updated Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Santa Cruz County:
Empire-Cienega Ranch Kino Springs (Nogales) Patagonia Lake State Park & Sonoita Creek Natural Area Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve Paton's feeding station Roadside Rest Area San Rafael Grasslands Vaca Ranch
Santa Rita Mountains:
Florida Wash Madera Canyon Santa Rita Lodge
Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve is the centerpiece of Santa Cruz County's birding hot spots. This sanctuary, owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, is one of the best birding spots in the Southwest. This lush riparian area provides habitat for over 200 species of birds plus rare fish, frogs and plants. Gray Hawks nest in the large Fremont Cottonwoods along the creek, and Zone-tailed and Common Black-Hawks are occasionally seen. Over 20 species of flycatchers have been recorded on the preserve, including Thick-billed Kingbird and Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet. The preserve is on the west side of Patagonia; turn off Hwy 82 at Fourth Avenue, then follow the signs to the visitor center. Visiting hours vary seasonally:
To provide privacy for the wildlife, the preserve is closed Monday and Tuesday.
The Nature Conservancy charges a general admission fee of $5.00 per person for non-members, $3.00 per person for members of TNC. All admission fees allow entrance for 7 days from the date of purchase. Children under 16 and Patagonia residents will be admitted free. Annual passes are also available. For group reservations or more information, call the preserve at (520) 394-2400.
Adjacent to the preserve on the edge of Patagonia is the home of Marion Paton, who has generously opened her yard to birders. A bank of hummingbird feeders on the back of her house attracts a variety of species, including the most reliable Violet-crowned Hummingbirds in the U.S. As you travel toward the preserve on Pennsylvania Avenue, look for the sign on a chain-link fence on the left after the first stream crossing. Also in Patagonia, just across from the Patagonia Butterfly Garden, is Kazzam Nature Center, a charming shop specializing in birding and nature books and gifts, garden accessories, and wildlife-friendly plants.
Southwest of Patagonia is the famous Roadside Rest Area. Many rare or hard-to-find birds have been sighted here, the most famous of which are the Rose-throated Becards which usually nest in the Arizona Sycamores along Sonoita Creek (across the highway). More common species abound; Broad-billed Hummingbirds visit flowering shrubs at the base of the rocky slope, Canyon Wrens sing from the cliffs and Bell's Vireos nest in the thickets of Netleaf Hackberry and Mexican Elderberry. Carefully cross the highway and walk along the fence marking private land along Sonoita Creek (please respect private property - stay outside the fence). The flowing water attracts species such as Thick-billed Kingbird (summer), Varied and Lazuli buntings (summer-fall), Lesser Goldfinch, and a variety of sparrows. A singing Fan-tailed Warbler was found near here in May 1997.
Down the highway from the Roadside Rest is Patagonia Lake State Park and Sonoita Creek Natural Area, a good location for many species of desert scrub and lower canyon habitats plus waterfowl and riparian species. Broad-billed Hummingbirds and Verdins are common around the campground, often visiting feeders put out by campers. Northern Beardless-Tyrannulets, Bell's Vireos and Lucy's Warblers are fairly common in the mesquite thickets that ring the lake. Watch for Zone-tailed Hawks soaring overhead in spring and summer. Rarities include a Nutting's Flycatcher that spent several months at the park in the winter of 1997-98, and Arizona's third known Northern Jacana seen here for several days in October 1998. A trail following the lake shore through desert scrub, mesquite bosque and lakeside cattails (watch for rails) will get you away from the recreational boaters and other distractions and into some nice habitat. A visitor center opened in February of 2000, and new trails within the recently acquired Sonoita Creek Natural Area are under development. Visitors can now take part in one-hour pontoon boat birding tours of the lake for just $1.00 per person in addition to the $5.00/car park entrance fee. Boat tours are currently being offered on Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesdays at 9 AM and 10:15 AM. The park is located off Hwy 82 3.3 miles south of Roadside Rest Area. For tour reservations or more information, call the visitor center at 520-287-2791.
On the northern edge of Nogales is the Kino Springs Golf Course. Its large spring-fed ponds were once surrounded by large cottonwoods and willows, but drought killed most of them. The area is undergoing restoration, but it will be many years before the habitat returns to what it once was. The ponds still attract many water-loving birds, including Black-bellied Whistling-Duck. In summer, watch along the entrance road for Varied Buntings, Gray Hawks, and Black Vultures, but please stop your car off the roadway to avoid an inconvenient or dangerous situation for other drivers. Visitor parking is permitted in the parking lot in front of the club house/pro shop; please step inside to ask for permission to bird around the big ponds across the driveway. Watch for Tropical Kingbirds and Bronzed Cowbirds around the clubhouse in summer.
Northeast of Sonoita is the Bureau of Land Management's Las Cienegas National Conservation Area (formerly Empire-Cienega Ranch), an excellent place for grassland and wetland birds. The NCA gets its name from its cienegas, or marshes, which support water-loving species such as Vermilion Flycatcher and Common Yellowthroat in spring and summer. A variety of sparrows are found here, including Cassin’s and Botteri’s in summer and Baird’s in winter. Herds of Pronghorn are a common sight in the grasslands along Hwy 82 and Hwy 83 as you pass through this area.
Located south of Hwy 82 and west of the Huachuca Mountains, the San Rafael Grasslands offer prime habitat for grassland birds, including Cassin's and Botteri's sparrows in summer and longspurs and Baird's Sparrow in winter. Most of this area is within the Coronado National Forest, with many private ranch inholdings; taking care to respect private property will help maintain good relations between private landowners and the birding community. If in doubt about land ownership, do not leave public roadways while birding. The Vaca Ranch, famous as the site of "Baird's Sparrow Hill," is now closed to the public; other possible locations for this elusive wintering species include Empire-Cienega Ranch, Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, and Leslie Canyon Road in the Sulphur Springs Valley.
Useful Links:
Arizona State Parks: Patagonia Lake Las Cienegas National Conservation Area Fact Sheet
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The Santa Ritas are a big mountain range by sky island standards, but there is relatively little convenient access. The main exception is Madera Canyon. Located in the Coronado National Forest on the north slope of the Santa Ritas, this deep, densely wooded canyon is one of the most famous birding localities in Arizona. It is accessible from Interstate 19 near Green Valley or from Hwy 83 via Greaterville Road, a scenic route over 11 miles of winding, unpaved road. The road passes through lush grasslands in the foothills of the canyon; during the late summer rainy season, Cassin's and Botteri's sparrows can often be heard singing near the road. Florida (pronounced "flor-EE-dah") Wash is often a good stop for lowland and foothill species, including Varied Bunting and Rufous-winged Sparrow. Access is via a stile over the fence below the third bridge (be sure to park completely off the pavement). Most of the sky island "specialties," including Elegant Trogon and Yellow-eyed Junco, can be found in the oak woodlands and pine-oak forests of the upper canyon, along with occasional rarities such as Flame-colored Tanager and Crescent-chested Warbler. The Madera Canyon Recreation Area is a Forest Service fee area; the fee is $5 per vehicle per day, $20 for an annual pass. These passes are also honored at Sabino Canyon and the Catalina Mountains. Above the entrance station, the feeding station at Santa Rita Lodge is open to the public and offers an easy introduction to the canyon’s birds, especially hummingbirds. Broad-billed Hummingbirds are common here along with up to 11 other species. Trails that begin both below and above the lodge lead to higher elevation habitats. Except for Santa Rita Lodge, public parking in the canyon is limited to National Forest trailheads, campgrounds, and picnic areas; please respect private enclaves within the canyon. Note to early spring visitors: Madera Canyon may be crowded with other outdoor enthusiasts on virtually any weekend from March through November, but it is an extremely popular site for big family picnics on Easter weekend. For the best experience, birders who must visit Madera Canyon on Mothers' Day and Easter weekend are advised to arrive very early and hike up the trails away from the congested areas.
Access Advisory: Visitor access to Madera Canyon was disrupted in August 2006 when flooding from heavy summer rains damaged sections of roads, trails, and other visitor amenities. The canyon is open to the public but some sections remain closed until repairs can be completed and public safety assured. For updates on access, please see the Coronado National Forest Web site or call 520-388-8300.
For more information, contact:
Coronado National Forest, Nogales Ranger District 303 Old Tucson Road Nogales, AZ 85621 (520) 281-2296 Madera Canyon general information...
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Text copyright 1997-2006 Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory Photo copyright by Jimmy Zabriskie, used by permission