Date: 1/19/26 11:23 am From: Doug Jenness (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Santa Cruz Flats Raptor Count Results
January 19, 2026
On 17 January, 20 volunteers participated in the 21st one-day count of
wintering raptors at the Santa Cruz Flats in Pinal County, west of Picacho
Peak.
We tallied *457 *raptors, which was slightly above our 20-year average of
448, but. our lowest count since 2019. What brought the total down was our
Red-tailed Hawk count (196), which was the lowest since 2015. We reported 2
“Harlan’s” Red-tailed Hawks and one of the rarer dark variant of the
Ferruginous Hawk. Our American Kestrel total of 90, was one of our highest
in the past 21 years, and well above average. Our Northern Harrier tally
(25) was slightly lower than in the last several years, but not
dramatically so. The Cooper’s Hawk total of 1 was surprisingly low as we
had registered our highest totals for this species in the previous three
years. It was lower than the 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks, which are only winter
visitors. A noteworthy figure was our highest ever total for Turkey Vulture
(17). There has been a trend toward more of them on the count that can be
seen by comparing the average for the count’s first 16 years (2.1) with the
average for the last five years (9.4). The Burrowing Owl total (7) was
above average. .
It’s difficult to account for the lower Red-tailed Hawk total. It could be
the result of cutbacks in irrigated fields and generally a drier year. But
it also could be associated with warmer temperatures in the west this
winter leading to fewer wintering migrants.
One of the central goals and accomplishments of our one-day raptor count
has been to establish a baseline of wintering raptors in this agricultural
area, especially in light of proposals to convert this area to other
purposes. Our data can be brought to bear on the possible environmental
effects of such projects. Since January 2022, farmers in the area have had
their CAP water severely reduced. We haven't noticed any significant
effects on winterting raptors in the last several years, but the water
reduction is leading some farmers to sell their land to solar farms.
Currently, there are at least five solar farms in the works and will
likely go into production in the next five years. However, the biggest
proposal is the La Osa Project, which would create the largest data
processing plant in the United States (3,374 acres). The site is along the
Greene Canal near the intersection of Baumgartner and Picacho Hwy. The
Pinal County Planning and Zoning Commission approved Vermaland's
proposal in October to rezone the area from residential and open space
employment to industrial use. In November, the Pinal County Board of
Supervisors approved the project. They now have to go to the Zoning
Commission again for approval for this specific project. This process will
include submission of environmental impact studies, which will allow
an opportunity to contest the project. AZGFD, for example, is reviewing the
project. When they do apply for the zoning change, there will be a
public hearing, which will allow folks to speak at the hearing and/or
submit a letter voicing concern or opposition.
