TheNotes Cactus & Announcements Wren•dition

Volume LIII, No. 4 Winter 2005/2006

Pine Siskin on thistle Maricopa Audubon Meetings & Programs Oct. 2005 – May 2006 Cynthia Donald Please join us for a terrific year Meetings start at 7:30 p.m., and is no charge to attend our general of speakers with a wide range of feature a general membership membership meetings, the Annual topics – the Arizona Breeding Bird meeting, guest speaker, book sales, Banquet does require a dinner Atlas, mining of Oak Flat, Grand refreshments and a chance to reservation and associated cost. Canyon protection, Bald Eagles, Bird socialize with MAS members. Visitors Coloration, Avian Communication and are most welcome! Our September A pre-meeting dinner at Pete’s 19th Hummingbirds. through April meetings are held in Tee Restaurant, 1405 N. Mill Avenue Dorrance Hall at the Desert Botanical in Tempe (at the Rolling Hills Golf Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday Garden. The Garden is located Course), will be in effect for the events & programs of each month, September through at 1201 North Galvin Parkway in September through April meetings. May. Our May meeting is our Phoenix, which is approximately Come and join us at 6:00 p.m. for Annual Banquet with a location to be ½ mile north of the Phoenix Zoo. a delicious meal (no-host), meet announced. Please check our web Dorrance Hall is located off the our guest speaker and say “howdy” site or newsletter for the location of main parking lot and entry to the to other birders. Meals at Pete’s the May 2006 banquet. Garden. There will be signs directing average $5.00 to $7.00. you to the meeting. Although there continued on page 3 Committees/Support From the Editor, Deva Burns Activist Alert Shawn Baur 602-828-3607 s I sat down this morning to a must read. I also want to remind [email protected] start gathering the articles you of the Christmas Bird Counts. Arizona Audubon Council Rep submitted for this issue, I Walter has been trying valiantly to Krys Hammer A 480-413-9805 looked out the window and saw a gather dates from the leaders. To [email protected] large dove with a black collar at his great relief the last dates came in Book Store our fountain. Thoughts of editing just as we went to press. Our regular Krys Hammers went flying as I studied the bird as 480-413-9805 articles are all here too, and the [email protected] it turned in various directions. Just Photo Quiz is easier this issue. I can’t Field Observations before it took off, it showed me its believe I actually knew all three birds Janet Witzeman white undertail coverts. How nice to 602-840-6089 without cheating! [email protected] know we have Ringed Turtle-Doves in Did you fill out the Member Survey the neighborhood, exotics yes, but Hospitality in the last issue? Please look back Gretchen Burgess somehow without the baggage of 480 949-8224 and take the time to do it. The Board the “invaders,” the Eurasian Collared- wants Maricopa Audubon to represent Web Page Doves! Kurt Radamaker the members and what better way 480.837-2446 How many of you know the motto [email protected] than by hearing their voices. of National Audubon? It’s “connecting Finally, thoughts now turn to winter Maricopa Audubon web site people with nature” and our president, http://www.maricopaaudubon.org Mike Rupp reminds us in his column (winter?--it was 100 degrees today!). “Man’s greatest joy is to teach the love of Valley birding will be more pleasant nature.” Anon that making this connection in Maricopa County is his passion, and soon, so get out there and see what An Investment in the Future asks that we make it ours as well. you can see. More importantly, go Bequests are an important source of support for visit the new Audubon Center that the Maricopa Audubon Society. Your chapter has Please read Mike’s explanation of how dedicated itself to the protection of the natural world National is trying to connect with the opens the first weekend in November through public education and advocacy for the wiser use and preservation of our land, water, air and local chapters and how we can help. (see Sam Campana’s article), the other irreplaceable natural resources. If you haven’t been following the Gilbert Water Ranch, or any other You can invest in the future of our natural world by Resolution Copper Company issue, favorite Valley birding locations. making a bequest in your will to the Maricopa Audubon Society. Talk to your attorney for more information Bob’s article (a condensation of a on how this can be accomplished. letter sent to National Audubon) is

Pine Siskin on thistle; photographed by Jim Burns at Becker Lake, AZ, August 6, 2005 with Canon EOS 1D body and Canon 600mm f/4 lens.

 The Cactus Wren•dition  events & programs 2006 2006

005 2005 2005 – – May May NOTE: NOTE: The May will program be associated with our Annual Banquet. Check our or web site, newsletter, contact a member board for location information. going going on behind a hummingbird’s glittering façade than meets the eye. their From confusing plumages and savage battles to their continent- spanning travels and penchant for mix-and-match mating, these tiny dynamos pack a lot of birding excitement into a small package – and Arizona have birders a ring- side seat! Sheri Williamson, so- of founder and director/naturalist SABO is the author of A Field Guide to of Hummingbirds North America. An avid since birder childhood, she the resisted charms of hummingbirds until 1988 when she and her as hired were Wood, husband, Tom managers of resident The Nature Ramsey Canyon Conservancy’s Preserve. Though hummingbirds have been a major focus of Sheri’s life, recent she also has a special in interest raptors, and trogons manakins, and enjoys watching butterflies and reptiles. on on the field internet of Pierre’s observations. April 4, 2006 David Reesor the Around Birding Ring of Fire David is well-known for his incredible photographs and compelling stories. Join him in a trip the around “Ring of the from Fire”, northern Japanese islands (now held by Russia), to Kamchatka in Russia, the through Pribiloff Islands and on to Alaska May 2, 2006 Sheri Williamson Hummingbirds: Than More Just Eye Candy Don’t let the Disney-esque public image fool much you! more There’s Oct.Oct.

March 7, March 2006 Deviche Pierre Oscine Serenade unmatched are in Birds the range and complexity of their voices. Some harmonics, some produce birds duets, sing some well-coordinated can human voices. even reproduce Oscines that are of group songbirds that learn their songs. Join Dr. Deviche as he takes us on a journey vocalization. bird through Many of you familiar already with are postings the the evolutionary question of why they develop so many different colorful in features their plumage and parts.McGraw bare runs Dr. at program a ASU and research he has focused most of his attention on understanding how these different and colors produced are used. A primary thrust of his research current involves less-common colors including and red yellow in and parrots yellow in penguins. document document Arizona nesting eagles and discuss the status of the species. We hopeful are that Liberty Wildlife will have their Bald Eagle at this as presentation well. February 7 2006 Kevin McGraw Communication in Color – The Avian Language of Love among are Birds the most extravagantly and variably colored animals on Earth, which raises we, we, as homeowners responsible and landscapers, can do to provide substitute habitats. Paul has a degree ASU, from and is a Master Gardener, has been a contractor licensed Valley since 1995 January 3, 2006 Mike Rupp Nesting Bald Arizona’s Eagle Program Join the Arizona Game and Fish biologists as they band Bald Eagle chicks. video Mike will Rupp’s Mining Mining

2005

Maricopa Audubon Meetings Meetings && Audubon Audubon Programs Programs Maricopa Maricopa disappearing disappearing wetlands, and what wildlife, wildlife, allowing them safe ingress and egress. It will also touch on our properly built properly ponds to attract Oasis Oasis in the Desert will center presentation around Paul’s Paul Paul Holdeman Water: Wildlife-Friendly December December 6, 2005 Country Country News. Land Trust, the Colorado Land Trust; the Colorado Land Land Trust; Trust, and has a 19-year with tenure High on on the of board the Eagle Valley Open Open Space Advisory Committee for of Colorado; serves Vail, the Town Mr. Wiessner has served as Mr. a on the Eagle representative County earlier earlier this year in Congress. and and various aspects of the Federal land exchange legislation introduced Company project in Superior, Arizona Company in project Superior, from the from Resolution Copper Company will discuss the Resolution Copper Andy Andy Wiessner and Jennifer Russo Resolution Resolution Copper Company in Queen and Creek Oak Flat November November 1, 2005 Canyon for future generations. future for Canyon actions we can take to preserve the the preserve to take can we actions overview of the threats facing one of one facing threats the of overview the and treasures natural greatest our and road building. This beautiful beautiful This building. road and an gives program informative and suppression, logging, grazing, mining mining grazing, logging, suppression, and visitor traffic. Valuable habitat habitat Valuable traffic. visitor and fire of a century over from risk at is scenic tour flights, motorized raft trips trips raft motorized flights, tour scenic wilderness character of the Grand Grand the of character wilderness from noise by diminished is Canyon of the American psyche. Today, the the Today, psyche. American the of represent the beauty, solitude and and solitude beauty, the represent part important an is nature of power of setting aside wild places that that places wild aside setting of than a spectacular piece of scenery: scenery: of piece a spectacular than concept The past. our to a link it’s The Grand Canyon is much more more much is Canyon Grand The Roxane George Roxane George Grand Canyon Campaign Protection October October 4, 2005 Winter Winter A Critical Educational Resource for Greater Phoenix Sam Campana

verlooking the restored and revitalized Salt River, the The Rio Salado Audubon Center will bring to greater Phoenix: Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center will be an • An environmentally integrated (green) building available to the important nature and conservation resource for greater O public for nature education and community events. Phoenix as well as 36 elementary schools and 14 high schools • Adjacent wetlands, outdoor spaces, gardens and interpretative located within 20 minutes of the Center. The Center’s strategic trails to enhance the Center’s programs and visitor experience location in the multicultural heart of the city will provide hands-on at the Rio Salado habitat restoration. nature education and experiences in a riparian habitat rich with • Interactive programs for school children that supplement school animal and plant life. science curricula and foster a culture of conservation. We need Maricopa Audubon Society to help us make this the rio salado • Hands-on experiences for families that are science-based, fun, an exciting, richly environmental opportunity for kids, families, audubon center and bring nature into the urban environment. chapter members AND birds, wildlife, and riparian desert habitat! • A permanent home for Maricopa and Sonoran chapters to Research shows that direct experience in nature is the single birdwatch, adopt the Rio Salado IBA, and meet for programs, most important factor in developing conservation values among monthly gatherings, chapter meetings. young people. The central focus of Audubon’s mission is the human experience of wildlife in natural settings, enhanced by PLEASE JOIN US ON SATURDAY, November 5th, TO DEDICATE science classes and projects, hikes, family adventures, and THE FIVE-MILE, $100 MILLION RESTORED HABITAT OF THE conservation programs, designed to engender a conservation RIO SALADO PRESERVE, on Central Avenue and the Salt River. ethic and to provide life-long learning opportunities. Audubon Program begins at 9am; the Nature Festival from 10-2pm. Arizona is committed to bringing high quality nature experiences Please come – please volunteer – please come for a tour even into the urban environment. before the project opens! President’s Musings Mike Rupp ’d like to share some thoughts about a tens of thousands of dollars, and are already from a personal experience with nature, recent trip I made to Maine Audubon’s Hog becoming available to chapters for specific which our chapter and the state office can IIsland Camp to participate in a week-long projects. make possible to literally thousands of kids National Audubon leadership conference. The National organization will continue and adults in the years to come. This conference was the first of what may to advocate for important environmental National’s motto of “connecting people become an annual event designed to better issues, and is right now strengthening it’s with nature” refers to this “continuum” acquaint chapters leaders with National’s Washington DC office to more effectively that happens when people look through goals and missi- of Audubon as a whole, lobby and educate our representatives on binoculars for the first time and are amazed and how our chapter fits into this historic environmental issues.. They are currently by a Snowy Egret for example, enough organization. working hard to influence the outcome of to revisit the site and see what else can Let me dive right into a burning question- the upcoming vote on the Alaska National be found, often resulting in a growing what’s going to become of the dues share Wildlife Refuge oil drilling bill. Keeping the appreciation for the birds and that particular arrangement that gave many chapters their National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) habitat, which frequently helps them become largest percentage of income throughout intact is also a very important goal, with a naturalist, advocate, supporter and the year? National will be the first to admit efforts underway to stop congress from member. that the changes made to the long-standing gutting our most important environmental It’s my opinion that the Maricopa chapter system of dues sharing weren’t enacted as protection Act. As National works on a can achieve much more in the years to come well as they could have been. Strife between national level, our chapter can join the effort working in concert with the state office, many chapters and National resulted by making our voices heard about these other chapters, and similar organizations. in the formation of separate “Friends” national issues, while advocating, educating, Let’s embrace the opportunities before memberships for many, many chapters, and teaching locally, as we have done for us, such as our relationships with Desert and a move towards more autonomy from most of the 50 year history of this chapter. Botanical Gardens, Audubon Arizona, and National. Though understandable, this is We now have an opportunity with our our own Gilbert Water Ranch Birdwalks and unfortunate, and I believe mistakes were new state office to accomplish much, much outstanding Field Trips programs. made on both sides of the issue, but I know more than we could ever accomplish alone To learn more about Audubon Arizona, that National still has a strong desire to work as a chapter. The future nature center on closely with the chapters, who are indeed the Salt River with it’s associated programs I encourage members and non-members the “grassroots” part of the organization, and community outreach will eventually alike to attend the upcoming dedication of and together, work to achieve what neither reach deep into valley communities of all the Rio Salado project at Central Ave and party can achieve alone. They do not want classes and nationalities. Working with our the Salt River on the morning of November to “abandon” the chapters as I’ve heard from state office, we can bring our skills and 5th, where the state office will be leading some quarters. The old adages really apply expertise into the mix and be a part of an tours and displaying the future programs in this situation- that we have much more in effort to bring a conservation message to and explaining the mission of their forth- common than we have differences. and that disadvantaged kids, as well as more middle coming nature center. The site is on both the together we are much more powerful than class children. As Kenn Kaufman stated northeast and southeast banks of the Salt if we work separately, Current policy is that recently at the Audubon Celebration a few River, with parking at both locations. Come each chapter will continue to receive the weeks ago in Sierra Vista, we all need to see how this once dry, dumping ground is $2.25 “safety net” portion of dues received face the reality of a changing demographic in being transformed into a lush perennial river from any new NAS member assigned to a the southwestern states, and be much more with thousands of trees, riparian ponds, and local chapter. In addition, there are funds inclusive of our Hispanic communities if we nature trails. When completed, this site will being allotted for chapter development, want to see our population at large embrace not only be another good birding location for specific conservation and education conservation by appreciating local habitats birders but also a huge educational outreach programs, which will be distributed through and animal species. Caring comes from to the community. I hope you will come take each state office. These funds number in the understanding, and understanding comes part in this “kick-off” event. Good birding!  The Cactus Wren•dition Photo Quiz quiz photo Jim Burns

Good photo, easy birds

THIS ISSUE’S CLUE—

We had so much fun last issue with three birds in the same frame, we decided to do it again.

But, since I promised an easy quiz this time, here’s a good photo with three easy birds. I call

this portrait “The Triplets,” but of course they’re not really that closely related, so maybe we

should call them the roadkill cousins. Photo by Jim Burns.

Winter 2004  Notes & Announcements

Note of clarification--The wonderful the Environmental Fund for Arizona: Audubon membership fee the first year. field trip reports that have been in the [email protected] or (480) 510-5511. Secondly, by becoming a “Friend of last few Wrenditions are due entirely Maricopa Audubon”. In this case you to Marjorie Eckman’s tireless cajoling Donation Wish List -- Maricopa will become a member of Maricopa of the field trip leaders to send in a Audubon Society is looking for a Audubon Society only, and will not report. Many times she has written the donation of a laptop computer in order receive the Audubon magazine, or any reports for the trip leaders herself. So, to provide educational presentations to of the “benefits” of National Audubon announcements please thank her for her efforts and youth groups and classes. To donate membership but you will receive unless stated that the field trip leader please contact any board member. one year of the Cactus Wren-dition. wrote the report, Marjorie did! “Friends” contribution categories in Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas -- The the form of a check made payable to Expanded Book Store Selections-- University of New Mexico Press has Maricopa Audubon Society, and mailed We now have a full selection of books released, The Arizona Breeding Bird to Krys Hammer, Maricopa Audubon on birding topics for adults and children Atlas, compiled by the Arizona Game Society’s membership chair, 1121 N alike. Maricopa Audubon logo items and Fish Department. A large book, it Terrace Road, Chandler, AZ 85226. will include binocular harnesses, tote was years in the writing. The Arizona The categories are—Anna’s-$20; bags, UV-protection caps, and baseball Breeding Bird Atlas is 8.5 x 11, has Verdin-$35-$99; LeConte’s Thrasher- caps. We will also have bird-themed over 275 color photographs and 275 $100-$249; Cactus Wren-$250-$999; sandstone coasters and note-cards. maps. It carries a list price of $45.00. Harris’s Hawk*-$1,000-$9,999; Newly-designed t-shirts will also be If you would like more information, and California Condor*-$10,000+. available. We will be taking orders please access the book’s page on the *These levels include a signed, for long-sleeved, Easy-care, button > UNM Press website--www.unmpress. framed photograph by Jim Burns of shirts with the Maricopa Audubon com/Book.php?id=10473189937981 your designated raptor. All “Friends” logo. Samples will be available for members receive various discounts. If your review. Be sure to get yours’ Membership Information -- There are you reside outside the above-indicated ordered. Remember that Friends of two ways to get on the mailing list in geographical area, the only way to Maricopa Audubon members get a 10% order to receive the Cactus Wren-dition. receive a subscription to the Cactus discount and that your purchase helps First, by joining the National Audubon Wren-dition is to become a “Friend” of to support our event, education and Society. If you live in Maricopa County, Maricopa Audubon Society. conservation efforts generally east of 43rd Avenue, when National Audubon receives your check Nature Trek Tours-- Environmental Fund -- Green At and membership application, Maricopa www.naturetreks.net Work--Thousands of employees can Audubon will receive your name and • Copper Canyon Birding Trip in now support Maricopa Audubon address from National, and will add partnership with Tucson Audubon Society (MAS) in their annual fall you to Maricopa Audubon’s Wren-dition Society and other Arizona Audubon charity campaign. The Environmental mailing list, or you can make a check chapters October 15-23, 2005 Fund for Arizona get thousands of payable to National Audubon Society • Mata Ortiz Birding and Pottery Nature Arizona employees involved with our for $20.00 and mail it with your Treks Exclusive trip December 9-11, group and many other conservation National Audubon Society membership 2005 groups through payroll deduction application to: Krys Hammer, Maricopa • Kino Bay on the Sea of Cortez: Birds, workplace campaigns. Help spread Audubon Society’s membership chair, Beach, and Islands Nature Treks the word at your office about checking 1121 N Terrace Road, Chandler, Exclusive Trip December 9-11, 2005, off “Green” choices this fall! If your AZ 85226, and she will forward it February 24-26, 2006 employer does not yet include on to National Audubon. In the latter environmental/conservation groups, case, Maricopa Audubon will receive a please contact Solange Whitehead at rebate of your entire $20.00 National

 The Cactus Wren•dition Notes & Announcements announcements

Ecuador & Galapagos Birding because the tour is personalized, the convenience we maintain a North Contest--If you’ve always dreamed of timing of your trip is flexible depending American, toll-free number (877) 881- seeing fantastic tropical species like on when your team wants to visit. 1145, and someone will always happy the plate-billed mountain toucan, the Details can be found on the Jatun to take your call. violet-tailed sylph, and the Galapagos Sacha website at endemics, a new birding contest www.jatunsacha.org/ingles/bird_quest. Shade-grown coffee: If you are makes it possible. Alianza Jatun htm. searching for a source to purchase Sacha – CDC Ecuador, a leading shade-grown coffee and haven’t been Ecuadorian conservation group, has Pennsylvania Breeding Bird successful, try ABA Sales. They carry organized BirdQuest, a friendly bird- Atlas: Volunteers are needed for the seven kinds of Song Bird Coffee. For watching event designed to support second PA Breeding Bird Atlas Project information call 800-634-7736. Also, environmental protection in Ecuador. scheduled for 2004-2008. This atlas Trader Joe’s carries shade grown The idea is for teams of from two to effort comes two decades after the coffee. six persons to bird several of Ecuador’s first atlas which documented 187 renowned hotspots over a 10 to 15-day breeding species in the Commonwealth. More birding and nature festivals. period. Each team will be led by an The sponsors include the Carnegie www.americanbirding.org. and experienced local guide to help identify Museum of Natural History, Powdermill www.birdinghotspot.com. Ecuador’s fantastic bird diversity (more Nature Reserve, Cornell Laboratory of than 1,600 species!), so previous Ornithology and Pennsylvania Game Audubon Adventures: Give the gift familiarity with the habitats is not Commission. To learn more or register of discovery and share your love of necessary. to participate go to the environment. The program is www.pabirdatlas.org. designated for students in grades 4-6. The itinerary includes three reserves Introduce an entire classroom (up to 32 co-managed by Jatun Sacha. The first Credit Card-- The American Birding students) to the wonders of nature for is Yanacocha Bird Sanctuary near Association has negotiated an just $35 (plus shipping charges). You Quito, a high-altitude forest that sits agreement with US Bank to provide can select your favorite school or let below Andean paramo grasslands and ABA members a distinctive US BANK Audubon do it for you. For orders: call is filled with a remarkable collection VISA Card. Using your card will not 800/813-5037. of hummingbirds. Next is La Hesperia only show your connection to ABA Cloud Forest Reserve, where the and birding but also, at no additional Maricopa Audubon T-Shirts—For 276 species recorded so far include cost to you, provide a contribution information, contact Laurie Nessel the Andean cock-of-the-rock and the to ABA. If interested, contact www. at (480) 968-5614 or mail to: pale-mandible araçari. The Choco americanbirding. I think Audubon [email protected] contest winds up at Congal Reserve should offer something like this! on the Pacific seashore, home to the Do you have an interesting story to tell Ecuadorian trogon, the Choco toucan, The Dovetail Directory about birding? Please forward your and many shorebird species. If you (www.dovetailbirding.com): The submissions to the Editor—Deva Burns. chose the Choco + Galapagos (San Directory is an online catalogue of Check the back page for address/e- Cristobal Island) event (14 days) you’ll world birding tours, and our goal is to mail. Actually, attaching an article to observe the amazing Galapagos fauna help birders locate that special birding an e-mail is the absolute easiest way to and vegetation, and 15 endemic birds, tour, to any of 85 countries around the submit an article. If you have pictures including the Chatham Mockingbird, world. This is a free service. There are or slides, you do need to send those endemic to San Cristobal. no hidden costs or surcharges. Tours to me directly. Remember, all articles are offered at the operators price. In may not be published the first month The cost for the ten-day Choco tour addition to tours, the Directory also after receipt. (not including airfare) is $2,085 and carries a comprehensive inventory of Choco + Galapagos is $3,861 and, birding-related books. For your further

Winter 2005  National Audubon Society at the Crossroads Bob Witzeman

Your MAS Board voted to oppose the reviews…throughout the 1970’s and Oak Flat Congressional land exchange 1980’s. Without those NEPA studies, legislation. Below is a chapter letter to the conservationist’s successful multi-dam National Audubon Society. Portions are opposition campaigns would not have been deleted due to length. successful.

To: The Most Honorable Board of Directors NEPA…requires consideration of the conservation of the National Audubon Society environmental, cultural, economic and From: Robert Witzeman, Conservation technical factors of those dams, and a Chair, Maricopa Audubon Society full range of alternatives for each dam. If the action agency…fails to list viable, Subject: Why it would be wrong for NAS meaningful alternatives in their Impact to be a participant in the Resolution Statements, they can be taken to court— Copper Company’s proposed NEPA-Exempt and they were. Plaintiffs included Arizona’s Congressional land exchange Audubon chapters, National Audubon… National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, and others. “I want to fight til I’m stricken NEPA would provide oversight as to Each time we thought a dam was how “block-cave” mining might collapse on the spot. Fight for what? killed, new alternatives would pop up. and/or de-water the strikingly beautiful Fortunately, NEPA requires full engineering, adjacent Devil’s Canyon perennial For the world, for life, for hydrologic and environmental details on willow/ash/cottonwood/sycamore/ happiness, for clean air, for each new alternative… walnut riparian jewel with its chain of breathtaking pools and interconnecting songs, for birds in the air and Dams killed by the NEPA process saved waterfalls. hundreds of riparian river miles in Arizona for fish in the sea.” and…western New Mexico. On the San legislation… would transfer to RCC Pedro River Charleston Dam was killed, Jacques Cousteau 3025 acres of Tonto National Forest saving over 100 miles of priceless riparian land surrounding the USFS Oak Flat habitat. Preserved (from four proposed Campground near Superior, Arizona. dams) were 150 miles of prime riparian RCC is owned by the two largest mining A large number of river-killing Central habitat in Arizona and New Mexico on companies in the world (Rio Tinto-U.K, BHP- Arizona Project dams on Arizona’s San the Gila River…Killed on the Verde River Australia). This land exchange privatizes Pedro, Gila, Salt, and Verde Rivers was Cliff Dam…and at the Salt/Verde those 3025 acres of USFS land. In this were successfully opposed by local confluence Orme Dam… way RCC exempts itself from NEPA and Audubon chapters, National Audubon, and simultaneously weakens application of the others…during the NEPA Environmental The proposed NEPA-exempt Resolution Endangered Species Act and the National Impact Statement public oversight Copper Company (RCC) land exchange

Like Resolution Copper’s 7-mile long, bone dry, bare sand, San Pedro riverbed offer, this ranch offers an equally bone dry river bottom for the entire length of the ranch. It is devoid of sufficient water to support any cottonwood, willow, sycamore or ash riparian vegetation. It is abusively overgrazed and that will not change after Resolution’s land exchange. Only three forlorn medium-sized sycamores exist on the entire ranch. There is one willow at an algae-filled, dried up stock tank next to the ranch’s abandoned homestead. Like Resolution Copper’s other three cattle-devastate USFS swap properties, this property will also continue to be grazed abusively after it is traded to the Forest Service. The acquisition of this property is of little benefit to the Tonto National Forest or the public. National Audubon’s proposed participation in this land swap legislation would bring dishonor to Audubon’s reputation.

 The Cactus Wren•dition National Audubon Society at the Crossroads conservation

Historic Preservation Act… environment? Without NEPA the public that would prevent the implosion, collapse, Why would Audubon be any part of does not know which precious desert and destruction of unique places like the exemption from NEPA of one of streamcourses or groundwater aquifers Apache Leap and the Devil’s Canyon the potentially most polluting and RCC may dewater or pollute. riparian treasure. environmentally and culturally destructive copper mines ever proposed in Arizona? 4. Exemption from NEPA allows mountains Summary: RCC says they will need at The answer...is that the heirs of Arial of acid mine waste tailings…to escape least 10-15 years before they are ready Appleton, the recently deceased benefactor public oversight with regard to how RCC to start mining. This affords ample time of NAS’ Appleton-Whittel Research Ranch, would protect the fragile desert watershed for NEPA review. In light of NAS’ laudatory would receive $4,000,000 from RCC for and its underground aquifers... current campaign championing NEPA, for their 1000 acres of land on the northern NAS to be identified with this NEPA-exempt boundary of the Research Ranch. That land 5. By converting USFS land to private environmental… injustice, would needlessly would become a BLM addition to the NAS land…RCC will not have to expend cash tarnish Audubon’s reputation and name. ranch’s 8000-acre mix of NAS, USFS, and to post a bond to underwrite the cost of BLM lands. repairing toxic spills…and for their pollution NAS must insist upon: clean-up upon mine closure. Arizona has (1) NEPA oversight. (2) Prohibition Reasons why NAS support and one of the weakest mining spill and clean- of mining techniques in areas which participation in this NEPA-exempt land up bonding requirements of any U.S. state. will collapse Apache Leap, and the exchange is wrong: Arizona mines have frequently walked away breathtaking Devils Canyon riparian area… from their clean-up obligations by declaring (3) Require genuine bonding standards 1. NEPA-exemption would circumvent bankruptcy. Asarco, very recently, for pollution spills and for mine closure oversight and scrutiny by the public declared bankruptcy and may leave millions clean-up. (4) If these requirements are not and…agencies regarding the…inequity of in clean-up costs to taxpayers. followed, Audubon must withdraw from the five environmentally mediocre USFS being a part of this highly destructive and San Pedro swap properties RCC is 6. NEPA would provide analysis of the NEPA-exempt land exchange. offering. RCC’s San Pedro offering is mine’s proposed highly destructive “block- devoid of broad-leaved, deciduous willow/ cave” mining technique with its inevitable cottonwood vegetation so vital to the San collapse of the Apache Leap Pedro’s renowned riparian ecology and historic and Native American birdlife. RCC chose not to purchase the cultural site. Here 75 Apache readily available, quality cottonwood/willow leaped to their death rather than riparian areas located upstream and be taken by the U.S. Cavalry. downstream of their usually bone-dry 7-mile NEPA would provide oversight cottonwood/willow-treeless offer... as to how “block-cave” mining might collapse and/or dewater 2. Without NEPA the public would be the strikingly beautiful nearby unable to comment upon pollution issues… Devil’s Canyon willow/ash/ Will toxic chemicals used in processing cottonwood/sycamore/walnut the ore pollute the surrounding soil, air, riparian jewel with its chain of water table, and local streams? How will breathtaking pools… streambeds and aquifers be protected…in The BHP-owned Resolution Copper Company the event of rainstorm flooding or liner 7. Bypassing NEPA… (RCC) proposed Oak Flat land exchange, if leaks of the acid leach pads... A massive undermines the ability of the exempted from NEPA by congress, would not be blowout of the sulfuric acid leach pads into Endangered Species Act required to inform the public about their mining Pinto Creek’s adjacent riparian watershed to protect harms caused technology or its safety. A massive blowout of occurred in 1997 at another BHP copper by the mine’s impact upon the sulfuric acid leach pads of this nearby BHP mine just a few miles east of RCC’s… endangered species in the copper mine into Pinto Creek’s adjacent riparian site. Only by sheer luck was massive area including the beautiful, watershed occurred in 1997. Only by sheer contamination of the priceless downstream endangered, highly endemic, luck was massive contamination and pollution of Pinto Creek riparian area and Roosevelt Arizona Hedgehog Cactus, the priceless downstream Pinto Creek riparian Reservoir (a major source of Phoenix’ Echinocereus triglochidiatus area and Roosevelt Reservoir (a major source drinking water) narrowly averted. var. arizonicus. of Phoenix drinking water) narrowly averted. It would be a disgrace for the National Audubon 3. Without NEPA, RCC is not required 8. NEPA would require Society to be a part of RCC proposed NEPA- to reveal how much water their mine will evaluation of alternative… exempt travesty consume here in our water-deficient desert backfilling mining methods

Winter 2004  Arizona (& Vicinty) Christmas Bird Count Schedule 2005-06 cbc map

he National Audubon Society These records now comprise an compilation dinner at the end of has conducted Christmas extensive ornithological database the day where results are tabulated Tbird counts since 1900. that enables monitoring of winter and stories shared. A $5.00 Volunteers from across North bird populations and the overall participation fee defrays a portion America and beyond take to the health of the environment. of the cost of tabulating and field during one calendar day publishing the overall count results. between December 14 and January Participants are typically assigned Help is needed on most of these 5 to record every bird species and to teams based on their bird counts, so find one that interests individual bird encountered within a identification skill level and you and contact the compiler for designated 15-mile diameter circle. endurance. Many counts hold a more information.

10 The Cactus Wren•dition Arizona (& Vicinty) Christmas Bird Count Schedule 2005-06 schedule cbc

Date Day Code Count Name Compiler Phone E-Mail 12/14 We V Salt-Verde Rivers Kurt Radamaker 480-837-2446 [email protected] 12/14 We Q Pipe Spring Nat. Monument Andrea Bornemeier 928-643-7105 [email protected] 12/16 Fr D Buenos Aires NWR Bonnie Swarbrick 520-823-4251 [email protected] 12/16 Fr 9 Phoenix-Tres Rios Daniela Yellan 602-942-7791 [email protected] 12/17 Sa B Avra Valley George Montgomery 520-682-8530 [email protected] 12/17 Sa M Martinez Lake-Yuma Henry Detwiler 928-343-8363 [email protected] 12/17 Sa N Mormon Lake Elaine Morrall 928-526-1022 [email protected] 12/17 Sa O Nogales Michael Bissontz 520-577-8778 [email protected] 12/17 Sa # Puerto Penasco, Sonora, MX Steve Ganley 480-830-5538 [email protected] 12/17 Sa W Santa Catalina Mountains Bob Bates 520-296-5629 [email protected] 12/17 Sa 3 Ajo-Cabeza Prieta NWR Curt McCasland 520-387-6483 [email protected] 12/17 Sa 4 Timber Mesa Jimmy Videle 928-537-5144 [email protected] 12/18 Su E Camp Verde Anita MacFarlane 928-282-4063 [email protected] 12/18 Su S Chino Valley Russell Duerksen 928-925-5567 [email protected] 12/18 Su P Patagonia Thomas Arny 520-394-0146 [email protected] 12/18 Su T Ramsey Canyon Ted Mouras 520-803-0221 [email protected] 12/18 Su Z Tucson Valley Susan Birky 520-743-9390 [email protected] 12/21 We 7 Prescott Carl Tomoff 928-778-2626 [email protected] 12/26 Mo 8 Superior Cynthia Donald 480-283-4515 [email protected] 12/27 Tu H Gila River Troy Corman 602-482-6187 [email protected] 12/28 We I Green Valley-Madera Canyon Reid Freeman 520-625-9895 [email protected] 12/28 We 5 Havasu NWR Norma Miller 520-578-1399 [email protected] 12/29 Th C Bill Williams Delta Kathleen Blair 928-667-4144 [email protected] 12/30 Fr J Hassayampa River Vanessa Montgomery 623-465-0012 [email protected] 12/30 Fr 4 Dudleyville (date is tenative) Tracy McCarthey 602-451-4179 [email protected] 12/31 Sa G Flagstaff-Mount Elden Terry Blows 928-774-8028 [email protected] 12/31 Sa * Peloncillo Mountains, NM Alan Craig 520-558-2220 [email protected] 12/31 Sa 2 Sierra Pinta-Cabeza Prieta NWR David Griffin 505-382-2080 [email protected] 1/1 Su 6 Elfrida Tom Wood 520-432-1388 [email protected] 1/1 Su R Portal Larry Gates 520-558-1020 [email protected] 1/1 Su X Sedona Dottie Hook 928-204-1894 [email protected] 1/2 Mo F Carefree Walter Thurber 480-483-6450 [email protected] 1/3 Tu 1 Saint David Tom Wood 520-432-1388 [email protected] 1/4 We K Jerome Betsy Feinberg 928-203-0756 [email protected] 1/4 We L Glen Canyon John Spence 928-608-6267 [email protected]

Winter 2005 11 12 field trips at Lower Camp Creek, always a very a always Creek, Camp Lower at linger to time have will we Rachensack, at look quick a and start early an With species. residents and migrants for especially looking areas attractive these of three or two on concentrate shall We Dingley-- Joy by led Area Springs Seven Area Springs Seven 15 October Saturday, March - October SocietyField Trips Maricopa Audubon • • • • • REMINDERS: trails. steep possible with expected are distances hiking Longer exertion. to respect with difficulty of level high very equals 5 stops. birding multiple possibly and vehicle frombirding considerable distances, walking short exertion, of level low very equals 1 5: through 1 Levels Difficulty reservations. your make to early call Please trip. field per participants of number Maximum Limit: LEGEND: mile per cents 10 to 5 drivers reimburse passengers that recommended is It assistance. pooling car for leaders contact and/or places; meeting at vehicles consolidate carpool, own organizeyour to effort every make Please trips. field on carpooling encourages strongly Audubon Maricopa POOLING: CAR otherwise. noted unless 1 Level Difficulty are trips the All levels. skill all include and freeare and public the to year.open arethe They throughout trips organizedof programan have who Society Audubon Maricopa the by sponsoredare trips field following The MarjorieEckman Maricopa AudubonSocietyField Trips Don’t’ forget to have FUN!!! have forgetto Don’t’ binoculars your Bring colors bright wearing Avoid head sunglasses, sunscreen, Bring sturdy and clothing colored neutral Wear protection and water and protection shoes walking

additional information. additional [email protected] WidnerRuss Leader: 1 Difficulty trip. this for maximum 3-car a is there - limited arerecorded Places here.been have birds of species 400 of excess in 1900’sand early the in River Colorado the of flooding the by formed was lake The well. area the knows who leader a with birds new learn to opportunity wonderful a is This biodiversity.avian of area this to residents winter and migrants of mix a for hoping areWidner--We Russ by led Sea Salton Sea Salton 28-30 October Friday-Sunday, reservations. for [email protected] Marple Cindy Leader: year.full one for Arboretum the as well as parks state beautiful our of any enter to you allow will that Pass Park State a buying Consider fee. entrance $7.50 and lunch bring Please helpful. is scope A rarities. occasional include also can that Arboretum beautiful very this in species of list good a expect always can We AM. 6:45 at Guadalupe & McClintock of corner SW at lot parking Unlimited Birds Wild the from carpool will Marple--We Cindy by led Superior near Arboretum Thompson Boyce Arboretum Thompson Boyce 22 October Saturday, check. to Dingley Joy contact Please possible. be not may trip field the and assessed been not has Wildfire Complex Creek Cave the by area the to done damage the press, to going of time the At information. additional [email protected] Dingley Joy Leader: out. trip the making before Joy call Please fire. Complex Creek Cave the after soon so to going worth is it if even or like be will area this what idea no have we press, to go we As 2. Difficulty money. carpool and water lunch, Bring decided. be to time and place Meeting habitats. varied quite of day a for Springs Seven to it make hopefully and rewardingspot, for reservations & reservations for at 480-419-9804 or 480-419-9804 at at 480-595-2977 or 480-595-2977 at at 480-892-4460 or 480-892-4460 at for reservations and reservations for

of McKellips and Power Roads. We leave We Roads. Power and McKellips of corner SE the on Walgreen’slot the parking at meet will We early! quit to want won’t you - trips longer our of one is usually this as water and snacks lunch, Bring species. 60 bagged and helping Kaiser Richard friend, good Charles’ had we year Last two. or surprise a include can bosques mesquite the in birds migrant and Resident migrants. and raptors waterbirds, with areas these in great always is birding the as favorite traditional a is This hand! his of back the like knows Charles that nearby areas neat other and areas Coon’s Bluff & Sutton D Phon Reef, Granite the birding be will We Saffell-- Charles by led River Salt Lower L 5 November Saturday, Gilbert Water Ranch led by CindyWaterWest--TheGilbertbyRanchled WaterGilbert Ranch 19 November Saturday, or Kirscher Claudia Contact: Department Fish & Game TomLeader: Hildebrandt areas.road/berm on stay would but OK, mobility Limited rock). loose with slope steep mile 1/4 (optional Hill Monument up climb bottom, river in cobble/sand in be will We 2-3. is trip this for difficulty of level the that note Please money. carpool water,and boots, sturdy snack, morning late or lunch available, if scope a bring Please midday. about return to Expect information. further for Claudia contact please - decided be to time & place Meeting residents. winter osprey,riparian and cormorants, waders, for looking be will We foothills. desert water,and open bottom, river grassland, including area River Gila & Avenue 115th the in habitats desert of variety a birding be Hildebrandturd--Wewill Tomby led Area Wildlife Meridian & Base WildlifeArea Meridian & Base 12 November Saturday, information. or Saffell Charles Leader: AM. 7 at promptly ower Salt River Salt ower [email protected] [email protected] for reservations and reservations for TheCactus Wren•dition at 480-668-9393 at , of the Arizona the of , at 623-934-5460 at 13 field trips . Please call at 480-991-9190 or continued on page 14

at 623-327-0540 or Ave. at 6:30 AM. 6:30 at Ave. Leader: Jeff Fustich [email protected] Saturday, Saturday, February February 1818 RanchRanch Gilbert Gilbert Water Water attract marshes The and ponds surrounding and raptors, wintering waterfowl, migrating reserve a spot. reserve Leader: Harvey Beatty [email protected] for reservations and additional information. Saturday, Saturday, FebruaryFebruary 1111 Hayfield Hayfield & & Cobble Cobble Ponds Ponds and and the the Phoenix Phoenix International International Raceway Raceway Trails Trails the and site Hayfields well-known the Both open are Avenue 91st across Ponds Cobble that trails and habitat riparian with ponds, and mesquites cottonwoods, along run a mecca been have ponds These willows. depended be can and years for birders for including birds of list interesting an for on warblers hawks, shorebirds, waterbirds, a or a surprise often plus sparrows and site, PIR the adding are we year This rarity. day the to area, riparian excellent another and water lunch, bringing by prepared be so REI the at departure prompt for Meet scope. & Southern of corner SW the at lot parking parking at or carpooling 6 at for AM Priest Highland E. 740 at Office Rupp’s Mike at lot Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, February February 44 Thrasher Thrasher Le Le SiteSite Conte’s Conte’s This is our nearly annual trip to this site on traditional the far west side of at Phoenix of the Baseline intersection Resident Road & the Salome Highway. Thrashers and Crissal Curve-billed Bendire’s, may also be seen as well as Le Conte’s Prairie Sage Sparrows. and overwintering have Falcons been on observed this trip in the past, and all of the low typical should be present. birds desert breeding The place meeting for those who wish to office will carpool parking be Mike Rupp’s lot at 740 E. Ave Highland at 7 AM. Le so shy are we birds will limit the Conte’s number of to participants 10 as we have done in the past. Call or email early to

at 602- at 480-991-9190 or at 623-975-7057 Contact Mike Rupp [email protected] AM. (Exit right off I-17, is McDonald’s on the left. will George be driving a red Saturn VUE). Leader: George Wall you will also find some petroglyphs on the cliffs. The river runs all year long at this location. A variety of birds bas been seen here such as rock wren, gnatcatchers and Cuckoos tanagers. have Yellow-billed been observed nesting at one time or another. This trip has been one of my specialties, but I have never birded it in the winter before so it will be a discovery trip for all of us. Difficulty 1 to 11/2 walking down the river with some rocks. We will meet at on Highway McDonald’s Carefree at 7:30 388-4072 for more information and to Meet at office register. parking lot at 740 E. Highland Ave, Phoenix where we will carpool for prompt departure at 6:30 AM. January January 2525 Wednesday, Wednesday, Badger Badger SpringsSprings Badger Springs is a part of the Agua Fria National Monument with a variety of habitats including desert and mesquite areas, a cottonwoods stand, and a trail leading down to the Agua Fria River where for Sandhill Cranes, ducks, sparrows and hawks. Past trips here have yielded Prairie Falcons, Ferruginous and Red-tailed Hawks, and Merlin. This ¾ day trip should produce a good variety of species as we look at sites along the Gila the River, AZ. Game & Fish Ponds, and desert areas. We will visit approximately seven well-known sites and some not so well known. Bring lunch, carpool water, money and a scope if available. We expect to return to Phoenix around 3 PM. House restaurant east of Scottsdale Road. Contact leader for reservations or additional information. Leader: Harvey Beatty email Saturday, Saturday, January January 2121 Arlington Arlington and and Gila Gila River River AreaArea This trip will focus on the farm fields and riparian areas of the far southwestern with valley, an estimated species count of around 50+. We will be searching

Maricopa Audubon Society Field Trips Trips Field Field Society Society Audubon Audubon Maricopa Maricopa at 602-451-4179 for reservations. at 480-830-5332 or

www.maricopaaudubon.org.

2005 [email protected] Winter Winter from from the participants! Bring a scope if available, lunch Meet and at water. Chart and an adult Bald Eagle only ten yards several surprises with more than one two Lewis Eurasian Woodpecker, Wigeons were were 50 species on this trip including ducks including mergansers, shorebirds ducks including shorebirds mergansers, and other waterfowl. Last year there There There should be a good assortment of Hayden Hayden Road Road at at Royal Royal PalmPalm Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, January January 1414 Scottsdale Scottsdale Ponds Ponds and and adjacent adjacent area area near near issue. Also, check the website for latest information at Please check the listing elsewhere in this Christmas Christmas Bird Bird countscounts December December 14 14 - - January January 44 for reservations. or vehicles so we will need to carpool. McCarthey Leader: Tracy of McDowell and 7th Street in Phoenix. Expect to return around 3 PM. Limit of 5 at McDonald’s at parking McDonald’s lot on the SW corner helpful. Please bring lunch, snacks and Meet at water. 7 AM for prompt departure Christmas Bird Count. A scope will be the possibility for similar species as the ones they get on the Gila River/Arlington for early as December, we should have for wintering waterfowl, wetland birds, sparrows and raptors. This is a good trip ponds and agricultural fields looking Arlington & Gila River Area led by Tracy McCarthy--We will concentrate on the Arlington Arlington & & Gila Gila River River Area Area Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, December December 33 [email protected] Leader: Cindy West Bring a scope if available, lunch and water. a Bring and lunch water. if scope available, at Start 7:30 AM. at site promptly 18. Limit and also have had their share of rarities. of and also have rarities. had share their Rios Rios in fast the west end, are ponds these the east side for becoming mecca birders established and easily viewed. Like Tres Like Tres and viewed. easily established migrating waterfowl, wintering raptors, and raptors, wintering waterfowl, migrating well are owl colonies Burrowing passerines. ponds and surrounding marshes attract attract marshes and ponds surrounding Maricopa Audubon Society Field Trips continued from page 11

passerines. Borrowing owl colonies are well geologists, rehabbers, and naturalists. Pavilions on Indian Bend at 6:30 AM established and easily viewed. Close looks Activities include hiking, a fishing clinic Leader: Matthew Toomey at matthew. at all the common waders usually possible. for kids, field trips to local river sites, [email protected] or contact Marjorie These ponds are fast becoming the east early-morning bird watching, canoeing on Eckman at 480-368-1901 or side mecca for birders and also have had the Gila River, and much more. Due to [email protected] their share of rarities. Bring a scope if this event, there will be no field trips this field trips available, lunch, and water. Start at site weekend, as several leaders are manning Gilbert Water Ranch Beginning promptly at 7:30 AM. Limit 15. the Maricopa tent for the weekend. This Birdwalks Leader: Cindy West at 480-830-5332 or is a great opportunity to learn about [email protected] west valley birding locations, see lots Maricopa Audubon Society, the oldest of organizations, and educate kids. The and largest Audubon chapter in the valley, Friday through Monday, February 24-27 Festival is at Estrella Mountain Park, 5 miles has teamed with The Riparian Institute of Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) & Cholla south of I-10 freeway off Estrella Parkway. Gilbert, to bring regular monthly “birdwalks” Bay, Mexico It opens at 9AM, but will have early bird to individuals and families in the southeast entry for birdwalks, etc. Follow signs from valley. We will bird sandy beaches and rocky the freeway, and plan on spending most shoreline habitats for gulls, terns, of a day here to enjoy the activities, the Located at the southeast corner of shorebirds, and pelagics with the food, lectures, displays, entertainment, and Greenfield and Guadalupe Roads, the possibility of land species that do not vendors. beautiful 110 acre Gilbert Water Ranch will occur in Arizona.. This area offers a play host to guided birdwalks on the third great opportunity to brush up on your gull Wednesday, March 15 Saturday of the month, from October 2005 identification. Previous Christmas Bird Native Flowers & Plants of the East Valley through March 2006, with April 8 being the Counts have yielded 100 to 140 species Feathered Friends Festival. Running from over a winter weekend. Spotting scope Join us for a walk in the desert to look for 8AM to 12:00, the birdwalks will be guided helpful. Early departure Friday, meeting site wildflowers and other native plants. We by experienced leaders, with “loaner” TBA. Return time flexible. All participants will touch on identification techniques and binoculars and field guide books available will share carpool gas and Mexican ecology. A small loupe would be helpful. free of charge. Each walk will travel around insurance costs. Double accommodations Bring binoculars, as we will be watching for several of the ponds and a variety of only. Limit 8. Level 2 - expect some long typical desert birds. Limit 15. habitats that will provide participants with walking distances. Leader: Mel Bramley at 480-969-9893 in good views of some of the 125 species Leader: Claudia Kirscher at 623-934-5460 the evening for reservations or additional that have been recorded at the water or [email protected] information. recharge facility.

Saturday, March 4 Saturday, March 18 The walks are open to all ages, individuals, Granite Reef Dam & Lower Salt River Flagstaff Lakes and families, and are especially suited to let children experience, perhaps for the We will bird the Salt River below Granite On this field trip we will visit the lakes first time, the little known bird species that Reef Dam, using cars to cover hot spots around Flagstaff looking for waterfowl and live right in our own neighborhoods- from along ten miles of road. A traditional Bald Eagles. We also hope to find Red beautiful Red-Tailed Hawks, and ground- favorite, excellent for waterfowl and Crossbills, Cassin’s Finches and Pinyon dwelling Burrowing Owls that stand guard at raptors. This beautiful area usually Jays. We will meet at Denny’s Restaurant their burrow entrances, to a good variety of produces a variety of species. There is a at the intersection of I-40 and I-17 at 8 AM. ducks, sparrows, and sandpipers. Children lake entry fee. Bring water, lunch, and a Bring a lunch, water, snacks and a scope are invited to play “Bird Bingo.” scope if available. We will meet at 7 AM at will be very helpful if you have one. the Walgreen’s parking lot at McKellips and Leader: Charles Babbitt at 602-840-1772 or These birdwalks are a perfect way to Power (Bush Highway). [email protected] introduce children and adults alike to local Leader: Charles Saffell at 480-668-9393 Saturday, March 25 birdlife, and provide an educational family or [email protected] for reservations or Needle Rock, Box Bar, and Rio Verde Ranch activity that will be long-remembered. additional information. Maricopa Audubon invites you and your We will visit an area north of Scottsdale’s little “naturalists” out for a fun morning of Saturday and Sunday, March 11,12 McDowell Mountain Park and work our discovery and exploration. Tres Rios Nature Festival way down to the Rio Verde Ranch. This is interesting country with varied habitats Details about birdwalk dates, times, This year’s nature festival will be free, and and normally provides a good variety of and changing exhibits can be seen at: offers a large variety of vendors, displays, species. Bring spotting scope if available, www.maricopaaudubon.org, and www. all sorts of “nature” activities, and a host lunch, water and carpool money. Meet at riparianinstitute.org of lectures by professional biologists, parking lot by the north pond at Scottsdale

14 The Cactus Wren•dition az’sspecies special AZ’s Special Species – Crissal Thrasher Jim Burns

f you’re guessing “crissal” refers to some shade of red or some nineteenth Icentury ornithologist, you’re wrong. The crissum is the area of feathers between a bird’s vent and its tail, the undertail coverts. The crissum on Crissal Thrashers is distinctively colored and contrasts sharply with the rest of its plumage. As does the crissum of many other birds including another member of the immediate thrasher family, Le Conte’s. The undertail coverts of our Crissal are deep chestnut. As are those of another member of the extended mimic thrush family, Gray Catbird. So . . . why not Crissal Catbird and Red-vented Thrasher? Just scratch your head and enjoy.

Ideal habitat for Toxostoma crissale is dense mesquite in desert riparian areas and dense chaparral up to 6000 feet in Photo by Jim Burns the mountains. It is resident from central Mexico northward through west Texas Phoenix. Other locations are washes on one three feet off the ground, the other and southern New Mexico, across most the Tonto National Forest Service roads five. Both were lined with soft grasses of Arizona except the high mountains, north of Phoenix, particularly the dirt road and, despite their size, impossible to see into southeast California and extreme to Seven Springs and the paved road except from perhaps one angle through southern Nevada and southwest Utah. which parallels the Verde River. the impenetrable (to mammals and humans) tangle. One was oversheltered Though Crissal is larger and far more In southern Arizona the best places are by an adjoining wolfberry bush in which widespread than the strictly local Catalina State Park north of Tucson and both parents often lingered on the way and highly sought Le Conte’s, it is the flat scrublands north and east of the out of the nest to pluck a ripe, an extremely shy and secretive bird, town of Portal on the east slope of the orange berry. much more difficult to observe than the Chiricahuas. There is usually a pair along latter at the frequently visited thrasher Proctor Road below Madera Canyon, The Crissal bill is just as thick and sturdy site along Salome Highway west of and Temporal Gulch behind the Nature as the Curve-billed’s, but even longer Phoenix. The habitat there, low, arid, and Conservancy property in Patagonia has and more decurved. Crissals are expert predominantly saltbush, with scattered also been reliable in the past. rooters and diggers and, as expected, mesquite along the washes, can be subsist primarily on insects, grubs, characterized as perfect for Le Conte’s, Crissals may begin nesting as early as and seeds gleaned from ground debris good for Bendire’s, poor for Crissal, and January. Look and listen for them early beneath low vegetation. They are the marginal for Curve-billed which pretty in the morning early in breeding season largest of Arizona’s thrashers, slightly much summarizes as well your chances while they are still establishing territories. larger than the similarly built Curve- of seeing the four resident thrashers in The song is sweet, rather plaintive, and billed, yet they can disappear easily for that area. variable, with more repetitive phrases so large and bulky a bird. A favored than other thrashers. This gives it a strategy which I have witnessed countless Though It is fun to find Crissals at the mockingbird-like quality, but Crissals times is the fly-hop, in which they veer Salome Highway site because of the typically repeat only once, mockingbirds away through the bushes at ground opportunities for comparison with other three or more. Crissal also has a couple level simultaneously using legs and very thrashers, don’t count on it. I have led distinctive calls which are transcribed as shallow wingbeats. field trips there for a dozen years and “chorry” and “toit,” also typically repeated visit the site sometimes half a dozen once. Once actual nesting has begun, The accompanying photo was taken times during breeding season. I rarely singing activity drops off dramatically. last winter at the Salome Highway site. miss Le Conte’s. I often miss Crissal. If you want a confiding look at Crissal The current best place to find Crissals The two crissal nests I have stumbled Thrasher be prepared to spend a lot of in central Arizona is the chaparral area upon were relatively large masses of time on a known territory in February around the Oak Flat campground east thorny twigs formed into a rough, oval and March. Probably many Februarys of the town of Superior an hour east of cup in the crotch of a dense mesquite, and many Marches.

Winter 2004 15 Photo Quiz Answers Jim Burns

elated? Well, I dubbed them “the triplets” Any proper discussion of Crested Caracara As already implied, this would be an even just because they’re all about the same would be incomplete without mention of its flight easier quiz if our birds were all in flight. This Rsize and they look fairly compatible pattern and mechanics and the several ways in TV would be flying with its wings in a dihedral lined up right together on the same perch, but which this species differs from the true falcons. (“V”), silver flight feathers contrasting with dark obviously there’s more than one species here. If In flight, from below, caracaras are distinctive wing linings, with slow, methodical wingbeats you’re thinking maybe this is a composite photo, for their striking, alternating pattern of light and and the whole body rocking back and forth. In all I can say is that I wish I were that good dark areas--light chest, black belly and wings flight caracaras, like the true falcons, always with Photoshop. No, this was a serendipitous with white tips, and white tail with black tip. In look like they’re going somewhere, but TV flight moment when I was in the right place at the south Texas, where this species is common, its appears languid and desultory like the birds right time to capture all three birds on the same distinguishing flight characteristic is that it flaps have nowhere in particular to go and they’re not photo quiz answers snag at the same time. almost continuously and never seems to soar in a hurry to get there. or glide. When they do soar, because of their So, are these birds related? They are all long necks and flat wings, caracaras are most Turkey Vultures, perhaps alone amongst all the large and they all have dark body plumage, reminiscent of eagles. avian species, have a well developed sense of but is there anything else we can see in the smell, and find their food with this sense. It photo to indicate they might have something Crested caracaras are not strictly carrion has been shown that they eat smaller food more in common or possibly be in the same eaters but will take live large insects, small items than Black Vultures and are dominated at family? A close look at the birds’ heads reveals birds, and small rodents. They patrol the carcasses by the latter species, often by sheer two things which should help us answer this highways for roadkill in early morning hours numbers. question and identify the birds. The beaks of before the vultures are up, and they harass all three are long, strong, and hooked, and their vultures off carcasses and force them to C)—Good photo, easy bird faces are bare. These are the scavengers, regurgitate food. Unlike other falcons, Well, not too easy. Before you jump to the nature’s undertakers if you will. The hooked caracaras build their own nests. The color of conclusion that our final bird is a Black Vulture beaks enable them to tear open carrion, and their bare facial skin can change from orange because of the color, shape and greater the featherless faces facilitate feeding inside to bright red to pink to yellow, in seconds, expanse of the bare facial area above the carcasses without requiring extensive clean-up. depending on the mood of the bird. This is an neck ruff, consider this and beware: juvenile active and aggressive species not known to Turkey Vultures have dark heads. Many birders, This is filthy and disgusting work, but somebody tolerate vultures in close proximity. Notice, at including this one many times, have looked at a has to do it. The birds specifically designed by the lower boundary of this caracara’s barred perched juvenile TV and called it a Black Vulture. evolution for this work all have weak feet, poorly chest, the bulging crop. This may account for evolved for seizing and carrying prey items, the bird’s presence on the same snag as its Most field guides show, or at least tell you, that but all have long, broad wings for sustained two competitors. It’s satiated, probably feeling juvy TVs’ dark heads lack the wrinkles and warts soaring over vast areas as they search for dead a bit sluggish, and probably not likely to be of the red adult head, but so do the dark heads animals. There are four avian species in North harassing anything for awhile. of juvenile Black Vultures. Though our final quiz America designed for this duty, and all are bird shows a great deal of wrinkling about its considered to be daytime raptors. These are B)—Good photo, easy bird head which marks it as an adult Black Vulture, a the three members of the family Cathartidae- Even here in sepia we can distinguish on our careful observer will note the differences in head -Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, and California second quiz bird, the one closest to the camera, and bill shape between the two vultures. The Condor--and the odd and specialized falcon, the three distinct shades of color. The body head of Black Vultures is intermediate in shape Crested Caracara. feathers are very dark, the bare face appears between condor and TV, smaller proportionately to be a somewhat lighter color than the body, than the former but certainly more rounded than A)—Good photo, easy bird and the bill itself is very light, either horn-colored the latter, and the Black Vulture bill is longer, Three birds, large in the same frame, sharply focused. This isn’t a good photo. It’s a once-in- like that of the caracara or even white. And thinner, and less massive looking than that of a-lifetime photo. Lucky, yes, but aren’t they all, it’s obvious this bird has a patch of light skin the Turkey Vulture. and the result of a lot of dues paid. I’m going to completely surrounding its eye. deal with these birds from left to right as their Black Vultures in flight differ significantly from heads appear in the frame. In other words, the This combination of light-to-white areas Turkey Vultures. The wing pattern of Blacks, lowest bird on the snag will be the second quiz on the head eliminates Black Vulture from from above or below, shows all black with large bird, and the bird with its feet in the middle will consideration, but before we call this a Turkey silver patches at the tips only. The flight jizz be the third quiz bird. You’ll understand why at Vulture let’s not forget the remarkable comeback is different too, the shorter, squared tail of the end of the quiz. in progress by the California Condor. Of course Blacks making them seem much smaller though you know it’s too early in this relic’s recovery they actually are not, and the flight mechanics Since our possibilities are limited to the four for it to overlap geographically with a Crested of these two species are different as well, undertakers, our first quiz bird, the one on the Caracara, but let’s eliminate it by size and Blacks having a much quicker wingbeat and no left at the very end of the branch, must be the structure as well. Our second quiz bird looks perceptible dihedral. caracara. The large, crested head with its black like it might be slightly larger than the other two, crown and horn-colored face, and the long white but a California Condor would be twice(!) their The Triplets were photographed near a javelina neck and white breast barred with black are size, and its bare red head is a different shape, carcass in Hidalgo County, Texas in October, distinct and diagnostic for this species when it round and bulbous rather than elongated and 2004. Look for them in flight in some future is seen perched. flat like this Turkey Vulture’s. Photo Quiz.

16 The Cactus Wren•dition field observations field Field Observations Janet Witzeman JUNE & JULY 2005 A pair of Black-bellied Whistling- found near El Mirage Pond July 7 – 9 in Ducks were observed with three young the same area where they were found a wo Common Loons were reported at Hunter’s Sludge Ponds, w. of El Mirage year ago (RJ). on Horseshoe Reservoir from early Pond July 4 (TC,TMc) and again on July Dozens of Burrowing Owls were TJune at least through July 25 (PDo); 31, seven were counted there, including a encountered along field roads on Paloma there were no previous June records for pair with downy young (TMc). The juvenile Ranch July 4 (BG), one family was the county and only two previous July Greater White-fronted Goose, that observed at Hunter’s Ponds July 31, and records. Western Grebes continued to spent the winter and spring at Fountain another individual was seen at El Mirage be seen at Painted Rock Dam (hereafter Hills Lake, remained through the summer Pond the same day (TMc). PRD) through the period, and throughout (KR), providing the first June and July Two pairs of Tropical Kingbirds July several pairs were observed on nests records of this species for the county. were observed at the Hassayampa River incubating eggs (TC,LP,TMc). In the past A late-staying Blue-wined Teal was Preserve (hereafter HRP) July 2 – one pair the species has bred at PRD only on observed at PRD July 4 (BG); there have was collecting nesting material and the an irregular basis. It was also recently been only four previous July records for other pair had at least three fledglings learned that small numbers of Western the county. A family of Redheads with (TC,DY). One of the Thick-billed Grebes and Clark’s Grebes have been grown ducklings, found below PRD July 4 Kingbirds at HRP was seen collecting breeding at both the Tonto Creek and (TC,TMc), provided only the third nesting nesting material July 2 (TC,DY). Salt River arms of Roosevelt Lake in Gila record for the county and the second at A Prothonotary Warbler was reported County for over five years (JE fide TC). this location. at Boyce Thompson Arboretum June 18 The number of Am. White Pelicans An Osprey, uncommon in summer, (fide RD). One or two singing male Indigo at PRD increased from three on June was seen at PRD July 4 (BG), and two Buntings (rare summer visitors) were 12 (PDe) to 15 on July 20 (TC,LP). Two were reported there July 17 (PL). found at HRP July 2 (TC). A Bullock’s Brown Pelicans were observed at Oriole, unusual in urban areas, was Many young Black-necked Stilts Paloma Ranch Pond on July 4 (TC,TMc), seen in a Tempe yard July 29 (fide HF). were observed at Hunter’s Ponds July 4 one was seen in Tempe July 7 (RD), An American Goldfinch, an uncommon (TC,TMc). Two slightly early Long-billed up to 15 were observed at PRD during winter visitor, was found in a yard in Curlews were seen near Painted Rock July (TC,LP,BG,PL) and one was found Tolleson July 3 (BG), providing the first Dam Road July 4 (TC,TMc). At least one in Arlington July 14 (TH). A Neotropic July record and only the second summer Short-billed Dowitcher was heard Cormorant was discovered in a new record for the county. calling among the several groups of area – at Fountain Hills Lake July 3 (KR). Following are highlights from s.e. Long-billed Dowitchers below PRD July Some Neotropic Cormorants were seen Arizona during the spring. An immature 20 (TC). at PRD during July (TC,PL,TMc) and Reddish Egret, observed at Patagonia Five immature Ring-billed Gulls were one was observed at the Lower River Lake State Park July 22 – 24, seen below PRD and a few more were Rd. pond in Palo Verde July 20 (TC). represented the first record for Santa seen above the dam June 12 (PDe); a The colony of nesting Double-crested Cruz County. A Black Turnstone was few were observed there again July 20 Cormorants continued to be seen below discovered at Cochise Lake, Willcox June (TC,LP). More unusual were the few PRD through the period (TC,PDe,TMc). 2 - 4, providing the first record for the Three Least Bitterns were reported California Gulls that were seen at state. A pair of Rose-throated Becards in the Sisson Rd. marsh near PRD July 4 PRD July 4 (BG), July 17 (PL), and July were found across the road from the (BG). A large colony of nesting herons, 20 (TC,LP). Twelve late or very early Patagonia Rest Stop in early July, and in observed below PRD July 4, consisted migrating adult Caspian Terns were mid-July they were seen building a nest of about 200 pairs of Cattle Egrets, observed at PRD June 12 (PDe); the and were still working on it the end of 100 pairs each of Snowy Egrets and species has rarely been recorded after July. A Streak-backed Oriole, observed Black-crowned Night –Herons, and early May or before the first of July. A few along the De Anza Trail at Tumacacori, fewer numbers of Great Blue Herons were reported at PRD July 4 (BG). Six represented the first record for Santa and Great Egrets (TC,TMc). Five pairs Forster’s Terns, also seen at PRD July Cruz County (fide KKp). of White-faced Ibis, found nesting in the 4 (PDe), were probably late or very early flooded tamarisk trees below PRD July migrants as well. Abbreviations: Hassayampa River 20, included two large fledglings being Two hundred Eurasian Collared- Preserve (HRP), Painted Rock Dam (PRD). fed by adults and four nests with eggs Doves were counted at Paloma Ranch (TC,LP); this represented the first nesting July 17 (PL) and one individual was found Observers: Troy Corman, Pierre Deviche, record of this species for Maricopa in central Phoenix July 30 (TG). A Ruddy Rich Ditch, Patrick Dockens, Jeff Estis, County and only the second for the state. Ground-Dove was discovered at Quigley Herb Fibel, Tom Gaskill, Bill Grossi, Tom The first nest in the state was found at Wildlife Management Area, n. of Tacna Hildebrandt, Roy Jones, Keith Kamper, Cibola Nat’l Wildlife Refuge in the year in Yuma Co., June 25 (TMc). A pair of Paul Lehman, Tracy McCarthey, Linden 2000 (fide TC). displaying Ruddy Ground-Doves were Piest, Kurt Radamaker, Daniela Yellan.

Winter 2005 The Cactus Wren•dition 17 Field Trip Reports Marjorie Eckman

Saturday, August 6 - Page Springs- a Virginia Rail taped song, and received seen diving for fish never came up led (and written) by Herb Fibel. As most a response from at least three, one without a meal. As we turned to leave, people know who have participated of which was right at our feet, but a cliff swallow flew by low, slow, and on my field trips, satisfying one’s remained undercover. We ate lunch in within a few feet, offering a wonderful nutritive needs is a high priority. This the trailer park across the road, and close up view. trip was no exception. Kathe Anderson concluded our day with decadent a la After a quick stop at Painted and I met Bob and the other two mode cobblers at the Page Springs Rock Monument with its beautiful

field trip reports other “Kathys” at the Box Bar Cafe Restaurant, where the dining tables petroglyphs, we were off to the Paloma at Casey’s Corner in Cornville, where overlook a muddy Oak Creek. Ranch area. Bill certainly knows these we started off our day with delicious My thanks to Janie and Frank convoluted unmarked back roads well homemade cinnamon rolls. Our first Agibush for their help. Janie is with the ! A few marshy areas yielded Black- birding stop was at the Page Springs Forest Service, at the Red Rock Ranger necked Stilts, Greater Yellowlegs, and IBA, just south of the hatchery, which District of the Coconino National Forest Least and Spotted Sandpipers. The was established, and is maintained, in Sedona, while Frank is employed by birds in the Paloma Ranch environs apparently by the Northern Arizona Arizona Game and Fish at the Bubbling were hard to come by. Dove hunters Audubon Society. Belted Kingfishers, Ponds and Page Springs Hatcheries. may have had something to do with Phainopeplas, Black-headed Grosbeaks, this. Of special note were Northern American Robins, Cassin’s Kingbirds, Saturday, September 3 - Painted Harrier and Burrowing Owls. A short Yellow-breasted Chats, Lesser Rock Reservoir and Paloma Ranch stop at the ranch headquarters yielded Goldfinches, and a female Summer and Areas led by Bill Grossi (and written by a few warbling vireos, Wilson & Yellow Western Tanager made their presence Claudia Kirscher). Despite the promise warblers, female Western Tanager, known to us along the trail. At the end of a hot day, a group of 17 enthusiastic Western Wood Pewee, and a Vermilion of the trail, which terminates next to birders carpooled out to Dysart Road & Flycatcher. the covered hatchling ponds of the I-10 to pick up Bill for the drive out to On the way back to Phoenix, lest we hatchery, and which at that point, Painted Rock Reservoir. leave no pond or bird uncounted, we runs along the creek, and features As we arrived at Painted Rock dam, did a quick drive around the El Mirage cottonwood-willow riparian habitat, we (thankfully Bill had secured the key to ponds with more Snowy Egrets, Black- spotted our two best birds of the day, the gate, thus avoiding a long, hot, necked Stilts, and an American Avocet. week and year, for that matter - an and muggy hike to the shoreline) we Arriving back at the carpool site, American Redstart and a Prothonotary were greeted by the sight of white a tally showed a total of 68 species Warbler - the latter a lifer for me and birds everywhere - snowy, cattle, were seen on this trip. A good critter three of the others. and great egrets seemingly in every day too spotting a bobcat, AZ desert At the Page Springs Hatchery itself, bush and tree, and about 250 white whiptail lizards, and a desert iguana we were able to feast on some ripe pelicans, both on the water and in or chuckwalla. Many thanks to Bill black raspberries, as yet uneaten by the air, thrilled us with aerial flock Grossi for a fine job leading this trip. birds or other creatures, including maneuvers - just breathtaking with that Everyone agreed that the “tour” of the people types. Here we added a couple many birds in the air, wings flashing ranch back roads was certainly one of of additional species to our day list, in the early morning sunlight. The the highlights of the day. We were all but the Yellow-billed Cuckoo remained water level in the reservoir has greatly amazed at the extensive agricultural unheard and unseen. Up the road a diminished, pushing the remaining fish fields and sweeping vistas to the west little further, at the Bubbling Ponds into the shallows. Birds were feasting of Gila Bend. Many thanks also to Mike Hatchery, we were pleased to see our everywhere. The Great Blue, Green, Rupp for his able driving in the comfort old friend, the Osprey, and bevy of Red- and Black-crowned Night Herons were of his huge Suburban. winged Blackbirds. We heard Common having a field day. Other highlights Yellowthroats in the ponds filled with were the Long-billed Dowitchers, a Friday-Sunday, September 9-11 cattails, but they would not cooperate single Short-billed Dowitcher, a juvenile - Sierra Vista Celebration (written by popping up to be seen. Being California Gull, American Kestrel, and by Janice Miano). Over 90 Audubon preadvised of their presence, I played Belted Kingfisher. The several Osprey members representing seven of

18 The Cactus Wren•dition Field Trip Reports reports trip field

Arizona’s chapters, as well as visitors Saturday, September 17 - Dateland Radamacher. Kurt was disappointed from Colorado, Texas and Vermont, Shrimp Ponds led (and written by that more warblers were not seen staff from Audubon Arizona as well Pierre Deviche). Eleven MAS birders but the unusual prevailing wind due as National Audubon staff from the spent the morning of Sept. 17 at the to the influence of hurricane Katrina Chapter Services Office in Montana, Dateland Shrimp Farm along I-8 where certainly did not help. Nevertheless the Science Office in Pennsylvania, and birding was rather good. Best birds a terrific view of a Nashville was the Public Policy Office in Washington seen were an immature Sabine’s Gull enjoyed by all along with more brief DC gathered together in Sierra Vista (only gull seen), 2 Red Knots and a looks at Black-throated Gray, Painted to participate in the Arizona Audubon Common Tern in alternate plumage. Redstart, Lucy’s and Orange-crowned Council’s and Audubon Arizona’s first Other species observed were: Long- Warbler. Both Summer and Western ever joint “Celebration”. billed Curlew, Marbled Godwit, Willet, Tanager were seen in addition to three The program was kicked-off Friday Pectoral, Stilt, Western, Least, nuthatches on Mt. Ord (Red & White- evening with an inspirational message Baird’s, Spotted, and Semi-palmated breasted Nuthatch, Pigmy Nuthatch). from Brock Evans, President of the Sandpipers, Snowy Plover, Greater Great views of a low flying Black Hawk Endangered “Species Coalition in Yellowlegs (50-100), Lesser Yellowlegs and at least 10 to 15 migrating Vaux’s Washington” and past Vice-President of (50-100), Long-billed Dowitcher, Red- Swifts passed over the Sunflower National Issues for National Audubon. necked Phalarope, Wilson’s Phalarope, location. Thank you both for an Saturday was a variety of different Wilson’s Snipe, American Avocet, interesting trip. workshops from our “Important Bird Black-necked Stilt, Killdeer for a total Areas”, “Fundraising Can Be Fun” of 23 shorebirds. Saturday, October 1 - Photography Also seen were: Black Tern, Belted Seminar with Cindy Marple. This was to the “The Exciting Life of Bats”. Kingfisher, Peregrine Falcon, White- our second photography workshop Saturday night keynote speaker, Kenn faced Ibis, Earred, Western and Pied- with Cindy with a group of very Kaufman, Field Editor for Audubon billed Grebe. Ducks include Northern interested birders in attendance. magazine and a regular contributor Pintail, American Wigeon and Northern We are starting a joint venture with to every major birding magazine, Shoveler. On the way back everybody Desert Botanical Garden on trips entertained us with a wonderful saw great looks at the Gillespie Dam designed to be interdisciplinary, that program and made us laugh with his resting and flying Black Skimmer, seen is containing leaders and programs imitation of a male mourning dove’s along the shore downstream of the that appeal to both plant and birding courting ritual. bridge. Thanks to all the participants. enthusiasts and therefore will be seven field trips from Huachuca Pierre, I have to add a note here for presenting this program next year in Canyon on the grounds of Fort in spite of the hottest day ever spent the morning from 9 to 12 with much Huachuca to the Sacaton grasslands birding, I would have stayed until the wider advertising. It is an excellent and other riparian areas on the sun went down if possible. That was Power Point program by Cindy Appleton-Whittell Audubon Research the most exciting shorebird day many covering all aspects of composition, Ranch. The participants of the Miller of us have ever had. It was absolutely equipment, lighting, approaching your Canyon Field Trip saw eleven different great. Thank you so much for doing subject and exposure. Discussion of species of hummingbirds. this for our members and visitors - we film versus digital cameras, proper Maricopa Audubon members all deeply appreciate the time you advantage of newer higher megapixel attending the Celebration were: Randy spent with us. Marjorie digital cameras, what the basic bird Bain, Harvey Beatty, Ruth Greenhouse, purchase setup could consist of and Janice Miano, Dave and Nancy Saturday, September 24 - Fountain other pointers for those buying their Pearson, Jan Pipes, Mike and Nancy Hills, Sycamore Creek in Sunflower first digital camera were covered. Mike Rupp, Walter Thurber, Theona Vyvial, and Mt. Ord led by Kurt Radamacher. Rupp added greatly to the program by and Bob and Janet Witzeman. The next Nine participants enjoyed cooler discussing video during the showing of Celebration is tentatively scheduled for temperatures to find 74 species of one of his latest video efforts. Thank September 14-16, 2007 in Prescott so birds, and 16 species of butterflies you Cindy and Mike for an excellent mark your calendars! with the help of Cindy and Kurt program.

Winter 2005 19 miscellaneous

This publication is printed on recycled paper.recycled on printed is publication This to and author original the to credited is material the as long as newsletters other on reprinted be may in material article, the in explicitly stated Unless material of Reprinting Society.Audubon Maricopa the or Society Audubon National the of policy the reflect necessarily not do newsletter this in authors by expressed opinions The Opinions Burns. to: E-mail issue. upcoming the in appear not may deadlines the by received not Articles 1. October and 1, July 1, April 15, January preferred)by not is however,this double-spaced; and typed or diskette, computer on be (may e-mail, for Copy Submissions at chair,Krys Membership call chapter our in membership your freeze to or change address Summer/Winter For Terrace85226. N Chandler,AZ Road, 1121 at Hammer Krys to send and Society”) Audubon “Maricopa to For to e-mailed be can changes Address 1-800-274-4201. call status, and changes membership For Hammer.Chair,Krys Membership to: Society Audubon National to payable order money or check send memberships the of issues of issues bi-monthly receive members National Society. Audubon Maricopa the and Society Audubon National the in membership to you entitles Yourmembership National detail more for announcements and notes Information--see Membership p.m. 6:00 at starting Course), Golf Hills Rolling the (at TempeAvenue, Tee,Mill Pete’s19th N. at 1405 held are April) through (October www.maricopaaudubon.org.dinners Pre-meetingat site web our out check or questions, any have you if member board a contact Please place. meeting the to you directing signs be will there and DBG, the to entry and lot parking main the off just located is Hall Dorrance www.dbg.org/.at website DBG the see please map, a For Zoo. Phoenix the of north mile 1/4 approximately is This Arizona. Parkway,Phoenix, Galvin North 1201 at located is Tempe.DBG The in Club Country Shalimar at May in banquet annual our for except (DBG), Garden Botanical Desert the at Hall, Dorrance is place meeting p.m. 7:30 April, through September month, Tuesdaythe First of Meetings Monthly Phoenix, AZ 85060-5451 AZ Phoenix, P.O.15451 Box Society Audubon Maricopa Time-dated material; do not delay! not do material; Time-dated

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