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Tucson Audubon Society
April 26, 2024
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Welcome, , to Tucson Audubon's weekly update.
The Southeast Arizona Rare Bird Alert is still ablaze with reports of Rufous-capped Warblers, Tufted Flycatchers, Slate-throated Redstart, Sinaloa Wrens and Plain-capped Starthroats. But the first reports of late fall migrants and winter visitors are also coming in. A Franklin's Gull was at Patagonia Lake. A Sandhill Crane was seen at Whitewater Draw. A Yellow-rumped Warbler was at Sweetwater Wetlands and American Kestrel numbers seem to be climbing.
According to Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona, Tucson Audubon's definitive guide to birding in our region, ponds are currently filling up with migrant ducks and raptors and songbirds are streaming in. Our winter visitors are too numerous to mention here. If you don't have it already, buy Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona and get out there and bird!
Any questions? Reply to this email!
- Kendall Kroesen, email editor
Please RSVP Soon for OktoBIRDfest
In order to be prepared with the right amount of beer, soda, brats, pretzels, veggie dogs, and other snacks, please let us know if you intend to join the festivities. RSVP HERE.
Thursday, Oktober 22, 5:30--7:30 pm, Mason Center
German and autumn themed bird fun for all.
Bird games, live owls, live music ... live chicken dancing? Beer and food for a small donation.
New Vermilion Flycatcher Magazine Out Now
The latest issue is hot off the
press and available online here! To receive the print version and help support bird and wildlife conservation in southeast Arizona, join Tucson Audubon today!
Learn how the
"Abundance" of Tucson Audubon opportunities allows you to experience
birds in astonishing ways. Also find:
- Counting Cuckoos in
the Coronado
- History of the
Coachline Gravel Pit
- The Future of the
California Condor
- Birding Rocky Point,
Arizona's Beach
- New column: The
Bigger Picture
- Vincent Pinto leads 7
Saturdays Patagonia walks
- Conservation updates
- Much more!
Support Birds and Other Wildlife in Your Own Yard
Gardening To Attract Birds LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP!
October 10, Saturday 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Learn
how to provide for birds the natural way by using plants that offer
seed, fruit, and nectar, as well as cover and shelter. Lynn Hassler, a
naturalist, writer and gardener, will teach you how to create desert
friendly gardens that support birds and help make up for lost habitat.
- Location: Tucson Audubon Main office, Historic Y, 300 E University Blvd.
- Cost: $25
Register online at tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/education/beyond.html
Conservation News
 Vote YES on Pima County Bonds!
Tucson Audubon encourages you to vote on November 3 in favor of the entire bond package. Proposition 430 is especially crucial to pass for the success of Pima County's Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan. Passage of Prop 430 will enable the conservation of open space lands that are so vital to birds and biodiversity, recreation, tourism, and the health of our communities!
Spread the word and learn more at tucsonaudubon.org/bondelection.
Speak Up Against SunZia
The SunZia Southwest Transmission project proposes two new parallel 500 kV transmission lines across 515 miles from Lincoln County, New Mexico, to Pinal County, Arizona (see map). In Arizona, SunZia would cross the San Pedro River near Benson and then head north, opening up an entirely new 30-mile-long infrastructure corridor on the west side of the river valley. This would adversely impact mitigation lands protected by Pima County as part of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan. Tucson Audubon is opposed to SunZia because our research indicates there is not a demonstrated need for it, and the negative impacts to important conservation lands and bird life far outweigh the project's purported benefits.
See a detailed map of the proposed transmission line
SunZia has recently applied for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility from the Arizona Power Plant and Line Siting Committee, which is required for any new transmission line or power plant to be constructed in Arizona. We encourage you to attend the upcoming public hearings (October 19 – November 5) to speak up against SunZia. Click here for talking points and the schedule of hearings.
Migration South of the Border Soon – Join In this Travel Adventure
Birds, Plants, Culture and Bacanora | November 6--10
Just a few more opportunities to join our exciting trip to Mexico next month. Full of birding, plants, culture, small towns, ranches, music, and crafts, this tour is topped off with two exceptional guides. Join South of the Border Tours and our guides Lynn Hassler and Jesus Garcia in the Sonoran state just across the border. Never a better opportunity to experience this wonderful region rich in habitat diversity, history and culture.
See our website for more information and to sign up.
Fall Volunteer Opportunities
Save the Date! November 9
Come to the second annual Volunteer Shindig! Let the very grateful Tucson Audubon staff thank you with food, music, prizes and awards. No need to volunteer for this! Just come and enjoy as we thank you for a job well done.
Volunteer Mail Crew at Our Mason
Center
Next meeting: Tuesday, October 20
1:00 – 4:00 pm After a bit of a
vacation, Tucson Audubon's lively mail crew is back in business: folding,
stuffing, stamping, chatting, snacking—and we could sure use your help!
Important monthly mailings regarding membership renewals, lapsed member
notices, birthday cards, and the winter appeal are all on the docket. If you'd
like a casual, behind-the-scenes, "come as you are" volunteer venue
to support Tucson Audubon and southeast Arizona's birds, this is the crew for
you!
Please RSVP or send questions to Keith at kashley@tucsonaudubon.org.
Southern Arizona Home Builders Association (SAHBA) Home Show
October 23 – 25
Tucson Audubon has an outreach booth at the SAHBA Home Show. Help demonstrate urban birding and gardening for native wildlife. There will be multiple shifts for volunteering.
Oracle Road Wildlife Crossing (Oro Valley)
As you may have noticed, construction of a "wildlife bridge" is well under way in northwest Tucson. This overpass on Oracle Road will mean that wildlife can travel more safely between the Catalina and Tortolita Mountains! (If you don't get up that way often, there is a large model of the wildlife crossing currently visible in the University Blvd. Nature Shop.)
We'll be installing native plants and irrigation to get them established. Come be a part of southern Arizona's first wildlife bridge! Questions about the crossing? The Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection has answers! Oracle Road Wildlife Crossing FAQs
Sign up on the Sky Island Alliance Volunteer page. On October 13 and 14 help Tucson Audubon install irrigation. On October 15, 16 and 17 work with Tucson Audubon and Sky Island Alliance to put in plants!
Cyclovia
Sunday, November 1
Cyclovia is five miles of car-free streets for walking, biking and all-out fun! Tucson Audubon and the Historic Y building are pulling out all the stops to make our part of the route the most fun! We will be on University Blvd. outside the Nature Shop. There will be live birds, live music, a climbing wall, and much more! Volunteer to help staff our booths at this a great event.
Share Birds and the Outdoors with Children
Volunteer Hike Leader with the Trekking Rattlers. Would you like to be a positive role model for youngsters, inspire them to care for the Earth, and have a great time outdoors? Tucson Audubon's Trekking Rattlers hiking and birding club seeks
enthusiastic volunteers to co-lead Lauffer Middle School students on
hikes throughout the Sky Island region on one Saturday each month. As a
hike leader, your most important qualification is your desire to act as a
positive role model for youth. Contact Sharon Long at slong@tucsonaudubon.org for more information.
Taxes to treasure
You can help Tucson Audubon get under-served youth outdoors for enriching learning experiences with the Trekking Rattlers! Please consider making a donation to the Trekking Rattlers Hiking and Birding Club via your tax credits this year.
For details see tucsonaudubon.org/volunteer under "One day events" or contact Diana Rosenblum drosenblum@tucsonaudubon.org or 520-209-1802.
Life TO GO
Finding balance when you live your life on the go can be difficult. Keeping up with the latest rare bird sighting, family, friends, and work can be challenging and maintaining a healthy lifestyle on top of that next to impossible. Here at the Tucson Audubon Nature Shop we are proud to carry products that help you balance your passion and your health.
Whether you’re planning an extended birding adventure, running up Mt. Lemmon for the day, or simply running errands around town, Lunchskins ($5.95--$19.95) are a great way to limit your plastic consumption and keep healthy snacks on hand at all times. Sitting down to eat? Don’t forget to bring along a set of Tucson Audubon To-Go Ware ($12.95). This alternative to plastic ware is made from bamboo and also shows your support of the Tucson Audubon Society.
Whether you are packing up for the weekend or the day accessorize your lunch or snack with To-Go Ware and Lunchskins and put some balance back in your life.
OPTICS Now is the time to invest…
If you have been contemplating an investment in a new pair of optics, now is the time. Swarovski is running its Swarovision Savings promotion and offering up to 18% off select EL models for a limited time only. Not sure what you are looking for? Stop into the Tucson Audubon Nature Shop and work one on one with our volunteers to find the right pair for all your birding needs. Our beautiful demonstration garden is an urban oasis perfect for testing out binoculars.
Stop in today and find your next pair of optics and save BIG! Nature Shop details
 Thank you, , for being a part of Tucson Audubon and helping to protect birds and the places they live in southeast Arizona.
—Tucson Audubon Staff
(image by Angela Pritchard)
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