Two Arizona sites have received Global Important Bird Area designations this month: the Chiricahua Mountains in the southeastern corner of the state and Anderson Mesa, nine miles southeast of Flagstaff in the Coconino National Forest.
The designation was given by BirdLife International, an alliance of conservation organizations working in more than 100 countries and territories that, together, are the leading authority on the status of birds and their habitats. Sites qualify for global designation because they hold significant numbers of a globally threatened species or other species of global conservation concern.

The Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program is a global effort to identify and conserve areas that are vital to birds and other biodiversity. The Arizona Game and Fish Department, Tucson Audubon Society, and Audubon Arizona are the IBA partners in Arizona. To date, 37 sites have been identified as state Important Bird Areas. Designation confers no legal requirements; the global recognition is intended to motivate and encourage voluntary conservation actions to assure long term protection of these sites.

An area rich with wetlands, Anderson Mesa was previously nominated as a state Important Bird Area (IBA) for waterfowl and water birds. The area qualified as a global IBA because of its extensive pinyon pine woodlands that support populations of pinyon jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus), a species of global conservation concern and an Audubon Society WatchList species. http://stateofthebirds.audubon.org/

Although a familiar sight in pine forests of the American west, the gregarious blue-gray pinyon jay’s dependence on pinyon pine seeds as its main food source has put it at risk. Declines in western pinyon pine forests due to drought, bark beetle infestations, fire, and indiscriminate clearing of pinyon and juniper woodlands have caused a dramatic decrease in the population pinyon jays.

The Chiricahua Mountains are part of a chain of mountains that span from southern Arizona to the Sierra Madre in central Mexico. Within the Coronado National Forest and including Chiricahua National Monument, the IBA extends from the grass and oak woodland at 5000 feet to the top of Chiricahua Peak, at 9795 feet. The Chiricahua IBA qualified as a site of global importance because it is habitat for the “Mexican” spotted owl (Strix occidentalis mexicana), a threatened species that nests within the deep canyons that incise the face of the rugged mountain range.

Known as a "perch and pounce" predator, the Mexican spotted owl hunts by locating its prey from an elevated perch and then pouncing and capturing it with its talons. The species is threatened by loss of old growth forests, its typical habitat.
Two other Arizona sites have already received global designation; Marble Canyon for California condor and the lower San Pedro River for Bell’s vireo.

The recognition of these two Arizona sites brings the total number of global IBAs in the U.S. to 378.

On Saturday, October 10, the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center will open its doors to the public. To mark the special occasion, Audubon Arizona is hosting a grand opening celebration that is open to the public.

Located at 3131 South Central Avenue, the state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly center is adjacent to Phoenix’s 600-acre Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area, an environmental restoration that stretches along five miles of the historic Salt River. The Audubon Center’s grand opening event will give visitors of all ages an opportunity to experience this inspiring habitat and interact with Sonoran Desert wildlife right in the heart of downtown Phoenix.

The free family festivities for the Audubon Center Grand Opening begin at 10:00 a.m. Visitors will be treated to refreshments and be able to participate in nature activities from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The morning will also include special VIP speakers and entertainment.

See video about the Center here

Who is doing the study?
The City of Scottsdale Parks and Recreation Department, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and Arizona State University have formed a partnership to study urban Canada geese population and habitat in the Scottsdale Parks and golf courses along Indian Bend Wash. The purpose of the study is to provide information to the city regarding the movement, population growth, and to help determine the most effective way to manage urban geese in Scottsdale.

What has been done?
Just over 200 geese were rounded up this summer by biologists throughout the Indian Bend Wash area along Hayden Rd between McCormick Parkway and McKellips Road. All captured geese were marked with both a plastic collar and a metal leg band and were released unharmed at the same location where they were banded. Neck collars are white with black, 3-digit codes A01-A41, B01-B71, and C01-C89. These unique codes will be used to track the movement of the geese throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area.

How can I help?
If you see any of these marked geese it would be a huge help to this study if you would report it. Please report your observations by filling out the Canada Goose Observation form. Click Here And email your completed form to Elizabeth.Ray@asu.edu If you have any questions, please contact: Elizabeth Ray – Arizona State University, 480-993-6104

Bald Eagle, © ASDM 1990 Paul Berquist

On March 19, 2009, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the release of the first ever U.S. State of the Birds report. Based on a new analysis of 40 years of data, the report was developed by a partnership among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, state government wildlife agencies and non-governmental organizations including the National Audubon Society. The report documents the decline of bird populations in many habitats due to habitat loss, invasive species and other factors. At the same time, it provides heartening examples of how sustained habitat conservation and other environmental efforts can reverse the decline of many bird species.

“Our collective ability to prevent extinction and reverse environmental degradation are reflected in this report, exemplified by the remarkable recovery of waterfowl populations across the continent and the comeback of species that were once endangered, including the bald eagle and peregrine falcon,” said Secretary Salazar. “This shows that we can meet these challenges and maintain the integrity of our nation’s natural resources.” Salazar goes on to mention that nearly 50 million Americans are bird-watchers, and each year more than 45 billion dollars are expended on some form of wildlife watching. He adds, “Americans love wild birds and are willing to spend their hard-earned dollars to see them in the field. This report provides actionable information that will help us secure a future for birds, and a future for the next generation of wild-bird lovers.”

To view the U.S. State of the Birds report, please click here.