Bird Surveys and Habitat Assessments Along the Aros-Yaqui River Corridor on and Around the Northern Jaguar Reserve

Bird surveys and habitat assessments along the Aros-Yaqui river corridor on and around the Northern Jaguar Reserve

Summarizing results of field work in December 2011 & July 2012

Prepared by: Aaron D. Flesch and Sky Jacobs School of Natural Resources and the Environment University of Arizona 325 Biological Sciences East Tucson Arizona 85721 [email protected] [email protected]

Prepared for: Diana Hadley and Megan Southern Northern Jaguar Project 2114 W Grant Rd Tucson, Arizona 85745 www.northernjaguarproject.org

Common Black Hawk © A. Flesch Río Aros © A. Flesch

August 2013

Introduction

Ten years ago, two conservation organizations, Naturalia and Northern Jaguar Project, began purchasing private ranches in a remote region of northwest Mexico in an effort to protect the largest remaining population of breeding jaguars (Panthera onca) in northwest Mexico. Since that time, the reserve has grown to 20,140 ha and its mission has broadened to focus more generally on biodiversity conservation in this wild region. Today, the Northern Jaguar Reserve (NJR) is the only reserve in Mexico that protects large areas of Foothills (Sinaloan) Thornscrub. Foothills Thornscrub is the dominant vegetation community in the foothills and valleys west of the northern Sierra Madre Occidental and forms a broad transition zone between tropical and temperate environments. The NJR is situated near the northern extent of Foothills Thornscrub, directly west of the northern end of the Sierra Madre Occidental. It is surrounded on three sides by deep, lowland canyons of the lower Río Aros and upper Río Yaqui, which includes the largest remaining section of free-flowing river in northwest Mexico. Due in part to its ruggedness and inaccessibility, this region is among the largest and least fragmented wildlands in northwest Mexico.

There have been few efforts to describe the fauna and flora of this remote region but birds are one of the better studied groups. Thomas Clark (1984) reported notable observations of birds near Sahuaripa in April and May 1978 and Steve Russell (Russell and Monson 1998) worked in the high mountains east of Sahuaripa in March 1984. Bryan Brown studied nesting Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) along the Río Aros, Bavispe, and Yaqui (Brown and Warren 1985, Brown 1988), but it was not until 1998 when important observations of species other than raptors (Rodríguez-Estrella and Brown 1990) were reported (Russell and Monson 1998). More recently, in July and August 2005, biologists from the University of Arizona recorded 80 species of birds along a 185 km stretch of the Río Aros below Natora and Río Yaqui above Sahuaripa (O’Brien et al. 2006). In April 2007, Peter Warshall and others visited several portions of the Northern Jaguar Reserve and recorded 99 species including a variety of Neotropical migratory species (Warshall 2007). Most recently, between summer 2007 and spring 2010 (Flesch 2008, 2009, 2010), Flesch and others described the distribution and abundance of birds across the NJR; in April 2011, Flesch and Jacobs surveyed birds along the Aros-Yaqui corridor and summarized baseline data on migratory birds.

As part of a broader effort to document the region’s biodiversity and help guide conservation efforts in the region, we studied avifauna on and around the Northern Jaguar Reserve in 2011 and 2012. Extensive previous efforts between 2007 and 2011 were successful in documenting the distribution, abundance, and seasonal and breeding status of birds across much of the reserve (see Flesch 2008, 2009, 2010), thus we focused our efforts on describing the distribution and abundance of birds and presence and condition of habitat for breeding and migratory birds in inaccessible areas on the reserve and in the region immediately surrounding the reserve. Because birds are excellent indicators of environmental conditions, our efforts are important for guiding Naturalia and Northern Jaguar Project in developing conservation proposals and priorities related to reserve expansion and management. Because much of the region is roadless, extremely rugged, and accessible only from Aros-Yaqui river corridor, we organized two river-based expeditions and surveyed areas along the river and in major tributaries and side canyons. Here, we describe summer and wintering bird communities along the Aros-Yaqui river corridor and habitat conditions in the region. During the summer expedition, we invited a mammalogist (David Parsons) and herpetologist (Robert Villa) to participate, and they provided information on these taxa that we report here.

Methods

Study Area: The Northern Jaguar Reserve is located in east-central Sonora, Mexico 55 km north of Sahuaripa and 200 km south of the U.S.-Mexico border (centered near 29°25' N, 109°10' W). The climate is arid with hot summers and cool winters, with most annual precipitation falling during the summer

monsoon season in July-September. Vegetation in uplands is dominated predominantly by Foothills Thornscrub, which is drought deciduous and in leaf during and after the summer monsoon season between June and September (Brown 1982). Foothills Thornscrub is dominated by short trees, shrubs, and cacti and is floristically similar but shorter and less structurally diverse than Tropical Deciduous Forest into which it transitions in southern Sonora. Dominant plant species in Foothills Thornscrub in this region include the trees Lysiloma divaricatum, L. watsonii, Bursera fagaroides, Fouquieria macdougalii, Acacia cochliacantha, Ipomoea arborescens, Ceiba acuminata, and Parkinsonia praecox and the columnar cactus Stenocereus thurberi. At the upper-elevation ecotone of Foothills Thornscrub, oak woodlands are dominated by Quercus chihuahuensis, Q. toumeyi, and Q. alboncinta and are often mixed with patches of thornscrub dominated by L. watsonii, I. arborescens, and Dodonaea viscosa.

We focused surveys in riparian and xero-riparian areas along the river and in major side canyons. Riparian areas were dominated by a range of different woodland associations and occasionally by linear stands of gallery forest. Dense riparian woodlands were common on deep soils and flats and dominated by microphyllous species such as mesquite (Prosopis velutina), acacia (A. occidentalis), and Mexican ebony (Havardia mexicana). In rocky canyons, riparian areas were dominated by L. watsonii, palms (Sabal uresana, Brahea brandegeei), and oak (Q. tuberculata). More xeric canyons with large rocky substrates were often dominated by common thornscrub species in larger form. In more mesic areas common riparian trees included Ceiba acuminata, Sapindus saponaria, Guazuma ulmifolia, Sideroxylon persimile, and Vitex mollis. The most mesic riparian areas were dominated by willows (Salix bonplandiana, S. gooddingii), and buttonbush (Cephalanthus salicifolius), with sycamore (Platanus racemosa) restricted to very few canyons. Also important, but rare are Ficus dominated stretches of canyon bottom with F. pertusa and F. insipid often sharing dominance. Important for many species of birds, the palms Brahea brandegee and Sabal uresana are common in riparian situations throughout the region.

Field Surveys: Because our efforts were focused along the river corridor, we used two methods to survey birds. First, we recorded the number individuals of each species we observed while navigating the river from inflatable rafts and kayaks. Because navigating the river is challenging and requires a great deal of attention to avoid rocks and other hazards (Fig. 1), we focused on recording the number of individuals of species that were rare, uncommon, and of special interest, and recorded only the presence or absence of many common species. Second, we established transects that we surveyed on foot along major tributaries and side canyons, and in large woodlands along the riverfront. Detailed descriptions of sampling methods are provided in a previous report (Flesch 2008) and are briefly described here. To survey birds along transects, we used distance-sampling methods (Buckland et al. 2001) along arroyo bottoms or on established roads or trails. During distance sampling, we also used a more flexible method that involved estimating the number of individuals, pairs, or flocks of each species that we detected along each transect. This method allowed us to extend the length of transects and survey birds across a wider range of times of day, and to quantify the abundance of rare species and those not typically detected during a line transect survey. We surveyed most transects from 30 min before local sunrise to approximately four hours after sunrise, and some transects at other times of day but distance sampling was only conducted during mornings. When surveying, we walked transects slowly and stopped occasionally to record data and investigate unfamiliar vocalizations. For each bird or flock of birds that we detected, we measured the perpendicular distance from the transect line to the bird or center of the flock with a laser rangefinder. We supplemented data that we obtained during transect surveys with incidental observations that we obtained in camp and while traveling and with behavioral observations to assess breeding status (see below). We subdivided each section of river that we floated each day and recorded observations for each of these sections once in camp. Because we endeavored to obtain an accurate count of the number of breeding Common Black Hawks along the river, we used a hand counter to tally the number of individuals, pairs, and occupied nests that we observed while floating. Territorial individuals that were not recorded together as pairs, were only considered to be from separate territories if they were detected >1 km apart. Locations

Figure 1: La Morita, the largest rapid on the Río Aros is below el Carricito. At low water it is not navigable because much of the water flows under large rocks, but at high water a large drop and hole developed on river right, which is passable in a raft or kayak.

of all survey transects and descriptions and photographs of most of transects are summarized in Appendix A.

Analyses: To assess the breeding and residency status of birds, we recorded all evidence of breeding while in the field, searched for nests, observed bird behavior, and used the criteria of the North American Ornithological Atlas Committee (1990) to classify breeding status as possible, probable, or confirmed. To assess the residency and migratory status of each species, we supplemented observations in the region with information on birds from Sonora and adjacent southern Arizona (van Rossem 1945, Marshall 1957, Russell and Monson 1998, Corman and Wise-Gervais 2005, O’Brien et al. 2006, Flesch 2008b) and our knowledge of the natural history of each species. To estimate relative abundance within each season, we estimated the number of detections of each species along each transect. Distance data was not analyzed and will be combined with a larger dataset based on surveys across the region, which will allow estimation of density and correction for variation in detection probability.

Results and Discussion

Effort and Overview: We surveyed 13 transects and 100 km along the river corridor in winter 2011, and 15 transects and 170 km of the river in summer 2012 (see Fig. 2). In winter, when flows ranged from 10 to 60 m3/sec. in the Aros (Figs. 3 and 4) and the river flows slower, we began our trip at the confluence of the Río Aros and Arroyo el Sapo (Las Tésotas; Fig. 2), which is directly across the from the Paso Nacori

gauging station maintained by the Comisión National de Agua. At water levels we encountered in summer the Aros is largely a class III river of moderate difficulty, requiring scouting and maneuvering. The river was easily negotiated at monsoon discharges, except for one class IV rapid above Carrizoso Canyon (La Morita; Fig. 1) and in one other location 3-4 km below. In summer, the river level fluctuated multiple times daily as the result of large monsoon storms far upstream. Winter levels also fluctuated due to a large rainstorm, which more than quadrupled flows along the Aros overnight on Dec. 14, 2011.

This trip afforded excellent access to side canyons and inaccessible riverfront along the northern boundary of the NJR and to a number of private ranches along the Río Yaqui that border the reserve. In summer, when flows were much higher (Figs. 5 and 6) and the river runs faster, we began our trip at the small town of Natora. This longer trip afforded access to canyons and riverfront above the newly acquired Rancho Las Tésotas and to a much larger region along the Río Aros, but still enabled us to survey many of the same transects we surveyed during river trips in April and December 2011.

Figure 2: Map of the lower Río Aros and upper Río Yaqui with floating and walking survey transects. See Table 1 and 2 for transect reference codes.

Figure 3: Río Aros at Paso Nacori – December 11-20, 2011. Data and figures were provided by the Comisión Nacional del Agua.

Figure 4: Río Yaqui at El Cubil– December 11-20, 2011. Data and figures were provided by the Comisión Nacional del Agua.

Figure 5: Río Aros at Paso Nacori – July 15-24, 2012. Data and figures were provided by the Comisión Nacional del Agua.

Figure 6: Río Yaqui at El Cubil– July 15-24, 2012. Data and figures were provided by the Comisión Nacional del Agua.

Winter Observations: We detected 94 species of birds during winter including a variety of notable species that were not formally known to winter this far north in Sonora. We detected 60 species during river-based surveys along the river corridor and 79 species while surveying transects on foot. We observed 16 species only along the river corridor including Osprey, Common Black-Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, and Happy Wren. In contrast, 26 species were only detected during surveys along transects. Great Blue Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, Black Phoebe, and Yellow-rumped Warbler were common to abundant along the river corridor, and Nutting’s Flycatcher and Black-capped Gnatcatcher were common to fairly common along transects.

Winter surveys featured three species that had not been detected before in the region during prior field work between 2007 and 2011, American Pipit, Rufous-backed Robin, and Tufted Flycatcher. The pipit was observed on the river shore below a large open sandy beachhead at the mouth of Carrizoso Canyon, the robin was observed in dense Mesquite woodland just below the mouth of Las Tésotas Canyon, and three Tufted Flycatchers were observed in open riparian woodland along the Río Aros and one in a mosaic of open oak woodland and thornscrub in the canyon north of El Babisoso (Fig. 2). Tufted Flycatchers are not known to breed or winter this far north in Sonora and likely move north down the Río Aros corridor from their breeding grounds in the Sierra Madre to overwinter in this region.

We also observed several other species that were not known to winter this far north in Sonora. They included a single Least Grebe, which breed locally on the NJR, and five Common Black Hawks including both juveniles and adults (see Table 1). Formally, Common Black Hawk was not known to winter outside of southern Sonora. Other notable species we observed during winter included a Cassin’s Kingbird, which have been observed only once during winter on the NJR, two Barn Swallows and one Northern Rough- winged Swallow, which are the first December records of these species in Sonora, and one Violet-green Swallow, which are very rare in Sonora in December (Russell and Monson 1998). Additionally, we observed a Happy Wren in a dense riparian thicket along the Río Yaqui, which despite being the first winter record in the upper Yaqui watershed was not surprising given permanent residency was suspected. Other winter records of note included a Louisiana Waterthrush among large evergreen figs (Ficus insipida) along a flowing section of creek at la Vinatería and three Wilson’s Warblers, which have also been observed wintering in very low numbers on the NJR.

Among the most interesting and notable records we obtained during winter were observations of 21 Brown-backed Solitaires, including 18 that were singing. These attractive thrushes have a very distinctive and extraordinary song and surprisingly, were locally common in tall riparian woodlands along the Río Aros and Río Yaqui. Brown-backed Solitaire have been observed during the breeding season as far north as the Sierra el Tigre in Sonora (A. Flesch, unpublished data) and like Tufted Flycatcher, likely move north and west down the Río Aros corridor from their breeding grounds in high mountain forests to overwinter. Although this species has been detected in a few tall riparian situations on the NJR, they are rare on the NJR except in riparian woodlands along the Río Aros and Río Yaqui, which are largely inaccessible on foot.

Summer Observations: We detected a total of 90 species of birds during summer including 73 during river-based surveys along the river corridor and 74 while surveying transects on foot. We observed 16 species only along the river corridor including Bald Eagle, Spotted Sandpiper, Belted Kingfisher, and Happy Wren. Similarly, 17 species were observed only during transect surveys including Elegant Trogon, Rose-throated Becard, Fan-tailed Warbler, and Black-vented Oriole. Summer surveys featured two species that had not been previously observed in the region or the NJR including Mallard (subspecies diazi) and Double-crested Cormorant, which were both observed perched or swimming along the river. We observed 10 more total species during July 2012 than we observed during surveys along this same stretch of river in July-August 2005 (O’Brien et al. 2006).

Day ofDecember Photo andMapCode Common Merganser Cinnamon Teal Length (km) Black Vulture Great BlueHeron Least Grebe Elegant Quail Common Black-Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk Bald Eagle Osprey Turkey Vulture Red-tailed Hawk American Kestrel Spotted Sandpiper White-tipped Dove Common Ground-Dove Inca Dove Mourning Dove White-winged Dove observations byAaronFleschandSkyJacobs.Transectsriversectionlengthsareapproximate. around theNorthernJaguarReserve12-19December2011.Numbersaresingles,singingmales,orpairs.Codesare:F-female,imm-immature,M-male,S-singing,P-pair,ON-occupiednest.All Table 1:DistributionandabundanceofbirdsdetectedwhilefloatingtheRiosArosYaquiduringsurveysalonglinetransectslocatedinmajorsidecanyonsriverfronton . . . 451. 801. 301515101515102525252020200.5 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.5 2.5 2.5 1.0 1.5 1.5 1.0 1.5 1.5 23.0 12.0 18.0 16.0 14.5 5.5 3.5 7.5 21 41 61 81 21 41 51 61 71 81 19 18 18 17 17 16 16 15 15 14 14 12 12 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 2482 52 02 5 25 20 20 15 20 8 4 12 525 15 2 5 3 01 51 5211 1 2 15 15 25 12 10 5 6 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 10 2 Las Tesotas to Los Chinos 1 1 8 Los Chinos to El Carricito 1 11211 1

El Carricito to El Carrizoso River Sections-Floated 1 1 41 1 35 110 14 14 5 El Carrizoso to Las Burras 8 1 1 3 Las Burras to Babisoso m 3 1 imm 0632 3 6 10 15 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 Babisoso to to El Medio 3,P@ON 1 2 El Medio to La Vinateria 10 2 La Vinateria to Yaqui Bridge 2W 3W 6W 8W W9 W7 W8 W5 W6 W4 W3 W1 W2 021 2 10 3 2 1 Rio Aros below las Tesotas

24 El Sapo Canyon (las Tesotas) 6 1 9 El Carricito riverfront 1 1 6 Pan Duro Canyon Canyon andRiverfrontTransects-Walked

1 Cajon el Carrizoso 2 11 1 4 2 Canyon "El Pilar"

410 14 2 Las Burras Canyon 1 2 72 Los Pavos da Arriba Canyon

Canyon north of Babisoso W10, W11 1 1 5 4 2 2 1 Babisoso Canyon and riverfront 1 1 W14 W13 W12 Cajon Ultimo 1 1 1 Cajon el Medio

La Vinateria Broad-billed Hummingbird White-throated Swift Buff-collared Nightjar Great HornedOwl Gilded Flicker Northern Flicker Red-naped Sapsucker Gila Woodpecker Green Kingfisher Belted Kingfisher Ladder-backed Woodpecker Elegant Trogon Hammond's Flycatcher Tufted Flycatcher Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet Gray Flycatcher Loggerhead Shrike Cassin's Kingbird Nutting's Flycatcher Ash-throated Flycatcher Black Phoebe unidentified "western" flycatcher Dusky Flycatcher Vermilion Flycatcher Say's Phoebe Empidonax 061 52 02 55 25 20 40 20 25 10 6 20 1 12521413534111281 2 361281 111225 665341 6 4813353 1 1 341 58112 1 13345105 1 8 Las Tesotas to Los Chinos 1 1 1 1 2 63 2 Los Chinos to El Carricito 1

El Carricito to El Carrizoso River Sections-Floated 1 124 36536824121 42 3152 El Carrizoso to Las Burras 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 3 3 1 Las Burras to Babisoso

1 1 Babisoso to to El Medio

El Medio to La Vinateria 8 1 1 1 La Vinateria to Yaqui Bridge 2 1 1 31 313 1 23 33212 Rio Aros below las Tesotas

11 El Sapo Canyon (las Tesotas) 1 1 6 21 El Carricito riverfront

Pan Duro Canyon Canyon andRiverfrontTransects-Walked 1 1 111 2 11 Cajon el Carrizoso 2 1611 Canyon "El Pilar"

Las Burras Canyon 11 1132 1 11 22212 Los Pavos da Arriba Canyon 1 11 Canyon north of Babisoso

11 Babisoso Canyon and riverfront 1 1 1 Cajon Ultimo 1 1 1 Cajon el Medio

La Vinateria otenMcigid4681 22311 3 12 1S 1 1 1 3 1 2 2 1S 10 3 15 12 1 2 2 1 6 1 10 1 5 10 1 2 2 1 2S,P 4 1 10 10 5 1 10 8 2 1S 3 6 1S 1 1 3 Orange-crowned Warbler 1 4 Phainopepla 1 1 American Pipit Curve-billed Thrasher 2 Northern Mockingbird 2S 4 3 American Robin 1 10S 3 Rufous-backed Robin 2 Hermit Thrush 1 Brown-backed Solitaire 2 2 Black-capped Gnatcatcher 1 1 Black-tailed Gnatcatcher 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet House Wren Happy Wren 2 Sinaloa Wren Canyon Wren Rock Wren Cactus Wren Verdin Barn Swallow Northern Rough-wingedSwallow Violet-green Swallow utnsVro1 Common Raven Hutton's Vireo Cassin's Vireo

11 2 131 11 13211 113 5 2 123 1 1 11111 1121 Las Tesotas to Los Chinos

134611122 122 121 6 112324 Los Chinos to El Carricito

El Carricito to El Carrizoso River Sections-Floated

632833 2 5 222 873132 2 1623 El Carrizoso to Las Burras

Las Burras to Babisoso

Babisoso to to El Medio

El Medio to La Vinateria

La Vinateria to Yaqui Bridge 221 11 11 2222 1 66105712338866 42 381243452 432522564448 1 Rio Aros below las Tesotas

El Sapo Canyon (las Tesotas)

13 El Carricito riverfront

4 Pan Duro Canyon Canyon andRiverfrontTransects-Walked

1 Cajon el Carrizoso

Canyon "El Pilar"

Las Burras Canyon

Los Pavos da Arriba Canyon

Canyon north of Babisoso 21 11 Babisoso Canyon and riverfront

23 Cajon Ultimo

2 Cajon el Medio

La Vinateria Canyon Towhee Green-tailed Towhee Hepatic Tanager Rufous-capped Warbler Rufous-winged Sparrow Painted Redstart Wilson's Warbler Louisiana Waterthrush Black-throated GrayWarbler elwrme abe 01 02 03 01 01 14 13 30 15 10 30 20 25 10 15 40 Yellow-rumped Warbler Rufous-crowned Sparrow Lark Sparrow Black-chinned Sparrow Brewer's Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Five-striped Sparrow Lesser Goldfinch Northern Cardinal White-crowned Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow House Finch Streak-backed Oriole Lazuli Bunting Black-headed Grosbeak 08 10 10 1 1 1 Las Tesotas to Los Chinos 1M 10 1 2 4 Los Chinos to El Carricito 2

El Carricito to El Carrizoso River Sections-Floated

1 El Carrizoso to Las Burras 1 1 5 3 Las Burras to Babisoso

1 Babisoso to to El Medio

El Medio to La Vinateria

La Vinateria to Yaqui Bridge 1F 010 40 5538 3 5 25 3165 2 10 3 6 1 Rio Aros below las Tesotas

El Sapo Canyon (las Tesotas) 28 12 3 1 3 El Carricito riverfront 3 1 2 1 5434522582 Pan Duro Canyon Canyon andRiverfrontTransects-Walked 2 3 21P122 12422 Cajon el Carrizoso

3 1 Canyon "El Pilar" 1 1 2 Las Burras Canyon 012 1 10 11 1 Los Pavos da Arriba Canyon 21 11 1 4 2 Canyon north of Babisoso

Babisoso Canyon and riverfront

2 Cajon Ultimo 51 15 P Cajon el Medio 1 1 1 La Vinateria Photo andMapCode a fJl 51 71 92 12 32 71 81 91 92 02 12 22 23 23 2.4 22 1.3 22 1.5 21 2.2 21 2.5 20 2.3 20 0.8 19 1.7 19 0.5 1.4 19 1.6 18 1.9 18 1.8 17 2.1 17 1.6 23-24 29.3 22 17.0 21 13.9 28.4 20 Black Vulture 18 Great Egret 19 15.7 Great BlueHeron 18 24.4 Double-crested Cormorant 17 23.4 Montezuma Quail 15-16 Gambel’s Quail Elegant Quail Common Merganser Mallard Length (km) Day ofJuly Mourning Dove White-winged Dove Spotted Sandpiper Killdeer Peregrine Falcon Red-tailed Hawk Common Black-Hawk Bald Eagle Turkey Vulture hours is noted by an *. All observations by Aaron Flesch and Sky Jacobs. Transects and river section lengths were estimated with GoogleEarth. hours isnotedbyan*.AllobservationsAaronFleschandSkyJacobs.Transectsriversectionlengthswereestimatedwith young, CF-carryingfood,FY-feedingNE-nestwitheggs,ON-occupiednest.A"+"indicatedthespecieswascommon.Onetransectnotsurveyedduringearlymorning around theNorthernJaguarReserve15-24July2012.Numbersaresingles,singingmales,orpairs.Codesare:F-female,M-male,S-singing,P-pair,N-likelynest,Y-recentlyfledgedsoontofledge Table 2:DistributionandabundanceofbirdsdetectedwhilefloatingtheRiosArosYaquiduringsurveysalonglinetransectslocatedinmajorsidecanyonsriverfronton 61P4 ,P2 10,5P,3N 16,13P,4N 8,4P,2N 01 01 02 0O 513111 1 1 3 1 25 50,ON 20 20 15 20 10 20 104524658 812323 11P33P3 2 1 233 3 12 15 + +++++++ + 22211P114 1311P111 Natura to los Chinos F1 5F 1F 5F +++ 14 1 21254 1 Los Chinos to Otates

Otates to la Primavera River Sections-Floated ,P1,P42 ,P7,2P 5,1P 4,2P 10,4P 9,6P + 1 La Primavera to Las Tesotas 02 20 10 11 Las Tesotas to Los Pavos de Arriba

254 Los Pavos de Ariba. to N. of Babisoso ++ ++ 1 2 N. of Babisoso to El Ultimo

3 El Ultimo to Sahuaripa Bridge 1S 3S 5S 7S 9S0S1S12 S11 S10 S9 S8 S7 S6 S5 S4 S3 S2 S1 51 41 01 ,N71,N52 5N 12 15,NE 8 20 5 15,ON 7 6,ON 3 10 10 11 24 14 15 2 4222431432121 3 Los Chinos Canyon

Las Trincheras Canyon

222221 3 Los Otates Canyon PN1P 1P,N 1 1 El Carricito Canyon

Cañada Ancha Canyon andRiverfrontTransects-Walked

1 La Primavera and Tigre Canyon

Los Lobos Canyon*

El Sapo Canyon (Las Tesotas)

Rio Aros below las Tesotas

Los Pavos de Arriba Canyon 1,N Canyon below los Pavos de Arriba

Canyon north of Babisoso 1 1 S17 S16 S14 S13 1 Babisoso Canyon and riverfront

12 Cajon Ultimo 1 4 Cajon el Medio Nutting’s Flycatcher Ash-throated Flycatcher Dusky-capped Flycatcher Vermilion Flycatcher Say’s Phoebe Black Phoebe Western Wood-Pewee Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet Gilded Flicker Ladder-backed Woodpecker White-tipped Dove Common Ground-Dove Inca Dove Military Macaw Buff-collared Nightjar Great HornedOwl Greater Roadrunner Yellow-billed Cuckoo Green Kingfisher Belted Kingfisher Elegant Trogon Costa’s Hummingbird Violet-crowned Hummingbird Broad-billed Hummingbird Gila Woodpecker 71 21 012221 2 2 2 1 10 4 10 12 8 5 10 17 144533425 6114123622863 P42 P23 1P 1 3P 2 2P 1 32 2 3 2P 3 4 2P 1 3 221215 4 3 3 2 4212 1 3 111 1 1 2 2 2 4 2312626 5 4 3 2 1 2 2 1 311222 6 563 12510103434383 4546338 6 3102264104 344534105 271214210467 1 425711 12 8 2 2 1 1 1 1 Natura to los Chinos 1 21 111 1 Los Chinos to Otates 12

Otates to la Primavera River Sections-Floated

La Primavera to Las Tesotas P5 1P 2P,5Y Las Tesotas to Los Pavos de Arriba

12 Los Pavos de Ariba. to N. of Babisoso

N. of Babisoso to El Ultimo

El Ultimo to Sahuaripa Bridge 3442314132 1 33442412 2263242222P36P64P5 554 21 2 12311 4545441 Los Chinos Canyon

1 Las Trincheras Canyon

1 1 Los Otates Canyon

El Carricito Canyon

11 Cañada Ancha Canyon andRiverfrontTransects-Walked

La Primavera and Tigre Canyon

Los Lobos Canyon*

11 El Sapo Canyon (Las Tesotas)

1 Rio Aros below las Tesotas

1 Los Pavos de Arriba Canyon

Canyon below los Pavos de Arriba 6535 6164 2 Canyon north of Babisoso

Babisoso Canyon and riverfront

Cajon Ultimo 1,ON Cajon el Medio Brown-crested Flycatcher Bell’s Vireo Rose-throated Becard Western Kingbird Cassin’s Kingbird Tropical Kingbird Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher Verdin Barn Swallow Cliff Swallow Northern Rough-wingedSwallow Common Raven Yellow-green Vireo Sinaloa Wren Canyon Wren Rock Wren Cactus Wren Fan-tailed Warbler Yellow Warbler Lucy’s Warbler Phainopepla Curve-billed Thrasher Northern Mockingbird Black-capped Gnatcatcher Happy Wren 1S 623 612 2632333 4 O 1S 1ON 1 2 4 1 1511611 4 3 342434105 1 1 810455412 7 1 222 1222 1 1 3 32 711 56210 681048567 232321131332 615 4536 2 1 2 2 23 324 1 1 3327122423223 1P 2 324 3 1 2 2 2 3 1 Natura to los Chinos 0O 15-ON 20-ON ?2 2? Los Chinos to Otates 1 P4 P1111 1 1 1 1P 212P 42 345 1

Otates to la Primavera River Sections-Floated

La Primavera to Las Tesotas

Las Tesotas to Los Pavos de Arriba

Los Pavos de Ariba. to N. of Babisoso

N. of Babisoso to El Ultimo

1 El Ultimo to Sahuaripa Bridge 1S 68321625345 566853 Los Chinos Canyon 212232 111 1 51 Las Trincheras Canyon 5C 245332652 5 6 2 3 3 5 4 12 15,CF

16223 614622 Los Otates Canyon 1F El Carricito Canyon

Cañada Ancha Canyon andRiverfrontTransects-Walked

1 La Primavera and Tigre Canyon 1S,FY 2,ON Los Lobos Canyon*

El Sapo Canyon (Las Tesotas)

Rio Aros below las Tesotas

Los Pavos de Arriba Canyon

Canyon below los Pavos de Arriba PN P6 2P 6 4P,NY 3S 2722 4483 Canyon north of Babisoso

Babisoso Canyon and riverfront

Cajon Ultimo

Cajon el Medio Lesser Goldfinch House Finch Streak-backed Oriole Hooded Oriole Black-vented Oriole Brown-headed Cowbird Rufous-crowned Sparrow Green-tailed Towhee Yellow-breasted Chat Rufous-capped Warbler Bronzed Cowbird Painted Bunting Varied Bunting Blue Grosbeak Black-headed Grosbeak Northern Cardinal Western Tanager Summer Tanager Five-striped Sparrow Lark Sparrow Rufous-winged Sparrow Canyon Towhee O N21 PO 2,ON 1P,ON 1 1P 2 UN 1ON 51 21 02 52 32 571 01 361 212 12 5 10 6 13 10 10 3 14 7 15 25 13 21 25 20 10 10 12 10 15 2423452 2 3452210354 NE22 645 222 33 1 2211 2 051,E461 , 10 8 8 6,P 5 8 3 5 2 10 6 528 4 3 10,NE 5 2 10 62103 8101789,P52321029483 8 2 7 6 2 2 2 24 3 2 5 3 2 5 1 3 1 6 2 2112311212 3 5 3,P41 52 135 1 2323458 4 20518121973127241721317 4534222 6 2234 22 2 Natura to los Chinos

1P32S151P3224326 2 2 2 1210321P6244 Los Chinos to Otates 1 1151 111115

Otates to la Primavera River Sections-Floated

La Primavera to Las Tesotas

Las Tesotas to Los Pavos de Arriba

Los Pavos de Ariba. to N. of Babisoso

N. of Babisoso to El Ultimo

El Ultimo to Sahuaripa Bridge M1M 1M 2M,1F 1M 541 2534 1 45411 5 122134 211 2 21 151 Los Chinos Canyon

1 Las Trincheras Canyon P1P 1P 3 Los Otates Canyon

El Carricito Canyon

Cañada Ancha Canyon andRiverfrontTransects-Walked

La Primavera and Tigre Canyon

Los Lobos Canyon* ,E23O PO PN 3 3P,NY 2 8P,ON 3,ON 2 1,NE 13 El Sapo Canyon (Las Tesotas)

Rio Aros below las Tesotas

Los Pavos de Arriba Canyon

Canyon below los Pavos de Arriba

Canyon north of Babisoso

Babisoso Canyon and riverfront

Cajon Ultimo

Cajon el Medio We documented the composition of breeding bird communities in 14 canyons including most of the same canyons we surveyed in April (Flesch and December 2011 (Table 1). We also recorded a number of notable and important bird observations including breeding records of Military Macaw, Rose-throated Becard, Fan-tailed Warbler, and Streak-backed Oriole, and a higher count of breeding Common Black- Hawk along the river corridor compared to past records. The most abundant species during summer were White-winged Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Five-striped Sparrow. Nutting’s Flycatcher and Black-vented Orioles were notable.

Most notably, we observed 2 pairs of adult Military Macaw, a nest with 3 dependent young (second nest for Sonora), and another 2 birds that were likely recently fledged young perched on the tall limestone cliff below El Carricito (Fig. 7). We observed 2 pairs of Military Macaw each with a single dependent juvenile in the same locality in July 2007. We also observed them at one new locality during this survey with at least one pair on a tall rock cliff in Las Trincheras Canyon along the Aros. Overall, Military Macaw are rare in the region. Since 2007, Military Macaw have been observed in singles, pairs, and small flocks of up to 9 individuals on 12 occasions. These majestic parrots have been observed north of the study area only once above Huasabas in 1953 where they may not breed (J. Marshall, unpublished field notes).

Other notable observations included an adult Fan-tailed Warbler feeding a fledged young perched on the ground among sycamores and dense thornscrub in Canyon Los Lobos, two Painted Buntings along the upper portion of the Río Aros, and 1-3 Western Tanagers on the relatively early fall migration date of July 17 and 18.

Perhaps the most remarkable of observations during summer was the abundance of breeding territorial Common Black-Hawk found along the river corridor. We observed an estimated 69 territories that included visual confirmation of 37 pairs and 9 nests along the mainstem river. This equals a density of 0.41 territories per km of river, which could be the highest known density of breeding Black Hawks in northwest Mexico. Black Hawks were especially common along the upper portion of the Río Aros, with only 13 sites observed on the Yaqui, where they are less common (O’Brien et al. 2006). Although few estimates are available elsewhere in their range, the size, width, and flows of the Río Aros along with an abundance of hunting habitat and aquatic prey create what is likely very high-quality habitat for this species. Additionally, we also recorded 4 more localities in major side canyons with flowing water. Compared to past estimates of abundance, Flesch and Jacobs recorded approximately 0.25 occupied sites per km of river in late July and early August 2005 (O’Brien et al. 2006), a total of 40 occupied sites including 10 with confirmed pair occupancy and eight with dependent young. In comparison, only approximately five possible nesting localities were identified along the Río Bavispe between Granados and the confluence of the Río Aros (A. Flesch and S. Jacobs, unpubl. data). Rodríguez-Estrella and Brown (1990) suggested much lower densities than we observed in 2012 but similar densities along the Río Yaqui and Río Bavispe in 1987 and 1988.

Figure 7: Military Macaw on a limestone wall above the Río Aros downstream of El Carricito, July 20, 2013. The top picture shows a pair of adults flying, the right picture shows a nest with three young in a rock cavity, and the lower picture shows the position of the nest on the cliff. Another two young macaws were observed perched on the cliff nearby. Two pairs of adults were present in July. This documents the northernmost known breeding record for the species.

Species Diversity and Rarity: Of the 94 species we observed during winter, 24 (26%) were detected only in only one locality (river section or transect) and were thus considered rare. In contrast, 39 species (41%) were detected in 2-5 localities and were considered of uncommon occurrence, whereas only 10 species (11%) were detected in 15 or more localities and thus distributed widely across the region (Table 1). Of the 90 species we detected during summer, 20 (22%) were detected only in one locality (river section or transect) and were thus considered rare. In contrast, 25 species (28%) were detected in 2-5 localities and were considered of uncommon occurrence, whereas 28 species (31%) were detected in 15 or more localities and thus distributed widely across the region (Table 2).

During winter, species diversity along the river was much higher along the Río Aros than along the Río Yaqui. For example, we detected 4.1 to 4.2 species per km of river along sections of the Río Aros we floated between Las Tésotas and El Carrizoso (note 2 lower sections were combined because one was short) versus between 1.6 to 2.2 species per km of river along sections of the Río Yaqui we floated between Las Burras (just below the confluence of the Bavispe) and the Río Yaqui bridge. During summer, we observed a somewhat different pattern; diversity per unit effort was much more balanced between regions.

During winter along survey transects, species diversity was highest (34-36 species) along 2 transects that traversed areas of riverfront (Río Aros below Las Tésotas and El Carricito riverfront), which are both on the NJR, and in the canyon north of Babisoso (33 species), which is not on the NJR. This canyon included the only oak woodland observed during surveys and contained several other interesting environments. Species diversity per unit survey effort (km) was greatest in El Carricito riverfront (34 species/km) and along the riparian area at La Vinatería (30 species/km), which included the only stands of large evergreen figs we surveyed along a flowing stream above the Río Yaqui.

During summer along survey transects, species diversity was high in several places, especially in Los Otates Canyon, which is along the Aros and not on the NJR. Species diversity per unit survey effort (km) was greatest in Los Lobos Canyon (58 species/km), which is the only place where we found a large gallery forest of Sycamores.

Other Taxa: During summer 2012, our collaborators conducted mammal and herpetofauna surveys in many of the same locations where we surveyed birds. Appendix B and C summarize these results.

Conclusions

The region on around the NJR supports a diverse and seasonally dynamic bird community. Thus far, since our efforts began in 2007, we have observed 209 species of birds in Foothills Thornscrub and in adjacent riparian and oak woodlands on and around the NJR. Of this community, 52% are potential breeding species. Bird species that are present include the northernmost breeding populations of some Neotropical species, such as Military Macaw, and the northernmost wintering populations of Madrean elevational migrants and Neotropical migratory species that breed the U.S. and Canada, but typically winter much further south. Species of conservation concern include two species that are listed as endangered (Bald Eagle and Military Macaw), one that is listed as threatened [Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos diazi)], and nine that are subject to special protection in Mexico (SEMARNAT 2010).

Although our methods were largely not quantitative, surveys and habitat assessments we completed suggest this region is important for many species of wildlife and plants. Canyons we surveyed are remote and see little visitation and human use other than cattle grazing. Habitat for

19 birds was in excellent condition throughout the region especially in various canyons that supported tall riparian areas. Riparian woodlands along the river corridor are vast and an extremely significant and valuable resource for birds and other wildlife. Although our efforts were rapid, our descriptions of the bird community and vegetation of this region should help conservation by providing a glimpse of a region that few have ever visited. Nonetheless, it is that rugged, inaccessible, and wild character that makes this region so important for conservation of birds and many other organisms.

Acknowledgements and Dedication

We thank Alan Swanson and Heath Carey for logistical support on the river. The summer trip would not have been possible without Alan’s assistance with gear and river knowledge. We thank Megan Southern for coordinating our efforts and Juan Carlos Bravo of Naturalia for assistance with logistics in Mexico.

We dedicate this effort to the memory of Peter Warshall, who was our friend and the Science Coordinator for the Northern Jaguar Project. Peter passed away earlier this year and is greatly missed. His efforts and dedication to conservation of this region galvanized ours, and many others, efforts and the creation of the Northern Jaguar Reserve.

Literature Cited

Brown, B. T. 1988. Additional bald eagle nesting records from Sonora. Journal of Raptor Research 22:30-32.

Brown, B. T. and P. L. Warren. 1985. Wintering bald eagles along the Río Yaqui, Sonora, Mexico. Wilson Bulletin 97:224-226.

Buckland, S. T., D. R. Anderson, K. P. Burnham, J. L. Laake, D. L. Borchers, and L. Thomas. 2001. Introduction to distance sampling: estimating abundance of biological populations. Oxford University Press, Oxford, England.

Clark T. O. 1984. Notable records of birds from eastern Sonora, Mexico. Western Birds 15:134-136.

Corman, T. E., and C. Wise-Gervais (editors). 2005. Arizona breeding bird atlas. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, NM.

Flesch, A. D. 2008. Migratory and resident birds of the Northern Jaguar Reserve of east-central Sonora, Mexico. Report to Northern Jaguar Project and Naturalia A.C.

Flesch, A. D. 2009. Breeding, migratory, and wintering birds of the Northern Jaguar Reserve east-central Sonora, Mexico. Report to Northern Jaguar Project and Naturalia A.C.

Flesch, A. D. 2010. Avian communities of the Northern Jaguar Reserve east-central Sonora, Mexico. Report to Northern Jaguar Project and Naturalia A.C

Marshall, J. T. Jr. 1957. Birds of pine-oak woodland in southern Arizona and adjacent Mexico. Pacific Coast Avifauna 32:1-125.

North American Ornithological Atlas Committee. 1990. Handbook for atlasing North American breeding birds.

O’Brien C., A. D. Flesch, E. Wallace, M. Bogan, S. E. Carrillo-Percástegui, S. Jacobs, and C. van Riper III. 2006. Biological inventory of the Rio Aros, Sonora: a river unknown. Final Report to T&E, Inc.

Rodríguez-Estrella, R. and B. T. Brown. 1990. Density and Habitat Use of Raptors along the Rio Bavispe and Rio Yaqui Sonora Mexico. Journal of Raptor Research 24: 47-51.

Russell, S. M. and G. Monson. 1998. The birds of Sonora. University of Arizona Press, Tucson, Arizona.

Warshall, P. 2007. Neotropical migrants and other birds on the Northern Jaguar Reserve, spring 2007. Report by Northern Jaguar Project to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Bird Habitat Conservation.

van Rossem, A. J. 1945. A distributional survey of the birds of Sonora, Mexico. Occasional Papers Museum of Zoology, Louisiana State University 21:1–379.

Appendix A: Location and elevation of bird transects surveyed on and around the Northern Jaguar Reserve, December 2011 and July 2012. All UTMs are NAD27 Mexico Zone 12 R Start End UMT E UTM N Elev UMT E UTM N Elev Winter 2011 Río Aros below Las Tésotas 685931 3255641 491 685354 3256166 488

Las Tésotas Canyon 685954 3255559 497 685409 3254557 538

El Carricito Riverfront 681234 3260415 470 682301 3260336 471

Arroyo Pan Duro 681135 3260349 463 680040 3259812 519

Canyon El Pilar 679605 3265070 446 678363 3264795 680

El Carrizoso Canyon 679331 3266137 435 680004 3266363 471

Los Pavos Canyon 672065 3267700 424 672744 3266691 524

Las Burras Canyon 669736 3267462 435 670269 3267040 475

Canyon North of Babisoso 669453 3260511 414 671023 3259786 520

Babisoso Canyon and riverfront Sec. 1 669800 3258970 401 670270 3259044 452

Babisoso Canyon and riverfront Sec.2 669800 3258970 401 669457 3259305 403

Cajón Ultimo 671959 3253163 394 673226 3253946 467 Cajón Medio 671825 3252578 389 673305 3251818 520 Summer 2012

711429 3229739 619 711774 3230581 654 Los Chinos Canyon 711210 3229832 638 710634 3232186 739 Las Trincheras Canyon 702500 3242000 561 703370 3242720 606 Los Otates Canyon 702843 3241938 570 703596 3241907 620 El Carricito Canyon 696485 3250186 538 696529 3249151 600 Cañada Ancha 696556 3250580 540 697209 3249615 579 La Primavera and Tigre Canyon 692591 3249341 608 Los Lobos Canyon* 685954 3255559 497 685395 3254553 538 Las Tésotas Canyon 685949 3255570 496 685290 3256237 498 Río Aros below Las Tésotas 672062 3267682 426 672904 3266274 545 Los Pavos de Arriba Canyon Canyon below los Pavos de Arriba 671907 3267411 441 671796 3265897 598 Canyon north of Babisoso 669435 3260513 415 670875 3259972 530 Babisoso Canyon and riverfront Sec. 1 669800 3258970 401 670270 3259044 452 Babisoso Canyon and riverfront Sec. 2 669855 3258980 417 669944 3258733 405 Cajón Ultimo 671958 3253154 387 673126 3253294 449 Cajón el Medio 671825 3252578 389 673305 3251818 520

APPENDIX A: PHOTOGRAPHS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF TRANSECTS ALONG THE RÍO AROS AND RÍO YAQUI. FIGURES ARE NUMBERED FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM OF THE RIVER CORRIDOR. PHOTOGRAPHS FROM WINTER AND SUMMER ARE DISPLAYED.

ALL PHOTOS ARE BY THE AUTHORS.

Figure A1. Trincheras Canyon (Photo and Figure Reference Code S2). This canyon was hit hard by frost, virtually wiping out once common Acacia cochliacantha, as seen in the upper right photo. A Great-horned Owl, Painted Bunting, and 2 Military Macaw were seen on this transect.

Figure A2. Los Chinos Canyon (S1). This canyon supported a common assemblage of thornscrub avifauna including a high density of Five-stripped Sparrow.

Figure A3. El Carricito Canyon (S4). There is a small spring and well-developed thornscrub in the upper transect, where a Common Black Hawk and several Black-vented Oriole were observed. Also of note was a Montezuma Quail calling in pure thornscrub.

Figure A4 . Los Otates Canyon (S3). Extensive and broad riparian woodland at mouth dominated by mesquite (lower left). Upper part of canyon was dominated by tall Ceiba acuminata and some Sideroxlyon persimle with other tall trees and diverse structure.

Figure A5. Cañada Ancha (S5). This canyon has short thornscrub on slopes and narrow gallery of Lysiloma microphylla and Havardia Mexicana along rocky arroyo. A bromeliad, Hechtia montana, is not uncommon growing on canyon walls.

Figure A6. La Primavera and El Tigre Canyon (S6). A Yellow-green Vireo was foraging in the riverfront section, which is dominated by a large Mesquite bosque. El Tigre canyon is fairly narrow and rocky with short thornscrub heavily damaged by frost.

Figure A7. Los Lobos Canyon (S7). This is the only canyon along the Río Aros that has a gallery of Sycamores that extend down to the river. Many tall Havardia mexicana and Sideroxlyon persimle are also present along the well-developed riparian corridor, as is fresh clear water with fish and leopard frogs.

Figure A8. Las Tésotas Canyon (S8, W1). This canyon has decent bottomland soil with Mesquite bosques. It has road access to the river and from the reserve to the south and is often used by workers at the gauging station on the northeast side of the river.

Figure A9. Río Aros below Las Tésotas (S9, W2). This transect is fairly representative of typical Aros riverfront with scattered willows along the waterline and a narrow band of tall Mesquite bosque, which transitions into thornscrub on the slopes. In December 2011, this transect hosted 2 singing Brown-backed Solitaire, a Rufous-backed Robin, and a Tufted Flycatcher.

Figure A10. El Carricito riverfront (W3). This area is at the old residence of previous owner Dolores Lopez. It is dominated by a very broad riparian woodland of Mesquite and by thornscrub in uplands.

Figure A11. Arroyo Pan Duro (W4). There is a spring near the top of this transect, which keeps soil moist and dominated by Seep Willow (Baccharis salicifolia) and other riparian scrub.

Figure A12. Los Pavos de Arriba (S10). Lower left shows canyon mouth along Río Aros, and the upper right shows the rocky Cerro Los Pavos in background and frost-killed thornscrub in foreground.

Figure A13. Canyon below Los Pavos de Arriba (S11). At least 15 lowland leopard frogs (Rana [Lithobates] yavapaiensis) spotted in this canyon.

Figure A14. Canyon El Pilar (W5). This canyon drains into the Río Aros in the most rugged, steep section of our survey. The canyon is narrow and well protected with very tall thornscrub verging on Tropical Deciduous Forest in some protected microclimates.

Figure A15. Carrizoso Canyon (W6). At lower left a large Ficus petiolaris with evidence of recent damaging frosts. As the name indicates, this drainage bottom is dominated by carrizo (Arundo donax). Very large side canyon draining the area north of the Río Aros.

Figure A16. Las Burras Canyon in winter 2011 (W8). Uplands of short thornscrub and well-developed riparian woodland mainly of thornscrub species of larger form.

Figure A17. Unnamed canyon we called Canyon north of Babisoso in summer 2012 (S12). This canyon is dominated by tall thornscrub and diverse riparian vegetation. Oaks dominate hydrothermally altered soils in the upper canyon (lower left) despite an elevation of only 480 meters. Top left picture shows mouth at river.

Figure A17 continued. Unnamed canyon north of Babisoso in winter 2011 (W9). Dodonaea viscosa can be almost completely dominant on hill-slopes of hydrothermally altered soils as seen in upper part of lower right photo.

Figure A18. Babisoso Canyon and riverfront (S13 and S14). The upper canyon transect becomes impassable due to cliff faces and drop offs and thus we surveyed a second riverfront transect in summer, part of which is shown at the lower right.

Figure A18 continued. Babisoso Canyon and riverfront in winter 2011 (W10).

Figure A19. Upper Cajón El Ultimo (W12, S15). This canyon has the smallest statured and most open thornscrub of any transect. It appears that soil conditions stunt growth of many plants in the upper part of this canyon. Small patches of altered soil in this canyon are almost completely dominated by palm, Yucca, and sotol.

Figure A20. Cajón El Medio in summer 2012 (S16). Average to open thornscrub in uplands. Elegant Trogon occupied nest in palm in summer 2012.

Figure A20 continued. Cajón El Medio in winter 2011 (W13).

Figure A21. La Vinatería (S17) is a spring-fed drainage, which supports many large Ficus pertusa and F. insipida. This very tropical and moist canyon was home to a Louisiana Waterthrush in winter 2011 and the only Indigo Snake spotted in summer 2012. Also of note were a very small population of Quercus durifolia, only the second record for the region.

Appendix B. Description of mammal surveys and results in July 2012 completed by David Parsons

Distribution of mammals detected while floating the Río Aros and Río Yaqui, and during surveys along line transects located in major side canyons and along the riverfront on and around the Northern Jaguar Reserve 15-24 July 2012. Numbers are occurrences of presumed different individual mammals of the same species. All observations by David Parsons, except as noted. Transects are measured by time in minutes spent looking for sign. Tracking conditions varied among transects from poor to good. Frequent rains and river level fluctuations obliterated all but recently registered tracks.

River Sections - Floated Canyon and Riverfront Transects - Walked

Tésotas Tésotas

Arriba Canyon

Canyon to los Pavos de Ar. de Pavos los to

el Medioel Ultimo

Tésotas Tésotas

Natura to los Chinos los to Natura Otates to Chinos Los Otates to la Primarvera L to Primavera La of N. to Ar. de Pavos Los Babisoso Ultimo el to Babisoso of North SahuaripaEl Ultimo to Bridge Los Chinos Canyon Canyon Otates Los Canyon & Tigre Primavera La Las de Pavos Los Babisoso of north Canyon Cajón Cajón Las 15- 23- Day of July 17 18 19 20 21 22 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 23 16 24 Length (minutes) 205.0 150.0 210 110.0 215.0 120.0 230.0 NA

Whitetail Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Tracks 2 4 3 3 4 4 11

Skeletal remains 1 1 1 2

Large Cat (Panthera onca / Puma concolor) Scat 1 1 1

Tracks 1

Collared Peccary (Pecari tajacu)

Tracks 1

Skeletal remains 1

Neotropical River Otter (Lontra longicaudis)

Scat 1 1

Tracks 1 1

Observations 1

Raccoon (Procyon lotor)

Tracks 2 1 1 3 1 1 1

Cottontail (Sylvilagus sp)

Observations 1

Tracks 1

Ringtail Tracks 1

Skeletal remains 1

Skunk (Mephitis sp / Conepatus leuconotus) Tracks 1 1

Small Cat (Lynx rufus / Leopardus paradalis) Scat 1

Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)

Tracks 1 1

Scat 2 1

Skeletal remains 1

Rock Squirrel (Spermophilus variegatus)* Observations 1

Bailey’s Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus baileyi)#

1 Observations * Observed by A. Flesch

# Id based on photo by Alan Swanson

Appendix C: Description of reptile and amphibian surveys and results in July 2012 completed by Robert Villa

Herpetofauna was searched for opportunistically at the 12 camps of the trip during morning and evening walks of washes and canyon bottoms. Specimens were primarily encountered visually, and in the case of amphibians, aurally. However potential cover sites were turned with some success. In the case of the highly wary Yaqui Slider (Trachemys scriptaya quia), its presence could only be inferred by its tracks on the many sand banks along the river’s edge. Specimens were photographed when possible, but otherwise specimens were noted in a field book.

A total of 21 species of amphibians (6) and reptiles (15) were encountered. It was surprising to not encounter typically ubiquitous species such as the Sonoran Desert Toad (Bufo [Incilius] alvarius), or far more of the ubiquitous species such as Ornate Tree Lizard (Urosaurus ornatus), Clark’s Spiny Lizard (Sceloporous clarkii), and Indigo Snake (Drymarchon melanurus). Lack of humidity may have hindered activity of certain species. Previously observed but not seen on this trip is the Yaqui Black-headed Snake (Tantilla yaquia). Of note was the presence of Couch’s Spadefoot (Scaphiopus couchii) for the first time on NJP river inventory (Warshall, pers. comm.) as well as two Great Plains Skink (Pleistiodon obsoletus), adding to records within the Foothills Thornscrub biotic community.

Below Los Los La Los Las Los Los Canyon Cajón La Last Species Nator Chino Otates Primaver Lobos Tésotas Pavos de Pavos de above El Vinaterí Cam a s a Arriba Abajo Babisoso Medio a p Anurans Rana [Lithobates] X X X Bufo [Anaxyrus]ii X X X X Bufo [Anaxyrus]li punctatus X Hyla arenicolor X Scaphiopus couchii X Gastrophryne olivacea X X Turtles Terrapene nelson klauberi X Trachemys scriptaya quia X* X* X* Kinosternon sonoriense X X Lizards Gopherus morafkai X Aspidoscelis burti X X X X X Aspidoscelis sonorae X

Pleistiodon obsoletus X X Heloderma suspectum X Urosarus ornatus X X X X X X Snakes Holbrookia maculata X X X Callisaurus draconoides X Sceloporus clarkii X X Coluber bilineatus X X Thamnophis cyrtopsis X X Drymarchon melanurus X *Tracks en route to next camp