Gambel’s Tales

The Newsletter of the Sonoran Audubon Society

Volume 8 Issue 4 December, 2006

At our next meeting…. What’s Happening in our Chapter?

Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at 7 p.m. By Your Editor

Verde River—Conservation in a Rapidly The Sonoran Audubon Society board meeting con-
vened at 7 p.m. on November 1, 2006. Here are some
Growing State of the items discussed by board members Bob
McCormick, Karen LaFrance, Loretta & Chuck
With more people moving into the area of desert and
Richards, Suzanne Cash, Dick Fogle, Andrée Tarby,
grassland that once supported only a few, water is the
George Wall and Alvin and Arlene Scheuer. Also
pivotal issue for the Verde watershed. In this dry re-
present who had input was Tice Supplee.
gion of desert and grassland, life follows the tendrils
of precious water. 1. After approval of the minutes and discussion of
the treasury report, Committee Reports were made.
Some of the largest individual pronghorn antelope in
Arizona live in healthy bands in the upper Verde A. Field Trip: The Field Trip Committee had met
grasslands, but their wide-open range is becoming earlier in November. Trips were lined up through
increasingly broken by roads and residential sub- May of 2007.
divisions as the area’s human population swells. Like-
wise, new development over taps the watershed’s B. Membership: There are currently 631 mem-
groundwater supply, which in turn decreases surface bers. 69 members were dropped from the rolls due to
flow in the Verde itself which affects the riparian non-payment of dues and 36 new members were
habitat as a whole. added. This is a net loss of 33 members since last
month. This is normal and the number of members
can fluctuate drastically from month to month.

C. Conservation: We signed on to the Sandy

Barr Forest Service Letter.

2. Here are a few of the other items discussed at the

board meeting:

A. The “Retreat” date was discussed and it was

approved to hold it on Saturday, January 20, 2007.

B. The Membership Picnic was a success. 40 at-

tendees enjoyed all the food that was either brought
or cooked on the grill. It was a great camaraderie
experience. This will be a yearly event.
Patrick Graham
Patrick Graham, State Director for The Nature Con- At the General Membership meeting on November
servancy in Arizona, will be discussing The Conser- 8, 2006, a great program was presented by Jo Miller
vancy’s efforts to engage the Verde watershed area on the Xeriscape Garden at the Glendale Library.
community in water resource planning, as well as
other efforts that aim to leave grassland habitat unbro- With over 600 members, it’s a shame that more peo-
ken and more water in ground and stream. ple didn’t attend.
(Continued on Page 2)
 (Continued from Page 1)
Verde River—Conservation in a Rapidly Hassayampa River Preserve
Growing State On Saturday, December 9, 2006, from 9-11 a.m. or 1-
3 p.m., there will be a program entitled “Close En-
Pat joined The Nature Conservancy as State Director for counters of the Reptilian Kind.” Get up close and per-
the Arizona chapter in July 2001. As executive director sonal with non-venomous snakes.
of overall conservation activities, he leads the Conser-
vancy's statewide staff and programs to conserve Ari- There will be the Bird Banding basics class on Satur-
zona's natural diversity, working in conjunction with in- day, December 9, 2006, from 7-11 a.m. This will be
terested citizens, agencies, and landowners. The Conser- repeated again on Sunday, December 17, 2006, from
vancy goals are to create a more secure and sustainable 7-11 a.m.
water future for Arizona, creating a network of protected
areas for the benefit of people and nature and restoring On Saturday, December 16, 2006, there will be an
the health of our lands and waters. Interpretive Walk from 8:30-10 a.m. Enjoy winter
resident birds and an array of autumn colors on a lei-
Prior to joining The Nature Conservancy, Graham served surely walk.
in a variety of leadership positions for the Department of
Fish, Wildlife and Parks in Montana from 1977 to 2000. Reservations may be required for some events. En-
In 1993 he was named Director of the department by then trance fees are $5, TNC members $3 and children 12
Governor Marc Racicot. In addition to his role as head of and under are free. To make reservations call 928
Montana's Fish, Wildlife and Parks, he was selected 684-2772 or e-mail: [email protected]
president of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife
Agencies in 1994 and president of the International Asso- Normal visiting hours are Wednesday—Sunday from
ciation of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in 2000. 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Birders’ Anonymous

Birders’ Anonymous, a group of birdwatchers, has

EVENTS IN AND AROUND THE VALLEY their monthly meeting from 10—11:30 a.m. They
meet on the third Friday of each month all year around
at the Church of the Palms on the corner of Boswell
Rio Salado
and 103rd Ave. in Sun City in King Hall.
www.phoenix.gov/riosalado. They have bird walks,
nature programs and other items of interest. Their loca- The Meeting for December 15, 2006, will be a Pot-
tion is 2439 S. Central Ave., Phoenix. luck Dinner along with fun and games.

The bird walks are every Saturday starting at 7:00 a.m. Boyce Thompson Arboretum
You meet at visitors’ plaza on the north bank at Central
Ave. Everyone is welcome and no need to make reserva- Boyce Thompson Arboretum is now in their Fall/
tions in advance. There are several resident birds like the Winter schedule. Their hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00
Belted Kingfisher, Peregrine Falcon and Burrowing Owl p.m. each day. The price of admission is $7.50 for
among others. On one of our bird trips in October, we adults and $3 for children ages 5-12.
saw or heard 43 species. This area is improving all the
time. This is an ideal place to bird with two miles of trails.
If you don’t feel like birding, there are plenty of other
things to do.
Desert Botanical Garden
Each Monday morning from now through April, 2007, A guided "Plants of the Bible" walk is offered twice
there will be bird walks from 8 a.m. to approximately 10 this month on the first Sunday and again on the third
a.m. There will be additional walks on the second Satur- Saturday (December 3 and 16, 2006), departing the
day of each month at the same time. They see as many as visitor center lobby at 1:30 p.m. This leisurely tour
40 birds during these walks. features Bible scholar and Arizona State Parks Volun-
teer David Oberpriller as special guest tour guide.
Desert Botanical Garden entrance fees of $10.00 ($9.00
seniors) apply unless you’re a DBG member. Member- For driving directions or other details, call 520-689-
ship is $55 a year. See their website at www.dbg.com for 2811 or visit their website at http://arboretum.org
further information. where you can see all their scheduled events.

Page 2 Gambel's Tales

Join the National Audubon Society
Sonoran Audubon Society Officers, Board Mem-
New adult or family membership: $20.00 bers and Committee Contacts:
Seniors and students: $15.00
SAS Ph: 623-939-6181
Renewal fee for seniors and students: $15.00
These fees cover membership in the National Audubon Soci- Officers
ety and a subscription to Audubon magazine. An application
form for National membership may be obtained from the President: Robert McCormick 602-237-3951
chapter at the regular meeting or by contacting [email protected]
<[email protected]>. Vice President: Karen LaFrance 602-788-9646
[email protected]
Each year all National members in the Sonoran Audubon Treasurer: Loretta Richards 623-594-6554
chapter area receive the September Gambel’s Tales that de- [email protected]
scribes major chapter activities for the year. All monthly Secretary: Anne Durning 602-237-9635
issues of Gambel’s Tales may be obtained free from the chap- [email protected]
ter website <www.sonoranaudubon.org> or by mail for
$10.00 per year. If you wish to get the newsletter by mail, Board Members— Directors at Large
please contact [email protected] or by mail to:
Sonoran Audubon Society, P O Box 8068, Glendale, AZ Suzanne Cash 602-942-0727 [email protected]
85312-8068.For information or questions call 623-939-6181. Dick Fogle 623-584-3922 [email protected]
Chuck Richards 623-594-6554
[email protected]
Alvin & Arlene Scheuer 602-938-4056
SAS Web Site: www.sonoranaudubon.org [email protected]
Arizona Audubon Web Site: www.az.audubon.org Andrée Tarby 480-948-1074 [email protected]
Friends of Audubon Arizona Web Site: George Wall 623-875-7057 [email protected]
www.friendsofaudubonarizona.org Daniela Yellan 602-942-7791
[email protected]

UPCOMING PROGRAMS Committees

January 10, 2007-Catherine, the Herb Lady Programs: Daniela Yellan 602-942-7791
February 14, 2007-Sean Saville, National Outreach Coordi- [email protected]
nator for National Audubon in the DC Policy Office Education:
March 14, 2007-Rich Ockenfels, Pronghorn Antelopes
Field Trips: Donna Smith 623-556-9535
April 11, 2007-Bill Grossi, Adventure & Birding in Peru [email protected]
May 9, 2007-Andy Holycross, More Snakes!
Finance Treasurer: Loretta Richards 623-594-
6554 [email protected]

Hospitality: Tom Lazzelle 602-843-8451

[email protected] and Charles Kangas 623-931-
6677 [email protected]

Publicity: Karen LaFrance 602-788-9646

[email protected]
and
Membership: Charles Kangas 623-931-6677
KARL’S BAKERY [email protected]

Newsletter : George Wall 623-875-7057

[email protected]

Conservation: Tom Lazzelle 602-843-8451

[email protected] & Karen LaFrance 602-788-9646
[email protected]

Gambel’s Tales
Page 3
 BIRDING SPOTS A HERO’S AWARD
By George Wall

This is the third in a series about birding spots in our

area. This month the spot is:

Butcher Jones/Saguaro Lake/Coon Bluff/Phon D.

Sutton Site & Granite Reef
All of these spots are in the Tonto National Forest and
are excellent places to observe several types of birds.

Your first stop on the Bush Highway is the Butcher

Jones Recreation area. There are some cottonwoods,
mesquite and other trees that are home to wrens,
woodpeckers, phoebes, juncos, and sparrows as well
as flycatchers. Since it touches a small inlet from Sa-
guaro Lake, you can also see various waterfowl here.

Go on down Bush Highway and turn into the Saguaro

Lake entrance. There is a parking lot at the restaurant
as well as other parking areas. From there, you can
observe all types of waterfowl especially during win-
ter.

After leaving Saguaro Lake, go on down the road to

the Coon Bluff Recreation Site on the Salt River. Here
there are lots of mesquite trees as well as others. You John Hardison
are bound to see lots of birds. This is a favorite spot of John Hardison, a professional photographer and mem-
Vermilion Flycatchers when they are coming through. ber of the Sonoran Audubon Society, received a Com-
munity Hero Award from Safeway stores on October
Continue on down the Bush Highway and quickly 16, 2006. He received a framed Document, Gold lapel
stop at the parking lot of the Phon D Sutton Site. Look Pin and $1000 check which he had them make out to
across the river into the big cottonwoods off in the the AHA (Arizona Herpetology Association).
distance, You should see Bald Eagles that nest there.
What was this Hero’s award for? It was for a simple
Return back to the Bush Highway and continue on task—at least to him—removing and relocating rattle-
snakes and other reptiles.
down to the Granite Reef Recreation Area. Here is a
good spot to have lunch while watching birds in the
trees and various waterfowl on the large body of water It all started 40 years ago when his family was always
that has been backed up by Granite Reef Dam. hunting, camping and fishing. He would see an occa-
sional rattlesnake and would dispatch it. Over the
years, he stopped killing the rattlers and just moved
When you head back the way you came, always be on
the lookout for Peregrine Falcons that sometimes nest them out of the way. Using the experience of handling
in the cliffs at one of the restroom stops. rattlesnakes, he volunteered relocating rattlesnakes
and other reptiles for the Arizona Herpetology Asso-
It’s easy to get to Bush Highway. Get on 101 and get ciation. In the last three years, he has taken about 30
off at the Shea Blvd exit. Turn back under 101 and go rattlesnakes a year out of people's yards. For the last
down Shea until you hit 87 (Beeline Hwy). Turn left two years, he has been a volunteer for the Arizona
Game and Fish Department and has a special wildlife
on 87 and go to Bush Hwy which is about 9 miles
from Shea. Turn right onto the Bush Hwy. license which lets him relocate endangered reptiles
Here are some of the species counts, at what time of such as the Gila Monster.
year and one of the birds seen during the day.
His area is far NW Phoenix. Most of his hotline calls
41 - March 20, 2001 – Golden Eagle
43 - April 3, 2002 – Bald Eagle are around 67th Avenue and Happy Valley Road, but
44 - February 18, 2003 – Phainopepla can range to the Verde River to Buckeye and Estrella
52 - March 18, 2004 – Belted Kingfisher Mountain ranches.
40 - May 3, 2005 – Vermilion Flycatcher See some of his pictures at http://
58 - March 4, 2006 – Eared Grebe www. outdoore ye s.com/list/ the ga ller ys.php3?
photoid=1041$first=first

Page 4 Gambel's Tales

 FRIENDS OF THE SONORAN AUDUBON SOCIETY
Friends of the Sonoran Audubon Society provide the principal financial support for the
chapter and its activities. SAS operates with a minimum overhead (chapter administration
and insurance) in order to make revenues go as far as possible.
THE FRIENDS
( ) I would like to become a Friend of the Sonoran Audubon Society. Friends can
contribute at four levels (please indicate your choice of level):
( ) Gambel’s Quail $20.00 to $49.99 per year
( ) Gambel's Quail Seniors rate $15.00 to $49.99 per year
( ) Zone-tailed Hawk $50.00 to $99.99 per year
( ) Desert Bald Eagle $100.00 or more per year.
All Friends contributions are fully tax-deductible.
:
RECEIVING GAMBEL’S TALES
Gambel’s Tales is the newsletter of the chapter, published monthly from September
through May. The newsletter is available via the Internet in PDF (Acrobat Reader) format; we encourage chapter
members to use this service.
( ) I would like to receive Gambel’s Tales via the Internet, my e-mail address is
_______________________________________________________________
( ) I would like to receive Gambel’s Tales by mail (enclose $10 to cover costs).
( ) I do not wish to receive Gambel’s Tales.
Please enter amounts: for Gambel’s Tales mailing $________________
For joining the Friends $________________
Total and enclose a check, payable to Sonoran
Audubon Society, for this amount $ ________________
( ) Please contact me about participation in SAS activities (telephone or e-mail)
__________________________________________________________________
( ) Please send me information about membership in the National Audubon Society
.
NAME(S) ________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS_______________________________________________________________
CITY, STATE AND ZIPCODE________________________________________________

Send to SONORAN AUDUBON SOCIETY, P O Box 8068, Glendale, AZ 85312-8068

Gambel’s Tales
Page 5
 ARIZONA (& VICINITY) CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT SCHEDULE [2006-2007]
The National Audubon Society has conducted Christmas bird counts since 1900. Volunteers from across North America and beyond take to the field
during one calendar day between December 14 and January 5 to record every bird species and individual bird encountered within a designated 15-
mile diameter circle. These records now comprise an extensive ornithological database that enables monitoring of winter bird populations and the
overall health of the environment.
Participants are typically assigned to teams based on their bird identification skill level and endurance. Many counts hold a compilation dinner at the
end of the day where results are tabulated and stories shared. A $5.00 participation fee defrays a portion of the cost of tabulating and publishing the
overall count results. Help is needed on most of these counts, so find one that interests you and contact the compiler for more information.
Date Day Count Name Compiler Phone E-Mail
12/14 Th Salt-Verde Rivers Kurt Radamaker 480-837-2446 [email protected]
12/14 Th Pipe Spring Nat. Monument Andrea Bornemeier 928-643-7105 [email protected]
12/14 Th Sedona Compiler Unknown
12/15 Fr Buenos Aires NWR Bonnie Swarbrick 520-823-4251 [email protected]
12/16 Sa Avra Valley George Montgomery 520-682-8530 [email protected]
12/16 Sa Mormon Lake Elaine Morrall 928-526-1022 [email protected]
12/16 Sa Hassayampa River Vanessa Montgomery 623-465-0012 [email protected]
12/16 Sa Nogales Michael Bissontz 520-577-8778 [email protected]
12/16 Sa Puerto Penasco, Sonora, MX Steve Ganley 480-830-5538 [email protected]
12/16 Sa Yuma-Mittry Lake Henry Detwiler 928-343-8363 [email protected]
12/17 Su Santa Catalina Mountains Bob Bates 520-296-5629 [email protected]
12/17 Su Timber Mesa Jimmy Videle 928-337-2466 [email protected]
12/17 Su Chino Valley Russell Duerksen 928-925-5567 [email protected]
12/17 Su Jerome-Cottonwood Betsy Feinberg 928-203-0676 [email protected]
12/17 Su Patagonia Thomas Arny 520-394-0146 [email protected]
12/17 Su Tucson Valley Susan Birky 520-743-9390 [email protected]
12/18 Mo Elfrida Tom Wood 520-432-1388 [email protected]
12/19 Tu Phoenix-Tres Rios David Powell 602-441-5508 [email protected]
12/20 We Prescott Carl Tomoff 928-778-2626 [email protected]
12/22 Fr Saint David Tom Wood 520-432-1388 [email protected]
12/23 Sa Ajo-Cabeza Prieta NWR Curt McCasland 520-387-4992 [email protected]
12/23 Sa Appleton-Whittell Robert Whitcomb 520-455-5522 [email protected]
12/27 We Gila River Troy Corman 602-482-6187 [email protected]
12/28 Th Green Valley-Madera Canyon Reid Freeman 520-625-9895 [email protected]
12/28 Th Havasu NWR Norma Miller 520-578-1399 [email protected]
12/29 Fr Bill Williams River NWR Kathleen Blair 928-667-4144 [email protected]
12/29 Fr Sierra Pinta-Cabeza Prieta NWR David Griffin 505-382-2080 [email protected]
12/30 Sa Dudleyville Tracy McCarthey 602-451-4179 [email protected]
12/30 Sa Flagstaff-Mount Elden Terry Blows 928-774-8028 [email protected]
12/30 Sa Portal Larry Gates 520-558-1020 [email protected]
12/30 Sa Ramsey Canyon Ted Mouras 520-803-0221 [email protected]
12/31 Su Camp Verde Betsy Feinberg 928-203-0676 [email protected]
12/31 Su Peloncillo Mountains, NM Alan Craig 520-558-2220 [email protected]
1/2 Tu Carefree Walter Thurber 480-483-6450 [email protected]
1/3 We Glen Canyon John Spence 928-608-6267 [email protected]
1/4 Th Superior Cynthia Donald 480-283-4515 [email protected]
If you want to see the various sites on a map, Maricopa Audubon has the info. Go to www.maricopaaudubon.org

Page 6 Gambel’s Tales

 Winter 2006/2007 Field Trips Friday-Sunday, January 26-8, 2007
An * indicates a Birders’ Anonymous planned trip Albuquerque, New Mexico
Leader: Andrée Tarby 480-948-1074
Saturday, December 2, 2006 [email protected]
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Leader: Donna Smith 623-556-9535 Wintering rosy finches at Sandia Crest above Albuquer-
[email protected] que are the target species for this trip. Last year all three
species were present at the feeders around Crest House,
the concession there. We will also spend time at Rio
Boyce Thompson is near Superior on Queen Creek. The
Grande Nature Center State Park in Albuquerque itself.
variety of plants there attracts many birds, the Rufous-
Cackling Goose occurs regularly along with many ducks.
backed Robin may be found here in the winter. There is
a fee to enter the gardens.
Difficulty: 3 - This is because of the distances involved
and high altitude.
Difficulty: 1 - Bring a lunch.
We will leave Phoenix early on Friday morning. Contact
Meet at the Sun Bowl parking lot on 107th Ave. just S. of leader for details. We intend to carpool, but weather is
Peoria Ave. in Sun City to leave at 7:00 a.m. definitely a factor that we will be assessing.

*Friday, February 2, 2007

Saturday, January 13, 2007
Tres Rios
Estrella Park & P.I.R. Area Leader: George Wall 623-875-7057
Leader: Donna Smith 623-556-9535 [email protected]
[email protected]

Donna Smith and Ranger Patricia Armstrong do bird The Tres Rios Constructed Wetlands Project located on
walks every 2nd Saturday of the month at Estrella Moun- the 91st Ave. is a haven for many bird species. The habi-
tain Park. We’ll do a hike along the Gila River and also tats include open water ponds, running stream, marsh,
through the park. Last January, 61 species were seen. desert and woodland which provide a good environment
at any time of year for ducks, shorebirds, and migrating
Difficulty: 1 passerines.

Meet at the Sun Bowl parking lot on 107th Ave. just S. of Difficulty: 1– Morning only.
Peoria Ave. in Sun City to leave at 7:30 a.m. or call the
leader for alternate meeting places. The park opens at 8 Meet at Sun Bowl parking lot on 107th Ave. just south of
a.m. There is a $5 per car entrance fee. Peoria Ave. in Sun City to LEAVE at 7:00 a.m.

*Thursday, January 18, 2007

Arlington Valley
Leader: Donna Smith 623-556-9535
[email protected] AUDUBON ARIZONA
Arlington Valley, west of Phoenix with its fields, ponds, There's an Arts & Crafts sale to benefit Audubon
canals and wildlife areas provides a variety of habitats to Arizona. It will be held Friday, December 8th from
search for birds. Burrowing Owls, Sandhill Cranes, 5pm-9pm at Janie Ellis's Historic Cattle Track
many species of shorebirds as well as rarities like the Compound, 6105 N. Cattle Track (North of McDon-
White Ibis and White-tailed Kite may be seen. You may ald Dr. opposite Miller Rd.). Please call Donna at
even see a Crested Caracara. 602-468-6470 to make your reservations. ($25 per
person, all-inclusive i.e. Wine Reception.) Audubon
Arizona gets 10% of all sales.
Difficulty: 1 – Bring a lunch.
If you can't make that one, there is a No Entrance
th
Meet at the Sun Bowl parking lot on 107 Ave. just S. of Fee date on Saturday, December 9, 2006 from
Peoria Ave. in Sun City to leave at 7:30 a.m. or call the 10am-4pm. This is an exciting outdoor arts and
leader for alternate meeting places. crafts sale at a historic artists' compound. Meet
artists who find inspiration in nature for their ceram-
ics, paintings, jewelry, photographs and clothing.
There will be over 20 artists.

Gambel’s Tales
Page 7
 SPECIAL EDITION FUND RAISER
Dear Sonoran Audubon Society Member/Friend of Sonoran Audubon Society,

This letter is a reminder to our Members and Friends of the Sonoran Audubon Society that we hope you will continue to sup-
port us by renewing your “Friend” membership or apply to be a “Friend.” If you’ve done this recently, we thank you.

As many of you are aware, things changed in the National Audubon Society. We no longer get that good percentage of mem-
bership dues. As a result, if we don’t have some type of fund raiser, our expenditures will gradually outpace our income. This
could happen down the line.

We’d like to continue to support such things as the “Burrowing Owl Project”, Butterfly Garden, IBA surveys and whatever
else comes up that would help in the way of conservation. In October, 2006, we donated money to help in the “Yes” vote for
proposition 106 and the “No” vote for proposition 207—both vital issues to our cause.

The Sonoran Audubon Society has a lot of big plans for the future with more involvement in such things as the Rio Salado
Project in downtown Phoenix, Tres Rios Festivals and other worthwhile efforts. It takes money and effort to realize future
goals.

Please help us by filling out the enclosed form with your contribution and mail it to the address on the form. The form also
has information about viewing or receiving Gambel’s Tales.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

From your Board and Committee Members

Sonoran Audubon Society

P.O. Box 8068
Glendale, AZ 85312-8068

Page 8 Gambel's Tales