The Water Highways

Dean scouts the area for animal tracks

This week's episode takes us into the heart of the "Riparian Debate".  I have adopted three birding "patches" or places where I actually try and do regular counts.  One is my home.  The second is at my work site and the third takes place at a ranch known as Aribabi which is south of the Mexican border.

Northern Cardinal-will this be a new species on the ABA list?  We'll find out this year.

There is an active waterway known as the Cocospera river which is surrounded by a rancher's property. This river is home to many rare and wonderful critters. The goal of my survey this past weekend was to examine this riparian corridor and see if there were any hawks using the Cocospera river for their migration route.  Others came to check the Jaguar cams.   While it wasn't a "hawk route" during this observation window, I did find Red-tailed and Gray Hawks.

Each time I visit, there is something different hanging out around the ranch house.  My bird tally was great with over 70 different species being seen.  There were high sparrow numbers.  Northern Cardinals were active and calling.  Rufous and Violet-crowned Hummingbirds stopped at our feeders. For evening birds, several highlights included the Buff-collared Nightjar, Common Poorwill, Western Screech-Owl, Elf Owl and Great Horned Owls.

Our friend, the Burro, follows us along the trail

The rancher in charge of this riparian area is trying to keep the land and river protected, but there are other parties who are interested in using this ribbon of liquid gold for agricultural purposes.  Others would like to construct a road over a portion of the river for access, etc.  And there are others who would love to hunt the elusive Jaguars that have been seen in this important conservation area.

From on top of the hill.  It shows the vast country of the ranch.  The sparkling green Riparian stands out as the Cocospera rivers bends and turns through the area.

Just recently, a jaguar was shot and killed illegally at a ranch several towns over. The pelt, we were told, sold for around 40 US dollars. This endangered animal faces many obstacles which include habitat loss, poaching and of course, the long border fences that block jaguar routes into the desert southwest. 

Jim explains the importance of this riparian corridor to several of the newcomers.

I can't imagine what would happen to everything around this area if the river was redirected elsewhere.  The affects would be devastating for not only the wildlife that lives within this corridor but for the people who work on the ranch.

Once considered extinct, the Rufous-winged Sparrows have rebounded once more into existence.  They were found in great numbers singing on branches throughout the ranch.

During my studies, I had many male Rufous-winged Sparrows calling from on top of branches.  It's that time of year:)

But the surprising bird for me?  The Wilson's Snipe!  There is a "ciénagas" (pronounced see-en-eh-gos) or marshy area that is perfect habitat for these birds.  However, they are tricky:)  Look at the pic below.  I chose the best one from my camera to make it easier.  There is a snipe within those grasses.  Can you find the bird?

Even trickier?  Trying to get a photo of these camera shy birds! If I got out of the truck, they'd fly.  So we had to do our survey from the vehicle:)

Wilson's Snipe

What would happen if people took away the water from this riparian corridor? In the past, it has devastated wildlife populations. Today we continue to destroy these prime water habitats around the world by damming up rivers for energy, shifting waters for agricultural uses or redirecting it for other human needs. And our needs are plenty as the human population continues to grow globally. Migratory water "highways" are fragmented or disappear making the long distance flights for many birds difficult or nearly impossible. Will the snipe be forced to relocate?  Or is this the end of snipe visiting this region for good?  

 Back in Arizona, it is estimated that less than 10 percent of our original riparian areas remain in their natural form.

Rufous Hummingbird

For now, I continue to document the birds around my various areas.  What changes will we notice in our lifetimes?

Checkered Skipper (Pyrgus communis) 

It was another productive outing in the field and our first adventure into Mexico this year.  Where will we be next weekend?  Stay tuned for more.

Kathy looking for those Coati tracks.