Date: 3/23/25 12:55 pm From: <dpsiminski...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Sierra Vista EOP Sunday Birding Walk
This morning, eleven birders attended the birding walk at the Sierra Vista
Environmental Operations Park (EOP). The participants were from Arizona and
Tennessee. We walked the dikes, and we saw 82 species of birds. However today,
because of the Tour de Zona bicycle race, we were not able to get to the EOP
recharge ponds for birding.
For our first Sunday Birding Walk of the spring, we noted the expected
seasonal changes in the composition of the avifauna. We did not see
Buffleheads for the first time this year, perhaps they have moved north. We
did see thirteen other species of ducks including the continuing accidental
Greater Scaup and the uncommon Hooded Merganser.
There was a notable uptick in the number of transient shorebirds with most
notably one Greater Yellowlegs and one Long-billed Curlew. The curlew is a
rare but annual transient to the EOP. We also saw thirteen Least Sandpipers, a
Wilson’s Snipe, seven Long-billed Dowitchers and seven Killdeer.
As noted last Sunday, warblers are moving through the area including the EOP.
Today, we added a Wilson’s warbler to our 2025 warbler list with one Yellow
Warbler, two Common Yellowthroats and eight Yellow-rumped warblers also seen.
We saw five species of migrant swallows, Barn, Violet-Green, Cliff, Tree and
Northern Rough-winged, lacking only the late arriving Bank Swallow and Purple
Martin. Violet-Greens dominated today’s foraging flocks.
What was lacking today was the rare, black-colored Northern Harrier which we
have seen on every Sunday Birding Walk since early November. In its place, we
noted one female type and one adult male. These individuals seemed a bit more
confident in their foraging with the absence of the very aggressive female,
black-colored harrier. She has “ruled the roost” for months defending the
entire EOP as her sole winter territory. Last year, we saw her last on a
Sunday Walk on 24 March, but others reported seeing her until 02 April.
Perhaps we will see her one more time next Sunday.
Birding walks behind the locked gates of the Sierra Vista EOP occur every
Sunday morning. For the spring months of March, April and May, the walks start
at 7:00am. 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, 30 March, at 7:00 am. Arrive early to
secure a spot. We have a limit of fifteen birders behind the locked gate.
