September 2003 Vermilionlycatcher Tucson Audubon Society F www.tucsonaudubon.org Leaders in Conservation & Education since 1949 Volume 48, Number 1 ISSN 1094-9909 Tucson Audubon Family Institutes! Riparian Family Institute Tidepools Family Institute Come experience fall colors and explore the Explore the unique ecology of Puerto beautiful San Pedro River corridor at the Gray Peñasco, Mexico, and the Sea of Cortez. Based Hawk Nature Center, while gaining an appre- at the Center for the Study of Deserts and ciation of and understanding for this diverse Oceans (CEDO), families can learn about the ecological area. Families will delve into river ecosystems of intertidal habitats and estuaries ecology (and the and of other areas river itself), while Register for both Family Institutes and receive a of Puerto Peñasco. Winged participating in discounted price of $220 for adults and children Tucson Audubon hands-on, experi- ages 13 and up; $200 for children ages 6-12. naturalists, along Migration ential learning ac- with CEDO ma- Fundraiser tivities during this rine biologists, will Causes Big weekend excursion. Interpretive walks along the share their knowledge through educational pro- river, bird watching, mist netting for bats, grams, observation, hands-on activities and field Flap! bounding after butterflies, and snuggling trips. Bring your own tent, or “camp” in CEDO See story on snakes, are just a few of the planned activities. dorm facilities. One adult may be accompanied Bring your own tent, camp next to the river by up to two children. page 3. and find out why conservation of this area is The Tidepools Family Institute will be at so important. CEDO, Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, beginning The Riparian Family Institute will begin Friday evening, March 26, 2004, through noon Friday afternoon, October 17, 2003, and con- on Sunday, March 28, 2004. Inside clude Sunday afternoon, October 19, 2003. Price is $115 each for adults and children Price is $115 each for adults and children ages 13 and up; $105 for children ages 6-12 – ages 13 and up; $105 for children ages 6-12— includes five meals and use of CEDO dorms, Calendar ...... 11 includes six meals and use of the Gray Hawk library and labs. Conservation News ..... 4 Nature Center camping area and exhibits. For registration and more information con- Dastardly Duos ...... 22 For registration and more information con- tact Carrie Dean, Education Program Manager, Director’s Perch ...... 2 tact Carrie Dean, Education Program Manager, at (520) 622-2230. Education News ...... 12 at (520) 622-2230. Field Trips ...... 6 Field Trip Reports ...... 7 Library Lines ...... 25 Come join us for an evening slideshow preview of the Riparian and Tidepools Mason Audubon Center Institutes. Tuesday, September 9, 2003 at 6 p.m. in room 8403 of the Arizona News ...... 14 Health Sciences Center, UMC, Sandy Anderson from the Gray Hawk Nature Cen- Meeting program ...... 28 ter and Tucson Audubon’s own Sonja Macys will present a fascinating look at these Membership Info...... 26 two diverse ecosystems. To RSVP for the slideshow, please contact Carrie Dean at Nature Shop ...... 20 (520) 622-2230. For parking and map, follow the directions for the Membership RBA Highlights ...... 23 Meeting on the back cover of this issue—instead of going to the auditorium, take Thanks & Wishes ..... 27 the elevator to the eighth floor and go south to room #8403. Travel Program ...... 18 Web Corner ...... 9 2 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society September 2003 Tucson Audubon Society Officers Director’s Perch Sonja Macys President, Robert Merideth ...... 884-4393 Vice President, Bill Mannan ...... 621-7283 Secretary, Linda Stitzer ...... 297-3173 Fall is gradually approaching and the Board of Supervisors. The Conser- Treasurer, Walter Kavanagh ...... 621-1750 many of us are impatiently awaiting the vation Bond Committee meets every Directors at Large joys it brings—cooler weather, native Monday evening at 6 p.m. at the Board Wendy Burroughs Lawrence Liese 578-3650 743-3520 plant sales at the local non-profit orga- of Supervisors Conference Room. For Don Eagle Chris McVie nizations, fall migration, and so much more information, contact Nicole Fyffe 629-0510 629-0510 Floyd Gray Robert Mesta more! Those who have been fortunate at 740-8800. Neighborhood Reinvest- 670-5582 629-0510 enough to escape the summer heat and ment Bond Committee meetings are in Lisa Harris Susan Randolph 629-0510 629-0510 are just returning may have missed the same location at 8 a.m. on Wednes- Steven Hopp Peggy Wenrick some recent happenings in the city and days (call Linda Leatherman, 740- 629-0510 629-0510 county that will shape the way that our Kristi Keller Roger Wolf 8351). Call Deseret Romero at 740- 629-0510 882-9633 community grows and defines its con- 8450 for the meeting schedule for the David Yetman nection to the Sonoran Desert. 621-2484 Bond Advisory Committee. All meet- In July, the Pima County Board of ings are open to the public and there Board Committees Supervisors voted 4-1 to put an Open are opportunities for public comment. Conservation, Bill Mannan ...... 621-7283 Education, Floyd Gray ...... 670-5582 Space Bond Measure on the ballot in Your support counts! Development, Peggy Wenrick ...... 629-0510 May of 2004 (opposition, Supervisor Just as supporters of open space in Nominating, Susan Randolph ...... 629-0510 Carroll). And in August, Tucson’s Pima County were celebrating the op- Community Presence, Linda Stitzer ...... 297-3173 Mayor and City Council voted 6-1 (op- portunity to “take it to the voters,” so Programs and Activities Bird Alert ...... 798-1005 position, Shirley Scott) to place a fund- were Citizens for a Sensible Transpor- Bird Reporting ...... 696-4461 ing mechanism to support multimodal tation Solution. Since April 2002 the Bird Census, Susan Birky ...... 743-9390 transportation on the ballot. Local gov- group has gathered signatures to put Library, Bill Scott ...... 887-5813 Mailing, Gerald Sweeney ...... 326-3701 ernment is asking for our help in de- a comprehensive transportation ini- Field Trips, John Higgins ...... 578-1830 fining the future of our community and tiative on the ballot that encourages Program, Tom DeMoss ...... 296-2963 we’re counting on Tucson Audubon mem- better bus systems, light rail, side- Audubon Nature Shop & Offices bers to respond. Our community’s walks and bikeways. This summer, 300 E. University Blvd. #120, Tucson, AZ 85705 growth can be beneficial or detrimen- they were successful in their endeavor. Nature Shop Hours: Mon.–Sat. 10–4, Mon. & Thu. 10–5 tal to the birds and wildlife that we so If your City Councilmember sup- Shop Manager, Judy Edison Asst. Shop Manager, Susan Birky appreciate and enjoy. It is our choice. ported this measure, please call and (520) 629-0510 Fax: (520) 623-3476 Many of you were with us, encour- thank him or her (see p. 4). To learn www.tucsonaudubon.org aging the Supervisors to preserve habi- more, or to get involved, visit Citi- [email protected] Executive Director, Sonja Macys ...... 622-5622 tat for birds and other wildlife through zens for a Sensible Transportation Asst to ED, Jessie Shinn ...... 628-1730 the Open Space Bond Measure. We Solution at www.savetucson.org. Accountant, Tina Eggert ...... 629-0757 thank everyone who called, sent post- These are a few of your opportuni- MAC Outreach Coord., Jamie Brown ..... 744-0004 Education Prog. Man., Carrie Dean ...... 622-2230 cards and attended the Board of Su- ties to ensure that growth shapes our Education Specialist, Dan Wolgast ...... 744-0004 pervisors meeting. Your participation community in a way that is meaning- Development Director, Holly Foster ...... 629-0757 was important and it continues to be! ful, not just for the people who live here Restoration Projects, Ann Phillips ...... 206-9900 AZ IBA Coordinator, Scott Wilbor ...... 622-2230 We still need you now. If your Super- but also for the environment that sup- Permaculture/Com., Kendall Kroesen .. 206-9900 visor supported this measure, please call ports us. Now is the time to ask our- Editors, Jane & Warren Tisdale ...... 749-2139 and thank him or her (see p. 4). selves, “How do we want to live?” Mission Statement If you would like to be more in- “What are our core values?” “How do Tucson Audubon Society is dedicated to im- proving the quality of the environment by pro- volved, please attend meetings of the open space and transportation options viding education, conservation, & recreation pro- Conservation Bond Committee or the define society?” And, “How can we cre- grams, & environmental leadership & information. Tucson Audubon is a non-profit volunteer or- Neighborhood Reinvestment Bond ate a society of which we are proud?” ganization of people with a common interest in Committee. These committees have Please, take the time to be active in the birding & natural history. Tucson Audubon maintains offices in Tucson, an extensive library, been assembled to give recommenda- community. Connect to the place you & a Nature Shop where nature-related items are tions to the Bond Advisory Commit- sold for the benefit of our programs, (520) 629-0510. call home. As Margaret Mead once said, The Vermilion Flycatcher is published tee regarding the open-space bond. The “Never doubt that a small group of monthly except for combined May-Jun., Jul.- Aug., and Dec.-Jan. issues. For address changes Advisory Committee has until the be- thoughtful, committed citizens can or subscription problems call (520) 628-1730, or ginning of December to make recom- change the world; indeed, it’s the only write to us (see page 26). Submissions for the J October Flycatcher are due by September 7. mendations on a final bond package to thing that ever has.” September 2003 Tucson Audubon Society Vermilion Flycatcher 3 Winged Migration Fundraiser a Sold-Out Success! Thought of the Month Over 250 people gathered at Loews ies, contributing over $3,000 in sup- Cineplex Catalina Cinema on July 9 port. Tucson Audubon Society also to support Tucson Audubon Society at welcomed new members, introducing Viewed from the distance the Arizona premier of Jacque Perrin’s the film during the first day of screen- of the moon, the astonishing acclaimed documentary film, Winged ing for the general public. Thanks to thing about the earth, catch- Migration. Gathering for a reception at Loews Cineplex Catalina Cinemas and ing the breath, is that it is 5:30, Tucson Audubon Society sup- Sony Pictures Classics for generously alive. The photographs show porters enjoyed popcorn, the company hosting this special benefit screening of the dry, pounded surface of of fellow Tucson Audubon members the academy award nominated docu- the moon in the foreground, and an enjoyable evening at the mov- mentary, Winged Migration! dead as an old bone. Aloft, floating free beneath the moist, gleaming membrane of bright blue sky, is the rising In Memorium earth, the only exuberant Tucson Audubon staff thing in this part of the cos- mos. If you could look long Tucson Audubon Society mourns Audubon Nature Shop and enjoyed enough, you would see the the passing of three dear friends, Tuc- participating in our Tuesday field trips. swirling of the great drifts of son Audubon members and fellow Elaine loved birding in SE Arizona, es- white cloud, covering and birders. We extend our deepest sympa- pecially the Madera Canyon area. Af- uncovering the half-hidden thy to their families. ter Rob’s passing, Elaine returned to masses of land. If you had Harriette Wadley Barker New York and continued her generous been looking for a very long, June 9, 1911 to July 1, 2003 support of Tucson Audubon Society geologic time, you could have Harriette was very active in the Tuc- through contributions to refurbish the seen the continents them- son Audubon Society starting in the classroom at the Mason Center. selves in motion, drifting mid 1960s. She tirelessly dedicated her- Samuel Cabot Sedgwick apart on their crustal plates, self as editor of the Flycatcher, histo- February 6, 1913 to July 24, 2003 held afloat by the fire be- rian, membership coordinator, board Cabot, a retired career Foreign Ser- neath. It has the organized, member and served as Board President vice officer, Santa Cruz County rancher self-contained look of a live from 1975 through 1976. Harriette and history enthusiast, was a generous creature, full of information, loved birding and camping and was a contributor and active member of marvelously skilled in han- member of the American Birding As- many local organizations. A fixture in dling the sun. sociation and the Cornell Laboratory the community along the Santa Cruz —Lewis Thomas, The Lives of Ornithology. She was involved in River, daughter Henrietta Barassi says of a Cell many fine Tucson nonprofits and served her father will be remembered for his as the secretary to the University of Ari- “tenacity and indomitable energy,” as zona President, Dr. Richard Harvill. She well as his wit. “Last, but by no means was a tireless conservationist who spoke least, he had a hell of a sense of hu- and wrote passionately of the need for mor.” Cabot earned his law degree from broader public involvement in wildlife the University of Arizona and returned management and conservation. to southern Arizona after a 30-year Elaine Goldman Foreign Service career. Cabot was an Elaine passed away in June. Elaine ardent cattleman and conservationist and her husband Rob came to Tucson who in recent years sought to establish to pursue their two separate passions— a wetland sanctuary for birds and other golf and birding. She became an active wildlife on his property along the out- volunteer on Monday mornings at the skirts of Nogales. J 4 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society September 2003 Who to !! League Of Conservation Voters ^! Contact Annual Conservation Summit City of Tucson MAYOR BOB WALKUP, City Hall, 255 West by Tom Collins, League of Conservation Voters Alameda Street, Tucson, Arizona 85701 Phone: (520)791-4201, Aiming to improve conservation Result: With Conservation Alliance FAX: (520)791-5348 E-Mail: [email protected] policy in Arizona and hold government support, Gov. Janet Napolitano line- Individual City Council Members e-mail officials accountable for their environ- item vetoed the Legislature’s raid on the addresses available at: mental decisions, conservationists and fund, although legal action by the leg- www.ci.tucson.az.us/mcc.html others interested in preserving Arizona’s islative leadership is still pending. Pima County natural resources and quality of life met Growth Management—opposed Sup. Ann Day, R, District 1, 740-2738 August 14-16 in the White Mountains. so-called “takings” legislation that Sup. Dan Eckstrom, D, District 2, 740-8126 Hosted by the Arizona League of would curb local communities’ ability Sup. Sharon Bronson, D, District 3, 740-8126 Sup. Ray Carroll, R, District 4, 740-8126 Conservation Voters Education Fund, to plan effectively. Sup. Richard Elias, D, District 5, 740-8126 this was Arizona Conservation Result: With Conservation Alliance Alliance’s second annual summit to opposition, a measure to limit local con- State of Arizona develop policy objectives and strategies trol on planning issues was defeated. Governor’s Office: 542-4331 or 800-253-0883 to educate lawmakers and others about Energy—supported cost effective Arizona House: 542-4221 or 800-352-8404 Arizona Senate: 542-3559 or 800-352-8404 the importance of conservation to efforts to develop solar and renewable Fax: Sen (602) 542-3429/House (602) 542-4511 Arizona’s future. energy use in Arizona. www.azleg.state.az.us Last year, nearly 100 participants Result: With Conservation Alliance TUCSON AREA STATE LEGISLATORS (ELECT) representing over 60 organizations support, lawmakers passed legislation District 23 throughout the state of Arizona and the establishing energy-use-reduction tar- Rep. Ernest Bustamonte, D Southwest, began discussions at the sum- gets and required state agencies to use Rep. Cheryl Chase, D mit to identify priorities and create a con- energy efficient equipment when cost- Sen. Pete Rios, D District 25 servation agenda to distribute to mem- effective. Rep. Jennifer Burns, R bers, elected officials, media and the pub- Voting And Citizen Participa- Rep. Manuel Alvarez, D lic. The 2003 Conservation Agenda, the tion—opposed efforts to undermine Sen. Marsha Arzberger, D District 26 product of this effort, represented the is- the initiative and referendum process Rep. Peter Hershberger, R sues that the Alliance supports. created by Arizona’s founders. Rep. Steve Huffman, R “The Arizona Conservation Alli- Result: With Conservation Alliance Sen. Toni Hellon, R ance ensures that the majority of Ari- opposition, legislation that would have District 27 Rep. Olivia Cajero Bedford, D zonans, who want to protect the qual- required a 2/3 vote to pass any initia- Rep. Phil Lopes, D ity of land, air, water and life for fu- tive or referendum was defeated. Sen. Jorge Luis Garcia, D ture generations have an advocate in the “Our goal this year is to build on this District 28 policy arena” said Stephanie C. Sklar, success and foster a cycle of accountabil- Rep. David Bradley, D Rep. Ted Downing, D executive director of the Arizona ity,” Sklar said. “Ultimately, conservation Sen. Gabrielle Giffords, D League of Conservation Voters. “Our progress in the Legislature and at the District 29 natural beauty and fragile resources are governor’s office must translate to the Rep. Victor Soltero, D key components of any long term vi- ballot box—and that’s where the value Rep. Linda Lopez, D Sen. Ramon Valdez, D sion for the quality of life and economic of this summit will come to fruition.” District 30 success of the state.” The League of Conservation Vot- Rep. Randy Graf, R Conservation groups were success- ers Scorecard will be used to ensure that Rep. Marian McClure, R ful this legislative session in securing voters have the information necessary Sen. Tim Bee, R results on agenda items, Sklar said. to hold lawmakers and the governor Federal Agenda successes included: accountable for their votes and actions PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH Wildlife, Habitat And Resource on conservation issues, Sklar said. The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Protection—protecting the funding The Scorecard, which the League Washington, D.C. 20500 Phone: (202) 456-1111 system for the Arizona Heritage Fund produces annually, rates lawmakers [email protected] to preserve the environmental and cul- on their conservation and voter par- www.whitehouse.gov tural heritage of the state. ticipation efforts. The 2003 Continued on next page September 2003 Tucson Audubon Society Vermilion Flycatcher 5 Birders’ Exchange U.S. SENATE WEBSITE: www.senate.gov Mary Kay Eiermann, Tucson Audubon Member HOUSE OF REP. WEBSITE: www.house.gov THOMAS SYSTEM OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. On a recent trip to Panama, I billed Dowitchers and others) for the thomas.loc.gov (searchable full text of bills, learned about the conservation pro- last 23 years with the support of the Congressional Record, extensive links) gram called Birders’ Exchange. I was Canadian Wildlife Service. He and his Federal Web Locator: www.infoctr.edu/fwl/ SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN: pleased to see the article in the May- group have banded more than 15,000 241 Russell Senate Office Building June issue of the Vermilion Flycatcher birds during this period, and some of Washington, D.C. 20510 describing this unique program, and the birds he has banded have been re- Phone: (202) 224-2235, Fax: (202) 228-2862 Tucson Phone: 670-6334, Fax: 670-6637 Tucson Audubon’s participation in an ported as far north as Anchorage, E-mail: [email protected] equipment drive with Proyecto Alaska. SENATOR JON KYL: Corredor Colibrí, the southern Arizona How you can help 730 Hart Senate Office Building repository for Birders’ Exchange dona- To make a donation to the Birders’ Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-4521, Fax: (202) 224-2207 tions. The American Birding Associa- Exchange, contact Jennie Duberstein of Tucson Phone: 575-8633, Fax: 797-3232 tion now runs this program, begun in Proyecto Corredor Colibrí at Email http://www.senate.gov/~kyl/contact.htm 1990 by the Manomet Center for Con- [email protected] or REP. RICK RENZI (DIST. 1): servation Science. The concept is el- (520) 326-6526. You may bring your 418 Cannon House Office Building Washington DC 20515 egantly simple and effective. Birders’ donation to the Tucson Audubon of- (202) 225-2315 Exchange has aided over 350 groups in fices at 300 E. University Blvd. REP. TRENT FRANKS (DIST. 2): 30 countries in Central and Latin If you’re planning a trip to any of 1237 Longworth House Office Building America and the Caribbean by donat- the areas mentioned, contact the ABA Washington DC 20515 ing such items as binoculars, spotting to see how you can donate items. Or, (202) 225-4576 scopes, field guides, cameras, and provide courier service of items to des- REP. JOHN SHADEGG (DIST. 3): laptop computers to researchers, con- ignated recipients at or near your des- 306 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 servationists and educators working tination. Or, make a financial dona- Phone: (202) 225-3361, Fax: (202) 225-3462 to conserve birds and their habitats tion. There is a current challenge grant E-mail: [email protected] in the Neotropics. to ABA of $50,000 from the Riedman REP. ED PASTOR (DIST. 4): Just before the end of our trip, my Foundation. The fund is a dollar-for- 2465 Rayburn House Office Building Washington DC 20515 husband and I decided that we would dollar match for every dollar you do- (202) 225-4065, fax: (202) 225-1655 join this important effort and contrib- nate to Birders’ Exchange. Visit REP. J.D. HAYWORTH (DIST. 5): ute our trusty binoculars, leaving them www.americanbirding.org for more in- 2434 Rayburn House Building with the local intermediary, Raul Arias formation. Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2190 Fax: (202) 225-3263 de Para of the Canopy Tower. We The contribution of our binoculars E-mail: [email protected] learned subsequently that they were to this wonderful program was our REP. JEFF FLAKE (DIST. 6): given to Panamanian ornithologist and small way to invest in bird conserva- 424 Cannon House Office Building Washington DC 20515 educator, Francisco Delgado, who, in tion. And, oh yes, we ordered some new (202) 225-2635, fax: (202) 226-4386 1979, discovered a species new to binoculars when we returned home, [email protected] Panama, the Painted parakeet (Pyrrurha (which one day will probably find there REP. RAUL GRIJALVA (DIST. 7): picta). Francisco has been running a way down to our partners in Latin 1440 Longworth House Office Building Washington DC 20515 banding program for shorebirds, America!) (202) 225-2435 (mainly Western Sandpipers, Short- REP. JIM KOLBE (DIST. 8): 2266 Rayburn House Office Building Scorecard ranked lawmakers based on onto the Arizona League of Conserva- Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2542, Fax: (202) 225-0378 their support of habitat preservation, tion Voters Education Fund website at Tucson Phone: 881-3588 clean air and water and other issues www.azlcvedfund.org. www.house.gov/kolbe/contact_kolbe.html important to Arizonans. Note: Tucson Audubon participated For a full copy of the Scorecard, to in this event, providing important in- It only takes a few minutes to contact YOUR find out how your lawmakers fared log put on land use and wildlife habitat. congressional representatives and let them know how you want them to vote (and to onto the League’s website: We thank the League for sponsoring remind them who put them in Phoenix or www.azlcv.org. To find out more about this event and look forward to contin- Washington). the Arizona Conservation Alliance, log ued participation in the future. J 6 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society September 2003 Field Trips Birding outings for all interests and abilities John Higgins

September 2 – Tuesday 6 a.m. steep, exposed, and rocky, so plan to walking shoes. Bring water and lunch. Arivaca Cienega, Buenos Aires Na- carpool if you don’t have a high-clear- Meet at the car-pooling site for a 6 a.m. tional Wildlife Refuge ance vehicle or if you’re unaccustomed departure, or at the Green Valley Migration should be in full swing by to mountain driving. Meet at the car- McDonald’s (Continental Road Exit) now, and many migrants are attracted pooling site for a 4:30 a.m. departure, before 6:30 a.m. to this (usually!) moist area. A mile or or at Houghton Road north of I-10 Leader: Diane Touret (299-7490, or two of leisurely walking on good, before 5 a.m. [email protected]) mostly level, trails and boardwalks. Leader: Brian McKnight (881-4481, or Wear a hat and sunscreen; bring plenty [email protected]) September 20 – Saturday 6 a.m. of water and snacks or lunch. A scope Avra Valley may be useful. Meet at the car-pooling Call in rare bird sightings and updates to Migrants anyone? We’ll head right up site for a 6 a.m. departure (leader not the voice mailbox at 696-4461, option 3, or to the Pecan Grove, then work our way present), or at the Green Valley email them to [email protected]. south, ending up at Snyder Hill Sew- McDonald’s (Continental Road Exit) age Ponds. Bring a scope and portable before 6:30 a.m. radio if you have one. Meet at the Jack- Leader: Gene Loring (629-0510, or September 13 – Saturday 7 a.m. in-the-Box on Ina Road just east of I- [email protected]) Tanque Verde Ranch 10. Bring lunch. Back by 3 p.m. We have special permission to bird this Leader: Larry Liese (743-3520, September 6-9 – Saturday-Tuesday property located on the very end of East [email protected]) Monterey, California Speedway. Come see what we can find Highlight will be an eight-hour birding migrating along Tanque Verde Wash September 23 – Tuesday 5:30 a.m. trip on Monterey Bay looking for sea- with 2 ponds, mesquites, cottonwoods French Joe Canyon, Whetstone Mountains birds and marine mammals. The great- and open country. Done by noon. A Black-chinned Sparrows and possible est variety of both is seen during fall half-time break for snacks back at the Rufous-capped Warblers will be the migration. Shearwaters, jaegers, alcids, cars. Good trip for beginners. Meet at targets for this trip. Expect up to three storm-petrels, porpoises and whales are McDonald’s parking lot at the corner miles of (slow) hiking over rough trails all possible. The boat trip is on Sun- of Tanque Verde & Catalina Hwy. and perhaps a bit of rock scrambling day. We plan to spend most of Mon- (usual spot). (optional). PLEASE CONTACT day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We Leader: Bill Wieboldt (885-1227, LEADER IN ADVANCE, as the num- will visit Point Pinos (surfbirds), Moss [email protected]) ber of participants may be limited by Landing (shorebirds), Año Nuevo (har- the capacity of high-clearance vehicles bor and possible elephant seals) and September 16 – Tuesday 6 a.m. that may be available. Wear sturdy Point Lobos (oystercatchers and otters). Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains footgear and bring lunch and plenty Nice place to just be a tourist too! Birders This is an ideal time to visit this favor- of water. Meet at the car-pooling site will make own arrangements for the boat ite nearby birding hot spot. Migrants for a 5:30 a.m. departure (leader not trip, flight, rental car, motel and meals, will add to the usual abundance of resi- present), or at Houghton and I-10 but leader will give you information. dent species. Be prepared to walk up- before 6 a.m. Space on the boat is VERY LIMITED. hill on good, but occasionally steep Leader: Denis Wright (405-6864, or Leader: John Higgins (578-1830) trails. Wear a hat, sunscreen, and good [email protected])

September 9 – Tuesday 4:30 a.m. Carr Canyon, Huachuca Mountains Field Trip Information Look for high elevation birds and in- TAS field trips are free. We strongly encourage carpooling on the field trips and teresting migrants. Spectacular views of suggest driver reimbursement of 5 cents per mile. Unless noted otherwise, the 1/ the San Pedro Valley on the way up and “carpooling site” is the parking lot behind the First Baptist Church on 5th Ave., 1 2 down. Expect some hiking on rocky blocks south of TAS on the west side of the street. Please arrive before the departure trails that are steep in places. Wear a time listed in the trip description. Don’t forget to stop in the Nature Shop after your hat, sunscreen, and sturdy footgear, and trip to check out new books, wonderful nature items, and to chat with volunteers. The bring water and a portable lunch. Bring field trip coordinator is John Higgins (578-1830). a scope if you have one. The road is September 2003 Tucson Audubon Society Vermilion Flycatcher 7

September 27 – Saturday 6 a.m. efforts since the site is not normally Patagonia Area open to the public. When finished we’ll Other Field Meet at Houghton Road just north of move on to the nearby Pinal Airpark Opportunities I-10. Bring water and lunch. We will Pecan Grove. Bring plenty of water, a visit the Patagonia Nature Conservancy hat, and a snack if necessary—back by Sanctuary (donation requested), Paton’s noon. Meet at 6:30 a.m. at the Jack- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum – and Patagonia Lake (entrance fee) for resi- in-the-Box on the north side of Ina birdwalks every day at 7:30 a.m., May – Sept. Museum entrance. 883- dent birds and migrants. Back by 3 p.m. Road just east of I-10. 2702. Free with admission. Leader: Bob Bates (296-5629) Leader: Kendall Kroesen (206-9900, [email protected]) Arizona State Parks – birding and other walks; www.pr.state.az.us. Fee. September 30 – Tuesday 6 a.m. (602) 542-4174. de Anza Trail – Tubac October 7 – Tuesday 6 a.m. Buenos Aires NWR – Brown Canyon At this time of year we’re coming down Arivaca Cienega, Buenos Aires Na- & grassland tours; reservations: 823- the homestretch of fall migration for tional Wildlife Refuge 4251; Arivaca Cienega birdwalks ev- many bird species. We’ll hope for Look for late migrants and winter visi- ery Sat., Nov. – Apr., 8 a.m. 399-0537. hawks, warblers and other birds that tors at this popular birding place. Walk- Boyce Thompson Arboretum – Sun- use this excellent riparian corridor on ing on boardwalks and good, mostly day birdwalks, 8:30 a.m., Oct. 6 – Dec. their journey south. The dirt trail we’ll level, trails. May be marshy in places. 8, free with admission. 689-2811. walk for a few miles round-trip is level Wear a hat and appropriate footgear; Catalina State Park – 5 a.m. - 10 p.m, and fairly smooth, and we’ll be going bring water and lunch. A scope might Fee. 628-5798. pretty slow. Bring lunch, which we’ll be useful. Meet at the car-pooling site have in the shaded picnic area next to for a 6 a.m. departure. Or at the Green Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve – open 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Oct. - the parking lot on our return. Meet at Valley McDonald’s (Continental Road May. (Closed Mon. & Tues.) Dona- the car-pooling site for a 6 a.m. depar- Exit) before 6:30 a.m. tion Required. 394-2400. ture, or at the Green Valley Leader: Clait Braun (529-4614, or sg- Ramsey Canyon Preserve – open ev- McDonald’s before 6:30 a.m. [email protected]) J ery day 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. $5.00 Leader: Larry Liese (743-3520, or general admission; kids 16 and un- [email protected]) der free. 378-2785. Field Reports Sabino Canyon – birding and nature October 4 – Saturday 6:30 a.m. hikes. Parking fee. Call 749-8700. Sulphur Springs Valley Saguaro National Park – Call 733- We will look for the last of the fall mi- June 17 5153 (East) and 733-5158 (West) grating shorebirds and Swainson’s Kitt Peak and Quinlan Mountains for schedules of bird and nature walks. Hawks between Whitewater Draw and A Yellow-billed Cuckoo was found Southern Arizona Bird Observatory the Willcox Ponds. 250 miles round on our way up to Kitt Peak in a small – hawk and crane tours on Saturdays trip. Bring lunch, apple pie money and tree-covered canyon between MP 6 and and Sundays, fee. 432-1388 scope if you have one. You can even MP 7 on the Kitt Peak Road (AZ 386). www.sabo.org. stick around in Willcox and enjoy the The cuckoo is listed as accidental in Tohono Chul Park – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rex Allen Days festivities. Meet at these mountains so it was a surprise to daily. Birding walks at 8:30 a.m. Houghton Road just north of I-10. find. After hearing the clucking sounds Monday, Wednesday & Saturday, Back by 5 p.m. I first sighted it in a large oak above Oct. - May. Entrance fee. 575-8468. Leader: John Higgins (578-1830, several medium-sized boulders about Tucson Botanical Gardens – 8:30 [email protected]) 100 feet from the road on the peak side. a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Bird and gardening The small canyon also carried a num- tours on Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m., Sept. October 4 – Saturday 6:30 a.m. ber of other nice species including a - May. Entrance fee. 326-9686. Tucson Audubon Habitat Restoration couple of Broad-billed hummers Note: All phones are area code 520 Site and Pecan Grove around a recently bloomed thistle. A unless stated otherwise. Tucson Come look for fall migrants and return- very vocal Rock Wren showed off his Weekly newspaper lists outdoor ing winter birds in the riparian area and varied repertoire and a nest of Cactus events in “City Week” column; old farm fields at Tucson Audubon’s Wrens was in the rock face above the tucsonweekly.com/tw/current/l- habitat restoration site, along the lower road. Also heard/seen were Hutton’s out.html. Santa Cruz River. This will also be a Vireo, Black-headed Grosbeak and oth- chance to see recent habitat restoration ers. The picnic grounds just below the 8 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society September 2003

Kitt Peak observatories were full of Canyon rewarded us with beautiful August 2 Bridled Titmouse families, a couple Red-faced Warblers, Hepatic Tanagers Hotline Birding Dusky-capped Flycatchers, a couple fighting Stellar’s Jays and lunch with a Something a little different: Six Black-headed Grosbeaks and Hutton’s noisy Canyon Wren. After the hike, we birders met at Houghton and I-10, dis- Vireo. We were greeted by a group of went over to Ash Canyon to look for cussed recent sighting and hotline re- busy Bushtits, Acorn Woodpeckers, the Plain-capped Starthroat and Luci- ports, and voted where to go. The first and White-throated Swifts. After reach- fer Hummingbirds. Not only did we see stop was Wilcox Twin Lakes where we ing the peak a single Hepatic Tanager them, but we also had a chance to watch saw the Franklin’s Gull, a Willet, many and some hungry Mexican Jays kept us a next-door drama of air and ground Baird’s Sandpipers, and thousands of amused at lunch. It was nice and cool crews fighting the Ash Canyon forest fire. Avocets and phalaropes. Next we vis- up there and the views always spectacu- Those P-3 “big birds” were low! The ice ited Holy Trinity Monastery (St. lar even on a hazy day. We started the cream in Sierra Vista was great too! David) where the highlight was primo morning at the El Mesquital “oasis” Bar – John Higgins views of Mississippi Kite and Summer & Grill. The oasis is behind the restau- Tanager. Finally we saw 8 humming- rant—a large pond surrounded by July 1 bird species at Ash Creek B&B, includ- mature palms, carrizos (reeds) and Arivaca Cienega ing good views of a Plain-capped other thick vegetation and mesquites. The field trip to Bog Springs in Starthroat. We saw a total of 79 species. Hooded Orioles were on their nest in Madera Canyon was canceled at the last – Craig Gordon & Ries Lindley J the palms; at least three oriole nests minute due to the closure of the were seen there. Rufous-winged Spar- Madera Canyon portion of the rows, Canyon Towhees, and other Coronado National Forest at 6 AM on desert denizens were hanging around the day we were to visit. The group of as well. The place is on Fuller Road. 6 instead elected to go to Arivaca Going west past Three Points junction Cienega. A light rain (0.1 inch) had on Ajo Highway (AZ 86), take the first fallen the night before and the birds right turn after passing the schools on were very active. Fifty species were the north side of the highway. You can found in the three hours we birded the see the palm trees north of the high- area. We were treated to Black-bellied way. There is a sign for the restaurant Whistling-Ducks flying around, a on the highway at Fuller Road. Follow Black Vulture, at least five different the dirt road about ½ mile to another Yellow-billed Cuckoos, a couple of sign and turn right into a somewhat Tropical Kingbirds, great views of sev- rutted dirt drive. It is an interesting eral Yellow-breasted Chats and, after place to visit, the food isn’t bad and the much study, a Willow Flycatcher was beers are cold. They open for lunch on definitely identified. Many different weekends (including Friday) and din- species of lizards, butterflies, flowering ner every day. You can drive in to see plants and several mule deer rounded the oasis in the early morning hours out the morning. when they are closed. I’ve made the own- – Dick Palmer Help Wanted ers aware that birders will be visiting. – Norma Miller July 19 We are updating our book, California Gulch & Arivaca Cienega Finding Birds in Southeast Ari- June 21 Nine birders walked down into zona, and need assistance Miller Canyon California Gulch and were treated to checking out various areas fea- Eleven birders enjoyed a scenic and the singing of a perched Five-striped tured in the book. There are exciting morning in the Huachuca Sparrow. A loud Gray Hawk was also also some clerical and desk jobs Mountains during fire season. Miller seen well. One of the prettiest birds of for those who don’t go out Canyon featured cool green mountains, the trip was a male Varied Bunting much in the summer. If you Mr. Beatty’s usual hospitality and lots “flashing” us along the road back to can help with any of these of butterflies and birds. The highlight Arivaca. The Cienega was hot and al- tasks, please contact us at 629- at the feeders was “in front of your nose most dry, but the faithful Tropical 0757 or [email protected]. “ looks at the male White-eared Hum- Kingbirds showed up. mingbird. Our cool, breezy walk up the – John Higgins September 2003 Tucson Audubon Society Vermilion Flycatcher 9 Web Corner Kendall Kroesen

The Tucson Audubon website first item under “News” on the home Get Involved at (www.tucsonaudubon.org) continues page. In June we featured the Mason Tucson to serve your need for information up- Audubon Center, in July our Interna- dates between issues of the Flycatcher: tional Birding Trips, and in August our Audubon! archived information on a variety of list of volunteer opportunities. topics, extended information that will This month we are featuring the not fit in the Flycatcher, and links to other Arizona Important Bird Areas Program. We invite you to volunteer with environmental resources on the Web. The web pages for the IBA Program these Tucson Audubon pro- During spring and summer the have been overhauled, and they con- grams. Check the website for website has kept readers up to date on tain new information and easier-to- updates of these and other vol- temporary birding site closures, includ- download forms. No volunteer oppor- unteer opportunities (go to ing several due to fire danger, the brief tunity is more deserving of your atten- www.tucsonaudubon.org, and closure of Sweetwater Wetland due to tion, or more interesting and challeng- click on “Want to help?” in the storm damage, and the continuing clo- ing, than those available through the menu on the left margin). sure of Mt. Lemmon due to the Aspen Arizona IBA Program. The program Vermilion Flycatcher Fire. In fact, the website contains up- speaks to two core components of Tuc- • Help one Friday per month dated information on any southeast son Audubon’s mission: Our admiration with sorting and labeling the Arizona birding site for which infor- and enjoyment of birds, and our efforts Flycatcher for mailing. mation has changed since the 1999 to protect them and their habitat. J Call Jerry Sweeney, 326-3701 publication of our book, Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona. (Click on “Access Important Bird Areas Program Updates” in the menu on the left side • IBA science teams; 2-4 of the home page.) people to adopt an IBA and Also, look for the new “Monthly survey birds Feature” to familiarize yourself with Call Scott Wilbor, 622-2230 parts of the website that you might have Habitat Restoration Project overlooked. The Monthly Feature is the www.tucsonaudubon.org • Volunteer at the restoration site Call Ann Phillips or Kendall Kroesen, 206-9900 Bashas’ Thanks a Million Program Birding Fieldtrips Bashas’ supermarket now offers an easy way to support the Tucson • Volunteer to lead Tucson Au- Audubon Society every time you shop. The next time you visit a Bashas’ dubon birding fieldtrips store, you can link Tucson Audubon’s ID number to your Bashas’ Thank Call John Higgins, 578-1830 You Card. You only have to enter the code once and the link remains Mason Audubon Center for the duration of the program, September 1, 2003 through April 30, • Grounds helper, housekeeper 2004. At the end of the program, one percent of your total purchases will Call Jamie Brown, 744-0004 be donated to Tucson Audubon. The Tucson Audubon Society ID num- ber is 27286. Happy shopping! International Trips Program • Development and distribu- tion of marketing materials. Especially helpful would be someone who likes using their graphic arts skills. We need just a few hours of your time. Call Holly Foster, 629-0757 10 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society September 2003

Tucson Audubon Society Members are Eligible for Hughes Federal Credit Union Membership Arizona-Sonora Desert Hughes Federal Credit Union is pleased to offer the op- Museum Classes portunity for members of the Tucson Audubon Society to join the credit union and take advantage of our free interest- earning checking, competitive savings, low loan rates, in- September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, October 7 vestment services, and friendly service. Other convenient Fundamentals of Nature Drawing: Instructor Chris services include 24-hour Online Banking, Bill Pay, eLoan, Bondante teaches the fundamentals of graphite 24-hour Voice Response, Direct Deposit, AnyHour Loan and pencil technique and how to create what they see more. Your family members are also eligible to join. with a few basic shapes. Certificate course, no pre- Hughes Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial requisite. Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cost: $95 institution. Check out our Web site at www.hughesfcu.org for ASDM members, $105 for non-members. for information about all our products and services, includ- ing online banking. Take advantage of our free financial semi- September 4, 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9 nars, discount movie tickets, free notary service and more. Nature Drawing – Surface Detail and Texture: Stu- To join, fill out an application online, visit any of our five dents will learn from Instructor Chris Bondante Tucson locations or call 794-JOIN. the specific techniques for rendering surface de- To find out more regarding membership, contact Elsa tail and texture in graphite. Certificate course. Jacklitch at 579-4215. J Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Nature Drawing and Intermediate Nature Drawing. Thursdays, 1 pm to 4 pm.

Do You Have a Favorite Animal September 5, 12, 19, 26, October 3, 10 Story? Intermediate Nature Drawing: Instructor Chris Bondante teaches how to pay more attention to Of course you do! And we want to hear it! accurate observation, resolution of issues of per- The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and the Humane spective and how to render a concave or convex Society of Southern Arizona are putting together a book of surface in a manner that will be clearly understood great animal stories. Stories will vary between 200 and 2,000 by the viewer. Certificate course. Prerequisite: Fun- words. Dogs, cats, birds, mountain lions, Gila monsters— damentals of Nature Drawing. Fridays, 9 am to we’re looking for any good story about any sort of critter. 12 pm. Cost: $95 for ASDM members, $105 for Your story can be heart-warming or harrowing, serious or non-members. sad, inspirational or just plain fun; or it may be an interest- ing observation you have made about animal behavior. September 6, 13, 27, October 4, 11 If you have opened your home to a furry, feathered, or Rendering Birds in Colored Pencil: Students will scaly friend, or have spent time observing animals in the learn from Instructor Larry Wollam how to accu- wild, you probably have at least one good animal story. rately render birds in their natural habitat, using By participating in this book project you not only have preliminary sketches, visual observation and pho- an opportunity to see your story and name in print, you tos. Elective course. Saturdays, 9 am to 12 pm. also help support the important efforts of the Humane So- Cost: $80 for ASDM members, $88 for non- ciety of Southern Arizona and the Arizona-Sonora Desert members. Museum. We need only a brief summary of your story right now. All classes are at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Mu- Contact us by email, phone, or snail mail for more infor- seum Art Institute Oro Valley Classroom (10355 mation. N. La Canada Dr., #133). For registration or more Contact: information, call Carol Owens at 883-3024 or visit Doris Evans www.desertmuseum.org. 5006 W Placita de los Vientos Tucson AZ 85745 (520) 743-4700 [email protected] J September 2003 Tucson Audubon Society Vermilion Flycatcher 11

Submit calendar items and information to Calendar [email protected], or call 749-2139. September

Friday, September 5, 8 p.m. American Migration Count. Teams of 2 or 3 people will cover Copper Canyon Birding Trip Slide Show small sections of the creek to record birds in riparian and Rochelle Gerratt will present a slideshow about the Tucson upland habitat. Teams will meet at 9 a.m. to share results Audubon Society's upcoming trips to Copper Canyon at over food and coffee. Please call Arizona IBA Coordinator Summit Hut, 605 E. Wetmore, Tucson. See page 18 for Scott Wilbor, 622-2230, to sign up. Check our web site for more information on Tucson Audubon’s International updated information on the Fall Migration Bird Count. Hope Birding Trips. to see you at Sabino! See page 18 for more information.

Saturday, September 6, 8-10 a.m. Friday & Saturday, October 3 & 4 Mason Audubon Center Public Tour: “Magnificent Mammals” Volunteer Days at Tucson Audubon Habitat Restoration Site Come join MAC naturalists for a morning of mammal in- Bring shovels, gloves, long pants, lunch & water, and have a vestigations. Learn how these furry creatures endure not only great day restoring bird habitat! There is work suitable for during cool periods, but also blistering summers. A search all ages and physical abilities. Contact Ann Phillips or Kendall along our one-mile trail might even turn up a mammal or Kroesen for more information, 206-9900. two. A $5 fee ($3 for Tucson Audubon members; children 10 and under are free) is required to offset facility costs. Tour Wednesday, October 8 limited to 30 participants. To register, please call Carrie Dean Habitat Restoration Site Tour at 622-2230. More information on page 15. Ann Phillips leads a tour of Tucson Audubon’s habitat resto- ration project on the lower Santa Cruz River. Meet at 8:30 Monday, September 8, 7 p.m. a.m. at the Jack-in-the-Box on the north side of Ina Road Tucson Audubon Public Program, DuVal Auditorium, UMC just east of I-10. Tour will start at 9:15 a.m. at the site. Wear Presentations on keeping our skies dark, and on Owls, the hats, boots, and long pants; bring water—back to Tucson by silent hunters of the night. See back cover for details. noon. Call Ann Phillips at 206-9900 for details.

Tuesday, September 9, 6 p.m. Saturday October 11, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Slide Presentation on Riparian and Tidepool Family Institutes Nature Tales & Trails: A Harvest Moon Celebration Executive Director Sonja Macys and Sandy Anderson from Pima County event at Tucson Mountain Park, Ironwood Pic- the Gray Hawk Nature Center will preview these great fam- nic Area. Stroll along a moonlit desert trail, enjoy folklore ily educational opportunities and describe their unique eco- and nature tales, detect the sights and sounds of bats in flight, logical settings. For details, see front cover. see night-active animal presentations, scope out the full-moon craters with telescopes. Contact: Wendy Burroughs, Pima Friday, September 12, 6:30 p.m. County Natural Resources, 877-6122. Bat Watching with Ronnie Sidner, Ph.D. Learn about bats from expert Ronnie Sidner at the Sabino October 17 – 19 Creek home of Dr. John Madden. Limited to 12 people. For Riparian Family Institute details, see story on page 12 or call Carrie Dean at 622-2230. Come experience fall colors and explore the beautiful San Pedro River corridor at the Gray Hawk Nature Center, while Saturday, September 13, 4:30 p.m. gaining an appreciation of and understanding for this di- Bat Watching with Ronnie Sidner, Ph.D. verse ecological area. Families will delve into river ecology Learn about bats with expert Ronnie Sidner at Linda Pfister’s (and the river itself), while participating in hands-on, expe- house near Nogales as the bats feed from Linda’s feeders. riential learning activities during this weekend excursion. For Meet at carpooling site at 4:30 p.m. For details, see story on more info, see story on front page or call Carrie Dean at page 12 or call Carrie Dean at 622-2230. 622-2230.

Saturday, September 20, 6:30 - 8:30 a.m. Saturday, October 18, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Fall Migration Bird Count at Sabino Creek New Volunteer Program at Agua Caliente Park The Arizona Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program at Tucson Come out to Agua Caliente Regional Park and learn about a Audubon will hold a one-day bird count along sections of wide range of new volunteer opportunities. RSVP to Wendy Sabino Creek. This survey will support Sabino Creek’s nomi- Burroughs, Pima County Natural Resources, 877-6122. J nation as an IBA and contribute data to the nationwide North 12 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society September 2003

Education News Carrie Dean, Education Program Manager Bats! variety of federal agencies and has been an instructor at Tucson Tucson Audubon member Linda Pfister is offering a won- Audubon’s Institute for Desert Ecology for the past 7 years. derful opportunity to view nectar-feeding hummingbirds by day and nectar-feeding BATS by night at her home near Educators, Check it Out! Nogales. For several summers, she has watched large num- The Tremendous Resources in Environmental Education bers of nectarbats arrive nightly at her feeders, and now she (TREE) Center offers many great materials available to check wants to share the experience. out from Tucson Audubon Society, free of charge! Books, vid- Two species of nectar-feeding bats migrate north from eos, audio tapes, and resource kits including: mammal, bird, Mexico each year to visit southern Arizona. These are the and reptile skulls; bird specimens; bird nests; bird eggs; bin- lesser long-nosed (endangered species) and Mexican long- oculars; and urban birding that correspond to the Urban tongued bats. They drink from saguaro flowers in spring when Birding in Arizona curriculum, are all available for loan on a they arrive to give first-come, first- birth to their one serve basis. Re- young. Then they sources may be switch to agave flow- checked out for ers (century plants) varying lengths of in summer and fall as time, two weeks be- they begin their re- ing the norm. There turn migration is only one set of southward. each kit, and due to Throughout this visi- the high demand, tation period, they advance reservations supplement the nec- are strongly sug- tar from plants with gested. Therefore, sugar water from walk-in requests can “hummingbird” no longer be accom- feeders. modated. To inquire Linda has invited about availability, Ronnie Sidner to tell resource specifics, or us about the bats, an- to reserve materials, swer our questions, Ultimate Journey participants hiking at Brown Canyon please call Carrie and lead our observa- Dean at 622-2230. tions of the foraging bats. We’ll listen with sonar detectors as Desert Birding in Arizona Curriculum, these winged mammals sing around the feeders. Saturday, September 13th. Meet at the carpooling site at NOW ON SALE! 4:30 p.m. Back by 11 p.m. Tucson Audubon Members, $30, Teaching and learning require active participation to fully Non-members $35. utilize and understand the wonders of the complex world For those who need to stay closer to Tucson, Ronnie will around us. This is never truer than when it applies to sci- also host a slide show and bat-watching session the evening ence-based instruction; observation and hands-on activities before, Friday, September 12th, 6:30 p.m., at the home of are necessary to inspire and nurture the critical thinking skills Dr. John Madden on Sabino Creek. Tucson Audubon Mem- so important in life. However, with little or no funding for bers, $30, Non-members $35. off-site field trips and with a concentration on testing, many For details, or to sign up, call Carrie Dean, Education educators are bound to their school sites. Therefore, three Program Manager, at 622-2230. unique science curricula—developed as part of the Tucson Ronnie Sidner, Ph.D. Audubon Society’s Urban Biology Series—make use of the Ronnie Sidner is a self-employed field mammalogist, countless, often unnoticed, living-science subjects just out- trained while earning advanced degrees in biology. She has side school doors. The most recent component is Desert 21 years experience conducting fieldwork for her own re- Birding in Arizona—with a Focus on Urban Birds by Doris Evans. search on public and private lands in Arizona. She has con- This newest to the series joins Dr. Strangeplant (urban ducted mammal surveys and endangered species work for a weeds) by David Lazaroff, and Arthropodantics (arthropods) September 2003 Tucson Audubon Society Vermilion Flycatcher 13 by Janet Bardwell, Doris Evans, and Robin Roche. These are Need I say more? We searched several days for an alternate upper elementary science units. Teachers, parents and grand- venue after the Aspen fire, to no avail. parents alike will find each easily-adapted curriculum an in- Then the Buenos Aires Brown Canyon Environmental formative and fun way to explore the natural world with Education Center and Ray Harm House were graciously of- students of all ages. Get your copies now, on sale for $10.00 fered. What a fantastic outing for these inner-city youth! each in the Tucson Audubon Society Nature Shop, south- The pristine setting in Brown Canyon, with Baboquivari east corner of University Blvd. and 5th Ave. looming to the west, is breathtaking, and the facilities are very accommodating. Since this was the first group of young Urban Weeds Teacher Workshop – people ever invited to spend an overnight there, we were September 27 & October 4, 2003 very careful to abide by the “Code of the West,” leaving ev- If you’re interested in Tucson Audubon Society’s Urban erything as we had found it. Biology Series Dr. Strangeplant curriculum, but don’t yet feel Rainy Warf was the program leader, dealing with all these confident teaching the subject, join Tucson Audubon and enthusiastic, chattering children very capably. There was only Cooper Environmental Science Campus (CESC) for a 15- minor tearfulness for a few first-time campers during the hour Urban Weeds Teacher Workshop on Saturday, Septem- trip. Otherwise, it was deemed very successful by the chil- ber 27 and Saturday, October 4, 2003. This Tucson Unified dren, Rainy, and the youth development specialists from the School District approved workshop is open to all educators, four clubhouses. and all participants will receive the Dr. Strangeplant curricu- Children used disposable cameras; hiked the trails where lum as part of the course. For more information and to reg- they spotted a Cardinal, Hooded Oriole and a Sonoran ister, contact Kathy Lloyd at CESC, 743-7422. (Cost: Desert toad; learned, “don’t kiss the kissing bugs,” and whet- $37.50; limited to 30 participants) ted their voracious appetites with plenty of nutritious food. After all was said and done, several of the kids said Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge they really wanted to go camping again! A very grateful to the Rescue! thanks to Kathie Senter and the other Buenos Aires folks As part of their Ultimate Journey program that was coor- for their generosity. They supplied bottled water, filled dinated by Tucson Audubon Society staff, the Boys and Girls the busy hummingbird feeders and literally made this pro- Clubs of Tucson, Inc. had planned an overnight trip to Mount gram possible! J Lemmon for 40 six- to nine-year-olds for July 25 and 26.

Environmental Educators from the Southwest Convene in Tucson

Arizona Association for Environmental Education hosts Senderos: Environmental Education in a Multicultural Society

Environmental educators from the Southwest will con- of the Education and Training Center for Sustainable De- verge at the University Marriott in Tucson for a major con- velopment for Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural ference, September 18-21. Senderos: Environmental Educa- Resources. Tiahoga will discuss U.S.-Mexico partnership op- tion in the Multicultural Society is attracting professionals with portunities in environmental education. outstanding keynote speakers and concurrent sessions on a The Arizona Association for Environmental Education broad range of cultural and industry perspectives. (AAEE) was established 23 years ago to enhance the quality, The conference opens with keynote speaker, Ofelia scope, and effectiveness of environmental education in Ari- Zepeda, an expert on the development of native language zona, working with diverse audiences to promote professional curricula, professor of linguistics at the University of Ari- development, networking, and collaborative relationships. zona, and director of the American Indian Language Devel- Registration information for the conference can be found opment Institute. On Friday morning Greg Cajete, Direc- at www.arizonaee.org/conference/. A Teacher Special rate and tor of Native American Studies and Associate Professor in a limited number of scholarships are described on the site. the College of Education at the University of New Mexico, Contact: Jose Marcos-Iga, Arizona Association for Environ- will focus on indigenous education. The closing keynote mental Education (AAEE), at [email protected] speaker on Sunday morning will be Tiahoga Ruge, Director or (520) 670-1442. J 14 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society September 2003 Mason Audubon Center News

MAC Naturalist Notebook

by Carrie Dean

Often used synonymously to mean colder periods, while others soon be- However, don’t forget the mountain li- animal, mammal is simply one group gin their fall migration to warmer ons, javelinas, and even bears, oh my! in the larger kingdom of animals of climes. Round-tailed ground squirrels, Although some of these creatures have which humans are one species. These often mistaken for prairie dogs, are acquired unfair dubious reputations, fur-bearing, live-birth-giving, milk pro- emerging from a summer estivation many, if not all, would much rather give ducing, endothermic (internal heat (heat induced hibernation), and rock us our space than provoke a deleteri- regulation) creatures are some of the squirrels are giving birth to a second ous encounter. These primarily noctur- first that come to mind when the nal or crepuscular animals go word animal is bandied about about searching for food and rev- when, in reality, mammals com- eling in the cooler temperatures prise just a fraction of the ani- night has to offer. mal kingdom. Of the vertebrate As summer draws to a close subphylum, mammals come in and you while away the last long fourth for number of species— days sitting on the patio or 4,260, whereas there are approxi- lounging by the pool, you may mately 41,000 species of reptiles, just spy a mule deer with new birds and fish. Compared to the fawns in tow, or bobcats teach- invertebrates that account for ing their kittens to hunt on their over one million species of ani- own. A group of javelina may mals, mammals account for less root out your freshly planted than four-tenths of one percent. Many mammals, like this coyote, are seen at the cactus and drink all the water And of those 4,260 species, one Mason Audubon Center from the bird bath, while a coy- quarter of all mammals can fly; ote scampers from tree to tree paus- that’s right, there are nearly 1,000 litter. And as most squirrels are natural ing to catch a glimpse of that other species of bats. sentinels, their trill whistle warning desert mammal—you! Of those 4,000 species, only 60 call calls are often heard across the land- To learn more about our Sonoran the Sonoran Desert home—but what scape; yes, some of those confusing bird Desert mammals, come join us at the a diverse group they are. Some of the calls may just be squirrels! Mason Audubon Center on September bats that call this region their home stay Of course there are larger mammals 6, 2003, at 8 a.m. for another in the through the approaching winter sharing our desert home, probably the Desert Life Series of public tours. J months, hibernating to withstand the most renowned of which is the coyote.

Mason Audubon Center Public Tour: “Magnificent Mammals” Saturday, September 6, 8-10 a.m.

Come join MAC naturalists for a morning of investigations into the fascinating mammal world. Learn how they endure not only during cool periods, but also blistering summers. A search for evidence of these extraor- dinary animals along the one-mile trail might even turn up a mammal or two. A $5 fee ($3 for Tucson Audubon members; kids 10 and under are free) is required to offset facility costs. To ensure a quality experi- ence for our visitors and to preserve the pristine habitat, registration is limited to 30 participants. To register, please call Carrie Dean at 622-2230. September 2003 Tucson Audubon Society Vermilion Flycatcher 15 Mason Audubon Center News

Expanding the tion in honor of William V. and Eliza- search library. After only several Ethnobotanical Garden – beth M. Record initiated the planting months, this exciting new effort is al- Jamie Brown of the ethnobotanical garden. Late this ready taking shape. spring, the Desert Garden Club gave The vision behind the research library The Mason Audubon Center’s MAC another generous donation to ex- concept is simply to provide a central- (MAC) demonstration areas—that is, pand and enhance this demonstration ized space in northwest Tucson where the gardens and the permaculture con- garden. With those funds, Education community members can access a wide cepts—provide valuable resources for Coordinator, Dan Wolgast, recently le- assortment of resources related to con- the community. For example, at MAC veraged donations of plant servation and wildlife. At the library, materials from Tucson Bo- maps, planning documents and research tanical Gardens and data will comprise the initial phase of re- Coronado Heights Nursery. sources. The library will be located in the He has also purchased pot- house and staffed by volunteers. ted plants and seeds and has For some of us, the vast number of put a dedicated corps of vol- possibilities is the most exciting aspect unteers to work installing of the project. When you combine plants, building new plant- highly-skilled, educated, and dedicated ing beds, and sowing seeds. people with some of the best data and The new planting beds will documentation for this area, there’s re- Erin Deely be sown with squash, corn, ally no limit to what can be accom- gourd, amaranth, and other plished. As the last few months have Tohono O’odham edible proven, the momentum behind this Volunteers break ground on original plants. As of this writing, the project has been contagious. Two dedi- ethnobotanical garden corn, squash, and gourd cated volunteers had an idea in March, seeds have been sown and are already and the Mason Center has already re- people can see and learn about rooftop sprouting. Interestingly, the new edibles ceived a generous donation of Geo- rainwater harvesting or passive solar en- section of the ethnobotanical garden graphic Information Systems (GIS*) ergy just by examining the house. Visi- has been installed in the cultural area software from ESRI, the donation of a tors can also learn about plants pre- from May’s Ironwood Festival. This is multitude of maps and planning docu- ferred by pollinators such as bees and the same place where the Wa:k Tab Bas- ments, and the possibility of a com- butterflies; they can see examples of ket Dancers of the Tohono O’odham puter donation! plants with traditional, Native Ameri- Nation danced with their bare feet on If you would like to be involved in can uses; and now, with the expansion the soil. the research library effort, please call of the ethnobotanical garden, folks can We hope you’ll join a pub- Jamie at the Mason Audubon Center to find out how. We have many equip- lic tour or a volunteer work- ment needs for the research library in- day to see what’s growing at cluding a new color printer, a large for- MAC! mat printer for maps, or a new desk Research Library chair. Donating your time will also Emerging – Jamie keep the library growing. Thanks to all Brown the donors and volunteers helping to

Jamie Brown make the research library a reality. Understanding the poten- *GIS is defined as: “An organized col- tial of the Mason Audubon lection of computer hardware, software, Center as a resource for the geographic data and personnel designed Garden volunteers Bruce Weiss, Sara Swan, Dan community, especially the to efficiently capture, store, update, ma- Wolgast, Kenn Goldman, and Scotty Campbell northwest Tucson area, Tuc- nipulate, analyze and display all forms of son Audubon Board members geographically referenced information view a traditional food-plants garden. Peggy Wenrick and Chris McVie have (ESRI 1992) At MAC, one possibility of A few years ago, a generous dona- taken the lead on developing a re- many involves taking all of our mammal, 16 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society September 2003 bird, and roadkill survey spatial data, entering it into the GIS database, and viewing a basemap of MAC with each survey as a different layer. Mason Audubon Cookbook Volunteers Dan’s Prickly Pear Fruit Punch This fall, we will have several Saturday morning volun- by Jamie Brown teer work parties, so come out to MAC and join us. Help set Part of the fun of working on the Mason Audu- up the Ironwood Nursery, work on the gardens, or clean up bon Center ethnobotanical garden was enjoying the grounds. To volunteer, please RSVP by calling Jamie the fruits of our labor, literally. After spending a Brown (744-0004) at the Mason Audubon Center. Please couple of hours preparing the garden beds, we con- bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, water, sturdy shoes, and cluded the morning by harvesting prickly pear fruit work clothes. Date and times are: and making a cool and refreshing punch. Here’s Saturday, August 30: 6:30-9:30 a.m. what we did: First we harvested the ripe (purplish Saturday, September 20: 6:30-9:30 a.m. in color) prickly pear fruit using desert broom to Saturday, October 18: 7:30-10:30 a.m. brush off the spines and glochids (small, hairlike Saturday, November 22: 8-11 a.m. J spines) and using tongs (we used traditional tongs, but kitchen tongs work well, too) to twist off the Volunteer Naturalist fruit. As we picked the fruit, we were mindful of our impact and took only what we needed from Training begins several plants, making sure to leave plenty of fruit for wildlife. Using a stockpot, we combined about 2 cups of sugar and juice from 1 lemon and boiled October 19, 2003! the fruit at a rolling boil for 25 minutes. During the boiling process, it was helpful to use a potato Come join the ever-growing group of dedicated Tucson masher to gently break apart the fruit. Be careful Audubon members who have become Mason Audubon Cen- with that boiling water, though. Once boiled, we ter (MAC) Volunteer Naturalists striving to communicate strained the contents of the stockpot first through our region’s unique natural beauty. Take part in enriching a colander and then through a wire screen. To make our own and others’ lives while gaining a greater understand- the fruit mixture less syrupy, we added water to ing of and appreciation for this part of the world. This eight- thin. Finally, we put the punch in the fridge and session (24 hours) intensive training is lead by MAC volun- enjoyed it after it had cooled down. Yummy! teers, staff and local experts. The training begins on Sunday, Thanks Dan. October 19, and continues on Sunday afternoons and Tues- day evenings, including one Saturday morning session on November 1. All sessions will take place at MAC, 8751 N. Thornydale Road, at the southwest corner of Thornydale and Hardy in northwest Tucson. We focus on interpretive techniques and the natural ecology of the Sonoran Desert, including arthropods, birds, botany, mammals and reptiles. Many of the sessions will include hands-on interactions with live animals. To get a head start, please refer to the Recom- mended Readings listed elsewhere in this issue. (Remember, Tucson Audubon members benefit from a 10% discount and no sales tax in the Nature Shop!) The registration and materials fee is $40, with an “early- bird” price of $35 if payment and completed application

(found online at www.tucsonaudubon.org or at the Nature Jamie Brown Shop) are received/postmarked no later than October 3, 2003. Full registration fee must be paid before October 19. Class limited to 20 participants. Please contact Carrie Dean, Tucson Audubon Education Program Manager at 622-2230 Sara Swan and Kenn Goldman collect prickly or [email protected], if you require more information pear fruit for the prickly pear punch after perusing the application. J September 2003 Tucson Audubon Society Vermilion Flycatcher 17

Arizona Important Bird Areas Program Scott Wilbor

Arizona Important Bird Area (IBA) Update: Bird Data Collection Helps For Santa Cruz River And Sabino Creek Conservation

The Arizona IBA Program, managed by Tucson Audu- the privately owned lower Sabino Creek. Sabino Creek land- bon Society, is conducting an inventory of bird habitats that owner Dr. John Madden has been instrumental in working may qualify as Important Bird Areas under National Audu- with Tucson Audubon Society to establish a nature preserve bon Society’s IBA Program. Nomination of Arizona Impor- on his land within this stretch. Also particularly supportive tant Bird Areas is open to anyone! The recognition of IBA in these efforts has been the Hidden Valley Homeowners status through Audubon’s IBA Program can help land man- Association and individual landowners. As part of our IBA agers and decision makers be more aware of a site’s potential Conservation Initiative we plan to work with landowners and bring it increased grant-funding, citizen-science or pro- and managers at both of these IBAs to produce habitat fessional bird studies, and conservation projects. Please check conservation plans and determine the implementation our web site to view different areas’ statuses in our IBA re- actions our partners can initiate. view and our new” Quick ID Nomination” IBA form (www.tucsonaudubon.org). We have been busy working on gathering bird data for IBA identification throughout Arizona. Citi- zen-scientists participating in IBA Science Teams are contributing needed data in this effort as well. Santa Announcing a Cruz River IBA Teams at Tubac and Tumacacori Fall Migration have contributed out- Bird Count at standing data. Please feel Kendall Kroesen Sabino Creek free to contact the IBA Program office and join in In support of collecting this effort (622-2230). needed bird data for our In southern Arizona Sabino Creek inventory for and in Tucson, we have IBA review, the Arizona IBA focused our attention on Sabino Creek, near the property of Dr. John Madden Program at Tucson Audu- two critical potential IBAs bon will coordinate a one- for data gathering and activities to conserve important ri- day count by interested birders along designated sections of parian habitat. These areas are the Santa Cruz River and Sabino Creek. This survey will also contribute its count data Sabino Creek, both internationally important migratory habi- to the North American Migration Count held throughout tats for birds. With help from the U.S. Forest Service Inter- North America on the same day. The count day will be Sat- national Programs we are putting together a geographic-based urday September 20, from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. Teams of two synthesis of available data on birds of conservation concern to three people will be coordinated prior to the survey to occurring within the Santa Cruz River corridor habitat. We cover small sections of the creek to record birds using the are collaborating with Mexican biologists in this effort. The riparian and associated upland habitat. Teams will meet af- project will identify data gaps, areas for further research, and terward at 9 a.m. to share results over food and coffee. Please areas to pursue immediate protection measures or conserva- call Arizona IBA Coordinator, Scott Wilbor, 622-2230, to tion projects. At Sabino Creek, we also seek to collect data sign up. Check our web site as well for updated information for IBA recognition, and to broaden participation of land- on the Fall Migration Bird Count at Sabino Creek. Hope to owners in habitat conservation and protection efforts along see you at Sabino! J 18 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society September 2003

International Birding Trips Larry Liese, ed. Alamos and Southern Sonora April 1-7, 2004 with Solipaso Excursions & David & Jennifer MacKay

Once again for 2004 Tucson Audubon is offering a birding for birders and researchers. The diversity of habitats and their adventure to beautiful and historic Alamos, Sonora, Mexico! close proximity to town make this an ideal trip for those This marks the fourth year that Tucson Audubon and new to tropical birding, as well as serious endemic “listers.” Solipaso Excursions will team up to offer this extremely popu- Over 400 species of birds have been recorded in the area, lar tour to the southern limits of the Sonoran Desert and including 30 Mexican endemics and 10 northwest Mexican northern reaches of the tropics. This trip offers the opportu- endemics. We should find beautiful birds such as the Black- nity to experience an incredible array of habitats and cul- throated Magpie Jay, Russet-crowned Motmot, Squirrel tural beauty without getting on an airplane! From the foot- Cuckoo, and Bare-throated Tiger Heron to name but a few. hills of the Sierra Madre, tropical deciduous forest, Sinaloa Your guides and hosts for the tour are Jennifer and David thorn forest and the shores of the sea of Cortez, you will be MacKay, long-time Alamos residents and Mexico travelers. impressed with the amount of diversity found within a day’s David has been birding and guiding tours in Mexico and drive south of the border! particularly the Alamos area for nine years. He has extensive As in past years, our private base for excursions into the knowledge not only of the birds and their habitat, but of the surrounding countryside will be the lovely “La Ciudadela” flora, the local Indians (the Mayos), and the colorful human (The Citadel), a very comfortable and elegant guesthouse history of the area. Jennifer is an accomplished chef and tour operated by David and Jennifer MacKay. La Ciudadela, a organizer, and manages the daily operation of La Ciudadela 17th century Spanish garrison and the most historic build- along with a friendly and competent staff. ing in Alamos, was once the center of military operations The dates for the tour are April 1 – 7, 2004. This tour is and explorations from this remote area into northern Sonora limited to a maximum of 8 participants. The price is $1,350 and Arizona. La Ciudadela is now a lush haven for travelers per person and is all-inclusive of meals, accommodations, located in the center of the small historic city of Alamos. guide and transportation from Tucson. The tour price in- The central part of Alamos has recently been elevated to cludes a $150 tax-deductible donation to Tucson Audubon. National Historic Monument status, highlighting its archi- For more information on this special trip to Alamos, go to tectural and historic importance, and protecting its impor- www.Solipaso.com and click on the link to “Tucson Audu- tant character. There will be ample time during this tour for bon Alamos trip.” Here you can view a complete itinerary, exploring the town and its cobblestone streets. payment information/options, bird lists and other informa- The area around Alamos has a long history of ornitho- tion about the trip. You can also email David and Jennifer at logical explorations that have made it a popular destination [email protected], or call 011 52 647 428 0466. J Chronological List of Upcoming Trips

For more information on our international birding trips, go to www.tucsonaudubon.org or use the contact information associated with the trips listed below.

September 25 – 28, 2003, Colorado River Delta, contact La January 24 – February 1, 2004, Copper Canyon, contact Ruta de Sonora Ecotourism Association, [email protected], Rochelle Gerratt, [email protected], or (520) or (520) 792-4693. 696-2002. October 5 – 12, 2003, Alamos and Yecora, Sonora, contact February 14 – 22, 2004, Belize and Tikal, contact Rochelle David & Jennifer MacKay, [email protected], or call 011 Gerratt, [email protected], or (520) 696-2002. 52 647 428 0466. April 1 – 7, 2004, Alamos and Southern Sonora, contact David December 6, 2003, Upper San Pedro River Watershed, con- & Jennifer MacKay, [email protected], or call 011 52 647 tact Rochelle Gerratt, [email protected], or (520) 428 0466 (see story above). 696-2002. April 10 – 16, 2004, Arroyo Verde, contact David & Jennifer January 15 – 22, 2004, San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico, Border- MacKay, [email protected], or call 011 52 647 428 0466 land Tours, [email protected], or (520) 882-7650. (see story on following page). J September 2003 Tucson Audubon Society Vermilion Flycatcher 19 Arroyo Verde—Birding the Sierra Madre Foothills April 10-16, 2004 with Solipaso Excursions & David & Jennifer MacKay

The world’s most beautiful places are often not easy to are active participants in promoting eco-tourism in the get to. This is certainly the case with a little known canyon Sierra Madre. 28 miles east of Alamos, Sonora, Mexico, in the far-off foot- This is certainly not a trip for everyone. The trip requires hills of the Sierra Madre. Remoteness is often what keeps an a 3-hour drive on a rough road followed by a 3-hour hike to area wild and intact. the camp. Burros carry all of your personal gear, and mules Arroyo Verde is the name given to a deep and narrow are available for people who want to ride. All you need to canyon that sees very few people. It is home to a species of carry is a daypack with essentials. The trip is not limited to tree that has never been described in any other location. It is those with amazing physical condition, however good physi- a place where you might find bird species like the Masked cal condition, the ability to hike on un-maintained trails, Tityra and Laughing Falcon, not seen in Sonora for over 40 and some camping experience is necessary to guarantee a years. It is a place where natives work quality experience for the entire group. the land as their families have for centu- The dates for the tour are April 10– ries, without the use of electricity or ve- 16, 2004, and include three nights lodg- hicles, and where they practice the tra- ing at the beautiful “La Ciudadela” in ditional method of distilling Alamos and three nights camping in Ar- “Lechugilla,” a local mezcal highly prized royo Verde. This trip is limited to 9 par- in the region. This is truly an opportu- ticipants and will be led by David nity to experience an example of the old MacKay conducting daily birding trips and wonderful Mexico. from the camp into several diverse areas. Solipaso Excursions is offering a Our camp hostess is Maria Luz “Luchy” one-of-a-kind trip to their “camp” near Arias who will keep the camp in order Arroyo Verde. They have developed a and hot food on the table. The price of cooperative business relationship with the Alvarez family, the tour is $1,150 per person and includes all meals, accom- which owns the ranch that includes Arroyo Verde. Work- modations, guide and roundtrip transportation from Tuc- ing with the Alvarezes, they have created a primitive yet son. $150 of the tour price is a donation to the Tucson Au- comfortable “camp” in an adjacent canyon that is our base dubon Society. for explorations. The camp buildings are constructed en- If you have ever been tempted to explore a part of Mexico tirely of native materials, and every effort has been made that few people venture to, this may be your trip of a life- to maintain the integrity of the natural surroundings, time. For more information and a detailed description of while making a comfortable camping situation. Members the trip, go to the Solipaso website at www.solipaso.com, or of the Alvarez family assist us with all of our trips by contact David MacKay at 011 52 647 428 0466, or providing pack animals and logistical support, and they [email protected]. J Copper Canyon Trip Testimonial

The Copper Canyon trip you [trip leader Rochelle nating), not to mention birds, birds, birds, just great. Gerratt] and Larry [Liese] led was just outstanding! I can’t Did we happen to see the Eared Quetzal? I forget? HA! tell you how much I enjoyed it. It will always be a trea- Rochelle, you were so friendly, interesting, helpful, and sured memory. I’ve been on many a birding trip, none great to be with! were better—from Alaska to Australia—Texas to Gran Continued Happy Adventures! Manan and more. J. Christensen The trip was well planned, relaxing, marvelous accom- (For more information about the Copper Canyon trip, modations, food great, especially the mole and the delicious see the July-August issue of the Flycatcher, or go to picnics—the awesome boat and train rides, gorgeous scen- www.tucsonaudubon.org, or catch Rochelle Gerratt’s slide ery, the Tarahumara Indians and their amazing crafts, places show at 8 p.m. on September 5 at Summit Hut, 605 E. of interest, the interesting towns especially Batopilas (fasci- Wetmore, Tucson.) J 20 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society September 2003 Audubon Nature Shop Contributors: Doris Evans, Judy Edison, & Carrie Dean

The fourth Mason Audubon Center Naturalist Training mammals, birds, geology, weather.). Knowledge of Spanish class will begin in October (see information on page 16). terms enriches our enjoyment of this desert that knows no Trainees attend eight sessions (24 hours) of coursework, and international boundaries. When naturalists lead groups on receive a list of recommended readings that assist in their desert walks, use of both the English and Spanish terms is quest for additional information. There are many good books much appreciated. available, but the following are especially useful for learning Other books that are included in the training are: basic facts and interesting tidbits about our fascinating desert. A Field Guide to Desert Holes ($9.95) by Pinau Merlin These books should be of interest to all Tucson Audubon gives detailed descriptions of desert holes, depressions, and members. shelters and the animals that use them. The first reference is the Ari- David Lazaroff’s Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum zona-Sonora Desert Museum’s A Book of Answers ($14.95) gives answers to the ques- Natural History of the Sonoran tions that the staff at the Desert Museum are most Desert, ($24.95) written by often asked. ASDM staff and other desert au- Learning About and Living with Insects thorities and co-published by the of the Southwest. ($16.50) by Floyd Werner Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Carl Olson describes and illustrates over Press and The University of Cali- 120 of the most common arthropods fornia Press. This excellent 600+ likely to share your home and page resource, richly illustrated neighborhood. with sketches, photos and maps, The Mountains Next Door covers the entire realm of the So- ($17.95) by Janice Bowers de- noran Desert—its plant and ani- scribes the natural history of the mal life, as well as geography, Rincon Mountains, which even weather and the human ecology longtime Arizonans may take of the area. In clear prose it an- for granted. swers questions about the lives and habitats of In Geography of Childhood the creatures that share our desert and pro- ($15.00) Gary Naban and Stephen vides basic background information about the Trimble explore children’s need for ecology of our flora and fauna. wild places. Let’s Explore the Desert Family GO Whether you’re a naturalist in GUIDE! ($14.95) by Doris Evans and published by the training or just have a curiosity Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Press, is written for par- about the desert southwest, stop by ents and teachers, but is also a good reference for anyone the Audubon Nature Shop and who loves to share information about the desert with friends check out these great publications. and visitors. Thus it is a good choice for naturalists who do New! just that—interpret the desert world in a meaningful man- Our Sonoran Desert ($14.95) by Bill Broyles. ner. The book contains about 60 questions that children and Author Bill Broyles has worked to establish the Sonoran adults commonly ask as they walk along desert trails. Rather Desert and Ironwood Forest National Monuments, and is than giving an immediate answer to a question, clues are the driving force behind the proposed Sonoran Desert Na- offered so that people can make some discoveries on their tional Park. Join Bill as he leads you on a tour of one of the own. There is also a list of the many easily accessible trails in most beautiful places on Earth—our own Sonoran Desert. and around Tucson and Phoenix that families will find in- You will be shown a landscape of rugged mountains, sand viting. dunes, lava flows, and dry lakes abounding with life includ- Desert Life, A Vocabulary/Vida Desértica, Vocabulario, ing cacti, horned lizards, bighorn sheep, and jaguars. The ($4.95) by Doris Evans and Jesus García is a pocket-sized book contains 70 full-color photographs and illustrations book that gives English-Spanish and Spanish-English trans- and features information on many of the parks, monuments, lations for hundreds of natural history words. It is a handy refuges, museums, and wilderness preserves in the area. With guide for anyone who wants quick access to Spanish words its beautiful photography and interesting text, this would that describe the natural history of the Sonoran Desert. The make a great gift for a newcomer to Tucson or a great addi- book is organized both alphabetically and by category (e.g., tion to your own library. J September 2003 Tucson Audubon Society Vermilion Flycatcher 21 KIDZBOOKS

Cathryn and John Sill have created a marvelous series of mals may run,” “climb,” “swim,” or “fly” are illustrated by natural history books for children ages 4-8. In these easy-to- an appropriate drawing. read books, elementary school teacher and author Cathryn About Fish would be a great choice for the child charmed Sill explains what the animals are, how they live, and what by this year’s movie—Finding Nemo. In it a child learns that they do. Her husband John creates a full-page watercolor “Fish live in water,” “Fins help fish swim” and “Some baby painting depicting one of the animals. Each spread features fish are born alive, while other hatch from eggs laid by the a colorful, full-page painting facing a white page that has a mother.” line or phrase of text conveying a fact about the creature The latest in the series, About Arachnids, explains the and, in small type, the identity of the pictured animal. In basic characteristics shared by all arachnids and offers a look the back, an afterword shows a reproduction of each color into the wide variety of animals, such as spiders, mites, scor- plate in a smaller, black-and-white print accompanied by a pions, and ticks, that fall into this diverse category. One learns few sentences of information about the species. These books that “Arachnids have eight legs” and “two main body parts,” are well designed for classroom use, or can be used for brows- and that “A few arachnids are too tiny to be easily seen.” ing by children fascinated by nature’s creatures. In all there are seven books in the series. The others in- The first in the series, About Birds, tells children what is clude About Insects, About Reptiles, and About Amphibians. essential for understanding and appreciating birds. Simple All are available in hard cover for either $14.95 or $15.95. facts accompany each color plate, such as “Baby birds hatch Birds, Insects, Mammals, and Reptiles are also available in a from eggs” and “Birds use their bills to gather food.” paperback edition for $7.95. All are available at the Audu- In About Mammals such facts as “Mammals have hair,” bon Nature Shop. J “Baby mammals drink milk from their mothers,” “Mam-

Shop Parking: There is 1-hour parking directly in front of the Shop. There is also parking on 5th Avenue north of University Boulevard or on the north side of University (residential permit parking, but you can park here 9-5 weekdays). You can also park on University just west of 5th Avenue or in the alley east of the building. Summer Hours Extended:The Nature Shop is extending its Summer Hours through September. Hours will be Tuesday through Saturday 10-4 (10-5 Thursday). We will go back to our regular schedule begin- ning in October. 22 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society September 2003

DastardlyDastardly Duos Duos Larry Liese

Remember that song about the red-red-Robin going bob- ing abruptly at the nape. That of the Northern is attenuated bob-bobbin’ along? That’s what I think of when I see either behind the eye and narrows to a point. It can be white to of this month’s duos. Both the Northern Waterthrush buff. Louisianas almost always have pale pinkish-buff flanks, (Seiurus noveboracensis) and its congener, the Louisiana contrasting with the background white of their underparts. Waterthrush (Seiurus motacilla) are tail-waggers The background color of the Northern’s underparts can extraordinaire. As a matter of fact, their genus name is range from white to sulphur yellow, but will not show from the Classic Greek seio “to wave” and oura “tail.” If differences in the flank area. that wasn’t enough, motacilla is Latin for “moving tail.” Other useful clues are that the throat of the Louisiana is Though we don’t get to see either very often here in south- white while the Northern usually has dark spotting or streaks. east Arizona, when we do The streaking of the un- that wiggling is usually derparts is blacker on the the first thing noticed. Northern and more Both are nearly always brownish on the Louisi- found close to water. The ana. Look for the white Northern is listed as a rare crescent underneath the transient, with most eye. It is much bolder on records in May and Au- the Louisiana. gust/September. Its nor- Bill size differences mal migration range in- are tricky. The Louisiana cludes most of New generally has a much Mexico, so it is one of larger bill, but Northern our more common ‘east- Waterthrushes breeding ern’ warblers. The Loui- in their western range siana is listed as casual in have longer (though not fall and winter and one as heavy) bills and are of is found here nearly an- the whiter variety, com- nually as a winter resi- pounding the problem dent. The northern tip of for our area. Leg color its wintering range ends can help a bit. Though not far south of our area, both are pink, the Loui- and when one does visit, siana has the oft-noted it is usually near perma- “bubble-gum pink” legs nent streams at mid-el- while those of the North- evation ranges along the ern are browner. Mexican border. Both have a sharp These two birds are “chink” call note. The lit- very similar in markings erature is somewhat con- and habits. Both are fusing on telling them largish warblers that are apart. They state that the brown above, light with Northern’s is not as loud dark streaking below, have and penetrating, and pinkish legs and a strong slightly sharper. The white supercilium. Differences are subtle, but observable. Louisiana’s is supposed to be higher pitched, richer, and not The infamous bobbing is more up and down in the North- as hard as the Northern. Since either of these birds are a ern, and faster. The two clearly diagnostic differences are in good find, my suggestion is to use the ‘chink’ note as a loca- the supercilium shape and flank color. The Louisiana’s su- tor for the one you’ve gone to find after hearing about it on percilium is always white and broadens behind the eye, end- the hotline! Hope this helps. Good luck! J September 2003 Tucson Audubon Society Vermilion Flycatcher 23

Highlights from the Rare Bird Alert Compiled by Susan Birky

June – July, 2003

Birds and birders alike were affected negatively by the eared and hybrid Berylline X Magnificent. Ash Canyon Bed fires in the Santa Catalina Mountains and the hot, dry and Breakfast had Lucifer and Berylline, and the Plain-capped weather that persisted until the monsoon got underway on Starthroat was first seen there 6/19 and remained during the July 11. According to the National Weather Service in Tuc- period. Ramsey Canyon Preserve also hosted many of the son the monsoon had the 5th latest start on record and July same species. The Flame-colored Tanager was seen during was the 5th hottest month ever recorded for average daily the period in Miller Canyon and a Red-eyed Vireo was re- temperatures. Needless to say the bird reports were down ported there 5/30. but some exciting reports did come in. The Rare Bird Alert is sponsored by the Tucson Audu- In the Tucson area a Western Grebe was present at the bon Society and reported by Bill Scott. Report sighting to Arthur Pack Golf Course pond 6/7-6/19 and single Least voice mail at 520-696-4461 option 3, or [email protected]. Grebes continued at Sweetwater Wetlands and Sam Lena RBA reports are published weekly on Thursday evenings and Park. The staff at the Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant can be accessed at 520-798-1005 or by visiting (WTP) saw 4 American White Pelicans on 6/23. A Semipal- www.tucsonaudubon.org. Directions to many of the sites mated Plover was reported from Sam Lena Park 7/28 and a mentioned can be found in Davis and Russell’s Finding Birds Semipalmated Sandpiper from the Avra Valley WTP also on in Southeast Arizona. 7/28. An American Redstart showed up at Cienega Creek Nature Preserve 7/4. rd The Patagonia area also hosted a Western Grebe at Summary of 103 Patagonia Lake State Park 7/15. Other birds seen there were American White Pelican 6/20, the continuing Black-capped Gnatcatchers and a Painted Bunting 7/30. At the Patagonia Christmas Bird Count Roadside Rest the Rose-throated Becards were seen through the period. The 103rd Christmas Bird Count (CBC), 2002-2003, In French Joe Canyon the Rufous-capped Warblers con- summary of results was published in June 2003 in American tinued and a Gray Catbird was a good find 6/21-7/12. In Birds. While it no longer contains an exhaustive list of each Bisbee a Rose-breasted Grosbeak was found 6/9 and at Kino species seen on every count it has regional summaries and Springs another Painted Bunting was observed 7/31. articles of current interest that pertain to the CBC. The re- At Willcox Twin Lakes a Greater Scaup was discovered sults for all the CBCs are now available on the National 6/4 and remained through the period. Other great finds there Audubon Society’s website www.audubon.org. were an American Golden Plover 7/3, Semipalmated Plover The total number of birds counted was 73,137,928 on 7/30, Marbled Godwit 6/24-7/18, Ruddy Turnstone 7/3, 1,981 counts with 55,994 observers. The highest number of Semipalmated Sandpiper 7/21-7/30 and Pectoral Sandpiper species counted on an individual count was 400 at the new 7/24 and 7/25. I could find no July records in southeast Rain Forest Aerial Tram in Costa Rica and the highest num- Arizona for Greater Scaup, American Golden Plover and ber in North America was 243 on the Matagorda County – Ruddy Turnstone. Mad Island Marsh, TX count, which is a new high record, In the Chiricahua Mountains area the Short-tailed Hawks Of the 31 count circles in Arizona the Tucson Valley count continued in the Barfoot Park area through the period with had the highest number of participants with 62. For an indi- 2 light-morph adults and one juvenile reported. A Flame- vidual count circle, the Portal, AZ count was third in the colored Tanager was found in Rucker Canyon 6/23 and a nation for high counts of individual species with 19 and the Painted Bunting in Portal 7/24. Tucson Valley count tied with Coot Bay-Everglades National In the Arivaca area the Buff-collared Nightjar remained Park and Kodiak, AK for ninth with 9 species. The nine near California Gulch. A Rose-breasted Grosbeak was found species with high counts on the Tucson Valley count were: at Arivaca Cienega 6/28 as was an American Redstart 7/26. Cooper’s Hawk 46, Mourning Dove 9,666, Inca Dove 423, Madera Canyon continued to host a Flame-colored Tana- White-throated Swift 747, Broad-billed Hummingbird 7, ger and another Rose-breasted Grosbeak was seen 6/26. Violet-crowned Hummingbird 2, Gila Woodpecker 667, In the Huachuca Mountains the amazing assortment of White-crowned Sparrow 5,259, and Lawrence’s Goldfinch hummingbirds continued in Miller, Ash and Ramsey Can- 747. Texas had four of the high counts for individual species yons. Beattys Aviary and Bed and Breakfast hosted the White- CBC, Continued on page 27 24 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society September 2003 Tucson Audubon Donor, Volunteer and Endless Ball of Energy—Linda Greene

If you have ever had the pleasure of experiencing the Dukakis and her job as Executive Assistant to President beauty of the Mason Audubon Center, you have likely Jimmy Carter in Washington D.C. encountered Linda Greene. Since participating in the first In 1994, Linda left her home in Boston to marry John B. Mason Audubon Center naturalist training program three Gabusi, Vice Chancellor of Pima Community College. They years ago, Linda has been an active leader in many Tuc- had met years earlier working for President Carter (John son Audubon activities from the annual Ironwood Festi- served as Chief of Staff for Congressman Mo Udall for more val and Bird-a-thon to donating the blinds for the reno- than ten years before joining the Carter Administration). vated educational center at Mason. John and Linda enjoy two daughters, Jen- Most recently, Linda led the but- nifer and Angela, both in their mid 30s. terfly walk at Mason and has been Since moving to Tucson, Linda has teaching the wonders of pollina- continued to be involved in Demo- tion to the four- and five-year- cratic politics and is currently a volun- old “Daisies.” teer for Howard Dean. She enjoys in- Her passion for Tucson Audubon formal teaching opportunities as a do- Society stems from her love of birds, cent at Tohono Chul Park and a vol- the natural world and her gifts as a unteer naturalist at the Mason Audu- teacher and storyteller. “My mater- bon Center. She is an active member nal grandmother instilled in us an ap- of Casa Adobes Rotary Club and has preciation for history and the belief encouraged them to donate time and that we are meant to be part of it.” some financial resources to install a new Growing up in New England, Linda patio for the education building at the was no stranger to the mountains and Mason Center. outdoors. As a child, she followed her Jamie Brown Linda is excited about the future of dad deep into the New Hampshire Tucson Audubon and the Mason Cen- woods to fish the streams and admire ter. “Tucson Audubon has turned the the birds. In her teens she was in- corner the past couple of years. We now spired by Eleanor Roosevelt to de- Linda Green on the trail at the Mason have the people, the programs and are velop a kinship with the world and Audubon Center starting to build the support that will “become a shaper of the human allow the Mason Center to share its tre- spirit.” Her formal education at Wheelock College in Bos- mendous research and educational programs with wider and ton and the University of Kansas in Lawrence was greatly wider circle of influence. To those of us on the northwest enhanced by her active involvement in politics. Lively po- side of town, this is a tremendous resource, one that must be litical conversations at the family dinner table in Brookline, preserved and shared with future generations.” Linda en- Massachusetts eventually led her to elected office as Brookline courages others to get involved, roll up their sleeves, volun- Town Meeting Member; a staff appointment to Governor teer, lend their influence, and yes, their financial support. J September 2003 Tucson Audubon Society Vermilion Flycatcher 25

Library Lines Bill Scott

During the last several months many people have do- Some of the new titles added to the library recently in- nated books to the Tucson Audubon Library. Some of these clude: The Birds of Ecuador: Status, Distribution, and Tax- books are placed in the library, while others have been sold onomy Vol. 1; Field Guide Vol. 2 by Robert S. Ridgely and to generate funds for the library. Though such generous do- Paul J. Greenfield (located in the reference book section); nations, both current and past, the library is able to provide Hummingbirds of North America by Steve N. G. Howell; and an extensive and up-to-date collection for Tucson Audubon Peterson Field Guide: Hummingbirds of North America by Sheri members. We would like to thank the following individuals L. Williamson; Ornithology by Frank B. Gill; A Guide to the for their donations: Jean Rios, Carla Rosenlicht, Jack Miller, Birds of the Salton Sea by Barbara Massey and Richard Zembal; Richard Schramm, David West, Nedra Kayner, Mary Wil- and ABA’s A Birder’s Guide to Metropolitan Areas of North America. son, Gene Loring, Bill Harvey, Ed Curley, Russ & Edie Some non-birding books have also been added including: The Ferrell, Carol de Waard, Roy Johnson, Karen McBride, Clive Butterflies of North America by James A. Scott; Butterflies of Ari- Green, and Joan Hood. Our thanks and apologies to anyone zona by Bob Stewart, Hank & Pricilla Brodkin; and Peterson’s we missed. Field Guide to Mushrooms by Kent & Vera McKnight.

Library Book Sale

As you may be aware, we have used books for sale at the Audubon Nature Shop. These are located in a small bookcase, just to your right as you enter the front door. In addition we now have for sale another group of used books, which include some rare and out-of-print volumes. These books are not on display, but there is a list of what’s available, located on the small bookcase. To purchase or look at any of these books ask the Nature Shop Staff. Here is a list of what is currently available: The Birds of Arizona by Phillips, Monson & Marshall (2 copies $45 ea); The Birds of South America Vol. 1 & 2 by Ridgely & Tudor ($100 set only); Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa Vols. 1-4, Stanley Cramp editor ($400 set only); The Birds of Minnesota Vol. 1 & 2 by Roberts ($200 set only); The Birds of New York Vol.1 & 2 by Eaton ($125 set only); Birds of Guatemala by Land ($35); A Field Guide to the Birds of Japan by Wild Bird Society of Japan ($75); Birds of Japan by Yamashina ($65); The Birds of China by Meyer de Schauensee (2 copies $25 ea.); A Field Guide to the Birds East of the Rockies by Peterson ($30 signed by Peterson); A Field Guide to Mexican Birds & Adjacent Central America by Peterson & Chalif ($20 signed by Chalif); A Field Guide to the Bird’s Nest in the US East of the Mississippi by Harrison ($20); A Field Guide to the Wildflowers of NE & NC North America by Petrson & McKenny ($14); The Mind of Birds by Skutch ($20). 26 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society September 2003

Tucson Audubon Membership q Yes, make me a Friend of Tucson Audubon q Benefits: $15 Students/Seniors (62+) 3 All your funds are used locally! q $20 One-year membership 3 Subscription to the Vermilion Flycatcher newsletter q $35 Two-year membership 3 10% discount in the Nature Shop Additional gift to Tucson Audubon Society 3 Bulletins about local conservation issues q q q q q q 3 Monthly membership meetings $50 $100 $250 $500 $1000 $______3 Low organizational overhead – 93% of funds go to q Enclosed is my matching gift form programs q Please do not share my information with other organizations Total: $______q Gift membership – recipient’s info below & mine enclosed on separate sheet) Name ______q Enclosed is a personal check or money order Address ______q Please bill my q Visa q MasterCard City ______State _____ Zip ______Credit card #: ______Exp. date: _____ E-mail ______Phone ______Signature: ______q q Send me e-mail updates about local events and issues Print name: ______Gift membership Make check payable to Tucson Audubon Society Address changes – send new & old addresses: Friends of Tucson Audubon – send to Tucson Audu- Mail form (and check if applicable) to: bon, at address to right. Tucson Audubon Society National Audubon – call NAS Data Center at (800) 300 E University Blvd, #120 274-4201, or write to NAS Membership Data Tucson AZ 85705 Center, PO Box 52529, Boulder, CO 80322-2529 (520) 629-0510

bequest (bi-kwest'), n. 1. A disposition Please call or write today for more information: of assets by will 2. A lasting legacy support- Name ______ing stewardship of southern Arizona’s natural resources and preservation of critical habitat. Address ______As a member of Tucson Audubon Soci- City ______ety, you help us develop a comprehensive State ______Zip ______approach to conservation through environ- Send to: Executive Director mental education and activism in southern Tucson Audubon Society Arizona. Now help us maintain this legacy: 300 E. University Blvd, #120 Include Tucson Audubon Society in your will. Tucson, AZ 85705 Ph: (520) 622-5622 September 2003 Tucson Audubon Society Vermilion Flycatcher 27

Thanks & Wishes Jessie Shinn

Writing “Thanks and Wishes” is Rob Ruisinger and the Robidoux truly a pleasure. As I recall and record Foundation for printing the Spanish our most recent gifts, I have the op- translation of our brochure; portunity to consider the generosity George A. Binney Conservation Current Wish List and commitment of Tucson Audubon Foundation for support of our Family Society’s members. We’re a great group Institute at CEDO; Tucson Audubon Offices of people! It’s gratifying to know that WLB Group for the grant funding w Office supplies each of you cares deeply enough to di- our work with the Tucson Origins rect your acts of kindness toward the Project on the Santa Cruz River; and w Digital projector important endeavors of environmental Tucson Electric Power for under- w Lap top computer education, habitat conservation and writing publicity and outreach for the restoration, and birdwatching. I feel Ironwood Festival. Mason Audubon Center honored to share this work with you, Finally, we’d like to express our and I hope you feel as proud as I do gratitude to those who gave in-kind w Gas barbeque for MAC about all we accomplish together. gifts during June and July. Thank you: potlucks Thank you for your financial gifts: Bill Harvey for the books for our w New soaker hoses for pollina- Jan Anderson library; tor and ethnobotanical demon- Holly Arvanites Nettie Adams for the bird photo- stration gardens Lois Jean Baker graphs and scope; Sally and Gordon Barnes Jean Motz for the Franklin Mint w Helen H. Bayly plates; Donated irrigation (supplies Nancy R. Cary Allison Titcomb for the file cabi- and installation) for pollinator Jeffrey S. Dean net, children’s books and activity kits; and ethnobotanical demonstra- Pauline and Gene Hechler Ethel Keefe for the used optics for tion gardens Joan Hood and David Davis the birders’ optics exchange; Stella Hotchkiss Ester May Bennett for the com- w Tall, locking cabinet, com- Therese Jezioro and Thomas Hestwood puter monitor, printer, keyboard and puter tables, and cubicle parti- Betty McKasson mouse; tions for the new research Charles Oldham Pat Dean, Coronado Heights library Kathryn J. Reaser Nursery, and Tucson Botanical Gar- Cathryn Rose den for plants donated to the Mason w Extension cords Jane C. Voigt Audubon Center Ethnobotanical Gar- ...and many thanks to Jennifer den; w Hand truck Suchland for your Father’s Day gift in Esther May Bennett for computer honor of Jay Suchland. equipment donated to the Mason Au- w Palm fronds for ramada roof It is wonderful to receive commu- dubon Center; and nity support. Whether through grants thank you to the estate of Trudy or in-kind donations, we very much Schwab for the nature books and appreciate the support of businesses artwork. J and foundations. Thank you:

CBC, continued from page 23 144, Phoenix-Tres Rios 140, Tucson be held Sunday, December 15. More and Hawaii had three. 139, Gila River 138, and Dudleyville information on the dates and counts The Nogales, AZ count tallied the 131, to name a few. in Arizona will be in the November and highest number of species in the state The 2003-2004, 104th Christmas December issues of the Vermilion Fly- with 153, followed by Ramsey Canyon Bird Counts will be held between De- catcher. If you would like more infor- with 151, Salt-Verde Rivers 146, Green cember 14, 2003 and January 5, 2004. mation please contact Susan Birky at Valley-Madera Canyon 144, Portal The count for the Tucson Valley will 743-9390. J September 2003 Meeting:

Silent Hunters of the Night Monday, September 8, 2003, DuVal Auditorium, University Medical Center 7:00 p.m. “Good Lighting for Dark Skies,” by Scott Davis, Joe Frannea and John Polacheck, International Dark-Sky Association 7:20 p.m. Break 7:30 p.m. “Silent Hunters of the Night: The Owls of North America,” by Tom DeMoss, Program Chair Short Program Members of SA-IDA (www.sa-ida.org) which is the Southern Arizona Sec- tion of IDA, the International Dark-Sky Association, will present a brief talk and ‘hands on’ demonstration about good and effective outdoor lighting. The Dark-Sky Association is committed to preserving and protecting the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through quality outdoor lighting. Main Program Owls capture everyone’s interest and imagination. Who hasn’t heard and been moved by the mysterious low hoots of a lone owl deep in the night forest? Or felt a chill when an owl suddenly appeared in the headlights of the car and disappeared into the dark, searching for a victim to clutch in its deadly talons? And there’s the superstitious association of owls with death and doom. The ancient Greeks began the familiar adage, “Wise as an owl.” The history of owls, unlike most other birds, is replete with superstition, philosophy, fear and eerie tales. In reality, an John & Karen Hollingsworth/USFWS owl is simply a bird, albeit a fascinating and challenging bird. When the light of day is pushed beneath the skirts of night, birders do Parking Note: We are fortunate to be not have to head for home and wait until the able to use the auditorium at UMC. There next day to begin birding again. They can, is parking in the multi-tiered Patient/Visi- tor parking garage closest to the auditorium; with a little effort, go owling. I have partici- however, a fee is charged. Free parking is pated many nights in owling trips over the available south of Mabel Street, across from past years and they are among my fondest and the College of Nursing (see map). You have to walk a bit farther, but as birders, a little most exciting birding memories. exercise is often in our best interest. Spotted Owl

NON-PROFIT ORG. Tucson Audubon Society U.S. POSTAGE PAID 300 E. University Blvd #120 TUCSON, AZ Tucson, AZ 85705 PERMIT #1345

The Vermilion Flycatcher is the newsletter of the Tucson Audubon Society, a chapter of the National Audubon Society. Members of other chapters may receive the Flycatcher by joining the Friends of Tucson Audubon. See membership information on page 26.