Date: 2/16/25 1:14 pm From: <dpsiminski...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Sierra Vista EOP Birding Walk
This morning, thirteen birders attended the birding walk at the Sierra Vista
Environmental Operations Park (EOP). The participants were from Arizona, New
York, Arkansas, Kentucky and Texas. We walked the dikes, and we saw 67 species
of birds.
The prize of the day was an adult Bald Eagle never seen in over 20-years of
EOP Birding Walks. Over the past month, birders visiting the EOP Bird Viewing
Platform have been periodically reporting it, but today was the first time for
the Sunday EOP Birding Walk. The eagle flew from one side of the EOP to the
other and back again spooking the many ducks in the open-water impoundments
into flight. A glorious sight!
The other raptor prize for the day was the continuing rare, black-colored
Northern Harrier. It never flew close to us. However, it continued its
unrelenting harassment of any other harrier that flew into its view. It even
dropped its talons on one brown female/juvenile that had to flip over and
spread its own talons to prevent from being hit by the aggressive, black-
colored harrier. We have been seeing this aggressive behavior by this rarity
all season. What does this mean?
Other highlights include thirteen species of ducks, including the continuing
female Hooded Merganser. The open-water situation at the EOP has not been this
good in a long time. We also had 7! Wilson’s Snipes in one muddy recharge
impoundments.
Birding walks behind the locked gates of the Sierra Vista EOP occur every
Sunday morning. For the one remaining Sunday in February, the walks will start
at 8:00am. Meet early at the EOP Bird Viewing Platform to sign up with the
guide. Late arrivals will not have access behind the locked gates. Scopes are
useful. A hat and water are highly recommended.
The EOP is located just east (~ 3 miles) from Sierra Vista on AZ Hwy 90. Look
for the Brua Animal Care Center and the Wildlife Viewing signs on the
northside of Hwy 90. Turn left (north) and proceed to the bird viewing
platform. Note that Google Maps may direct you to the wrong entrance.
The next EOP Birding Walk is on Sunday, 23 February, at 8:00 am. Arrive early
to secure a spot. We have a limit of fifteen birders behind the locked gate.
