November-December 2009 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society

8/9/2019 November-December 2009 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society

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Vermilionf l y c a t c h e r

NovemberDecember 2009 | Volume 54, Number 5

Tucson Audubon Society | tucsonaudubon.org

Sustainin Wildlife inOur Community

Whats in a Name? Bald Eale 12

Monsoon File, Summer Sile 13

Reconiin our Donors and Volunteers 23

PLUS a special four-pae holiday ift ideas pull-out

14 Create Sustainable Urban Wildlife Habitat

in Your Neihborhood16 Thorny Issues for Birds

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


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2 Tucson AudubonVermilion FlycatcherNovemberDecember 2009

The concept of sustainable development came

alive more than 20 years ago in the world of

international development.

Almost ten years passed before change

occurred where it was most neededin the cities,

villages, and townships where people live. It is here

that transportation strategies are designed, where

building and land use codes are written, water and

wastewater plans are implemented. It is where

sustainability is won or lost.

All sustainability is local, is how I like to

phrase it these days. Sustainability is about howcommunities live and co-exist within the natural

world. As we aggregate local sustainability

strategies, we begin to achieve transformation on a

larger scale. Sustainability trickles up.

Here in Tucson, the Citys Ofce of

Conservation and Sustainable Development

(OCSD) is barely three years old. At the time

of its creation in 2006, it was only the fth such

ofce to be formed in the country. OCSD enjoys a

strong mandate from our Mayor and Council and

we are working hard to grow our presence in the

community.

A huge part of sustainability now is addressing

climate change. The City has assembled a

talented citizens advisory committee to develop

a greenhouse gas mitigation plan as well as a

climate adaptation strategy for Tucson. We need

new adaptive strategies for ensuring that our eco-

and socio-economic systems can avoid worse case

impacts. If we dont get climate change right, then

we are not going to have success with the other

multiple dimensions of sustainability.

Tucson is fortunate to have a wealth of

successful advocacy groups working to protectour southwestern surroundings, and maintain the

biodiversity that make our region such a special

place. OCSD intends to strengthen our working

relationships with these groups and forge new

alliances where none now exist.

Sustainability requires everyone having a seat a

the table. Sustainability is not a private club of some

kind for those who know the secret passwords or

handshakes. If we get it right, sustainability will

have us working to meet the basic needs of all

species, not just human, as we co-evolve together

in a precious and threatened landscape. VF

Vermilion Flycacheris published bi-monthly. For address

changes or subscription problems call 622-5622, 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 tet les, to Matt Grifths at mgrifths@

tucsonaudubon.org.

CdnatMatt Grifths 206-9900

PfadsJane & Warren Tisdale 749-2139andTucson Audubon staff and board members

LayutEng-Li Green

Tucson Audubon Society is dedicated to improvingthe quality of the environment by providingeducation, conservation, and recreation programs,environmental leadership, and information. Tucson

Audubon is a non-prot volunteer organiation ofpeople with a common interest in birding and naturalhistory. Tucson Audubon maintains ofces, a library,and nature shops in Tucson, the proceeds of whichbenet all of its programs.

Tucson Audubon Society300 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 Ofcrs & DirctorsMessages 622-5622President Herb TrossmanVice President Mich CokerSecreary Robert MeridethTreasurer Vacant

Dirctors at Larg Mary Kay Eiermann, Richard Fray,Sandy Elers, Julie Gordon, Linda Greene, Craig Marken, NeilMarkowit, Li Payne, Cynthia Pruett, Adrian Quijada, BillRoe, Jessie Shinn, Linda StiterBad CmmttsConservation Chris McVie,DevelopmentSandy Elers, Education Cynthia Pruett,Membership Jessie Shinn, Finance Vacant, NominaingRobert Merideth

Programs & ActivitisField Trips Darlene Smyh 297-2315Library David West 629-0510Membership MeetingsJean Barchman 622-5622Rare Bird Alert John Yerger| Report Rare Birds 798-1005

StaffExecutive DirectorPaul Green 777-9525

Finance and Operations Brad Paxton 629-0757

AccountantMichelle Bourgeois 629-0757

Education & Outreach Specialist Matt Brooks 622-2230

Membership CoordinatorJean Barchman 622-5622IBA Conservation Biologist Scott Wilbor 628-1730

IBA Program Assistant Samanha Barne 628-1730

Restoration Program ManagerKendall Kroesen 206-9900

Field SupervisorRodd Lancaster 256-6909

Restoration/Communications SpecialistMatthew Grifths 206-9900

Mason Outreach CoordinatorLia Sansom 971-6238

University Shop ManagerSara Pike 622-2230

Volunteer Coordinator/Agua CalienteShop ManagerBecky Aparicio 760-7881

Tcson Adbon Natr Sops300 E University Blvd #120 629-0510623-3476 fax / 622-2230 Shop Manager

Hours: MonSat 10am4pm (5pm Mon & Thu)

Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd 760-7881

Hours: 9am3:30pmThu, Fri, Sat (OctFeb)

VERMILIONF L Y C A T C H E R



Sustaining Wildlife inOur Community

Whats in a Name? Bald Eagle 12

Monsoon Fizzle, Summer Sizzle 13

Recognizing our Donors and Volunteers 23

PLUS a special four-page holiday gift ideas pull -out

14 Create Sustainable Urban Wildlife Habitatin Your Neighborhood

16 Thorny Issues for Birds

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

FRONT COVER: Cactus Wren by Richard

Ditch. See more of his photos at www.richditch

com and www.richditch.wordpress.com.

To have your photographs considered for usein the Vermilion Flycatcher, please contact Mat

Grifths at [email protected].

Features12 Whats in a Name? Bald Eagle

13 Monsoon Fizzle, Summer Sizzle

14 Create Sustainable Urban Wildlife

Habitat in Your Neighborhood

16 Thorny Issues for Birds

22 Governing for SucessA

Volunteer Achievement

23 Not-for-profit. For Birds, For Wildlife,and For Your Quality of Life

Departments3 Commentary

4 News Roundup

8 Events and Classes

11 Events Calendar

18 Conservation and Education News

19 Field Trips

27 Birding Travel from Our

Business Partners28 Birds & Business Alliance

29 Classified Ads

30 Nature Shops

31 Bookends

Sustainability Trickles Up in TucsonA guest opinion by David Schaller, Sustainable Development Administrator, Ofceof Conservation and Sustainable Development, City of Tucson. Prior to joiningthe City of Tucson, David served as Sustainable Development Coordinator in theDenver Regional Ofce of the US EPA from 19952007 and in other managementand staff positions at EPA, beginning in Washington DC in 1974.


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NovemberDecember 2009Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon 3

Changing peoples behavior towards

sustainable resource use in our

community is one of Tucson Audubons

three education goals.

Simply stated, living in a sustainable

manner requires us to use natural

resources no faster than our planet can

replenish them, and depositing wastes

no faster than our planet can absorb

them. Overconsumption leads to the

degradation of biodiversity and ultimately

reduces our quality of life in many ways.

With just ve percent of the worlds

population, we in the United States

consume around 25 percent of the earths

resources. Making changes that can havea large effect and are within our control

is a logical and urgent step for us and for

our governments.

We produce around 22 percent of

the worlds greenhouse gases, and we

account for signicant amounts of Chinas

emissions too through ourconsumption

of theirproduction.

A Yale University study found that two-

thirds of Americans believe the United

States should reduce its emissions of

greenhouse gases regardless of what

other countries do, and more than nine

out of ten Americans said that the United

States should act to reduce global

warming (http://environment.yale.edu/

news/5868). In addition, a majority of

Americans even supports a wide range

of actions that will hit their pockets while

benetting our environment, such as

passing local regulations that require

electric utilities to produce at least 20%

of their electricity from wind, solar, or

other renewable energy sources (http://

environment.yale.edu/news/5323/).

Because the circumstances that

produce climate are complex, the

science of climate change is based in

probabilities: it is impossible to predict

outcomes with the kind of certainty that

politicians are calling for. However,assuming no changes in our behavior,

science-based models show likely

signicant shifts in climate over the

next 50 years that have the capacity

to disrupt systems, such as those that

produce our food. So while humanity may

survive, civilization will likely be greatly

challenged. See http://stephenschneider.

stanford.edu/Climate/ClimateFrameset.

html for a good overview.

Reducing our impact on the natural

world is something that Tucson Audubon

has been promoting for some time. Usingthe original concept

from the Audubon

at Home program,

in partnership

with other Arizona

chapters, we

produced a poster-

brochure (left,

available free from

our Nature Shop) that

covers everything

from reducing our

use of fossil fuel to

reconciling our needs with

those of wildlife. Kendall Kroesen writes

about the latter on p 14. Prof Michael

Rosenzweig, who originated the eld of

reconciliation ecology, is the speaker at

our Living with Nature Lecture Series on

Monday November 9. We can now offer

you the chance to offset your production

of greenhouse gases through local tree

planting by Tucson Audubon, working

in partnership with The Local Trust

(see p 15).

There are direct links between the

daily choices we make and both theClimate Change Bill before the Senate

and CP015, the United Nations Climate

Change Conference in Copenhagen this

December. Each approaches the problem

of climate change with different solutions.

The White House stated in early October

that it does not expect to see the Senate

pass a climate change bill in 2009 to

cut US emissions by 20 percent based

on 2005 levels by 2020. This makes

unlikely that international agreement

can be reached at CP015 on action to

avoid catastrophic global warming. Inthe meantime, you can usefully educate

yourself and let your Senators know

what you want to see in the Climate

Change Bill.

Alastair McIntosh, a Quaker, and

author of Hell and High Water: Climate

Change, Hope, and the Human Condition

has said . . . politics, economics,

and technology on their own are not

enough. We must also tackle the roots of

consumerism, consumption in excess of

sufciencythe idolatrous addiction that

masks our inner emptiness and poisonsdeeper transformation. And so we must

rekindle community, and rescue hope

from the caverns of despair.

Just as we make changes in our own

lives to adapt and to mitigate for our

consumption of energy and materials, so

we must also pressure our government

through our representatives. We must be

responsible so that our children might live

For a handy Living Sustainablypocket

card, go to www.tucsonaudubon.org. VF

COMMENTARYPAUL GREEN | ExECUTIVE DIRECTOR

I . . . politics, economics, andtechnology on their own are notenough. We must also tackle theroots of consumerism, consumptionin ecess of sufciency . . .

You, Me, and Climate Chane


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Every year the United Way holds twodays of caring in September during

which they match volunteers with jobs

that need to be done.

This year Tucson Audubon

proposed improvements to the

landscaping outside our ofces at the

Historic YWCA along 5th Avenue. We

want to harvest rainwater and put in

native plants that would look good and

provide habitat for birds.

On September 12 eleven

volunteers from Davis Monthan AFB

came and moved a lot of dirt and rock,

creating armored rainwater-harvesting

basins in the area by the fountain just

south of the off-street parking. They

did a fabulous job!

On September

16 IBM sent us eleven

volunteers to plant more than a dozen

species of native plants and put on

some nishing touches. When they

were done it looked great!

The Historic YWCA management

provided materials and plants. We

had valuable help from Joe Schwanz,

Building Manager at the Y. A big

THANK YOU to Joe, IBM, Davis

Monthan AFB, the United Way, and

Desert Survivors Nursery (for donating

a tree and a cholla)!

TUCSON AUDUBONNEWS ROUNDUP

Days of Carin a successKendall Kroesen, Restoration Program Manager

BOTHPHOTOSKENDALLKROE

SEN

Volunteer to improve habitat!Upcoming TogetherGreen volunteer days

Snda, Novmbr 1,

Snda, Dcmbr 6, and

Snda, Janar 3 7:45noon

Tucson Audubon is part of a coalition

removing giant reed (Arundo donax)

at Sabino Canyon on the 1st Sunday

of each month through March. We

will cut, bundle, bag and in some

cases dig out giant reeds. Wear long

pants, sturdy shoes, and a hat. Bring

waterand gloves if you have them.

Tools provided. For more information

call Kendall at 971-2385 or write to

[email protected].

Satrda, Novmbr 21, 7:45noon

Giant reed removal efforts are

expanding out of Sabino Canyon

Recreation Area into other areas. For

this event, special access has been

provided to private land along Sabino

Creek, a mile downstream from the

recreation area. We will cut, bundle,

bag and dig out giant reeds at Dr.

Maddens property and the adjacent

homeowners association property.

Wear long pants, sturdy shoes, and

a hat. Bring water, and gloves if you

have them. Tools provided. For more

information call Kendall at 971-2385.

Satrda, Dcmbr 12, 7:45noon

Join us for this unique opportunity

to remove invasive fountain grass in

Esperero Canyon. Tucson Audubon

owns 15 acres in this remote and

scenic canyon in the front range of

the Santa Catalina Mountains, east

of Ventana Canyon. Access is limited

due to private property in the area,

so Tucson Audubon rarely takes

trips to the property. The hike in is

not long, but is somewhat rough, as

will be the removal of fountain grass

in the rocky canyon. However, you

will be amply rewarded with dramatic

scenery. Contact Kendall at 9712385

[email protected] for

more information and to sign up.

IBM team(above) andlandscaping by

the fountain

LR: Scenic Esperero Canyon; volunteers help remove giant reed in Sabino Canyon.

People with an expressed interest

in developing youth birding met

on September 29 and ofcially

established the Tucson Young Birders

Club (TYBC), sponsored by Tucson

Audubon. We developed a set ofgoals for the TYBC and set the date

for the rst birding trip (January 30).

If you are a young birder between

the ages of 9 and 18, or know such

a person, please contact Jean

Barchman to express your interest

by calling 622-5622 or jbarchman@

tucsonaudubon.org.

Once the group has gathered

well talk more about the

name and the goals of the

club, since it is our intent

that young birders play thekey role in developing the

group. We borrowed from the

Ohio Young Birders Club to

set the mission as Encouraging,

Educating, and Empowering

Tomorrows Conservation Leaders.

We set the goals as follows:

Have fun1.

Connect young birders with adult2.

mentors willing to share their time,

knowledge, and transportation

Foster an interest in natural history3.and encourage young people to

spend more time outside

Create a community for young4.

birders throughout southern

Arizona and beyond

Promote volunteering and5.

contributing through service

projectsIntroduce young people to career6.

opportunities in the wildlife and

conservation elds

Other decisions made by the group

include the following:

The TYBC will have a planning1.

committee which will be assisted

by a six-member youth advisory

panel.

Well build a really cool website.2.

Well actively partner with other3.

organizations who will sponsor ouractivities.

Youth birdin takes winCynthia Pruett and Paul Green


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Monitorin desert nestin birds for the Important Bird Areas Proram in southernAriona: Cabea Prieta NWR, Oran Pipe Cactus NM, and Tanque Verde Wash

Scott Wilbor, Important Bird Areas Program Conservation Biologist

Have you ever seen the bush-dive

display of the Le Contes Thrasher?

Or spent time trying to count ground-

scurrying Sage Thrashers and Sage

Sparrows as they dart in and out oflow shrubs on their winter range? Our

early 2010 IBA bird surveys may allow

you this chance, all while traversing

incredibly wild, beautiful, stark desert

landscapes. The 2010 season begins

early this January with an IBA Bird

Monitoring Worsop scdld

for Jan. 15 and 16 (classroom & eld

sessions). We are interested getting

new volunteers for some of our IBAs

or potential IBA monitoring efforts in

2010. This includes some exciting

bird monitoring opportunities through

our backcountry IBA team surveys

inCabza Prita National Wildlif

Rfg Jan. 2730 (focussed on the

thrashers mentioned above) and

then Organ Pip Cacts National

Monmnt Fb. 1820 (for premier

desert habitat).

The Le Contes and Sage

thrashers are highly restricted in

their distribution in Cabeza Prieta

NWR, and overall very limited in

their total range in Ariona; thereforeboth are vulnerable to habitat loss

and disturbance from Border Patrol

activities and/or new unplanned

roads, and thus are of conservation

concern. These bird species and

others of conservation status may

thus qualify this area, or specic

habitats within it, as an Arizona

IBA. In Organ Pipe Cactus National

Monument we will have as our goal

documentation of the desert bird

community, especially populations of

Costas Hummingbird, Gilded Flicker,

Elf Owl, and Cactus Ferruginous

Pygmy-Owl, plus the overall desertbird species diversity. We will also

of course be on the lookout for other

nesting raptors such as Peregrine

Falcon, Golden Eagle, and Crested

Caracara. Although threats are few

here (possible human disturbance

being one), this area has high

potential for qualifying for IBA status

in Arizona, which may give it special

recognition for the exceptional desert

bird populations it supports. This will

be our second year of surveys in both

these wild and beautiful southwestern

desert habitats.

We also hope to establish new

teams and have special survey

efforts for owls and other species

of conservation concern in the

Tanque Verde and other Santa Cruz

drainages. Key birds of concern we

will document along the Tanque

Verde include Bells Vireo, Lucys

Warbler, Gilded Flicker, Elf Owl,

Aberts Towhee, and Gray Hawk.

Additionally, we will soon announcea few IBA resource identication

eld trips for Tanque Verde and

Sabino in 2010. We will map key

habitat features and areas where

stressors (i.e., dumping, ATV entry,

invasive plants) are occurring in these

drainages (check our aziba.org web-

site for updates). Lastly, look for news

on the Riparian Habitat Conservation

Workshops for the Sabino/Tanque

Verde watershed in the year ahead

(open to the public). For our January

IBA bird monitoring workshop (andIBA Teams) we request intermediate

and experienced birders (striving to

learn bird songs/calls) who are eager

to collect science-based bird data for

IBA conservation. So we hope to see

you out with us there soon. It should

be a great time for us and a great

opportunity to advance bird habitat

conservation/protection for these

special areas! Contact: Scott Wilbor,

TAS-IBA ofce 628-1730.

SCOTTWILBOR

Clockwise fromtop: ONeil HillsValley, CabezaPrieta NWR; LeContes Thrasher;Sage Sparrow

The IBA Program at

Tucson Audubon

announces some

new changes instaff this fall. Rt

Wildrman, our

IBA program assistant

who has worked for the program for

3 years, has taken a position with

the Tucson Unied School District

as an Elementary School Counselor

intern for the school year. Ruth will

also continue her graduate school

studies in School Counseling through

Northern Ariona University. Ruth had

become an expert with our on-line

Arizona IBA bird survey databaseand burgeoning IBA geodatabase.

She was the friendly voice on the

phone or e-mail who helped our

volunteer survey teams with their

questions and helped with their data

entry or retrieval. Ruth learned GIS

mapping and enlisted her husband,

Carlos, a GIS specialist, to link and

streamline the data transfer of our

two databases. She also helped the

program in innumerable other ways,

from ofce organiation, to research,

to helping in the preparation and

assistance of our IBA workshops

and multi-team survey efforts. Wewill denitely miss Ruth.

We welcome the arrival of

University of Arizona work-study

student Samanta Barntt to the

IBA program. Sam is a senior in

Wildlife Management and brings to

the program a background in biology,

ecology, a wide range of computer

program skills, and eld survey

experience with both wildlife and plan

species. She will be working closely

with me in managing and presenting

our bird survey data for new IBAnominations and conservation

use, mapping our survey projects,

advancing our community

conservation outreach for

IBAs, participating in eld

surveys, and assisting

our IBA team efforts. Sam

enjoys bird watching and is

committed to a career in wildlife and

habitat conservation. We are excited

she has found us!

Important bird people in miration

Scott Wilbor

Alamo Canyon, Organ Pipe CactusNational Monument

ROBERTSCHANTz


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TUCSON AUDUBONNEWS ROUNDUP

Construction on the Mason Center

composting restroom began with a

small shovel-full of dirt on Monday,

September 28! In no time at all

(thanks to heavy machinery) the hole

for the composting bins was dug. At

the submission of this article, we are

pouring concrete and getting ready for

the strawbale wall-raising workshop

on Saturday October 24. The

estimated completion time is quickly

upon us as you hold this newsletter

in your hands! With the years-long

hullabaloo surrounding this project

we would be remiss to not hold somesort of grand opening ceremony.

Furthermore, we know a fundraising

opportunity when we see one and this

may provide our best fundraiser yet.

This is certainly an event worth

celebratingthis restroom contains

the rst commercial-sied composting

toilet in a developed area in Pima

County and demonstrates the

progress Pima County has made in

accepting sustainable technologies

beyond the residential scale. Another

angle of accomplishment is thatthe completion of this restroom

symbolizes the readiness of the

Mason Center to fully launch itself as

Tucson Audubons conservation-and-

environmental-education resource

for Tucson and the northwest

communities of Tortolita, Oro Valley

and Marana.

So please join us in our ecitement

at the Mason Center Toilet Grand

Opening Ceremony on December 5 at

10am. For more information, updates,

and how to place your bid, visit www.

tucsonaudubon.org or call Lia at 971-

6238.

Lia Sansom (top) led off the constructionof the Mason Center composting restroomby digging a small hole with a shovel.Heavy machinery (above) then made shortwork of carving out the trench(far right) for the compostingbins. A strawbale wall-raisingworkshop is scheduled

for Saturday October 24,and the grand openingceremony, with rst use ofthe toilet (right), will takeplace on December 5.

Mason Center restroom updateLia Sansom, Mason Center Outreach Coordinator

Be the rst to usea Mason Centercompostin toilet!

Bidding starts at $50 each(there are 2 toilets so

there will be 2 winners)

Bidding bgins Monda,Novmbr 2 and will

clminat at tGrand OpningCmny n

Dcmbr 5 at 10am.

You must be present towin and claim your prie!

W tan t following popltat mad artflt donations inonor /mmor of lovd ons:

In Honor of John Farmer fromMatt Slakey

In Honor of Julia Gordon fromMargy Harris, Ralph Weeks, andWindibrow Foundation

In Honor of Karen Hochgraf fromHelen Baldwin

In Honor of Matt and Nikole Lewisfrom Nikki Peters

In Memory of Alec Piplani fromMarcia Polley

In Memory of Claudia Quesinberryfrom Michael and Jan Dowling

In Memory of Della Ruth Ribbentropfrom Patrick Egan and from IBMInternational Foundation

In Memory of Dr. Robert J. McNeillfrom Evelyn McNeill

In Memory of Louis Benson fromJamie Brown, Nicole Kredick, BarbaraCarroll, Kevin Dahl, Doug and ChrisMcVie, Cynthia and Gifford Hoyer

In Memory of Ronald C. Haaseth fromDebra Finch and Donald Finch

In Memory of Virginia Salomon fromArnold and Carol Hollander

In Memory of Karen Lut from Kentand Colleen Prescott, David Prescott,Melinda Prescott, Chris Totura, SteveTotura, Patricia and Donald Little

gIFTS IN HONOR / IN MEMORY...

A workshop on the Sight

and Sounds of the Birds

of Mt. Lemmon

When: April. Watch for an

announcement in the January/February Vermilion Flycacher

A class on Raptors

in Arizona,

5 sessions,

one eld trip

When: late April into

May. Watch for the

announcement in the

January/February

Vermilion Flycacher

Be ON The LOOkOuTComin this sprin

Saturday mornins atthe Mason Center

Tucson Audubon has initiated a series

of talks and discussions at our Mason

Center for Ironwood Preservation

and Environmental Education. The

rst event on September 26 featured

Carolyn Campbell on the Sonoran

Desert Conservation Plan, and Ted

Fleming on citizen scientists collecting

data on nectar-eating bats.

The second event will be on

Satrda morning, Janar 30.

Watch for details in the January

issue of theVermilion Flycacher. We

will email members when we have

nalied speakers and subjects. To

sign up for email updates, visit www.

tucsonaudubon.org.PHILPRITCHARD

ANDYBENN

ET


7/32


Welcome New Volunteers

Erin Brandt, administration publicity;

Scott Olmstead, community outreach;

Beth Showalter, community outreach,

clerical; Arin Bestin, community

outreach; Janet Cohn, catering

Mil gracias, Danke,Thank you!

The dog days of summer are gone

and with them a urry of activities

for our volunteers, from preparing

scrumptious goodies for programs, to

answering questions at a number of

tabling events and sharing binocular

and scope skills with Tucson families.

Once again Tucson Audubon

participated in United Way Days of

Caring; and two days of digging,

moving rocks and planting native

species were completed on the Fifth

Avenue side of the Old Y, our home.

Davis Monthan AFB personnel and

IBM staff volunteered their time

and brawn as their commitment to

community service.

Our rst volunteer orientation was

a great kick-off to what looks like a

very busy season. For any volunteer

who was unable to attend please

stop in to the Tucson Audubon natureshop to receive the new Volunteer

Orientation Booklet designed to clarify

important and timely issues.

Dont Miss ThisGiant Rd Rmoval in Sabino

Canonvr Snda tr

Marc 7, 2010. A continuing supply

of volunteers is needed to make

a real difference in controlling this

invasive. Please see page 4 or check

our website for details. Bring friends,

neighbors and family!

Volntr OrintationFbrar

24, 2010. Our rst volunteer

orientation was a great success,

and Tucson Audubon will have

another opportunity for our volunteer

candidates to meet staff, the board

president, and our executive directorDr. Paul Green, and to clarify

our objectives as well as answer

questions. Coffee and snacks will be

served. 9:3011:30am. Please RSVP:

Becky 622-2230.

Tcson Adbon Socit Gala

Fbrar 2, 2010. If you like parties,

planning and dressing up, please get

on board the winter social whirl! All

manner of worker bees are needed to

make this event even more successful

than last years. Anyone interestedcan contact: Becky 622-2230.

edcation Dpartmnt Nds.

Exciting programs are planned for

the fall and winter, and a number of

volunteers are needed for one-day

help and longer-term consistent

commitment to keep these programs

going and growing. Immediate

assistance is needed for folks with

good phone and organizational skills

to keep reservations organized. Call

Matt Brooks: 622-2230.

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH

Volunteer Scott Olmstead (left) helps withTucson Audubons community outreachefforts.

BECKYAPARICIO

6

Volunteer news roundupBecky Aparicio, Volunteer Coordinator Carlos Ocoa is an employee of

Pima County Natural Resources,

Parks and Recreation, a tireless

community advocate, and Tucson

Audubons principal volunteer for

our project in Barrio Kroeger Lane.

Carlos grew up in the neighborhood

and has fond memories of a greenertime along the Santa Cruz River.

As president of the neighborhood

association, Carlos introduced

Tucson Audubon into the community

and almost single-handedly made

it possible for us to be successful

there. He attended every volunteer

day and recruited most of the

residents in whose yards we worked.

Nobody worked harder to construct

the rainwater harvesting rain

gardens we built there.

Tucson Audubon looks forwardto continuing to work with Carlos

and the Barrio Kroeger Lane

neighborhood.

SIX QUESTIONS

First tim o wnt birding? It

must have been at the Santa Cruz

River with my father when I was

young; and recently this summer with

Kendall Kroesen and Dr. Paul Green.

It is such a joy to wake up to the

sights and sounds of our desert birds

at the base of A Mountain.Lvl of birding? I consider myself

a beginner birder. I have some

books from the library and rummage

sales. It gives me a great feeling

of accomplishment in learning and

knowing.

Favorit plac to go birding?

Sabino Canyon, Madera Canyon and

the Santa Cruz River Valley--oops I

forgot Agua Caliente. Many favorite

sites, we dearly love.

unsal vnt tat appnd

wil birding? At our annual Easter

vacation up to Gila River we decided

to go birding after setting up camp.We must have been about a mile

away when we came about this huge

dead collapsed mesquite tree. On

display with wings outstretched were

about 20 Black Vultures that could

have made a wonderful postcard.

We were fortunate to witness, but

unfortunate to forget the camera.

Favorit bird and wr did o

s it? I have an affection for hawks

and their aerial feats, but I am

recently admiring a desert cardinal

that has taken a liking to a cane stickcholla. His yellow beak, red chest

with gray is beautiful on the ground. I

have been able to get visuals a

couple of times a week on the west

side of Desert Survivors along the

Santa Cruz River trail.

Otr obbis? Spending time with

the familycamping, hiking, sports,

cooking, reading and community

awareness. Oh, and my kids

birthdays.

Rick Applegate, Eris Armstrong,

Joshua Barnes, Myrna Beards,

Vanessa Bechtol, Kim Blumenfeld,

Andrea Cohen, Wayne and Susan

Colony, Janet Cooley, Jim Dawson

and Kim McClain, Catie DeLucca,

John Doerr, Betty Eppler and Jim

Gooch, Debra Finch, Richard Friend,

Bob Hadden, Jeannette Hanby,

Madeline Hartley and Larry Dresher,

Edrice Ivory, Ben Johnson, Susannah

Johnson, Deborah Langeloh, Anna

LePere, Faulene Main, David

McKenzie, Debbie Mecom, Margaret

Norem, Kent and Colleen Prescott,

Nancy Rivera, Micky Schap, Maria

Schuchardt, Andree Tarby, Linda

Vaught, Ann Weinrich

Birds & Bsinss Allianc

Casa de San Pedro Bed & Breakfast

El Conquistador Resort Patio Homes

Assoc., Inc.

Financial Architects/KMS Financial

Services, Inc.

The Lodge at Ventana Canyon VF

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!


8/32


Enjoy watching birds and eager to learn more?These classes are for you.

Learn why southeastern Ariona is such a great

place for birds and why birdwatching is so darn

much fun. The course is designed for beginners.

Well address how to separate birds by habitat,

seasonal occurrence, and behavior. Learn about

eld marks and vocaliations. Get the lowdown on

binoculars and eld guides, birding vocabulary, and

etiquette in the eld.

Participants will learn how to identify local

birds and discover some of their interesting

characteristics and charms. Also covered will be

some of the adaptations birds have developed inorder to survive in our challenging environment.

The course is guaranteed to improve your

appreciation of local bird life. There will be

homework, but it will be enjoyable. The courseincludes three 2-hour classroom sessions and two

eld trips, approimately 23 hours in length.

One series will be taught in Tucson, the other in

Green Valley.

The course series will be taught by Lynn

Hassler, birder for over 35 years, author of

numerous books including Birds of the American

Southwest; Hummingbirds of the American West;

Roadrunners; and Gambels Quail; and educator

on plants, birds and desert ecology.

TUCSON COURSE

Thursdays: February 4, 11, and 18;68pmat Tucson Audubon

Field Trips: Saturdays, February 6 and 20;

locations/ times to be announced

gREEN VALLEY COURSE

Wednesdays, February 10, 17, and 24;

10am12noon, location to be announced

Field Trips: Wednesdays, March 3 and 10;

locations/times to be announced

Cost for each ve-session course: $135 for

members, $170 for nonmembers which includes a

Friends of Tucson Audubon membership.To sign up, contact the Nature Shop at 629-0510.

Questions regarding the class, call Education at

622-2230 or e-mail education@tucsonaudubon.

TUCSON AUDUBONEVENTS AND CLASSES

Sin Up Now for Backyard Birdin and BeyondClasses for Beinnin BirdersFebruaryMarch 2010 Tucson and Green Valley

Spend a day with zeiss Optics!

Saturday, December 19,7:30am2:30pm

Agua Caliente Park in the Rose Cottage

Zeiss digiscoping and optics

representatives will be hosting digiscoping

workshops and demonstrations.

Bring your digiscoping outt if you have one. If

you dont, Zeiss will have some for you to try.

Learn how to digiscope, learn more about zeissoptics, and try out their new Photoscope!

Contact the Nature Shop for sign-up.

RSVP by Thursday, December 10 629-0510.

Limited to 20 participants

Morning refreshments will be provided.

Please bring your own lunch.

This program is offered in partnership

with Pima County Natural Resources,

Parks and Recreation.

Well see you there!!

Tucson Audubon inBirders WorldMaaine

Be sure to check out the December 2009

issue ofBirders Worldmagazine. Sweetwater

Wetlands (pictured above) is a featured Birding

Hotspot and was written by Tucson Audubon

staff member Matt Brooks. As a reminder,

when visiting this birding hotspot, be sure to

document your sightings at www.aviatlas.com

and contribute to a growing body of knowledgeabout your local birding areas.

Also featured in the same Birders

Worldissue is our very own Tucson

Audubon Society logo stainless

steel water bottle. If you havent

yet purchased your rellable steel

bottle, stop by the nature shop or

the online store today! Kick the

plastic bottle habit and reduce

waste while showing your support

for Tucson Audubon.

KENDALLKROESEN

ANNAUDREY

Come and enjoy childrens activities, adult

bird walks, good food, the best water in the

valley, birds, reptiles, and birdday cake, and

Tucson Audubons Nature Shop. Learn about

the Esperana Conservation Easement project,

see whats in the trees along the Santa Cruz,

watch the little ones run through the maze and

visit the petting zoo.

Entry is by donation: $10 for adults, children

12 and under are free. Prepaid tickets will

receive a souvenir bookmark.

Lunch of burgers and garden burgers (hot

dogs for the kids) will be available with chips,beans, salad, and soft drinks from 11:30 to 1

(cost $12 for adults and $10 for kids). Tables

and chairs will be set up under a tent, and

blankets for picnicking will be available.

Bring a cup or ask for a taste of good, cool

well water; binoculars to keep an eye on the

birds; a chair for resting if you like; and your

check book for a good cause.

Call Jean Barchman at 6225622 for more

information or to make a reservation. We hope

to see you there!

Birdday PartySaturday, November 7, 11am3pm

Agua Linda Farm


9/32


TUCSON Livin with NatureLecture Series / Member MeetinsDuVal 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 Livin with NatureLecture SeriesJoyner-Green Valley Library, 601 N La Canada

Dr. 594-5295. Program begins at 10 am, third

Saturday of each month October through May.

Contact Jean Barchman, 622-5622 or

[email protected] for more

information or visit tucsonaudubon.org.

November 9 Tucson

THE CAREFUL FOOT: Reconciling the Needs

of People and Wildlife with Prof. Michael

Rosenzweig

We need not accept the sterility of todays humanenvironments. Nature need not be restricted to

our great system of national parks and preserves.

Instead, we can build our world so that it is full of

healthy populations of many wild species -- birds

and butteries and wildowers and whatever else

we choose. Not only will that enrich our everyday

existence, it will be a crucial element of our

campaign to save lifes wonderful diversity.

November 21 Green ValleyTIDEWALKINGwith Betty Hupp and

Marilyn Malone

The authors ofThe Edge of the Sea of Cortez, A

Tidewalkers Guide to the Upper Gulf of California,

whose rst tidepool adventure was courtesy of

Tucson Audubons Tidepool Institute, will take you

tide-walking on rocky, sandy and muddy shores

in search of seaside critters. They will show

you some of the habits and habitats of beach

creatures in general, with up-close-and-personal

peeks into their their intertidal homes.

Paraphrasing Peggy Turk

Boyer, Executive Director,

CEDO, Intercultural Center

for the Study of Deserts &

Oceans: It is a rare beach

walker on the edge of the

Sea of Cortez who has

not been captivated andmystied by the strange creatures

slipping under rocks or burrowing into the

sand and mud underfoot. Marilyn and Betty

combine art and science [in this presentation] for

the curious naturalist in each of us.

December 14 Tucson

Annual Holiday Potluck presentation at Dunbar

Springs Neighborhood Center (see right).

ATTRACTING BIRDS TO YOUR YARD AND

NEIGHBORHOODwih Rachel McCaffery

Urban development can affect birds in many

ways. While some species thrive in response tourbanization, many native species decline as we

degrade and reduce their habitats. How these

habitat changes impact bird species depends

on both the specic habitat features and the

amount of space each species needs. Learn how

homeowners can have a signicant impact on

sustaining populations of some native species,

and how other species will require broader

intervention involving neighborhood groups and

maybe even city managers.

December 19 Green Valley

ECUADOR: ANDEAN ADVENTURE

Hummingbirds, Orchids, Butteries, People wih

Sally Johnsen and Doug Moore

Join Sally Johnsen and Doug

Moore for a presentation

of birds and nature in

the Andes mountains

of northern Ecuador.

About the size of Arizona,

Ecuador has one of the

greatest biodiversities on

earth, including 25,000

plants species and 1,600

bird species. The countryboasts 130 species

of hummingbirds and

more orchid species than

anywhere else! The program

explores habitats and life in the

west and east cordilleras of the Andes anking

the capitol of Quito, from tropical cloud forest to

Pramo Alpine tundra. The audience will also see

local people working to conserve their lands and

live sustainably with nature to provide a heritage

for their children.

Falco naumanni, the Lesser Kestrel, although decliningsubstantially over much of its former range in Europe,is well supported in Jerusalem. There, roof tiles formcavities of just the right sie for its nests. From a paintingby Tuvia Kurz. Thanks to him, to The International Centerfor the Study of Bird Migration, Latrun, Israel and to TheSociety for the Protection of Nature in Israel.

MEMBERS ANNUALHOLIDAY POTLUCK

Monday, December 14, 6pm

Dunbar Springs Neighborhood Center

We invite all members to Tucson Audubons

Annual Holiday Potluck, which this year will be

held in a new location. The Dunbar SpringsNeighborhood Center, at 325 W Scond Strt,

is close to the Tucson Audubon ofces. There is

plenty of parking at this location. The size of the

room limits attendance to 150 people, so please

call the Nature Shop at 629-0510 to reserve your

place as soon as possible.

This years presentation isAttracting birds to

your yard and neighborhood: how habitat features

and scale inuence Tucsons native birds by

Rachel McCaffery (see left for a summary).

Designate the potluck item youd like to

bringcasserole/main dish, salad or dessert,

ready to serveenough for yourself and veothers. To minimize our environmental impact,

we prefer to avoid adding paper plates and

disposable cutlery to our already overburdened

landlls. So please bring plates, cutlery and

appropriate serving utensils, and plan on taking

them home with you to wash. Well provide the

punch, tea and coffee served in special compost-

friendly cups that you can use for your garden

at home or leave with us to compost for you.

Refreshing adult beverages will be available for

a small cash donation (served in the same super

cool cups!).

In addition to a wonderful presentation and

awesome food, we will also be holding a silent

auction of unique one-of-a-kind items and other

collectables. This is not the White Elephant

rafe from years past but an opportunity to

purchase fantastic items while supporting Tucson

Audubon Society (bring your checkbook!). Items

up for bid include birding related products and

much more!

If you would like to help with planning,

decorating or assisting during the party, wed

love to hear from you. Please call membership at

622-5622. We look forward to seeing you there!

RSVP: Space is limited, so call the main Audubon

Nature Shop at 629-0510 to reserve your spot!

TUCSON AUDUBONS LIVINg WITH NATURE LECTURE SERIES

Available

in our NatureShops$27.95


10/32


What ecological issues can we

address through landscaping?Which birds are in Tucson and what

are their habitat needs? How do we go beyond

just using native plants to provide habitat for

birds? Tucson Audubons landscaping course will

consider these questions and many others.

Landscaping for Wildlife and Sustainability

participants will meet two Saturdays and two

Wednesday evenings from February 6 to February

17. Saturday classes are from 7am to 1pm and

Wednesday evening classes are from 7 to 9pm.

The classes are taught by Greg Corman of

Gardening Insights and Paul Green and Kendall

Kroesen of Tucson Audubon. Other great guest

speakers will participate as well.

The course fee is $250. Please register

by contacting Jean Barchman at 622-5622

[email protected]. If you

have questions about the course, contact

Kendall Kroesen at 971-2385 orkkroesen@

tucsonaudubon.org.

See the Urban Program story on page 14 for

more on urban landscaping for wildlife.

Course topics include:

Problems of current Tucson landscapes and

solutions

Local bird diversity and what birds need

Principles of sustainable designThe role of insects/arthropods

Rainwater harvesting and other hardscape

issues

Native plant diversity, structure and density for

wildlife

Native plant availability in the nursery trade

Irrigation strategies for plant establishment

Desert garden aesthetics

Tucson Audubons landscape recognition

program

Landscapin for Wildlife and SustainabilityFebruary 617, 2010, two Saturdays and two Wednesday nightsTucson Audubon HQ and various eld locations

TUCSON AUDUBONEVENTS & CLASSES

AVAILABLe

IN OuR

NATuRe ShOPS

Nativ Plants for

Sotwstrn

Landscaps

by Judy Mielke.

$24.95

ParticipantsinJanuarysclasssaid:Thiscoursewasexcellent.Wentintoenoughdepthtoallowmeto

translateconceptsintodesign.Speakerswhowerepassionateabouttheirsubjectinfectious!Iworkbetterknowingwhatyoushowedme.

Parry penstemon (right) in arain garden (above) in BarrioKroeger Lane.

Spectacular Birds andgourmet FoodSaturday, January 23, 2010Whiewaer Draw

As you sink into your seat in a comfortable coach,

well serve you coffee or tea with a scone before

we glide down to Whitewater Draw. Youll be

entertained and educated by biologists and birders

as the southern Arizona landscape passes by your

window. A gourmet lunch will greet you, maybe

under the gae of a Great Horned Owl or two, as

you learn about the management of the area and

the conservation of the region. Experts will lead

small groups to view the spectacle of the Sandhill

Cranes as they return from feeding together with a

host of water birds. Youll have the chance to view

the mixed species owl roost before returning to the

bus for other gourmet delights and a glass of wine

as we wend our way back to Tucson.

Sounds like quite a trip, doesnt it? Tucson

Audubon is organiing this event in conjunction

with the Ariona Open Land Trust and the Ariona

Game and Fish Department. This event will

neatly weave together recreation, education, and

conservation into a friendly social event. Youll

experience the birds, learn about their biology,

how the site is managed, and how Arizona Open

Land Trust works to conserve the landscape. The

date? Saturday, January 23. The cost? $75 all

inclusive. Seats are limited, so call Jean Barchman

on 622-5622 to reserve your place. Chuck George,

meteorologist and weather newscaster for Channel

13-KOLD, joins us as our special guest.

BOTHPHOTOSKENDALLKROESEN

ALAND

.WIL

SON/NATUREPICSONLINE

.COM

Another Spectacle: Raptors in theSulphur Sprins ValleyFebruary 13, 2010 Sulphur Springs Valley

Following on from our Whitewater Draw Sandhill Crane trip, we are launching a trip to view the wintering

birds of prey in the Sulphur Springs Valley. The emphasis will again be on comfort, food, and expert

discussion of the conservation of the region, as well as identifying the raptors under the guidance of the

Southern Arizona Bird Observatory and Tom Wood. Because of the need for a number of stops, and for

getting in and out of the bus, well be taking smaller buses on this trip, with a leader on each bus. Leaders

will eplain the behavior of the birds, why they are there, and help with identication. The date? February

13. The cost? $90 (to cover the additional cost of the small buses). Seats are limited, so call Jean

Barchman on 622-5622 to reserve your place.


11/32


EVENTS CALENDAR

NovMar 2010. Giant reed removal at Sabino

Canyon Recreation Area 1st Sunday each

month (details p 4)

Nov 7. Birdday Party at Agua Linda Farm

(details p 8)

Nov 9.Living With Nature lecture (Tucson):

The Careful Foot: Reconciling the Needs of

People and Wildlife. Prof Michael Rosenzweig(details p 9)

Nov 21.Living With Nature lecture (Green

Valley): Tidewalking. Betty Hupp & Marilyn

Malone (details p 9)

Nov 21. Giant reed removal along Sabino

Creek (details p 4)

Dc 12. Invasive fountain grass removal in

Esperero Canyon (details p 4)

Dc 14.Living With Nature lecture and

Tucson Audubon Holiday Potluck (Tucson):

Attracting birds to your yard and neighborhood.Rachel McCaffery (details p 9)

Dc 19. Zeiss digiscoping class (details p 8)

Jan 1316, 2010. Wings Over Wilcox birding

festival (details p 27)

Jan 15 & 16, 2010. IBA Bird Monitoring

workshop (details p 5)

Jan 1820, 2010. IBA survey, Organ Pipe

Cactus National Monument (details p 5)

Jan 23, 2010. Sandhill Cranes and gourmet

food education trip (details p 10)

Jan 2730, 2010. IBA survey, Cabeza PrietaNWR (details p 5)

Jan 30, 2010. Saturday morning at the Mason

Center (details p 6)

Fb 2, 2010. Tucson Audubon Gala (details

p 32)

Fb 4Mar 10, 2010. Backyard Birding and

Beyond classes for beginners (details p 8)

Fb 617, 2010. Landscaping for Wildlife and

Sustainability course (details p 10)

Fb 13, 2010. Raptors in the Sulphur Springs

Valley education trip (details p 10)Fb 24, 2010. Tucson Audubon volunteer

orientation (details p 7)

Apr 1518, 2010. Institute of Desert Ecology

(details left)VF

The Institute of Desert Ecology (IDE) is just around

the corner. In just a few months, the days will be

getting longer again, the daytime temperatures

will again be rising, and lowland desert camping or

hiking will be on your mind. Why not combine these

with the chance to learn all about the Sonoran

Desert in an inviting setting?

The 2010 Institute will be a siginicant

milestone for Tucson Audubons longest-running

education program. For 40 years, our amazing

faculty of local experts has been teaching Sonoran

Desert ecology to people from around the

continent. We are proud to have more than 2000

graduates from the program from over the years,

many of whom have gone on to careers in a similar

eld or used the knowledge gained in teaching

others. If you have attended in the past, seriously

consider a refresher. If youve heard of the event

but havent yet attended, this is the year to do it.

In the spirit of celebration of this milestone year,

were offering some fun ideas for past or future

attendees:

Giv IDe as a gift1. Know a friend or loved one

who would love to attend IDE? This program

makes an ecellent gift! Keep in mind the

holidays are coming up. . . .

Gradation Dinnr2. If you would like to

attend again but arent able to come for the full

program, you are welcome to join us for the

evening graduation meal on Saturday, April

17. This is a good way to reconnect with the

faculty and relive some of the fun moments of

past Institutes. The cost for the Saturday meal

is $30.00.

T-sirt contst3. See the boxed text below for

more information.

To register or for more information, contact

Matt Brooks, Institute Director, at 6222230 or

[email protected].

Above: Carl Tomoff brings it all together at the closing talk

Left: Spectacular Pusch Ridge of the Catalina Mountains

B

OTHPHOTOSSARAPIKE

40th Annual Institute of Desert EcoloyApril 1518, 2010 Caalina Sae Park

CALLINGALLARTISTS

!Ifyouhaveagood

ideaforthe40thannualInstitut

eofDesert

EcologyT-shirt,wedlovetose

eit.Atthe

endofJanuarywellreviewthe

submissions

wereceiveanddecideonawin

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designwillthengraceournewe

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T-shirt.Obviously,thesubmissi

onshouldbe

SonoranDesertthemed.Form

oredetails,

pleaseemailMattBrooksatmb

rooks@

tucsonaudubon.org.


12/32


Bald Eagleour national symbol ofpride, majesty, power and grace. It breeds

only in North America, and is the largest

of all our raptors except for the California

Condor. Its a surprise to some people

that this bird likes to eat carrion, and was

once called a bird of low moral character

by Benjamin Franklin (for its tendency to

steal sh from Ospreys). But that aside,

most people do think the Bald Eagle is a

great symbol for our country.

Theres nothing like seeing your

rst adult Bald Eagle. Mine was while

canoeing down the Colorado River. Werounded a bend and came upon one

eating a sh on a gravel bar far ahead.

We immediately went silent and slowly

drifted closer. As we approached, the

eagle picked the sh up in its talons

and slowly ew upstreampassing our

canoe a mere pebbles throw away. Ill

never forget the majestically slow beats

of wings, as large, seemingly, as a fully

opened newspapera magical moment

for sure.

The calls of this bird are a little less

majestic however, and when you see

one on TV on anything other than a

documentary, theres usually a Red-tailed

Hawk-sounding call given instead. To me

the Bald Eagles call sounds like a seriesof rapid squeaky notes, almost rail-like.

Ill bet ol Ben would make a harrumpf

sound herehe wanted the Wild Turkey

chosen as our nations bird instead!

The word eagle comes from the Latin

aquila, originally black eagle, which

comes from the Latin words aquilus

dark, and aquilonorth wind (which

darkened the sky), and was used as a

military standard in Imperial Rome. The

adjective aquiline usually describes

a large and somewhat hooked nose

suggesting thebeak of a large

bird. Although bald

would nowadays call

to mind hairless or

featherless, in Middle

English (c.1200-c.1500)

balledmeant shining

white. The scientic

name Haliaeetus

leucocephalus

derives from the Greek

haliaetossea eagle

(halosthe sea and aetoseagle), with the species

name coming from the

Greek leukos, white, and

kephalos, head.

Bald Eagle populations

have changed dramatically

over the last century. Early

on, they were so numerous

in Alaska that a bounty

was offered for killing them. Later,

the effects of DDT caused a nesting-

success rate drop from 75 percent to 14

percent in one study, with subsequent

listing on the Endangered Species List.

The banning of DDT helped lead to

eventual delisting, and since then Bald

Eagle nesting has been documented in

all continental U.S. states except Rhode

Island and Vermont. It helps that they are

long-lived birds, and longevity records

include individuals living 28 (wild) and 36

(captive) years. Habitat loss, as usual,

is considered the biggest conservation

threat today.

Bald Eagles are not closely related tothe Golden Eagle. The latter is the sole

North American member of a worldwide

group sometimes called booted or true

eagles, closely related to buteos. The

Bald Eagle is a member of a group known

as sh-eagles and thought to be more

closely related to kites. Stellers Sea-

Eagle and White-tailed Eagle are also

members of this group.

Adult Bald Eagles are one of the

easier raptors to identify with their all-

white heads and tails, massive size, and

huge heads and bills. Shape and size

differences help to identify high-soaring

eagles. Look for very large, rectangular

wings (for both Bald & Golden Eagles)

and a large head and neck for Balds.

Goldens have a narrower head and neck

and a longer, slightly fanned tail that I nd

distinctive in shape. If you get close/scope

views of perched birds, note the massive

bill on the Bald Eaglequite impressive!

Juvenile Bald Eagles are less easy

to identify, and adult plumage

is attained only after birds

are 4 to 5 years of age.

Juvenile birds have a blotchy

appearance, less dened

than young Goldens. Like

many raptors, juveniles have

longer tails and broader wings

than adults. Like learning to

surf on a big surfboard, Ive heard

this makes it easier for young birds

to learn ying, while adult birds canmaneuver more quickly after prey with

shorter feathering.

Here in Arizona, we generally can

count on having a few Bald Eagles

around each winter, though I believe

recent years have seen fewer. The

bird is listed as being casual to rare in

southeastern Arizona from December

through mid-March. Places to look

include larger lakes, agricultural areas

and grasslands. Examples of each that

at least used to be productive are Parker

Canyon Lake, the Sulphur Springs Valley,and the San Rafael grasslands. To pick a

best site to try for one Id suggest driving

east on Rucker Canyon Road towards the

west ank of the Chiricahua Mountains,

checking out all high-ying raptors. One

can nd a dozen different raptors on

a days birding in the Sulphur Springs

Valley, and Tucson Audubon eld trips

regularly visit there in winter (see p 10 for

an upcoming trip). Try going on one for a

look at this striking bird. Good luck! VF

Bald Eale is listed asbein casual to rare insoutheastern Arionafrom December throuhmid-March.

GEORG

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WHATS IN A NAME?

Interesting stories about birds with interesting names

Bald EaleLARRY LIESE


13/32


The monsoon season that normally

brings welcome rains and cooler

temperatures to the desert Southwestzzled and was anything but normal this

year, timidly sprinkling below average

amounts of rain here and there and

ending earlier than usual.

As birders weathered the steamy end

to a hot and dry summer, the birding

itself continued its torrid pace in August

and September. The Ramsey Canyon

Brown-backed Solitaire and Aztec Thrush

extended their stays. The Patagonia

Sinaloa Wren continued to play hide-and-

seek through the period. Rufous-capped

Warblers were regularly reported from

their early summer haunts, and Black-

capped Gnatcatchers were observed on

multiple locations in the foothills of the

Santa Rita Mountains.

Two Plain-capped Starthroats showed

up, one just south of Patagonia and the

other at the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek

Preserve; and a Green Kingsher

returned to the San Pedros Kingsher

Pond. Short-tailed Hawks were again

noted atop the Chiricahua Mountains, and

a successful breeding of Flame-colored

Tanagers occurred in the lower part of the

range.

In late August and early September the

shorebird conditions at Willcox were the

best in years, with extensive mudats to

attract a wide range of species including

Ruddy Turnstone and Red Knot. In

Tucson, Sweetwater Wetlands

was regularly coughing up

80 to over 100 species

to keen-eyed birders.

Dickcissel and Vauxs Swift sightings

seemed above average.

This bounty of these rarities andtheir associated locations are scattered

throughout many national forests,

preserves and private residences all

over southeast Arizona. Birders here are

blessed with an amazing array of birding

habitats to choose from including mature

Sonoran Desert, densely vegetated

riparian areas, sky islands with conifer-

covered summits, oak-shaded rocky

hillsides, grasslands, lakes, ponds, and

washes. Despite such a wealth of habitats

available each time aeld, have you ever

considered in-town Tucson for birding?

Tucson is a sprawling urban area much

like other cities across our country, an

interesting mash of roads, businesses,

residential neighborhoods, vacant lots, dry

washes, and the occasional park. These

dry washes and parks are sometimes

thickly vegetated with native and

sometimes exotic non-native shrubs and

trees. To our avian friends, these green

oases mean food, water and shelter (see

pp 1617). Fall, winter and spring tend

to be the best times for checking local

habitat patches in search of migrants,

stray visitors from the east and our year-

round residents.

A birding journey to your neighborhood

open space can denitely be classied

as eco-friendly. To the environmentally

conscious birder, the primary benet

these urban birding sites and parks

provide is their proximity to where

we work, live and play. A few

examples of Tucsons city

parks include Reid, Fort

Lowell, Lakeside, andMcCormick, all easily

accessible by bike, bus,

carpool or walking.

Reid Park (S. Country

Club and 22nd Street) is a

large enclave with mature trees,

ball elds, articial lakes, grassy

picnic areas, and playground facilities.

Despite being surrounded by cityscape,

it attracts a wide variety of migrants,

breeders and vagrants. Past highlights

include Chestnut-sided Yellow-throated,

Pine and Hooded Warblers; various

raptors; Red Phalarope; and more.

Fort Lowell Park (Craycroft Road

between Fort Lowell and Glenn) is a

smaller historic park with a tiny lake,

riparian corridor, typical park facilities and

lots of open areas. A well-birded row of

cottonwoods running from the parking

area to Craycroft Road has harbored

Northern Parula, and Lewiss Woodpecker

is sometimes found in the pecan grove.

In fall and winter, Hooded Mergansers

occasionally favor the small lake.

Lakeside Park (Stella Road between

E. Camino Seco and S. Pantano Road) is

different from the other example parks, a

bit more manicured, but with large native

and exotic trees and the typical park

amenities. The park features a rather

large lake which has attracted an amazingarray of water birds over the years

including Black Skimmer, Brown Pelican,

Black Tern, Pacic Loon and others.

McCormick Park (Columbus Road

between Fort Lowell and Glenn) is a

compact park with lots of open area,

park facilities, a playground and large

trees. This park was birded heavily this

past winter, thanks to a lowland wintering

set of Williamsons and Red-naped

Sapsuckers favoring the mature pines

scattered about. Vermilion Flycatchers

may be found here all year.These are but a few examples of

Tucsons many urban habitats. Pick your

nearest city park, weed patch, wash or

arroyo, and your eco-friendly explorations

may spark some late summer birding

sizzle! And dont forget to enter site

details and birds seen to www.aviatlas.

com (see p 14 of the September/October

Vermilion Flycatcher). VF

Cliff Cathers runs Economy Birding

Services, Inc. www.economybirding.com

A well-birded row of cottonwoods in Fort Lowell Park (lefthas harbored Northern Parula (right

Above: Thunderstorm over Rincon Mountains;Inset: Rufous-capped Warbler

WHERE TO GO, BIRDS TO SEE

Monsoon FileSummer SileCLIFF CATHERS | VOLUNTEER FIELD TRIP LEADER


14/32


Are you making your yard or

neighborhood into a home for birds and

other wildlife?

Tucson Audubon will recognize your

efforts! Contact us for more information

about how to get your property

recognized (kkroesen@tucsonaudubon.

org, or 971-2385). Theres no charge to

you for recognition, but there is a charge

to purchase a sign announcing your

propertys status (see photo).

Are you just starting to transform

your yard into habitat? Want some

pointers? Tucson Audubon teaches a

course called Landscaping for Wildlife

and Sustainability. The next 16-hour

course will be taught February 6, 10, 13

and 17 (two Saturday mornings and two

Wednesday evenings). Whether you

are a gardening enthusiast, a landscape

designer, or just want more birds in your

yard, youll enjoy learning about a new

model for landscaping (see p 10).

Our new model for landscaping isnt

just getting rid of lawns. In the new

model, basins and swales, alone or

in combination with cisterns, hold and

inltrate water into the ground. We plant

landscapes densely and with a wide

variety of native plant species, creating

a complex vegetative structure. Plants

survive mostly on rainwater.

In the new model many trees are

thorny, providing cover from predators

and protected places to nest (see p 15).

Plants host insects, and produce fruits

and seeds that are eaten by birds and

reptiles. Trees and shrubs are rarely

trimmed, allowing low branches to cover

SPECIAL FEATURE | SUSTAINABLE LIVING

Create SustainableUrban Wildlife Habitain Your NeihborhoodKENDALL KROESEN | RESTORATION PROGRAM MANAGER

Besides the habitat recognition program

and the landscaping course, heres what

Tucson Audubon is doing in the urban

Tucson area:

getting volunteers into streams and

washes to remove invasive plants

(see page 4)

improving habitat around our ofces

at the Historic YWCA (see page 4)

working with entire neighborhoods

to improve habitat, such as Barrio

Kroeger Lane

working with AviAtlas ( www.aviatlas.

com) to establish and publicize urban

birding trails in the Tucson area (see

page 14 of the September/October

issue of the Vermilion Flycatcher)

promoting advancement of the

science of urban birds and working

to translate it into improvements in

habitat (see page 16)

studying the possible expansion of the

Sabino and Bear Creek Important Bird

Area to encompass Tanque Verde

Wash

gearing up to send our restoration

crew into private backyards to

improve habitat

forming a youth birding program so

that young birders can meet and have

a structured way to develop birding

and conservation skills (see page 4)

working with county and municipal

ofcials on several fronts to help

address the needs of wildlife

ALLPH

OTOSBYKENDALLKROESEN


15/32


the ground, increasing the total biomass

on which birds and other animals forage.

Landscapes can grow food for people

too! Eat some of the same plants that

provide food for birds (mesquite meal,

native fruits, native salad greens). Grow

heritage fruit trees and share their

produce with migrating tanagers and

grosbeaks. Plant a vegetable garden and

water it from the cistern.

New discoveries await us as we

research how to make our cities friendlier

to birds. We will learn more about helping

some of the species most sensitive to

human encroachment. We will explore

how to provide nests for cavity-nesting

birds that have declined in our cities. Nest

box programs have worked for Eastern

Bluebirds; we need to nd out how to

make them work for birds like Bewicks

Wren and Lucys Warbler.

Finally, we need to continue to explore

ways to take less water from our natural

environment, and make sure that most

of what we use is recycled to support a

diverse urban population of plants and

animals. VF

Another big thanks to Desert Survivors

Plant Nursery for providing native plants

at wholesale for our project in Barrio

Kroeger Lane, and for other contributions!

See www.desertsurvivors.org.

hrs t bac stor. As we build residential,

commercial, and industrial areas for humans,

most other creatures die. Some cant adapt

to development and others die because we

take their water. Most of the laws that regulate

the water in our environment allocate it to

humansvirtually none is reserved for ora

and fauna. Beware of those that say we have

an assured water supply for the foreseeable

futurehumans might; birds do not.

Can we change the city? There areprecedents. A couple of decades ago most

lawns disappeared and were replaced by low-

water-use landscapes. In the last ten years

rainwater harvesting has gone from something

done by fringe permaculturistsknown for

eating cactus fruits and showering outdoors

with their chickensto something that the

City of Tucson mandates for new commercial

developments.

My next article will be about eating cactus

fruit and showering outdoors!

SuSTAINABILITy CORNeRFor this months sustainability tip, check out the

rebates available from Tucson Water for toilet

and other water conservation upgrades. See

www.tucsonaz.gov/water/rebate.htm for details.

Currently new Tucson toilets are mandated to

use no more than 1.6 GPF (gallons per ush).

Rebates are now available for upgrading to

high efciency toilets that use 1.3 gallons

per ush.

Rebates are also available for irrigation

upgrades on commercial buildings and

multifamily residences, and new pre-rinse

nozzles for commercial kitchens that use less

water. Businesses can also receive recognition

through the WaterSmart Business Program.

These rebates represent the implementation

of some of the 22 strategies recommended

recommendations of a Community

Conservation Task Forcelearn more about

the task force and their recommendations at

www.ci.tucson.az.us/water/cons-townhalls.htm.Come in and see

Tucson Audubons

new sustainability

corner in the main

Nature Shop! And

remember, you soon

will be able to use the

composting toilet being

installed at our Mason

Center, operating at

ero GPF!

From top left: Native landscapes increasingly adorn

neighborhoods. A rain garden in Barrio Kroeger

Lane. Tucson Audubons Landscaping for Wildlife

and Sustainabilitycourse. Firewheel (Gaillardia

pulchella), a popular wildower native to Ariona

and other states. Sign marking properties that

are recognized as habitat by Tucson Audubon.

Yellow trumpetbush (Tecoma stans) and Hookers

evening primrose (Oenothera hookeri).Lower left:

Screwbean (Prosopis pubescens), an increasingly

common landscaping plant (inset: screwbean pods).


16/32


Many kinds of wildlife can be found in urban

areas, but birds are often among the most

visible, diverse, and desirableand Tucson is an

incredible place to live if you appreciate birds.

Tucson has been the focus for some of the

most important research on birds in urban

environments. When I began my graduate work

at the University of Arizona, I was fortunate to

take over the coordination of the Tucson Bird

Count (TBC), which was established by Will

Turner in 2001. The TBC is a citizen science

project that is designed to assess the distribution

and abundance of birds throughout the Tucson

area.

In addition to the broad, citywide information

we can get from the TBC, I was also interested

in examining how things like the plants used inlandscapes at smaller scales (such as individual

yards and neighborhoods) impact birds. To do

this, I looked at the relationships between 10 bird

species and a variety of habitat features at these

smaller scales and, as it turns out, there are a

lot of relatively simple things that people can do

in their yards and neighborhoods to help sustain

populations of native birds in Tucson.

The following is the rst in a series of articles

that looks at the results of this research and

outlines some of the practical steps homeowners

can take to encourage native birds.

Native Veetation and NativeBirdsDont Foret theThorn Trees!

Vegetation is one of the most important

factors in determining which birds are found in a

particular area. While cities tend to have fewer

species of birds than nearby natural areas,

residential areas could support higher numbers

of many types of native birds with the right mix of

plants. I studied ten bird species: Ash-throated

Flycatcher, Cactus Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher,

Gambels Quail, Gila Woodpecker, Lesser

Goldnch, Northern Cardinal, Phainopepla,

Pyrrhuloxia, and Verdin. The amount and type of

native plants present in an area were the most

important factors in determining whether or not aspecies occurred there. Some species, such as

Pyrrhuloxia, Verdin, and Gambels Quail, simply

preferred native plants to non-native plants

whereas other species preferred specic types of

native plants.

Native plants are important to many native

bird species because they provide food and

cover, a relationship that has developed over

millions of years. On the other hand, many non-

native birds, such as House Sparrows, are often

highly adaptable to different environments and

can utilize a wide variety of plantshence their

Tucsonsnaturalsetting and

sprawlinggrowth make

it an idealplace to

study the

complexrelationshipsbetween

wildlifeand urban

development.Above: Blue palo verde. Right: Ironwood owers.

SPECIAL FEATURE | SUSTAINING BIRD POPULATIONS IN TUCSON

Thorny Issues for BirRACHEL MCCAFFREY

Ash-throated Flycatcher (top) andNorthern Cardinal


17/32


widespread global distribution. In residential

areas, the types of vegetation people plant will

largely inuence the birds present in their yards,

and many Tucson yards contain few native plants

or lack the diversity of plants necessary to attracta variety of native birds.

One type of native plant that is often missing

from residential landscapes, even those lled

with native plants, is thorn trees or bushes. In

the Tucson area, native thorn trees and bushes

favored by birds include acacias (such as the

whitethorn and catclaw), ironwood, desert

hackberry, velvet mesquite, and palo verde

(blue or foothills). In my study, the number of

thorn trees in a yard correlated strongly with the

presence of Ash-throated Flycatchers, Gambels

Quail, Northern Cardinals, and Verdins. In aridenvironments like Tucson, thorn trees and

bushes can act as the mid-story shrub layer that

is often missing from residential landscapes

dominated by heavily pruned trees, owering

plants and ground cover. This mid-story shrub

layer provides cover, nesting sites and foraging

opportunities (insectivores like Verdins search for

insects among the leaves and owers), and its

presence is a good indicator of a quality habitat

for native birds.

Yet, many homeowners either remove thorn

trees or avoid planting them due to concerns

about the difculty of trimming such plants or the

danger thorns may pose to children and pets.

However, the presence of only one or two thorn

trees can signicantly increase the likelihood of

attracting the types of birds that use them. For

example, in my study, Verdins were only found

in about eight percent of yards that didnt have

any thorn trees or bushes (regardless of the

surrounding habitat), whereas they were found in

41 percent of yards with one or two thorn trees or

bushes. So, a single thorn tree or bush, placed

in an out-of-the-way location where it can be

avoided by people and pets and left untrimmed,could have a considerable impact on the variety

and number of native birds visiting your yard.

In my next article, Ill address the important

relationship between the Phainopepla and

mistletoe. VF

Rachel McCaffrey is the speaker for our

Christmas potuck on Monday, December 14 at

the Dunbar Springs Community Center (see p 9

for details).

Above left to right: Cactus Wren; Tucson Botanical GardensNumber of thorn treesor bushes within a

yard (0.5 ha in size)

Percent of sites withVerdins

0 7.7

12 41.3

34 45.6

4+ 51.3

The Nature Conservancy yard in Tucson.

AVAILABLe IN OuR

NATuRe ShOPS

Cactus of Arizonaby Nora & RickBowers and StanTekiela. $14.95

Trs of Arizonaby Stan Tekiela.$13.95

Cacti andScclnts.

A Simon &Schusters Guideedited by StanleySchuler. $16.00

Dsrt BirdGardningandNativTrs: Gid toLandscapingboth publishedby Arizona PlantSociety andTucson AudubonSociety. $3.50

each

s

A L A N

M U R P H Y

, W W W

. A L A N M U R P H Y P H

O T O G R

A P H Y

. C O M

KENDALLKROESEN


18/32


The 2004 Open Space Bond was a

big step toward initial implementation

of the Sonoran Desert Conservation

Plan, and especially for mitigating

impacts to habitat for important desert

species. With over 66 percent of

voters supporting the open space

question, it was a huge success and

the most highly supported of all the

General Obligation bond measures on

the ballot that year.

Pima County has acquired many

important biological properties with

the 1997 and 2004 Open SpaceBond funds. Properties include the

A-7 Ranch near the San Pedro

River; 290 acres in Cochie Canyon

in the Tortolita Mountains; the Bar V

Ranch in Davidson Canyon; Madera

Highlands, a 366-acre parcel adjacent

to the Buenos Aires NWR; the Rancho

Seco, Sopori Ranch, and portions

of the Marley Ranch in Altar Valley;

and over 1300 acres in the Tucson

Mountains, including the 700-acre

Sweetwater Preserve. In all, Pima

County has purchased over 51,000

acres of fee lands and also manages

over 127,000 acres of State Trust

Land graing leases.

However, there is a great need

to continue to purchase and protect

desert uplands, grasslands and

riparian areas in Pima County, the

most important of which are identied

as Habitat Protection Priorities.

Key habi

November-December 2009 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society

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Transcript of November-December 2009 Vermilion Flycatcher Tucson Audubon Society