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

Vermf li yl ci a to c hn e r April–June 2013 | Volume 58, Number 2

Our Rivers Tucson Meet Your River Birds Bridge to Everywhere Lost Mesquite Forest

It’s Not a Christmas Boat Trip, But It Is the Santa Cruz What’s in a Name? Scaled Quail San Rafael Longspurs Plus 2012 Annual Report Enclosed Features The QuA r T erly News MA g A ziN e of TucsoN AuduboN s ocieT y | TucsoNAuduboN .org 12 A Bridge to Everywhere: The Luis Gutiérrez Bridge on the Santa Cruz Vermf li yl ci a to c hn e r River April–June 2013 | Volume 58, Number 2 13 Tucson Meet Your Birds Our Rivers Tucson Audubon Society is dedicated to improving 16 it’s Not a Christmas Boat Trip, But It Tucson Meet Your River Birds the quality of the environment by providing education, Is the Santa Cruz Bridge to Everywhere conservation, and recreation programs, environmental 17 charting Wetland Health of the Lower Lost Mesquite Forest leadership, and information. Tucson Audubon is a non-profit volunteer organization of people with a Santa Cruz River common interest in birding and natural history. Tucson 18 The Great Mesquite Forest: A Audubon maintains offices, a library, and nature Permanent Loss in Avifauna Along the shops in Tucson, the proceeds of which benefit all of Santa Cruz River in the Tucson Basin its programs. Tucson Audubon Society 20 what’s in a Name: Scaled Quail 300 E. University Blvd. #120, Tucson, AZ 85705 629-0510 (voice) or 623-3476 (fax) it’s Not a christmas boat Trip, Departments but it is the santa cruz All phone numbers are area code 520 unless otherwise stated. what’s in a Name? www.tucsonaudubon.org scaled Quail 3 Commentary san rafael longspurs Board Officers & Directors 4 events and Classes President Cynthia Pruett 5 events Calendar Vice President Sandy Elers Front cover: Spotted Sandpiper © Jim & Deva Secretary Ruth Russell 6 living With Nature Lecture Series Treasurer Richard Carlson Burns, Scottsdale, AZ. To see more of their work visit 7 News Roundup Directors at Large Matt Bailey, Ardeth Barnhart, Gavin their website, www.jimburnsphotos.com and follow Bieber, Jennie Duberstein, Dave Dunford, Debra Finch, 21 conservation and Education News Jim’s birding blog at www.jimburnsphotos.com/pages/ Bob Hernbrode, Linda Greene, John Kennedy, Linda Stitzer, Claire Zucker 25 field Trips columns.html. Board Committees Conservation Chair Chris McVie, 26 birding Travel from our Business Partners To have your photograph considered for use in the Development Sandy Elers, Education Jennie Duberstein, Vermilion Flycatcher, please contact Matt Griffiths at Finance Richard Carlson, Outreach Vacant, Nominating 27 birds & Business Alliance [email protected]. Linda Greene, Personnel Cynthia Pruett 27 Classified Ads Programs & Activities Field Trips Matt Griffiths Library 629-0510 Membership Meetings Jean Barchman 629-0510 Rare Bird Alert Andrew Core | Report Rare Birds 629-0510 The Heritage of the Santa Cruz River Staff (unless otherwise stated, dial 629-0510 plus extension) A guest commentary by Vanessa Bechtol, Executive Director, Executive Director Paul Green ext 7001 Accountant Michelle Bourgeois ext 7003 Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance Finance ext 7014 Membership Coordinator Jean Barchman ext 7002 The Santa Cruz River Valley, with its long and then north-northwest to the Gila River Development Manager Erin Olmstead ext 7009 Volunteer and Development Coordinator complex cultural past, is blessed with a rich historic west of Phoenix. Kara Kaczmarzyk ext 7011 legacy in a unique natural environment. Important The riparian areas along the banks of the Santa Environmental Education Coordinator Bété Jones ext 7012 IBA Conservation Biologist Jennie MacFarland ext 7004 historic and cultural places are strategically Cruz and its perennial tributaries are home to Habitats Program Manager Kendall Kroesen ext 7006 located along this desert river that flows through a special plants and animals, and are corridors for Restoration Biologist Jonathan Horst 971-6238 culturally and environmentally diverse region. Here wildlife movements and migrations. These oases Field Supervisor Rodd Lancaster 256-6909 Communications / Habitat Restoration in the Santa Cruz Valley, Native American, Spanish are habitats and migration stopovers for many Matthew Griffiths 971-7924 Colonial, Mexican, and American Territorial bird species, contributing to Southern Arizona’s Operations and Retail Manager Sara Pike ext 7008 heritages and traditions intersect with the natural reputation as a birding haven. Operations and Retail Coordinator Kelly DiGiacomo ext 7007 Tucson Audubon Nature Shops landscape in ways unique to the American story. The Santa Cruz River is the spine of the 300 E University Blvd #120 ext 7015 These traditions remain a source of the identity and proposed Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage, 623-3476 fax / 629-0510 Shop Manager vitality of the region. which encompasses the Santa Cruz River Hours: 10 am–4 pm, Monday–Saturday Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd 760-7881 The Santa Cruz River and its tributaries are the watershed in Pima and Santa Cruz counties. The Hours: April–June Wednesday 10 am–1 pm, ribbons of life that have supported humans and Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Area tells the nationally Thursday 9 am–2:30 pm, Friday–Saturday, 10 am–2:30 pm wildlife in the desert for thousands of years. It is distinctive stories of the region, which include also a natural treasure for three nations: United the uniqueness of streams in the desert as well

Vermilion Flycatcher is published quarterly. For address States, Tohono O’odham, and Mexico. The Santa as the rich birding habitat and migration routes. changes or subscription problems call 629-0510, or write Cruz River is nationally unique in that it originates The theme of Streams in the Desert is distinctive to Membership Coordinator, Tucson Audubon, 300 E. in the United States, crosses into Mexico, and among the existing 49 National Heritage Areas University Blvd, #120, Tucson, AZ 85705. Submissions are due the 1st of the month, two months before the date of the returns to the United States. Rising in southern across the U.S. For more information visit www. issue. Please send submissions as Microsoft Word or RTF Arizona’s San Rafael Valley, it crosses south into santacruzheritage.org VF documents, or plain text files, to Matt Griffiths at mgriffiths@ Sonora, Mexico, then turns north to re-enter the Vanessa Bechtol has a Bachelor of tucsonaudubon.org. United States east of Nogales, Arizona. It continues Arts in Latin American Studies and Coordinator Matt Griffiths 971-7924 Proofreaders Tucson Audubon staff and volunteers north by Tumacacori National Historical Park to Master of Science in Planning, and is Design / Layout Eng-Li Green cross a 10-mile stretch of the San Xavier District of the Executive Director of the non-profit © 2013 Tucson Audubon Society the Tohono O’odham Nation, through Tucson, and Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance.

2 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Commentary Paul Green | Executive Director A River Runs Beneath Us This issue of the Vermilion Flycatcher these restoration areas: what do the focuses on rivers, habitats, and the birds changing bird populations tell us about they support. From our local washes the restoration work? through to the mighty Colorado, all have Prior to the Water Resources Research great importance for birds. Center’s annual conference in January of ground water pumping. The upcoming We pull water from the Colorado River, 2012, over 80 individuals gathered to 2014 book Requiem for a River by R as well as from beneath us, resulting in discuss questions of important uses for Roy Johnson, Robert H Webb, Julio significant habitat degradation both close scarce water resources. Using keypad Betancourt and Ray Turner will make for to home and as far away as the Colorado polling, participants voted for the five salutary reading. River Delta. Groundwater pumping lowers issues they considered top priorities. The loss of the San Xavier Bosque, water levels and breaks the connection to Top of the list was water for the natural together with the loss of cottonwoods that C olorado R iver , ealbrvhrt surface water flow, while direct diversion environment, and how groundwater once graced Tucson, makes us think of of water from rivers leaves less water supports and is connected to stream flow. the countless birds that lost their ability to for our natural environment. Although Several of the articles in this issue survive and the species since extirpated Tucsonans use less water per capita than highlight our Santa Cruz River. Michael from our state. The richness we see today the state’s other large cities the fact is Logan’s book The Lessening Stream is but a remnant of the richness of past we can use less, including for agriculture gives an enlightening longer term times. which accounts for roughly 70 percent of perspective as he answers some simple Closer to home are our neighborhood water consumption in Arizona. questions: when and why did the Santa washes, all of which ultimately lead to Damming and diversions of the Cruz dry up? The answer takes 250 the rivers that lead to the Colorado River. Colorado River have significantly altered pages. The Santa Cruz provided water for Western rivers form a skeleton from important habitats for birds and other residents along its banks for thousands which many of our birds derive support wildlife in the Delta, from the southern of years but in the early years of the last and cling to for life. The derivation of the border between the U.S. and Mexico century surface flows reduced due to word skeleton is from the Greek skeletos, to the Sea of Cortez. The estuary’s groundwater pumping and the severe meaning dried up, withered, parched, just circulation has reversed, salinity has groundwater level declines obliged as most of our rivers appear for much of increased, productivity has decreased, Tucson to look beyond its basin for our the year. species composition has changed, trophic water. The Arizona Water Atlas reminds Perhaps your most personal link is to a pathways have altered, and early growth us that, prior to development, the Santa wash that you cherish for its quiet, peace rates in endangered and commercially Cruz River was locally perennial in its and solitude, its unique vegetation, and important fish have decreased. southernmost reach from its headwaters the privileged glimpses of wildlife you At our Living with Nature lecture, in the San Rafael Valley to near Tubac, experience there. Kendall reminds us on at 7.00 pm on April 8, at the Pima forming a series of cienegas (marshes). page 24 how we can adopt a wash and Community College Downtown Campus, North of Tubac, a few relatively short keep it free from trash. Karl Flessa, Director of the School of perennial sections existed including Lastly, if you stand on the Bridge to Earth & Environmental Sciences at the reaches near the mission of San Xavier Everywhere across the Santa Cruz— University of Arizona, will tell us about the del Bac south of Tucson and at “A” see Ken Lamberton’s article on page Colorado River Delta and the prospects Mountain near downtown Tucson. From 12—you might contemplate our future for its restoration. Karl will show us how the Nine-Mile water hole north of the water supply as climate scientists the Delta’s habitats have been altered confluence of the Santa Cruz River predict decreased rainfall with increased and tell us about collaborative and and the Rillito River in Tucson, to its intensity of precipitation events, with creative efforts to restore them. confluence with the Gila River, the Santa less infiltration and more runoff, and On page 23, Francisco Zamora and Cruz River was historically dry except decreased snowpack in the watershed Karen Schlatter of the Sonoran Institute during floods.* of the over-allocated Colorado River. We discuss plans to purchase water rights On pages 18–19, the Great Mesquite must consider how we address threats and apply them to riparian habitat Forest or San Xavier Bosque reminds to our health from groundwater pollution restoration projects to divert water us of the regionally important riparian from the proposed Rosemont Copper back to the Delta which, less than 100 ecosystem that persisted into the 1930s mine and other polluted plumes spreading years ago, supported more than 3000 and hosted species including Anhinga northward. We ignore these at our peril. square miles of riparian habitat. There and Scarlet Ibis. Tree cutting took its toll *Tellman, B., R. Yarde and M. Wallace, 1997, is a clear opportunity here, if we had but then, in the 1940s, the bosque was Arizona’s changing rivers: How people have adequate funding, for Tucson Audubon killed as “groundwater literally dropped affected rivers. Water Resources Research to support bird monitoring projects in away from the tree roots” as the result Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. VF

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. April–June 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 3 Tucson Audubon Events and Classes F ortnam

Take Your Family Camping

With Tucson Audubon , P hillip RFI participants Riparian Family Institute April 20–21, 2013 | TNC Preserve Lower San Pedro River

from the Double Check Ranch. While Date: April 20–21, 2013 your children are being led on an Cost: $65 per person including all exploration at dusk, parents will be meals. All children under the age of treated to a kid-free presentation 18 must be accompanied by an adult. . com .J im B urns P hotos on holistic ranching practices that Location: Nature Conservancy’s are revolutionizing the production of Lower San Pedro Preserve near grass-fed beef in a manner that is Dudleyville, AZ B urns , www sustainable and preserves biodiversity Register online today! of native plants and animals.

, J im & Deva Participants will camp onsite This weekend outdoor program for the looking for owls at dusk), black lighting and are responsible for bringing entire family focuses on kid-friendly for insects, live mammal trapping, and their own camping gear. Meals are Register online today! Visit exploration of the rich plant and a campfire! Families will also get to provided from lunch on Saturday to tucsonaudubon.org/education. - breaste d C hat animal life found along the beautiful participate in an ongoing conservation lunch on Sunday. This program is Contact for all education hosted in cooperation with The Nature San Pedro River. Activities include project on the Preserve and will be activities: Bété Jones at bjones@ treated to a barbeque with ranchers Conservancy. river walking, birding (including tucsonaudubon.org, 520-209-1812 ; Y ellow M u Ñ oz ; All non-member prices include a The Perfect Learning Getaway year’s membership with Friends of Immerse Yourself in Arizona’s Grasslands Tucson Audubon. Institute of Grassland Ecology October 3–6, 2013 | Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch, Elgin, Arizona , Ax el , Y oung RFI participants Join Tucson Audubon as we partner rolling, grasslands, the catered meals, with the Appleton-Whittell Research and the camaraderie of all those K enne d y Ranch in Elgin, AZ to offer the Institute involved combine to produce four days of Grassland Ecology. The institute that participants have described in will be held at the Research Ranch past institutes as “life changing”

and topics will cover the important and “an experience that will not an d flower , L in a ecological role the grasslands of be forgotten.” southeast Arizona play within our The registration fee of $525 G asslan d s region, how its unique plant and for Friends of Tucson Audubon animal communities differ from those members and $560 for non- around it, and conservation threats members includes four days of expert 2013 Specialty Workshops and management strategies that are instruction, and all meals from dinner See our website for more detailed used to safeguard this ecosystem. on Wednesday, October 2nd to lunch descriptions. Taught by Homer Expert faculty will impart their on Sunday, October 6. A $10/night Hansen. knowledge, the event will be fully camping fee must be paid separately. Warblers: August 8 & 10 catered, and participants will camp Contact Institute Director, Bete Flycatchers: September 5 & 7 onsite for the duration. Adults ages 18 Jones, with any questions at 520-209- and over are welcome. 1812 or [email protected] For advanced beginner to Q uail , J ohn H offman The enthusiastic and inspired Register online today. intermediate birders. teaching of our own local experts, the Limited to 50 participants. Register online today!

spectacular backdrop of the golden, www.tucsonaudubon.org/ige M ontezuma

For more information on our suite of Education classes and to register online, please visit www.tucsonaudubon.org/education

4 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Events Calendar

April 6. Living with Nature lecture (Green Tucson Audubon’s eNews Delivered to Your Inbox Valley): An Armchair Tour of Arizona’s Stay informed. Tucson Audubon sends is to go to tucsonaudubon.org and Important Bird Areas with Jennie MacFarland (see p 6) out a weekly email of news updates click on the link that says Sign-Up April 8. Living with Nature lecture (Tucson): A E-newsletter. Otherwise send an email to a list of around 2,500 people. In Delta Once More? with Karl Flessa (see p 6) addition, we send our supplemental to [email protected] with April 6–May 4. Birding by Habitat Course emails to this list, for example for your first and last name, or call Jean April 13. San Pedro Eco Fest urgent conservation action or special Barchman on 520-209-1802 and she invitations. You can sign up for this will take your details. April 15–May 15. Tucson Bird Count (see p 8) list in a number of ways. The easiest d Q uanru ’ s H ummingbir d, Davi April 18. Birdathon Birds & Beer Pregame (see p 7) C osta April 18 & 20. Birding by Ear Specialty Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch Workshop April 19–28. Birdathon Big Week (see p 7) April 20. Atturbury Wash work day April 20. Birdathon Scavenger Hunt at Mason Center (see p 7) April 20. Phenology Day April 20–21. Riparian Family Institute (see p 4) April 21. Birdathon Big Week with Bieber’s Bluebirds, Wrenegades (see p 7) April 22. Earth Day eBird blitz of the Catalinas, Rincons and Saguaro National Park (see p 9) April 24. IBA Spring Migration Survey (see p 9) K enne d y What? A Ranch With No Cows? April 25. Birdathon Big Week with IBA All the L in d a Way; Wake up with the Birds Bird Walk (see p 7) To someone like me, who grew up making recommendations to cattle on the Sonoita Plain, a quarterly April 26–28. IBA Bendire’s Thrasher in the 50s and 60s, immersed in the ranch operators to help them better meeting of the Sonoita Valley Expedition (see p 9) mystique of the “Old West” of popular manage their property. Planning Partnership, will again be April 27. Birdathon Big Week with Scott’s movies and television shows, a In 1980, Audubon took over held at the Ranch. This symposium is Orioles (see p 7) ranch had to have cows and horses! management of the 13 square- a showcase for regionally important April 27. Birdathon Mason Center Bird Walk Guess what?! The Appleton-Whittell mile facility and currently works projects relevant to scientists, (see p 7) Research Ranch of the National in collaboration with other land- land managers, and interested lay April 28. Birdathon Big Week with Birds of Audubon Society doesn’t produce owning partners: Bureau of Land persons. From October 3–6, 2013, Fray; Birdathon Big Week ends (see p 7) livestock; it produces information Management, U.S. Forest Service, the first ever “Institute of Grassland May 3. Deadline to turn in Birdathon pledges to protect thousands of acres of Swift Current Land & Cattle Company, Ecology” will be held in partnership for prizes (see p 7) grassland and related ecosystems. The Nature Conservancy, and with Tucson Audubon Society. The May 10. IBA Spring Migration Survey (see p 9) Frank and Ariel Appleton were the The Research Ranch Foundation. Institute will provide a concentrated May 11. Birdy BBQ Celebration (see p 7) inspiration and driving force behind Conservation practices, research/ introduction to grasslands, with May 13. Living with Nature lecture (Tucson): this new concept of a ranch. After monitoring efforts, and an active special focus on the Southwest. Migration Stopovers in Southeastern Arizona with Charles van Riper III (see p 6) several years of cattle ranching near outreach program are linked to learn The known biodiversity of the Sonoita, Arizona, they learned that how to manage grasslands and share Research Ranch is rich, with over May 15. IBA Spring Migration Survey (see p 9) cattle are an exotic influence in the that information with those who wish 200 species of birds, nearly 600 May 22. IBA Nocturnal Survey (see p 9) grasslands of the Southwest. Most to protect grassland ecosystems. species of vascular plants, more June 1–2 and 8–9. IBA Elegant Trogon grassland ecosystems in the Midwest Researchers from academic than 50 reptiles and amphibians, Surveys (see p 9) co-evolved with bison, but in the institutions, non-governmental and we’re still trying to compile the June 19. IBA Nocturnal Survey (see p 9) absence of bision, Southwestern organizations, and agencies apply to known species of invertebrates. June 28. IBA Yellow-billed Cuckoo Callback grasslands did not develop defense study on the Ranch, and are granted This diversity makes the Ranch an Survey (see p 9) mechanisms against herds of half-ton permission if they and their projects attractive place for visitors. More July 12. IBA Yellow-billed Cuckoo Callback herbivores. In 1968, the Appletons meet rigorous conditions. In any information about the Research Survey (see p 9) converted their “Elgin Hereford given year there are 30–40 different Ranch, including contact information July 22. IBA Nocturnal Survey (see p 9) Cattle Ranch” into the “Research ongoing projects. The results of to schedule a visit, is available at July 26. IBA Yellow-billed Cuckoo Callback Ranch” by removing livestock and this work are shared in many ways, www.researchranch.audubon.org. Survey (see p 9) starting a non-profit organization. including through the Ranch’s “Living So yes, it is possible to have a August 8 & 10. Warblers Specialty Workshop They opened the Research Ranch to Gently on the Land” education ranch without cows! September 5 & 7. Flycatchers Specialty scientists interested in studying the program, geared towards (but not Linda Kennedy, Ph.D., Director Workshop changes that occurred in grazed vs. restricted to) rural residents. On June Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch of August 14–18. Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival ungrazed grassland ecosystems and 8th of 2013, the fifth annual Science the National Audubon Society October 3–6. Institute of Grassland Ecology (see p 4)

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. April–June 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 5 Tucson Audubon Events & Classes Tucson Audubon’s Living with Nature Lecture Series Tucson Living with Nature Lecture Series and arlan d Member Meetings Pima

NOTE NEW VENUE! . com .J im B urns P hotos arbler , J ohn H offman Community College Downtown Campus, Amethyst Room. Located W ilson ’ s

on campus at 1255 N. Stone Ave. B urns , www

See tucsonaudubon.org/lwn for map. P inaleno M tns IBA, J ennie ac F

The program begins at 7 pm, and focused on the conservation salinity has increased, productivity USGS Southwest Biological Science second Monday of each month of Arizona’s imperiled, native bird has decreased, species composition Center Sonoran Desert, University of October through May. Please check populations and their most critical has changed, trophic pathways Arizona our website for details on topics and habitats. Arizona has 43 designated have altered, and early growth rates Populations of Neotropical migratory speakers. IBAs, eight of which have Global in endangered and commercially birds are declining throughout much

Status, and cover 3.38 million acres important fish have decreased. Stable A merican W hite P elican , J im & Deva Green Valley Living of North America and continue to of habitat. Join Jennie MacFarland, isotopes in mollusk shells and fish with Nature Lecture Series be at risk because they depend on co-coordinator of the program and otoliths indicate that approximately Joyner-Green Valley Library, 601 N. a diversity of habitats spread over staff at Tucson Audubon, as she 10% of the river’s virgin flow is La Canada Dr. 594-5295. The Green huge geographic and political areas. takes you on a photographic tour needed to restore critical estuarine Valley talks will now be at 10 am on While extensive effort has focused of these IBAs and highlights the habitats. The response of riparian the first Saturday of the month, on summer productivity and over different bird populations that depend vegetation to rare flood events November through April. winter survival, little attention has on them for survival. suggests that 2 to 5% percent of the been paid to the role of migration For more information, contact Bété April 8 • Tucson river’s flow is needed to sustain the in the population dynamics of Jones, 520-209-1812 or bjones@ existing riparian corridor, therefore A delta once more? Neotropical migrants. Only recently tucsonaudubon.org, or visit providing critical habitat for birds. Prospects for restoring have conservation biologists begun tucsonaudubon.org. Dr. Flessa will illustrate how these the Colorado River Delta to understand the importance habitats have been altered and April 6 • Green Valley With Karl Flessa, Director of the of migration pathways, stopover present collaborative and creative An Armchair Tour of School of Earth & Environmental behaviors, and stopover habitat efforts to restore them. See Page Arizona’s Important Bird Sciences at the University of Arizona quality in the long-term viability of 23 for an introduction to this exciting migrant populations. Dr. van Riper III Areas An Encore Presentation: The damming of the Colorado topic! will speak to the challenges that birds With Jennie MacFarland, Important River significantly altered important face during their migration and how Bird Areas Program Coordinator, habitats for birds and other wildlife May 13 • Tucson steps are being taken to increase our Tucson Audubon Society in the Delta that crosses the border Migration Stopovers in understanding of Western Neotropical The Arizona Important Bird Areas between the U.S. and Mexico. Since Southeastern Arizona Migration so we can better protect (IBA) Program is an exciting, field- upstream dams and diversions, the With Charles van Riper III, USGS these species. oriented program rooted in science estuary’s circulation has reversed, Research Scientist and Professor,

Get Your Pods Ready Now for the Harvest Festival and Mesquite Milling by Kendall Kroesen, Habitats Program Manager

It is time to start getting ready for To dry them faster and avoid desertharvesters.org (click on Tucson Audubon’s Harvest Festival growth of mold or bruchid beetles, you “mesquite” on the menu, then scroll and Mesquite Milling at the Mason can toast them in the oven for a while. down to “native mesquite harvesting Center. The festival is not until The beetles are not harmful, but they basics”). I highly recommend November (tentatively, November eat part of the pod’s interior, reducing reading this. 16), but before the next Vermilion the amount of flour they produce when The festival’s theme is abundance Flycatcher comes out it will be time to ground. Some people also store their in the Sonoran Desert: the natural harvest your mesquite pods. dried pods in a freezer until autumn. foods and products it produces Mesquite pods generally dry out But take them out a few days prior and the opportunities it provides K roesen and turn brown in June. Pick the dry to milling. for living sustainably. There will pods off the tree before they fall to Full recommendations on how be talks, activities, exhibits and minimize the chance that mold will to harvest and prepare mesquite shopping opportunities—fun for the grow on them. pods are available at www. whole family! K en d all B oth photos

6 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Tucson Audubon Events & Classes Birdathon Gear Tucson Audubon’s Nature Shops Celebrate migration April 2 have everything you need for a to great Birdathon. during Birdathon, May 11 Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat $38.00. Because you love birds! Birdathon poses the question: how many species can you spot in a day? You are in luck because Birdathon Royal Robbins is a great time to enjoy spring migration and you’re in Southern Arizona, where over 400 species can be Expedition Lt. spotted each year! Sign up online, collect pledges, go birding!ð Men’s Shirt $70.00 Birdathon Preview Trips All registered Birdathoners who raise at least $50 Birdathon links the fun of birding with habitat earn a limited-edition Birdathon t-shirt featuring the n Walra artwork of L. Wren Walraven. Wre ven conservation. To see this link in action, go birding L. with Tucson Audubon staff in one of the following Kids, meet your birds with a morning trips. Suggested donation $25 scavenger hunt at the Mason Tuesday, April 2: Birding around Atturbury Wash Center. and Agua Caliente Park with tips on landscaping Prizes for most species, most for wildlife and sustainability, with Kendall Kroesen, funds raised, and more! Habitats Program Manager Celebrate your Thursday, April 11: Simpson Farm raptors, accomplishments! Birdathoners sparrows, and restoration work with Jonathan and supporters are invited to the Horst, Restoration Biologist Birdy BBQ. 75c Tuesday, April 16: Birdathon How-to features To register, visit www. desert birds and shade-grown coffee at the Mason tucsonaudubon.org/ Vortex Center with Erin Olmstead, Development Manager birdathon. Paper registration

Diamondback available at downtown Nature R t s ed e Who will sponsor you? The Birdathon website -f W 8x42 $217.79 ac e Shop. All Birdathoners must ed rg makes it easy to “share” your Birdathon fever with Warbler, Geo Member Price register. others on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or by email! Donations are tax-deductible and support Tucson Expert Led Big Days Audubon’s conservation and education programs. Let professional guides lead you on an Thanks to our Birdathon 2013 Sponsors. unforgettable Big Day. Whatever style you are looking for, one of these trips will fill your desires! $24.95 Estimated 75–150 species and suggested fundraising effort $200. Birdathon Big Week Sunday, April 21: Bieber’s Bluebirds with Gavin of Events Bieber of WINGS. This workshop-style trip focuses $19.95 Thursday, April 18: Birds & Beer Pregame on field techniques while birding Sweetwater and Mount Lemmon. Friday, April 19: Birdathon Big Week begins! Sunday, April 21: Wrenegades with Jennie Saturday, April 20: Scavenger Hunt at Sweetwater MacFarland of Tucson Audubon Society. During Sunday, April 21: Bieber’s Bluebirds, this dawn-to-dusk extravaganza, the Wrenegades the Wrenegades will hit all the hot spots. Thursday, April 25: IBA All the Way, $29.95 egades, M ren att Thursday, April 25: IBA All the Way with Jennie W B Wake up with the Birds Bird Walk 0 ro 01 o 2 k e s MacFarland of Tucson Audubon Society. Visit as h T many IBAs as possible during this half-day trip, Saturday, April 27: Scott’s $19.95 featuring the DeAnza Trail, Montosa Canyon, and Orioles Tanque Verde Wash. Saturday, April 27: Mason Saturday, April 27: Scott’s Orioles with Scott Center Bird Walk Olmstead of Tropical Birding. Take a Sky Islands Sunday, April 28: Birds of tour of the Catalina Mountains to view bird species Fray; Birdathon Big Week ends in each life zone. Friday, May 3: Deadline to turn Sunday, April 28: Birds of Fray with Richard Fray in pledges for prizes of Fun Birding Tours. This will be a fun, fun, fun trip, Saturday, May 11: Birdy visiting Madera Canyon, Sweetwater, Rio Rico, and BBQ Celebration VF Patagonia.

T t h s i e c W k- e bi g lle or www.tucsonaudubon.org/birdathon d Kingbird, ge

Visit tucsonaudubon.orgtucsonaudubon.org/fieldtrips for updates for and updates more. and more April–June 2013 Vermilionermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 7 Quick Stats Tucson Audubon Simpson Farm Tucson Bird Count News Roundup This year marks the 13th annual Pre-2012 Tucson Bird Count! Between April 15 • Since 2000, Tucson Audubon and May 15 volunteers will conduct A Livable Desert has planted 113 acres point counts in over 800 locations • More than 15,000 trees and all over greater Tucson area and in shrubs have been planted Saguaro National Park. Over the Habitat Restoration for the Birds • 148 acres seeded Jonathan Horst, Restoration Biologist years these volunteers have tabulated In 2012 over half a million individual birds • 16 acres planted from 248 different species! The goal • More than 1700 trees, of this long term count is shrubs, cactus planted to determine how • 2 invasive species control habitat within experiments started urban areas 2013 can be enhanced • 16 acres planned for G riffiths to benefit as monsoon planting M att many species • 24 acres seeded in January Above L to R: Santa Cruz River and a lush field at the Simpson Farm restoration as possible. This • avian use of restored habitat site in Avra Valley. Below: Tucson Audubon’s restoration crew at work digging idea, Reconciliation analysis begun, results basins. Ecology, endeavors to mitigate forthcoming habitat loss due to urbanization by • 2 invasive species control Humans have long altered landscapes to determine the most efficient and providing as much urban habitat for experiments started, 1 more to their needs and whims. Some ecologically appropriate means for wildlife as possible. You can help! For planned areas, through long use or misuse, removal and eradication of invasive more information on this collaborative • 3 propagation experiments have become degraded to the point grasses (Bermuda and Johnson) and effort between the University of started where natural ecological systems tumbleweed, plants which overwhelm

Arizona and Tucson Audubon visit C ar d inal , Doris E vans N orthern will neither return to their previous and exclude the native vegetation www.tucsonbirds.org condition, nor re-establish habitat and provide lower-quality habitat for that is valuable for birds and wildlife. wildlife. Another set of experiments, Visit This is especially true in the desert to be implemented during the summer Simpson Farm where extreme aridity leads to rapid monsoon season, will compare the for Birdathon, soil erosion, both to wind and water, long-term cost effectiveness and 4/11 (see p 7) whenever the surrounding vegetation growth performance of mesquite and is removed. Wide expanses of palo verde trees propagated in varying Board of Directors Slate degraded deserts do not have the nursery and natural conditions. capacity to heal themselves in a This winter the Restoration Crew The following names have been human timeframe. performed a series of paired bird naturally regenerating. We’ll share the submitted by the Nominating Once again, humans have the surveys designed to concretely state results with you this summer. Committee for election at the Annual capacity to intervene—this time the benefits to birds that restoration at The Restoration Crew at Tucson Meeting of the Tucson Audubon seeking to restore some of what was the Simpson Farm has accomplished. Audubon aims to restore ecosystem Society on Monday April 8, 2013, at lost. Tucson Audubon Society is the Each month two surveys, done at the functioning and jumpstart the capacity 7.00 pm at the Amethyst Room, Pima regional sponsor for in-lieu mitigation exact same time on land with similar of the desert to spread and mature. Community College, 1255 North projects required by the Army Corps base conditions, were conducted— Tucson Audubon’s passion is birds; Stone Ave, Tucson, Arizona 85709. All of Engineers when waterways of the one in an area that has been restored we’re trying to give them a home. current Friends of Tucson Audubon U.S. are affected by development or and the other in area that has been are entitled to vote. human use. The current restoration For bios of prospective board site, the Simpson Farm in Avra Valley, members, visit tucsonaudubon.org. straddles the lower Santa Cruz River Nominees for a first three-year term: and is primarily flood plain formerly • Les Corey used for agriculture. Since beginning • Nancy Young Wright our work there, over 1500 trees, Our grateful thanks go to two shrubs, grasses, and cactus have retiring board members, Linda H been planted on site. Greene and Sandy Elers, who have Recently Tucson Audubon’s each completed two three-year terms Restoration department has taken as Directors of Tucson Audubon. a scientific/experimental approach K roesen to our ongoing mitigation work. One

set of current experiments seeks K en d all

8 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Visit local IBAs for Birdathon, 4/25 Exciting Survey Season for Arizona IBA (see p 7) Jennie MacFarland, IBA Conservation Biologist

Global level IBA a complimentary motel stay the night and we will be before in San Manuel. monitoring There are two back-country survey this imperiled opportunities this season that are habitat near new for the program. The first, a joint San Manuel effort of Arizona IBA and Arizona Field again this year. Ornithologists, is the April 26–28 We will have three Bendire’s Thrasher Expedition Spring Migration Surveys on April near Wikieup. This survey will involve 24, May 10 and May 15 with a focus camping and conducting playback Left and above: Lower San Pedro; Inset: on capturing what species use the point counts for this elusive species in Nocturnal survey San Pedro River on their journey an attempt to create a species-specific north. These early morning surveys IBA. Our goal is 10 pairs (this would opportunities this year, both to gather are made a bit easier with a provided qualify the area as a Global IBA) and information on potential new IBAs motel room in San Manuel the night with enough help we should reach that arlan d and to monitor existing IBAs. This is before. We will also be conducting goal! For the first time we will have a great chance to put your birding nocturnal surveys again along the an Elegant Trogon Survey June skills to use for conservation while J ennie M ac F San Pedro River with an emphasis 8–9 in the Patagonia Mountains and having fun! on nightjars. These surveys are most Santa Rita Mountains. This will be in The Arizona Important Bird Area effective when there is a bright moon partnership with Rick Taylor’s annual Program is pleased to announce The survey schedule for so we will have these Nocturnal trogon survey in the Chiricahua and the designation of a new IBA: The 2013 for Arizona IBA Surveys on May 22, June 19, and Huachaca Mountains on June 1–2. Pinaleño Mountains! Best known for April 22 is Earth Day and what better July 22. We surveyed for Yellow-billed Both of these surveys are open to its highest peak, Mount Graham, this way to celebrate than by helping Cuckoos for the first time in the San any interested birder. To find out sky island is an excellent addition with an eBird blitz of the Catalinas, Pedro last summer with great success more information about any of these to the now 43 IBAs in Arizona. The Rincons and Saguaro National and are going to repeat and expand surveys or to sign up, email Jennie at creation of this new IBA was made Park. This informal survey is open to those surveys this summer. These [email protected] possible through the efforts of all birders. Just sign up for an area or Yellow-billed Cuckoo Callback It is going to be a fun and exciting volunteers who helped with a two- trail, go birding, and then enter your Surveys are scheduled for June 28, season! Be sure to sign up as soon as day survey last year. We have some sightings into eBird. It’s simple and July 12 and July 26 and also have you can before these trips fill up. very similar and exciting volunteer fun! The Lower San Pedro River is a

San Rafael IBA Survey a Great Success! Jennie MacFarland, IBA Conservation Biologist

Friday February 8th dawned cold a sight! Then the crew split into five and clear over the San Rafael Valley teams and drove to their appointed as a caravan of cars came over start points in the valley. The objective the crest and into the valley. The of the day was to record all birds seen Arizona Important Bird Area crew but especially all of the Chestnut- Above and right: Surveyors at work; Inset: Chestnut-collared Longspur of 19 surveyors arrived in the San collared Longspurs we could find. Rafael Valley IBA just as the sky was This species has had such a dramatic beginning to lighten. Many of these decline in population that its presence Merlin, Rough-legged Hawk, Baird’s grassland expanse in southern intrepid volunteers had arisen as early in high enough numbers elevates a Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Arizona is the Appleton-Whittell as 3:30 am to be here at this fleeting site to a Global IBA. The baseline for and many Savannah and Vesper Research Ranch near Elgin which is time of day in this beautiful spot. Just this species is 240 individuals and Sparrows. also an IBA. This October the Institute at the entrance of the valley, the crew for three years in a row now we have It was such a treat to visit the of Grassland Ecology (see p 4) will stopped to enjoy the magnificent counted well over this number and we beautiful San Rafael Grasslands be held in this beautiful area. You can view for a moment and snap a group expect this area to soon be officially again this winter and we will continue learn all about the geology, plants, photo. We scanned the valley for designated as a Global IBA. Besides to monitor this IBA. Intact grassland mammals, reptiles, insects and of

R eynol d s K ate Short-eared Owls soaring low over the 556 Chestnut-collared Longspurs habitat made up of native grass course birds that create the grassland the grass and one did briefly appear counted, surveyors also recorded species has become very rare. The ecological community. For more and for a moment was silhouetted Golden Eagle, White-tailed Kite, few that remain need to be treasured information and to register please by photos against the rising sun. Wow, what Prairie Falcon, Ferruginous Hawk, and protected. Another area of native visit: www.tucsonaudubon.org. A ll

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. April–June 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 9 Tucson Audubon NEWS

A River of Birds: Our Fifth Annual Gala

A grand time was had by all at Tucson Audubon’s Fifth Annual Gala on January 31 at the Hilton El Conquistador. Top row, L to R: Tucson Audubon staffers Jonathan Horst and Jennie MacFarland greet guests (Matt Griffiths); Tamara Prime, Thank You to Council Member Karin Uhlich, Chris McVie, Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, Council Member Regina Romero, and Karen Rothschild (Matt Griffiths); Conservation Chair Chris McVie presents Brad Lancaster with Tucson Audubon’s David Our Donors Yetman Award for Conservation (Angela Pritchard); Honorary Chair Nan Stockholm Walden welcomes a great group of Bequest: Peter Sincox Trust conservation supporters (Angela Pritchard); Bottom row, L to R: Gala Chair Sandy Elers participates in the raptor free-flight with a Eurasian Eagle Owl (Angela Pritchard); Becky Aparicio (inset) raffles a beautiful bird quilt made by Tucson Audubon Birthday Fund: We thank volunteers (Matt Griffiths); 200 conservation supporters enjoyed an elegant celebration of wildlife featuring live music by Roger Barthelson, Mary Louise Charles King, good conversation, silent auction, raptor free-flight, and keynote talk (Matt Brooks). Many will return next year. We Sasse and Michael Hall for their hope you will join this fun tradition! More pics online at tucsonaudubon.org/gala. generous donations to the birthday fund. Welcome new FRIENDS OF TUCSON AUDUBON Business Philanthropy: Cindy and Bill Albert, Nancy and Mark Gilbertson, Barbara Goldberg, Debra Petersen, Richard Peterson, Yar Albertsons Albright, Barbara Allen, Raymond Golden-Davis and Avery Davis, Petryszyn, Mary Pierre, Michele Gift in Honor/Memory: We thank Anderson, Jane Austin, Gilda Linda and Berry Grant, Julia Grover Poirier and Donna Poirier, Jane and these donors for their special gifts: Ballester and Roy Marie Ballister, & family, Nancy and John Gwilliam, Don Powers, Marilyn and Charles In memory of Shani Lamb Albert Bammann, Jeffrey Banfield, Seth Hadley, Larry Hemken, Brent Pratt, Tamara Prime, Alan Pullman, Friedman from Romaine Tom Barnwell, Tom Beauregard and Hendricks and Kate Bernheimer, Sarah Ramsey Sharman, Leo Rankin, Ahlstrom and Daniel Strehl Nan Carle, Dick Bierman, Agnes Mike Henry and family, Evan Hersh, Linda and Eric Reinhard, Kelly Rishor, In memory of Liz Edwards from and Murray Bolesta, Jennifer and Adora-Marie Higgins and Allan Carol Rollins, Kimlisa Salazar, Tricia Pamela Birkeland Kenneth Bosman, Sara Boyd, Charles Honda, Barbara Hill, Kenneth Hinkle and William Salisbury, Karim Sallam, In memory of Liz Edwards from Bradford, Robert Brandt and Anne and Winifred Williams, Helen Holliday, Susie Salmon, Diana Sammataro, Beverly and Robert Shirk Townsend, Debi and Jack Breese, Zoe Holmes, Beverly Howell, Virginia David Schaller, Kerry Schwartz and In memory of Nikki McCarthy from Anne Britt, Sanford Brunswick, Hudson, Edith Iwan, Debb and Bud Melanie Morrison, Linda Shortridge, Patty Mourant Kathryn Burgess, Sandra Cannizzo, Johnson, Lorraine Keary, Carol Mark Siner, Linda Slagter, Ricardo In honor of Andrew and Bev Bill Carter, Carla and Robert Casler, Keck, Rebecca and Patrick Keenan, Small, Ilissa Staadeker, Roberta Robertson from Yijing Eng-Wei Chong, Elizabeth Churchill, Sheryl Kelly, Steven Kessel, Renate Stabel, Joseph Stilwell, Jean Robertson Jody Costan, Kate Coyle, Vera Kloppinger and Rainer Kuerzel, Takekawa, Barb and Craig Thayer, In honor of Dick and Jenny Cragin, Uel Crosby, Diana Davis, Robert Kolpin, Diane and Ray Kostuk, Kathryn Thomas, Freda Thompson, Lazeres from Loretta and Di and Dave Dawkins, Locana de Susan Kuehlthau, Malvina Kupinski, Terri and Ned Thorson, Marjorie and Kenneth Wilson Sonza, America and Andrew Deeb, Don Ladig, Annie Lawrence, Dr Kevin Richard Tipton, Geoff Tyler, Marilyn In memory of Dick Else from Jim Dewey and Selena Billington, and Barbara Leehey, Rosa Lepker, and Tony Vitale, Carolyn Webb, JoAnne and Bill Peacock K roesen Ann and Dennis Diers, Dr Rose Deb and Jay Liggett, Mary Anne and Miriam Weber, Jeff Williams, Kathy In memory of Dick Else from Dill, Katrina Dlugosch, Jacqueline Jerome Linser, Eleanor Livingstone, Williams, R.A. Willingham, Loretta Patricia Catalano Dow, Wendy Dunham, Barbara Chris Lord, Judah Mac Cabee, Susan and Kenneth Wilson, Lance Wilson, Dunn, Steven Dyson, Colleen Magnuson, Don Marier, Dorothy Jean Windmiller, Barbara Witthaus, Employer Match: Freeport- Eichenberger, Kirk Emerson, Dallas Masters, Jacqueline and Richard Dorothy Young McMoran Copper & Gold , K en d all C huparosa and Ron Enyeart, Laurence Fahrney, Mattner, Doris McGinley, Micahel Welcome Salmon, Lewis & Weldon, Foundation Jim Farley, Teresa Ferriero Wood, McWilliams, Kayri Mealy, Paul Miller, PLC as a new Birds & Business Christopher Foltz,Peggy Ford, Wendy and Christopher Miller, Marla Workplace Giving: Alliance Copper Level Member. Rowan Frost, Jane Gellman, Peggy Morrissey, Jeanette Nadeau, Joseph Environmental Fund for Jean Barchman, Gerber, Cheryl S. Gerken, Margaret Orr, John Pestle, Jesse and Michael Arizona, ECAP-County Membership Coordinator

10 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Tucson Audubon NEWS Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteer News Roundup Carol Palmer brings a wealth Kara Kaczmarzyk, Volunteer & Development Coordinator of knowledge and an inquisitive spirit to volunteering with all Welcome New Volunteers things plant-related at the Mason Toby Byrum, Lindsey Chadwick, Center. A few years ago, after the Ray Deeney, Nandi Devan, Sue commute to volunteer for the Tucson Feyrer, Jill Kelleman, Sheryl Kelly, Botanical Gardens’ Butterfly Magic Kathryn Lance, Leslie Matthaei, became too lengthy, Carol turned Angela Pritchard, Nancy Rivera, her attention to the Mason Center, Mary Sedwick, Keith Shellcross, Paul located only a short walk from her Suchanek, Jeff & Judy Webster. house. She has been caring for the Your April–June 2013 plants here ever since. K aczmarzyk

For Carol, a love of nature K ara

Volunteer Season G riffiths As the warmer weather of spring began while growing up on a farm permaculture histories, while always M att settles in, there are many ways to get in Pennsylvania. Her grandmother encouraging further learning. Last outdoors and volunteer. Management and Audubon Arizona. adored gardening and instilled summer, a teacher from Tortolita April is here in full force! We welcome you to join us for an this passion for all living things in Middle School approached Tucson Volunteers will be critical to new outing or to get trained for a full Carol and her four siblings. Carol Audubon to work with her students events, such as at our booth during season, spring or fall. is intrigued by the unique patterns to identify different plants around the Earth Day Water Festival at Reid While attending a free field trip, of nature, but her curiosity does the Mason Center trail. Carol and Park or in welcoming the new San have you ever thought “I could lead a not rest on one topic for long, she’s the students created and installed Pedro EcoFest in Arivaica. trip like this?” If you have any interest always into something new and plant ID signs around the trail for all Celebrating birds and conservation in leading a free field trip, contact admits that nature can be quite visitors to reference. in April is Birdathon! Ways to help us! We’ll set you up with a co-leader distracting! In the last four years An Arizona Certified Nursery in this birdwatching and fundraising until you feel ready to lead a group since Carol began observing the Professional, Carol spent ten years extravaganza extend all through solo, to a location of your choice. grounds of the Mason Center, she working at the Rillito Nursery. April and into May, and include event This summer, volunteer captain has been heartened to see how As a youth, she graduated from planning, sponsor solicitation, setup, Lynn Hassler would love for you to well the desert can rejuvenate, Sunnyside High School before and coordination. join her team to garden for wildlife though she turns to the Mason traveling extensively during her You can be part of River and sustainability in the yard of the Center permaculture plan as a tool husband’s 20 years in the military Pathways and help high school Nature Shop. On early Wednesday for us all to understand the ways in (Hawaii was a highlight). She has students learn riparian monitoring mornings, you can plant new native which this unique ironwood-saguaro many favorite birds, ranging from techniques in this program that species and help attract even more habitat continues to be affected over hummingbirds to hawks, and is partners with the Bureau of Land wildlife to this urban patch. the years. especially delighted by a Costa’s In May, you can lead a bird walk or One of the most valuable of Hummingbird that has become a staff an outreach table at the Catalina Carol’s roles as a volunteer is that regular backyard visitor. Carol’s Contact Kara about State Park 30th anniversary and of teacher. She takes young new other hobbies include photography, volunteering! the Madera Canyon International volunteers under her wing. When and you can visit our blog at Migratory Bird Day celebration. Luke Schwarz, Mike Sadatmousavi, tucsonaudubon.blogspot.com for [email protected] Or, choose one of many unique Ariana Villalobos, Niki Szivek, and some of Carol’s wildlife photos and a 520-209-1811 individual projects to take you through Abraham Moreno each started at video a tarantula hawk capturing its the Mason Center, Carol would tour the spring. Help coordinate Tucson prey, all taken the Mason Center. VF tucsonaudubon.org/ Audubon’s free field trips, or talk with the property with them, sharing Kara Kaczmarzyk plant lists, watering schedules, and volunteer Kara about taking on a new project! VF S almon G riffiths M att B ete J ones A ngela Dennis W eeks Recent Volunteer Activities (L to R): Bonnie Wong and Mavis Rosell with Tucson Audubon Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities (L to R): River Pathways at Empire Gulch; Mike Staff Sara Pike and Kelly DiGiacomo at A River of Birds Gala; Bonnie Weeks with Sadatmousavi leads a free field trip at Tucson Audubon’s Mason Center. Kenn Kaufmann at Wings Over Willcox.

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. April–June 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 11 A Bridge to Everywhere: The Luis Gutiérrez Bridge on the Santa Cruz River Ken Lamberton C ruz R i v er

One evening last fall, after the gear- and its past. In the elegant lines of the Santa whine and blade-roar of the construction architecture, I saw a bridge to hope, a equipment had abated with the heat, I bridge symbolic of the greatness of our took a walk on the Luis Gutiérrez Bridge community, of our diversity. on West Cushing Street. Five years That evening, I climbed the stairs ago, while I was researching my book, leading to the pedestrian deck, each step Dry River, I hiked this part of the Santa embedded with replicas of Hohokam Cruz and spoke with people planning pottery shards of a design known from something called Tucson Origins Heritage the nearby excavations of our earliest Park, part of Río Nuevo’s effort to create settlers. Under the sweeping arcs of the a historical interpretation of this river- canopies, perforated with wedding-heart slashed place, Tucson’s birthplace. leaves, I walked through the dappled light I fell in love with the plan. Already of a cottonwood gallery into Tucson’s watching thousands of mud bricks rise past: Twelve landmarks, from Father into the torreón of a Spanish presidio Eusebio Kino’s entrada to San Cosmé in downtown, I imagined the similar del Stjukshon (Tucson) to the University river, and then swung his arm toward the reconstruction of the two-story Convento of Arizona’s Phoenix spacecraft landing base of A Mountain. “I was born there,” with its copper bells lifted into the azurite on Mars, the images sandblasted into he added. sky, its chapel and granary, workshops the deck. We talked for half an hour and he told and kitchens, the cottonwood-draped And more, something astonishing: me what it was like growing up here, acequias carrying river water past the history’s sundial reaching out with light going to school, raising his own family Carrillo house to the grape arbors and and shadow. On specific days and times, on the Santa Cruz River. I explained how Kino orchards of the mission gardens an alignment between the sun and the I’d raised my own three daughters on the under A Mountain. bridge illuminates the past, like when on San Juan Wash, a nearby tributary of the But as the years went by, and all I saw every February 19 at 8:45 am, the shape river, and how my oldest was recently of the plan amounted to an adobe wall, it of a propeller will appear on the engine married a few hundred yards from where seemed Río Nuevo hadn’t gotten into bed of Charles Hamilton’s biplane, the first we stood. with the birthplace idea. aircraft to fly over Tucson. Or on October When I asked him about the new All that changed on the bridge. Seeing 14 at 8:45 am when the letters “TPBCo” bridge, what it meant to him, he said: “I it for the first time, I remember thinking: will come to rest on a picture of the walk across it every day. It’s how I get to This is what Río Nuevo is supposed to Tucson Pressed Brick Company. everywhere.” VF be. Art and culture and history realized in It was at this last image near mid-span the utility of concrete and steel, spanning that I met a sun-weathered Hispanic man Ken Lamberton’s latest book, Dry River: a river that I can only call the mother of as he came from the other direction. He Stories of Life, Death, and Redemption on the

G riffiths Tucson. How appropriate to name the stopped when he noticed my interest Santa Cruz, was published by the University of bridge in honor of Luis Gutiérrez, the city in the sandblasted history. “My father,” Arizona Press in 2011. This essay is from his manager who envisioned the original he told me, “worked his whole life at the next book, Chasing Arizona: An Obsession with

M att P hotos 1999 Rio Nuevo as a celebration of the brickyard—right over there.” He pointed to the Grand Canyon State, forthcoming by UA

A ll city’s connection to its river, its people, a vacant spot above the west bank of the Press in 2014.

12 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Celebrating Southeast Arizona’s Birds TUCSON meet Your Birds SELMAN ; V er d in , LARRY

This issue of “Tucson Meet Your Birds” river dried out, many bird species suffered

introduces you to some birds of the Santa declines. A merican K estrl , J ohn enne d y Cruz River and other local streams. Now discharge of treated effluent into Many resident and nesting birds need the the Santa Cruz in Tucson has resulted thicker, more varied vegetation that arises in a thin, but useful, ribbon of this kind along rivers and streams. of vegetation—thick shrubs, willows, As shown on the map, the Santa Cruz cottonwoods. So birders still have a River starts in the Canelo Hills east of chance to see some of these great bird Patagonia, Arizona. It flows south through species right in Tucson. the high grasslands of the San Rafael Along with the Santa Cruz River, the Valley, a prodigious birding site. After species we describe here—and many flowing south from the border about 15 more—can be seen along Sweetwater miles—the direction you would expect Wetlands, Sabino Creek, Tanque a river to go—the Santa Cruz abruptly Verde Creek, and the Kino Ecological horseshoes back north, crossing the Restoration Project. border again just east of Nogales. From Some of our favorite specific locations there it flows north through the aptly are also described here as well. Cool April named Santa Cruz Valley, creating great and May mornings are great times to see birding opportunities in the area from Rio these birds. Listen for myriad morning Special 4-page Rico north through Tubac. The river bed songs and enjoy their unique beauty. Pull-Out dries going north through Green Valley For more Santa Cruz River culture and the southern part of Tucson. and history, read Dry River: Stories of The river was formerly verdant again Life, Death and Redemption on the Santa from San Xavier through Tucson due to Cruz, by Ken Lamberton. springs and higher groundwater. But as Kendall Kroesen groundwater was pumped out and the Habitats Program Manager

The Cañada del Oro Wash originates at Our mission: Tucson Audubon promotes the more than 9,000 feet on the north side of protection and stewardship of southern Arizona’s Mt. Lemmon, and ends 48 miles away at the biological diversity through the study and Santa Cruz River in Marana, having dropped enjoyment of birds and the places they live. FREE Birding Field Trips: nearly 7,000 feet. Most of this normally dry tucsonaudubon.org/fieldtrips wash essentially is inaccessible, but much Nature Shop: 300 E. University Blvd. of the lower 16 miles, all within the Tucson 520-629-0510 x1 metro area, is open to birding and includes Birding Classes: Bob Bowers tucsonaudubon.org/education a wide range of rich habitat. From Catalina Regional Park at 2,900 Rare Bird Alert: tucsonaudubon.org/rba or feet through Catalina State Park, and along Oro Valley’s Cañada del Oro River Park to 520-629-0510 x3 Christina-Taylor Green Memorial River Park, ending at Thornydale and Starburst, more Tucson Bird Count: tucsonbirds.org than 200 species can be found. One of the best segments is a two-mile paved bicycle/ Volunteer: tucsonaudubon.org/volunteer walking path from Rooney Ranch Shopping Center to La Cañada Drive, which parallels Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival: ird Places in Tucson t B ird Places tucsonaudubon.org/festival the wide, treed wash to the north and Oracle Country Club’s golf course to the south. tucsonaudubon.org 520-629-0510 Bob Bowers G rea

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. April–June 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 13 Tucson Meet Your Birds . com .J im B urns P hotos . com .J im B urns P hotos . com .J im B urns P hotos B urns , www B urns , www B urns , www J im & Deva J im & Deva J im & Deva

Common Yellowthroat Great Egret Bell’s Vireo I remember the first time I saw a Common Have you ever stumbled upon a Great Egret One of my favorite mnemonic devices for birds: Yellowthroat. I was walking in a park in Los patiently hunting on a pond in one of Tucson’s “Where’d I put my keys? Oh, I found my keys. Angeles. There was a ditch with water in it; some urban parks or along the banks of the Santa Cruz Where’d I put my keys? Oh, I found my keys.” kind of urbanized stream or runoff channel. Turf river? Suddenly with a quick jab of that large yellow Can you guess which bird? If you are around from the park gave way to patches of cattails or bill, lunch is had. riparian areas in the springtime in southeast bulrushes. Great Egrets seem to be able to eat almost Arizona, or a surveyor for the Important Bird Areas There was a flash of yellow and for a moment anything, wading in shallow water (both fresh program through Tucson Audubon, you probably I saw a small bird with a big, black eye patch. The and salt) to hunt fish, frogs, aquatic invertebrates know Bell’s Vireo. I’m always able to identify this patch was outlined in white. The rest of the body (particularly crustaceans), insects, reptiles, other bird by its “lost and found keys” song. was bright yellow. I was still pretty new to birding birds, and small mammals. We’ve discovered Most likely, and more importantly, identifying but I had little trouble finding it in the warbler this at Tucson Audubon’s habitat restoration site this bird means that you are probably in an area section of the field guide. There is no other bird that in Marana. There is an annual feeding frenzy by where habitat is good for Bell’s Vireo. You might be looks like the male Common Yellowthroat, at least the local “wedge” of egrets every spring when near water or in a riparian area, especially in our not in North America. lizards first emerge to sun and are speared by the arid region. There is also no bird that sounds like Common opportunistic birds hunting the fields. The Bell’s Vireo qualifies as a Red List species Yellowthroat. This is helpful because they often stay Found on every continent except Antarctica, for the American Bird Conservancy, which means inside thick vegetation along the banks of streams Great Egrets are in Tucson throughout the year its habitat is declining due to urbanization, and rivers, where they are hard to see. Their but most likely seen in winter and during migration agriculture, grazing and flood control. wichity-wichity-wichity often leads you to a visual to and from breeding grounds to the north and in This bird is rather drab in color and field marks, Pull-Out encounter. Their call is a distinctive, drawn-out the Midwest. Breeding adults develop lime green but its song is very distinct. Surprisingly, it is the Special 4-page 4-page Special chit sounding to me like the bird version of a short, facial skin and thin, wispy feather plumes used in most yellow in the most eastern part of its range. It defiant “raspberry.” This can be useful for identifying courtship displays. Called aigrettes, these plumes breeds in Midwestern to southwestern states, and the female, which is a bit duller than the males. were prized for women’s hats in the late nineteenth winters down into Mexico. Look for this species at Sweetwater Wetlands century, leading to more than 95 percent of this When you’re out birding this spring, pay or along the Santa Cruz River at places like the species in North America being killed. A symbol of attention for the bird “asking about its keys.” When Ina Road Bridge, Crossroads Park, or wherever the resulting conservation effort, the Great Egret you can catch a glimpse of Bell’s Vireo it’s a special trails along the river allow you to see the vegetation became the logo of the National Audubon Society. sight, and your finding is notable! along the water. Matt Griffiths, Communications, Sara Pike, Operations and Retail Manager Kendall Kroesen, Habitats Program Manager Habitat Restoration, AZ IBA Program

Coachline Gravel Pits (aka El Rio Open Space) These are publicly accessible gravel pits bounded by the Tucson Mountains and the Santa Cruz River, and owned by the Town of Marana. Tucson Audubon has worked on a riparian restoration project here, planting native vegetation, and it is on an Important Bird Area survey route. During rainstorms, the gravel pit fills with water, stays wet for months, and becomes a great spot to easily view waterfowl and shorebirds. Some birds encountered here have included Belted Kingfisher, Pied-billed Grebe, White-faced Ibis, Great Blue Heron, several duck species, Black-necked Stilt, and more. Even when the pond is dry, there are interesting birds to see. During summer, Bell’s Vireos nest in the tamarisk. Gilded Flicker, Lazuli Bunting, Gambel’s Quail, Greater Roadrunner, Peregrine Falcon, an Eastern Phoebe, and other species have been sighted.

ird Places in Tucson t B ird Places Take the Twin Peaks exit from I-10, go west and turn north onto Coachline Road. Drive past W. Oak Stream Road, and in approximately 0.15 miles turn right onto a dirt road; follow it a short distance to a parking area. Janine Spencer G rea

14 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Tucson Meet Your Birds N e dd ermeyer M uriel . com .J im B urns P hotos . com .J im B urns P hotos B urns , www B urns , www J im & Deva J im & Deva

Abert’s Towhee Summer Tanager Spotted Sandpiper This mostly brown bird has a subtle beauty when When you see the beautiful rosy-red plumage of Our coverbird for this issue, the ‘Spotty’, is a closely examined. The feathers under the tail are the first male Summer Tanager of the year, you handsome creature with a unique story. a handsome russet and the black mask over its know two things. First: that spring is finally here Did you know that the female Spotted eyes makes it look like a little bandit. This bird has and second: that you are in high quality cottonwood Sandpiper takes the lead in establishing and a very restricted range that lies mostly in Arizona and willow riparian habitat. This handsome defending territory? Spotted Sandpipers also and is found along flowing rivers and vegetated species is closely associated with this habitat in sometimes employ an unusual breeding strategy washes. Such suitable riparian habitat has greatly the Southwest and will nest along flowing rivers called polyandry, where a female mates with diminished in the last 100 years and as a result, such as the Santa Cruz. The male is the only all several males, each of which then incubates a this bird is on the Audubon Watch List. Most often red bird in North America and looks shockingly red, clutch of eggs and cares for the chicks! detected by it loud clear “seep” call note, if you especially against the bright green of a cottonwood Widespread throughout North America and wait quietly they will usually come out into the tree. The female looks very similar in size and easily recognized by its distinctive breeding open. They tend to be in pairs or family groups shape but instead of red, she is completely plumage, teetering gait, and snappy wingbeat, and are usually on the ground where they forage mustard yellow. When you hear their distinctive the Spotted Sandpiper makes a great ‘entry-level’ by jumping forward and scooting back. I call this two-note “pi-tuk” call look up into the canopy and shorebird ID. Look for them patrolling the edges maneuver the “towhee shuffle” and it is fun to see. you may see them fly out to capture a juicy cicada of lakes, rivers, and streams, foraging on small With the smallest total distribution of an U.S. bird, to feed to their nestlings. invertebrates. In breeding plumage, the Spotted Abert’s Towhees are on many birders’ wish list, we Jennie MacFarland, Sandpiper sports a boldly spotted breast and belly Special 4-page Pull-Out are fortunate to have them right here in Tucson! IBA Conservation Biologist and a dark-tipped orange bill. Beware: Spotted Jennie MacFarland, Sandpipers are not always spotted! In non- IBA Conservation Biologist breeding plumage they lack the namesake spots, but not to worry! Perhaps the best ID clue is the birds’ incessant bobbing as if keeping a beat. The Spotted Sandpiper is a common migrant in

our area; check the recharge basins at Sweetwater

arrer K im J Kroesen Wetlands, the ponds at Reid Park (or other bodies of fresh water) for solitary birds or pairs. Kendall Erin Olmstead, Development Manager

Santa Cruz River and Columbus Park There is good birding in Columbus Park and the adjacent Santa Cruz River. Starting just north of Sweewater Drive, effluent flows into the riverbed from the Roger Road wastewater facility. A ribbon of willows and cottonwoods hugs the flow. It is a faint echo of the river’s past abundance, but it does provide a resource for birds that have grown rarer. In the winter see Yellow-rumped Warblers and Ruby-crowned Kinglets filling the trees. In spring migrants move through. In summer Cliff Swallows nest under bridges and cruise the river. A variety of raptors hunt along the river. Columbus Park, on the west side of the river, has two lakes. Neotropic and Double-crested cormorants are often there. Egrets and herons roost in the eucalyptus trees on the small island in the big lake. In summer Purple Martins swoop down to drink from the lake. To get there walk along the east river dike north of Sweetwater Drive. Theres a good view but to get to Columbus Park you have to cross the

ird Places in Tucson t B ird Places muddy, effluent-filled channel. Or go directly to Columbus Park, on the west side of the river off Silverbell Road ( just south of Camino del Cerro Road). Visit the lakes and walk (or bike) on the trail along the west side of the river. Kendall Kroesen, Habitats Program Manager G rea

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. April–June 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 15 Tucson Meet Your Birds

It’s Not a Christmas Boat Trip, birds to see birds to

o go But It Is the Santa Cruz With spring migration in full flow, birders Rio Rico pumps treated wastewater into the across North America will be flocking to Santa Cruz channel, the water staying above traditional migration corridors in the hopes ground for around 15 miles, creating a vibrant, where t of finding their ‘first of season’ warblers, flowing river. flycatchers and­—who knows—maybe a The Juan Bautista de Anza National surprise or two. Here in southeast Arizona Historic Trail, known to most as simply the we’re blessed to have two of the most notable Anza Trail, is a network of public trails that avian super-highways in the Southwest, the retraces the route of Lt. Colonel Anza’s San Pedro and Santa Cruz rivers. expedition from Nogales to San Francisco, Last year I moved to Rio Rico and now live in which began in 1775. The trail is still growing the foothills of the San Cayetano mountains, as more sections are opened to the public, I haven’t mentioned just a mile above the Santa Cruz River, so I’m and we’re lucky to have several stretches that individual migrant species because looking forward to the spring migration more traverse fantastic birding habitat in Santa the birds you might encounter while exploring than most. Cruz County. the Santa Cruz are many and varied and, Migrating birds have few requirements, The best known, from a birding perspective, at this time of year, almost unlimited, with but each is critical: food, water, shelter are the sections at Tubac, accessed from practically any migrating Western species and a direct route towards their eventual Bridge Road or the Tubac Presidio, and at (and maybe the odd Eastern stray) being destination. The lush cottonwood-lined Santa Tumacacori, which can be reached via the possible. From raptors to vireos, swallows to Cruz River provides all those things in spades, private Santa Gertudis Lane. Birders have orioles, if it migrates, it won’t be far away. and thus attracts impressive numbers of permission to walk this road, but not drive it, This verdant corridor, flanked by desert, migrating birds streaming northwards. so please park on the Frontage Road. grassland and irrigated agricultural fields, is

Pull-Out The Santa Cruz originates in the hills Less famous, but equally birdy, is the equally important as breeding habitat. Some

Special 4-page 4-page Special surrounding the San Rafael Valley and has section at Clark Crossing Road in Carmen of the birds you’ll find won’t be on the move, the unique distinction of heading south, into (again, park on the Frontage Road). Either but will have already arrived at their preferred Mexico, before turning north and heading side of the bridge along Rio Rico Drive in Rio destination. These include one of the densest back into Arizona near Kino Springs. This Rico, the Anza Trail moves through more populations of the enigmatic Gray Hawk in initial section is mostly private and has been open habitat with fewer large willow and North America, among other characteristic somewhat overgrazed and degraded, but cottonwood trees, so it produces a different species of prime riparian habitat. It’s also could still be worth a look. birding experience. The southern access is the traditional summer home of Black-bellied However, the main action takes place easily spotted, with a large parking lot at the Whistling-Duck, Yellow-billed Cuckoo and further north. The Nogales International Guy Tobin Trailhead. An obscure turning just Tropical Kingbird. Wastewater Treatment Plant in east of the bridge leads to the northern trail. By mid-May, most migrant birds will have Excitingly, a new section of Anza Trail is due passed through and the temperatures will to be opened in Rio Rico, hopefully in April, as begin to soar, so an early morning visit will part of the project to span the Santa Cruz be more productive and more comfortable. River with a new bridge at Palo Parado Road. Even though you may be in the shade for long The area is currently closed but, from the periods, it’s important to remember your plans, I gather the new trail will initially pass key Arizona survival techniques: bring plenty through the dense mesquite bosque adjacent of water and wear sunscreen and a wide- to the river, so could provide yet another brimmed hat. different birding opportunity. Good birding! Richard Fray

A lifelong birder, Richard Fray arrived in southeast Arizona from his native England in 2002. He founded Fun Birding Tours in 2010 and works full time as a birding guide and tour leader, proudly sharing the rich birdlife of his adopted home with local birders and those visiting from around the world. Learn more at: www.arizonabirder.com Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Richard Fray; Gray Hawk, Jim & Deva Burns, www.JimBurnsPhotos.com Burns, Hawk, Jim & Deva Gray Fray; Richard Whistling-Duck, Black-bellied

16 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Charting Wetland Health of the Lower Santa Cruz River Claire Zugmeyer and Emily Brott, Sonoran Institute C ruz R i v er

The Lower Santa Cruz River in reporting tool to track changes in wetland Santa northeastern Pima County is Arizona’s conditions along the effluent-dependent

longest effluent-dependent river. Its flow portion of the Santa Cruz—an important C laire Z ugmeyer results mainly from treated municipal need given anticipated water quality wastewater discharged into the riverbed. improvements. Pima County requested From the Sweetwater Wetlands to the support from the U.S. Environmental Pinal County line, this stretch of river Protection Agency (EPA) and was provides Pima County’s principal wetland awarded a $300,000 grant in 2012 to habitat, which supports important bird begin to address some of these needs. and wildlife species. Significant steps are Working with the Sonoran Institute, underway to improve these riparian and Pima County is developing a monitoring wetland ecosystems, most notably with strategy and reporting tool for the Pima County’s $660 million state-of-the- Lower Santa Cruz River modeled after art upgrade to the two major wastewater the Institute’s successful EPA-funded reclamation facilities. These upgrades will Living River series developed for the

improve water quality, which will in turn Upper Santa Cruz River in Santa Cruz W eber , EPA

enhance aquatic habitat and increase County. This project will provide local M att the river’s capacity to support birds and governments and stakeholders with Top to bottom: Lower Santa Cruz River, just north of other wildlife. quantifiable measures of wetland and Sunset Road, taken during a recent tour; Santa Cruz While programs to protect wetlands riparian health which will help define River near Camino Del Cerro and riparian areas already exist in further direction for wetland and riparian Pima County, there is currently no protection and restoration needs. The The Living River Team: comprehensive monitoring strategy and project will also inform the wetland The Technical Committee includes Jennifer and riparian component of the Lower Duan, University of Arizona; James Santa Cruz River Management Plan, Dubois, Pima County Regional Wastewater a regional effort that recognizes the Reclamation Department; Akitsu Kimoto, Pima need to preserve and enhance wetland County Regional Flood Control District; Kendall habitat. Over the four year grant period, Kroesen, Tucson Audubon Society; Nathan the project will help produce increased Lehman, Bureau of Reclamation; Michael understanding of wetland conditions Liberti, Tucson Water; Jean McLain, University and improve public understanding of of Arizona, Water Resources Research wetland values. Center; Brian Powell, Pima County Office of A Technical Committee of experts Sustainability and Conservation; Linwood has been formed to select indicators Smith, Ecologist; Patti Spindler, AZ Department of wetland health and help develop a of Environmental Quality; Dr. Juliet Stromberg, citizen-oriented report that will provide Arizona State University; Robert Webb, U. S. an annual snapshot of wetland health Geological Survey; and Claire Zucker, Pima along the river. Three Lower Santa Cruz Association of Governments. Living River reports will summarize Key Pima County staff working on annual wetland conditions for the selected the project are Evan Canfield, Regional

) from L ighthawk indicators in the 2013–2015 water years Flood Control District; Ed Curley, Regional (Oct 1–Sept 30). If you would like to Wastewater Reclamation Department; and support this project or learn more about support Julia Fonseca, Office of Sustainability and the Living River series, visit the Sonoran Conservation. Claire Zugmeyer and Emily Brott aerial Institute at www.sonoraninstitute.org, are the lead staff and project facilitators from navigate to “Where We Work” > the Sonoran Institute. “Southwest” > “Santa Cruz River.” VF C laire Z ugmeyer ( with View looking south along Santa Cruz River near Avra Valley Road

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. April–June 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 17 The Great Mesquite Forest: A Permanent Loss in Avifauna Along the

C ruz R i v er Santa Cruz River in the Tucson Basin R. Roy Johnson and robert H. Webb Santa

Above: View looking south across Santa Cruz River from The history of Martinez Hill. Left (June 1942): A gallery of cottonwoods flanks the river channel and dense mesquite occupied riparian vegetation the bottomlands, then a haven for nesting and roosting White-wing Doves. As late as 1942, one could dig by along the Santa hand and find water in the streambed. (Photographer unknown, courtesy of the Arizona Game and Fish Cruz River is one Commission). Right (25 November 2002): The 1977, 1983, and 1993 floods widened the channel significantly, removing floodplains. By 2002, the active channel / USFWS of extreme change was reduced in width and floodplains were deposited, particularly in the area behind the palo verde tree at left. that is related to the (R.M. Turner, Stake 937). types of vegetation of K entucky Historical observations of southern and their relation Arizona, beginning with Spanish to groundwater. explorations and extending into the mid- 19th century, document the presence of Riparian areas along Southwestern rivers regionally important riparian ecosystems. have among the highest densities of In 1804, Manuel de León described

birds for the United States, and although a ciénega near San Xavier. In 1854, T homas G. B arnes , U niversity Dr . cottonwood-willow gallery forests are of John Bartlett called the valley “the Anhinga special interest to ecologists, mesquite most picturesque and beautiful we had bosques have been a neglected critical seen.” Wildlife was abundant, including the most abundant bird in the bosque, habitat for birds. Our forthcoming book Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks and Wild and approximately 85 species of summer (Webb et al. 2014) documents the loss of Turkeys, heard calling in the mid-1850s. birds were recorded historically from the the San Xavier bosque, the best known In 1872, Captain Charles Bendire, the Great Mesquite Forest, with more than 75 and one of the largest mesquite bosques first ornithologist to spend significant time species nesting there before its demise. in the United States. Also known as the in the Tucson Basin, found a nesting By the early 20th century, such avian Great Mesquite Forest, this was one of Spotted Owl in the Basin, and those that diversity made Tucson the “ornithological two mesquite bosques along the Santa followed observed Gray Hawk, Anhinga, capitol” of Arizona, if not the entire Cruz River that are named in the scientific Purple Gallinule, Crested Caracara, Southwest. literature. The other, Komatke, or New Common Black-Hawk, Northern By the 1890s, the Great Mesquite York, Thicket was near the confluence of Beardless-Tyrannulet, Rose-throated Forest had a ciénega dominated by the Santa Cruz and Gila Rivers on what is Becard, Green Heron, Pied-billed Grebe, perennial grasses at its core. Arroyo now the Gila River Indian Reservation. and Scarlet Ibis. White-wing Doves were downcutting over the next 30 years

18 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. aracara, Manji t h K ainickara C res t ed aracara,

Crested Caracara

Interstate 19 bisected the western part of the bosque and groundwater levels declined below the limit for riparian tree roots. In the mid-1980s, all that remained were stumps, and trees were replaced by mesquite shrubs, desert plants, and Athel tamarisk. Some birds have recolonized the Tucson basin, such as Song Sparrow, using the newly created habitat from wastewater effluent in places such as Sweetwater Wetlands and the reach downstream from the Roger and Ina Road treatment plants. What no longer is present, and cannot be easily replaced, are the open water, ciénegas, and The remains of the Great Mesquite Forest, 2012 mesquite bosques once natural along the Santa Cruz River. VF the early 1940s; by the 1950s, second- References Cited growth trees generally were only 15–20 Webb, R.H., J.L. Betancourt, R.R. Johnson, feet tall. Woodcutters kept cutting, but and R.M. Turner. 2014. Requiem for a River: trees regrew; the channel downcut The Santa Cruz River near Tucson, Arizona. and widened, but the bosque thrived; University of Arizona Press, Tucson, Arizona, groundwater overdraft finally killed the in press. Great Mesquite Forest. By the 1940s, water development R. Roy Johnson, a retired National Park caused perennial flow to cease in the Service Research Scientist and University of Santa Cruz River, and through the Arizona Professor of Renewable Resources, mid-20th century, groundwater literally has studied riparian birds for 60 years. dropped away from tree roots. Bird populations remained only as long as Robert Webb has worked on long-term there was habitat and food offered by changes in natural ecosystems of the southwestern United States and Mexico since K enneth C ole S chnei d er the bosque. Approximately 10 species 1976. He is a research hydrologist with the Purple Gallinule of birds were extirpated by the 1970s, disappearing when perennial flow U.S.G.S. in Tucson and an adjunct faculty drained groundwater to the channel bed, ended. Six species of native fishes were member of the Departments of Geosciences but this only encouraged more mesquite extirpated from the middle reaches of the and Hydrology and Water Resources at the growth in the drained marsh. Using 1936 Santa Cruz River, as well as the California University of Arizona. aerial photographs, we estimated that floater, a large unionid clam. Riparian the area of the bosque was 7 square herpetofauna losses consisted of an miles, and that likely was reduced from amphibian, three lizards, and four snakes, Available in our Nature S­ hops its zenith owing to agricultural clearing including the lowland leopard frog, This guide describes the and woodcutting. Between 1900 and Sonora mud turtle, and northern Mexican tremendous life and diversity 1940, numerous observers commented gartersnake. supported by the Santa Cruz on massive trees that were present, By the 1960s, the Great Mesquite River. It chronicles the plants some reportedly 60 or more feet tall and Forest had been reduced to a fraction of found in the five main plant exceeding 4 feet in diameter. Woodcutting its original size by agricultural fields. The communities and descriptions took a toll, but still secondary growth tipping point past which recovery became of the animals you might see along the river. trees were reportedly 20–25 feet tall in impossible was in the early 1970s, when $2.95

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. April–June 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 19 Interesting stories about birds with interesting ­names ame Scaled Quail Larry Liese

Of the three native quail species found in our area, local birders would have to ’s in a N W h at pick Scaled Quail as the least known. Most of us have Gambel’s Quail in our backyards and probably took to feeding birds at least partly to enjoy them more. Montezuma Quail get lots of attention partly due to the striking male plumage but more probably due to how hard it can be to find your first one! Also adding to Scaled Quail mystery is the fact that they are notorious runners and one rarely gets good, prolonged looks at them. Typical sightings are of them running away from you through their preferred habitat of sparse grasslands where they quickly blend in and become inconspicuous. both were scurrying that way as we drove main intersection in Sonoita. Easily visible But when springtime comes around, up the driveway. What a treat! from the road, these birds were a treat to luck sometimes comes your way and you Regular readers might remember from show visiting birders on field trips­­—I wish

find a male perched in the top of a bush G eorge W est our look at Gambel’s that “quail” comes I’d kept track of how many got their “lifer” singing his little heart out—with nary a from old French quaille, imitative of the Scaled Quail there. care to those birders hurriedly trying to call of a European species and that the One interesting behavioral trait get a spotting scope fixed on him. This

origins of the genus name Callipepla these birds have is that like some by I llustration happened to our Audubon group once comes for the Greek words kallos, “a grassland mammals such as black-tailed along the entrance road to the Buenos beauty” and peplos, “a robe,” hence prairie dogs they have different alarm Aires National Wildlife Refuge in the Altar “beautifully dressed”. The species name vocalizations for different predators that Valley southwest of Tucson. We were squamatus, is Latin for “scaled” as the are approaching. Notice any calls they treated to prolonged views that were the plumage suggests. Dark edges to the make the next time you see them and best most of us had ever had. We all feathers of the mantle and underparts perhaps you’ll learn their word for human! marveled at just how handsome a species make this an apt description. Events like these can be a fun addition to they are. Scaled Quail have a larger proportion your day when out birding. Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata) of insects in their diet compared to other Curiously, these birds are present but are affectionately called “cottontops” for quail, an important adaptation as they hard to find in the desert grasslands of the the white topknots adorning their crowns. winter in harsher climates on average. bajada exiting Madera Canyon. On the They are in the same genus as Gambel’s, They have been shown to be less well Green Valley Christmas count in the area but are most closely related to the adapted physiologically to excessively our team covers, we have a “special spot” Elegant Quail endemic to western Mexico. hot, arid environments as might be to look for them and consider ourselves Allopatric there (no range overlap), expected. The young are highly precocial lucky when we get them. the Scaled Quail prefer the sparse and follow their parents immediately If Scaled Quail and other birds of grasslands to the east associated with after hatching. Renesting is common desert grasslands interest you, you might the Chihuahuan Desert. In Arizona their following nest failure but second broods want to take a closer look at an event range extends eastward from BANWR are rare. Average brood size is just over being held this fall at the Appleton-Whittell with areas around Elfrida in the Sulphur eight young. Feeding is mostly from Research Ranch in Elgin, AZ—Tucson Springs Valley being where I’ve seen dawn to mid-morning, then again in late Audubon’s First Annual Institute of them in highest numbers. I’ll never forget afternoon. At midday these birds prefer Grassland Ecology October 3–6, 2013. my first participation in the Elfrida CBC. “loafing cover” for protection from aerial See page 4 in this issue or the Tucson Our area included Emma Poe’s yard, a predators and hot temperatures. Look Audubon website tucsonaudubon.org/ige long-time resident who had fed the quail for them underneath low bushes such as for further information. Should be fun! VF every afternoon for years. We were told to wolfberry or small mesquites in coveys be sure to be there at 4:00 pm when 150 of up to twenty or thirty birds in winter. each of Gambel’s and Scaled Quail would For a few years one group was quite be seen. We were skeptical until our regular in a rectory backyard near the return that afternoon when large gangs of

20 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Conservation and Education News Chris McVie, Paul Green, Kendall Kroesen, BÉtÉ Jones, and Jennie MacFarland

Protection and Economic Benefits of Public Lands The results of the 2013 Colorado percent oppose proposals to sell off a row, Westerners vastly prefer that IN BRIEF College State of the Rockies public lands. Some figures: renewable energy development be Conservation in the West poll revealed • 79 percent believe public lands encouraged in their state, rather than Rosemont Copper Consultation continues with the that Westerners see the permanent support their economy and nuclear power or fossil fuels. U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish & protection of their public lands as an enhance their overall quality of life. Drilling on public lands has flown , M ike S anchez R itas Wildlife Service, and U.S. Army economic imperative, and essential to • 74 percent believe our national under the radar of most Westerners. their quality of life. Decision makers Only 34 percent of those interviewed Corps of Engineers. Outstanding parks, forests, monuments, and the S anta issues include an appeal of the Air would do well to take notice and wildlife areas help attract high knew with certainty that oil and gas Quality Permit by Save the Scenic cure the often one-sided tendency quality employers and good jobs to drilling occurs on public lands. Those Santa Ritas. Changes include a to pursue development rather than their state. polled call for a balanced approach protection that we’ve seen emerge to any energy development occurring revised Biological Assessment and . W rightson in • 71 percent believe selling off a revised pit design. Despite these M t over the last four years. public lands to corporations in these areas, with 56 percent This year’s bipartisan survey saying that environmentally sensitive issues, and the assertion by many for development will hurt their that the Draft Environmental Impact of 2,400 Westerners, representing economy and quality of life. public lands should be permanently a cross section of the region’s protected from this type of activity. Statement (DEIS) does not provide • 52 percent perceive public lands to population, found 91 percent Visit www.coloradocollege. sufficient information about direct, be a job creator in their state. agreement that public lands like edu/other/stateoftherockies/ indirect and cumulative impacts, the national parks, forests, monuments The survey also illuminates conservationinthewest/statereports/ Forest Service has yet to call for a and wildlife areas are an essential part Westerners’ view of energy Arizona.dot for the full report. Supplemental DEIS which would allow of their state’s economy. Further, 71 production. For the second year in the public to fully participate, review and comment on the changes and ongoing lack of data on short and long term impacts, in compliance with the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher intent of the National Environmental The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service needed help to the Southwest’s Policy Act (NEPA). (FWS) has expanded the critical beleaguered rivers. habitat for the Southwestern Willow This is the third designation of SunZia BLM and SunZia have identified the Flycatcher, adding 490 stream miles critical habitat for the flycatcher. The are and 88,149 acres of land to the first—599 river miles in 1997—was W lower San Pedro River and Aravaipa Canyon as two alternatives for the designation. The Southwestern Willow challenged by the New Mexico Cattle atricia P Flycatcher occurs only in Arizona, Growers’ Association, resulting in proposed transmission line from California, Colorado, Nevada, New protection of more miles rather than endangered species in 1995. north-central New Mexico to central Mexico, Texas and Utah, and has fewer—730 miles in 2005—by the According to a 2007 survey, there are Az. Neither route is ecologically sound been listed as endangered since 1995 Bush administration. The Center for roughly 1,299 territories spread across and we have written in opposition to under the Endangered Species Act Biological Diversity challenged this the species’ range, with substantial both. Issues with the part of the route (ESA). designation, arguing that it failed to populations on the upper Gila River that would impact the Rio Grande This decision constitutes a 65 consider hundreds of miles of rivers and middle Rio Grande in New Mexico; River may necessitate a Supplemental percent increase in stream miles identified in a scientific recovery plan Roosevelt Lake and the lower San DEIS. The Cascabel Working Group designated as critical habitat and for the flycatcher. That challenge Pedro River in Arizona; and numerous has issued a new report detailing a 75 percent increase in acreage resulted in the current designation scattered locations in California. the flaws regarding the purpose, designated compared to the previous of 1,227 miles of river as protected This small neotropical migrant need and economic realities of this designation. The designation habitat. breeds in streamside forests of project. See the new report at www. of protected critical habitat for Southwestern Willow Flycatchers Southern California, southern cascabelworkinggroup.org/SZhome. endangered Southwestern Willow have suffered from the destruction of Nevada, southern Utah, Arizona html. Flycatchers is for 208,973 acres, rivers by livestock grazing, mining, and New Mexico. Within this range, along 1,227 miles of river in California, urban sprawl and overuse. The new the flycatcher has lost more than 90 Together Green New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and designation excluded hundreds of percent of its habitat to dams, water Toyota has approved a $3.5 million Nevada, and along several Arizona miles of river habitat from the August withdrawal, livestock grazing, urban grant to extend the Toyota Together rivers, including the Rio Grande, Gila, 2011 proposal of 2,090 miles of river sprawl and other causes. Green program into its sixth year. The Santa Cruz, San Pedro and others. based on existing management in See www.fws.gov/nevada/ program will fund 40 Fellowships and Protection of critical habitat for this habitat conservation plans (HCPs). protected_species/birds/documents/ offer nearly $1 million in Innovation bird could make a crucial difference The Southwestern Willow swwf/1-02-13_SWWF_NR_Final.pdf Grant funding. Volunteer Days will be to its survival, and also gives urgently Flycatcher was first listed as an for more details. discontinued.

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. April–June 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 21 Conservation & Education News

IN BRIEF Resolution Copper New Study Reports That Outdoor Cats Kill Representatives Gosar (R) and “Staggering” Numbers of Birds and Mammals Kirkpatrick (D) and Senators McCain (R) and Flake (R) have introduced A new peer-reviewed study, co- legislation reviving Representative authored by Scott Loss and Peter Gosar’s previous Southeast Az. Marra, research scientists at the Land Exchange bill for the proposed Smithsonian’s Migratory Bird Center, Resolution copper mine outside and by Tom Will, a research scientist Superior, Az. The legislation once with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife again circumvents NEPA prior to any Service’s Division of Migratory Birds land exchange and fails to address has revelaed that outdoor cats kill at rushmore the numerous environmental concerns least 1.4 billion birds and 6.9 billion we have written about since 2005 mammals every year. Those death C ount including: the potential dewatering of tolls are far higher than all previous Gan Canyon; a proposal for enormous estimates, and they have triggered year—a number that some animal with owners kill at least a half billion tailing piles on state lands outside new calls for controls on outdoor cat welfare groups dismiss as wildly birds per year.” Florence; and the potential dewatering populations. The article has been inflated. Those groups have long Native bird species were found of one of their proposed mitigation published by the online journal Nature argued that large colonies of feral cats to make up the majority of the birds parcels, the 7B Ranch on the lower Communications. can be controlled by so-called “Trap- preyed upon by cats. Studies of San Pedro River, by their partner After systematically reviewing Neuter-Return” (TNR) programs, and the mammals killed in urban and BHP’s approved development plan for more than 170 previous cat predation that owned cats left to roam outdoors suburban areas concluded that the 35,000 units outside of San Manuel, studies, the authors estimated that do not kill many birds or mammals. most common prey species were Arizona. See our most recent letter outdoor cats kill between 1.4 billion and This study results seem to refute mice, shrews, voles, squirrels and on this at www.tucsonaudubon.org/ 3.7 billion birds per year. The estimated those arguments. Unowned cats— rabbits. All of these mammals are images/stories/conservation/Letter_ death toll for mammals ranged from 6.9 including feral cats in TNR colonies important food sources for birds of to_DavidBrooks_6_15_09.pdf to 20.7 billion per year. found all over the country—were prey such as hawks, owls and eagles. On March 13, 2013, the town These new estimates show that said to kill at least 900 million birds “The very high credibility of this council of Superior passed a outdoor cats are responsible for more a year. The authors add that efforts study should finally put to rest the unanimous resolution opposing HR bird and mammal deaths than “any to create more TNR colonies in the misguided notions that outdoor 687, the latest version of the Oak Flat other anthropogenic (human-caused) United States are currently being cats represent some harmless land exchange. The resolution passed mortality source.” Other man-made implemented “without widespread new component to the natural following a town council meeting a bird and mammal killers include public knowledge, consideration environment,” said George Fenwick. week ago in which the town council pesticides and collisions with windows of the scientific evidence, or the “Every time we lose another bird and communications towers. environmental review processes species or suppress their population

took comments on their decision , Md f to oppose the land exchange and The American Bird Conservancy typically required for actions with numbers, we’re altering the very (ABC) had previously estimated that harmful environmental consequences, ecosystems we depend on as end a Mutual Benefits Agreement atchlist with Rio Tinto. At that meeting, the outdoor cats kill 533 million birds each partly by determining that outdoor cats humans.” majority of comments supported the town decision. During the council d A u d ubon W an d meeting Rio Tinto threatened to lay off its workers if the town passed the Fifth International Partners in Flight Conference— resolution. Advancing Bird Conservation across the Americas Sally Jewell nominated August 25–28, 2013, Snowbird, Utah as new Secretary of the Interior The chief bird conservation meeting conservation needs. It will seek to for the Americas, held just four times identify innovative approaches The release of data on the economic since 1990 and organized under to address those needs. With A merican B ir d C onservancy the impact of outdoor recreation is notable the multi-partner bird conservation new scientific knowledge and because of President Obama’s organization, Partners in Flight (PIF), collaborative networks emerging, PIF nomination of Sally Jewell, CEO of is scheduled for August 25–28, 2013 V will focus on building hemisphere- concern on outdoor retailer REI, to be his new in Snowbird, Utah. This year’s theme wide collaboration, increased funding, Secretary of the Interior. Jewell has is “Advancing Bird Conservation and shared priorities to strategically been an impassioned advocate for Across the Americas” and details are address drivers of population the Western Hemisphere. The the value of this industry, and many posted at pifv.org declines. The meeting will encourage results will be used to guide future species of highest expect her to continue to make the a PIF V, as the conference is known, conference participants to work conservation activities by researchers, business case for conservation when has as its goal the creation of a together in geographic-based work educators, conservation practitioners, she takes the reins of the Interior unified vision in the bird conservation sessions to develop implementable state and federal agencies and Department. community for full lifecycle bird projects for linked regions throughout philanthropic organizations. P iping plover is

22 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Conservation & Education News

Restoring the Colorado River Delta: A Vital Link on the Pacific Flyway “At each bend we saw egrets standing Delta continue to provide wintering in the pools ahead, each white statue habitat for nearly 500,000 migrating matched by its white reflection. Fleets birds every winter. of cormorants drove their black prows In addition, the Delta’s estuary in in quest of skittering mullets; avocets, the Upper Gulf of California provides willets, and yellow-legs dozed vital breeding and nursery grounds for F rancisco Z amora one-legged on the bars; mallards, various marine fisheries. widgeons, and teal sprang skyward in Over the past 15 years, alarm. As the birds took the air, they the Sonoran Institute has been accumulated in a small cloud ahead, working with local users as well as there to settle, or to break back to our governmental and non-governmental rear. When a troop of egrets settled on organizations (NGOs) from both sides a far green willow, they looked like a of the border to protect what is left of premature snowstorm.” the Delta and to restore habitat for

Aldo Leopold describes the the benefit of people and wildlife. Our F rancisco Z amora G ua d alupe F onseca Colorado River Delta in 1922, from work has shown that there is hope for Clockwise from top: Aerial photo of the Cienega de Santa Clara, the largest wetland in the A Sand County Almanac the Delta’s future. Delta. Cottonwood and willow trees at the riparian restoration site. Yuma Clapper Rail at the Las Arenitas restoration site. This hard work prompted Mexico The Colorado River, the greatest to declare in 2012 that restoration of desert river in the Western the Delta was a national conservation Water Trust, a legal mechanism that is reconnecting the river to the sea Hemisphere, once formed a lush delta priority. This, in turn, resulted in a allows water rights to be purchased and restoring the estuary region. The as it flowed into the Gulf of California. recently signed agreement between and permanently dedicated to the lack of river flows to the estuary has Less than 100 years ago, the Colorado Mexico and the U.S. to dedicate water Delta. To date, the Water Trust, has resulted in the development of a large River Delta encompassed more than to the Delta for ecological purposes purchased nearly 4,000 acre-feet of sand bar. Working with our partners, 3,000 square miles (about twice the and provide additional resources and water, which is currently being used we are implementing a restoration size of Rhode Island) of riparian habitat mechanisms to help restore the region. to maintain over 150 acres of restored strategy that includes creating a pilot and freshwater and tidal wetlands, riparian habitat. channel through the sand bar to help which supported a large population of Water for Life in the Delta The Water Trust was used to reconnect the river to the sea. “If we can work together to secure plant, bird and marine life. However, allocate flows to the Ciénega de It is not just water that will bring the necessary water and restore the due to upstream dams and diversions Santa Clara. The Ciénega’s nearly the Delta back to life. Restoration natural habitat, and then let nature the Delta today is but a remnant of its 13,000 acres of open water lagoons projects are essential to maintaining do what it does so well, there is a former self. Sadly, the mighty Colorado and cattail marsh provide habitat for and providing additional habitat for great potential for success in bringing no longer reaches the sea. several endangered bird species, wildlife species, particularly birds. The the Delta back to life,” said Tom This begs the question: what are including the Yuma clapper rail. health of the Delta is not only critical McMurray, founder of Marine Ventures the current conditions of the Colorado In 2010, the Water Trust played a to the resident wildlife in the region, Foundation and a partner of the River Delta and the vast diversity of pivotal role in facilitating the historic but is also a vital link within the Pacific Sonoran Institute. life it once supported? agreement between Mexico, the Flyway, impacting the survival of The shortage of water has been the Fortunately, the Delta has proven United States, and NGOs to each hundreds of thousands of migrating main cause of the Delta’s demise over to be a remarkably resilient ecosystem dedicate 10,000 acre-feet of water to birds every year. the past century; thus, securing water and is far from being dead. Although the Ciénega de Santa Clara. The efforts of people in both the has become the principal focus of the greatly diminished in size, the Delta We are also pioneering the use of U.S. and Mexico are required to organizations working to restore it. continues to support about 380 treated effluent as a water resource ensure the future of the Colorado The challenge lies in the fact resident and migratory bird species. in the Delta. We are developing a River Delta. For more information, that the Colorado River is already Several are either endangered or 250-acre artificial wetland to provide to donate or to find out how you can over-allocated, providing critical threatened, including the Yellow- additional treatment to effluent water help, go to www.sonoraninstitute. water supplies to municipal, industrial billed Cuckoo, which has been from the Las Arenitas Wastewater org or contact Francisco Zamora at and agricultural users in the West. spotted recently in our restoration Treatment Plant, which treats [email protected]. The Sonoran Institute is exploring sites. The largest known population wastewater from Mexicali. The wetland Francisco Zamora and alternative sources of water and of the endangered Yuma Clapper itself has become a major attraction Karen Schlatter, Sonoran Institute implementing a variety of mechanisms Rail resides in La Ciénega de Santa for both resident and migratory birds. to acquire water for the Delta. Clara, the biggest wetland in the More than 145 species of aquatic and To hear more about this issue, come Delta, and the population is rapidly Mexico’s first Water Trust terrestrial birds have been documented hear Dr. Karl Flessa speak at our Living with Nature Lecture on April 8th growing at our Las Arenitas treatment In 2008, the Sonoran Institute, there, including the endangered Yuma in Tucson. On May 13th, Dr. Charles wetland. Located in the “hourglass” Pronatura Noroeste, and the Clapper Rail. van Riper III speaks on migration of of the Pacific Flyway, the remaining Environmental Defense Fund Perhaps the most difficult Western Neotropical birds. wetlands and restored areas in the established the Colorado River Delta component of the Delta’s restoration

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. April–June 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 23 Conservation & Education News

Recreation Driving an Economy San Pedro Eco Fest The Outdoor Industry Association Every state in the union benefits than it has permanently protected. April 13 had released new data that show the from between 28,000 direct jobs Former Secretary of the Interior Bruce fiscal impacts of recreation in all 50 (North Dakota) to 732,000 direct jobs Babbitt has proposed preserving states, from consumer spending to (California) in the industry. In Arizona one acre for every acre developed to direct jobs to wages and salaries. The the number direct jobs is 104,000, balance the approach of the federal top five states for consumer spending generating $3.3 billion in wages and government. More information at on outdoor recreation are: California salaries, and $787 million in state and www.outdoorindustry.org/advocacy/ ($85.4 billion), Florida ($38.3 billion), local tax revenues. recreation/economy.html. New York ($33.8 billion), Texas ($28.7 In total, outdoor recreation provides billion), and Georgia ($23.3 billion). In $646 billion in economic impacts and Arizona, outdoor recreation generates 6.1 million direct jobs every year (three Come celebrate the beautiful San $10.6 billion in consumer spending. times that of the oil and gas industry). Toxic Liquid Waste Pedro River at the first ever San These data incorporate manufacturing, Pedro Eco Fest Saturday April 13th retail and sales, transportation and Dumping in Unlined from 9 am to 3 pm. This celebration warehousing, and accommodation and Landfill Sites? of the last free-flowing river in the services near outdoor recreation sites. Southwest will be held at Central As a number of western state Thanks to Vice Mayor Regina Romero Arizona College–Aravaipa Campus legislatures are attempting to “reclaim” for taking the lead in clarifying the City in Winkleman. This one-day festival federal public lands in order to of Tucson’s position on bioreactors will feature birdwatching, nature and exploit their resources more easily, in Arizona. Though the City Water history exhibits and information on this information shows that for the Environmental Services Manager sustainable farming and ranching. outdoor industry’s economic influence had expressed interest in the concept There will also be special tours of to increase, political leaders must utilizing water treated by the City private conservation areas that you balance the use of public lands for for contaminants, the rest of the can sign up for from 6 am to 9 am. Most energy even as they implement state might use potable water or of the ecologically richest portions of policies that protect them. untested, potentially toxic liquid waste. the San Pedro River are on private Permanently protecting public lands Expressing their concern for protecting land and this is a rare opportunity to will be an important priority for the our water quality and public health visit these habitats and see why this conservation community over the next and safety, the City Council voted area has been designated “one of the few years, especially since the Obama unanimously to oppose bioreactors, last great places!” administration has leased 2.5 times as as currently proposed by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. N ikki M cleo d many acres to oil and gas companies

you that you can join. The Friends of Conservation Corner! Urban Wildlife, a group based here K roesen in Tucson, has adopted Sweetwater K en d all Pitch In washes and streets. Many of Tucson’s Wetlands. Learn more about them at http://tucsonwildlife.wordpress.com/. Looking to adopt? Tucson washes and streets have problems Clean and Beautiful (www. with trash and invasive plants, like tucsoncleanandbeautiful.org) has buffelgrass. Washes are particularly Recycling Update an adoption program. You and your important for wildlife, which use them You can now recycle an amazing K roesen friends can adopt a park, a wash or as pathways for moving about our range of items, from clothing to a street and keep it clean and free of metro area. Birds use the denser hearing aids to musical instruments. (roll the mouse pointer over the invasive plants. vegetation along washes to forage for Here are places to look for more “Recycling Directory” on the menu) ash , K en d all food, take shelter and build nests. Many parks have been adopted, information—each of these sites has • Suburban Miners: http://www. The health of Tucson’s birds rests

R obb W but there are still lots of orphaned lists of things you can recycle: suburbanminers.com (a variety of in part on the health of our washes. • City of Tucson Residential unusual things can be recycled Litter-free and invasive-free streets Recycling (Blue Barrels): http:// here) help too. cms3.tucsonaz.gov/es/customer- • RISE Equipment Recycling Center: For more information on adopting, services-residential-recycling. www.riseequipmentrecycling.org contact Tucson Clean and Beautiful • Tucson Clean and Beautiful (mostly electronic equipment) VF at [email protected] or 520- Recycling Directory: www. 791-3109. If you don’t have a group of Kendall Kroesen, tucsoncleanandbeautiful.org your own, ask if there is a group near Habitats Restoration Manager

24 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Weekly Bird Walks Tucson Audubon Field Trips Wednesdays, starting April 10, 8 am. Matt Griffiths | Interim Field Trip Coordinator (7 am when it starts getting hot). Sweetwater Wetlands. Join Mike Emphasis will be on comparing the environments, Sadatmousavi for an easy walk to see waterfowl species distribution and building a Big Day list. in the hundreds, regular and visiting warblers,

Doris E vans Limit 15, sign up necessary with Leader: Richard and several exciting species hiding in the reeds. Carlson [email protected] Birders of all experience levels welcome! Email April 28—Sunday 6:00 am [email protected] to sign up. Madera Canyon Thursdays, April–May: 8 am, June: We’ll start in desert scrub and work our way 7:30 am. Wake Up With the Birds at Agua up canyon. Please register with the trip leader, Caliente Park. A stroll through the bosque and Clifford Cathers, at [email protected]. Trip limited to along the ponds. Loaner binocs available, meet 20–25 individuals so you must register. in front of the ranch house. For more info call Pima County Parks and Rec., 520-615-7855. Burrowing Owl May Saturdays, October–May, 8–9:30 am. May 1—Wednesday 8:00 am Tucson Audubon’s Mason Center. Families April Benson & Willcox Ponds and birders of all skill levels are welcome. Visit Check out the spring shorebird migration. Bring tucsonaudubon.org/masoncenter for details. April 3—Wednesday 7:30 am scope if you have one. Optional stop at Apple Saturdays, November to April, 8:00 am, Bike N’ Bird Wednesdays Annie’s new store in Willcox after birding. Sign Arivaca Cienega of Buenos Aires National We’ll ride the Loop along the Santa Cruz then east up with Leader: John Higgins, 502-578-1830, Wildlife Refuge. All skill levels welcome. For along the Rillito to Curtis Park at La Cholla Blvd. [email protected] and return to start around noon. Please call in more info call Bob Rolfson at 520-399-2873. advance to reserve a spot. Leader: Norma Miller May 4—Saturday 6:00 am 520-235-8927 [email protected] Atturbury-Lyman Bird & Animal Find new trips and expanded Sanctuary, Lincoln Park descriptions online at April 9—Tuesday 7:00 am Join us to find migrants, residents and the last of tucsonaudubon.org/fieldtrips Canada del Oro Path in Oro Valley the wintering birds at Atturbury Wash, on Tucson’s Bird up in Oro Valley along the paved path east side. This is one of Tucson’s premier washes or call 520-629-0510 x4. that runs between Canada del Oro Wash and and the site of a Tucson Audubon project to Oro Valley Country Club. Leader: M.E. Flynn improve habitat. Call leader for exact directions: General Information Tucson Audubon [email protected] or 520-797-1743 Kendall Kroesen [email protected] or field trips are free. For general information call 520-629-0510. For specific information about a April 13—Saturday 8:30 am 520-971-2385. trip, contact the leader of that trip. Please dress Catalina State Park May 7—Tuesday 4:30 am appropriately for your field trip. Always wear Meet at Picnic Area. We’ll walk along Bridle Trail Fort Huachuca sturdy shoes, a hat, and use sun protection. to trailhead at end of road. Leaders: Matt Brooks, Birding on foot in some of the canyons on Bring plenty of snacks and water for yourself. Sara Pike [email protected] Fort Huachuca. Contact the leader by email to Always bring your binoculars, field guide, and for April 16—Tuesday 4:45 am reserve a place. Be prepared to hike on rough most trips a scope can be useful. Bring money Maricopa Burrowing Owls rocky trails that are steep in places. Leader: Jim to cover your share of the carpooling and any This private residence has been kind enough Hays [email protected] (preferred) or 520-203- required entry fees (e.g. for state parks). to grant us access to see the upwards of 30 3489 Arrive before listed departure Burrowing Owl burrows on their property and Arrival Times May 14—Tuesday 5:30 am times. Trips will leave promptly at the time given. they will definitely be a target bird for the trip. Trip Happy Valley, east of the Leader: Jennie MacFarland. To sign up email Rincon Mts. Carpooling Sites Tucson Audubon [email protected]. We’ll drive up the Ash and Paige Creek drainages strongly encourages carpooling and for some trips it may be required. Check our website April 20—Saturday 7:00 am and into Happy Valley, an area with grasslands, Catalina State Park desert hillsides, and extensive Sycamore/ for frequently used carpooling sites. You are We should see a number of bird species including Oak riparian areas. Contact the trip leader, Tim expected to reimburse the driver for the actual residents as well as both low and higher elevation Helentjaris, at [email protected] for details. cost of fuel. Drivers and trip leaders are not expected to contribute. breeding birds migrating through. No need to sign May 23—Thursday 7:00 PM up, but call or email if you have questions. Leader: Owl Prowl up Mount Lemmon Rare Bird Alert Listen to the latest rare Larry Liese [email protected] 520-743-3520 We will attempt to find as many owl species as we bird alert at 520-629-0510 ext. 3. Report rare birds at 520-629-0510 or rarebirdalert@ April 25—Thursday 7:00 am can in the different elevational life zones that the tucsonaudubon.org 4th Thursday Club at mountain offers. Bring a flashlight/headlamp and a snack. Trip Leader: Jennie MacFarland. To sign up Agua Caliente Park Don’t forget to stop in our Nature Shop Extension of usual trip by adding a drive to nearby email [email protected] for your birding supplies. birding areas and going up into the Catalinas.

Visit tucsonaudubon.org/fieldtrips for updates and more April–June 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 25 Tucson Audubon Field Trips

Birding Travel from our Business Partners

Adventure Birding C­ ompany the eastern portion of the country, ranging from www.adventurebirding.com dense tropical rainforest to endless stretches of [email protected] • 520-495-0229 the desolate outback. New Zealand supports a Big Bend Nat’l Park, Texas: Colima host of unusual endemic land birds and a rich assemblage of marine birds and mammals. Warbler short tour April 30–May 4, 2014, Our comprehensive tour is designed to seek $1195. Leader: John Yerger. Big Bend is one of almost every possible endemic and take full the most remote birding hotspots in the U.S.,

. com .J im B urns P hotos advantage of New Zealand’s oceanic diversity. and home to some of its most spectacular scenery! It’s the only place in the country to find Solipaso Tours Colima Warbler, the focus of one long day hike. www.solipaso.com

B urns , www A surprising number of habitats and oases are found within Park boundaries. Ideal for anyone Madera: Thick-billed Parrots: August desiring lots of birding and sightseeing on limited 19–22, 2013. $1000. Leader: David MacKay. J im & Deva Five-striped Sparrow vacation time. Lucifer Hummingbird, Painted A short trip into northern Chihuahua to see the Bunting and Common Black-Hawk are just a few highly endemic Thick-billed Parrot and Eared May 25—Saturday 5:00 PM others we’ll seek on this fun-filled adventure! Quetzal. Summertime in the Sierra Madre is a An Evening in Madera Canyon sight to see with green meadows, lakes, blue Let’s explore the fabulous Santa Ritas as the South Texas: Rarities and Specialties sky vistas and monsoons! The trip starts in short tour February 26–March 2, 2014, $1295. light fades away, searching for evening songsters Tucson and we bird the pinyon-juniper habitat Leader: John Yerger. Limited vacation time? This on the way to Nuevo Casas Grandes. We visit and their after-dark counterparts. Please “short tour” will target some of the rarest birds in the remote Paquime ruins site, Cuarenta Casas register with the trip leader, Clifford Cathers, at the ABA region! Our main focus: find mega-rarities then spend two nights in the Madera area to see [email protected]. Trip limited to 20–25 individuals in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. In recent years, the Thick-billed Parrots in their nesting habitat, so you must register. species included Crimson-collared Grosbeak, along with many other high elevation species. Golden-crowned Warbler and Black-vented June 5—Wednesday 7:00 am Oriole. In addition, we’ll seek rare residents like Copper Canyon: September 17–25, 2013. Bike N’ Bird Wednesdays Clay-colored Thrush and Red-billed Pigeon. And $2600. Leader: David MacKay. The world famous Copper Canyon is a great destination for We’ll ride the Loop along the Santa Cruz then east of course, spectacular South Texas specialties like Green Jay, Altamira Oriole and Buff-bellied summer birding! In Los Mochis, we explore the along the Rillito to Curtis Park at La Cholla Blvd. botanical garden and take a trip out into the Sea and return to start around noon. Please call in Hummingbird will round out the trip! See website for details and on this and other tours. of Cortez. From El Fuerte, we board the train advance to reserve a spot. Leader: Norma Miller with stops in Cerocahui, Cusarare and Creel. 520-235-8927 [email protected] Rockjumper—Worldwide Birding Target birds are Eared Quetzal, White-striped Adventures Woodcreeper, Mountain Trogon, Rufous- June 8—Saturday 6:00 am [email protected] capped Warbler, Striped and Rusty Sparrows Santa Catalinas www.rockjumperbirding.com and more. We’ll have the opportunity to see Today we’ll escape the heat while looking for (USA & Canada toll-free): 1-888-990-5552 some of the Tarahumara villages and purchase their crafts. Starts and ends in Los Mochis. the highland specialties of the southwestern Sky Kazakhstan—Best of Central Asia: 04 Islands (after an early morning start in desert May to 17 May 2013 (14 days) Tour Price (per Tropical Bir­ ding habitat). Please register with the trip leader, Clifford person): US$4,525 (Single supplement US$300, www.tropicalbirding.com approx. cost of flights US$100). Please note: Cathers, at [email protected]. Trip limited to 20–25 [email protected] • 1-800-348-­5941 VF individuals so you must register. these prices are subject to foreign exchange fluctuations. Kazakhstan is the world’s largest June 22—Saturday 2:30 pm landlocked country and its territory of 2,727,300 Available in our Nature S­ hops California Gulch square kilometres (1,053,000 sq mi) is larger New Zealand is commonly described as “the We will head into the gulch via Arivaca with than the entire Western Europe! Extending land of birds.” Now, there is an easy-to-use from the Caspian Sea in the west to the Tien stops to browse the birds along the way as we guide for all those interested in this country’s Shan Mountains in the east, this area is of remarkable bird population. A Field Guide to head into the gulch proper. Our main target is the immense interest to the serious birder as the Birds of New Zealand contains over 600 Five-striped Sparrow. We will owl after we eat. it’s the transition zone between the Western Leader: Melody Kehl, [email protected], and Eastern Palaearctic bird species. stunning photographs of the more than 350 bird 520-245-4085 species likely to be seen in this area of the world. Australia & New Zealand Comprehensive and compact, the book includes Comprehensive—Southwestern Endemics, Eastern Top to Bottom, full descriptions of all native species and regular Additional Bird Tasmania Birds & Wildlife: 21 Sept to visitors, distribution maps and measurements, Walks in Tucson and 19 Oct 2013 (29 days) Tour price (per person): key information on national Southeast Arizona US$13,730 (Australia portion) & US$7,175 (NZ parks, useful information on For information on weekly regional bird portion). Please note: these prices are subject ongoing conservation efforts walks from Agua Caliente Park to Ramsey to foreign exchange fluctuations.Australia is a in the country, and handy vast continent harbouring many endemic birds Canyon Preserve, please see our website, tips for nature enthusiasts and bizarre wildlife found nowhere else on our

$24.95 tucsonaudubon.org/alliance to learn more about the products and services offered by our Bird & Business Alliance partners www.tucsonaudubon.org/fieldtrips planet. During this exciting trip we will cover an wanting to make the most incredible range of habitats travelling across of their trip. isit Doris E vans V

26 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2013 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 Birds & Business alliance ALLIANCE conservation through annual TUCSON AUDUBON SOCIETY contributions and in-kind We extend special thanks and welcome to our donations. Please show them you appreciate Gala corporate sponsors as valued members of Tucson Audubon’s Birds & Business Alliance! their support for us by supporting them. Visit tucsonaudubon.org/alliance for more FICO / Green Valley Pecan information, including links to member websites. Tucson Electric Power Gold Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Riverpark Inn • 800-551-1466 Lori Pascarella, Merrill Lynch Sterling Salmon, Lewis & Weldon PLC Adventure Birding Company • 520-495-0229 • www.adventurebirding.com Rockjumper BirdingTours • [email protected] • www.rockjumperbirding.com Solipaso Tours • www.solipaso.com Tropical Birding • 800-348-5941 • www.tropicalbirding.com Silver Cox Communications

G riffiths Farmers Investment Co (FICO) • sahuaritafarms.ocm

M att Fiore Tile Works • 520-971-0677 Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Loews Ventana Canyon • 520-299-2020 • www.loewshotels.com Pima Federal Credit Union • 520-887-5010 The TAS-ifieds Tucson Electric Power • www.tep.com Classified ADs RAMSEY Copper Associated Benefits Specialists, Inc. • 520-219-1950 Classified and display ads are accepted from Bed and Bagels of Tucson • 520-603-1580 individual members and members of our Birds & Business Alliance. Visit tucsonaudubon.org/ Borderland Tours • www.borderland.tours.com vfly for rates or contact Matt Griffiths mgriffiths@ Brooklyn Pizza Company • 520-622-6868 tucsonaudubon.org to book an ad. Casa de San Pedro B&B • www.bedandbirds.com Country Inn & Suites • www.countryinns.com/ Birds & Beer Third Thursdays at Sky Bar: ROOST tucsonaz_citycenter 5–7 pm. Free slice of pizza, beer at happy hour Down By the River B&B • 520-720-9441 prices, share your bird photos. Financial Architects • www.financial-architects.com Lodging at Peregrine Perch Beautiful Vacation Home Hughes Federal Credit Union • 520-794-8341 views and natural desert serenity in this newly Kimberlyn Drew, Realtor • 520-237-1408 remodeled, furnished 2 bedroom, 1 bath home Sierra Vista, Az. Leica Sport Optics perched in the Tucson Mountains. Minutes The Living Fence • 520-795-5300 CLEAN. COMFORTABLE. AFFORDABLE. away from I-10 and easy access to birding hot- Metropolitan Tucson Convention & This sprawling 1970’s home is set on 2 acres spots. New kitchen appliances, washer/dryer, Visitors Bureau • VisitTucson.org with great birding at 5,000 ft on the Huachu- AC & fireplace. Weekly/$500, monthly rates Naturalist Journeys • 866-900-1146 available. Contact Jeanine at 520 400-5872. ca Mountains and famous Ramsey Canyon. A comfortable retreat for couples, families and Lori Pascarella, Merrill Lynch • www.fa.ml.com/Lori Southwestern Research Station, small groups. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. Right Quailway Cottage • 520-558-0019 Portal, Arizona http://research.amnh.org/swrs/ on the edge of the National Forest—birds Ravens-Way Wild Journeys • 520-425-6425 Six-day birding tours in April, May, and September and wildlife in the yard. Walk out the door *Salmon, Lewis & Weldon PLC 2013. Round trip is included from Tucson to great hiking and cycling in Brown and Sierra Vista Ranch • Sasabe, AZ airport. Newly remodeled rooms! Also, individual Ramsey Canyons. Night Skies Community. Spirit Tree Inn B&B • 520-394-0121 accommodations are available for birders, hikers, and naturalists. Rates include meals, pool, and phone 1-877-417-9224 Sundance Press • 800-528-4827 great birding. For more information contact: 520- www.VRBO.com search 406192 Sunglow Ranch • www.sunglowranch.com VF 558-2396; [email protected]

*New

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. April–June 2013 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 58, Number 2, April–June 2013 © 2013 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.

Make a team, Join a team, Go birding Coming Soon! Birdathon 2013 Professional guides lead beginner and advanced teams April 21: Bieber’s Bluebirds with Gavin Bieber of Wings April 21: The Wrenegades with Jennie MacFarland of Tucson Audubon April 25: IBA All the Way with Jennie MacFarland of Tucson Audubon April 27: Scott’s Orioles with Scott Olmstead of Tropical Birding A lan M urphy S cott ’ s O riole , April 28: Birds of Fray with August 14–18, 2013 Richard Fray of Fun Birding Tours Don’t Miss the Sky Islands 200 give or get donation Birding Cup For more info visit Reach out to friends, family, tucsonaudubon.org/ coworkers for support, and festival celebrate migration! Find us on Facebook! Details at tucsonaudubon.org/birdathon

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

28 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher April–June 2013