Arizona Field Ornithologist
©2008
HOME | REPORT SIGHTINGS | PHOTOS | BIRDING | JOURNAL | ABOUT US | CHECKLISTS | MIGRATION COUNT | EVENTS | LINKS

ARIZONA (& VICINITY) CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT SCHEDULE - 2008-2009

by Walter Thurber


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.

The Count List 2008-2009

The 2008-2009 Arizona Christmas Bird Count list (below) includes a couple of nearby counts in New Mexico and Mexico.   Count # corresponds to number on CBC Location map.


Hover over numbers on map to see count name, click to position to count info

Date Day Count # Name Compiler Phone E-Mail
 
14-Dec Su 13 Jerome-Cottonwood Betsy Feinberg 928-203-0676 x11 azbirder@gmail.com
14-Dec Su 9 Mormon Lake Elaine Morrall 928-526-1022 elaimorr@npgcable.com
14-Dec Su 34 Patagonia Abbie Zeltzer 520-604-6320 amindajar@gmail.com
 
15-Dec Mo 28 Elfrida Tom Wood 520-432-1388 tom@sabo.org
15-Dec Mo 1 Salt-Verde Rivers Kurt Radamaker 480-837-2446 Website
15-Dec Mo 39 Atascosa Highlands Rich Hoyer 520-325-5310. calliope@THERIVER.COM
 
18-Dec Th 15 Prescott Carl Tomoff 928-778-2626 tomoff@northlink.com
 
19-Dec Fr 2 Pipe Spring Natl. Monument Andrea Bornemeier 928-643-7105 andrea_bornemeier@nps.gov
19-Dec Fr 21 Saint David Tom Wood 520-432-1388 tom@sabo.org
 
20-Dec Sa 5, 25 Ajo-Cabeza Prieta NWR Curt McCasland 520-387-4992 curtis_mccasland@fws.gov
20-Dec Sa 6 Avra Valley Mary Lou Cole 520-578-0114 birdingnana@msn.com
20-Dec Sa 7 Hassayampa River Vanessa Montgomery 623-465-0012 hassayampacbc@hotmail.com
20-Dec Sa 8 Martinez Lake-Yuma Henry Detwiler 928-210-6474 henrydetwiler@earthlink.net
20-Dec Sa 10 Nogales Michael Bissontz 520-577-8778 seetrogon@comcast.net
20-Dec Sa 36 Payson Dave Hallock 303-258-3672 eldoradh@rmi.net
20-Dec Sa 11 Santa Catalina Mountains Bob Bates 520-296-5629 batesd@cox.net
20-Dec Sa 12 Timber Mesa Jimmy Videle 928-337-2466 moonrise@wmonline.com
 
21-Dec Su 26 Chino Valley Russell Duerksen 928-636-4916 russell.duerksen@azbar.org
21-Dec Su 14 Tucson Valley Larry Liese 520-743-3520 larryliese@prodigy.net
 
22-Dec Mo 3 Phoenix-Tres Rios David Powell 602-441-5508 vireo@vireos.com
 
27-Dec Sa 16 Flagstaff-Mount Elden Terry Blows 928-774-8028 terence.blows@nau.edu
27-Dec Sa 24 Portal Jackie Lewis winjac12@vtc.net
27-Dec Sa 17 Ramsey Canyon Ted Mouras 520-803-0221 tedmouras@mindspring.com
 
28-Dec Su 29 Green Valley-Madera Canyon Michael Marsden 520-269-6240 birdanza@cox.net
28-Dec Su 30 Sedona Dottie Hook 928-204-1894 dottiehook1@aol.com
28-Dec Su 23 Superior Cynthia Donald 480-283-4515 planres@earthlink.net
 
29-Dec Mo 20 Havasu NWR DeeDee DeLorenzo 928-758-2707 poncho@citlink.net
 
30-Dec Tu 22 Bill Williams River NWR Kathleen Blair 928-667-4144 kathleen_blair@fws.gov
30-Dec Tu 19 Gila River Troy Corman 602-482-6187 aplomado@cox.net
 
2-Jan Fr 4 Buenos Aires NWR Bonnie Swarbrick 520-823-4251 x108 bonnie_swarbrick@fws.gov
2-Jan Fr 31 Carefree Walter Thurber 480-483-6450 wathurber@cox.net
 
3-Jan Sa 37 Appleton-Whittell Robert Weissler 520-803-0794 weissler@aves.org
3-Jan Sa 18 Camp Verde Anita MacFarlane 928-282-4063 ajmac@sedona.net
3-Jan Sa 27 Dudleyville Doug Jenness 520-909-1529 d_jenness@hotmail.com
 
5-Jan Mo 32 Glen Canyon John Spence 928-608-6267 john_spence@nps.gov
 
 
Other
 
20-Dec Sa A Puerto Penasco, Sonora, MX Steve Ganley 480-830-5538 sganley@cox.net
 
28-Dec Su C Peloncillo Mountains, NM Tony Godfrey 520-558-3350 kingbird@vtc.net
 
3-Jan Sa Alamos, MX David Mackay dave_and_jen@solipaso.com

 Cabeza Prieta NWR

PHOENIX AREA CBC DESCRIPTIONS

 

Carefree Christmas Bird Count.  This count circle is centered three miles north of the SkyRanch at Carefree Airport. The count includes the towns of Carefree and Cave Creek as well as the north end of the City of Scottsdale. This upland desert count is situated in northeast Maricopa County and it was organized in 1992. 

The largest drainages are Cave Creek and Camp Creek, both of which are flowing streams in their northerly reaches near Seven Springs. The Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, Cave Creek Recreation Area and several Desert Foothills Land Trust preserves are found here, and roughly 40 percent of the circle lies within the Tonto National Forest. Elevations range from approximately 1800-5000 feet. This count typically records about 100 species.

 Call compiler for information 

 

Gila River Christmas Bird Count.  The Gila River circle is centered three miles east of Powers Butte and about the same distance south of Palo Verde. The count encompasses unincorporated Arlington and Palo Verde as well as part of the Town of Buckeye. This western Maricopa County count dates from 1981. 

The Gila River winds through the middle of the count circle and provides excellent birding habitat. The Hassayampa River empties into the Gila upstream from Powers Butte. An added feature is the presence of the Robbins Butte Wildlife Area. Elevations range from approximately 700-1900 feet. This count typically records about 140 species. 

Call compiler for information 

 

Hassayampa River Christmas Bird Count.  This northwest Maricopa County count reaches into Yavapai County as well. The count circle is centered five miles northeast of Wickenburg on Constellation Road. There is considerable public land here and little urban development; the only significant population center is the Town of Wickenburg. This upland desert count has been held annually since 1989. 

The Hassayampa River affords good birding opportunities, especially south of town at the Hassayampa River Preserve. This property is owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy. The Hassayampa River Canyon Wilderness can be birded as well. Elevations range from approximately 2000-4400 feet. This count typically records about 100 species. 

Call compiler for information 

 

Phoenix-Tres Rios Christmas Bird Count.  The center of this count circle lies about one mile south of the confluence of the Gila and Agua Fria rivers in central Maricopa County. Portions of the City of Avondale and the City of Goodyear are included.  The count was held continuously from 1954-1984 during which time it was known as the Phoenix Christmas Bird Count. The count was reinstated in 2001. 

This count takes the second part of its name from the three major rivers found here—the Gila, the Salt and the Agua Fria. Excellent birding is available along the rivers as well as at the Estrella Mountain Regional Park, Tres Rios Wetlands, Cobble Ponds, Buckeye canals and Jackie Meck Lake. Elevations range from approximately 900-3200 feet. This count typically records about 140 species.

 Call compiler for information 

 

Salt-Verde Rivers Christmas Bird Count.  This count circle is centered at Adams Mesa in eastern Maricopa County. The count encompasses the Town of Fountain Hills and portions of the City of Mesa, Fort McDowell Yavapai Indian Nation, Phon D. Sutton, the confluence of the Salt and Verder Rivers and Saguaro Lake. The first count was held in 1950, followed by a second count in 1954 and annual counts since 1985. 

The Verde River empties into the Salt River here and the mature riparian habitat along both waterways appeals to a wide range of birds. Public lands include the Tonto National Forest, McDowell Mountain Regional Park and Usery Mountain Recreation Area. Elevations range from approximately 1200-4000 feet. This count typically records about 140 species. 

Call compiler for information or see the Salt Verde CBC Website at http://www.mexicobirding.com/AZbirds/CBC/


 


©2005
HOME | REPORT SIGHTINGS | PHOTOS | BIRDING | JOURNAL | ABOUT US | CHECKLISTS | AZ BIRD COMMITTEE | EVENTS | LINKS