Rare Bird Alert ⋆ Tucson Bird Alliance Skip to content
This update was made June 19, 2026. The next update will be June 26.

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”.

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

A *WOOD THRUSH was recorded in a Whitetail Canyon yard on 6/16 (Rick Taylor) and continued through 6/18. A #HOODED WARBLER was photographed on 6/13.

A #BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD was reported at the Southwestern Research Station on 6/13 (Abbie Brozich) and continued through 6/18 (m.ob.).

 

SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS

In Miller Canyon a *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER continued this week (m.ob.) near the old mill. GPS: (31.4112, -110.28177). A #HOODED WARBLER was reported on 6/15 and 6/19 (m.ob.).

A #BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD continued in Ramsey Canyon Preserve this week (m.ob.).

A #HOODED WARBLER was reported at the San Pedro House on 6/17 (Erika M Wilson).

 

GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS

A #LEAST GREBE continued at the Green Valley WRF on 6/14 (m.ob.). A #LEAST TERN was photographed on 6/14 (Parker Davis, Nell Smith). ACCESS NOTE: access is 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 this week (m.ob.).

In Madera Canyon (map: http://goo.gl/dXBYP), a #BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD continued at the Santa Rita Lodge and Madera Kubo B&B this week (m.ob.), but note that a very similar hybrid BROAD-BILLED x BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD has been seen this week as well (m.ob.). Note the rust-colored bars in the wing coverts and white flecking on the chin of the female Berylline, and the solid dark gray wings (including coverts) of the hybrid. In flight, look for the presence of rusty color in the wings for the Berylline. A #SHORT-TAILED HAWK was photographed in the upper canyon on 6/13 (Michael Hochstetler).

 

WILLCOX & the SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY

A #COMMON TERN was photographed at Lake Cochise by the Twin Lakes Golf Course in Willcox on 6/18 (Dave Stejskal).

 

TUCSON area

A #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD was reported on Mt Lemmon at the Palisades Visitor Center on 6/14 (Scott Olmstead, Jennie Duberstein) and continued briefly on 6/16 (Henry Detwiler).

 

SANTA CRUZ FLATS

A #SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was photographed at the corner of Nutt & Barrett Rds on 6/15 (Paul Heveran).

 

PATAGONIA

A #ROSE-THROATED BECARD continued along Harshaw Creek Road this week (m.ob.) in the same place as last year. GPS: (31.51621, -110.69293). ACCESS NOTE: please stay on the road – the creek is private property.

At Patagonia Lake State Park (annotated map: http://goo.gl/GgNvs) #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued below the spillway this week (m.ob.). GPS: (31.493574, -110.874411).

 

TUBAC area (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/yDqi0)

A #RED-EYED VIREO was photographed along the Anza Trail at Santa Gertrudis Lane on 6/14 (Eric Kallen,Michael Hochstetler).

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

#Least Grebe

#Short-tailed Hawk

#Least Tern

#Common Tern

#Buff-collared Nightjar

#White-eared Hummingbird

#Berylline Hummingbird

#Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

#Rose-throated Becard

#Red-eyed Vireo

#Black-capped Gnatcatcher

*WOOD THRUSH

#Hooded Warbler

*FLAME-COLORED TANAGER

Other Resources