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

Tucson Audubon Society | tucsonaudubon.org

f l y c a t c h e r Vermf li yl ci a to c hn e r5 July–September 2011 | Volume 56, Number 3

Fire and Water Sweetwater Wetlands Water-Energy Nexus

Big Storms, Big Birding… Big Days! Great Plains in Southeastern Arizona PLUS a special four-page Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival pull-out The QuA r T erly NewS M A g A ziN e of TucS o N AuduboN SocieT y | TucS o NAuduboN .org

Features Tucson Audubon Society | tucsonaudubon.org 11 Big Storms, Big Birding… Big Days! 12 What’s in a Name? House Wren f l y c a t c h e r Vermf li yl ci a to c hn e r5 July–September 2011 | Volume 56, Number 3 13 Field Identification of the Great Plains in Southeastern Arizona Tucson Audubon Society is dedicated to improving 14 Sweetwater Wetlands the quality of the environment by providing education, conservation, and recreation programs, environmental 16 Water-Energy Nexus leadership, and information. Tucson Audubon is a non-profit volunteer organization of people with a common interest in birding and natural history. Tucson Departments Audubon maintains offices, a library, and nature 3 Commentary shops in Tucson, the proceeds of which benefit all of its programs. 4 Events and Classes Fire and Water Tucson Audubon Society 4 Events Calendar Sweetwater Wetlands 300 E. University Blvd. #120, Tucson, AZ 85705 Water-Energy Nexus 7 News Roundup 629-0510 (voice) or 623-3476 (fax) All phone numbers are area code 520 unless otherwise stated. 18 Conservation and Education News Big Storms, Big Birding… Big Days! www.tucsonaudubon.org Great Plains in Southeastern Arizona 21 Field Trips PLUS a special four-page Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival pull-out Board Officers & Directors President Cynthia Pruett 23 Darlene Smyth: An Appreciation Vice President Sandy Elers 24 Birding Travel from our Business Partners FRONT COVER: Painted Redstart by Mike Danzenbaker. Secretary Ruth Russell Mike is a dedicated bird photographer and birder since Treasurer Richard Carlson 25 Birds & Business Alliance childhood, thanks to his father’s tutelage. See his Directors at Large Gavin Bieber, Jennie Duberstein, 25 Classified Ads Sandy Elers, Debra Finch, Richard Fray, Bob Hernbrode, photography at http://www.avesphoto.com. Linda Greene, Jessie Shinn, Linda Stitzer, Herb Trossman, 26 Nature Shops Claire Zucker To have your photographs considered for use in the 27 Book Review Board Committees Conservation Chair Chris McVie, Vermilion Flycatcher, please contact Matt Griffiths at Conservation Committee Board Liaison Linda Stitzer, [email protected]. Development Sandy Elers, Education Cynthia Pruett, Finance Richard Carlson, Membership Jessie Shinn, Nominating Linda Greene, Personnel Mich Coker & ENG-LI GREEN PAUL PHOTOS ALL Programs & Activities Field Trips Matt Griffiths 971-7924 Don’t Pick up that Baby Bird! Library 629-0510 Membership Meetings Jean Barchman 629-0510 Paul and Eng-Li Green Rare Bird Alert Andrew Core | Report Rare Birds 629-0510 Staff (unless otherwise stated, dial 629-0510 plus extension) Tucson Audubon receives many calls from people concerned about Executive Director Paul Green ext 7001 baby birds that have fallen out of their nests. Most of us can’t help but feel Accountant Michelle Bourgeois ext 7003 Finance ext 7014 that the defenseless creatures will die without our help, and our instinctive Membership Coordinator Jean Barchman ext 7002 response is to “rescue” them. The standard advice we give is, unless the bird Special Projects Erin Olmstead ext 7009 is obviously injured, the best thing to do is to leave it alone as the parents will Environmental Education Coordinator Bété Pfister ext 7012 most likely keep an eye on it and continue to feed it. IBA Conservation Biologist Scott Wilbor ext 7004 One recent morning, while checking on a brood of young Western Screech-Owls IBA Program Assistant–Biologist Jennie MacFarland ext 7005 Habitats Program Manager Kendall Kroesen ext 7006 that roost under the canopy of a dense citrus tree during the day, we came upon Field Supervisor Rodd Lancaster 256-6909 a young male American Kestrel on the ground, unable to fly. We knew a pair of Restoration / Communications Specialist kestrels had taken over an old Gila Woodpecker nesthole about 50 feet up a Matthew Griffiths 971-7924 dead palm tree close by, and surmised that the baby must have fallen out of Operations / University Shop Manager Sara Pike ext 7008 Deputy Nature Shop Manager Matt Brooks ext 7007 the hole. As we approached, the young kestrel clambered away and wedged Volunteer Coordinator / Agua Caliente itself in some rocks. Here was a test: to rescue or follow the advice we had Shop Manager Becky Aparicio ext 7011 often given to others? We decided to leave the bird and keep an eye on it. Tucson Audubon Nature Shops Left alone, the young kestrel scurried around, calling all the while. His 300 E University Blvd #120 ext 7015 623-3476 fax / 629-0510 Shop Manager vocalizations seemed to attract other birds: an Anna’s Hummingbird; a Curve- Hours: 10 am–4 pm, Monday–Saturday billed Thrasher, and a couple of Abert’s Towhees and Gambel’s Quails all came Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd 760-7881 over to take a look. Reassuringly, the adult female kestrel appeared to be taking note Hours: 9 am–3:30 pm , Thursday (July, August, September) of where the baby was from her perch atop the dead palm tree. About an hour later, as soon as the baby kestrel hopped into a less exposed Vermilion Flycatcher is published quarterly. For address brushy patch, the parent swooped down and delivered a lizard to it. Two days changes or subscription problems call 629-0510, or write later, we observed the young male kestrel being fed by the female adult to Membership Coordinator, Tucson Audubon, 300 E. about 20 feet up a juniper tree. Even as we watched, a young female was University Blvd, #120, Tucson, AZ 85705. Submissions are due the 1st of the month, two months before the date of the slowly “climbing” up the outer branches of the cedar towards the feeding issue. Please send submissions as Microsoft Word or RTF perch. Once there, she received her share of rodent. A third young was also documents, or plain text files, to Matt Griffiths at mgriffiths@ being fed in the nesthole. tucsonaudubon.org. It was good to confirm for ourselves the soundness of the advice not to pick Coordinator Matt Griffiths 971-7924 up that baby bird! VF Proofreaders Robert Merideth, Tucson Audubon staff, and volunteers Top to bottom: Two of a brood of four young Western Screech-Owls roosting Design / Layout Eng-Li Green under the canopy of a citrus tree; a young male American Kestrel on the ground, unable to fly; © 2011 Tucson Audubon Society the young male kestrel being fed by an adult female about 20 ft up a juniper tree.

2 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher July–September 2011 COMMENTARY PAUL GREEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Making Sense of a Crazy World: Teaching Kids to Think for Themselves

As a trained biologist, I worry when tons of carbon dioxide per year, or around those in positions of power, who have 90 million tons of greenhouse gases a no biological training, make decisions day. While natural processes absorb that are detrimental to our natural about half of the carbon dioxide emitted, environment, human health, and quality there is a net increase of 3.5 billion tons of life. That is why I feel it is so important of atmospheric carbon dioxide per year. that our children learn to explore, respect, The average level of carbon dioxide, as and understand the natural world and measured at the Mauna Loa Observatory biological processes—you never know in Hawai’i, has risen from 316 ppm in The photos on this page were taken at various Tucson Audubon events and activities that seek to engage young from where the next leader will emerge. 1959, to 394 in May 2011, well above the people and open doors to discovery for them. Above: Opposing cap and trade climate 350 ppm considered our safe maximum Young birders at a special Sweetwater Wetlands outing. legislation, a recently declared by the Intergovernmental Panel on Below, left to right: Children learning about wildlife in

the San Pedro River during a Riparian Family Institute; & ENG-LI GREEN PAUL presidential hopeful, in a statement on the Climate Change. Over the period 1906– volunteer Scott Olmstead mentoring a young birder House of Representative’s floor, asserted 2005, the globally averaged temperature during the first Tucson Audubon Youth Birding Club field that carbon dioxide is “a natural byproduct near the Earth’s surface rose by about trip; young volunteers helping to dig rainwater harvesting basins for an urban habitat resoration proogram at Barrio of nature,” stating, “Carbon dioxide is not 0.7 degrees C, more or less, with the rate Kroeger Lane. a harmful gas, it is a harmless gas. … of warming over the last half of that period We’re being told we have to reduce this almost double that for the period as a engaging and relevant education and natural substance to create an arbitrary whole. outreach programs, materials, and reduction in something that is naturally What can we do? We can teach people opportunities that: develop participants’ occurring in the earth.” to think for themselves and to participate birding skills and awareness; improve We know that carbon dioxide is in the scientific process so that our participants’ understanding of the a requirement for life—it traps solar society makes informed, science-based workings of the natural world; encourage heat, increasing the average surface decisions. natural resource conservation; and temperature of the Earth. Without Please join me as we welcome promote advocacy actions that support this “greenhouse effect,” the average Bété Pfister as our new Environmental the conservation of birds and their temperature at the Earth’s surface would Education Program Coordinator (see p 9), habitats. be about zero degrees F (-18°C) instead who is spearheading the implementation Your contribution to our Summer of its present 57°F (14°C). Our concern is of our new education plan. Bété, an Appeal will help us implement our about having too much of a good thing! experienced educator, begins her position environmental education plan. The Levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide as a part-time staffer as we raise the envelope is at your door and the appeal have fluctuated between 180 and 300 funds to support her training, to develop is on our website at www.tucsonaudubon. parts per million (ppm) for the past half- resources to help her in her job, and to org/summer-appeal (see the back cover million years (see James Hansen’s essay eventually (we hope) bring her to full time. of this issue). Our need is real, and the illustration at www.climateactioncentre. The goal of our education program benefits to our community immeasurable. org). Today, as we burn coal, oil, and is to foster awareness, understanding, Please donate today! Thank you! natural gas, we are reintroducing the appreciation, and stewardship of habitat, For more on climate change and the fossil store of carbon back into the birds, and other wildlife in the natural greenhouse effect, see www.ncdc.noaa. system, at a rate of around seven billion world. Our broad objective is to provide gov/faqs/index.html. VF L TO R: MATT BROOKS, KENDALL KROESEN, KENDALL KROESEN KROESEN, KENDALL BROOKS, KENDALL R: MATT TO L

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. July–September 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 3 AVAILABLE IN OUR EVENTS CALENDAR TUCSON AUDUBON NATURE ­SHOPS Birding Essentials By Jonathan August 17–21. Tucson Bird & Wildlife EVENTS AND CLASSES Alderfer and Jon L. Dunn Festival (see pullout for full details) This is a great book for beginners 8/17. First Annual Sky Islands Birding Cup and advanced birders alike. It is 8/17. Wild & Scenic Film Festival filled with information on “how to” 8/18. Birds & Beer Social birdwatch. It starts with basics, 8/19. Welcome Reception and but also includes many advanced Presentation by Rick Taylor birding techniques. This is the book 8/19–8/20. Nature Expo with free presentations throughout the day that is used for Tucson Audubon’s 8/19–8/21. More than a dozen expert-led “Moving to half-day and full-day field trips Mastery” 8/20. Workshop: Understanding what you classes. see for better bird ID with Kenn Kaufman $15.95 8/20. Keynote Banquet and Presentation by Kenn Kaufman 8/21. Workshop: Flycatchers with

SAY’S PHOEBE, LOIS MANOWITZ SAY’S TAUBERT BRUCE WARBLER, TOWNSEND’S Homer Hansen August 31 & September 3. Specialty Expand Your Birding Skills! Workshop: Warblers (see p 4) September 7 & 10. Specialty Workshop: Specialty Workshops Flycatchers (see left) August 31, 2011–February 17, 2012 September 10. Go Batty with Dr Ronnie Sidner (see p 5) Intended as stand-alone classes, evening class followed by a Saturday Class session: 6–9 pm October 12–November 9. Moving to these workshops are a great way field trip. Pick and choose several! Field trip times: TBA Mastery (see p below) to follow-up on Moving to Mastery Instructor: Homer Hansen (Ducks and Cost: $110 per workshop ($145 for techniques (though MTM isn’t Geese by Larry Liese). non-members) required). Each class focuses on Location: TAS offices on University Warblers: August 31 & September 3 a specific group of birds, and goes Ave. Flycatchers: September 7 & 10 into detail on similar species, ID Contact: education@tucsonaudubon. Sparrows: February 1 & 4, 2012 techniques, and vocalizations. org or 520-629-0510 x7012 Online This is a great way to gain skills for Raptors: February 8 & 11, 2012 registration for all identifying those difficult bird groups. Ducks and Geese: February 15 & classes opening soon! Each class consists of a Wednesday 18, 2012 Check tucsonaudubon. org/education for updates. Moving to Mastery October 12–November 9, 2011

Take your birding to the next level to identify some of the more difficult with our popular Moving to Mastery bird groups, how to use technical class. If you feel like you are ready to references, and how to understand move your birding skills beyond the bird topography. basics, this is the class for you. Taught by Wings Over Willcox chairman Class sessions: Wednesdays, Homer Hansen, this class will build October 12–November 9, 6–9 pm upon knowledge that you’ve acquired Field trips: Saturdays, October 15– through experience in the field, in November 5, 7 am a beginning birding class, or from Cost: $250 for TAS members, $285 private study. Homer’s techniques for non-members focus on structure and behavior to Location: TAS offices on University bring you to a better understanding Ave. of the bird identification. Over the Contact: education@tucsonaudubon. course of five weeks, you’ll learn how org or 520-629-0510 x7012 DORIS EVANS

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR SUITE OF EDUCATION CLASSES, PLEASE VISIT WWW.TUCSONAUDUBON.ORG/EDUCATION

4 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher July–September 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Go Batty in Backyard Birding & Beyond September Saturdays, January 14, 21, (no class January 28), February 4, 11, 18, 2012 September 10, 2011 Learn why southeastern Arizona adaptations birds have developed in Come watch nectar-eating bats is such a great place for birds and order to survive in our challenging gorge at hummingbird feeders as why birdwatching is so rewarding. environment. Course includes three they prepare to migrate south. Using Taught by Lynn Hassler, longtime two-hour classroom sessions and two infrared imaging, watch bats literally birder, educator, and noted author, field trips, up to 3 hours in length. attacking the feeders after dark. this course is designed for beginners. Classroom sessions: 9–11 am Dr. Ronnie Sidner will tell you a great The focus will be on identifying local deal about the bats to add to your birds and discovering their interesting Field trip locations/times: TBA enjoyment. Join us on Saturday, characteristics and charms. Lynn Cost: $135 for TAS members, $170 September 10 at 7 pm in Nogales will address how to separate birds for non-members at Linda Pfister’s house for this by habitat, seasonal occurrence, Location: TAS offices on University spectacular event. and behavior. Get the lowdown on Ave. Registration is $25 for Tucson binoculars and field guides, birding Contact: education@tucsonaudubon. Audubon members, $45 for vocabulary, and etiquette in the field. org or 520-629-0510 x7012 nonmembers. Registration is free for Also covered will be some of the

one child (age 10–15) per adult. To DORIS EVANS COOPER’S HAWK, sign up call 520-629-0510 x7012 or email education@tucsonaudubon. org. Only 12 slots are available, so set aside the date now. Learn with the Experts! Institute of Desert Ecology BAT AT FEEDER, ROB MONISPAPA; BATS AT SUNSET, ÉAMONN O’BRIEN-STRAIN SUNSET, AT BATS FEEDER, ROB MONISPAPA; AT BAT SARA PIKE SARA

April 19–22, 2012 dates for next year’s program. More interested in attending, please email Continuing our 40+ year tradition information forthcoming in the next or call Institute Director Matt Brooks of hosting this once-in-a-lifetime issue of the Flycatcher (or visit www. at 520-629-0510 x7007 or mbrooks@ Wild and Scenic event, we’ve already scheduled tucsonaudubon.org/ide). If you are tucsonaudubon.org. Film Festival Wednesday, August 17, 6:30 pm species. The field trip will give students The Loft Cinema • Hosted by and Birding By Ear a chance to use these skills in the May 2 & 5, 2012 benefiting the Coalition for Sonoran field. Vocalizations will be recorded Desert Protection Taking birding beyond the basics and brought back to the classroom to The Coalition is hosting its annual requires learning to use your ears as analyze. Limited to ten participants. Wild and Scenic Film Festival to much as (if not more than) your eyes. Taught by Homer Hansen. coincide with the beginning of the This class will delve into the world Tucson Bird and Wildlife Festival of bird vocalizations and give you a Class session: 6–9 pm (see pullout). So, if you are not taking framework for learning the voices Field trip time: TBA part in the Sky Islands Birding Cup of our master singers. The evening Cost: $110 ($145 for non-members) on August 17, you can watch some classroom session will introduce you Location: TAS offices on University movies instead! For more information to sonograms and vocalization types, Ave. about this traveling film festival, visit as well as work on comparisons Contact: education@tucsonaudubon. wildandscenicfilmfestival.org. between similar sounding Arizona org or 520-629-0510 x7012 PYRRHULOXIA, LOIS MANOWITZ

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. July–September 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 5 TUCSON AUDUBON EVENTS & CLASSES Tucson Audubon’s Living with Nature Lecture Series

TUCSON Living with LIVING WITH NATURE LECTURE SERIES INSPIRES Nature Lecture Series and Member Meetings Thanks to this season’s brilliant Living SINCERE THANKS TO OUR 2010 / The Living with Nature Lecture Series Traditional venue of DuVal Auditorium with Nature lecturers, we explored 2011 PRESENTERS: will resume in October. Stay tuned (NE section of the University Medical amazing birding destinations near John Alcock for more details on the 2011/2012 and far, discovered some of Arizona’s lineup in the Oct/Nov/Dec issue. In Center, Bldg. 501 N Campbell Paul Bannick most fascinating creatures and the meantime, check out the Tucson Ave) may change. Please check Jim Cornett tucsonaudubon.org for updates. ecological interactions, gained insight Bird & Wildlife Festival for a great Jennie Duberstein Program begins at 7 pm, second into the relationship between people series of FREE natural history talks at Paul Hamilton Monday of each month October and the wildlife whose environment the Riverpark Inn, August 19 and 20 through May. we share, learned to advocate for Homer Hansen (see pullout p IV). VF conservation of our precious natural Bob Hernbrode GREEN VALLEY Living resources, and were inspired to get Kendall Kroesen with Nature Lecture Series young people out birding! David & Jen MacKay Joyner-Green Valley Library, 601 N Thanks for sharing your Monday Anne Peyton La Canada Dr. 594-5295. Program evenings and Saturday mornings with begins at 10 am, third Saturday of Tucson Audubon! We look forward to Vincent Pinto each month October through March. another entertaining and educational Michael Smith Contact Erin Olmstead, 629-0510 ext. series next season. Rick Taylor 7009 or eolmstead@tucsonaudubon. Taldi Walter

org, for more information or visit DEB VATH tucsonaudubon.org. Anne Peyton of Liberty Wildlife with Lady Liberty (a rescued Bald Eagle) and two Sunnyside-Audubon Student Urban Naturalists. EXPERIENCE Southeast Arizona’s Birding at its Best AUGUST 17–21, 2011 • TUCSON, ARIZONA Incorporating the Sky Islands Birding Cup FEATURING ARIZONA’S NEW WORLD-CLASS BIG DAY BIRDING COMPETITION Keynote

WINGS), GRAY HAWK (JAMES PRUDENTE), ELEGANT TROGON (DOMINIC SHERONY) (JAMES PRUDENTE), ELEGANT HAWK WINGS), GRAY Banquet and / Presentation by Kenn Kaufman: Southeast Arizona Through the Eyes of Migratory Birds Welcome Reception and Presentation by Rick Taylor: Specialties of Southeastern Arizona: The Elevational Staircase

ROW 1, L TO R: MONTEZUMA QUAIL (ROBERT SHANTZ), WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD (LOIS MANOWITZ), RED-FACED WARBLER (JOHN HOFFMAN), FLAME-COLORED TANAGER (JAMES PRUDENTE), TANAGER (JOHN HOFFMAN), FLAME-COLORED WARBLER SHANTZ), WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD (LOIS MANOWITZ), RED-FACED (ROBERT QUAIL R: MONTEZUMA TO ROW 1, L (RICH C. HOYER (NED HARRIS), FIVE-STRIPED SPARROW R: EMPRESS LEILIA TO ROW 2, L Check the pullout and visit tucsonaudubon.org/festival to register

6 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher July–September 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. from the basement onto the roof, add Happy Birthday! TUCSON AUDUBON insulation to the roof space, and wrap NEWS ROUNDUP the building in insulation. Jan Hilton in April Earlier this year we reached out Best wishes to our July birthday to members to ask if they would members: Michelle Bourgeois, sponsor the replacement windows. James Lombardo, Fran Raffone, Amy A Clearer View of the Future It did not take long for you to respond Cynthia Pruett, Tucson Audubon President Gaiennie, Chris McCreedy, Judith and before we reached the summer Pirtle, Marisa Rice, Terry Russi, solstice our state-of-the-art windows Noreen Geyer Kordosky, Barrie Ryan, had been purchased and installed. John Glaspey, Susan Rolfe, Lynda Windows have been purchased Smith, Herb Trossman, Jerry Cole, by the following members of Tucson Susan McCollam, Henry Reed, Susan Audubon: Susie and Collins Cochran, Fallon, Susanne Drury Wanda Wynne and Craig Marken in memory of Gladys Marken and Marnie Best wishes to our August birthday Wynne; Kathy Olmstead in memory of members: Ronald Pacelt, Rodd Jim Olmstead; Lorel Piccurio; In honor Lancaster, Patricia McConnell, and memory of Cynthia Lindquist Johnny Mulholland, Michael Bruwer, (see p 9); Edward Hacskaylo; Marilyn Marcella Perunko, Marsha Colbert, Johnson and Ralph Van Dusseldorp in Carol Crews, Sheryl Kistler, Ashley memory of Dorothea Edwards; Dean Pedersen, L.F. “Swede” Warneke, and Sandra Taylor; Irene Ritch Flower; Pam Rader, Marsie Habib, John Linda Pfister on behalf of the Arizona Monahan, Joan Newman, Andy Quail Alliance; Alice and Bill Roe in Barss, Margaret Pope, Carol memory of Orpha Mason; Sandy and Bryniarski, Corrinne Bartell, Augusta Karl Elers; Marcee Sherrill in memory Davis, Jennie of Byron and Marian Sherrill; and Duberstein, Andrew JEAN BARCHMAN Hogan, Frank New windows being installed at Tucson Audubon’s Mason Center. David Fiore-McMahon. We are planning a thank you Sciannella, Retrofitting Tucson’s older housing 1950s house it owns on the northwest celebration once the hot weather Colleen Meigs, stock to make it less consumptive side, at the Mason Center, in order to has passed. Caroline Patrick, of fossil fuels and more comfortable save on our rental payments. Now, who would be interested in Candace Plumlee, to occupy is a huge need. This was We have four immediate tasks at helping us get those solar panels out Carolyn Bailey brought home to us when Tucson the Mason Center: replace the original of the basement and on to the roof? Best wishes to our September Audubon relocated some staff to a windows, put the 32 solar panels birthday members: Chris McVie, Peggy Smith, Narca Moore-Craig, Scott Wilbor, William Coggin, Carrie WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! Dean, Alan Craig, Brad Paxton, Diana Imig, Nick Nissen, Lee Wilson, Susan Aiken, Bettina Arrigoni, John Bache-Wiig, Carolyn Bailey, Kelly Bales, Jennifer Barnacastle, Dr. Andy Barss Susan Birky, Doug McVie, Micky and Dr. Janet Nicol, Ed and Linda Bartlett, Beverly Bear, John Bennett, Ed and Sara Berg, Sheila Bowden, Catherine Schap, Edward Montgomery, Dave Bradley, Clark Bryner, Shim Carmean, Heather Cassidy, Rick Clarke, Timothy and Jean Close, David and Mary Cook, Phillips, Neal Patronsky, Marion Carol Crews, Robert Cunningham, Larry Curry, William Davies, Carole DeAngeli, Alan Doty, Maija Downing, Pamela Weber, Bob Wenrick, Lori Bryant, Duncan, Jim and Judy Easter, Cynthia Edwards, Cynthia M. Elton, Virginia Fairchild, Elizabeth Fisch and Neil Fisch, Lita George Binney, Elizabeth Fisch, Polly Furby, Gretchen Gibbs, Michael Gray, Tina Greenawalt, Greg and Cat Greene, Nate Gwinn, David and Pamela Harden, Smith, Mira Tomas, Robert Wornall, Alison Harper, Barbara Harper, John and Patricia Hemann, Vade Henderson, Bob and Janine Hernbrode, Stephen Patricia McCarthy, Eng-Li Green, Herron, Dillon Horger, Nancy Horton, Linda Ilizalitarri and Sean Hamm, Sandra Knight, Lucy Kraft, Floyd and Catherine Lorel Picciurro, Marcee Sherrill, Lacewell, Abe and Norma Lackow, Laura Landrum, Larry and Karen Lee, Jim and Sally Lockwood, Rose Lujan, Sharon Gerald Sweeney, Carol Tierney, Jane Mathers, Elaine Mattes, Nancy Mattson and Joanna Ponce, Chris McCreedy, Margrit McIntosh, Rebecca McSwain, Erikson, Brian Walsh, Steve West, Bill and Rita Mueller, Joseph Morris, Johnny Mulholland, Ervine Munroe, Maile Nadelhoffer, Harriet Norton, Shelley Martha Wiewel, Matt Brooks, Patricia O’Brien, Bob Parker, Gerald and Thelma Parr, Ann Penton, Liz Petterson, Bété Pfister, Aurel Piantanida, Joan Ponton, Hennigan, Brian Walker Peggy Portman, Quailway Cottage, Diane Raab, Duffy and Pam Rader, Ann Rangos, M. Susan and John Rice, Jennifer Rioux, Andrew Robinson and Jan Waterman, Anthony Rodriguez, Debra Rosko, Dereka Rushbrook, Noel Ryder, Patrick We wish to thank Brad Paxton, Ryder, Lois Sanchez, Chandler Schoch, Jennie Scott, Michael Septoff, Lynn Shaw, Pete Shifflett, Jessica Shuman, Mia Patricia Orosz-Coghlan, Aaron Pie, Sieminski and Bruce Summers, Carissa Sipp and Dan Hunt, David Sonneborn, Cynthia Steindorff, Diana Strnatka, Ann and Jean Rios for their generous Takamoto, Kathleen Tanner, Jenean Thomson, Kim Tompkins, Cydney Turner, William Tweed, Jennie Updegraff, Sharon donations to the birthday fund. Wahl, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Watts, Dennis Weeks, Peter and Kathy Wege, James Weiss, JoAnna Westmoreland, Ivan Have you remembered Tucson Whitesel, Bert and Susan Winkler, Anita and James Woodward, Charles Zlatkoff Audubon Society in your estate We welcome Quailway Cottage as a new Birds & Business Alliance Copper Level member. planning? Please let us know. Jean Barchman,Membership Coordinator

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

Remembering David West Cynthia Lindquist: David West, a long-time Tucson “A Wrenching Loss” Audubon volunteer, passed away on May 12, 2011. For those of us who Those were the words of David Cynthia graduated from Rincon knew David and had the privilege Yetman as he remembered Cynthia High School and the University of to work with him, he will be greatly Lindquist. Cynthia was born on June Arizona, and completed her doctorate missed. David was 90 years old and 27, 1947, in Tucson and passed away in Arid Lands Resource Sciences. still working in the Nature Shop this on March 16, 2011, after a sudden She was employed by the UA spring. A birder for over 70 years, he illness. She represented the best of and oversaw agricultural economic brought a genuine light to our Nature our active volunteers. development projects in Mexico. An Shop and Offices. As Carl Olson said of her: “energy, expert in the study of semi-tropical David began his volunteer work joy, awe and happiness. Life through Sonora, she made many contributions with Tucson Audubon in February, during his working days, David always you and around you was always the to her field. She led expeditions 1992 and served for 19 years in our offered to fix things up around the great adventure.” Cynthia certainly organized by the late Paul S. Martin Nature Shop and library. He was shop and library, and was known to had that love and enthusiasm for the to collect plants, and studied plants an activist with both conservation make a heck of a cup of coffee, and complexities of our natural world, and of the Río Mayo region in the state of and population matters and had a sometimes leave a maple cookie or inspiring others to share in those. Sonora, Mexico, in addition to writing passion for plants, birds and other other special snack on the desks of As an avid volunteer, she gave her dissertation on the Río Mayo. wildlife. He kept our library in excellent the shop staff. His smile, sparkling generously of her time and her talents. Her interests included ethnobotany, shape, and was never afraid to sell blue eyes, and stories of his latest Cynthia was a caring educator human impacts on biodiversity, a pair of binoculars with knowledge birding adventures brightened our with a passion for outdoor and the potential for sustainable and enthusiasm. Being a carpenter Mondays and Saturdays. environmental education and development in Mexico. She also headed up Tucson Audubon’s Desert conducted research on packrat Institutes. She was Director of the middens in Nevada, Mexico, Jordan, Institute of Desert Ecology, and our and Chile. Liscum Diven: A Great Figure in other Institutes of the 1990s, and Tucson Audubon has dedicated the initiated the Tidal Ecology Family new window in our Habitat Restoration Arizona Birding History Institute at Rocky Point, Mexico. She Office at her beloved Mason Center, When did you first get interested was also an active member of our and we are accepting donations in in birding? When I was five years Board of Directors and Education her honor. We are also discussing old I liked to visit all the subways in Committee, and a great supporter the most appropriate living memorial New York City. My mom thought that of our Birdathon. She was always at the Mason Center. Please contact was unhealthy and wanted to get so concerned for others, and for the Paul Green for more information at me interested in other things so she welfare of Tucson Audubon. [email protected]. bought my first book about birds. It was just a standard bird book. I was fascinated and thus began my lifetime interest in birding. Liscum Diven amassed a huge

Is there a particular bird, or birding STEVE RUSSELL collection of bird-related books from experience, that you remember all over the world during his lifetime. even more fondly than all others? The long-time resident of Scottsdale, If so, what? My trip to Australia was AZ recently donated a large portion quite interesting. I saw over 500 of this amazing library to Tucson species. We were with a famous tour Audubon (through Arizona Audubon) leader named Orville Crowder who when he moved from his home of was a pioneer in birding trips. He six decades. and I had a game to see who could Tucson Audubon had the chance stay ahead in counting birds and I to interview Liscum when we did. He didn’t like that. He was a real discovered that he had led a very character. interesting life. He was one of the founders of Maricopa Audubon and Do you have a “nemesis bird” (a had seen over 5,000 bird species. species you have sought many Unfortunately, Liscum died May 17, times but not yet seen)? In South

2011, shortly after this conversation. America there was a night parrot I DORIS EVANS Thanks to Mich Coker for the never saw. It may be extinct now. Cynthia Lindquist in Alamos, Mexico, on 3 November 1994 during Tucson Audubon’s third questions and Linda Pizzuto for annual Institute of Tropical Ecology, with David Yetman (inset), and with Gela Martinez and Read the full interview at our blog, Alberto Bourquez from the University in Hermosillo (top). A new window at Mason Center conducting the interview. blog.tucsonaudubon.org (bottom) will be dedicated to Cynthia Lindquist.

8 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher July–September 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. TUCSON AUDUBON NEWS ROUNDUP VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Volunteer News Roundup Meet Shirley S. Davis Volunteer Becky Aparicio, Volunteer Coordinator of the Quarter at Tucson Audubon. New Volunteers to you for necessary communication Shirley, an Oklahoma native, has lived in Arizona since she was We welcome new volunteers Dennis as well as to broaden our search for three years old. She became a and Bonnie Weeks, Karen Dunne, community-based volunteers. It’s not serious birder when she moved and Jenise Porter. all about finding new volunteers but making sure we retain, supervise, and to Connecticut where she and Just How Important acknowledge our volunteers. Thank her family lived on the edge of Are Our Volunteers? you for all you do! the woods. She joined Tucson lots of good birds.” Like many of our Very! According to a number of Audubon in 1989. In 1993 under the volunteers Shirley has given her volunteer and statistical sources, Volunteers Needed leadership of Greer Warren, Field time widely in other organizations. She was a hiking leader, delivered overall effectiveness of non-profits Southwest Wings in Sierra Vista Trip Coordinator, she and May Criley for Mobile Meals, and volunteered is significantly greater when their August 3–6: We will have a began leading the first Tuesday field for Pima Council on Aging. She and volunteer infrastructure has a strong membership table this year so will trips. She says, “I’m pleased to have husband Norman have four grown organizational model. Only 11% need volunteers for morning and been in at the beginning of what children and five grandchildren. of nonprofit organizations have a afternoon shifts each day to give out has become such an important part strong service model. In a recent literature about Tucson Audubon and of Tucson Audubon.” When Joan First time birding: Started meeting with Volunteer Southern sign up members. For those of you Tweit was editor of Finding Birds in becoming interested in birds while Arizona the status of volunteerism in the Sierra Vista area please help if Southeast Arizona, Shirley was on watching a Phoebe nest building was discussed and among a number you can. See www.swings.org for their the publication committee for two outside my lab in Madison, WI, of telling points was that the dollar program revisions and wrote several site and noticing another bird, Eastern contribution of service is about $597 descriptions and assisted with the Kingbird, flying back and forth to the Tucson Audubon’s Bird & million. I, like many nonprofit volunteer proofs. Fifty years of Christmas Bird telephone wire nearby. Wildlife Festival coordinators, have multiple duties Counts, five years for the Tucson August 17 through 21: Centrally Favorite place to bird: As my because of budgetary constraints, Bird Count, as well as many years of located at Tucson’s Riverpark Inn. family will attest, anytime, anyplace so, I have to work smarter, not banding birds in Connecticut, show Many volunteers will be needed for is good for me to bird. necessarily harder, to keep up with Shirley to be a die-hard advanced this inaugural event! You won’t want to Tucson Audubon’s growing volunteer level birder. She currently volunteers Unusual event that happened miss this opportunity! See pullout. needs. We will be utilizing more web- in the shop at Agua Caliente Park while birding: Coming nose to based volunteer-search strategies as Please contact Becky, baparicio@ on Fridays, and feels that our bill with an American Woodcock in well as sharing innovative community tucsonaudubon.org or 629-0510 X presence there is important and a CT while searching an area of low services to meet these needs. I’ll 7011 for volunteer information. Check good introduction to a new group of shrubs on the edge of the river. Each be utilizing our membership email online www.tucsonaudubon.org for people. “Besides”, she says, “it has of us went into reverse quickly. format more and more to reach out more details

Welcome to Our New Environmental Education Program Coordinator

We welcome Bété Pfister to Tucson underwater surveys for commercially manage existing education activities, and playing music with Batucaxé, Audubon as our new staff lead in important species of fish and marine and to develop new ones for Tucson an Afro-Brazilian drum and dance education. invertebrates within the San Pedro Audubon. She feels passionately ensemble based here in Tucson. Bété (pronounced BEH-teh) Martir Island Biosphere Reserve. about fostering a connection to the While Bété begins her career moved to Tucson three years ago While she was in Kino, she began natural world for her children and with Tucson Audubon in a part-time after living for eight years in Kino Bay, her career as an educator and mentor, for our greater community. She has capacity, she comes at an opportune Sonora, a small fishing village on teaching marine biology, ecology and seen the positive and powerful impact time for growth. Our Education the shores of the Gulf of California, conservation-based field courses that local, community participation in Committee is finishing up our new Mexico. It was there she explored the to Prescott College students at the conservation initiatives can have on Education Plan. We have received a interface of the desert and the sea College’s Center for Cultural and the success of conservation programs pledge of three years partial support and had amazing opportunities to Ecological Studies. For two years, and is looking forward to engaging in for Bété’s position and we shall be follow resident and migrant landbirds, she coordinated Prescott College’s this important work. reaching out to members to match that shorebirds, seabirds through environmental education program Bété is originally from New gift. We look forward to the day when the seasons, onshore and in the local Kino schools and England and has a bachelor’s degree Bété is working for us full-time with offshore into the Midriff since then the program in Biology from Skidmore College and a cadre of volunteers to support our Islands. Offshore, she has grown to reach 700 a Masters degree in marine resource goal of provide engaging and relevant participated in photo- children a week. management and policy from the education and outreach programs, identification projects A teacher and mentor University of Washington’s School of materials, and opportunities for our with fin whales and sperm at heart, Bété is excited Marine Affairs. She enjoys exploring community. For more information whales and conducted about the opportunity to outdoors with her family and dancing please see p 3.

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. July–September 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 9 TUCSON AUDUBON NEWS ROUNDUP

Important Bird Areas The Arizona IBA Program at Ten Years Scott Wilbor, IBA Conservation Biologist and Jennie MacFarland, IBA Assistant–Biologist

Actually 10+ years! In January 2001 the Arizona Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program began with Tucson Audubon after our attendance at the first National IBA Conference at Everglades National Park. Since that time we have grown the program to operate full time for bird conservation in Arizona

(Audubon Arizona joined in the IBA Program administration in 2005). MACFARLAND JENNIE We have generated funding for the program from a variety of sources, with our strongest partnership Above: IBA survey volunteers established with the Arizona Game Right: Map of approved IBAs in SE Arizona (AZ IBA Program) and Fish Department (Arizona Bird Conservation Initiative program) since We have also developed an avian the beginning. Key private donors science program to inventory and and foundations have also provided monitor bird populations at IBAs. The support throughout the years. IBA Program trains participants to Our IBA Program is part of a conduct science-based bird surveys, minded landowner and an agency (2006). For Santa Rita and Patagonia global program overseen by Birdlife both as part of regular IBA Teams at mandated to mitigate other projects, Mountains protection (2008–2011), International with IBA Programs in 178 nearby IBAs, and to assist our broader in a conservation purchase. This effort we are advising the Forest Service countries, and the National Audubon monitoring needs at IBAs in diverse resulted in key occupied habitat being about impacts to high-value bird Society in the United States. There landscapes across the state. We protected for the Southwestern Willow habitat and species of concern from are nearly 11,000 IBAs identified usually lead 2-3 training workshops Flycatcher and Yellow-billed Cuckoo. potential mining and the forest road across the world, and 2520 IBAs in per year, and coordinate up to 25 IBA Since then (2006 to 2011), we have network plan. the U.S. The goal of this program is to Teams composed of approximately continued to be deeply engaged in We are now using our website identify the most critical sites for birds 130 IBA volunteers, of which 15-20 providing bird data and maps (through (www.aziba.org) to inform the public across the globe, and to work for their are involved in special projects at extensive surveys & reports) for about the areas and bird groups (e.g., conservation and protection. more distant IBAs. our partners involved in lower San desert birds) we are monitoring, and The Arizona IBA Science Key to our program is the pursuit Pedro River land management and how individuals can help, either with Committee has approved 40 critical of conservation/protection of priority conservation (BHP Billiton and The on-the-ground habitat projects, by areas in Arizona as “State IBAs” from IBAs. Threats to bird habitat, number Nature Conservancy). We also have formally joining our program (training nominations compiled by biologists, of bird species of concern, and land advocated for a new wildlife refuge for and monitoring at an IBA), or informally birders, and our program. Five of protection opportunities interact to set the lower San Pedro River. with their birding and reporting (to these IBAs received further “Global our priorities. As such over these last We also have helped to protect E-bird) at IBAs. To see the identified IBA” status from the National Audubon 10 years we have actively led and/or habitat on the upper Santa Cruz River. and potential IBAs in Arizona, check IBA Technical Committee, as they advocated for protection of the Upper This was achieved by successfully out our new interactive IBA Google met higher level global criteria. These Santa Cruz River IBA (near Tubac), advocating for the expansion of map (click on the IBAs to see their Global IBAs in Arizona are: 1) Lower Sabino/Tanque Verde, Tuzigoot Tumacacori National Historical Park status in the program, a list of species San Pedro River IBA, 2) Anderson IBA (near Cottonwood), the Santa (2003), speaking to the Santa Cruz of concern and a summary species list Mesa IBA, 3) Marble Canyon IBA, 4) Rita Mountains IBA, the Patagonia County Board of Supervisors to from our surveys, and link to our bird Bill Williams River National Wildlife Mountains and Sonoita Creek area, protect the floodplain from housing survey database or recent E-bird data). Refuge IBA, and 5) Chiricahua and for the Lower San Pedro River developments (2007), and writing to We have new challenges ahead Mountains IBA. These 40 IBAs (plus IBA (Cascabel to Dudleyville, with the Arizona Corporation Commission with tightening budgets of our a few additional areas that may yet focus on San Manuel to Mammoth). to successfully re-route a power line funders, but we have also established be approved from our list of potential Indeed, we began with an early away from sensitive mesquite bosque a diverse and strong network of IBAs) are our “core areas” of bird (2003) conservation success of habitat (2009). At Sonoita Creek partners, volunteers, and private populations of conservation concern protecting 125 acres on the lower San State Natural Area we contributed support. So we still see a bright future in Arizona and the focus of our Pedro, facilitating a 1½ -year process to trail management guidelines for our special Important Bird Areas conservation attention. of bringing together a conservation- for sensitive bird nesting species in Arizona! VF

10 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher July–September 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Big Storms, Big Birding… Big Days!

A “How-To” Guide SEE BIRD TO

JOHN YERGER

August, very simply, is the reason I Ok, so August is fantastic for birding; live in southeast Arizona. Many of my but the article is “Where to Go, Birds to friends from other parts of the country See?” Well…go everywhere, and see all WHERE TO WHERE TO GO can’t fathom this. For them, August is a of them! It’s a great time to find as many time of sweltering heat and humidity. For species as possible in 24 hours with a me, August is a very special time to be in group of your best birding pals. Arizona. I’m especially excited about the By August, the “monsoon” is in full 1st Annual Sky Islands Birding Cup swing. This season’s short but spectacular on August 17, 2011 (see pullout). The daily thunderstorms are perfect for challenge is certainly tantalizing. breaking the afternoon heat! Calls of frogs Arizona currently holds the national and toads fill the night air; birds begin record for highest August Big Day to sing anew; plants that have been dry total: 199 species (per the American and brown all year become lush, turning Birding Association). One unpublished vibrant shades of green: kelly, jade and total is over 200! Top to bottom: Storm clouds over Chiricahua Basin, lime. It’s Arizona’s “Second Spring!” Whether your Big Day species goal Madera Canyon, and Willcox Lake. At the same time, southbound migrants is 75 or 175, the fun factor is the same. are abundant. A well-planned Big Day But how does one prepare a good route each site at about the time of day you in August can yield up to 14 species of for the day? Simple: plan for an epic intend to arrive. You might be amazed hummingbirds, 16 warbler species, 17 day of birding! First, the route should to discover how active the birds are at Emberizids (towhees/sparrows), and traverse as many habitats as possible. Patagonia Lake at 2:00 pm! Once you up to 20 species of shorebirds! I’ve An outstanding array of habitats can have the results of your scouting efforts, seen migrating flocks with hundreds be found in close proximity to Tucson: you can tweak the route as needed. of individuals of two dozen species— desertscrub, grassland, chaparral, If this sounds like too much work, try from Painted Redstarts and Red-faced evergreen woodland, conifer forest, a more relaxed version—what I call a Warblers to Warbling Vireos and Rufous riparian woodland, and even wetlands. Of “Little Circle Big Day.” For this event, Hummingbirds. This is also the time course, non-traditional habitats like urban simply select a birdy location and set of year when radically rare birds often areas and cliffs need to be considered up a 17-foot diameter circle. Then, see appear: Plain-capped Starthroat, Yellow- for species not tied to any particular plant how many species you can detect from green Vireo and Aztec Thrush are a few community (e.g. Eurasian Collared-Doves within that circle! (Barbecues, lawn such jaw-droppers. in towns, or White-throated Swifts and chairs and stepladders are as important Rock Wrens at cliff faces). as binoculars.) Another option is a new The tricky problem is how to squeeze gas-saving concept inspired by Kenn so much amazing birding into 24 hours! I Kaufman, the “Little Circle Circuit.” This start by calculating driving times, dividing interesting twist allows up to four different the remaining hours between each birding circles in sequence, spending as much or ALL PHOTOS JOHN YERGER JOHN PHOTOS ALL locale. The potential strategies are as as little time as desired in each. Finally, varied as the birds themselves. One such non-competing teams can just try out the route might start in the Madera Canyon Big Day concept, while still raising funds area, cutting over to Empire Gulch via the for Tucson Audubon. In any event, it’s fun scenic Box Canyon Road, and refueling to think about how many birds southeast in Sonoita. All of the Patagonia hotspots Arizona has to offer at this incredible time can be birded after lunch, finishing along of year! the Santa Cruz River and I-19 corridor For more information on how to get before dark. involved in the Sky Islands Birding Cup, Once you have a tentative idea of your visit www.tucsonaudubon.org/festival. VF route, go scouting! It’s really enjoyable to truly explore all of your favorite birding John Yerger is a co-owner and tour leader spots, and you’ll need as many stake- for the Adventure Birding Company outs as possible to save time on the Big (adventurebirding.com). He currently lives in Day. Each team member might scout a Portal, AZ, where he manages the Quailway Bullock’s Oriole (top), Lazuli Bunting (bottom), Yellow- Cottage with his wife, Morgan Jackson. headed Blackbird (inset) different area. It can be useful to scout

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. July–September 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 11 Interesting stories about birds with interesting ­names House Wren A NAME LARRY LIESE GEORGE WEST

Wrens are such a fun group of birds. I

WHAT’S IN WHAT’S have a friend who loves wrens. She likes to watch birds and enjoys seeing a new species, but if the bird is a new wren you should see her smile! I used to wonder what attracted her to them until I realized that wrens always seem like such happy little birds. They may be plainly colored, but certainly are fun to enjoy. In this issue we look at House Wrens. They can be found in southeast Arizona all year, though in different habitats at different seasons. These birds breed in riparian woodland and higher elevation forest, but keep away from the lowlands when hot weather comes. In migration they are found in almost any brushy habitat, and can be quite common in winter in densely vegetated lowland areas when many wintering birds arrive from breeding areas to the north. sexes sing but in many populations the as the seasons change. Brushy areas The House Wren is named for its habit females song differs from the male’s. along lowland riparian stretches such of frequenting areas around people’s House Wrens are cavity nesters and as the Anza Trail near Tubac would be houses, and it will readily use nest boxes. females are thought to choose mates best in migration and winter while higher The scientific name Troglodytes aedon mostly by the quality of potential nesting elevations reached by the trails above the was given by Vieillot in 1809 from the sites. The male sometimes starts building road end in Madera Canyon or the upper Greek words troglodytes “cave-dweller” a nest before pair selection but the half of Mount Lemmon would be best in (from trogle “hole” and dytes “a diver”), female finishes construction and does all summer. Also, try to look for coloration for the bird’s habit of diving into cover, the incubating. He provides food for the detail when you find a cooperative bird. and aedon “a songstress,” for Aedon, one growing wren family but pair bonds are House Wrens just look brownish overall of the daughters of Pandareus in Greek not kept past each breeding cycle. with no light eye line from a distance or mythology. House Wrens range from Canada in dim light but have nice detail if you get House Wrens are fun to watch as all the way to southern South America, a good look so give that a try sometime. they flit about foraging for food, but what making it the most wide-ranging native Good luck! VF I enjoy most about them is their song. passerine in the New World. House To me its bubbling cadence is a joy to Wrens in most of the U.S. are from the hear as it sounds so alive, part of the “northern” House Wren group. There forest visit experience that makes me are two other main groups—the Brown- AVAILABLE IN OUR NATURE SHOPS­ feel privileged. Not easily described, I’ve throated and Southern House Wrens. always thought the typical song as having Here in SEAZ we have intergrades of beginning, middle, and end sections with northern and brown-throated, but pure a definite “bubbly” character to it. Both versions of the latter are found south of the border in the mountains of Mexico. Besides the main three groups there The scientific name comes are many island endemics that are increasingly being considered separate from the Greek words species. Of the thirty or so subspecies, troglodytes “cave-dweller” most look quite similar but many have $60.00 for the bird’s habit of diving slightly different songs. into cover, and aedon “a While most readers will have plenty songstress,” after one of the of past sightings of House Wrens under daughters of Pandareus in their birding belts, you might want to pay Greek mythology. attention to where you encounter them

12 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher July–September 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Field Identification of the Great Plains in Southeastern Arizona

RICK TAYLOR HABITAT TYPES HABITAT

Bird number 211 for the yard list at Plains sparrows include my home in the Chiricahua Mountains the enigmatic Baird’s, and Above: Great Plains grasslands in was a Grasshopper Sparrow that both Chestnut-collared and SE Arizona. Inset: Ferruginous Hawk arrived for a one-day stay this April. McCown’s Longspurs. Insets below: Cassin’s Sparrow and Mountain Plover SE ARIZONA SE ARIZONA Presumably displaced by this spring’s Locations: In the entirety of record-book drought, this smidgen of a Southeastern Arizona, ecologist David E. sparrow somehow found the postage Brown maps only two areas of remnant Springs Valley. The federal program to stamp of grassland surrounding my Great Plains grassland, both in Santa extirpate Black-tailed Prairie Dogs in the home in a mountain canyon, and set Cruz County. One is the rolling prairie 1930s, however, apparently eliminated about ravenously consuming millers south of the Canelo Hills. This is the families of Ferruginous that relied on hiding in the lawn. A few canyons over, famous San Rafael Valley. North of the these and other rodents to rear their a few weeks later, a Cassin’s Sparrow Canelo Hills lie the wide grassy swales of young. appeared in the little patch of meadow the Sonoita Grasslands. Another pivotal event in our grassland in Cave Creek Canyon in front of the Aside from harboring Baird’s history occurred in the 1930s. Farmers Southwestern Research Station. Sparrows, these golden, grass-mantled from the Great Plains fled the Dust Bowl Indicator Birds: Like the Burrowing hills constitute the most reliable sites and immigrated to the Sulphur Springs Owl, the Grasshopper Sparrow is an in Southeastern Arizona for wintering Valley. Here they began to convert the example of a species that historically Sprague’s Pipits. But both of these birds surrounding ranchland into a quiltwork of reached its greatest abundance in the occur elsewhere along the ragged treeline fields called Kansas Settlement. By 1970 vast reaches of turf that once carpeted where grasslands merge with oaks at the over 25,000 acres were under plow. The North America from the steppes of base of other border ranges. Noteworthy transformation from native grass to grain the Rockies to the bottomlands of the locales include the outlet of Price Canyon benefitted a new arrival from the Great Mississippi River. Cassin’s, however, is on the east side of the Chiricahuas, the Plains. Primarily feeding in corn stubble, a classic example of a bird whose range southern piedmont of the Huachucas, the first winter census in 1970 showed is exclusive to the Great Plains. The and the upper Altar Valley east of the approximately 750 Sandhill Cranes in male’s poignant song, often delivered in Baboquivaris. the Sulphur Springs Valley. By 2010 that flight with head cocked and tail spread, Other predominantly Great Plains figure had grown to over 40,000. is a sure giveaway of robust Great Plains species have shifted from the grama Few plant and animal communities grassland. Although Cassin’s occasionally grass prairies where they evolved, and in North America have undergone the sing in springs following a wet winter, adapted to agricultural fields in the broad immense changes of the Great Plains. typically Cassin’s reserves its skylarking valleys that separate the border ranges. Our isolated fragments of this system display until after the midsummer Examples of these are Ferruginous Hawk mirror those changes. Displaced monsoons have saturated the valleys and and Mountain Plover. In recent years the sparrows—the Grasshopper in my yard or ignited the grass-stand. sod farms and miles of fields in the Santa the Cassin’s in Cave Creek Canyon—are But the majority of our Great Plains Cruz Flats northwest of Tucson have living reminders of the tremendous stress birds arrive in winter. Beginning in proven reliable for both species. the Great Plains grasslands are facing late July flocks of Lark Buntings with “Hawk Alley” is the local nickname today throughout Southeastern Arizona. VF lead-colored bills and dingy white wing for the Sulphur Springs Valley. Over crescents sweep down the front 100-miles long and 25-miles wide, this Rick Taylor is Managing Director of Borderland ALL PHOTOS RICK TAYLOR RICK PHOTOS ALL range of Colorado and immense mosaic of grassland, cropland, Tours www.borderland-tours.com. His new cross the flat and grassy and pasture hosts more wintering photographic field guide, Birds of Southeastern Continental Divide in Ferruginous Hawks than any other area Arizona, is available at Tucson Audubon’s southern New Mexico. of Southeastern Arizona. Ferruginous Nature Shops. Other wintering Great Hawks formerly bred in the Sulphur

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. July–September 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 13 Sweetwater Wetlands WETLANDS BRUCE PRIOR

Where does the water come from unsustainable rate. Simultaneously, the In addition to filtering water at the that flows daily through the Sweetwater U.S. Geological Survey was documenting RWTP, Tucson Water uses the process Wetlands? Every drop is recycled water, measurable land surface subsidence, of “recharge and recovery” to increase SWEETWATER SWEETWATER but a more complete answer requires a lowering of the land surface, which total water production capacity to over both detail and history regarding the was also attributed to the de-watering of 30 MGD. (That Ruddy’s beak is so development of Tucson’s Reclaimed subsurface aquifer. City water planners blue!) To achieve this, recycled water is Water system. (To maintain the reader’s recognized turf irrigation to be an pumped directly to 28 acres of recharge interest, the author has added subtle unnecessary depletion of a finite, valuable basins visible from the Sweetwater reminders of the Sweetwater Wetlands resource and developed an alternative Wetlands. There water percolates through location.) water supply appropriate for that end use. the soil where it is temporarily stored Those who visit or live in the Sonoran (Was that a Marsh Wren?) underground. Adjacent wells pump the Desert of Southern Arizona are constantly In 1984, the City of Tucson built the water from storage to meet customer reminded of the lack of natural surface Tucson Reclaimed Water Treatment Plant demand. water. Lakes, ponds and rivers common (RWTP) to produce reclaimed (reused) By this time, the reader is surely across the United States are noticeably water using filtration and chlorination. asking, “When is he ever going to answer lacking and the region’s natural drainage Later that year, reclaimed water for the question?” Well, the beautiful habitat channels will likely produce buckets of turf irrigation was delivered to the first that is the Sweetwater Wetlands is also sand rather than buckets of water. As customer, La Paloma Golf Course. The a 17-acre filter that removes suspended recently as the beginning of the last source of the water treated at Tucson solids, Nitrate and other compounds from century, naturally flowing surface water Water’s RWTP was Pima County’s Roger the water. The Sweetwater Wetlands was more common than today. The loss Road Wastewater Reclamation Plant. receives 100% of the backwash water of flowing surface water in the region is The filters at Tucson Water’s RWTP are produced by the RWTP. Since the generally attributed to the gradual over- capable of producing 10 million gallons a volume of backwash water produced is pumping of the aquifer to satisfy demand day (MGD), but they must be backwashed insufficient to maintain the Sweetwater from agriculture, industry and municipal to maintain their efficiency. Wetlands, flow to the Wetlands is population growth. The Reclaimed Water System, which is supplemented with recycled water from Prior to 1984 in Tucson, areas of large operated on a 24/7 basis, has expanded Roger Road Wastewater Reclamation turf irrigation, including all City parks, golf to now convey over 30 MGD of reclaimed Plant. Today the water in the Sweetwater courses and school fields, were irrigated water in the summer to more than 900 Wetlands is a blend of approximately with water pumped from our underground customers. (That’s the biggest turtle 10% backwash water and 90% recycled aquifer. (There’s a Harris’s Hawk!) This I’ve seen here!) These customers water from the Roger Road plant. was the same groundwater that would include most of the large turf irrigators (Those Common Yellowthroats are otherwise be conveyed to Tucson Water in Tucson and Pima County including everywhere!) customers as drinking water through the municipal golf courses, over 70% of City Lastly, all water that flows from the potable water distribution system. Since park land, school districts, the University Sweetwater Wetlands drains into the the mid-1940s, pumpage from the aquifer of Arizona, and Davis-Monthan Air Force nearby recharge basins. Eventually, it to meet demand lowered the water table Base. The Tucson Water Reclaimed too soaks into the ground to later be of Tucson’s Central Well Field by up to Water distribution system extends from extracted and used as turf irrigation water five feet per year. By the early 1980s, the eastern Civano neighborhood near throughout the reclaimed water system. water resource planners recognized that Houghton and Drexel to the northwestern The quiet water of the Sweetwater Tucson’s valuable underground water Dove Mountain development north of Wetlands is truly “water reuse” in motion reservoir, which had accumulated over Tangerine Road. and visitors should remember that this

ALL SWEETWATER WETLANDS PHOTOS MATT GRIFFITHS MATT WETLANDS PHOTOS SWEETWATER ALL geologic time, was being depleted at an constructed, urban wildlife habitat is an important facet of the City’s Reclaimed Water system. VF

Bruce Prior has worked in the Water Resources Management Section of Tucson Water Department for 23 years. He was fortunate to be brought into the Special Projects Unit in 1996 when the Sweetwater Wetlands was being designed.

14 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher July–September 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Sweetwater Wetlands BRUCE PRIOR

Main photo: Pond in Sweetwater Wetlands (Matt Griffiths). Inset, clockwise from top left: Red-winged Blackbird, Harris’s Hawk, Common Yellowthroat, and Ruddy Duck (All bird photos taken by David Quanrud at Sweetwater Wetlands except Common Yellowthroat by Robert Shantz) For a behind-the-scenes peek at how reused water is supplied to Sweetwater Wetlands and how the facility fits into the Tucson’s Reclaimed Water System, join hydrologist Bruce Prior on August 19 at the Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival (see pullout p IV)

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. July–September 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 15 Water-Energy Nexus: Would you Pay for Clean Air?

ENERGY PAUL GREEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND KENDALL KROESEN | HABITATS PROGRAM MANAGER

Pima County’s population increased electricity in the state: last year, the CAP 2.5 microns in diameter can enter the fivefold between 1950 and 2000. We used 2.8 million megawatt hours (MWh) bloodstream and be transported directly

WATER AND WATER pulled more water out of our local aquifer to deliver more than 500 billion gallons of into vital organs. than went back into it, resulting in the Colorado River water. Most (95 percent) Along with nearly 4000 tons of sulfur death of large numbers of plants and the of the energy used by CAP is produced dioxide emitted annually by the NGS, animals they supported along the Santa at the coal-burning Navajo Generating NOx contribute to acid rain—causing Cruz and Rillito Rivers and the Pantano Station (NGS) near Page, Arizona, damage to vegetation and buildings—and Wash as our water table dropped. A and most (74 percent) of the electricity the acidification of lakes and streams, and falling water table also threatens us with produced by NGS is used by the CAP. have detrimental effects on health. the potential for ground subsidence and Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide land surface fissures. NGS as Polluter are synergistic in their detrimental Rainwater harvesting, low water use The NGS is the state’s largest effects on plant life. Nitrogen dioxide single source of carbon dioxide (CO ), landscapes, and other water conservation 2 also contributes to ground-level ozone, actions have long been Tucson Audubon emitting nearly 20 million tons each year formed when oxygen, nitrogen dioxide priorities as we raise awareness of the (about the same as 3.5 million cars). and volatile organic compounds mix in the need to reduce water use. We have often This is around one-fifth of all Arizona’s presence of sunlight. High concentrations mentioned the nexus between water use greenhouse gases. That translates to of ozone can also damage crops and and energy, and you will also shortly be around 400 pounds of CO2 for the amount other plant life and damage materials hearing a great deal about its effects on of water you would consume in a year such as rubber. Ozone contributes to air quality, global climate change, and the (you probably produce around six times asthma attacks, chronic lung disease and cost of your water. As we learn in ecology, that amount from driving your car). premature death. everything is connected. The NGS releases around 273 pounds The NGS uses around 28,000 acre- To replace ground water use, the of mercury each year—a toxin linked feet of water each year during energy Central Arizona Project (CAP) was to impaired neurological development production, mainly in the cooling towers. in fetuses, infants, and children, mainly built between 1973 and 1993 to bring Externalized Costs through ingestion of contaminated fish Colorado River water to Maricopa, Pinal, Coal burning plants have many and shellfish. and Pima counties, at a cost to taxpayers externalized costs, uncompensated The NGS is the second largest source and ratepayers of a total of $4 billion. harms inflicted upon the public at large of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the United Today, advocates for human health, and on Native American populations in States, at 31,000 tons each year. NOx is environmental justice, and the natural particular. Studies suggest that each made up primarily of two gases—nitric world are alerting us to the pollution of year the emissions from the NGS result oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO ). NOx our air, water, and soil from using CAP 2 in about 300 asthma attacks, 25 heart water. Next time you go to your faucet for react with ammonia, moisture, and other attacks, 16 deaths, 15 asthma ER visits, water, stop and think a moment about the compounds to form small particles. These 12 other hospital admissions and 11 ecological consequences. small particles penetrate deeply into cases of chronic bronchitis. Perhaps more than 80 percent of sensitive parts of the lungs and can cause Other externalized costs to which the Tucson’s water now comes from the CAP, or worsen respiratory disease, such as CAP contributes along with extractions water that is pumped up 2,400 feet in emphysema and bronchitis, and can of water from the river for metropolitan elevation over a distance of 336 miles in aggravate existing heart disease, leading areas and agriculture, include decreased an open channel across the desert. As to increased hospital admissions and biological productivity of the Colorado a result, the CAP is the biggest user of premature death. Particulates less than River delta, which stands at less than 0.5 percent of what it once was, as the water flowing through the delta has been reduced to just 5 percent of its original flow, severely diminishing riparian habitat

ALEX E. PROIMOS along the Colorado River. Regional Haze Rule

AMNH SEMINARS ON SCIENCE In 1999, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a major effort to improve air quality in national parks and wilderness areas. The Regional Haze Rule calls

16 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher July–September 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Water-Energy Nexus: Would you Pay for Clean Air? PAUL GREEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND KENDALL KROESEN | HABITATS PROGRAM MANAGER

for states, in coordination with the EPA, the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and other interested parties to DIANNE WHITE work together to improve visibility in 156 national parks and wilderness areas, Above and bottom right: Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal. Bottom left: Navajo Generating Station near Page, Arizona. including Grand Canyon and ten others in Arizona. Controlling nitrogen oxides In a worst case scenario developed requirement that the NGS use state-of- and particulates clearly have significant by CAP, if the power plant closed and the-art air scrubbers rather than cheaper human health and environmental co- the CAP faced a three-fold increase in its alternatives that the plant owners benefits: this discussion should not be energy costs because of buying energy and power users argue will do just as focused entirely upon visibility issues in on the open market, it would increase good a job. The EPA will not reach any our national parks. Right now, the EPA is the cost of water by $159 per acre-foot conclusion for several months, and so in the process of setting rules to control to $228 per acre-foot. This is around has not yet recommended a particular NOx emissions at coal-burning power 52 cents per Ccf (100 cubic feet or 748 technology. plants like NGS to protect visibility and gallons—the measurement used on your As we have seen, there are costs to exposures to emissions in our state. water bill). By way of reference, a Tucson the way we use water beyond the ones Determination of Best Available Water customer pays between $1.60 and we pay for in our water bill—the hidden, Retrofit Technology $11.85 per Ccf (depending on use) when externalized costs that include our The Best Available Retrofit Technology new rates become effective in July 2011. personal environmental and economic (BART) provisions of the Regional CAP suggests that the owners of health from the quality of the air that Haze Rule seek to reduce air pollution the NGS (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation we breathe, the fish that we catch and emissions by adding additional pollution 24.3 percent, the Salt River Project eat, the health of our forests, the wildlife control equipment to existing facilities. 21.7 percent, Los Angeles Department of lost from riparian areas, and decreased Two technologies are being considered Water and Power 21.2 percent, Arizona ecotourism revenues as a result of lost as part of the BART process for the Public Service Company 14 percent, habitats, lost vistas at our national parks, NGS, the cheaper and less effective low- Nevada Energy 11 percent, and Tucson and damage to our buildings and cars. NOx burners, and the more expensive Electric Power 7.5 percent) might not Isn’t our quality of life worth more than and more effective Selective Catalytic be willing to pay more than $1.2 billion a few dollars each month? We pay for Reduction (SCR). dollars to upgrade a plant with SCR these costs and more anyway, through Under pressure from regulators and technology if the plant faces other taxes, medical bills and lost quality of life. the public, the plant installed scrubbers uncertainties, such as renewal of the Tucson Audubon believes we should pay to remove sulfur dioxide in the 1990s and site and coal leases with the Navajo them upfront and have a cleaner natural between 2008 and 2011 they installed and Hopi Nations and other upcoming environment as part of the bargain. More special burners to reduce NOx emissions Clean Air Act regulations. If they are realistic water rates would remind us, with by 40 percent. willing, by CAP’s admission, the rate every water bill, of the true cost of water paid by customers—both municipal and the need to conserve. Effects on the Cost of Your Water and agricultural users—would not rise The rate that CAP currently charges The EPA had hoped to propose dramatically. However, because farmers its BART determination for NGS this municipalities with a CAP allocation of use so much more water than others, summer, but they need to formally consult water is $122 per acre-foot, of which CAP is concerned that higher rates may power costs represent $53 per acre- with all the tribes in Arizona before cause them to switch back to pumping foot. CAP-derived estimates suggest they can do that. EPA expects that its less expensive groundwater. that installation of SCR together with proposed BART determination will be “bag-houses” for particulate removal Power and Politics delayed by several months while it works would exceed $1.2 billion, increasing the Over the last couple of years, the through the tribal consultation process. energy component of water cost by one CAP General Manager has been There will eventually be a public comment third, or by $17.50 per acre-foot. This campaigning to have business interests period plus at least two public hearings would increase the total supply cost by and others lobby politicians to block where the public will have the opportunity 14.3 percent, from $122 per acre-foot to pollution controls on the Navajo power to provide comments on our proposed $139.5 per acre-foot. It is not clear how plant. Arizona congressmen Trent Franks action before EPA makes a decision. much this would add to your domestic and Paul Gosar held a congressional Tucson Audubon will keep you informed water bill. hearing on May 24 to question EPA’s on the process. VF

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. July–September 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 17 CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION NEWS Moving to CHRIS MCVIE, PAUL GREEN, KENDALL KROESEN, AND SCOTT WILBOR Smart Water Tucson Audubon board member Linda Stitzer has left the Arizona Smart from the Start: New Solar Energy Facility Department of Water Resources, Permitted in Avra Valley where she worked for 25 years as a statewide water planner and held suitable habitat for the threatened several positions in the Department’s Western burrowing owl. The entire Tucson Active Management Area, parcel is located within the Biological including Director, to take a position Core of Pima County’s Conservation with Western Resource Advocates Lands System, with conservation (WRA) as Arizona Senior Water guidelines of 80% on-site open Policy Advisor. WRA is a non-profit space, 4:1 off-site mitigation, or environmental law and policy a combination of both. Through organization with offices in seven negotiations with key stakeholders, western states and strategic programs including representatives of the in three areas: Water, Energy and Coalition for Sonoran Desert Lands, with a mission to ensure a Protection, the final site plan sustainable future for the West. She identifies 100 acres for wildlife habitat will be working with local and regional

FRV.COM restoration on-site and gives direction water providers, governments and Global Solar, another FRV project on seven acres in Tucson that began operations in 2008 for appropriate off-site mitigation. policymakers to advance water and powers 98 homes. The on-site acreage will include planning, conservation and efficiency Solar energy in Tucson took a Electric Power through a nearby artificial burrows for burrowing owls programs in Arizona including WRA’s step forward recently when the transmission line. and resting habitat for the threatened Smart Water program that aims to Pima County Board of Supervisors By approving this cutting-edge Western yellow bat. Monitoring and meet human water needs while also unanimously approved a 200-acre facility and working through a management will also be required protecting healthy aquatic ecosystems solar energy generation facility in series of negotiations with key throughout the length of the lease in western rivers and streams. the Avra Valley area, pending final stakeholders, Pima County confirmed (up to 30 years). agreement on mitigation details with its commitment to renewable energy. Along with being an exciting win the City of Tucson. This 25-MW(dc) This project is a first step towards for renewable energy, this project photovoltaic panel system will deliver reducing our dependence on coal also highlights the opportunities over 50,000 MWh annually, enough and establishing a template for smart and benefits of multi-jurisdictional to power 3,500 homes. The company renewable energy projects in our cooperation for the conservation of building the facility, FRV Tucson Solar, region. Sonoran Desert wildlife species. is leasing the land from Tucson Water The site itself is a retired Kathleen Kennedy, Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection

and selling the electricity to Tucson agricultural field with particularly RAINWATER HARVESTING BASINS, LEE PAGNI

• Keep bird feeders clean, year, even well-fed cats with bells on Conservation Corner! especially hummingbird feeders their collars. Do the humane thing— for both birds and cats—and keep the • Clean birdbaths frequently since Dogs and Cats and (May–June) relatively little food cats indoors. If they must go outside, they can be a vector for avian Birds, Oh My! is available. Food becomes more build them a screened enclosure that diseases Summertime is a risky time for pets. abundant for birds when the summer keeps them separate from birds… Heat stress and dehydration are rains come (usually early July), • Try to protect birds against window and coyotes! real dangers for our furry household because insects begin to flourish strikes—young, inexperienced Kendall Kroesen friends, especially if they go outside. again and plants start to put on birds are especially susceptible Habitats Program Manager And predators are around growth, flowers and fruits. But (ask the Nature Shop staff how) outdoors too! Just this morning as summer brings higher incidences of • Make sure pets have plenty of I walked my dogs at 5:30 a.m., two avian disease. water and cool places to go young adult coyotes loped past And of course, outdoor cats are • Do not leave dogs outdoors us down a residential street in our always a danger to birds. very long, and never leave them midtown neighborhood! A few years It is time for us to redouble our unattended in cars back I saw another one early in the efforts to keep our pets safe and • Keep cats indoors at all times morning with a cat in its mouth. healthy, and to protect our wild avian Summer is a risky time for birds friends. Here are the most important Studies suggest that outdoor cats as well. In the hot, dry foresummer steps you can take kill hundreds of millions of birds every WILL KEIGHTLY WILL

18 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher July–September 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. New Natural Protected Area in Northern Mexico a Haven for Regional Wildlife JESSICA LAMBERTON JESSICA SERGIO AVILA SERGIO AVILA

You may remember reading about and the United States, CONANP has documented 170 species of birds Tucson Audubon seeks to help those who Rancho El Aribabi in the July/August certified that “Rancho El Aribabi” hosts there, including Thick-billed Kingbird, live south of the Mexican border make 2009 Vermilion Flycatcher (see a wide array of protected species of Green Kingfisher, Rose-throated a living from ecotourism as they work to “A Biological Bridge between the plants and animals and their habitats Becard, Sinaloa Wren, Black-capped conserve natural areas. Two members of our Tropical and Temperate Americas” whose protection mitigates climate Gnatcatcher, Montezuma Quail, Birds & Business Alliance do this in two by Sergio Avila and “Ecotourism, change effects in the region. Under Five-striped Sparrow, Streak-backed different ways. Habitat Protection, and Community- this designation, El Aribabi remains Oriole, and Common Black Hawk. It is Solipaso Tours www.solipaso.com, is a based Conservation in Northwestern privately owned by the Robles family, a birder’s paradise.” small Mexican birdwatching tour company Mexico” by Jennie Duberstein and Jim who will continue to manage the ranch “Carlos Robles’ successes expand whose office of operations is in the foothills Rorabaugh). El Aribabi, a privately to maintain the excellent conservation beyond international borders, and his of the majestic Sierra Madre mountains in the owned ranch in northern Sonora is status of the property. land ethic reaches people from all beautiful colonial town of Alamos, Sonora, located just 30 miles south of the “Our family is proud to provide a walks of life, making him a model for Mexico. As they say, they are at the front international border. We are very preserve for the region’s plants and community-based conservation in the door of the tropics and the back door of the happy to announce that in March 2011 animals in perpetuity,” says Carlos region,” says Sky Island Alliance (SIA) Sonoran desert. The fantastic diversity of the the Mexican National Commission of Robles Elias, owner of Rancho El Executive Director, Melanie Emerson. region is what originally brought the owners, Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) Aribabi. “For my family it means SIA has documented jaguars, David and Jennifer Mackay there and what announced the designation of sharing our lives with all the wildlife ocelots and many other common and persuaded them to forge deeper into the “Rancho El Aribabi” as a Natural that surrounds us. Whether we realize protected species, and has provided country to experience and see even more. Protected Area, under the category it or not, we all have a commitment to training for over 100 volunteers and Solipaso is the largest and longest operating of Voluntary Land Conservation. protect the natural world, since we rely students from Mexico and the U.S. on Mexico-based bird watching tour company. The designation protects 10,000 on nature to eat and live.” the ranch. Another member, Rancho La Esmeralda acres of private property located in “Designating Rancho El Aribabi Tucson Audubon members can www.rancholaesmeraldanogales.com is the Municipality of Imuris, Sonora, as a protected area gives the Robles visit Rancho El Aribabi as part of a 150-year-old working cattle ranch that for ecosystem and biodiversity family the recognition they deserve for a number of upcoming tours this opened its doors to the public in 2002, conservation, environmental their hard work in bringing attention to summer. To learn more visit http:// and offers a wide range of activities and education, and ecotourism. the incredible diversity of their land, www.conserventures.org/explore/ or opportunities, including birding. The facility is After a long process initiated and as well as their efforts to protect and http://www.aplomado.com/. solar powered with full communications. led by landowner Carlos Robles improve the area for wildlife in the Sergio Avila, Sky Island Alliance Please support our business members Elias, and supported by scientists region,” says Sonoran Joint Venture and Jennie Duberstein, (see pp 24 & 25 and visit tucsonaudubon. and conservation groups from Mexico Coordinator Robert Mesta. “We have Sonoran Joint Venture org/join-aamp-support/business-members/ members.html for more details). Sun Zia Transmission Line Update Many community and environmental corridors through Tucson, which are groups, including TAS, have offered essentially unbuildable as they are not constructive comments on the large enough, as well as Lower San proposed SunZia transmission line Pedro River valley options on either being assessed by the BLM. Of the side of the river and an option coming variety of routes considered in the through Aravaipa Creek from east BLM’s original scoping document, to west. BLM’s Draft Environmental recent conversations with BLM Impact Statement is expected to be indicate that the field has been released this fall. VIOLACEOUS TROGON , GODFREY R. BOURNE, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION R. BOURNE, NATIONAL TROGON , GODFREY VIOLACEOUS

narrowed to options along riparian CREEK, BLM ARAVAIPA

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

Falling Water Table Threatens San Pedro River

A federal judge has rejected the or overdraft, of the aquifer is now conserve this river and almost 400 latest plan by the U.S. Army and U.S. approximately 6,000 acre-feet per bird species and near 100 mammal Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) year and growing. species that depend on it. The aimed at preventing damage to the “This is a great victory for San moment has never been more critical San Pedro River and its endangered Pedro River protection,” said the with increasing drought conditions species from groundwater pumping to Center’s Robin Silver. “It is time predicted by climate scientists.” serve Fort Huachuca and the Fort’s to acknowledge that the area is In 2003, the city of Sierra Vista and population in surrounding areas. In a too fragile to support all of Fort Fort Huachuca-led Upper San Pedro ruling responding to a lawsuit by the Huachuca’s missions, most of which Partnership promised “to eliminate Center for Biological Diversity and can be accomplished elsewhere with deficit groundwater pumping by Maricopa Audubon Society, a federal no loss of defense capabilities.” 2011.” Based on this promise, Sen. & ENG-LI GREEN PAUL judge said the Army and the Service The court’s most recent decision John McCain (R-Ariz.) supported irrigation uses effluent and any excess relied on a “legally flawed” plan that follows a study released by the Center a congressional legislative rider by is recharged in the recharge ponds at didn’t protect the San Pedro River and in January showing that the adverse former Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.) the eastern part of the base. The Fort failed to properly analyze groundwater effects of groundwater pumping by the to shield Fort Huachuca from full has also taken on responsibility for pumping’s effect on imperiled species Fort and the city of Sierra Vista are responsibility for its negative impacts some water use off base. In addition, such as the Southwestern Willow moving close to the San Pedro, and on the San Pedro and to protect the the city and county have plumbing Flycatcher and a plant called the water levels are declining near the Fort in the 2005 Base Realignment rebate programs, water conservation Huachuca water umbel. river at the Fort’s eastern border. and Closure round. But even with ordinances, and education programs, The Army and the Service will “The San Pedro Riparian National this legislative shield, the Fort has and Sierra Vista recharges effluent to now have to produce a new plan to Conservation Area is an important not come up with a defensible plan create a mound of water between the protect the river from the Fort’s deficit migration corridor for birds across the to protect the San Pedro from the river and the regional pumping center, groundwater pumping. Western hemisphere, and has been massive local groundwater pumping which has made a big impact. The San Pedro is the Southwest’s identified as an Important Bird Area in upon which the Fort depends. “Most of the easy ways— last surviving undammed desert river, Arizona,” said Scott Wilbor, Important Local efforts have been made to inexpensive, uncontroversial—to threatened by local groundwater Bird Areas Program Conservation reduce the effects of Fort Huachuca reduce the annual deficit have been pumping that intercepts water that Biologist with Tucson Audubon. on the San Pedro River. On the base, enacted,” said Bruce Gungle of the would ordinarily move from the aquifer “To safeguard this critical ecosystem steps have been taken to reduce U.S. Geological Survey. “To reduce seeping through the riverbanks to every partner involved in groundwater water use. The Army has done the deficit further will probably require provide surface flow to the river. The management will need to increase plumbing retrofit and replacement, politically difficult decisions and/or a annual local groundwater deficit, their efforts once again to ensure we installed waterless urinals, most lot of money.”

Wildfires Update This year’s fire season has been a as fire approached their properties. In have survived, including Portal and also have to think about erosion and difficult one for many in southeast May, the news out of the Chiricahua Cave Creek Canyon, the George flood issues in the burned areas. Arizona. Mediocre monsoons last year Mountains was disheartening as Walker House, Ash Canyon B&B, the Post-burn habitat succession will combined with minimal winter rains high winds pushed the fires past the Battiste’s B&B, Beatty’s Guest Ranch, begin, and nature will exploit the new created “tinder dry” conditions coming burn-out lines that firefighters had Ramsey Canyon, and Sycamore opportunities. into early summer. An oft-repeated created. Then a fire started in the Canyon. And areas that did burn, Our special thanks go to the statistic is that the humidity levels White Mountains and quickly flared such as Rustler Park and Barfoot firefighters and emergency teams who in much of our southeast Arizona into the largest fire in Arizona history, Lookout, did so in patchy distribution. sought to protect property, and who woodlands and grasslands stood at and another in Coronado National Some sections were heavily burnt, even went out of their way to protect three percent throughout much of May Monument on the south end of the while others had understory burns known nesting trees for trogons, and June, whereas kiln-dried lumber’s Huachuca Mountains. It was fed by that will leave the forest healthier in goshawks, and others. They saved moisture content is around seven strong winds into a blaze that burned the long run. Birds that are burnt- the homes of a good many friends, percent. While rather general, these across the entire southeastern flank of area specialists, such as Buff-bellied both feathered and unfeathered. For figure illustrate the dryness here since the mountains and caused the loss of Flycatcher and some woodpeckers, up-to-date information on fire status the beginning of the year. many homes and structures. will undoubtedly quickly move in to in the state, visit: www.inciweb.org/ The fires that have burned through Now that many fires have been at take advantage of this new habitat. state/3/. VF our national forests and surrounding least partly contained by firefighters’ As of press time the monsoons Matt Brooks areas struck a chord with birders, efforts (as well as burning through are still some way off, and many of Deputy Nature Shop Manager as many of our favorite areas were available fuel), we can see that us continue to worry about the dry affected. Many of us knew people who the result is not a bad as we may lightning storms that usually precede

KRESENT GURTLER KRESENT were forced to evacuate their homes have feared. Many birding locations them. Once the rains arrive, we’ll

20 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher July–September 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. WEEKLY BIRD WALKS TUCSON AUDUBON FIELD TRIPS MATT GRIFFITHS | INTERIM FIELD TRIP COORDINATOR Thursdays—7:30 am Wake Up With the Birds at Agua Caliente Park. A stroll through the bosque and along the ponds. Loaner binocs available, meet in front of the ranch house. For more info call Pima County Parks and Rec., 520-615-7855. Fridays—8–9:30 am Tucson Audubon’s Mason Center Friday morning bird walks will resume in the fall. Check in the next issue of Vermilion Flycatcher or visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates. Lucifer Hummingbird BRUCE TAUBERT BRUCE Coronado Forest trips: Please July 19—Tuesday 5:30 am Mt Lemmon contact leader for latest news. Let’s start early on a search for the birds that like the cooler climes at elevation on Mt Lemmon. Meet MORE FIELD TRIPS ARE Yellow-billed Cuckoo JIM & DEVA BURNS, WWW.JIMBURNSPHOTOS.COM JIM & DEVA at the shopping center at the NE corner of Tanque AVAILABLE ONLINE Verde and the Catalina Highway at 5:30 am. Bring July water and lunch. We’ll bird our way up to the top. Visit tucsonaudubon.org/ Back at the parking lot at about 2 pm. Leader: Bob A July 2—Saturday 7:30 pm–9:30 pm Bates ([email protected]) fieldtrips for more trips and Night Nature Walk at the latest or expanded field trip Sweetwater Wetlands July 26—Tuesday 6 am Experience the magic of the night as we search for Madera Canyon information or call us at 520-629-0510. night birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians and We’ll escape the heat of summer by General Information aquatic critters. Bring water, binocs, flashlight with climbing into the Santa Ritas for a visit to always- Tucson Audubon field trips are free. For general red light, and bug repellant (possible mosquitoes). birdy Madera Canyon. Bring water and lunch. information call 520-629-0510. For specific Limited to 15 people. Call/email Pinau at 520-546- Meet at Fry’s at I-10 and Irvington for a 6 am information about a trip, contact the leader of 9409 or [email protected] to sign up. departure. Leader: Scott Olmstead (520-840-9567 that trip. [email protected]) July 10—Sunday 6 am Please dress appropriately for your field trip. Huachuca Hummingbirds July 30—Saturday 8 am–3 pm Always wear sturdy shoes, a hat, and use sun The Huachuca Mountains are famous for Sierra Vista: Hummingbirds protection. Bring plenty of snacks and water being one of the best places in the US to watch for Beginners for yourself. Always bring your binoculars, hummingbirds, and July is one of the best times. Those who are new to birding or hummingbirds are field guide, and for most trips a scope can be With forest closures and other restrictions still especially invited to a slow-paced morning visiting useful. Bring money to cover your share of the likely, we’ll have to decide at the time where we go, two “hummer” hot spots in Ash and Miller Canyons. carpooling and any required entry fees (eg for depending on which sites are open. These could Easy walking except for short steep climb on dirt state parks). include Beatty’s Guest Ranch, Ramsey Canyon, trail. Leave at 8 am from Houghton just north of Arrival Times Ash Canyon and maybe even a return to Tucson I-10. Back by 3 pm. Bring picnic lunch and money Please arrive before listed departure times. Trips via Paton’s in Patagonia. Bring a hat, sunscreen, for “sugar funds “ and optional ice cream. Mileage will leave promptly at the time given. rain gear (if monsoon has arrived), plenty of water 150 miles. Carpooling encouraged due to limited and something for lunch. This trip is limited to 10 parking. Limited to ten persons. Sign up by phone Carpooling Sites Tucson Audubon strongly encourages participants. Please contact leader Richard Fray to or email on July 10 at 8 am. Leader: John Higgins book your place: [email protected] or (520-578-1830 [email protected]) carpooling and for some trips it may be 520-323-4234. required. Check our website for frequently used August carpooling sites. You are expected to reimburse July 16—Saturday 6:30 am the driver for the actual cost of fuel. Drivers and Catalina Mountains August 13—Saturday trip leaders are not expected to contribute. Let’s spend the morning perusing the mountain Las Cienegas Rare Bird Alert and trying to get out of the heat for a few hours. A short trip to Las Cienegas. We’ll start early and Listen to the latest rare bird alert at We will make stops at Middle Bear and Marshall finish by 10 am or so before it gets too warm. 629-0510 ext. 3. Report rare birds at 629-0510 Gulch. Bring a hat, sunscreen, plenty of water. This is a major riparian area that often times or [email protected] Home after lunch. Meet at Tanque Verde and yields special treats. Meet at Houghton and 1-10 Catalina Mountains Road at the McDonald’s at on the Northwest corner at 5 am. Round trip: 75 Don’t forget to stop in our Nature Shop 6:30 am. 50 miles roundtrip. Leader: Melody Kehl miles. Leader: Melody Kehl ([email protected] for your field and ID Guides, and ([email protected] 520-245-4085) 520-245-4085) other birding supplies.

Visit tucsonaudubon.org/fieldtrips for updates and more July–September 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 21 TUCSON AUDUBON FIELD TRIPS

Mt Lemmon Cienega Creek RICHARD FRAY DOCKENS JOHNIDA

August 27—Saturday 6 am carpool. Bring good footwear, water, sunblock, September 27—Tuesday 7 am Pima Canyon and a snack. Back by around noon. Leader: Paton’s and Blue Haven We’ll hike up beautiful Pima Canyon in northwest Scott Olmstead (520-840-9567 sparverius81@ Road, Patagonia Tucson as far as the lush cottonwood gallery and hotmail.com) We’ll begin at the famous Paton’s house in check the area for migrants. Be prepared for a Patagonia, watching the feeders for hummingbirds, September 20—Tuesday 4-mile roundtrip hike on a rocky trail. Bring hiking including Violet-crowned, as well as a host of other Cienega Creek Preserve footwear, plenty of water, sunblock, and trail birds. Later we’ll walk along Blue Haven Road, Join me for a walk in this little known desert snacks. We will return before the late morning heat. alongside the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, perennial stream near Tucson. We’ll look for fall Limited to 10 participants; please contact leader looking for migrants. Anything could appear at migrants in the cottonwood gallery forest and to sign up. Leader: Scott Olmstead (520-840-9567 this busy time of year for our birds. Bring a hat, in marshy cienegas along the way. Bring good [email protected]) sunscreen, plenty of water and something for lunch footwear, water, and a snack. Meet on the north if you’d like to stay until afternoon. Please contact parking lot at the Houghton Road exit off I-10 at September leader Richard Fray for meeting place: richard@ 6 am. Back by 1pm. To sign up, contact Matt after funbirdingtours.com or 520-323-4234. September 10—Saturday September 1. Leader: Matt Brooks (520-209-1807 [email protected]) Avra Valley: Shorebirds for October Beginners September 24—Saturday 6 am Persons new to birding or to identifying shorebirds October 1—Saturday 6 am Peppersauce Canyon are especially invited. We will see what waders St. David, Willcox and Benson Among the sycamores, oaks, ash, and junipers, are migrating south. Easy pace, short walk on flat Keep your fingers crossed for plenty of birds and this is a great location for fall migrants. We’ll dirt. A scope wil be provded. Leave Mission Library pleasant surprises. We will check out the riparian be looking for tanagers, flycatchers, warblers, (NW corner of Mission and Ajo) at 8 am. Back by habitat at the St. David Monastery in the relative vireos, etc. We’ve had an American Redstart, an 10:30 am. Mileage 30 miles. Limited to ten birders. cool of the morning. Then we will head to the Olive-sided Flycatcher, and a Broad-tailed Hawk Sign up by phone or email on August 21 at 8 am. Willcox Twin Ponds and look for late shorebirds here on previous September field trips. There’ll Leader: John Higgins (520-578-1830, jghiggins@ and whatever else drops in. We’ll stop off at the be some walking so wear sturdy shoes. We will comcast.net) Benson ponds on our return to Tucson finish around noon. Meet the leader at Bashas’ (by 4 pm). Bring plenty of water, snacks and lunch. September 17—Saturday 6:30 am parking lot in Catalina, on the northeast corner of We will be walking a mile or two over over mostly Empire Gulch Oracle Rd. and Golder Ranch Rd. Trip limited to level ground. Check the weather ahead of time Empire Gulch is a riparian oasis amid the first 15 who contact leader beginning September 1. and dress appropriately. Meet at Houghton Road surrounding grasslands of Las Cienagas National Leader: Doug Jenness ([email protected] just north of I-10. (about 180 miles roundtrip from Conservation Area. Whenever birds are on the 520-909-1529) Tucson). Leader: Dave Dunford (520-909-1809 move this strip of cottonwoods exerts a strong pull. [email protected]) VF Meet at Houghton Road north of I-10 before 6:30 to

ADDITIONAL BIRD WALKS IN TUCSON AND SOUTHEAST ARIZONA For information on weekly regional bird walks from Agua Caliente Park to Ramsey Canyon Preserve, please see our website, www.tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/ birding/128.html. White-faced Ibis Paton’s backyard ALAN D. WILSON, WWW.NATURESPICSONLINE.COM RICHARD FRAY DORIS EVANS

22 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher July–September 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org/fieldtrips for updates and more TUCSON AUDUBON FIELD TRIPS

This Fan-tailed Warbler, photographed by Laurens Halsey, was discovered in Madera Canyon on Monday May 23rd by Gary Rosenberg. There have been seven previous records of this rare Mexican species in SE Arizona, with just a few elsewhere in the USA. Many birders from around the country got to see it over the next few days but it unfortunately departed on Friday evening, disappointing the weekend crowds. Amazingly, Matt Brown discovered another one at the Patagonia Roadside Rest on May 27th but, as is more typical for this species, it didn’t hang around for anyone else. Richard Fray

Darlene Smyth: An Appreciation Rick Wright

It’s hard to think of anyone more deserving, and birder but for the obvious joy with which she shared anyone less desirous, of tribute than Darlene her knowledge, her excitement, and her scope Smyth, whose service to Tucson Audubon and to with a group whose experience and interest levels the North American birding community at large ranged from tyro to tag-along. Here, it was obvious, over the past nearly twenty years has been so was someone who knew what she was doing, who RICK WRIGHT generous and so effective. As tour leader and Field combined the passion of an enthusiast with the other local and national groups as she strives to Trip Coordinator for Tucson Audubon, Darlene has patience of a teacher. present the best birding opportunities to those who introduced scores of us to the delights of a birding And, we soon found out, with the unfailing would not possibly have them without her urging; style that leaves plenty of room for all those ooh- generosity of a good friend. Need a ride, need a senior citizens, schoolchildren, snowbirds, and aah moments while at the same time emphasizing co-leader, need a tough identification? Never any Sunday morning strollers all continue to benefit the importance—and the pleasure—of learning need to ask: Darlene is there. The same giving from the eagerness, and the modesty, with which about the feathered objects of our attentions. spirit that marks her personal relationships has she passes on her experience and her knowledge. We met Darlene just days after we moved to always been characteristic of her dealings with the Tucson, Tucson Audubon, and all who have had Tucson. It was a cold Friday morning bird walk at birding community as a whole. She has devoted the privilege of birding with her are the richer for it. a local park, and one figure stood out among our untold volunteer hours to Tucson Audubon, to the Darlene stepped down as Tucson Audubon’s congenial companions not just for her skill as a American Birding Association, and to numerous volunteer Field Trip Coordinator in February, 2011.

Coming Soon—A Sneak Peak for Members Tucson Audubon is continuing the now 32-year tradition of offering the best bird finding book for the Southeast Arizona region. With input from local experts, Tucson Audubon’s Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona, Eighth Edition, 2011, offers the most updated information on where to find birds in the area. With new and updated location information, updated bar graphs and checklists incorporating the

most recent taxonomic changes, updated maps COMING SOON TO TUCSON and directions to help you get to locations, and our AUDUBON’S NATURE same, reliable spiral binding and easy-to-read text, SHOPS—SEE PAGE 26 FOR A 20% DISCOUNT this book is a must have for all birding levels. It VOUCHER makes a great gift, too! PROVISIONAL COVER FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES ONLY COVER FOR PROMOTIONAL PROVISIONAL

July–September 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 23 geographical diversity ranging from deserts to BIRDING TRAVEL tropical, palm-lined shores and snow-capped peaks. India is also famous for its rich avifauna FROM OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS and iconic mammalian megafauna, foremost of which is the regal Bengal Tiger. Our tour visits all ADVENTURE BIRDING COMPANY­ Wren, Yucatan Bobwhite, Gray-throated Chat, the famous birding sites in the north and includes www.adventurebirding.com Rufous-necked Woodrail, American Pygmy a visit to the fabled Ranthambore National Park, [email protected] • 520-495-0229 Kingfisher, and Black Catbird. On a typical trip, the tiger reserve widely considered to be one of we can see somewhere in the neighborhood of the best places to see this most magnificent of the San Blas: Mangrove Estuaries, Coffee 200 species. This trip starts in the colonial city Fincas, Palm Forests and More. December world’s big cats. Top birds include: Sarus Crane, of Merida. From there we visit the Biosphere Koklass Pheasant, Nepal Wren-Babbler, Ibisbill, 10–18, 2011, $2,195. Leader: Keith Kamper and Reserves of Celestun and RiaLagartos, the ruins John Yerger. The coastal fishing village of San Wallcreeper, Long-billed Thrush, Little Forktail, of Uxmal, and the Mayan Riviera town of Puerto Painted Sandgrouse, Black Bittern, Dalmation Blas is one of the premier birding destinations Morelos. The trip ends on the island of Cozumel. in Mexico. We’ll visit mangrove estuaries, coffee Pelican, Indian Skimmer, Chesnut-headed Tesia. fincas, beaches and coastal lagoons. 25 Mexican ROCKJUMPER—WORLDWIDE BIRDING SOUTHWESTERN RESEARCH STATION endemics possible including San Blas Jay, Rufous- ADVENTURES research.amnh.org/swrs necked Wood-rail, Cinnamon Hummingbird and [email protected] [email protected] • 520-558-2396 Golden Vireo. Jungle boat tour with oddities like www.rockjumperbirding.com Boat-billed Heron and Northern Potoo, even The Southwestern Research Station (SWRS) Namibia, Okavango & Victoria Falls is a non-profit biological field station owned iguanas and crocodiles! We’ll be based at one Overland IV. 18 October–4 November 2011. motel throughout so we can unpack, unwind and by the American Museum of Natural History, Price: $6,575 (Single Supplement: $500). Our in New York, NY. Nestled within the great “sky enjoy the region’s natural and cultural history, popular Namibia, Okavango & Victoria Falls fresh mariscos and green flash sunsets. island” mountain wilderness of the Chiricahua overland tour visits some of the major highlights Mountains of S.E. Arizona, the SWRS is situated Colima and Jalisco: West Mexican of three of Africa’s most remarkable countries, all in the midst of extraordinary biodiversity. The Endemics from Beaches to Volcanoes. offering vast areas of pristine wilderness. From the Chiricahua Mountains are a prime destination for March 10–18, 2012, $2295. Leader: Keith Kamper ochre-colored dunes of the Namib Desert to the nature enthusiasts, with some 265 bird species and John Yerger. The states of Colima and lily-choked backwaters of the Okavango Delta, the recorded in the area, including nesting Elegant Jalisco comprise perhaps the most biologically flamingo-studded lagoons of the Skeleton Coast Trogons, Montezuma Quail, and over 13 species diverse region in Mexico, where the mountains to the game-filled waterholes of Etosha National of hummingbirds; a wide diversity of mammals and of the Sierra Madre Occidental meet with the Park and the breath-taking Victoria Falls. Top birds more than 75 reptile species. Call 520-558-2396 or central volcanic belt. This volcanic belt bisects include: Slaty Egret, Wattled and Blue Crane, visit http://research.amnh.org/swrs/ for information Mexico on an east-west axis, straddling a Ludwig’s and Kori Bustard, Pel’s Fishing Owl on birding and nature tours! boundary along the northernmost or southernmost (one of ten possible owls!), Hartlaub’s Francolin, edge of many species’ ranges. By scouring Rüppell’s Parrot, Rockrunner, White-tailed Shrike, TROPICAL BIRDING­ this region from its unspoiled coastlines up to Herero Chat and an incredible diversity of larks. www.tropicalbirding.com volcanoes with cloud-enshrouded montane Northern India—Birds & Tigers II. [email protected] • 1-800-348-­5941 forest, we should see upwards of 40 endemics 13–30 November 2011. Price: $4,880 (Single Ecuador Photo Safari. November 27– and specialties, including Balsas Screech Owl, Supplement: $1,025). India boasts a staggering December 6, 2011. $2100. Unlike a standard Red-breasted Chat, Chestnut-sided Shrike- birding tour, this trip is designed to get you Vireo, and Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer. photographs of as many of the amazing birds SOLIPASO TOURS of the Ecuadorian Andes as possible. The tour www.solipaso.com is based in two lodges, Tandayapa Bird Lodge on the west slope of the Andes, and Guango Copper Canyon: September 16–24, 2011. Lodge on the east slope. They offer some of $2350. Leader: David MacKay. The world famous the best hummingbird photography in the world Copper Canyon is a great destination for birding at their feeders, but we’ll also do day trips to at this time of year, when the summer monsoon many other sites near these lodges, such as brings great rains! Starting in Los Mochis, we’ll the antpitta feeders at Paz de las Aves and explore the city’s botanical garden and take a the amazingly scenic Antisana Volcano with its trip out into the sea of Cortez. From the colonial Curunculated Caracaras and Andean Condors. town of El Fuerte we hop on the train as we climb from the coastal lowlands and into the tropical Eastern Ecuador: High Andes to Vast deciduous forest and eventually into the pine- Amazon. December 2–16, 2011. $3790. oak of the Sierra Madre. This is also a great Prepare to be blown away by the sheer number trip for seeing a number of highland Mexican and variety of birds, many of them spectacularly specialties including Eared Quetzal, White-striped colorful. This tour visits some of the best lodges Woodcreeper, Mountain Trogon, Striped and in South America, from Guango, San Isidro, Rusty Sparrows, White-throated Robin, Spotted and WildSumaco in the Andes to Sacha Lodge Wren and large array of Hummingbirds. and Napo Wildlife Center in the Amazonian jungle. Sunrise on a snow-clad volcano at Yucatan Endemics: October 12–18, 2011. 13,000 feet, vistas of endless stretches of $1995. Leader: David MacKay. The Yucatan primeval forest from the top of a 120 foot canopy is home to nearly a dozen regional endemics walkway, and 40+ hummingbird species are and other interesting tropical species and water just a few reasons to come. We should see at birds generally found much further south. Some least 500 bird species on this tour as well as of the must-see birds on the tour are Yucatan a variety of monkeys and other wildlife. VF Woodpecker, Orange Oriole, Ruddy Crake, Rose-throated Tanager, Yucatan Jay, Yucatan CONGELADO COPPER CANYON, CHIVA

24 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher July–September 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. Tucson Audubon thanks our Birds & Business Alliance TUCSON AUDUBON’S Members, who have shown their support for bird conservation BIRDS & BUSINESS ALLIANCE through annual contributions 2010- 2011 and in-kind donations. Please show them you appreciate WELCOME TO OUR NEW BIRDS & BUSINESS ALLIANCE MEMBERS their support for us by supporting them. Visit www. tucsonaudubon.org for more information about our Birds & Business Alliance members, including links to their QUAILWAY COTTAGE including a fully furnished kitchen, full bath and websites. www.quailwaycottage.com or 520-558-0019 laundry facilities. Relax on the covered back patio, Quailway Cottage is only 10 minutes from Cave overlooking a small wildlife pond and bird feeders. GOLD NEW Creek Canyon. Guests are afforded peace and Chiricahua Mountains regional bird list is nearly Swaim Associates Ltd Architects AIA * solitude on nearly 80 acres. The 600 square-foot 400 species! Morgan Jackson and John Yerger are • 520-326-3700 • www.swaimaia.com private cottage features all the amenities of home, your hosts and on-site naturalists. STERLING Adventure Birding Company COPPER • 520-495-0229 • www.adventurebirding.com Rockjumper BirdingTours • www.rockjumper.co.za Southwestern Research Station • 520-558-2396 • research.amnh.org Birds & Business Alliance Solipaso Tours • www.solipaso.com Tropical Birding • 800-348-5941 join To DAY • www.tropicalbirding.com and connect with the SILVER Costa’s Hummingbird / V ir E o Loews Ventana Canyon Tucson Audubon community • 520-299-2020 • www.loewshotels.com For more information and to join, contact Erin Olmstead at [email protected] The Oasis at Way Out West or 520.629.0510 ext 7009. • 520-825-4590 • www.wowarizona.com Pima Federal Credit Union • 520-887-5010 Tucson Electric Power • www.tep.com COPPER Brooklyn Pizza Company • 520-622-6868 Casa Adobe B&B in Rodeo, NM • 877-577-2275 Casa de San Pedro B&B • www.bedandbirds.com Birds & Business EE n

r Cat Mountain Lodge • 520-578-6068 g i ALLIANCE Down By the River B&B • 520-720-9441 TUCSON AUDUBON SOCIETY

Paul & Eng- l Farhang & Medcoff, PLLC • 520-790-5433 *Farmers Investment Co (FICO) • sahuaritafarms.ocm Financial Architects • www.financial-architects.com Fiore Tile Works • 520-971-0677 Heartstone Mountain Ranch • 877-562-2955 Hughes Federal Credit Union • 520-794-8341 THE OASIS AT WAY OUT WEST B&B/Private Kimberlyn Drew, Realtor • 520-237-1408 THE TAS-IFIEDS Nature Preserve. A secluded trail side location CLASSIFIED ADS offers close-up wildlife observation and colorful The Living Fence • 520-795-5300 mountain sunsets. Bird our trails (135+ House List) Mindo Bird Tours • www.mindobirdtours.com Classified and display ads are accepted from or the Catalinas. 20+ feeding stations, Naturalist/ R.W. Morse Company • www.rmorse.com individual members and members of our Birds Photographer on-site, Wi-Fi, Hydrotherapy spas, Naturalist Journeys • 866-900-1146 & Business Alliance. Visit tucsonaudubon.org/ Bike rentals, Eco-Excursions. WOWArizona.com. *Quailway Cottage • 520-558-0019 vfly for rates or contact Matt Griffiths mgriffiths@ 520.825.4590. tucsonaudubon.org to book an ad. Radisson Suites Tucson • 520-721-7100 VOLUNTEER FIELD TRIP COORDINATOR Rancho Esmeralda • ranchoesmeraldanogales.com NEEDED! We are looking for someone to organize Ravens-Way Wild Journeys • 520-425-6425 HIGH-SPEC LAPTOP COMPUTERS NEEDED! one of Tucson Audubon’s most important assets Tucson Audubon’s staff are in urgent need of to the community, our volunteer-led free field trips. Riverpark Inn • 800-551-1466 high-specification recent-model laptop computers You’d need to be self-directed and interested in Shaffer Dry Cleaning & Laundry • shafferdrycleaning.com for their work. If you can help please call Jean bringing birds and people together, familiar with Sierra Vista Ranch • Sasabe, AZ Barchman on 520.629.0510 ext 7002. southeastern Arizona and its birding community, Spirit Tree Inn B&B • 520-394-0121 BIRDS & BEER Third Thursdays at Sky Bar: July very appreciative of the generosity of leaders, and Sundance Press • 800-528-4827 14 & September 15. Bring your bird photos to organized enough to keep track of trips needed Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson • 520-795-9955 VF share. The August 18 event will be at Riverpark and bold enough to ask leaders to do even more. Inn as part of the Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival If you are interested please send an email to (see pullout or visit tucsonaudubon.org/festival). Becky, [email protected].

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. July–September 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 25 Support Tucson Audubon... TUCSON AUDUBON Become a Friend Today! NATURE SHOPS ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION ‰‰$35 Individual­ Contributor $100 q Tucson Audubon’s Nature Shops provide for your needs in natural history books and ‰‰$50 Family Supporter $250­ q guides, birding optics and accessories, and gifts right here in Tucson. We offer a great ‰‰$30­ Senior Supporter* Guardian $500 q selection, the best prices, and member discounts. Remember to shop locally. ‰‰$25 Student*­ Steward $1000 q Leadership Circle $2500 q *Individual Buy your Kenn Kaufman books and get them signed at the Nature Shops booth during the Name Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival, August 17–21

Address Kenn Kaufman will City / State / ­Zip be the keynote speaker at the Email Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival. Phone He will also be presenting a ‰‰ New membership­ q Renewing membership­ workshop and ‰‰ Please email me about Tucson Audubon events and­ conservation issues.­ leading a field trip ‰‰ Please do not share my contact ­information. for young birders. ‰‰ Please do not mail me Vermilion Flycatcher. See the pullout I’ll read it online. for full details. DONATION ‰‰I would like to support Tucson Audubon Society with an­ additional contribution of q $25 q $50 q $100 q $250.­ ‰‰ Tucson Audubon Frequent ­Flyer Monthly Donor Program:­ I authorize the charge of $____ per month for ____ months to my credit card ($10/month minimum). Tucson Audubon Society will ­use the full amount of your tax-­ ­deductible gift for its environmental, educational and recreational programs.­

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26 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher July–September 2011 Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. BOOK REVIEW Dry River: Stories of Life, Death, and Redemption on the Santa Cruz by Ken Lamberton The Santa Cruz River is one of the most significant geographic features of southern Arizona. It flows from oaks to creosotes, it carries clean water and dirty, and it crosses from the U.S. to Mexico and back again. Along its course it ranges from shady haven KENDALL KROESEN KENDALL to biologically dead ditch. So it is surprising there have not been more that work. So I was predisposed to like it. In fact, I significant publications about the river. For a quick was ready for this book even before it was written; but telling primer, read the relevant chapter in from the time Ken told me that his volunteer work Water Follies: Groundwater Pumping and the Fate at the North Simpson Farm had inspired a book of America’s Fresh Waters, by Robert Glennon. A about redemption, and the river and people in need Kaufman Field Guide to dry but useful book-length effort is The Lessening of it. Advanced Birding Stream: An Environmental History of the Santa If there is a critique of this book, it might be by Kenn Kaufman Cruz River by Michael Logan. that its maps of different reaches of the river are Expert Kenn Kaufman’s guide for experienced This latest major work is completely different. not equal to the desire the text generates to pour birders has been completely rewritten to reflect Dry River: Stories of Life, Death, and Redemption over the terrain being described. The publisher what birders need now. on the Santa Cruz, by Ken Lamberton, is as wet could remedy this by publishing a Google Maps Birders can memorize hundreds of details and with significance as the river is dry. The river is not overlay showing the places and events portrayed still not be able to identify birds if they don’t really so much the subject of the book but a setting for in the book. understand what’s in front of them. Today birders the exploration of hope. Ken Lamberton’s other books include the have access to almost too much information, and There are many journeys in this book. Most award-wining Wilderness and Razor Wire: A their attempts to identify birds can be drowned out obvious is the journey of the river itself from an Naturalist’s Observations from Prison; Beyond by excess detail. The all-new Kaufman Field Guide ambiguous beginning in the Canelo Hills to its Desert Walls: Essays from Prison; Time of Grace: to Advanced Birding takes a different approach, entropic death in the flats of Pinal County. A second Thoughts on Nature, Family, and the Politics of clarifying the basics and providing a framework journey is the author’s eventful reconnaissance of Crime and Punishment; and Chiricahua Mountains: for learning about each group. Overall principles the river, much of it on foot. It’s worth the purchase Bridging the Borders of Wilderness. VF of identification are explained in clear language, price just for the encounters with apple orchards, Kendall Kroesen and ten chapters on specific groups of birds show ruins, and surprisingly good Greek food. Habitats Program Manager how these principles can be applied in practice. For Lamberton, the book is an exploration of Anyone with a keen interest in identifying birds family and self discovery during the emergence will find that this book makes the learning process from a painful period. The author’s life joins with stories of others—from historical accounts—that more effective and enjoyable, and that truly TUCSON AUDUBON understanding what we see and hear can make have experienced life, death, and redemption as birding more fun. their lives intersected the river. NATURE SHOPS As a disclaimer, this book makes favorable When you support your local Tucson mention of Tucson Audubon Society’s habitat Audubon Society you are supporting birds Join Ken Lamberton for a reading from his book restoration work, and even describes my role in and bird habitat conservation. Thank you! at the Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival. See pullout. SHOP HOURS Birding with Bobbie MAIN SHOP A delightful children’s book starring Tucson Monday–Saturday 10 am–4 pm, Audubon’s very own Bobbie Lambert! Chronicles a Phone: 629-0510 ext 7015 birding adventure the author took to see a rare bird On the southeast corner of University Blvd and 5th Avenue. The Nature when she visited Shop Bobbie here in AGUA CALIENTE PARK SHOP July–September: Thursday only will Arizona. $15.95 be closed 9am –3:30 pm for its annual Phone: 760-7881 From Tanque Verde Rd and Houghton, continue east on inventory Tanque Verde 2 miles. Turn left (north) onto Soldier Trail, count continue north for 2 miles. Turn right (east) onto Roger Rd, Monday–Wednesday, continue ¼ mile to the park entrance on the left (north).

August 29–31 When you need a book, think of Tucson Audubon Nature Shops first! Support your local book store.

Visit tucsonaudubon.org for updates and more. July–September 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 27 NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID TUCSON, AZ 300 E University Blvd, #120 PERMIT #1345 Tucson, AZ 85705

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Vermilion Flycatcher Volume 56, Number 3, July–September 2011 © 2011 Tucson Audubon Society The Vermilion Flycatcher is the newsletter of the Tucson Audubon Society, a chapter of the National Audubon Society. National Audubon Society members and members of other chapters may receive the Flycatcher by joining the Friends of Tucson Audubon. See membership at www.tucsonaudubon.org.

Do you want to provide the key that opens the doors to discovery for people of all ages and backgrounds in our community? Your generous donation will enable Tucson Audubon to open more hearts and minds to the natural world. Donate online at tucsonaudubon.org/summer-appeal, or call 520-209-1815 (or 520-209-1802 after July 17). Thank you!

EVENTS CALENDAR page 4 • LIVING WITH NATURE page 6 • Visit tucsonaudubon.org for event updates

28 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher July–September 2011