THE QUARTERLY NEWS MAGAZINE OF TUCSON AUDUBON SOCIETY | TUCSONAUDUBON.ORG

Vermf li yl ci a to c hn e r October–December 2011 | Volume 56, Number 4

Evolving Birds of Prey in Urban Tucson Lawns, Landscaping, and Native Birds

Avra Valley Wastewater Ponds Still Produce the Birds What’s in a Name? Lesser Nighthawk PLUS special four-page holiday gift ideas pull-out Features THE QUARTERLY NEWS MAGAZINE OF TUCSON AUDUBON SOCIETY | TUCSONAUDUBON.ORG 13 What’s in a Name? Lesser Nighthawk Vermilionf l y c a t c h e r 14 Birds of Prey in Urban Tucson October–December 2011 | Volume 56, Number 4 16 Lawns, Landscaping, and Native Tucson Audubon Society is dedicated to improving Birds the quality of the environment by providing education, conservation, and recreation programs, environmental 18 Avra Valley Wastewater Ponds Still leadership, and information. Tucson Audubon is a Produce the Birds non-profit volunteer organization of people with a common interest in birding and natural history. Tucson Audubon maintains offices, a library, and nature Departments Evolving shops in Tucson, the proceeds of which benefit all of Birds of Prey in 3 Commentary Urban Tucson its programs. Lawns, Landscaping, and Native Birds Tucson Audubon Society 4 Events and Classes 300 E. University Blvd. #120, Tucson, AZ 85705 5 Events Calendar 629-0510 (voice) or 623-3476 (fax) Avra Valley Wastewater Ponds All phone numbers are area code 520 unless otherwise stated. Still Produce the Birds 8 News Roundup What’s in a Name? Lesser Nighthawk www.tucsonaudubon.org PLUS special four-page holiday gift ideas pull-out Board Officers & Directors 19 Conservation and Education News President Cynthia Pruett Vice President Sandy Elers 22 Field Trips FRONT COVER: Buff-breasted Flycatcher photographed Secretary Ruth Russell in Carr Canyon by Robert Royse. Robert is a professional Treasurer Richard Carlson 24 Birding Travel from our Business Partners Directors at Large Gavin Bieber, Jennie Duberstein, musician and photographer specializing in birds based Sandy Elers, Debra Finch, Richard Fray, Bob Hernbrode, 25 Birds & Business Alliance in Columbus, OH. He regularly travels throughout North Linda Greene, Jessie Shinn, Linda Stitzer, Herb Trossman, America for his photography and SE Arizona is one of his Claire Zucker 25 Classified Ads Board Committees Conservation Chair Chris McVie, favorite areas. 26 Nature Shops Conservation Committee Board Liaison Linda Stitzer, To have your photographs considered for use in the Development Sandy Elers, Education Jennie Duberstein, Finance Richard Carlson, Membership Jessie Shinn, Vermilion Flycatcher, please contact Matt Griffiths at Nominating Linda Greene, Personnel Mich Coker [email protected]. Programs & Activities Field Trips Matt Griffiths 971-7924 Library 629-0510 Membership Meetings Jean Barchman 629-0510 Our Changing Forests Rare Bird Alert Andrew Core | Report Rare Birds 629-0510 Paul Green, Executive Director Staff (unless otherwise stated, dial 629-0510 plus extension) Executive Director Paul Green ext 7001 Accountant Michelle Bourgeois ext 7003 The fires that swept through the forests of the and new ecological opportunities for species that Finance ext 7014 Southwest this year leave behind a mosaic of specialize in exploiting the dead trees, the young Membership Coordinator Jean Barchman ext 7002 impacts of varying degrees, from the clearing of ones that will come with time, and associated Special Projects Erin Olmstead ext 7009 Environmental Education Coordinator Bété Pfister ext 7012 the accumulated understory to the deaths of large structural changes. IBA Conservation Biologist Jennie MacFarland ext 7004 areas of trees, sometimes followed by severe Future issues of Vermilion Flycatcher will Habitats Program Manager Kendall Kroesen ext 7006 Field Supervisor Rodd Lancaster 256-6909 erosion of the exposed soils and large amounts of feature materials written by experts in the field Restoration / Communications Specialist deposited sediments in canyons with associated of fire ecology, explaining some of the changes Matthew Griffiths 971-7924 changes. we will see over the coming months and years. Operations / University Shop Manager Sara Pike ext 7008 University Shop Manager Matt Brooks ext 7007 Our natural world is never at rest, and change The population of the Buff-breasted Flycatcher Volunteer Coordinator / Agua Caliente is the constant. Some areas already show the (Empidonax fulvifrons), our front-cover feature Shop Manager Becky Aparicio ext 7011 extensive green of germinating plants as the bird, has been in continuous decline throughout Tucson Audubon Nature Shops 300 E University Blvd #120 ext 7015 process of regeneration begins. While birders its restricted range in Southeast Arizona but has 623-3476 fax / 629-0510 Shop Manager mourn the birds that are no longer present now shown increases in areas following fire-induced Hours: 10 am–4 pm, Monday–Saturday that their food and shelter have gone, of course the thinning of trees. Today it inhabits less than ten Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd 760-7881 future holds a great deal of interest as regenerating percent of its former US range. We watch what the Hours: 9 am–3:30 pm , Thursday, Friday, Saturday (October, November, December) vegetation may bring increased plant diversity future holds with great interest. VF

Vermilion Flycatcher is published quarterly. For address changes or subscription problems call 629-0510, or write to Membership Coordinator, Tucson Audubon, 300 E. University Blvd, #120, Tucson, AZ 85705. Submissions are due the 1st of the month, two months before the date of the issue. Please send submissions as Microsoft Word or RTF documents, or plain text files, to Matt Griffiths at mgriffiths@ tucsonaudubon.org. Coordinator Matt Griffiths 971-7924 Proofreaders Robert Merideth, Tucson Audubon staff, and volunteers Design / Layout Eng-Li Green © 2011 Tucson Audubon Society REGENERATING FOREST AFTER 2003 WILDFIRE ON MT LEMMON, WIKIMEDIA.ORG AFTER 2003 WILDFIRE ON MT FOREST REGENERATING

2 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2011 COMMENTARY PAUL GREEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Highest and Best Use: Celebrating the Intangible When discussing a piece of biologically decisions come under great scrutiny. development generally does but serves rich land in Tucson, a representative for Conservationists are frequently called as a magnet for residential development. the home-building industry told me that upon to demonstrate to local communities Open space falls at the break-even point. conserving the land for its natural values the economic value of preserving open A study of eleven towns by the Southern was out of the question because the space. This is probably an impossible and New England Forest Consortium shows “highest and best use” (HBU) for the land unfair question to answer because open that on a strictly financial basis the cost was probably to support homes for people space contains such hugely significant of providing public services is more rather than for wildlife. non-monetary and intangible values. than twice as high for residential as for Ever since that conversation, I have Those who try to assess a monetary commercial development or open space. often wondered what HBU means to value on open space take many disparate Proximity to preserved natural open society at large. I realized later that approaches. Some recognize that it often space (space that is not intensively the developer assumed that the use plays an important role in the provision of developed for recreation purposes) that made the most money for him was “public goods” though it may be difficult to enhances property values. Enhancement also the highest and best use for our put a dollar value on these “goods.” For value is important to the local property community at large. We as a community example, there are many users of open tax base because it offsets the effects of should challenge this simplistic approach. space and one person’s use does not open space, which is usually tax-exempt How do we determine the HBU for a diminish that of another (if I watch birds in or taxed at a low rate. KROESEN KENDALL ADJOINING HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, AREA WASH NATURAL piece of land? For example, how does a public space I do not diminish the ability In conclusion, one thing is clear: value for wildlife connectivity, viewing of others to do the same). we need to reassess the conventional opportunities for wildlife, or the ability to Others study the economic value wisdom of the economic consequences of walk in nature to relieve the stresses of associated with open space activities development and conservation, and it will modern life feed into HBU assessment? like recreation (including hunting, fishing, include a mix of sophisticated disciplines, The answer is that, right now, such values hiking, wildlife watching, camping, boating methods, and approaches. do not enter the calculation, though land- and nature photography). These may use policy buffs are working on it. provide an important source of revenue Tucson Audubon is seeking $7,500 to update Tucson Audubon’s recent Bird & for businesses and state and local the 2001 analysis of the total economic impact of Wildlife Festival sought in part to focus governments, and have income and job wildlife tourism in Arizona using 2011 US Fish and the minds of our local government and multiplier effects. They usually occur in Wildlife Service economic data, available next year. business leaders on the economic rural areas which have limited commercial This will provide up-to-date county level data on benefits that derive from natural areas in opportunities. the total economic impacts of watching wildlife. VF our region. Total annual economic impact Open space may provide valuable Bibliography of wildlife tourism in Arizona was valued in ecological services when it delivers Bark-Hodgins R.H. and B.G. Colby, 2006. An Economic 2001 at $1.5 billion, and for Pima County processes such as ground water storage, Assessment of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan. at $325 million. These earnings depend climate moderation, flood control, storm Natural Resources Journal 46(3):709–725 on natural areas that provide places that damage prevention, and air and water Bark R.H., D.E. Osgood, B.G. Colby, G. Katz, and J. wildlife can use for breeding, feeding, pollution abatement. What would be the Stromberg, 2008. Understanding Preferences for Environmental Characteristics: Can Homebuyers shelter, stopover, and as linkages. cost of these services if they were not Distinguish Between Degraded Greenspace and Governments have long recognized provided by “nature?” As an example, Healthy Habitat? Ecological Economics 68(5): the need to preserve open space lands in 8,500 acres of wetlands were acquired 1465–1475. part to counteract the effects of suburban and preserved in the Charles River Burchell, R.W. and D. Listokin, 1995. Land, Infrastructure, Housing Costs and Fiscal Impacts Associated with sprawl. The growing use of habitat Basin, MA, to provide a storage area for Growth: The Literature on the Impacts of Sprawl vs. conservation plans, as in Tucson and flood control at a cost of $10 million. An Managed Growth. Cambridge, MA: Lincoln Institute of Marana, for reconciling environmental alternative proposal to construct dams Land Policy. and economic objectives also draws and levees to accomplish the same goal Colby, B.G. and S. Wishart, 2002. Quantifying the Influence of Desert Riparian Areas on Residential attention to the importance and value of would have cost $100 million. Property Values. The Appraisal Journal 70(3): 304–308. open space in comparison to alternative The HBU doctrine often under- Crandall, K., B.G. Colby and K.A. Rait. 1992. Valuing land uses. estimates the costs of development to Riparian Preserves: A Southwestern Case Study. Local governments are heavily society. A review of fiscal impact studies Rivers 3: 88–98. dependent on property tax for operating (Burchell & Listokin, 1995) concludes that Fausold, C.J. and R.J. Lilieholm, 1996. The Economic Value of Open Space. Land Lines 8(5): 1–4. [http:// revenue. So fiscal and economic residential development does not pay for www.lincolninst.edu/pubs/506_The-Economic-Value- implications of open space preservation itself in the long-term, and nonresidential of-Open-Space]

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 3 TUCSON AUDUBON Birding By Ear EVENTS AND CLASSES May 2 & 5, 2012 Taking birding beyond the basics requires learning to use your ears as Tucson Audubon’s Birding Classes much as (if not more than) your eyes. and Specialty Workshops This class will delve into the world of bird vocalizations and give you a framework for learning the voices of our master singers. The evening classroom session will introduce you Specialty Workshops to sonograms and vocalization types, February–March 2012 as well as work on comparisons Intended as stand-alone classes, between similar sounding Arizona these workshops are a great way species. The field trip will give you to follow-up on Moving to Mastery a chance to use these skills in the techniques (though MTM isn’t field. Vocalizations will be recorded required). Each class focuses on and brought back to the classroom to a specific group of birds, and goes analyze. Limited to ten participants. into detail on similar species, ID Taught by Homer Hansen. MOVING TO MASTERY CLASS, KENDALL KROESEN CLASS, KENDALL MASTERY TO MOVING techniques, and vocalizations. Classroom session: 6:00–9:00 pm Field trips: Saturdays, October This is a great way to gain skills for Field trip: location/time TBA BLACK-THROATED SPARROW, ELAINE R. WILSON, WWW.NATURESPICSONLINE.COM SPARROW, BLACK-THROATED 15–November 5, 7:00 am; locations/ identifying those difficult bird groups. Cost: $110, $145 for non-members times TBA Each class consists of a Wednesday Cost: $250 for TAS members, $285 evening class followed by a ALL CLASSES AND for non-members. Saturday field trip and is limited to 10 WORKSHOPS participants. Pick and choose several Location: Tucson Audubon offices Instructors: Homer Hansen (Sparrows, on University Blvd. COSTA’S HUMMINGBIRD, DORIS EVANS COSTA’S Backyard Birding Raptors), Larry Liese (Ducks and Contact: education@tucsonaudubon. and Beyond Geese), William Mannan (Protecting org or 520-629-0510 x 7012. Moving to Mastery January 14–February 18, 2012 Raptors in Urban Tucson) October 12–November 9, 2011 Learn why southeastern Arizona Sparrows: February 1 & 4, 2012

Take your birding to the next level with is such a great place for birds and Raptors: February 8 & 11, 2012 THRASHER, DORIS EVANS CURVED-BILLED our popular Moving to Mastery class. why bird watching is so rewarding! Ducks and Geese: February 14 & If you are ready to move your birding Taught by Lynn Hassler, longtime 17, 2012 skills beyond the basics, this is the birder, educator, and noted author, Protecting Raptors in Urban Tucson: class for you! Taught by Wings over this course is designed for beginners. March 21 & 24, 2012 Willcox chairman Homer Hansen, this The focus will be on identifying local Classroom sessions: 6:00–9:00 pm class will build upon knowledge that birds and discovering their interesting Field trips: locations/times TBA you’ve acquired through experience characteristics, adaptations, and Cost: $110 per workshop, $145 for in the field, in a beginning birding charms. Lynn will address how to non-members class, or from private study. Homer’s separate birds by habitat, seasonal techniques focus on structure and occurrence, and behavior. Get an behavior to bring you to a better overview on binoculars and field guide understanding of bird identification. use, birding vocabulary, and etiquette Over the course of five weeks, you’ll in the field. The course includes three learn how to identify some of the two-hour classroom sessions and two more difficult bird groups, how to field trips, up to 3 hours in length. use technical references, and how to Classroom sessions: Saturdays, understand bird topography. January 14, January 28 (NO CLASS), Classroom sessions: Wednesdays, February 4, 11, 9:00–11:00 am October 12–November 9, 2011, Field trips: Saturdays, January 21, 6:00–9:00 pm February 18; locations/times TBA Cost: $135 for TAS members, $170 for non-members. CRESTED CARACARA, ALAN D. WILSON, WWW.NATURESPICSONLINE.COM CRESTED CARACARA, FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR SUITE OF EDUCATION CLASSES, PLEASE VISIT WWW.TUCSONAUDUBON.ORG/EDUCATION

4 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. EVENTS CALENDAR

October 1. Blazing Trails at Arthur Pack Park (see p 6) October 10. Living with Nature lecture (Tucson): One Bird Biologist’s Big Year with Chris McCreedy (see p 7) October 12–November 9. Moving to Mastery (see p 4) Come Count Birds at October 15. Fountaingrass Removal at Esperero Canyon (see p 6) the BioBlitz at Saguaro October 21–22. BioBlitz (see left) National Park! November 5. Mesquite Milling at Mason October 21–22, 2011 Center (see p 6) November 5. Living with Nature lecture On October 21–22, 2011, Saguaro (Green Valley) (see p 7) ALL PHOTOS SARA PIKE SARA PHOTOS ALL National Park will be hosting the November 12. Planting at Prickly Park Tucson Audubon’s Flagship fifth annual BioBlitz that National (see p 6) Geographic and the National Park November 14. Living With Nature lecture (Tucson): Ecuador: World’s Hottest Education Program: The Institute Service are presenting as a lead-up to Hummingbird Hotspot with Scott Olmstead of Desert Ecology the National Park Service’s centennial (see p 7) April 19–22, 2012 in 2016. November 21–26. Tucson Audubon’s The BioBlitz is a two-day Nature Shop Thanksgving Sale (see p 27) Ever wanted to get up close and Desert ecology celebration of biodiversity centered December 3. Habitat Restoration at personal with a Gila monster? Or learn to people from around a 24-hour race to count all Ironwood National Forest (see p 6) about the many incredible insects of around the of the plant and animal species in December 3. Living with Nature lecture (Green Valley): Hummingbirds with the Sonoran Desert? Or discover how continent. Join Saguaro National Park. Teams of Karen Krebbs (see p 7) grasshopper mice can eat scorpions? us for a once-in-a- expert volunteers and participants December 5 Living With Nature lecture You can do all of these things and lifetime educational experience. will explore the park’s mountains, (Tucson): Seabirds and Marine Mammals more in a fabulous outdoor setting at Space is limited, so sign up today! valleys, cactus forests, drainages, and in Your Backyard with Tad Pfister plus the next Institute of Desert Ecology. Don’t miss the opportunity! For more tinajas to identify as many species Member’s Holiday Potluck (see p 7 & 10) Whether you consider yourself a information, contact Matt Brooks, as possible. This fun event is part December 14 Tucson Audubon Holiday Vounteers’ Cookie Exchange (see p 10) desert expert or a desert newbie, you Institute Director, at 629-0510 x7007 scientific endeavor, part festival and January 7. Living with Nature lecture will come away from this program or [email protected]. part outdoor classroom with a special (Green Valley) with new knowledge and a sense of Online sign-up and more information emphasis on educating the public, January 9. Living with Nature lecture wonder at the desert surrounding us. is available at www.tucsonaudubon. especially children, about the amazing (Tucson): Living with Predatory Birds in an Desert ecology will be right at your org/ide. Cost $425 Tucson Audubon biodiversity in Saguaro National Park. Urban Environment with Dr. Bill Mannan fingertips in this hands-on, four-day member, $460 non-member. Tucson Audubon and the Arizona January 14–February 18. Backyard Birding institute. Learn from local experts in Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program and Beyond (see p 4) the fields of herpetology, entomology, will help inventory the birds of January 16. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Volunteer Project (see p 6) ornithology and more. This is a Saguaro National Park during the January 28. Beat Back Buffelgrass Day wonderful chance for you to interact ONLINE SIGN-UP BioBlitz. This is where you come in! (see p 6) with like-minded, inquisitive adults NOW AVAILABLE! We especially need volunteer team February 1 & 4. Specialty Workshop: Now it’s easier than ever to sign up in the unique landscape of southern leaders (known as “scientists” in the Sparrows (see p 4) for the Institute of Desert Ecology! Arizona. For 42 years, our amazing event) who would be in charge of a February 4. Living with Nature lecture faculty has been teaching Sonoran Visit www.tucsonaudubon.org/ide team of participants scouring a hiking (Green Valley) to sign up today. route in the national park for bird February 13. Living with Nature lecture species. (Tucson) If you would like to contribute your February 7. Tucson Audubon’s Fourth Annual Gala (see p 28) birding expertise to this event and February 8 & 11. Specialty Workshop: become a volunteer team leader or Raptors (see p 4) a participant, please contact Jennie February 14 & 17. Specialty Workshop: MacFarland as soon as possible at Ducks & Geese (see p 4) [email protected] so February 25. Ash Canyon B&B Volunteer we can get our group organized. Project (see p 6) More information about the March 21 & 24. Specialty Workshop: AVAILABLE IN OUR NATURE SHOPS­ BioBlitz can be found at www. Protecting Raptors in Urban Tucson (see p 4 & 14) Want to get a leg up on Sonoran Desert facts? nationalgeographic.com/bioblitz. April 19–22. Institute of Desert Ecology A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert is (see left) the perfect book to read prior to attending the May 2 & 5. Birding By Ear (see p 4) Institute of Desert Ecology! $24.95 June 16–24. Special Birding Trip to Ecuador for Tucson Audubon Members (see p 9)

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 5 TUCSON AUDUBON EVENTS & CLASSES

Mesquite Milling at Mason Center Saturday November 5, 7 am–noon SEARCHNETMEDIA KENDALL KROESEN KENDALL 7 am: Free bird walk Desert Harvesters. Take home your 8 am–noon: Mesquite milling mesquite meal and get cookin’. There On November 5 join the Pod People will be a small charge for the milling. at Tucson Audubon’s Mason Center. Dry mesquite pods can be Not people who use iPods, but people harvested from mesquite trees in who use mesquite pods! Milling early summer (after the spring bloom) mesquite pods into mesquite meal is a and again in August toward the much more ancient “pod” technology end of the monsoon season. Pods that will be around long after iPods are should be clean. For instructions on all in the landfill. how to collect mesquite pods, go Probably the most abundant native to www.desertharvesters.org, click food of the Sonoran Desert, mesquite on “mesquite” on the left side of you next year of when to harvest your vendors at can be ground into meal and used in the screen, and then scroll down to pods. the event, so a marvelous variety of recipes. All you “native mesquite harvesting basics.” Eat Mesquite: A Cookbook, will be that you can need is some mesquite meal and a If you haven’t harvested any pods, for sale at the event. You may also buy additional mesquite meal or other cookbook! Tucson Audubon can help come anyway! We will have enough buy it at the Tucson Audubon Nature native food products. you get both. mesquite meal on hand to give small Shop anytime before the event. This Whether you have pods to grind On Saturday November 5 bring samples to those who come without book, published by Desert Harvesters, or not, come join us for a memorable your own mesquite pods and have their own pods—while supplies last. is the definitive guide to incorporating event. them put through a stamp mill, which We hope to make this a tradition at this cheap, abundant desert food Kendall Kroesen, will be provided for the event by the Mason Center, and we’ll remind into your diet. We plan to have other Habitats Program Manager

TogetherGreen Volunteer Days

Saturday October 1, 7:30 am–noon bottom and excluding native grasses Restoration Site. Meet at 8 am at the Blazing Trails at Arthur Pack and other plants.. Marana Airport on Avra Valley Road Park about 5 miles west of I-10. Saturday November 12, 8 am–noon Volunteers will help establish a path Planting at Prickly Park Monday January 16, 8 am–noon for a new nature trail along the south Volunteers will help plant a Martin Luther King Jr. Day edge of Arthur Pack Regional Park. hummingbird garden at the new Pima Volunteer Project Work will involve removing vegetation Prickly Park, located at the Pima Location and project TBD. where necessary, smoothing the trail County Natural Resources, Parks and Saturday January 28, 8 am–noon alignment and spreading decomposed Recreation office at 3500 East River Beat Back Buffelgrass Day granite. The trail will connect with Road. We will do some terracing of Location and project TBD. other park trails, increase nature the ground for rainwater harvesting Saturday February 25, 8 am–noon walking opportunities in the area, next to a ramada, and then plant Ash Canyon Bed and Breakfast and provide a safe route home for several species of hummingbird- Details to come. students at Tortolita Middle School. attracting plants. Tucson Audubon is Trail construction will always avoid working with Pima County and the Sunday April 22, 7:30 am–noon native vegetation where possible. Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society Earth Day The work location is on the south to improve this area for wildlife. Location and project TBD. edge of Arthur Pack Regional Park along Hardy Road. Meet at Tucson Saturday December 3, 8 am–noon NOTE: For details, directions and Audubon’s Mason Center, 3835 W. Habitat Restoration at Ironwood to sign up for any of the above events, Hardy Road (just west of Thornydale). Forest National Monument contact Kendall Kroesen at 520-971- Tucson Audubon joins Arizona 2385 [email protected]. Saturday October 15, 8 am–noon Native Plant Society and Sierra Club All volunteers will sign a liability Fountaingrass Removal at volunteers to install rock berms, check waiver. Please wear appropriate work Esperero Canyon dams, and tree planting holes in an 18- clothing, work shoes, and hat, and Volunteers are needed to help end the acre scar at the base of the Waterman bring a water bottle and gloves if you fountaingrass infestation in the final Mountains once infested with have them. We will provide additional stretch of Tucson Audubon’s property buffelgrass and now under restoration. water, snacks, gloves, and all the in Esperero Canyon (between Formerly known as the Harlow Jones necessary tools. Ventana and Sabino Canyons). site, the site has been renamed Fountaingrass is clogging the canyon the Allyson Kumataka Memorial ARTHUR PACK PARK, KENDALL KROESEN KENDALL PARK, PACK ARTHUR

6 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. TUCSON AUDUBON EVENTS & CLASSES Tucson Audubon’s Living with Nature Lecture Series

TUCSON Living with previous research, PRBO has found is leading a special birding trip to Royal Terns, and Elegant Terns Nature Lecture Series and links between winter rainfall and Ecuador in June 2012 for Tucson nesting on Isla Rasa during the peak Member Meetings nest success and the timing of nest Audubon members only (see p 9). breeding season iis a sight, sound Traditional venue of DuVal Auditorium initiation, and he will connect these December 3 • Green Valley and smell that is not to be missed (NE section of the University Medical findings to his Kofa work. He’ll follow and will not be forgotten. Join us as HUMMINGBIRDS: FLYING JEWELS Center, Bldg. 501 N Campbell with photographs from his research we explore the islands and offshore OF ARIZONA with Karen Krebbs Ave) may change. Please check adventures in the Sonoran and at waters of the Gulf of California where tucsonaudubon.org for updates. Mono Lake, CA, as well as from his The Arizona-Sonora seabirds and marine mammals Program begins at 7 pm, SECOND current big year. Desert Museum’s abound! Conservation MONDAY of each month October November 14 • Tucson Tad Pfister has been exploring through May. Biologist Karen the Gulf of California for over ECUADOR: WORLD’S HOTTEST Krebbs will 25 years as a student, teacher, HUMMINGBIRD HOTSPOT with GREEN VALLEY Living entertain you with researcher, naturalist and boatman. Scott Olmstead with Nature Lecture Series hummingbird facts He was one of the founding Joyner-Green Valley Library, 601 N What makes Ecuador, home to and fun! Karen will members of the Prescott College La Canada Dr. 594-5295. The Green a whopping 130 talk about hummingbird Center for Cultural and Ecological Valley talks will now be at 10 am on hummingbirds, the GREEN-CROWNED WOODNYMPH, SAM WOODS identification, behavior, nesting Studies, located in Kino Bay, the FIRST SATURDAY of the month, birdiest country biology, and ways to attract these Sonora, on the shores of the Midriff NOVEMBER–APRIL. November 5. on “The Bird tiny jewels to your garden and home. Island Region of the Gulf. Tad has December 3. January 7. February Continent?” Arizona is home to an exciting worked with Mexican researchers 4. March 3. April 7. In this diversity of hummingbird species and to study fin, sperm and blue whale ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD, JIM FLYNN ANNA’S For more information, contact Erin celebration these small energetic pollinators will movement patterns in the Gulf as Olmstead, 520-629-0510 x7009 or of Ecuador’s make you smile and laugh! well as assisted in sea bird research [email protected], or amazing bird December 5 • Tucson projects on San Pedro Martir, Rasa visit tucsonaudubon.org. diversity, we’ll MEMBERS’ ANNUAL POTLUCK / and Alcatraz Islands. More recently, take a closer SEABIRDS AND MARINE he helped facilitate the largest rat October 10 • Tucson look at the factors MAMMALS IN YOUR BACKYARD! eradication project conducted in ONE BIRD BIOLOGIST’S BIG YEAR such as geography and climate with Tad Pfister Mexico, to protect the important with Chris McCreedy that have joined forces to produce seabird nesting colonies on San NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE: Join us for a sneak peek into the life a spectacular list of almost 1600 Pedro Martir Island. Since 2008, St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal of a bird biologist (and those of his bird species in a country roughly Tad has worked at the University of Church (see p 10 for details) avian study subjects) as we kick off the same size as Arizona! Join us Arizona as program coordinator for the 2011/2012 Living with Nature on a photographic journey as we The Gulf of California is one of the a bi-national fisheries management Lecture Series! Chris McCreedy explore Ecuador’s various habitats most productive marine ecosystems initiative that aims to improve the has worked for the Point Reyes and sample the stunning birds on earth, supporting an incredible health of fisheries and overall Bird Observatory since 1999, and is that inhabit them. We’ll take in the diversity and abundance of marine ecological conditions in the Northern currently enrolled in the University steamy rainforests, mist-shrouded life including whales, dolphins, sea Gulf of California. cloudforests, and snow-capped lions and seabirds. AND, it is right of Arizona’s School of Natural January 9 • Tucson Resources and Environment’s volcanic peaks that together make in our backyard! Many Gulf islands LIVING WITH PREDATORY BIRDS graduate program. An expert on this extraordinary country home to are important nesting grounds for IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT with desert ecology, he’s worked in the roughly 18 percent of the Earth’s seabirds such as Blue-footed and Dr. Bill Mannan Great Basin, the Mojave, Sonoran, bird species. Expect to be dazzled Brown Boobies, Double-crested and Chihuahuan Deserts, and by toucanets and trogons, motmots Cormorants, Brown Pelicans, Black Read about Dr. Mannan’s work on Antarctica, and conducted his thesis and manakins, and of course, and Least Storm Petrels, Osprey, and p 14 and see p 4 for details of a research at the Kofa National Wildlife hummingbirds of all shapes, colors, Yellow-footed Gull. The spectacle of Specialty Workshop that he will be Refuge in western Arizona. and sizes. over one million Heermann’s Gulls, leading in March. VF At the Kofa, he has studied the A naturalist and lifelong birder, effects of drought on the nesting Scott Olmstead has birded far and success of Black-tailed Gnatcatchers wide throughout Latin America. He and Verdins. From several years of spent three all-too-short years living and birding in Ecuador, exploring forgotten corners of the country in search of lifers, leading birding tours, and becoming hopelessly addicted to digiscoping. Now based in Tucson, Scott is a high-school Spanish teacher and Tucson Audubon volunteer, and KOFA NWR, AZGFD NWR, KOFA BLUE-FOOTED BOOBIES

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 7 TUCSON AUDUBON NEWS ROUNDUP

Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival Erin Olmstead, Special Projects

On August 17–21, Tucson Audubon Thank you to Greg and Cat Greene, and the Riverpark Inn hosted the first- whose art and design talents came ever Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival, to together fabulously to create the BROOKS MATT showcase the great watchable wildlife popular Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival opportunities near Tucson and around logo! Southern Arizona. We welcomed 175 THANK YOU to our talented registrants from 20 states, who joined leaders and seminar experts, whose hundreds of local “walk-in” birders and enthusiasm and generosity made the nature enthusiasts to bird and butterfly inaugural event so memorable: Moez field trips, workshops, free talks, Ali, Sergio Avila, Jeff Babson, Richard and evening programs. Besides the Bailowitz, Chris Benesh, Gavin Bieber, JENNIE MACFARLAND BROOKS MATT wonderful biodiversity of the Sonoran Cameron Cox , Doris Evans, Richard Desert and Sky Islands, this fun-filled Fray , Brian Gibbons , Paul Green, event also highlighted the significant Homer Hansen, Bob Hernbrode, economic impact that watchable Sam Huselton, Keith Kamper, wildlife activities have on our region. Kenn Kaufman, Kimberly Kaufman, This is a message we will continue to Kendall Kroesen, Ken Lamberton, promote to our local business leaders Jake Mohlmann , Scott Olmstead , and government officials, while Bruce Prior, Meg Quinn, Lisa Reid, MATT BROOKS MATT BECKY APARICIO BECKY encouraging stewardship within our Sandy Reith, Bob Scarborough, community and beyond. Karen Simms, Rick Taylor, Sheri L. We hope you will join us next Williamson, John Yerger year! Please mark your calendars for Highlights included: August 15–19, 2012! • Three intrepid teams of birders Thanks to our Festival Sponsors took on the 1st Annual Sky Islands and Partners: The Riverpark Inn, Birding Cup challenge which Arizona Game & Fish Department,

benefited the Patagonia Lake State KONDRAT-SMITH CHRISSY BROOKS MATT Sonoran Joint Venture, Leica Sport Park fencing project. “Birding the Optics, Brooklyn Pizza Company, Clockwise from top: Sales were brisk at the Nature Shop booth; The free natural history Midnight Oil”, comprised of Keith talks, including Meg Quinn’s Wildlflowers of the Sky Islands, were well attended; Volunteer Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Kamper, Jake Mohlmann, and storyteller Laura Cotter entertains a young participant; Tucson Audubon Board President Visitors’ Bureau, Princeton University Cynthia Pruett presents Kenn Kaufman the education award that is named after him; A John Yerger, clinched the Big Day Press, Tucson Lifestyle Magazine, group of young birders joined Kenn Kaufman for a morning at Sweetwater; Kai Pfister title with 162 species. For more made a new friend at the Nature Expo; This birding group ventured further afield to Fort Wildlife Rehab of Northwest Tucson, info on the fencing project, please Huachuca. U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land visit tucsonaudubon.org/cup. Management, Arizona State Parks, • Local youth birders spent the Excellence in Education Relating to and Pima County Natural Resources, • We celebrated Tucson’s “Bird Day” morning at Sweetwater with the Natural World. at Birds & Beer, with pizza, cake, Parks and Recreation. Tucson Audubon and Kenn and Again, see you next year, August and awesome bird photos. Live Thanks to our great Nature Expo Kim Kaufman, then returned to the 15–19, 2012! exhibitors: Tucson Audubon Nature education birds and their volunteer Riverpark Inn to learn about desert Shop, Three Star Owl, Copper handlers from Northwest Tucson adaptations from Sam Huselton Hummingbird, Solipaso Tours, Leica Wildlife Rehab stole the show! and other experts. Sport Optics, Arizona Game & • The two-day Nature Expo featured • Rick Taylor regaled us with a virtual Fish Department, Tropical Birding, free natural history talks, live tour of southeastern Arizona’s B.R.E.A.T.H.E, Pima County NRPR, critters, and great vendors! habitats, by elevation, and the Tucson Herpetological Society, • Participants took in the sights and fabulous diversity of species found Friends of Madera Canyon, and sounds of Southern Arizona on here. Coronado National Forest. And full-day and half-day field trips to • Tucson Audubon Board President of course, thank you to the many nearby birding hotspots. Over the Cynthia Pruett presented a volunteers whose countless hours of course of the weekend, the groups speechless Kenn Kaufman with the cheerful service made everything go recorded 170 bird species. very first Kenn Kaufman Award for smoothly!

8 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. GIANT ANTPITTA, SCOTT OLMSTEAD SCOTT ANTPITTA, GIANT OLMSTEAD ANDEAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK, SCOTT OLMSTEAD SCOTT TOUCANET, CRIMSON-RUMPED TOUCAN BARBET, SCOTT OLMSTEAD SCOTT BARBET, TOUCAN Special Ecuador Tour for Tucson Audubon Members Only June 16–24, 2012 (Saturday–Sunday) • Ecuador: The Northern Andes $2295 per person from Quito, based on double occupancy; $160 single supplement

Tucson Audubon and Birds & warm hospitality, and superb birding, We’ll search for birds that live up to Audubon! For a full tour itinerary, visit Business Alliance member Tropical this customized itinerary offers an their evocative and superlative names tucsonaudubon.org/ecuador; for more Birding are pleased to announce introduction to unique and fascinating like: Velvet-purple Coronet, Empress information and reservations, please a summer 2012 tour to the Andes Andean landscapes. Our tour explores Brilliant, Powerful Woodpecker, contact Tropical Birding directly at of Ecuador, led by Scott Olmstead. a range of ecosystems from moss- Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Glistening- 1-800-348-5941. Safe and accessible, Ecuador boasts draped cloudforests of the foothills to green Tanager, Golden-headed Learn more about exciting abundant birdlife, friendly people, and dense windswept elfin forests of the Quetzal, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Ecuador birding and meet Scott at the delightfully cool temperatures. Based higher elevations that finally give way and Giant Antpitta! November Living with Nature Lecture out of comfortable lodges renowned to open páramo above treeline. Explore birdy South America in Tucson! See p. 7 for details. for an appealing mix of good food, with other Friends of Tucson

Tucson Audubon’s Fiscal Year 2010 Paton’s Hummingbird Haven Revenue and Expenses Summary Richard Fray Brad Paxton, Finance Manager Most Tucson Audubon members backing of the wider will be aware of the Paton house in birding community Revenue $1,108,986 Patagonia, and Wally and Marion’s with top names Expenses (1,124,381) incredible story. For more than twenty such as David Investment Activity 29,690 years the property has been open to Sibley signing up for Net $14,295 the public, who visit in their thousands our Advisory Panel Other Contributions 8% 11% to watch the stunning variety of birds along with prominent in the famous backyard. Many of local birders and community

Shop you will have visited and seen your leaders. 20% first Violet-crowned Hummingbird What we need now is finance. REVENUE there, and a host of other wonderful We have to raise enough money species. for at least a deposit on the house

Program Since Marion’s passing in 2009, and running costs for the immediate Fees 4% the property has remained open to future. And we need to raise it quickly. Membership Grants birders, charmingly maintained on Please consider making a 8% 49% Fund Raising behalf of the Paton family by Michael donation, large or small (we need TIM LENTZ HUMMINGBIRD, BLUE-THROATED 7% Marsden and Donna Knox. Now, a both). As a member of the Arizona Restoration new non-profit organization has been birding community, it’s a gift to Administration 24% 12% formed with the intention of buying the yourself. Keeping the Paton house EXPENSES property and running it as a birding open to the public is in all our destination for many years to come. interests. For full details and to make We need your help. We have a donation, please go to: www. Shop great plans and the full backing of patonshummingbirdhaven.org 21% Conservation 17% the Paton family, Michael and Donna, Or mail a check to Paton’s Tucson Audubon Society and many Hummingbird Haven, P.O. Box 817, Education more organizations. We also have the Patagonia, AZ 85624-0817 6% Outreach Unaudited 13%

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 9 TUCSON AUDUBON NEWS ROUNDUP VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Volunteer News Roundup Meet Sherry Massie, Volunteer of Becky Aparicio, Volunteer Coordinator the Quarter at Tucson Audubon.

Retirement is the point for responsible help willing to learn Sherry is a California Native who where a person administrative and managerial skills. worked previously as the Librarian stops employment For more details, contact Becky and Archivist for the Department of completely. This old [email protected] or Defense. She became a birder in crone (a woman 520-629-0510 x7011. 2002, shortly after moving to Tucson coming of age) and then became a member of United Way Days of Caring KROESEN KENDALL is putting aside Tucson Audubon in 2004. October 1, 7:30 am–noon her laptop, pencils, Sherry recently began Unusual event that happened Arthur Pack Regional Park. See p 6 cash register, Excel volunteering, and bringing us while birding: Recently, Sherry for details. spreadsheets, and will her wonderful knowledge and walked into her backyard at night make her “swan song.” A part of BioBlitz experience, for the Tucson and saw a female peacock sitting me regrets the thought of not being October 21 & 22 Audubon Library at the University on her roof! The peacock stayed involved with the inner workings of Join National Geographic and the Location. She conducted research there all night, and was there in Tucson Audubon and in particular National Park Service, together with on software for our library to soon the morning long enough for her to the camaraderie of the staff, but the Friends of Saguaro National Park and bring our collection online, and has prove the sighting with photos. The bigger part of me is welcoming the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, for put together procedures for the peacock proceeded to walk around possibilities that a freer existence the Saguaro National Park BioBlitz . future of our library to make it more the neighborhood a bit, and hasn’t entertains. To the volunteer staff at Ten volunteers are needed to interact accessible to our members. (See been seen since. Agua Caliente Park—Larry, Lexie, with Tucson third through sixth grade p 11 for more about the new Library Something most people don’t Sharon, Liz, Laura, Fran, Shirley, students to share their birding skills Software.) She will soon be helping know about Sherry is that she really Maggie and Tom—special thanks for for Friday’s education day. To lead us to upload our entire library doesn’t like to do the same thing their hard work and friendship as I or join a volunteer bird survey team, collection to the new online software, twice. She likes new experiences continued overseeing the “best little see p 5. and will be getting our check-out and adventures (new travel process in order. destinations, new restaurants, new nature shop” in Tucson while also TogetherGreen Volunteer Days Favorite bird: Her favorite bird, movies, learning new things, etc.) tackling the position of Volunteer Volunteers are needed for various at the moment, is one we see all However, she will occasionally Coordinator. My work with all the TogetherGreen projects on the the time, the Cactus Wren. She is repeat something if it was really volunteers that make Tucson Audubon following dates (8 am–noon): intrigued by how curious they are special. such a success has been a joy. October 1 & 15, November 12, about their environment and how Sherry also enjoys astronomy, December 3, January 16 & 28, they always seem to be moving at hiking, camping, travel (anywhere!), New Volunteers February 25 full tilt! good dining, origami, beading, Welcome to Mike Sadatmousavi; Ed See p 6 for details. and Linda Bartlett; Carly Campbell; Favorite place to bird: She pottery making and reading. Pete and Betty Bengston; Kate Save the Date loves to go birding up Mt. Lemmon Wow, we are so excited to have Reynolds Holiday Cookie Exchange for and to Madera Canyon because of Sherry as part of our volunteer team! All Volunteers the variety of birds and wildlife both Thanks, Sherry, for all of your efforts. Volunteers Needed December 14, Wednesday places offer while being so close to home. Agua Caliente Park 2–3:30 pm Nature Shop Tucson Audubon library. You bring the Additional assistance is needed to cookies; we supply the lunch goodies Member’s Annual Holiday Potluck keep this little volunteer shop running for this great way to enjoy each others December 5 smoothly. This wonderful outreach for company. RSVP: Jean Barchman, Tucson Audubon is open Thursday, [email protected] or We invite all members to attend When you RSVP, be prepared Friday, and Saturday with needs 520-629-0510 x7002. Tucson Audubon’s Annual Holiday to designate the potluck item you Potluck, on Monday, December 5, would like to bring--salad, main dish, at St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal vegetarian dish, or dessert. Please Farewell Becky Church, Murphey Gallery East Room, bring plates, cutlery and serving on the northeast corner of Campbell utensils from home. We will provide During a time when Tucson Audubon Agua Caliente Nature Shop as well Avenue and River Road. There is the punch and tea. (No alcoholic has to do much more with much less, as turning her hand to all manner of plenty of parking at this location beverage will be served due to church Becky Aparicio has been a real star in outreach opportunities for which we behind the church. You can access regulations). In addition to a wonderful our circle. Becky is the first Volunteer thank her greatly. We’ll miss Becky’s the lot from either Campbell Ave or presentation and awesome food, Coordinator for Tucson Audubon entrepreneurial spirit and energy, and River Road. Please call the Nature we will also be holding a raffle of in recent times, and has forged our her cheerful presence at all activities. Shop at 520-629-0510 x7015 or Jean unique one-of-a-kind items and other volunteer program very successfully. We all wish her the best in her Barchman at 520-209-1802 to reserve collectables, so bring your checkbook! While organizing our volunteer retirement, and we hope to recruit her your place as soon as possible or to We look forward to seeing you there! program, she continued to run our soon as a volunteer! volunteer for the event.

10 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. TUCSON AUDUBON NEWS ROUNDUP

Important Bird Areas Changes in the Arizona Important Bird Area Program Jennie MacFarland, IBA Conservation Biologist

After ten years of seeking out and Program! If you are identifying the habitats in Arizona that interested in joining the are most critical for birds, the Arizona monitoring effort in the Important Bird Area (IBA) Program future, please contact has entered a new phase. The Jennie MacFarland emphasis has switched from seeking at jmacfarland@ out the locations most important for tucsonaudubon.org birds to monitoring those that have already been identified. While new Goodbye Scott! IBAs will be added, much more time After ten years of being an and effort will be committed to visiting absolutely invaluable member of existing IBAs, especially those that the Tucson Audubon Society and the have never been surveyed. We need driving force of the Arizona IBA, Scott to make sure that the elements that Wilbor has decided to open a new made these habitats IBAs remain door and we wish him well! Scott has intact and useful to our native birds. left Tucson Audubon to continue his At the upcoming IBA science education at the University of Arizona committee meeting in Phoenix, three and learn all about GIS (Geographic new IBAs and one expansion will be Information Systems) which he will be proposed. Hopefully, the San Rafael able to use to see wildlife ecology in a Valley, Aubrey Valley and Cliffs, and whole new light. the Patagonia Mountains will be Scott leaves behind a program of designated as new IBAs and the which we can be proud. The AZIBA Sabino Canyon IBA will be expanded program would not be in the place it is to include Tanque Verde Wash. At now, with 40 (hopefully soon to be 43) this meeting, the new monitoring identified IBAs, without his continuous

plan will also be decided. IBAs will BROOKS ESPERERO CANYON, MATT hard work and vision. Scott has been be ranked by both their biodiversity with the Arizona program since its and vulnerability which will help the Another new emphasis on the public is invited to visit these habitats inception in 2001 and he set the committee to determine which IBAs Arizona IBA program is public and experience why these area are so tone for the scientifically rigorous need to be monitored first. Once this awareness of and involvement with important for birds. To further increase committee-based program it is is established, a schedule will be the Important Bird Areas. We will public awareness of this program, today, utilizing citizen science to help made so these IBAs can each be soon be using e-Bird as a tool for there will be an e-newsletter for the identify habitats vital to bird species of visited four times and surveyed. We the general birding public to help us Arizona IBA Program circulated twice conservation concern. will soon be recruiting new volunteers monitor the birds in IBAs and thereby a year along with a pocket-sized guide While this is a sad day for Tucson to help us conduct these surveys. gather more data than we ever could to all of Arizona’s IBAs and what birds Audubon, it is hopefully the beginning Watch for announcements of training on our own. There will also be several visitors can possibly see there. of a grand new adventure for Scott. workshops this winter if you are celebration events centered around This is a very exciting time for Good luck Scott! interested in conducting bird surveys. specific IBAs in Spring 2012 where the the Arizona Important Bird Area

Tucson Audubon Awards

Several years ago Tucson Audubon We are now looking for by committee with the approval of the instituted three awards to honor nominations for the 2012 award to Board of Directors. people and institutions in Southern be presented at our gala on Tuesday, The awards are The Wally and Arizona for outstanding work in February 7, 2012. The nomination Marion Paton Award for Outstanding conservation, education, and form is available on the website at Contributions to Birding, The Kenn recreation. Each of those awards www.tucsonaudubon.org, at the Kaufman Award for Excellence in was named for someone who had Nature Shop, or by calling 520-629- Education Relating to the Natural contributed to that area. The first 0510 x7002 and requesting one to World and The David Yetman award in each category was awarded be sent. Nominations will close on Award for Exhibiting or Promoting

to the named individual. December 1, 2011. Selection will be Conservation in Southern Arizona. KROESEN KENDALL AWARD, YETMAN DAVID THE FIRST MICH COKER PRESENTING

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 11 TUCSON AUDUBON NEWS ROUNDUP

Happy Birthday! Vermilion Society

Best wishes to our October birthday members: Kathy Create a legacy that will benefit others that his home should always be filled Olmstead, Barbara Schneidau, Rich Barchman, Karen for generations by including Tucson with research, education and life-long Nickey, Marilyn Malone, Michael Septoff, Max Jarrett, John Donoghue, Marcia Audubon Society in your estate learning. His remarkable property, Johnson, Jacqueline Caird, Carol Westberg, Patricia McAlarnen, Beverley planning. Your gift will express, in at the confluence of Bear Creek and Prentice, William Davies, Patricia Monahan, Norman Sherman, William a lasting way, your commitment to Sabino Canyon, is now a fledgling Wieboldt, Frances Cox, Joseph Bartell, Melinda Irvin, Karen Carlson, Rosie preserving the diversity of Southern Tucson Audubon nature sanctuary, Bennett, Marylee Peterson, Trudi Wieduwilt, Gary Wilson, Joyce Bolinger, Jim Arizona’s rich avifauna and the with endowed funds to support its Burns, Jim Easter, Pamela Baum, Mary Mareck habitats they call home. stewardship in perpetuity. The contribution of Dr. John For more information on the Best wishes to our November birthday members: G. Donald Kucera, Madden is a good example of the benefits of becoming a Vermilion Sally Wills, Liz Harrison, Arlene Helsel, Mary Lerner, Jane Lombardo, Paula generosity and foresight of Vermilion Society member, please contact Schlusberg, Joseph Ornstein, Silvine Farnell, Sylvia Foster, Peggy Wang, Joan Society members. Dr. Madden turned Executive Director, Paul Green at Warfield, Chris Harrison, Thomas Rehm, Nancy Trimmer, Margo Lightfoot, Bob to Tucson Audubon to fulfill his vision 520-235-1796. McKay, Marilyn Bicking, Debra Rosko, Martha Sewell, Bruce Weise, Marilyn Snyder, John Woods, Gail Hershberger, Rob Hastings, Carol Eagle, Patricia Meyers, Molly Pollock, Mary Jane Magee Best wishes to our December birthday members: Walter Alexander, Mary Ellen Bartholomew, Ervine Munroe, Douglas Higgins, Art Quinn, Gail Gibbon, Douglas Evans, Elaine Padovani, Sharon Tice, Christine Eggert, Doris Evans, Margaret Wilch, Anne Davis Latham, Kelly Bales, Myrna Beards, Matt Griffiths, Brenda Burton, Denise Lanuez, Sharon Mathers, Julie Miller, Don Elvestrom, Marjorie Flory, Harvey Deardorff, Anthony Rodriguez, Jean Smith, Thomas Purdon, JoAnna Westmoreland, Clint Harrold, Jan Newlin, Lia Sansom, Ilene Thompson, Anita Stafford, John Lamey, Peggy Portman, A. Robin McGee, Cheryl Goodberg, Bette Richards, Ginny Sherman, Jennifer Turner, Timothy Walsh, Larry Spooner We wish to thank Jean Barchman, Aaron Pie, Barrie Ryan, Lynda Smith, and Martha Wiewel for their generous donations to the birthday fund. Have you remembered Tucson Audubon Society in your estate planning? Please let us know. VERMILION FLYCATCHER, PABLO LÈAUTAUD PABLO VERMILION FLYCATCHER,

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! Library Software Shelly Ann Abbott, Ross and Marianne Adams, Walter and Susan Alexander, Sherry Massie, Volunteer Librarian Martha Anderson, Theodore Bahn, Jennifer Bappert, David Bass, Nancy Tucson Audubon is purchasing a The software will also help Biggins, Bruce Bixler, Nancy Blunck, Ann Brace, Sue Bush, Kacey Carleton, library automation package called enhance the collection for the Fiona Clark, Richard Clingaman, Christopher Cokinos, Patricia Cummiskey, ResourceMate Plus. This package will membership by allowing us to track Noni Davis, Shelia DeVoe Heidman, Amy Finkel, Susan Fishburn, Murray allow the society for the first time to what items seem to be the most Fisher and Carroll Mager, Jessica Gabriel, Cathy Goodwin, Sarah Grubaugh, automate the library collection for the popular for check-out, where we have Jim and Christine Hackley, Judy Herndon, Joseph Hill, Suzi Hollingsworth, membership. Items in the collection gaps to fill, and where there is too Pete and Sharon Irish, Ronna Laager, Kathryn Lance, Marlene Lasko, will be cataloged according to Library much duplication. A ‘guestimate’ for Thomas Lawler, Leica Sport Optics, Marie Levy, Shelley Long, Lois Manowitz, of Congress standards, and will be going live with the Tucson Audubon Tony and Pat Mathios, Larry and Karen Morrison, Pam Hyde-Nakai, Don and fully searchable from a weblink on the Library link is early 2012. Ellen Nakano, David and Celine Olvera, Thomas Olvera, Benjamin Rackham, Tucson Audubon website. Members Dedicated monetary donations to Shannon Radke, Bette Richards, Kay Richter, Heather RoDee, Carl Russell, will be able to search the collection by the library have made this software Vikas Saksena, Delores Schultz, Susan Scott, Larry Selman, Jolie Sibert and the usual fields (author, title, subject) purchase possible. Thanks should Gino Lampini, Larry Spooner, Gary and Sharon Stacey, Laura Stafford, Susan as well as location (Mason Center also go to all of those volunteers and Thickett, Jason Thompson, Dianne Tribo, Linda Verbiscar, Barbara and John or Tucson Audubon Main Office), staff who have kept the library going, Walker, Caryl Wallin, Mo Walters, Dick West, Mary Zaldkar ISBN, publisher, etc. Members can to include the late David West who We welcome Leica Sport Optics as a new Birds & Business Alliance Copper find out what items are available and set up a subject-based classification Level Member. call in a request to reserve a book for scheme which served the society well Jean Barchman,Membership Coordinator checkout. for many years. VF

12 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Interesting stories about birds with interesting ­names Lesser Nighthawks have unusually effective adaptation to both Lesser Nighthawk extremely hot and also

LARRY LIESE cold environments. IN A NAME

Nighthawks and their kin are intriguing that this bird’s typical flight while foraging dusk. Another fascinating adaptation is a birds, filling an ecological niche between for insects is marvelous to behold. It has blood vessel arrangement that keeps their WHAT’S regular daytime birds and owls. They light wing loading and often flies slowly brains more than two degrees F cooler capture nearly all their food in flight, just over the tops of bushes hunting for than their body temperature! mostly near dusk and dawn. They don’t insects. Using a combination of fluttery On the cold side, they are one patrol a well-defined territory but travel flight and gliding with wings in a dihedral of the few groups of birds (notably widely, taking advantage of whatever it flits about in an erratic style, reminiscent hummingbirds and the other caprimulgids) prey is available and abundant. They of a huge moth. It often reminds me of that have developed the ability to go are well adapted for aerial foraging with Northern Harrier’s flight, which shares into torpor in response to cold weather a huge gape and high maneuverability. some commonality in hunting style. The or repressed food sources. It’s not Though their visual system is not geared bird’s common name is self-explanatory— clear how important this is in the bird’s for operating in near total darkness, it is the Lesser weighs about twenty percent ecology, but it’s known to help them adapted to focus attention upwards so less than the Common Nighthawk. “Night,” when they encounter extended periods of as to better detect insect prey against directly from Middle English, was used as inclement weather. the twilit sky. During the day, they roost the bird is most often seen as darkness From May through September in our either on the ground or sometimes on approaches. “Hawk” is derived from the area, Lesser Nighthawks are easy to tree branches sitting lengthwise along Anglo-Saxon hafoc, which came to mean find in small numbers at dusk in summer, the branch. When doing so, their cryptic both “a hawk” and to seize or grasp. aerially foraging over most desert plumage makes them quite hard to see. Lesser Nighthawks have unusually lowland areas. In mid-summer they can Swainson gave this species the scientific effective adaptation to both extremely sometimes be seen in flocks of hundreds name Chordeiles acutipennis .The genus hot and also cold environments. They over the Santa Cruz River near the Ina derives from the Greek words Choros and nest on open bare ground avoiding Road Bridge. It’s quite a sight! Getting deile, which together give us “an evening shaded areas, which is thought to be for a view of a nighthawk nest is another dance” or “circular moving about,” with the predator avoidance. The female (only) matter. They sometimes nest fairly close species name (common to a number of incubates and broods throughout the day to urban areas, but don’t seem to tolerate other birds) coming from the Latin acutus without a break for shade or water. She pedestrian traffic. If while walking off the and penna for “sharp feather.” I find this cools herself with sometimes continuous beaten path you flush one or a pair from latter naming choice slightly puzzling. gular-fluttering plus makes use of other the ground or a low perch, it’s good to Though all nighthawks have relatively adaptations to lessen the sun’s effect. crouch until they settle back down and long, narrow, pointed wings, the lesser She will always point her tail towards slowly retreat from that area. has a shorter end primary that makes the sun to minimize heat absorption As fall approaches, Lesser Nighthawks its wingtips appear more rounded than and so as not to cast a shadow which nesting here migrate south for the winter other nighthawks. I certainly do agree might attract predators. The birds to at least as far as Costa Rica. There will sometimes raise the feathers on are seven non-overlapping subspecies their uppersurface as a unit (dorsal spread out from southwestern U.S. all pteryloerection), helping to keep absorbed the way to central South America, with energy away from their bodies. Gular- those in more tropical regions tending not fluttering can be particularly effective for to migrate. these birds for cooling—without raising Though vastly outnumbered, our their metabolic activity significantly. Due area does include small numbers of to their enormous gape, the ratio of their Common Nighthawk. Many subtle mouth cavity area to their body surface plumage differences exist between the is about fifteen percent, heightening the two species, detailed in field guides and cooling effect compared to other bird quite well in the Cornel BNA series. My species.The resulting evaporation does favorite field mark in flight is the shorter increase their water needs of course, and outermost primary in the Lesser giving the as these birds are not otherwise adapted wing a more rounded look. If you’re lucky for minimizing water loss, access to enough to find one while perched, look water is a key factor in their distribution. for the white bar on the wing to look more Nighthawks prefer to drink on the wing— rectangular than staggered on the Lesser. you can watch them make repeated Regardless of which you’re looking at, passes to skim from your swimming pool these are quite fun birds to encounter. if you find a quiet spot to watch from at Good luck! VF GEORGE WEST October–December 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 13 PREY Birds of Prey in Urban Tucson Challenges for their survival and opportunities to engage in their protection WILLIAM MANNAN AND BETE PFISTER BIRDS OF

Over the last two decades, predatory birds have become common residents of towns and cities across the United States. Their presence has increased the likelihood that birds and people will interact. The results of these interactions are both positive and negative for the bird populations and for people. Most people are keenly interested in the wild animals that live around them, and birds of prey that live in urban areas can be seen up close. Residents are often able to watch the nesting cycle from nest building to fledging. The opportunity to watch fledglings bathe, learn to hunt, and

interact with their siblings and parents is BREWER LISA tremendously enjoyable. Furthermore, these situations provide priceless educational opportunities; especially important in a world where people have less and less contact with nature. The primary benefit to birds of prey that live in towns and cities is a rich and GRAHAM LENTON stable habitat. Nesting densities of some species, such as the Cooper’s Hawk, can be far greater in some urban areas than in natural environments. However, PAUL & ENG-LI GREEN PAUL rich resources (lots of food and water) Top left & right: It is common to see Harris’s Hawks and that birds of prey encounter here are in Cooper’s Hawks perched on top of utility poles around an environment that is very different from the city. Electrocution is a real threat to these birds if they make contact with two wires. the environment in which they evolved. Above and right: Large birds of prey have adapted well Thus, the urban landscape can present to living in an urban environment; a Harris’s Hawk is “environmental challenges” to which successful in finding an alternative source of water and a Cooper’s Hawk at finding food. they are not well adapted. Electrocution NORM SMITH on utility poles, poisoning, urban-related Bottom: A Great Horned Owl perches atop a saguaro cactus. diseases, and collisions are among these challenges. Another problem for nestlings, especially Cooper’s Hawks and Great Horned Owls, is that when they fledge, large-bodied birds of prey and to assess they sometimes spend a day on or near the effect of an urban-related disease, the ground. Well-meaning people collect trichomoniasis, on Cooper’s Hawks. these birds and take them to wildlife Electrocutions occur when large birds rehabilitators, when they should be left in make contact with two phase wires (wires the care of their parents. that carry current) or with a phase and Dr. Mannan and his graduate students a ground wire. From a study done on at the University of Arizona have been Harris’s Hawks by James Dwyer, we studying predatory birds in Tucson for know that most electrocutions occur over 20 years. The primary purposes of within 300 meters of nests and that if the work are twofold: to assist Tucson poles are safe-guarded before nestlings Electric Power Company (TEP) in fledge, the number of electrocutions can reducing the number of electrocutions of be substantially reduced. Based on this BOB WENRICK

14 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Tucson Audubon Nature Shop Winter 2011 Catalog

Author John Kricher ENGAGE $4.95 will present the keynote at Tucson Audubon’s Third Annual Gala. YOUR YOUNG Save the date—February 7, 2012 ! Min pet $7.00 Ladybug puppet $13.95 NATURALIST i-monarch pup You can inspire and delight your child, grandchild, or friend with a wonderful selection of nature gifts to choose from. Delight with puppets paired with books, or t e p p spend time inspiring creativity while working on a puzzle u p rd together and learning about nature at the same time. bi ing humm $15.95 Mini- $15.95 NEW!

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¬ Leica! Now Birds ofPrey Challenges fortheirsurvivalandopportunitiestoengageinprotection WILLIAM MANNAN AND BETEPFISTER inUrbanTucson

ELIZABETH WILLOTT NORM SMITH Visit tucsonaudubon.org of theoffending pole;and2)allpoles raptor, includingpoleswithin100 meters safe-guard 1)all polesthathavekilleda information, TEP developed protocolsto bird populationsareincreasingordecreasing. and allowsustoobtainvaluableinformation onwhether Hawk. This bandremainsonthebirdthroughoutits life A researcherputsalegbandonfledglingCooper’s forupdates andmore. year oflife(ifthey survivethedisease of increasing. Their successisaproduct Hawks in Tucson, thepopulationis that trichomoniasisposestoCooper’s their diet.However, despitetheproblem urban Tucson makeupthemajorityof parasite byingestingdoves,which in protozoan. an aviandiseasecausedbyaparasitic every yearasaresultoftrichomoniasis, Hawknestlingswere killed of Cooper’s in the1990sapproximately40percent fledge Great HornedOwls,beforethenestlings Harris’s Hawks,Red-tailed Hawksand within 300metersofactivenests

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15 Lawns, Landscaping, and Native Birds: BIRD COUNT How Tucson is Evolving

TUCSON RACHEL MCCAFFREY

While my previous articles have focused on the value of native plants and natural vegetation for sustaining healthy populations of our desert birds, other types of landscaping can also significantly impact birds. Of all of the habitat features I looked at, the amount of lawn had the most negative impact on the number and diversity of birds found at a site. Often, bird abundance at these sites is much lower than in adjacent natural areas and many of the birds present are non-native species such as House Sparrows and Eurasian Starlings. In fact, all ten of the native species that I studied preferred sites without any lawn present, and three (Gila Woodpeckers, Pyrrhuloxia, and Verdins) had drastically lower abundances at sites dominated by lawns. Lawns can present special challenges for birds that have evolved to thrive among the cacti and thorny shrubs of the Sonoran Desert. Most lawns are KROESEN KENDALL Lawns and other non-native landscaping negatively affect composed of non-native, introduced bird abundance and diversity. Common birds such as grasses that have been purposely planted Verdin, Pyrrhuloxia, and Gila Woodpecker have a more in place of native desert plants. While difficult time finding preferred food sources and nesting sites. Interestingly, Vermilion Flycatchers seem to thrive in some lawn-covered areas include other urban parks where native vegetation is incorporated into plants, these also tend to be non-native the landscape. species like Eucalyptus and Palm trees or ornamental bushes like Oleanders. For birds like Verdins and Pyrrhuloxia, awareness, many homeowners have which are strongly associated with native actively worked to reduce the amount thorn trees like Acacias, Ironwoods, and of their property covered in lawn or Palo Verdes, the presence of a lawn entirely replaced their lawn with xeriscape typically means the absence of these landscaping. While about half of the

trees. Similarly, the Saguaro Cacti that homes built in Tucson prior to World JOAN GELLATLY Gila Woodpeckers prefer to nest in are War II had lawns, only about 20% of rarely found at sites covered by grass. houses built since the mid-1980s have Additionally, the pesticides and herbicides had lawns as part of their landscaping, frequently used in lawn maintenance can and the number has been steadily reduce local abundances of insects and decreasing. In a 1992 survey, only 8% seeds from weedy plants, important food of Tucson homeowners indicated that sources for many birds. most of their properties were covered Yet, as Tucson has grown over the in grass. Correspondingly, the size of past century, both local governments the average residential lawn in Tucson and residents have become more aware has decreased from about 2,000 square of the importance of water conservation feet in 1960 to 400 square feet in 1998. and reducing our impacts on our desert Many communities have even passed environment. As a result of this increased landscaping guidelines prohibiting LOIS MANOWITZ

16 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. residents from planting lawns on all or part of their properties. As a result of these initiatives, most Lawns, Landscaping, and Native Birds: of the large, lawn-covered areas in Tucson are now found at sites like golf courses, playing fields, and cemeteries. The management of many of these sites has also progressed, as effluent How Tucson is Evolving and greywater are increasingly used for RACHEL MCCAFFREY irrigation and more organic approaches to insect and weed management are being experimented with. Many new golf courses and parks are now being designed to incorporate native trees and plants in addition to minimizing lawn areas, allowing them to fulfill both their recreational purposes and serve as wildlife habitat. For birds, one great example of the success of these changes is the Vermilion Flycatcher (this newsletter’s namesake!). Typically found in riparian areas and desert scrub, data from the Tucson Bird Count indicates that one of the highest concentrations of Vermilion Flycatchers in Tucson is at James Kreigh Park in Oro Valley, where they can often be spotted making periodic flights to catch insects from perches on fences and native trees surrounding the playing fields. VF

Rachel McCaffrey has served as coordinator of the Tucson Bird Count since 2003, and JOAN GELLATLY completed her doctorate at The University of Arizona. Her research has focused on issues related to urban birds.

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Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 17 Avra Valley Wastewater Ponds

BIRDS TO SEE BIRDS TO Still Produce the Birds JOHN HIGGINS

The Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment Knot, Ruddy Turnstone, Red-necked Facility (AVWTF), fifteen miles southwest and Red Phalarope. Since the re- of Tucson, has long been a local opening, twenty-one species have WHERE TO WHERE TO GO birding hot spot, especially for migrating shown up, including Dunlin, Long- shorebirds and ducks. But the facility billed Curlew, Short-billed Dowitcher, was closed in 2007 for almost two years Wilson’s Phalarope and Semipalmated of major renovations. The two large Plover and Sandpiper. Black-necked Stilts ponds, which were several feet deep and Killdeers have been nesting and and inhabited by tiger salamanders, were raising young. The new basins with their RICK WRIGHT replaced by a dozen shallow ponds. steep walls actually make it easier to look AVWTF is still a good spot to look for sandpipers during Water is now released for percolation into down on the shorebirds. migration, sparrows in winter, and raptors all year. the ground in only three narrow ponds at Before 2007 eighteen kinds a time. A row of large irrigated passerine- of sparrows, grosbeaks, finches, ponds. None of these birds have been attracting cottonwood and ash trees on longspurs and buntings had been reported since the re-opening. Ten kinds the west end were also cut down as part reported in the grassy shores of the of ibis, egrets and herons, including of the construction. ponds and in the mesquite scrub near Reddish Egret, had also fed on the So, is it still worth a birder’s time to the fence lines.The state’s first Nelson’s salamanders. Since the construction drive out to the Avra Valley ponds? Are Sharp-tailed Sparrow was photographed only five kinds of large waders have there still birds to see out there? To find there in 2003. Now ten species are being visited, mostly White-Faced Ibis. Now out, I visited the site 94 times (almost seen. Vesper, Lark and White-Crowned also hard to find are gulls and terns. weekly) since it was re-opened in August Sparrows are common in the winter, Before the renovation, a dozen species of 2009. I also reviewed the sightings as well as Lark Buntings. Savannah, had been recorded, including Elegant, reported by the Tucson RBA, AZ-NM Brewer’s and Lincoln’s Sparrows were Caspian and Common Tern, as well as Listserv and eBird during the past two also reported. Blue Grosbeaks and Sabine’s, Bonaparte’s and Heerrman’s years. Lazuli Buntings are seen in the summer. Gulls. Since August 2009, only one gull, a The bottom line is that AVWTF is still However, no winter longspurs have been Franklin’s, has been seen. No terns have a good spot to look for sandpipers during reported since the reconstruction. been reported. migration, sparrows during the winter Before the renovations, eighteen kinds Despite the dramatic changes to this and raptors all year. of raptors and owls had been sighted habitat, one hundred and thirty kinds Before the construction, thirty-one at AVWTF, including kites, Osprey, of birds have been observed since the kinds of shorebirds and small waders Golden Eagle and Burrowing Owl. Since reconstruction. Some things remain had been recorded, including Red then, a dozen species have been seen, the same. Gambell’s Quail and Greater including Merlin, Crested Caracara, Roadrunners are still running around. Peregrine Falcon, Black Vulture and The variety of woodpeckers, flycatchers Swainson’s Hawk. No owls have been and warblers appear unchanged. AVWTF reported. Before the construction, thirty is still one of the easiest places to find species of ducks, swan and geese had a Bell’s Vireo in the summer. During been recorded, including scoters, Long- the winter of 2009, both Western and tailed Duck and Tundra Swan. With the Mountains Bluebirds provided color. And water now being always shallow and no there is the additional treat of occasional more salamanders to eat, the “fish- sightings of coyotes and javelinas coming eating” and diver ducks have stopped in for water. If you visit the AVWTF, please visiting. Since the re-opening, eleven follow the access information in Tucson species of surface-feeding ducks have Audubon’s Finding Birds in Southeast showed up, mostly teals, wigeons, Arizona. VF Mallards and Northern Shovelers. One kind of geese, White-fronted, was John Higgins has been taking fellow reported. birders, especially beginners, out on field Before the 2007 closure, Common trips for Tucson Audubon for twenty-five Loons, both cormorants, both pelicans years. Introduced to nature while growing up and six kinds of grebes would feed off in Colorado, he has been lucky enough to see the salamanders in the three-foot deep birds from Austria to Alaska to the Amazon. AMERICAN AVOCETS AND BLACK-NECKED STILT, DAVID QUANRUD DAVID AND BLACK-NECKED STILT, AVOCETS AMERICAN

18 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION NEWS Register for AZFO CHRIS MCVIE, PAUL GREEN, KENDALL KROESEN State Meeting October 22, 2012

Put Your Stamp on Conservation… Buy Duck Stamps! The October 22 annual meeting of the Arizona Field Ornithologists (AZFO), at the AZ Game and Fish office north of Phoenix on the Carefree Hwy., is shaping up to be a stimulating and fun event. Following a day of presentations about Arizona birdlife and research, a report from the Arizona Bird Committee, photo and audio ID contests, and a used book sale, there will be a catered buffet dinner featuring Richard Glinski, editor of Raptors of Arizona. He will speak on “Arizona Raptors: Off and On the New Duck Stamp now on sale! When you buy the new Migratory Bird and Conservation (aka Duck) Stamp, all of your Radar.” On Friday afternoon and $15 goes toward the purchase of new wetlands that benefits all wetland species. Hang it on your binoculars with pride Sunday morning many participants using our special binocular keychain! This year’s stamp features the handsome Greater White-fronted Goose. Pick up will join mini-field expeditions to yours today from Tucson Audubon’s Nature Shop. lesser known birding areas in northern Maricopa and southern Yavapai counties. For information about accommodations, schedule, Wings Over Willcox Festival registration, and paying in advance for January 11–15, 2012 the dinner online go to: http://azfo.org/annual_meetings/2011/ The annual celebration of thousands wetlands and woodlands and The banquet speaker on Saturday meetingpage_2011.html. of Sandhill Cranes and other Chiricahua geology. Free seminars night, Ted Floyd will present “Birding wintering birds is coming soon. This cover kids and the outdoors, wildlife at Night: The Final Frontier”. Floyd is is your opportunity to learn more photography, Willcox history, dragons the author of the Smithsonian Field about the birds and other natural & damsels, Arizona jaguars, the Guide to the Birds of North America. Biodiversity and history subjects as well as past and Sonoran desert, National Wildlife Wings Over Willcox has something Ecosystem Services present human life in the Sulphur refuges, sandhill cranes, and nest box for everyone. Come learn more about After climate change, loss of Springs Valley. Tours include Sandhill building. Registration, tour departures our winter visitors as well as your biodiversity is the foremost Cranes—thousands up close and and seminars are located at the surroundings and natural history of environmental concern of our age. personal, southwest mountain birds, Willcox Community Center on Stewart the valley. Registration opens on Recent calls for an intergovernmental wildlife photography, beginning Street. September 1. Tours are limited and panel, like the Intergovernmental birdwatching, Muleshoe ranch, The daily trade fair at the many fill early. Contact the Willcox Panel on Climate Change, to Eurofresh greenhouse and valley Community Center has booths ranging Chamber of Commerce at 520-384- find international consensus farming, Willcox walking history, hawk from birding and field trip accessories, 2272, 800-200-2272 or go online at on protecting biodiversity have stalks, sparrow seeks, grassland original art and photography to arts www.wingsoverwillcox.com for further led to the establishment of the birds, ghost towns, botany, a working and crafts and natural resource and information and registration. Intergovernmental Science-Policy cattle ranch, local archeology, local history displays. Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES; see IPNES.net). IPBES will be an interface between the scientific community and policymakers that aims to build capacity for, and strengthen the use of, science in policymaking. Biodiversity supports ecosystem services including air quality, climate (e.g., CO2 sequestration), water purification, pollination, and prevention of erosion, all of which are essential for our continued survival on earth. SANDHILL CRANE SANDHILL

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 19 CONSERVATION & EDUCATION NEWS

Why would our Community want the Proposed Rosemont Copper Open-pit Mine?

In other words, they depend on the beautiful views, clear air, and limited traffic that the mine would destroy. The U.S. Forest Service, in an early draft of the Rosemont mine environmental impact statement, proposes approval of the Rosemont mine. The official EIS is expected to appear in October. When it is released we should all be looking for what it does and does not say about the mine’s impacts on water supplies, water quality, air pollution and traffic, our quality of life, and the sustainability of our communities. A statement by the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce that “Rosemont’s 400 permanent jobs and 2,000 construction jobs outweighed opponents’ concerns about water, land and other resource Coronado National Forest land in the Santa Ritas DAVID ANDERSON DAVID issues” sums up an alternate point of view. However these economic If you have seen Pima County’s model 83. At Saguaro National Park East, Around 4,500 acres of wildlife arguments are simplistic. of the proposed Rosemont mine, you the mine’s emissions would noticeably habitat would be destroyed, with The jobs will last for a couple will likely be shocked by its physical impair visibility 34 days a year and losses for all aquatic and riparian- of decades, but the toxic leftovers scale, nestled within the rolling hills contribute to impaired visibility up to dependent species, including will affect the Southeast Arizona and oak woodlands of the Santa Rita 91 days annually. migratory birds. Aquatic and riverfront landscape for generations to come. Mountains. It is an open pit, more than West of the Santa Ritas, the ecosystems in the Las Cienegas Two recent economic studies a half-mile deep. With tailings and proposed project would pump at National Conservation Area will be conclude that the loss of just one waste rock, it would consume 4,500 least 5,400 acre feet of ground water at risk of collapse from groundwater percent of our tourism dollars would acres of our natural landscape just 30 annually for 20 years. (One acre-foot depletion. The list of species that not be made up by one year’s worth miles southeast of Tucson. is enough for three families for a year would be seriously damaged or of Rosemont payroll, and that the What might our community receive at current use levels.) The water table possibly eliminated from the area economy of Southern Arizona is from this project? We would receive would drop 70 feet in areas adjacent by the mine is long and includes the driven by service sectors, science, a pit lake, up to 1,000 feet deep that to Rosemont’s wells and 10 to 15 Southwestern Willow Flycatcher. One technology and the attractive would lower the nearby aquifer by feet in areas three to four miles away, recent estimate is that around 33,000 ambience and quality of outdoor living, draining groundwater into the pit and affecting up to 350 wells. mature trees, including hundreds of not by resource extraction or exports effectively dewatering the downslope East of the Santa Ritas, century-old oaks that support a broad As Dr. Tom Purdon, a Green Valley area in perpetuity. There is a strong groundwater levels would drop more array of wildlife, would be lost. resident, says: “When we take into likelihood that the water will violate than 100 feet near the mine’s open As Tucson seeks to rebrand consideration the pumping of potable groundwater and surface water quality pit, and from 10 feet to 100 feet in itself as a center for higher-paying, water from our Santa Cruz aquifer to standards, as well as risk seepage of nearby residential areas. This would science-based jobs in university be piped over the mountain, to run a arsenic in liquid leached from waste reduce the flow in Davidson Canyon research, astronomy, optics, solar, copper mine that will send all of the rock and mine tailings. Water toxic and Cienega Creek, both of which and aerospace, the decrease in copper to the orient for processing, to wildlife could run off into Davidson have legal status as outstanding the value of the Santa Ritas as a potentially leaving us with a toxic Canyon and Cienega Creek in the waters in Arizona. The notion that recreation amenity will likely make waste dump in our Coronado National event of a large storm. Pit lakes have Rosemont will compensate for this our community less attractive to Forest, we should take a more critical been responsible for the deaths of use of groundwater with the extension companies considering locating here. and long term view of the true costs.” significant numbers of birds in Arizona of the CAP pipeline to Green Valley Loss of this amenity value also This is not an argument about our in the recent past. is unlikely at best, and even if the affects the towns of Sonoita, Elgin, modern world’s need for copper. It Pima County estimates that costs CAP was extended the recharge and Patagonia, which host a viable is an argument about our vision for for road repair and construction would would not be in the same place as the economy based on wineries, ranching, Tucson, and the degradation of our be in the region of $28 million, due to drawdown. small hotels, restaurants, hunting natural environment for generations 88 daily heavy truck trips on Arizona guides, bird watching, and more. to come.

20 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. CONSERVATION & EDUCATION NEWS

Gray Hawk Nest Failure on San Pedro River Jennie MacFarland, IBA Conservation Biologist

This spring and summer, the Important Bird Area (IBA) team scoured the riparian zone along the Lower San Pedro River IBA for Gray Hawk nests. The team was able to locate six occupied territories in the area we searched near San Manuel on private land owned by BHP Billiton mining company which contains superb riparian habitat. The large cottonwoods along this part of the San Pedro River are full of raptor nests, many of which are inactive or occupied by a species other than Gray Hawk. As a result, we only considered an area an occupied

territory if Gray Hawks were actually WILBOR SCOTT LEN BLUMIN observed in the immediate vicinity. After the territories were discovered signs of nestlings or juveniles as the The fact that the first part of the perhaps the eggs needed a higher and nests marked with GPS, we season progressed. During one visit, year, January to July, was the third level of humidity to hatch than the dry returned to these sites several times we were approaching a previously driest on record seems to be the weather permitted, a phenomenon during the season. On each visit located nest only to find a dead Gray logical culprit. This drought could observed in domestic birds. Whatever adult Gray Hawks were seen in the Hawk at our feet. During the entire have caused such a shortage in the cause of the universal nest failure, territories calling aggressively and season, we did not find a single Gray prey that the females were never this was a tough year for Gray Hawks behaving as though they had active Hawk nest that was successful; there healthy enough to reproduce. Another on the Lower San Pedro River. nests. However, we never saw any were no chicks or juveniles seen. possibility we discussed is that

Conservation Corner!

Do you want to improve your groundcover; use some dense, landscape for wildlife and thorny shrubs as well as airy ones, sustainability? Fall is a great time for etc. landscaping! The weather is cooler 4. Cover as much of the ground and plants have a lot of time to with vegetation as possible. As settle in before the hot months of the well as accommodating more following spring and summer. birds, pollinators and reptiles, this Here is a list of basic principles will also create more shade and to remember. If you want more counteract the urban heat island information, or if you would like to effect. schedule me to speak to a garden 5. Harvest rainwater! The more club or neighborhood association, call rainwater or stormwater you keep me at 520-971-2385. in your landscape, the less scarce 1. Use native plant species—on potable water you will have to use. Sustainable landscaping at The Nature Conservancy HQ in Tucson average our birds are more likely Make zero potable water use your to interact with these plants. goal once plants are established! seed pods—let it accumulate and landscape rock has a high carbon 2. Use a wide variety of plants—the 6. In the mature landscape, minimize use it as organic mulch. footprint. more you use the more species pruning—the more twigs and 8. Use rock judiciously: rip-rap and 9. Then sit in your landscape and KROESEN KENDALL you will accommodate. branches there are, the better for rock mulch have their place, watch the birds come! VF 3. Maximize “structural diversity”— birds and other wildlife. but try to make your landscape Kendall Kroesen, i.e., use a combination of trees, 7. Leave at least some areas where more organic and less geologic. Habitats Program Manager big shrubs, small shrubs and you do not rake up leaf litter and The mining and transportation of

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 21 WEEKLY BIRD WALKS TUCSON AUDUBON FIELD TRIPS MATT GRIFFITHS | INTERIM FIELD TRIP COORDINATOR Thursdays—7:30 am Wake Up With the Birds at Agua Caliente Park. A stroll through the bosque and along the ponds. Loaner binocs available, meet in front of the ranch house. For more info call Pima County Parks and Rec., 520-615-7855. Fridays—8–9:30 am Tucson Audubon’s Mason Center Friday morning bird walks will resume October 7. Visit tucsonaudubon.org/ masoncenter for details.

MORE FIELD TRIPS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE. Sabino Canyon MATT GRIFFITHS MATT Visit tucsonaudubon.org/ fieldtrips for more trips and October deep. Climbing over and under large logs required. This is a rare opportunity and will be limited to the latest or expanded field trip October 1—Saturday 6:00 am ten participants. Meet in Tucson for carpooling at information or call us at 520-629-0510. St. David, Wilcox and Benson Houghton Rd. just north of I-10 at 7 am (leader Keep your fingers crossed for plenty of birds and not present). Meet leader at the Paton’s Place in General Information pleasant surprises. We will check out the riparian Patagonia (East end of Pennsylvania Ave) 8 am. Tucson Audubon field trips are free. For general habitat at the St. David Monastery in the relative Map: http://g.co/maps/7dwe2. RSVP Leader: information call 520-629-0510. For specific cool of the morning. Then we will head to the Frank Kee [email protected] 775-453-0241 Willcox Twin Ponds and look for late shorebirds information about a trip, contact the leader of and whatever else drops in. We’ll stop off at the October 25—Tuesday 6:30 am that trip. Benson ponds on our return to Tucson (by 4 pm). Three Hours at Sweetwater Please dress appropriately for your field trip. Join me for a birding stroll at Sweetwater Wetlands. Bring plenty of water, snacks and lunch. We will Always wear sturdy shoes, a hat, and use sun We’ll check out the paths through the wetlands, be walking a mile or two over over mostly level protection. Bring plenty of snacks and water and maybe pop over to the trail along the river ground. Check the weather ahead of time and for yourself. Always bring your binoculars, easement. Easy walking, good birds, and pleasant dress appropriately. Meet at Houghton Road field guide, and for most trips a scope can be company. Bring water and sun protection. Limit of just north of I-10. About 180 miles roundtrip from useful. Bring money to cover your share of the 12. RSVP after October 7th. Meet at Sweetwater, Tucson. Leader: Dave Dunford 520-909-1809 or carpooling and any required entry fees (eg for bring water and sun protection. Leader Matt Brooks [email protected] state parks). 520-629-0510 [email protected] October 1—Saturday 7:00 am Arrival Times Sabino Canyon November Please arrive before listed departure times. Trips We’ll bird Sabino Canyon Recreation will leave promptly at the time given. Area walking a loop that includes both Sonoran November 5—Saturday 7:30 am Sabino Canyon desert uplands and the riparian area of Sabino Carpooling Sites We’ll bird Sabino Canyon Recreation Area walking Creek. The 4-mile walk includes paved roads Tucson Audubon strongly encourages a loop that includes both Sonoran desert uplands and rocky uneven trails. Meet at the ramada by carpooling and for some trips it may be and the riparian area of Sabino Creek. The 4-mile the Visitor’s Center. $5 parking fee required for required. Check our website for frequently used walk includes paved roads and rocky uneven trails. Sabino Canyon Recreation Area or a National Park carpooling sites. You are expected to reimburse Meet at the ramada by the Visitor’s Center. $5 pass. Return by 11 am. Sunhat, water and walking the driver for the actual cost of fuel. Drivers and parking fee required for Sabino Canyon Recreation shoes recommended. Leaders are Sabino Canyon trip leaders are not expected to contribute. Volunteer Naturalists.Leaders: Jean & Mark Hengesbaugh [email protected] Rare Bird Alert Listen to the latest rare bird alert at October 18—Tuesday 8:00 am 520-629-0510 ext. 3. Report rare birds Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Hike at 520-629-0510 or rarebirdalert@ Come explore Patagonia-Sonoita Creek tucsonaudubon.org with resident volunteer as we look for outgoing/ incoming resident birds and migratory birds. We will Don’t forget to stop in our Nature Shop hike in and along the creek for 2 miles in an area not open to the public on private land. Be prepared for your field and ID Guides, and other birding supplies. to walk in uneven terrain and in water 2–10 ins. Sweetwater Wetlands MATT BROOKS MATT

22 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org/fieldtrips for updates and more of our time together perched comfortably in the park’s Demonstration Gardens, where native and ornamental plantings, fountains, and tiny streams attract a fascinating variety of feathered visitors. Those who wish to are free to wander Boyce Thompson’s gardens and desert trails afterwards. Bring water, a snack, and notebook and pencil; chairs will be provided by the park. Admission is $9 per person (free to Arboretum members). Meet at 8:30 am in the BTA parking lot on Highway 60, three miles west of Superior and 90 minutes north of Tucson. Leaders: Rick Wright birdernj@gmail. com and Darlene Smyth. VF

ARIZONA CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT SCHEDULE 2011–2012 San Rafael Grasslands JENNIE MACFARLAND The National Audubon Society has conducted Area or a National Park pass. Return by 11 am. Escalante). Meet at lower Lincoln Park at 7:30 am. Christmas bird counts since 1900. Volunteers Sunhat, water, and walking shoes recommended. Bring water and sunscreen; finished before from across North America and beyond take Leaders are Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists. lunch. Call leader for exact directions or to carpool: to the field during one calendar day between Leaders: Jean & Mark Hengesbaugh jhhenge@ Kendall Kroesen [email protected] or December 14 and January 5 to record every yahoo.com 520-971-2385. bird species and individual bird encountered within a designated 15-mile diameter circle. November 8—Tuesday 4:30 am December These records now comprise an extensive San Rafael Grasslands ornithological database that enables monitoring This trip provides an opportunity to see raptors and December 3—Saturday 8:00 am of winter bird populations and the overall health grassland sparrows. The number of bird species Sabino Canyon of the environment. Help is needed on most of we will see is not large, but we hope to see some We’ll bird Sabino Canyon Recreation Area walking these counts, so find one or more and contact birds not easily seen elsewhere. Mostly birding a loop that includes both Sonoran desert uplands the compiler for info. A $5.00 participation from cars, but some walking through tall grass and the riparian area of Sabino Creek. The 4-mile fee defrays a portion of the cost of tabulating and over rocky slopes. If you don’t have a high- walk includes paved roads and rocky uneven trails. and publishing the overall count results. See clearance vehicle, plan to carpool with someone Meet at the ramada by the Visitor’s Center. $5 tucsonaudubon.org/cbc for the full list of who does. Bring lunch. Scope may be useful. Meet parking fee required for Sabino Canyon Recreation counts in Arizona. at Houghton Road north of I-10 before 4:30 am. 150 Area or a National Park pass. Return by 12 n. Walter Thurber miles roundtrip. Leader: Jim Hays 520-203-3489 or Sunhat, water and walking shoes recommended. (email preferred) [email protected] Leaders are Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists. Leaders: Jean & Mark Hengesbaugh jhhenge@ November 15—Tuesday 10:30 am yahoo.com Reid Park We will ramble around the park for two hours looking for wintering waterfowl, warblers, January woodpeckers and raptors. Easy pace on flat January 12—8:30 to 10:30 am ground. All ages and birding abilities invited. Meet Boyce Thompson Arboretum: in front of Edith Ball Adaptive Recreation Center, A Wintertime Sit which looks like a big white tent near the zoo. It’s the ultimate in relaxed birding: two hours at Do not go to the zoo entrance. No need to sign the busy water features of Boyce Thompson State up before the trip, but call leader if questions.. Park. This beautiful desert oasis is famous for its Leader: John Higgins 520-578-1830. jghiggins@ wintering birds and rarities, and we’ll spend most comcast.net November 19—Saturday 7:30 am ADDITIONAL BIRD Atturbury-Lyman Bird and Animal Sanctuary WALKS IN TUCSON AND Join us to find resident and wintering birds at SOUTHEAST ARIZONA Atturbury Wash and Lincoln Regional Park, For information on weekly regional bird on Tucson’s east side. This is one of Tucson’s walks from Agua Caliente Park to Ramsey premier washes and the site of a Tucson Audubon Canyon Preserve, please see our website, project to improve habitat. The location is lower www.tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/ Lincoln Park off Escalante east of Pantano Road birding/128.html. (not upper Lincoln Park off Pantano south of Boyce Thompson Arboretum RICK KRUER DORIS EVANS

Visit tucsonaudubon.org/fieldtrips for updates and more October–December 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 23 optional owl walks at night, and provide talks BIRDING TRAVEL on the natural history of the region. Our rates are $1250 per person double occupancy; $100 FROM OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS single supplement, when space allows: Single participants may be assigned a same-gender ADVENTURE BIRDING COMP­ ANY ROCKJUMPER—WORLDWIDE BIRDING roommate to qualify for double occupancy rate. www.adventurebirding.com ADVENTURES Birding Tour: The Chiricahua Mountains of [email protected] • 520-495-0229 [email protected] S.E. Arizona afford some of the best birding www.rockjumperbirding.com San Blas: Mangrove Estuaries, Coffee in the United States. Each tour is limited to 10 Fincas, Palm Forests and More. December Chile—Birds, Wildlife & Andean persons or 5 couples. Tours include: Roundtrip 10–18, 2011, $2,195. Leader: Keith Kamper and Landscapes. Tour Dates 7–21 Jan transportation from Tucson airport, double- John Yerger. The coastal fishing village of San 2012 (15 days). Tour Price (Per Person) occupancy in our newly remodeled rooms with Blas is one of the premier birding destinations US$4,750 • £2,990 • €3,390 • ZAR32,500. kitchenettes, Professional guide, and three full in Mexico. We’ll visit mangrove estuaries, coffee Single Supplement US$700. Flights (Approx meals daily. We offer a newly added day trip to fincas, beaches and coastal lagoons. 25 Mexican cost) US$600. Our tour of Chile covers the historic town of Bisbee. For itinerary see above endemics possible including San Blas Jay, Rufous- birding highlights of this fabulous country as we contact information or call 520-558-2396. necked Wood-rail, Cinnamon Hummingbird and search for endemic birds and other specialties, Golden Vireo. Jungle boat tour with oddities like including the unique Chilean tapaculos called TROPICAL BIRDING­ Boat-billed Heron and Northern Potoo, even huet-huets and turcas and the unique Diademed www.tropicalbirding.com iguanas and crocodiles! We’ll be based at one Plover. The accommodations, meals and wines [email protected] • 1-800-348-­5941 motel throughout so we can unpack, unwind and are excellent throughout and the Chileans offer Costa Rica: The Introtour. February 10–20, enjoy the region’s natural and cultural history, great hospitality. Combined with outstanding 2012. $2990. If you are looking for your first fresh mariscos and green flash sunsets. scenery, excellent coastal desert and rich venture into the Neotropics Costa Rica is the Colima and Jalisco: West Mexican Patagonian forest, this is undoubtedly one of perfect destination. 11 days covering the best Endemics from Beaches to Volcanoes. South America’s most memorable destinations! sites in the country will yield many of the bird March 10–18, 2012, $2295. Leader: Keith Kamper Borneo—Island of Pittas, Broadbills families that define this region from multicolored and John Yerger. The states of Colima and & Orangutan. Tour Dates 1–17 Feb tanagers to dazzling hummingbirds to confusing Jalisco comprise perhaps the most biologically 2012 (17 days). Tour Price (Per Person) woodcreepers and striking antbirds. However, the diverse region in Mexico, where the mountains US$6,250 • £3,940 • €4,460 • MYR18,800 . star of the show is likely to be the Resplendent of the Sierra Madre Occidental meet with the Single Supplement US$890. Flights (Approx cost) Quetzal, arguably one of the most stunning birds central volcanic belt. This volcanic belt bisects US$150. Borneo! This tour offers an in-depth in the world. Comfortable lodges, a bird list of Mexico on an east-west axis, straddling a exploration into the wonders of this extraordinary more than 350 species, in a tour that covers boundary along the northernmost or southernmost island, where our focus is especially geared everything from the northernmost paramo on edge of many species’ ranges. By scouring towards the region’s endemic birds and mammals. Earth down to the lowland jungles of La Selva! this region from its unspoiled coastlines up to We visit some of the most famous birding sites Sri Lanka: Ceylon Sojourn. February 21–5 volcanoes with cloud-enshrouded montane on Earth, including the magnificent Danum March, 2012. $3600. Easy birding awaits in the forest, we should see upwards of 40 endemics Valley, Mt Kinabalu and the associated Crocker “teardrop of India”, where we are likely to see all and specialties, including Balsas Screech Owl, Range, and the beautiful Kinabatangan River. A of the 30 or so Ceylon endemics from striking Red-breasted Chat, Chestnut-sided Shrike- rich mix of South East Asian birds and Bornean Red-faced Malkohas, to stunningly indigo Ceylon Vireo, and Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer. endemics combine to make this a superb and Magpies, and the Ceylon Junglefowl. For those thoroughly recommended birding and wildlife tour. looking for an introduction to Asian birds, Sri SOLIPASO TOURS Lanka provides relaxed birding, great photography www.solipaso.com SOUTHWESTERN RESEARCH STATION— opportunities, and many endemics for the BIRDING AND NATURE TOURS Alamos…Two Ways! Come to Alamos and dedicated lister. Other attractions include jewel-like research.amnh.org/swrs • [email protected] enjoy the great hospitality of El Pedregal, the Indian Pittas, streamer-tailed Asian Paradise- beautiful Spanish colonial town and the many Chiricahua Mountains, Portal, Arizona. Flycatchers, and cryptic Ceylon Frogmouths. Birds endemics birds! In January, we offer a unique 22–28 April; 5–11 May; 23–29 May. Our are not the only thing on offer, as herds of Asian trip that combines birding with the annual Music experienced guide, P.D. Hulce, is a local of elephants and leopards are very real possibilities. VF Festival. In April, we go up to mountain town the area and will take you on daily field trips, of Yecora then to Alamos and the coast for a complete sierra to sea tour! No one runs tours to Sonora like Solipaso! Alamos Birds and Music: January 22–28, $1900. Yecora-Alamos: April 14–22, $2250. Leader: David Mackay. Durango Highway and San Blas: February 4–13, $2850. Leader: David Mackay. We live in Alamos, but our second home is San Blas! We have run more than 40 trips to this area …and it shows! Starting in Mazatlan, we go up the Durango Highway for the Tufted Jay among many others. In San Blas, we stay at the wonderful family run Hotel Garza Canela and bird the many hot spots of this famous tropical birding destination. Great guides, great birds, lots of fun and delicious food throughout! SOUTHWESTERN RESEARCH STATION

24 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Tucson Audubon thanks our Birds & Business TUCSON AUDUBON’S Alliance Members, who have shown their support for bird BIRDS & BUSINESS ALLIANCE 2010- 2011 conservation through annual contributions and in-kind WELCOME TO OUR NEW BIRDS & BUSINESS ALLIANCE MEMBERS donations. Please show them you appreciate their support for us by supporting them. Visit LEICA SPORT OPTICS concern birds and birders, Leica is pleased to www.tucsonaudubon.org for more information support the work of Tucson Audubon Society. Maker of legendary lenses, Leica is a 163 year about our Birds & Business Alliance members, old German optics manufacture. Leica Sport including links to their websites. Optics produces binoculars, spotting scopes, and digiscoping products of exceptional quality and GOLD

durability that are superbly suited to the needs NEW Riverpark Inn • 800-551-1466 * of avid birders. Keenly aware of the issues that

COPPER Tucson Electric Power • www.tep.com STERLING Adventure Birding Company Only a few more weeks to cash in on a • 520-495-0229 • www.adventurebirding.com Rockjumper BirdingTours • [email protected] SPECIAL PROMOTION FROM LEICA! • www.rockjumperbirding.com Southwestern Research Station TRADE UP to a Leica Ultravid HD binocular! This • 520-558-2396 • research.amnh.org/swrs Solipaso Tours • www.solipaso.com promotion, ending October 31st, offers a trade-in Tropical Birding • 800-348-5941 program on new full-sized Ultravid HD binoculars. • www.tropicalbirding.com You can trade in any working binocular for instant SILVER Loews Ventana Canyon savings (up to $200!) toward the purchase of • 520-299-2020 • www.loewshotels.com Ultravid HD binoculars. See http://bit.ly/Ultravid for The Oasis at Way Out West • 520-825-4590 • www.wowarizona.com more information on this great deal. Pima Federal Credit Union • 520-887-5010 The best part is that any pair brought in for COPPER Brooklyn Pizza Company • 520-622-6868 trade-in stays with Tucson Audubon for use in our Education Casa Adobe B&B in Rodeo, NM • 877-577-2275 and children’s programs. What a winning combination! Casa de San Pedro B&B • www.bedandbirds.com Cat Mountain Lodge • 520-578-6068 Down By the River B&B • 520-720-9441 Farhang & Medcoff, PLLC • 520-790-5433 Farmers Investment Co (FICO) • sahuaritafarms.ocm JOB OPPORTUNITY AT TUCSON AUDUBON Financial Architects • www.financial-architects.com THE TAS-IFIEDS We are seeking a person who would bring Fiore Tile Works • 520-971-0677 CLASSIFIED ADS experience as a Volunteer Coordinator as well as Hughes Federal Credit Union • 520-794-8341 support our Development Manager in work related Kimberlyn Drew, Realtor • 520-237-1408 Classified and display ads are accepted from to fundraising. If you have an interest send your *Leica Sport Optics individual members and members of our Birds resume and letter to [email protected]. & Business Alliance. Visit tucsonaudubon.org/ The Living Fence • 520-795-5300 SMALL COUNTERTOP REFRIGERATOR vfly for rates or contact Matt Griffiths mgriffiths@ Mindo Bird Tours • www.mindobirdtours.com tucsonaudubon.org to book an ad. needed for the environmental education classroom at Tucson Audubon’s Mason Center. If you can Naturalist Journeys • 866-900-1146 help please call Jean Barchman on 520.629.0510 Quailway Cottage • 520-558-0019 BIRDS & BEER Third Thursdays at Sky Bar: ext 7002. Radisson Suites Tucson • 520-721-7100 5–7 pm, October 20 & November 17. Get a free THE OASIS AT WAY OUT WEST B&B/Private Ravens-Way Wild Journeys • 520-425-6425 slice of pizza (from Brooklyn Pizza) and beer at Nature Preserve. A secluded trail side location Shaffer Dry Cleaning & Laundry • shafferdrycleaning.com happy hour prices. Bring your bird photos to share. offers close-up wildlife observation and colorful Sierra Vista Ranch • Sasabe, AZ HIGH-SPEC LAPTOP COMPUTERS NEEDED! mountain sunsets. Bird our trails (135+ House List) Spirit Tree Inn B&B • 520-394-0121 Tucson Audubon’s staff are in urgent need of or the Catalinas. 20+ feeding stations, Naturalist/ Sundance Press • 800-528-4827 high-specification recent-model laptop computers Photographer on-site, Wi-Fi, Hydrotherapy spas, for their work. If you can help please call Jean Bike rentals, Eco-Excursions. WOWArizona.com. Swaim Assoc. Ltd Architects AIA • www.swaimaia.com Barchman on 520.629.0510 ext 7002. 520.825.4590. Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson • 520-795-9955 VF

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 25 Support Tucson Audubon... TUCSON AUDUBON Become a Friend Today! NATURE SHOPS ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION ‰‰$35 ­Individual Contributor $100 q Tucson Audubon’s Nature Shops provide for your needs in natural history books and ‰‰$50 Family Supporter $25­0 q guides, birding optics and accessories, and gifts right here in Tucson. We offer a great ‰‰$30 ­ Senior Supporter* Guardian $500 q selection, the best prices, and member discounts. Remember to shop locally. ‰‰$25 ­Student* Steward $1000 q Leadership Circle $2500 q The Big Year — Mark Obmascik *Individual On October 14, a movie version of this classic birder’s caper will arrive in theaters. The movie, starring Jack Black, Steve Martin, and Owen Name Wilson, will take a fictional look at this incredible non-fiction tale of birders competing to break the record for seeing the most species of Address birds in North America in one year. For those who prefer to read the book before seeing the movie, stop City / State / ­Zip by the Nature Shop to pick up your copy!

Email Quick Reference Guides for Southeast Arizona NEW! This wonderful new series of foldout guides is tailored for Phone southeast Arizona. Butterflies, birds, snakes, and wildflowers are ‰‰ New ­membership q Renewing ­membership each covered, and provide easy to carry, useful guides for field use. Each ‰‰ Please email me about Tucson Audubon subject is authored by local talent, and produced at a professional scale. Also available for events ­and conservation ­issues. Southern California and South Texas. $7.95 each ‰‰ Please do not share my contact ­information. ‰‰ Please do not mail me Vermilion Flycatcher. I’ll read it online. DONATION ‰‰I would like to support Tucson Audubon Society with ­an additional contribution of q $25 q $50 q $100 q $­250. ‰‰ Tucson Audubon Frequent ­Flyer Monthly Donor ­Program: I authorize the charge of $____ per month for ____ months to my credit card ($10/month minimum). Tucson Audubon Society will ­use the full amount of your ­tax-­deductible gift for its environmental, educational and recreational ­programs.

METHOD OF ­PAYMENT ‰‰ Check (payable to Tucson Audubon Society) ‰‰ MasterCard q Visa q AMEX

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Expiration Date Amount $ Tucson Audubon Society’s NATURE SHOPS Signature 300 E. Universty Blvd., #120 | 520-760-7881 20% Please send your application with payment ­to Tucson Audubon ­Society, and at 300 E. University Blvd, #120, Agua Caliente Park | 520-629-0510 off Tucson, AZ ­85705 (Attn: Jean Barchman, The new Eighth Edition Membership Coordinator) OR join, renew or ­donate online at www.tucsonaudubon.org Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona No other discounts apply. Expires 12-31-11.

Bring in this coupon to the Nature Shops to get 20% off a copy of the new eighth edition of Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona

26 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Out Just in Time for the Holidays! Tucson Audubon’s 8th edition of Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona. Over the last year we’ve worked hard to update our fine bird-finding guide with all the latest info, including the inclusion of new sites. We’ve kept features that make our book a best seller, including the spiral binding so it’ll lay open for use in the field. In keeping with our commitment to sustainability and conservation, this edition is printed locally on 55% recycled paper using soy-based inks and 100% renewable energy. We are proud of our book that should remain a key item for every birding trip you take in our wonderful corner of the country.

New for the eighth edition:

99 15 new birding sites across Southeast Arizona 99 New maps and updated older maps 99 Updated contact information and web addresses 99 Updated information on existing site locations 99 Updated information on entering Mexico 99 Updated IBA (Important Bird Areas) information, including sites 99 Information pertaining to areas affected by the 2011 fires 99 New Classifieds section for businesses catering to birders 99 Updated bar graphs and species accounts for all species 99 Added a basic butterfly checklist 99 Easier to use index with bolding of key pages 99 Printed locally on recycled paper using renewable energy 99 Bold new cover 99 New photos TUCSON AUDUBON NATURE SHOPS When you support your local Tucson Tucson Audubon Nature Shop’s Audubon Society you are supporting birds ANNUAL THANKSGIVING SALE! and bird habitat conservation. Thank you! SHOP HOURS Take advantage of incredible savings on special gifts, MAIN SHOP field guides, optics, and more. Monday–Saturday 10 am–4 pm, Phone: 629-0510 ext 7015 ONE WEEK ONLY! November 21st–26th, 2011 Check the On the southeast corner of University Blvd and 5th Avenue. 25% off shop merchandise* AGUA CALIENTE PARK SHOP special pullout October–December: 15% off optics, seed, and coffee Thursday, Friday, Saturday for holiday 9 am –3:30 pm Due to the success of last year’s extended sale, Phone: 760-7881 we’re doing it again. Come by any time during the gift ideas! From Tanque Verde Rd and Houghton, continue east on Tanque Verde 2 miles. Turn left (north) onto Soldier Trail, week (closed Thursday) to stock up on holiday gifts, continue north for 2 miles. Turn right (east) onto Roger Rd, avoid mall crowds, and support birds and other wildlife. See your catalog insert continue ¼ mile to the park entrance on the left (north). for gift ideas. Open to members and non-members. Available in-store only. When you need a book, think of Tucson Audubon Nature Shops first! *some items excluded Support your local book store.

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2011 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 56, Number 4, October–December 2011 © 2011 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 joining the Friends of Tucson Audubon. See membership at www.tucsonaudubon.org. Our Changing World TUCSON AUDUBON’S FOURTH ANNUAL GALA • FEBRUARY 7, 2012 • LOEW’S VENTANA

Silent Auction We can only understand our Live Birds natural world in the context Banquet of change, and not as some Presentation by kind of “balance” that once Prof John Kricher, attained remains fixed. author, researcher, birder ~ Prof John Kricher

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

EVENTS CALENDAR page 5 • LIVING WITH NATURE page 7 • Visit tucsonaudubon.org for event updates

28 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2011