May-June 2009 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society

VERMILIONF L Y C A T C H E R

May–June 2009 | Volume 54, Number 3

Tucson Audubon Society | tucsonaudubon.org

What’s in a Name?

Lucifer Hummingbird 10

Where to Go, Birds to See 16

T U C S O N A U D U B O N ’ S B I - M O N T H L Y N E W S L E T T E R

Birds and Water

Water Rights for Our Environment 3

A Dow Jones Index for Birds 12

Flowing Water and Bird Diversity 14

It seems, lately, that we are all looking for somethingstable and beautiful to cling to; something we canbelieve in and feel comfortable with. Spring timeseems the perfect time to step back and reflect onwhat it means to find that spirituality and comfort innature. Nature does not judge, nature does not turnyou away. Nature only wants to show you more.

Consider spending time outdoors with your family,or on your own, as an inexpensive, fun and educationalway to bring something special and different to your life.

You can pick up an easy field guide to the wildflowers,insects, birds or mammals. Then head out on the trail, orinto your own neighborhood, to start an identification journey!Children especially enjoy this process of learning about theworld around them.

If you’re looking for a more structured approach to the outdoors,you could also give our Riparian Family Institute a try. This Institute is held alongthe San Pedro River north of Tucson (this year, in March and again in the fall). Spendfun time with family learning about life along our precious rivers. Look for more detailson this Institute in future newsletters. VF

2 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher MAY–JUNE 2009

Vermilion Flycatcher is published bi-monthly. For addresschanges or subscription problems call 622-5622, or write toMembership Coordinator, Tucson Audubon, 300 E. UniversityBlvd, #120, Tucson, AZ 85705. Submissions are due the 1stof the month, two months before the date of the issue. Pleasesend submissions as Microsoft Word or RTF documents,or plain text files, to Matt Griffiths [email protected]. Coordinator Matt Griffiths 206-9900Proofreaders Jane & Warren Tisdale 749-2139 and

Tucson Audubon staff and board membersLayout Eng-Li Green

Tucson Audubon Society is dedicated to improvingthe quality of the environment by providing education,conservation, and recreation programs,environmental leadership, and information. TucsonAudubon is a non-profit volunteer organization ofpeople with a common interest in birding and naturalhistory. Tucson Audubon maintains offices, a library,and nature shops in Tucson, the proceeds of whichbenefit all of its programs.

Tucson Audubon Society 300 E. University Blvd. #120, Tucson, AZ 85705

629-0510 (voice) or 623-3476 (fax) All phone numbers are area code 520 unless otherwise stated.

www.tucsonaudubon.orgBoard Officers & Directors Messages 622-5622 President Herb TrossmanVice President Mich Coker Secretary Robert Merideth Treasurer Tom Rehm Board Committees Conservation Chris McVie, DevelopmentSandy Elers, Education Cynthia Pruett, Finance Tom Rehm, Nominating Robert MeridethDirectors at Large Clark Blake, Mary Kay Eiermann, SandyElers, Julie Gordon, Linda Greene, Craig Marken, RobertMesta, Liz Payne, Bill Roe, Jessie Shinn, Linda Stitzer,Bob WenrickDirectors at Large Elect Richard Fray, Neil Markowitz,Cynthia Pruett, Adrian Quijada Programs & ActivitiesField Trips Darlene Smyth 297-2315 Library David West 629-0510 Membership Meetings Chris Harrison 629-0757 Rare Bird Alert John Yerger | Report Rare Birds 798-1005 StaffExecutive Director Paul Green 777-9525Operations Manager Michael Monyak 629-0757Accountant Jean Boris 629-0757Accountant Michelle Bourgeois 629-0757Education Program Manager Carrie Dean 622-2230Outreach Specialist Matt Brooks 622-2230Membership Development Chris Harrison 629-0757 Membership Coordinator Jean Barchman 622-5622 IBA Conservation Biologist Scott Wilbor 628-1730IBA Program Assistant Ruth Wilderman 628-1730Restoration Program Manager Kendall Kroesen 206-9900 Field Supervisor Rodd Lancaster 256-6909 Restoration/Communications Specialist

Matthew Griffiths 206-9900Mason Outreach Coordinator Lia Sansom 971-6238 University Shop Manager Sara Pike 622-2230 Agua Caliente Shop Manager Becky Aparicio 760-7881 Tucson Audubon Nature Shops300 E University Blvd #120 629-0510623-3476 fax / 622-2230 Shop Manager Hours: Mon–Sat 10 AM–4 PM (5 PM Mon & Thu) Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd 760-7881 Hours: Tue, Fri, Sat 9 AM–3:30 PM (May & June)

FRONT COVER: Yellow-billed Cuckoo.Photo ©2007 by Steve Baranoff,specializing in bird images, based inAustin (TX) and Richmond (VA),www.birdsbybaranoff.com.

To have your photographs consideredfor use in the Vermilion Flycatcher,please contact Matt Griffiths [email protected].

Features

10 What’s in a Name? LuciferHummingbird

11 Riparian Areas in SoutheasternArizona

12 A Dow Jones Index for Birds

14 Why Birds Need Surface Water

16 Up, Down, All Around

Departments

3 Guest Commentary

4 News Roundup

8 Events and Classes

9 Events Calendar

17 Conservation & Education News

19 Field Trips

22 Classified Ads

22 Birding Travel from our BusinessPartners

26 Elected Officials Contact List

26 Nature Shops

27 Bookends

Field Guide: $20PB&J Picnic: $15Spending Time with Family Outdoors: Priceless!

Spending Time with Family OutdoorsSara Pike, Nature Shop Manager

JOHN

NY A

ND J

OHN

KING

AT

TUCS

ON A

UDUB

ON’S

200

8 FA

MILY

RIP

ARIA

N IN

STIT

UTE

/ AXH

EL M

UÑOS

MAY–JUNE 2009 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 3

Though Arizona has a well- deserved

reputation for gains in managing water

quality and quantity for human use, there

are virtually no state- based regulations

that are intended to protect habitat or

ecosystems. Multiple states have

developed environmental quality acts that

require environmental assessments in

addition to those required by federal law,

but Arizona is not among them. At this

time, the closest to a water right for the

environment in Arizona is the ability to

designate instream flow water rights for

fish and wildlife purposes, but there are

restrictions on who can apply for such

rights. Even if one meets the requirements,

the water right will be junior to all upstream

users who established their prior

appropriation rights at an earlier date.

Several countries and cities have

recently amended their water rights

systems to establish legally enforceable

environmental rights for nature, or

ecosystem rights. They include multiple

municipalities in the US, as well as South

Africa, South Australia, and as of last

September, Ecuador.

What about the potential to establish

rights of this kind in Arizona? Looking at

the last 30 years of history, there are

certain unavoidable facts. First, though

there have been several major attempts at

providing some level of protection for

riparian areas, none have been successful

at providing even very limited new

regulatory authority. Recently, limited

discussions arose about the possibility

of a new state legislative initiative, but

that concept appears to have been

abandoned. Second, all of the surface

water rights in Arizona are already

appropriated, so if water rights were

allocated to the environment, they would

have to be reallocated from an existing

user. This compounds the potential for

objections to a new water rights regime

and would make such environmental

water rights costly. Third, establishing

water rights for the environment is only

the first step in actually protecting

environmental flows. At the current time,

state- initiated enforcement of Arizona’s

surface water rights is virtually unknown,

and the Arizona Department of Water

Resources is in the process of being

dismantled by the legislature. Without

proactive implementation and

enforcement, a new water rights system

would have little impact.

Fourth, though Arizonans do value the

few remaining free-flowing streams, it

appears that private property rights

advocates have failed to notice that these

amenities add significantly to existing land

values, as has been shown by numerous

studies by Bonnie Colby, Rosalind Bark,

and others. In other words, if we are truly

interested in protecting private property

rights, protecting the few remaining

riparian amenities should rise to the top of

our agenda. However, this IS Arizona.

Some new ideas are being

considered that focus on market-

based tools that provide financial

incentives for existing users to

voluntarily lease or sell water

rights for environmental

purposes. In other states there

are water trusts that provide

water for environmental flow

purposes, and in some there

are mitigation banks and other

similar mechanisms. So far, the most

successful approach here is buying land

and retiring the surface water rights, or

converting them to instream flow rights. To

the extent that there are no new diverters

either upstream in the surface water

regime or up- gradient in the groundwater

regime, this is an effective way to preserve

water- based habitat. Still, it is based on

“treating nature as property” rather than

acknowledging the rights of environmental

systems to “exist, persist, maintain and

regenerate its vital cycles, structure,

functions and its processes in evolution”

as now allowed in the Ecuador

Constitution.

Though the state legislature seems

less likely than ever to be interested in

this idea, a number of environmental

organizations are increasingly interested

in non- regulatory or market- based

approaches to securing water supplies to

protect environmental flows. It is worth

spending some time and effort on this

topic while we do still have a couple of

flowing streams.

Information on the recent vote in Ecuadoris from a Community Environmental LegalDefense Fund news release at www.celdf.org/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx. VF

GUEST OPINIONKATHY JACOBS

Ecosytem Rights? In Arizona?

Until July 1, Kathy Jacobs is the directorof the Arizona Water Institute and aprofessor at The University of Arizona.She is the former director of the ArizonaDepartment of Water Resources TucsonActive Management Area.

“The Rights of Nature laws �represent changes to the status ofproperty law, eliminating the authorityof a property owner to interfere withthe functioning of ecosystems thatexist and depend upon that propertyfor their existence and flourishing �.Ecuador’s constitution � recognize(s)that ecosystems possess theinalienable and fundamental right toexist and flourish, and that peoplepossess the legal authority to enforcethose rights on behalf of ecosystems.”

—Community Environmental

Legal Defense Fund

Sycamore Canyon Creek

KE

ND

ALL

KR

OE

SE

N

Tucson Audubon is reachingout to neighborhoods that wantmore sustainable, bird-friendlylandscapes.

In March and April I spoketo three central Tucsonneighborhoods about somebasic landscaping principlesand the ecological issues theycould help address. In May Iwill speak to a neighborhoodassociation on the northwestside.

The message is that we usefar too much potable water onlandscaping, and we get littlein return in terms of urbanwildlife habitat. The potablewater we use takes energy topump it to our homes and

businesses, and that has a bigcarbon footprint. We need tocreate landscapes of nativeplants that survive onharvested rainwater. Theselandscapes need to makeshade to cool our city, and theyneed to support decliningspecies of birds and otherwildlife.

If your neighborhoodassociation or homeownersassociation would like to hearmore about these ideas,please contact me. I would beglad to visit.

In March we broke groundwith our first major partner inthis endeavor, Barrio KroegerLane. In private yards we

installed two “rain gardens”—landscape basins that harvestrainwater and grow nativeplants. We have been workingwith the neighborhood toincrease awareness ofsustainable landscapingpractices and the wildlife thatcan be supported byhomeowners. Many moregardens and educationalevents are planned.

Work at Barrio Kroeger Laneis being supported by aTogetherGreen InnovationGrant from National Audubon

Society. Together Green is anAudubon program with fundingfrom Toyota (seewww.togethergreen.org).


TUCSON AUDUBON NEWS ROUNDUP

ALL

PH

OTO

S K

EN

DA

LL K

RO

ES

EN

Working Together Greenin Tucson neighborhoodsKendall Kroesen, Restoration Program Manager

Top: A newly constructed rain gardenin a yard in Barrio Kroeger Lane. Ninespecies of wildlife-friendly, nativeplants were planted in the basin.Some provide berries and seeds forbirds, some attract hummingbirds andother pollinators, and a small tree andlarge shrub will provide cover andnesting opportunities.Middle: The rain garden is positionedbelow a roofline where rainwater spillsover. Formerly that rainwater floodedthe adjacent dirt parking area andspilled out into the road. Now some ofit will infiltrate into the ground in thegarden. The homeowners like it somuch they plan to build another one!Bottom: A youth from Barrio KroegerLane helps Restoration Program FieldSupervisor Rodd Lancaster line asecond basin, in another yard, withrock to prevent erosion.


By now many of you know theArizona Important Bird Areas Programat Tucson Audubon and AudubonArizona is providing biologicalinformation and facilitatingpartnerships to advance theconservation of critical habitat withinthe Lower San Pedro River ImportantBird Area. But, some of you may notknow about an ideal place along theLower San Pedro River where youcan go right now to see the birds thatwe are working so hard to conserve.This birding area is called Liz’s Grove.It is located near Dudleyville, Arizona,at the far north (downstream) end ofthe IBA. The site is privately ownedand accessed by calling Bill Taylor,the property steward (visitwww.lizsgrove.com). The Bureau ofLand Management holds aconservation easement over theproperty.

Liz’s Grove is a nice place toexperience the high quality riverinehabitat we are trying to conservethroughout this IBA. Here you can seeSouthwestern Willow Flycatchers (partof the largest population in the state),dense nesting populations of Lucy’sWarbler and Bell’s Vireo, andsignificant populations of Yellow-billedCuckoo, plus nesting raptors includingMississippi Kite, Gray Hawk, CommonBlack-Hawk and Zone-tailed Hawk.Audubon’s WatchList birds include:Bell’s Vireo (Red listed—highestranking), Lucy’s Warbler, and Abert’sTowhee (both Yellow listed). ArizonaGame and Fish Departmentrecognizes Species of GreatestConservation Need, and that listincludes the rest of the species above.Some other observable birds include:Vermilion Flycatcher, Yellow Warbler,Yellow-breasted Chat, and HoodedOriole. Most of this larger IBA is apatchwork of different private andpublic lands that are hard to accessand to safely park your vehicle. Liz’sGrove is a welcoming place to bird,have a picnic, and spend some time

viewing all these spectacular riparianbirds.

On the broader front ofconservation for this 22-mile riverreach, the Arizona IBA program isembarking on an inventory ofmigration stop-over birds and allnesting birds during this spring andsummer of 2009, focused on BHPBilliton lands along a nine-mile riverreach near San Manuel, Arizona. BHPBilliton, a mining company thatpresently manages these riparianlands, has provided financial andlogistical assistance to the IBA

Program, for which we are verygrateful. We are particularly interestedin mapping nest territories andrecording habitat features for GrayHawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Tropicaland Thick-billed Kingbirds. Threeother upland birds of conservationconcern occur in the IBA because ofthe proximity of saguaros andSonoran Desert-scrub bordering theriparian area: Gilded Flicker, Costa’sHummingbird, and Elf Owl. Our goal is

to provide all our keypartners with the necessary birdpopulation and habitat data to informdecisions on how to best protect thisprivately owned section of high qualityriparian habitat within this IBA. We areworking so that more areas like Liz’sGrove are conserved and available tothe public to enjoy, while protectingthe birds and high quality habitat thatmake this IBA so special a place inArizona!

Liz’s Grove provides a window into the Lower San PedroRiver IBA and its many birds of conservation concernScott Wilbor, Important Bird Areas Program Conservation Biologist

A nine-mile reach of the Lower SanPedro River (above) through privatelands at San Manuel, Arizona, is a keysite of our Important Bird AreaProgram bird studies this spring andsummer in order to assist this IBA’sconservation and protection.Within the Lower San Pedro RiverIBA, Liz’s Grove (right) at Dudleyville,Arizona, is a fine place to see manybird species we are trying toconserve.

MA

TT G

RIF

FITH

SG

ALE

FR

AN

K /

LIZ

SG

RO

VE

.CO

M

At the Annual Meeting of the TucsonAudubon Society, held April 13, 2009,the members present elected thefollowing persons to the Board ofDirectors: Herb Trossman, President,and Mich Coker, Vice President,each elected to a second, two-yearterm; and Richard Fray, NeilMarkowitz, Cynthia Pruett, andAdrian Quijada, each to their first,three-year term as Director at Large.The re-elected officers and newlyelected directors will commence theirterms at the board’s meeting on May4, 2009, joining the board’s 11continuing members.

The board, staff, and other TucsonAudubon affiliates extend theirdeepest gratitude to departing boardmembers Clark Blake and BobWenrick, each having served oneterm on the board, and Robert Mesta,who served the limit of two terms. Inrecognition of exemplary service tothe Society, the Board of Directors willaward each with a lifetime Friends ofTucson Audubon membership.

Tucson Audubon welcomes fournew board members. We invite you tolearn a little about their backgrounds.

Neil Markowitz “I have been a professionalenvironmental educator for more than25 years. I have an undergraduatedegree from Rutgers University and a

Master of Science from the Universityof Michigan. I have always lovedtraveling and living internationally. Iworked for two years for the IsraeliMinistry of Environment, researchingair quality issues in the late 1970s.Subsequently, I lived in Australia andtaught on the faculty at DeakinUniversity outside of Melbourne in themid-1980s. After spending five yearsas the director of a community naturecenter in New Jersey, I moved toTucson and cofounded in 1991 theEnvironmental Education Exchange.Since graduate school, I have enjoyedbird watching, and since childhoodhave found nourishment and solace inthe out-of-doors. I hope to lend toTucson Audubon my educationalexpertise in the areas of strategicplanning, program development, andevaluation to help advance thesociety’s already successful andgrowing educational program. I alsolook forward to sharingcamaraderie and a passion forthe environment with other membersand friends of the organization.”

Adrian Quijada-Mascareñas“I was born in Sonora, Mexico, whereI acquired my fascination for wildlife.My early studies focused onherpetology and ornithology, and wenton to graduate studies in ecology andevolution. I went to graduate school in

Wales, United Kingdom, and earned aPhD for a study of rattlesnakes. Uponmy return to Mexico, I worked asprofessor at the University ofMichoacán. In 2008 I moved toArizona as a research scientist in TheUniversity of Arizona’s School ofNatural Resources. I love field trips,particularly if these include birding and‘herping’. I believe that my interest inbinational and trans-border wildlifeand education issues coincidesgreatly with Tucson Audubonobjectives and goals.”

Cynthia Pruett “With a BS in Chemical Engineeringand later an MBA, a good portion ofmy career was spent as an executivein IBM. I directed many departmentsdealing with environmental, healthand safety issues, and set policy forthe corporation worldwide. My maininterests include birding, gardening,photography, and travel. For the pastyear, I have served as a non-boardmember chair of the EducationCommittee. As a new board member, Ibelieve we must continually engageour members and the public with top-notch education programs that are funand increase knowledge. Thisknowledge will give people a greaterappreciation of the environment andthe role of birds that will ultimatelylead us to conserve our ever-decliningnatural resources.”

Richard FrayRichard was born in Leicester,England, in 1973, and lived there untilmoving to Tucson in 2002. He grewup around wildlife and has alwaystaken a keen interest in it. He was the

youngest ever committee member ofthe Leicester-shire & RutlandOrnithological Society, serving onnumerous sub-committees. He wasalso Editor of the Society's newsletter,The Grebe, for three years, anddesigned the Society’s website, whichis regularly positioned in the top 20 ofall birding websites worldwide. He ranthe second-longest running birdsurvey in the UK, on behalf of theLROS and British Trust forOrnithology, for three years, and wasalso involved in the project toreintroduce Ospreys to England. He’snow an active participant in ChristmasBird Counts in Tucson, Elfrida, andPatagonia.

Richard lives in midtown Tucsonwith his wife Melanie and their eightcats and dogs. When not involvedwith wildlife, he likes to spend timesocializing and following his favoriteEnglish soccer team, Leicester City.He owns a web design company andis a keen amateur wildlifephotographer (www.rpf-wildlife-photos.com).

Richard is looking forward toworking with Tucson Audubon,especially in the areas of technology,development, and conservation.

Above right: Cynthia Pruett selling raffle tickets at the 2008 Ironwood Festival to raise funds for Tucson Audubon’s Mason Center and its programs. Below left to right: Neil Markowitz, Adrian Quijada-Mascareñas with a gila monster, Richard Fray pointing to a Spotted Owl.

TUCSON AUDUBON NEWS ROUNDUP


Tucson Audubon welcomes newboard members

KENDALL KROESEN


Tucson Audubon is pleased to have anew, well-qualified, and experiencedteam in place to manage our finances.

Jean Boris, CPA, joined TucsonAudubon as our Accountant inNovember. Jean and her husbandowned and operated a steel-construction company for ten years,and she has more than 20 yearsaccounting experience in variousindustries.

Jean’s personal interests mostlyinvolve her family and nature, and sheenjoys hiking, biking, camping, andbackyard birding. Spending time atthe beach is a family favorite. Jeanjoined Tucson Audubon to getinvolved with a community thatsupports conservation and nature,and she hopes that her accountingexperience will contribute to thesustainability of our organization, thebirding community, and theenvironment in general. Additionally,she hopes to gain experience andknowledge about conservation,education, and birding from TucsonAudubon’s many supporters.

Michelle Bourgeois, Jean’saccounting colleague who joined us inMarch, writes: “I have lived in Tucsonsince 1982, and have been doingaccounting for more than 27 years.My longest career association waswith PICOR Commercial Real Estatehere in Tucson for 10 years, where I

worked up to the position ofController. About three years ago, Ibegan pursuing a Bachelor’s degreein Interior Design, and am still workingtowards that as a part-time student.

Between my college studies,taking care of a home, and two dogs Iseem to have very little time for timefor recreation! One of my favoriteareas to hike is Madera Canyon andhave become addicted to thetranquility offered by the setting. I amfortunate that my home backs up to anatural riparian wash on the fareastside of Tucson and enjoy seeingthe wildlife that literally lives in mybackyard.

I hope that my accounting andorganizational skills will contribute tothe overall success of TucsonAudubon. My goal is to help theorganization be the best stewardpossible of the funds given to it. Ihope my association here will help meto become an environmentally awaredesigner in the future, with a stronginterest in “green design.”

New staff financial managementteam in place

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH

6Jean Rios was born inPlymouth, Michigan and is nowa Tucson resident. She is aretired teacher. Jean first joinedTucson Audubon Society in the1980s. Her community involve-ment includes working at theTucson Audubon Nature Shop,and for Primavera, KUAT- TV, Inter- mountain Centers forHuman Development, Ben’sBells, Victim Witness, andRonald MacDonald House.

SIX QUESTIONSFirst time you went birding?When I first attended TucsonAudubon’s Institute of DesertEcology. Your level of birding? IntermediateFavorite places to go birding?Patagonia area, Sulfur SpringsValley, Salton Sea, Bosque delApache NWRUnusual event that happenedwhile birding? Calling in abirding guide at PatagoniaRoadside Rest with myAudubon bird tweeter— Ithought he had moved off.Favorite bird and where didyou see it? Black Skimmer andWood Stork at Salton Sea;Elegant Trogon at Cave Creekin the Chiricahuas; Rufous-capped Warbler at French JoeCanyon in June (100+ degrees)Other hobbies? Reading,colored-pencil art, math andlogic puzzles VF

KE

ND

ALL

KR

OE

SE

N

Dorene Anderson, Edward & Gail Apple, Robert Arnberger, Caroline Bates, Jason Beale, David & Nora Berklich,L. Anne-Arin Berlin, Christine Berry, Anne Bowden, William Brascher, Shannon Breslin & Kristin Terpening, Louise M.Buschmann, Ruth Cañada, Chris Caseine, Charlene Cavender, Ron Cinkus, Sara & David Clement, BarbaraCovarrubias, Robert Cox, John Crow, Barbara D. Cunningham, Kay Cutter, Robert & Cathey Daugherty, BarbaraDeneen, Jackson Dennis, Harinam Elliott, Phyllis Florek, Judith Fortney, William Gardner, Myrna Gary, Paul & CeciliaGee, Charles Giddings, Janet Gray, David Griffis, William Grings, William Grove, Carey Haas, Muggsi Hahn, NinaHansen, Karen Harris, George Hawthorne, Christopher & Donna Helms, Gifford & Cynthia Hoyer, James & ElaineHutton, JoAnn Jackson, Cathleen Johnson, Sarah Jordan, Edward & Bunny Kleckner, Peter Lawless, Helen Lester, YueLi, Kim Lile, Rebecca Limas, Warren & Felicia May, James McConnell, Robert & Judy Miller, Douglas Moore, BernardMorenz, Ryan Morgan, Ted & Emily Morrison, David & Janice Munger, Doug Munson, Marcia Nedland, John & KristaNeis, Linda Nelson, Ted & Sandra Notz, Sharon Overstreet, Janice Pachelbel,Patricia Patten, Joy Phoenix, Don & LindaPiele, Lee & Bobbie Probst, David Quanrud, Erique Rivas, Patricia Roediger, Robert Rosenthal, George & Edie Schlieff,Olivia & Saxe Sheeran, Farshad Shirazi, Kay L. Shoudy, Terje & Ellen Skotheim, Jeanne Slavin, Sanders Solot, Robert& Carmine Tapley, Abbott & Martha Taylor, Ken Thompson, Donna Tolbert-Anderson, Jennifer Vella, Robert Villa, SteveWest, Terry & Judy Weymouth, Mark Wilson, Dr. Howard Winkler, Rose Yniguez

W E L C O M E N E W M E M B E R S !

Jean Barchman, Membership Coordinator

From fun to funding

To continue as an agent for your“quality of life”, to continue to protectand restore habitat throughout ourregion for wildlife and people, TucsonAudubon needs your generousdonations this spring. Please contactChris Harrison at 629-0757 [email protected] fordetails on any of the following:

�Birdathon 2009 is our mostsignificant spring fundraiser. You stillhave until May 10 to start a birding/fundraising team or donate to teamsthat approach you for support. Or youcan make a simple donation online atwww.tucsonaudubon.org/chapter/birdathon to support our Birdathonefforts.

�Donate $500 by May 12 andjoin a group of up to 12 people,including leader Rick Wright(Managing Director of WINGS BirdingTours Worldwide), in Madera Canyonon May 13th. Enjoy relaxed birdingfollowed by brunch and goodconversation (see p 28 for details).

�Tucson Audubon is organizing aseries of house parties for membersand friends in different neighbor-hoods. Meet, eat, and talk with boardand staff to learn about and support aprogram of your choice.

Tucson Audubon staff needs yourfinancial support in order to representthe voice of conservation throughoutour community. If you value theoutcomes of our work, please donatetoday. We thank you for your support.Madera Canyon PA

UL

& E

NG

-LI G

RE

EN


TUCSON AUDUBON EVENTS AND CLASSES

AVAILABLE IN OUR NATURE SHOPSInternational MigratoryBird Day t-shirt andmigration poster willbe available in theNature Shops inMay, and also atour store at theIMBD celebrationin MaderaCanyon.T-shirt $20Poster $3

Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Living With NatureLecture Series

TUCSON

May 4, Monday 7 PM

DuVal Auditorium, University MedicalCenter (UMC)

THE OWL AND THE WOODPECKER:Encounters with North America's MostIconic Birds with Paul BannickAward-winning photographer Paul Bannick will takeus on a visual journey of 11 key North Americanhabitats through the needs of North America's owland woodpecker species. He will focus on speciesfound in Southeastern Arizona. This stunningphotographic study will be accompanied by fieldstories and rich natural history derived fromthousands of hours in the field. His talk will look atthe way owls and woodpeckers define and enrichtheir habitat and how their life-histories areintertwined.

Paul is an award-winning photographer whosework has appeared in Audubon magazine as wellas many other books, magazines, and on exhibit atparks, refuges and other places in North Americaand Europe. His recently released book, The Owland the Woodpecker: Encounters with NorthAmerica's Most Iconic Birds, will be available at thelecture. For more details, see page 27.Note: The Tucson Audubon Living With Natureseries takes a break during the summer and willresume in September.

PAU

L B

AN

NIC

K

International Migratory Bird Day at Madera CanyonMay 2, Saturday 9 AM–3 PM

Madera Canyon

Join Tucson Audubon, Friends of Madera Canyon, National Forest Service, and other conservationorganizations to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) at the Whitehouse Picnic Area in MaderaCanyon. There will be bird walks (might begin before 9 AM), and activities for all ages. For more informationgo to www.tucsonaudubon.org or www.friendsofmaderacanyon.org or contact Chris Harrison at 629-0757 [email protected].

IMBD is officially the second Saturday in May each year, but events can be held any time to celebrate thearrival or journey of migratory birds. The 2009 IMBD theme is “Birds in Culture” (see right for some IMBDitems available in our Nature Shops).

PAU

L B

AN

NIC

K


EVENTS CALENDAR

Through May 10. Tucson Audubon’sBirdathon. Put the “fun” back in fundraising!No experience necessary!

Through May 15. Tucson Bird Count

May 2, Saturday 9 AM–3 PM. InternationalMigratory Bird Day at Madera Canyon(details p 8)

May 2, Saturday 7:30–10:30 AM. Migration inMadera Tucson Audubon Birdathon event withPaul Green and staff (details left)

May 2, Saturday 3 AM–8 PM. Gonzo BirdersTucson Audubon Birdathon event led by JohnYerger (details left)

May 4, Monday 7 PM. Living With NatureLecture, Tucson: The Owl and theWoodpecker with Paul Bannick (details p 8)

May 7, Thursday 2 AM–7:30 PM. Hoyer’sVoyeurs Tucson Audubon Birdathon event ledby Rich Hoyer (details left)

May 16, Jun 6. IBA Survey PatagoniaMountains (details left)

May 30. Birdie Brunch and Awards Ceremonyfor Tucson Audubon Birdathon participants

May 30, Jun 20, Jul 11. IBA Survey LowerSan Pedro BHP riparian lands (details left)

Important Bird AreasProgram SurveysVarious dates in May–JulyPatagonia Mountains and Lower San Pedro River

If you have been through IBA Bird Monitoringtraining or are particularly experienced with formalbird surveys, we want your help! Five events arecoming up, all with Friday night stays. PatagoniaMountains (camping): May 16 and June 6(transects). Lower San Pedro BHP riparian-lands,San Manuel, AZ: May 30 (point counts), June 20(mature tall tree groves focus), and July 11 (finaltransect). Call Scott Wilbor or Ruth Wilderman atthe Tucson Audubon IBA Office for more details(628-1730). VF

RO

BER

T SH

AN

TZ

A pair of Rufous-capped Warblers has been entertaining birders in Florida Canyon this spring. OnApril 4, the birds landed within seven feet of Julie Battiste of Hereford, before heading up the canyon.Julie last saw the birds about 75 feet along the canyon, above the lone sycamore. VF

Tucson Audubon Expert-ledBirdathon TeamsMay 2 & May 7Madera and many birding hotspots

If you don't have a Birdathon team, it’s not too lateto join one of ours! It’s a great way to meet otherlocal birders and nature lovers. Each team will beled by a professional local guide or a TucsonAudubon staff member. All you do is sign up, askyour friends and family for pledges, and show upfor a great time. Registration is required: contactChris Harrison at 629-0757 [email protected].

BEGINNER BIRDATHON TEAMSA minimum of $150 in pledges or donations isrequested from each team member. Migration in Madera, with Paul Green and TucsonAudubon staff. May 2, 7:30–10:30 AM: MaderaCanyon is one of the best birding locations inArizona; at this time of year we may see 40 ormore species as we travel from canyon bottomtowards the mountain top.

HARDCORE BIRDING TEAMSA minimum of $250 in pledges or donations isrequested from each team member. Gonzo Birders, with John Yerger, AdventureBirding senior guide. May 2, 3 AM–8 PM. Immerseyourself in the ultimate Birdathon experience with aveteran guide and Big Day planner. We'll hit a fewhotspots like Madera Canyon and Patagonia, andsome “secret” spots during a 17-hour, coffee-fueled marathon filled with almost every speciesimaginable. Our target is 150+ species. Limited to10 participants. Transportation included. Hoyer's Voyeurs, with Rich Hoyer, senior guide forWINGS. May 7, 2 AM–7:30 PM. Starting with owlsand other nightly audibles, this big-day attemptassumes we won’t need all 24 hours to tally a hugelist. But with 17.5 hours planned, we’ll shoot for awhopping 175 species within the boundaries ofPima and Santa Cruz Counties! Limited to 10participants. Transportation included.

Remember to collect and send in your pledges anddonations by May 20 for a chance at some coolprizes. Then come and celebrate your efforts andwin prizes at the Birdie Brunch and AwardsCeremony on May 30.

The Birdathon kick-off at Sweetwater Wetlandsnetted Paul Green and team 55 species.

PAU

L &

EN

G-L

I GR

EE

N

Montezuma Quail CLI

FF C

ATH

ER

S


Lucifer Hummingbird � Hmmm. Is it

evil? Does it have horns? Might it be

“round the next corner” in a Dungeons &

Dragons game? Thankfully the answer to

all of these questions is almost certainly

“no”, and an encounter with one of these

little avian gems is almost certain to make

one’s day. Little studied, this species is a

rare and local summer breeder in our

region, and has only become regular in

Arizona since the 1970s. It’s speculated

that this might be due to an increase in

the number of feeding stations,

augmented by increased numbers of

observers. High on the list of wanted

sightings by visiting birders, in present

times it is fairly easy to encounter by

following the Rare Bird Alert and listserv

postings. I often wonder if the birders of

yesteryear would scoff at us— they had to

go out and find these rarer birds on their

own!

Back in 1827 British naturalist William

Swainson first classified this species,

originally naming it Cyanthus lucifer— cynis Greek for “blue,” anthus Greek for

either “bright” or “small bird,” and luciferbeing Latin for “light- bearing” or “torch-

bearer.” Thus, it became “Little Bluish

Light- bearer” (like a small torch sailing in

the air). Later it was reclassified in the

genus Calothorax, Greek for “beautiful

breasted.” Modern birders, with all of our

field guides in hand, would call their

gorgets purple instead of bluish and

specify throat instead of breast, but that’s

being picky!

Habitat preference for Lucifer

Hummingbirds is arid open areas

populated with agaves. Though chiefly

pollinated by bats, agaves have an

abundant nectar supply that strongly

attracts this species. Big Bend National

Park in Texas is the stronghold for

breeding in the U.S, with an estimated

fifty females nesting there and a probable

similar number of males about. Like most

other hummingbirds, males don’t pair-

bond, but rather limit their activities to

finding and displaying for females.

Interesting (and considered unique

among hummingbirds) is that males

display to females sitting on their nests

(versus displaying at nectar sources).

Identification of Lucifer Hummingbirds

is fairly routine, though, as usual, females

take more care than males. Both sexes

have a distinctly decurved bill, not seen

on other U.S. hummingbirds. Some

hummingbirds, such as Black-

chinned, can have slight bill

curvature that looks

exaggerated when viewed in a

foreshortened manner; but once seen

well, the Lucifer’s bill should become a

diagnostic field mark. The vivid purple

gorget of the male might be confused with

that of Costa’s Hummingbird, but Lucifer

has a greenish crown. Males do have a

markedly forked tail, but it is almost never

visible as it is held to a point when

perched. Females share similarity to

female Broad- tailed Hummingbirds, and

are commonly seen together. Key

differences to look for are the decurved

bill and dark auricular patch bordered by

a lighter stripe behind. Both of these

females have rich buff flanks.

In Arizona, Lucifer Hummingbirds are

present April through mid- October in the

Chiricahua and Huachuca Mountains, and

have bred in both. Feeders in the Portal

area are probably your best bet in the

Chiricahuas. Ash Canyon B&B has

become the most reliable spot in the

Huachucas in recent years, plus they’re

sometimes at Beatty’s Guest Ranch in

nearby Miller Canyon.

So, if you’ve had a “devil” of a time

finding one of these rare hummingbirds,

head to one of these locations after

studying up on your field guides, and you

might add this one to your life list. Good

luck! VF

Little studied, this species isa rare and local summerbreeder in our region, andhas only become regular inArizona since the 1970s.

Both sexes have a distinctlydecurved bill, not seen onother U.S. hummingbirds.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Lucifer HummingbirdLARRY LIESE

GEORGE WEST

GEORGE WEST

AVAILABLE IN OUR NATURE SHOPSHummingbirds of the American West byLynn Hassler Kaufman. Detailed descriptions offield marks, behavioral characteristics, habitatrequirements, and prime locations, together withextraordinary color photos. $12.95Frequently Asked Questions about HummingbirdsHow long do hummingbirds live? How fast dohummingbirds beat their wings? Learn theanswers to these questions and many others inthis easy-to-read book. $4.95


Riparian areas— the ecosystems along

rivers, streams, cienegas and washes—

take many forms in southeast Arizona.

Snowmelt trickles down mountain

streams. Large canyons host perennial

streams that drain out into the desert.

Large networks of desert washes carry

stormwater into lowland drainages,

sometimes in great surging flash floods.

And perennial or intermittent lowland

streams and rivers coalesce and run

through our desert basins.

In the Southwest, less than one percent

of the land surface contains riparian

vegetation. Nonetheless, the habitat is

crucial to wildlife. In Arizona and New

Mexico eighty percent of all animals make

use of riparian areas at some point in their

lives. Seventy percent of threatened and

endangered vertebrates in Arizona depend

on riparian habitat. More than fifty percent

of breeding bird species in the Southwest

nest primarily in riparian habitats.

For humans, riparian areas are oases

of shade and shelter. People use them for

exploration, exercise or contemplation.

Wildlife watchers seek the diverse wildlife

inhabiting, or migrating through, riparian

areas. Of the 20 birding field trips offered

by Tucson Audubon in May and June (see

page 19), at least 17 of them visit a

riparian area.

Shady and birdy riparian zones are not

only important aesthetically. A study by

the state of Arizona showed that the

annual “total economic impact” of wildlife

watching (much of which is birding) is

now more than $1.5 billion. Riparian

areas are key to that. In addition, studies

show that property values are higher near

intact riparian areas.

After a 1945 visit to the Rillito in Tucson,

Herbert Brandt described “haughty

cottonwoods that tower along its margin,

either in groves or strung out as scattered

individuals. Mingled with the cottonwoods

(were) an understory of open shrubbery �willows, and numbers of dense, desert

elderberry �.” Brandt joyfully described

herons, egrets, vireos, warblers,

yellowthroats, orioles, towhees, sparrows,

buntings, and other birds.

Given all the benefits of riparian areas,

it is shocking to see what we have lost

since Brandt’s visit. The forests of the

Santa Cruz and Rillito Rivers in Tucson

have been hit hard by groundwater

pumping. The San Pedro River is barely

hanging on.

Tucson Audubon advocates for

protection and conservation of riparian

resources. In the 1960s Tucson Audubon

helped raise funds for The Nature

Conservancy’s purchase of riparian habitat

along Sonoita Creek near Patagonia.

In the late 1990s Tucson Audubon

helped form the Coalition for Sonoran

Desert Protection. The Coalition heavily

influenced Pima County’s Sonoran Desert

Conservation Plan, which identifies

remaining riparian areas as high priority

areas for conservation and restoration (see

www.pima.gov/CMO/SDC/Riparian.html).

When the Santa Cruz River’s protection

under the Clean Water Act was threatened

recently by the Army Corps of Engineers,

Tucson Audubon reacted forcefully to

inform appropriate policy makers. The

Environmental Protection Agency reversed

the Corps’ decision, and protections

remain, although now under legal

challenge by the National Homebuilders

Association and the Southern Arizona

Homebuilders Association (see page 18).

Tucson Audubon recently fought against

high- density developments along riparian

areas in rural northern Santa Cruz County.

In 2008 the Board of Supervisors

approved the development in spite of

opposition by the Planning and Zoning

Commission. Several groups, including

Tucson Audubon, worked to give voters a

chance to overturn that decision. In

November 2008 they did!

Tucson Audubon’s habitat restoration

program focuses on riparian areas. We

have five restoration sites, all in riparian

settings. We are exploring other degraded

riparian areas for future projects.

Water planning in Arizona has focused

on humans’ need for water, largely

ignoring wildlife. One area of hope is the

current joint Tucson and Pima County

Water Infrastructure, Supply and

Planning Study. In an appearance before

the joint commission, and in a recent

letter, we have urged setting aside

groundwater, surface water and treated

wastewater for wildlife— water that cannot

be used by humans (see letter at

www.tucsonaudubon.org/conservation).

We urge you to join us in enjoying our

remaining riparian areas and in

advocating for enhanced protection and

restoration efforts. VF

Above right: Paige Creek in Happy Valley,Rincon MountainsRight: Enjoying a picnic lunch at French JoeCanyon, Whetstone Mountains

SPECIAL FEATURE | RIPARIAN AREAS

Riparian Areas in Southeastern ArizonaA Long- term Priority for Tucson AudubonKENDALL KROESEN | RESTORATION PROGRAM MANAGER

HE

RB

TR

OS

SM

AN

KE

ND

ALL

KR

OE

SE

N

In March of this year the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service and its partners released

The State of the Birds, United States ofAmerica, 2009, the first comprehensive

report on bird populations in the United

States. It has two significant messages.

First, the study reveals that 251 of the

nation’s 800 bird species are endangered,

threatened, or in significant decline.

Second, it underscores the value of an

unprecedented partnership that includes

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state

wildlife agencies, and a group of non-

governmental organizas— with Audubon

as a significant partner—working as a

subcommittee of the U.S. North American

Bird Conservation Initiative (www. nabci-

us.org) . We encourage all Tucson

Audubon members to read the report and

see inspiring video footage at

www.stateofthebirds.org.

Citizen scientists collected the bulk of

the data for the report through taking part

in the North American Breeding Bird

Survey of the U.S. Geological Survey

(USGS), Audubon’s Christmas Bird

Count, combined with the USFWS- led

Waterfowl Breeding Population and

Habitat Survey. The analysis represents

the first integration of long- term results

(since 1968) across these

three important surveys,

using new statistical

techniques

developed by

scientists at the

USGS and at

Audubon.

The report

has

special relevance to the Southwest. The

bird population indicators (see graph) are

like a ”Dow Jones Index” for the birds,

where population size for birds of a

particular habitat are set to zero in 1968.

Relative increases and decreases can

then be tracked against that benchmark.

For the last 40 years in the United States

the greatest declines have been for birds

of grasslands and aridlands. Forest birds

show smaller declines, while birds of

wetland habitats have shown significant

increases.

Of 83 aridland species, 39 percent are

species of conservation concern,

including 10 federally listed

as endangered or threatened. These

species are especially vulnerable

because of their small ranges, restricted

habitat requirements, or both.

Furthermore, 76 percent of birds that nest

only in aridlands are declining.

The major conservation threats to

aridland species are habitat loss from

urban development, habitat degradation

from poor grazing practices, the spread of

invasive species, and a changing climate.

Species of special concern

include Elf Owl,

Bendire’s and

LeConte’s

SPECIAL FEATURE | STATE OF THE BIRDS USA

A Dow Jones Index forPAUL GREEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SCOTT WILBOR | IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS PROGRAM CONSERVATION BIOLOGIST

Above left to right: McCown’s Longspur; Lark Bunting

NA

NC

Y B

ELL

JOH

N &

KA

RE

N H

OLL

ING

SW

OR

TH /

US

FWS

DOMINIC SHERONY • WWW.CREATIVE

CO

MM

ON

S.O

RG

/LIC

EN

SE

S/B

Y-S

A/2

.0


Thrashers, Gilded Flicker, and Scaled

Quail.

Of 46 grassland- breeding birds, 48

percent are species of conservation

concern, and 55 percent are showing

significant decline, including Eastern and

Western Meadowlarks. Grassland species

that winter in our region and further south

that are in serious decline include

Mountain Plover, Sprague’s Pipit, Lark

Bunting, Baird’s Sparrow, and Chestnut-

collared and McCown’s Longspurs.

Conversion of grassland to agricultural

use is the main threat to these species.

More than half of aridland birds are

permanent residents of the U.S.

borderlands. Chihuahuan Desert

grasslands in Mexico host a wide variety

of U.S. breeding birds in winter where

more than one-million acres have been

converted to agriculture in the last five

years. Effective conservation requires

close collaboration with the Mexican

government and private conservation

organizations.

The July–August issue of the VermilionFlycatcher will focus on some ways that

birders can help landowners in Mexico

conserve lands for wildlife.

The human population of the U.S. has

skyrocketed over the last 200 years from

8 million to more than 300 million. As we

have harvested energy and food, grown

industries, and built cities, we have often

failed to consider the consequences to

nature. The State of the Birds and

Audubon’s Birds and Climate Changereport (see March–April issue of the

Vermilion Flycatcher, remind us that birds

are indicators of the integrity of the natural

systems that provide us with clean air and

water, fertile soils, and abundant wildlife.

While the greater part of the report is

sobering, there are signs of hope. Many

waterfowl species have shown great

recovery over the last 40 years, and

focused conservation efforts brought the

Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon back

from the edge of extinction.

The big message from this report is

that we need to

redouble our efforts

now before habitat

loss and

degradation

become even

more

widespread, intractable, and

expensive to solve. Even

today, the Southern Arizona

Home Builders Association

is trying to remove

protections afforded to the

Santa Cruz River and its

tributaries (see p 18). Your

support of Tucson Audubon

has never been so

important. VF

r Birds

Below left to right: Le Conte’sThrasher, Western Meadowlark,

Scaled Quail, Gilded Flicker

60

40

20

0

-20

-401968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2007

Year

WetlandsForestsAridlandGrassland

Perce

ntage

Cha

nge

BIRD POPULATION INDICATORS

Bird populationindicators basedon trends forobligate speciesin four majorhabitats.

NA

NC

Y B

ELL

ALL

HA

BIT

AT P

HO

TOS

PA

UL

& E

NG

-LI G

RE

EN

VIR

EO

GA

RY

KR

AM

ER

/ U

SD

A


Ask a local birdwatcher where to find thegreatest diversity of birds in southernArizona and you’re likely to be directed tothe lush, tree- lined banks of the San PedroRiver, Cienega Creek, or one of severalother riparian woodlands in the region. In anarea that’s dominated by deserts and drygrasslands, riparian woodlands present alively contrast to the familiar landscape andprovide one of the few places where water,vegetation, and birds are found in relativeabundance. In fact, riparian woodlandssupport approximately half of our breedingbird species, despite covering less than onepercent of our state’s landmass. Riparianwoodlands also provide crucial stopoverhabitats for dozens of species of long- distance migrants during their spring and fallmigrations across the desert Southwest.

Surface water and birdabundance

Water is the lifeblood that sustains thehealth of our ecologically- important riparianwoodlands. Unfortunately, human demandfor limited water resources is only increasingas Arizona’s population grows and the statefaces the prospect of continued long- termdrought. Increased ground water pumping tomeet this demand has the potential todeplete flowing surface water from local

streams and degrade or even eliminatestands of riparian vegetation. Given thislooming threat, researchers from Dr.Courtney Conway’s lab at The University ofArizona’s School of Natural Resources havebeen leading a multi- partnered study toquantify the extent to which flowing surfacewater affects the diversity and abundance ofriparian birds in southern Arizona.

Since 2006, researchers have surveyedbirds, sampled vegetation, and measuredthe presence and extent of surface water at28 study sites located in riparian woodlandsthroughout southeastern Arizona, includingboth riparian woodlands with flowing surfacewater and those with only sub- surface flows(see photos 1–2). Researchers have alsosampled avian food resources (such asaerial insects) at a subset of these studysites each year. Data are still beinganalyzed, but preliminary results indicatethat surface water in Arizona’s riparianwoodlands is positively associated with totalbird abundance and abundances of several

Riparian woodlandscover less than one

percent of our state’slandmass but support

about half of ourbreeding bird species.This important habitat

is threatened byincreased ground

water pumping thathas the potential to

deplete flowingsurface water from

local streams.University of Arizona

researchers areleading a multi-

partnered study toquantify the extent towhich flowing surface

water affects theabundance and

diversity of riparianbirds in southern

Arizona.


A riparian woodland with abundant surface water atAravaipa Creek

1

2

RO

BE

RT

SH

AN

TZ

Common Yellowthroat

SPECIAL FEATURE | A RIPARIAN BIRD STUDY

Why Birds Need Surface Water

CHRIS KIRKPATRICK

bird species, including well- known breederslike Song Sparrow, Common Yellowthroat,and Black Phoebe, and common migrantslike the Yellow- rumped Warbler. Importantly,these results represent a unique effect ofsurface water on these birds because theresearchers were able to control for theeffects of other important variables (volumeof riparian vegetation, height of ripariantrees, etc.) during their statistical analyses.

Birds have preferencesAll things being equal, why might some

birds prefer to inhabit riparian woodlandswith surface water over similar riparianwoodlands lacking surface water? Onepossible explanation is that birds (such asBlack Phoebe and Yellow- rumped Warbler)that feed at least in part upon aerial insectsmight benefit from foraging in areas thathave increased surface water becausethese areas are often presumed to have agreater diversity and abundance of insects.Indeed, after sampling avian food resourcesat several study sites, the Conway labresearchers found that the total abundanceof aerial insects appeared to be greater inriparian woodlands with surface watercompared to riparian woodlands withoutsurface water. The researchers also foundthat some aerial insects such as dragonflies,mayflies, and stoneflies were absent fromriparian woodlands lacking surface water.This finding is intuitive given that theseinsects require at least some surface waterto reproduce and develop during their initialaquatic life stages. Further research is

needed to examine the apparent linkbetween surface water, avian foodresources, and riparian bird abundance andto determine if increased surface waterconveys any additional benefits to Arizona’sriparian birds.

Results from this University of Arizonastudy provide some of the first quantitativeevidence that the presence and extent ofsurface water can influence the abundanceof bird species within riparian woodlands insouthern Arizona. Ultimately, these resultsshould allow us to better predict how theabundance and diversity of riparian birds willbe affected by future reductions in groundand surface water levels throughout theregion. Such predictions may also supportapplications from various land- managementagencies to the state of Arizona to secure instream flow rights and help maintain flowingsurface water in Arizona’s riparianwoodlands (see Guest Opinion on page 3).Funding for this research project wasprovided by the Arizona Game and FishDepartment, the Department of Defense, theNational Park Service, and the U.S.Geological Service.

Chris Kirkpatrick is a Senior Research Specialistin The University of Arizona’s School of NaturalResources. Since 2000, he has worked withDr. Courtney Conway on a variety of researchprojects examining the ecology and conservationof birds in southeastern Arizona.

VF

UA researcher Scott Carey measures the extent of flowing surface water at Rincon Creek.

2

A riparian woodland along a dry stretch of Cienega Creek

AVAILABLE IN OURNATURE SHOPSSecret Knowledgeof Water by CraigChilds. A collectionof essays on thedesert’s areas ofabundant water.$14.99The LesseningStream by MichaelLogan. Anenvironmentalhistory of the SantaCruz River. $24.95The Life of theSanta CruzRiver—ARambler’s Guideby Western NationalParks Assoc. Apocket-sizedrambler’s guide forriparian ecosystemsof the Southwest.$2.95RiparianEcosystemRecovery in AridLands by Mark K.Briggs. A discussionon riparian ecosystem declineand what to do about it.$21.95


The palo verdes looking like outsize

daffodils and Vermilion Flycatchers

performing their molten tennis ball

displays prove that spring has well and

truly arrived— and with it the first waves of

familiar migrants and breeders,

overlapping in sometimes startling ways

with lingering winter vagrants.

Tucson’s Short- tailed Hawk persisted

through late March. Mid- month saw

Zone- tailed, Gray, and Common Black-

Hawks streaming north; Tubac

bridgewatchers also scored a Crested

Caracara. Less expected was a Short-

eared Owl over Sweetwater. A rare

northbound Baird’s Sandpiper was on

the Santa Cruz in Tucson March 24, while

an adult Heermann’s Gull visited Parker

Canyon Lake.

The Douglas Blue Mockingbird

continued to delight; those weary of

waiting amused themselves with Ruddy

Ground- Doves. Patagonia’s Sinaloa

Wren remained, reclusive. Florida

Canyon’s Rufous- capped Warbler pair

was said to be showing nesting behavior.

Equally rare were a Yellow- throated

Warbler on the San Pedro and a

Kentucky Warbler in Florida Canyon. An

Ovenbird was in the Chiricahuas. A rare

wintering Red- faced Warbler was in the

Chiricahuas mid- February. Sweetwater’s

Black- throated Green Warbler was

present into February, while singles were

photographed in Portal and the

Huachucas. A male Hooded Warbler was

consorting with a Painted Redstart on

the upper San Pedro. Equally strange

treefellows were a Rufous- backed

Robin and an Eastern Phoebe at

Muleshoe Preserve. Sweetwater’s

wintering Orchard Oriole continued

into late March.

Migration excitement continues into

early May, but the month’s second half

and June are the closest to a lean season

we have in southeast Arizona. Migration

trickles to a stop with the last- minute

arrivals of Yellow- billed Cuckoos and

Sulphur- bellied Flycatchers, and as heat

rises, even the hardiest desert birds go

quiet.

But they’re still there. In the right

habitats, at the right time of day, the

American Southwest provides great

birding even at the excruciating height of

summer. Here in Tucson, that means an

early start— and the decision to go up or

to go south.

“Up” is self- explanatory. While the city

swelters and the desert bakes, life

continues in the Sky Island ranges.

Mountaintop forests are the place for

Grace’s, Red- faced, and Olive Warblers;

at a few sites in the Chiricahuas,

Huachucas, and Santa Ritas, Buff-

breasted Flycatchers plrrp cheerfully

among the pines. The incongruous

background to these tropical specialties is

provided by Brown Creepers, Pygmy

Nuthatches, Pine Siskins, and Red

Crossbills. The high Chiricahuas can turn

up Mexican Chickadee and Short- tailed

Hawk, while the Huachucas produce up

to ten hummingbird species.

Less intuitive than increasing altitude is

decreasing latitude. When the pavement

starts to bubble and the cacti start to

shrink, we head south, upstream— and

across the international border to Sonora.

They may not be much cooler, but

thanks to permanent water, places such

as the Anza Trail and the San Pedro

House remain birdy in the warmest

weather. Both are excellent for Gray

Hawk and Tropical Kingbird; Abert’s

Towhee and fallax Song Sparrow are

almost unmissable. Green Kingfisher,

scarce recently, is a remote possibility.

Other rarities might include Rose- throated

Becard and Streak- backed Oriole, both

casual breeders.

But drive 30 miles south, to the Rio

Magdalena between Imuris and San

Ignacio, and something changes. The

gallery forest looks not much different. But

suddenly, the “Mexican specialties” so

sought after in Arizona increase. Gray

Hawk and Tropical Kingbird become

characteristic voices, and Green

Kingfishers dart reliably past Imuris,

Mesa, and Terrenate. Violet- crowned

Hummingbirds flycatch over the water,

and the cottonwoods offer nesting sites

for becards and the occasional Streak-

backed Oriole. Black- capped

Gnatcatchers appear to be resident at

Terrenate. Ruddy Ground- Doves can be

among the Incas, and it’s only a matter of

time and increased attention until a

breeding pair of Sinaloa Wrens or Blue

Mockingbirds turns up.

This stretch of river has been known to

birders for a long time— it is indicated on

the maps, though not discussed in the

text, of Peter Alden’s 1969 Finding theBirds in West Mexico. Thirty years ago,

Scott Terrill and WINGS Leader Gary

Rosenberg conducted revealing surveys

later published in Continental Birdlife.

Don’t let 2009 pass without visiting this

spectacular site, one where “our” rarities

aren’t quite so rare.

Rick Wright is Managing Director ofWINGS Birding Tours Worldwide,[email protected], www.birdaz.com

VF

16 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher MARCH–APRIL 2009

WHERE TO GO, BIRDS TO SEE

Up, Down, All AroundRICK WRIGHT | WINGS BIRDING TOURS WORLDWIDE

Rio Magdalena at Terrenate

RIC

K W

RIG

HT

Green Kingfisher is a remote possibility in placessuch as Anza Trail and San Pedro House but dart

reliably past Imuris, Mesa, and Terranate.

RIC

K W

RIG

HT

Many of you will recall that TucsonAudubon has followed the continuingattempts by Resolution CopperCompany (RCC) to achieve a federalland exchange to greatly expand an oldcopper mine, adjacent to Superior, intothe Oak Flat Campground, an areaprotected from mineral extraction by aproclamation of President Eisenhower.(See www.tucsonaudubon.org/conservation/resolution_exchange.htmfor more information.)

Now, Senators Kyl and McCainhave introduced legislation that is littlechanged from previous versions, themain difference being that the ApacheNation has been promised protectionof the Apache Leap Mountain, east ofthe town of Superior. This site, sacredto the Apaches, is a dominant rockledge overlooking the town of Superior,between the town and the mine site.

Tucson Audubon remains opposedto the bill in its current form for the

same reasons we initially expressed in2005: the bill does not adequatelyaddress the need for RCC to complywith all federal environmental laws,specifically the National EnvironmentalPolicy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 etseq.) and the Endangered Species Actof 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(1)), and itis unclear to us if RCC has or couldacquire water rights sufficient for itsoperation, what the impact of themining operation would be on localarea water supplies, and how theywould dispose of the wastewaterassociated with the operation.

In our letter to Congress in 2008we also expressed concernsregarding the issues of royalties andthe effect of the proposed landexchange on the future conservationof the lower San Pedro River. To date,our concerns have not beenaddressed. Tucson Audubon remainscommitted to the protection of the

lower San Pedro River and itsassociated water needs. The riverlands owned by BHP- Billiton, RCC’s45% minority partner, could be acrucial piece of this legislation. We

continue to advocate for federaldesignation of the lower San PedroRiver as either a National WildlifeRefuge or a Riparian NationalConservation Area.


CONSERVATION & EDUCATION NEWSCHRIS MCVIE, PAUL GREEN, KENDALL KROESEN, SCOTT WILBOR

TRA

VIS

FR

AN

K /

LIZ

SG

RO

VE

.CO

M

Tucson Audubon remains committed to the protection of the lower San PedroRiver and its associated water needs.

Resolution Copper Company revisited

Senate Bill 409: Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2009

Thanks to the concerted efforts ofmany concerned citizens, the CityCouncil and the Board ofSupervisors, Pima County acquired320 acres of State Trust land atTumamoc Hill at public auction inTucson February 23, using $2.35million from a Growing Smarter stategrant and $2.35 million in culturalresource bonds.

Tumamoc Hill has the oldestdocumented continuously studiedplots of land in the world. Thesestudies may provide critical insightsinto climate cycles and changes andthe adaptive mechanisms inherent inthe Sonoran Desert flora and fauna.

Aside from being a beautifulplace to hike or watch wildlife, thisarea contains some of the mostsignificant pre- historic rock art in ourregion and has profound culturalsignificance for the native nations ofour region.

Pima County plans to preservethe site from development inperpetuity. Tumamoc Hill hosts TheUniversity of Arizona DesertLaboratory’s century- old researchplots that provide irreplaceableinformation about the area’s climateand ecology. The lab itself is not partof the parcel that was sold to thecounty. The university has a long- term lease on that site. But the320-acre parcel bordered by WestAnklam and North GreasewoodRoads includes some research plots.

The Carnegie Institution selectedTumamoc Hill from a number of sitesacross the West in 1903 as its DesertLaboratory to study adaptations ofplants to aridity, when the humanpopulation of Tucson numbered just10,000. In 1956, the University ofArizona bought the Desert Lab tohouse the new department of geochronology.

PAU

L &

EN

G-L

I GR

EE

N

Tumamoc Hill

A view of Tumamoc Hill from Sweetwater Wetlands


CONSERVATION & EDUCATION NEWS

On March 30th, President Obama signed H.R. 146, the Omnibus Public LandManagement Act, which includes Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva’s billpermanently establishing the National Landscape Conservation System,including the Sonoran Desert Monument, the Ironwood Forest NationalMonument and the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area. The bill willprotect and restore 26 million acres, including the most ecologically significantlands under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, and creates twomillion new acres of wilderness across 9 states; establishes three new nationalpark units; designates 1,000 miles of wild and scenic rivers; designates aNational Monument and four National Conservation Areas; and recognizes newHistoric Sites and Heritage Areas.

The legislation includes two bills by Congresswoman Giffords establishingthe 800-mile-long Arizona Trail, in the Arizona National Scenic Trail Act, andfunding a critical watershed study of the San Pedro River. It also approves a $5-million demonstration project involving federal compensation for livestock lossesto wolves, plus federal funding for non- lethal activities to reduce the risk oflivestock losses to wolves. VF

President Obama signs Omnibus Bill

The Southern Arizona Home BuildersAssociation, the Home BuildersAssociation of Central Arizona and theNational Association of Home Buildersfiled a lawsuit in Washington, D.C.,seeking an injunction against theEnvironmental Protection Agency(EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers (ACOE) over their decisionto designate the Santa Cruz River atraditional navigable water (TNW) ofthe United States. The well-researchedMay 2008 determination by the ACOErestored public health and safetyprotections that had applied to the riveruntil a 2006 Supreme Court decisioncreated doubt about how to treatephemeral streams common in thewestern United States.

Findings of the CongressionalJoint Committees on Transportationand Infrastructure and Oversight andGovernment Reform investigation intothe Bush administration’s handling ofClean Water Act enforcement andimplementation post -Rapanosdemonstrate that the Bushadministration undermined the Clean

Water Act, including dropping orlowering enforcement priorities forongoing Clean Water Act violations.

In addition, the findingsdemonstrate that the AssistantSecretary for the Army for Civil Works,John Paul Woodley (a politicalappointee), placed the interests ofcorporate lobbyists for thehomebuilders over the scientificdeterminations of career officials inmaking Clean Water Act decisionsabout the Santa Cruz River in Arizona,when he withdrew the May 2008determination for “review.” After alengthy review process, the EPAupheld the ACOE determination of theTNW status of the Santa Cruz River inearly December, 2008.

In late March, Senator RussFeingold (D-WI) reintroduced TheClean Water Restoration Act (S 878).This bill seeks to restore protectionsfor waterways that impact the drinkingwater of more than 100 millionAmericans, and would also ensureprotections for rivers, streams andwetlands.

Protected status of our Santa Cruz Riverchallenged by Southern Arizona HomeBuilders Association

Homebuilders sue over Clean Water Act protections

Ironwood Forest National Monument, part of the National LandscapeConservation System established by Congressman Grijalva’s bill that wasincluded in the Omnibus Public Land Management Act signed by PresidentObama on Marth 30, 2009. The bill will restore and protect 26 million acres.

Future of Endangered Species Act (ESA)

On December 16, 2008, the Bushadministration issued final rulesrewriting one of the most importantprotections provided by the ESA: theSection 7 requirement that federalagencies consult with federal wildlifeexperts to utilize the best scientificinformation evaluating agencyactions that could harm threatenedand endangered species.

Under the new rules, federalagencies can now decide forthemselves whether consultation isnecessary, eliminating the importantsafeguard of independent scientificreview by expert biologists at theU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)or the National Marine FisheriesService (NMFS). In Section 4(d) ofthe ESA, they determined to ignore

climate change and greenhouse gasemissions as a threat to our nation’swildlife, posing a serious threat to ournatural resources.

Congress passed a bill that givesthe Obama administration 60 days tooverturn the Bush administration’sregulations that weakened theEndangered Species Act andeliminated essential protections forAmerica’s imperiled species. Itremains to be seen whether or notSecretary of Interior Ken Salazar willtake the necessary critically importantsteps to restore scientific integrity atthe Department of Interior. To date,he has upheld the Bushadministration’s findings that thenorthern Rocky Mountain populationof gray wolves is not endangered.

Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl A. F

LES

CH

AN

D S

. JA

CO

BS

PAU

L &

EN

G-L

I GR

EE

N

MAY

May 2—Saturday 7AM

Beginning Birdwatching at

Sweetwater Wetlands

This is a field trip for people who are new

to birding or are visitors from out of town

who may not be familiar with our local

birds and habitats. As we stroll along

mostly dirt paths, we will chat about

primary habitats, behaviors, and

identification of common birds of this

reclaimed water site. We’ll likely share our

walk with warblers, hawks, woodpeckers,

flycatchers, sparrows, grebes, ducks, rails

and shorebirds in this varied habitat.

RSVP to trip leader for current details.

Done by 10AM. Local. Leader: Cynthia

Barstad [email protected]

May 5—Tuesday 8:30 AM

Dragonflies and Damselflies

Only 15 fortunate people may join the

author of the upcoming book, A FieldGuide to the Dragonflies and Damselfliesof Arizona and Sonora, as he gently nets

these beautiful creatures and points out

identifying features before releasing them.

Be prepared to get your feet wet in the

San Pedro River east of San Manuel.

Contact the leader to reserve your place

and to learn the meeting location. Back by

2PM. About 80 miles roundtrip.

Leader: Rich Bailowitz [email protected]

May 9—Saturday 5:30AM

Sonoita Creek Natural Area at

Patagonia Lake

Bill Adler, a state park volunteer, will be

along to enlighten us about the history

and geology of this rich riparian area as

we bird. We will start from the trailhead

just below Lake Patagonia and hike along

the riparian area below the dam for 3–4

miles roundtrip, making it essential that

you bring good hiking shoes, plenty of

water, hat and sun screen, and a snack or

small lunch. Limited participation—call the

leader to register beginning May 4. State

Park fee area. Leader: Norma Miller

[email protected] 578-1399

May 12—Tuesday 4:30AM

Fort Huachuca

Birding on foot in some of the canyons on

Fort Huachuca. Because the Army limits

the number of participants on the trails,

this trip will be limited to 12 persons

(including the leader) in three high-

clearance vehicles. Contact the leader on

or after May 5 to reserve a place. All

participants must have a government-

issued picture ID, and each driver must

have driver’s license, car registration, and

proof- of- insurance. If you are not a U.S.

citizen, please let the leader know when

you make your reservation. Be prepared

to hike on rough, rocky trails that are steep

in places. Bring lunch. 160 miles round

trip. Leader: Jim Hays [email protected]

(preferred) or 203-3489


TUCSON AUDUBON FIELD TRIPSDARLENE SMYTH | FIELD TRIP COORDINATOR

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

[email protected]

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.

Sweetwater WetlandsKE

ND

ALL

KR

OE

SE

N

May 16—Saturday 7PM

Night Nature Walk

We’ll explore the world of the night

creatures, including Elf Owls and Great

Horned Owls with their young (plus

snakes, bats and other critters) at

Saguaro National Park (east) from7–9 PM.

Park entry fee (per carload). Trip limited

to 10 participants. Leader: Pinau Merlin

546-9409 [email protected]

May 17—Sunday 6AM

Santa Catalina Mountains

It’s Red- faced Warbler season and we’ll

make a special effort

to see them in this

trip up into the Santa

Catalina Mountains

(USFS fee area).

Rose Canyon will be

favored (extra fee

required) but we’ll stop a few

times both up and down the range for

the specialties of the region. Meet at

McDonald’s at Tanque Verde and Catalina

Highway at 6AM. Bring food. We’ll try to be

back by 1PM. 50 miles roundtrip. Leader:Clifford A. Cathers 762-3201

[email protected]

May 19—Tuesday 6 AM

The Nature Conservancy–

Patagonia Preserve

Contact the leader to register for this trip

that will spend about two hours at the

preserve on a day it is not normally

open to the public. Limited to 12

birders. TNC donation required. After

spending about two hours at the

preserve, we’ll spend some time birding

the Patons’ yard before ending the trip.

About 90 miles roundtrip. Leader: Robin

Baxter [email protected]

May 24—Sunday 5 AM

Madera Canyon and Vicinity

An early start will give us time to poke

around several places before it gets too

hot to bird. Note: We will not visit Florida

Canyon for Rufous- capped Warblers.

Back in Tucson by lunch time. Meet at the

Fry’s at Irvington and I-19 at 5AM or at the

Green Valley McDonald’s at 5:30AM.

USFS fee area. About 80 miles roundtrip

from Tucson. Leader: Darlene Smyth 297-

2315 [email protected]

May 26—Tuesday 5:30 AM

Sycamore Canyon

Rugged Sycamore Canyon is legendary

among birders for the rarities it has

harbored over the years, as well as for its

steep, difficult terrain. We’ll bird the

canyon for a roundtrip hiking distance of

about 2.5 hot miles, over very uneven

terrain and wet stream crossings. We will

encounter species typical of oak- juniper

and riparian habitats, and some migrant

birds. Meet at the Green Valley

McDonald’s parking lot at 5:30AM.

Roundtrip from Tucson 160 miles.

Contact the leader to sign up.

Leader: Ethan Beasley 300–0049

[email protected]

May 31—Sunday 6AM

Florida Canyon

The Rufous- capped Warblers in Florida

Canyon have delighted many birders over

the last few months. Our small group will

attempt to locate them and other breeding

birds of the Santa Ritas. Trip limited to 6

people, preferably those who haven’t

seen these birds yet. Contact leader after

May 2 to inquire about space and learn

the carpool location. Leader: Matt! Brooks

622-2230 [email protected]

JUNE

June 2—Tuesday 5:30AM

Miller Canyon and Hummingbirds

We start with a hike up Miller Canyon

looking for Sky Island specialties and a

Mexican stray if we’re lucky (5 miles

roundtrip). The trail is rough and steep in

parts, but we will maintain a

leisurely pace. Later we stop at the

Beattys’ and Ash Canyon B&B to check

the hummingbird feeders. Please bring

small cash donations to maintain these

feeders. Bring lunch. Limited to 11 birders

in three vehicles, so please sign up with

the leader beginning May 18. 180 miles

roundtrip. Leader: Philip Kline pgkline_uk

@yahoo.com (preferred) or 419-5086

June 6—Saturday 8:30 AM

Hummingbirds and More at

Madera Canyon’s Chuparosa Inn

We’ve graciously been granted non- guest

access to this location during the height of

hummingbird season, for comfortable

birding from the patio. “Chuparosa” is

Spanish for hummingbird, and this prime

location lives up to its name, with more

than a dozen different species having

visited the site over the years. We can

also expect juncos, tanagers, orioles,

nuthatches, flycatchers, warblers and, if

we’re lucky, perhaps an Elegant Trogon or

Arizona Woodpecker. Back by noon. Limit

10 people. Please contact leader starting

June 1. 80 miles round trip.

Leader: Cynthia Barstad

[email protected]

June 9—Tuesday 4:20AM

Ash/Paige Canyon

In these infrequently birded canyons of

the Rincon Mountains, we could see

riparian species such as Brown- crested

Flycatcher, Summer Tanager, Gray Hawk,


TUCSON AUDUBONFIELD TRIPS

Madera Canyon KE

ND

ALL

KR

OE

SE

N

Elf OwlVIR

EO

TOM

VE

ZO

Blacklightsmake looking for

night critters, especiallyscorpions, much easier andmore fun! Check out these

new items in our NatureShops. • Blacklight flashlight

$20 • Blacklighthandheld light

$10

and Zone- tailed Hawk. In the oak zone

Western Scrub- Jay is a good possibility.

Consider bringing close- focusing

binoculars in case we see butterflies. We

will head back after an early lunch.

Contact the leader starting on May 28 for

details and to register for this trip which is

limited to 15. About 100 miles roundtrip.

Leader: Rich Hoyer 325-5310

[email protected]

June 13—Saturday 5:30AM

Huachuca Hummingbird Madness!

It’s too hot to walk, so today we’ll enjoy

the jewels of the Southwest while sitting

comfortably in the shade. We’ll visit three

of the nation’s hottest hummingbird sites:

Mary Jo Ballator’s Ash Canyon B&B, Tom

Beatty’s Miller Canyon Guest Ranch &

Orchard and The Nature Conservancy’s

Ramsey Canyon Preserve, all in the

Huachuca Mountains near Sierra Vista. A

fee will be required at all three locations.

Trip limited to 15 registered participants/4

vehicles. About 140 miles roundtrip.

Leader: Clifford A. Cathers 762-3201

[email protected]

June 16—Tuesday 6AM

Arivaca Cienega

A variety of habitats in a relatively small

area makes Arivaca Cienega ideal for a

leisurely summer morning’s birding.

Local- breeding species such as Varied

Bunting, Thick- billed Kingbird and Tropical

Kingbird will be our main avian targets,

but we’ll also have time to try to sort out

the plants, butterflies, dragonflies and

other wildlife we come across. Meet at

Fry’s on Irvington and I-19 at 6AM (leader

not present) or at McDonald’s in Green

Valley at 6:30AM. 90 miles round trip.

Leader: Michael Marsden 269-6240

[email protected]

June 20—Saturday 5 AM

Garden Canyon, Ft. Huachuca

Including Scheelite and Sawmill Canyons.

Be prepared for fairly steep 1.5 mile

roundtrip hike in Scheelite. High

clearance vehicles preferred, but not

necessary. Beat the desert heat while

seeking Spotted Owl, Elegant Trogon,

and Buff- breasted Flycatcher! Call or

email leader on or after June 1 to register.

Limit 12 people due to Fort logistics. Fort

allows only U.S. citizens on base. 130

miles roundtrip. Leader: John Yerger 495–

0229 [email protected]

June 23—Tuesday, 6AM

Mt. Lemmon Roundup

We’ll sample various elevations of the

Catalinas, keeping to the upper sites as

the day warms up. Mostly short, easy

walking, not far from the cars. We’ll have

lunch at one of the picnic areas. Bring

your Mt. Lemmon pass if you’ve got one.

Meet at the McDonald’s parking lot at

Tanque Verde Road and Catalina

Highway. Back by 3 PM. 50 miles

roundtrip. Leader: Larry Liese 743-3520

[email protected]

June 27—Saturday 5AM

Mt. Lemmon

Meet at the shopping center at the NE

corner of Tanque Verde and Catalina

Highway at 6AM. Bring lunch. We’ll bird

our way up from Mexican birds at the

bottom to Canadian birds at the top.

USFS fee area. Back by 2 PM. 50 miles

roundtrip. Leader: Bob Bates 296-5629

[email protected]

June 30—Tuesday 5:30 AM

Sweetwater Wetlands

This area offers shade and water to birds

at a time of the year when both are rare

commodities. An early morning gathering

at the parking lot and a subsequent

inspection of the habitat should produce

some good looks at local residents, and

with luck we may find one of

Sweetwater’s treasures before the heat of

the day sends us away. Leader: Darlene

Smyth 297-2315 [email protected] VF


PIMA COUNTY GUIDED WALKSFor more information about walks organized byPima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation Environmental Education Events ,contact 615-7855 or [email protected].

Mt. Lemmon Bird Walk. Call for meeting location. May 15, 8:30–10:30 AM. Stroll less thana mile along a nature trail and Look for birds inthe cool forest around Summerhaven. For begin-ning/intermediate birders. Reservations required.

Wake up with the Birds at Roy P. DrachmanAgua Caliente Park. 12325 E. Roger Rd. EveryTuesday, 8–9:30 AM in May, 7:30–9 AM in June.Spot wetland birds, hummingbirds, songbirds,raptors among mesquites and palm trees. Forbeginners/families. Binoculars available. Meet atthe Ranch House. Reservations not required.

TUCSON AREA BIRDINGCatalina State Park. Bird walks led by DenisWright on Fridays, 7:30–10 AM at the first picnicarea. Time will change in 30-minute incrementsas weather/light conditions require. Open daily5 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 AREASArizona State Parks. Birding and other walks;www.pr.state.az.us. Fee. Call 602-542-4174.

Buenos Aires NWR. The refuge is open 24hours 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 beforeclosing). 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 ofbirding sites available. Fee. Call 432-1388 orvisit www.sabo.org.

Fort Huachuca MAT

T G

RIF

FITH

S

DON’T FORGET TO STOP IN OUR NATURE SHOP FOR YOUR FIELD AND ID GUIDES.

Arivaca Cienaga


ECUADOR BIRDING! NE and NWAndes, Amazon Extension—Budget12 days of colorful tanagers, hummers,toucans, manakins, barbets, antpittasin lush temperate, subtropical andcloud forest reserves. Over 450species—Cock-of-the-rock lek,Toucan Barbet, White-faced Nunbird,Andean Condor, Giant Conebill,Sword-billed Hummer, Mystery Owl.Dates, prices contact Moez [email protected] 820-3499.

THE OASIS at Way Out WestB&B/Private Nature Preserve. Asecluded trail side location offersclose-up wildlife observation andcolorful mountain sunsets. Bird ourtrails (135+ House List) or theCatalinas. 20+ feeding stations,Naturalist/Photographer on-site, Wi-Fi,Hydrotherapy spas, Bike rentals, Eco-Excursions. WOWArizona.com.520.825.4590. VF

THE TAS-IFIEDSCLASSIFIED ADS

You need to be a Friend of Tucson Audubon or a member of the Birds &Business Alliance to advertise in this section. Please contact Chris Harrison inMembership Services for fee information or to place an ad.

Advertise in the Vermilion FlycatcherIndividual members and members of our Birds & Business Alliance can advertise in the Vermilion Flycatcher. Classified and display ads accepted.

For a rate sheet, contact Chris Harrison at 629-0757 or [email protected] or visit www.tucsonaudubon.org/verfly/index.htm

You live your life caring for the world around you.

Shouldn’t you expect the same from the companies

in which you invest?

Socially responsible investments allow you to participate in

an increasing trend. More and more companies are adopting

environmentally sustainable business practices. And many are

developing new technologies focused on global warming,

alternative energy, organic living and a cleaner environment.

At UBS, we work with investors to help them build investment

portfolios that consider their social and environmental values

while keeping long-term financial goals in mind.

To learn more about investing in these leading-edge companies,

please join us at our seminar.

Date Wednesday, May 13 or

Thursday, May 21

Time 5:50 – 6:30 p.m.

Location UBS Financial Services Inc.

5285 East Williams Circle, Suite 5500

Tucson, AZ 85711

Host Alexander D. McCrohan

Vice President–Investments

Wealth Advisor

Advisory & Brokerage Services

RSVP Alexander D. McCrohan

520-748-3658

[email protected]

www.ubs.com/financialservicesinc

Private Wealth Management is a business unit within UBS Financial Services Inc. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. ©2009 UBS Financial Services Inc. All rights reserved. Wealth management services in the U.S. are provided by UBS Financial Services Inc., a registered broker-dealer offering securities, trading, brokerage, and related products and services. Member SIPC. Member FINRA. 7.00_Ad_4x10_YD0209_BulJ

You & Us Investing with your values in mind.

Go Birding in Panama!With Tucson Audubon and WINGSNovember 13–21, 2009 • Stay in Canopy TowerLeader Gavin Bieber, with Kendall KroesenContact Chris Harrison at 629-0757 or [email protected]

FABULOUS FLAGSTAFF—COOLING IT AT 7000 FEETFriday July 3–Sunday July 5, 2009

$535 Per Person Double; $635 Per Person SingleFrom the luxurious Radisson Woodlands Hotel, we’ll visit the 76th Annual Hopi Festival of Arts and Culture on the MNA campus, Riordan Mansion State Park,

Meteor Crater, Waputki Pueblo and Sunset Crater National Monuments, Sinagua Culture rock art carvings at V-Bar-V Site, laser fireworks, and other attractions

Tour fee includes transportation by van, lodging, Arizona wine tasting, all entrance fees

TyrannoTours King of Southwest Adventures TucsonE-mail: [email protected] Phone: 520-577-6546 www.tyrannotours.com

ALL

PH

OTO

S PA

UL

& E

NG

-LI G

REE

N


ADVENTURE BIRDING [email protected]; 495-0229San Blas: Mangrove Estuaries, Coffee Fincas,Palm Forests and More. Dec 12–20, 2009, $1990.Leader: Keith Kamper. The coastal fishing village ofSan Blas is one of the premier birding destinationsin Mexico. We’ll visit mangrove estuaries, coffeefincas, beaches and coastal lagoons. 25 Mexicanendemics possible including San Blas Jays,Rufous-necked Wood- rail, Cinnamon Hummingbirdand Golden Vireo. Jungle boat tour with oddities like Boat- billed Heron and Northern Potoo, eveniguanas and crocodiles! We will be based at onemotel throughout; so we can unpack, unwind andenjoy the region’s natural and cultural history, freshmariscos and green flash sunsets.South Texas: Specialties and Migrants in theLower Rio Grande Valley. April 3–11, 2010,$1890. Leaders: John Yerger and/or JakeMohlmann. Join us in “the other” premier U.S.birding destination, with guides who have lived andbirded there. With specialties like Great Kiskadee,Green Jay and Altamira Oriole, how can you miss?We’ll sample all habitats: from tidal mudflats tosubtropical thornscrub to prime ChihuahuanDesert. Visit both classic hotspots and lesser-known local secrets for rarer residents likeClay-colored Robin and Hook-billed Kite. This tripis timed to catch loads of spring migrants, andprobably a few Mexican rarities!

NATURALIST JOURNEYSwww.naturalistjourneys.comToll- free: (866) 900–1146 or 558-1146;[email protected] the Blue Ridge Mountains. June 8–14.Join us to explore quintessential Appalachia:ancient mountains and thick forests threaded withstreams, rivers and waterfalls. The Blue RidgeParkway, with elevations ranging from 875 to over6,000 feet, provides important habitat for a diversearray of plants and animals. Enjoy lovely mountainlodges and great dining as we sample localcuisine. We’re likely to see colorful species such asEastern Bluebirds, Pileated Woodpeckers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Orchard Orioles, WoodDucks and Indigo Buntings. With luck and somepersistence we should find the elusive CeruleanWarbler. Wezil Walraven will guide this year’sjourney. Single Supplement $445.Grand Yellowstone. June 13–25, 2009 (one-weektour also available). Join us for an in-depth journeyto the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. June ispeak time for bird activity, the region’s mammalsare rearing young, and wildflowers abound! Westart our tour in Billings where local guide HelenCarlson leads us to specialty birds of the prairieincluding Longspurs. Then we travel overBeartooth Plateau in search of Black Rosy Finchesand more. In Yellowstone we visit Old Faithful andother spectacular geysers. Birds we should

encounter include Barrow’s Goldeneyes, AmericanDippers, Townsend’s Solitaires, MountainBluebirds, Clark’s Nutcrackers, Red-naped andWilliamson’s Sapsuckers, and other species. Pastmammal sightings include beavers, elk, bison,moose, pronghorn river otter and bighorn sheep,both grizzly and black bears, and gray wolves.This is the best trip we run outside Africa for seeinglarge mammals! $3295.00 from Billings ($1495short trip option). $750 single supplement ($495short trip option).

ROCKJUMPER BIRDING [email protected] [email protected]—The Falkland Islands, SouthGeorgia and the Antarctic Peninsula. Nov 3–22(20 days) and Dec 15–Jan 5 (22 days).Rockjumper is proud to offer these voyages of alifetime! On these journeys with us you will take inthe Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and thedramatic Antarctica Peninsula. During ourexploration of this pristine wilderness we will seespectacular vistas, beautiful icebergs and theplanet’s greatest concentrations of marine wildlife.Eight species of penguin are possible includingnesting colonies of King Penguin. WanderingAlbatross, orca and leopard seal, may be seenwhile sea-birding across the Drake Passage andrugged sub-Antarctic islands. We would be thrilledto have the chance to share the splendors of theAntarctic with you! Cabins range from $9,750 pp to$14,535 ss.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 destinationfor any naturalist and especially so for birders.During this tour we explore the celebrated Pantanaland the verdant Amazon rainforest. Potentialhighlights on this tour include Hyacinth Macaw,Helmeted Manakin, Spangled Cotinga and everlethargic sloths, maybe even the elusive jaguar.For those wishing to maximize their time, theextension to Intervales State Park offers amazinghighlights like Swallow-tailed Cotinga and Long-trained Nightjar among many others! Join us for anunbeatable tour to one of the world’s mostincredible wildlife destinations! Main tour—US$4,450 pp, US$320 ss and extension—US$1,995 pp, US$170 ss.

BIRDING TRAVELFROM OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS

Tucson Audubon thanksour Birds & BusinessAlliance Members, whohave shown their supportfor bird conservationthrough annualcontributions and in-kinddonations. Please showthem you appreciate their support for us bysupporting them. Please choose these progressivecompanies when you need a service.

STERLING Adventure Birding Company • 520-495-0229• www.adventurebirding.comBorderland Tours • 1-800-525-7753• www.borderland-tours.comNaturalist Journeys • 1-866-900-1146• www.naturalistjourneys.comRockJumper Birding Tours • www.rockjumper.co.zaTropical Birding • 1-800-348-5941• www.tropicalbirding.com TyrannoTours • 520-577-6546• www.tyrannotours.com Victor Emanuel Nature Tours • 1-800-328-VENT • www.ventbirds.com WINGS • 1-888-293-6443 • www.wingsbirds.com

SILVER The Oasis at Way Out West • 520-825-4590• www.wowarizona.comSnell & Wilmer • www.swlaw.comTucson Electric Power • www.tep.com

COPPER Bed & Bagels of Tucson • 520-760-5595*Brooklyn Pizza Company • 520-622-6868Buffalo Exchange • 520-795-0508Casa Adobe B&B in Rodeo, NM • 1-877-577-2275The Coyote Wore Sideburns • 520-623-7341Down By the River B&B • 520-720-9441Kimberlyn Drew, Realtor • 520-237-1408Economy Birding Service • 520-762-3201Fiore Tile Works • 520-971-0677Galeria La Sirena • 520-319-1262*Greenfire Ecological Landscaping • 520-429-7306 Heartstone Mountain Ranch • 1-877-562-2955 Hughes Federal Credit Union • 520-794-8341Daniel McQuestion, Artist P2 Preparedness • 520-971-5971 Lori Pascarella, Financial Consultant • 520-747-6167Rancho De La Osa • 1-800-872-6240Riverpark Inn • 1-800-551-1466 Spirit Tree Inn B&B • 520-394-0121VIP Taxi • 520-798-1111Wild Birds Unlimited • 520-878-9585For more information about our Birds & BusinessAlliance members, including links to their websites,visit www.tucsonaudubon.org

*New member

Gray Wolf GA

RY

KR

AM

ER

/ U

SFW

S


TYRANNOTOURS— KING OF SOUTHWEST ADVENTURESwww.tyrannotours.com577-6546; [email protected] Canyon— North Rim Grandeur. June 17–21,2009. $895/person double; $995 single. We’ll basein charming western cabins at majestic GrandCanyon Lodge. Scenic sunrises and sunsets, rim- top mule ride, ranger talks, Grand Canyon cookout,Pipe Spring NM, Lee’s Ferry, Navajo Bridge,Cameron Trading Post. Maybe Toroweep.Jerome Jaunt. July 24–26, 2009. $595 per person double; $695 single. Lodging at Jerome GrandHotel, VCRR Grape Escape wine & food sunsettrain excursion in First Class, Gold King Mine,museums, fun, shopping, Out of Africa WildlifePark in Camp Verde.

VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC.www.ventbird.com(800) 328-8368 • [email protected]: Pacific NW Introductory Tour. July18–22, 2009, $1,425 in double occupancy fromSeattle. With outstanding birding and spectacularvisual scenery to match, few places in the countrycan match Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. Thisshort tour provides familiarity with the uniquebirdlife and ecosystems of the Pacific Northwestwhile focusing on the basics of birding. Travel fromthe Olympic Mountains through old-growth foreststo the shores of Puget Sound in search ofwaterfowl, alcids, shorebirds, songbirds, and more.Learn the basics of using binoculars and fieldguides and discover techniques to becoming abetter 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 fallmigration in the northeast. Migrant landbirdspouring through the woods include 20+ species ofwarblers, flycatchers, vireos, sparrows, andfinches. The coastal marshes and nearshorewaters are filled with eiders, cormorants,shorebirds, and gulls. We will take boat trips in theBay of Fundy to search for Razorbill; AtlanticPuffin; Manx, and Greater Shearwaters; Leach'sStorm-Petrel; Northern Gannet, and more. Whalewatching is superb as well, with the opportunity tosee endangered North Atlantic right whales. BarryZimmer and Brennan Mulrooney lead.

WINGSwingsbirds.com • wingsbirds.com/[email protected]; 320-9868Bulgaria in Autumn. September 5–12, 2009, about$2,410. Leader: James Lidster. On the western sideof the Black Sea, Bulgaria has witnessed theannual pageant of migrants streaming south forcenturies. Our tour uses two bases to explore avariety of habitats. Woodland and scrub shelter a

tantalizing mix of warblers and flycatchers, steppeand fields are dotted with larks and buntings, lakesand the Black Sea host waterfowl and shorebirds,and skies are filled with raptors and storks. Whetherit’s the sheer numbers of migrants or an excitingvagrant from farther east, few experiences canmatch the thrill of migration in action.Panama with Tucson Audubon Society.November 13–-21, 2009, about $4,100. Leaders:Gavin Bieber and Kendall Kroesen. Thiscollaborative tour, the first in Tucson Audubon’srevived International Tour Program, takes place inthis exciting region’s drier season, when residentspecies are joined by migrants from North America,creating a rich constellation of tropical and borealbirds. We’ll be based in the acclaimed CanopyTower and the newly built Canopy Lodge, fromwhich we’ll explore such remarkable birding sitesas Pipeline Road—arguably the best birding inCentral America—and the Talamancan Foothills.Highlights from Gavin Bieber’s most recent tourhere include a Tiny Hawk on a nest; a stunning

male Blue Cotinga; 19 species of hummingbirdincluding White-tipped Sicklebill and VeraguanMango; and tanagers including Rufous-winged,Bay-headed, Silver-throated, Crimson-backed,Emerald, Golden-hooded, and Flame-rumped. Wecan look forward to similarly exciting birds againsta background of wonderfully varied landscapes,superlative fresh food, and great camaraderie.The Galápagos Islands: A WINGS Charter.November 12–21, 2010, price not yet available.Leader: Rich Hoyer. With the 200th anniversary ofthe birth of Charles Darwin, the 150th of the firstedition of Origin of Species—interest in theGalápagos is at an all-time high. WINGS haschartered one of the most luxurious small boatsoperating in the islands for all-round natural historyexploration of the Galápagos. In addition to nearlyall the endemic birds (among them a couple ofgulls, 13 finches, a flycatcher, four mockingbirds, adove, a penguin, a cormorant, a rail, and a martin),we’ll also spend time with the seabirds, sea lions,and marine iguanas, as well as the many otherendemics. We’ll have almost daily opportunities forsnorkeling among the colorful fish and seaturtles. VF

BIRDING TRAVELFROM OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS

Some species on the Panama Canopy Tower bird list (clockwise from top left): Keel-billed Toucan, Voilet-crowned Woodnymph, Violaceous Trogon, Streak-headed Woodcreeper, Bananaquit, Buff-throated Saltator

ALL

PH

OTO

S D

OM

INIC

SH

ER

ON

Y •

WW

W.C

RE

ATI

VE

CO

MM

ON

S.O

RG

/LIC

EN

SE

S/B

Y-S

A/2

.0

Support Tucson Audubon...Become a Friend Today!

MEMBERSHIP$30/year— Individual$20/year— Student$45/year— Family$20 /year— Senior (62+)

Name

Address

City / State / Zip

Email

Phone

New membershipRenewing membershipPlease email me about Tucson Audubonevents and conservation issues.Please do not share my contact information.Please do not mail me VermilionFlycatcher. I’ll read it online.

DONATIONI would like to support Tucson AudubonSociety with an additional contribution of

$25 $50 $100 $ 250.Tucson Audubon Frequent Flyer Monthly

Donor Program: I authorize the charge of$____ per month for ____ months to mycredit card ($10/month minimum).Tucson Audubon Society will use the full amount of your tax- deductiblegift for its environmental, educational and recreational programs.

METHOD OF PAYMENTCheck (payable to Tucson Audubon Society)MasterCard Visa AMEX

Credit Card No.

Expiration Date Amount $

Signature

Please send your application with payment toTucson Audubon Society,

300 E. University Blvd, #120, Tucson, AZ 85705

(Attn: Jean Barchman, Membership Coordinator)

OR join, renew or donate online atwww.tucsonaudubon.org

Support Tucson Audubon...Become a Friend Today!

MEMBERSHIP$30/year— Individual$20/year— Student$45/year— Family$20 /year— Senior (62+)

Name

Address

City / State / Zip

Email

Phone

New membershipRenewing membershipPlease email me about Tucson Audubonevents and conservation issues.Please do not share my contact information.Please do not mail me VermilionFlycatcher. I’ll read it online.

DONATIONI would like to support Tucson AudubonSociety with an additional contribution of

$25 $50 $100 $ 250.Tucson Audubon Frequent Flyer Monthly

Donor Program: I authorize the charge of$____ per month for ____ months to mycredit card ($10/month minimum).Tucson Audubon Society will use the full amount of your tax- deductiblegift for its environmental, educational and recreational programs.

METHOD OF PAYMENTCheck (payable to Tucson Audubon Society)MasterCard Visa AMEX

Credit Card No.

Expiration Date Amount $

Signature

Please send your application with payment toTucson Audubon Society,

300 E. University Blvd, #120, Tucson, AZ 85705

(Attn: Jean Barchman, Membership Coordinator)

OR join, renew or donate online atwww.tucsonaudubon.org


Did you know that Tucson Audubon Society offersyou a way to donate money throughout the yearinstead of in one lump sum? We call it theFrequent Flyer program, and it might just be theeasiest way that you can support Tucson Audubon.

We realize in these tough economic times thatdonating $500 or even $100 can be a big strain onthe wallet. But what about donating just $10 amonth? For many of us that is much more manage-able and it adds up to $120 per year! What about$41.66 per month? That’s $500 per year! A sub-stantial donation, but at a reasonable monthly cost.

Our Frequent Flyer program is a direct-debitprogram whereby your contribution is debited

automatically from your checking, savings or creditcard account. It saves time! It saves work! Itsimplifies your life! You can avoid the hassle ofwriting and mailing checks. Once you authorize thetransfer, your specified donation is electronicallydeducted directly from your bank account orcharged to your credit card each month, and thentransferred to Tucson Audubon’s account.

Your tax-deductible donation will help TucsonAudubon continue to offer conservation, educationand recreation in Southeastern Arizona. For moreinformation or to start giving contact JeanBarchman at 622-5622 or [email protected]. VF

MAKE GIVING TO TUCSON AUDUBON EASIER ON YOUR WALLET

JOINBirds & Business Alliance

TODAY! and connect with theTucson Audubon community

For more information and to join, contact Chris Harrisonat [email protected] or 629-0757.U

SFW

S

The Coyote Wore Sideburns, a hair salon on4th Avenue, offered haircuts to those in need onSunday March 22 on the last day of the spring 4thAvenue Street Fair. The salon raised $975 forTucson Audubon on that day.

The Oasis at Way Out West has committedto donating 5% of any reservation which comes inthrough Tucson Audubon.

Adventure Birding Company will bedonating their expert birding services for severalTAS events, including Birdathon.

Tucson Audubon and WINGS have teamed upto bring back our international travel program,beginning with the November 2009 trip toPanama. WINGS leaders have also helped withseveral other events.

Thunder Canyon Brewery is providing uswith liquid refreshments for the Ironwood Jam onApril 25.

In August, The Lodge at Ventana Canyonwill be providing accommodation for KennKaufman’s stay in August (see page 28 for moredetails of his visit).

The following B&BA members helped tosupport our 60th anniversary gala throughdonations and prizes for our silent auction:Kimberlyn Drew, Fiore Tile Works, Galeria LaSirena, Lori Pascarella, Snell & Wilmer,Tucson Electric Power.

Thank you to all of our Birds & BusinessAlliance members for their support.

Birds & Business Alliance members helpTucson Audubon in many ways

Government Contact ListTucsonMayor Bob Walkup520-791-4201, fax [email protected] Council www.tucsonaz.gov/mcc.html

Pima CountySup. Ann Day, R, District 1, 740-2738Sup. Ramón Valadez, D, District 2, 740-8126Sup. Sharon Bronson, D, District 3, 740-8051Sup. Ray Carroll, R, District 4, 740-8094Sup. Richard Elias, D, District 5, 740-8126

State of ArizonaDistrict details at www.az.gov/app/govinfoFull contact details at www.azleg.gov/memberroster.aspGovernor Jan Brewer’s Office 800-253-0883 www.azgovernor.gov/Az House 800-352-8404, fax 602-542-4511Az Senate 800-352-8404, fax 602-542-3429 www.azleg.state.az.usDistrict 23: Reps. Barbara McGuire, D; Frank Pratt, R;Sen. Rebecca Rios, DDistrict 25: Reps. Patricia Fleming, D; David Stevens, R;Sen. Manuel V. “Manny” Alvarez, DDistrict 26: Reps. Vic Williams, R; Nancy Young Wright, D;Sen. Al Melvin, R District 27: Reps. Olivia Cajero Bedford, D; Phil Lopes, D;Sen. Jorge Luis Garcia, DDistrict 28: Reps. David Bradley, D; Steve Farley, D;Sen. Paula Aboud, DDistrict 29: Reps. Matt Heinz, D; Daniel Patterson, D;Sen. Linda Lopez, DDistrict 30: Reps. David Gowan, R; Frank Antenori, R;Sen. Jonathan Paton, R

FederalPresident Barack Obama 202-456-1111, www.whitehouse.govU.S. Senate website: www.senate.govHouse of Rep. website: www.house.govLibrary of Congress: thomas.loc.govSenator John McCain202-224-2235, fax 202-228-2862Tucson 670-6334, fax 670-6637www.mccain.senate.govSenator Jon Kyl202-224-4521, fax 202-224-2207Tucson 575-8633, fax 797-3232www.kyl.senate.govRep. Ann Kirkpatrick (Dist. 1) 202-225-2315; www.kirkpatrick.house.govRep. Trent Franks (Dist. 2)202-225-4576; www.house.gov/franksRep. John B. Shadegg (Dist. 3)202-225-3361, fax 202-225-3462;www.johnshadegg.house.govRep. Ed Pastor (Dist. 4)202-225-4065, fax 202-225-1655; www.house.gov/pastorRep. Harry Mitchell (Dist. 5)202-225-2190, fax 202-225–3263;www.mitchell.house.govRep. Jeff Flake (Dist. 6)202-225-2635, fax 202-226-4386; www.house.gov/flakeRep. Raul Grijalva (Dist. 7)202-225-2435; www.house.gov/grijalvaRep. Gabrielle Giffords (Dist. 8)202-225-2542, fax 202-225-0378Tucson 881-3588; www.house.gov/giffords


TUCSON AUDUBON NATURE SHOPS

Cap

The shops offer two styles of

organic cotton caps. Keep the

sun out of your eyes while looking

at the birds, and show your

support for Tucson Audubon at the

same time. Choose from two colors,

stone/khaki or olive. $15 – $17

Car magnet

A simple car magnet is an easy way to

show your support for Tucson Audubon. It

will fit on most car doors and you won’t

have to worry about any sticky residue.

It’s easy to apply, and looks so great you’ll

never want to remove it. What a great and

inexpensive gift for a friend, too! Size: 4” x

13”. $8.95

Water bottle

Don’t forget the water! Show you care

about conserving habitat for birds with

this reusable, stainless steel water bottle.

24 oz. You can choose your color in either

stainless or white. $21.95

T-shirt

Organic cotton T-shirts are the way to go.

Who says you can’t bird-watch in comfort

and style? These T-shirts come in two

different colors: stone/khaki or heather

green. $20 – $22 VF

Help promote Tucson Audubon Society. Visit one of ourNature Shops to pick up your new logo items!

You can show off your support in a variety of ways:

Tucson Audubon’s Nature Shops provide for your needs in natural history books andguides, birding optics and accessories, and gifts right here in Tucson. We offer a greatselection, the best prices, and member discounts. Remember to shop locally.

TUCSON AUDUBONNATURE SHOPS

SHOP HOURS

Main ShopMonday–Saturday 10 AM–4 PM, except

Monday & Thursday until 5 PM

Located on the southeast corner ofUniversity Blvd. and 5th Avenue.

Agua Caliente Park Shop May and June

Tuesday, Friday, Saturday 9AM–3:30 PM

Phone: 760-7881

Directions: From Tanque Verde Rd. andHoughton, continue east on TanqueVerde 2 miles. Turn left (north) onto

Soldier Trail, continue north for 2 miles.Turn right (east) onto Roger Rd.,

continue ¼ mile to the park entranceon the left (north) side of the road.

TUESDAY BIRD WALK

Agua Caliente ParkTuesday: May 8AM, June 7:30AM

Loaner binoculars available. Meet infront of the ranch house. For more

information, call Pima County Parks &Recreation at 877-6111.

For permit requests and generalinformation about park rules and

regulations, call 749-3718

VOLUNTEER

Interested in helping out at our shops?Contact Becky Aparicio 760-7881

(Agua Caliente Shop) or Sara Pike 622-2230 (Main Shop)Lis

t pro

vided

by t

he A

rizon

a Le

ague

of C

onse

rvatio

n Vo

ters

Unquenchable: America's Water Crisis andWhat To Do About ItRobert Glennon. 2009Island Press, Washington D.C.ISBN 978-1597264365432 pages. Hardcover $27.95

In 2002, Robert Glennon, Morris K. Udall Professorof Law and Public Policy at the Rogers College ofLaw at The University of Arizona, gave us WaterFollies, a book that detailed how we are suckingour aquifers dry and putting our civilization at risk.Now Glennon develops his argument, explaininghow much of our use and management of water isabsurd and unsustainable, and providing us withsome seeds of hope in his new book,Unquenchable: America’s Water Crisis and What toDo About It. Glennon has collated a wealth ofdetailed information, rich with personal experience,to support his thesis that a prosperous societydepends on a secure and reliable water supply,something we do not have and must work toachieve. Glennon is clear that the way to ensuringadequate water for all, including our naturalenvironment, will be a rocky one and will needcreative and assertive leadership from citizens,industry, and government at all levels, especially atthe federal level. One challenge: how do wepersuade those in government to think creativelyaround some of the ideas presented here, and tohave the courage to implement them?

The book has three sections. The first,consisting of five chapters, frames the crisis withexamples of the outcomes of overpumpinggroundwater, extraordinary stories of consumptionand waste, and links between energy and wateruse. The middle section addresses problems ofgetting water of appropriate quality in the placewhere people need it, when they need it. Ourdemand is increasing just as supplies areincreasingly threatened, and the section ends withoptimistic chapters on water conservation andwater harvesting. The final section of the book, “ANew Approach”, offers a wealth of examples ofcreative solutions to the crisis. As Glennon says, acrisis is a time when action might avert futurecatastrophe. The future depends on our ability torespond appropriately today. The section includesa chapter on providing water to serve our naturalenvironment, and his final chapter, “Conclusion, aBlueprint for Reform”, ends the book on anoptimistic if challenging note. Glennon has acommanding grasp of the legal minefield that ispart of making the necessary progress on water reform.

By bringing together examples from around thecountry, Glennon usefully gets us thinking beyondour own backyard, and commonalities emerge. Hisassertion that the roots of the future water crisisultimately lay in our failure to value water as aresource and our failure to plan in a broad andintegrated manner for its future use are borne outby his many examples. Choices our society makeson land use, population and immigration, and farmand energy policy all affect water supply. Forexample, land-use reform needs to couple zoningdecisions with available water supply so that weavoid the “tragedy-of-the-commons” unrestrictedaccess to a public resource, which typically resultsin its overuse and depletion. His detailed exampleof development in the Santa Fe region of NewMexico gives us room to hope. One commonalitythat Glennon supports with examples is the failureof states and local governments to bring aboutreform, and the assertion that federal governmentneeds to step up to the plate to integrate thedevelopment of water policy. The laissez- faireattitude to water use by some states means thatwe do not have a sense of how much water we areextracting from aquifers, nor how much water manyare using. It is clear that there is no silver bullet toresolving the complex and varied issues aroundproviding water. What is crystal clear is the needfor better integration and more controls.

One of the messages of the book is to takepersonal responsibility for your own water use, andbecome a citizen steward and insist thatgovernment and industry does the same.

Buy this book, read it, and you will be referringto it on an almost daily basis if you have aconscience about the water that you use.

Paul GreenVF

The Owl and the Woodpecker: Encounters WithNorth America's Most Iconic BirdsPaul Bannick. Foreword by Tony Angell. 2008Mountaineers Books, Seattle, WA ISBN 978-1594850950200 pages. $24.95

Every wild place and urban area in North Americahosts an owl or a woodpecker species, whilehealthy natural places often boast representativesof both. The diversity of these two families of birds,and the ways in which they define and enrich theecosystems they inhabit, are the subject of thisvivid new book by photographer and naturalist PaulBannick.

The Owl and the Woodpecker showcases asense of these birds’ natural rhythms, as well asthe integral spirit of our wild places. Based onthousands of hours in the field photographing thesefascinating and wily birds, Bannick evokes all 41North American species of owls and woodpeckers,across 11 key habitats. By revealing the impact oftwo of our most iconic birds, Bannick has created awholly unique approach to birding andconservation. This book is:• A perfect holiday book for all bird-watchers• An in-depth look at two of our most iconic—and

important—bird species• Great for photography lovers, conservationists,

and backyard enthusiasts alike• Includes a foreword by award-winning artist and

writer Tony Angell and an audio recording byMartyn Stewart

About the author: Award-winning photographerPaul Bannick specializes in the natural history ofNorth America, with a focus on his beloved PacificNorthwest. Paul has coupled his love of theoutdoors with his skill as a photographer to createimages intended to foster intimacy between theviewer and subject in order to inspire educationand conservation. (www.paulbannick.com)


BOOKENDS

Paul Bannick will be the speaker at Tucson Audubon’s Living With Nature lecture series on May 4 (see page 8 for details).

NON-PROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE PAID

TUCSON, AZ

PERMIT #1345300 E University Blvd, #120Tucson, AZ 85705


Change Service Requested

Vermilion FlycatcherVolume 54, Number 3 May–June 2009The Vermilion Flycatcher is the newsletter of theTucson Audubon Society, a chapter of the NationalAudubon Society. National Audubon Society membersand members of other chapters may receive theFlycatcher by joining the Friends of Tucson Audubon.See membership at www.tucsonaudubon.org.

RO

BE

RT

SH

AN

TZ

Explore Madera Canyon with Rick Wright ��May 13

Habitat, to those of us who learned to bird in the East and Midwest, is a flatly two-dimensional concept. But much of the avian richness of southeast Arizona is aresult of the vertical: the bird communities inhabiting the steep, deeply incisedmountains of our Sky Islands change from base to summit as much as they dofrom Mexico to Canada. Nowhere is this fascinating bit of biogeography more

conveniently or more enjoyably witnessed than in Madera Canyon. Rufous-winged Sparrows and Swainson’s Hawks haunt the desert bajada, while the pine

forests of the peaks host Yellow-eyed Juncos and Northern Goshawks. A singlemorning’s wandering through the canyon can produce such startling treefellows as Bell’s,Hutton’s, and Plumbeous Vireos and Lucy’s, Grace’s, and Olive Warblers. Join Rick Wright,Managing Director of WINGS Birding Tours Worldwide, for an easy-paced exploration of theeffects of the third dimension on the birdlife of southeast Arizona. We’ll be taking short, relaxedwalks at a number of sites in the canyon, and end our morning with brunch and goodconversation. Reserve your spot with a minimum donation of $500 by contacting Chris Harrisonat [email protected] or 629-0757.

Kenn Kaufman comes to Tucson ��August

To help celebrate our 60th Anniversary, Kenn Kaufman is coming to Tucson duringthe first week of August. Tucson Audubon will hold a series of birding trips andfund-raising events with Kenn, and some special events for Tucson Audubondonors. Kenn will finish his week by giving the Tucson Audubon-sponsoredkeynote address at the South West Wings Birding Festival, “Marathon of the

skies: Bird migration from the bird's point of view”, on Saturday, August 8. Moredetails in July, and at our website www.tucsonaudubon.org.

DON’T MISS THESE EVENTS!

RO

BE

RT

SH

AN

TZA

LAN

D. W

ILS

ON

/ W

WW

.NA

TUR

EP

ICS

ON

LIN

E.C

OM

May-June 2009 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society

Documents