Jim Hoagland
December was the start of the annual Christmas Bird Count, a Cornell University citizen science event, which has been conducted since 1900. Volunteers from across North America and beyond took to the field between Dec. 14, 2024, and Jan. 5, 2025, to record every bird species and individual bird encountered within a designated 15-mile diameter circle. Four SaddleBrooke Ranch (SBR) residents participated in this year’s Dudleyville Christmas Bird Count on Jan. 4. It has been a very dry season, so expectations were not high. The four SBR residents, Karen Vanderwall, Tony Sullivan, Shirley Sullivan, and Jim Hoagland, were assigned to section one located in the southwest corner of the 15-mile diameter circle. They split into two groups with Tony and Shirley covering the west side of Highway 77 south of Dudleyville to the San Pedro River, including the very productive, Lower San Pedro River State Wildlife area. Karen and Jim covered the area west of the San Pedro River up to the Putman Wash and at the confluence of the San Pedro and Aravaipa Creek. They also went to the far end of the circle on Putman Wash and Camp Grant Wash. In all they, along with local resident Kathy Sieloff who did feeder watching, recorded 57 species, the highest count for the area in over 10 years. They recorded over 800 individual birds. Although they did not spot any rare birds this year, their best sighting was a badger. Seeing it in the daylight was a real treat. In total, the Dudleyville Circle recorded 111 species, four higher than the previous year and close to 7,000 individual birds, the highest in the past six years.
On May 6, 2024, the Tucson Audubon Society’s (TAS) Board of Directors voted in favor of changing the organization name. This year the Audubon Society is history. Tucson Bird Alliance becomes the new name of the 75-year-old conservation organization. They decided that for an organization to have the greatest impact, they needed the support of as many members, partners, and the general public as possible. Although the name “Audubon” was chosen by many bird organizations for its brand appeal and connection to the beautiful bird painting by the 19th-century artist and naturalist, his legacy caused pain, unease, and distrust among members. John James Audubon was a white supremacist who owned, purchased, and sold enslaved people, openly rejecting the abolition movement, and desecrating indigenous burial grounds. This was a clear barrier for people who might otherwise become involved and support the organization. TAS was not the first to make this change. They were able to interview five other chapters who have gone through the process. The TAS chapter joins some 48 other independent chapters that have dropped the Audubon name since 2021. With over 400 chapters in the United States this number is sure to rise. The TAS currently has over 3,000 members and is supported by a staff of 50 employees.
We still continue to have monthly bird field trips in 2025 on the SaddleBrooke Nature trail. If you have never joined us, are interested and not already on the list being notified of the event, please contact Jim Hoagland at [email protected]. Good Birding to all for 2025.