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

Vermf li yl ci a to c hn e r October–December 2013 | Volume 58, Number 4 Threats To Climate Change • Habitat Loss Cats • Window Collisions Lead Poisoning Wind Factories

Tucson Meet Your Birds What’s in a Name: Loggerhead Shrike

Plus Nature Shop Winter Catalog Insert Features The QuarT erly News MagaziN e O f TucsON a u D ubON sOcieT y | TucsONauD ubON. O rg 11 what’s in a Name: Loggerhead Shrike 12 Tucson Meet Your Birds Vermf li yl ci a to c hn e r 14 Threats to Birds October–December 2013 | Volume 58, Number 4 why Climate Change Is the Number One Threats Threat to Birds • Threat to Biodiversity Tucson Audubon Society is dedicated to improving from Urban Development • Threats to To Birds the quality of the environment by providing Climate Change Habitats from Water Diversions and –Window Collisions environmental leadership, information, and programs Pumping • Cats and Birds • Bird–Window Lead Poisoning for education, conservation, and recreation. Tucson Wind Factories Collisions and How to Prevent Them Audubon is a non-profit volunteer organization of Tucson Meet your birds • Get the Lead OUT! • Collisions with what’s in a Name: people with a common interest in birding and natural loggerhead shrike history. Tucson Audubon maintains offices, a library, Communications Towers • Industrial Scale and nature shops in Tucson, the proceeds of which Wind Factories, Birds, and Bats: Science benefit all of its programs. vs. Politics • Mine Claim Markers and Tucson Audubon Society Other “Death Pipes” • Electrocutions 300 E. University Blvd. #120, Tucson, AZ 85705 629-0510 (voice) or 623-3476 (fax) All phone numbers are area code 520 unless otherwise stated. Departments 4 events and Classes www.tucsonaudubon.org Plus Nature Shop Winter Catalog Insert 5 events Calendar Board Officers & Directors President Cynthia Pruett 6 living With Nature Lecture Series Front cover: Peregrine Falcon by Will Sooter. Will is Vice President Bob Hernbrode 7 News Roundup a field biologist who has been observing and documenting Secretary Ruth Russell the behavior of a breeding pair of Peregrine Falcons for 8 Treasurer Richard Carlson 21 book Reviews Directors at Large Matt Bailey, Ardeth Barnhart, 22 conservation and Education News years. You can see his work at www.sharpeyesonline.com. Gavin Bieber, Les Corey, Jennie Duberstein, Dave Dunford, 25 field Trips To have your photograph considered for use in the Debra , John Kennedy, Linda Stitzer, Claire Zucker, Nancy Young Wright 26 birding Travel from Our Business Partners Vermilion Flycatcher, please contact Matt Griffiths at Board Committees Conservation Chair Chris McVie, 27 birds & Business Alliance [email protected]. Development Sandy Elers, Education Jennie Duberstein, Finance Richard Carlson, Outreach Vacant, Nominating 27 Classified Ads Linda Greene, Governance Dave Dunford, Personnel Cynthia Pruett Programs & Activities Field Trips Matt Griffiths Beyond Habitat Loss: Other Man-made Library 629-0510 Membership Meetings Jean Barchman 629-0510 Threats to Birds Compound Traditional Rare Bird Alert Andrew Core | Report Rare Birds 629-0510 Driver of Mortality Staff (unless otherwise stated, dial 629-0510 plus extension) Executive Director Paul Green ext 7001 Guest commentary by Darin Schroeder, Vice President of Conservation Advocacy Accountant Michelle Bourgeois ext 7003 at American Bird Conservancy Finance ext 7014 Membership Coordinator Jean Barchman ext 7002 It may seem obvious to those of us in the comprehensive assessment to date on the status Development Manager Erin Olmstead ext 7009 Volunteer and Development Coordinator conservation world that a bird ’ population of U.S. bird populations. Kara Kaczmarzyk ext 7011 size and trend are determined by the balance Threats such as free-roaming outdoor cats, Environmental Education Coordinator Bété Jones ext 7012 IBA Conservation Biologist Jennie MacFarland ext 7004 between reproductive success and adult mortality. inappropriately lighted communications towers, Urban Program Manager Kendall Kroesen ext 7006 In other words, birds that die must be replaced by poorly placed wind turbines, unnecessary night Restoration Biologist Jonathan Horst 971-6238 more birds than were lost if a species’ population lighting of tall buildings, lead poisoning, and even Field Supervisor Rodd Lancaster 256-6909 Communications and Habitat Restoration is to grow. glass windows in our homes all play a contributing Matthew Griffiths 971-7924 For many years, it was a given that the largest role to the decline of many bird populations Restoration Specialist Andy Bennett 262-1314 source of bird population declines was habitat loss (see page 14). By better understanding how our Restoration Specialist Linda Williamson 971-8639 Operations and Retail Manager Sara Pike ext 7008 through conversion for human use and habitat activities threaten birds, we can explore alternatives Operations and Retail Coordinator Kelly DiGiacomo ext 7007 degradation from ecologically unsustainable land that will help to reduce the human impact. Tucson Audubon Nature Shops uses. There are increasingly fewer places for our American Bird Conservancy leads programs 300 E University Blvd #120 ext 7015 623-3476 fax / 629-0510 Shop Manager native birds to live—especially large blocks of that are monitoring and working to reduce some Hours: 10 am–4 pm, Monday–Saturday unbroken natural habitat—limiting bird population of the most significant drivers of bird mortality, and Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd 760-7881 size. But now, to make matters worse, other man- these are beginning to achieve notable results. Hours: November–April Thursday 9 am–1:30 pm, Friday & Saturday, 10 am–2:30 pm made threats to birds are growing. The combined For example, our Collisions Program, working with effect is devastating bird populations. partners, influenced decisions in San Francisco, Vermilion Flycatcher is published quarterly. For address For example, of the 341 neotropical migratory Toronto, and across the state of Minnesota to changes or subscription problems call 629-0510, or write to Membership Coordinator, Tucson Audubon, 300 E. species found in the United States, 127 are known require bird-saving building designs. Our Pesticides University Blvd, #120, Tucson, AZ 85705. Submissions are to be in decline—60 of these in severe decline Program influenced a near-total ban on d-CON rat due the 1st of the month, two months before the date of the and suffering a population loss of more than 45 poisons that harm many raptors. issue. Please send submissions as Microsoft Word or RTF S tewart documents, or plain text files, to Matt Griffiths at mgriffiths@ percent in just the past 40 years. This analysis We are optimistic that—with concerted effort to tucsonaudubon.org. was confirmed in the 2009 State of the Birds understand and reverse these threats—we’ll find

Coordinator Matt Griffiths 971-7924 arm , M att Proofreaders Tucson Audubon staff and volunteers report assembled by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife ways to reduce human impacts, and ultimately

Design / Layout Eng-Li Green Service and many partners, known to be the most avoid further extinctions. VF W ind F © 2013 Tucson Audubon Society

2 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Commentary Paul Green | Executive Director The Roots of Hope

What role does hope have in saving increased and as Congress failed to act birds, other wildlife, and the future of the in 1940. Critical habitat designation for earth? had to wait until The passing of the Passenger Pigeon 1973 with the Endangered Species Act. Snowy Egrets were nearly wiped out by plume hunters in the 1800s.

should remain a lesson to us all 100 There is incontrovertible evidence that aruula P years on. Our society allowed unfettered DDE, the metabolite of DDT, is directly we fear so we can see a way forward. capitalism and commercial market hunting responsible for the thinning of eggshells Skillfully managed, the anger that can to drive the species from 3–5 billion birds in birds of prey and other effects on come out of realizing what is really going to extinction in a little over 100 years. A breeding. Bald Eagles had declined from on can become the energy that we use few people attempted to curtail hunting around 400,000 in the mid-1800s to just to change the world. Action to change in the late 1800s in Michigan, Ohio, and 417 breeding pairs during the middle things is the natural and healthy result of Pennsylvania, but without clear scientific part of the last century. DDT was finally acceptance of a new unpalatable truth. evidence about the scale of the decline or banned in the U.S. in 1972 as the result And the most effective way we have popular support to save the birds, it was a of grassroots pressure, even as DDT of dealing with this emotional pain is to hopeless cause. manufacturers campaigned vigorously turn toward other people. Our inner mind At about the same time, plume hunters against the ban. seeks connection with others, and this had nearly wiped out the Snowy Egret Peregrine Falcons had declined can lead naturally to becoming part of population of the United States. By 1886, from around 4000 to 324 pairs in urgent grassroots action for change. the market created by the millinery trade 1975, recovering to around 3000 pairs This brings me back to the question was responsible for killing around five throughout North America today. California posed at the outset. I believe that real million birds a year, creating jobs and Condors were reduced to 22 birds in change in the future will come not by profits, but pushing several species close 1987, all in captivity. While 435 California hoping for change but through the to extinction. Condors are alive today, 237 in the wild, proactive work of grassroots activists. In the late 1800s, big-game hunter their survival is in jeopardy unless lead As grassroots activists, we have a duty George Bird Grinnell campaigned against ammunition is banned (see page 18). to challenge the public or private right to: an “overwhelming tide of greed, folly, and The list of non-habitat related causes pollute the environment; systematically indifference” to outlaw market hunting of death to birds is daunting (see page remove selected species; spread of wild bird populations, highlighting the 14), and we each know what we can chemical pesticides indiscriminately; and plight of birds being killed for plumes to do in our lives to reduce them. While meddle chemically with our food and adorn ladies’ hats. Working through an maintaining habitats for birds can be water. When the roots of hope transform often-antagonistic American Ornithologists partly addressed in southeast Arizona by into the grassroots of action, we are Union and the grassroots National directing development to land of lesser on our way to changing the world for Association of Audubon Societies, he biological significance and by maintaining the better. A grassroots movement that persuaded the Florida State Legislature water courses, the big issue is human- demands the protection of our natural to pass a model non-game bird protection induced climate change resulting from environment through state and federal law in 1901. A series of federal laws global warming caused by emissions of regulation has to be the way forward. followed to protect birds, including the heat-trapping gases. Being mindful that “we have the best Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. Climate change will impact many government money can buy” (Mark While these early lessons taught us aspects of our natural world, with major Twain), we need to be aware of the that we had to be continuously aware of consequences for habitats and food influence of corporations and their funded commercial exploitation of species, and supply for birds (see page 15). The very lobbyists on the decisions of our elected of the importance of scientifically valid survival of human civilization could be representatives. We have to remind them monitoring of populations, it took us a at stake as our food production systems constantly that we vote them in and out of while to get around to protecting habitats become seriously disrupted. office and that we are watching. that support species. It would be easy to fall into a paralysis So we need to live by our convictions, We could have saved the Ivory-billed of despair when we see powerful interests be an example to others, and join Woodpecker if we had had the courage working to maintain the status quo for together with others and organize to to stop the logging of the land harboring short-term economic gain. Mary Pipher, protect the natural environment that the last population of the species. The in her book The Green Boat, advises first supports us. Margaret Mead said it landowners, Chicago Mill and Lumber, ending any denial of the unpleasant and best: “Never doubt that a small group of accelerated the cutting of the trees used huge issues. Coming out of a trance of thoughtful, committed citizens can change to make tea chests for the British Army, denial is painful, but it will wake us up to the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that as interest in conserving the Ivory-billed the real issues, bringing clarity to what ever has.” VF

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 3 watching is so rewarding. Taught Tucson Audubon by Lynn Hassler, longtime birder, Events and Classes educator, and noted author. Dates: Saturdays, January 11– February 22 (No class January 25). Cost: $150 for members, $185 Let’s Learn Together for non-members

This Season! Birding by Habitat Please visit our website for more details and to register: Southeastern Arizona offers such www.tucsonaudubon.org/education excellent birding opportunities in part because of its variety of habitats. R ed - winged B lac k bird , L ois M anowitz Come experience the fun of birding Location: Tucson Audubon’s in different natural environments Mason Center, 3835 W. Hardy Rd. with instructor Lynn Hassler. One Cost: $25 classroom session is followed by three field trips to different habitats: Desert, Specialty Workshops Riparian, and Sky Island. 2014 Dates: Saturdays, April 5–26 Intended as stand-alone classes, these Cost: $125 for members, $160 for workshops are a great opportunity to non-members focus on a specific group of birds and brush up on your identification skills. For Birders with Experience Instruction will focus on distinguishing R ichard F ray among similar species, identification Moving to Mastery One-day Workshops Date and Time: November 2, 2013; techniques, and vocalizations. Cost Take your birding to the next level. If 9:30 am–12:30 pm is $110 for members, $145 for non- you are ready to move your birding Fall 2013 Location: Bean Tree Farm members. skills beyond the basics, our popular Cost: $50 Moving to Mastery class is for you. Gardening to Attract Birds Spring Programming Content will focus on structure and Learn how to provide food for See our website for more detailed Beyond Birding—Explorations behavior to bring you to a better birds—the natural way—using plants of the Land Ethic descriptions of each workshop. All that offer , , and nectar, as understanding of bird identification. You This workshop explores the concept taught by Homer Hansen. well as cover and shelter. We can will learn how to identify some of the of the land ethic as it applies to Sparrows: February 6 & 8, 2014 support birds and make up for lost more difficult bird groups, use technical birding, conservation, and our own Raptors: February 13 & 15, 2014 habitat by creating these desert- references, and understand bird lives. Through compelling activities Birding by Ear: April 17 & 19, 2014 friendly gardens. Explore the “rules topography. Taught by Homer Hansen. indoors and out, participants will of attraction” with naturalist/writer/ Dates: Thursdays and Saturdays, hone observation skills, broaden their gardener Lynn Hassler who has Education Courses March 13–April 10 landscape vision, and reflect on their recorded over 130 species in her Cost: $250 for members; $285 for own personal land ethic. Whether Winter / Spring 2014 Tucson backyard. non-members as a bird watcher, a general nature Date and Time: October 19, 2013; For Beginners enthusiast, an educator, or a field 10:00 am–11:30 am For Families biologist, we can all benefit from Location: Tucson Audubon offices on deepening our understanding of the Backyard Birding and Beyond University Blvd and 5th Ave. Riparian Family Institute land ethic and examining how that Open yourself up to the natural world Cost: $25 This weekend program for the entire contributes to conservation. Taught by by gaining skills and knowledge about family incorporates children’s activities Trica Oshant Hawkins. birding that you can take with you Eat Mesquite and Other into an atmosphere in which everyone Date and Time: November 23, 2013; into your backyard or to any corner Desert Treats of the globe! Topics to be covered can experience nature, explore, and Do you want to learn how to harvest 9:00 am–12:00 pm include: principles of identification, learn together. The focus is on the rich mesquite pods and turn them into binoculars and field guides, birding plant and life found along the delicious soups, drinks, sauces, beautiful San Pedro River, one of the Register online today! Visit vocabulary and etiquette, local bird and more? Barbara Rose, Bean I.D. and lore, seasonal occurrence, last free-flowing rivers joining Mexico Tree Farmer and Desert Harvesters tucsonaudubon.org/education. family characteristics, and gardening and the United States. volunteer, will take you on a desert Contact for all education to attract birds. You will learn firsthand Date: April 5–6 walk and have harvested mesquite activities: Bété Jones at why southeastern Arizona is such Cost: $70 per person beans and flours on hand to process [email protected], a great place for birds and why bird into delicious morsels. 520-629-0510 x7012

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

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

October 5. Grassland Bird Communities Celebrate the Bounties workshop. Contact [email protected] FREE October 8. Lower San Pedro IBA fall of the Sonoran Desert EVENT migrant bird survey. Contact jmacfarland@ tucsonaudubon.org Harvest Festival and Mesquite Milling at October 11–13. Tucson Meet Yourself (see p 6) Tucson Audubon’s Mason Center *There will be a fee to mill Oct 11–13. AZFO Annual Meeting in Saturday, November 9, 8 am–2 pm your mesquite pods Sierra Vista October 12. Atturbury Wash Restoration Volunteer Day (see p 9) October 14. Living with Nature lecture (Tucson): Food Chain Restoration for Pollinators and People with Gary Nabhan (see p 6) October 17. Birds & Beer (see p 27) October 19. Gardening to Attract Birds workshop (see p 4) October 19. Dedication of Grand Canyon Global IBA October 26. IBA Blitz (see p 7) October 26. National Make A Difference Day Volunteer Day at Mason Center (see p 9) November 2. Eat Mesquite and Other Desert This event gathers our On-site to answer Treats workshop (see p 4) community to celebrate your sustainability November 9. Harvest and Mesquite Milling sustainable living and the questions, sell gifts, Festival (see left) edible bounties of the Sonoran and give demonstrations November 9. Living with Nature lecture Desert. Through the choices we make and presentations will be: (Green Valley): Birds of Madera Canyon with about the food we eat and the way we • Arizona Native Plant Society Doug Moore (see p 6) live, we can leave a smaller ecological • Bean Tree Farm November 16. Atturbury Wash Restoration footprint on our land and create a healthier, more Volunteer Day (see p 9) • Borderlands Habitat sustainable Tucson for birds, other wildlife, and people. November 18. Living with Nature lecture Restoration Initiative (Tucson): Dance of the Continents: Fire and Explore the Mason Center, a demonstration • GeoInnovations Climate in North and South America with Profs Don Falk and Mauro González (see p 6) of sustainable living in the Sonoran Desert. This year, the main • Edible Baja Arizona November 21. Birds & Beer (see p 27) building is being converted into a net-zero energy building— • Friends of Ironwood Forest producing as much energy as it uses on an annual basis. November 23. Beyond Birding—Explorations • Jay & Carol Cole of the Land Ethic workshop (see p 4) Tours of the Mason Center property throughout the day will • National Phenology Network December 7. Atturbury Wash Restoration include bird watching and phenology, net-zero energy building • Native Seeds/SEARCH Volunteer Day (see p 9) upgrades, and other sustainability features. • Pima Association of December 7. Living with Nature lecture Governments’ Sustainable (Green Valley): Pollinators, Plants, and People Grab some snacks from food trucks and vendors with Caleb Weaver (see p 6) Prickly Pops, Isabella’s Ice Cream Truck, and Planet of the Environment Program December 9. Living with Nature lecture Crepes. • Pima Department of (Tucson): Roots of Hope with Paul Green and Environmental Quality member holiday potluck at St Phillip’s in the Choose edible plants from a native plant sale. • Tortilleria Arivalo Hills Episcopal Church (see p 6 & 10) Get your mesquite pods milled into delicious, gluten-free flour.* • Tortolita Middle School January 4. Living with Nature lecture (Green Valley) • Tucson Audubon’s Nature Bring the kids for face painting, January 11–February 22. Backyard Birding Shops bird feeder information, and more hands-on and Beyond course (see p 4) activities. January 13. Living with Nature lecture (Tucson) Celebrate the diversity of Sonoran Desert Kroesen , B rad S teinagel foods—both wild foods and desert-adapted February 1. Living with Nature lecture (Green Valley) heritage crops—and the diverse Sonoran February 6 & 8. Sparrows workshop (see p 4) Desert landscape that gave birth to this February 10. Living with Nature lecture abundance! (Tucson) G riffiths , Kendall For full Harvest Festival details, including February 13 & 15. Raptors workshop M att information on preparing your mesquite pods for milling, visit (see p 4) tucsonaudubon.org/harvestfestival or contact February 20. Tucson Audubon’s 6th Annual Gala at Hilton El Conquistador. Save the date! by P hotos [email protected] | 520-209-1806.

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–September 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 5 Tucson Audubon Events & Classes Tucson Audubon’s Living with Nature Lecture Series This Season’s Schedule: optimism for our future in his talk highlight interesting canyon plants,

Save the Dates F orest which begins with the Roots of Hope. flowers and as he takes you on a virtual tour of this unique region. Tucson Living with Look forward to spring talks on issues Nature Lecture Series and such as Land Ethics and Birding with December 7 • Green Valley Member Meetings Trica Oshant Hawkins. Christopher POLLINATORS, PLANTS AND Venue: Pima Community College Cokinos will tell the story of Martha, PEOPLE: BUILDING COMMUNITY Downtown Campus, Amethyst Room. the last known living Passenger THROUGH RESTORATION with

Located on campus at 1255 N. Stone N ational -S itgreaves A pache Pigeon, as we mark the 100th year Caleb Weaver, Restoration Ecologist, anniversary of her death. Ave. The program begins at 7 pm, Borderlands Habitat Restoration at the Department of Forest Science second Monday of each month Initiative and Natural Resources, Universidad 2014 Dates: January 13, February 10, October through May. Austral de Chile March 10, April 14, May 12 The health of our natural surroundings contributes October 14 • Tucson Note: *Third Monday. Forest fires are to the economic, social FOOD CHAIN RESTORATION a common occurrence in our region Green Valley Living and physical health of FOR POLLINATORS AND PEOPLE of the world. These fires play a major with Nature Lecture Series our human communities. with Gary Nabhan, internationally role in ecosystem health in both New Venue!! We have a new By working at the watershed level— celebrated nature writer North and South America. Despite venue for next season. All lectures harvesting, growing, and planting their large geographic distance, the will be held at the Green Valley Gary will review the current status pollinator-attracting plants—we climate system ties these two regions Recreation’s Desert Hills Social of native pollinator declines such as can help to retain water, rebuild together in many ways. Join two Center, 2980 S. Camino Del Sol. that of honey bees, how pollinator food chains and foster community international experts on fire ecology, Lectures will be scheduled on the thistle , C aleb W eaver habitat can be restored on farms and relationships. Join Caleb as he Don Falk and Mauro González, as first Saturday of the month, at in gardens, and what you can do to discusses BHRI’s exciting projects they explore fire in temperate forests 10 am from November to April. be a part of the solution. He will also that focus on the importance of of North and South America through November 9* • Green Valley discuss how restoring the food chain pollinators to the natural ecosystem for pollinators can affect human food the lens of dendrochronology (tree- BIRDS OF MADERA CANYON with

and human food system alike. Caleb M onarch fedding on ring research) as well as observations security in the face of climate change. Doug Moore, Education Director, will also give you tips on how to of current fires. There will be a book signing after the Friends of Madera Canyon design a resource-conscious, native lecture, where we will highlight Gary’s December 9 • Tucson Note: *Second Saturday. Madera wildlife garden in your own backyard! most recent book, Growing Food in a Canyon is one of the premier birding Holiday Potluck*: ROOTS OF Spring talks will take us birding in Hotter, Drier Land. spots in southeastern Arizona and HOPE with Paul Green, Executive Western Central Mexico with David it is right in our backyard! Join November 18* • Tucson Director, Tucson Audubon Society MacKay and into the grasslands with Doug as he presents an overview DANCE OF THE CONTINENTS: Note: *At St. Philips in the Hills John Millican as he introduces us to of the birds of Madera Canyon FIRE AND CLIMATE IN NORTH AND Episcopal Church (see p 10). the Antelope Fencing Project and and its surrounding area. Discover SOUTH AMERICA with Don Falk, At our 2007 Pot Luck, Paul Green how large animals are managed in what birds you can see at different Associate Professor in the University gave a presentation entitled this unique ecosystem. of Arizona School of Natural Small Fluorescent Bird about our elevations and habitats, including 2014 Dates: January 4, February 1, Resources and the Environment, and relationship with carbon. At this year’s residents, seasonal migrants and March 1, April 5 Mauro González, Associate Professor Pot Luck, Paul seeks to provide some canyon rarities. Doug will also

See You at Tucson Meet Yourself FanTAStic On October 11, 12, and 13 Holiday Gift Ideas for Loved Ones Tucson Meet Yourself attendees will of life in the southeastern Arizona meet their birds! Stop by Tucson borderlands, is closely tied to Mexico Who Love Birds Audubon’s booth and our stellar and the tropics. Birds help us to A donation to Tucson Audubon in volunteers will show you how to understand not just our physical honor of someone special is a gift -C rowned H ummingbird , G eorge W est get started, use binoculars, attract place, but our relationship with that that keeps on giving—perfect for more birds to your yard, and where place and the other living things with the holidays or other celebrations! V oilet to go and watch birds. Tucson Meet which we share our home. Join us Visit tucsonaudubon.org/tribute or Yourself is an annual celebration of during this event and share your love call Erin Olmstead, Development the living traditional arts of Southern of this bird culture. Manager, at 520-209-1809 for Arizona’s and Northern Mexico’s assistance. See insert for more diverse ethnic and folk communities. “fan-favorite” gift ideas from our Birdlife, like many other aspects Nature Shops. VF

6 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Tucson Audubon News Roundup

Third Annual Bird & Wildlife Festival Highlight Reel Erin Olmstead, Development Manager

Thanks again to all who attended and the blog for supporter shout-outs, a supported the third annual Tucson Bird festival species list, Birding Cup Big & Wildlife Festival at the Riverpark Day recaps, and more photos. If you Inn! It’s because of YOU that this have any comments or ideas, send G riffiths event continues to grow and thrive. them our way. We hope you’ll join us D ouglas E vans M att With so many special guests and next year! Mark your calendars for memorable moments, it’s impossible August 13–17, 2014—the 4th annual to capture all the excitement (and our festival will feature Steve N.G. Howell gratitude) on just one page. Check as keynoter.

Do you “Like” the Tucson Bird

& Wildlife Festival? Visit www. F inch facebook.com/tucsonbwf J ennie D uberstein D ebra S tafford L aura L ouise Z emaitis

Row 1, L to R: Enviro-educator/Bird paparazzo Doris Evans shared an intimate look at the nesting roadrunners in her Tucson yard; Vincent Pinto explains the “finer points” of a barrel cactus on the Naturalists’ Saunter. Row 2, L to R: John Yerger (left) and Jake Mohlmann, 2/3 of team “Birding the Midnight Oil,” nabbed the Sky Islands Birding Cup for the third year in a row; Richard Fray (left) and Chris Benesh (second from left) run through the checklist after a great day in the field. Lifers were had by many. Row 3, L to R: Betty and Ric Zarwell welcome Nature Expo-goers to Rockjumper’s colorful booth; A Birds & Butterflies field trip to Brown Canyon at Buenos Aires NWR was a popular new offering this year. Help Fill the Feeder to Save Paton’s Birder Haven • abcbirds.org/paton

A few months ago, American Bird gifted to Tucson Audubon by ABC. We birding community and turning it into match the $120K ABC pledge, taking Conservancy (ABC) approached agreed that, if we can collectively raise a volunteer-run outreach center. To the total raised so far to nearly $270K. Tucson Audubon with a proposal to funds for the purchase ($300K) and this end we have reached out to the Please consider making a donation partner with ABC and Victor Emanuel additional funds for needed repairs international birding community, with online at abcbirds.org/paton or Nature Tours to help raise funds and renovations, we will take on the mixed success. Individuals, ABC Board by contacting Jean Barchman at to purchase the Paton property (in ownership and running of the property, Members, and Audubon chapters [email protected] or Patagonia, AZ), which would then be with the goal of keeping it open for the have been generous with their gifts to 520-209-1802.

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 7 Tucson Audubon News Roundup

Arizona IBA—Purple Martins, Yellow-billed , and Eastern Abound Jennie MacFarland, IBA Conservation Biologist

The IBA summer survey season was characterized by many adventures and amazing encounters. Left: The soaking rains in Sierra Vista this summer caused the Lower San Pedro to flow very high, and many roads were impassable. Right: Evening driving surveys revealed that many more desert-nesting Purple Martins than we thought were using the ecotone between the desert uplands and San Pedro River. Insets: We also found lots of other wildlife along the river including a Box Turtle and a troop of White-nosed Coatis. arland As this summer’s Yellow-billed by. Both teams ended up finishing that river right where the mesquite bosque heat fades into over small speakers nocturnal point count from inside the ends and the desert uplands begin so fragrant fall with and waited for the car with the windows open! it is ideal for counting these birds. To migration just around the territorial birds to respond. They With all of the amazing sights and see this relatively rare subspecies in J ennie M ac F photos corner, there is a twinge of sadness are so good at hiding that sometimes sounds our team encountered this such large numbers was surprising. A ll that the Important Bird Area field we would hear them right over us, summer, one of the most amazing We will definitely be investigating this season is winding down. It is also calling loudly, but couldn’t see them— was the Purple Martins. The Purple more closely next year. incredibly gratifying to look back over an amazing feat for a 10–12 inch long Martins here in SE Arizona are quite In the meantime, there are a few the last several months and review bird in a cottonwood! This season we different from those that live in the IBA events and activities coming up some of the amazing observations the found at least 10 separate breeding Eastern U.S. with a different way of this fall and winter. This fall we are Arizona IBA crew had this summer. territories along 5 km of this excellent going about nesting. They don’t live in trying to get an accurate count on Much of the summer survey work riparian habitat. This is an excellent large “bird hotels” put up by people; the situation in the happened along the Lower San result and further proof of the they prefer to nest in saguaro cavities Patagonia Mountians in our Bluebird Pedro River north of Tucson near importance of the Lower San Pedro that occur near riparian areas where Blitz on October 26. The Dedication San Manuel. This portion of the San River Global IBA to native birds. they can hunt for . The Lower of the Grand Canyon Global IBA Pedro River is stunningly beautiful Our summertime season along San Pedro River is perfect for these will be on October 26. In January and ecologically rich with thick the San Pedro was characterized by desert nesting Purple Martins as there 2014 we will also have a dedication riparian vegetation and lots of birds many amazing encounters including are extensive saguaro uplands that of the Whitewater Draw Global and wildlife. This summer was the fresh Black Bear tracks, a troop of come quite close to the lush riparian IBA in conjunction with the Wings second year we conducted Yellow- White-nosed Coatis, Box Turtle, and zone. We would occasionally see Over Willcox festival. In February billed Cuckoo surveys in this area, numerous rattlesnakes, both Mohave them on our other surveys soaring 2014 we will be surveying the San and we found even more breeding and Western Diamondback. There over the river emitting their strange Rafael Grasslands Global IBA with occurrences than last year. Our were also many adventures including static-like call, and this was the a special emphasis on Chestnut- western subspecies of this bird is of a survey where the river was so high first year we tried to get a sense of collared Longspurs, a bird of critical very high conservation concern due to that most roads were impassable how many are nesting in the area. conservation concern. severe habitat loss. We were happy to (one team did get their car stuck The results were nothing short of This summer’s Arizona IBA find them on each of our three survey in the mud but managed to free staggering, especially during the June surveys were incredibly successful mornings along the Lower San Pedro. themselves!) and two separate / survey. We drove River Road north with great observations resulting in These birds are notoriously shy and nightjar surveys where an alarming and east of the San Pedro in the great data. These surveys would often avoid detection during an all- and mysterious sound was heard. evening, and within 5 miles of driving, not be possible without generous bird survey. To get an accurate picture One team thought it was a Mountain counted well over one thousand help from our skilled and dedicated of how many cuckoos are using this Lion or Bobcat while the other team Purple Martins sitting on telephone volunteers. Thanks so much for habitat to nest we used a call-back later in the season swore it sounded wires and soaring over the saguaro making this a great season for the protocol where we played the call of a like a black bear snuffling very close uplands. This road runs parallel to the birds!

8 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Tucson Audubon News Roundup Volunteer Spotlight

This volunteer spotlight provides Your Volunteer Season: a glimpse at the man behind the October–December 2013 scenes of the Rare Bird Alert (RBA), Andrew Core. Kara Kaczmarzyk, Volunteer & Development Coordinator For Andrew, this is an interesting Welcome to Kim Baker, Sue season of Restoration Workdays time to be the RBA compiler Betanzos, Anna Chang, Dorothy sees a return to the urban habitat of now that technology plays a Fitch, Judy Lillibridge, John Munier, Atturbury Wash. Here, volunteers larger part in . When Laurie Neidich, Marcia Obara, Rob will plant native trees and shrubs, dig Andrew compiles the RBA, he Payne, Vicki Powers, Nancy Rivera, rainwater basins, and work together tries to incorporate place-marker Julie Rogers, Laura Stafford, Barbara to reestablish habitat. Pick up where maps, relevant websites, and Thayer, Linda Vaught, Derek Wung, volunteers left off last year, after other information to enhance the Ali Ziherl, and Bart Ziherl. planting a staggering 280 trees and experience for people—features that Whether you want to spend your shrubs and spreading 25 pounds of would not have been possible ten time teaching kids about science, over 30 acres! years ago. Action uses sports as a platform or giving someone their first look In the fall is also when volunteers Andrew knows that the to help people answer questions at a new bird, or introducing a new who enjoy working behind the information he posts comes with of faith and to point them to Jesus. person to what Tucson Audubon is all scenes can be instrumental in a responsibility. A rare bird, like In this capacity, Andrew has been about, or working behind the scenes planning for some of Tucson the Blue-footed Booby seen in working on the University of Arizona to prepare for such activities, I hope Audubon’s most important public Patagonia, can attract people from campus, in the national campus, and volunteering with Tucson Audubon will events, including our sixth annual around the country; someone might now travels the Southwest. Athletes be part of your fall agenda. Gala and the fourth annual Tucson buy a plane ticket based on the RBA in Action spans over 90 countries; This month sees the culmination of Bird & Wildlife Festival. These posts. If a rare bird is spotted in a Andrew started on this path during our year-long series of “Tucson Meet planning positions offer flexibility location that is not really open to the college volleyball games in El Your Birds” features at Tucson Meet to accommodate varying levels of public, people may try to access the Salvador and Central America. Yourself. Here, you can join the team past experience and current time bird on private property when they When asked what it’s like to of tabling volunteers who introduce requirements. should not. It can be a hard call. volunteer at Tucson Audubon, people to birds. This is a perfect Lastly, if you enjoy our Andrew first got involved with Andrew replies that he’s like most opportunity to share your basic love downtown Nature Shop and Tucson Audubon Society when he volunteers: he doesn’t have time to, of birds and get people hooked! have a few hours to spare every moved to town in the 1990s and say, volunteer in the Nature Shop, As we move into November, other Saturday, please consider attended the free field trips. At the but he does what he can remotely you can be a part of local food volunteering as a Nature Shop time, John Yerger was the RBA and appreciates the opportunity to production and awareness during Attendant. This is one of our volunteer compiler. About three years ago serve in the manner he can. It is also our Harvest Festival & Mesquite positions of greatest need, but it’s also John asked if Andrew, who was a a lot of fun to get the stats on the Milling (see page 7). From sorting a lot of fun to interact with visitors regular contributor to the birding reports he publishes and see how mesquite pods en route to the on-site from all over in this role. listserv, would take it over. Although many web hits they receive—it’s mill, to selling Eat Mesquite books Andrew doesn’t get out birding as astounding. VF in the Nature Shop, to helping locals much as he would like, he does visit discover the special wonders of the Contact Kara about Sweetwater Wetlands and a spot The RBA is a weekly compilation 20-acre ironwood-saguaro Mason volunteering! around his house pretty regularly. of sightings of rare birds, reported Center, will you donate your time Once a month he’ll do a longer trip, by phone or email to Andrew and [email protected] to the locavore movement, Tucson but with four kids and a job, much of disseminated online and by a phone Audubon-style, on November 9th? 520-209-1811 his time is occupied. listing. To check out the Rare Bird It’s finally cool enough to go Tucson Auduboners may not Alert, visit www.tucsonaudubon.org/ outside and wield a shovel for tucsonaudubon.org/ know that Andrew is a missionary rba or call 520-629-0510 ext 3. habitat restoration. Our new volunteer for Athletes in Action. Athletes in D eb F inch D eb F inch B rad S teinagel B rad S teinagel Thank you to the 72 volunteers who made the 2013 Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival a smashing success! Shown here (left to right) are Joe Eigner, Rosie Bennett, Lange Navarro, and Greer Warren.

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 9 Tucson Audubon News Roundup

Wildlife Garden Plant Profile Members’ Annual Holiday Potluck Lynn Hassler, Garden Volunteer Captain Jean Barchman, Membership Coordinator

This is the first in a series profiling 20–25 feet or more long, and have a We invite all members to attend potluck item you would like to bring— the plants that grow in the Tucson tendency to ramble over neighboring Tucson Audubon’s Annual Holiday salad, main dish, vegetarian dish, or Audubon Wildlife Garden at University plants. Potluck on Monday, December 9, dessert. Please bring plates, cutlery, Boulevard and 5th Avenue. We invite Each spring, new growth sprouts at 6:00 pm at St. Philip’s in the Hills and serving utensils from home. you to stop by to see specimens up from underground tubers that can Episcopal Church, Murphey Gallery We will provide coffee, punch, and close and personal. be quite large and weigh up to 15 East Room, on the northeast corner water. (No alcoholic beverages due to pounds. Heart-shaped leaves climb by of Campbell Avenue and River Road. church regulations.) Queen’s Wreath tendrils. Elegant sprays of coral-pink There is plenty of parking at this Paul Green will speak on the Roots Scientific name: to red blooms appear as the location behind the church. You can of Hope. In addition to the wonderful Antigonon leptopus summer heat intensifies. access the lot from either Campbell presentation and awesome food, we Family: Polygonaceae Flower clusters Avenue or River Road. will also be holding a 50/50 raffle (you (Buckwheat) resemble delicate Please call the Nature Shop can win half of the funds) and a silent Native range: chains, suggesting at 520-629-0510 x7015 or Jean auction for binoculars, a two-night stay Baja California and a possible source Barchman at 520-209-1802 to reserve at the Hilton El Conquistador, a round Sonora, Mexico, for the common your place as soon as possible or to of golf, and other wonderful items. Keith A shley south to Oaxaca; name: they would volunteer for the event. When you So bring your checkbook. We look from near sea level certainly be suitable RSVP, be prepared to designate the forward to seeing you there! to 2000 feet elevation for adorning the head Wildlife value: of any queen, particularly Flowers visited by bees and one who enjoys gardening. Be Part of the Vermilion nectaring butterflies such as Palmer’s In Tucson, vines die back to the Society: Remember Us Metalmark, Blues, and Brushfoots. ground in most winters, and it can be Queen’s wreath is a deciduous a chore, depending on size, to remove in Your Will or Trust vine that grows quickly, thrives in sun the dead leaves and stems. Plants are We are grateful for bequests of any and heat, and provides festive floral root hardy to about 20 degrees. size. Your legacy gift will help ensure displays from mid-summer into fall. Although essentially drought that Tucson Audubon remains here to Use it to cover a chain-link fence, tolerant, plants will grow faster if given Thank You to do its job: connecting people to birds Our Donors over an arbor or ramada for summer regular supplemental water during the and the places they live. For more Birthday Fund: Jean Barchman, shade, or up the trunk of a tree for summer months. information about including Tucson Betty Bengtson, Fermin Garcia, color and visual interest. See queen’s wreath tumbling over Audubon Society in your will, please Be advised that this plant needs a the fence on the west side of the Mary Habib, Annette Manson, call Erin Olmstead, Development Marlene Peterson, Shirley A. wide berth; individual stems can grow Audubon garden. Manager, at 520-209-1809. Piplani, Jean Rios, Herbert Trossman, Martha Wiewel Business Philanthropy: . com A lan D. W ilson , naturespicsonline B road - billed H ummingbird , Welcome new members Albertsons, LLC Marylyn Augur, Julie Bailey, Kris Isidro, Rita Jennings, Bill & Kathy Salcido, Sandra Samis, Don Scarlett, Helen MacLeod Administrative Trust Benson & Mike Sherwood, Robert Johnston, Karen Jordan & Rick, Liam Harley Schalesky, Elizabeth Schilling, Billups, Dorothy Boone, Gail Brooks, & Lorelei St. Clair, Vishnu Kanupuru Delores Schultz, Jean Siesener, Gift in Honor/Memory: We thank these donors for their special gifts: Carianne Campbell, Carolyn Carson, & Lucille Le Corre, Trinity Kelly & Lexi Linda Simon, Jocelyn Smith, Chris Barbara Casimir, Gail & Steve Kelly, Benjamin Knoot, Peter Knoot, Smolar, Jerry Strey, John and Colette In memory of Ed Caldwell from Mary Caldwell and friends, Barbara Clendenen, Mark Cocker, Jean & J. Drew Lanham, Don Leach, Karen Reon Tesar, Frances Tourtellot, Cavett, Stephen A. Dolan and Lisa Paul Conway, Laurel Cooper & John Lee, Rick Liby, William Ludt, David Janice & Rick Ulrich, Johanna & Sechler, Cheryl Houser and Gary Gilkey, Steven Copple, Eric & Margie Lugers, Kristine Maish, Michael Willem Van Kempen, Lucas & Steph Hunter, Teena Ligman, Eleanor Craine, Judy Ann Miller & Paul Mardis, Beth Marmon & Stuart Van Latum, Mo Walters, Sandra Manire-Gatti, Kay Palmer, Linda D’Andrea, Cynthia Donald, Debra Teichner, Candace May, Kathi & West, Leanne Yoder Phelan and Mort Womack, Carl Lee Dupray, Patricia Eggleston, Mac McIvor, Heather McLean, Nora and Dale Sechler, Carol and Mark Donalee Ehrhard, LaWren Elliott Mena, Janet Mills, Jenn Murphy, We welcome new Birds & Business Sechler, Marion Sherman Farber, Bernard Fierro, Marc Fink, Patrika Murphy, Emery Nicoletti & Alliance members at the Copper In memory of Jack Dougherty from Ken Fleshman, Lori Fraesdorf, Scott Wert, Jan Pal, Vicki Palumbo, Level: Arizona Birder Casitas, The Hella Nordberg and Alicia Tonnies Sharon Freeman-Dobson, C Dobson Steve & Marge Pellegrino, Janice & Casitas at Smokey Springs Ranch, In memory of Olga O’Brien from & M Dobson, Kim Guinasso, Laura Darrel Peugh, William Phelan, Jane Opticron USA, and Wings Birding Alison A. Maricic Gutowski, Brien Harvey, Jeremy Ramberg, Frances Raskin, Suzanne Tours Worldwide; and at the Silver In honor of Julia Gordon from the Hayes, Paul Hayes, Veronica Rasmussen, Mary & John Rice, Level: Swarovski Optik. Windibrow Foundation Heron, Carol Hippenmeyer, Crystal Christopher Rios, William Rood, Jim Jean Barchman, In honor of Paul and Eng-Li Green Holcombe, Robert Hungate, Alvin Rorabaugh, Janet Sabb, Caroline Membership Coordinator from Rosemary Valentine VF

10 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Interesting stories about birds with interesting ­names

Loggerhead Shrike ame Larry Liese

I’d been a birder for about a week, accomplished predators, able to t ’s in a N sitting in a city park out for lunch from dispatch prey up to their own weight. F red H ochstaedter W ha work one day, when something grabbed Common food items include arthropods, my attention from above. I looked up in amphibians, small to medium-sized refers to where the specimen was time to see a Loggerhead Shrike impale a reptiles, small mammals and birds (up to acquired (Louisiana). male house finch through its neck into the Northern Mockingbird size, no less!) Sadly, this species is declining all top of a chain-link fence. Clang!!! “It’s the Dispatched prey are usually deposited across its range at the alarming rate of butcher bird!” I exclaimed. Never having on sharp spines or thorns, or sometimes 3.5 to 5% per year, down 72 percent since seen one but having read about them in wedged into narrow forks in branches of 1967. It has been difficult for researchers my Golden Field Guide, I never expected vegetation. This latter characteristic of to pinpoint exactly which factors are my life bird sighting of this species to be hanging food items in a “larder” gives the most involved as the suspected causes so spectacular. What a treat! bird its nickname, and is thought to serve are interactive. Loss of habitat may Loggerhead Shrikes (Lanius other functions than just making dining affect both nesting success and prey ludovicianus) hold a unique position in on them easier. A well-stocked larder is availability. Pesticide use has been shown the bird world by being a yet thought to perhaps play a role in attracting to accumulate quickly in the birds’ tissues top-level predator in their habitat. Lacking mates. Prey items that have distasteful through prey ingestion, but it is not known the strong feet and talons of raptors, they or poisonous content are sometimes left how strong an effect this has on the birds’ must defend themselves from both other in the larder for one to three days before survival over time. Also, this species nests predators and their prey, plus be able to eating, perhaps to lessen the potency much earlier than other , and hold, dispatch, and eat their prey, with of these substances. Portions of prey inclement weather is known to kill both perching feet not adapted to these tasks anatomy that contain these compounds adults and nestlings as well as destroy as in larger birds. They have evolved are more easily discarded when eating nests and . With weather becoming ways around this limitation, and do quite them in this way (e.g., shrikes will eat more severe for some regions in recent well at it. They attack from behind, aiding the heads and abdomens of lubber times, this may be another negative in killing their prey by having a strong grasshoppers but leave the thorax, which factor. neck and good killing power due contains poison glands). As George West’s beautiful image to notches in their tomia (the The word shrike shows, Loggerhead Shrikes are striking cutting edges of the bill) was first used in birds worth a good look when you run for breaking the English in 1544 by into them. They will perch in low bushes spinal column. William Turner, overlooking open areas with short They are a naturalist and grasses, and can still be readily found ornithologist who in southeast Arizona where these areas published the first printed are adjacent to isolated bushes and book entirely about birds. It hedgerows where they prefer to nest. derives from Anglo Saxon, Keep on the lookout for impaled prey Old English, and Swedish when you’re birding in areas like this. You origins describing the bird’s may be treated to watching this bird hunt sound as “shrieklike.” As one in its unique fashion. Good luck! VF might expect, “loggerhead” describes the large size of Available in our Nature S­ hops this bird’s head, again an adaptation to its predatorial nature. G eorge W est Other animals whose names include it are by I llustration Loggerhead Kingbird and loggerhead turtle (whose heads are enormous!). The name Lanius is Latin for $37.00 $99.95 butcher, while ludovicianus

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 11 Celebrating Southeast Arizona’s Birds ;

TUCSON meet SELMAN V erdin , LARRY

Your Birds A merican Kestrl , J ohn Kennedy Getting Started with Birding Jennie Duberstein | Education Chair

So you’re ready to Meet Your Birds? throughout the year, from the spring and Whether you want to identify birds in your fall migrants to the winter and summer yard or you are interested in going on field residents. And you never know when trips with others, birding is a wonderful something unexpected might show up. pastime. Below are a few tips and There is always something new to see, suggestions to help you get started. and by going back to the Start with the basics. There are same spot regularly and lots of fantastic resources focusing on becoming familiar with what to look for when you are trying to the usual species, you’ll

identify a bird (size, shape, color/patterns, be more likely to notice Olmstead behavior, and habitat), and I encourage something new or different Scott you to spend some time learning about when it does appear. what to look for. But when I say “start with You don’t need the basics,” I am speaking more generally. fancy optics to be a Meet other One of the things that make southeastern birder. Do you like to look birders. One of the Arizona so special is the great diversity at birds? You’re a birder! best ways to learn of birds. There are 552 species on the High-quality binoculars about birds is by going official state list, so figuring out where to and spotting scopes are out and birding with start can be overwhelming. My advice to expensive, but there are other people. Tucson

you: learn the common birds first, and many entry and mid-level options that Audubon offers all sorts of ways to do W oodpec k er , J oan G ellatly

build from there. Start by really studying are very affordable. Shameless plug: this, from free field trips and lectures to G ila the birds that you are most likely to see, the volunteers and staff at the Tucson more in-depth classes and courses. Now or the ones that you see every day. Learn Audubon Nature Shops will be more than get out there and Meet Your Birds. Visit their behavior, listen to their calls and happy to give you advice when you are tucsonaudubon.org/tmyb for more info. songs, and study their habitat. Each time ready to buy something. And you can you see a new bird, you’ll have a frame of enjoy birds even if you don’t have any reference that will help you compare what binoculars at all (in fact, Ted Eubanks you are seeing to what you already know. coined the term “bare-naked birding” to When you bird a new location, you’ll be refer to birding without optics). Evergreen Cemetery Imagine able to look at the habitat and get an idea Get a good field guide. One thing you’re a migrant songbird, perhaps a of the sorts of birds that might be there. that I DO recommend spending money on Before you know it, you’ll be adding new from the start is a quality field guide. My young Hermit Warbler, flying between

species to your list, and feeling really solid personal favorite for beginning birders is your breeding grounds and your winter about your ability to identify them. the Kaufman Field Guide to the Birds of home under the cover of darkness. As Get to know your “local patch.” North America. It is intuitively organized dawn breaks, the first light reveals you There are many wonderful spots to go for people who don’t necessarily know birding in SE Arizona, but there is a a lot about birds, and chock-full of great are flying over a vast, developed area tremendous amount to be said for having information about behavior, habitat, surrounded by desert. Not exactly your own local patch that you regularly and more. The Sibley Guide is another great news, since you are looking for bird. For me, this is Sweetwater Wetlands excellent option, and there are many a comfortable place to spend the (tucsonaudubon.org/sweetwater). When others out there, each with their own pros I am in town, I try to get there once a and cons. Stop by the Tucson Audubon day resting. Then you notice there

week for an hour or two before work. It’s a Nature Shops (see insert) to check out the T ucson B ird P laces near are some promising-looking patches wonderful way to see how things change selection and find one that works for you. of habitat that continued on p 13… G reat

12 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Celebrating Southeast Arizona’s Birds D oris E vans J oan G ellatly J ohn H offman

Gambel’s Quail House Finch Verdin I brake for quail. I just can’t resist stopping to Compared to more brightly colored birds, House Verdins are the prettiest birds most Tucsonans watch the cartoonish meanderings of a troupe may seem plain, but this streaky brown have never seen. They are small and gray, with of Gambel’s Quail, scurrying across the road or finch has an exciting history that began right here in cute yellow faces. poking around in the desert scrub. There is safety the arid American West. Their natural range included Verdins are non-migratory, year-‘round in numbers, and these gregarious birds will often all the Southwest and they favored undisturbed residents throughout their distribution. They travel in a large group called a covey. Sprinting desert, especially areas with stands of cholla cactus. prefer thorny desert scrub, especially mesquite, away from threats (at speeds around 20 feet per In 1939 a few captive individuals were sold in a pet palo verde and acacias. Providing thorny native second) is the preferred method of escape, though store in New York City and escaped. These House vegetation in Tucson landscapes will assure their they can fly short distances. Finches flourished and spread rapidly. Originally little yellow faces will adorn your yard. Gambel’s Quail eat mostly seeds, and must a bird of hot deserts and dry open habitats of Highly desert-adapted, Verdins can derive all drink water daily or get liquid from other foods like the southwest, it now occurs in nearly all types the water they need from what they eat. They eat insects or succulent cactus . Studies show that of landscapes and climates in North America, mostly insects and spiders, sometimes holding availability of fresh green foliage is the major limiting from edges of northern taiga to ocean coasts to leaves with their feet while searching them for factor in quail reproductive success. The nest is a metropolitan areas. What a success story! The prey. One study calculated they ate up to 540 shallow bowl-shaped ground scrape bordered by extent and intensity of the male’s red is insects, spiders or larvae per day during winter. small twigs, sparsely lined with leaves and . related to the bird’s health, vigor and ability to forage, When available, they also eat fruits, pulp from The female usually lays ten to twelve eggs, which as they acquire these red pigments from foods they seed pods, flower nectar, or sugar water from will hatch all on the same day after about three eat that contain carotenoids, such as berries. feeders. weeks. Prior to hatching, the chicks peep to each In the deserts near Tucson you can see “wild” Believe it or not, Verdin was once a nemesis for other from inside their eggs to synchronize! groups of House Finches far from any house me. Living in central Mexico in the early ‘90s—at While Gambel’s Quail is one of many “boom- singing their cheery, bubbling song. It is also fun the very south end of their range—I searched in and-bust” species, with populations fluctuating to see their city-dwelling cousins around town, and vain. I found my first one in a mesquite thicket and from year to year based on rainfall, the main factor they are one of the few birds that sing all through almost immediately learned what they sound like, in attracting these birds is habitat quality. Dense winter. A cold morning can be made bright by a since they vocalize so frequently. From then on I shrubs or trees provide shade and cover, native group of bright red male House Finches sitting in saw (or at least heard) them quite often, and they plants provide food, and maintaining a simple water a pine tree singing and looking just like feathered have become one of my favorite avian friends. VF feature can provide entertainment for you, too! Christmas ornaments. Kendall Kroesen, Urban Program Manager Erin Olmstead, Development Manager Jennie MacFarland, IBA Conservation Biologist

…continued from p 12 might afford you the shelter and foraging resources you are looking for. Evergreen Cemetery is one of these places. ¶ As one of Tucson’s largest non-golf course green spaces, it is no wonder Evergreen is a great spot to bird during migration. In late fall and early

arbler, Laurens Halsey winter this green space tends to hold onto a few individuals of species like Hutton’s Vireo and Black-throated Gray Warbler that winter in much larger numbers farther south, and it regularly Pine W collects far-out-of-range rarities like the Pine Warbler that stayed for over a month during the winter of 2012–13. Throughout the winter it’s a great place to find flocks of sparrows and a variety of falcons that prey on the abundant doves and starlings. The cemetery is small enough that a birder can cover it fairly thoroughly in 2–3 hours but still large enough to provision adequate resources to a variety of tired migrants. ¶ Think it’s creepy to bird in a cemetery? I’ve heard that from birders before. To me, quite to the contrary, I find it peaceful. A visit to Evergreen encourages me to reflect on the past. I almost always find myself looking at the dates on the headstones as I stroll, and wondering what it was like to be living in the 19th century! ¶ Located at Oracle and Fort Lowell, Evergreen Cemetery is privately owned and open during daylight hours. The birding community has a good relationship with Evergreen, please be respectful when visiting this location. Scott Olmstead

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 13 Threats to Birds Introduction KENDALL KROESEN AND PAUL GREEN TO BIRDS TO THREATS As Darin Schroeder explains on page 2, the balance between the rate at which birds die and the rate at which young are produced determines the number of individuals in any population of birds. Any factors that decrease reproduction or increase mortality can be viewed as “threats to birds,” the theme of this issue of the Vermilion Flycatcher. The threats about which you will read BROWN PELICAN, LEN BLUMIN BALD EAGLE, WES GIBSON on the following pages are real, and When we acted and engaged with the millinery trade, DDT, and other threats, species that were close to extinction or when we have not paid attention to them, extirpation in North America, such as Bald Eagle and Brown Pelican, came back from the brink. species have gone extinct. If we had confronted threats to Carolina Leading Causes of Non-habitat-based Bird Mortality1 in Parakeets, they would not have gone extinct. If we had acted to lessen the dual the U.S. threats of hunting and habitat loss, the # Cause Best Current Annual Estimate Passenger Pigeon would still be with us. If we had protected southern swamps, we 1 Outdoor cats 2,400,000,000 would still have Ivory-billed Woodpeckers. 2 Collisions with buildings / glass 1,000,000,000 Bachman’s Warbler. Eskimo Curlew. 3 Collisions with automobiles 75,000,000 Great Auk. 4 Hunting 70,000,000 When we did act, other species that were close to extinction (or extirpation in 5 Lead poisoning 21,000,000 North America) came back from the brink. 6 Pesticides and toxics 16,000,000 We engaged with the millinery trade, DDT, 7 Collisions with communication towers 6,500,000 and other threats and have thereby saved 8 Persecution / depredation control + research 4,000,000 several species of herons and egrets, 9 Collisions with wind turbines 1,350,0002 Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, Brown Pelicans, Whooping Cranes and other 10 Mining claim markers 1,000,000 species that were badly threatened. 11 Oil and waste-water pits / oil sumps 750,000 When we ignore threats, birds go 12 Gas platforms 200,000 extinct. When we meet threats head-on 13 Collisions with power lines 150,000 and make changes, birds recover. 14 Aircraft 25,000 In this issue we describe many current threats. We need to meet these threats 15 Oil spills 10,000 head-on. In the following pages, we 16 Electrocutions 10,000 describe current threats to birds in roughly 17 Fisheries bycatch 10,000 the order of severity. 18 Banding casualties 1,000–2,000 Loss of habitat, as briefly discussed by Carolyn Campbell, has long been viewed 1 Compiled by American Bird Conservancy, 2013 as the biggest threat to birds. Now climate 2 Current estimate will increase substantially as more wind development occurs change is arguably the single biggest threat because of the complexity of its actions on birds, including of course its the American Bird Conservancy’s new To learn more about some of the effects on all aspects of water. We invited estimates for each of these threats. We threats not covered in detail here, visit Linda Stitzer to write about the effects of have invited authors to write about some abcbirds.org/conservationissues/threats. our water use on habitats for wildlife. of these. For each we describe direct Kendall Kroesen is Tucson Audubon’s After the Big Two of climate change actions you can take to help reverse Urban Program Manager. Paul Green is and habitat loss is a long list of threats. the trends. Tucson Audubon’s Executive Director. We are fortunate to be able to feature

14 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Habitat-based Threats the work already being done in states and municipalities across the country to reduce carbon pollution, and address the q Why Climate threat of climate change. Change Is the Connie Mahan is National Audubon’s Director of Grassroots Outreach and is Number One based at the Audubon Policy Office in Threat to Birds Washington, DC. Connie Mahan

Audubon scientists believe that climate A merican R obin , C huc k oberts w Threat to change is the number one threat to birds, American Robins arriving in the Rocky Mountains two Biodiversity from and point to examples of how a warming weeks earlier in spring than a few decades ago may find that food for their newly hatched young has not reached planet is already impacting birds, their peak abundance. Urban Development prey, and their habitats. The State of the Carolyn Campbell Birds 2010 Report on Cllimate Change 100 years of Christmas Bird Count data, As habitat is fragmented into smaller (www.stateofthebirds.org/2010) detailed Audubon scientists have modeled the patches, those patches support some of these changes, including that relationship between climate information fewer species of plants and animals. bird ranges are shifting, in some cases and bird observations, and projected that Research by the Arizona Game and many hundreds of miles. relationship into the future under a range Fish Department (AZGFD) revealed that While some climate fluctuation is of carbon emission scenarios. The result the more specialized a species in its normal, predicted changes over short is a picture of future bird ranges in an requirements, the greater the negative time periods are not, and reducing carbon uncertain climate future. effect of urban development. Native bird emissions in the short term is essential. The model contains 100,000 data species are positively correlated with Conservation and adaptive management, layers and 3 terabytes of data, and native vegetation, and non-native bird especially of larger areas with migratory covers more than 500 North American species richness and total abundance corridors and buffer zones, are critical to bird species. It shows which birds will are positively correlated to house density. stem the loss of bird and wildlife species. be at high risk of extinction if emissions Only native bird species with high Climate change arising from global continue to increase, creating a new dispersal capabilities can move between warming threatens birds and wildlife in way for us to discuss and address the islands of native habitat. Thus, many ways. Birds and other wildlife will climate change. It also shows areas of non-native birds come to dominate as face habitat loss due to sea level rise, habitat that will likely be stable under residential urbanization increases. more frequent and severe wildfires, future emissions scenarios, enabling the A 2012 study by Point Reyes Bird flooding and droughts, invading identification of “stronghold” habitats that Observatory Conservation Science species, and changes in vegetation and birds will need to survive in the future. suggests that the effects of future housing precipitation, among others. Birds are This creates a critical new way to help development may be at least as great generally adapted to particular habitat birds adapt to climate change. as those of climate change for many bird types and, with warming temperatures, The model should be released this species. Some species that are projected the ranges of these habitats may move fall, contingent on receiving scientific to expand their distributions with climate toward the poles or higher elevations validation through a peer-reviewed change may lose ground when future when possible. The timing of birds’ process. Audubon chapters can expect development is brought into the picture. migration, reproduction, breeding, nesting, to receive information in advance of the While results varied among species and and hatching are all highly adapted to rollout, providing an overview of the report across habitats, “climate changes will match specific local conditions. Since and examples of birds in each state that cause species to shift distributions, but climate change will affect plants and are threatened by climate change—and where a species will be able to persist animals in different ways, , how this information can be used to start breeding, and other behaviors may no a conversation about climate change in longer be in sync with their food sources our communities. and other habitat needs. For example, Over the coming months, Audubon’s American Robins in the Rocky Mountains national staff will be launching a arrive an average of two weeks earlier grassroots campaign based on the in spring than they did a few decades model’s findings to bring about policy ago, and the food for their newly hatched changes that reduce emissions to safer offspring may not have reached its peak levels and protect critical stronghold abundance at the time of need. habitats. Part of that campaign will look Audubon scientists have developed to support the ongoing efforts by the a new climate model that predicts the EPA to curb carbon emissions, push for & E ng -L i G reen aul future ranges of North American birds properly sited renewable energy, and P under various future climate scenarios to increase energy efficiency. These much- Habitats fragmented by urban development support fewer the years 2020, 2050, and 2080. Using needed federal efforts will complement species of plants and animals.

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 15 into the future is also determined by the codes for new development and availability of good habitat,” said lead maximizing captured rainwater to replace author Dennis Jongsomjit. potable (pumped) water are also needed. With urbanization as a leading cause The challenge is dedicating this saved of habitat fragmentation locally, the water to the environment, such as through conservation community and allies an environmental restoration project, or

to Birds t s to must help guide land use decisions by targeting conservation programs to those our counties, cities, and towns. The uses in areas most likely to have a direct Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection impact to streams. Threa plays a lead role in this. Pima County’s Groundwater pumping strategies, Comprehensive Land Use Plan includes such as water utility well management a biologically-important lands map regimes that maintain water levels in (Conservation Lands System), guiding wells near streams to ensure sufficient us on where development should occur, water is available to maintain flows and how to avoid habitat fragmentation in habitat, could be implemented relatively environmentally sensitive areas, and how G ene S pesard easily. Though controversial, regulations to configure development to best protect Groves of cottonwood, mesquite, and sycamore once that limit the volume of pumping or drilling existed along the Santa Cruz riverbank near downtown native vegetation. As the housing market Tucson but died long ago as the water level dropped due new wells in environmentally sensitive picks up, it is important that we are even to groundwater depletion. areas could be pursued. Establishing more engaged in land use policies and conservation easements or other decisions. Development plans have arrangements with willing landowners Historical accounts of the Santa Cruz recently been submitted in areas of that reduce or remove pumping near River refer to a series of cienegas near important habitat, such as the Tortolita streams are also possible and have been Tubac and perennial reaches near Fan, Tucson Mountains, and the Tanque successful strategies along the San Pedro downtown Tucson that dried up long ago Verde area. River. due to groundwater pumping. Flows in the Pima County is also in the process of Finally, it’s important to protect the few San Pedro River, still perennial in some updating their Comprehensive Land Use legal mechanisms available for Arizona’s reaches, have declined from near stream Plan, as per state law. Public involvement rivers, such as the Instream Flow Water pumping and diversions, and near Sierra is key in keeping the conservation vision Rights program that allocates water to Vista, wells in the deeper, regional aquifer of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan rivers to maintain flow and wildlife needs. threaten the San Pedro River and the rich intact in this updated, land use plan. Clearly, we face significant challenges, riparian habitat it supports. 1S. Germaine. 1995. Relationships of Birds, Lizards, and but maximizing our existing resources Declining groundwater levels must be Nocturnal Rodents to Their Habitat in the Greater Tucson through conservation and localized addressed to maintain and potentially Area, Arizona water management can help mitigate 2D. Jongsomjit, D. Stralberg, T. Gardali, L. Salas, J.A. restore streams and springs, requiring the impacts of increasing groundwater Wiens. 2012. Between a rock and a hard place: The a suite of water management efforts, demand. impacts of climate change and housing development on including perhaps some difficult trade-offs. breeding birds in California. As groundwater levels drop and For example, while expensive, energy streams dry, riparian and other water- Carolyn Campbell is Executive Director intensive, and not without environmental dependent species suffer and can no of the Coalition for Sonoran Desert consequences, importation of Central longer survive. The first to be impacted Protection. Arizona Project (CAP) water has reduced are shallow-rooted plants including the need to pump groundwater from the young cottonwood and willow trees Tucson aquifer, allowing groundwater Threats to while deeper-rooted trees like mature e levels to rise in some areas. Strategic mesquite and tamarisk can survive until recharge of CAP water, effluent, and Habitats from water levels drop further. Groves of stormwater to maximize environmental cottonwood, mesquite, and sycamore Water Diversions and aquifer benefits could be promoted once existed along the Santa Cruz through regulatory changes or local and Pumping riverbank near downtown Tucson but died resource management decisions such as long ago as the water level dropped due Linda Stitzer that by the City of Sierra Vista to recharge to groundwater depletion. The significant There is a long history of human effluent at a location where it creates a consequences of such losses were impacts to river flows in southeastern buffer between large municipal wells and covered by R. Roy Johnson and Robert Arizona, from direct diversions from the San Pedro River. H. Webb in their article about the Great streams and, more significantly, from Individual water conservation Mesquite Forest along the Santa Cruz pumping groundwater from wells. efforts, changes in the design of new River, in the April–June 2013 issue of Pumping more water from the aquifer development, and lifestyle shifts (e.g. Vermilion Flycatcher. than is replenished from precipitation fewer pools) have successfully reduced lowers water levels, intercepting water residential demand in southern Arizona. Linda Stitzer is a Tucson Audubon board that would otherwise flow underground to Expanding commercial and industrial member and the Senior Water Advisor the streambed and emerge as streamflow. conservation, adopting more stringent with Western Resource Advocates.

16 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Non-habitat-based Threats free of these invasive predators and their feces. It is time to keep cats indoors. Grant Sizemore is Program Officer at q Cats and Birds American Bird Conservancy. Grant Sizemore Every year in the United States, w Bird–Window domestic cats kill approximately 2 billion birds and 12 billion small mammals. Collisions and How Although the domestic cat can make an

excellent companion, it is an invasive R ichie G raham to Prevent Them predator with the capacity to overwhelm Cat owners may have little knowledge of their cat’s Prof. Daniel Klem, Jr. local ecosystems when permitted to roam predatory activities: University of Georgia researchers estimated that nearly 80% of cat kills were not returned After decades of study, ornithologists outdoors. Like other non-native, invasive to the home. evaluating evidence estimate that a billion species, domestic cats fundamentally or more birds annually kill themselves by alter the functioning of natural systems, exert sub-lethal impacts (e.g., competition striking clear and reflective windows in and there may be as many as 188 million with native predators). Researchers have the U.S. alone. Birds simply behave as cats in the United States and growing. In found that the mere presence of domestic if clear and reflective panes are invisible fact, the number of cats in the U.S. has cats can lead to dramatically reduced nest to them, and given the invisible nature of tripled in just the past 40 years. success. Not only did adult birds feed their the hazard, the best predictor of who gets Cats outdoors may be free-ranging young less, the likelihood of nest predation killed in what numbers is best explained or feral. A free-ranging cat has outdoor following exposure to cats increased by by the density of birds in the immediate access during all or a portion of the day. an order of magnitude. By allowing cats vicinity of an offending window. Large A feral cat is one that is always outdoors to roam outdoors, even if those cats multistory glass-covered urban buildings and generally not habituated to people. miraculously do not directly kill individual attract attention when nocturnal migrants Both feral and free-ranging cats prey on birds, pet owners are contributing to the are killed, discovered, and reported to the native wildlife. decline of local bird populations. media during the fall and spring migratory In a recent study by scientists from What can be done to stop the periods. However, far more kills of the the Smithsonian Conservation Biology needless slaughter of native birds? common, rare, and endangered species Institute (SCBI) and the U.S. Fish and Keep cats indoors. This simple but highly occur and go unnoticed throughout the Wildlife Service (FWS), unowned outdoor effective approach has been promoted year at individual homes located in urban, cats were estimated to account for ~69% by American Bird Conservancy (ABC) suburban, and rural settings. Preventing of bird mortality in the continental U.S. for over 15 years and led to the creation these unintended and unwanted deaths Owned outdoor cats were estimated to of the Cats Indoors program, which is prudent conservation practice, a moral be responsible for over 700 million bird educates and advocates for common and ethical imperative to ensure we are deaths each year. sense solutions. responsible stewards of the environment, Cat owners may have little knowledge In addition to protecting wildlife, and also the law of the land. of their cat’s penchant for predation keeping cats indoors is also better for How to prevent the carnage: because not all kills are visible. A study by cats and people. Indoor cats live 3–5 A summary of current methods to protect researchers from the University of Georgia times longer and are not at constant risk birds from residential windows. identified that nearly 80% of cat kills were of traumatic injury, death, or disease. By Cover windows with garden netting or not returned to the home. Even well-fed keeping cats safe indoors, we also reduce screening; commercial screening cats hunt and kill. Hunting and hunger are the risk of disease transmission to people for protecting birds from windows is not directly associated for a cat; they are and respect our neighbors’ rights to yards available at www.birdscreen.com. controlled by separate parts of the brain, so cats can have an impact far beyond that of most predators, which generally only kill to eat. Native species are at a disproportional risk to cat predation. Domestic cats have been implicated in the extinction of 33 species worldwide (e.g., the Stephen’s Island wren) and may be a major factor in many declining populations. Scientists from the University of Hawai’i, National Park Service, and United States Geological Survey recently captured video evidence of feral cats killing endangered Hawaiian petrels.

In addition to directly preying upon M etro C entric billions of animals each year, cats also According to American Bird Conservancy, an estimated 300 million to 1 billion birds die each year from collisions with glass on buildings, from skyscrapers to homes. Birds simply cannot tell reflection from reality.

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 17 Place decals of any shape and size Additional information is available from ABC at collisions. such that they uniformly cover the entire abcbirds.org, the Chicago Ornithological Society at chicagobirder.org/conservation/birds-building-collisions, window and are separated by four inches and FLAP at flap.org. or less in vertical columns or two inches or less in horizontal rows. This helps Daniel Klem, Jr. is Professor of eliminate bird strikes in corridors or & Conservation Biology

to Birds t s to other locations with a see-through view at the Acopian Center for Ornithology, and on the outside facing surface of all Department of Biology, Muhlenberg reflective windows. Wider spacing of a College, Allentown, PA 18104; ACO. Threa less dense pattern increases the risk of muhlenberg.edu; [email protected]. fatal encounters. Several commercially available decals of various designs are t Get the Lead OUT! Klinich available for purchase from bird stores Chris McVie or catalog vendors, and do-it-yourself construction instructions or for sale Lead is a poison and is thought to have G eorge & Kathy effective hanging strings are available contributed to the decline of the Roman Lead ammunition is and will remain a very costly and from www.birdsavers.com. Empire. We have already banned it from serious problem for endangered California Condor External tape applied in strips to the paint and gasoline due to our nation’s reintroduction and survival. outside window surface is described serious regard for public health and and available for purchase from the safety. Though perhaps somewhat less Although there may be other sources of American Bird Conservancy (ABC) at pervasive, lead ammunition and fishing lead, a scientific study funded by AzGFD collisions.abcbirds.org. tackle poisons our food chain and waters. has identified lead from spent ammunition One-way films that can be prepared In particular, lead ammunition is and will as the major source of lead in condors. with unique designs and applied to the remain a very costly and serious problem An additional study has determined that outside window surface are an effective for endangered California Condor condor lead exposure rates are highest bird strike deterrent; a commercial brand (Gymnogyps californianus) reintroduction during the fall hunting season in northern is called CollidEscape and is described and survival. Arizona. This study also concluded that and available for sale from Fatal Light The condor is the largest flying land during this same time, condors forage Awareness Program (FLAP) at www.flap. bird in North America, weighing up to heavily on the Kaibab Plateau. org and www.collidescape.org. 26 pounds, with a wingspan of up to 9.5 Condors incidentally ingest lead bullet Although not currently available for feet. Condors were taken into captivity fragments and shot remaining in game commercial sale, arguably an external for breeding in 1987 and reintroduced in carcasses and gut piles. Fragments from window film that uses ultraviolet (UV) California in 1992 and Arizona in 1996, lead bullets or lead shot have been found signals in the form of patterns to where they now number 67 in the state. within the digestive tracts of condors 22 transform windows into barriers that birds Lead poisoning has been identified as the times in Arizona. Lead bullets fragment will see and avoid is the most elegant and leading cause of death for endangered into hundreds of pieces before they exit most likely the most acceptable solution condors, including in the Arizona game such as a deer or coyote. Since to most humans because birds see it and reintroduction program, and the main condors are group feeders, and only one we do not. Using this proven-effective UV obstacle to a self-sustaining population in or two lead fragments or pellets can cause film will render windows harmless to birds both Arizona and southern Utah. lead toxicity, one animal carcass or gut pile and permit humans the unobstructed view At least fifteen condors have died of containing lead fragments or lead shot has we enjoy through sheet glass and plastic lead poisoning since 2000. Condors are the potential to poison several condors. that is such a ubiquitous product in man- trapped twice a year to have their blood Recently, AzGFD participated in a made construction. tested for lead. Though the Arizona Game summit hosted by Senator John McCain H enry and Fish Department (AzGFD) started (R-Az) aimed at bringing a diverse group offering free non-lead ammunition in 2005 of stakeholders together to discuss the to hunters drawn for hunts in the condor’s role of non-lead ammunition in recovering core range, biologists have documented endangered California condors. Now over 300 instances of lead exposure in AzGFD is in the process of reviewing condors since testing began in 1999, with a petition filed August 3 with the U.S. 45 to 95 percent of the condor population Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) testing positive for lead exposure by the American Bird Conservancy and each year. four other groups seeking to ban the use Chelation treatment is often required of lead in ammunition and fishing tackle. to reverse dangerously high blood lead The petition requests a national ban under C onrad B a kk er Far more kills of common, rare, and endangered species levels, though it is expensive and very the federal Toxic Substances Control Act occur year-round at individual homes. Sometimes, a disruptive to their normal life cycle. of 1976 (TSCA). The EPA is required to window strike is evidenced by a window imprint (inset) Surgery has also been needed in the respond to the petition within 90 days. or a dead bird (above) on the ground near a window. Sometimes, a bird flies away after a strike and dies worst cases. Without these treatments Despite all the information posted on elsewhere as a result of the collision. more condors likely would have died. the AzGFD website (used in preparation of

18 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. this article), which illustrates the extremely the western states. Nonetheless, the costly, ongoing nature of the problem, administration is now advocating to AzGFD is advocating for “further research”, extend wind permits from 5 to 30 years stating “voluntary, state-level approaches, and to scale back the requirement that where the science shows them to be federal agencies fully track the harms necessary, are the best approaches to inflicted on endangered species when address lead–wildlife concerns.” Tucson large-scale plans are developed and Audubon disagrees and supports the carried out on federal public lands. efforts of American Bird Conservancy While many fatality estimates have L iquid N ight and other conservation groups who seek been made across North America, they Migrating birds navigating at night by starlight are an end to these costly and ineffective confused by the towers’ aviation warning lights. have varied greatly in field and analytical measures in favor of measures that methods, monitoring duration, and in preserve not just condors, but the health the size and height of the wind turbines and safety of our watersheds. o Industrial Scale monitored for fatalities, and few have azgfd.gov/w_c/california_condor_lead.shtml; Wind Factories, benefited from scientific peer review. azgfd.net/artman/publish/NewsMedia/Arizona-Game-and- Most recently, K. Shawn Smallwood Fish-s-voluntary-non-lead-ammo-program-recognized-at- Birds, and Bats: estimated that around 573,000 birds Senator-McCain-s-condor-summit.shtml; were killed at 51,630 megawatt (MW) azgfd.net/artman/publish/NewsMedia/ Science vs. Politics of installed wind-energy capacity in the Arizona-Game-and-Fish-Department-urges-caution- United States in 2012 (including 83,000 in-the-rush-to-judgment-in-the-proposal-to-ban-lead- Chris McVie birds of prey), an increase of 30 percent ammunition-and-fishing-tackle-nationally.shtml; Thanks to pressure from the White on a previous estimate by the USFWS peregrinefund.org/condor; House for “green energy” at any cost, in 2009. Bats are even worse hit and stochasticscientist.blogspot.com/2012/06/lead-bullets- industrial scale wind and solar factory stunt-california-condor.html probably top 888,000 killed per year, in permitting in the United States is in the addition to deaths from the devastating Chris McVie is Chair of Tucson Audubon’s process of being loosened. Permits to spread of white-nose syndrome. Conservation Committee. allow the killing, or “taking,” of Bald and Smallwood believes his figures Golden Eagles, Whooping Cranes, Piping are underestimated, owing to the Plovers and California Condors by wind u Collisions with incompleteness of reports of bird and turbines are under review or already bat deaths from different states. This has being granted in some states. Whooping Communications serious implications for the renewable Cranes, Piping Plovers and California energy industry, which bases much of its Towers Condors are all listed species under the investment and publicity on the safety Kendall Kroesen Endangered Species Act. The Bald Eagle and environmental sustainability of its About 6.5 million birds from was considered endangered for decades 230 species are killed annually by but was removed from the list in 2007 communications towers. Neotropical because the species had rebounded. The migrants are most gravely affected. Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act Migrating birds navigating at night protects the birds, which have naturally by starlight are confused by the towers’ low reproduction rates, regardless of aviation warning lights and may circle for whether they are endangered. hours until they collide with other birds or President Obama’s administration guy wires, or until they are exhausted. has long sought to bolster investments A number of findings suggest ways of in renewable energy sources, including reducing mortality, including putting new proposing new rules to make it easier communications equipment on existing to permit, build, and operate massive K . A li towers, keeping new towers below 200 industrial wind factories. Existing permits feet in height, locating new towers near already allow “green energy” companies to put up industrial scale wind factories as old ones, not using lighting if not required, USFWS if required using flashing white lights with long as the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service the maximum delay allowed between (USFWS) declares they use “advanced flashes, using construction techniques conservation practices” to protect aulson that do not require guy wires, etc. birds. Yet, in 2009, the Government YOU CAN write to the Federal Accountability Office concluded that the

Communications Commission and ask USFWS’s tracking of the harm it allows to P M atthew them to implement regulations that protect endangered species “lacks a systematic Permits are under review or already birds, following the recommendations method for tracking cumulative take of being granted in some states to allow most listed species.” It noted that the the killing (or “taking”) by wind turbines of found in the links at abcbirds.org/ Bald and Golden Eagles and three species listed under abcprograms/policy/collisions/towers.html. agency only had such a system for three the Endangered Species Act—Whooping Cranes (above), out of 497 federal protected species in Piping Plovers (inset), and California Condors.

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 19 massive industrial installations. The increase in deaths suggested by the more rigorous statistical methods are worrying and should provide justifiable concern for of W ildlife B ir d s both conservationists and the renewable energy industry alike. t s to

Smallwood suggests that there is D epartment urgent need to improve fatality monitoring N ed H arris

methods, especially in the implementation N evada Threa Tucson Electric Power and Trico Electric have of detection trials, which should be more programs to retrofit electric poles with shields to prevent realistically incorporated into routine electrocution of large birds that regularly perch on wires monitoring. He also recommends greater and poles. transparency in reporting the deaths of , Harris’s Hawks and other large flying animals in the United States, as hawks are regularly electrocuted. well as a cross-state standard method Tucson Electric Power and Trico of measuring and comparing figures. Electric have programs to retrofit poles Currently, wind turbine pre- and post-

Kroesen with shields that prevent electrocutions. construction wildlife data, including fatality But the task is enormous and progress data, are not required to be shared with

Kendall slow—there are tens of thousands of the public and most often are not. Around 1 million birds are killed in pipes used as mine poles. Wildlife advocacy groups say a 30- claim markers. Volunteers help cap open pipes at Tucson A University of Arizona study found year permit is far too long, even if the Audubon’s restoration sites. electrocutions were more likely to happen deaths are unintentional. They argue in areas near raptor nests. Retrofitting the administration should require a there are many other kinds of open pipes poles in the nest area cut electrocutions. more comprehensive review of the that kill birds, including exhaust fan pipes YOU CAN call in raptor nest locations effects massive wind farms have on on buildings, ventilation pipes on vault and information about any dead raptors the environment, including birds and toilets, unprotected chimneys, and others. you see at the base of power poles. other wildlife. We agree. This is not In the July–September 2012 issue of Contact Tucson Electric Power at the time to emasculate, if not gut, the the Vermilion Flycatcher, we described [email protected] or 520-623-7711; Endangered Species Act. We need a vertical pipes used to anchor barbed wire contact Trico Electric at 520-744-2944 balanced approach where we, above all, fences at the North Simpson Farm habitat x2; or report to Arizona Game and Fish do no harm. restoration site. Our habitat restoration Department at 520-628-5276 x4446. Smallwood, K Shawn. 2013. Comparing bird and bat crew found dead birds at the bottom of fatality-rate estimates among North American wind- some and we began to permanently cap energy projects. Wildlife Society Bulletin 37: 19–33. the pipes. Coda YOU CAN look for uncapped pipes and Paul Green fix them. Cap or remove any vertical pipes 1) Mine Claim Our coverage of threats to birds to which you have access. Ask legislators barely scrapes the surface. For follow-up Markers and Other to take action like Nevada did, requiring reading, we recommend The American all new claim markers to be capped, Bird Conservancy Guide to Bird “Death Pipes” invalidating any claims still marked with Conservation by Daniel Kendall Kroesen open-ended pipe, and allowing anyone to Lebbin, Mike Parr, and pull up uncapped markers and lay them Mining claims in the West are George Fenwick (2010). on the ground nearby. traditionally marked by vertical PVC pipes Their chapter on Threats set into the ground. Pipes are four to covers seven classes and six inches in diameter and open at the 1^ Electrocutions 28 subclasses of threats top. Birds enter the opening to explore Kendall Kroesen and is more comprehensive what they think is a possible nest cavity. than the introductory Electric poles used to distribute In migration they may enter to look accounts here. Tucson electricity throughout the city have for a warm place to spend the night— Audubon encourages insulators that prevent electricity from sometimes with more than one huddling everyone to take some actions in our being a danger to those below. But what together. daily lives to reduce threats to birds. This about birds landing on wires and poles? Unlike natural cavities that have rough book includes detailed suggestions of Perching on a wire is not dangerous. surfaces, pipes are smooth and make it how to address conservation threats with But with wings spread for landing on impossible to get a foothold to scramble actions. Please join together with others a pole, birds with large wingspans can out. The small diameter makes it as part of local grassroots networks to simultaneously touch both live wire and impossible for birds to spread their wings more effectively address these threats ground wire, completing the circuit. This enough to fly out. to our birds, and to the natural world that Around 1 million birds are killed this results in an electrocution, usually fatal. In supports us all. VF way every year. Besides claim markers southern Arizona, ravens, Great Horned

20 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Book Reviews

Russel Wallace with his own ideas about evolution. of the controlling drug cartels in these regions. He The authors follow through with lucid explanations tries, again and again, and has to withdraw due of our current knowledge of the behavior, ecology, to confrontations, any of which could have ended and evolution of these birds, including the badly. Perhaps this exclusion might even work to discoveries their years of observation yielded. the surviving birds’ advantage. It’s so trying to read For anyone who loves travel, beautiful and know that the birds might be there, but we photography, extraordinary natural history or cannot find out for sure. the science of birds—this book will make a very I highly recommend this book to those welcome addition to your collection. interested in birds. It’s good biology and good Review by Eric L M Shuman story-telling. Every time the author runs into another local who recognizes the photo and can mimic the call or relate some behavior, like Imperial Dreams: Tracking the Birds of Paradise: Revealing the the Ivory-billed, we can believe the Imperial World’s Most Extraordinary Birds. Imperial Woodpecker through the Woodpecker might still be out there. VF Tim Laman and Edwin Scholes. Washington DC: Wild Sierra Madre. Review by Tim Helentjaris National Geographic Society. Pp. 227. ISBN 978-1- Tim Gallagher. New York: Atria Books. Pp. 304. 4262-0958-1. $50. ISBN 978-1-4391-9152-1. $26. As the product of 18 expeditions over eight years, Like many folks, I was enthralled by the re- Birds of Paradise is a gorgeously illustrated, discovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. I read Available in our Nature S­ hops deeply detailed and remarkably useful guide to the books and hung on every news release. I WindowAlertTM products that help prevent these beautiful animals and their habitats. The am always stunned to see even the Pileated bird–window collisions (read about this threat authors, biologist/photographer Tim Laman and Woodpecker back East—knowing it has a larger to birds on pages 17–18). ornithologist/videographer Edwin Scholes, have cousin out there is one of those stories that we produced this book in cooperation with National carry out to the field with us, hoping someday we Geographic and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. might see something special like that. Birds of Paradise derives from Laman and This book is about their cousin, the Imperial Scholes’ project to document all 39 species in Woodpecker, that may still live high in the that classification. They are found throughout the mountains of central Mexico. If you want to feel that South Pacific, ranging from the Moluccas (the same excitement again, all you need to do is look Spice Islands) in Indonesia, across New Guinea, at the book’s first color plate, showing skins of the $5.95 and south to the rain forests of eastern Australia. large Pileated alongside the even larger Ivory-billed They live in a variety of altitudes and habitats, and finally the Imperial Woodpecker, dwarfing both Pack of 4 decals with along coasts, up in mountains, high in the jungle of them. If nothing else makes you want to read special coating that canopy and down on the forest floor. This was a this book, it may be time to look elsewhere! $20.00 reflects UV light. genuinely extraordinary undertaking that Laman Tim Gallagher, part of the recent team to and Scholes have presented in clear, engaging text search for the Ivory-billed, here describes our and amazing imagery. best understanding of the biology of the Imperial, 9/11–11/17 It is impossible to go through this book without the history of its decline, and his struggles to look At the Nature imagining oneself alongside Laman and Scholes for surviving birds in central Mexico. There are Shops in boats, helicopters, huts and blinds. Readers many parts of this book that are really enjoyable, with an inclination to follow even slightly in their especially details of the bird’s habits in the wild. wake have the authors’ encouragement. They Others are a bit more difficult, particularly stories provide recommendations on photography, travel of active persecution of the bird that played a large and ecotourism, honest discussions of the perils of role in its decline. Like the Passenger Pigeon the more remote locations, descriptions and and other extinct birds, it’s hard photos taken along the length of the journey, enough when habitat loss reproductions of log entries, blind blueprints, contributes to losing a and the local guides’ advice on actually species; it’s that much harder finding the birds. when human ignorance and Most helpfully, both for general reference indifference cause damage. and for readers who find themselves in, Part of the book that many say, Brisbane—the book concludes with a folks might find most painful 20-page field guide to all 39 species, with is that the range of the bird range (and altitude) maps, conservation is so nearby—yet it would be status, photos and written descriptions. easier to travel to far-off parts Call or come into the Nature Shops The book is filled with enormous two- of Siberia or Africa than to 8x42 10x42 8x42

† † † Regular Price for more Regulardetails Price and pricesRegular Price page spreads of text and large sidebars, these highlands of the Sierra Instant Savings -$5000* Instant Savings -$5000* Instant Savings -$10000* *ParticipatingPrice After Nikon authorized dealers† and resellersPrice After only. Instant Savings †amount deductedPrice After from dealer or reseller’s† making it ideal for both display and casual leafing. Madre. As the author finds time and again, he sellingInstant price. Savings Offer valid for new eligible productsInstant only Savings that are sold between SeptemberInstant 11, 2013 Savings and November 17, 2013 to retail customers by a Nikon authorized dealer or reseller within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Void where prohibited by law. All products are subject to availability. For eligible But this is no simple coffee table book. Birds of simply cannot search in many regions, because *Participating Nikon authorized dealers and resellers only. Instant Savings amount deducted from dealer or reseller’s selling price. Offer valid for new eligible products only that are sold between September 11, 2013 and November 17, 2013 to retail customers by a Nikon authorized dealer or reseller within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Void where prohibited by law. All products are subject to availability. productsFor eligible andproducts furtherand further details, details, please visit pleasewww.nikonpromo.com. visit www.nikonpromo.com. † Actual selling price determined by dealer or reseller† Actual sellingat time price determined of sale. by dealer • or All reseller Nikon at time of sale.trademarks are the property of Nikon Corporation. Paradise provided Darwin’s contemporary Alfred of the extraordinary levels of crime and violence All Nikon trademarks are the property of Nikon Corporation.

14127_MonarchMadness_Ad_10x16.indd 1 9/9/13 10:30 AM Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. October–December 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 21 Conservation and Education News New Trail to the Birds at Chris McVie, Paul Green, Kendall Kroesen, BÉtÉ Jones, and Jennie MacFarland Sweetwater Wetlands

Obituary: Edmund Ray Caldwell Fall Raptor Migration Monitoring at Yaki Point, February 13, 1933–June 23, 2013 Grand Canyon I met Mary and Ed Caldwell, members Yaki Point is one of several of Tucson Audubon’s Vermilion observation posts run by HawkWatch Society (see p 10), shortly after my International (HWI) along the primary

arrival in Tucson in 2007. During Kroesen migration route used by Intermountain that first visit and in subsequent Flyway birds of prey. With a steady conversations, I learned about their Kendall wind, eagles, hawks, and falcons involvement as officers with Tucson migrating south tend to fly along the Audubon in the 1960s, and about A new bicycle and pedestrian trail canyon in sight of the observation has been built along the east bank

what they would like to see in the C aldwell point. The flight through this region future as the organization grows. So, of the Santa Cruz River south from M ary is one of the largest concentrations it was with great sadness that I heard Sweetwater Drive. It connects with the of migrating raptors known in the about the passing of Ed on June 23, drawing, and watercolor painting, existing trail segment coming north western U.S. and Canada. 2013, at age 80. reflecting his love of nature. He from Grant Road. You can access the Pending weather changes, the fall Ed developed an early passion for volunteered in many ways with Tucson trail from the cul-de-sac at the end of raptor migration monitoring season art and nature that was to continue Audubon, including designing our Sweetwater Drive near the wetlands. at Yaki Point runs August 27 through throughout his life. He earned a previous logo in the 1960s. This opens up new birding options November 5 each year. Raptor Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in To further Ed’s desire to help for those who cycle or walk along the migration peaks around the end of Architecture and Advertising Art and people learn to appreciate the Santa Cruz River. September and beginning of October. Design. After moving to Tucson in natural areas that we fight so hard First, the trail wraps around the Birders, hikers, and nature lovers 1964, Ed furthered his experience by to maintain, and to honor Ed’s life- west and south sides of Sweetwater’s are welcome at the observation working freelance in architectural and long appreciation of nature and art, recharge basins. The trail affords station where seasonal volunteers electrical engineering drafting. He Tucson Audubon has now established better views of basins than you can count raptors during their annual married Mary Alice Sherman in Tucson the Edmund R. Caldwell Memorial get from most parts of the wetlands southern migration. The data collected in 1966. Ed served as Director of Scholarship Fund. Donations so themselves. Be cautious, however. at the Grand Canyon sites help the University of Arizona’s Bureau of designated can be mailed to: Tucson The trail is narrow and bicycle traffic scientists understand raptor migration Audiovisual Services 1968–1980, and Audubon Society, 300 E. University will increase as people discover this and population trends, and detect then worked for Hughes Aircraft 1980– Blvd., #120, Tucson, AZ 85705. Visit segment of the trail. changes in the environment. Raptors 1990 until retirement. More recently, tucsonaudubon.org for more details. Second, there is a new gate into are good indicators of environmental the wetlands along the trail south of he enjoyed the free expression of art Paul Green, Executive Director health because they feed at the top of in wood carving, sculpture, ceramics, Sweetwater Drive. Bikers and walkers the food chain. can enter the wetlands directly from There are shuttle buses between the trail, but lock up bikes at the bike parking areas and the migration point, racks since no riding is allowed in the Tax Credit Donations Needed to Fund and free education programs on raptor wetlands! There is also a nice bench Middle School Education Program and migration ecology for visitors. For there in the shade of a mesquite. further information, downloadable site The river trail does not yet go north Put your tax credits to good use! Our brochures, or driving directions, visit of Sweetwater Drive along the east education program at Lauffer Middle www.hawkwatch.org. side of the river, but a trail segment School could benefit tremendously. will eventually connect from there to Tucson Audubon is partnering with Camino del Cerro. This trail is part of Inner City Outings and the Sunnyside The Loop (see http://webcms.pima. School District to offer one hiking/ gov/government/the_loop/). birding outing a month. Your tax For access to Sweetwater credits will be directly dedicated to the Wetlands by car, note that the student club and fund transportation work at Prince Road and I-10 is for their outings, entrance fees to their progressing and access and egress destinations, and materials. Pick up continue to evolve. Check our website your forms today in our Nature Shop tucsonaudubon.org/sweetwater for or contact Bété Jones at 520-209- construction updates. 1812 or [email protected]. Kendall Kroesen, Bété Jones, Environmental ath Habitats Program Manager Education Coordinator k, B ob W enric k H aw R ed - tailed D eb V

22 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. White Sands Impediment to SunZia

The Department of Defense has at after spending nearly $40 million on agreement from First Wind or any the last minute demanded a change the EIS. other utility at this time. in the New Mexican portion of the New Mexico’s politicians have Meanwhile, Arizona’s preferred route for SunZia north of the entered the fray, taking opposite sides congressional delegation and media White Sands Missile Range, delaying of the issue. Republican Governor have been silent. Peter Else of the the BLM’s Record of Decision for the Susana Martinez is supporting the Friends of the Aravaipa Region and project. SunZia proposes to build two White Sands Missile Range, asking the Cascabel Working Group have 500-kV transmission lines from central that the lines be moved, as is New urged Representatives Barber,

New Mexico to east Phoenix, following Mexico Republican Representative Grijalva, and Kirkpatrick to inform , L on & Q ueta the San Pedro River Valley for 45 Steve Pearce. On the other side, Secretary Jewel and New Mexico’s alley miles. Public comments on the SunZia Democratic Senator Martin Heinrich congressional delegation of Arizona’s Final Environmental Impact Statement has written a staunchly pro-SunZia concerns, which they have yet to do. (FEIS) closed this past summer and letter to Secretary of Interior Jewel Senator Heinrich, often considered BLM planned to finish the NEPA asking that the Department of environmentally astute, appears S an P edro R iver V process by mid-September. Defense be overridden and that the entirely unaware of the conflicts in White Sands Missile Range is lines be routed as proposed. New Arizona and has championed SunZia canyon, significantly damaging the asking SunZia to follow a previously Mexico Democratic Senator Tom without regard for our state’s interests. county’s investment. recommended route that the BLM Udall has taken a middle-of-the-road SunZia’s greatest environmental Any legal action must wait until dismissed without evaluation in the approach, requesting that President impact occurs west of the San Pedro the SunZia-White Sands conflict EIS. The route would be entirely new Obama help decide the issue and River in Congressman Barber’s is resolved and the BLM issues its for more than 100 miles and would expedite the project. district, where Pima County has Record of Decision. If the Department require an environmental review that In the midst of this, SunZia has acquired three ranches and much of of Defense prevails, that will be a could take 18 months or longer to obtained a letter of intent from First the private land in Buehman Canyon much longer time in coming. complete, delaying the project further. Wind to use up to 1,500 MW of as a part of its Sonoran Desert Mick Meader, Co-Chair, SunZia has threatened that it will capacity as an anchor tenant, though Conservation Plan. SunZia would Cascabel Working Group abandon the project if this is done, there is no binding power purchase bisect these ranches and cross the

A New Process for Rosemont Review

Concerns about the serious negative Rosemont’s proposed open-pit us question whether the proposed impacts on air quality, water resources would stack 2.6 billion tons of mine Rosemont Copper Mine project can and wildlife are likely to require all waste above the Davidson Canyon meet this very strict standard. or most of the 120-day period for and Cienega Creek drainages. This We question if there is any resolution. watershed provides one fifth of mitigation that can come close to An article by Tony Davis, the groundwater recharged to the compensating our community for Rosemont’s plans to restore Tucson basin. Davidson Canyon the anticipated permanent losses to waterways to make up for damage and Cienega Creek are designated our natural environment. Ultimately its mine causes (Arizona Daily Star Outstanding Arizona Waters. There the question for us all becomes: Will AJ M onjes September 8, 2013), addressed issues are only 22 such sites in our state. this foreign-owned mine, which will A final decision by the Coronado around Rosemont’s habitat mitigation This designation comes with a “no likely export the ore it extracts and National Forest on the proposed plans. The goal of mitigation is to degradation” standard. Many of profits that it makes, bring benefits Rosemont Mine will likely be delayed replace the functions and values of to our community that outweigh until March 2014. Supervisor Jim the habitats that the mine will degrade. the devastation to our natural Upchurch said the release of a final The federal In Lieu Fee Mitigation environment? environmental impact statement for program would require Rosemont If state and federal agencies permit the proposed mine has been pushed to provide resources to a third party Rosemont’s proposal, they need to be back from September 27 to November to restore or improve an area of very certain that the mitigation will fully because of “ongoing resolution degraded riparian habitat as close to offset the mine’s short- and long-term of issues.” the site of the damage as possible. negative impacts. Tucson will have Once the Forest Service has Sometimes the sheer scale of the to live with the financial and quality published the final environmental damage to sensitive and important of life consequences of their decision impact statement, the 45-day riparian areas is so huge that you for countless generations after the objection period will begin, followed have to scratch your head and ask, mine is closed and its owners have

by 45-day review period, which can “Is it even possible to mitigate for C ree k in L as ienegas NCA, BLM moved on. be extended an additional 30 days. this damage?” Paul Green, Executive Director C ienega

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

Bullfrog Eradication at KERP Ponds Tucson Audubon’s eNews Delivered to Pima County Regional Flood Control But bullfrogs require perennial night the team encountered a small Your Inbox District is removing non-native water, so KERP ponds were group with frog hunting gear who Stay informed with weekly email bullfrogs from the Kino Environmental temporarily drained to remove them. admitted to hunting bullfrogs for food. updates from Tucson Audubon. Restoration Project (KERP). KERP The draining was timed for late May Unfortunately, hunting is insufficient Get advance notice of upcoming is a constructed environmental and through June to have minimal impact for reducing bullfrogs’ environmental events, special invitations, urgent stormwater harvesting project at Ajo on nesting or migrating birds, and damage. conservation updates, action Way and Country Club Road, and a to take advantage of the monsoon The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, alerts, and more. You can sign popular area for birds and birders. inflows to replenish the ponds. Bureau of Land Management, up for this list in a number of Bullfrogs are voracious predators To date, contracted University of and Tucson Audubon Society all ways. The easiest is to go to that will eat almost anything. On wildlife Arizona herpetologist Dr. Phil Rosen expressed support for these efforts. tucsonaudubon.org and click refuges in Arizona, bullfrogs have and his team have removed 1,443 Eradication is being completed in on the link that says Sign-Up nearly eliminated the Mexican garter adult bullfrogs, 1,288 juveniles, compliance with an Arizona Game and E-newsletter. Otherwise send an snake and the Chiricahua leopard frog. and over 50,000 tadpoles. All adult Fish Department permit. If bullfrogs

email to pgreen@tucsonaudubon. k, R ichard F ray C ommon B lac k-H aw Bullfrogs and other non-native aquatic bullfrogs and tadpoles have now been are found to persist in KERP in the org with your first and last name, species invaded KERP during the past eradicated. His team is still regularly following years, the eradication efforts or call Jean Barchman at 520- five years. From there, bullfrogs have inspecting KERP to remove remaining will be repeated. 209-1802 and she will take repeatedly dispersed downstream to juveniles. Jennifer Becker, Pima County your details. threaten the best remaining ephemeral After the KERP basins were refilled Regional Flood Control District toad-breeding ponds in central Tucson, in July by monsoon season storm where six species of native frogs and water inflows, the team was pleasantly toads breed. surprised to document successful breeding of native frogs and toad Beware of Up Zoning species, including Great Plains toads, Couch’s spadefoots and the rare Pima County is in the process of a developer is seeking a narrow-mouthed toads. These and updating its Comprehensive Land Comprehensive Plan Amendment other native species are now expected Use Plan. If keeping the conservation that would open the door to up zoning to thrive at KERP. vision of the Sonoran Desert we’d like to hear from you. We and our Since bullfrogs were not found Conservation Plan intact for the friends at the Coalition for Sonoran in a pond located upstream at updated land use plan is important Desert Protection can discuss with Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, it to you, it is critical that you become you appropriate conservation goals is suspected the KERP population involved in the spirit of the proactive for these land parcels. grassroots network envisioned on Contact Paul Green at pgreen@

R osen may have resulted from intentional release. Release of non-native wildlife page 3. tucsonaudubon.org or Carolyn is a Class 2 misdemeanor subject to If you live close to some Campbell at carolyn.campbell@ fines and possible imprisonment. One undeveloped land for which sonorandesert.org B ullfrog , P hil

in Tucson. He said, “Glad to hear that Conservation Corner! Tucson Audubon is going to be working Did you come to Tucson from a state We are looking for people to help with nest boxes. There has been far where people put up bluebird boxes? us build boxes and people who are less experimentation with boxes for Swallow boxes? Martin boxes? willing to have a box in their yard. We southwestern birds than for other Have you wondered why there welcome feedback from people who parts of the country, so anything you hasn’t been a campaign to put up have had success with nest boxes for discover will be exceptionally helpful.” bird boxes in Tucson? Well, Tucson any species in our region. If you participate, Tucson Audubon Audubon wonders too! We will get the boxes out by early will help you decide on a target This fall we are investigating boxes in the spring of 2014 and then we species and a nest box design for that could work for several species will monitor them. Based on the data your yard. We will want to hear from in the Tucson area. High on our list we collect, we will start a campaign you periodically about what species, if are cavity-nesting species like Ash- to get people to set up nest boxes any, is using the box. throated Flycatcher, American Kestrel, for declining hole-nesting species for Contact Kendall Kroesen for Gilded Flicker, and Bewick’s Wren. which nest boxes are most effective. more information at 520-209-1806 or There are several others, like Lucy’s I consulted with Kenn Kaufman, [email protected]. VF Warbler, for which we may find an about this. Kenn is an internationally Kendall Kroesen innovative box design that works. known author, artist, naturalist, and Habitats Program Manager

conservationist who formerly resided J amie B rown

24 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Weekly Bird Walks Tucson Audubon Field Trips Wednesdays, 6 am during the hottest Matt Griffiths | Interim Field Trip Coordinator months. Sweetwater Wetlands. Join Mike For a full listing of Tucson Audubon field trips, call Sadatmousavi for an easy walk to see waterfowl in the hundreds, regular and visiting warblers, 520-629-0510 x4 or visit tucsonaudubon.org/fieldtrips and several exciting species hiding in the reeds. Birders of all experience levels welcome! Email There, you will find new destinations, full trip descriptions, [email protected] to sign up. Check leader and RSVP information, and more. website for switch to later start time On this page we list basic information of all those upcoming field trips that leaders have Thursdays, October & November: confirmed as we go to press. For a comprehensive list of Tucson Audubon field trips, please 8–9:30 am. Wake Up With the Birds at visit tucsonaudubon.org/fieldtrips. If you do not use the internet, you can call 520-629-0510 x4. Agua Caliente Park. A stroll through the Planning field trips four or five months in advance in order to publish a full list in this magazine bosque and along the ponds. Loaner binocs would impose an unfair burden on field trip leaders. We therefore only list the basics of available, meet in front of the ranch house. For more info call Pima County Parks and Rec., confirmed field trips below. Our website not only includes all trips planned by field trip leaders, 520-615-7855. but more comprehensive information about the trips listed here. Saturdays, October–May, 8–9:30 am. Tucson Audubon’s Mason Center. Families and birders of all skill levels are welcome. Visit tucsonaudubon.org/masoncenter for details.

Find complete field trip information (including weekly regional trips) at tucsonaudubon.org/fieldtrips G riffiths San Pedro River San Rafael Call 520-629-0510 x4 for a recording R eynolds Kate M att of upcoming Tucson Audubon trips. Some Upcoming Field Trips November 12—Tuesday 5 am San Rafael Grasslands Visit tucsonaudubon.org/fieldtrips Leader: Jim Hays [email protected] General Information Tucson Audubon for the latest, most comprehensive listings. field trips are offered at no charge and are led November 17—Sunday 7:30 am by expert volunteers. Bring money to cover October Tanque Verde Wash your share of the carpooling and any required Leader: Brian Nicholas weehawker2@ entry fees (e.g. for state parks). For specific October 3—Thursday 6 am yahoo.com 520-760-3583 Lower San Pedro at San Manuel information about a trip, contact the leader of Leader: Jennie MacFarland jmacfarland@ November 19—Tuesday 10:30 am that trip. Please dress appropriately for your field tucsonaudubon.org Reid Park Ramble trip. Always wear sturdy shoes, a hat, and use Leader: John Higgins 520-578-1830 sun protection. Bring plenty of snacks and water October 5—Saturday 8 am [email protected] for yourself. Always bring binoculars and a field Sabino Canyon guide, and for most trips a scope can be useful. Leaders: Jean & Mark Hengesbaugh November 23—Saturday 8:15 am [email protected] Oracle State Park Arrival Times Arrive before listed departure Leader: M.E. Flynn 520-797-1743 or me.flynn@ times. Trips will leave promptly at the time given. Oct 19—Saturday 7 am comcast.net (contact after November 15) Urban Birding by Bike Carpooling Sites Tucson Audubon strongly Leader: Michael Bissontz 520-577-8778 November 29—Friday 7:30 am encourages carpooling and for some trips it may [email protected] Patagonia Sonoita Creek and be required. Check our website for frequently the Patons used carpooling sites. You are expected to October 24 Thursday 7 am Leader: Cliff Cathers, [email protected] or reimburse the driver for the actual cost of fuel. Tanque Verde Wash 520-982-3272 Drivers and trip leaders are not expected to Leader: Jennie MacFarland jmacfarland@ contribute. tucsonaudubon.org December Rare Bird Alert Listen to the latest rare November December 5—Thursday 8 am bird alert at 520-629-0510 ext. 3. Report rare Urban Birding Across birds at 520-629-0510 or rarebirdalert@ November 2—Saturday 8 am from Catalina State Park tucsonaudubon.org Sabino Canyon Leader: Jennie MacFarland jmacfarland@ Leaders: Jean & Mark Hengesbaugh tucsonaudubon.org Don’t forget to stop in our Nature Shop [email protected] for your birding supplies.

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

December 7—Saturday 8 am Sabino Canyon Birding Travel Leaders: Jean & Mark Hengesbaugh from our Business Partners [email protected] Adventure Birding C­ ompany Warbler, fabulous Resplendent Quetzal, Blue- December 14—Saturday 8 am www.adventurebirding.com throated Motmot and Azure-rumped Tanager. Atturbury-Lyman Animal and [email protected] • 520-495-0229 Bird Sanctuary at Lincoln Park Solipaso Tours Leader: Kendall Kroesen kkroesen@ Big Bend Nat’l Park, Texas: Colima www.solipaso.com Warbler Short Tour: April 30–May 4, tucsonaudubon.org or 520-971-2385. 2014, $1195. Leader: John Yerger. Big Bend is Durango Highway and San Blas: January 17–26, 2014. $2900. Leader: David December 21—Saturday 8:30 am one of the most remote birding hotspots in the U.S., and home to some of its most spectacular Mackay. By combining a visit to the northern Sweetwater Wetlands scenery! It’s the only place in the country to find Sierra Madre with time in the tropical lowlands Leader: Deb Vath at [email protected] Colima Warbler, the focus of one long day hike. surrounding San Blas, it is possible to see more than 25 percent of the bird species that exist in December 29—Sunday 7:30 am A surprising number of habitats and oases are found within Park boundaries. Ideal for anyone the entire country of Mexico, including nearly Tanque Verde Wash, Agua desiring lots of birding and sightseeing on limited half of Mexico’s 100 endemic birds! Starting in Caliente Park, and Woodland Road vacation time. Lucifer Hummingbird, Painted Mazatlan, we travel up the Durango Highway Leader: Cliff Cathers [email protected] or Bunting and Common Black-Hawk are just a few and into the Sierra Madre looking for Tufted Jay, 520-982-3272 others we’ll seek on this fun-filled adventure! Military Macaw, Red-breasted Chat, Red-headed Tanager to mention a few. Great guides, great South Texas: Rarities and Specialties birds, lots of fun and delicious food throughout! January Short Tour: February 26–March 2, 2014, $1295. Leader: John Yerger. Limited vacation Oaxaca: February 8–15, 2014. $2695. Leader: January 1, 2014 : New Year Big Day time? This “short tour” will target some of the David MacKay. A 4000’ elevation gradient holds New Year Big Day rarest birds in the ABA region! Our main focus: a great array of habitats which have allowed the (location revealed upon registration) find mega-rarities in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. evolution of 12 birds endemic to southern Mexico Leader: Clifford Cathers [email protected] or In recent years, species included Crimson- and the valley of Oaxaca itself, including Dwarf Jay, Ocellated , Pileated Flycatcher, 520-982-3272 collared , Golden-crowned Warbler and Black-vented Oriole. In addition, we’ll seek rare Long-tailed Wood , Bridled and Oaxaca January 11—Saturday 8 am residents like Clay-colored Thrush and Red-billed Sparrow! Many of these birds can be found at Atturbury-Lyman Animal and Pigeon. And of course, spectacular South Texas such significant archeological sites as Monte Alban and Yagul which allows us the opportunity Bird Sanctuary at Lincoln Park specialties like Green Jay, Altamira Oriole and Buff-bellied Hummingbird will round out the trip! to combine cultural activities and some of Leader: Kendall Kroesen kkroesen@ the best food in Mexico with our birding! tucsonaudubon.org or 520-971-2385. See website for details and on this and other tours. Rockjumper—Worldwide Birding Tropical Bir­ ding January 25—Saturday 6 am Adventures www.tropicalbirding.com Whitewater, Willcox, [email protected] [email protected] • 1-800-348-­5941 and Wine www.rockjumperbirding.com Southern Ecuador: Highland Rarities Leader: Michael (USA & Canada toll-free): 1-888-990-5552 and Tumbesian Endemics July 9–25, Bissontz 520-577-8778 Comprehensive South Africa 2014: 2014. $4690, Single Supplement $480. Expect [email protected] Tour Dates: departures run almost every month a spectacular variety of habitat, scenery, VF of the year. Tour Price (per person) Eastern and birds on this tour led by Tucson’s Scott South Africa approx US$3,650, Western Cape Olmstead. The trip takes in both sides of the Extension approx US$1,650 (rate fixed in ZAR). Andes, visiting desert scrub and deciduous Eastern South Africa offers the classic African forests, montane cloudforests, high altitude Arizona Christmas Bird Count savannas of the world-renowned Kruger National elfin forests, and páramo. We target outrageous N eddermeyer Schedule 2013–2014 Park and Zululand game reserves, endemic-rich bucket-list megas like Jocotoco Antpitta, Orange-throated Tanager, Long-wattled The National Audubon Society has conducted mist-belt forests and the mighty Drakensberg. Our Cape Extension explores the breathtaking Cape Umbrellabird, and Rainbow Starfrontlet, while Christmas bird counts since 1900. Volunteers staying in comfortable lodges. Plan to see a C rane , M uriel Peninsula and its offshore pelagic waters, the from across North America and beyond succulent Tanqua-Karoo and flower-laden West large percentage of the birds endemic to the take to the field during one calendar day Tumbesian Region of SW Ecuador & NW Peru. VF

S andhill Coast. Target birds include both Rockjumpers and in December and January to record every Sugarbirds, Blue , Southern Bald Ibis, African bird species and individual bird encountered . These tours can produce up to 500 bird within a designated 15-mile-diameter circle. and 50 mammal species (including the Big 5). These records now comprise an extensive —Central American ornithological database that enables Specialties I 2014: Tour dates 11–19 Jan monitoring of winter bird populations and the 2014 (9 days). Tour price (per person) US$2,625. overall health of the environment. Help is Our Guatemala birding tour not only targets some really special Central American birds, but also needed on most of these counts, so find one samples spectacular volcanoes and highland or more and contact the compiler for info. The lakes, fascinating culture and historic Spanish and counts are now free. See tucsonaudubon. Aztec cities. Our trip targets some of the world’s tucsonaudubon.org/alliance to learn more about the products and services offered by our Bird & Business Alliance partners org/cbc for the full list of counts in Arizona. most sought-after birds including Horned , Ocellated , the gorgeous Pink-headed isit C hapman A rthur V

26 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2013 Visit tucsonaudubon.org/fieldtrips 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 Member donations. Please show them you appreciate their support for us by supporting them. Visit Arizona Birder Casitas offers affordable We extend special thanks and tucsonaudubon.org/alliance for more lodging for birders vacationing in southeast welcome to our third annual information, including links to member websites. Arizona. Its location in Green Valley is convenient Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival to Madera Canyon, one of the region’s most corporate sponsors as valued Gold *New popular birding and hiking areas. Our fully- furnished, one-bedroom condo offers a full members of Tucson Audubon’s Riverpark Inn • 800-551-1466 Birds & Business Alliance: kitchen, washer/dryer, and community pool. Sterling Copp er Visit in any season and rent our casita by the Riverpark Inn Adventure Birding Company week or month. The quiet community is age- Swarovski Optik • 520-495-0229 • www.adventurebirding.com restricted, so one renter must be 55 or older. Rockjumper BirdingTours • [email protected] ~Your hosts, John Munier and Dorothy Fitch. Rockjumper Birding Tours • www.rockjumperbirding.com www.azbirdercasitas.com | 520-332-4343 Leica Sport Optics Solipaso Tours • www.solipaso.com The Casitas at Smokey Springs Ranch Opticron USA Tropical Birding • 800-348-5941 Enjoy one of the five lovely casitas on our 20- • www.tropicalbirding.com acre ranch that provides you with a beautiful, WINGS Birding Tours Worldwide comfortable, and secluded home base while you Silver tour Tucson and the Sonoran desert. From your Cox Communications porch you can enjoy the birds and wildlife located right in your backyard. We are located in the Farmers Investment Co (FICO) • sahuaritafarms.ocm Tanque Verde Valley near the Wentworth springs, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold a lush riparian area and a birding destination. Each Sundance Press • 800-528-4827 casita is fully furnished with high speed internet, Sunglow Ranch • www.sunglowranch.com satellite TV and kitchens with coffee maker, Tucson Electric Power • www.tep.com microwave, gas stove, and outdoor BBQ. *Swarovski Optik • www.swarovskioptik.com www.thecasitas.com | 520 870-877 WINGS Birding Tours Worldwide www.wingsbirds.com Copper A Feathered Nest in Amado • 520-331-8649 21st Annual Associated Benefits Specialists, Inc. • 520-219-1950 Wings Over Willcox 2014 *Arizona Birder Casitas • www.azbirdercasitas.com Bed and Bagels of Tucson • 520-603-1580 Birding & Nature Festival Borderland Tours • www.borderland.tours.com January 15–19, 2014 Brooklyn Pizza Company • 520-622-6868 Arizona’s mecca • for wintering Banquet with Keynote Speaker: Casa de San Pedro B&B • www.bedandbirds.com Bill Thompson, III of Bird Watcher’s Digest Sandhill Cranes, *Casitas at Smokey Springs Ranch • 520-870-8778 presenting “The Perils and Pitfalls of Birding” Raptors & Down By the River B&B • 520-720-9441 Sparrows • Free Nature Expo with live animals • Birding, Geology, History & other tours Financial Architects • www.financial-architects.com • Free Seminars on Birding, Astronomy & more Hughes Federal Credit Union • 520-794-8341 Online registration: Kimberlyn Drew, Realtor • 520-237-1408 www.wingsoverwillcox.com *Leica Sport Optics • www.leica-sportoptics.com Call 1-800-200-2272 for brochure The Living Fence • 520-795-5300 Visit Tucson • VisitTucson.org Naturalist Journeys • 866-900-1146 *Opticron USA • www.opticronusa.com Lori Pascarella, Merrill Lynch • www.fa.ml.com/Lori Birds & Beer. Third Thursdays at Sky Bar: Pima Federal Credit Union • 520-887-5010 The TAS-ifieds October 17 and November 21, 5–7 pm. Free slice Quailway Cottage • 520-558-0019 Classified ADs of pizza, beer at happy hour prices, share your Ravens-Way Wild Journeys • 520-425-6425 bird photos. Classified and display ads are accepted from Salmon, Lewis & Weldon PLC individual members and members of our Birds San Pedro River Area Home For Sale Sierra Vista Ranch • Sasabe, AZ & Business Alliance. Visit tucsonaudubon.org/ Great for bird watching or fishing. Seventy acres Spirit Tree Inn B&B • 520-394-0121 vfly for rates or contact Matt Griffiths mgriffiths@ near St. David. Has small lake (not a pond), large *WINGS Birding Tours Worldwide • www.wingsbirds.com trees. Unique home made with 16 inch timbers tucsonaudubon.org to book an ad. VF from demo of O’Malleys lumber. See listing in Solar Inverter wanted for the Mason Center. Tucson MLS (#21324399) or call Sydney at Happy Call Paul Green 520-235-1796 if you can help. Valley Realty 586-3645. An oasis in the desert.

October–December 2013 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 27 NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID TUCSON, AZ 300 E University Blvd, #120 PERMIT #1345 Tucson, AZ 85705

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Vermilion Flycatcher Volume 58, Number 4, October–December 2013 © 2013 Tucson Audubon Society The Vermilion Flycatcher is the news magazine of the Tucson Audubon Society, a chapter of the National Audubon Society. National Audubon Society members and members of other chapters may receive the Flycatcher by becoming a Friend of Tucson Audubon. See membership at www.tucsonaudubon.org.

Save the Date! Tucson Audubon’s Year-end Appeal Tucson Audubon’s Sixth Annual Gala February 20, 2014 Featuring a Presentation by Kathy Jacobs Our Changing Climate Stories from the Inside Tucson Audubon member and birder Kathy Jacobs has spent the last four years working for the Office of Science and Technology Policy in Washington DC as the Assistant Director for Climate Assessment and Adaptation. Food Please contact Erin Olmstead at [email protected] or 520-209-1809 for sponsorship information or to reserve your place. or Poison? . com .J im B urns P hotos Help Tucson Audubon work to prevent poisoning B urns , www of wildlife. Donate online at tucsonaudubon.org/donate A merican Kestrel , J im & D eva

L on & Q ueta or call Jean Barchman at 520-209-1802

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

28 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher October–December 2013