Rare Bird Alert ⋆ Tucson Bird Alliance Skip to content
This update was made May 8, 2026. The next update will be May 15.

REPORT A RARE BIRD:  rarebirdalert@tucsonbirds.org

Southeast Arizona Rare Bird Alert

The sequence of sightings in this report is not random. Species are listed by order of overall rarity within locality. The first locality mentioned contains the rarest species seen during the reporting period. Within that locality, species are mentioned in relative-rarity order or in taxonomic order, if relative rarity is the same, within sub-locality. When the sightings for a locality are complete, the rarest remaining species dictates which locality is mentioned next, and so forth. At any point when 2 or more species are of the same relative rarity, taxonomic order then determines the sequence in which the localities are covered. Consequently, the order in which localities are mentioned will vary from one report to the next.

Contributors are listed in the text. The spelling of names given over the phone is not guaranteed to be accurate. Any errors or omissions are unintentional.

SEVERAL IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS follow the sightings, including information on temporary closures and rules for access to other important birding areas. Abbreviation “m.ob.” = multiple observers. An asterisk (*) preceding a species name in the list indicates that it merits careful, full documentation. A pound sign (#) indicates that brief corroborating details are warranted.

See here for a list of review species in Arizona, i.e., species that the ABC considers “rare”.

GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS

A *WESTERN GULL was photographed at the Green Valley WRF on 5/5 (Lucas Pittman). ACCESS NOTE: access is now through a pedestrian gate east of the vehicle gate. Please park outside the fence and walk in.

In Box Canyon (map: http://bit.ly/BoxCanyonAZ), a #BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJAR continued near the bridge in the lower canyon through 5/1 (m.ob.).

At Canoa Ranch a #HOODED WARBLER was photographed on 5/5 (Michael Roper).

SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS

In Miller Canyon a pair of *FLAME-COLORED TANAGERS continued this week (m.ob.) near the old mill. GPS: (31.4112, -110.28177).

A #BROAD-WINGED HAWK was reported from the San Pedro House on 5/7 (John Carey).

A #TENNESSEE WARBLER was recorded in Lower Carr Canyon on 5/6 (Steve Tracey).

PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/XfXfX)

A #BROAD-WINGED HAWK was reported in Portal on 5/2 (Rose Ann Rowlett). A #BROWN THRASHER continued in a private yard in Portal on 5/6 (Richard Webster).

A #YELLOW-THROATED VIREO was recorded on 5/2 (Scott Boone) at the Sea Captain Rock Formation in Chiricahua National Monument.

A #TENNESSEE WARBLER was photographed in the South Fork of Cave Creek Canyon on 5/3 (Lane Theander).

A #YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER was reported in a Whitetail Canyon yard on 5/2 (Rick Taylor).

A #CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER was reported from the Southwestern Research Station on 5/2 (Tucker Davidson, Steven Munoz).

TUCSON area

On Mt Lemmon, a #SHORT-TAILED HAWK continued over the Bear Wallow/Mt Bigelow area on 4/26 (m.ob.).

A #TENNESSEE WARBLER was photographed at Danny Lopez Park on 5/5 (Steve Nord).

A #WORM-EATING WARBLER was reported on 5/4 (Nate Peterson) from private property along Sabino Creek just outside the Sabino Canyon park boundary and continued on 5/7. A #YELLOW-THROATED VIREO was reported on 5/5 (Nate Peterson) and was photographed later in the day (Joe Aliperti). A #PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was reported on 5/8 (Marc Passmann).

A #PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was reported at Agua Nueva Park on 5/8 (Alex Patia) and continued throughout the day.

A #HOODED WARBLER was reported from Bonita Park (Congress St. and the Santa Cruz River) on 5/7 (Emily Barrick).

PATAGONIA

At Patagonia Lake State Park (annotated map: http://goo.gl/GgNvs) a #LEAST TERN was reported along the Birding Trail on 5/2 (Layton Pickard, Ezekiel Dobson) and continued through 5/5 (m.ob.). #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued below the spillway this week (m.ob.). GPS: (31.493574, -110.874411).

A #ROSE-THROATED BECARD was photographed along Harshaw Creek Road on 5/3 (Marc Faucher) in the same place as last year. GPS: (31.51621, -110.69293). ACCESS NOTE: please stay on the road – the creek is private property.

A #TENNESSEE WARBLER was reported along Blue Haven Rd on 5/4 (Jake Thompson) at Temporal Gulch just past the entrance to the Patagonia- Sonoita Creek Preserve.

WILLCOX & the SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY

A #LEAST TERN was reported at Lake Cochise by the Twin Lakes Golf Course in Willcox on 5/7 and continued on 5/8 (m.ob.). A #HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL continued through 5/6 (m.ob.). A #SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER was reported on 5/8 (Ryan Hood).

NOGALES area

#BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJARS continued at the south end of California Gulch at the confluence with Warsaw Canyon this week (m.ob.). Annotated map: http://goo.gl/wSr0mi.

#RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS continued this week in Sycamore Canyon (m.ob.). GPS (31.417354, -111.196266).

AJO

An #OVENBIRD was photographed at the Ajo Plaza on 5/8 (Craig Fischer). 

TUCSON – Mosquito control operations are scheduled at Sweetwater Wetlands from 6:30-9:00 am on Mondays.  The gate will open when operations are finished. Roger Road WRF was closed as of 1/10/2014 and it is uncertain when access will be allowed again. See https://www.tucsonaz.gov/water/sweetwater-wetlands

The gravel pit at the south end of Renaissance Ave may be viewed from outside the fence, but do not enter the pit. Similarly, the fields at the intersection of nearby Indian Agency Rd/Los Reales Rd. may be viewed from the road, but the pit is posted “No Trespassing”.

GREEN VALLEY WRF – hours are variable, approximately 7am-2pm daily. Protocol for visiting when open: Park outside the fence and use the pedestrian gate east of the vehicle gate. Stay away from buildings and construction equipment. Access subject to change without notice.

ASH CANYON BIRD SANCTUARY – open dawn to dusk EXCEPT Thursday, when open noon to dusk. Parking is limited; please carpool whenever possible. No need to call ahead.

PATAGONIA – Patagonia Ranch Estates has posted signs that say “No Hunting – No Camping – No Parking” but birders may continue to look along Circulo Montana for grassland sparrows according to Alan Schmierer (July 2017). This is the neighborhood on the west side of the Patagonia Lake State Park entrance road.

FORT HUACHUCA – is an active military installation and will suspend your driving privileges on Post for 30 days on your first offense for talking or using a cell phone while driving. You MUST use a hands free device. Current entry requirements (subject to change without notice): US citizens should be prepared to show photo ID (REAL ID compliant; see https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs for details) for everyone in the vehicle at the entrance, and possibly your vehicle registration and insurance as well. In the past, foreign nationals needed an approved military escort; if this policy is reinstated, contact the base (520.533.7111), or possibly the Sierra Vista Visitor’s Bureau (520.417.6960) well in advance.

IMPORTANT: Ft. Huachuca has posted information on access requirements on its official webpage at https://home.army.mil/huachuca/ – look for the “Gate Information” tab on the left side of the homepage. Read the information at the “Visitors Access” button. If you click the “Installation Access Forms” button, you can see the information you’ll have to provide to get access. The Visitor Control Center is located at the Van Deman Gate on Hwy 90 and opens at 5:00 am. https://home.army.mil/huachuca/index.php/about/Garrison/DES/physical-security/access-control

ACCESS NOTE: Despite the signage, as of March 2016 Garden Canyon was indeed now open to vehicles up to the upper picnic area and foot traffic beyond this. As of late July 2016, it was reported that it was open all the way to the top.

SANTA CRUZ FLATS – Management at the Evergreen Turf Sod Farm has asked birders not to drive into the property (i.e., the 2750 road); birding from perimeter roads (i.e., Tweedy or Pretzer) is still fine.

BAIRD’S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL in the San Rafael Valley is off limits to birders due to the thoughtless actions of a few birders. DO NOT ENTER THE PROPERTY.  A sign has been posted previously stating that “stopping within 0.25 mile of the corral is prohibited.”

The Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department’s  security procedures and rules are subject to change any time. Please see this link for important information regarding access: http://www.pima.gov/wwm/about/pdf/birdwatching.pdf. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

  • AVRA VALLEY WRF: Gates open at 6AM and close PROMPTLY at 2PM (do not linger, you will be locked inside). UPDATE: under construction; if the gate is locked, use the call box to request access (not guaranteed). Due to ongoing construction, birders are advised to call ahead at 520-577-7341 to check on access.
  • NOGALES STP: closed
  • CORONA DE TUCSON WRF: closed

NOGALES area
California Gulch annotated map: http://goo.gl/wSr0mi

SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS
Ramsey Canyon: https://goo.gl/aMh1ke
Hunter Canyon https://goo.gl/CR4YXm

PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS
Portal annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/XfXfX

GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS
Madera Canyon annotated map: http://goo.gl/dXBYP
Florida Canyon annotated map: http://goo.gl/AAzD6
Green Valley WRF: https://goo.gl/FA2TVJ

PATAGONIA
Patagonia Lake annotated map: http://goo.gl/GgNvs
Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/0pXsd

TUBAC area
Tubac annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/yDqi0
Puerto Canyon map: http://goo.gl/fRAa4A

DOUGLAS area
Slaughter Ranch and San Bernardino NWR annotated map: https://goo.gl/uX96Pw

SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT

#Broad-winged Hawk

#Short-tailed Hawk

#Hudsonian Whimbrel

#Semipalmated Sandpiper

*WESTERN GULL

#Least Tern

#Buff-collared Nightjar

#Rose-throated Becard

#Yellow-throated Vireo

#Black-capped Gnatcatcher

#Brown Thrasher

#Tennessee Warbler

#Chestnut-sided Warbler

#Yellow-throated Warbler

#Prothonotary Warbler

#Worm-eating Warbler

#Ovenbird

#Hooded Warbler

#Rufous-capped Warbler

*FLAME-COLORED TANAGER

Other Resources