number of birds. There is an entrance fee of $10/ vehicle. Bring a hat, sunscreen, plenty of water and PIKE SARA something for lunch. Please contact leader Richard by noon or shortly thereafter. Leader: Clifford Fray for meeting place: richard@funbirdingtours. Cathers [email protected] or 762-3201. com or 323-4234. June 25—Saturday 5 am May 28—Saturday 2:30 pm Mount Lemmon California Gulch We’ll escape the heat of the day by getting out Let’s head to the gulch and hope for Five- early and heading up the mountain. A wide range striped Sparrows and Varied Buntings. Bring your of interesting birds spend the summer high in the supper and drinks. Wear good walking shoes. mountains and we’ll hopefully find many of them Buff-breasted-Flycatcher before it gets too hot. Bring a hat, sunscreen and

Meet in Green Valley at the McDonald’s at 2:30 BURNS, WWW.JIMBURNSPHOTOS.COM JIM & DEVA pm, return by midnight. Mileage: 300 miles Leader: plenty of water. We’ll head back down at around Melody Kehl [email protected] 245-4085 less maintained roads. Limit 10 participants; call midday and optionally you can join me for lunch or email leader to sign up starting May 9. Request in Tucson before heading home. Please contact May 29–Sunday 5:30 am more details via email any time prior. (350 miles leader Richard Fray for meeting place: richard@ Sycamore Canyon roundtrip). Leader: John Yerger jyerger24@yahoo. funbirdingtours.com or 323-4234. VF Rugged Sycamore Canyon is legendary com or 558-0019 among birders for the rarities it has harbored over the years, as well as for its steep, June 15—Wednesday 4 am 3 Chirps for Darlene! difficult terrain. We’ll bird the canyon for a roundtrip Buenos Aires National Wildlife hiking distance of about 2.5 hot miles, over very Refuge We are very sad to report that Darlene uneven terrain and wet stream crossings. We Look for grassland and riparian specialties off the Smyth has stepped down as the Field will encounter species typical of Oak-Juniper beaten birding track. Wear long sleeves and pants, Trip Coordinator after many years of invaluable and Riparian habitats. Meet at the Green Valley a good sun hat, and plenty of sun screen; bring service to Tucson Audubon. As a volunteer, she regularly averaged over 100 hours a McDonald’s parking lot at 5:30 am. Contact lunch, water, notebook, and pencil. Meet at the the leader to sign-up. Leader: Ethan Beasley Fry’s at Irvington and I-19 at 4 am or at the Green month in guiding the most prolific Audubon trip [email protected] Valley McDonald’s (Continental Road exit) before program in the nation. Darlene will continue to 4:30 am. We’ll return to Tucson by 3 pm, earlier if lead trips for us and we wish her well with all June the weather requires it. About 160 miles round trip. her new-found free time! A longer appreciation Leader: Rick Wright, [email protected] of Darlene will appear in the next issue of June 11/12—Saturday/Sunday 6:30 am Vermilion Flycatcher. Chiricahua Mountains June 18—Saturday 6 am Join us for a full weekend exploring the Carr Canyon & Hummingbirds ADDITIONAL BIRD birdlife of the Chiricahuas. Our leader, Today, we’ll head to the upper reaches of

who lives and guides in Portal, will take us from the Carr Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains WALKS IN TUCSON AND DORIS EVANS desert lowlands to the mountain peaks in search near Sierra Vista for Buff-breasted SOUTHEAST ARIZONA of regional specialties. Camping is available on the Flycatchers and high elevation warblers. Mid- For information on weekly regional bird National Forest lands; regular lodging is available morning, we’ll head over to Tom Beatty’s to check walks from Agua Caliente Park to Ramsey in Portal. Note that indicated meeting time is on the hummingbirds in Miller Canyon. Meet at Canyon Preserve, please see our website, 6:30 am in Portal, NOT in Tucson! We will bird all Houghton and I-10 in Tucson at 6 am. Carpooling day Saturday and half of Sunday, allowing for a in vehicles able to navigate Carr Canyon’s rocky, www.tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/ return to Tucson by about 4 pm. Be prepared for dusty incline necessary. Bring lots of water. Back birding/128.html.

Visit tucsonaudubon.org/fieldtrips for updates and more April–June 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 23 papyrus swamps for the mighty Shoebill lurking BIRDING TRAVEL in the shallows, and also make a special trek for incredible close-ups with a group of FROM OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS Mountain Gorillas at the very place where Diane Fossey studied these amazing primates. ADVENTURE BIRDING COMP­ ANY way to Casas Grandes, Chihuahua. Then it is off Indeed this destination is fantastic for wildlife www.adventurebirding.com to Madera where we will focus on finding Thick- in general so by combining forest and savanna [email protected] • 495-0229 billed Parrots in their nesting habitat. Basaceachic sites we also have opportunities to look for Falls is fantastic for scenery and birds like Rufous- Chimpanzees, take some game drives out on San Blas: Mangrove Estuaries, Coffee Fincas, capped Brushfinch, Spotted Wren and Gray-silky Palm Forests and More. Dec 10–18, 2011, the plains for East African megafauna, and pick Flycatcher. In Yecora we look for Mountian up around 450 bird species in the process. $2,195. Leader: Keith Kamper and John Yerger. Trogon, Gray-collared Becard and Gray-crowned The coastal fishing village of San Blas is one of Woodpecker. Into tropical deciduous forest, we will South Africa: Fairest Cape to Kruger. the premier birding destinations in Mexico. We’ll look for Colima Pygmy Owl, Fantailed Warbler, and September 23–9 October, 2011. 38705 Rand visit mangrove estuaries, coffee fincas, beaches Rusty Sparrow. Our final night of the trip is spent in from Capetown. The tour of this wonderfully and coastal lagoons. 25 Mexican endemics Hermosillo and we will spend the last day birding diverse modern country packs a lot in: The possible including San Blas Jay, Rufous-necked the Sonoran desert on our way back to Tucson. endemic-rich bird areas of the Western Cape, Wood-rail, Cinnamon Hummingbird and Golden some of the world’s most spectacular pelagic Vireo. Jungle boat tour with oddities like Boat- ROCKJUMPER—WORLDWIDE BIRDING birding off Capetown, surrounded by hordes of billed Heron and Northern Potoo, even iguanas ADVENTURES petrels and albatrosses, walking with penguins and crocodiles! We’ll be based at one motel [email protected] at Boulders Beach, and the game-rich bushveld throughout so we can unpack, unwind and www.rockjumperbirding.com of Kruger National Park. An irresistible extension enjoy the region’s natural and cultural history, to the breathtaking Drakensberg Mountains Namibia, Okavango & Victoria Falls Overland fresh mariscos and green flash sunsets. and Lesotho can be added to ensure you III. 11–28 Aug 2011. $6575 (Single Supplement: pick up both rockjumpers and tip the bird list Colima and Jalisco: West Mexican Endemics $500). This popular tour visits some of the major over 450 species, (including many southern from Beaches to Volcanoes. Mar 10–18, 2012, highlights of three of Africa’s most remarkable African specialties and Cape endemics), and $2295. Leader: Keith Kamper and John Yerger. countries. From the ochre-colored dunes of the rack up more than 50 mammal species too. The states of Colima and Jalisco comprise Namib Desert to the lily-choked backwaters of the perhaps the most biologically diverse region in Okavango Delta, the flamingo-studded lagoons of VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. Mexico, where the mountains of the Sierra Madre the Skeleton Coast to the game-filled waterholes www.ventbird.com Occidental meet with the central volcanic belt. This of Etosha National Park and the breath-taking 512-328-5221 • [email protected] volcanic belt bisects Mexico on an east-west axis, Victoria Falls, these countries provide incredible straddling a boundary along the northernmost or contrasts and an eco-tourism experience like North Carolina. May 28–June 4, 2011; $2,795 in southernmost edge of many species’ ranges. By no other. Top birds include; Slaty Egret, Wattled double occupancy from Wilmington. Our first-ever scouring this region from its unspoiled coastlines and Blue Crane, African Skimmer, Pel’s Fishing North Carolina tour focuses on specialty landbirds up to volcanoes with cloud-enshrouded montane Owl (one of ten possible owls!), White-tailed and waterbirds of the southeastern United States. forest, we should see upwards of 40 endemics Shrike, and an incredible diversity of larks. We’ll search hardwood swamps and pine forests and specialties, including Balsas Screech Owl, for such prizes as Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Brazil—Birds & Wildlife of the Pantanal Red-breasted Chat, Chestnut-sided Shrike- Brown-headed Nuthatch, Swainson’s Warbler and & Cerrado. 6–14 Oct 2011. $3975 (Single Vireo, and Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer. Bachman’s Sparrow. On the famed Outer Banks Supplement: $650). This tour is a birding and we should see a diversity of coastal specialties SOLIPASO TOURS wildlife safari that takes in three significant such as Piping Plover, Sandwich Tern, and Seaside www.solipaso.com locations; deciduous Amazonian forests, where we will visit the nesting site of a Harpy Eagle, Sparrow. Two pelagic trips into the Gulf Stream Yecora-Alamos: April 30–May 8, 2011. $2200 the bird rich Cerrado woodlands, and the should produce up to 10 species of seabirds, Leader: David MacKay. The best of Sonora… celebrated Pantanal—the planet’s largest wetland, including Black-capped Petrel. Michael O’Brien, the Sierra Madre, colonial Alamos and the Sea encompassing 80,000 square miles. With over 650 co-author of the acclaimed Shorebird Guide, and of Cortez! Starting in Tucson, we head south and bird species and a staggering 200 mammals, this one of the continent’s top field observers, leads. up to the logging town of Yecora in the Sierra region is unlikely to disappoint. To boot, this is also Madre to pick up high elevation endemics such Point Pelee, Crane Creek & The Kirtland’s the most reliable place for sighting the magnificent as White-striped Woodcreeper, Rufous-capped Warbler. May 9–17, 2011; $2,475 in double Jaguar. Top birds include; Hyacinth Macaw, Brushfinch and Mountain Trogon. In Alamos, we occupancy from Detroit. Fringing two sides of Amazonian Antpitta, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Spot- stay at the beautiful El Pedregal Nature Lodge Lake Erie, the migration hotspots of Point Pelee billed Toucanet, and Chestnut-bellied Guan. and bird the area for Blue Mockingbird, Mexican and Crane Creek are renowned Parrotlet, Russet-crowned Motmot, and Yellow Available extensions: Brazil—Atlantic among birders as premier places in Grosbeak. We will also take time to explore town. Rainforest Extension—Endangered North America to observe migration. At the coast, we’ll be treated to high numbers Endemics 1–95 Oct & Brazil—Amazon In a little over a week participants LOU GEORGE / USFWS WARBLER, KIRTLAND’S of shore and water birds, including Blue-footed Rainforest Birding Extension 14–9 Oct on this tour will visit the north and and Brown Boobies! We’ll spend the last night south shores of Lake Erie in search in Guaymas and enjoy a seafood feast before TROPICAL BIRDING­ of dozens of waterfowl, shorebirds, www.tropicalbirding.com heading back to Tucson. Sonora is our home warblers, orioles, tanagers, [email protected] • 1-800-348-­5941 and no one runs better trip than Solipaso! grosbeaks, buntings, and more. Northwest Mexico: August 11–18, 2011. $1900. Rwanda and Uganda: Shoebills and Albertine We’ll also travel to north-central Leader: David MacKay. This trip takes us to the Rift Endemics June 1–17, 2011. $6900 from Michigan to view nesting Kirtland’s rugged country of Northwest Mexico and the Sierra Kigali. This two-country tour offers world birders Warblers—North America’s rarest Madre for several high elevation endemics, great a host of Albertine Rift endemics in Nyungwe songbird. Beyond his knowledge scenery, and delicious rancho food! The trip starts Forest including the stunning and colorful of birds, tour leader Steve Hilty in Tucson and we will spend the first day birding Ruwenzori Turaco. As well as searching these brings a wealth of knowledge about our way through the grasslands and juniper on our mountain forests for endemics, we will survey botany and ecology as well. VF

24 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Tucson Audubon thanks our Birds & Business Alliance TUCSON AUDUBON’S Members, who have shown their support for bird conservation BIRDS & BUSINESS ALLIANCE through annual contributions 2010- 2011 and in-kind donations. Please show them you appreciate WELCOME TO OUR NEW BIRDS & BUSINESS ALLIANCE MEMBERS their support for us by supporting them. Visit www. tucsonaudubon.org for more information about our Birds SOUTHWESTERN RESEARCH STATION in the midst of extraordinary biodiversity. The & Business Alliance members, including links to their websites. research.amnh.org/swrs Chiricahua Mountains are a prime destination for [email protected] • 520-558-2396 nature enthusiasts, with some 265 bird species GOLD NEW The Southwestern Research Station (SWRS) recorded in the area, including nesting Elegant Swaim Associates Ltd Architects AIA * • 520-326-3700 • www.swaimaia.com is a non-profit biological field station owned Trogons, Montezuma Quail, and over 13 species by the American Museum of Natural History, of hummingbirds; a wide diversity of mammals and STERLING in New York, NY. Nestled within the great “sky more than 75 reptile species. Call 520-558-2396 or Adventure Birding Company island” mountain wilderness of the Chiricahua visit http://research.amnh.org/swrs/ for information • 520-495-0229 • www.adventurebirding.com STERLING Mountains of S.E. Arizona, the SWRS is situated on birding and nature tours! Rancho Esmeralda • 520-241-7072 • www.ranchoesmeraldanogales.com Rockjumper BirdingTours • www.rockjumper.co.za FARMERS INVESTMENT CO. (FICO). Dick and SIERRA VISTA RANCH *Southwestern Research Station Nan Walden: Stewards of the Land. For more PO BOX 205, Sasabe, AZ 85633 • 520-558-2396 • research.amnh.org than six decades, Farmers Investment Co. (FICO) Rancho Sierra Vista de Sasabe is a multi-use Solipaso Tours • www.solipaso.com has farmed in the Santa Cruz River valley south ranch located in the Altar Valley of south central of Tucson, and has become the world’s largest Arizona. Our vineyard uses no-till organic farming Tropical Birding • 800-348-5941 • www.tropicalbirding.com integrated grower and processor of pecans. Today practices and supplies Arizona-grown grapes to they are leaders in sustainable farming and have Canelo Hills Winery. The ranch is committed to Victor Emanuel Nature Tours

COPPER implemented state-of-the-art irrigation technologies restoring degraded riparian and wetland zones, • 800-328-VENT • www.ventbirds.com to conserve water. Because of their commitment replacing woody vegetation with native grasses, SILVER to the land, FICO’s Dick and Nan Walden are and conserving open space and sparing land Loews Ventana Canyon planning the long-term future of their pecan groves. from development and other land-use changes. • 520-299-2020 • www.loewshotels.com To learn more, visit sahuaritafarms.com. The land is managed for long-term ecological and The Oasis at Way Out West economic resilience. • 520-825-4590 • www.wowarizona.com Pima Federal Credit Union • 520-887-5010 Tucson Electric Power • www.tep.com COPPER THE OASIS AT WAY OUT WEST B&B/Private Brooklyn Pizza Company • 520-622-6868 THE TAS-IFIEDS Nature Preserve. A secluded trail side location Casa Adobe B&B in Rodeo, NM • 877-577-2275 CLASSIFIED ADS offers close-up wildlife observation and colorful Casa de San Pedro B&B • www.bedandbirds.com mountain sunsets. Bird our trails (135+ House List) Cat Mountain Lodge • 520-578-6068 Classified and display ads are accepted from or the Catalinas. 20+ feeding stations, Naturalist/ individual members and members of our Birds Photographer on-site, Wi-Fi, Hydrotherapy spas, Down By the River B&B • 520-720-9441 & Business Alliance. Visit tucsonaudubon.org/ Bike rentals, Eco-Excursions. WOWArizona.com. Farhang & Medcoff, PLLC • 520-790-5433 vfly for rates or contact Matt Griffiths mgriffiths@ 520.825.4590. *Farmers Investment Co (FICO) • sahuaritafarms.ocm tucsonaudubon.org to book an ad. WHITE MOUNTAIN AUDUBON CAMPOUT Financial Architects • www.financial-architects.com 2011. June 17–19. Bird area hotspots such as Fiore Tile Works • 520-971-0677 HIGH-SPEC LAPTOP COMPUTERS NEEDED! the Little Colorado River, Becker Lake, White Heartstone Mountain Ranch • 877-562-2955 Tucson Audubon’s staff are in urgent need of Mountain Grasslands Wildlife Area and possibly Hughes Federal Credit Union • 520-794-8341 high-specification recent-model laptop computers Sipe Wildlife Area. Enjoy a Saturday night potluck Kimberlyn Drew, Realtor • 520-237-1408 for their work. If you can help please call Jean and evening program. Please contact Liz and Tom Barchman on 520.629.0510 ext 7002. for details and to register ($20/vehicle): lizntom@ The Living Fence • 520-795-5300 frontiernet.net or 928-532-1510. Mindo Bird Tours • www.mindobirdtours.com R.W. Morse Company • www.rmorse.com Naturalist Journeys • 866-900-1146 PATON BIRDER HAVEN CASITA RENTAL Radisson Suites Tucson • 520-721-7100 Internationally famous birding destination in Patagonia, Arizona featured in Ravens-Way Wild Journeys • 520-425-6425 PBS Birdwatch and Arizona Hummingbirds and listed in Frommer’s as “a Riverpark Inn • 800-551-1466 favorite stop of avid birders”. Newly remodeled, non-smoking facility. Living room with separate sleeping area (sleeps 4), dining area, bathroom, and Shaffer Dry Cleaning & Laundry • shafferdrycleaning.com fully-equipped kitchen, washer/dryer. Walk to town, Sonoita Creek Preserve *Sierra Vista Ranch • Sasabe, AZ or watch birds from the back yard. Over 200 species have been seen on Spirit Tree Inn B&B • 520-394-0121 the grounds. Linens, towels provided. Two night minimum—$185/2 nights Sundance Press • 800-528-4827 or $250/3 nights (plus tax). Longer term available. View details and reserve TyrannoTours • 520-577-6546 the Casita at the website www.patonbirderhaven.org or contact Michael Marsden at 520-394-2340. Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson • 520-795-9955 VF

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. April–June 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 25 Support Tucson Audubon... TUCSON AUDUBON Become a Friend Today! NATURE SHOPS ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION ‰‰$35 ­Individual Contributor $100 q Tucson Audubon’s Nature Shops provide for your needs in natural history books and ‰‰$50 Family Supporter $25­0 q guides, birding optics and accessories, and gifts right here in Tucson. We offer a great ‰‰$30 ­ Senior Supporter* Guardian $500 q selection, the best prices, and member discounts. Remember to shop locally. ‰‰$25 ­Student* Steward $1000 q Leadership Circle $2500 q *Individual Cole’s Brand Seed Our Nature Shops are now carrying Cole’s brand bird seed. We made a switch when our previous high-quality brand, Wild Delight, ceased delivery Name to Arizona. Through our research we found Cole’s, another seed brand that offers a variety of choices of premium seed for your bird feeding needs. Address A sample of the varieties we carry: • Special Feeder—a unique blend that is a high energy treat for woodpeckers, City / State / ­Zip cardinals, finches and other songbirds. It includes black oil Sunflower seeds, sunflower meats, black stripe sunflower, raw peanuts, safflower and pecans (5lbs, $12.99.) Email • Finch Friends—A finch mix for tubular feeders. It includes sunflower meats, niger seed, canary seed (5lbs, $14.99) Phone • Nutberry Suet Blend—includes more of the fruits and nuts that birds really crave, plus ‰‰ New ­membership q Renewing ­membership nutritious Insect Suet Kibbles. It includes sunflower meats, raw peanuts, pecans, blueberry ‰‰ Please email me about Tucson Audubon flavored cranberries, apple slices, Insect Suet Kibbles. (5lbs, $14.99) events ­and conservation ­issues. Many more flavors and sizes available. Stop in the shop today to stock up! ‰‰ Please do not share my contact ­information. ‰‰ Please do not mail me Vermilion Flycatcher. I’ll read it online. DONATION Hints for Bird Feeding and Seed Selection ‰‰I would like to support Tucson Audubon By Caroline Patrick Society with ­an additional contribution of q $25 q $50 q $100 q $­250. Over the past two years that we have been Special Feeder for woodpeckers, cardinals and ‰‰ Tucson Audubon Frequent ­Flyer Monthly selling bird seed in the Nature Shop, we have had song birds, Nutberry Suet Blend which includes Donor ­Program: I authorize the charge of countless members of the community stop by to suet kibbles for insect feeders, and Finch Friends, $____ per month for ____ months to my credit card ($10/month minimum). tell us about the amazing array of birds they have a sunflower/nyger seed mixture guaranteed to Tucson Audubon Society will ­use the full amount of your ­tax-­deductible coming into their yards. Without a doubt, one of the bring a variety of finches to your yard. gift for its environmental, educational and recreational ­programs. best ways to increase the number and variety of Want to avoid waste? Go with hulled birds in your neighborhood is, along with planting METHOD OF ­PAYMENT sunflower seeds. Although many seed ‰ native plants and providing a water source, to ‰ Check (payable to Tucson Audubon Society) companies advertise a “no waste” blend of bird ‰ q q place one or more feeders in your yard. With all the ‰ MasterCard Visa AMEX seed, if there are nuts or seeds with shells, there different types of feeders and seed available, the will be some waste. As an alternative, try hulled prospect of picking what is right for your yard can Credit Card No. sunflower seeds (also called “meats”). If going with seem quite daunting. Here are some helpful hints for a shelled seed, we recommend using birdfeeders selecting the best seed and feeders for your yard. that have a tray attached designed for catching Expiration Date Amount $ Buy a feeder that is easy to hang and extra seed and discarded shells. easy to fill. While the seed may be for the birds, Signature Birds go nuts for peanuts! Raw, whole you will enjoy the experience much more if you can peanuts in a wire-mesh feeder are a favorite of Please send your application with payment ­to easily access your feeder for filling and cleaning. the woodpeckers of this region, not to mention the Tucson Audubon Society,­ Before buying a feeder, think about where it will Cactus Wrens. These feeders do not empty as 300 E. University Blvd, #120, hang. The Nature Shops have chains, hooks, and quickly as regular seed feeders and are extremely Tucson, AZ ­85705 other supplies to make your feeder accessible. For (Attn: Jean Barchman, durable. In addition to woodpeckers, local wrens excellent close-up views try a feeder that attaches Membership Coordinator) and towhees will likely frequent a peanut feeder for to the outside of a window. OR join, renew or ­donate online at a daily snack. www.tucsonaudubon.org Different seed mixes attract different birds. Put a sock in it! One of our most popular feeders A traditional all-purpose bird seed blend often at the Nature Shops is our “sock” style feeder. includes black-oil sunflower, shelled sunflower These nifty mesh bags are typically filled with nyger seeds, millet, and cracked corn. The Nature Shops seed (but can hold small seed blends as well) and carry specialized blends including Cole’s brand can be hung virtually anywhere. We have several

26 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. BOOK REVIEW sock feeders hanging outside of the main Nature Lesser Long-nosed Bats (Leptonycteris curasoae Shop that are immensely popular with the local yerbabuenae) and threatened Mexican Long- goldfinches, sparrows, thrashers, and other birds. tongued Bats (Choeronycteris mexicana). Bats use Cooking for the Birds by Adele Porter the hummingbird feeders for a few weeks in the Adventure Publications, 2010 Spice it up…squirrels don’t like it hot! spring and fall as they pass through in migration. Several seed companies including Cole’s have Feeding and studying bats has become a very Ever considered making a been infusing some of their seed prooducts with popular pastime for Tucsonans, and it is worthwhile “banana split” for the birds a liquid chili pepper. Birds take no notice of the to invest in an extra hummingbird feeder for this in your yard? Adele Porter spice but rodents do not care for it. This is useful purpose. In addition, the Shop also carries feeders has. This protein-packed for extending the supply of seed both at the feeder designed to attract butterflies to your yard. meal (made with scoops and what spills on to the ground. Be sure to buy a With spring in full bloom in the desert, be sure of suet in place of the ice product designed for this rather than adding chile to stock up on seed and bird feeding supplies from cream) is ideal for migrating powder to seed. And use gloves when handling the Nature Shops. Making your yard hospitable species in route to their chile-infused seed! to birds, through native plantings, a water source, breeding territories. This Feeding is not just for the birds! Ever and providing seed/nectar is a sure way to attract fun book has a variety of wonder why your hummingbird feeder gets empty migrating visitors as well as our year-around recipes to attract a wide variety of birds. overnight? It is likely because of the two species residents. While some recipes, such as the “Appl-icious of nectivorous bats we have in southern Arizona: Crumble Pie” (said to attract towhees, orioles and mockingbirds) requires some actual cooking, other recipes can be put together with minimal effort. Cooking for the Birds Need Suet? No Sweat! also features excellent descriptions of the important ingredients needed for successful Lorel Picciurro, a volunteer at the Tucson Audubon When fat is melted, turn off heat. bird feeding as well as a guide to bird types Nature Shop has bird-feeding down to a science. Add dry ingredients one at a time, mixing well after (by family) and their preferred food sources. Not only does she take care of cleaning and filling each addition: Adele Porter also correctly emphasizes the all the feeders at the Nature Shop, she makes sure 1/2 cup sugar (optional) importance of citizen science in her book her personal feeders are also well-stocked with 2 cups flour and encourages parents to get their children diverse meal options for the birds. Her suet recipe 4 cups corn meal involved with bird feeding and observation. (below) is no-melt and easy to make. Give it a try! 4 cups oatmeal (quick is best) Each of the 26 recipes in the book includes a Lorel’s Peanut Butter/Lard Cakes for Blend all ingredients thoroughly. Press mixture photo illustration, easy-to-follow instructions, the Birds into a 9x13 inch pan. Cool (in refrigerator) and and advice on yard placement. If you enjoy Melt together on low heat, and stir to blend: cut into squares. Or, press into empty plastic both the pleasures of cooking and bird 2 cups chunky peanut butter commercial suet containers and cool. Remove from watching, this book is for you. 2 cups lard containers as needed and place in suet baskets.

The selection often includes hard to find out- of-print volumes and rarities. Priced similarly to TUCSON AUDUBON The Nature ShopUsed (or cheaper than) what you would find online, NATURE SHOPS Book Shelf is back by AND there’s no shipping charges! Stop by today. You never know what you might find. When you support your local Tucson popular demand! Audubon Society you are supporting birds All used book sales directly benefit We’ve finally brought back the used book the Tucson Audubon Library and fund the and bird habitat conservation. Thank you! shelf in the nature shop, so stop by often for a purchase of new releases to add to our SHOP HOURS constantly changing selection of quality used collection. MAIN SHOP books. Monday–Saturday 10 am–4 pm, Phone: 629-0510 ext 7015 On the southeast corner of University Blvd and 5th Avenue. AGUA CALIENTE PARK SHOP April–June: Thursday, Friday, Saturday Now in the Nature Shop! 9am –3:30 pm For the first time, Tucson Audubon is proud to We think you’ll fall in Phone: 760-7881 From Tanque Verde Rd and Houghton, continue east on offer Leica binoculars as part of our optics lineup. love with the color Tanque Verde 2 miles. Turn left (north) onto Soldier Trail, Leica has been producing binoculars for over 100 fidelity and hand feel continue north for 2 miles. Turn right (east) onto Roger Rd, years and grinding lenses even longer, so they of these remarkable continue ¼ mile to the park entrance on the left (north). truly know what they are doing when they produce optics. Remember When you need a book, think of a product. We have stocked up on Leica Ultravid our member prices Tucson Audubon Nature Shops first! HD 8x42 and 10x42. If you’ve never held a pair of match any online Support your local book store. Leicas before, this is your chance to try them out. dealer. VF

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. April–June 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 27 NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID TUCSON, AZ 300 E University Blvd, #120 PERMIT #1345 Tucson, AZ 85705

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Vermilion Flycatcher Volume 56, Number 2, April–June 2011 © 2011 Tucson Audubon Society The Vermilion Flycatcher is the newsletter of the Tucson Audubon Society, a chapter of the National Audubon Society. National Audubon Society members and members of other chapters may receive the Flycatcher by joining the Friends of Tucson Audubon. See membership at www.tucsonaudubon.org.

COMING MAKE A DATE TO GO BIRDING! SOON!

BIRDATHON 2 0 1 1 • APRIL 8–MAY 8 QUANRUD DAVID August 17–21, 2011 Incorporating Expert-led trips for advanced and beginning birders Sky Island Birding Cup April 8 ROOKIES with Paul Green • April 9 HIGH ROLLERS with Gavin Bieber For more info visit April 17 WRENEGADES with Jennie MacFarland • April 23 HOYER’S VOYEURS with Rich Hoyer tucsonaudubon.org/ April 30 BIRDS OF FRAY with Richard Fray • May 7 GONZO BIRDERS with John Yerger May 7 FLEDGLINGS with SASUN and Tucson Audubon Young Birders’ Club festival

Find us on Facebook! $100–$250 — Give or Get JUST ASK! — your friends, family, colleagues for a donation. To donate or register for Birdathon, go to tucsonaudubon.org/birdathon.

EVENTS CALENDAR page 4 • LIVING WITH NATURE page 6 • Visit tucsonaudubon.org for event updates

28 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2011