May-June 2010 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society

Vermilionf l y c a t c h e r

May–June 2010 | Volume 54, Number 5

Tucson Audubon Society | tucsonaudubon.org

Vermilionf l y c a t c h e r



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 m A g A z i n e

celebrating our birds

17 cactus wrens, curve-billed Thrashers, and cholla cacti11 A bounty of birds

12 what’s in a name? grace’s warbler

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2 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher May–June 2010

developers often state that conservationists do not understand the economics of community development. in truth, not many developers are willing to understand the long-term impacts of development on the economic stability of a community, nor that the development of open space is often more costly than conserving it.

Meanwhile, the protection and survival of neotropical migratory birds depends on the amount and quality of habitat that remains available to them. arguments such as protection of biodiversity, wetlands, watersheds, and endangered and threatened species, as well as aesthetic arguments relating to preservation of beautiful scenery, leave many people unmoved. the use of economic information and arguments has become an important tool for conservationists.

open-space conservation often contributes to controlling taxes. the cost of services rises above income from property taxes, forcing local governments to raise taxes and to seek federal subsidies. Yet real estate developers still manage to convince our officials that the houses they build will generate beneficial tax revenues for the community.

Some of the most important areas for wildlife offer economic opportunities, attracting large numbers of ecotourists who spend billions of dollars annually to watch and enjoy wildlife. for ecotourism to be a sustainable form of economic endeavor, we

must protect the natural resources upon which this industry depends.

open space protection maintains property values: values near refuges and preserves are often higher than those of properties surrounded by houses.the national association of Home Builders estimates that parks and recreation areas can increase the value of nearby building sites by up to 20 percent.

open space encourages groundwater recharge, and protects groundwater from pollution because septic systems often fail to cleanse the water before returning it to the ground. the resulting polluted ground water in suburban situations needs expensive treatment. Meanwhile, more trash accumulates from more houses, and as demand for landfill space increases, so fees for taxpayers increase. undeveloped land enables community taxpayers to avoid social, economic, and environmental problems associated with landfills and trash removal.

economic arguments can be important, powerful tools for protecting habitat and the birds that live there. economic arguments can make sense and can be difficult to refute. We should incorporate them into comprehensive strategies that emphasize aesthetics, quality of life, biodiversity, endangered and threatened species, and ecosystem protection Vf

Vermilion Flycatcher is published bi-monthly. for address changes or subscription problems call 629-0510, or write to Membership coordinator, tucson audubon, 300 e. university Blvd, #120, tucson, aZ 85705. Submissions are due the 1st of the month, two months before the date of the issue. Please send submissions as Microsoft Word or RTF documents, or plain text files, to Matt Griffiths at [email protected]. Coordinator Matt Griffiths 971-7924Proofreaders Jane & Warren Tisdale 749-2139 and Tucson Audubon staff and board membersDesign/Layout Eng-Li Green

tucson audubon Society is dedicated to improving the quality of the environment by providing education, conservation, and recreation programs, environmental leadership, and information. tucson Audubon is a non-profit volunteer organization of people with a common interest in birding and natural history. Tucson Audubon maintains offices, a library, and nature shops in tucson, the proceeds of which benefit 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.org Board Officers & Directors President Herb trossmanVice President Mich coker Secretary robert Merideth Treasurer lindsey Quesinberry Directors at Large Mary Kay eiermann, richard fray, Sandy elers, Julie gordon, linda greene, craig Marken, neil Markowitz, liz payne, cynthia pruett, Bill roe, Jessie Shinn, linda StitzerBoard Committees Conservation chris McVie, Development Sandy elers, Education cynthia pruett, Membership Jessie Shinn, Finance lindsey Quesinberry, Personnel Mich coker, Nominating VacantPrograms & Activities field trips Darlene Smyth 297-2315 library David West 629-0510 Membership Meetings Jean Barchman 629-0510 rare Bird alert Andrew Core | report rare Birds 629-0510 Staff (unless otherwise stated, dial 629-0510 plus extension)executive director Paul Green ext 7001finance and operations Brad Paxton ext 7014accountant Michelle Bourgeois ext 7003Membership coordinator Jean Barchman ext 7002 Special projects Erin Olmstead ext 7009 education & outreach Specialist Matt Brooks ext 7007iBa conservation Biologist Scott Wilbor ext 7004iBa program assistant Samantha Barnett ext 7005restoration program Manager Kendall Kroesen ext 7006 field Supervisor Rodd Lancaster 256-6909 restoration/communications Specialist

Matthew Griffiths 971-7924restoration Specialist Andy Bennett 891-9446Mason outreach coordinator Lia Sansom ext 7013 university Shop Manager Sara Pike ext 7008 Volunteer coordinator/agua caliente

Shop Manager Becky Aparicio ext 7011 Tucson Audubon Nature Shops 300 e university Blvd #120 629-0510623-3476 fax / 629-0510 Shop Manager Hours: Mon–Sat 10 am–4 pm (5 pm Mon & thu) agua caliente park, 12325 e roger rd 760-7881 Hours: 9 am–3:30 pm thu, fri, Sat

VERMILIONF L Y C A T C H E R



VERMILIONF L Y C A T C H E R



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 M A G A Z I N E

Celebrating Our Birds

17 Cactus Wrens, Curve-billed Thrashers, and Cholla Cacti11 A Bounty of Birds

12 What’s in a Name? Grace’s Warbler

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FronT cover: costa’s Hummingbird photographed by Joan gellatly in her midtown tucson backyard. See more of Joan’s avian images at www.flickr.com/photos/joangee.

to have your photographs considered for use in the Vermilion Flycatcher, please contact Matt Griffiths at [email protected].

Features11 A Bounty of Birds: Our Lowland to

Highland Breeders

12 What’s in a Name? Grace’s Warbler

13 Celebrating Southeast Arizona’s Birds • The Joy of Birding • Staff Favorites • The Vulnerability of U.S. Birds to Climate Change

17 Cactus Wrens, Curve-billed Thrashers, and Cholla Cacti

departments3 Commentary

4 News Roundup

8 Events and Classes

10 Living With Nature

10 Events Calendar

18 Conservation and Education News

20 Field Trips

23 Birding Travel from our Business Partners

24 Classified Ads

25 Birds & Business Alliance

25 Conservation Corner

26 Nature Shops

27 Product Review

economics of open space conservation Guest opinion from an original piece by Paul Kerlinger, presented at the 1995 Partners in Flight (PIF) International Workshop, “Partners in Flight Conservation Plan: Building Consensus for Action.”

May–June 2010 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 3

Birds, climate, the Sonoran desert habitats, and quality of life: these are the reasons most of us choose to spend at least some of our lives in southeast Arizona. Spring builds our excitement: the greening of the desert with extraordinary winter rains this year (at 4.5 inches, the eleventh wettest first quarter on record) adds to the thrill of hearing those calls that we had been missing. Each day brings new sounds, and the visible migration reminds us that some of our more special birds have been returning. (Checking Tucson Audubon’s free Rare Bird Alert is a good way to keep up to date.) Now is the time to take advantage of the Birdathon and Tucson Bird Count to get outside and go birding.

Birds lift our spirits, giving us a window into worlds beyond our human preoccupations. Birds also provide ecological services, reducing numbers of insects that might reduce food yields, pollinating plants that bring seeds and fruits from which animals and people benefit. (National Pollinator Week in June will focus our attention on this aspect of our birds, see p 8.)

Birds also add an enormous economic value to our region through the wallets of visiting birders from around the world. Our US Fish and Wildlife Service provides survey data on the value of wildlife every five years, at the request of state fish and wildlife agencies, to measure the

importance of wildlife-based recreation to the American people.

The most recent report from 2006 puts the value of visiting wildlife watchers in Arizona at $1.4 billion, supporting more than 15,000 jobs with $318 million paid in salaries, wages, and business-owner income. More detailed analysis by Southwick Associates of an earlier report from 2001 sliced those data down in several ways. (Read the report on our website at www.tucsonaudubon.org, under Conservation News on the right hand side).

It follows that preserving wildlife habitat is good for jobs. And while these data make us sit up and view “non-consumptive uses” of wildlife in a different way, it changes other things too. For example, it creates natural alliances between some businesses with organizations that work to save the best habitat from degradation and destruction. First, it seems natural for those

businesses that provide accommodations and food to partner with us and support our work, since wildlife watchers patronize these businesses.

That’s why we launched Tucson Audubon’s Birds & Business Alliance in 2008 to promote businesses who support birds through their progressive approach to doing business. We hope that you will review the members of our Alliance (see p 25) and choose to use them over their competitors because of their progressive approach to business. In March, Tucson Audubon also joined the newly launched Tucson Green Chamber of Commerce as another way to support businesses that work to sustain our natural environment. We’ll also be hosting the Green Chamber for a mixer at the Historic YMCA in July.

Natural partnerships with progressive businesses who work to improve our natural environment as a central value in their business models will help ensure the quality of life for which we work in southeast Arizona. It is in all of our interests to support these businesses. Every decision we each make that relates to consumption or purchase can have a positive effect on our natural world. Let’s make sure that we work to sustain the golden goose, the wildlife of southeast Arizona, the habitat we all need, the air that we breathe, and the water we drink. When it comes to our birds, there’s lots to value, and lots to celebrate. Vf

commenTAry PauL GREEN | ExECuTiVE DiRECToR

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The value of our birds

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birds lift our spirits, giving us a window into worlds beyond our human preoccupations. birds also provide ecological services and add enormous economic value to our region through visiting birders.

Western Tanager painted redstart pyrrhuloxia


June 17–19the arizona important Bird areas program returns to the patagonia Mountains on June 17–19th for additional surveys in the “High range” and its bird-rich canyons of pine and oak. Since 2008 we have been documenting the high occurrence of bird species of conservation status within this special unprotected area within the coronado national forest.

We will use this information to propose to our arizona iBa Science committee that this area be identified as a state important Bird area. further, we will advocate with the u.S. forest Service for special management to benefit these bird populations. We are most concerned with habitat protection for Spotted owl, northern goshawk, peregrine falcon, elegant trogon, Montezuma Quail, arizona

Woodpecker, small owls, and also the certain hotspots of bird diversity around springs and in groves of tall pines with arizona madrone.

the upcoming survey is a primitive (vehicle-based) camping trip and strenuous in nature. But the rewards of the birds found can be stunning. the trip will be two nights’ camping together as a group, with teams of two, assigned to survey canyon

drainages within our study area. iBa bird surveyors need to have past iBa workshop training or have previous experience with similar bird monitoring programs, and be of intermediate or above level in birding skills (especially for auditory detections). contact: Scott Wilbor, AZ iBA Program Conservation Biologist (629-0510 ext. 7004).

Tucson Audubonnews roundup

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ibA surveys in the patagonia mountains—Focus on canyons of pine/oak habitatScott Wilbor, Important Bird Areas Program Conservation Biologist

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.

conservation champion: bill roePaul Green, Executive Director

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enBill roe, long-time supporter and board member of tucson audubon received the conservation champion award from the arizona league of conservation Voters (alcV) during an earth night celebration on april 22.

Bill has been influential within tucson audubon for more than three decades. Bill served on our Board of directors shortly after he and his wife alice arrived in arizona in 1975. He served two terms as president in the early 1980s, and served again on our Board over the last decade, retiring this year.

Among many other significant contributions, Bill established our first nature store on N. Tucson Blvd, later moving the organization HQ to larger quarters, giving us a central location for our library, nature store, volunteers, field trip departures, and a more concerted advocacy program. this critical juncture in the history of the growth of the organization set us ahead of other chapters across the country in terms of members, staff, and influence. Tucson Audubon board member Bill Roe recently received the first Conservation

champion award from the arizona leagure of conservation Voters. He is pictured above with alcV president, rosalind o’connell.


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ironwood FesTivAl 2010Saturday, May 15 • 8 aM–1 pM

Tucson Audubon’s Mason Center SW corner, Thornydale and Hardy Rd • 520-971-6238

live herps!

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Pollinators in Action Photography Contestamateur and professional photographers resident in arizona are invited to take part in a digital photography contest. the contest is part of the National Pollinator Week celebration (see p 8) organized by pollinator partnership, tucson audubon, Bat conservation international, and tohono chul park. Your subject should be any live pollinating animal(s) visiting native or cultivated flowering plants found in the state during 2010. there will be a grand prize winner, as well as first, Second, and third place and Honorable Mention in both amateur and professional categories. Entry Period: April 22–June 1. the award ceremony will be held June 26 at at Tohono Chul Park. Winning and finalist images will be on display at the park June 21 to July 5 (closed June 27 and July 4). Visit www.tucsonaudubon.org/news-events/events.html for more details.

SummER SuNSeT Live!Live MuSiC AT The

MASON CeNTerJune 12 • 6–9:30 pm

Mark your calendars for evening of Saturday, June 12 when Wayback Machine, A Ray of Hope Band, and others will hold a live concert at tucson audubon’s Mason Center to benefit the center. Bring a chair and your dancing shoes! Visit tucsonaudubon.org for more information as the details develop.

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8:30–11:30 aM presentations 8:30 am birds of the ironwood ForestPaul Green, Tucson Audubon Societynative Trees and carbon sequestrationJane Poynter, The Local Trust

9:30 am ironwood Forest national monumentLahsha Brown, Friends of Ironwood Forest native plants and Their pollinatorsCynthia Reiners, Arizona Native Plant Society

10:30 am Flora of the ironwood Forest national monumentJohn Wiens, Arizona-Sonora Desert MuseumArizona: herp heavenEd Moll, Tucson Herpetological Society.

8:30–11:30 aM Trail walks led by desert harvesters Edibles in the Ironwood Forest

8 aM–12 noon kids’ Activity booths Tucson Audubon Society—Bird ID and migration gamesFriends of Ironwood ForestBureau of Land Management: Ironwood Forest National MonumentArizona Native Plant Society—Make native bee housesTucson Herpetological Society—Live snakes

8 aM–1 pM natural history used book saleField guides, plant guides, essays, and more!

12–1 pM lunch with A ray of hope band Bring a lunch or buy a hot dog and enjoy the music!

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Tucson Audubon news roundup birthday Fund

Jean Barchman, Membership Coordinator

tucson audubon would like to wish you a Happy Birthday and share in your celebration by sending you a specially designed birthday card. You will also be invited to share in the celebration by making a gift to

the mission of tucson audubon. to receive the card, we will need your birth date; year is optional. You may call Jean Barchman at 629-0510 or email [email protected]. Best wishes to you.

tucson audubon’s Mason center is fighting climate change in a new way—carbon sequestration—by planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide. the trees are mesquites and palo verdes provided by the local trust.

the local trust runs a carbon offset program that allows you to calculate the carbon footprint of your travel plans or other activities and neutralize it through an offset. the offsets include planting trees that absorb carbon dioxide, as well as installing solar water heaters that reduce the use of natural gas for hot water.

the local trust’s website (www.thelocaltrust.org) lets users select tucson audubon’s urban bird habitat program as their preferred carbon offset. the trust then makes the trees available to tucson audubon.

The first batch of trees is available now and we invite you to come and help us plant them at the Mason center. You will receive a useful

lesson in rainwater harvesting. on Saturday may 8 we will be preparing the ground for planting by building rainwater harvesting basins and digging planting holes. contact paul green if you would like to take part (620-0510 ext. 7001, or [email protected]).

then at tucson audubon’s ironwood festival on Saturday may 15 (see p 5 for details), there will be a presentation by Jane poynter of the local trust on carbon sequestration. following the presentation attendees will have the opportunity to help tucson audubon plant more trees. When you attend the ironwood festival, look for this presentation and then come help us plant the final two trees!

carbon sequestration is just one of several sustainability techniques demonstrated at tucson audubon’s Mason center. others include photovoltaic electricity production, rainwater harvesting, desert-adapted landscaping, and composting toilets.

Fight climate change at the mason centerKendall Kroesen, Urban Sustainability Program Manager

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Jane poynter will speak about carbon sequestration at the ironwood festival on May 15, at tucson audubon’s Mason center. one of the original Biospherians, she is also an adventurer, researcher, author, and educator. learn more at www.janepoynter.com.

ruby altamirano, Jackie anderson, Jane ash, Jeffrey auerbach, r. glenn austin, Sharon Bale, Beth Barrasso, Belinda Barrington, Sandi Bartell, nancy Bevens, Margot Bissell, Marge Blaine, Sharon Bochish, dorothy Boone, richard Brandt and Mary adams, Sissy Brown, eva cardenas, Mindy cavanaugh, Harold clapp, craig d. cloyed, l. Marie conley, Katy considine, caroline conway, gary and Katy couillard, reyna cruz, Joan czapalay, anne de corey, Sean dougherty, elizabeth dudley, John edwards, Kat enns, dottie eshbaugh, charles erickson, ann esmas, catherine fagan, fred fox, glenn and catherine france, Sharon frankland, amy freeman, tom ganser and deb thalasitis, B. garlough, Barbara gfroerer, eleanor gladding, linda gleason, debra golden-davis and avery davis, Jo greenmeyer, Kathy Hannan and neal ullestad, orville and Betty Hansen, Betty Harris, richard e. Harris, rocky Harrison, art Herman, larry and lise Hicks, Susan Hittson and cynthia Myers, Kim Huxman, charles imboden, dr. alfred ingerick, alison laso isenberg, anita Jones, Bob Koons, Blainey Korff, anita landess, ed lawrence, ronald libby and Jan Miller, arianna Martinez, richard and Jacqueline Matner, patricia J. Mcconnell, Hugh McFadden and Constance Myslik-McFadden, Janet McGiffin, Carly Mckean, Judy Meister, patty Michak, ray Miller, lesly Moran, elizabeth Morgan, emily Morris, Jazmine nault, James neel, ellen nicoletti, alissa ojeda, John padalino Kimberly peers, Jan pennington, dadie and norman perlov, Brian and Jane peterson, tom and Michele peterson, Steve peugh, george profeta, Barbra Quade, dr. Mary rimsza and dr. david Mott, deb risinger and Sal risinger, patricia rogers, f. peter rose, Ken ross, terry russi, Katherine Scoggin-Sobonya, gary and Barbara Shelton, Samantha Sheriff, Kathy Sjogren, Melvin Slanina, Josiah Smith, James and Sandra Stamson, Savannah Thomas, Cynthia Torres, Alexander Trejo, Thora Vervoren, Greer Warren, Marion Weber and Dan smith, Novalyn Winfield, Peter and elizabeth ZehGift Memberships: selena Barlow, Don Walters

welcome new members!


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GifTS iN MeMOry, reCeiveD wiTh ThANkS.Donations in Memory of Betty Bobryk Green (mother of Paul Green): Susan Ketterlinus, chong family


New vOLuNTeerS:Mona Jones – Shop and Special

eventsruth romano – Shop and Special

eventsHyatt Simpson – iBadaryl Herman – iBa

ThANkSthanks to all who helped with the tucson festival of Books in mid-March. our first participation in this mega-community event brought in seven new members, sold lots of products, hosted three authors, and spread the tucson audubon message in two intense but satisfying days. Special thanks to Jessie Shinn for spearheading this first for Tucson audubon, and a very special mil gracias to all the board members and volunteers who managed the hundreds of visitors to our booth.

april was earth Month, with eight additional events handled with cheerful willingness to pull weeds, bike/bird, educate families, and share literature at tabling events. Many of you were also committed to count birds and raise funds for Birdathon throughout this month.

vOLuNTeer NeeDSMay and June—Well, what can i say: super exciting with lots of opportunities for volunteers! call or e-mail Becky at 629-0510 ext 7011, 760-7881, or [email protected]

Permanent Needs. Main Shop retail sales with openings for specific

four-hour time slots, and a floater who would be on call when needed. retail sales experience and birding knowledge would be a plus, with strong people-skills, pleasant phone manner, basic computer knowhow, and a willingness to learn new skills to help in our growing web and phone mail-order business.

May 8—iBA Stewardship volunteer event on international Migratory Bird Day. Saturday morning, 7–11 am. Tanque Verde Wash at Wentworth rd. crossing. three simultaneous activities: iBa team(s) restoration by tucson audubon volunteers; major Arundo donax (invasive plant species) removal; outreach – event table set up at roadside wash crossing with big sign, flyers and brochures to hand out. lots of volunteers with diverse skills needed for this comprehensive event. for complete information see p 8.

May 15—ironwood festival at Mason Center and huGe Book Sale. 8 am–noon; two enthusiastic volunteers are needed to set up tables and put out pre-priced and labeled books. all you need is to smile, take cash, and say thanks. See p 5 for more information.

June 26—National Pollinator week at Tohono Chul Park. 9 am–4 pm. children’s ramada and Sonoran Seasons garden ramada with assorted pollinator/plant/conservation related exhibitors (see p 8).

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there are few volunteers who spread their volunteer effort as widely as rosie Bennett. She’s given us three years of effort in the mailing crew, sales support for shop off-site sales, and has become the backbone for the silent auction at our annual gala. rosie also gives fund-raising experience to the tucson Symphony and is a reading-literacy tutor for literacy Volunteers of tucson.

indiana born and now retired from financial services consulting, she now calls tucson home where her son, andy, also lives and works as a restoration specialist for tucson audubon. Her birding began in her back yard but became serious in the early ’90s after she joined a local raptor rehabilitation organization as a rescuer. She’s been an avid birder with favorite spots in St. david—at the Holy trinity Monastery on the San pedro river—and in the cave creek/South fork area of the chiricahuas. She knows how to pick the best birding sites!

Her birding expeditions have given her some terrific memories—like a bear approaching her and her friends during a picnic in the chiricahuas, and spotting a mountain lion crossing the road

while driving up the Sandia crest in New Mexico. While on a fall hiking trip in indiana she came upon 30-40 eastern Bluebirds in a tree, calling it a spectacular sight! She reports that her favorite bird/raptor is the ornate Hawk eagle seen on a trip to Belize where she saw a mating pair in the trees.

rolling stones gather no moss and none shall gather on rosie as she additionally enjoys classical, Balkan and flamenco music, and dancing. Her other passion is collecting mineral specimens, and what better place to do that than in tucson. as rosie says, “Birds and minerals—i love it here.”

volunteer news roundupBecky Aparicio, Volunteer Coordinator

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yOu Are A TreASure BeyOND MeASure!

give to Tucson Audubon when you shop at Albertson’sErin Olmstead, Special Projects

tucson audubon is participating in albertson’s community partners program. there is no cost to get involved. clip out this temporary card or call Jean Barchman at 629-0510 to

get your permanent key tag. Scan it at the check-out register each time you shop at albertson’s, and we will earn 1% of your purchases! thanks for your support in this campaign! Vf

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“Birds in the trees” game at arizona trail association’s family day in colossal cave Mountain park.

8 Tucson Audubon vermilion Flycatcher May–June 2010

under the auspices of togethergreen and coinciding with international Migratory Bird day, our efforts to remove invasive giant reed (Arundo donax) wil move out of Sabino canyon and into other washes. on May 8 we will be in tanque Verde Creek at Wentworth Road. There will be three activities. iBa teams with other volunteers will be mapping riparian “threats” (including giant reed) with GPs, digital photos, and field notes. other teams will be removing stands of the giant reed near Wentworth Road. Work involves lopping and removing reeds, and digging out and and bagging roots. an outreach table will be set up with a big sign, flyers, and brochures to hand out to drivers

and others passing by. We’ll have a spotting scope and binoculars available for use. We hope to reach many folks who live in the area and who may know little about invasive plants and the importance of the area to birds.

togethergreen (www.togethergreen.org) is a program of national audubon, funded by toyota. To map threats contact scott Wilbor at 209-1804 or [email protected]. To remove giant reed contact kendall at 971-2385 or [email protected]. to help with outreach contact Becky Aparicio at 209-1811 or [email protected].

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Togethergreen international migratory bird day volunteer eventTanque Verde Creek • Saturday, May 8, 7–11 am

Kendall Kroesen, Restoration Program ManagerScott Wilbor, Important Bird Areas Program Conservation Biologist

clockwise from above: tanque Verde creek; Samantha Barnet; tanque Verde wash; togethergreen volunteers

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in June, tucson audubon partners with tohono chul park, Bat conservation international, and the pollinator partnership to present a celebration of native pollinators (bees, butterflies, birds, and bats) and native sonoran Desert flowering plants in tohono chul park. See www.pollinator.org for more information.

to register for any of the following lectures or workshops, call 742–6455 ext. 22

June 24, 7 pm sheri Williamson, southeast Arizona Bird observatory. Hummingbirds as PollinatorsJune 25, 7 pm dr. Stephen Buchmann, university of arizona. Sonoran Desert Bees: Trouble in Paradise?June 26, 9 am lynn Hassler. Gardening for Butterflies and the Caterpillars That Become Them.June 26, 10 am dr. Stephen Buchmann, university of arizona. Up Close and Personal: Macro Photography for Pollinating Insects and Wildflowers

June 26, 11 am dr. ted fleming, university of arizona and Miami university. Nectar-feeding Bats and Hummingbirds: Nature’s Mega PollinatorsJune 26, 1 pm dr. Melanie lenart. university of arizona. Life in the Hothouse: How a Living Planet Survives Climate ChangeJune 26, 3 pm dr. paul green. executive director, tucson audubon. Woodpeckers, Doves, Orioles, and Verdins: Birds as Pollinators

celebrate national pollinator week in the sonoran desertTohono Chul Park • Thursday–Saturday, June 24–26

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Moving To Masterythis class is designed for adults with some birding experience and skills. You will develop further skills in identifying birds, focusing on profile, general impression, and use of habits and habitat to nail down identification. other topics include bird topography, flight patterns, voice identification, and conservation issues. The five class sessions are reinforced with four field trips.Classroom sessions: Wednesdays, october 13, 20,

27 and november 3 & 10, 2010Field trips: october 16, 23, 30, and november 6cost is $250 ($285 for non-members but includes

membership)class size is limited to 20 people.

Specialty workshopsthese individual workshops focus on some of the more difficult families of birds: warblers, sparrows, raptors, and flycatchers. each class will focus on a specific family and boost your identification skills.Warblers: September 1 & 4, 2010Flycatchers: September 8 & 11, 2010Sparrows: January 26 & 29, 2011Raptors: february 2 & 5, 2011each class consists of one classroom session and

one all-day field trip.cost is $110 ($145 for non-members but includes

membership)class size is limited to 10 people.

TAking ThAT nexT sTep in birdingtucson audubon’s lifelong Birding Series will help you become a better birder. if you want to take that next step and increase your identification skills, consider joining one or more of the classes offered this fall. Master birder and educator homer hansen will guide students through the identification of difficult species groups and provides tools to build up your birding abilities. his classes always get top reviews.

for more information or to sign up, contact Tucson Audubon education at [email protected] or the nature Shop at 629-0510. classes will be held at tucson audubon and the nature Shop will be open beforehand for your convenience.

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AvAiLABLe iN Our NATure ShOPSHomer Hansen’s trio of “mini-guides” are user-friendly, waterproof and tear-resistant, and great field references for anyone birding in Arizona. $6.95 each

moving to mastery and specialty workshopsfall 2010–Spring 2011

go batty in septemberSeptember 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 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 [email protected].

watch for new programs next year, and for the return of old favorites!ol

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Apr 9–May 9. tucson audubon Birdathon (details left and p 28)Apr 21–May 22. raptors, raptors, raptors courseApr 22–June 1. Pollinators in Action photography contest (details p 5)May 7. all-Star Birdathon day: Gonzo BirdersMay 8. tree planting at Mason center (details p 6)May 8. togethergreen international Migratory Bird day Volunteer event (details p 8)May 9. last day for Birdathon.May 10. living With Nature lecture Seasonal Distribution Changes in Arizona Birds with troy corman (details left)May 15. ironwood education festival (details p 5)May 17. deadline to get Birdathon pledges in (details left)May 20. Birds & Beer. BYoB, share sightings and photos. tucson audubon HQ, 5–7 pm

May 23. Birdathon Birdy Brunch at tucson audubon / Historic Y courtyard (details left)June 12. Summer Sunset live at the Mason center (details p 5)June 17. Birds & Beer. Sky Bar (details below)June 17–19. patagonia Mountains iBa Survey (details p 4)June 24–26. national pollinator Week celebration (details p 8)September 10–11. go Batty in September (details p 9) Vf

Tucson Audubon EVEnTS & ClaSSES

Tucson living with nature lecture series / member meetingsduVal auditorium, ne section of the university Medical center Bldg. 501 n campbell ave. program begins at 7 pm, second Monday of each month September through May.

green vAlley living with nature lecture seriesJoyner-green Valley library, 601 n la canada dr. 594-5295. program begins at 10 am, third Saturday of each month october through March.

contact erin olmstead, 629-0510 or [email protected] for more information or visit tucsonaudubon.org.

May 10 • Tucson SeaSonal diStriBution cHangeS in ariZona BirdS with Troy Cormanthe seasonal status and distribution of many bird species is rapidly changing in arizona. as examples, some migrants are arriving earlier in

the spring and lingering longer in the fall, while some species that were never known to winter in the state in the past are now beginning to do so. other species from Mexico, which used to visit our state on only a few occasions, are now being reported annually and increasing in number to the point some have even attempted to nest here. Join bird biologist troy corman for this intriguing presentation to learn more about the various species and changes, explore possible environmental factors contributing to these changes, and find out what to expect in the future!

troy corman has been an avid birder since high school. raised in rural south-central pennsylvania, he moved to arizona in 1980 to pursue higher education and new adventures. for several years he conducted wildlife inventories on the upper San pedro river for the Bureau of land Management. He has worked for the nongame branch of the arizona game and fish department since 1990, conducting surveys and coordinating projects for species of concern. He coordinated the arizona Breeding Bird atlas project from its inception and was the primary editor and author of the book summarizing atlas data. He has a passion for bird natural history, distribution and changing seasonal status, particularly in the Southwest. He has been the president of arizona field ornithologists since its inception in 2005.

Thank you! thanks to this season’s remarkable living with nature lecturers, we explored amazing birding destinations near and far, got a sneak peek into the private lives of some of arizona’s most fascinating creatures, and gained insight into the relationship between people and the wildlife whose environment we share. We look forward to another entertaining and educational series next season.

Sincere Thanks to our 2009 / 2010 Presenters

Coming in 2010 / 2011roadrunners, rick taylor, liberty Wildlife, ecuador, and much more! Stay tuned for more details in the Sep/oct issue.

Sergio avilaeva Bairdclark BlakeJim Burnscarolyn campbelltroy cormanJillian cowlesJim dawsonaaron fleschaaron floydBetty Hupp

Sally JohnsenKaren KrebbsMarilyn Malonelarry Marshallrachel Mccafferydoug Mooreamanda MoorsVince pintoMark prettiMichael

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Birds & Beer at Sky Bar! Thursday, June 17, 5–8 pm as summer heats up, we’re putting a cool new twist on Birds & Beer, our monthly informal gathering! Join us at Sky Bar (just around the corner on 4th avenue) for happy hour, 5–8 pm. instead of the usual BYoB, it’s Buy-YoB and get a free slice from Birds & Business member, Brooklyn pizza company!

talk travel, gear, and beer, and share your best bird photos on the big screen. See you there! Vf

Birdathon Sponsors: You can make a donation or pledge to your favorite birder or team through May 17th.

Birdathoners: You can still go out and count the birds through may 9th! the deadline to get your pledges in to count for prizes is May 17, 5 pm. checks should be made out to tucson audubon and sent to 300 e. university Blvd, #120, tucson, aZ 85705. please

ask your sponsors to write your name in the memo section to be sure you get credit! thanks to all of our Birdathon participants and sponsors for your effort and generosity!

Birdy Brunch: Sunday, May 23rd, at tucson audubon, 9 to 11 am in the Y courtyard. Birdathoners, come share your story of Birdathon glory and a tasty brunch cooked up by tucson

audubon’s Board of directors. Join us as we toast your success and award great prizes from tropical Birding, tucson audubon nature Shop, Birder’s diary, BirdJam, Bookmans, Brooklyn pizza company, rei, Vortex, and more! Bonus points if you bring your own cup and/or place setting! rSVp to erin olmstead or Jean Barchman at 629-0510.

birdathon races Ahead!

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The late spring and early summer months are the optimal time to see our resident and migratory breeding bird species. Of the 283 species documented in the Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas, over 200 may be found in the southeastern part of the state. A rich diversity of species extends from the desert valleys up to the montane reaches of the Sky Islands. Arizona is well known for its variety of habitats; traveling through the lowlands to highlands you can pass through five or more biotic communities, from deserts to grasslands to forests.

The lowlands of southeast Arizona are luxuriantly vegetated with the Sonoran desertscrub conspicuous with many resident breeding birds: Gambel’s Quail, Harris’s Hawk, Gilded Flicker, and Verdin. A walk through Saguaro National Park in the Tucson or Rincon Mountains provides a chance to hear the songs of the Costa’s Hummingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, and Black-throated Sparrow. If you flush a Lesser Nighthawk while walking through creosote, take care to not accidently step on eggs laid on bare ground! As the desert cools towards dusk, watch the holes in saguaros for the emergence of cavity-nesting Elf Owls.

At higher elevations the valleys become semidesert grasslands with grama and bunch grasses interspersed with small trees and shrubs. Places like Las Cienegas NCA and Sulphur Springs Valley are host to Scaled Quail, White-tailed Kite, Swainson’s Hawk, and Eastern Meadowlark. Be sure to stop and listen for territorial songs from Grasshopper and Cassin’s Sparrows perched on a yucca or mesquite, and check the sky for courtship

aerial acrobatics performed by Common and Chihuahuan Ravens.

Cutting through the desert and grassland lowlands are riparian corridors of cottonwood, willow, and mesquite, as found along the Santa Cruz and San Pedro Rivers. These corridors are very important for both foraging and breeding migrants like the Gray Hawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Yellow Warbler, and Yellow-breasted Chat. A trip to San Pedro House offers the chance to see the quivering flight of the displaying Vermilion Flycatcher. Or look for a Bell’s Vireo cup nest, suspended in the fork of a small branch, by listening for the male singing on the nest!

Moving from the valley floor to the mountains, you quickly encounter Madrean evergreen woodland or interior chaparral. As you transition from grassland to woodland, carefully watch for the elusive Montezuma Quail, often standing still as you drive by. Once within the interior chaparral, the striking red bark of the pointleaf manzanita seems to accent the reddish-brown in the plumage of the breeding Crissal Thrasher, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, and Rufous-crowned Sparrow. Listen for Bewick’s Wrens and Black-chinned Sparrows singing from shrub oaks, and look for the hanging, woven nest of the Scott’s Oriole, built from strands of grass and yucca leaves. This dry, mid-elevation habitat can be visited at Molino Basin in the Catalinas or Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoons. Within the Madrean evergreen woodland, look for Arizona Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Hepatic

Tanager nesting in the pines and oaks of this montane habitat. Within the woodland drainages, Broad-billed and Blue-throated Hummingbird, Elegant Trogon, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Plumbeous Vireo, and Painted Redstart often are found nesting in or near the sycamore-lined creeks. Visit Huachuca or Madera Canyon to watch bird behavior at their nests. If you are too close, birds may not approach the nest: simply step back a few yards to watch them construct the nest, turn the eggs, or feed the nestlings.

At the top of our mountain highlands, we find the montane conifer forests of pine, spruce, and fir. The cool mountain peaks are home for the Northern Goshawk, Band-tailed Pigeon, Spotted Owl, Hermit Thrush, and Red-faced Warbler. Within the Sky Islands, the same habitat in different ranges can have different species, such as the Mountain Chickadee in the Pinaleño Mountains and the Mexican Chickadee in the Chiricahua Mountains. Having reached the apex of southeast Arizona’s diversity of species and habitats, it is a good opportunity to pause and appreciate Arizona’s bounty of birds. Vf

Homer Hansen is the author of the G.I.S.S. Series identification guides, instructs Moving to Mastery for Tucson Audubon Society (see p 9), and chairs Wings Over Willcox. Homer leads tours for festivals, groups, and individual birders. [email protected]

WHeRe TO GO, BIRDS TO See

A bounty of birds: our lowland to highland breedersHOMER HANSEN

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above, top to bottom: Madrean evergreen woodland in the catalinas; upland riparian in Baboquivari Mountains.Below, left to right: Semidesert woodland in altar Valley; grasslands in Sonoita.

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Want a foolproof plan for seeing this issue’s bird—Grace’s Warbler (Dendroica graciae)? For Tucsonans the easiest place to look is just up the Mount Lemmon Road in the Catalina Mountains. Go past Molino Basin and the open vistas surrounding Sabino Basin to where the vegetation makes a sudden change from chaparral to oaks, interspersed with near pure stands of ponderosa pine. One lower elevation example of this latter type is also a popular birding spot, the Middle Bear picnic area. And upon exiting your car in early summer, the sounds of Grace’s Warblers’ song (a rising series of rapid chips) might reach your ears before your feet hit the ground! Gleaning small insects from pine bundles high in the trees, these beautiful birds might be easy to hear, but can take some looking for to get a good view. Usually never less than twenty or thirty feet up from the ground, they are frequently blamed for that birder’s malady ”warbler neck.“ Arching your lower back along with your neck will help make looking easier, but, fortunately for identifying this bird, there aren’t other western warblers that look similar. The

yellow throat, white underparts and dark flank streaks rule out other warblers in this habitat.

Grace’s Warbler is one of our smallest warblers, and one of the least studied. Nests are difficult to study as they are typically at least thirty-five feet high; birds approach them with particular caution, and hide them well in clumps of pine needles or in tree crowns. The birds themselves are also hard to follow, typically foraging even higher in mature trees. Favorite habitats are mixed coniferous forest or pine-oak in park-like, semi-open stands. They strongly favor pines but use oaks when Olive and Yellow-rumped Warblers are present. Two broods have been reported as typical, but data show this to be unsubstantiated. Unreported in the

eastern U.S., they breed in the Southwest north into Nevada, Utah and Colorado, and winter primarily in the highlands of Mexico. Here in southeast Arizona they arrive in early April and migrate south in late September.

How did this warbler get its name? In 1864, Dr. Elliot Coues, while serving as a surgeon in the U.S. Army, collected a new wood-warbler near Prescott, Arizona. The bird was formally described the next year by Spencer Baird, and Coues asked as a favor that it be named after his sister Grace Darlington Coues. Baird did so, and the bird bears her name to this day. Dr. Coues was the author of Birds of the Colorado Valley, Birds of the Northwest, Key to North American Birds, and many papers. He also served on the committee that prepared the first and second editions of the A.O.U. Check-list of North American Birds. Miss Coues later married Charles Albert Page, one-time United States Minister to Switzerland and, after his death, Dana Estes, a publisher.

We’re long past the days of new birds being discovered here in the U.S., but it must have been exciting for those early naturalists and explorers to come upon a new find. So when you’re looking high up into the trees and find your next Grace’s Warbler, think of elliot and his sister as you enjoy the view. Good luck! Vf

For Tucsonans the easiest place to look for grace’s warbler is just up the mount lemmon road in the catalina mountains.

WHAT’S IN A NAMe?

Interesting stories about birds with interesting names

grace’s warblerLARRY LIESE

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AvAiLABLe iN Our NATure ShOPSFinding Birds in Southeast Arizona. published by tucson audubon Society. this will get you everywhere you need to go for an official Big Day or a fun-filled Birdathon with friends. $24.95 ($22.46 for members).Arizona Birds: From the Backyard to the Backwoods by Jim Burns. a lively portrayal of the habits and habitats of seventy-five unique southwestern bird species. 239 pages. $16.95.Birds of Arizona: Field Guide by Stan tekiela. adventure publications, 2003. paperbound. 345 pages. 6”x 4¼” format. $14.95.


CeLeBrATiNG SOuTheAST ArizONA’S BirDS

If you live and bird in southeast Arizona, you know that one of the most rewarding birding areas in the United States is right here. Of the 914 or so bird species recorded for the United States and Canada, individuals of more than 400 species spend some time each year in southeast Arizona, with a total recorded list of around 525 species. We are third only to the coastal states of Texas and California in terms of species diversity.

Why do we play host to so many species? The answer lies in a combination of longitude, latitude, varied elevations, and context. Vegetation typical of more northerly regions extends south at high elevations from the Rocky Mountains. It meets flora from more southerly regions coming north at lower elevations from the Sierra Madre Occidental in Mexico. The Sonoran Desert meets the Chihuahan Desert to the east, and the Mojave Desert to the west.

Being on the west side of the continent at 30 degrees north, our region experiences dry, hot, descending air which, coupled with other desert-making phenomena such as a rainshadow from mountains and distance from the ocean, create deserts around the globe at this latitude north and south.

A combination of climate, weather, and varied elevation give us samples of all of the world’s biomes within our Sonoran desert region. We can find tundra, coniferous forest, temperate deciduous

forest, grassland, chaparral, desert, thornscrub, and elements of tropical forest. Moving around our area, in less than a day you can travel the equivalent of 2200 miles, experiencing habitats that occur in places as far apart as Mexico and southern Canada.

Birds found in cool conifer forests farther north breed high in our mountains above those of Mexican origin breeding in oak and pine woodlands (see p 11). Deserts and grasslands, with many distinctive species, separate the mountain ranges. Spring and fall bring migrants passing through with some wintering in the lowlands. This diverse and distinctive avifauna, accessible within a half-day drive from Tucson, draws birders from around the world, helping to drive our economy as you read on page 3.

We celebrate our birds in this issue of the Vermilion Flycatcher. In the next two pages, six Tucson Audubon staff members describe some of their favorite species from this region.

Tucson Audubon provides resources that enable birders to make the most of this region including our publication Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona, covering in detail an area east of 112 degrees west to the New Mexico

border and south of 33 degrees north to the border with Mexico, and includes information on birding in Puerto Penasco in Sonora. For an in-depth analysis of our region, we recommend A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert, edited by Steven J. Philips and Patricia Wentworth Comus, and Southern Arizona Nature Almanac by Roseann and Jonathan Hanson. All three books are available in the Tucson Audubon bookstore. So make a point of celebrating our birds this spring.

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Around 914 species in North America620 in Texas616 in California525 in Arizona523 in New Mexico485 in Florida465 in Colorado445 in New Jersey

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14 Tucson Audubon Vermilion Flycatcher May–June 2010Breeding

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elegant Trogonthe possibility of seeing a trogon has lured many birdwatchers to southern arizona. Most of these charismatic birds arrive in april and May and depart during September and october. there, among the mountain forests, pine-oak or sycamore canyons, they perch seeking a wide variety of insects, especially katydids, cicadas, walking sticks, large caterpillars, and small lizards. during the summer months, you may find them eating small fruits and berries. trogons often nest in tree cavities, usually in an old flicker hole in dead trees or limbs, especially in sycamores. cared for and fed by both parents, the young leave the nest about 20–23 days after hatching but are dependent on their parents for a few more weeks. in the fall, most migrate south to Mexico, but some will spend the winter along a lowland stream in southeastern arizona.

formerly known as the coppery-tailed trogon, the male’s head, chest, and upper parts are a deep glossy green separated from the red belly by a narrow white band across the breast. the tail is square-tipped, moderately long, and the bill is yellow. the female is brown, not green, with less red on the under parts. if you would like to view a picture, go to www.tucsonaudubon.org and click on the cover of the July–august 2009 issue of Vermilion Flycatcher.

As a new birder, my first experience with seeing an elegant trogon was in the 2008 Birdathon. We were off sweetwater Wetlands/Roger Road with our binoculars tilted to the trees. “Hey, sara, what is that?” Would you believe, it was an elegant trogon! carrie called the shop to report the sighting to the rare bird alert. We gazed at the elegant bird for several minutes. later that day, the female was spotted in sweetwater Wetlands Park. We ventured on to Mt. lemmon but nothing topped the morning’s find.


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gray hawk“Hoooooweeo!, Hoooooweeo!” Here is a raptor of tropical origin, secretive, mysterious, but seemingly ubiquitous by its “calling” throughout our southeastern arizona riparian areas. it is found wherever high groundwater levels remain, and human use has allowed cottonwood groves and mesquite bosques to persist.

gray Hawks are rare in the united States: less than 200 breeding pairs are likely present (March–october). But a real success story for this species is underway due to conservation efforts over the last couple of decades that has allowed arizona riparian habitat to recover.

the gray Hawk’s greatest u.S. stronghold is southeast arizona. this species has a dual habitat preference of mature cottonwood/willow for nesting and tall velvet mesquite stands for foraging. reptiles account for up to 70% of its prey, with whiptail and spiny lizards leading the list. abundant populations are now nesting along the San pedro and Santa cruz rivers, as well as arivaca and Sonoita creeks. new nesting has been very notable near patagonia (now in oaks!), and in the far eastern tucson basin, including tanque Verde, rincon, and cienega creeks; even lower Sabino creek has had recent sightings!

My first trip to the san Pedro, on my first southwestern trip, yielded my first encounter, a gray ghost skimming the cottonwood gallery. gaining a sighting of this elusive bird often can be challenging, and finding a particular bird’s nest has proven maddening for this biologist many a time. Here is one bird that takes you out of the dry heat and puts you directly into the neotropical realm of shrouded dense humid forests right here in arizona.

Scott Wilbor, Important Bird Areas Program Conservation Biologist

montezuma QuailMontezuma Quail are the birds that birders long to see, and probably have seen once or twice without even knowing it, simply because the bird has mastered the art of remaining undetected. Yet, when these quail are startled, they explode into the air in quite a wing-flapping show.

these cryptic birds can be found into the southeastern area of arizona, southwestern new Mexico, and west texas. they inhabit open woods of oak to pine-oak and juniper, and prefer grassy hillsides in these areas.

the Montezuma Quail is one of the shortest of the quails in north america, sizing in at approximately 8.75 inches. of course, with short sometimes comes plump, and these quail can be proud of their plumpness weighing in at average of 6 oz. the adult male has a striking, swirling face pattern, while the rest of his body remains in camouflage mode. The female face pattern slightly resembles that of the male, but not in such a striking way. these quail come with a special tool for digging—their long, sickle-shaped claws.

i saw my first Montezuma Quail while on a christmas Bird count in Madera canyon. i’d always wanted to see one, but never had the luck of coming across one of these secretive, stunning birds until we were leisurely walking and counting. there in front of us, standing perfectly still and trying to hide, were a male, female, and what looked like younger birds. They were not five feet away from me and i stood captivated by their appearance and moved by their stillness. Since then, i’ve had a streak of Montezuma Quail luck while in Madera canyon—once watching a covey cross the road as we drove into the canyon, and another time watching a pair foraging along the side of the road about halfway up the canyon. i feel so fortunate!

Sara Pike, Nature Shop Manager

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red-faced warblerThe flash of the bright red face and breast of a Red-faced Warbler against the green forest canopy is hard to miss. the seemingly random pattern of red face and white nape interrupted by a black “bonnet” has given rise to a list of entertaining nick names, including clown face and coloradito in Mexico. preferring mid- to high-elevation forests (6000–9200 ft), these warblers would not occur in southeast arizona were it not for our “sky islands.” Because of its restricted distribution in remote areas, birds may be difficult to locate, creating a mystique for people hoping to catch a glimpse of one of the region’s most sought-after birds.

Red-faced Warblers arrive to breed in southeast arizona by late april, taking advantage of the insects they glean from oak, pine, or fir tree limbs. they depart in early September to winter in the highlands of southern Mexico, guatemala, el Salvador, and Honduras.

Red-faced Warblers share an interesting adaptation with another red-splashed warbler of roughly the same habitat, painted redstart; they nest on the ground, with females placing a well-hidden cup nest in a small hole or hollow, often with a rock or vegetative overhang to protect and conceal it.

i, too, experienced the mystique of “coloradito” until a summer day high up in the spruce/fir of the pinaleño Mountains. i was scanning for a different “red,” that of the Mt. graham red squirrel, when i caught sight of two Red-faced Warblers scurrying low and carrying nest material. What a treat, to see two individuals and find a nest! or so i thought. After an intense search, i never did find that nest, and the mystique lives on.

Matt Griffiths, Restoration and Communications Specialist

verdinVerdins are the prettiest birds that most tucsonans have never seen. tiny and fast-moving, they challenge the birder to follow them with binoculars, and they present a fleeting gray blur to most others.

Verdins live in desert areas from southern california and nevada east to western texas. their distribution goes south to the tip of Baja california and to central Mexico, excluding the western Sierra Madre.

Verdins are non-migratory, year-‘round residents throughout their distribution. they prefer thorny desert scrub, especially mesquite, palo verde, and acacias. providing thorny native vegetation in tucson landscapes will assure their little yellow faces will adorn your yard.

Highly desert-adapted, Verdins can derive all the water they need from what they eat. they eat mostly insects and spiders, sometimes holding leaves with their feet while searching them for prey.

one study calculated they ate up to 540 insects, spiders, or larvae per day during winter. When available, they also eat fruits, pulp from seed pods, flower nectar, or they sip from hummingbird feeders.

Believe it or not, Verdin was once a nemesis for me. living in central Mexico—at the very south end of their range—in the early ’90s, i searched for them in vain. i found my first one in a mesquite thicket and almost immediately learned what they sound like, since they vocalize so frequently. from then on i saw (or at least heard) them quite often, and they have become one of my favorite avian friends.

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costa’s hummingbirdNewly arrived in the u.s., i remember my first male costa’s Hummingbird: it was at a feeder just outside the hummingbird enclosure at the arizona-Sonoran desert Museum. the gorget had me transfixed. Years later, now living in Arizona, i have come to love this species for its strong spirit, the combination of the male’s brilliantly iridescent purple, flared gorget, and its apparent love of the dry, desert scrub. it’s not a bird of lush, verdant, gardens but the bird i see when walking the wash where i live. anna’s, its probable closest relative, seems to adapt better to our modification of habitat and provision of feeders.

costa’s annual migratory movements help give me a sense of the essence of the bird. its “early” appearance here in the fall (october, november) and subsequent breeding (March, april), is followed by its disappearance from our area in May and June. our birds head west then, to the Pacific Coast of California and Baja California, to join others of the same species that breed in that region. it’s not clear if the birds follow clear migratory corridors or migrate across a broad front.

as one of the smaller hummers, costa’s uses flowers with shorter floral tubes, especially Chuparosa, which has a long flowering period and is also the most reliable and productive of midwinter nectar sources when the bird returns to us in october. chuparosa reaches its peak flowering activity in March, the time when the costa’s is breeding. in areas where both ocotillo and Chuparosa are in flower, there is a super-abundance of nectar for the breeding birds.

one question that interests me is whether costa’s is better adapted to the drier, hotter desert habitats, or whether competition from other species, which are generally socially dominant, forces it to live in these habitats.

Paul Green, Executive Director

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The State of the Birds: 2010 Report on Climate Change, a report produced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with experts from numerous national conservation organizations, including the National Audubon Society, was released in March 2010. This new report focuses on predicting which groups of birds are most threatened by climate change and its multiple effects on ecosystems and species. The report follows last year’s The State of the Birds, which found nearly a third of the U.S. avifauna is endangered, threatened, or in significant decline. The new report focuses on biological aspects of species’ sensitivity to climate change as well as the exposure of each species’ habitat to climate change in the near future, and scores species to rank both species groups (those of: oceans, coasts, arctic, islands, aridlands, wetlands, grasslands, forests-western & eastern, waterfowl and gamebirds), and individual species within these groups.

The report found the most threatened bird groups were those of oceans, islands (notably the Hawaiian Islands), coasts, arctic/alpine areas, and waterfowl. The primary driving threat for oceanic birds was shifting of ocean productivity patterns and ocean chemistry, and seabirds’ low reproductive potential. For the other highest vulnerable groups, the loss, degradation, or the changing condition

of habitats was a common thread. In our region, Arizona and the southwest, three species groups are represented:

1) grassland birds, more than half (57%) show “medium vulnerability” as a group, primarily due to predicted increased drought conditions and shrub encroachment (e.g., Swainson’s Hawk);

2) Aridland birds, many bird species (44%) exhibit medium vulnerability, but the Lesser Nighthawk stands out for “high vulnerability” because of its reliance on large flying insects that may face declines due to drought. Invasion by non-native species, fire threat to habitats, floral and fruit resources’ mis-timing to species’ needs, water stress on riparian systems, and species’ physiological heat tolerance limits, were the driving vulnerability factors of species ranked as medium vulnerability; and

3) western Forest birds, many species were ranked as medium vulnerability to climate change, including Montezuma Quail, Spotted Owl, Thick-billed Kingbird, many flycatchers (e.g., Cordilleran), many hummingbirds (e.g., Blue-throated), and some warblers (e.g., Virginia’s). Western forest birds’ vulnerability was primarily attributed to increased drought conditions, insect outbreak and forest health, and length and severity of fire seasons.

The report presents “key steps” to help avian species cope with climate change. In our region the report recommended providing for habitat conservation both in latitudinal and elevation aspects (particularly for forest ecosystems). Additional steps include managing invasive species, managing shrub encroachment in grasslands (particularly with fire), grassland conservation through holistic ranching, and restoring and conserving riparian areas, including springs, with reference to groundwater conservation and providing for natural hydrologic function.

What is the Tucson Audubon Society doing to take these key steps? Through

our Habitat Restoration Program we are engaged in non-native invasive species removal projects and habitat enhancement projects, in riparian, grassland, mesquite bosque, and ironwood/saguaro ecosystems (e.g., Simpson & Martin project sites—lower Santa Cruz River, Esperanza ranch—upper Santa Cruz River, Esperero & Sabino Canyons, Atterbury Wash, Tucson Audubon’s Mason Center, and other new projects coming on line as well). Through the Arizona Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program, we are pursuing landscape conservation of the San Pedro River basin (particularly along the unprotected lower reach), focusing on gathering bird and habitat information, and advocating for water and habitat conservation/protection. For our “sky island” borderland IBAs we are focused on achieving key avian habitat protection, particularly for cool canyons, springs, and habitat connectivity across elevation gradients (e.g., Patagonia and Santa Rita Mountains). And, in our lowland riparian IBAs we are focused on preventing riparian habitat degradation and promoting groundwater conservation (e.g., Sabino & Tanque Verde Creeks). Through our environmental leadership in the community we continue to act at the local, regional, and state level, working to promote sustainability practices (e.g., water harvesting), urban habitat, habitat connectivity, and regional planning (e.g., Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, and groundwater protection zoning), all to conserve native regional biodiversity. We also advocate at the state and national levels for strong renewable energy standards to achieve a “greener” and more secure energy portfolio for the United States.

The complete U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report can be viewed and downloaded by going to the excellent website www.stateofthebirds.org. Vf

The vulnerability of u.s. birds to climate change—a new report by the u.S. fish and wildlife ServiceSCOTT WIlBOR | IMPORTANT BIRD AReAS PROGRAM CONSeRVATION BIOlOGIST

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As a resident of the Sonoran Desert, you have probably awoken to the persistent, scolding note of a Cactus Wren or the loud “whit-wheet” call of a Curve-billed Thrasher. If you are unlucky, like me, you may also have had a few painful interactions with the wide array of cholla cacti found here, which includes the teddy bear, jumping or chainfruit, buckhorn, staghorn, and pencil varieties. These birds and plants are synonymous with desert life, and their interactions provide us with an important example of just how valuable our prickly plant neighbors are to native wildlife.

Looking at the Tucson Bird Count data, Cactus Wrens and Curve-billed Thrashers are pretty common around the Tucson area. In fact, in terms of overall numbers, they are the 9th and 12th most common species counted. Cactus Wrens can be remarkably adaptable, nesting anywhere from roof eaves to spare shoes and even feeding on pet kibble. Among the members of the thrasher family, Curve-billeds seem to be the least sensitive to development, with other locally occurring thrashers like Crissal or Bendire’s being much more reclusive. Yet, we shouldn’t let these results make us complacent, for although these species seem to be adjusting relatively well to certain types to human disturbance, evidence suggests that their populations may be declining as their native desert habitats are converted into developed lands.

Fortunately, we know a lot about the resources that these birds require, so we can reverse some of the impacts of dwindling native habitat by including

these features in our landscapes. In the Tucson area, both Cactus Wrens and Curve-billed Thrashers rely on cholla cacti for roosting and nesting sites. Cactus Wrens are master nest builders, frequently building several secondary nests that serve as roosting sites for adults and fledglings as well as breeding nests for subsequent broods (in fact, Cactus Wrens can produce up to 3 broods a year, and the male is often busy at work on the nest for the pair’s next attempt while his mate incubates the first group). Curve-billed Thrashers are not quite as industrious, but they are seriously dependent on cholla cacti. Unlike the slightly more flexible Cactus Wren, which will also nest in saguaros and other plants, Curve-billed Thrashers are rarely found in areas without cholla, where they almost exclusively nest. In my research, I found that of all the potential features I considered, the only thing that accurately predicted whether or not a Curve-billed Thrasher would be found at a site was the number of cholla cacti present. This was the only species of the ten that I looked at that didn’t also respond to features at a broader scale. Cactus Wrens, for example, were also strongly influenced by the number of cholla at a site, but additionally by the amount of open space found in the surrounding area.

Given how valuable cholla cacti are to these birds, it’s not surprising that it can sometimes lead to conflict. While Curve-billed Thrashers and Cactus Wrens can happily roost in the same plant during non-breeding periods, and may even nest in nearby cholla, conflicts between the two species as they vie for optimal cholla nesting sites during breeding season

are not unusual. Many have observed Curve-billed Thrashers destroying nests that Cactus Wrens are building or using for roosting in chollas (in general, they seem to avoid active breeding nests), and Cactus Wrens will also try to oust Curve-billed Thrashers from their breeding territories. With such competition over nest sites, increasing the availability of nesting plants is one of the best ways to attract Cactus Wrens and Curve-billed Thrashers to your yard and to help sustain their populations.Luckily, for those not interested in having a cholla forest in their yards, my research indicates that it only takes a few cholla to make a big difference! In yards where there were no cholla cacti, there was only a 24% chance of a Cactus Wren being present, but in yards with one to three cholla, there was a 52% chance, indicating that the addition of just one or two cholla can more than double your odds of attracting a Cactus Wren (and, as the graph shows, adding more cholla will only increase your yard’s attractiveness!). The same pattern holds true for Curve-billed Thrashers, and there are lots of other species that will nest in cholla; so consider planting a few. Just remember that to keep things peaceful, you may want to leave some distance between them! Vf

Rachel McCaffrey has served as coordinator of the Tucson Bird Count since 2003, and completed her doctorate at The University of Arizona. Her reseach has focused on issues related to urban birds.cholla cactus at Mason centerdo

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Both Cactus Wrens and Curve-billed Thrashers eat mostly insects, so if you want to attract them (and lots of other insect-loving birds) to your yard, you may want to avoid spraying for insects outside your home. they will happily eat the spiders, beetles, wasps, and ants for you!

nesting in a cactus can protect birds from some predators, but snakes, greater road-runners, and cats can still reach nestlings.

SPeCIAl FeATURe | SUSTAINING BIRD POPUlATIONS

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Secretary of the interior Ken Salazar announced in mid-april nearly $66 million in grants, awarded through the Cooperative endangered Species Conservation fund, to enable 25 states to work with private landowners, conservation organizations and other partners to protect and conserve the habitat of threatened and endangered species. representing the Southwest region, texas and arizona will receive over $3,700,000 combined grant funding.

authorized by Section 6 of the endangered Species act, these competitive grants enable states to work with private landowners, conservation groups and other agencies to initiate conservation planning efforts and acquire and protect habitat to support the conservation of threatened and endangered species.

the cooperative endangered Species fund provides grants through the Habitat conservation planning assistance grants program, the Habitat conservation plan land acquisition grants program, and the recovery land acquisition grants program. these three programs were established to help avoid potential conflicts between the conservation of threatened and endangered species and land development and use.

a habitat Conservation Planning Assistance Grants Program grant of $299,795 went to the city of tucson, for their greater Southlands Habitat conservation plan (Hcp). the planning proposal will provide a comprehensive, long-range, regional plan for 14 covered species within a 130,000-acre planning area facing strong development pressures within the city of tucson. completion of this

segment of the planning proposal will position the City of Tucson to finalize the greater Southlands Hcp and work with the public and stakeholders as part of the nepa to develop an environmental impact Statement and a final draft hCP.

recovery Land Acquisition Grants went to three recipients including the arizona game and fish department (agfd) which received $1,025,000. this grant will enable the agfd to acquire the triangle Bar ranch in pinal county. this 925-acre tract is located at the confluence of the San pedro river and aravaipa creek. the acquisition would primarily benefit the endangered southwestern Willow Flycatcher and threatened loach minnow.

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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).

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the 2010 arizona legislative Session may go down in history of one of the very worst our state has seen, at least when it comes to environmental protection or lack thereof. on the table are measures to weaken water quality protections, undermine science-based wildlife management, assure that clean air standards are not met, and make it easier to pump and pollute our precious groundwater. they have already repealed the State parks Heritage fund.

that is just one major wound inflicted on the Arizona state Park system. the legislature has defunded them to the point where many of the parks are closing, and the ones that remain open are either the ones that generate the most dollars or are where State parks was able to work out an agreement with local communities, volunteers, and other benefactors. these agreements are only temporary stop-gaps when what is needed is dedicated funding.

rather than address the funding needs and allow a hearing on hCr2040 sustainable state parks fund, a referral that would have placed a fee on vehicle registrations to allow free admittance to parks as well as fund the park system, representative John Kavanagh decided to run his own bill, hB2599 NOw: state parks fund; voluntary contributions. the bill is the equivalent of panhandling for parks as it establishes the Sustainable State parks fund, consisting of monies collected through voluntary contributions, which individuals could donate on motor vehicle registration and renewal applications. this is likely to generate little in the way of revenue, especially when people know the dollars could and likely will be swept by the legislature, and certainly will not fund the parks system.

after harming parks to the greatest extent possible, legislators turned to wildlife. SB1200 NOw: game and fish commission; recommendation board passed and was signed into law by the governor. this bill sets up the

arizona game and fish commission appointment recommendation board, which is made up of a few hunting organizations, one member of the public, and one rancher. the board makes recommendations to the governor and the governor must chose a game and fish commissioner from those recommendations. this means only the people deemed worthy by this small set of individuals and groups will be considered and means a few groups control the commission to the detriment of the larger public and wildlife. SB1200 is a huge step backwards for the state’s wildlife agency and will be bad news for predators, prairie dogs, and other critters not considered to be of value by these groups.

as if the damage done to parks and wildlife were not enough, the legislature is undermining protection of one of our most precious resources

—water. Considering the significance of water in our arid land, you would think they would treat it with the utmost of care and insist on the most protective standards possible. not so at the arizona legislature where there are several proposals to weaken protections for ground and surface water including one to limit Clean Water Act protections for most of our rivers and streams, as well as a bill to give mining interests more clout and control relative to rulemaking and exempting them from more of our water quality and water quantity protections.

arizona’s resources are too precious and wonderful to be treated so cavalierly and irresponsibly by an out-of-touch and short-sighted legislature.

See how your legislator voted on these issues. follow their voting record at the arizona league of conservation

Voters website http://www.azlcv.org/scorecards.php let your representatives know often that you are watching and that you care about these critical issues. congratulate those that support our environment. express your displeasure to those who do not. Most importantly make sure you use your vote to show your pleasure or displeasure. We can and must do better.

In the March/April issue of the Vermilion Flycatcher, you will have read about the possible construction of two 500-kilovolt power lines along the San Pedro River valley. This would mean the construction of 300 sixteen-story towers and the approval of a one-mile wide corridor for future expansion in an Important Bird Area of Global Significance, a riparian system without parallel in the American southwest.

In response to public comments about the effects of proposed transmission lines on the Lower San Pedro River Watershed, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has reopened scoping for the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project, a proposed 460 mile, 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission line across New Mexico and Arizona. Along with the reopened scoping period, the BLM has also announced an expanded study area for the project, with alternative routes

now being evaluated that would run along I-10 and in the Tucson area.

Unfortunately, routes through the Lower San Pedro watershed remain under consideration. Written comments on any of the proposed routes may now be submitted to the BLM until June 10, 2010 (see contact information below).

While any new transmission lines, especially lines as large as SunZia’s, will have an ecological impact, it is the position of Tucson Audubon that these lines should utilize existing highway and transmission line corridors and other pre-disturbed areas to the greatest extent possible. Most importantly, new transmission lines must avoid unfragmented wildlands like the Lower San Pedro Watershed, a unique area in North America that provides essential habitat for over 350 bird species and 87 species of mammals.

Conservation of the Lower San Pedro, in conjunction with the Upper San Pedro, as an unfragmented migratory corridor, is critical to the ability of hundreds of species to traverse the continent, and for many to find places to nest.

A public scoping meeting regarding the expanded study area was held in Tucson on April 29 as we went to press. Meanwhile, we encourage you to send your written comments to the BLM via the BLM Project Website at http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/more/lands_realty.html, via the project email address at [email protected], or by mail to the Bureau of Land Management, SunZia Transmission Line Project, P.O Box 27115, Santa Fe, NM 87502-0115. To be added to the BLM’s project mailing list, or if you have any other questions, please contact BLM Project Manager Adrian Garcia at (505) 954-2199. VF

Tell blm what you Think about the san pedro power lineChet Philips

Arizona legislature wreaks havoc on water, wildlife, and parksSandy Bahr. Grand Canyon Chapter Director, Sierra Club.

Black-throated Sparrow, photographed in catalina State park, a popular birding area where more than 150 bird species have been seen.

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mayMay 1—Saturday 9 to 10:30 am

sweetwater wetlands Family outing seriesdo you enjoy sharing the joy of nature and outdoor activities with your children or grandchildren? Make peanut butter bird feeders; sketch and color birds; or check out a backpack filled with family activities. We’ll loan you the binoculars! Presented by tucson audubon and Sunnyside School district’s Student urban naturalists (SaSun). children age 4–14 must be accompanied by an adult! leader: deborah Vath at [email protected] 490-4835

May 1—Saturday 7 am

century runHave you ever seen 100 bird species in a day? if not, maybe you’d like to join larry as he celebrates leading his 100th Tucson Audubon field trip with a Birdathon event trying to see 100 bird species. it’ll be a more-the-merrier event that should be lots of fun! to accomplish our goal we’ll keep moving,

but at an unhurried pace. Some easy trail-walking involved. We’ll start at sweetwater Wetlands and make a loop south to Madera, rio rico, then up to the patagonia area. participants are expected to get $100 of Birdathon pledges to attend. tucson audubon will be providing refreshments at our finish in Patagonia. To sign up, contact Jean Barchman or erin olmstead at tucson audubon at 629-0510. leader: larry liese

May 4—Tuesday 4:30 am

Fort huachucaBirding 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 twelve participants (including the leader) in three high-clearance vehicles. contact the leader by email to reserve a place. all participants must have a government-issued picture id, and all drivers must have drivers 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 roundtrip. 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 520-629-0510

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 uNW Tucson: ina and Via Ponte—commuter

parking lot one block west of oracle and ina, south side of ina.

v sW Tucson: i-19 and irvington—Fry’s parking lot.

wgreen Valley: i-19 and continental rd exit 63—Mcdonald’s parking lot.

xne 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 629-0510 ext. 3. report rare birds at 629-0510 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.

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GOiNG NOrTh TO:do you live way north of tucson, want to bird with Tucson Audubon, but find it to be frustrating because trips seem to always head south, making it difficult for you to meet for early carpooling? the field trip leaders are making a real effort to include our valued northern members at least once per month as we offer “going north to:” trips. please look for these trips to be listed each month and, if you like the idea, please encourage the leaders by dropping them a note.

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DON’T fOrGeT TO STOP iN Our NATure ShOP fOr yOur fieLD AND iD GuiDeS, AND OTher BirDiNG SuPPLieS.



going north to: gilbert water ranchspend the morning birding Gilbert Water Ranch on this joint field trip with the Desert Rivers Audubon Society. this is a hot spot in metro phoenix with close to 200 species spotted here! Meet in tucson for carpooling at 5 am at the commuter parking lot at ina and Via ponte, one block west of oracle and ina, on the south side of ina. then meet at 7 am at the gilbert riparian preserve parking lot. to get there exit i-10 from tucson onto u.S. 60 east (towards Globe), proceed 13.5 miles to Greenfield road, exit right (south), go 1.6 miles and turn left (east) onto guadalupe road, go .25 mile to the parking lot on the right (south) side of guadalupe road. contact the leader to arrange carpooling about 210 miles roundtrip. leader: richard filley [email protected] or 480-277-0834


Dragonflies and Damselfliesonly 15 fortunate people may join the author of the upcoming book, A field guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Arizona and Sonora as he gently nets these beautiful creatures and points out identifying features before he releases 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 2 pm. about 80 miles roundtrip. leader: rich Bailowitz [email protected] 544-0602

May 16—Sunday 5:30 am

cienega creek natural preserve on international migratory bird daythe required permit restricts the number of people allowed to visit this protected preserve, so contact the leader beginning May 11 to register. this riparian area attracts many resident and migratory birds which you will help your leader count as part of the international Migratory Bird day census. there are no established trails or facilities at this preserve. carpooling is expected. about 40 miles roundtrip. leader: Vivian MacKinnon 250-7068 [email protected]

May 18—Tuesday 7 am

beginning birdwatching at sweetwater wetlandsThis is a field trip specifically for people who are new to birding or are visitors from out of town and 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. done by 10 am. rSVp to trip leader for current details starting May 1. local. leader: cynthia Barstad 237-2331 [email protected]

May 18—Tuesday 7–8:30 pm

The moonSee our Moon through a telescope. Mike Smith will show Mare Crisium, where the first spacecraft impacted, the region of tranquility base, alpenglow and earthshine. Meet at the top of campbell avenue north of Skyline drive. come any time and stay as little or as long as you wish. Venus will also be visible. leader: Michael S. Smith [email protected]


Tucson Audubon young birders Field Trip: patagonia vicinitythe riparian corridor around patagonia is world famous for its specialties and undiscovered rarities. We will begin by checking out the Roadside Rest for migrants and maybe thick-billed Kingbird. then we will work the trails of the patagonia-sonoita Creek Preserve for riparian birds. We will finish the day at the Paton’s house, home of the Violet-crowned Hummingbird. lunch at the patagonia park. Bring hat, lunch, and water. Meet at Houghton and i-10. 120 miles roundtrip. contact leaders for details. Rob Payne [email protected] 867-0490; Scott olmstead [email protected] 520 840-9567

May 23—Sunday 5:30 am

sycamore canyonrugged 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, perhaps, some migrant birds. Meet at the green Valley Mcdonald’s parking lot at 5:30 am. contact the leader to signup. 160 miles roundtrip. leader: ethan Beasley 300-0049 [email protected]


going north to: boyce-Thompson Arboretumamidst the lovely plantings are the territories of resident birds, and we will spend a few enjoyable hours strolling through the grounds of this state park searching for these birds. State park pass or fee ($7.50) needed for each person. about 270 miles roundtrip. Meet for carpooling at the ina and Via ponte commuter lot one block west of oracle and ina on the south side of ina. Bring lunch. leader: darlene Smyth [email protected] 297-2315


pinaleñosWe will stop at different elevations going up Mt. graham to see species in their preferred habitat, including scrub oak, sycamore riparian, pine, and spruce-fir. We’ll look for warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and other breeding montane species. Bring a lunch. Meet at Houghton road just north of i-10 to carpool before 6 am. all people on this trip must arrive with plenty of fuel and be prepared to drive; however, all must be willing to carpool from the meeting site as the number of vehicles must be kept to a minimum. about 300 miles roundtrip. finish on mountaintop by 2 pm. leader: Homer Hansen [email protected]

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JuneJune 1—Tuesday 5:30 am

madera canyonlet’s get out to the cool environs of Madera canyon. a group of no more than 10 participants will be able to enjoy, but not stress, the birds. contact the leader to register starting May 25. forest service parking fees or pass needed. about 80 miles roundtrip. leader: darlene Smyth 297-2315 [email protected]

June 5-Saturday 7:30 am to 9:30 am

sweetwater wetlands Family outing seriesdo you enjoy sharing the joy of nature and outdoor activities with your children or grandchildren? Make peanut butter bird feeders, sketch and color birds, or check out a backpack filled with family activities. We’ll loan you the binoculars! Presented by Tucson audubon Society and Sunnyside School district’s Student urban naturalists (SaSun). children age 4–14 must be accompanied by an adult! leader: deborah Vath at [email protected] 490-4835.

June 5—Saturday 7 am

ironwood picnic Area–Tucson mountain parkget up a little early and look for the summer desert birds, such as purple Martin and Brown-crested Flycatcher. easy one-mile walk on mostly flat paved road. Meet at the first ramada at 1548 s. kinney (3.8 miles north of Ajo Way, 1.5 miles south of west end of gates pass road). done by 9 am. no sign-up, but contact leader with questions. leader: John Higigns 578-1830 [email protected]

June 8—Tuesday 5 am

west Turkey creekHoped-for species will include Montezuma and Scaled Quail, turkeys, and typical mountain birds. Mexican chickadee as well as cassin’s and Botteri’s Sparrows will also be sought but are difficult in June. Meet at houghton Road just north of i-10 at 5 am. about 300 miles roundtrip with possible stops at chiricahua national Monument or Willcox on the way back. either a fee or federal

pass (annual or golden age) is required per person (not per car) for chiricahua nM. leader: diane touret [email protected]


carr canyonthis canyon is home to tantalizing species like Buff-breasted flycatcher, grace’s, red-faced, and olive Warblers which will be our focus along with other resident species. We may also hike down to comfort Springs. Meet before 6 am at Houghton rd., just north of i-10 for carpooling. about 150 miles roundtrip. leader: John Yerger [email protected]

June 15—Tuesday 6 am

“big sit” at the patons’ backyard, patagoniain the spirit and memory of gracious hosts Wally & Marion paton, we will enjoy the hospitality of the current caretakers at this famous private yard in patagonia. its nectar, fruit and seed feeders draw grosbeaks, orioles, tanagers and, of course, Violet-crowned and other hummers (a plain-capped Starthroat made an appearance last year). ruddy ground-dove also is possible, as well as nesting Thick-billed kingbirds and fly-over hawks. Done by mid-morning (but you’re welcome to stay longer). please bring donations for the “sugar fund.” limit 10 people. rSVp required starting June 1. 90 miles roundtrip. leader: cynthia Barstad 237-2331 [email protected]

June 19—Saturday 2 pm

california gulchWe will look for Five-striped sparrows and Varied Buntings. Bring your supper and a chair. as the sun goes down the poorwill will serenade us, and with a little luck maybe a couple other species. no guarantees. return will be late, probably around midnight. You must pre-register, beginning June 12, as high clearance vehicles are required to transport the group. about160 miles roundtrip from tucson. leader: Melody kehl [email protected]

June 22—Tuesday 4:30 am

scotia canyon, huachuca mountainsthis pretty canyon on the western side of the Huachuca Mountains has most of the same birds for which the eastern canyons are famous, but is much less heavily birded. High-clearance vehicles desirable; others should plan to carpool. Mostly

walking on a rocky road with some possibly wet stream crossings. Bring water and lunch. Meet at Houghton road north of i-10 before 4:30 am. We will drive through sonoita and follow the road toward parker canyon dam before turning off onto rough roads to reach Scotia canyon (180 miles roundtrip). leader: Jim Hays [email protected] (preferred) or 895-3299


huachuca hummingbird madnessJoin tucson audubon Society for a three-part big sit at the most famous Huachuca Mountain hummingbird outposts in north america: ash canyon B&B, Beatty’s guest ranch, and the ramsey canyon preserve (fee of $5 per person at each location). last year we had lucifer, Berylline, White-eared and Violet-crowned hummingbirds on this trip. Meet at the south Houghton road meeting spot (Houghton rd. just north of i-10) at 6 am. about 160 miles roundtrip. leader: clifford a. cathers [email protected]


Tucson Audubon young birders Field Trip: madera canyonMexican specialties are the goal of the young birders this June. We will travel to the northern-most breeding range of the extravagant elegant trogon, and home to the only known flame-colored tanager in the us. We will also keep our eyes open for Arizona Woodpecker, sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Hepatic tanager, and hummingbirds. Be prepared for warm weather and moderate hiking. Bring hat, lunch, and water. fry’s Supermarket parking lot on the north side of irvington just east of i-19. 80 miles roundtrip. contact leaders for details. rob Payne [email protected] 867-0490; scott olmstead [email protected] 520 840-9567

June 29—Tuesday Time TBAleader’s choiceWe will take advantage of recent sightings and current conditions to maximize our birding time. Contact leader for specifics beginning June 22. leader: philip Kline [email protected]. Vf

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for information on weekly regional bird walks from agua caliente park to ramsey canyon preserve, please see our website, www.tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/birding/128.html.

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ADveNTure BirDiNG [email protected] • 495-0229South Texas: Specialties and Migrants in the Lower rio Grande valley. april 1–9, 2011, $1890. leaders: John Yerger and/or Keith Kamper. Join us in “the other” premier u.S. birding destination, with guides who have lived and birded there. With specialties like great Kiskadee, green Jay and Altamira oriole, how can you miss? We’ll sample all habitats from tidal mudflats to subtropical thornscrub to prime chihuahuan desert. Visit both classic hotspots and lesser-known local secrets for rarer residents like clay-colored robin and Hook-billed Kite. this trip is timed to catch loads of spring migrants, and probably a few Mexican rarities!Big Bend National Park: west Texas Birds and Scenery. april 27–May 1, 2011, $1065. leaders: John Yerger and/or Keith Kamper. Big Bend is perhaps the most remote birding hotspot in the united States, and hosts spectacular scenery. this is the only place in the u.s. to find Colima Warbler, our main target. ideal for those desiring lots of birds on limited vacation time. painted Buntings and Golden-fronted Woodpeckers are among the other goodies we’ll seek on this fun-filled adventure!

NATure TrekS AND PASSAGeSwww.naturetreks.net. [email protected] • 781-789-8127Copper Canyon, Mexico. oct. 17–25 and nov. 28–dec. 6. unique 9-day Birding tour. See breathtaking vistas of the Sierra Madre Mountains. enjoy the copper canyon train ride from sea level to canyon rim. relax on the tranquil float down the Rio Fuerte. The Copper canyon adventure combines the best of natural history with diverse, cultural habitats. But the

emphasis on this trip’s itinerary is birding—for the beginner—to the obsessed. $2749.00 pp.Alamos, Mexico. nov. 13–18 and dec. 11–16. guided cultural and Historical tour. Journey to colonial alamos in Southern Sonora, Mexico, known for its charming colonial architecture and elegant ambience. Search for neotropical birds in the Sinaloa thorn forest and tropical deciduous forest, and regional birds on the rio Mayo river and at mangrove estuaries on the Sea of cortez. charming local restaurants! $1599.00pp

SOLiPASO TOurSwww.solipaso.comSummer in Alamos. august 14–19, 2010. $1300. leader: david Mackay. the green season in alamos is a sight to see. Having lived in alamos for the 15 years, we can offer our guests the most in-depth, thorough and interesting trips to the region, combined with great birds and the best food and lodging anywhere in Sonora. in alamos, we stay at our own hotel, el pedregal nature lodge, where you can enjoy the birds and the beautiful natural setting. See elegant Quail, Mexican parrotlet, Blue Mockingbird, and russet-crowned Motmot. We’ll also tour the colonial center of alamos and do a home and garden tour.yucatan endemics. october 9–15, 2010. $1950. leader: david Mackay. this weeklong trip in the Yucatan focuses on the endemics of the peninsula. We start in Merida then make our way to the celestun Biosphere for Mexican Sheartail, Yucatan Wren and Bobwhite, among others. Then up to the rio lagartos Biosphere for another chance at the coastal endemics as well as the beautiful american flamingo. on the riviera Maya we visit the Jardin Botanico for Yucatan Vireo, rose-throated Tanager and much more. We end the trip in cozumel for the island endemics. Join us for great Yucatecan food, ruins, biospheres and fun!

TrOPiCAL BirDiNGwww.tropicalbirding.com [email protected] • 1-800-348- 5941eastern ecuador: high Andes to vast Amazon. december 2–16, 2010. $3690 from Quito. Starting from the magnificent high Andes dotted with snow-capped volcanoes towering over 18,000 ft, we head all the way down to the ultra-diverse amazon lowlands. Well over 1,000 bird species occur in this region, but we can see them in comfort as we stay in some of the best lodges in ecuador, including san isidro, Wild sumaco, and sacha lodge which has the only canopy walkway in the country.Oaxaca, Mexico. december 4–17, 2010. $3220 from oaxaca city. the state of oaxaca is loaded with endemics, and the setting is hard to beat. With ancient ruins, beautiful coastlines, fascinating culture, great Mexican food, and more, this is a fascinating trip even for casual birders. an optional extension to the isthmus of tehuantepec is available.

viCTOr eMANueL NATure TOurS, iNC.www.ventbird.com512-328-5221 • [email protected] Manan. august 30–September 5, 2010; $2,885 in double occupancy from Bangor, Me. located in the Bay of fundy, picturesque grand Manan island is a wonderful place to experience the thrill of fall migration on the northeast coast. incredible seabird spectacles, marine mammals, and large numbers of migrant landbirds and shorebirds make this a standout destination. Birding the forests and coast may turn turn up 20 species of warblers as well as great cormorant, common eider, and Black guillemot. a Bay of fundy pelagic trip often produces exciting seabirds such as Manx and greater shearwaters; Atlantic Puffin; Razorbill; and Northern Gannet. Barry Zimmer and Brennan Mulrooney lead. hawaii. october 19–27, 2010; $3,295 in double occupancy from Honolulu. Join Bob Sundstrom for an autumn survey of the fabulous birds and scenery of our 50th state. in focusing on three islands—oahu, the Big island, and Kauai—you’ll visit Hawaii’s best birding areas and most famous landmarks while viewing some of the world’s rarest birds. Highlights include visits to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the kona Coast, Waikiki Beach, kapiolani Park, Waimea Canyon, and Kilauea point. among this tour’s avian prizes are Hawaiian honeycreepers, with good chances for aki, akepa, palila, apapane and i’iwi. other target species include White-tailed Tropicbird, hawaiian hawk, Bristle-thighed Curlew, and White Tern. Vf

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A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America. By Steve Howell and sophie Webb, 2007. includes color plates, maps and detailed species descriptions. 850 pps. $49.95

Hawaii’s Birds. published by Hawaii audubon Society. $10.99

A Field Guide to The Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific. By H. douglas pratt, phillip l. Bruner, and delwyn g. Berrett. $45.00


ANNuAL fATher’S DAy CAMPOuT White Mountain audubon is holding its annual campout in the White Mountains on June 18–21. Come enjoy the Saturday evening presentation of “Sounds of the night” with dan groebner. the campsite is located at Burnt Mill Springs off Highway 260 on fr 117. for details email [email protected].

eL PeDreGAL nature lodge—alamos, Sonora, Mexico—five luxurious guest casitas and central lodge set on 20 acres of intact tropical deciduous forest. delicious regional cuisine, unrivaled local knowledge and warm hospitality. Birding tours, river trips, yoga classes and more available. Special tucson audubon package available. for more information: www.solipaso.com

The OASiS AT wAy OuT weST B&B/private nature preserve. a secluded trail side location offers close-up wildlife observation and colorful mountain sunsets. Bird our trails (135+ House list) or the catalinas. 20+ feeding stations, naturalist/Photographer on-site, Wi-Fi, hydrotherapy spas, Bike rentals, eco-excursions. WoWArizona.com. 520.825.4590.

vOLuNTeer(S) NeeDeD iN The MAiN NATure ShOP. the successful volunteer must enjoy bird watching, natural history and talking with people! the nature Shop on university Blvd. is looking for 2–3 volunteers to help out in the shop once a week. We need your help on either of the following days and times • TueSDAy MOrNiNGS 10 am–1 pm

• weDNeSDAy MOrNiNGS 10 am–1 pm

• weDNeSDAy AfTerNOONS 1 am–pm

this volunteer position involves greeting customers and visitors in the store, helping with sales transactions, talking binoculars, and being a welcome and smiling face for tucson audubon. Basic computer skills required. call 520-629-0510 and select 3 for the Volunteer coordinator, or 7 for the nature Shop staff (Matt Brooks). Vf

AvAiLABLe iN Our NATure ShOPSlearn about our native pollinators (bees, butterflies, birds, and bats) and native sonoran Desert flowering plants during National Pollinator Week (see p 8). We offer a great selection, great prices, and member discounts!

Birds & Business Alliancejoin ToDAYand connect with theTucson Audubon communityFor more information and to join, contact Erin Olmstead at [email protected] or 520.629.0510 ext 7009.

The TAs-iFiedsclAssiFied Ads

Classified and display ads are accepted from individual members and members of our Birds & Business alliance. Visit tucsonaudubon.org/vfly for rates or contact Matt Griffiths [email protected] to book an ad.

TUCSON AUDUBON SOCIETY

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tucson audubon thanks our Birds & Business alliance Members, who have shown their support for bird conservation through annual contributions and in-kind donations. Please show them you appreciate their support for us by supporting them. please choose these progressive companies when you need a service. Visit www.tucsonaudubon.org for more information about our Birds & Business alliance members, including links to their websites.STerLiNG adventure Birding company • 520-495-0229 • www.adventurebirding.comnature treks & passages • 781-789-8127 • naturetreks.netRancho esmeralda • 520-241-7072 • www.ranchoesmeraldanogales.comsolipaso Tours • www.solipaso.comTropical Birding • 800-348-5941 • www.tropicalbirding.com Victor emanuel nature tours • 800-328-VeNT • www.ventbirds.com SiLverloews Ventana canyon • 520-299-2020 • www.loewshotels.comThe oasis at Way out West • 520-825-4590 • www.wowarizona.comsnell & Wilmer • www.swlaw.comTucson electric Power • www.tep.comCoPPERBed & Bagels of Tucson • 520-760-5595lou Benson Construction • 520-797-1237Brooklyn Pizza Company • 520-622-6868Buffalo exchange • 520-795-0508Casa Adobe B&B in Rodeo, NM • 877-577-2275Casa de san Pedro B&B • www.bedandbirds.comCoyote Wore sideburns • 520-623-7341Desert Toyota of Tucson • 520-296-8535Down By the River B&B • 520-720-9441economy Birding services • 520-762-3201el conquistador resort patio Homes associationFarhang & Medcoff, PllC • 520-790-5433Financial Architects • www.financial-architects.comFiore Tile Works • 520-971-0677Greenfire ecological landscaping • 520-429-7306 heartstone Mountain Ranch • 877-562-2955 hughes Federal Credit union • 520-794-8341kimberlyn Drew, Realtor • 520-237-1408Naturalist Journeys • 866-900-1146 Ravens-Way Wild Journeys • 520-425-6425Riverpark inn • 800-551-1466Salt river projectSouthern arizona paving & constructionspirit Tree inn B&B • 520-394-0121sundance Press • 800-528-4827TyrannoTours • 520-577-6546The lodge at Ventana Canyon • 800-828-5701Veterinary specialty Center of Tucson • 520-795-9955 Vf

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Please Give your Business to our Birds & Business Alliance Membersneed a realtor who is sensitive to living in the desert? need a bird tour company that values the work of tucson audubon? need a landscape architect who understands using desert plants? do you want to recommend a pizza parlor or a hotel for a visiting birder? look no further than our Birds & Business alliance members. Because they support tucson audubon you know these businesses have our natural environment in mind and so have a broader, more progressive approach to running their business.

take a look at the list on this page, or browse the Birds & Business section of our main nature Shop (we have brochures and business cards of our B&Ba members there). please give your business to these forward thinking people and help them to thrive in these difficult times.

and if you are a business but not yet a member, please contact erin olmstead ([email protected] or 629-0510 ext. 7009) to join tucson audubon’s Birds & Business alliance.

Tucson Audubon’s BirDS & BuSinESS allianCE

Conservation Corner!My last column helped you calculate the gallons of water you use per day. the average for tucson residents is a little under 100 gallons per person per day, although there are people who have gotten below 30.

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 bag to catch water from your shower.

first: if the shower head has multiple settings, set it to the one you typically use. With watch in hand and the shower on, use the water-tight bag to capture all the water coming out of the shower head for 10 seconds.

Measure what you have captured and convert that to a decimal number. for example, if there was one quart and two cups of water captured, that converts to 0.375 gallon.

now multiply that amount by six to get the number of gallons per minute. for example, 0.375 times six is 2.25 gallons. it should not be more than about 2.2 gallons, since federal law limits new shower heads to 2.2 gallons per minute (at a pressure of 60 psi).

Multiply your gallons per minute by the number of minutes your shower usually lasts. for example, 2.25 gallons in a 10-minute shower is 22.5 gallons.

do you want to cut down? first, shorten your shower! Second, make sure you have a new shower head that meets the low-flow requirement. Third, use a shower head setting that uses less water. fourth, you can buy a simple valve to put between your shower head and shower head pipe that allows you to turn off (or reduce) the flow while you are soaping up. Vf

Kendall Kroesen, Restoration Program Manager

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new membership � � renewing membership please email me about tucson audubon �events and conservation issues. please do not share my contact information. � please do not mail me � Vermilion Flycatcher. i’ll read it online.

DONATiONi would like to support tucson audubon �Society 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 my credit card ($10/month minimum).

tucson audubon Society will use the full amount of your tax- deductible gift for its environmental, educational and recreational programs.

MeThOD Of PAyMeNT check (payable to tucson audubon Society) � Mastercard � � Visa � aMeX

Credit Card No.

Expiration Date amount $

Signature

please send your application with payment to tucson audubon Society,

300 e. university Blvd, #120, tucson, aZ 85705

(attn: Jean Barchman, Membership coordinator)

or join, renew or donate online at www.tucsonaudubon.org

Support Tucson Audubon... Become a friend Today!

ANNuAL MeMBerShiP SuBSCriPTiON$35 � Individual$50 � Family$35 � Senior Supporter*$25 � Senior Discount*$25 � Student*

Contributor $100 �Supporter $25 0 �Guardian $500 �Steward $1000 �

Leadership Circle $2500 �*Individual


Tucson AudubonnATure shops

tucson audubon’s nature Shops provide for your needs in natural history books and guides, birding optics and accessories, and gifts right here in Tucson. We offer a great selection, the best prices, and member discounts. remember to shop locally.

coffee is big business. Most of the 25 million or so coffee farmers in the world are small-scale family farmers, almost entirely dependent on coffee for their livelihood. farmers grow coffee in more than 70 countries between the tropics of capricorn and cancer and in some of the world’s most threatened forest ecosystems. So the drink many of us start our day with should prompt us to ask a question: How can i be a more responsible consumer?

Multinational corporations dominate the coffee market. they focus on lowering production costs and maximizing profits, applying intense pressures on smaller farmers. as a result, farmers convert forest plantations to “sun” coffee production, with high inputs of fertilizers and pesticides, producing fast-growing high yields. this economic solution externalizes the ecological costs—with the destruction of rain forests—and migratory birds, including warblers, vireos, and tanagers, lose their winter homes in central america. this habitat loss accounts for some of the population declines we see in “our” birds during the northern summer. significant reductions in songbird numbers coincided with dramatic falls in coffee prices in the 1990s when farmers were clearing more forest for coffee trees to compensate for the low prices their beans were fetching on the market. therefore, from the birds to the beans, we are all impacted by the importance of coffee as the major cash crop for hundreds of thousands of families across central america.

there is a solution for discerning consumers. farmers that grow coffee in the shade of the natural forest, without the need for pesticides

and fertilizers, and who are part of the fair trade system, grow a high quality product that commands a premium price and provides social justice. fair Trade Certified coffee is bought directly from cooperatives that bring family farmers together and create competitive economies of scale for farming communities, and train the growers how to grow higher quality coffee. Fair Trade Certification guarantees a minimum price, providing economic security for farmers and their families. When the market is up, fair trade prices rise too, giving farmers a premium for their coffee.

Since coffee is a shade-loving tree, farmers who grow coffee in the shade of native forests find that the natural ecosystem provides a biological balance that keeps pests, mold, and other threats at bay. the forest provides leaf litter and nutrient-rich topsoil and, of course, homes for birds.

So back to the original question: How can i be a more responsible consumer? Buy only coffee that is labeled Fair Trade Certified, Certified organic, and Shade-grown. By so doing you get a better-tasting cup of coffee, and you support farmers who are using the forest in a sustainable manner to support their families. Just like homegrown tomatoes or apples at the farmers market, the best coffee in the world comes from the family farmers who have the time, passion, and commitment to produce the best of the best.

thanksgiving coffee co. and tucson audubon Society have teamed up to bring you Vermilion Blend, a striking medium-dark roast blend of central american coffees that is crafted to brew a great cup while supporting environmental causes

what’s happening in the world of coffee?

left to right: Shade-grown coffee farm; coffee farmer, guadalupe Jesus picado.

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important to the membership of tucson audubon Society. thanksgiving coffee also features a full variety of roast colors, decaf and regular, and a hazelnut flavor, all made from Fair Trade Certified, Certified organic, and shade Grown coffee from nicaragua, guatemala, peru and uganda, sold under the Song-Bird coffee brand and available in our nature Shops.

With Tucson Audubon’s Vermilion Blend you can enjoy your morning cup of coffee with the satisfaction of knowing that you’re doing the right thing to support family farmers and sustainable agriculture, and the migrant birds and other wildlife that depend on the forests from which your beans come. Maybe the Vermilion flycatcher you just noticed outside your window once sat on a branch of the tree that produced the coffee you are drinking.

for more information or to order, visit the tucson audubon nature Shop or website (www.tucsonaudubon.org) or visit thanksgiving coffee at www.thanksgivingcoffee.com. the farmers, the songbirds, and our children will thank you.

for a list of migrant and resident birds often found in shade-grown coffee plantations, visit www.audubon.org/bird/at_home/coffee/species/index.html. Vf

Ben Corey-Moran

vortex razor hD 85mm Angled Scope with 20-60 zoom eyepiece

an outstanding new spotting scope has come onto the high-end optics market – the Vortex razor Hd 85mm. amazingly, the price tag rings in at only half what other high end scopes cost, so that alone should be enough to catch your eye. once you are able to test out the scope, you will quickly see that optics and construction quality weren’t compromised, and what you get is a scope that competes strongly with high-end scopes such as Zeiss and Swarovski, but at a fraction of the cost.

the razor Hd genuinely feels like it has taken the best attributes of other high-end scopes and combined them into a single product. optically, the 85mm lens gives excellent clarity and resolution; in part because of the use of “extra-low dispersion” glass to limit chromatic aberration. the depth of field when at full magnification is matched by only a couple other scopes (60 feet at 1000 yards), while the rubberized body presents a comfortable grip over a rugged, well-made casing.

the scope features dual focus knobs (rough and fine), and both are smooth and easy to set where you need them. as with all high end scopes, the razor is waterproof and gas-purged (with argon) to prevent moisture from getting inside the body. it also comes with a protective case and Vortex’s excellent life-time no-fault unconditional warranty—two more reasons to give this scope serious consideration when making a purchase. Vf

Matt Brooks

PrODuCT review

Tucson Audubon nATure shops

When you support your local Tucson audubon Society you are supporting birds and bird habitat conservation. thank you!

SHop HourSMAiN ShOP

Monday–Saturday 10 am–4 pm, except Monday & thursday until 5 pm

phone: 629-0510on the southeast corner of university Blvd and 5th avenue.

AGuA CALieNTe PArk ShOP May & June: thursday, friday & Saturday,

9 am–3:30 pm phone: 760-7881

from tanque Verde rd and Houghton, continue east on tanque Verde 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 entrance on the left (north).

ThurSDAy BirD wALk 8:00 amloaner binoculars available, meet in front of the ranch house. for more information call

pima county parks and rec. 615-7855.for permit requests and general information about

park rules and regulations call 749-3718

When you need a book, think of Tucson audubon nature Shops first! Support your local book store. 520-629-0510

AvAiLABLe iN Our NATure ShOPS

Bag of coffee—$12.00

tucson audubon mug—$11.95

chocolate bar—$3.75

a feel good moment . . . priceless!

Mmmm . . . coffee and chocolate. What could be a better combination? not to mention the environmental factors of both (the chocolate benefits endangered species. www.chocolatebar.com). enjoy your coffee in a tucson audubon mug!

Stop by the tucson audubon nature Shop to see this scope for yourself!

PriCeMSrp: $2000our regular price: $1775.99tucson audubon Member price: $1599.99

SPeCifiCATiONSMagnification: 20-60xobjective lens diameter: 85mmdesign: angled eyepiece onlyMaterial: magnesium alloy body housingclose focus: 16.4 feetincluded eyepiece: 20-60 power zoomeye relief at 20x: 20mm eye relief at 60x: 18mm field of view at 20x: 117 ft. at 1000 yardsfield of view at 60x: 60 ft. at 1000 yardslength: 15.25 inchesWeight: 65.7 oz.Coatings: Vortex XR anti-reflection lens coatings

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NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGe PAID

TUCSON, AZ PeRMIT #1345300 e University Blvd, #120

Tucson, AZ 85705

Vermilion Flycatcher Volume 55, number 3 May–June 2010the 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.


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Chip in and cheer on Tucson Audubon!This year we’re off to a flying start and together we have already raised more than $14,000!

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. You can make a donation or pledge in support of tucson audubon’s conservation and environmental education programs through May 17.

Birdathoners, contact us to report your totals and get your pledges in by May 17 to count for prizes. then, come celebrate with us at the Birdy Brunch on May 23! We’ll toast your Birdathon success and award great prizes including gear, optics, dining, birding travel! Join us to share food and stories from 9 to 11 am in the Historic Y courtyard.

remember: raise $50 or more and earn a cool souvenir t-shirt! Keep your eyes on the grand prize, an ecuador birding trip for two.

thanks to our sponsors Hughes federal credit union and tropical Birding!

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Visit tucsonaudubon.org for event updates • see page 10 for Living with Nature / Membership Meeting details.

birdAThon is rAcing on!

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$12,500

$25,000

*as of 4/27

Documents

May-June 2010 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society