Tubac Nature Center

05/27/2026

05/27/2026

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05/27/2026

Tuesday Bird Walk – Tubac Nature Center, Santa Gertrudis Lane - 26-May-26

It has been beautiful today, cool morning to start, lots of birds. We had our local Zone-tailed Hawk flyby as it went looking for coffee or lizards. We had 14 people show up for the last bird walk until September. We went down to Santa Gertrudis Lane where we had lots of Lucy's Warblers and Chats talking to us as we walked down to the river. The river was dry at the crossing but we found water further down, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Western Wood-Pewees and Brown-crested Flycatchers were singing along the road before we headed south. We found the Thick-billed Kingbirds making some noise in their favorite trees. As we went further we found some water still in the river and Song Sparrows were bathing in this section, then down where the river bends east we went out onto the gravel bar where we found a Green Kingfisher swooping from perch to perch on little branches above the water. The Kingfisher didn't mind us at all and flew right by us and landed even closer right at the bend in the river, tick ticking as it flew by. Summer is a great time to see the Green Kingfishers as they are busy feeding young. Gray hawks were calling up and down the river as well as Cassin's Kingbirds, Cardinals and many Phainopeplas. As we started back we came to where the water went under so we could walk back up the river. We came to a barbed wire fence strung across the river, I spread the fence so everyone could step through and of course I got my pant leg caught going through and fell down for a good laugh. As we walked back up the lane we ended with a Swainson's Hawk and some Black Vultures. We did one last stop at the Deli for sweets and stories.

We will start the walks sometime in September and if I have any good adventures this summer I will send them to Mikey to share with you, till then good birding!!!!

Rob Rutledge

We had a total of 37 species today. The Trip Report is here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/529784

Tubac Nature Center - 26-May-26 - 6:40 AM - - 15 minute(s) – Rob

2 White-winged Dove
1 Mourning Dove
1 Zone-tailed Hawk
2 Gila Woodpecker
1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Vermilion Flycatcher
2 Brown-crested Flycatcher
1 Verdin
1 Phainopepla
7 House Finch
2 Yellow-breasted Chat
2 Brown-headed Cowbird
1 Lucy's Warbler
2 Summer Tanager
1 Northern Cardinal

Number of Taxa: 15

Santa Gertrudis Lane (foot access only) - 26-May-26 - 7:11 AM - 0.698 mile(s) - 2 hour(s), 5 minute(s) – Rob

1 Eurasian Collared-Dove
3 White-winged Dove
1 Mourning Dove
1 Broad-billed Hummingbird
3 Black Vulture
5 Turkey Vulture
3 Gray Hawk
1 Swainson's Hawk
1 Green Kingfisher
2 Gila Woodpecker
1 Western Wood-Pewee
3 Vermilion Flycatcher
1 Dusky-capped Flycatcher
3 Brown-crested Flycatcher
1 Cassin's Kingbird
2 Thick-billed Kingbird
2 Bell's Vireo
2 Common Raven
2 Verdin
2 Northern Rough-winged Swallow
2 Barn Swallow
2 Bewick's Wren
6 Phainopepla
2 Song Sparrow
2 Abert's Towhee
7 Yellow-breasted Chat
4 Lucy's Warbler
1 Common Yellowthroat
8 Northern Yellow Warbler
4 Northern Cardinal
3 Black-headed Grosbeak
8 Blue Grosbeak

Number of Taxa: 32
TUBAC NATURE CENTER JOURNAL - BELIEVE IT OR NOT

We are quietly nestled with family in northern Illinois, so not much nature or birds for a while.

We all know about the terrible nuclear accident in Chernobyl in the Ukraine about forty years ago. After the accident the government put 2600 square kilometers off limits for most human activity due to radioactivity levels. A recent study of the accident brought in some interesting results. The study pertained to how animals were doing within the off-limits to human zone. It did not examine whether the toxic atmosphere caused any non-lethal changes in the animals. In essence, it studied what impact taking humans out of the equation had on animal populations, since only limited entry for scientific purposes was allowed. The scientist in this study used wildlife cameras to locate and count the animals existing on the site.

Despite being in the most radioactive area in the world, animals are thriving. Thirteen species were studied, including wolves, brown bears, Eurasian lynx, moose, red deer, wild boar, and others. When the number of animals in the restricted zone was compared to the number in a partially restricted zone, and to an unrestricted area, the number of animals dropped significantly. Moose were especially sensitive to human encroachment. Oddly, the animals are not thriving in spite of the exclusion zone but because of it. We often hear that humans are spoiling the Earth and that we may eventually make our home uninhabitable. Is it possible that we will make it uninhabitable for ourselves, but the rest of nature will somehow thrive? That is a sobering thought. Does it speak to creating more and larger wilderness areas where human entry is prohibited or extremely limited? Whatever the lessons of the study may be, it certainly should suggest some humility on our part.

The sun is shining in Illinois on this Memorial Day, the air is warming to comfortable temperatures, and I hope it is the same wherever you are. For some of you it may be a sad day of remembrance, but I hope the warmth of the sun will lift your spirits and make us all thankful and renewed in our efforts in creating a better place for everyone.

Jim Karp
Tubac Nature Center
May 26, 2026

26 May, 2026. Created by Tubac Nature Center

05/22/2026

Announcements and Ramblings

May Habitat Restoration Volunteer Event – Has been cancelled as no one has signed up.

Mikey Dunn
Tuesday Bird Walk - Tubac Community Center and Nature Center - 19-May-26

For those of you that have left already today was really nice weather. We started at about 60 degrees and finished about 75 degrees. We had a Zone-tailed Hawk start out the morning with a fly by and soon after a juvenile Gray Hawk did the same. While my goal today was to fine as many Rose Throated Becards and Violet-crowned Hummingbirds we found neither today, but I will keep looking. We had lots of Flycatchers to listen to, Brown-crested, Dusky-capped and even some Tropical Kingbirds. The river is still dry north of the bridge but the golf course is still watering which the birds take advantage of. The Northern Beardless Tyrannulets were calling and one even fought with a Bewicks Wren near it's nest.

I think next week will be the last hike till the fall season, still at 7 am and I'm thinking about going to Santa Gertrudis lane next week.

Thanks
Rob Rutledge
Tubac Community Center and Nature Center - 19-May-26 - 06:43 AM - 1.571 mile(s) - 3 hour(s), 6 minute(s) - Rob

2 Mexican Duck
6 Gambel's Quail
3 White-winged Dove
3 Mourning Dove
3 Broad-billed Hummingbird
2 Black Vulture
1 Turkey Vulture
1 Cooper's Hawk
3 Gray Hawk
2 Zone-tailed Hawk
7 Gila Woodpecker
7 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
2 Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet
1 Western Wood-Pewee
1 Dusky Flycatcher
1 Black Phoebe
1 Say's Phoebe
2 Vermilion Flycatcher
2 Dusky-capped Flycatcher
10 Brown-crested Flycatcher
2 Tropical Kingbird
1 Cassin's Kingbird
2 Western Kingbird
3 Bell's Vireo
4 Bridled Titmouse
3 Verdin
4 Barn Swallow
3 White-breasted Nuthatch
3 Brown Creeper - Streaked brown, white, and gray on its back, helping it blend perfectly into tree bark. It has a clean white throat and pale, cinnamon-washed underparts.
5 Bewick's Wren
2 European Starling
1 Northern Mockingbird
6 Phainopepla
7 House Sparrow
13 House Finch
10 Lesser Goldfinch
4 Song Sparrow
4 Abert's Towhee
5 Yellow-breasted Chat
1 Bullock's Oriole
6 Brown-headed Cowbird
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
7 Lucy's Warbler
6 Northern Yellow Warbler
1 Wilson's Warbler
8 Summer Tanager
6 Northern Cardinal

Number of Taxa: 47

TUBAC NATURE CENTER JOURNAL - SEE THE USA IN ….

We have taken many trips to see the USA, but never in a Chevrolet as in the old jingle. Our first wildlife stop was at Basque del Apache in New Mexico. Last Thursday morning I spent several hours doing a mostly car-based tour on the north and south tour roads. I counted 53 species, and Merlin recorded at least 10 to 12 more that were likely there, but I neither saw nor heard them so they are not counted within the 53. Wild Turkeys strutted or fed in many of the open field areas. There wasn’t a lot of water in the Basque, but on one of the ponded areas on the south tour road there were Common Gallinules, American Avosets, Wilson’s Phalaropes, and several species of ducks. In truth, I didn’t have a scope so I could not identify many of the far away birds on the water. Animal life was thin, just 4 javalina.

Then it was on to the Pawnee National Grasslands in northeast Colorado. The Grasslands produced 32 species. We did get most of the birds with “lark” in their names. We had Lark Buntings literally in the hundreds (though I reported fewer to avoid explanation to e-bird), close to 100 Horned Larks, many, many Western Meadowlarks, and one Lark Sparrow. We also had a Kestrel, a Red-tailed Hawk, a Swainson’s Hawk, and an Osprey sitting by a pond. The pond also produced several species of ducks, a Forster’s Tern, and a Spotted Sandpiper. My list apparently did not get to e-bird, so I’m having trouble remembering other spaces, but the highlight was the unbelievable number of male Lark Buntings. For some reason they are special to me. The males are beautiful. The animal count includes more than 60 pronghorn (our largest count in any year) in various places, a few mule deer, and many prairie dog towns.

On we went to Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. Bird life was slim, but a nice array of buffalo (bison if you are a purest), many more prairie dog towns (with much chirps as we raised their alarm when we stopped), and about 26 wild horses. It is a different experience when you know the horses are wild (with apologies to those who love the tame type.)

On to our next adventure wherever that might be.

Jim Karp
Tubac Nature Center
May 19, 2026

05/14/2026

Announcements and Ramblings

May Habitat Restoration Volunteer Event – You have one more chance to participate in our monthly event of removing invasive plants. Our last one for the season will be May 20, 2026 at 9:00 AM Register here. Meet at Ron Morriss Park.

Mikey Dunn
Tuesday Bird Walk - Tubac Nature Center, Pena Blanca Lake - 12-May-26

Six people showed up for birding and we took a look around the center before we started out to Pena Blanca Lake. Temp started at 73 degrees and we birded for 2 hours stopping when it started to get warm. We had 38 species at the lake. Three Green Herons were fun to watch as they flew around the cattails. We had baby Coots which are so cute with their p***y red head feathers. We had to walk around quite a few cows as they had moved in for water and shade. The Gray Hawks had moved back into their nest tree, the Zone-tailed Hawks were not seen but I hope to find them next time I go down to the lake.

Next Tuesday I plan to stay at the Nature Center and do the woods looking for Rose-throated Becards and Violet-crowned Hummingbirds.

We had a total of 45 species today. The trip Report is here: ebird.org/tripreport/520648

Rob
Tubac Nature Center - 12-May-26 - 06:44 AM - - 15 minute(s) - Rob

1 White-winged Dove
2 Mourning Dove
1 Broad-billed Hummingbird
2 Black Vulture
1 Gila Woodpecker
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
2 Vermilion Flycatcher
1 Ash-throated Flycatcher
2 Brown-crested Flycatcher
1 Verdin
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
2 Bewick's Wren
1 Northern Mockingbird
4 Phainopepla
4 House Finch
7 Lesser Goldfinch
1 Song Sparrow
2 Brown-headed Cowbird
1 Lucy's Warbler
1 Northern Yellow Warbler
2 Northern Cardinal
1 Black-headed Grosbeak

Number of Taxa: 22
Pena Blanca Lake - 12-May-26 - 07:36 AM - 0.867 mile(s) - 1 hour(s), 45 minute(s) - Rob

3 Mallard
2 White-winged Dove
1 Mourning Dove
2 White-throated Swift
10 American Coot
2 Pied-billed Grebe
3 Green Heron
15 Turkey Vulture
1 Gray Hawk
2 Swainson's Hawk
2 Red-tailed Hawk
2 Acorn Woodpecker
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
3 Black Phoebe
2 Vermilion Flycatcher
2 Dusky-capped Flycatcher
1 Ash-throated Flycatcher
3 Brown-crested Flycatcher
2 Cassin's Kingbird
8 Mexican Jay
1 Common Raven
1 Tree Swallow
1 Rock Wren
2 Bewick's Wren
1 Northern Mockingbird
2 Phainopepla
6 Lesser Goldfinch
4 Canyon Towhee
4 Red-winged Blackbird
4 Brown-headed Cowbird
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
9 Lucy's Warbler
2 Northern Yellow Warbler
1 Yellow-rumped Warbler
2 Wilson's Warbler
2 Summer Tanager
3 Northern Cardinal
2 Black-headed Grosbeak

Number of Taxa: 38
TUBAC NATURE CENTER JOURNAL - DAMN THE DAMS

Two weeks ago I was promoting beaver dams as a method for saving our Santa Cruz River and its cottonwood/willow forest. But dams are like most other things in life whether they are good or bad depends - on where they are, when they are there, and why they are there. In the eastern Untied States especially dams were an important part of the Industrial Revolution. Rivers were dammed to provide a water supply for farmers generally, for irrigation in particular, to provide hydropower to grist mills to grind flour, and to textile mills to provide fabric. Though dams served these purposes and others, they often sacrificed some of the natural values of the stream. The tide has turned.

The National Inventory of dams tracks 92,000 dams in the U.S., but there are hundreds of thousands of smaller dams, like the aforementioned beaver dams, that exist across our streams. In the last century plus we have removed 2,350 dams, and about 100 were removed in 2025 alone. The average dam was build 60 or more years ago. There are several reasons for dam removal, including that aging, deteriorating dams are no longer safe, they no longer serve their former useful purpose, and people have gained an appreciation for the natural values that were lost when streams were dammed.

It has often been said that it takes only one good person to make a difference. Lisa Hollingsworth-Segedy, as a representative of American Rivers, has led the process for removing 110 dams in her home state of Pennsylvania. And she is still at it. When the water flows free again, the fish return, and wildlife and plants begin to thrive, one wonders why we waited so long.

(We will be heading across country by car this week, so whether the Journal will be regular for the next couple of months is uncertain. We will head west to Bosque del Apache, then north to the Pawnee Grasslands of Colorado and then to Montana, then east through Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois, then for a short visit to the old stomping grounds in Syracuse. Then we will settle along the Delaware Bay for the month of June, visit some sites in Pennsylvania and Ohio as we begin the return trip west, and finally sprint back across mid-country to land in Tubac again sometime in late July in time for the monsoons. Have a good summer!)

Jim Karp
Tubac Nature Center
May 12, 2026

05/07/2026

Announcements and Ramblings

How many of you showed up for the bird walk at 8:00 AM instead of 7:00 AM?
Remember the new time! Rob has details below for next week’s walk

We still have the May Habitat restoration event on the 20th. Come help if you can.

Jim’s Journal today is a link to a very interesting article about the weather coming at us.

May Habitat Restoration Volunteer Event – You have one more chance to participate in our monthly event of removing invasive plants. Our last one for the season will be May 20, 2026 at 9:00 AM Register here. Meet at Ron Morriss Park.

Mikey Dunn
Tuesday Bird Walk – Tubac Nature Center, Rock Corral Canyon - 5-May-26

Today was a beautiful day; we had rain last night so the birds were happy and singing. We had 15 people show up at 7:00 AM for the bird walk. Marianne took a small group on the regular route to the bridge and back and the rest loaded up in two Jeeps and a Toyota 4Runner for the trip into Rock Corral Canyon which is just a few miles south of Tubac. The road is a Forest Service road that's in pretty good shape and we drive through some Sparrow habitat for several miles where we get into some trees where we stopped and got out. We were soon greeted by three Crissal Thrashers that were chasing each other and calling, joined by Lucy's Warblers, Black-throated Sparrows, Verdins, and Wilson's Warblers. We loaded back up and drove another mile back into the canyon and parked again. This is where the Five-striped Sparrows are being seen. Caroline was able to see one fly by at this location and some of us got to see two more later down the trail. I always thought this would be a good location for the Five-striped Sparrows and now they are being seen here regularly. We also had Rufous-crowned Sparrows here as well as Gray Hawk, Canyon Wrens, Ash-throated Flycatchers, and Rock Wrens. It's a beautiful rocky canyon that runs back into the mountains. Dale got some nice pictures of the Townsend Warbler. The rocky road is a little hard to get up and down in places but the Canyon Wrens sure like the area. I find that this area is great to explore during the monsoons.

Next week’s trip will be to Pena Blanca Lake, again meeting at 7:00 AM at the Tubac Nature Center.

We had a total of 68 species today. The Trip Report is here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/512763

Thanks
Rob Rutledge
50 Bridge Road, Tubac, Arizona, US (31.618, -111.043) - 5-May-26 - 07:35 AM - 0.484 mile(s) - 1 hour(s), 25 minute(s) – Marianne

10 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
5 Mallard
1 Eurasian Collared-Dove
9 White-winged Dove
8 Mourning Dove
1 Black-chinned Hummingbird
1 Broad-billed Hummingbird
20 White-faced Ibis
1 Great Egret
1 Turkey Vulture
2 Gray Hawk HO
1 Swainson's Hawk
5 Gila Woodpecker
1 Northern Flicker
1 Hammond's Flycatcher
1 Black Phoebe
2 Say's Phoebe
4 Vermilion Flycatcher
2 Brown-crested Flycatcher – HO
6 Cassin's Kingbird
2 Bell's Vireo
3 Common Raven
1 Verdin
1 White-breasted Nuthatch – HO
4 Bewick's Wren
11 Phainopepla
4 House Finch
1 Lesser Goldfinch
4 White-crowned Sparrow
4 Song Sparrow
1 Abert's Towhee
8 Yellow-breasted Chat
2 Brown-headed Cowbird
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
5 Lucy's Warbler
1 Common Yellowthroat
7 Northern Yellow Warbler
6 Wilson's Warbler
8 Summer Tanager
7 Western Tanager
7 Northern Cardinal
1 Black-headed Grosbeak

Number of Taxa: 42
Tubac Nature Center - 5-May-26 - 06:54 AM - - 13 minute(s) – Rob

9 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
4 White-winged Dove
1 Great Egret
1 Great Blue Heron
1 Swainson's Hawk
1 Gila Woodpecker
1 Yellow-breasted Chat
1 Brown-headed Cowbird
2 Summer Tanager
1 Northern Cardinal

Number of Taxa: 10

Rock Corral Canyon - 5-May-26 - 07:28 AM - 1.171 mile(s) - 2 hour(s), 57 minute(s) – Rob

3 White-winged Dove
5 Mourning Dove
5 White-throated Swift
1 Anna's Hummingbird
1 Broad-tailed Hummingbird
1 Broad-billed Hummingbird
2 Turkey Vulture
1 Gray Hawk
2 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
2 Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet
2 Western Wood-Pewee
1 Vermilion Flycatcher
3 Ash-throated Flycatcher
1 Brown-crested Flycatcher
1 Cassin's Kingbird
7 Bell's Vireo
1 Common Raven
2 Verdin
2 Violet-green Swallow
5 Bushtit
2 Rock Wren
3 Canyon Wren
2 Bewick's Wren
1 Curve-billed Thrasher
3 Crissal Thrasher
2 Northern Mockingbird
2 Phainopepla
4 House Finch
4 Lesser Goldfinch
2 Five-striped Sparrow – Continuing
2 Black-throated Sparrow
2 Canyon Towhee
1 Rufous-crowned Sparrow
2 Bullock's Oriole
2 Brown-headed Cowbird
4 Lucy's Warbler
1 Northern Yellow Warbler
1 Yellow-rumped Warbler
1 Townsend's Warbler
2 Wilson's Warbler
2 Hepatic Tanager
4 Summer Tanager
2 Western Tanager
1 Pyrrhuloxia
2 Black-headed Grosbeak
3 Lazuli Bunting

Number of Taxa: 47
TUBAC NATURE CENTER JOURNAL - IT IS ONLY WEATHER

Thought you might like to read this article in full. It is somewhat uncertain, a lot scary, and a little wonky but well worth the read. It was sent by my buddy in Minnesota’s far north, Butch Ukura. Thanks to him.

Something Is Brewing in the Pacific That Nobody in Washington Wants to Talk About

Jim Karp
Tubac Nature Center
May 5, 2026

05/04/2026

Get to know them, and protect them.

We now have a first version of an abieticola identification plate! This plate gives a brief overview of some features for identifying the subspecies, and for separating similar subspecies such as calurus, especially for dark morphs, and harlani for dark juveniles. There is much more detail that can be covered, so we soon plan to create specific plates that detail each identification challenge with the subspecies placed side by side. Stay tuned for these, and for a full treatment of abieticola in the subspecies account!

Click the link below to access a high resolution and downloadable PDF!

https://redtailedhawkproject.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/abieticola-1.pdf

05/03/2026

One last time. Big thank you to HawkWatch International hawk counters on their last day, April 30, 2026 - breaking records and undivided focus on the skies over our little town of Tubac. Lets hope those 592 Common Black Hawks counted have a wildly successful breeding season and visit us again next year.




Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail

05/02/2026

Announcements and Ramblings

This is the last bird walk in April. Most people have already headed home, or will do so in the coming weeks. This email will probably be a day late as I am flying back to Seattle today and will not get to this until later.

Rob has announced that the Bird Walks will continue in May, BUT the start time will be 7:00 AM at the Nature Center!

Also, Rob will continue birding through the summer but it will probably be at times that the birds and life dictates. He will let you know in the weekly bird report when he will be leading the next walk.

May Habitat Restoration Volunteer Event – You have one more chance to participate in our monthly event of removing invasive plants. Our last one for the season will be May 20, 2026 at 9:00 AM Register here. Meet at Ron Morriss Park.

I have to add that Ellen and I took a walk on Monday on the trail from the Presidio and while we were sitting on the bench by the kiosk, a Yellow-breasted Chat flew into the mesquite and we had a good view. As one of my favorite birders once said, “You cannot leave until you see the Chat!”

So, Adios, and enjoy your summer.

Mikey Dunn
Tuesday Bird Walk – Tubac Nature Center - 28-Apr-26

Well, the last regular season bird walk was today and we had about 20 people show up. We split into two groups going in opposite directions to the bridge and back. Nice weather, good birds and sad goodbyes. We had more flycatchers with Brown-crested, Hammond's, Dusky-capped, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Vermilion, and Western. There were many Black-headed Grosbeaks and Summer Tanagers eating mulberries.

Caroline’s group got a good look at the Brown Creeper and heard it singing.

I just got back from Indiana were I learned how to bird with the Bird group at Eagle Creek Park. The park covers 10,000 acres with a 5,000 acre reservoir in the middle. This bird group has been going for 50 some years now. Last Sunday I rejoined the group and we had 92 species of birds, as the birders spread out over the park to cover all the different habitats. It's a nice cadre of birding friends just like I have in Tubac. So I will miss you all for the summer and will long for your return. I'm still going to be birding for the next couple of months, next week I will be meeting at the Nature Center at 7am and going to Rock Coral Springs to look for the reported Five-striped Sparrows back there.

We had a total of 52 species today. The Trip report is here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/508119

Rob Rutledge
Tubac Nature Center - 28-Apr-26 - 07:45 AM - 1.274 mile(s) - 2 hour(s), 1 minute(s) – Rob

1 Mexican Duck
1 Eurasian Collared-Dove
1 Common Ground Dove
3 White-winged Dove
2 Mourning Dove
1 Rufous Hummingbird
2 Broad-billed Hummingbird
1 Black Vulture
1 Turkey Vulture
1 Cooper's Hawk
3 Gray Hawk
1 Zone-tailed Hawk
2 Gila Woodpecker
1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet
1 Hammond's Flycatcher
2 Western Flycatcher
1 Vermilion Flycatcher
1 Dusky-capped Flycatcher
2 Brown-crested Flycatcher
1 Cassin's Kingbird
2 Bell's Vireo
1 Cassin's Vireo
2 Western Warbling Vireo
1 Common Raven
4 Bridled Titmouse
2 Verdin
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
1 Bewick's Wren
3 European Starling
1 Northern Mockingbird
4 Phainopepla
5 House Sparrow
7 House Finch
5 Lesser Goldfinch
4 Lark Sparrow
3 Song Sparrow
2 Abert's Towhee
2 Yellow-breasted Chat
5 Brown-headed Cowbird
6 Lucy's Warbler
5 Northern Yellow Warbler
1 Yellow-rumped Warbler
11 Summer Tanager
2 Western Tanager
3 Northern Cardinal
6 Black-headed Grosbeak
1 Lazuli Bunting

Number of Taxa: 48

Tubac Nature Center - 28-Apr-26 - 08:05 AM - 0.695 mile(s) - 1 hour(s), 55 minute(s) – Caroline

12 White-winged Dove
5 Mourning Dove
1 Black-chinned Hummingbird
1 Rufous Hummingbird – Feeding on desert honeysuckle by gate to Anza Trail
4 Broad-billed Hummingbird
13 Black Vulture
1 Turkey Vulture
1 Cooper's Hawk
3 Gray Hawk – Saw 3 at the same time
1 Zone-tailed Hawk
1 Great Horned Owl – Heard when we were on the bridge
10 Gila Woodpecker
1 Empidonax sp. – Too far away to see well
6 Vermilion Flycatcher
1 Dusky-capped Flycatcher (olivascens)
6 Brown-crested Flycatcher
1 Bell's Vireo (Arizona)
1 Western Warbling Vireo
1 Common Raven
2 Bridled Titmouse
3 Verdin
1 White-breasted Nuthatch (Interior West)
1 Brown Creeper – Great view and it was calling
8 Bewick's Wren (mexicanus Group)
15 Phainopepla
8 House Finch
9 Lesser Goldfinch
1 Lark Sparrow
3 Song Sparrow (fallax Group)
1 Abert's Towhee HO
4 Yellow-breasted Chat – Saw 2 and heard more
5 Brown-headed Cowbird
4 Lucy's Warbler
17 Northern Yellow Warbler
1 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)
1 Wilson's Warbler
5 Summer Tanager – We saw several males
2 Western Tanager – 2 males
6 Northern Cardinal
6 Black-headed Grosbeak

Number of Taxa: 40

TUBAC NATURE CENTER JOURNAL - THE WOUNDED RIVER

Last week I offered some possible avenues for addressing the problem of our deteriorating river and surrounding cottonwood/willow forest. My call for a wealthy, generous person to step forward has not been answered, but it has only been a matter of days. I am still hopeful! Budget woes of the USFWS preventing progress on a National Urban Wildlife Refuge are not likely to ease for years to come. The Santa Cruz County’s new comprehensive plan, it is rumored, will be delayed a year and is not likely to be approved until sometime in 2027. Having read some of the very early ideas being offered, I am excited that if they are approved as part of the comprehensive plan, there is hope. Suppose none of these possible solutions comes through for us, is there anything else out there? Even if a little riskier? Alas, I thought you would never ask.

Once upon a time in the land called the Arizona Territory, and even before, the river system thrived. It had dams creating wetlands, called cienegas, by the dozens (hundreds?) along the river. Today? No dams, and cienegas are rare to non-existent. What happened? The two big contributors were the desire for fashionable furs in Europe and elsewhere, and after that an influx of livestock. Beavers that provided the furs were hunted and trapped almost to extinction here and elsewhere in the country. Beavers make dams, dams make wetlands, wetlands provide variable habitat for vegetation to thrive, and the vegetation and water attract diverse assortment of large animals, fish and a rich assortment of smaller critters. Beavers provide their dam building services free of charge, and they do regular repairs, also free of charge. When beavers are on the land studies show that their dams cause about 30% of the rain water to stay in the floodplain and not race through our incised river channel providing little value to the land it flows through. Dammed areas are net storers of carbon addressing another issue. Beaver dams aid in making rivers that may dry up part of the year into perennial streams. There is a reason why beavers are called a keystone species - there presence changes everything.

Are you serious? You know that beavers are known to cause localized flooding problems at times, have a mind of their own, are unpredictable and sometimes pick up their large, flat tails and abandon the dams. The beavers may not like our habitat. We do have people living here who do not like any kind of risk. And we still have livestock. I mentioned above that this idea was a little riskier, it would have to be done with sensitivity toward residents and ranchers, and we would have to acknowledge upfront that the experiment could fail. BUT, it could succeed gloriously, and it is cheaper than the alternatives. I think it would be a lot more fun. Beavers are providing their services in Utah, Wyoming, on the San Pedro River in Arizona, and along Arctic rivers (since 2008.) Why not the desert? If the riskiness of unpredictable living beavers is too much, there are man-made structures that do a good job of mimicking beaver dams that are available. They are being used as close as Utah. The structures are not self-improving, but they sometimes attract the real things - beavers.

If you this idea appeals to you, I would suggest a new book titled, “Eager Beavers Matter”, by Ben Goldfarb (2026).

Jim Karp
Tubac Nature Center
April 28, 2026

28 Apr, 2026. Created by Tubac Nature Center