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May-June 2003 Vermilionlycatcher Tucson Audubon Society F www.tucsonaudubon.org Leaders in Conservation & Education since 1949 Volume 47, Number 8 ISSN 1094-9909 Tucson Audubon Societys FOURTH ANNUAL Spring Appeal Don’t forget to open your spring appeal letter. Let spring migration inspire you to send The ironwood symbolizes the richness The Festival will open at 3:00 p.m. with a in a donation soon. of the Sonoran Desert. It is our finest tree— blessing by the Tohono O’odham Nation’s re- durable, timeless, and nurturing. There is spected elder, Daniel Preston, and will continue no better way to learn about its beauty and into the evening with a variety of activities and its vital role in nature than to attend the entertainment for all ages amidst the bloom- Inside Ironwood Festival hosted by Tucson Au- ing ironwoods and towering saguaros of the na- dubon Society. ture preserve. Included – David Yetman, host of among the activities cel- the public television show ebrating the regional beauty, Calendar .................. 10 The Desert Speaks. diversity, and cultural rich- Tucson Audubon News 4 ness of the Sonoran Desert Dastardly Duos ........ 20 Join us on Saturday, May are live animal presenta- Field Trips .................. 6 3 as the Tucson Audubon So- tions, nature walks, Field Trip Reports ...... 8 ciety hosts the 4th annual Iron- storytelling, cultural perfor- Mason Audubon Center wood Festival with a rich pro- mances, tree planting, News ...................... 12 gram of activities and enter- hands-on booth activities, Meeting program ...... 28 tainment. More than 500 regional food and beverages, Membership people are expected to attend and musical entertainment. Information .............. 25 this celebration of the centu- Live animal presenta- Nature Shop ............. 18 ries-old ironwood trees, spon- tions by the Tucson Herpe- RBA Highlights ........ 21 sored by Tucson Electric tological Society, the Coo- TAS Travel ................ 16 Environmental educator Wendy Power. Proceeds from the Fes- per Environmental Science Thanks & Wishes ..... 27 Burroughs with Great Horned Owl tival will benefit the Mason Au- Campus, and local experts Web Corner .............. 28 dubon Center, located at 8751 N. Thornydale will be offered throughout the day, featuring a Road, the site of the Ironwood Festival. IRONWOOD, continued on page 13 2 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society May-June 2003 Tucson Audubon Society Officers Birdathon 2003 President, Robert Merideth .................. 884-4393 Vice President, Bill Mannan ................. 621-7283 Secretary, Linda Stitzer ......................... 297-3173 Treasurer, Walter Kavanagh ................. 621-1750 Call Jessie Shinn at 628-1730 to buy Join John for a wonderful foray into Directors at Large raffle tickets, sign up for a Supertrip, the world of hummingbirds. You will Wendy Burroughs Lawrence Liese pledge to a Birdathon, or get details for travel to Madera Canyon, and then 578-3650 743-3520 how to do your own Birdathon. The proceed on the Box Canyon- Don Eagle Robert Mesta 629-0510 629-0510 Birdathon is one of Tucson Audubon’s Greaterville graded dirt road to the Floyd Gray Chris McVie most important annual fundraisers, and Paton’s feeders in Patagonia. The rest 670-5582 629-0510 Lisa Harris Susan Randolph it is by far the most fun! of the trip will be spent enjoying the 629-0510 629-0510 birds of Miller Canyon in the Stephen Hopp Peggy Wenrick Raffle 629-0510 629-0510 Huachuca Mountains. You can be sure Kristi Keller Roger Wolf This year we have our best-ever col- that John will find all the humming- 629-0510 882-9633 lection of raffle prizes, including a pair David Yetman birds around that day. There will be a 621-2484 of Brunton binoculars worth $1,450, little walking and a relaxed pace. Car- Board Committees a trip to Copper Canyon, and $500 pooling will be encouraged. Conservation, Bill Mannan.................... 621-7283 worth of outdoor equipment from John Higgins is the coordinator of Education, Susan Randolph .................. 629-0510 Summit Hut. See adjacent page for a our free volunteer-led field trips at Tuc- Development, Robert Merideth ............ 884-4393 full list of prizes. You can’t afford not Nominating, Susan Randolph .............. 629-0510 son Audubon. John’s enthusiasm and Community Presence, Linda Stitzer ......... 297-3173 to buy some tickets. expertise will guarantee that you have Programs and Activities Birdathon Competition a great time. Bird Alert ................................................. 798-1005 Madera Canyon with Rick Taylor Bird Reporting ........................................ 696-4461 & Pledges Sunday, May 11 Bird Census, Susan Birky ...................... 743-9390 You can help raise funds in another Library, Bill Scott .................................... 887-5813 $60/$70 non-members, limited to Mailing, Gerald Sweeney ..................... 326-3701 way too. There’s a pretty good chance 15 participants Field Trips, John Higgins ...................... 578-1830 you will go birding between now and Program, Tom DeMoss .......................... 296-2963 6 a.m. to noon (Meet at entrance May 11—after all, it is spring migra- to Madera Canyon at 6 am.). Bring Audubon Nature Shop & Offices tion. You might as well make it a lunch, water, sun protection, and bin- 300 E. University Blvd. #120, Tucson, AZ 85705 Birdathon! Just collect a few pledges oculars. Nature Shop Hours: Mon.Sat. 104, Mon. & Thu. 105 (per bird species) and go out birding. Shop Manager, Judy Edison Rick Taylor will once again take a Asst. Shop Manager, Susan Birky Call in and get all the details, but you group into Madera Canyon for a won- (520) 629-0510 Fax: (520) 623-3476 will find it is easy and fun. www.tucsonaudubon.org derful hike in search of the Elegant [email protected] Supertrips Trogon, assorted warblers and other Executive Director, Sonja Macys .......... 622-5622 Asst to ED, Jessie Shinn ........................ 628-1730 As part of the Birdathon we offer a special migratory visitors. The tour will MAC Outreach Coord., Jamie Brown ..... 744-0004 series of “Supertrips” led by some of finish at the Santa Rita Lodge to look Education Prog. Man., Carrie Dean ...... 622-2230 Tucson’s finest guides. They donate at the feeders. Please bring your own Education Specialist, Dan Wolgast ......... 744-0004 lunch to eat as the trip concludes. Development Director, Holly Foster ...... 629-0757 their time to Tucson Audubon. Take Restoration Projects, Ann Phillips ........ 206-9900 advantage of these opportunities to Rick Taylor is the founder and Di- AZ IBA Coordinator, Scott Wilbor ....... 622-2230 improve your familiarity with south- rector of Borderland Tours in Tucson. Permaculture/Com., Kendall Kroesen .. 206-9900 east Arizona birds and to learn the art He is the author of location checklists Editors, Jane & Warren Tisdale ............ 749-2139 for the birds of the Chiricahua and [email protected] of birding. The number of participants Huachuca Mountains of Arizona, and Mission Statement in each trip will be limited and trips of Trogons of the Arizona Borderlands. Tucson Audubon Society is dedicated to im- are filling, so sign up soon. Call Jessie proving the quality of the environment by pro- In 1995, the American Birding Asso- viding education, conservation, & recreation pro- at 628-1730 to register. Additional de- ciation published his complete revision grams, & environmental leadership & information. tails will be sent at that time. Tucson Audubon is a non-profit volunteer or- of A Birder’s Guide to Southeastern Ari- ganization of people with a common interest in Spring Hummingbirds with John birding & natural history. Tucson Audubon zona (most recently revised in 1997 and maintains offices in Tucson, an extensive library, Higgins 1999). Rick set a “Big Year” record for & a Nature Shop where nature-related items are Saturday, May 10 sold for the benefit of our programs, (520) 629-0510. the most birds seen in Mexico in 1988 The Vermilion Flycatcher is published $60/$70 non-members, limited to with 717 species. This should be a great monthly except for combined May-Jun., Jul.- Aug., and Dec.-Jan. issues. For address changes 12 participants, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bring trip with a very knowledgeable and en- or subscription problems call (520) 628-1730, or lunch, water, sun protection, binocu- thusiastic guide, who is committed to write to us (see page 26). Submissions for the July-August Flycatcher are due by June 7. lars and USFS fee or pass for Madera. keeping birding sites available to all! J May-June 2003 Tucson Audubon Society Vermilion Flycatcher 3 Incredible Birdathon Raffle Prizes. Buy Tickets! Call Jessie at 628-1730 to buy raffle tickets ($2 apiece or 6 for $10). Raffle drawing will be held at the Birdathon Pizza Party on May 16. You need not be present to win. Please patronize the businesses that have contributed generously to our fundraising efforts. Thank you to our donors and supporters! Brunton Epoch 7.5 x 43 mm binoculars ($1,450 value) Dinner for two at Café Roka $500 worth of outdoor equipment from Summit Hut Lunch for two at Dakota Café Ten-day Tucson Audubon trip to Copper Canyon Gift Certificate to Pastiche Restaurant Two nights and birding with Solipaso Excursions, Alamos Dinner for two at Javelina Cantina Two night’s stay at Cave Creek Ranch Signed limited edition copy of Peterson’s Western Birds One night’s stay at Guest House Inn in Ajo One year’s membership at the Tucson Botanical Gardens One night at Jeremiah Inn Bed