VERMILION

Tucson Audubon Society | tucsonaudubon.org

F LY C A T C H E R
July–August 2009 | Volume 54, Number 4

Birds and
Conservation
on the Border
11 Arizona Borderland Bird Populations
12 The Sky Island Regions
14 Ecotourism and Community-based
Conservation in Northwestern Mexico

3 A $25,000 Matching Gift Challenge

10 What’s in a Name?
Calliope Hummingbird
16 Arizona’s Second Spring

T U C S O N A U D U B O N ’ S B I - M O N T H LY N E W S M A G A Z I N E
 Features
10 What’s in a Name?
Calliope Hummingbird
11 Arizona Borderland Bird
Populations
Tucson Audubon Society is dedicated to improving 12 A Biological Bridge between the
the quality of the environment by providing education, Tropical and Temperate Americas
conservation, and recreation programs,
environmental leadership, and information. Tucson 14 Ecotourism, Habitat Protection,
Audubon is a non-profit volunteer organization of and Community-based
people with a common interest in birding and natural
history. Tucson Audubon maintains offices, a library, Conservation in Northwestern
and nature shops in Tucson, the proceeds of which Mexico
benefit all of its programs.
16 Arizona’s Second Spring
Tucson Audubon Society
300 E. University Blvd. #120, Tucson, AZ 85705
629-0510 (voice) or 623-3476 (fax) Departments
All phone numbers are area code 520 unless otherwise stated.
www.tucsonaudubon.org 3 Commentary
Board Officers & Directors 4 News Roundup
Messages 622-5622 8 Events and Classes
President Herb Trossman FRONT COVER: Elegant Trogon © Jim &
Vice President Mich Coker 18 Conservation Action News Deva Burns, Scottsdale, AZ. To see more
Secretary Robert Merideth
Treasurer Vacant
19 Field Trips of their work visit their website,
Board Committees Conservation Chris McVie, Development 22 Birding Travel from our Business www.jimburnsphotos.com.
Sandy Elers, Education Cynthia Pruett, Finance Tom Rehm,
Nominating Robert Merideth Partners
Directors at Large Mary Kay Eiermann, Richard Fray, Sandy
To have your photographs considered
24 Birds & Business Alliance
Elers, Julie Gordon, Linda Greene, Craig Marken, Neil for use in the Vermilion Flycatcher,
Markowitz, Liz Payne, Cynthia Pruett, Adrian Quijada, Bill 25 Classified Ads please contact Matt Griffiths at
Roe, Jessie Shinn, Linda Stitzer
Programs & Activities
26 Committee List mgriffiths@tucsonaudubon.org.
Field Trips Darlene Smyth 297-2315 26 Nature Shops
Library David West 629-0510
Membership Meetings Jean Barchman 622-5622 27 Bookends
Rare Bird Alert John Yerger | Report Rare Birds 798-1005
Staff
Executive Director Paul Green 777-9525
Accountant Jean Boris 629-0757
Accountant Michelle Bourgeois
Education & Outreach Specialist Matt Brooks
629-0757
622-2230
A River No Longer Runs Through It
Membership Coordinator Jean Barchman 622-5622 A guest opinion by Trevor Hare of Sky Island Alliance, a group that is concerned
IBA Conservation Biologist Scott Wilbor 628-1730
IBA Program Assistant Ruth Wilderman 628-1730 with wildlife and habitat connectivity in the sky island mountains.
Restoration Program Manager Kendall Kroesen 206-9900
Field Supervisor Rodd Lancaster 256-6909 This issue of the Vermilion Flycatcher Only through a connection to the land,
Restoration/Communications Specialist considers birds and conservation in the only through thinking like a mountain and
Matthew Griffiths 206-9900
Mason Outreach Coordinator Lia Sansom 971-6238 border region. One pervading influence a watershed, only by walking and
University Shop Manager Sara Pike 622-2230 on wildlife in this region is the border wall. touching the tierra seca and the arroyos,
Volunteer Coordinator/Agua Caliente It affects wildlife movements, genetic rillitos and cienegas, only through
Shop Manager Becky Aparicio 760-7881
Tucson Audubon Nature Shops
diversity, and population viability. watching flows and ebbs, critters and
300 E University Blvd #120 629-0510 There is also an unseen impact that plants through thick and thin, hot and
623-3476 fax / 622-2230 Shop Manager threatens us all, specifically the cold, can we understand how ecosystems
Hours: Mon–Sat 10 AM–4 PM (5 PM Mon & Thu)
destruction of watersheds. The Santa have been affected. Now is a good time
Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd 760-7881
Hours: Tue 9 AM–3:30 PM (July, Aug, Sep) Cruz River watershed that starts at the to consider some ecological fixes. VF

top of the Huachuca Mountains, flows See the article on page 12 for more about the
into Mexico, and then north back into the wildlife in the border region.
U.S., feeds the thirst of Southeast
Arizona. Other watersheds flow south out
Vermilion Flycatcher is published bi-monthly. For address
of the U.S. sky islands and feed towns
SIERRA CLUB BORDERLANDS CAMPAIGN

changes or subscription problems call 622-5622, or write to

Membership Coordinator, Tucson Audubon, 300 E. University
Blvd, #120, Tucson, AZ 85705. Submissions are due the 1st
of the month, two months before the date of the issue. Please
send submissions as Microsoft Word or RTF documents,
or plain text files, to Matt Griffiths at
mgriffiths@tucsonaudubon.org.
Coordinator Matt Griffiths 206-9900
Proofreaders Jane & Warren Tisdale 749-2139 and
Tucson Audubon staff and board members
Layout Eng-Li Green
and villages throughout the Mexican Sky
Island region. Perhaps a million acres of
watersheds have become degraded. Life-
giving sediment and nutrients and water
used to flow but now pool and erode.
There is no engineering solution to the
ecological and economic havoc that we
see.

2 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher JULY–AUGUST 2009

 COMMENTARY
PAUL GREEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND HERB TROSSMAN | PRESIDENT
What Price for Your Quality of Life
A couple of years ago we watched a
tragedy unfold on the northwest side of
Tucson. A developer cleared one of the
densest stands of old-growth Ironwood
trees in our region, along with saguaros,
chollas, triangle-leaf bursage, and
countless other plant species. With the
plants went the birds and other animals. A
valuable wildlife habitat, thousands of
years in the making, and like no other in
the world, disappeared almost overnight.
The tragedy is that our community
allowed the ground to be scraped clear of
all vegetation. Few Ironwood trees or
saguaros were left in situ for residents to
enjoy or to provide habitat for wildlife.
But, I hear you say, since this was an
area of significant biological importance,
wouldn’t the Sonoran Desert
Conservation Plan (SDCP) have limited
disturbance of the parcels to just 20
percent of the site? The tragedy is that
interested parties worked to annex these
105 acres to the town of Marana, whose
interest was to convert the land to
housing and commercial development.
The SDCP does not cover Marana, and
the conservation community lost the fight
to prevent the annexation. The site will
now be developed in accordance with
Marana Ordinance No. 2004.07.
Tucson Audubon’s argument is not
about development or no development,
but the configuration of that development:
we could have achieved an outcome that
would have satisfied development and
conservation interests if the habitat
protections had been in place. In June
2009, the property remains bladed and
barren, awaiting development (see photos
below).
ALL PHOTOS PAUL & ENG-LI GREEN
Dense old-growth Ironwood forest that provided valuable wildlife habitat was bladed for development. Tucson Audubon is working through the committees listed on page 26 to better
satisfy the interests of development and conservation.
Ironically for the developer, research
has shown that houses with natural
undisturbed open space in their proximity
have higher economic value. What is
probably more important to everyone,
especially in these times of falling
material standards of living for many, is
our quality of life. For those of us who see
these habitats being scraped clean, we
see our quality of life diminished.
A member of our Board of
I
Directors has pledged to donate
$25,000 to Tucson Audubon if we
can raise a matching $25,000 by
the end of August.
If you live in unincorporated Pima
County, the internationally renowned
Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan
intends to achieve balance between
conserving unique biological resources
and development. The Habitat
Conservation Plans that are being
developed and are at different stages of
implementation for Marana, Tucson, and
other metropolitan areas, seek to fulfill
similar functions, as does the Santa Cruz
County Comprehensive Plan that we all
fought so hard to protect last year.
Tucson Audubon and other non-profits
in southern Arizona play many important
roles in ensuring the best outcomes for
these planning endeavors. We strive to
make sure the plans are as good as they
can be and are implemented in the spirit
in which they were formed, and to ensure
the accountability of our public officials
(see p 26 for more details).
Non-profit organizations such as
Tucson Audubon depend on donations
JULY–AUGUST 2009 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon
from people like you to support our work,
typically for around three quarters of
operating budgets. To ensure our quality
of life we all need to increase our support
for our community’s non-profit
organizations. The Coalition for Sonoran
Desert Protection certainly deserves your
support for its vigorous oversight of the
SDCP. Likewise, Tucson Audubon needs
your significant support now to see us
through the traditionally difficult times of
the southern Arizona summer, made even
more difficult because of the current
economic crisis.
Your donation to Tucson Audubon is
especially important this summer because
donations this year are down by nearly
half. This reduction means we had to
reduce, for the first time in our history,
both staff and the services we offer to our
community. If you want your environ-
mental voice heard in discussions that
incorporate the natural
world into development
plans, please contribute to
Tucson Audubon. If you want
us to implement our new
community education plan,
we need increased
donations. The same is true for
most of our activities—unless we
receive significant donations this
summer, we will need to make
more cuts in the fall.
By the time you read this, you will
have received a letter in your mailbox and
an email to tell you how to donate. You
can also use your credit card to make a
donation online, right now, at
www.tucsonaudubon.org.
We thank you for your help. VF
DORIS EVANS
3
 TUCSON AUDUBON
NEWS ROUNDUP
A tradition continues: the
Institute of Desert Ecology
Matt Brooks, Outreach Specialist
Tucson Audubon has hosted another
successful annual Institute of Desert
Ecology this past April. More than 40
participants spent four wonderful days
immersed in Sonoran Desert ecology
at beautiful Catalina State Park. They
delved into the nitty-gritty of life in the
desert—from dry land adaptations to
geomorphology to plant and animal
identification. The wonderful faculty
(entomologist Carl Olson, botanist/
ornithologists Carl Tomoff and
Linwood Smith, mammalogist Ronnie
Sidner, herpetologist Cecil Schwalbe,
and geologist Bob Scarborough) wove
their separate topics into a wonderful
tapestry of life in the desert.
There were many laughs and lots
of “ah-ha” moments. And there were
special presentations: former Institute
faculty member Doug Shakel talked
about the “History of Catalina State
Park” and conducted a star-gazing
tour and Sergio Avila of Sky Island
ALL PHOTOS SARA PIKE
Pusch Ridge of the Catalina Mountains above Catalina State Park
4 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher JULY–AUGUST 2009
Alliance presented a timely talk on the
big cats of the Sonoran Desert.
Our “classroom in the desert” has
reached an amazing milestone: next
year will be the 40th annual Institute!
Over the next few months we’ll be
getting ready for this historic event
with various announcements in the
Vermilion Flycatcher and in local
newspapers. Look for our T-shirt
design contest, among other things.
If you are a past attendee of the
Institute, consider returning for a
refresher or at least joining us for the
graduation dinner on the last night. If
you have a memory from a previous
Institute to share, please contact us.
The dates for next Institute of
Desert Ecology are April 15–18, 2010.
For more detailed information and
prices for the 2010 Institute, visit
www.tucsonaudubon.org or contact
Matt Brooks (Institute Director) at 622-
2230 or mbrooks@tucsonaudubon.org.
Above, top to bottom:
Mammalogist Ronnie Sidner leads a field
trip.
IDE Director Matt Brooks leaps for joy at
another successful Institute.
Herpetologist Cecil Schwalbe talks
carefully about rattlesnakes.
Moving education forward
Cynthia Pruett, Education Chair
Education is a fundamental part of
Tucson Audubon’s mission. Education
stands with conservation and
recreation as the touchstones for the
society’s focus in the community.
To maintain our status as a
recognized leader here in the
Southwest for environmental
education, a task force was convened
to review our programs and develop
plans for the future. The Board of
Directors enthusiastically approved
the committee’s work.
Four interconnected key concepts
are fundamental to the strategy.
Programs should enable members
and the public to:
• develop birding skills and wildlife
awareness
• understand the workings of the
natural world
Farewell to staff
Paul Green, Executive Director
As part of Tucson Audubon’s need to
reduce operating costs in the face of
decreased income during the current
economic slowdown, we regretfully
bade farewell to three staff members
at the end of May. Most remaining
staff are taking time off without pay, or
are taking reductions in pay to reduce
the gap between revenues and
expenditures in the final quarter of our
fiscal year. All staff are taking on
additional duties.
Carrie Dean was Education
Program Manager for six years. Carrie
contributed to a wide range of
activities beyond what her job title
would indicate, including many
membership support activities, our
store, and generally keeping the office
running smoothly. Carrie ran our
Mason Naturalist program, school and
library presentation activities, and
more recently helped lead our
education strategic planning process.
We thank Carrie for her valuable
service to Tucson Audubon.
Michael Monyak was Operations
Manager for the past three years and
• promote natural resource
conservation
• become an advocate for
conservation
Audubon has always been about
birds. Birds give enjoyment not only in
back yards and in the field for
the birding advocates; they are
indicator species for the health of our
environment. As such, Audubon
societies are in a unique position not
only to promote the enjoyment of
birds, but also to teach about habitats
and general ecology, and to raise
awareness of the importance of
conservation for a healthy planet.
By having education programs cover
diverse topics that stimulate and
excite people and their families to
have an interest in birds and the
natural world, Tucson Audubon will
provided a
valuable link between the
departure of the previous
Executive Director and my
arrival. Michael is moving on to a
nursing career and we wish him
every success.
For the first five months of 2009,
Chris Harrison ran membership
development activities, including
Birdathon 2009, and our business
membership program. Chris has
moved to help in our Habitat
Restoration Program.
Part of our strategy for achieving
more with less income is to develop
our volunteer program (see p 7). I
thank members of the Board of
Directors for stepping up and helping
staff, as volunteers, to deliver as
many services to our community as
we can with reduced staff.
You can help by donating to
Tucson Audubon. All donations
received by by August 31, up to a
DORIS EVANS
total of $25,000, will be matched
by a generous donation from one
of our board members.
Above: John Higgins leads a
Moving to Mastery field trip to
Molino Basin. Right: A field trip to
Agua Caliente Park.
also enable more people to
appreciate the fragile beauty
of our exceptional
Southwest.
On that note, look for the
announcement on page 8
for Moving to Mastery,
a class to develop more of your
birding skills, coming in October.
New membership rates beginning
September 2009
Jessie Shinn, Membership Chair
As of September 1, 2009, Tucson current level of programs and
Audubon will be increasing its services, we are also creating some
membership rates by five dollars a new categories, including Senior
year. Increased costs since the spring Supporter ($35) and higher-level
of 2006, the date of our last dues donor categories for those who can
increase, lead us to a situation where afford them. Full information will be
our lowest level of subscription included on your renewal form.
(currently $20) does not cover the Your membership benefits include
cost of basic membership services. It receipt of the Vermilion Flycatcher,
is important to us to keep membership discounts at our nature stores, a soon
with Tucson Audubon affordable, so to be unveiled special member-only
Student and Senior membership rates sections of our website, new member-
will only increase to $25 per year. only local meetings, and special
However, because membership at this member-only birding trips. We thank
level will not allow us to sustain our you for your continued membership.
OUR NEW- LOOK MAGAZINE SAVES FUNDS
Some members have commented that our new-look Vermilion Flycatcher
must be costing Tucson Audubon a great deal of money. The fact is we are
saving several thousand dollars over last year’s costs. Our Tucson-based
Birds & Business Alliance member printer, Sundance Press, specializes in this
kind of product and gives us a great price printing on recycled paper with
water-soluble soy-based inks. Mailing six issues a year instead of nine saves
us money too. In addition, our new-look magazine attracts more advertising,
and plays a significant part in improved membership recruitment and
retention. So your new-look magazine is saving us money!
JULY–AUGUST 2009 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 5
 TUCSON AUDUBON
NEWS ROUNDUP
Tucson Audubon gets another
TogetherGreen Volunteer Grant
Kendall Kroesen, Restoration Program Manager
Tucson Audubon is reaching out to
involve new volunteers in
conservation work. We face big
ecological challenges and, at the
same time, we need to recruit more
people to the Audubon movement.
Fortunately, we have received a
second year of funding from the
TogetherGreen volunteer grant.
TogetherGreen is a program of
National Audubon, funded by Toyota.
Last year we did several volunteer
projects, ranging from green land-
scaping to tree planting to removal of
invasive plants. New volunteers who
helped remove giant reed at Sabino
Canyon later came to our Esperanza
Ranch conservation easement to help
remove giant reed there.
This year we will be focusing on
invasive buffelgrass, fountaingrass
and giant reed in the Sabino
Creek and Tanque Verde Creek
watershed. This is a priority
area for Tucson Audubon
because of its remaining
riparian resources, and
because it contains an
Important Bird Area (Sabino
Canyon and Bear Canyon).
ALL PHOTOS KENDALL KROESEN
Above: Candice Rupprecht removes a bundle of invasive giant reed at a TogetherGreen
volunteer day in November. Above right: TogetherGreen volunteers chip away at large
stands of invasive giant reed in Sabino Canyon.
6 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher JULY–AUGUST 2009
We will schedule volunteer days
through fall, winter and spring.
Here is how you can help. First,
volunteer for TogetherGreen work
days (look for a schedule of work days
in the September-October newsletter).
Second, recruit volunteers who have
not yet been involved with Audubon.
Third, if you know of schools,
churches or businesses with volunteer
programs that might want to get
involved, let us know and we will
contact them. For more information,
contact me (971-2385, kkroesen@
tucsonaudubon.org) or Volunteer
Coordinator Becky Aparicio (622-2230,
baparicio@tucsonaudubon.org).
Let’s get more people involved in key
ecological issues and at the same
time introduce more people to Tucson
Audubon!
April 9, 2010:
Your date for Birdathon!
Paul Green, Executive Director
Tucson Audubon Birdathon 2009 team, Flock Full o’ Nuts, chalked up 162 species. Team
member Carrie Dean won the awards for most funds as well as most pledges raised by an
individual.
First, thank you! Thank you to our
Birdathon teams, team sponsors,
event sponsors, and the volunteers
who organized the “Birdy Brunch,” on
May 30, at which we celebrated with
mimosas, stories, and fine food.
It’s never too early to begin
planning: Birdathon 2010 will run from
Friday, April 9, through Sunday, May 9.
So put a date in your calendar to go
birding and start planning who your
birding buddies will be. The tentative
date for next year’s Birdy Brunch is
May 29; plan to celebrate your
birdathon efforts with some birdy
haute cuisine!
As for the 2009 Birdathon, Tucson
Audubon was the real winner: we
raised nearly $30,000 from more than
500 supporters of the 20 teams. A
great success! Seven of our teams
worked to minimize their carbon
footprint by hiking or using bicycles.
The board-based AveVentura Team
was the prime team for fundraising,
bringing in more than $4,200 from
nearly 100 donors, something for us
all to aim to beat next year. One of our
expert-led teams, Hoyer’s Voyeurs,
saw 169 species and, for that, had
their name added to the Plaque of
Honor. The top three individual
fundraisers were Carrie Dean, Paul
Green, and Kendall Kroesen, with
Carrie raising the most individual
pledges. Jules Wyman (who has the
sharpest eyes of us all!) won the
Youth Birding prize.
SARA PIKE
Next year we’ll build on new ideas
from this year. We’ll plan more expert-
led trips, and we’ll offer the option of
approaching your contacts for support
(that’s right, we’ll even ask for money
on your behalf). We need a volunteer
to take the lead in organizing next
year’s event. If you are an enterprising
birder with good organizing skills, and
you have the time to organize
Birdathon 2010, please contact Paul
Green at pgreen@tucsonaudubon.org
or 777-9525.
You can read full reports, and find
a list of prizewinners and sponsors at
our www.tucsonaudubon.org/chapter/
birdathon.htm
We thank the following local
businesses who donated prizes for
our birdy brunch: Adventure Birding,
Arizona Historical Society, Bed and
Bagels of Tucson, Brooklyn Pizza,
Chili’s Restaurant on Stone, Chili’s
Restaurant on Arizona Pavilions Dr,
Chuy’s Mesquite Broiler on Ina, Down
by the River Bed and Breakfast,
International Wildlife Museum, Jack
Furrier’s Western Tire & Auto Care,
Outback Steakhouse on Ina,
Riverpark Inn, Romano’s Macaroni
Grill on Ina, Ruby Tuesday on Stone,
Santa Rita Lodge, Spirit Tree Inn,
Summit Hut, Trader Joe’s on Oracle,
Tucson Audubon Society Nature
Shop, Tucson Botanical Gardens,
Tucson Children’s Museum, Vaquero
Feed & Livestock Supply, and Wild
Bird Unlimited on Oracle.
 VOLUNTEERS OF
Volunteer: Noun, adjective and verb THE MONTH
Becky Aparicio, Volunteer Coordinator

Volunteerism may be defined as

contributing one’s time or talents for
charitable, educational, social, political
or other worthwhile purposes, freely
and without regard for compensation.
Americans have shaped our nation by
their voluntary efforts and working for
change. Tucson Audubon was built on
Dick and Pat Carlson were born in
these philanthropic efforts and
Minneapolis but have called Tucson
certainly our good reputation
home since their retirement. Pat is a
BECKY APARICIO

continues to be sustained by our good

retired biologist and Dick an
volunteers. In these particularly
economist. They live next door to
difficult economic times our limited
Agua Caliente Park and devote a lot
financial and staff resources means
of time there: Dick leads weekly bird
that we, as with other non-profits,
walks for Pima County and Pat
must think creatively and rely on Who wants to volunteer? Raise your hand!
helps in the Nature Shop. Dick also
others to give time to a particular
• add to their social life, and charged its 3,600 volunteers a $220 leads field trips for Tucson Audubon,
cause. Volunteers provide us
• exchange hours worked for admission fee for controlling massive and both have been doing breeding
• broader experience and technical

6
discounts on shop products. crowds all day long. For 16 hours of bird surveys since 1968 in Arizona
expertise, and in California. Pat is halfway
And as Larry Abrams, a volunteer work the volunteers also receive daily
• staffing on short or limited time, through her goal of visiting all the
at the shop at Agua Caliente Park access to the event with the privileges
and major league stadiums. In her
says, “There are just so many naps of an upgraded ticket worth $555.
• a pool of willing participants to What a deal! spelunking days she discovered a
you can take during the day.”
complete our mission. If you’re reading this article in the large room in Virginia’s Butler Cave,
As the new Volunteer Coordinator
What’s in it for volunteers? Why do for Tucson Audubon, I’m here to pitch Vermilion Flycatcher, you’ve already which is named after her.
these great people go beyond their our needs and to expand our corps of completed one requirement to be a SIX QUESTIONS
personal duties to help others and committed volunteers. So if you have volunteer for us: membership in
other causes? Our volunteers tell us First time you went birding?
an interest in stapling, digging, Tucson Audubon. Your next step is to Dick started his obsession at 8 and
that the number one reason for speaking, birding, stuffing envelopes, fill out an application and to have a
volunteering is to have a direct Pat, when she was 23.
typing, selling, filing, data processing, conversation with me. Applications are
relationship with Tucson Audubon. As Level of birding? Pat calls herself
counting birds, educating kids, available online at tucsonaudubon.org
volunteer staff members, they an intermediate birder while Dick is
phoning, cooking, or all of these, I’d or at both Tucson Audubon shops, or I
• feel good about giving of definitely in the advanced category.
love to chat with you. And we don’t can mail you one if you wish. Just call
themselves charge a thing! Consider this: This me at 760-7881, 622-2230, or 260- Favorite places to go birding?
• learn new skills year golf’s prestigious Rider’s Cup 7500 (my cell phone). Agua Caliente Park.
Unusual event that happened
while birding? While photo-
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! graphing Sharp-tailed Grouse in icy
Minnesota, Dick fell off his seat and
Glorya Anderson, Carolyn Arbiter, John Aronson, Sarah Badilla, Nicky Baker, Lucette Barber, Jeff Barna & Kimberlee
was so immobilized in three layers
Chambers, Joseph & Corrinne Bartell, Debbie Bastolazzi, Carolyn Dee Bates, Marsha Beesen, Debbie Berger, Nicholas
Bessie, Ray & Kris Birkenkamp, Mary Brown, Bonny Bruce, JP Bruce, Howard Buchanan, Paula Burns, Lael Byrne, of parkas that he collapsed the tiny
Karen Campasano, Anna Maria Cannon, Diane Carroll-Cobb, Janice Catt, Carolyn M. Chilcote, Janet Cohn, John blind he was using for cover.
Comstock, Ruth Coykendall, Paul Davis, Ann DeMarais, Mic Denfeld, Linda Elling, Carol Evans & John Shepard, Jean Favorite bird and where did
Evans, Shawn Everingham, Frederick Feibelman, Howard Frederick, Bette J. Frost, Sheldon Gutman, Pamela you see it? Dick’s is the Sooty
Hampton, Patricia Hartshorne, Clint & Nathalie Hinman, Jutta Holzhaus, Jim Homewood, Alan & Jane Humphrey, Grouse that stalks their cabin in
Michael & Bonnie Irwin, Barbara Johnson, Norman Johnson, Bill & Louise Kaufman, John & Sarah Kennedy, John Lake Tahoe. Pat’s is the Common
Klinkel, Karen L. Larkin, Peter Larsen, Jerry & Lia Lavallee, Elizabeth Majchrowicz, William Maki, Bonnie Mardian, Loon while canoeing in Minnesota.
Patricia Meyers, Pat Mills, Charles & Rosemarie K. Moore, George Murphy, Bradley Mylan, Michael Nallin, John & Other hobbies? Dick’s first love
Janet Nash, Rachel North, Paul O’Brien, Daniela O’Toole, Scott Olmstead & Erin Brandt, Elodie Payne, Lynn Kelley is birding but he also enjoys hiking,
Piper, Gary & Patricia Pound, Donald Powers, Diane Raddatz, John Raymonda, Joan Richards, James Roland, biking, and canoeing. Spending
Susannah Sanchez, Jessica Sizemore, Susan Skagen, Barbara-June Smith, Kay Stafford, Wilmer & Nancie time with their grandchildren is a
Swerdfeger, Maxine Tanner, Patsy Teiken, Linda Vidal, Tim and Beth Williams, Jim Wilson, Richard & Carlota Wilson, favorite activity of Pat’s. Their love
Florence Winslow, Santiago & Rosalie Wong, Frank Zadroga for travel has taken them to all but
Jean Barchman, Membership Coordinator four of the national parks. VF

MAY–JUNE 2009 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 7

 TUCSON AUDUBON
EVENTS AND CLASSES
Landscaping for Wildlife Course
September 12–23, two Saturdays and two Wednesday nights
Tucson Audubon HQ and various field locations
ALL PHOTOS KENDALL KROESEN
Clockwise from top: Landscaping that is attractive and useful for wildlife at The Nature Conservancy building in Tucson;
depressed landscaping area that collects and infiltrates rainwater to grow native vegetation at a University of Arizona
property on Helen Street; a backyard landscape with cover for ground-dwelling birds and other useful elements; and
youths in Barrio Kroeger Lane participating in the installation of landscaping demonstrations that harvest rainwater and
grow plants useful for declining bird species.
As part of Tucson Audubon’s goal of making our
urban communities less of a drain on our natural
resources, we have been preaching that Tucson
uses far too much potable water for outdoor
plantings, and gets little bird habitat in return.
Now we are moving from preaching to teaching!
We will teach our Landscaping for Wildlife course
for a second time this September.
This course covers topics of great interest. They
include: Which ecological issues can we address
through landscaping? Which birds in the Tucson
area are declining? What are their habitat needs?
How do we go beyond just using native plants to
provide habitat for birds? What are the latest
scientific findings on attracting birds to
landscapes? We’ll consider much more besides.
The course fee is $250. About 20 people
participated in the first class and the enrollment
8 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher JULY–AUGUST 2009
limit will be around that number the second time
round. January participants made useful
suggestions for improving the class. As a result, in
September we will compress the course across
fewer weekends, and visit more examples of
good habitat.
Landscaping for Wildlife participants will meet
two Saturdays and two Wednesday evenings
between September 12 and 23.
Our course should be useful to landscape
designers and master gardeners as well as to
backyard do-it-yourselfers and anyone else
interested in making their properties friendlier to
birds. We expect our landscape recognition
program to be running by this time.
September is a great time to be outdoors,
looking at native landscapes and learning about
native plants. Come join us!
KENDALL KROESEN
Moving to Mastery
October 14–November 11; Wednesday
lectures 6–9 PM; Saturday field trips
begin 7 AM and vary in length
Various locations
Want to be a better birder? Our Moving to Mastery
course, especially designed for adult birders with
some birding experience and skills, will show you
how. Offered ONLY in the fall and meeting over a
five-week period, a series of five lectures
introduces students to advanced problems in
birding and the resources available to solve them,
such as understanding bird topography, getting
started in flight and voice identification, and
developing strategies for use with difficult species
groups such as warblers, sparrows, and
flycatchers. Four field trips reinforce the topics
covered in the classroom sessions.
Master birder and educator Homer Hansen
guides students through the identification of difficult
species groups. To quote one participant, “I don’t
want the course to end—there is so much more to
learn, and Homer knows so much.” Past classes
have seen Long-eared Owls, and discovered how
to differentiate sparrow species.
Dates: October 14 through November 11, 2009.
Lectures meet Wednesday evenings, 6 to 9 PM.
Saturday field trips begin at 7 AM and vary in length
depending on location. Price has not yet been fixed
but will be in the $200.00 per person range, with a
discounted rate for members.
Since this class will no longer be offered twice
per year and is limited to 20 participants, it will fill
quickly! Sign up now to assure a spot! For more
information, contact Matt Brooks at
mbrooks@tucsonaudubon.org or 622-2230.
AVAILABLE IN OUR NATURE SHOPS
Birding Essentials by Jonathan Alderfer and
Jon L. Dunn. A great book for beginners and
advanced birders alike, this
book is filled with information on
“how to” watch birds. It starts
with basics, but also includes
many advanced birding
techniques. The book is a core
resource for Tucson Audubon’s
Moving to Mastery classes.
$15.95

Lifelong Birding Series
Specialty Workshops
September 2009–February 2010
Various locations
As part of the Lifelong Birding Series and in
addition to the Moving to Mastery Class, Tucson
Audubon offers four specialty workshops that focus
on identification details for specific groups.
These workshops are open to all, but those who
have taken the Moving to Mastery Class will
receive preference. Each two-day class will
comprise one Wednesday lecture, 6 to 9 PM, and
one Saturday field trip, 7 AM to 5 PM. Class capacity
is 10 participants. Specialty Workshops will be
approximately $105.00 per person, per workshop.
September is coming soon; get signed up for
warblers and flycatchers now!
WARBLERS, September 2 & 5, 2009
Learn how to distinguish those challenging fall
warblers. You will learn about key structural
characteristics and similar species comparisons
during this workshop, along with an introduction to
learning warbler vocalizations.
FLYCATCHERS, September 9 & 12, 2009
Ready to leap into the identification of Empidonax
and Myiarchus flycatchers? This workshop
introduces you to the diverse family Tyrannidae
and highlights the ways to separate the kingbirds,
pewees, empids, and flycatchers of southeast
Arizona.
SPARROWS, January 27 & 30, 2010
Southeast Arizona hosts an incredible diversity of
wintering sparrows. This detailed workshop about
their behavior, structure and identification
characteristics will have you checking the “LBJs”
on your life list with confidence.
RAPTORS, February 3 & 6, 2010
The rulers of the sky, raptors, have always
captured humankind’s imagination. Learn all about
the habits and morphology of raptors that we can
see in southeast Arizona during this workshop.
For more information or to register for the
Moving to Mastery Class and/or Specialty
Workshops, contact Matt Brooks at
mbrooks@tucsonaudubon.org or 622-2230, or visit
www.tucsonaudubon.org/education.
KENDALL KROESEN
Flycatchers Workshop students looking for flycatchers at
Patagonia Sonoita Creek Preserve.
Adult Basic Bat Ecology
and Viewing program
September 18, 6:30–11 PM
Tucson (and Nogales)
Large numbers of lesser long-nosed (endangered)
and Mexican long-tongued nectivorous bats arrive
each spring to give birth to their young. Their diet
changes from saguaro (spring) to agave flower
nectar (summer and fall) as they migrate
southward back to Mexico. Dr. Ronnie Sidner will
present two separate bat ecology and viewing
programs as bats drink at the hummingbird feeders
supplied by Dr. John Madden in Tucson on Friday,
September 18, and by Linda Pfister in Nogales
some time in September (call to check the date).
Light refreshments will be at both venues.
Registration for each program is $30 for Friends of
Tucson Audubon, otherwise $65; free for one child
age 10–15 per adult. Limited to 12 participants per
program. To register, contact Matt Brooks at
mbrooks@tucsonaudubon.org or 622-2230. VF
Take a break from the heat this summer and
head to Sierra Vista for the 18th annual
Southwest Wings Birding & Nature Festival
on August 5–9, 2009.
There is plenty to do for all nature
enthusiasts, beginner to expert. You can sign up
in advance for field trips that head into the
nearby mountains, or take any of the free
seminars offered about birdwatching, insects,
mammals, reptiles, and much more! You can
also register for the banquet and the Tucson
Audubon sponsored keynote address to be
given by Kenn Kaufman.
And don't forget to stop by the Tucson
Audubon booth at the festival. We look forward
to seeing many of our members at the event!
For more information on Southwest Wings and
to sign up for field trips, visit www.swwings.org.
JULY–AUGUST 2009 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon
EVENTS CALENDAR
Aug 6–8. Events with Kenn and Kim Kaufman
(details p 28)
Aug 1–28. Tucson Audubon Nature Shops
Annual Inventory Reduction Sale (details p 26)
Aug 5–9. Southwest Wings Birding & Nature
Festival (details left)
Sep 2 & 5. Lifelong Birding Series specialty
workshop: Warblers (details left)
Sep 9 & 12. Lifelong Birding Series specialty
workshop: Flycatchers (details left)
Sep 12. Bat Night with Rillito River Project
Sep 12–23. Landscaping for Wildlife course
(details p 8)
Sep 14. Living With Nature Lecture Series :
Protecting Wildlife Both Sides of the Border by
Sergio Avila (see p 13)
Sep 18. Adult Basic Bat Ecology and Viewing
program (details left)
Oct 14–Nov 11. Moving to Mastery course
(details p 8)
AVAILABLE IN OUR NATURE SHOPS
Flycatchers of Arizona,
Sparrows of Arizona, and
Raptors of Arizona by Homer
Hansen. This trio of “mini-
guides” contains structural
illustrations and tables with
identification and sound
characteristics for the different
species found in Arizona for
each subject group. For
example, Flycatchers of Arizona
covers 26 species of flycatchers,
kingbirds, phoebes, and pewees.
The guides are extremely
intuitive and user-friendly,
waterproof and tear-resistant,
and great field references for
anyone birding in Arizona. $6.95
each
Sparrows of the United States
and Canada: The
Photographic Guide by David
Beadle and James Rising.
Princeton University Press,
2003. Excellent color photos,
range maps, habitat photos,
notes on behavior and songs in
this 328 page paperback book
will help you learn to identify
these challenging species.
$29.95
9
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Interesting stories about birds with interesting names
Calliope Hummingbird
LARRY LIESE
I’ve always liked Calliope
Hummingbirds. They’re not all that rare,
but, like Blue-winged Teal, are always a
nice find for birds of their type. Seen in
southeast Arizona mostly during migration
season, they breed from just northwest of
Arizona to central British Columbia in
Canada. Like some other hummingbirds,
they have a clockwise “racetrack”
migration pattern—heading north in spring
at lower elevations closer to the Pacific
coast, then in fall heading south through
the Rocky Mountains to take advantage of
mountain wildflower nectar sources,
travelling up to 9,000 km annually.
The Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula
calliope), was named by the English
ornithologist John Gould (1804–1881) in
1847. Throughout his professional life,
Gould had a strong interest in
hummingbirds and had accumulated
hundreds of specimens. Interestingly, he
had never seen a live hummingbird
before May 1857, when he travelled to
the United States with his second son
Charles. (Remember hummingbirds are a
New World family only.)
Why he chose Calliope, one of the nine
muses of classic mythology, has been a
subject of speculation. Calliope was the
muse of epic poetry. “Epic” usually means
huge, so why choose this name for such
a small bird? Regardless of his reasons,
the Calliope Hummingbird is a special
bird, with some interesting traits. It’s the
smallest North American breeding bird,
about half the weight of our smallest
passerines—Bushtit and Black-tailed
Gnatcatcher—and a third that of our
AVAILABLE IN OUR NATURE SHOPS
Hummingbirds of the American
West by Lynn Hassler Kaufman.
Detailed descriptions of field
marks, behavioral
characteristics, habitat
requirements, and prime
locations, together with
extraordinary color photos.
$12.95
10 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher JULY–AUGUST 2009
smaller wood-warblers. The male’s
iridescent gorget is divided into separate
magenta-red rays set against a white
background, unique among U.S.
hummingbirds. When elevated in an
elegant starburst display, it’s no surprise
to learn that the genus name Stellula
means “little star,” and that this one
species populates the genus.
Calliope was the muse of
epic poetry. Epic usually
means huge, so why
choose this name for
such a small bird?
While males are pretty easy to
distinguish, females can be confused with
Broad-tailed, Rufous, and Allen’s
Hummingbirds. Besides small size, I think
the best field mark to look for is the
extremely short tail—only reaching the
tips of its folded wings when perched; and
as Sally Johnsen once remarked—looks
like it was cut off with scissors! Also look
for a very short bill, a green back, and
very little rufous in the tail—often not
visible in the field. Look for the female’s
wash of pale buff across the breast, rather
than concentration of such color on sides
and flanks. The female’s throat is white
with many small darkish spots.
So, check out some hummingbird
feeders or good flower patches this fall
and you might run into a Calliope. Best
times are from mid-July through mid-
September. Two locations locally I’ve
seen them in are Madera and Miller
Canyons, but higher
elevations
(particularly further
north) will be
better. Enjoy
your views, and
good luck! VF
ST
WE
GE
EOR
G
GE
OR
GE
W
ES
T
HUMMINGBIRD FACTS
• There are some 320 hummingbird
species in more than 100 genera.
• Hummingbirds form a diverse family.
Genera of U.S. breeding
hummingbirds have a maximum of
three member species. Looking further
south, the genus Amazilia has fifteen
member species, but includes
seemingly unrelated birds such as
Violet-crowned, Berylline, and White-
bellied (Emerald) Hummingbirds.
• Hummingbirds’ figure-8 wing motion
allows hovering and flying in all
directions—including backwards and
even upside-down for short distances.
• Some hummingbirds can fly at
60 mph.
• During the day, hummingbirds
maintain body temperatures normal
for birds (104–111°F). To conserve
energy at night, and to a greater
degree when cold or stressed, they
can drastically lower body
temperature—even down to 55°F or
less (torpor). Heartbeat can slow to as
little as 50 times per minute, normally
250 (rest) to 1250 (flying).
• Males can lose as much as 20% of
body weight during breeding season
due to aggressive behavior associated
with territoriality.
• Prior to migration, hormonal changes
can cause hummingbirds to double
their weight in as little as seven to ten
days!
• Calliope Hummingbird is one of the
species whose nests are sometimes
reused, but not always by the same
female.
• It has been shown that use of
hummingbird feeders does not delay
the onset of hummingbird migration—
contrary to popular folklore.
 IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS PROGRAM
Arizona Borderland Bird Populations
Climate change impacts and new IBAs
SCOTT WILBOR | IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS PROGRAM CONSERVATION BIOLOGIST
Old growth oak, ponderosa pine,
Arizona rush wetland seep, and a small
pool of water—an arm’s width wide; that
is what we found attracted a stunning
diversity of bird species deep in an
unnamed canyon this past May in the
“high range” of the Patagonia Mountains.
Elegant Trogon, Hepatic Tanager,
Western Tanager, Cordilleran Flycatcher,
Plumbeous Vireo, Hermit Thrush, Black-
headed Grosbeak, Scott’s Oriole,
Northern Flicker, Hairy Woodpecker,
Painted Redstart,
S
MATT GRIFFITH
S. WILBOR
IBA bird surveys in the canyons of Patagonia Mountain’s “high range” are documenting excellent species diversity,
especially where groves of pine/oak grow dense and tall, and rare springs are present.
Wilson’s Warbler, and Townsend’s
Warbler are just a few of the species that
we recorded in this small area of about 15
acres (27 species in all!).
We have continued our surveys of the
Patagonia Mountains and southern Santa
Rita Mountains begun last year through
the Arizona Important Bird Areas (IBA)
Program. Our goal is to document the bird
populations of these unexplored areas,
delineate “hot spots” of species diversity,
the most important bird (and other
biodiversity) habitat, and provide this
information to the Coronado National
Forest (NF) and the wider public. We will
work cooperatively with the Coronado NF
to protect these areas from uses that may
threaten these already stressed
populations. Current threats include
surface mining, cattle grazing, human
trash, mine run-off pollution, and ATV use.
But, climate change is the biggest long-
term threat and is poised to have serious
impacts in these montane ecosystems.
Climate scientists predict that the
southwest United States will see warming
temperatures and increasing aridity (less
JULY–AUGUST 2009 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon
TZ
ROBERT SHAN
rainfall, drier soil/vegetation conditions) in
the near and longer timeframes. By
reducing or eliminating local stresses, by
cleaning up surface waters and protecting
wetland and riparian vegetation, we can
help conserve these key sites that
support so much biodiversity.
Our early results have found a small
but concentrated population of Elegant
Trogons, all in patches of pine-oak habitat
(with some Arizona madrone as well). We
have found other key species, all in
limited areas. These include Montezuma
Quail in grassy swales in canyon bottoms
and sides; Arizona Woodpecker and
Whiskered Screech-Owl associated with
dense oak/pine drainages; and Mexican
Spotted owl in shady, moist, mixed
oak/pine canyon alcoves. We have also
found (or identified signs of) Arizona gray
squirrel, black bear, raccoon, bobcat,
coyote, mountain spiny lizard, and
California sister butterfly.
In late September and October, we will
return to the canyons of the Patagonia
and Santa Rita Mountains to continue our
inventory work. We welcome assistance,
particularly from those birders who have
helped survey birds formally through any
number of citizen-science bird programs
—come talk to us! Call or e-mail us
beginning in September at the Tucson
Audubon IBA office (we will be away this
summer) at 628-1730 or
swilbor@tucsonaudubon.org. VF
AVAILABLE IN OUR
NATURE SHOPS
The Mountains Next Door by
Janice Emily Bowers.
Celebrates the Natural History
of the Rincon Mountains. $17.95
11
SPECIAL FEATURE | THE SKY ISLAND REGION
A Biological Bridge between the
Tropical and Temperate America
SERGIO AVILA
Living in southern Arizona we are lucky
to enjoy diverse habitats like oak wood-
lands, deserts, and beautiful canyons;
and some of the species in these areas
live at the northern- or southern-most
points of their distribution ranges. Ever
wonder what the Elegant Trogon, the Blue
Mockingbird (seen in Arizona earlier this
year), the jaguar, the brown vinesnake,
and the coral bean have in common?
They are Neotropical species that find
habitats in Arizona similar to the ones
they occupy in the south; they testify to
habitat richness and surprise us with their
presence once in a while.
The Sky Island region of southwestern
United States and northwestern Mexico is
situated at the confluence of four major
ecosystems—the Rocky Mountains, the
Sierra Madre Occidental, and the
Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts. This
vast area, where deserts and grasslands
surround
isolated mountain ranges, is known for its
unique biodiversity and natural beauty,
and is incredibly important for its
connective characteristics at a continental
level. The diversity and richness of wildlife
are outstanding, with high numbers of
insects, amphibians, reptiles, resident and
migratory birds and mammals. One of
those tropical animals that continues to
amaze for its presence in Arizona is the
jaguar.
Earlier this year, the story of a wild
jaguar that was captured and radio
collared by Arizona Game and Fish
Department officials, and later recaptured
and euthanized, brought up a renewed
interest on this species. Since the mid
1990s, at least four wild jaguars have
been recorded in the sky islands of
southeastern Arizona and southwestern
New Mexico, possibly coming from
Sonora, Mexico, finding their way along
corridors with an opportunity to colonize
northern habitats.
Searching for those corridors that
bridge jaguar breeding areas in
central Sonora with potential
jaguar habitat in southern
Arizona, Sky Island Alliance
initiated wildlife surveys in
the sky islands south of the
border. We founded the
Northern Mexico
Conservation Program—the
goal is to create an inter-
connected network of
conservation ranches in
northern Sonora, integrating
outreach, research, volunteer on-
the-ground restoration, and
grassroots
education to establish corridors
connecting patches of continuous habitat
throughout the region. Local ranch
owners are fundamental to research and
conservation through this program, and
we offer opportunities for Mexican
volunteers and students to participate in
field activities.
The presence of tropical felines in an
area can indicate healthy habitats
because of the felines’ requirements of
space, prey species, mating pairs,
vegetation cover, and low human densities
or activities. For this reason protecting
feline habitat offers an umbrella of
protection to other species. Using remote
cameras and tracking transects set along
drainages and trails, we have recorded
over 20 species of wild mammals (many
of them of Neotropical origin), including
mountain lion, ocelot, bobcat, black bear,
mule and white-tailed deer, four species of
skunks (striped, spotted, hog-nosed, and
hooded), badger, coati, opossum and
more. Jaguars have only been recorded
by their tracks and hides. To date we have
captured two dozen photographs of
ocelots, and identified at least three
individuals living only 25 miles south of the
international border in oak woodland and
grassland, at altitudes of 1,300–1,400
meters (4,265–4,593 ft). Ocelots are
medium-sized tropical felines that were
last recorded in Arizona in the 1960s.
Habitat fragmentation and
destruction are serious threats to
wildlife populations. Construction of an
impermeable barrier, such as the
Department of Homeland Security’s
border fence, added to clearing of vast
areas, destruction of vegetation cover and
as
land-filling of
canyons and water streams,
and affected wildlife populations in the
border region even before the fence was
in place. This infrastructure disrupts,
segments, and isolates wildlife
populations, endangered or not, on both
sides of the border and threatens to cut
off migratory corridors between the United
States and Mexico.
The study and protection of wildlife
movement corridors is becoming
increasingly important in the face of
border security activities and climate
change. The identification of wildlife
corridors that connect feline breeding
grounds with potential habitat in the
southwestern United States is key for
species survival in the region. So far, the
program has produced agreements and
actions to restore and protect over 35,000
acres of riparian, grassland, desert, and
upland wildlife habitat in northern Sonora.
Sky Island Alliance will continue working
with landowners and volunteers, studying
and protecting habitat for our region’s
tropical amigos. VF
Above: Map of the Sky Island region
Photos, bottom left to right:
Riparian vegetation along Río Cocóspera (Paul Condon)
Local knowledge of the region is valuable to complete
the Northern Mexico Conservation Program’s research
and conservation goals. In this photo local vaqueros
locate a remote camera in Sierra La Esmeralda
(Randy Serraglio)
Large and robust toe and heel pads, round shape, wide
measurements and a riparian area as a corridor: jaguar
presence in the Sonoran Sky Islands; March 2008
(Jessica Lamberton)
Left to right: Biologist Sergio Avila, volunteer Eric
Lundgreen and Sonoran landowner Carlos Robles,
discuss the placement of a camera (attached to
Sycamore tree) in the Sierra Azul in northern Sonora
(Christa Weise)
The Cocospera River: a biological corridor that hosts
native amphibians, resident and migratory birds and
mammals (Randy Serraglio)
Sky Island Alliance’s Northern Mexico Conservation
Program integrates research, community education
and conservation, enhancing public appreciation of
the region’s unique biological diversity (Jessica
Lamberton)
Insets:
Above: A tropical feline, an ocelot Leopardus pardalis
walks on fresh snow in the Sky Island region at the
northern end of its distribution in North America
(Sky Island Alliance/El Aribabi 2008)
Below left: A male mountain lion passes by a remote
camera; protection of these large predators’ habitat
helps protect open space, water resources, their wild
prey, and other species (Sky Island Alliance/El Aribabi
2008)
Belwo right: Coati, another Neotropical species that
inhabits the Sky Island region; large family groups also
abound (Sky Island Alliance/El Aribabi 2008)
See related book review of Ambushed on the
Jaguar Trail (p 27).

Sergio Avila is a wildlife biologist and Sergio Avila kicks off our Living With
Nature Lecture Series on September
Northern Mexico Conservation Program 14 with a presentation on
Coordinator at Sky Island Alliance, a Protecting Wildlife Both
grassroots conservation organization Sides of the
Border.
dedicated to the protection and
restoration of the native species and
habitats in the Sky Island region. For
more information, please visit:
www.skyislandalliance.org
SPECIAL FEATURE | BORDERLAND BIRDING ECOTOURISM
Ecotourism, Habitat Protection, and Commu
Conservation in Northwestern Mexico
JENNIE DUBERSTEIN AND JIM RORABAUGH
Ecotourism can be a vehicle for protecting
Combined with landscapes and biotic communities that support
an overall
the birds and other plants and animals that
ecotourists want to see. Although it is not a
habitat panacea for problems related to habitat loss or
protection and degradation in the region, birding ecotourism
provides an economic incentive for conservation
restoration and is an effective way for some landowners and
effort, birding communities to gain additional income from their
land while protecting birds and their habitats.
ecotourism has Unlike the United States, 98 percent of the
land in Mexico is privately held, including the
the potential to majority of Natural Protected Areas. This makes
be an important working with private landowners, in addition to
conservation organizations, governmental
piece of a larger agencies, and educational institutions, a critical
solution to the piece in the long-term protection of natural areas.
The Sonoran Joint Venture (SJV) is a diverse
issues facing partnership of organizations and individuals from
throughout the southwestern United States and
bird populations northwestern Mexico that shares a common
in northwestern commitment to the conservation of all bird
species and their habitats. (Tucson Audubon has
Mexico. a seat on the management board of the SJV.)
The SJV is currently working with a variety of
partners to support and promote existing bird
habitat restoration and protection efforts in
northwestern Mexico by linking them with
developing birding tourism efforts. By working
closely with communities to build the capacity of
local residents and community partners in
Mexico, the SJV and its partners are developing
and promoting birding tourism as an incentive for
the conservation of natural areas.
In the midst of all of the diversity of
northwestern Mexico is Rancho El Aribabi, a
private ranch located approximately two hours
southeast of Tucson in the upper Río Magdalena
watershed of northern Sonora, Mexico. Rancho
El Aribabi is owned by the Robles-Elías family
and has been in their possession since 1934.
Landowners Carlos and Martha Robles currently
own and manage 4,000 ha of the property (the
remaining 9,000 ha of the ranch are owned by
other family members). Rancho El Aribabi has
been managed for cattle and hunting and Carlos
Robles is a self-taught naturalist who has always
been aware of the importance of his ranch to
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and
plants.
14 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher JULY–AUGUST 2009
GREEN
In the western portions of Rancho El Aribabi,
the Río Cocóspera meanders through a valley
LI
PAUL & ENG-
dominated by cottonwoods, willows, sycamores,
ash, and massive old mesquites and hackberrys.
On the southwestern edge of the ranch, the river
narrows and traverses a lush riparian canyon, the
uplands of which are a transition between
Sonoran desertscrub, mesquite grasslands, and
thornscrub. During the dry season, much of the
river’s flow originates from a small ciénega, which
supports native fishes and frogs and the
endangered Huachuca water umbel. To the east
of the river, the hills gain elevation and vegetation
gradually changes to oak woodlands and pine-
oak forests in the Sierra Azul. This complex
combination of physical structure and biological
diversity offers important habitat for at least 170
species of migratory and resident birds, including
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Elegant Trogon, Buff-
collared Nightjar, Golden Eagle, Hermit Warbler,
Sinaloa Wren, Streak-backed Oriole, Montezuma
Quail, Elf Owl, White-faced Ibis, Five-striped
Sparrow, and Black-capped Gnatcatcher. The
biodiversity extends to other taxa, as well.
Tarahumara salamanders and Neotropical
whipsnakes, neither of which occur in the U.S.,
can be found in the Sierra Azul. Among the
arroyos and canyons, both ocelots and jaguars
still roam this wild area.
Birders play an important role in
supporting conservation efforts
like this.
Carlos and Martha Robles contacted the
Sonoran Joint Venture in 2004 because they
were interested in protecting their land for birds
and other wildlife and investigating ways to
diversify the income they derive from their
property. In 2005 and 2006 the SJV worked with
Carlos and Martha to implement a riparian habitat
protection and restoration project at Rancho El
Aribabi. The project involved fencing an area of
approximately 300 acres that includes two miles
of riparian habitat, a ciénega, and adjacent desert
scrub habitat. The SJV worked closely with the
Robles family and other SJV partners to plan the
project and the landowners took charge of
installing the new fence and cattle guards.
In addition to improving habitat on the ranch for
wildlife, Carlos and Martha Robles were interested
 In the fall/winter of 2009,
Tucson Audubon will support
the efforts of the SJV and its
unity-based partners by offering birding and
natural history tours to some of
the sites mentioned here. We
plan a long weekend in
northern Sonora with two- or
three-nights’ stay at ranches
that are actively supporting
wildlife and habitat
conservation in the region. If
this prospect is of interest,
please contact Jean Barchman
at 622-5622 or jbarchman@
tucsonaudubon.org.
In addition to Rancho El
Rancho Esmeralda is another ranch that is turning to birding tourism. Aribabi, the SJV and its
partners are currently working
in diversifying the income gained from their ranch in three sites in northwestern
with an eye towards eventually decreasing the Mexico to develop and promote
number of cattle on the property. They were birding ecotourism as a
particularly interested in exploring ways to bring conservation tool: the Colorado
birders and others with an interest in natural River delta (Sonora and Baja
history to the ranch. Installing the fence and California), Álamos (Sonora),
excluding cattle from a portion of the riparian area and San José del Cabo (Baja
gave the Robles family a prime area for birders California Sur). SJV partner
and with the support of the SJV they designed a Pronatura Noroeste has
small trail system. Groups from Arizona, Sonora, ongoing bird and habitat
and elsewhere have now begun to visit the ranch, conservation, outreach, and
which has a large lodge and accommodations for restoration programs in the
three areas. Contact Jennie
overnight guests, for birding and natural history
Duberstein to learn more about
trips, meetings, and workshops.
this project. More information
This project is an outstanding example of how
about Pronatura Noroeste is at
partnerships with private landowners are a critical
www.pronatura-noroeste.org.
component to bird conservation efforts in
northwestern Mexico. Birders play an important
role in supporting conservation efforts like this AVAILABLE IN OUR
through their decision to visit areas where owners NATURE SHOPS
are involved in on-the-ground conservation Borderland
efforts, such as at Rancho El Aribabi. Jaguars by David
To learn more about the work of the Sonoran Brown and Carlos
Joint Venture and its partners or areas in López González.
northwestern Mexico where your birding trip Documents the
directly supports and promotes conservation, human–jaguar
contact in the
contact Jennie Duberstein (Jennie_Duberstein@
Southwest US.
fws.gov; 882-0837; http://sonoranjv.org). More
$19.95
information about Rancho El Aribabi can be
found at http://elaribabi.org. VF Birds of Sonora
by Stephan
Jennie Duberstein is the Education and Outreach Russell. A classic
Coordinator for Sonoran Joint Venture. Jim illustrated guide to
the birds of
Rorabaugh works for the USFWS Ecological
Sonora, Mexico.
Services in Tucson.
$77.00
A complex combination of physical structure and biological diversity Birdsongs of
in Rancho El Aribabi provides important habitat for at least 170 Southeast Arizona
species of migratory and resident birds (right, top to bottom): and Sonora. A
mesquite grassland habitat; Buff-collared Nightjar; Río Cocóspera;
mesquite and cottonwoods; female Elegant Trogon; large lodge and two-CD set of
accommodations for overnight guests. All photos courtesy of many of the bird songs of
Jim Rorabaugh. Southeast Arizona and
Sonora, Mexico. $29.95
WHERE TO GO, BIRDS TO SEE
Arizona’s Second Spring
RICK TAYLOR | BORDERLAND TOURS
The Arizona foresummer, April through
June—aka the “spring” for out-of-state
visitors—has seen an incursion of
Mexican birds that has delighted the
entire U.S. birding community. Among the
most glamorous have been Short-tailed
Hawk in Barfoot Park, Sinaloa Wren at
Patagonia, Blue Mockingbird at the
Slaughter Ranch, Crescent-chested
Warbler in Pinery Canyon, Rufous-
capped Warbler in Florida Canyon, and
the famous Madera Canyon Flame-
colored Tanager, back for its seventh
consecutive year. All of these species
have only established toe-holds on the
U.S. side of the frontier with Sonora since
1985, and the first—yes, there has
already been a second!—Sinaloa Wren
was just discovered in the Patagonia-
Sonoita Creek Preserve in August 2008.
The second Sinaloa Wren put in a brief
appearance in the Huachuca Mountains
in April of this year.
But, indisputably, the champion vagrant
of the 2009 foresummer was a Gray-
collared Becard. A first U.S. record when
it made a one-day appearance on June 5
in the South Fork of Cave Creek in the
Chricahua Mountains, the nearest known
locality for Gray-collared Becard in
Sonora is approximately 200 miles due
south in the vicinity of Yecora (Russell
and Monson, 1998).
Many other regularly occurring
Mexican specialties have shown up in the
past two months as well, birds that as
recently as the 1990s held positions in the
16 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher JULY–AUGUST 2009
first echelon of tropical vagrants. This
vanguard of southern marauders
includes Buff-collared Nightjar (first
detected in Arizona in 1960), Berylline
Hummingbird (1964), Lucifer
Hummingbird (1963, although there are
two records from 1874), Thick-billed
Kingbird (1958), Black-capped
Gnatcatcher (1971), and Five-striped
Sparrow (1957). All of these species have
two common denominators. All of them
were first detected either in the river
systems or the mountain ranges along the
U.S. border with Mexico. Now all are
known to breed in southeastern Arizona.
But with the advent of summer rains,
prepare for some of the most exciting
birding on the calendar! A mid-summer
wave of avian immigrants is one of the
great joys of birding in our area. After the
July onset of the monsoon rainy season,
rivers reduced to sand in May and June
roar to life and pose a serious hazard to
macho and/or ignorant motorists. The
surrounding valleys turn green, streams
run, and chains of nectar-rich agaves and
wildflowers re-connect the Sierra Madre
with the Arizona border ranges. Many
birds take advantage of this new flush of
food to initiate nesting. Others simply eat
their way north across the invisible dotted
line in pursuit of an easy meal. This is
Arizona’s famous “second spring.”
Among the best known of the rare and
irregular second spring arrivals are Plain-
capped Starthroat, Eared Quetzal,
Yellow-green Vireo, Aztec Thrush, and
RICK TAYLOR
Flame-colored Tanager
Yellow Grosbeak. Completely expected
but just as welcome are Painted Buntings.
Post-breeding Painted Buntings from
Mexico wander north through all the
valleys of southeastern Arizona during
July and August, often sharing rank
growth along arroyos, pond edges, and
rivers with resident Varied Buntings and a
wave of migratory Indigo and Lazuli
Buntings.
The July and August monsoon also
marks the onset of the grassland
Aimophila chorus, led by skylarking
Botteri’s and dulcet-voiced Cassin’s
Sparrows. The last few miles on a
daybreak drive into locales such as
Madera Canyon, Patagonia Lake, or
Garden Canyon is an acoustic pleasure
that occasionally results in an unplanned,
but irresistible, detour.
So where to go birding this July and
August? If eye-candy is your goal, then
there is no single site more productive
than Beatty’s Guest Ranch in Miller
SCOTT WILBOR
Canyon of the Huachuca Mountains. After
the summer rains commence, up to 14
species of hummingbirds patronize the
feeders of Tom and Edith’s sweet spot in
Miller Canyon, and usually no fewer than
10 are simultaneously flashing gorgets.
Beatty’s is typically the easiest place to
see White-eared Hummingbird in the
United States. Mary Jo Ballator’s B & B in
nearby Ash Canyon offers a show that
may rival Beatty’s, and it is here that
Lucifer Hummingbirds are most
consistently seen in Arizona. Also on the
front side of the Huachuca Mountains,
don’t count out Ramsey Canyon. More
Berylline Hummingbird nests are seen in
and around The Nature Conservancy
Preserve in Ramsey Canyon than any
other canyon in all the border ranges.
Moreover, some summers, crimson-red
and emerald-green Elegant Trogons
enliven the esthetics in Ramsey Canyon.
Elegant Trogons are either nesting or
have recently fledged young in all the
major sycamore canyons from Sycamore
Canyon in the Atascosas west of Nogales
to Cave Creek Canyon just seven miles
inside the New Mexico state line in the
Chiricahua Mountains. Like the resident
Coues form of the whitetail deer, which
fawn in July and August, trogon nesting
seems timed to take advantage of the
Santa Catalina Mountains
abundance of food available during
Arizona’s second spring.
Few avian shows are more entertaining
than watching a family of trogons forage
on southwestern chokecherries and
unwary orthopterans—with a baby
Yarrow’s spiny lizard occasionally thrown
in for variety. If the fledglings are several
weeks or more out of the nest they
frequently snatch leaves instead of
katydids, and twigs instead of walking
sticks. Meanwhile the adults process two-
inch-long lizards into pablum before
passing them off to their offspring. The
largest concentration of Elegant Trogons
in the U.S. is in the Cave Creek Canyon
complex just a few miles upstream from
Portal. Trogon surveys in Cave Creek
routinely turn up 10–12 adult pairs, as
well as a few spare bachelors
obstreperously advertising for any late-
arriving females.
Baby hawks abound as well. Watch for
Gray Hawk families on the San Pedro
River, on the upper Santa Cruz River and
along Sonoita Creek. Zone-tailed Hawks
occur in the same areas, as well as in the
adjacent mountains. Both Gray and Zone-
tailed Hawks nest in Harshaw Canyon
just east of Patagonia, and both species
soar over Marion Paton’s Patagonia home
every day throughout July and August. If
you visit the Paton feeders you are bound
to see Violet-crowned Hummingbirds
dipping in for a drink at 10- or 15-minute
intervals. Remember, too, this is where
the first U.S. record of Cinnamon
Hummingbird occurred in July of 1992.
Want a mega-rarity? In mid-summer it
is sure to be a Mexican stray up for the
good life, ushered in by the monsoon
rains. Survey the rivers and streams that
drain out of or into Sonora. These include
Guadalupe Canyon, the Slaughter Ranch
in the upper Rio San Bernardino, the San
JULY–AUGUST 2009 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon
Pedro River, Sonoita Creek, the upper
Santa Cruz River, and both California
Gulch and Sycamore Canyon in the
Atascosas. These riparian corridors are
connected to the subtropics by ribbons of
tall cottonwoods, permanent water, and—
naturally—food. Remember to check for a
Great Black-Hawk every time a probable
Common Black-Hawk lumbers into flight.
There have been previous rumors, but
you just might nail the first accepted
record for the United States.
And cast a critical eye on any solitaire
that peers back at you from the mid-
elevation, Sierra Madrean pine-oak
foliage in the Chiricahua, Huachuca, or
Santa Rita Mountains. It could be a
Brown-backed Solitaire. Look for the bill
color on any Catharus thrush in South
Fork Cave Creek, Huachuca Canyon, or
Madera Canyon; it could be an Orange-
billed Nightingale-Thrush. Is that a trogon
with a blue tail foraging in the fog-
shrouded timber of the Chiricahua
highlands? What’s it doing above 7,000
feet? Is it a Mountain Trogon?
Come the July/August monsoon, there
is the promise of new song, new life,
tropical colors, and—of course—the
potential for wonderful new life-birds. The
landscape is green, and hummingbirds
are at peak abundance for the year. This
is the magical season birders call
Arizona’s second spring. VF
Rick Taylor is Managing Director of
Borderland Tours www.borderland-
tours.com/v2/.
Below, left to right: Gray-collared Becard in the
Chiricahuas (Jillian Johnston), Cassin’s Sparrow (Rick
Taylor), Rufous-capped Warbler (Rick Taylor), Berylline
Hummingbird (Rick Taylor), Sinaloa Wren in Patagonia
(Matt Brown)
17
 CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION NEWS
CHRIS MCVIE, PAUL GREEN, KENDALL KROESEN, AND SCOTT WILBOR
Resolution Copper, H.R. 2509, and S. 409 update
Resolution Copper Mining (RCM)—a
limited liability company owned by
Resolution Copper Company (55
percent), a Rio Tinto plc subsidiary, and
by BHP Copper, Inc. (45 percent), a
BHP Billiton Ltd. subsidiary—seeks to
develop a mine to exploit a significant
copper deposit to the east of Superior,
Arizona. RCM seeks to own and
manage the surface lands above the
mine and in the immediate surrounding
area. Resolution Copper needs title to
the approximately 767-acre tract that
includes the federally owned Oak Flat
campground, withdrawn from mining
activity by President Dwight D.
Eisenhower in 1955 when he signed
Public Land Order 1229 to protect
federal investment in the campground
and roads.
To achieve the change in
ownership, separate bills are now
before the U.S. House and Senate.
They are H.R. 2509, The Southeast
Arizona Land Exchange and
Conservation Act of 2009 (sponsored
by Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, co-sponsored
by Reps Jeff Flake, Trent Franks, and
Harry Mitchell), and S. 409, The
Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and
Conservation Act of 2009 (sponsored
by Sen. John Kyl and co-sponsored by
Sen. John McCain).
Friends of Madera Canyon lose case against developer
We previously reported that property
owner Mike Kettenbach is seeking to
develop 180 units on 744.4 acres of
land at the mouth of Madera Canyon
in the Cielo Madera conservation
subdivision. The matter has been
under appeal since February 2008,
when the Friends of Madera Canyon
(FOMC) filed an administrative appeal
and later a suit in the Superior Court.
According to Pima County
Planning Director Arlan Colton, the
case did not address the underlying
conservation subdivision ordinance
18 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher JULY–AUGUST 2009
Tucson Audubon does not support
these bills for many reasons (see our
letter to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords at
tucsonaudubon.org/conservation/2009
_5_21GiffordsKirkpatrickBill.pdf).
While undoing the Public Land
Order sets a dangerous precedent, we
have other concerns. One is the
potential dewatering of the lower San
Pedro River by the Pinal County-
approved housing development for up
to 35,000 homes atop 23,234 acres of
BHP’s reclaimed lands near San
Manuel. The Salt River Project (SRP)
and the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)
mitigation lands, lands owned and
managed for conservation by The
Nature Conservancy (TNC) along the
lower San Pedro River for endangered
species downstream of BHP’s lands,
and the 7B bosque immediately
downstream of the proposed housing
development and proposed as a part of
the exchange, are all lands that could
be dewatered as a result.
We taxpayers have invested heavily
in mitigation along the lower San Pedro
so that the residents of the City of
Phoenix could have an assured water
supply. Without the inclusion in the
proposed land exchange of a
determination of the fate of BHP's San
Manuel river lands and the associated
that allows for homes to be built on
one-acre lots within a project with RH
zoning, which allows for one home
per 4.13 acres, as long as there is
compensating acreage dedicated as
open space within the subdivision.
On May 13, Pima County Superior
Court Judge Paul E. Tang denied a
motion by FOMC appealing a Sketch
Plan approved by county planners in
January 2008. Tentative plat and final
plat phases will follow, the latter
requiring a public hearing before the
Pima County Board of Supervisors.
water rights, there is no point in
acquiring the 7B bosque for mitigation
and conservation. Other entities will
find it difficult, if not impossible, to meet
their mitigation requirements along the
lower San Pedro River.
Another concern is that by
achieving a land swap through an act
of congress, the exchange bypasses
the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA), which would include an
examination of alternatives, the
environmental impacts, the cumulative
impacts, and possible mitigation of the
impacts of the proposed mine. We
should have an assessment of the
proposed impacts to Queen Creek,
Devil’s Canyon, the Gila River, and the
lower San Pedro River.
What are the anticipated mineral
values on the US Forest Service
(public) lands? The NEPA analysis can
also help the public better evaluate
whether they are getting a fair
exchange from the companies. The
proposed legislation gives us no way to
assess the true value of the lands that
RCM will acquire. Tucson Audubon
believes that NEPA is essential prior to
the exchange; as the bill stands, a
NEPA assessment would not take
place until after the land exchange.
Tang ruled in favor of defendant
Pima County Board of Adjustment
District 4 and developers Michael,
Kerry, and Lauren Kettenbach
because the matter was not “ripe for
judicial review” since “Sketch Plan
approval by the County is essentially a
first step in the zoning review
process.” Tang also ruled that FOMC
has no legal standing to challenge the
county’s decision, as plaintiffs
generally are required to “allege a
distinct and palpable injury” or an
“injury, in fact, economic or otherwise.”
Aerial photo of San Pedro River at the
Aravaipa Creek confluence.
Another concern is that the bill fails
to recognize or protect important
cultural areas for Native American
tribes, including the San Carlos Apache
and Fort McDowell Yavapai. Many
Arizona tribes are opposed to the land
exchange bill. Finally, S. 409 works
against the intent of Senator Jeff
Bingaman in S. 796, a bill to reform the
1872 Mining Law.
Based on all these factors, we ask
that you contact your representatives
and tell them that you do not support
the land exchange as it stands.
Since Kettenbach submitted a
tentative plat to Pima County planning
and zoning officials before the ruling,
he expects to get a first response
from county planners by early July.
FOMC’s real concern is that the
conversion of a large rural parcel into
an area of higher density with a
dramatic increase in people, far from
existing services, will change the
character and quality of life around
the mouth of Madera Canyon for
visitors and locals alike. VF
 TUCSON AUDUBON FIELD TRIPS
DARLENE SMYTH | FIELD TRIP COORDINATOR
Aravaipa Creek
July
July 4—Saturday 6:15 AM
Dudleyville and Aravaipa
Canyon Rd
We will make a quick stop at Dudleyville
to see if the Mississippi Kites that often
nest there are visible, and then we will
drive the Aravaipa Canyon Rd. to look for
Zone-tailed Hawks, Common Black-
Hawks and other resident birds. Very little
birding outside of the cars. Limit two
cars. Sign up with leader starting June 25.
Approx. 80 miles roundtrip. Leader:
Darlene Smyth dsmyth3@comcast.net
297-2315
July 7—Tuesday 5 AM
Tumacacori/Paton’s/Kino
Springs/Rio Rico
Come along for a smorgasbord of birds in
some of the most productive summer
locations. All birding will be done at a
leisurely pace. Meet in Fry’s parking lot at
I-19 and Irvington at 5 AM or at the
McDonald’s in Green Valley (Continental
Road exit) before 5:30 AM. We should be
back in Tucson by about 3 PM. Approx.
130 miles roundtrip. Leader: Gavin Bieber
kingbird77@hotmail.com 360-1736
July 11—Saturday 6 AM
Sunrise Birding at Tucson’s
Sam Lena Park
Great location for beginning birders!
Wake up with the birds at this urban park,
where we’ll leisurely walk the 2.2-mile
loop path overlooking several ponds and
Tumacacori
restored Tucson Basin habitat, including
riparian, marsh, mesquite bosque,
upland, and grassland. Expect urban,
desert-scrub and wetland birds. Done by
9 AM. Bring water and sun protection.
Please RSVP to leader starting July 1.
Local. Leader: Cynthia Barstad
cynthiabarstad@gmail.com
July 14—Tuesday 5 AM
Harshaw Creek/Patagonia
The summer rains bring potential rarities
to southeastern Arizona habitats. We will
explore these interesting areas for
resident birds and very early migrants.
We hope the bird of the day will be
Yellow-billed Cuckoo. We’ll be done when
the birds try to escape the heat of the day.
Meet at 5 AM at the junction of Houghton
Road and I-10 (north of I-10). Approx. 120
miles roundtrip. Leader: Clait Braun sg-
wtp@JUNO.Com
KENDALL KROESEN
Sam Lena Park
JULY–AUGUST 2009 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon
For the latest or expanded field trip
information
visit www.tucsonaudubon.org
or call us at 629-0757
General Information
Tucson Audubon field trips are free. For
general information call field trip
coordinator Darlene Smyth 297-2315.
For specific information about a trip,
contact the leader of that trip.
Please dress appropriately for your
field trip. Always wear sturdy shoes, a
hat, and use sun protection. Bring
plenty of snacks and water for yourself.
Always bring your binoculars, field
guide, and for most trips a scope can
be useful. Bring money to cover your
share of the carpooling and any
required entry fees (eg for state parks).
Arrival Times
Please arrive before listed departure
times. Trips will leave promptly at the
time given.
Carpooling Sites
 NW Tucson: Ina and Via Ponte—
commuter parking lot one block
west of Oracle and Ina, south side
of Ina.
 Central Tucson: First Baptist Church
parking lot on west side of 5th Ave,
1½ blocks south of University Blvd.
Weekdays only.
 SW Tucson: I-19 and Irvington—
Fry’s parking lot.
 Green Valley: I-19 and Continental
Rd exit 63—McDonald’s parking lot.
 NE Tucson: Tanque Verde Rd/
Catalina Hwy—McDonald’s
parking lot.
Tucson Audubon strongly encourages
carpooling and for some trips it may be
required. Check the trip listings for
meeting/carpooling sites. You are
expected to reimburse the driver for the
actual cost of fuel. Drivers and trip
leaders are not expected to contribute.
Rare Bird Alert
Listen to the latest rare bird alert at
798-1005. Report rare birds to the RBA
compiler at 798-1005 or
rarebirdalert@tucsonaudubon.org
After Your Field Trip
Don’t forget to stop in the Tucson
Audubon Nature Shop to check out
new books, see wonderful nature
items, and chat with volunteers.
19
 TUCSON AUDUBON
FIELD TRIPS
KENDALL KROESEN
Wilcox Golf Course Ponds
July 18—Saturday 6 AM
Willcox, Benson, St David
Come for a humid morning adventure to
Willcox for shorebirds and waterbirds, to
Benson for the same and to St David for a
look at Mississippi Kites. Meet at the
Houghton and I-10 carpool site at 6 AM.
Carpooling recommended. We’ll return by
noon or shortly thereafter. Leader: Clifford
A. Cathers AZCliffy@q.com 762-3201
July 21—Tuesday 5:30 AM
San Pedro Riparian National
Conservation Area
This is one of our country’s prime birding
areas which attracts many southeastern
Arizona specialties as well as vagrants.
An effort will be made to find as many of
these birds as possible. Bring lots of
water and a snack; wear sun protection
and insect repellant to prevent chigger
bites. A scope may be useful. Meet at
Houghton Road north of 1-10 for a
5:30 AM departure (leader not present).
Meet the leader at the San Pedro House
off Arizona Route 90 east of Sierra Vista
at 7 AM. Due to the heat, we will be
finished by 10:30 AM, giving you the
opportunity to visit some of Sierra Vista’s
hummer hot-spots on your own. 160 miles
roundtrip. Leader: Erika Wilson
terika88@cox.net (preferred) or 225-0393
(Tucson) 234-4359 (Sierra Vista)
July 25—Saturday 8 AM
Hummingbirds for Beginners:
Huachucas Mountains
Non-birders and birders who are curious
about hummingbirds are especially invited
to this trip. We will drive down to Sierra
Vista and watch the feeders at Ash
Canyon B&B and Beattys’ Guest Ranch.
The pace will be relaxed. Easy walking on
dirt except for short steep trail. Bring
lunch, $10 for “sugar funds” and
20 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher JULY–AUGUST 2009
AVAILABLE IN OUR NATURE SHOPS
The San Pedro River—A Discovery Guide by
Roseann Hanson. A personal
celebration of the San Pedro
River and a definitive guide to
the nearly 400 bird species, 82
mammals, and dozens of
reptiles and amphibians that use
this rich, wildlife habitat. Learn
how the river supports one of
the largest cottonwood–willow forest canopies
remaining in Arizona. $17.95, paperback
optional “ice cream” money. LIMITED TO
TEN. Sign up by calling leader starting on
July 5 at 9 AM. 150 mile round trip.
Leader: John Higgins
jghiggins@comcast.net 578-1830
July 28—Tuesday 6:30 AM
Secret Trail—Madera Canyon
We will bird/hike about 2.5 miles up the
Super Trail and drop down into the secret
trail to the north. Here we will bird this
gorgeous lush canyon, which has a creek
that runs through it. Also we will make a
detour up onto Roger’s Rock where there
is a spectacular view of the surrounding
mountains. This loop hike is about five
miles, for the more experienced hiker.
Wear sturdy hiking shoes, and bring
plenty of water, snacks and lunch. Back
by 12:30 or 1 PM. Limited to 10 people so
call the leader starting on July 21 for sign-
up. Meet at the Green Valley McDonald’s
(Continental exit 63 off I-19) at 6:30 AM.
Leader: Sally Johnsen empidonax@
netzero.net 399-4050
July 31—Friday 5 AM to 12 NOON
Shorebirds at Willcox and Benson
Meet at I-10 and Houghton at 5 AM, at exit
302 McDonald’s at 5:30 AM. Search for
southbound shorebirds at two of the most
reliable sites in southeast Arizona. Our
focus will be on learning to use the new
identification techniques put forth in The
Shorebird Guide. With its emphasis on
structure and behavior over fine plumage
detail, the approach taken in that book
can be applied profitably to all bird
identification, and time spent watching
shorebirds can make all of our birding
more enjoyable. Approx. 160 miles
roundtrip. Leader: Rick Wright
birdaz@gmail.com
August
August 4—Tuesday 5:30 AM
Brown Canyon—Buenos Aires NWR
This is a rare opportunity to visit the
restricted-access Brown Canyon at the
base of Baboquivari Mountain. A $4 fee
per person is required by FWS. The trail
climbs about 2 miles one way and ends in
a natural arch. Birds should be the typical
foothills canyon species and perhaps a
Mexican stray. We will visit Grebe
Lake (if there is water) to
observe shorebirds, so bring your
scopes. Limited to 10 participants. Email
the leader beginning July 20 to register.
Approx. 110 miles roundtrip. Leader:
Philip Kline, pgkline_uk@
yahoo.com (preferred) 419-5086
August 7—Friday 7 PM to 9 PM
Night Critters of Saguaro National
Park East
Have you wondered what is crawling (or
flying) around in the desert at night?
Here is a chance to see! The park has
agreed to lead this private night walk
when the biological activity should be at
its peak in the middle of the monsoon.
We should see plenty of snakes, toads
and spiders along with insects and night
birds, maybe some mammals (I’ve seen
cats twice on night walks in the
saguaros!). The walk is open to the first
12 people to sign up after July 14.
Leader: Anthony Mendoza 219-0366
(message is fine)
August 11—Tuesday 5:30 AM
California Gulch
It’s the time of year to view Five-striped
Sparrows singing from ocotillos in the
Pajarito Mountains. Meet at the Green
Valley McDonald’s on Continental Road at
5:30 AM. LIMITED to first three high-
clearance or 4-wheel drive volunteers and
the first 16 participants (including drivers)
we can stuff into a total of 4 vehicles. You
must register for this trip starting
August 1! Leader: Clifford A. Cathers
AZCliffy@q.com 762-3201
August 15—Saturday 8 AM to 12 NOON
Nature Walk/Birding in Lower
Madera Canyon
Join Friends of Madera Canyon
naturalist exploring lower Madera Canyon
at the height of the summer rainy season.
We will walk the Proctor Nature Loop
 Trail, hiking from semi-desert grassland
into mesquite bosque, Madrean
evergreen woodland and interior
deciduous forest along Madera Creek.
The summer rains bring out the “tropical
side” of sky island flora and fauna. We will
be birding, but not as the primary focus of
the walk. Limit of 10. Sign up starting
August 8. USFS fee area. Leader: Doug
Moore maderaedu@msn.com
August 18—Tuesday 6 AM
Madera Canyon
If you enjoy sitting quietly in a
beautiful, shady spot letting the wildlife
come to you, then join us for several
thirty-minute, shady “sits” in Madera
Canyon. If you bring a lightweight chair,
your “sits” will be plenty comfortable. We’ll
settle into an area close to the cars,
watch quietly for wildlife, and then enjoy
observing whatever nature provides. It
might be fun to bring a notebook and jot
down some of your observations. Each
“sit” will be followed by some sharing of
observations before moving on to another
location. We should finish up by
snacktime (10:30) before it gets too hot.
Trip limited to 10 participants. Sign up
starting August 9 at 8 AM. Leaders: Bev
and Clair Postmus bpostmus@cox.net
August 23—Sunday 6:30 AM
Hermit & Townsend’s Warblers
Fall migration has started and northern
warblers usually move through the
mountaintops in impressive numbers,
often joined by our summer breeders.
Join Tucson Audubon Society at the top
of the Santa Catalinas for the subject
warblers and more (we’ll bird up and
down the range as well). Meet at the
JAMES PRUDENTE
RICK TAYLOR
Hermit Warbler
DON’T FORGET TO STOP IN OUR NATURE SHOP FOR YOUR FIELD AND ID GUIDES, AND OTHER BIRDING SUPPLIES.
Tanque Verde & Catalina Highway
McDonald’s at 6:30 AM. (50 miles
roundtrip). Leader: Clifford A. Cathers
AZCliffy@q.com 762-3201
August 25—Tuesday 6 AM
Huachuca Mountains
Hummer Hunt: 2009
This trip is designed to find as many
different hummingbirds as possible during
the late monsoon in the Huachuca
Mountains. Leader’s personal best is
twelve species in one day—let’s try to
match it. We’ll start in Ash Canyon,
enjoying Mary Jo Ballator’s renowned
garden, with Lucifer as our target
hummer. Next we move uphill to Miller
Canyon, watching at Beatty’s hillside site,
seeking White-eared as our target. Our
final stop will be Ramsey Canyon,
checking for Beryline, the least reliable
hummer, at the TNC’s garden. Bring
water and lunch; done by 1 PM. Note: All
locations collect fees to support their
hummingbird stations; participants will
need three $5 bills. Meet at Houghton
Road carpool site (leader not present).
Reservations after August 1, with details
on meeting leader; trip limit 15 people.
About 140 miles roundtrip. Leader: Erika
Wilson terika88@cox.net (preferred) or
225-0393 (Tucson) or 234-4359 (Sierra
Vista)
August 30—Sunday 6 AM
Benson Birding Trail, St. David
Monastery
This trail can have some exciting birds,
and the property abuts the San Pedro
River. Come explore/enjoy this fairly
short trail; then off to St. David Monastery
to enjoy more riparian habitat. If it’s not
too late and too hot we can return to
Benson and check out the Wastewater
Treatment Plant. Plan on birding until the
heat of the day slows bird activity. Meet at
White-eared Hummingbird
JULY–AUGUST 2009 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon
Houghton Road just north of I-10 to
carpool at 6 AM or at 6:30 AM at the
Safeway parking lot in Benson. Take exit
303 off I-10, drive about 1 mile south;
Safeway/Wendy’s is on the right. Approx.
100 miles roundtrip from Tucson.
Leader: Lainie Epstein
Lainie95us@yahoo.com 720-8976. VF
PIMA COUNTY GUIDED WALKS
For more information about walks organized by
Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and
Recreation Environmental Education Events ,
contact 615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov.
Wake up with the Birds at Roy P. Drachman
Agua Caliente Park. 12325 E. Roger Rd. Every
Tuesday, 7.30–9 AM in July and August. Spot
wetland birds, hummingbirds, songbirds and
raptors nestled among the mesquites and palm
trees. Free, all ages welcome. Binoculars
available or bring your own. Meet at the Ranch
House. Reservations not required.
TUCSON AREA BIRDING
Catalina State Park. Bird walks led by Denis
Wright on Fridays, 7:30–10 AM at the first picnic
area. Time will change in 30-minute increments
as weather/light conditions require. Open daily
5 AM–10 PM. Fee. Call 628-5798 for information.
Sabino Canyon. Birding and nature hikes.
Parking fee. Call 749-8700.
Saguaro National Park. Call 733-5153 (East)
or 733-5158 (West) for scheduled bird walks.
Tohono Chul Park. Birding walks at 8:30 AM.
Monday, Wednesday & Saturday. Open 8 AM–
5 PM daily. Entrance fee. Call 742-6455.
Tucson Botanical Gardens. Open 8:30 AM.–
4:30 PM. Entrance fee. Call 326-9686.
OTHER AREAS
Arizona State Parks. Birding and other walks;
www.pr.state.az.us. Fee. Call 602-542-4174.
Buenos Aires NWR. The refuge is open 24
hours a day, and visitor center open 7:30 AM–
4 PM seven days a week. Call 823-4251.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Open 8 AM–
5 PM. daily (last admissions 1 hour before
closing). Call 689-2811. Visit ag.arizona.edu/
BTA/ events/ birdwalks.html for bird sightings.
Ramsey Canyon. Open every day 8 AM–5 PM.
Fee. Call 378-2785.
Southern Arizona Bird Observatory. Tours of
birding sites available. Fee. Call 432-1388 or
visit www.sabo.org.
21
 BIRDING TRAVEL
FROM OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS
ADVENTURE BIRDING COMPANY
www.adventurebirding.com
info@adventurebirding.com • 495-0229
San Blas: Mangrove Estuaries, Coffee Fincas,
Palm Forests and More. Dec 12–20, 2009, $1990.
Leader: Keith Kamper. The coastal fishing village of
San Blas is one of the premier birding destinations
in Mexico. We’ll visit mangrove estuaries, coffee
fincas, beaches and coastal lagoons. 25 Mexican
endemics possible including San Blas Jays,
Rufous-necked Wood-rail, Cinnamon Hummingbird
and Golden Vireo. Jungle boat tour with oddities like
Boat-billed Heron and Northern Potoo, even
iguanas and crocodiles! We will be based at one
motel throughout; so we can unpack, unwind and
enjoy the region’s natural and cultural history, fresh
mariscos and green flash sunsets.
South Texas: Specialties and Migrants in the
Lower Rio Grande Valley. April 3–11, 2010,
$1890. Leaders: John Yerger and/or Jake
Mohlmann. Join us in “the other” premier U.S.
birding destination, with guides who have lived and
birded there. With specialties like Great Kiskadee,
Green Jay and Altamira Oriole, how can you miss?
We’ll sample all habitats from tidal mudflats to
subtropical thornscrub to prime Chihuahuan
Desert. Visit both classic hotspots and lesser-
known local secrets for rarer residents like
Clay-colored Robin and Hook-billed Kite. This trip
is timed to catch loads of spring migrants, and
probably a few Mexican rarities!
BORDERLAND TOURS
www.borderland-tours.com
800-525-7753 or 882-7650
Fall Oaxaca Valley. October 10–17, 2009, $2895.
Leader: Rick Taylor. All 7 nights at one fine lodging
and a wide selection of endemic birds are featured
on our Oaxaca Valley tour, along with plenty of time
to enjoy the cultural and archeological delights of
the valley. Among the 25 species of endemics we
expect to see are Ocellated Thrasher, Dwarf Jay,
and Red Warbler. No visit to Oaxaca is complete
without visiting the world-renowned archaeological
sites, where the protection zone also insures great
birding. Among those we visit is Monte Alban, the
largest non-Mayan ruin in Mexico, and probably the
best area for Slaty Vireo in the valley.
South Africa Light. November 6-16, 2009, $4695.
Leaders: Chris Sharpe & Richard White. Divided
into two parts, Kruger National Park and the Cape,
this tour should maximize the opportunity to see
and enjoy the African “Big Five” mammals (Lion,
Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, and White Rhino), as
well as some of Africa’s most spectacular bird
species. Among these are Southern Ground
Hornbill, Secretary Bird and Lilac-breasted Roller
at Kruger; and Black Harrier, Cape Rockjumper
and Orange-breasted Sunbird at the Cape. We
have 5 nights at both locations, enough time to
really bird both areas intensively without wasting
time packing and unpacking our luggage.
22 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher JULY–AUGUST 2009
NATURALIST JOURNEYS
www.naturalistjourneys.com
Toll-free: 866-900–1146 or 558-1146;
info@naturalistjourneys.com
NATURE TREKS AND PASSAGES
www.naturetreks.net.
info@naturetreks.net • 781-789-8127
Copper Canyon, Mexico Unique 9-Day Birding
Tour. See breathtaking vistas of the Sierra Madre
Mountains. Enjoy the Copper Canyon Train ride
from sea level to canyon rim. Relax on the tranquil
float down the Rio Fuerte. The Copper Canyon
adventure combines the best of natural history with
diverse, cultural habitats. But the emphasis on this
trip’s itinerary is birding—for the beginner—to the
obsessed. $2749.00 pp.
Rancho Esmeralda Birding and Nature
Weekend. Labor Day Weekend, Sept 4–7, 2009.
Join Pinau Merlin and Larry Liese for a fun 4 days
exploring beautiful Rancho Esmeralda in Sonora,
Mexico, during the lush monsoon season. We’ll
enjoy birds, plants, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians,
and other wildlife on our daily hikes and night
walks. Includes transportation, 3 nights at the
Rancho Esmeralda Lodge, all meals and guides.
$1049.00 pp.
RANCHO ESMERALDA
www.ranchoesmeraldanogales.com
326-9686 ext. 19
Rancho Esmeralda – Birding Weekend Get
Away. Saturday–Monday, August 15–17. Take a
trip with the Gardens to the elegantly rustic Rancho
Esmeralda Lodge, a working cattle ranch in the old
Mexican tradition in Sonora, Mexico, that’s often
used as a corporate retreat, only two hours from
Tucson. During our stay, the Lodge will be reserved
just for us. Our guide for serious birding will be
expert birder, Jeff Babson of Sky Island Tours.
We’ll explore the ranch’s varied habitats (including
riparian, oak woodland, grassland, and side
canyons with springs), over 100 bird species and a
diversity of other wildlife, with time to enjoy the pool
and jacuzzi. Evening activities are plentiful: enjoy
digital presentations about birds, examine insects
drawn in by black lights, sit back at a campfire,
relax around the hand-carved stone fireplace, or
enjoy the beauty of the surrounding countryside
from the splendid outdoor patio. You won’t want to
leave! Includes van transportation from Tucson,
overnight accommodations at the Lodge, excellent
meals and activities. Specific cancellation fees
apply. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required.
$485.00, $460.00 for members.
ROCKJUMPER BIRDING TOURS
www.rockjumper.co.za
info@rockjumper.co.za or
rockjumperbirding@yahoo.com
Brazil—Birds of the Amazon and Pantanal.
Sept 1–13 (13 days) and Atlantic Forest Extension:
Sept 13–19 (7 days). Brazil is a dream destination
IN OUR NATURE SHOPS
Birds of Peru by Thomas S.
Schulenberg; Princeton
University Press. How many
manakins can you find in
Peru? This is the most up-
to-date field guide to the
birds of Peru and is sure to
enhance any birding trip to the
country. Full color plates and range maps make
your search easier. Brief but informative write-
ups for each bird describe habitat and behavior.
$49.50 hardback
for any naturalist and especially so for birders.
During this tour we explore the celebrated Pantanal
and the verdant Amazon rainforest. Potential
highlights on this tour include Hyacinth Macaw,
Helmeted Manakin, Spangled Cotinga and ever
lethargic sloths, maybe even the elusive jaguar.
For those wishing to maximize their time, the
extension to Intervales State Park offers amazing
highlights like Swallow-tailed Cotinga and Long-
trained Nightjar among many others! Join us for an
unbeatable tour to one of the world’s most
incredible wildlife destinations! Main tour—
US$4,450 pp, US$320 ss and extension—
US$1,995 pp, US$170 ss.
Classic Peru. Oct 1–19 (19 days). On the Classic
Peru tour you will enjoy birding a land of stark
contrast and beauty, from the snow-capped Andes
and the mysterious ruins of Machu Picchu to the
mighty Amazon basin. On this tour you will be privy
to a showy selection of South American species
like Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Razor-billed
Curassow and Agami Heron. Spectacular scenery
and a vibrant local culture compliment the great
birding you can expect from this tour. Peru is a
country like no other! US$4,950 pp, US$900 ss
SOLIPASO TOURS
www.solipaso.com • info@solipaso.com
Alamos. October 19–24, 2009, $1700. Leader:
David MacKay. A day’s drive from Tucson lies the
colonial jewel of Alamos in the foothills of the Sierra
Madre. Join us for a week of birding where the
desert meets the tropics and the sea. We spend
four nights in Alamos at the beautiful El Pedregal
Nature Lodge and bird the environs of Alamos for
Black-throated Magpie Jay, Mexican Parrotlet,
Elegant Quail, Purplish-backed Jay and many
others. We’ll also do some coastal birding at Isla
Huivilai and spend our last night by the ocean in
San Carlos. Enjoy delicious regional cuisine, the
warm hospitality of the Mackays and a relaxed trip
full of birding, botanizing and exploring the area
they call home. No one knows Alamos and
southern Sonora like the MacKays. Tour limited to
8 participants with one guide.
San Blas and the Durango Highway. February
21–March 2, 2010, $2570 Leader: David MacKay.
Starting in the historic city center of Mazatlan, we
bird the tropical deciduous forest before heading
up to find the target species of the Durango
Highway. We stay in Copala and bird Barranca de
Liebre and the Panuco Road. Then on to the jungle
lowlands of San Blas and our home at the family-
run and wonderful Hotel Garza Canela, one of the
most birder-friendly hotels in Mexico. We’ll bird the
key spots including Singayta Road, the coffee
plantations in La Bajada, and Cerro de San Juan,
and go on two boat trips up the San Cristobal River
and the mangrove labyrinths of the estuary. There
are a possible 35 endemics on this trip, including
Tufted Jay, Eared Quetzal, Rufous-necked
Woodrail, Military Macaw, Collared Forest Falcon
and San Blas Jay. Join us for one of our most
popular trips.
TROPICAL BIRDING
www.tropicalbirding.com
info@tropicalbirding.com • 1-800-348-5941
Eastern Ecuador: High Andes to Vast Amazon.
December 5–19, 2009. $3390 from Quito; March
5–19, 2010. $3690 from Quito. Starting from the
magnificent high Andes dotted with snow-capped
volcanoes towering over 18,000 ft, we head all the
way down to the ultra-diverse Amazon lowlands.
Well over 1,000 bird species occur in this region,
but we can see them in comfort as we stay in some
of the best lodges in Ecuador, including San Isidro,
WildSumaco, and Sacha Lodge, which has the
only canopy walkway in the country. Tropical
Birding’s main office is in Quito, so we know this
wonderful country like no one else, and out tour
leaders are second to none.
Southern Ecuador: Tumbesian Rarities and
Highland Endemics. January 21–February 4,
2010. $3140 from Guayaquil. Pacific coast
extension: February 4–7, 2010. $890 from
Guayaquil. Birding in southern Ecuador has
experienced a remarkable renaissance in the last
few years. A series of brand new eco-lodges and
bird reserves makes this trip an absolute delight
and accessible to anyone. There is a magnificent
variety of habitats and birds on this trip including
the endemic-packed dry Tumbesian region, rich
Andean cloudforests, 13,000 ft. Paramo, and even
coastal estuaries. This is one of THE best trips for
hummers—some of our tours have seen over 60
species! These are only two of our Ecuador tours—
our complete lineup can be found on our website.
TYRANNOTOURS—
KING OF SOUTHWEST ADVENTURES
www.tyrannotours.com
tyrannotours@comcast.net • 577-6546
Jerome Jaunt. July 24–26, 2009. $595 per person
double; $695 single. Lodging at Jerome Grand
USFWS
Hotel, VCRR Grape Escape wine & food sunset
train excursion in First Class, Gold King Mine,
museums, fun, shopping, Out of Africa Wildlife
Park in Camp Verde.
Q-Ranch—Historical and Archaeological
Treasure. Sept 3–7, 2009. $775 per person.
Charming ranch B&B lodge deep in the Tonto Nat.
Forest. Includes all gourmet meals at lodge. Day
trips to nearby sites, including a drive along the
spectacular Mogollon Rim Road. Read about Q-
Ranch here: www.tyrannotours.com/qranch.shtml.
VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC.
www.ventbird.com
victor@ventbird.com • 800-328-8368
Washington: Pacific NW Introductory Tour. July
18–22, 2009, $1,425 in double occupancy from
Seattle. With outstanding birding and spectacular
visual scenery to match, few places in the country
can match Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. This
short tour provides familiarity with the unique
birdlife and ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest
while focusing on the basics of birding. Travel from
the Olympic Mountains through old-growth forests
to the shores of Puget Sound in search of
waterfowl, alcids, shorebirds, songbirds, and more.
Learn the basics of using binoculars and field
guides and discover techniques to becoming a
better birder. Bob Sundstrom leads.
Autumn Grand Manan. August 31–September 6,
2009, $2,955 in double occupancy from Bangor,
ME. Grand Manan Island off New Brunswick,
Canada, is an ideal base for experiencing fall
migration in the northeast. Migrant landbirds
pouring through the woods include 20+ species of
warblers, flycatchers, vireos, sparrows, and
finches. The coastal marshes and nearshore
waters are filled with eiders, cormorants,
shorebirds, and gulls. We will take boat trips in the
Bay of Fundy to search for Razorbill; Atlantic
Puffin; Manx, and Greater Shearwaters; Leach's
Storm-Petrel; Northern Gannet, and more. Whale
watching is superb as well, with the opportunity to
see endangered North Atlantic right whales. Barry
Zimmer and Brennan Mulrooney lead.
WINGS
wingsbirds.com • wingsbirds.com/blog
wings@wingsbirds.com • 320-9868
Argentina: November 14–21; November 21-
December 6; December 6–13, 2009. Three tours:
about $2,640 to $8,120. Leaders: Judy Davis and
David Fisher. Argentina preserves a greater variety
JOIN
Birds & Business Alliance
TODAY! and connect with the
Tucson Audubon community
For more information and to join, contact Paul Green
at pgreen@tucsonaudubon.org or 777-9525.
JULY–AUGUST 2009 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon
of habitats than any other country in South America,
the “Bird Continent.” Stretching from the subtropical
forests around Iguazú Falls and the high Andes to
the sub-Antarctic, Argentina’s landscapes and its
birds are as varied as one could wish. Our tours
reach from the pampas southeast of Buenos Aires
to Patagonia’s Valdez Peninsula, and from Los
Glacieres National Park to the “land of fire,” Tierra
del Fuego itself. Sailing among the albatrosses,
penguins, and sea lions of the Beagle Channel is
simply the icing on a very appealing cake.
Arizona: Winter Birds. December 5–11. About
$1,890. Leader: Gary Rosenberg. December’s
warm days, cool nights, and crystal-clear skies
provide the background for some truly exciting
birdwatching. The resident specialties are joined by
large numbers of wintering sparrows and raptors.
This short trip searches for grassland winterers
including Mountain Plover and McCown’s
Longspur; we’ll also witness multitudes of Sandhill
Cranes, and hope for rarities such as Rufous-
backed Robin and Ruddy Ground-Dove VF
BIRDING BUDDIES WANTED
In this section, we put members in touch with
others who are seeking birding companions.
Send your requests to Matt Griffiths at
mgriffiths@tucsonaudubon.org. The format is:
name, contact details, level of birding skill, skills
you are seeking to improve, area you want to
bird, how often. Below is our first listing.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Jim Gessaman, 572-6713 or Gessaman@
biology.usu.edu, intermediate, seeks to improve
birding by ear, northwest Tucson, once a week.
23
 Tucson Audubon thanks our
Birds & Business Alliance
Members, who have shown
their support for bird
conservation through annual
contributions and in-kind
donations. Please show them
you appreciate their support
for us by supporting them. Please choose these
progressive companies when you need a service.
STERLING
Adventure Birding Company • 520-495-0229
• www.adventurebirding.com
Borderland Tours • 800-525-7753
• www.borderland-tours.com
Naturalist Journeys • 866-900-1146
• www.naturalistjourneys.com
*Nature Treks & Passages • 781-789-8127
• naturetreks.net
*Rancho Esmeralda • 326-9686
• www.ranchoesmeraldanogales.com
RockJumper Birding Tours • www.rockjumper.co.za
*Solipaso Tours • www.solipaso.com
Tropical Birding • 800-348-5941
• www.tropicalbirding.com
TyrannoTours • 520-577-6546
• www.tyrannotours.com
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours • 800-328-VENT
• www.ventbirds.com
WINGS • 888-293-6443 • www.wingsbirds.com
SILVER
The Oasis at Way Out West • 520-825-4590
• www.wowarizona.com
Snell & Wilmer • www.swlaw.com
Tucson Electric Power • www.tep.com
COPPER
Bed & Bagels of Tucson • 520-760-5595
Lou Benson Construction
Brooklyn Pizza Company • 520-622-6868
Buffalo Exchange • 520-795-0508
Casa Adobe B&B in Rodeo, NM • 877-577-2275
The Coyote Wore Sideburns • 520-623-7341
Down By the River B&B • 520-720-9441
Kimberlyn Drew, Realtor • 520-237-1408
Economy Birding Service • 520-762-3201
Fiore Tile Works • 520-971-0677
Galeria La Sirena • 520-319-1262
Greenfire Ecological Landscaping • 520-429-7306
Heartstone Mountain Ranch • 877-562-2955
Hughes Federal Credit Union • 520-794-8341
Daniel McQuestion, Artist
P2 Preparedness • 520-971-5971
Lori Pascarella, Financial Consultant • 520-747-6167
Rancho De La Osa • 800-872-6240
*Ravens-Way Wild Journeys • 520-425-6425
Riverpark Inn • 800-551-1466
Spirit Tree Inn B&B • 520-394-0121
VIP Taxi • 520-798-1111
Wild Birds Unlimited • 520-878-9585
For more information about our Birds & Business
Alliance members, including links to their websites,
visit www.tucsonaudubon.org
*New member
24 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher JULY–AUGUST 2009
TUCSON AUDUBON’S
BIRDS & BUSINESS ALLIANCE
Please welcome our newest Birds & Business Alliance Members
RAVENS-WAY WILD JOURNEYS L.L.C.
Ravens-Way Wild Journeys (RWWJ) is a unique
outdoor environmental school based in
southeastern Arizona. Founded in 1993 by
naturalist and wildlife biologist Vincent Pinto,
RWWJ continues to bring a wide variety of
experiential, nature-based, and affordable
programs to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Our classes strive to bring you closer to the earth,
while empowering you with the skills needed to
make positive contributions to its health.
We offer a wide range of naturalist-based
experiences, including: birding, wildlife safaris,
botany expeditions, wildlife tracking, ecological
restoration, and astronomy. At RWWJ we feel that
all of us must become competent, committed, and
creative naturalists in order to be the best possible
stewards of the land.
Ravens-Way also specializes in survival and
stone-age skills, delving into our shared hunter-
gatherer heritage in order to proceed wisely into the
NATURE TREKS & PASSAGES
Under new ownership—Debra Tranberg.
Specializing in exotic tours of the US, Mexico and
Central America. Nature Treks and Passages tours
cover some of the most exotic, naturally intact and
historical places on earth. Birding adventures for
the beginner to the obsessed; observe master
potters in culture-rich villages; explore exotic flora
and fauna of the tropical deciduous forest; visit
anthropological and archaeological museums;
sleep peacefully in quaint seaside inns or slumber
with the sounds from a jungle lodge. And so much
more. Your trip is limited only by your imagination.
Each tour is led by an experienced guide, who
brings along a love for birding, natural history and
unsurpassed cultural knowledge of the area.
Nature Treks and Passages manages all your
logistics for one price that includes
accommodations, meals, guides, activity fees, tips,
and ground transportation to and from the point of
origin. We intentionally limit the group size on each
trip for more intimate, rich experience, which also
limits our impact on the local environment.
Detailed itinerary descriptions and photographs
of individual trips are available online, and are the
recommended starting point to determine your
destination interests. Join us online at
www.naturetreks.net. Request a brochure: (781)
789-8127 or email: info@naturetreks.net.
RANCHO ESMERALDA
The 20,000 acre Rancho Esmeralda was created
as a “super” ranch by getting surrounding ranchers
to join in an effort to preserve critical riparian
habitat, and to allow visitors to see the many rare
bird, animal and plant species that call the
Esmeralda home. The location is ideal for visitors
COPPER
future. You can choose from a plethora of
programs, including: wilderness survival, wild edible
plants, fire-by-friction, stone-age tools, natural
shelters, and aboriginal art. All of our classes can
be experienced with modern comforts or in the
resplendent beauty of a wilderness setting.
Many RWWJ programs are based at our two
nature sanctuaries. Our 42-acre Lake Patagonia
retreat, Raven’s Nest, has a variety of amenities,
including a large nature center, while our 50+ acre
Chiricahua land, Raven’s Mountain, houses an
authentic stone-age encampment. Both contain
many miles of nature trails for your explorations. To
find out more about RWWJ check out our website
at ravensnatureschool.com. You can also e-mail us
at nature-journeys@hotmail.com and call at 425-
6425. Head instructor Vince Pinto will work with
you or your group in order to find the programs
best-suited to your needs.
Join us and experience the Way of the
Raven—wild, mysterious, powerful, and free!
since it is only 2 hours from Tucson. The ranch
STERLING
introduces visitors to the land, history, food, music,
and culture of northern Mexico. Eco-tourism
subsidizes the income of the ranches and enables
them to preserve habitat, allowing the land to
remain relatively undisturbed.
The rancho at Las Borregas features a
spectacular Spanish Colonial lodge, with pool and
Jacuzzi, all completely solar-powered. The lodge
can host groups up to 50 people. The lovely Las
Avispas ranch house is available to smaller groups
for quiet getaways.
The Esmeralda’s bird list includes Elegant
Trogon, Rose-throated Becard, Gray Hawk, Five-
striped Sparrow and Yellow-billed Cuckoo, to name
a few. The Rancho is also home to many fish,
frogs, and endangered animals. Sky Island Alliance
has several cameras set up on the ranch
documenting the wildlife, including the big cats. We
hope to add the jaguar to that list, as the rancho
falls into their range. The Rancho embraces eco-
tourism as a way to commit to preserving the land,
the history, and the traditional way of life in this
beautiful region of Mexico. Our website is
www.ranchoesmeraldanogales.com
SOLIPASO TOURS
www.solipaso.com • info@solipaso.com
Solipaso is a small birding and natural history tour
company based in Alamos, Sonora, Mexico, owned
and operated by David and Jennifer MacKay. They
personally research, organize and run all of their
tours and specialize in high quality, fun, small
group birding and natural history trips throughout
Mexico. Destinations include Sonora, Sinaloa,
Nayarit, Colima/Jalisco, Oaxaca, Veracruz,
Yucatan, and soon Chiapas. Beyond the scheduled
dates for their various trips, they also specialize in
custom trips. The MacKays have lived and worked
in Mexico for 15 years and enjoy sharing their love
and knowledge of the country with their guests.
They have a background in active travel with a high
emphasis on customer service. Originally from the
Bay Area, they migrated to Mexico in search of an
alternative lifestyle. They landed in Alamos and
began to explore the environs. David is a self-
taught birder, loves being out in the field and
showing people lots of birds. His sense of humor
makes every day a good day. David has deep
knowledge of birds and the culture of regions.
Jennifer runs the show in Alamos and occasionally
gets out into the field. She manages Solipaso trips
and is also an accomplished cook (meals at their
place in Alamos are a highlight for their guests),
yoga teacher, and is involved with several charities
in Alamos. David and Jennifer have raised their two
daughters, Salina and Elly, in Alamos.
Solipaso is the birding tour end of their
business. They have also recently opened El
Pedregal Nature Lodge and Retreat Center. They
have five luxury casitas and a central lodge set on
20 acres at the edge of the town of Alamos. VF
LOUIS EDWARD BENSON II October 16,
1949–June 13, 2009. For 10 years, the architect,
builder, and Grounds Co-chair for the Mason
Center; instrumental in the Ironwood Festival. He
will be deeply missed by wife Robyn, daughter
Nicole (Jeff) Corwon, son Jonas (Misty), seven
grandchildren, and all of us.
THE TAS-IFIEDS Support Tucson Audubon...
CLASSIFIED ADS Become a Friend Today!
Classified and display ads are accepted from MEMBERSHIP
individual members and members of our Birds & $30/year—Individual
Business Alliance. Visit www.tucsonaudubon.org/
$20/year—Student
verfly/ for rates or contact Matt Griffiths
mgriffiths@tucsonaudubon.org to book an ad.
$45/year—Family
$20/year—Senior (62+)
ECUADOR BIRDING! NE and NW Andes,
Amazon Extension—Budget 12 days of colorful Name
tanagers, hummers, toucans, manakins, barbets,
antpittas in lush temperate, subtropical and cloud
Address
forest reserves. Over 450 species—Cock-of-the-
Rock lek, Toucan Barbet, White-faced Nunbird,
Andean Condor, Giant Antpitta, Sword-billed
Hummer, Mystery Owl. Dates, prices contact Moez
Ali moezali15@hotmail.com 820-3499.
City / State / Zip
EL PEDREGAL Nature Lodge— Alamos, Sonora,
Mexico—Five luxurious guest casitas and central Email
lodge set on 20 acres of intact tropical deciduous
forest. Delicious regional cuisine, unrivaled local
knowledge and warm hospitality. Birding tours, Phone
river trips, yoga classes and more available.
New membership
Special Tucson Audubon package available. For
more information: www.solipaso.com
Renewing membership
Please email me about Tucson Audubon
TAHOE BIRDER’S HEAVEN Luxurious Lake events and conservation issues.
View home (Sleeps 10): Sooty Grouse, Mountain
Please do not share my contact
Quail, White-headed Woodpecker & Calliope information.
hummers are regular yard birds. Black-backed Please do not mail me Vermilion
Woodpecker, Williamson’s & Red-headed Flycatcher. I’ll read it online.
Sapsucker, Pine Grosbeak, Mountain Bluebird, &
McGillivray’s Warbler nest nearby. $1500/week + DONATION
cleaning, tax & deposit. E-mail Richard Carlson I would like to support Tucson Audubon
rccarl@pacbell.net Society with an additional contribution of
$25 $50 $50 $100$100 $250.$250.
THE OASIS at Way Out West B&B/Private
Nature Preserve. A secluded trail side location Tucson Audubon Frequent Flyer Monthly
offers close-up wildlife observation and colorful Donor Program: I authorize the charge of
mountain sunsets. Bird our trails (135+ House List) $____ per month for ____ months to my
or the Catalinas. 20+ feeding stations, credit card ($10/month minimum).
Tucson Audubon Society will use the full amount of your tax-deductible
Naturalist/Photographer on-site, Wi-Fi, gift for its environmental, educational and recreational programs.
Hydrotherapy spas, Bike rentals, Eco-Excursions.
WOWArizona.com. 520.825.4590. VF
METHOD OF PAYMENT
Check (payable to Tucson Audubon Society)
2009 Audubon Magazine MasterCard Visa Visa AMEX AMEX
Photography Awards: Birds in Focus
Created to celebrate the beauty and diversity of Credit Card No.
birdlife through the art of photography, the
awards honor the exceptional work of talented Expiration Date Amount $
professional, amateur and youth photographers
from all over the U.S. Award winners will see
Signature
their work showcased within the pages of both
Audubon and Nature’s Best Photography Please send your application with payment to
magazines, and on their respective websites. An Tucson Audubon Society,
impressive array of prizes includes international 300 E. University Blvd, #120,
wildlife tours and top-of-the-line photo and optic Tucson, AZ 85705
equipment from award sponsor, Nikon. (Attn: Jean Barchman,
Submissions accepted May 15–July 15, Membership Coordinator)
2009. Up to 10 images per entrant. For details, OR
OR join,
join, renew
renew or
or donate
donate online
online at
at
visit www.AudubonMagazinePhotoAwards.com www.tucsonaudubon.org
JULY–AUGUST 2009 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 25
 A Voice for Conservation
in Our Community
Tucson Audubon has the honor of being invited to
participate in a range of committees that influence
the form development takes in southern Arizona
and the conservation of our natural resources. We
list the most important of these below. Most are
current, a few recently concluded. If you need
more information about a committee, please
contact the staff member involved: PG, Paul
Green; KK, Kendall Kroesen; SW, Scott Wilbor.
• Arizona Native Plant Society, Board of Directors
(KK)
• Arizona State Park’s Natural Areas Program
Advisory Committee (SW)
• City of Tucson, Climate Change Advisory
Committee (PG)
• City of Tucson, Habitat Conservation Plan
TUCSON AUDUBON
NATURE SHOPS
Tucson Audubon’s Nature Shops provide for your needs in natural history books and
guides, birding optics and accessories, and gifts right here in Tucson. We offer a great
selection, the best prices, and member discounts. Remember to shop locally.
Help promote Tucson Audubon Society. Visit one of our
Nature Shops to pick up your new logo items!
You can show off your support in a variety of ways:
Bamboo bookmark Other logo items
A great gift for a book lover, or Drop by our shops to check out these items: cap
use it to mark your page in your (stone/khaki or olive), car magnet, water bottle
favorite book. This special Tucson (stainless steel or black), T-shirts (stone/khaki or
Audubon Society bookmark, heather green). VF

Technical Committee (PG)

created by Bamboo Designworks, is
• City of Tucson Gray Water and Rainwater made from bamboo (a sustainable
Harvesting Advisory Committee (KK, PG)
alternative to old-growth hardwoods), grown on TUCSON AUDUBON
• City of Tucson Resource Protection Advisory NATURE SHOPS
plantations without pesticides or fertilizer. Nearly all
Committee (PG)
the power used by Bamboo Designworks comes ANNUAL INVENTORY
• Pima Association of Governments, Environ-
from renewable sources, and they are committed REDUCTION SALE!
mental Planning Advisory Committee (KK)
to being a carbon-neutral company. Bookmark
• Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST ONLY
Department Odor Control Citizen Advisory comes packaged in recycled paper and a bioplastic
sleeve. Pick up yours today at either of our Nature (August 1st–28th. We are closed 29th–31st.)
Committee (KK)
• Town of Marana Habitat Conservation Plan Shops for just $4.50! Members receive 20% off their entire
Technical Biology Team (KK) purchase* plus receive a FREE
Pen
• Town of Marana Habitat Conservation Plan Tucson Audubon decal!
Stakeholder Committee (PG) Quick and simple, this wide-body pen with grip
• Southern Arizona Bird Conservation Initiative
can be slipped into a shirt or pant pocket to be General Public receives
Committee (SW) ready to record your bird sightings. Other 10% off their entire purchase*
• Sonoran Joint Venture Technical Committee birders will notice your dedication to birds and (*Sale price does not apply to optics unless otherwise
(SW) the environment when they see your pen is marked, coffee, seed or other items that are not
discountable. Members will still receive their standard
• Sonoran Joint Venture Management Board (PG) from Tucson Audubon Society. $3.00 discount on optics. No additional discounts will be
• Upper Santa Cruz River Science Advisory taken on items already marked down lower than the
T-shirt sale price. To receive 20% sale price, Friends of
Committee (SW)
Made from recycled cotton, this new blue T-shirt is Tucson Audubon membership card must be presented
Through our participation in these committees, at time purchase, or verified by Tucson Audubon staff.)
comfortable, light-weight and shows your support
Tucson Audubon represents a voice for
conservation as our communities develop. Our for Tucson Audubon and your committment to When you support your local Tucson
ability to attend these committees depends upon saving birds and bird habitat. $20.00 (XXL $23.00) Audubon Society you are supporting
your continued donations to Tucson Audubon. birds and bird habitat conservation.
Cotton tote
This roomy cotton tote bag can take the place of so We thank you!
many plastic shopping bags! Use it at the grocery
o o l ti p fo r d es er t dwellers store, to carry your bird watching gear, or in one of
SHOP HOURS
C int” but did you our Nature Shops. Show your support for Tucson Main Shop
rbon “footpr
We all have a ca otprint”? Many Audubon Society at the same time. $10.00 Monday–Saturday 10 AM–4 PM,
al l have a “water fo
know that we are except Monday & Thursday until 5 PM
, and the world,
parts of the U.S. lie s of fresh water
(closed July 4)
indling su pp
experiencing dw enchable:
Located on the southeast corner of
of the book Unqu University Blvd and 5th Avenue.
(see the review To Do About It
Crisis and What
America’s Water cher, p 27). Agua Caliente Park Shop
Vermilion Flycat
in the May–June your water July, August, and September
ate calculation of
For an approxim org/wc.php Tuesday only, 9 AM–3:30 PM
tp://h2oconserve.
footprint, go to ht out ways to Phone: 760-7881
Start thinking ab
and take the quiz. From Tanque Verde Rd and Houghton, continue east on
int! Tanque Verde 2 miles. Turn left (north) onto Soldier Trail,
shrink your footpr continue north for 2 miles. Turn right (east) onto Roger Rd,
continue ¼ mile to the park entrance on the left (north).

26 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher JULY–AUGUST 2009


Ambushed on the Jaguar Trail: Hidden
Cameras on the Mexican Border.
Jack and Anna Mary Childs. 2008.
Tucson: Rio Nuevo, 152 pp. $19.95.
ISBN 978-1933855097
Available at Tucson Audubon Nature Shops
This is not a book about jaguars; it’s not even a
book about big cats. The cover, however, is
delightfully enticing: the corroded “Ambushed”
prominently placed front and center, an in-your-
face jaguar emerging from a black desert night.
Intentional or not, this captivating layout hooked
me. The book’s substance, of course, is in the
subtitle, Hidden Cameras on the Mexican Border.
Jack and Anna Childs live near Amado, AZ, and
one morning encountered a live jaguar in 1996.
Later, they founded the Borderlands Jaguar
Detection Project, and the team installed non-
invasive cameras to monitor the region. Amazingly,
they did capture the first photos of wild jaguars on
Arizona soil, including over 50 shots of beautiful
Macho B. But after a decade of surveillance, the
outcome documented here is so much more than
cats. The volume is about the project, the cameras,
animal behaviors, and then some, and the results
ultimately illuminate the entire ecosystem.
Filled with fabulous “gotcha!” photos from
strategically placed remote-sensor cameras, one is
immediately transported to a very busy world
indeed. Skunks, bears, deer, coati troops, rabbits,
raccoons, badgers, coyotes, birds and, yes,
humans; they’re all here and each image attracts
attention. The cameras are often detectable, hence
the amusing hominid shots.
I found each photograph uniquely significant,
but my favorite series is that of a wildfire. The
camera, tripped by roaring flames and heat,
records all. A torched agave, farthest hills ablaze,
ash and smoke. Finally, a white-tailed deer moves
through burnt residue. However, the smaller photos
sprinkled through the pages are just that: too small,
and several are downright worthless. I wanted to
study the details!
Ambushed on the Jaguar Trail is an enjoyable,
quick read. Narrated with informal, first-person
accounts and agreeable anecdotes, the Childs’
relaxed style is ideally in keeping with the
surprising candid shots. I found it particularly
interesting because the book is not just about
jaguars. I recommend it to anyone interested in
animal behavior, in conservation, in our borderland
regions. The book spotlights our Sonoran
backyard, literally, and brings to life events that
many of us think we know about but have never
seen. Until now.
Liz Payne
Board Member, Tucson Audubon Society
BOOKENDS
Land of Black Volcanoes and White Sands.
The Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar
Biosphere Reserve.
Larry G. Marshall and Clark Blake. 2009.
Environmental Education Exchange, Tucson, AZ
ISBN 978-0-615-28064-6
130 pages. Softcover. $19.95.
Available at Tucson Audubon Nature Shops
With Land of Black Volcanoes and White Sands,
Drs. Marshall and Blake have created a unique and
beautiful book—both intellectually satisfying and
visually stunning. The authors have traveled and
studied in the two-million-acre El Pinacate and
Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve for
many years. They have both deep knowledge and
deep respect for this beautiful and rugged region.
Given its size and importance, there has been
surprisingly little research accomplished in the
Pinacate. However, what has been done is
succinctly summarized in this book—by two
scientists who know how to write for a broad
audience. For naturalists, credentialed or casual,
the book provides well-organized and easily read
summaries of major aspects of the region’s natural
history—geology, biology, human history, etc. For
lovers of the Southwest’s most special landscapes,
it provides an exceptional portfolio of beautiful and
illuminating photographs. In fact, there is no other
single place where one can find the El Pinacate
captured visually in such a broad and stunning
fashion. Included in the book are photos by Bob
Sharp, Peter L. Kresan, Francis M. Harty, Paul and
Shirley Berquist, and others, including some
spectacular panoramic images by Bill Glass. For all
of us “old desert rats” who have long explored the
region, the book is the fulfillment of a dream: How I
wish I had had this book so many years ago, when
I first started exploring the magnificent and
mysterious coastal region between the border and
Puerto Peñasco. As the authors state, “The
Pinacate, for many, is the heart and soul of the
Sonoran Desert.” If you want to explore the natural
JULY–AUGUST 2009 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon
history of this “heart and soul,” this is the book to
start with.
Virtually every aspect of the region’s natural
history is covered, from pupfish to playas, from
sand food to sand dunes, from astronauts to ejidos.
For birders who might not yet have ventured this
far off the beaten path, the book provides important
and useful access information (including new
maps) to the Pinacate Reserve. About 240 bird
species have been recorded in the reserve, and
included among the 100 or so residents are Prairie
Falcons, Peregrine Falcons, Ferruginous Hawks,
Golden Eagles, and Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls.
Abundant nectar resources (ocotillo, jícama,
honeysuckle, columnar cacti, etc.) draw hundreds
of migrant species to the reserve every spring,
including Rufous Hummingbirds, and Bullock’s and
Scott’s Orioles.
Naturalists familiar with La Frontera know that
El Pinacate is the stuff of legends. From the
O’odham salt treks to the coast; to the famous and
colorful explorations by Hornaday and Sykes, Ives,
Lumholtz, and Julian Hayden; to the Apollo
astronaut training sessions—the Pinacate has
been a place that draws both by its harshness and
its promise of hidden mysteries. The El Pinacate
and Gran Desierto Reserve is important for another
reason—it was the first of the “large reserves”
bordering the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez),
and the work that went into its 1993 establishment
as a sanctioned biosphere reserve launched a
momentum to protect the coastal region of
northwestern Mexico that continues to this day.
This book does justice to the importance of the
reserve, a book that every Southwest naturalist
should own—and keep within quick reach!
Richard C. Brusca
Senior Director, Conservation and Science
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
VF
27
 NON-PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
TUCSON, AZ
300 E University Blvd, #120 PERMIT #1345
Tucson, AZ 85705

Change Service Requested

Vermilion Flycatcher
Volume 54, Number 4 July–August 2009
The Vermilion Flycatcher is the news magazine of the
Tucson Audubon Society, a chapter of the National
Audubon Society. National Audubon Society members
and members of other chapters may receive the
Flycatcher by joining the Friends of Tucson Audubon.
See membership at www.tucsonaudubon.org.

DON’T MISS THESE EVENTS!

Kenn Kaufman comes to Tucson 
To help celebrate our 60th anniversary, Kenn Kaufman is coming to Tucson
during the first week of August. Below is the schedule of planned events.

STEVE RUSSELL
Thursday, August 6
7–9 AM Youth Birding. Kenn and Kim Kaufman will spend a couple of
hours birding with young birders. Limited to 12 participants. To
enroll a young birder, call Jean Barchman 622-5622.
12 NOON Presentation, Birds and the Undiscovered World. Open to the public, entrance by
ticket. Call Jean Barchman 622-5622 to register your interest.
6 PM Fundraising House Party, by invitation. Donation required. Call Jean Barchman at
622-5622 to register your interest.
Friday, August 7
Free-form field workshop: Principles of bird identification. Limited to 12 participants. We’ll work
our way from Tucson to Sierra Vista with Kenn and Kim Kaufman, who are donating their time JAMES PRUDENTE
for this event. Registration is by auction: the 12 highest bidders will join the group. All proceeds
go to support Tucson Audubon’s education and conservation programs. Email your bid to
pgreen@tucsonaudubon.org by July 24.
Saturday, August 8
Two events at Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival (see p 9)
• Book signing at the Tucson Audubon booth
• Keynote by Kenn Kaufman, sponsored by Tucson Audubon: Marathon of the Skies: Bird
Migration from the Bird’s Point of View
JAMES PRUDENTE

Visit www. tucsonaudubon.org for event updates.

28 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher JULY–AUGUST 2009