Archive for the ‘News’ Category

May 14, 2009 · Crescent-chested Warbler

A male Crescent-chested Warbler was discovered today in Pinery Canyon on the west side of the Chiricahua Mountains. This handsome species is apparently on the increase in Arizona, with the first breeding record from the ABA area coming from the Chiricahuas two summers ago.

May 06, 2009 · Patagonia News: Five-striped Sparrow and Sinaloa Wren

Patagonia’s Sinaloa Wren is showing much better now that the spirit of spring is upon him. And yesterday there was a Five-striped Sparrow at the Patagonia Roadside Rest, visible from the pavement–and that’s saying something, as those of you who have made the trek into California Gulch for that striking Aimophila know!

Apr 28, 2009 · Rufous-backed Robin

A Rufous-backed Robin visited a bird bath in southern Pinal County. This species is very scarce at any season, with most records in the cooler months.

Apr 27, 2009 · Berylline Hummingbird

A Berylline Hummingbird was in Florida Canyon April 23. Black-capped Gnatcatcher, Rufous-capped Warbler, and a vast range of the more common southeast Arizona specialties are also being seen there and in Madera Canyon.

Apr 15, 2009 · Another Sinaloa Wren!

Until last August, there had been no accepted record of Sinaloa Wren for the US. The n0w-famous Patagonia bird is still present, nearly eight months after its discovery, and yesterday Diane Touret found a different individual in Huachuca Canyon. Video and sound recordings of this second ABA-area record were obtained this morning by Rick and Ricki Thompson.

Mar 17, 2009 · Raptor Specialties

Migration is decidedly on for the rare raptors of the Southwest. The Santa Cruz River at Tubac has produced good flights of Common Black-Hawk and Zone-tailed Hawk the past days, and Gray Hawks are arriving on their breeding territories.

Mar 06, 2009 · Sinaloa Wren: More and More Vocal…

With the arrival of the Arizona spring, Patagonia’s Sinaloa Wren–the first and so far only individual in the ABA Area–is beginning to sing again. If this long-staying pioneer lingers, its increasingly vocal behavior bodes well for visiting birders this spring and summer!

Mar 04, 2009 · Continuing Rarities

Rich Hoyer has been guiding a great group of Florida birders through southeastern Arizona this week, and they’ve confirmed the persistence of virtually all the winter’s rarities, including Short-tailed Hawk, Ruddy Ground-Dove, Sinaloa Wren, Blue Mockingbird, Black-capped Gnatcatcher, and Rufous-capped Warbler. An Aplomado Falcon continues to be seen just across the border in New Mexico, too.

Feb 17, 2009 · Blue Mockingbird Recordings

Some vocalizations by the now-famous Slaughter Ranch Blue Mockingbird have now been posted to the AZFO website. This west Mexican rarity continues to show well as of this weekend.

Feb 12, 2009 · Continuing Rarities

As the Blue Mockingbird enters its second week at Slaughter Ranch, it continues to show well for many observers; at least two Ruddy Ground-Doves are present at the same site.

Tucson’s Short-tailed Hawk lingers on its urban wintering grounds.

AZ-Birding guide Jake Mohlmann found two Rufous-capped  Warblers and three Black-capped Gnatcatchers in Florida Canyon February 11.