Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
f l y c a t c h e r
55, Number 5
May–June 2010 | Volume 54, 3
Celebrating
Centerfold
four-page
Special
Our Birds
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 Ma g a z i n e
Features
VERMILION
Tucson Audubon Society | tucsonaudubon.org
CENTERFOLD
FOUR-PAGE
Birds • The Joy of Birding
SPECIAL
Tucson Audubon Society is dedicated to improving Our Birds
the quality of the environment by providing • Staff Favorites • The Vulnerability
education, conservation, and recreation programs, of U.S. Birds to Climate Change
environmental leadership, and information. Tucson
17 Cactus Wrens, Curve-billed
Audubon is a non-profit volunteer organization of
people with a common interest in birding and natural Thrashers, and Cholla Cacti
history. Tucson Audubon maintains offices, a library,
and nature shops in Tucson, the proceeds of which
benefit all of its programs.
Departments
3 Commentary
Tucson Audubon Society
300 E. University Blvd. #120, Tucson, AZ 85705 4 News Roundup 17 Cactus Wrens, Curve-billed
Thrashers, and Cholla Cacti
629-0510 (voice) or 623-3476 (fax) 8 Events and Classes 11 A Bounty of Birds
All phone numbers are area code 520 unless otherwise stated. 12 What’s in a Name? Grace’s Warbler
10 Living With Nature
www.tucsonaudubon.org TUCSON AUDUBON’S BI-MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE
10 Events Calendar
Board Officers & Directors
President Herb Trossman 18 Conservation and Education News
Vice President Mich Coker 20 Field Trips Front cover: Costa’s Hummingbird photographed
Secretary Robert Merideth by Joan Gellatly in her midtown Tucson backyard. See
Treasurer Lindsey Quesinberry 23 Birding Travel from our Business Partners
more of Joan’s avian images at www.flickr.com/photos/
Directors at Large Mary Kay Eiermann, Richard Fray, 24 Classified Ads
Sandy Elers, Julie Gordon, Linda Greene, Craig Marken, Neil joangee.
25 Birds & Business Alliance
Markowitz, Liz Payne, Cynthia Pruett, Bill Roe, Jessie Shinn,
Linda Stitzer 25 Conservation Corner To have your photographs considered for use in the
Board Committees Conservation Chris McVie, 26 Nature Shops Vermilion Flycatcher, please contact Matt Griffiths at
Development Sandy Elers, Education Cynthia Pruett, mgriffiths@tucsonaudubon.org.
Membership Jessie Shinn, Finance Lindsey Quesinberry, 27 Product Review
Personnel Mich Coker, Nominating Vacant
Programs & Activities
Field Trips Darlene Smyth 297-2315
Library David West
Membership Meetings Jean Barchman
629-0510
629-0510
Economics of Open Space Conservation
Rare Bird Alert Andrew Core | Report Rare Birds 629-0510 Guest opinion from an original piece by Paul Kerlinger, presented at the 1995 Partners in Flight (PIF)
Staff (unless otherwise stated, dial 629-0510 plus extension) International Workshop, “Partners in Flight Conservation Plan: Building Consensus for Action.”
Executive Director Paul Green ext 7001
Finance and Operations Brad Paxton ext 7014
Accountant Michelle Bourgeois ext 7003 Developers often state that conservationists do must protect the natural resources upon which this
Membership Coordinator Jean Barchman ext 7002 not understand the economics of community industry depends.
Special Projects Erin Olmstead ext 7009 development. In truth, not many developers Open space protection maintains property
Education & Outreach Specialist Matt Brooks ext 7007
are willing to understand the long-term impacts values: values near refuges and preserves are
IBA Conservation Biologist Scott Wilbor ext 7004
IBA Program Assistant Samantha Barnett ext 7005 of development on the economic stability of a often higher than those of properties surrounded by
Restoration Program Manager Kendall Kroesen ext 7006 community, nor that the development of open space houses.The National Association of Home Builders
Field Supervisor Rodd Lancaster 256-6909 is often more costly than conserving it. estimates that parks and recreation areas can
Restoration/Communications Specialist
Matthew Griffiths 971-7924 Meanwhile, the protection and survival of increase the value of nearby building sites by up to
Restoration Specialist Andy Bennett 891-9446 Neotropical migratory birds depends on the amount 20 percent.
Mason Outreach Coordinator Lia Sansom ext 7013 and quality of habitat that remains available to Open space encourages groundwater recharge,
University Shop Manager Sara Pike ext 7008
Volunteer Coordinator/Agua Caliente
them. Arguments such as protection of biodiversity, and protects groundwater from pollution because
Shop Manager Becky Aparicio ext 7011 wetlands, watersheds, and endangered and septic systems often fail to cleanse the water
Tucson Audubon Nature Shops threatened species, as well as aesthetic arguments before returning it to the ground. The resulting
300 E University Blvd #120 629-0510 relating to preservation of beautiful scenery, leave polluted ground water in suburban situations needs
623-3476 fax / 629-0510 Shop Manager
Hours: Mon–Sat 10 am–4 pm (5 pm Mon & Thu) many people unmoved. The use of economic expensive treatment. Meanwhile, more trash
Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd 760-7881 information and arguments has become an accumulates from more houses, and as demand
Hours: 9 am–3:30 pm Thu, Fri, Sat important tool for conservationists. for landfill space increases, so fees for taxpayers
Open-space conservation often contributes increase. Undeveloped land enables community
to controlling taxes. The cost of services rises taxpayers to avoid social, economic, and
Vermilion Flycatcher is published bi-monthly. For address above income from property taxes, forcing local environmental problems associated with landfills
changes or subscription problems call 629-0510, or write governments to raise taxes and to seek federal and trash removal.
to Membership Coordinator, Tucson Audubon, 300 E.
University Blvd, #120, Tucson, AZ 85705. Submissions are
subsidies. Yet real estate developers still manage to Economic arguments can be important, powerful
due the 1st of the month, two months before the date of the convince our officials that the houses they build will tools for protecting habitat and the birds that live
issue. Please send submissions as Microsoft Word or RTF generate beneficial tax revenues for the community. there. Economic arguments can make sense and
documents, or plain text files, to Matt Griffiths at mgriffiths@ Some of the most important areas for wildlife can be difficult to refute. We should incorporate
tucsonaudubon.org.
Coordinator Matt Griffiths 971-7924
offer economic opportunities, attracting large them into comprehensive strategies that emphasize
Proofreaders Jane & Warren Tisdale 749-2139 and numbers of ecotourists who spend billions of dollars aesthetics, quality of life, biodiversity, endangered
Tucson Audubon staff and board members annually to watch and enjoy wildlife. For ecotourism and threatened species, and ecosystem
Design/Layout Eng-Li Green to be a sustainable form of economic endeavor, we protection VF
IBA bird surveyor extraordinaire, Kelly Fleming, records data in a remote upper canyon of the Patagonia Mountains “High Range” in June 2009. Numerous populations of species of
conservation status have been documented in this range by our Audubon IBA Program surveys.
June 17–19 We will use this information to propose Woodpecker, small owls, and also drainages within our study area. IBA
The Arizona Important Bird Areas to our Arizona IBA Science Committee the certain hotspots of bird diversity bird surveyors need to have past IBA
Program returns to the Patagonia that this area be identified as a state around springs and in groves of tall workshop training or have previous
Mountains on June 17–19th for Important Bird Area. Further, we pines with Arizona madrone. experience with similar bird monitoring
additional surveys in the “High Range” will advocate with the U.S. Forest The upcoming survey is a primitive programs, and be of intermediate or
and its bird-rich canyons of pine Service for special management to (vehicle-based) camping trip and above level in birding skills (especially
and oak. Since 2008 we have been benefit these bird populations. We strenuous in nature. But the rewards for auditory detections). Contact: Scott
documenting the high occurrence of are most concerned with habitat of the birds found can be stunning. Wilbor, AZ IBA Program Conservation
bird species of conservation status protection for Spotted Owl, Northern The trip will be two nights’ camping Biologist (629-0510 ext. 7004).
within this special unprotected area Goshawk, Peregrine Falcon, Elegant together as a group, with teams
within the Coronado National Forest. Trogon, Montezuma Quail, Arizona of two, assigned to survey canyon
decades. Bill served on our Board of This critical juncture in the history of
Directors shortly after he and his wife the growth of the organization set us
Alice arrived in Arizona in 1975. He ahead of other chapters across the
served two terms as President in the country in terms of members, staff,
early 1980s, and served again on our and influence. Tucson Audubon board member Bill Roe recently received the first Conservation
Board over the last decade, retiring Champion Award from the Arizona Leagure of Conservation Voters.
this year. He is pictured above with ALCV President, Rosalind O’Connell.
Fight Climate Change at the Tucson Audubon would like to wish the mission of Tucson Audubon. To
Jean Barchman
Becky Aparicio, Volunteer Coordinator There are few volunteers who
spread their volunteer effort as
widely as Rosie Bennett. She’s
Becky Aparicio
birds and raise funds for Birdathon books. All you need is to smile, take
throughout this month. cash, and say thanks. See p 5 for
Volunteer Needs more information.
May and June—Well, what can I say: June 26—National Pollinator Week
super exciting with lots of opportunities at Tohono Chul Park. 9 am–4 pm.
for volunteers! Call or e-mail Becky Children’s Ramada and Sonoran Temporary Scan Card
at 629-0510 ext 7011, 760-7881, or Seasons Garden Ramada with
baparicio@tucsonaudubon.org TUCSON AUDUBON SOCIETY
assorted pollinator/plant/conservation
Permanent Needs. Main Shop retail related exhibitors (see p 8).
sales with openings for specific
490010 25055
You are a treasure beyond measure!
May–June 2010 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 7
Tucson Audubon
Kendall Kroesen
Events and Classes
Kendall Kroesen
Clockwise from above: Tanque Verde Creek; Samantha Barnet; Tanque Verde wash; TogetherGreen volunteers
Kendall Kroesen
Under the auspices of TogetherGreen and and others passing by. We’ll have a spotting scope
coinciding with International Migratory Bird Day, and binoculars available for use. We hope to reach
our efforts to remove invasive giant reed (Arundo many folks who live in the area and who may know
donax) wil move out of Sabino Canyon and into little about invasive plants and the importance of
other washes. On May 8 we will be in Tanque the area to birds.
Verde Creek at Wentworth Road. There will be TogetherGreen (www.togethergreen.org) is a
three activities. IBA teams with other volunteers will program of National Audubon, funded by Toyota.
be mapping riparian “threats” (including giant reed) To map threats contact Scott Wilbor at 209-1804
with GPS, digital photos, and field notes. Other or swilbor@tucsonaudubon.org. To remove giant
teams will be removing stands of the giant reed reed contact Kendall at 971-2385 or kkroesen@
near Wentworth Road. Work involves lopping and tucsonaudubon.org. To help with outreach contact
removing reeds, and digging out and and bagging Becky Aparicio at 209-1811 or baparicio@
roots. An outreach table will be set up with a big tucsonaudubon.org.
sign, flyers, and brochures to hand out to drivers
Watch for new programs next year, and for the return of old favorites!
Go Batty in September
September 10 & 11
Come watch nectar eating bats gorge at hummingbird feeders as they prepare to migrate south. Enjoy a
light repast and view bats, using infrared imaging, literally attacking the feeders after dark. Dr. Ronnie Sidner
will also tell you a great deal about the bats too.
Join us either at Dr. John Madden’s house on Friday, September 10, in Tucson or Saturday, September
Robert Buecher
11, at Linda Pfister’s in Nogales. Only twelve spots available at each location so set aside the date now.
Registration is $30 for Tucson Audubon members, $40 for nonmembers. Admission is free for one child age
10–15 per adult. To sign up, call the Nature Shop at 629-0510 or email education@tucsonaudubon.org.
the upper San Pedro River for the Jim Dawson Vince Pinto
The seasonal status and distribution Bureau of Land Management. He Aaron Flesch Mark Pretti
of many bird species is rapidly has worked for the nongame branch Birds & Beer at Sky Bar!
changing in Arizona. As examples, Aaron Floyd Michael
of the Arizona Game and Fish Rosenzweig Thursday, June 17, 5–8 pm
some migrants are arriving earlier in Betty Hupp
Department since 1990, conducting As summer heats up, we’re
Greater Roadrunner / Doris Evans
surveys and coordinating projects for Coming in 2010 / 2011 putting a cool new twist on Birds
species of concern. He coordinated Roadrunners, Rick Taylor, Liberty & Beer, our monthly informal
the Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas Wildlife, Ecuador, and much more! gathering! Join us at Sky Bar (just
project from its inception and was Stay tuned for more details in the around the corner on 4th Avenue)
the primary editor and author of the Sep/Oct issue. for happy hour, 5–8 pm. Instead
White-winged Dove / Bruce Taubert
The late spring and early summer aerial acrobatics performed by Common
months are the optimal time to see our and Chihuahuan Ravens.
resident and migratory breeding bird Cutting through the desert and
The
Joy
Paul Green | Executive Director
rge West
species spend some time each year in
/ George
Ro
northerly regions extends south at high forest, grassland, chaparral, desert,
cky
elevations from the Rocky Mountains. It thornscrub, and elements of tropical
meets flora from more southerly regions forest. Moving around our area, in less
Mo
coming north at lower elevations from the than a day you can travel the equivalent
unta
Sierra Madre Occidental in Mexico. The of 2200 miles, experiencing habitats that
Sonoran Desert meets the Chihuahan occur in places as far apart as Mexico
i ns
Desert to the east, and the Mojave Desert and southern Canada.
to the west. Birds found in cool conifer forests
Being on the west side of the farther north breed high in our mountains
continent at 30 degrees north, our region above those of Mexican origin breeding
experiences dry, hot, descending air in oak and pine woodlands (see p 11).
which, coupled with other desert-making Deserts and grasslands, with many
phenomena such as a rainshadow from distinctive species, separate the mountain
Sierr
mountains and distance from the ocean, ranges. Spring and fall bring migrants
aM
create deserts around the globe at this passing through with some wintering in
ad
Mojave Desert
re
latitude north and south. the lowlands. This diverse and distinctive
Oc
Sonoran Desert
cid
varied elevation give us samples of all of drive from Tucson, draws birders from
l
the world’s biomes within our Sonoran around the world, helping to drive our
desert region. We can find tundra, economy as you read on page 3. border and south of 33 degrees north
coniferous forest, temperate deciduous We celebrate our birds in this issue to the border with Mexico, and includes
of the Vermilion Flycatcher. In the next information on birding in Puerto Penasco
Around 914 species in North America two pages, six Tucson Audubon staff in Sonora. For an in-depth analysis of our
620 in Texas members describe some of their favorite region, we recommend A Natural History
species from this region. of the Sonoran Desert, edited by Steven
616 in California
Tucson Audubon provides resources J. Philips and Patricia Wentworth Comus,
525 in Arizona that enable birders to make the most and Southern Arizona Nature Almanac
523 in New Mexico of this region including our publication by Roseann and Jonathan Hanson. All
485 in Florida Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona, three books are available in the Tucson
465 in Colorado covering in detail an area east of Audubon bookstore. So make a point of
112 degrees west to the New Mexico celebrating our birds this spring.
445 in New Jersey
Robert Shantz
Donna Tolbert-Anderson
Gray Hawk Montezuma Quail Elegant Trogon
“Hoooooweeo!, Hoooooweeo!” Here is a raptor Montezuma Quail are the birds that birders long The possibility of seeing a trogon has lured many
of tropical origin, secretive, mysterious, but to see, and probably have seen once or twice birdwatchers to southern Arizona. Most of these
seemingly ubiquitous by its “calling” throughout without even knowing it, simply because the bird charismatic birds arrive in April and May and depart
our southeastern Arizona riparian areas. It is found has mastered the art of remaining undetected. Yet, during September and October. There, among the
wherever high groundwater levels remain, and when these quail are startled, they explode into the mountain forests, pine-oak or sycamore canyons,
human use has allowed cottonwood groves and air in quite a wing-flapping show. they perch seeking a wide variety of insects,
mesquite bosques to persist. These cryptic birds can be found into the especially katydids, cicadas, walking sticks, large
Gray Hawks are rare in the United States: less southeastern area of Arizona, southwestern New caterpillars, and small lizards. During the summer
than 200 breeding pairs are likely present (March– Mexico, and west Texas. They inhabit open woods months, you may find them eating small fruits
October). But a real success story for this species of oak to pine-oak and juniper, and prefer grassy and berries. Trogons often nest in tree cavities,
is underway due to conservation efforts over the hillsides in these areas. usually in an old flicker hole in dead trees or limbs,
last couple of decades that has allowed Arizona The Montezuma Quail is one of the shortest especially in sycamores. Cared for and fed by both
riparian habitat to recover. of the quails in North America, sizing in at parents, the young leave the nest about 20–23 days
The Gray Hawk’s greatest U.S. stronghold is approximately 8.75 inches. Of course, with short after hatching but are dependent on their parents
southeast Arizona. This species has a dual habitat sometimes comes plump, and these quail can be for a few more weeks. In the fall, most migrate
preference of mature cottonwood/willow for nesting proud of their plumpness weighing in at average south to Mexico, but some will spend the winter
All maps provided by “Birds of North America Online” http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna maintained by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
and tall velvet mesquite stands for foraging. of 6 oz. The adult male has a striking, swirling along a lowland stream in southeastern Arizona.
Reptiles account for up to 70% of its prey, with face pattern, while the rest of his body remains in Formerly known as the Coppery-tailed Trogon,
whiptail and spiny lizards leading the list. Abundant camouflage mode. The female face pattern slightly the male’s head, chest, and upper parts are a
populations are now nesting along the San Pedro resembles that of the male, but not in such a deep glossy green separated from the red belly
and Santa Cruz Rivers, as well as Arivaca and striking way. These quail come with a special tool by a narrow white band across the breast. The tail
Sonoita Creeks. New nesting has been very for digging—their long, sickle-shaped claws. is square-tipped, moderately long, and the bill is
notable near Patagonia (now in oaks!), and in the I saw my first Montezuma Quail while on a yellow. The female is brown, not green, with less
far eastern Tucson basin, including Tanque Verde, Christmas Bird Count in Madera Canyon. I’d red on the under parts. If you would like to view a
Rincon, and Cienega Creeks; even lower Sabino always wanted to see one, but never had the picture, go to www.tucsonaudubon.org and click
Creek has had recent sightings! luck of coming across one of these secretive, on the cover of the July–August 2009 issue of
My first trip to the San Pedro, on my first stunning birds until we were leisurely walking and Vermilion Flycatcher.
Southwestern trip, yielded my first encounter, a gray counting. There in front of us, standing perfectly As a new birder, my first experience with seeing
ghost skimming the cottonwood gallery. Gaining a still and trying to hide, were a male, female, and an Elegant Trogon was in the 2008 Birdathon.
sighting of this elusive bird often can be challenging, what looked like younger birds. They were not five We were off Sweetwater Wetlands/Roger Road
and finding a particular bird’s nest has proven feet away from me and I stood captivated by their with our binoculars tilted to the trees. “Hey,
maddening for this biologist many a time. Here is appearance and moved by their stillness. Since Sara, what is that?” Would you believe, it was an
one bird that takes you out of the dry heat and puts then, I’ve had a streak of Montezuma Quail luck Elegant Trogon! Carrie called the shop to report
you directly into the Neotropical realm of shrouded while in Madera Canyon—once watching a covey the sighting to the rare bird alert. We gazed at the
dense humid forests right here in Arizona. cross the road as we drove into the canyon, and elegant bird for several minutes. Later that day, the
Scott Wilbor, Important Bird Areas Program another time watching a pair foraging along the female was spotted in Sweetwater Wetlands Park.
Conservation Biologist side of the road about halfway up the canyon. I feel We ventured on to Mt. Lemmon but nothing topped
so fortunate! the morning’s find.
Sara Pike, Nature Shop Manager Jean Barchman, Membership Coordinator
?
Breeding
Year-round
Year-round
Breeding
14
Year-round
Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher May–June 2010
David Quanrud
Lois Manowitz
Bruce Taubert
Costa’s Hummingbird Verdin Red-faced Warbler
Newly arrived in the U.S., I remember my first Verdins are the prettiest birds that most Tucsonans The flash of the bright red face and breast of a
male Costa’s Hummingbird: it was at a feeder have never seen. Tiny and fast-moving, they Red-faced Warbler against the green forest canopy
just outside the hummingbird enclosure at the challenge the birder to follow them with binoculars, is hard to miss. The seemingly random pattern
Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum. The gorget had and they present a fleeting gray blur to most of red face and white nape interrupted by a black
me transfixed. Years later, now living in Arizona, I others. “bonnet” has given rise to a list of entertaining nick
have come to love this species for its strong spirit, Verdins live in desert areas from southern names, including clown face and Coloradito in
the combination of the male’s brilliantly iridescent California and Nevada east to western Texas. Their Mexico. Preferring mid- to high-elevation forests
purple, flared gorget, and its apparent love of the distribution goes south to the tip of Baja California (6000–9200 ft), these warblers would not occur in
dry, desert scrub. It’s not a bird of lush, verdant, and to central Mexico, excluding the western Sierra southeast Arizona were it not for our “sky islands.”
gardens but the bird I see when walking the wash Madre. Because of its restricted distribution in remote
where I live. Anna’s, its probable closest relative, Verdins are non-migratory, year-‘round areas, birds may be difficult to locate, creating a
seems to adapt better to our modification of habitat residents throughout their distribution. They mystique for people hoping to catch a glimpse of
and provision of feeders. prefer thorny desert scrub, especially mesquite, one of the region’s most sought-after birds.
Costa’s annual migratory movements help give palo verde, and acacias. Providing thorny native Red-faced Warblers arrive to breed in southeast
me a sense of the essence of the bird. Its “early” vegetation in Tucson landscapes will assure their Arizona by late April, taking advantage of the
appearance here in the fall (October, November) little yellow faces will adorn your yard. insects they glean from oak, pine, or fir tree limbs.
and subsequent breeding (March, April), is Highly desert-adapted, Verdins can derive all They depart in early September to winter in the
followed by its disappearance from our area in the water they need from what they eat. They eat highlands of southern Mexico, Guatemala, El
May and June. Our birds head west then, to the mostly insects and spiders, sometimes holding Salvador, and Honduras.
Pacific Coast of California and Baja California, leaves with their feet while searching them for prey. Red-faced Warblers share an interesting
to join others of the same species that breed in One study calculated they ate up to 540 insects, adaptation with another red-splashed warbler of
that region. It’s not clear if the birds follow clear spiders, or larvae per day during winter. When roughly the same habitat, Painted Redstart; they
migratory corridors or migrate across a broad front. available, they also eat fruits, pulp from seed nest on the ground, with females placing a well-
As one of the smaller hummers, Costa’s pods, flower nectar, or they sip from hummingbird hidden cup nest in a small hole or hollow, often
uses flowers with shorter floral tubes, especially feeders. with a rock or vegetative overhang to protect and
Chuparosa, which has a long flowering period Believe it or not, Verdin was once a nemesis conceal it.
and is also the most reliable and productive of for me. Living in central Mexico—at the very south I, too, experienced the mystique of “Coloradito”
midwinter nectar sources when the bird returns end of their range—in the early ’90s, I searched until a summer day high up in the spruce/fir of the
to us in October. Chuparosa reaches its peak for them in vain. I found my first one in a mesquite Pinaleño Mountains. I was scanning for a different
flowering activity in March, the time when the thicket and almost immediately learned what they “red,” that of the Mt. Graham red squirrel, when I
Costa’s is breeding. In areas where both Ocotillo sound like, since they vocalize so frequently. caught sight of two Red-faced Warblers scurrying
and Chuparosa are in flower, there is a super- From then on I saw (or at least heard) them quite low and carrying nest material. What a treat, to see
abundance of nectar for the breeding birds. often, and they have become one of my favorite two individuals and find a nest! Or so I thought.
One question that interests me is whether avian friends. After an intense search, I never did find that nest,
Costa’s is better adapted to the drier, hotter Kendall Kroesen, Restoration Program Manager and the mystique lives on.
desert habitats, or whether competition from other Matt Griffiths, Restoration and
species, which are generally socially dominant, Communications Specialist
forces it to live in these habitats.
Paul Green, Executive Director
Year-round
Breeding
Year-round
Wintering
Breeding
15
Year-round
Nonbreeding
May–June 2010 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon
C el ebrat i ng S outheast Arizona’s B i r ds
The Vulnerability of
U.S. Birds to Climate Change
—a new report by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Scott Wilbor | Important Bird Areas Program Conservation Biologist
The State of the Birds: 2010 Report of habitats was a common thread. In our our
on Climate Change, a report produced region, Arizona and the Southwest, Habitat
The report found the most threatened billed Kingbird, many flycatchers (e.g., springs, and habitat connectivity across
bird groups were those of oceans, islands Cordilleran), many hummingbirds (e.g., elevation gradients (e.g., Patagonia
(notably the Hawaiian Islands), coasts, Blue-throated), and some warblers and Santa Rita Mountains). And, in our
arctic/alpine areas, and waterfowl. The (e.g., Virginia’s). Western forest birds’ lowland riparian IBAs we are focused on
primary driving threat for oceanic birds vulnerability was primarily attributed to preventing riparian habitat degradation
was shifting of ocean productivity patterns increased drought conditions, insect and promoting groundwater conservation
and ocean chemistry, and seabirds’ low outbreak and forest health, and length (e.g., Sabino & Tanque Verde Creeks).
reproductive potential. For the other and severity of fire seasons. Through our environmental leadership in
highest vulnerable groups, the loss, The report presents “key steps” to help the community we continue to act at the
degradation, or the changing condition avian species cope with climate change. local, regional, and state level, working
In our region the report recommended to promote sustainability practices (e.g.,
providing for habitat conservation both water harvesting), urban habitat, habitat
in latitudinal and elevation aspects connectivity, and regional planning (e.g.,
(particularly for forest ecosystems). Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, and
Additional steps include managing groundwater protection zoning), all to
invasive species, managing shrub conserve native regional biodiversity. We
encroachment in grasslands (particularly also advocate at the state and national
with fire), grassland conservation through levels for strong renewable energy
holistic ranching, and restoring and standards to achieve a “greener” and
conserving riparian areas, including more secure energy portfolio for the
springs, with reference to groundwater United States.
conservation and providing for natural The complete U.S. Fish and Wildlife
hydrologic function. Service report can be viewed and
What is the Tucson Audubon Society downloaded by going to the excellent
doing to take these key steps? Through website www.stateofthebirds.org. VF
Richard Fray
Joan Gellatly
Rachel McCaffery
86.1
93
you may want to leave some distance
83.3
between them!
81.7
80 VF
Percent of sites with Cactus Wrens
60
51.6 Rachel McCaffrey has served as coordinator
40 of the Tucson Bird Count since 2003, and
completed her doctorate at The University of
Doris Evans
24
20
Arizona. Her reseach has focused on issues
Cholla cactus at Mason Center related to urban birds.
0
0 1–3 4–6 7–9 10–12 13–15 16–18 19+
Number of cholla
May–June 2010 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 17
Conservation and Education News
Chris McVie, Paul Green, Kendall Kroesen, and Scott Wilbor
A Recovery Land Acquisition grant would enable the Arizona Game and Fish Department to acquire a 925-acre tract of land located at
the confluence of the San Pedro River and Aravaipa Creek (above and right), and benefit the endangered southwestern Willow Flycatcher
(inset).
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar The Cooperative Endangered segment of the planning proposal will
announced in mid-April nearly $66 Species Fund provides grants through position the City of Tucson to finalize
million in grants, awarded through the Habitat Conservation Planning the Greater Southlands HCP and
the Cooperative Endangered Assistance Grants Program, the work with the public and stakeholders
Species Conservation Fund, Habitat Conservation Plan Land as part of the NEPA to develop an
to enable 25 states to work with Acquisition Grants Program, and the Environmental Impact Statement and
private landowners, conservation Recovery Land Acquisition Grants a final draft HCP.
organizations and other partners to Program. These three programs were Recovery Land Acquisition
protect and conserve the habitat of established to help avoid potential Grants went to three recipients
threatened and endangered species. conflicts between the conservation of including the Arizona Game and Fish
Representing the Southwest Region, threatened and endangered species Department (AGFD) which received
Texas and Arizona will receive over and land development and use. $1,025,000. This grant will enable
$3,700,000 combined grant funding. A Habitat Conservation Planning the AGFD to acquire the Triangle Bar
Authorized by Section 6 of the Assistance Grants Program grant Ranch in Pinal County. This 925-acre
Endangered Species Act, these of $299,795 went to the City of tract is located at the confluence of
competitive grants enable states Tucson, for their Greater Southlands the San Pedro River and Aravaipa
to work with private landowners, Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). Creek. The acquisition would primarily
conservation groups and other The planning proposal will provide a benefit the endangered southwestern
agencies to initiate conservation comprehensive, long-range, regional Willow Flycatcher and threatened
Kendall Kroesen
planning efforts and acquire and plan for 14 covered species within a loach minnow.
protect habitat to support the 130,000-acre planning area facing
conservation of threatened and strong development pressures within
endangered species. the City of Tucson. Completion of this
The 2010 Arizona Legislative Session Arizona Game and Fish Commission —water. Considering the significance
may go down in history of one of the appointment recommendation board, of water in our arid land, you would
very worst our state has seen, at which is made up of a few hunting think they would treat it with the
least when it comes to environmental organizations, one member of the utmost of care and insist on the
protection or lack thereof. On the table public, and one rancher. The board most protective standards possible.
are measures to weaken water quality makes recommendations to the Not so at the Arizona Legislature
protections, undermine science-based governor and the governor must chose where there are several proposals to
wildlife management, assure that a Game and Fish Commissioner weaken protections for ground and
board passed and was signed into law announced an expanded study area 87 species of mammals. contact BLM Project Manager Adrian
by the Governor. This bill sets up the for the project, with alternative routes Garcia at (505) 954-2199. VF
Sweetwater Wetlands
don’t Forget to stop in our Nature Shop for your field and ID Guides,
Sara Pike
woodpeckers, flycatchers, sparrows, grebes, ducks, Green Valley McDonald’s parking lot at 5:30 am.
rails and shorebirds in this varied habitat. Done Contact the leader to signup. 160 miles roundtrip.
by 10 am. RSVP to trip leader for current details Leader: Ethan Beasley 300-0049 ethanbeasley@
starting May 1. Local. Leader: Cynthia Barstad 237- yahoo.com
May 8—Saturday 5 am 2331 cynthiabarstad@gmail.com
May 25—Tuesday 5:30 am
Going North to:
May 18—Tuesday 7–8:30 pm Going North to: Boyce-
Gilbert Water Ranch
The Moon Thompson Arboretum
Spend the morning birding Gilbert Water Ranch on
See our Moon through a telescope. Mike Amidst the lovely plantings are the territories of
this joint field trip with the Desert Rivers Audubon
Smith will show Mare Crisium, where the first resident birds, and we will spend a few enjoyable
Society. This is a hot spot in metro Phoenix with
spacecraft impacted, the region of Tranquility hours strolling through the grounds of this state
close to 200 species spotted here! Meet in Tucson
base, alpenglow and Earthshine. Meet at the top park searching for these birds. State park pass or
for carpooling at 5 am at the commuter parking lot
of Campbell Avenue north of Skyline Drive. Come fee ($7.50) needed for each person. About 270
at Ina and Via Ponte, one block west of Oracle and
any time and stay as little or as long as you wish. miles roundtrip. Meet for carpooling at the Ina and
Ina, on the south side of Ina. Then meet at 7 am
Venus will also be visible. Leader: Michael S. Smith Via Ponte commuter lot one block west of Oracle
at the Gilbert Riparian Preserve parking lot. To
mssq@comcast.net and Ina on the south side of Ina. Bring lunch.
get there exit I-10 from Tucson onto U.S. 60 east
Leader: Darlene Smyth dsmyth3@comcast.net
(towards Globe), proceed 13.5 miles to Greenfield May 22—Saturday 7 am
297-2315
Road, exit right (south), go 1.6 miles and turn left Tucson Audubon Young Birders
(east) onto Guadalupe Road, go .25 mile to the Field Trip: Patagonia Vicinity May 29—Saturday 6 am
parking lot on the right (south) side of Guadalupe The riparian corridor around Patagonia is world Pinaleños
Road. Contact the leader to arrange carpooling famous for its specialties and undiscovered rarities. We will stop at different elevations going up
About 210 miles roundtrip. Leader: Richard Filley We will begin by checking out the Roadside Rest Mt. Graham to see species in their preferred
rdfilley@yahoo.com or 480-277-0834 for migrants and maybe Thick-billed Kingbird. habitat, including scrub oak, sycamore riparian,
Then we will work the trails of the Patagonia- pine, and spruce-fir. We’ll look for warblers,
May 11—Tuesday 8:30 am
Sonoita Creek Preserve for riparian birds. We vireos, flycatchers, and other breeding montane
Dragonflies and Damselflies
will finish the day at the Paton’s house, home of species. Bring a lunch. Meet at Houghton Road
Only 15 fortunate people may join the author of the
the Violet-crowned Hummingbird. Lunch at the just north of I-10 to carpool before 6 am. All people
upcoming book, A field guide to the Dragonflies
Patagonia Park. Bring hat, lunch, and water. Meet on this trip must arrive with plenty of fuel and be
and Damselflies of Arizona and Sonora as he
at Houghton and I-10. 120 miles roundtrip. Contact prepared to drive; however, all must be willing to
gently nets these beautiful creatures and points
leaders for details. Rob Payne vermillion233@ carpool from the meeting site as the number of
out identifying features before he releases them.
hotmail.com 867-0490; Scott Olmstead vehicles must be kept to a minimum. About 300
Be prepared to get your feet wet in the San Pedro
sparverius81@hotmail.com 520 840-9567 miles roundtrip. Finish on mountaintop by 2 pm.
River east of San Manuel. Contact the leader
Leader: Homer Hansen hhansen@aplomado.com
to reserve your place and to learn the meeting
location. Back by 2 pm. About 80 miles roundtrip.
Leader: Rich Bailowitz raberg2@q.com 544-0602
Get up a little early and look for the summer desert around midnight. June 29—Tuesday Time TBA
e-str
birds, such as Purple Martin and Brown-crested You must pre- Leader’s Choice
iped Sparrow / R
Flycatcher. Easy one-mile walk on mostly flat register, beginning We will take advantage of recent sightings and
paved road. Meet at the first ramada at 1548 S. June 12, as high current conditions to maximize our birding time.
Kinney (3.8 miles north of Ajo Way, 1.5 miles south clearance vehicles Contact leader for specifics beginning June 22.
of west end of Gates Pass Road). Done by 9 am. are required Leader: Philip Kline pgkline_uk@yahoo.com. VF
ich H
group. About160
er
possible stops at Chiricahua National Monument much less heavily birded. High-clearance vehicles
birding/128.html.
or Willcox on the way back. Either a fee or federal desirable; others should plan to carpool. Mostly
coastlines, fascinating culture, great Mexican Hawaiian honeycreepers, with good chances for
food, and more, this is a fascinating trip even Aki, Akepa, Palila, Apapane and I’iwi. Other target
for casual birders. An optional extension to species include White-tailed Tropicbird, Hawaiian
the Isthmus of Tehuantepec is available. Hawk, Bristle-thighed Curlew, and White Tern. VF
Black Guillemot
A L L I A N C E
TUCSON AUDUBON SOCIETY
Conservation Corner!
Casa de San Pedro B&B • www.bedandbirds.com
Coyote Wore Sideburns • 520-623-7341
Desert Toyota of Tucson • 520-296-8535
My last column helped you calculate the gallons of water you use per day. The average for Tucson
Down By the River B&B • 520-720-9441
residents is a little under 100 gallons per person per day, although there are people
Economy Birding Services • 520-762-3201
who have gotten below 30.
El Conquistador Resort Patio Homes Association
This month, calculate how much daily water use comes from your shower. All
you need is a watch, a way to measure water, and something like a water-tight Farhang & Medcoff, PLLC • 520-790-5433
bag to catch water from your shower. Financial Architects • www.financial-architects.com
First: If the shower head has multiple settings, set it to the one you typically Fiore Tile Works • 520-971-0677
use. With watch in hand and the shower on, use the water-tight bag to capture Greenfire Ecological Landscaping • 520-429-7306
all the water coming out of the shower head for 10 seconds. Heartstone Mountain Ranch • 877-562-2955
Nicole Koehler
Measure what you have captured and convert that to a decimal number. Hughes Federal Credit Union • 520-794-8341
For example, if there was one quart and two cups of water captured, that Kimberlyn Drew, Realtor • 520-237-1408
converts to 0.375 gallon. Naturalist Journeys • 866-900-1146
Now multiply that amount by six to get the number of gallons per minute. Ravens-Way Wild Journeys • 520-425-6425
For example, 0.375 times six is 2.25 gallons. It should not be more than about 2.2 Riverpark Inn • 800-551-1466
gallons, since federal law limits new shower heads to 2.2 gallons per minute (at a Salt River Project
pressure of 60 psi). Southern Arizona Paving & Construction
Multiply your gallons per minute by the number of minutes your shower usually lasts. For Spirit Tree Inn B&B • 520-394-0121
example, 2.25 gallons in a 10-minute shower is 22.5 gallons. Sundance Press • 800-528-4827
Do you want to cut down? First, shorten your shower! Second, make sure you have a new shower TyrannoTours • 520-577-6546
head that meets the low-flow requirement. Third, use a shower head setting that uses less water. The Lodge at Ventana Canyon • 800-828-5701
Fourth, you can buy a simple valve to put between your shower head and shower head pipe that Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson • 520-795-9955
allows you to turn off (or reduce) the flow while you are soaping up.VF
VF
Name
Address
Phone
New membership q Renewing membership Left to right: Shade-grown coffee farm; coffee farmer, Guadalupe Jesus Picado.
Please email me about Tucson Audubon
events and conservation issues.
Coffee is big business. Most of the 25 million or so and fertilizers, and who are part of the Fair Trade
Please do not share my contact information.
coffee farmers in the world are small-scale family system, grow a high quality product that commands
Please do not mail me Vermilion Flycatcher.
I’ll read it online. farmers, almost entirely dependent on coffee for a premium price and provides social justice. Fair
their livelihood. Farmers grow coffee in more than Trade Certified coffee is bought directly from
Donation 70 countries between the tropics of Capricorn and cooperatives that bring family farmers together
I would like to support Tucson Audubon
Cancer and in some of the world’s most threatened and create competitive economies of scale for
Society with an additional contribution of
q $25 q $50 q $100 q $250. forest ecosystems. So the drink many of us start farming communities, and train the growers how to
Tucson Audubon Frequent Flyer Monthly our day with should prompt us to ask a question: grow higher quality coffee. Fair Trade Certification
Donor Program: I authorize the charge of How can I be a more responsible consumer? guarantees a minimum price, providing economic
$____ per month for ____ months to my Multinational corporations dominate the coffee security for farmers and their families. When the
credit card ($10/month minimum). market. They focus on lowering production costs market is up, Fair Trade prices rise too, giving
Tucson Audubon Society will use the full amount of your tax-deductible
gift for its environmental, educational and recreational programs. and maximizing profits, applying intense pressures farmers a premium for their coffee.
on smaller farmers. As a result, farmers convert Since coffee is a shade-loving tree, farmers
Method of payment
forest plantations to “sun” coffee production, with who grow coffee in the shade of native forests find
Check (payable to Tucson Audubon Society)
high inputs of fertilizers and pesticides, producing that the natural ecosystem provides a biological
MasterCard q Visa q AMEX
fast-growing high yields. This economic solution balance that keeps pests, mold, and other threats
externalizes the ecological costs—with the at bay. The forest provides leaf litter and nutrient-
Credit Card No. destruction of rain forests—and migratory birds, rich topsoil and, of course, homes for birds.
including warblers, vireos, and tanagers, lose their So back to the original question: How can I be a
Expiration Date Amount $ winter homes in Central America. This habitat loss more responsible consumer? Buy only coffee that
accounts for some of the population declines we is labeled Fair Trade Certified, Certified Organic,
see in “our” birds during the northern summer. and Shade-grown. By so doing you get a better-
Signature
Significant reductions in songbird numbers tasting cup of coffee, and you support farmers
Please send your application with payment to coincided with dramatic falls in coffee prices in the who are using the forest in a sustainable manner
Tucson Audubon Society, 1990s when farmers were clearing more forest for to support their families. Just like homegrown
300 E. University Blvd, #120, coffee trees to compensate for the low prices their tomatoes or apples at the farmers market, the best
Tucson, AZ 85705 beans were fetching on the market. Therefore, coffee in the world comes from the family farmers
(Attn: Jean Barchman,
from the birds to the beans, we are all impacted by who have the time, passion, and commitment to
Membership Coordinator)
the importance of coffee as the major cash crop for produce the best of the best.
OR join, renew or donate online at
www.tucsonaudubon.org hundreds of thousands of families across Central Thanksgiving Coffee Co. and Tucson Audubon
America. Society have teamed up to bring you Vermilion
There is a solution for discerning consumers. Blend, a striking medium-dark roast blend of
Farmers that grow coffee in the shade of the Central American coffees that is crafted to brew a
natural forest, without the need for pesticides great cup while supporting environmental causes
Specifications
Magnification: 20-60x
Objective lens diameter: 85mm
Design: angled eyepiece only
Material: magnesium alloy body housing
An outstanding new spotting scope has come onto Close focus: 16.4 feet
the high-end optics market – the Vortex Razor Included eyepiece: 20-60 power zoom
HD 85mm. Amazingly, the price tag rings in at Eye relief at 20x: 20mm
only half what other high end scopes cost, so that
Eye relief at 60x: 18mm
alone should be enough to catch your eye. Once
Matt Brooks
you are able to test out the scope, you will quickly Field of view at 20x: 117 ft. at 1000 yards
see that optics and construction quality weren’t Field of view at 60x: 60 ft. at 1000 yards
compromised, and what you get is a scope that Length: 15.25 inches
Mmmm . . . coffee and chocolate. What could be a better competes strongly with high-end scopes such as Weight: 65.7 oz.
combination? Not to mention the environmental factors Zeiss and Swarovski, but at a fraction of the cost.
of both (the chocolate benefits endangered species. Coatings: Vortex XR anti-reflection lens
www.chocolatebar.com). Enjoy your coffee in a Tucson The Razor HD genuinely feels like it has taken coatings
Audubon mug! the best attributes of other high-end scopes and
combined them into a single product. Optically, the
important to the membership of Tucson Audubon 85mm lens gives excellent clarity and resolution;
Society. Thanksgiving Coffee also features a full in part because of the use of “extra-low dispersion”
variety of roast colors, decaf and regular, and a glass to limit chromatic aberration. The depth of
hazelnut flavor, all made from Fair Trade Certified, field when at full magnification is matched by only a Tucson Audubon
Certified Organic, and Shade Grown coffee from couple other scopes (60 feet at 1000 yards), while Nature Shops
Nicaragua, Guatemala, Peru and Uganda, sold the rubberized body presents a comfortable grip
When you support your local Tucson
under the Song-Bird Coffee brand and available in over a rugged, well-made casing.
Audubon Society you are supporting birds
our Nature Shops. The scope features dual focus knobs (rough
and bird habitat conservation. Thank you!
With Tucson Audubon’s Vermilion Blend you and fine), and both are smooth and easy to set
can enjoy your morning cup of coffee with the where you need them. As with all high end scopes, SHOP HOURS
satisfaction of knowing that you’re doing the right the Razor is waterproof and gas-purged (with
thing to support family farmers and sustainable argon) to prevent moisture from getting inside the
Main Shop
Monday–Saturday 10 am–4 pm,
agriculture, and the migrant birds and other wildlife body. It also comes with a protective case and
except Monday & Thursday until 5 pm
that depend on the forests from which your beans Vortex’s excellent life-time no-fault unconditional Phone: 629-0510
come. Maybe the Vermilion Flycatcher you just warranty—two more reasons to give this scope On the southeast corner of University Blvd and 5th Avenue.
noticed outside your window once sat on a branch serious consideration when making a purchase.
Agua Caliente Park Shop
VF
of the tree that produced the coffee you are Matt Brooks
May & June: Thursday, Friday & Saturday,
drinking.
9 am–3:30 pm
For more information or to order, visit the
Phone: 760-7881
Tucson Audubon Nature Shop or website (www. From Tanque Verde Rd and Houghton, continue east on
tucsonaudubon.org) or visit Thanksgiving Coffee Tanque Verde 2 miles. Turn left (north) onto Soldier Trail,
at www.thanksgivingcoffee.com. The farmers, the continue north for 2 miles. Turn right (east) onto Roger Rd,
continue ¼ mile to the park entrance on the left (north).
songbirds, and our children will thank you.
For a list of migrant and resident birds often Thursday Bird Walk 8:00 am
found in shade-grown coffee plantations, visit Loaner binoculars available, meet in front of
the ranch house. For more information call
www.audubon.org/bird/at_home/coffee/species/ Pima County Parks and Rec. 615-7855.
Doris Evans
index.html. VF
For permit requests and general information about
Ben Corey-Moran park rules and regulations call 749-3718
Master birding class at Sweetwater Wetlands
When you need a book, think of Tucson Audubon Nature Shops first! Support your local book store. 520-629-0510
Vermilion Flycatcher
Volume 55, Number 3 May–June 2010
The Vermilion Flycatcher is the newsletter of the
Tucson Audubon Society, a chapter of the National
Audubon Society. National Audubon Society members
and members of other chapters may receive the
Flycatcher by joining the Friends of Tucson Audubon.
See membership at www.tucsonaudubon.org.
There’s still time to get your team together for a fun day’s
birding through May 9. To register or make a pledge
online please visit www.tucsonaudubon.dojiggy.com.
$12,500 You can make a donation or pledge in support of Tucson
Jean Barchman
Audubon’s conservation and environmental education
programs through May 17.
Visit tucsonaudubon.org for event updates • See page 10 for Living with Nature / Membership Meeting details.
28 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher May–June 2010