Table: Sightings View  species number date region county context location observer details Black Vulture 100 1/22/2012 South Central Maricopa One hundred is a large number for this species based on most reports. Buckeye Melanie Herring Photos obtained of this large kettle. I first noted 20 in the air, when all of a sudden another 80 came up off the desert floor (multiple dairies and cement pits in this general area). They are distinct by white on the tips of their wings, shorter tail, characteristic "flap-flap-flap..gluide". I looked through them all and only found Black Vultures. No Turkey Vultures in the mix. The area I saw this kettle in is just north of Pecos and west of Tuthill. However, where I normally see this large of a group is south of Beloat near Dean rd. On a map, these two areas are not that far apart. Swamp Sparrow 1 1/21/2012 South Central Maricopa rare winter migrant Veteran's Oasis Ponds Joey Alsadi photograph taken Varied Thrush 1 1/21/2012   Maricopa not common to this area Hassayampa River Preserve Sydney and Chrissy Smith Viewing conditions were perfect (view, lighting, etc). We were along an area where we have a net lane for the bird banding we do at the Hassayampa River Preserve - next to the lake where a spring feeds in and very thick with cottonwood, cattails and brush. We we watching a Marsh Wren and just about 30 feet in front of us is the Varied Thrush. Sydney Smith first spotted it and pointed it out. An adult male, All markings visible. This bird was in good condition. Traveling alone. Although there were 30 plus Robins and Cedar Waxwings nearby. It was definitely a Varied Thrush. Unfortunately, we were unable to get a picture before it flew back deeper into that area toward a very thick area of brush and trees. Black-and-White Warbler 1 1/11/2012 South Central Maricopa rare eastern migrant Gilbert Water Ranch Joey Alsadi photo taken Brown Pelican (immature) 1 1/8/2012   Maricopa Rare but apparently not unusual. Seen at a pond on a golf course near intersection of Lindsey and Riggs in SE Chandler. South Chandler Kevin Fairhurst Perfect viewing conditions. Perched on ground. Observed at ~20 meters. Unmistakable juvenile plumage (dark back/wings/head and light front). Western Tanager 1 1/5/2012 South Central Maricopa Casual in winter in the region and state. Hassayampa River Preserve Christina Smith, et al. Photographed by Chrissy, feeding on fan palm fruit. Canada Goose 13 1/5/2012 Southeast Pinal number noted Santa Cruz Flats--Evergreen Turf sod farm Mona Jones, Roberta and B uzz Hoffmann We first observed a flock of geese in a field just east of Curry and south of Pretzer about 1 PM as we were scanning for Mtn. Plovers. We scanned with binoculars for number and species and noted that the geese appeared to be all Canada of intermediate size. In spite of some glare, the distinctive white chin and cheeks and dark head and neck could be seen on all birds with a buff to brownish body color. The birds were mostly resting when first spotted but most stood as we stopped the car to scan. We could see the size and shape fairly well. We were on Pretzer when we saw them at an estimated distance of 200 feet. Eastern Phoebe 1 12/27/2011 Yavapai Yavapai continue to track increased sightings of this species rare to central AZ. Sycamore Canyon David Moll Located at the pool below the FSR 131 trailhead. Poor photographs. Orchard Oriole 1 12/23/2011 South Central Maricopa Typically a casual winter visitor to Arizona but has recently become almost annual in the state during the winter. Phoenix - Ahwatukee yard Paul and Gloria Halesworth An adult male and this will be its third winter in a row at this residence. Swamp Sparrow 1 12/17/2011 South Central Pinal Rare winter visitor in Pinal county. Also saw a Swamp Sparrow in the exact same spot on 06 Dec. 2010. 1 east of sr347 @ Peters & Nall Nancy Lange Small Sparrow with rufous wings, bold gray eyebrow, striped breast and whitish belly. About 11am, partly cloudy, 60F. White-throated Sparrow 1 12/14/2011 Gila Gila uncommon fall/winter visitor in Gila Co. Pine yard Jeff Estis the bird was eating seed on ground in backyard, a white-striped morph. First seen at about 11:00 a.m. in light rain/snow. Photos obtained. Violet-green Swallow 1 12/11/2011 Southeast Pinal Violet-green Swallow is casual in December in southeastern Arizona. Mammoth sewage ponds Doug Jenness Bird was perched on a wire in full sunlight. Good scope view. Showed clearly the white sides to face and the white side patches on rump. Also varied coloration of back was apparent. These characteristics differentiate it from the similar Tree Swallow. American Redstart 2 12/7/2011 South Central Maricopa Rare fall and casual winter visitor Glendale Recharge Ponds Chrissy Kondrat-Smith and Melanie Hoffman cloudy day, 58 degrees, 2 AMRE, one male and female, found foraging, singing, good condition, and very active in the cottonwood trees in the riparian area just west of the recharge ponds (proximity - go to end of 107th and park at the bridge and the cottonwoods are to the west). Photos available Cave Swallow 1 12/4/2011 Southeast Pima Cave Swallow is an accidental visitant to SE Arizona and a casual to accidental visitant anywhere in the state. Tucson, Kennedy Park Molly Pollock, Mark Stevenson On this cold, foggy morning two swallows were foraging over the lake at Kennedy Park, not the best of viewing conditions for constantly moving birds. One was readily identifiable as a (late) Barn Swallow and on the other we were able to see a pale buffy rump and cinnamon colored throat and forehead, separating it from Cliff Swallow. Eventually it perched on a wire and MS was able to photograph it. It was also photographed by Dave Stejskal, Andrew Core and Chris Benesh and seen by additional observers before it flew off with the Barn Swallow. It was last reported on 27 December 2011. Barn Swallow 1 12/4/2011 Southeast Pima Barn Swallow is casual in December in SE AZ. Tucson, Kennedy Park Molly Pollock, Mark Stevenson Distinctive tail well seen and photographed. This is likely the same bird reported the previous day. White-throated Sparrow 1 12/3/2011   Pinal Irregular winter visitor at BTA. Boyce Thompson Arboretum Marceline VandeWater Mixed in with a small flock of White-crowned Sparrows. White Throat, thick tan stripe over the eye. Photo obtained. Indigo Bunting 1 11/29/2011 South Central Maricopa There are very few November records for Maricopa Co. Needle Rock Rec. Area Marceline VandeWater Overall buffy bunting with light throat, some streaks on the breast, indistinct wingbars Hooded Warbler 1 11/26/2011 South Central Maricopa Casual fall migrant, with few November records in Maricopa Co. Gila River, upstream of Estrella Mountain Reg. Park property Troy Corman Male-plumaged individual with black crown, side of neck and throat, bright yellow face, black eyes. Pacific Wren 4 11/24/2011 Gila Gila Four seen is a high number. Pacific Wren is a Sketch Details species. Winter distribution of western Pacific Wren and eastern Winter Wren is unclear in AZ. Pine Cr. Canyon/Pine Brian Ison dark brownish overall- head-bobbing behavior- small, thin bill and chip notes sounding like Wilson's Warbler chip notes Harris's Sparrow 1 11/24/2011 White Mountains Apache Casual to rare transient in the region. Petrified Forest National Forest Kenneth Bader