The Quarterly News Magazine of Tucson Audubon Society | Tucsonaudubon.org

Vermilionf l y c a t c h e r October–December 2012 | Volume 57, Number 4 Sustainability Net Zero Energy Mason Center Permaculture Plan Harvest Festival

What’s in a Name? Gambel’s Quail Madera Canyon Alternatives PLUS special four-page holiday gift ideas pull-out Features The QuarT erly News MagaziN e O f TucsON a u D ubON sOcieT y | TucsONauD ubON.O rg 10 what’s in a Name: Gambel’s Quail Vermilionf l y c a t c h e r 11 Madera Canyon Alternatives October–December 2012 | Volume 57, Number 4 12 Tucson Audubon’s Mason Center: Sustainability Net Zero Energy Mason Center The Path to a Certified Net Zero Permaculture Plan Tucson Audubon Society is dedicated to improving Energy Building Harvest Festival the quality of the environment by providing education, conservation, and recreation programs, environmental 14 Mason Center Permaculture Plan leadership, and information. Tucson Audubon is a 15 food Sustainability in a Changing non-profit volunteer organization of people with a World: November 3 Harvest Festival common interest in birding and natural history. Tucson at Mason Center Audubon maintains offices, a library, and nature shops in Tucson, the proceeds of which benefit all of its programs. Departments What’s in a Name? Gambel’s Quail Tucson Audubon Society Madera Canyon Alternatives 3 Commentary PLUS special four-page 300 E. University Blvd. #120, Tucson, AZ 85705 holiday gift ideas pull-out 629-0510 (voice) or 623-3476 (fax) 4 events and Classes All phone numbers are area code 520 unless otherwise stated. 5 events Calendar www.tucsonaudubon.org 6 living With Nature Lecture Series Board Officers & Directors Front cover: Greater Roadrunner by Alan Murphy. President Cynthia Pruett 7 News Roundup More than 20 years ago, Alan began photographing Vice President Sandy Elers 16 conservation and Education News birds and poring over the prints with a field guide Secretary Ruth Russell Treasurer Richard Carlson 21 field Trips in hand to help him identify what he had seen and photographed. Alan’s numerous photo credits include: Directors at Large Matt Bailey, Ardeth Barnhart, Gavin 24 birding Travel from our Business Partners Bieber, Jennie Duberstein, Dave Dunford, Debra Finch, National Geographic, Birding, Birder’s World, WildBird, Bob Hernbrode, Linda Greene, John Kennedy, Linda Stitzer, 25 birds & Business Alliance Claire Zucker Bird Watcher’s Digest, and North American Birds. To see Board Committees Conservation Chair Chris McVie, 25 ClassifiedAds more of Alan’s work visit alanmurphyphotography.com/ Development Sandy Elers, Education Jennie Duberstein, 26 Nature Shops favorites.htm Finance Richard Carlson, Outreach Vacant, Nominating Linda Greene, Personnel Cynthia Pruett Programs & Activities Field Trips Kate Reynolds Library 629-0510 Not Just Ecology But Society Too Membership Meetings Jean Barchman 629-0510 A guest opinion by David Schaller, a Tucson Native, Board Member of the Southern Arizona Rare Bird Alert Andrew Core | Report Rare Birds 629-0510 Staff (unless otherwise stated, dial 629-0510 plus extension) Green Chamber of Commerce, and a former Sustainability Coordinator (USEPA 1995–2007) Executive Director Paul Green ext 7001 Accountant Michelle Bourgeois ext 7003 Sustainability as an organizing concept has world that then puts meaning into words like Finance ext 7014 come to represent a way of approaching not common sense and efficiency and fairness. The Membership Coordinator Jean Barchman ext 7002 Development Manager Erin Olmstead ext 7009 only ecological but also those socio-economic Southwest is our nest and we need to understand Volunteer and Development Coordinator challenges that result when we ignore the natural it a whole lot more before we can say we are not Kara Kaczmarzyk ext 7011 systems and processes upon which all human fouling it. Whatever social and economic fabric Environmental Education Coordinator Bété Pfister ext 7012 IBA Conservation Biologist Jennie MacFarland ext 7004 endeavors are based. Do we want sustainable we aim to create for ourselves cannot violate the Habitats Program Manager Kendall Kroesen ext 7006 businesses? Sure. I’ve not yet met a person who constraints that arid soils, water limits, fragile Restoration Manager Jonathan Horst 971-6238 advocates for non-sustainable business. Do we ecosystems, climate, and natural cycles present. Field Supervisor Rodd Lancaster 256-6909 Communications / Habitat Restoration want our societies, institutions, and settlement Efficiency means designing systems, products, Matthew Griffiths 971-7924 patterns to thrive indefinitely over time? Absolutely. and processes that eliminate the concept of waste. Operations and Retail Manager Sara Pike ext 7008 Operations and Retail Coordinator Kelly DiGiacomo ext 7007 I once had to define sustainability for a lay Waste needs to become a verb and not a noun. Tucson Audubon Nature Shops audience and had five minutes to do it. I offered up Our region hosts many non-sustainable businesses 300 E University Blvd #120 ext 7015 three well-worn terms that I hoped could accurately which often formed and once thrived under a set of 623-3476 fax / 629-0510 Shop Manager Hours: 10 am–4 pm, Monday–Saturday reflect a hugely complex set of variables and ecological realities that are no longer valid. Cheap, Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd 760-7881 relationships within and between natural, social, nonrenewable energy, water scarcity, dependence Hours: October Thursday, 9 am–1:30 pm; and economic systems. Sustainability, I said, was on imported goods and materials, especially food, November & December Wednesday 10 am–1 pm, Thursday 9 am–2:30 pm, Friday–Saturday, 10 am–2:30 pm a set of behaviors and practices in our relationship all conspire to challenge businesses to use new to the natural world that embodied common sense, ways to solve problems. Smart money is building Vermilion Flycatcher is published quarterly. For address efficiency, and fairness. Common sense means new business plans around alternative energy, changes or subscription problems call 629-0510, or write to Membership Coordinator, Tucson Audubon, 300 E. we don’t foul our own nest; efficiency is reflected water recapture, resource efficiency, ecological University Blvd, #120, Tucson, AZ 85705. Submissions are in economic terms such as “all waste is lost profit.” restoration, buying local, and strengthening the due the 1st of the month, two months before the date of the Fairness, as Lester Brown so bluntly put it, means neighborhoods where they do business. issue. Please send submissions as Microsoft Word or RTF documents, or plain text files, to Matt Griffiths at mgriffiths@ we have to meet the basic needs of all, not just Fairness is perhaps the least far along in the tucsonaudubon.org. some. In other words, “you can’t sink half a ship.” sustainability triad of people, planet, and prosperity. Coordinator Matt Griffiths 971-7924 These are concepts people can grasp. We have struggling centers of disadvantaged Proofreaders Robert Merideth, Tucson Audubon staff, When we think of nurturing these three precepts people whose needs, basic needs, must be and volunteers Design / Layout Eng-Li Green across Tucson and the desert Southwest, we come addressed before the region earns the right to © 2012 Tucson Audubon Society face to face with the uniqueness of our natural claim itself to be sustainable. VF

2 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2012 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Commentary Paul Green | Executive Director The Sustainability Issue

This issue of the Vermilion Flycatcher the remaining fossil fuels at great focuses on Sustainability. How can we live environmental cost, through habitat our lives in a way that meets our basic destruction on the ground and changes n needs without compromising the ability of in our atmosphere. Will you let them get roese future generations to meet theirs? away with that? Food security is another issue that K

looms with a changing climate as dall Ideas change over time, and build If you need a primer on global warming n e on themselves as they help us better and concomitant climate change, a great agricultural systems become susceptible K predict our interactions with the world. place to start is southwestclimatechange. to disruption. We’re advancing with the Galileo was imprisoned during the last org. The fact is, global temperatures have second phase of our Mason Center years of his life for suggesting that the increased steadily, with great short-term permaculture plan, integrating how our earth circled the sun, and we came to fluctuations around the trend line, by planted space works. Read more on understand that the earth is a globe around 1º F since 1900. Last year, at least page 17 about our project to encourage and not a disc; that our continents float 42 states saw record daytime highs in the planting of native species and crop plants on a mantle; and that life forms change summer and 49 states saw record high using rainwater harvesting. Join us on over time in response to changing nighttime temperatures, according to the November 3 at the Mason Center to learn environments. History shows us that the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric about native food, food security, rainwater teachings of science are resisted by those Administration (NOAA). harvesting, and more at our Fall Harvest with an interest in the status quo. When we allow our society to Festival (page 15). Scientists calculate that without overburden the natural systems and This season’s Living with Nature gases like ozone, nitrous oxide, carbon processes on which all human endeavors lecture series will also cover issues dioxide, water vapor, and methane in are based, complex social and economic of sustainability. Jesus Garcia of the our atmosphere, our earth’s temperature challenges result, in addition to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum will ask would be 59º F colder than it is today. ecological ones on which biologists might us to taste history and plant for our future That’s because these gases trap the infra- focus, as David Schaller reminds us on using heirloom European fruit varieties red heat that radiates from the earth’s page two. introduced from the late 17th century. surface once the earth has absorbed the Tucson will be disproportionately Heirloom plants from this time period are ultra-violet radiation from our sun. affected by increased temperatures, being cultivated at the Mission Garden, As a result of increasingly intense decreased rainfall, and increased severity a local reconstruction of the Spanish global industrial activity over the last of rainfall events. All these changes Colonial walled garden that was part of 150 years, we have been changing the will affect birds and other wildlife. Tucson’s historic San Agustín Mission. composition of our atmosphere. We Tucson Audubon seeks to sustain bird These plants are being integrated into our are adding greenhouse gases to the populations by identifying and minimizing urban environment to create hot spots atmosphere, and so enhancing its ability the threats to them. As we work with of food production for the benefit of both to trap the sun’s energy. A hotter world government agencies, stressing the humans and wildlife. Read Kendall’s changes our climate and weather systems importance of not destroying the last great aptly titled Landscapes to Chew On in ways that climate scientists are working places for birds in our state (see pages on p17 and consider integrating urban to better predict. 18–19 ), human-caused climate change food production, wildlife habitats, and Moves to reduce the production of looms as a much bigger threat. aesthetically pleasing designs in your these heat-trapping gases are opposed What’s a person to do? First, believe backyard. You can also receive rebates by those who believe they have the in your convictions and live them (spend on rainwater harvesting systems (p 22) as most to lose. Corporate interests, whose some time at www.storyofstuff.org and get you do this. business it is to extract vast stores of some ideas). And VOTE! (see page 20). Meanwhile, Guy McPherson will make carbon from the earth and release them Support and get engaged with Tucson each of us think about how we assume into the atmosphere, spend billions of Audubon’s work. that we’ll have an endless supply of dollars to convince us that climate change Since around 40 percent of our energy cheap energy, and how this affects is bogus. Some significant players do use is consumed by the buildings in which every aspect of our lives. Guy took the however take climate change seriously. we live and work, Tucson Audubon is decision to opt-out of a life of conspicuous The military is one, the insurance industry seeking to provide our community with consumption, and that of a tenured is another. a demonstration green retrofit building. University professor, committing instead Meanwhile, in Arizona, our politicians Our Mason Center is a prime example to living sustainably and to telling others are preparing to remove all incentives of a 1950s house in need of upgrades. about it. He’ll talk to us in November. We for low carbon energy production See page 12 for how you can help with look forward to seeing you there. VF and to maximize incentives to exploit this work.

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2012 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 3 Tucson Audubon riffiths G

Events and Classes att M Lifelong Learning Opportunities We are offering F with Tucson Audubon REE lectures and two specialty We have an exciting line-up of workshops and courses for the winter workshops as part of and spring of 2013! There is something for everyone—from beginner to our Harvest Festival on intermediate level birders to kids! November 3rd. See page 15 for more details! Specialty Workshops Education Courses for support their own cast of avian Classroom 2012–2013 Winter and Spring: 2013 characters. Come experience the sessions: fun of birding in different natural Thursdays, March 14–April 11; Intended as stand-alone classes, For Beginners environments with instructor Lynn 5:30 pm–8:00 pm these workshops are a great Backyard Birding and Beyond Hassler. One classroom session Field trips: Saturdays, March 16–April opportunity to focus on a specific Open yourself up to the natural world is followed by three field trips to 6; 7:00 am–5 pm group of birds and brush up on your by gaining skills and knowledge about different habitats: desert, riparian Cost: $250 for TAS members; $285 for identification skills. Instruction will birding that you can take with you and Sky Island. Course limited to 12 non-members focus on distinguishing amongst into your backyard or to any corner participants. similar species, identification Location: TAS offices on University of the globe. Topics to be covered Classroom session: Saturday, April 6; techniques, and vocalizations. These Blvd. and 5th Ave. include: principles of identification, 10 am–12 noon workshops are for advanced beginner binoculars and field guides, birding Field trips: Saturdays, April 13 & 20, For Families to intermediate birders. vocabulary and etiquette, local bird May 4; TBA; Carpooling encouraged Riparian Family Institute All specialty workshops take I.D. and lore, seasonal occurrence, This weekend program for the entire place over the course of two days. Cost: $125 for members, $160 for family characteristics, and gardening family incorporates children’s activities In the workshop summaries below, non-members to attract birds. You will learn firsthand into an atmosphere in which everyone the first date listed is the day of the Location: TAS offices on University why southeastern Arizona is such can experience nature and learn classroom session and the second Blvd. and 5th Ave. a great place for birds and why bird together. This program focuses on the date listed is the field trip outing. Register online today! watching is so rewarding. Taught rich plant and animal life found along The cost for all specialty workshops by Lynn Hassler, longtime birder, For Advanced Beginners/ the beautiful San Pedro River. One is $110 for members and $145 for educator, and noted author. Course Intermediates of the last free-flowing rivers joining non-members. All classroom sessions limited to 15 participants. Moving to Mastery Mexico and the United States, the take place from 5:30 pm– 8:30 pm in Take your birding to the next level San Pedro provides a green oasis in the conference room of the Historic Classroom sessions: Saturdays, with our popular Moving to Mastery the desert, and is home to hundreds Y building on University Blvd. and January 12, 19 (no class January class. If you feel like you are ready to of species of plants, birds, insects, 5th Ave. Workshops are limited to 10 26), February 9, 16; 10 am–12 noon move your birding skills beyond the reptiles, amphibians and mammals. participants. Field trips: Saturdays, February 2, 23; 9:00 am; Location to be announced basics, this is the class for you. Taught Date: April 20–21 Spring Programming Cost: $150 for members, $185 for by Wings Over Willcox chairman Cost: $260 for a family of four See our website for more detailed non-members Homer Hansen, this class will build (price varies with number of family descriptions of each workshop. Location: TAS offices on University upon knowledge that you’ve acquired members) All taught by Homer Hansen Blvd. and 5th Ave. through experience in the field, in Location: The Nature Conservancy a beginning birding class, or from Sparrows: February 7 & 9, 2013 Register online today! Lower San Pedro River Preserve private study. Homer’s techniques Raptors: February 13 & 16, 2013 Birding by Habitat focus on structure and behavior to Register online today! Visit Birding by Ear: April 18 & 20, 2013 Southeastern Arizona offers such bring you to a better understanding tucsonaudubon.org/education. excellent birding opportunities in part of bird identification. Over the course Contact for all education activities: because of its variety of habitats. of five weeks, you’ll learn how Bété Pfister at bpfister@ Elevation contrasts result in different to identify some of the more tucsonaudubon.org, 520-209-1812 temperature and difficult bird groups, how to All non-member prices include a moisture levels, use technical references, year’s membership with Friends of which in turn Moving to Mastery is and how to understand bird Tucson Audubon. make for different now being offered in topography. Course limited to assemblages of 16 participants. n the spring! See the Visit our Nature Shops to discover plants and animals.

ucso text for more details. a whole world of resources to T Riparian areas support your learning experience. bike I For more information on our suite of Education classes and to register online, please visit www.tucsonaudubon.org/education

4 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2012 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Events Calendar

October 8. Living with Nature lecture Magnificent Cranes and a Gastronomical Event (Tucson): Tasting History, Planting for Our Saturday, February 9, 2013 | Whitewater Draw Future with Jesus Garcia (see p 6) October 13. Atturbury Wash workday Enter a luxury coach and enjoy a conservation into a friendly social (see p 9) scenic ride to Whitewater Draw. On event. October 27. Atturbury Wash workdays (see p 9) the way you will hear about the vast In addition you will be treated to November 3. Tucson Audubon Harvest number of Sandhill Cranes that visit a gourmet meal at lunch, breakfast Festival (see p 15) Arizona in the winter. At the site treats and coffee as you enter the November 3. Living with Nature lecture you will hear and see them flying bus, wine and other tempting tidbits (Green Valley): Hummingbirds Lost in Flight! in formations and landing noisily. In on the way home. There will be with Noreen Kordosky (see p 6) this managed wetland area there guest speakers and tour leaders to November 5. Living with Nature lecture n are also snow geese and many take you around the site. Space is (Tucson): Climate Change and Energy Decline with Guy McPherson (see p 6) varieties of wintering ducks. You limited so make your reservation now derso November 17. AZ IBA 10-year anniversary -An t might even see one or two Great for the Saturday, February 9, 2013 and volunteer recognition party (see p 7) Horned Owls roosting for the day. trip. Cost is $75 all inclusive. Call November 17. Atturbury Wash workdays olber T a This all-day adventure will weave Jean Barchman on 520-209-1802 to (see p 9) nn o together recreation, education, and reserve your space. November 19–24. Nature Shops Annual D Holiday Sale (see p 27) December 1. Living with Nature lecture (Green Valley): Bird Diversity in the “A” States! with David MacKay (see p 6) December 10. Living with Nature lecture and Gala Returns: River of Birds Members’ Annual Potluck (Tucson): Trogons With Special Guest David Wilcove • January 30, 2013, 6:00 pm • of the Arizona Borderlands with Rick Taylor Hilton El Conquistador Resort (see p 3 & 6) December 15. Atturbury Wash workdays (see p 9) January 5. Living with Nature lecture (Green Valley): TBA (see p 6) Please join us as we celebrate our Affairs at Princeton University and become a part of this special Tucson January 12–February 23. Backyard Birding fifth Annual Gala on Wednesday the author of No Way Home : The Audubon tradition. and Beyond course (p 4) January 30 at the beautiful Hilton El Decline of the World’s Great Animal Tickets are $150 each and January 14. Living with Nature lecture (Tucson): Vanished Birds and Shooting Stars Conquistador Resort near Catalina Migrations. Yes, animal migration is $1500 tables for 10 are available with Chris Cokinos (see p 6) State Park on Oracle Road. still very evident here in our region only to Friends of Tucson Audubon. January 18 Willcox Playa/Cochise Lakes A no-host cocktail hour, live and Professor Wilcove will inspire us Corporate sponsorship packages Global IBA recognition ceremony (see p 7) music, and an exciting silent auction to protect these magnificent journeys! are offered from $2000. The resort is January 19. Atturbury Wash workdays will precede a gourmet dinner in The annual gala is a fabulous offering discounted room rates for gala (see p 9) the Presidio Ballroom. Enjoy a live opportunity to introduce Tucson guests wishing to spend the night. January 24 & 25. IBA training workshop (see p 7) raptor free-flight, great company, Audubon, our goals, and our To reserve your seats, please call January 26. Buffelgrass removal (see p 9) and a thought-provoking keynote achievements to our community while Jean Barchman at 520-209-1802 presentation on animal migration by raising important funds to support or Erin Olmstead at 520-209-1809 January 30. Tucson Audubon’s 5th Annual Gala (see left) David Wilcove, Professor of Ecology our program work. We hope you will today! Full details online at www. February 7 & 9. Sparrows workshop (see p 4) and Evolutionary Biology and Public tucsonaudubon.org/gala February 9. Sandhill Crane tour to Whitewater Draw (see above left) February 9. Buffelgrass removal (see p 9) February 9. San Rafael Grasslands IBA Members’ Annual Holiday Potluck survey (see p 7) February 13 & 16. Raptors workshop We invite all members to attend Please call the Nature Shop coffee, punch and tea. (No alcoholic (see p 4) Tucson Audubon’s Annual Holiday at 520-629-0510 x7015 or Jean beverage due to church regulations.) February 16. Atturbury Wash workdays Potluck on Monday, December 10, Barchman at 520-209-1802 to reserve Our speaker will be Rick Taylor (see p 9) at 6:00 pm at St. Philip’s in the Hills your place as soon as possible or to on The Elegant Trogons (see p 6). In March 9. Buffelgrass removal (see p 9) Episcopal Church, Murphey Gallery volunteer for the event. addition to the wonderful presentation March 14–April 11. Moving to Mastery East Room, on the northeast corner When you RSVP, be prepared and awesome food you will have, course (see p 4) of Campbell Avenue and River Road. to designate the potluck item you we will also be holding a raffle of April 13. Buffelgrass removal (see p 9) There is plenty of parking at this would like to bring—salad, main dish, unique one-of-a-kind items and other April 18 & 20. Birding by Ear course (see p 4) location behind the church. You can vegetarian dish, or dessert. Please collectables, so bring your checkbook! April 6–May 4. Birding by Habitat workshop access the lot from either Campbell bring plates, cutlery and serving We look forward to seeing you there! (see p 4) Ave or River Road. utensils from home. We will provide Jean Barchman April 20–21. Riparian Family Institute (see p 4) Membership Coordinator

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2012 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 5 Tucson Audubon Events & Classes Tucson Audubon’s Living with Nature Lecture Series

Tucson Living with November 3 • Green Valley co-authoring Living with Fire: Fire There are only about 50 pairs of Nature Lecture Series and Ecology and Policy for the Twenty- Elegant Trogons in southern Arizona Member Meetings first Century with Sara E. Jensen. in any one summer breeding season. More recently, he has focused on the Join Rick as he unveils the beauty NOTE NEW VENUE! Pima social and economic effects of our and mystery life of these “confiding” Community College Downtown changing climate (see pp2–3). After birds that inhabit the remote canyons Campus, Amethyst Room. Located on his talk, Guy will sign copies of his of our region. This year, Rick campus at 1255 N. Stone Ave. See memoir, Walking Away from Empire. completed the 35th annual Elegant tucsonaudubon.org/lwn for map. Find out more at guymcpherson. Trogon census in the Chiricahua and

ellatly com. This talk is co-sponsored by Huachuca Mountains and will discuss

The program begins at 7 pm, n G Sustainable Tucson. the effects of last year’s fires on the oa J second Monday of each month December 1 • Green Valley trogon populations in these areas. October through May. Please check A lifelong resident of southeastern Hummingbirds Lost in Flight! Bird Diversity in the “A” our website for details on topics and Arizona, Rick conducted an eight- with Noreen Kordosky states! with David MacKay speakers. year study of the Elegant Trogon that The rehabilitation of hummingbirds Alaska and Arizona are among led to the publication of Trogons of Green Valley Living is a very challenging, yet rewarding the top five birding destinations in the Arizona Borderlands in 1994. He with Nature Lecture Series task. Learn about these delicate birds North America. Both locations boast has also authored A Birder’s Guide Joyner-Green Valley Library, 601 N. and the aspects of their life history unusually high bird diversity, largely to Southeastern Arizona and location La Canada Dr. 594-5295. The Green that dictate the careful circumstances in part because they are home to checklists for both the Huachuca and Valley talks will now be at 10 am on under which they should be rescued species that cross over into North Chiricahua Mountains and is founder the first Saturday of the month, and rehabilitated. Each stage of America from Mexico and the Old of Borderland Tours, a birding travel November through April. the hummingbird’s development World. Also, many breeding species company. For more information, contact Bété can require different protocols for from Alaska winter in Arizona, which January 5 • Green Valley Pfister, 520-209-1812 or bpfister@ appropriate temperature, enclosure is an important feeding ground for To be announced. Check our website tucsonaudubon.org, or visit and food. Noreen will talk about birds that migrate to Alaska for the for updates. tucsonaudubon.org. what rehabilitation of hummingbirds summer. David will give you a guided involves and show examples of tour of the western part of Alaska January 14 • Tucson housing and equipment used in as he highlights birding destinations October 8 • Tucson Vanished Birds and Shooting their care. She will also present an such as Adak Island (Aleutian Tasting History, Planting Stars: Life and Death from opportunity to engage in hummingbird Islands), St. Paul Island (Pribilof for our Future with the Sky with Chris Cokinos rehabilitation, for those that are Islands), St. Lawrence Island, Nome, Jesus Garcia From the stories of extinct North interested in volunteering for Wildlife and Barrow. In the late 17th and early 18th American birds to the seemingly Rehabilitation Northwest Tucson. David is co-owner of Solipaso, the centuries, the introduction of unrelated subject of meteorites and Noreen Geyer-Kordosky has largest and longest operating Mexico- European fruit trees to this region their effects on the Earth, author been a volunteer agent with Wildlife based bird watching tour company catalyzed a watershed agricultural Christopher Cokinos will explore Rehabilitation Northwest Tucson for and a member of Tucson Audubon transformation for its people. Heirloom themes of extinction, life, and deep the last 25 years, assisting in bird and Birds and Business Alliance. plants from this time period are time in a talk that takes listeners small mammal care. now being cultivated at the Mission December 10 • Tucson from flocks of Carolina parakeets to Garden, a local reconstruction of November 5 • Tucson swarms of “killer” asteroids. He will the Spanish Colonial walled garden Climate change and discuss environmental responsibility that was part of Tucson’s historic energy decline: Building toward the contemporary biosphere San Agustín Mission. These plants resilient communities in the and how we, as keepers of our are being integrated into our urban southwestern United States natural world, can act to conserve n environment to create hot spots of with Guy McPherson and protect what we value. food production for the benefit of both Christopher Cokinos is the author roese Do this thought exercise: how will K humans and wildlife. Come learn how your life change when fossil fuels of Hope Is the Thing with Feathers: dall n to transform your backyard! A Personal Chronicle of Vanished e become scarce and expensive? K Jesus Garcia is an When Guy McPherson did this, he Birds and The Fallen Sky: An Education Specialist at changed his life completely to reduce H. Intimate History of Shooting Stars.

the Arizona-Sonora arol his use of non-renewable resources. C He has won several national writing Desert Museum and awards and is currently an Associate Guy McPherson grew up in a MEMBERS’ ANNUAL POTLUCK he has been working small-town in northern Idaho. He Professor of English at the University For details about the Annual on the Kino Heritage worked on a helitack crew to pay of Arizona and Affiliated Faculty with

Potluck, see p 5. VF Fruit Trees Project for his undergraduate education. the Institute of the Environment. for eight years. He earned a degree in forestry and Trogons of the Arizona became an authority on fire ecology, Borderlands with Rick Taylor

6 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2012 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. with Tucson Audubon. Matt was the Matthiola parviflora, never before Tucson Audubon much-respected birding authority in identified in the Americas. News Roundup our Nature Shop and remains involved In August 2012 Jonathan joined with several of our activities. We are Tucson Audubon as a Restoration grateful for that. Biologist. He is currently working on Ecology and rock climbing designing experiments to optimize Staff News brought Jonathan Horst to Tucson. control of a number of Kelly DiGiacomo is a Tucson native volunteers. Though his first job here was only invasive species on and graduate of the University of She credits a four-month position, he has yet Tucson Audubon Arizona. She joined Tucson Audubon the little she to successfully move away. Since managed in the summer of 2012. Although already knows to them! then he has studied band-tailed restoration she is new to birding, she has a In her free time, Kelly enjoys pigeons and burrowing owls, climbed properties, as well background in retail and has worked traveling and cooking with her throughout the region, played lots as strategizing in various positions in both Arizona husband. of ultimate Frisbee, and gotten a revegetation work and California. Kelly fills the space left by Matt Master’s degree from the University toward supporting Kelly is excited to learn about Brooks who has moved on to work of Arizona studying the ecology of a number of Sonoran Desert birds from her co-workers and for the Tucson-based birding tour winter plants on Tumamoc Hill. He Conservation Plan “species of Tucson Audubon Society’s dedicated company, Wings, after six years also discovered a new exotic plant, concern.”

What’s New with the Important Bird Areas Program? Jennie MacFarland, IBA Conservation Biologist d n arla riffiths F G ac M att ie M nn e eft L J photos

three

ight

L to R: Four different locations that were surveyed by IBA volunteers in 2012. Left to right: The view of the Lower San Pedro River from the adjacent uplands near San Manuel. Matt R Brooks in Barfoot Park in the Chiricahua Mountains. A vista view from Jesus-Goudy Trail in the Pinaleno Mountains. Sunrise over the uplands north of the San Pedro River.

We have had a great season this step when they go birding will be a Blvd. and the second morning will Arizona IBA 10-Year year at the Arizona Important Bird major focus of IBA activities this next be a practice survey in the Tanque Anniversary and Volunteer Area (IBA) program. We surveyed season including “eBird Blitzes,” Verde Wash. Just a few weeks after Recognition Party! for Yellow-billed Cuckoos in the workshops, and special survey the training is the group survey of You are invited to the state-wide 10- San Pedro River, we measured the events. One such special event the San Rafael Grasslands IBA on year celebration of the Arizona IBA importance of the adjacent saguaro will be the official recognition of the Febuary 9. This is a driving survey program on November 17, 2012, at uplands and counted owls along Willcox Playa/Cochise Lakes IBA where five teams drive a different Boyce Thompson Arboretum IBA. the river. We had special camping on January 18, 2013. This IBA was section of the roads and record The festivities will begin at 8:30 am surveys in the Patagonia Mountains, recently elevated to a Global level IBA all the birds they encounter. This with a bird walk through this famous Mount Graham, and a special survey for the astounding numbers of Sandhill beautiful rolling grassland is famous hot spot of rarities. At 11 am there of the Chiricahua Mountains Global Cranes that gather here each winter. for wintering sparrows, and our will be several brief talks about the IBA to see the impacts of last year’s This is a free event; all are invited and target bird is the Chestnut-collared Arizona IBA program at 10 years and devastating fire. Special thanks to the there will be a birding walk, a brief talk Longspurs that gather here in large then recognition of all IBA volunteers amazing volunteers who made these about the IBA, and refreshments. For numbers. This bird’s global population in attendance. Lunch will be served surveys possible! more info, check out www.aziba.org. is declining at an alarming rate and around noon. This is a totally free The Arizona IBA program has The official IBA surveys will this area is an important intact habitat event and if you have ever helped with some exciting new developments continue as well as several back- where they can spend the winter the IBA program you are especially on the horizon. With our new eBird country group expeditions using our months. This will be the third winter invited. Please RSVP with Jennie initiative it will be easier to participate specific protocol. If you would like of these surveys and they have been at jmacfarland@tucsonaudubon. in the IBA program than ever before. to be included on these outings or a blast each time! To find out more org by October 29, 2012 (sooner Your amazing skills as a birder can adopt a route, we will have a free information about or to sign up for any is appreciated). Special thanks to result in valuable data when you visit IBA training workshop on January of these events, please email Jennie Boyce-Thompson Arboretum for existing and possible future IBAs if 24 & 25, 2013. The first morning at [email protected]. sponsoring this event. you enter your sightings on eBird. will be a classroom session at the Encouraging birders to take this extra Tucson Audubon offices on University

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2012 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 7 Tucson Audubon News Roundup

Second Annual Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival Erin Olmstead, Development Manager

We welcomed more than 750 Parks, and Pima County Natural attendees from 24 states, who joined Resources, Parks and Recreation. IKE us for field trips, nature talks, exhibits, Thanks to our great exhibitors: p ARA ARA vendor expo, workshops, socials, Tucson Audubon Nature Shop, Three s kids’ activities, and dinner programs Star Owl, Birdquest, Leica at the Riverpark Inn. Birders and Sport Optics, Liberty naturalists enjoyed field trips to Mt. Wildlife, Arizona Game & riffiths

Lemmon, Patagonia, Las Cienegas, Fish Department, Marcy G ATT m

Madera Canyon, Catalina State Park, Gray Studios, Swarovski, Cienega Creek, the Huachucas, and Summit Hut, Focus Sweetwater Wetlands. We hope Frog, Opticron, Untamed mith

you will join us next year. Mark your Confections, Nikon Sport Optics, -S calendars for August 14–18, 2013. Solipaso Tours, Insect Discovery, drat n The second annual Tucson Bird & Wildlife Rehab of Northwest Tucson, o K RIFFITHS Wildlife Festival was a success thanks and Pima County NRPR. g ATT ATT hrissy m to the collaborative efforts of many! Thank you to our talented field- C Our tireless volunteers contributed trip leaders and enthusiastic expert Top to bottom: Bonny Bruce puts the more than 836 hours of work and an presenters who educated and finishing touches on the Tucson Audubon “Tweet Dreams” infinitely valuable infusion of energy entertained attendees: Moez Ali, Chris booth. Doris Evans introduces young naturalists to a tarantula. Birders enjoy Quilt Raffle and ideas. Benesh, Matt Brooks, Gavin Bieber, good looks at Red Crossbill, a highlight on All proceeds to benefit Tucson Thanks to our Festival Sponsors Kevin Bonine, Siria Cerda Navarro, the Mt. Lemmon field trip. Richard Crossley Audubon. Buy tickets online and partners whose generous support Jack Childs, Cameron Cox, Richard and Deb Vath led a youth birders’ outing to at tucsonaudubon.org or Sweetwater. helps make this event possible: Crossley, Doris Evans, Richard in our Nature Shops. The Riverpark Inn, Arizona Game Fray, Brian Gibbons, Paul Green, Prior, Meg Quinn, Ronnie Sidner, & Fish Department, City of Tucson, Matt Griffiths, Homer Hansen, Lynn Heather Swanson, Rick Taylor, Deb Leica Sport Optics, Metropolitan Hassler, Mark Hart, Lisa Haynes, Vath, Kathleen Walker, Sheri L. Tucson Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Rich Hoyer, Kendall Kroesen, Jennie Williamson, and John Yerger. Brooklyn Pizza Company, Tucson MacFarland, David MacKay, Pinau Check the blog for a festival Lifestyle Magazine, Birdwatcher’s Merlin, Robert Mesta, Gail Morris, species list, Birding Cup highlights Digest, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau Jake Mohlmann, Scott Olmstead, and Big Day itineraries, and more of Land Management, Arizona State Diane Phelps, Vincent Pinto, Bruce photos.

Welcome new members

Associated Benefits Specialists, Jerry and Susan Harris, Pam Sallly Reeves, Rayma-Jean Richie Thank You to Our Donors Inc., Gale Baker, Robin Baker, Haskell, Joy Hester, Sheila Hickman, and Georgia Froman, Barbara Robb, Birthday Fund: We thank Jean Rios, William and Mary Irene Barg, Sandy Kevin Hockett and Tanya Renner, Brenda Robert, Sandra Romriell, Barrie Ryan, and Martha Wiewel Barnard, Vicky Beaudry, Andreas Jonathan Horst, Cosette Hutton, Maria Rosati, Michael and Ruth Ross, for their generous donations to the and Edda Blume, Russ and Polly Michael Hyatt, Luisa Jauregui, Brett and Joan Rubin, Craig Russell, birthday fund. Boley Diane Bootes, Brooks Bradbury Michael Jerrells, Claudia Kirscher, Joyce Sander, Deliah Shellhouse, of Sunglow Ranch, Linda Breci Miriam Kogan, Douglas Krystofiak, Laurie Solgon, Sharon Stark, Mary Gifts in Honor/Memory: We thank and Neil Jacobsen, Cheryl Brown, John Lakey and Marsha VanValen, Stout-Marshall and family, Tamela these donors for their special gifts: Lori Bryant, Judith Butler, Charles Arlene Lancelot, Christa Lanik,Linda Swanson, C. Michael Thompson, In honor of Kendall Kroesen from Candelaria, Robert Chapman, Leatherman, Peggy Leggett, Jane Marc Tobalski, Linda Todhunter, Darlene Smyth Norm Cocanour, Jordan and Stacie Liljegren, Christina Maddux, Tim Rowland and Judy Van Es, David In memory of Stewart Lancaster from Cohen, Meaghan Conway, Monica Marquardt, Kenneth Marsh, Catherine VerMerris, Jerry and LeeAnn Wagner, Bob and Janet Barker Cropper, Terry Dammer, Maureen Jane Martin and Jeff Hoff, Marilyn Nancy Wall, Jessica Sue Wiles, In honor of Julia Brown Gordon from Daney, Mary Davis, Herbert Day, Martin, Paul Martin, Susan Martinez William Willard, Johathan and Britney The Windibrow Foundation Kelly DiGiancoma, Charles and Joan and Rachel Martinez, Emmanuel Williams Spross, Shari Withrow, In honor of Paul and Eng-Li Green Dixon, Brian M and Martha Donovan, McCauley, Hugh McCrystal, Grace Summer Zambrano, Victoria Lynn from Rosemary Valentine Ruth Draper, Dan Falabella, Sandra McIlvain, Andrew Meinig, Howard Zambrano, Caren Zimmerman In honor of Jennie MacFarland and Findley, Penelope Flom, Suzanne Milwich and Lisa Taiz, Don Morgan, We welcome Associated Benefits the IBA program from Betty and Ric Forbes, Kathlyn Forsyth, Susan Jo Musser-Krauss, Franscisco Specialists, Inc. and Sunglow Ranch Zarwell Gallegos, Rita and Gary Gay, Mel Navarro, Lange Pamela Navarro, as a new Copper Level Birds & In honor of Roger Wolf’s birthday and Katie Geist, Robert Goodrich, Earl and Sara O’Neil, Wendy Orduna, Business Alliance members. from David Yetman Andrea Greco, Saul Grysman, Irais Pacheco, Ivan Pacheco, Jody Allison Hall, Rebecca Hamilton, Parker, Meg Quinn, Edgar Rawl, Jean Barchman, Membership Coordinator

8 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2012 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Tucson Audubon News Roundup Volunteer Spotlight

V olunteer News Roundup The Important Bird Area Program is Kara Kaczmarzyk, Volunteer & Development Coordinator such a success because of its many excellent and dedicated volunteers. Welcome New Volunteers Although funding is uncertain at Two such volunteers are Jean and this time, starting in early 2013 we Jan Ajemian, Chris Bittle, Monica Mark Hengesbaugh who for years hope to do some buffelgrass control Cropper, Joe Eigner, Sheila Hickman, have diligently surveyed Sabino that will create a buffer preventing Barbara Kahn-Sales, Justin McGrath, Canyon. Jean has volunteered over grass-fed fires from entering the Abraham Moreno, Donna Ribka, 300 hours and Mark almost 150 Coronado National Forest in the front Susan Swain, Niki Szivek, Carol hours monitoring multiple survey range of the Catalina Mountains. Tepper, and Susan Waites. routes in Sabino Canyon since This is an exceptional opportunity to 2007. The data that they gathered Restoration Workdays make a significant impact. Specifically, was crucial in the recent expansion Mark and Jean Hengesbaugh at last year’s This Fall is an exciting time to be a we’ll remove the invasive weed in of the Sabino-Bear Creeks IBA to National Geographic BioBlitz, where they Tucson Audubon volunteer. We have the scenic area between Sabino and helped to conduct a 24-hour inventory include the Tanque Verde Wash. In of plants, insects, birds, and other living a full season of restoration workdays, Ventana Canyons along the popular particular Jean has been such as things that inhabit Saguaro National Park. many outreach opportunities, and Esperero Trail. This role is for the asset to the IBA program, not only plenty of projects and on-going roles. active weed-puller, you must be able does she lead the survey teams vegetation of groundwater. Tucson Please, share these dates with friends to hike half a mile uphill to the work in Sabino Canyon, she enters her Audubon volunteers—along with or family, or suggest who we can site and remove buffelgrass on steep, own data into the database and has many others—flocked to Sabino reach out to for help. rugged slopes. Take part in the effort stepped in to help with IBA trainings Canyon to help with the removal. The Atturbury Wash workdays, on 1/26/13, 2/9/13, 3/9/13, 4/13/13. of new volunteers or other surveys, Later, when Kendall Kroesen also on Saturdays in the cool weather, sometimes with very short notice. proposed removing giant reed on Other Opportunities two private parcels downstream will focus on an area named the There is not nearly enough room to On a personal note, it was Jean that from Sabino Canyon, Jean and Mark Lyman-Atturbury Bird and Animal print all the upcoming opportunities. first gave Jennie the advice that led were extremely helpful. They brought Sanctuary due to the thicket of trees Please visit our website for more. A to her becoming an IBA volunteer in tools and helped teach volunteers and shrubs that harbor wildlife along new layout to tucsonaudubon.org/ 2009, which then led to her current and landowners how to remove the wash. Sadly, this vegetation has volunteer makes it easy to go online job at Tucson Audubon as IBA giant reed—no easy task. The begun to decline due to drought and and find a role that you’ll love to fill. Conservation Biologist. hydrogeological issues in the area. In addition, Jean and Mark are Hengesbaughs have been a huge Tucson Audubon volunteers will fight Harvest Festival, 11/3. Setup, Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists. asset to both Tucson Audubon’s this decline, reestablishing habitat and shop sales, outreach, ticket-taking, Among other roles, they share and Sabino Canyon’s volunteer improving the wash’s functioning so mesquite pod sorting, and more. their knowledge of and love for the corps. Mark has a background in it remains well-watered (see p 18). Celebrate the diversity of Sonoran Canyon area on the first Saturday public relations and has donated his We will do this by digging rainwater Desert foods and the landscape that of every month as free field trip consultation time to help publicize th harvesting basins and planting 1,000 gave birth to this abundance. leaders in partnership with Tucson Tucson Audubon’s 60 anniversary trees and shrubs over the season. Wings Over Willcox, 1/16–20. Audubon Society. These trips are and for a number of Institutes of Separately, natural channel design will It’s back! Shop and outreach booth. always well attended, so if you would Desert Ecology. The response for be implemented. Learn techniques Fun with friends and visitors. like to spend some time birding events in which Mark lends his you can use in your own backyard! expertise is always extraordinary. Tucson Audubon’s 5th Annual the Sabino Canyon Recreation Be a part of it on 10/13/12, 10/27/12, More recently they have been active Gala 1/30. Setup. Decorate. Pick up. Area with this special couple, sign 11/17/12, 12/15/12, 1/19/13, 2/16/13. in their homeowners association Drop off. Socialize. up with them far in advance to The restoration workdays are partially reserve your spot! Jean and Mark, advocating for more native funded by TogetherGreen, a program Living with Nature Publicity in their capacity as Sabino Canyon vegetation to support wildlife. of National Audubon Society funded Assistant. Write brief lecture Volunteer Naturalists, spearheaded Thank you for all you do in so by Toyota. Thanks to QuikTrip for descriptions. Distribute flyers to cool a multi-year project at the canyon to many areas, Jean and Mark! launching the season strong during sites. Once a month. Make your eliminate giant reed—a fast-growing, Jennie MacFarland, Kendall United Way’s Days of Caring. schedule. invasive plant that starves native Kroesen, and Kara Kaczmarzyk

Garden with the expert, outstanding trips. This is a critical, but Lynn Hassler. One Wednesday rewarding, role. a month with Backyard Birding Restoration Workdays. Get

n and Beyond star instructor. Learn outside and make a difference. sustainable gardening. Maintain Saturdays. Every month. Read more roese ch n K i Tucson Audubon’s Nature Shop yard. to the left. F dall n ebra e Free Field Trip Coordinator. For more details, contact D K Love our free field trips? Love our Kara Kaczmarzyk volunteer@ L to R: Thanks to all the volunteers who made the Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival a wild success. This fall we return to Atturbury Wash. guides? Help arrange the seasons of tucsonaudubon.org, 520-209-1811 VF

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2012 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 9 Interesting stories about birds with interesting ­names ame

N Gambel’s Quail Larry Liese ’s in a t If one had to pick a single bird that beginning birders assume females must ha showcases the Southwest and the Tucson choose their mates based on plumage W area in particular, it would be hard to characteristics — but not so. Studies make a better choice than Gambel’s Quail have shown that males get chosen by (Callipepla gambelii). It’s a species with their degree and frequency of “tidbitting,” truly beautiful plumage, interesting calls, a ritualized foraging display where males outright fun behavior, and accessibility point out choice food items at hand with to the public. When talking to non-birder their bills. This makes a bit of sense once acquaintances, nothing puts them more one observes a quail pair with young at ease talking about birding than asking foraging — the young all run quickly if they enjoy seeing these quail in their towards food items pointed out in this backyards. Their faces light right up — manner. everyone’s got a nature story or two to When ready to raise a brood, female tell about these birds! I’ll limit myself quail lay about one egg per day to one here: I’d give an eye tooth for a for a period of three to four days, picture of a hen quail and her brood of take a day off, then repeat until done about ten day-old chicks I surprised one laying a clutch of ten to twelve eggs. day going out the back door. She fluffed Incubation then starts and takes “beautifully out her wings and the youngsters all ran about three weeks. During dressed.” I underneath. Then there she was, looking their last day in the egg, the think most would agree! like a single adult bird – but with over young start vocalizing. Hearing their Quail like to feed in early twenty legs underneath her! siblings prompts the entire clutch to break morning and mid to late afternoon, as Gambel’s Quail populations follow a out and hatch the same day. The young many people note at their backyard “boom or bust” cycle, reproducing well are highly precocial and can run about feeders. I’ve noticed that pairs with very in years with good fall and winter rains and feed themselves almost immediately. young chicks don’t like to bring them out leading to plentiful green plant material They become fully independent after two when I first fill the feeders in the morning the following spring. In dry years they to three months. Average life expectancy or when other birds are around. If you may make no breeding attempt at all. is only about eighteen months and want to see the youngsters keep a look Over ninety percent of their diet is plant survival beyond four years is fairly rare. out at other times of day. matter — particularly the seeds, flowers Our subject bird was named after Gambel’s Quail give as many as ten and leaves of velvet mesquite and William Gambel, a naturalist from different calls, but none of them are other legumes. Insects are taken in the the Academy of Natural Sciences of considered a song. The three or four spring and summer nesting season by Philadelphia. He was syllable “Chi-CA-go” call is a contact call both adults and chicks, (especially for a naturalist protégé of used very frequently by birds wishing the first week or so for the chicks) Nuttall who crossed the to locate their mates or other covey but otherwise constitute a small continent first in 1841 and was members. Beginning as early as February component of their diet. the first to spend several years and continuing through summer by Male Gambel’s Quail are describing and collecting birds in unmated males is a loud, one-syllable such pretty, showy California. Gambel died of typhoid call frequently given from a perch high in birds that many fever while attempting to cross the a bush. I sometimes feel sad hearing this Sierra in mid-winter. “Quail” comes call late in the summer as I know these from old French quaille, imitative of the males lost out in finding a mate. If you

est call of a European species. Callipepla hear three sharp, quick chirps you might W comes from the Greek words kallos, be felt to be a threat or at least something

eorge “a beauty” and peplos “a robe,” hence to take interest in as this is their call G by

s arousing suspicion. n So give these birds a closer look next time you have a chance — you might llustratio I notice something interesting. Good luck!

VF

10 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2012 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. see o t

Madera Canyon Alternatives Tim Helentjaris ds r bi So, you love birding in Madera Joe Canyon and then coming up empty, Canyon, but the crowds some days drive here is a readily accessible spot with o g you crazy? Have you tried some of the good birding. Park your car at the end to other entrances to this birdy mountain of the road near the Florida Workcamp range that don’t have so many visitors? and begin walking the easy trail. Black- Here are some suggestions to get you capped Gnatcatchers have been found Above: Cave Canyon Trailhead. Below: Big Casa Blanca where into the Santa Rita’s, where you won’t near the start but birding is good all along Canyon. have to wait for a parking spot. here. To find the warblers, walk about one Access: From Sonoita, drive west on half mile up and around the old check Montosa Canyon SR82 for 7.6 miles and turn right/west dam, where a pair often works up and on Casa Blanca Canyon Road. After Where: West side just south of Green down this narrow canyon. Valley. 3.1 miles on a very good graded road, Access: Great directions in FBSEAZ Cave Canyon Trail passable to all cars, turn right and park (Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona). Last Where: East side of the Santa Rita’s. anywhere in the next 100 yds. or so (12R two miles unpaved but great road easily Access: Driving south on SR83, 3.3 0523037 3499979). accessible to any car. miles past the Border Patrol checkpoint, Description: This level and very easy Description: If you have friends coming turn right/west on Gardner Canyon Road. walk follows a grove of mature oaks into town who need to add some Arizona Road is graded (some washboarding) and flanking grasslands, lush although specialties to their birding list, this is a and passable to most cars until the last without any surface water. Gray Hawks great place to take them, just an hour 0.3 of a mile, which gets a little rough. If will scream at you as you walk along from Tucson. Birding here really picked need be, you can park there and walk up spotting migrating warblers in the spring up a year or so ago with the discovery to the trailhead (8.4 miles from turn-off, (especially Virginia’s). The trail also of Black-capped Gnatcatchers and 12R 0519004 3508321). There are also provides a great opportunity to study the Five-striped Sparrows without driving all excellent campsites in the last two miles multitude of flycatchers. Another bonus is the way to California Gulch. An exciting along this road. the opportunity to see/hear Montezuma addition this summer was the continuing Description: This is one of the nicer Quail, although I wisely make no Plain-capped Starthroat. All of these hikes in the Santa Rita’s, even if you guarantees in this regard. Walk about one have been visible from the road itself and weren’t interested in birds (Take the mile to finish up at a large stock tank that great birding seems to be concentrated dogs!). While you can hike it all the way to can also have some interesting birds. a few hundred yards before and after the the ridge line, the trail climbs gently and Temporal Gulch paved stream crossing and nearby large less than 500ft. in the first two miles and Where: South side of the Santa Rita’s, culvert. Easy access and easy birding follows a perennial stream with usually north of Patagonia combined with rarities make this a great more water in it than Madera Canyon. Access: Drive north out of Patagonia spot. It starts out in oaks with grasslands on 1st Avenue for ~2.5 miles where the on the flanking hillsides and works up Florida Canyon road becomes SR72. Continue on the through different habitats to eventually very rough road to the trailhead where Where: North side just east of Madera end up in an upper basin of pines. The you can start walking along a stream in Canyon. hike will remind you of the Nature Trail great habitat, eventually all the way to the Access: Great directions in FBSEAZ. in Madera but without all of the people; ridgeline. WARNING! This is an extremely Again, last few miles unpaved but great I might usually see one other party on rough road and absolutely requires a high road easily accessible to any car. the trail. I’ve seen Elegant Trogons clearance, 4WD (and not some Subaru). Description: Like the previous spot, even before the trailhead, Sulphur- birding really picked up a few years ago bellied Flycatchers in the first 100 yds, Description: I have the least information with the discovery of a continuing rarity, lots of Hepatic Tanagers, and all of here and will have to leave this to Rufous-capped Warbler. Instead of the expected warblers. One spring we someone else to elaborate on the destroying your car on the road to French even saw a migrating, beautiful male opportunities So, one of you intrepid Prothonotary Warbler along the stream. explorers, bird up this very scenic trail and This is certainly the pick of all of these let the rest of us know. VF recommendations for a good birding day Tim Helentjaris: Now retired from his work in

tjaris out; give it a try some time. n the public/private sectors as a geneticist, his ele

H Big Casa Blanca Canyon interest in bird biology and behavior started im T Where: Southeast side of the Santa over 30 years ago when friends took him along by

Rita’s, northwest of Sonoita to see a vagrant Varied Thrush in Salt Lake

photos City one winter. ll A

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2012 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 11 Tucson Audubon’s Mason Center ssue I The Path to a Certified Net Zero Energy Building

Paul Green | Executive Director ustainability S

We invite you to play a significant role in developing a state-of-the-art demonstration green retrofit building in Tucson.

Buildings in the United States account comfortable in all seasons and produces double unit composting toilet, enclosed for around 40 percent of our energy no greenhouse gases in its operation within a strawbale building, which use, and are significant producers of since the building would produce at eliminates water use and produces greenhouse gases responsible for global least as much energy as it consumes. compost for growing plants. warming and climate change. In our bid Photo-voltaic panels would produce grid- The site itself requires much attention, to reduce carbon emissions, the buildings tied electricity, while energy use would and that will be the subject of another we use present easy targets. be dramatically reduced through roof article. You can read more about the Much of Tucson’s housing stock is insulation, wrapping the exterior walls with current permaculture plan on page 14. old, poorly insulated, and consumes insulation, and installing a new efficient Our focus now is specifically on the significant amounts of fossil fuels for central heating and cooling unit. main house. We have replaced the old heating and cooling. Tucson Audubon’s asphalt shingle roof with one made of Mason Center is a prime example. Brick What we have done metal (good for harvesting rainwater) built in the 1950s, it is well-constructed, that has been painted white to reflect In the past few years the community though it has no insulation in the some of the sun’s energy. Two years ago of NW Tucson, and Tucson Audubon roof space, is equipped with an old volunteers and staff restored the interior members, have committed significant evaporative cooler, and it has a below- of the building so that it could be used for

archman funds and many thousands of hours to

B par 100 amp power supply that limits our office space when there was a need to improving the Mason Center site. We ean ability to provide adequate heating and J reduce our rental costs at our downtown have converted the garage to a well- cooling. left

offices. equipped classroom and developed the Now that some Tucson Audubon staff Last year Tucson Audubon members trails and gardens. A permaculture plan

bottom work permanently at the Mason Center, for the site has been developed and raised funds to replace the old windows its shortcomings are very apparent: it cept with thermal units. This year our colleague x updated, and now needs funding of more e is too cold in the winter, too hot in the than $50,000 for its implementation. Two Robert Bulechek is implementing a Home

reen summer, and just right for about a month G i years ago we constructed

-L in each of the shoulder seasons.

ng a solar-powered Here then is an opportunity to create & E

aul a demonstration retrofit 1950s dwelling P that is a Net Zero Energy Building. This would be a building that keeps photos

all its occupants

12 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2012 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Tucson Audubon’s Mason Center to a Certified Net Zero Energy Building

Energy Rating System (HERS) analysis to make as much energy as we use. Our to advise us how best to use funds to electrical bill will then average just the achieve our goal. We are monitoring $10 per month service charge for the next the energy use of our major energy several decades. consumers (portable cooling units in Pima County’s net-zero building the offices). certification program will help verify that How would you we have achieved our goal. like to help? What we plan to do First we need to replace the 60-year- The Desired Outcome Our goal is to implement these old electrical system with an electrical Our community will gain an accessible upgrades in a coordinated manner, supply that can handle the addition of demonstration, green-retrofit, net-zero- raising funds from grants and from a heating and cooling system, plug-in energy, net-zero-carbon building. Tucson donations in a way that will not pull electric car charger, and second Audubon will have an energy efficient from funding of our program activities. photovoltaic system. Once the electrical and comfortable workspace, housing Do you have a particular interest in system is in place, we can insulate the approximately one-half of its staff, which any or all of these elements? Can you roof, walls, and basement, allowing us we can also use for events. provide pro bono services? If so, we to install a much smaller, high efficiency would like to talk with you. heating and cooling system. Once we You can contact Paul Green by phone Elements include: have done every efficiency project at 520-209-1801, by email at pgreen@ • architectural oversight and planning with a better return on investment than tucsonaudubon.org, or by mail at 300 E (optional). photovoltaics, we will know just how many University Blvd, Ste 120, Tucson AZ 85705]. • installation of a new electricity photovoltaic panels to install on the roof supply to the site and rewiring the house and the classroom Below, left to right: Last year we were able to replace old leaky windows with energy-efficient ones through the generosity of members who responded to our window appeal; the windows in the office shared by Jean Barchman (Membership • design and installation of modern Coordinator), Erin Olmstead (Development Manager), and Kara Kaczmarzyk (Volunteer and Development Coordinator) heating and cooling system offer great views of the wildlife-friendly area at the back of the building. There are well-developed trails around the buildings and garden areas, and photo-voltaic panels mounted on the roof of the classroom ramada produce grid-tied • insulation of roof space electricity. A strawbale building houses the double unit composting toilet; the DC LED lights and exhaust fan are • installation of external wall insulation powered by offgrid photovoltaic panels, and gutters were recently installed to direct rainwater into a cistern where it will be stored for use in the gardens. The buildings are served by a • acquisition and installation of new permeable, wheelchair-friendly, GravelPave walkway. photovoltaic panels and attendant hardware

We know that some Tucson Audubon members have a great interest in bricks and mortar projects and we invite you to contact Executive Director Paul Green if you have an interest in providing the financial resources we need for this project. We are seeking funds that are separate and above those funds that members give for our program work. Thank you for your interest. VF

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2012 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 13 ssue I Mason Center Permaculture Plan Kendall Kroesen | Habitats Program Manager

In the autumn of 2000 the Sonoran Permaculture Guild and Tucson Audubon teamed up to hold the Guild’s

ustainability annual Permaculture Design Course S at the Mason Center. Students learned about the role of the Mason Center in Tucson Audubon’s mission and helped craft a plan for the center’s ecological sustainability. Permaculture is a design discipline developed in Australia by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren. The word was taken from “permanent agriculture” but later encompassed “permanent culture” due to the importance of social systems in sustainability. Mollison has described permaculture as “a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of udrey protracted and thoughtful observation rather than premature and thoughtless Ann A labor; and of looking at plants and Improvements in the updated permaculture plan include sound walls along the new site boundary (after road work), additional habitat enhancement areas, upgrades to the wildlife water hole behind the house, additional cisterns and a animals in all their functions, rather than demonstration food production area with heritage fruit trees. treating any area as a single project system.” There are several principles in building, which also includes a ramada for permaculture, but a key one is that that outdoor education space. The bathroom no design element stands on its own building also functions as a rainwater- but is part of a system. Design elements harvesting surface and we’ll soon have should have more than one function and a tank collecting and storing that water. a function should be supported by more What else should the tank do? We’re than one element. The result is a design thinking about it! synergy sometimes called “integrated As time passed, some realities s n

design.” changed and some goals for the Mason va For example, rainwater harvesting Center were modified. We are now E oris cisterns were included in the Mason updating the Mason Permaculture Plan. D Center’s permaculture design. Their A link to the original permaculture plan is location was partly dictated by proximity found at the bottom of the page at www. the bathroom building and a new cistern to the building from which the rain was tucsonaudubon.org/work/mason.html. A to be built on the east side of the house. being harvested. But that still left some link to a drawing of the proposed update The permaculture plan will be on latitude in where they could be positioned. is also found there and accompanies this display at the November 3 Harvest What else could be accomplished with article. Festival (see p 15) and we will actually be them? In the end they were placed at the The new design helps the center implementing some aspects of the plan northwest corner of the building. In that to adapt to the county’s plan to widen that day. We need volunteers to help at location they cast shade on the house at Thornydale Road, which will take some the Harvest Festival and on an ongoing the hottest time of day (late afternoon) in land from the Mason Center. It suggests basis to maintain the Mason Center and the hottest time of the year (June, July, ways to handle some of the drought- help us realize our revised permaculture August). induced tree die off, by leaving the trees plan. Contact Kara Kaczmarzyk at 209- The function of environmental standing and make them into sculptural 1811 or [email protected]. education at the Mason Center is elements on which birds can roost and supported by many design elements, vines can grow. And it proposes an Funding needs for the implementation of including the garage converted to edible garden—with Kino Heritage Fruit the permaculture plan are significant. Until classroom space, the classroom ramada Trees—east of the main house that will be we raise them work will be slow. Please (which also functions to hold photovoltaic supported by the new rainwater tank on help us put it on the fast track. VF panels), and the new composting toilet

14 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2012 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. T ucson Audubon Nature Shop Winter 2012 Catalog Engage Your Young Naturalist $15.95 You can inspire and delight your child, grandchild, or friend with a wonderful selection of nature gifts to choose from. Delight with puppets paired with books, or $6.00 spend time inspiring creativity while working on a puzzle $12.95 together and learning about nature at the same time. $9.99 $8.95 $15.95 $7.99

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selection of Nectar and seEd feeders, and Seeds Visit www.tucsonaudubon.org for more shop items. ers

Coles Brand Seed—High quality seed in a variety

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4 ¬ Don’t forget—Tucson Audubon Members receive a ten-percent discount on all purchases! ¬ Food Sustainability in a Changing World ssue November 3 Harvest Festival at Mason Center I

Kendall Kroesen | Habitats Program Manager

Join us November 3 at Tucson Schedule of events Audubon’s Mason Center for our Harvest 7:00 & 7:30 am Birdwalks depart Festival and Mesquite Milling. Festival ustainability 7:30 am Mesquite pod processing starts S entry is free though there is a fee to have (mill starts at 8) your mesquite milled into flour. 8:00 am Exhibits, vendors, food trucks The event celebrates the diversity of open Sonoran Desert foods—both wild foods 8:30 am Lectures begin and heritage crops. And in a larger 9:30 am Workshops / other activities begin sense it celebrates the diverse Sonoran 3:30 pm Exhibits and vendors close Desert landscape that gave birth to 5:00 pm Festival closes this abundance! It is also a practical opportunity to mill your mesquite pods Activities into flour. Our shop, which will be present • Nature and edible plant walks onsite, sells a book of recipes using • Landscaping for wildlife and sustainability mesquite flour. workshops The events, two bird walks, start at • Cistern building workshop second Saturday, the day of the festival, you’ll

7:00 and 7:30 am, respectively. Bring seal the cistern, finish the plumbing and install the riffiths Planned lecture topics G your mesquite pods starting at 7:30 am. lid. Each day lasts approximately 4 hours. The att Although we are streamlining the milling • Landscaping for wildlife, sustainability and food knowledge and skills you will obtain are directly M process, there can be a wait while your production transferrable to your own backyard or business! photos • Cultivating Schoolyard Sustainability: Manzo Date and Time: Saturdays, October 27, and

pods are being processed. So bring the oth

Elementary School B family or just come alone and wander November 3, 2012, 8:00 am–noon | Cost: $45 • Tucson Phenology Trail: Tracking Changes around the food trucks, vendors, exhibits, through the Seasons Registration limited to 10 participants. lectures and workshops that will be • Food security in a changing world there from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. The • Plants for Sonoran Desert pollinators Mesquite Milling Details last opportunity to bring your mesquite Mesquite pods must be: pods will be 3:30 pm. If demand is high, Workshops • So dry they snap rather than bend latecomers and those who bring large Backyard Grazing: Edible Plants for Wildlife • Clean—no dirt, gravel, twigs, etc. quantities (greater than three five-gallon and Humans: Join Kendall Kroesen for a • Free of dark mold spots or other buckets of pods) may have to pick up hands-on experience in mixing backyard food growths their flour on a later date. production with landscaping for wildlife. We will Bringing pods in five-gallon buckets may expedite Coffee, soft drinks and wonderful local combine rainwater harvesting, Kino heritage fruit processing. You may want to bring clean foods will be on sale from a cross-section trees, heritage vegetable crops and wild plants receptacles for the flour like large ziplock bags or of our region’s great diversity of food into a landscape that birds go crazy for and that large Tupperware containers. On average milled trucks. gives you food. Our goal will be low use of potable flour weighs 60 to 75% of the pod weight. The “harvest” in the Sonoran Desert water and high plant diversity that’s good for both We have a tiered price structure that encourages is year-round: greens appear in the birds and people. Participants will carve out a newcomers to try milling pods and discourages spring, cholla buds are available in the rainwater harvesting basin, prep the planting area, people from bringing huge amounts that slow the spring, saguaro fruits and mesquite pods dig planting holes, and plant Kino Heritage fruit operation of the mills. are harvested in June, tepary beans in trees plus native plants that produce food and Gallons Total milling Gallons Total milling the summer, and so on. It is this annual attract pollinators. of pods price of pods price cornucopia that we will be celebrating on Date and Time: Saturday November 3, 8:30 am 1 $2.00 9 $22.00 November 3. lecture and 9:45 am workshop | Cost: $25 2 $4.00 10 $25.00 Registration limited to 10 participants. 3 $6.00 11 $30.00 It’s Raining, It’s Pouring!: Commence Water 4 $8.00 12 $35.00 5 $10.00 13 $40.00 Storing! Learn to build a water harvesting cistern! 6 $13.00 14 $45.00 Imagine how much water we could conserve 7 $16.00 15 $50.00 if every yard in Tucson had its own cistern to 8 $19.00 harvest rainwater? On the first Saturday, get If milling more than three five-gallon buckets, flour hands-on experience laying the foundation and will have to be picked up on a later date. plumbing—including first flush device—and setting ike P For more information see desertharvesters.org. VF ra the cistern in the concrete foundation. On the SA

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2012 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 15 n roese Conservation and Education News K dall

Chris McVie, Paul Green, Kendall Kroesen, and BÉtÉ Pfister n e K photos

ll Tucson Audubon Gets Tough on Invasives A

Here is a review of Tucson Audubon’s By 2011 this unprecedented Right, top to bottom volunteer effort controlled most of the work on other exotic invasive plants. Buffelgrass is found in open desert, south (“Exotic” refers to plants that have huge infestation in the Sabino Creek facing slopes, along roads and in Tucson come, accidentally or on purpose, Recreation Area. The work is now neighborhoods. Remove with digging bars, moving downstream through the lower picks or shovels, or poison with glyphosate from other parts of the world. (Roundup). “Invasive” means they reproduce park of the creek. In many places Fountain grass was planted as an in the wild and out-compete native stressed trees such as Arizona ash ornamental plant in many Tucson yards vegetation under certain conditions.) are recovering. However, giant reed and spreads easily along roads and in At the North Simpson and Martin inhabits many other drainages, so washes. Remove like buffelgrass. Farm sites, we have been working for there is more work ahead. Puncture vine, or “goat head” (Tribulus over 10 years to reduce tumbleweed, Tucson Audubon has removed terrestris), is an Old World plant that has horrible, spiky seeds that harden like or Russian thistle (Salsola tragus). fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) bone. Normally it can be pulled out by Typically, we first do a controlled burn in our small preserve in Esperero hand. Don’t confuse with summer poppy of any concentrations of old, dried Canyon, located between Sabino and (Kallstroemia grandiflora), a closely related native wildflower that is more erect and has tumbleweed. Then we control regrowth Ventana canyons in the Front Range larger flowers. for two growing seasons while we plant of the Catalina Mountains. This is a Tumbleweed readily spreads on disturbed and seed native vegetation. Usually close relative of buffelgrass, but grows soils in cities, agricultural areas and along after that the ground has stabilized and in wetter areas. It grew thickly along roads. In most cases you can slice the tumbleweed regrowth is not a problem, the intermittent stream in Esperero taproot just below the soil with a shovel to remove them or can be spot treated. Canyon and was edging out native Bermuda grass takes root anywhere At the same sites we are also grasses, annual wildflowers and there is sufficient moisture. A thick mat of gradually converting areas with perennials. underground stems (rhizomes) makes it Athel tamarisk (Tamarix aphylla), With the help of TogetherGreen difficult to remove. Sometimes it can be dug out if not too thick. It can also be killed Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), volunteers Tucson Audubon has over time with solarization or Roundup. giant reed (Arundo donax) and done a first pass through most of the Giant reed was planted in Tucson yards to buffelgrass into native vegetation. 1,500 linear feet of canyon bottom. produce an “Oriental” landscaping effect. Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) Only a small amount of regrowth has Large stands are almost impossible to is another pervasive exotic at these occurred, which we should be able to remove by hand due to deep, tenacious rhizomes. Control is usually by cutting sites and while some of our new control in the future. down reeds and treating regrowth with vegetation eventually shades it out, We also removed some buffelgrass glyphosate. Small stands in sandy soil can our Restoration Biologist Jonathan (Pennisetum ciliare) in Esperero be dug out. Horst is designing experimental trials Canyon, although it is rare on our to see which methods will bring it preserve. However, there are many from scores of organizations and under control more quickly. places both in and outside of the municipalities to remove the grass in Giant reed is not particularly city where it has created major key locations. common at Tucson Audubon infestations. On the next Beat Back Buffelgrass restoration sites (e.g., Simpson Farm, As you may know, buffelgrass may Day, January 26, Tucson Audubon Martin Farm, Esperanza Ranch) be the single biggest threat to Sonoran will send volunteers to a buffelgrass but it has been a terrible threat to Desert ecosystems. It can fill empty removal site, probably in the front the Tanque Verde Wash/Sabino spaces between native desert plants, range of the Catalina Mountains along Canyon Important Bird Area. Looking increasing the fuel load and allowing the Esperero Trail. This is a key area something like bamboo, giant reed fires to burn. Buffelgrass survives for controlling buffelgrass that could grows in large stands that remove and resprouts more readily than most carry wildfire into the mountains from significant amounts of water from native plants. This could convert large below. the ground, depriving native trees areas of our iconic Sonoran Desert Besides volunteering with Tucson and shrubs. into something more akin to African Audubon’s project, you can help by In 2008, with the help of National savannah. (For more background, see removing these plants from your Audubon’s TogetherGreen program www.buffelgrass.org.) neighborhood. (funded by Toyota), we partnered This is why in the last couple years Kendall Kroesen with the Sabino Canyon Volunteer we have begun to field volunteers Habitats Program Manager Naturalists and several other in January on regional Beat Back groups to eradicate giant reed in Buffelgrass Day. On this day Sabino Canyon. hundreds of volunteers come together

16 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2012 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. n roese K dall

Landscapes to Chew On n e K Until recently homes and commercial • have lots of plants photos buildings were often designed using • contain lots of species of native ll a balance of aesthetics, cost and plants that provide food for birds A functionality; but ecology played • contain layers of vegetation and believe there is plenty a scant role. Now more and more different vegetative structures buildings are built with ecological of room for aesthetics • create shade and places for birds in their design. We sustainability in mind. They follow to hide from predators LEED building standards, are better look forward to working Now Tucson Audubon embraces with landscape designers insulated, produce energy, and so on. the concept of urban food production Similarly, landscape and garden to offer homeowners and for people, too, as well as for birds. communities beautiful designs. design has too often kept its distance What if some of those ornamental from ecology. Designs strive for In coming months Tucson Audubon trees in public parks were fruit will be leading the way forward to aesthetic effect or to improve property trees? What if those pretty shrubs value or to reduce maintenance costs. biologically meaningful landscapes planted in our yards were edible, or in Tucson. We will demonstrate But they are often not rich ecological medicinal, or drinkable as tea? We environments. some of the principles of this will be partnering with a variety of new landscape model at A good example are many of the organizations such as the Community “xeriscapes” we see in Tucson. The demonstration sites such Food Bank of Southern Arizona, as our Mason Center principle of xeriscaping is sound: Native Seeds/SEARCH, the Arizona- create landscapes that use less water. and at Las Milpitas de Sonora Desert Museum, and the Kino Cottonwood, a Food We have conserved a lot of water by Heritage Fruit Tree Project to find not watering lawns and water-loving Bank garden. ways of incorporating garden and At our Harvest Festival ornamentals. But the implementation orchard plants into biologically rich of xeriscaping is often ecologically on November 3 (see p 15) there landscapes. will be lectures on food security, flawed. We see large hot beds of In The Desert Smells Like Rain, sun-bleached rock with few plants, no garden pollinators and a variety of From top left to bottom: Desert hackberry Gary Nabhan recounts finding more has a fruit edible for people and wildlife resources for pollinators, no cover for topics related to biologically rich bird diversity at a settlement around designs. There will be a planting and this large shrub creates great cover birds, and no place to nest. a spring-fed wetland south of the for birds. Kino Heritage Fruit Trees planted Another big part of this critique workshop to acquaint people with at the Community Food Bank of Southern border, with orchards and gardens, Arizona. Pomegranates in a Tucson back is that there isn’t anything to eat! locally appropriate plants, how to than at an equivalent spring in a plant them and how to provide them yard—leave some of them for the birds! Nothing for birds to eat, and nothing wildlife sanctuary where nobody lives. Dense native landscaping at The Nature for people. People have to go to the with rainwater. After the festival we Conservancy in Tucson. Landscaping on Well-designed human settlements can the right of way in front of Brad and Rodd supermarket and birds have to rely on will go on to run workshops through be helpful to birds and other wildlife the spring. Lancaster’s house—from barren to birdy them to buy bird seed. if we design wisely, with regard to in a matter of a few years. Butterflies are For years Tucson Audubon has This work is funded by a among the more beautiful and useful principles that create rich ecosystems. pollinators you can host in your garden! been advocating the restoration of TogetherGreen Innovation Grant. Professor Michael Rosenzweig of the TogetherGreen is a program of the landscapes that are ecologically University of Arizona has dubbed this fertile. Yards that: National Audubon Society, and funded Reconciliation Ecology. by Toyota. • harvest rainwater to cut use of Often we think of biologically rich Kendall Kroesen expensive potable water landscapes as looking “rustic.” But we Habitats Program Manager

Urban Water Sustainability and Leadership Conference

Tucson Audubon will be part of team RWRD director, and Ed Curley, RWRD Ina Road Wastewater Reclamation president of Clean Water America presenting at the national Urban senior program manager, Alan Forrest, Facility (WRF) and to replace the Alliance and former director of the Water Sustainability and Leadership director, Tucson Water; and Shane Roger Road WRF with a new state- Arizona Department of Environmental Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Snyder, professor, UA Chemical of-the-art facility following compliance Quality, who invited Pima County and October 16, 2012. Executive Director and Environmental Engineering and issues with the EPA and ADEQ. Tucson to participate in the Cincinnati Paul Green and Board Member Claire codirector, Arizona Laboratory for These projects will improve the conference, commented that “…the Zucker (Sustainable Environment Emerging Contaminants. quality of the community’s reclaimed conference tackles the leadership Program director, Pima Association The team will discuss the Regional water for recharge and reuse. questions, engages the regulators, of Governments) will join with Pima Optimization Master Plan (ROMP), Tucson Audubon Society has long and opens minds by presenting County’s Regional Wastewater the largest public works project in worked with Pima County to develop innovative approaches…” Reclamation Department (RWRD) Pima County history, a $660 million watchable wildlife sites at various team members Jackson Jenkins, program to upgrade and expand the treatment plants. Ben Grumbles,

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2012 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 17 Conservation & Education News

Atturbury Wash: Upper San Pedro Issues: A Project with a Future Tombstone’s Water Supply

Following the June 2011 fires, and would support almost 7,000 homes the July 2011 record monsoon within 20 years. The homes would be rainfall in the Huachuca Mountains, supplied with water by pumping more the subsequent floodwaters took than 3,000 acre-feet of groundwater out trees, trails, and the twenty-five per year. A court hearing on the springs which supply Tombstone with appeal will be held starting October its water. The pipeline that carries 16, with appellants being the Bureau water to a reservoir above the town, of Land Management (BLM), and built in 1881, was damaged and individuals Robin Silver and Tricia springs were buried to a depth of up to Gerrodette. Wells in the upper San 12 feet beneath boulders and debris. Pedro Valley already suck up an The springs are located in the Miller estimated 6,000 acre-feet per year Peak Wilderness Area. Under the more than is naturally recharged n After delays for redesign and address the channel erosion by Wilderness Act of 1964, “motorized” from rainfall and snowmelt. To avert roese

K permitting, our riparian restoration and moving part of stormwater flows back and “mechanized” equipment are further losses, Audubon Arizona, the

dall stewardship project at Atturbury Wash onto the floodplain, allowing water prohibited in such a designated area. Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra n e K is taking wing! to infiltrate around plants. It will also In August 2011, without consultation Club, and the BLM have lodged This project is the legacy of David reduce the energy of water in the main with the US Forest Service (USFS), formal objections to the proposed West, who told me about the wash channel; gradually this should allow Tombstone Water took an excavator project with the ADWR, which has one day at the Tucson Audubon office some sediment to move back into the into the wilderness without requisite the authority to rule on whether or not and showed me the bird list he had incised section of the wash. permits and the Forest Service there is adequate water to supply the assembled. He went on to describe Some of the work will actually threatened to take action. Tombstone proposed houses for the next century. how vegetation was beginning to die be on Fred Enke golf course. has since sued the federal government. The BLM is concerned about surface along the wash. I will always think of Tucson Parks and Recreation Dept., The Goldwater Institute is representing water because it manages the nation’s David during my visits there. and its golf program, have been the town. Tombstone maintains there first Riparian National Conservation I investigated and met Michael extraordinarily helpful in facilitating is nothing in the canyon that bulldozer Area along the upper San Pedro Lyman from the local neighborhood this work. This has led to other and backhoe activity would harm. River, but the state agency may well association. Michael spearheaded collaborations between Parks and Rec The lawsuit by Tombstone against the take only underlying groundwater into an effort to keep the wash floodplain and Tucson Audubon at places like Ft. USFS has continued with no action for account, because state law doesn’t in Lincoln Regional Park from being Lowell Park. many months now. recognize any legal connection developed. He worked ceaselessly with The work is funded by a nearly Meanwhile, residents of Carr, between surface and subsurface volunteers and youth to clean up trash $400,000 grant from the Arizona Ramsey and Miller Canyons have waters. The ADWR might rule that the and protect the wash from hunting, Water Protection Fund Commission asked for help from Cochise County developer can pump groundwater at woodcutting, and off-road vehicles. (AWPFC), which awards grants as the battle for water rights begins will without considering the existing Although there is still good riparian designed to repair floodplain function, to adversely impact private property water rights that govern the river’s vegetation along the lower part of improve riparian habitat and to educate owners. For example, Miller Canyon flow, ignoring the critical connection the Atturbury floodplain at Lincoln the public about the importance of residents Thomas and Edith Beatty between the river and the watershed Regional Park, experts determined riparian systems. received a letter from the City of that recharges it. that incision—or deepening—of the There will be several opportunities Tombstone, asking them to sign off “You’re looking at [an annual] upper part of the wash was starving to see the project and participate. on a five-acre, quit claim deed for 3,000-acre-foot deficit in a the floodplain there of stormwater See a list of volunteer days (we’ll be the sum of $5 so that Tombstone groundwater basin that’s already flows. Since the water table was planting trees and shrubs, and other can have unrestricted access to accruing substantial deficits,” says always deep here, it was periodic tasks) on page 9 and on our online its claimed water rights, property, BLM hydrologist Bill Wells. “We’re flooding across the floodplain that events calendar at tucsonaudubon.org. easements and rights of way at the just trying to say we believe there is a historically kept the wash vegetation Watch for opportunities to tour the site McCoy Reservoir site. connection between the river and the healthy. Mesquites, palo verdes, and learn more. The lawsuit is still pending in groundwater.” acacias, netleaf hackberries and even There will be a birding field trip to Cochise County Superior Court. See Along the upper San Pedro western soapberries were found along Atturbury Wash on Tuesday morning a video on the issue at http://www. River, the project could jeopardize the wash. November 27 (see page 25). If you youtube.com/watch?v=ttsKNgJ4ZLw years of drop-by-drop conservation This fall and winter we will be use eBird, you can see a list of 102 Meanwhile, Arizona Department of efforts, including nearby Army Fort planting 1,000 trees and shrubs to species that have been reported at Water Resources’ (ADWR) approval Huachuca’s strict landscaping replace some of the vegetation that’s “Lincoln Park—Atturbury Wash”! of an adequate water supply for limits, water recycling, and low-flow been lost. In the fall a subcontractor Kendall Kroesen Pueblo del Sol Water Company plumbing fixtures. will install a variety of rock structures Habitats Program Manager is being appealed. Developers in Thanks to Tricia Gerrodette, Jim in the wash using the principles of Sierra Vista have proposed building Burns, and Audubon magazine. “natural channel design.” This should a subdivision, called Tribute, which

18 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2012 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Conservation & Education News

SunZia Transmission Project Update The Lower San Pedro River valley, The comment period for the The BLM’s timeline for the Committee. It is an Important Bird Area of Global SunZia Draft Environmental Impact project calls for releasing the final unlikely, however, Significance, is without parallel in the Statement (DEIS) ended on August environmental impact statement for that the public American Southwest. Within the span 22, 2012, and the next step will be comment toward the end of 2012. can substantially of a few miles, the Chihuahuan Desert for the BLM to issue a revised or final The public will have a thirty-day influence the ACC’s scrub reaches its westernmost limit environmental impact statement for period to challenge the EIS at this decision on the project.

and folds into the saguaro-dotted hills public review. The BLM’s preferred time. This protest period will be an SunZia must obtain a host of ays H im of the Sonoran Desert. The valley’s alternative follows the west side of the extremely important opportunity for lesser permits as well. J high biodiversity, including more than San Pedro Valley for approximately conservationists to make it clear that SunZia itself strongly objects to 400 bird species, comes from the 45 miles, opening an entirely new they will actively oppose an arbitrary the San Pedro Valley route, in part Rocky Mountains to the north and the corridor for much of this distance. decision. This may be especially because of its added length and Sierra Madre Mountains to the south. This has raised strong objections from necessary given the BLM’s past greater legal complications, and is The proposed SunZia Southwest southern Arizona’s environmental reluctance to effectively address vigorously advocating for a route Transmission Project, designed to community, Pima County, residents of challenges to the alleged purpose of that would cross both the Galiuro carry power over two 500-kilovolt the San Pedro Valley, and others. the project and to seriously consider Mountains and the San Pedro River (kV) lines from central New Mexico A host of local and state alternatives to approving a new Valley south of the Aravaipa Canyon to Phoenix and southern California, environmental organizations and industrial-scale infrastructure project Wilderness. SunZia is working to now threatens this unique area. The community members provided within the San Pedro conservation obtain resolutions from the various Bureau of Land Management (BLM) extensive comments on the DEIS, corridor. The proposed Southline county boards of supervisors to sway is evaluating alternative routes, some including the Tucson Audubon Transmission Project is a sound the Arizona Corporation Commission of which pass through the Lower Society. A partial posting of submitted example of such an alternative. to override the BLM’s choice, which San Pedro valley. If constructed, up comments is available at http:// Following this protest period, the Commission has the legal to 300 sixteen-story towers would nmeader.com/sunzia/route/deis.html. the BLM will then issue a Record of authority to do. run the length of the valley, with an The BLM, or rather, its contractor Decision for the project, declaring If SunZia obtains all necessary access easement up to 1000 feet Environmental Planning Group (EPG), a final route, and then SunZia permits for the proposed transmission wide and access roads to every tower. must now categorize and respond to must apply for a Certificate of corridor, SunZia can sell all or portions Vegetation beneath the lines would all of these, incorporating them into Environmental Compatibility with the of the approved route. Coincidentally, be cleared. In addition to the initial the EIS or providing explanations Arizona Corporation Commission SunZia’s majority owner has a access corridor, SunZia’s planners for dismissing them. Many groups (ACC), hence the importance of taking long-standing interest in providing have requested that a one-mile wide called for the “No Action” alternative, note of elections to the ACC this transmission capacity for its large corridor be approved by the BLM asking that this project not be built, November. Public interest groups will planned and permitted natural gas- for future expansion. It is difficult to and some provided clear alternatives then have the opportunity to challenge powered plant in Bowie, Arizona. conceive of a mile-wide utility corridor for addressing energy transmission the project in hearings held by the Norm “Mick” Meader and Peter Else. along the narrow San Pedro Valley. needs in the region. ACC’s Power Plant and Line Siting

Mountain Park, the Coronado National developer with a new plan, Desert Obituary: Wanda Britten Forest and any future open space Springs, is attempting to put high Remembering Wanda consideration for the neighborhoods parks. The developers cried “foul” density development next to Catalina Britten Shattuck, who died affected. The Rillito-Pantano Coalition but the ordinance became part of State Park on that same land. September 5, I think of included many neighborhood groups. the eventual open space plan. Many, Wanda leaves her husband her smile and great sense of RESULT: residents now have a vote many people helped Wanda in these Lemuel, daughter Pamela Thyret, humor which enabled her to fight a and meetings to discuss mitigation efforts, but her political sense and and a grandson Lemuel Thyret. long fight against powerful interests before the bulldozers arrive to widen keen desire to maintain the Sonoran We remember her efforts to shape who wanted a cross town freeway. their streets. Also, there is a linear Desert beauty of Tucson led us to this community without additional The Rillito-Pantano Parkway would park along much of the Rillito, used by where we are today. We crafted a freeways and apartment buildings on run along the north bank of the Rillito, many bikers, walkers, and joggers. huge land swap involving Federal, the Parks’ boundaries, and with many to the Pantano to I-10 southeast The Rillito-Pantano Coalition State, and County agencies to trade environmentally significant areas now of Tucson. Wanda and others put became “Buffers” in the 1980s and land for Rancho Vistoso so that part of the Sonoran Desert Protection together a grassroots coalition, worked to elect environmentally development would be on the west Plan. Most recently, Wanda served raised funds for a big campaign and sensitive Supervisors Iris Dewhirst, side of Oracle Road. Catalina State on Pima County’s Conservation referred the funding authorization to Sharon Bronson, and Gregg Lunn Park came into being. “Buffers” also Acquisition Commission. Wanda was the voters, who voted it down. She and got the Buffer Overlay Zone successfully fought against a shopping a Tucson High and Wellesley College wanted Tucson to be different from Ordinance (BOZO) adopted by the center development at Oracle and graduate, and a long time community Phoenix which was building one Board of Supervisors. The BOZO Tangerine Roads. We had to go to volunteer before her politically active freeway after another. Tucson was required setbacks and low density court to get that zoning referendum on years. She will be missed. growing fast in the1970s and 1980s, zoning near the boundaries of the ballot, and the voters won again... Julia Perry Gordon and streets were widened without any Saguaro National Park, Tucson no development. Recently, another

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2012 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 19 Conservation & Education News

ADEQ: “You Have A Voice In Air Pollution Control In Arizona.” Oh really? More Shenanigans with the Proposed Rosemont Copper Mine

Rosemont Copper is not about to Air Quality Permit: Environmental Quality has stated that operations. We believe such a plan receive their operating permit for it “proposes to issue an Air Quality should be a part of this permit. The Rosemont Copper Company did their proposed mine. Because they Control Permit” BEFORE hearing We know from experience at other not want to deal with the Pima County have modified their original mining from the public. This statement is mines in southern Arizona (which Department of Environmental Quality proposal substantially, we think the particularly ironic as the headline on have WET tailings) that when tailings when it came to applying for an Air Coronado National Forest needs to their Public Notice says, “You Have become dry, blowing dust is a serious Quality Permit, even though Pima initiate a new Environmental Impact A Voice In Air Pollution Control In problem. Last spring Pima County County is the jurisdiction that normally Process that takes these changes Arizona.” issued health alerts in Green Valley handles such permits. Instead they into account. Congressman Barber * The permit is a bait and switch. as a result of dust blowing off the went to the State and were able to get and Congressman Grijalva support an The proposed permit is based on a nearby mines. The Rosemont tailings the ADEQ to take over the air quality extended review. facility configuration plan that is no would be enormous -- up to 800 feet permitting for Rosemont. ADEQ has In addition to receiving a permit longer relevant. The public is, in fact, [80 stories in height] and covering already stated that they propose to from the Coronado National Forest, being asked to review and comment thousands of acres. Controlling issue an air quality permit to the mine. Rosemont also needs to comply on an air quality permit for a facility dust on dry tailings of this size is SSSR remains convinced that they with the requirements of the Federal proposal that has been changed completely untested. have overlooked serious deficiencies Clean Water Act. To do so, they significantly. As recently as 28 August * The proposed Rosemont Mine in the proposal. will need to receive a 404 Permit 2012 Rosemont’s parent company, will significantly impact regional A public informational meeting is from the Army Corps of Engineers. Augusta Resource, filed documents air quality. According to the Forest scheduled for Monday, October 1, The Corps is reviewing Rosemont’s with Canadian and U.S. securities Service Draft EIS, the proposed at 6.00 pm at Sycamore Elementary request, but has not indicated when regulators that outlined significant Rosemont Mine will violate National School, 16701 S. Houghton Rd., it might respond. The Environmental changes in the proposed Rosemont Ambient Air Quality Standards for Corona de Tucson. (Note that is Protection Agengy (EPA) called the Mine. These changes will affect the particulate matter of 10 microns or NOT the date some of you may Draft EIS “one of the worst they had potential air quality impacts of this less, particulate matter of 2.5 microns have seen; we were able to get the ever seen.” We think that the Corps facility. Thus, this permit request or less, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone. originally scheduled date [Tuesday, will take those EPA concerns very should be withdrawn and modified to The Draft EIS also made it clear that 25 October] changed since it is the seriously. In addition, Save the Scenic address the proposed facility changes we could expect serious deterioration beginning of Yom Kippur.) A public Santa Ritas (SSSR) has appealed proposed by Rosemont. of air quality over Saguaro National hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. the granting of an Aquifer Protection * The draft permit does not Park East and eastern Tucson for four 9, at 6.00 pm at the same location. Permit to Rosemont by the Arizona sufficiently address the fugitive months per year. The comment period has been Department of Environmental Quality dust from the immense dry-stacked Many residents of southern extended until October 31. Below (ADEQ). We are in the midst of court tailings piles. The permit does not Arizona have health issues that are are a few issues you might want to hearings in Phoenix right now. address emissions from the tailings worsened when air quality diminishes. raise if you attend the public hearing So the mine is not about to piles during mine operations (it Thus, it is critical that this permit be on Oct. 9 or if you send comments. happen; and we encourage you to addresses tailings emissions only granted ONLY if the mine will not E-mail comments may be sent to: submit comments on the Air Quality during construction.) This state impact the clean air and the human [email protected]. We Permit. permit does not require a tailings health of our region. encourage you to comment! management plan as is required * This public process is a sham. Gayle Hartmann, President, by Pima County of other mining The State of Arizona Department of Save the Scenic Santa Ritas

Proposed Desert Springs Development Threatens Catalina State Park The area, previously known as the the Canada del Oro floodplain. Tangerine Road. Beginning at the and opportunities for solitude and historic Kelly Ranch, was previously Currently zoned for low density Park entrance road and continuing immersion in nature for both humans identified for acquisition with Pima development in Pima County, the throughout the various campgrounds and wildlife. County Open Space Bond funds as owners are proposing annexation, and the equestrian center, the close Tucson Audubon has held its part of Oro Valley’s designated wish major upzoning and development proximity of development to the Park Institute of Desert Ecology at Catalina list but a sales price could never be in Oro Valley. The previous county will be painfully obvious. In addition State Park for over 30 years. Let Oro ike agreed upon nor are there currently plan included a golf course to buffer to adverse impacts to the Park’s Valley, the Forest Service and State P ara any bond monies left with which to Catalina State Park, owned by the entire viewshed, light and sound Parks know your thoughts and copy buy the property. The property lies US Forest Service and managed by pollution will threaten dark skies us when you do. 2009, S within Pima County’s Conservation AZ State Parks. The newly proposed cology

Land System and contains Important plan has no buffer and places high E Riparian Areas as well as Biological density residences adjacent to the esert

Core Management Areas, the park and commercial development D of southern aspect being located in along Oracle Road, across from stitute

20 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2012 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. In Conservation & Education News

Get out and Vote! Your Vote is Important! Election Day is Tuesday November 6, 2012. Are you registered to vote? Remember you must be registered 29 days before an election to vote. Go here to register in Arizona https:// servicearizona.com/webapp/evoter/ selectLanguage The Arizona League of Conservation Voters (ACLV) Education Fund has a great variety of election-related resources here http:// azlcvedfund.org/voter_resources.php Make sure that your vote on 119, lands subject to exchange must Clean air and water are of national November 6 counts toward the either improve the management of importance. Before passage of the conservation of birds and their state lands for the purposes of sale Clean Water Act, little had been habitats. How will each candidate or lease or conversion to public use achieved by relying on states to work to support our natural OR protect military facilities, such as keep our water safe. Proposition

In Brief riffiths environment? Addressing the causes National Guard installations, Davis 120 could expose our wetlands G of climate change is a defining issue, Monthan or Luke Air Force Bases, and river systems to polluters and Lower San Pedro River att , M not just for the conservation of wildlife or Fort Huachuca. All lands to be developers. Do we really want to Collaborative Conservation and iver habitat, but for our and our children’s exchanged will be identified up front; return to the days of the Love Canal, National Wildlife Refuge Proposal R

continued health and survival. will require two land appraisals; will when our rivers were on fire? The Update edro P

include an analysis of the impacts; Clean Air Act, through regulating an

Do you know your candidates’ The public comment period is now S positions on reducing atmospheric and will require two public meetings. smokestack emissions, protects us closed and we await publication of the ower

carbon emissions? What is their And ALL of this must happen prior and our wildlife from acid rain, and US Fish & Wildlife Service’s findings. ; L ike

voting record on recent energy and to any exchange moving forward. mercury in our fish and fish-eating One issue of interest is the recently P

environment bills? Finally, and most importantly, any birds, and numerous respiratory released report on the Santa Catalina ara , S

Good resources abound on the exchange must go before the voters illnesses. Proposition 120 would – Rincon – Galiuro Mountain Wildlife ark P internet: in addition to the ACLV, www. for approval. The Tucson Audubon endanger the air we breathe, the Linkage available at http://www. tate

votesmart.org is a site to research the Society supports transparency and water we drink, and the wildlife and azgfd.gov/w_c/documents/ S records of our candidates, and a way accountability in government and lands we all cherish. All Americans SantaCatalinaRinconGaliuro_ to research principal funding sources the conservation of State Trust have an interest in the National Parks, LinkageDesign_lowres.pdf atalina R: C

of the candidates. Lands in order to best benefit the 13 Forests, and Monuments within t L L o Ballotpedia.org is also a good trust beneficiaries, including public Arizona. The Arizona State Legislature Catalina Regional Park Update source of information, including schools, supported by the State Lands has repeatedly demonstrated it is Neighbors are currently working with elections to the Arizona Corporation Trust, both now and in the future. unable to manage the resources Pima County Natural Resources, Commission where renewable energy, By supporting Proposition 119 you currently under its jurisdiction in a Parks, and Recreation personnel such as distributed solar, is a major will support education, jobs and a fiscally responsible manner for the to provide some landscape upkeep concern. vibrant economy, and create a better public benefit. Do you trust the future and safety while maintaining the future for all the citizens of Arizona. care and management of our birds, essential natural quality of the park Make sure you Vote! YES We encourage you to VOTE YES on wildlife, and natural resources to the and focusing on sustaining riparian on Prop 119 and NO on PROP 119! Arizona State Legislature? We do wildlife habitat, especially around the pond. For more information, go to Prop 120 not and we urge you to Vote No on Proposition 120 — Just Proposition 120. ourcatalina.com Prop 119: Vote Yes. For years our say NO! state has struggled to find a way to conserve the most culturally and Proposition 120, a Constitutional Sign up for Tucson Audubon’s eNews biologically significant state lands Amendment, seeks to give Arizona’s Tucson Audubon sends out a weekly email of news updates to a list of around for future generations. Proposition State Legislature exclusive control 2,500 people. In addition, we send our supplemental emails to this list, for 119 is nearly identical to the 2010 over all air, land and water. This example for urgent conservation action or special invitations. Proposition 110 which lost by less includes control, management and You can sign up for this list in a number of ways. The easiest is to than one percent of the vote. disposition of federal public lands and go to tucsonaudubon.org and click on the link that says Sign-Up Now we have chance to get it right waters and superseding federal laws E-newsletter. Otherwise send an email to pgreen@ and reform the way we do business that protect public health and safety, tucsonaudubon.org with your first and last name, or call so that we, the taxpayers, can such as the Clean Air and Water n Jean Barchman at 520-209-1802 and she will take participate in an open and transparent Acts. We oppose Proposition 120 and encourage all Arizonans to VOTE NO! your details. offma public process. Under Proposition n H oh J

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2012 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 21 Conservation & Education News

Flying Over Boundaries: Binational Education, Conservation and Long-lasting Friendships. d n Rancho La Esmeralda, a private for indoor and outdoor meetings, a this type. The last morning of the arla ranch located southwest of Nogales, swimming pool, a large ramada for weekend training was reserved for F ac M

Sonora and only five miles south of the group meals and extensive camping a mock survey. All the kinks were ie nn e

US-Mexico border, hosted a group of grounds. The whole facility is solar- smoothed out for participants in this J people from Sonora, Arizona, and New powered, adding to the value of this tricky protocol and new birds including Mexico who came together to enjoy a place as a sustainable, eco-friendly Elegant Trogon and Black-capped weekend exploring and learning in the ranch. Not only is this a perfect Gnatcatcher were added to the trip creeks and natural landscapes of the location for a bird survey training, it’s list. Rancho La Esmeralda was the Sierra La Esmeralda range. Organized also an excellent place for birding. perfect place to hold this bird survey and led by Sky Island Alliance Adjacent to the house is the training with beautiful scenery, lively dt n

(skyislandalliance.org) and Tucson Planchas de Plata canyon, a beautiful creeks and great birding. In total we o M

Audubon, over 40 people from different and inviting canyon that beckoned to identified over 70 species of birds, od R walks of life traveled to the rancho us with the promise of great birding. in addition to other wildlife species Top to bottom: Tucson Audubon’s Matt over Mexico’s Independence Day The first morning we led a bird walk like Sonoran Desert tortoise, Black- Griffiths leads a bird walk; Bird monitoring weekend (Sept 14-16), to participate in into the canyon which resulted in necked garter snake, Night snake, workshop. a bird monitoring training and a habitat over 50 species in less than three Sonoran mud turtle, Lowland leopard a restoration consultant from New restoration workshop. hours including Thick-billed Kingbird frog, Couch’s spade foot toad and Mexico, over a dozen professors and Rancho La Esmeralda is an and Buff-breasted Flycatcher. That Red-spotted toad. students from the Universidad de 8,000-acre property where Sky afternoon the workshop on the Participants during this weekend Sonora and Tecnológico de Cananea, Island Alliance has conducted wildlife methodology of the Coordinated included two Tucson Audubon an oncologist from Hermosillo and Sky monitoring, habitat restoration and Bird Monitoring surveys occurred, Society staff, three U.S. Forest Island Alliance staff. VF trainings since 2007. The Hacienda- and participants also learned how to Service biologists, one Arizona Game style bunk house can comfortably host use a handheld GPS and measure and Fish Department staff, several Jennie McFarland, Tucson Audubon 40 people; there is common space vegetation, vital skills in surveys of University of Arizona researchers, and Sergio Avila, Sky Island Alliance.

you hire labor to do the work—not if capacity has to be 60% (measured reen G Conservation Corner! i you do it yourself). in gallons) of the collection area -L Ready to harvest water? Tucson require potable water! For a desert, There are two “levels” to the (measured in square feet). So, for ng & E

Water now offers a rebate to make our area gets a surprising amount rebate. Level 1 covers the cost of example, if you collect from a 10x100- aul P n it more affordable. It will pay half the of rain—close to 12 inches per year. eligible materials and labor up to foot roof area, that’s 1,000 square roese cost, up to $2,000! We can replace a lot of that potable $300. It’s less money but easier to feet. So your capacity must be at least K Here’s the logic. Potable water irrigation water with free rain from the qualify for. 600 gallons. dall n e

K is expensive and has an sky. Level 2 covers half the cost of Your home must be in the Tucson enormous ecological The problem is that while the eligible materials and labor up to Water service area. You must attend a footprint. water is free, the harvesting is not. $2,000. However, your system has 3-hour workshop and get a certificate. Currently about You either have to build “earthworks” to create enough storage (basin and/ You must submit a drawn plan, your 40 percent of (basins, swales, berms) or erect a or cistern) to hold the runoff from a certificate and receipts to Tucson the potable cistern or tank. Cost is a barrier for 1-inch rainfall (from your selected Water. Other rebate details are found water used by many people. collection area—usually a portion of at http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/water/ homeowners is Tucson Water’s new rebate pays your roof). rwh-rebate. VF for irrigation. But for either “earthworks” or tanks or How much water is that? They’ve Kendall Kroesen, irrigation doesn’t both. It pays for materials and labor (if simplified the math: the storage Habitats Program Manager

22 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2012 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Weekly Bird Walks Tucson Audubon Field Trips Kate Reynolds | Field Trip Coordinator Thursdays—October & November: 8 am; December 8:30 am

) Wake Up With the Birds at Agua Caliente Park. A stroll through the bosque and mages

n I along the ponds. Loaner binocs available, meet in front of the ranch house. For more

vergree info call Pima County Parks and Rec., n (E 520-615-7855. iorda Saturdays—8–9:30 am (from October 13) R Tucson Audubon’s Mason Center. arry B Families and birders of all skill levels are welcome. Visit tucsonaudubon.org/ masoncenter for details.

More field trips are available online. V isit tucsonaudubon.org/ fieldtrips for more trips and the latest or expanded field trip Arivaca Cienega information or call us at 520-629-0510.

General Information October 6—Saturday 7:15 am October Tucson Audubon field trips are free. For general Oracle State Park information call 520-629-0510. For specific October 2—Tuesday 6:30 am This wonderful location, closed several years information about a trip, contact the leader of Arivaca Cienega/Buenos ago, is now open only sometimes on Saturdays. that trip. Aires National Wildlife Refuge Amidst the oaks and junipers and the gardens We’ll look for late migrants, residents and possibly around the Kannally Ranch we should be able Please dress appropriately for your field trip. a few early winter arrivals in the riparian and to find some fall migrants as well as year-round Always wear sturdy shoes, a hat, and use sun wetlands at the Arivaca Cienega and riparian trail regulars. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water and protection. Bring plenty of snacks and water on the Buenos Aires wildlife refuge west of Arivaca. a snack. We will finish before noon. If you are for yourself. Always bring your binoculars, We’ll also well make a few opportunistic stops in coming from Tucson and want to carpool meet the field guide, and for most trips a scope can be the desert grasslands on the way to Arivaca. Meet leader at Bashas’ parking lot in Catalina, on the useful. Bring money to cover your share of the at McDonald’s in Green Valley at 6:30 am. Use the northeast corner of Oracle Rd. and Golder Ranch carpooling and any required entry fees (e.g. for Continental Rd. exit off of I-19 and turn right to the Rd. at 7:15 am. You can also meet at the Kannally state parks). McDonald’s. Trip limited to 15. Sign up early with Ranch House at 8:15 am. Leader: Doug Jenness leader, Sharon Goldwasser azfiddle@mindspring. [email protected] 520-909-1529 Arrival Times com. Please arrive before listed departure times. Trips October 9—Tuesday 7:30 am will leave promptly at the time given. October 4—Thursday 8:00 am Sweetwater Wetlands St. David Monastery & Benson We’ll roam these in-town wetlands looking for Carpooling Sites Take an easy walk on mostly level ground shorebirds, migrants, and local birds on this cool Tucson Audubon strongly encourages (approximately 1 mile) through the monastery at fall morning. We’ll walk approximately 1.5 miles carpooling and for some trips it may be St. David during this transition period where it on wide and flat gravel trails. Beginning birders required. Check our website for frequently used may be possible to find a combination of lingering and part-time residents are encouraged to sign carpooling sites. You are expected to reimburse summer residents, fall migrants and newly-arrived up! Meet in the parking lot at 7:30. Sign up with the driver for the actual cost of fuel. Drivers and winter residents. There may be some tall grass leader at [email protected]. Trip limited to 12 trip leaders are not expected to contribute. to walk through on the trail to the river. For those participants. interested, we will then head to the Benson Rare Bird Alert Sewage Ponds and San Pedro Golf Course ponds October 13—Saturday 10:30 am Listen to the latest rare bird alert at to view waterfowl and other surprises. Bring water, Tucson Wildlife Center 520-629-0510 ext. 3. Report rare birds snacks and insect repellent. Meet the leader at The Tucson Wildlife Center is dedicated to the at 520-629-0510 or rarebirdalert@ 8 am at the Holy Trinity Monastery, Hwy 80 just east rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured tucsonaudubon.org of St. David at 8 am. Leader: Arlene Ripley 520- and orphaned wild animals throughout Southern 419-7804 Arizona. Join us in a special behind-the-scenes Don’t forget to stop in our Nature Shop tour of this remarkable wildlife emergency for your field and IDG uides, and treatment center. Trip limited to 12. Wear long other birding supplies. pants and close-toed shoes. Cameras ok. Done

Visit tucsonaudubon.org/fieldtrips for updates and more October–December 2012 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 23 Field Trips d n mith -S arla riffiths F G ac drat n M att o ie M K nn e J hrissy C

San Rafael Grasslands Mt Lemmon Rose Canyon Sweetwater Wetlands

by about 12:30 pm. Contact Kate Reynolds to of 20. Meet at Sweetwater, bring water and sun November 6—Tuesday 6:30 am sign up and for directions to the meeting place: protection. Leaders: Matt Brooks & Sara Pike 520- Two Hours at Sweetwater [email protected] 668-7631 [email protected] Join us for a birding stroll at Sweetwater Wetlands. We’ll check out the paths through the wetlands, October 16—Tuesday 5:00 am October 27—Saturday 6:30 am and maybe pop over to the trail along the river San Rafael Grasslands Peña Blanca Lake easement. Easy walking, good birds, and pleasant This trip provides an opportunity to see Let’s take a casual stroll lakeside to search for company. Bring water and sun protection. Limit raptors and grassland sparrows. The number of lingering migrants and early winterers. Meet at the of 20. Meet at Sweetwater, bring water and sun bird species we will see is not large, but we hope to Green Valley McDonalds on Continental Road at protection. Leaders: Matt Brooks & Sara Pike 520- see some birds not easily seen elsewhere. Mostly 6:30 am. We’ll return about noonish or so. Please 668-7631 [email protected] birding from cars, but some walking through tall call the trip leader, Cliff Cathers, to register at 520- grass and over rocky slopes. If you don’t have 647-3273 or email at [email protected]. November 10—Saturday 7:30 am a high clearance vehicle, plan to carpool with Sweetwater Wetlands October 30—Tuesday Time TBD someone who does. Bring lunch. Scope will be We’ll roam these in-town wetlands looking for useful. Meet at Houghton Road north of I-10 before R ock Corral Canyon shorebirds, migrants, and local birds on this cool Come explore a little-known canyon draining to the 5:00 am. (150 miles round trip). Leader: Jim Hays fall morning. We’ll walk approximately 1.5 miles northeast out of the Tumacacori Mountains and [email protected] on wide and flat gravel trails. Beginning birders incorporating the Wild Chile Botanical Area. Lower and part-time residents are encouraged to sign October 18—Thursday 6:30 am areas of the entrance road have Rufous-winged up! Meet in the parking lot at 7:30. Sign up with Tanque Verde Wash IBA Walk and Black-throated Sparrows, while the upper parts leader at [email protected]. Trip limited to 12 Tour a birding gem right here in Tucson of the canyon have patches of oak with Bridled participants. with the Important Bird Area Conservation Titmouse, Hutton’s Vireo, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Biologist. This wash is lined with healthy riparian Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, and perhaps some November 13—Tuesday 10:30 am cottonwoods and willows and we will be looking migrants. Maybe we’ll get lucky and discover R eid Park Ramble especially for fall migrants. We will meet at Black-capped Gnatcatcher, so be prepared for We will wander around the park for two hours Agua Caliente Park at 6:30 am. Limited to 15; a lesson on how to identify this difficult group of looking for winter visitors like waterfowl, raptors, email leader Jennie MacFarland jmacfarland@ birds. If there are flowers, be prepared to do some warblers, woodpeckers and bluebirds. Easy tucsonaudubon.org. butterfly watching as well. Walking on rough, rocky pace on sidewalk and lawn. Bring scope if you road and trails, steep in places requires good want. Follow directions to the Reid Park Zoo October 20—Saturday 6:30 am physical ability. Limited to 15 participants, at least parking lot. But meet at the bus stop kiosk in front Catalina Mountains 4 of whom are willing to drive their high clearance of the Edith Ball Adaptive Pool (looks like a big Fall birding is still interesting in the Santa Catalina vehicles the 2.5-mile entrance road; carpooling white tent.) Do not meet at the zoo entrance. No Mtns. with potential for Williamson’s and Red- to rendezvous recommended. Contact leader to need to sign up prior, just show up. But if you have naped Sapsuckers, Golden-crowned Kinglet, many sign up and to receive further details: Rich Hoyer a question contact leader John Higgins 520-578- sparrows, Red Crossbill, and possibly lingering [email protected] 520-325-5310. 1830, [email protected]. migrants. Planned stops include Molino Basin, Prison Camp, Rose Canyon Lake, and Marshall November 17—Saturday 6:00 am Gulch, but plan to be flexible in response to stake- November Whitewater, Willcox & Wine out birds and unpredictable weather. Meet at 6:30 November 3—Saturday 8 am Winter residents have returned to SE AZ and the at the McDonald’s on the corner of Tanque Verde Sabino Canyon ‘12 vintage has arrived. We will look for Sandhill and Catalina Highway. Back by 3 pm. Rose Canyon We’ll bird Sabino Canyon Recreation Cranes and wintering raptors and then experience Lake $8/vehicle. Bring lunch, water, and layered Area walking a 4-mile loop that includes both clothing! Limited to 20 participants. Sign up with Sonoran desert uplands and the riparian area of leader Carl Lundblad [email protected]. Sabino Creek along rocky uneven trails. Meet at the ramada by the Visitor’s Center. $5 parking fee October 23—Tuesday 6:00 am or a pass required for Sabino Canyon Recreation Two Hours at Sweetwater Area. Return by 11 am. Sunhat, water and walking Join us for a birding stroll at Sweetwater Wetlands. shoes recommended. Leaders are Sabino Canyon We’ll check out the paths through the wetlands, Volunteer Naturalists. Group size limited to 20,

and maybe pop over to the trail along the river rud email to reserve a spot. Leaders: Jean & Mark n

easement. Easy walking, good birds, and pleasant ua Hengesbaugh [email protected] Q company. Bring water and sun protection. Limit Sandhill Crane avid D

24 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2012 Visit tucsonaudubon.org/fieldtrips for updates and more Field Trips

a new dimension of the “Willcox Bench,” the at the McDonalds at Tanque Verde Road and the

burgeoning wine industry. Kansas Settlement Rd ammar Catalina Highway at 7:30 am. Please call the trip H

and historic Willcox now have more to offer than ars leader, Cliff Cathers, to register at 520-647-3273 or L just the Bonita Bean Co., fallow fields and Rex email at [email protected]. VF Allen. Dress for the weather. Bring scopes, snack and lunch. Wine tastings typically cost $7—we’ll do 2. Please preregister 10 days ahead (Wednesday 11–7) so I can give a heads up to the vintners. Meet- 6:00 am. Houghton Rd. and I-10. Designated Oracle State Park ARIZONA CHRISTMAS drivers appreciated. Cheers! Leader: Michael BIRD COUNT SCHEDULE Bissontz 520-577-8778 [email protected] by the Visitor’s Center. $5 parking fee or a pass required for Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. 2012–2013 November 19—Monday 7:30 am Return by 11 am. Sunhat, water and walking shoes The National Audubon Society has conducted Sweetwater Wetlands recommended. Leaders are Sabino Canyon Christmas bird counts since 1900. Volunteers Great for new birders—join us for a walk through Volunteer Naturalists. Group size limited to 20, from across North America and beyond take to Sweetwater Wetlands where we will look for late email to reserve a spot. Leaders: Jean & Mark the field during one calendar day in December migrants, wintering and resident birds. We will Hengesbaugh [email protected] and January to record every bird species and also enjoy other fauna we may encounter. Please individual bird encountered within a designated remember sun protection (dress for the weather) December 4—Tuesday 7:00 am 15-mile diameter circle. These records and water. We will meet in the parking lot. Access Urban Birding across from Catalina now comprise an extensive ornithological to Sweetwater may be limited due to the ongoing State Park database that enables monitoring of winter construction on the access road. Please sign up in This will be a slightly different trip! Across from bird populations and the overall health of the advance with trip leader via email. Leader: Michael the Catalina State Park is a large shopping center environment. Help is needed on most of these “Wolfie” Skinner 520-743-2403 [email protected] with a surprising gem of habitat hidden inside. This counts, so find one or more and contact the time of year this is an excellent place for wintering November 24—Saturday 8:15 am compiler for info. See tucsonaudubon.org/cbc sparrows, bluebirds and other surprises in this for the full list of counts in Arizona. Oracle State Park urban habitat. We will meet at the In-N-Out Burger Work off a little turkey and pie by birding in on Oracle south of Tangerine at 7:00 am. Limited to beautiful Oracle State Park with its oak woodlands 15; email leader Jennie MacFarland jmacfarland@ and boulder outcroppings. Park is at 4500 foot tucsonaudubon.org. Register now for Sixth elevation so be prepared for cooler weather. Will be walking on uneven terrain with minor elevation December 8—Saturday 8:00 am Annual AZFO Meeting changes. $7 per car entrance fee or use your Sweetwater Wetlands The sixth annual state meeting of Arizona AZ state park pass. Meet at the Kannally Ranch Meet at the parking lot on Sweetwater Drive at Field Ornithologists will be held at Hampton parking area inside the park at 8:15 am. For 8 am. Almost all the regular winter birds of the Inn at 245 London Bridge Rd. in Lake Havasu directions, carpooling info and other details, please Tucson area should be found and maybe an City on Arizona’s “West Coast” October 26- contact the leader after November 3. Leader: M.E. uncommon visitor or two. We do easy walking for 28. The meeting is open to all and will focus Flynn 520-797-1743 or [email protected] two to three hours on level paths. Bring water; wear on observing, surveying, and research on hats. All ages and birding abilities are encouraged Arizona’s birds, and on the contributions of November 27—Tuesday 8:00 am to participate. Check to see if the Prince Rd. exit is late Gale Monson to ornithology in Arizona. Lyman Atturbury Wash Animal and currently open. Otherwise use the temporary I-10 Saturday evening’s dinner features keynote Bird Sanctuary exit at Camino del Cerro. Leaders: Bev and Andy speaker Ken Rosenberg, of the Cornell Join us to find resident and wintering birds at Robertson 520-615-2285 [email protected]. Laboratory of Ornithology who will talk on “A Atturbury Wash and Lincoln Regional Park, Half Century of Avifaunal Change on the Lower on Tucson’s east side. This is one of Tucson’s December 10—Monday 7:00 am Colorado River.” The weekend includes field premier washes and the site of a Tucson Audubon Two Hours at Sweetwater expeditions on Friday, talks on Saturday talks. project to improve habitat. The location is lower Join us for a birding stroll at Sweetwater Wetlands. For full information go to azfo.org. Advance Lincoln Park off Escalante east of Pantano Road We’ll check out the paths through the wetlands, registration is encouraged. Visit www.azfo.org (not upper Lincoln Park off Pantano south of and maybe pop over to the trail along the river for details and to register online. Escalante). Meet at lower Lincoln Park at 8:00 am. easement. Easy walking, good birds, and pleasant Bring water and sunscreen; finished before lunch. company. Bring water and sun protection. Limit Call leader for exact directions: Kendall Kroesen of 20. Meet at Sweetwater, bring water and sun [email protected] or 520-971-2385. protection. Leaders: Matt Brooks & Sara Pike 520- Additional Bird 668-7631 [email protected] Walks in Tucson and December December 24—Monday 7:30 am Southeast Arizona December 1—Saturday 8 am Christmas Eve Urban Birding For information on weekly regional bird Sabino Canyon It’s the time of year when Tucson’s urban walks from Agua Caliente Park to Ramsey We’ll bird Sabino Canyon Recreation Area walking areas can yield excellent over-wintering species Canyon Preserve, please see our website, a 4-mile loop that includes both Sonoran desert and we’ll celebrate the impending holiday with a s n

uplands and the riparian area of Sabino Creek www.tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/ va

short distance trip in town to Tanque Verde Wash, E along rocky uneven trails. Meet at the ramada birding/128.html.

Agua Caliente Park and Woodland Road. Meet oris D

Visit tucsonaudubon.org/fieldtrips for updates and more October–December 2012 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 25 Birding Travel from our Business Partners

Adventure Birding C­ ompany throated Motmot, Blue-and-white Mockingbird, also many groups of birds typical of latitudes far www.adventurebirding.com Rufous-collared Thrush and Azure-rumped to the south, including parrots, trogons, motmots, [email protected] • 520-495-0229 Tanager. Our optional post-tour Tikal Extension attilas, tityras, shrike-vireos, flowerpiercers, then explores the region’s remarkable Mayan euphonias, caciques, and brush-finches. Big Bend Nat’l Park, Texas: Colima ruins while targeting such sought-after species Oaxaca Valley: March 22–28, 2013. $2400. Warbler short tour May 1–5, 2013, $1095. as the regal Ocellated Turkey, Great Curassow, Leader: John Yerger. Big Bend is one of the most Leader: David MacKay. The valley and city Grey-throated Chat and Rose-throated Tanager. of Oaxaca are at 6000’ and the surrounding remote birding hotspots in the U.S., and home This fabulous Central American adventure is set to some of its most spectacular scenery! It’s the mountains reach 10,000’, an elevation gradient that amongst spectacular volcanoes and fabulous holds a great array of habitats! Birds like Oaxaca only place in the country to find Colima Warbler, highland lakes and comes highly recommended! the focus of one long day hike. A surprising and Bridled Sparrow, Ocellated Thrasher, Pileated number of habitats and oases are found within Solipaso Tours Flycatcher, Dwarf and Slaty Vireo, White-throated Park boundaries. Ideal for anyone desiring lots www.solipaso.com Towhee, and Boucard’s Wren. Most of these birds can be found at such significant archeological of birding and sightseeing on limited vacation Colima Jalisco: February 26–March 5, 2013. time. Lucifer Hummingbird, Painted Bunting sites like Monte Alban and Yagul, where we bird $2300. Leader: David MacKay. The melding of and explore the ruins. In the mountains, we bird and Golden-fronted Woodpecker are just a few western Mexico with the volcanic belt is impressive others we’ll seek on this fun-filled adventure! areas of exceptional pine-oak forests, where and makes this area rich with a large number of we may see Dwarf Jay, Chestnut-sided Shrike South Texas: Rarities and Specialties interesting Mexican endemic birds. Views of the Vireo, Red Warbler, Long-tailed Wood-partridge short tour Feb 27–Mar 3, 2013, $1195. Leader: twin volcanoes, Volcan de Colima and snow- and Bumblebee Hummingbird! Beyond birding, John Yerger. Limited vacation time? This “short mantled Nevado de Colima, (12,500 and 14,235 we take time to visit the markets and other sites tour” will target some of the rarest birds in the feet respectively) provide a picturesque backdrop of interest for the amazing crafts of the region… ABA region! Our main focus: find mega-rarities for nearly the entire trip. Species include Long- and the food is some of the best in Mexico! in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. In recent years, tailed Wood-Partridge, Banded Quail, Balsas species included Crimson-collared Grosbeak, Screech-Owl, Bumblebee Hummingbird, Slaty Tropical B­ irding Golden-crowned Warbler and Black-vented Vireo, Red-breasted Chat, Orange-breasted www.tropicalbirding.com Oriole. In addition, we’ll seek rare residents Bunting, and Black-chested Sparrow. There are [email protected] • 1-800-348-­5941 VF like Brown Jay and Red-billed Pigeon. And of course, spectacular South Texas specialties like Green Jay, Altamira Oriole and Buff-bellied Hummingbird will round out the trip! See website 20th Anniversary event for details and extended alternative to this tour. Rockjumper—Worldwide Birding Wings Over Willcox 2013 Adventures Birding & Nature Festival [email protected] www.rockjumperbirding.com (USA & Canada toll-free): 1-888-990-5552 Arizona’s mecca for wintering Myanmar—Endemics of Remote Asia: Sandhill Cranes, 5 to 17 January 2013 (13 days). Tour Price (per Raptors & person): US$4,450 (Single supplement US$195, Sparrows approx cost of flights US$300). Please note: these • Banquet with Keynote Speaker: Kenn Kaufman prices are subject to foreign exchange fluctuations. January 16 – 20, 2013 - Author, artist, naturalist, and conservationist Online registration: Myanmar, nestled between Thailand and India, • Free Nature Expo with live animals remains a poorly known birding destination, and • Birding, Geology, History & other tours www.wingsoverwillcox.com our Myanmar—Endemics of Remote Asia tour • Free Seminars on Birding, Astronomy & more Call 1-800-200-2272 for brochure explores some seldom-visited birding hotspots. Key sites here hold important populations of declining waterbirds and support a wealth of endemic and range-restricted birds, including g/alliance to learn more about the products and services offered by our Bird & Business Alliance partners four species endemic to the countries’ unique dry zone habitat. This tour offers a thorough coverage of the core birds of this fascinating country, as well as taking time to marvel at the 2000+ temples and pagodas around Bagan. Guatemala—Central American Specialties: 11 to 19 January 2013 (9 days). Tour price (per person): US$2,250 (Single supplement US$300). Please note: these prices are subject to foreign exchange fluctuations. Our Guatemala—Central American Specialties tucsonaudubon.or tour takes us in search of one of the world’s most prized birds, the Horned Guan, and other isit

V specialties including Pink-headed Warbler, Blue-

26 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2012 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Tucson Audubon thanks our Birds & Business Tucson Audubon’s Alliance Members, who have shown their support for bird Birds & Business alliance 2010- 2011 conservation through annual contributions and in-kind Weo lcome t our new Birds & Business Alliance Members donations. Please show them you appreciate their support for us by supporting them. Visit Associated Benefits Specialists, Inc. Sunglow Ranch is an intimate, hideaway tucsonaudubon.org/alliance for more is a full service independent agency with more guest ranch in the Chiricahua Mountains ER than 20 years in the health insurance industry. Our of southeastern Arizona offering guests information, including links to member websites. seasoned experts provide annual benefit and cost comfortable lodging, inspired dining and a Gold analysis of employee health benefit programs, breadth of activities especially birding, hiking Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc assist with market search and budgeting, and star-gazing. Most of all, Sunglow Ranch OPP answer employee questions, and offer support provides guests with a unique, relaxed mountain Riverpark Inn • 800-551-1466 C for the day-to-day operations of your plans. setting with an amazing proximity to nature. Sterling Adventure Birding Company • 520-495-0229 • www.adventurebirding.com Rockjumper BirdingTours • [email protected] • www.rockjumperbirding.com Solipaso Tours • www.solipaso.com The TAS-ifieds Tucson Audubon Tropical Birding • 800-348-5941 Classified ADs Nature Shops • www.tropicalbirding.com Classified and display ads are accepted from When you support your local Tucson Silver individual members and members of our Birds Audubon Society you are supporting birds Cox Communications & Business Alliance. Visit tucsonaudubon.org/ and bird habitat conservation. Thank you! Fiore Tile Works • 520-971-0677 vfly for rates or contact Matt Griffiths mgriffiths@ SHOP HOURS Loews Ventana Canyon tucsonaudubon.org to book an ad. • 520-299-2020 • www.loewshotels.com Main Shop Pima Federal Credit Union • 520-887-5010 Monday–Saturday 10 am–4 pm, Bsird & Beer Third Thursdays at Sky Bar: Phone: 629-0510 ext 7015 Copper 5–7 pm. Get a free slice of pizza (from Brooklyn On the southeast corner of University Blvd and 5th Avenue. *Associated Benefits Specialists, Inc. • 520-219-1950 Pizza) and beer at happy hour prices. Bring your AguC a aliente Park Shop Bed and Bagels of Tucson • 520-603-1580 bird photos on a USB stick or disk to share. October Thursday, 9 am–1:30 pm; Brooklyn Pizza Company • 520-622-6868 November, December Wednesday 10 am–1 pm, Casa de San Pedro B&B • www.bedandbirds.com Birds & Business Alliance Join today and Thursday 9 am–2:30 pm, connect with the Tucson Audubon community. Friday–Saturday, 10 am–2:30 pm Cat Mountain Lodge • 520-578-6068 Contact Erin Olmstead at eolmstead@ Phone: 760-7881 Country Inn & Suites • www.countryinns.com/ tucsonaudubon.org or 520.629.1809 From Tanque Verde Rd and Houghton, continue east on tucsonaz_citycenter Tanque Verde 2 miles. Turn left (north) onto Soldier Trail, Down By the River B&B • 520-720-9441 continue north for 2 miles. Turn right (east) onto Roger Rd, continue ¼ mile to the park entrance on the left (north). Farmers Investment Co (FICO) • sahuaritafarms.ocm When you need a book, think of Financial Architects • www.financial-architects.com WAYS TO GIVE Tucson Audubon Nature Shops first! Hughes Federal Credit Union • 520-794-8341 As a Tucson Audubon Frequent Flyer, Support your local book store. Inn at San Ignacio Condo Hotel • 1-888-450-5444 you can convert your annual donation to Kimberlyn Drew, Realtor • 520-237-1408 a monthly contribution. Your donation is Annual Holiday Leica Sport Optics automatically deducted from your credit The Living Fence • 520-795-5300 card on a monthly basis. In addition, your Sale Week! Merrill Lynch • www.fa.ml.com/Lori fully tax deductible contributions will be November 19th–24th Metropolitan Tucson Convention & listed on your monthly credit card statement, Visitors Bureau • VisitTucson.org (Closed on Thursday November 22nd.) and we will send you a summary receipt Naturalist Journeys • 866-900-1146 of your annual gifts in January, making tax Start your holiday shopping early! The Quailway Cottage • 520-558-0019 time that much easier. An additional benefit Nature Shops have unique gift ideas Radisson Suites Tucson • 520-721-7100 is that you will receive a Tucson Audubon for the nature enthusiast! Ravens-Way Wild Journeys • 520-425-6425 membership for a year. We thank these Sierra Vista Ranch • Sasabe, AZ Frequent Flyer Donors for their contributions: See our catalog insert for ideas. Spirit Tree Inn B&B • 520-394-0121 Myrna Beards, Melanie Builder, Mich Coker Sale on all items in the Sundance Press • 800-528-4827 and Kate Galloway, Christine Curtis, Karl Check the store. Discounts will vary *Sunglow Ranch • www.sunglowranch.com and Sandy Elers, Peggy Ford, Robert King, special pullout depending on product. Tucson Electric Power • www.tep.com VF Susan Kozacek, Nora Miller, and Deborah for holiday Vath. For more information, contact Jean Visit our website or see gift ideas! Barchman at 520-209-1802 or jbarchman@ our weekly email starting tucsonaudubon.org. November 5th for sale details! *New

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2012 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 27 NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID TUCSON, AZ 300 E University Blvd, #120 PERMIT #1345 Tucson, AZ 85705

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Vermilion Flycatcher Volume 57, Number 4, October–December 2012 © 2012 Tucson Audubon Society The Vermilion Flycatcher is the newsletter of the Tucson Audubon Society, a chapter of the National Audubon Society. National Audubon Society members and members of other chapters may receive the Flycatcher by becoming a Friend of Tucson Audubon. See membership at www.tucsonaudubon.org.

A River of Birds Tucson Audubon’s Fifth Annual Gala • January 30, 2013 • Hilton El Conquistador Resort

Silent Auction David S. Wilcove is the author of The Condor’s Shadow: The Loss and Live Birds Recovery of Wildlife in America and No Banquet Way Home: The Decline of the World’s Presentation by Great Animal Migrations. One of the world’s leading experts on endangered species, he Professor David Wilcove, is Professor of Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, author, researcher, birder and Public Affairs at Princeton University.

Reservations from $150. For sponsorship information or to reserve your place, please contact Erin Olmstead at 520-209-1809 or [email protected]

Events Calendar page 5 • Living With Nature page 6 • Visit tucsonaudubon.org for event updates

28 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2012