Date: 2/24/25 2:20 pm From: Tom Arny <tarny...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Davis Pasture Longspur spot - dry
I spent this morning (February 24, 2025) looking for longspurs near
Sonoita, AZ. I started at the Davis Pasture spot off Highway 82 and
discovered that the small pond, which had attracted longspurs and many
other grassland birds, was dry. I saw only a distant Kestrel there.
Whether the folks running cattle there will add water to the now-empty
pond, I don't know.
I then headed to the Curly Horse Road/Smith Tank area. There was
still a good deal of water in the pond there and eventually I got nice
looks at Thick-billed Longspurs (at least 5), numerous Horned Larks, and
2 Mountain Bluebirds. An American Pipit or two and a Killdeer were also
around.
I had a question about this spot, however. I approached it from
the west but found the maze of roads/cattle tracks a bit hard to
navigate through. Is it better to approach from the south east?
--
Tom Arny
PO Box 545
Patagonia, AZ 85624
tarny AT vtc.net
