Southeastern Arizona's Hawk Watch

Peter Collins searches the sky for raptors moving North

If January and February were about revisiting our regular neighboring feathered friends of southeastern Arizona; then March is about new beginnings. 

Red-tailed Hawk

The trickle of migration begins as raptors make their migratory move north along the Santa Cruz and San Pedro Riparian areas. It's an exciting time for birders as they complete their Arizona winter bird lists and wait patiently for the first signs of the spring migrating raptors during this first week of March. By the third week of March, the faucet is on full force!

The Snowbirds are on the move

 As I have pulled documentation photos from the past years, I smile from all the happy encounters I have had from these raptor gatherings.  So many snowbirds come together to see these amazing daily shows that it has become a social event for many birders.  Sometimes, it's the only time you see these people.  So my suggestion is to take it all in and enjoy the company. 

A pair of Common Black Hawks

So when and where does a birder go to see this spectacular event? And what do you need? I'll go over all of that in just a second, but let me begin with a basic first tip.  During the morning and sunset hours from anywhere in Southeastern Arizona, look up over any water corridor like the Santa Cruz river. Or at parks with watering holes.  Sometimes it's that easy.  Normally raptors move along the riparian corridors north, but from personal experiences, I can tell you that I've seen some random and cool sightings from my own home in midtown Tucson. 

Everyone gathers around the scope of a juvenile Bald Eagle.  What is it about that bird?  Well for this area, it's rare. 

So where can one go to see amazing raptors like the Common Black Hawk or Zone-tailed Hawk?  Let me begin with Tubac and the man who puts all this together every year, Peter Collins. This guy has a great sense of humor and a heart of gold.  In March, he counts raptors every morning from around 8 AM until noon (or beyond) at the Ronald Morriss County Park. For specific details, click on the link here. Bring a chair and a scope. And maybe a nice warm beverage. 

watch for eagles!

As the temps warm up, get ready for lift off as raptors begin to ride the thermals from the budding Cottonwood Trees.  Many hawks will fly right over your head! Every year I am surprised by a random rare bird sighting.  One year with Peter, I had a first record juvenile Bald Eagle fly over us.  I got the shots and we were able to document the bird.  As we were focusing on the eagle, a White-tailed Kite flew over!  Another amazing bird!  And when everything gets going, people will be calling out birds left and right.   

juvenile Black Hawk

Where does one park at the Ron Morriss County Park?  Inside the park!  There's enough parking space for everyone.  And if there isn't, you can park at the intersection of the road leading into the park and walk in.  DON'T park on the bridge.  DON'T congregate on the bridge.  You'll want to do it because you'll see a Common Black Hawk fly over your head.  You might hear the call of an early Gray Hawk as it flies out of the Cottonwoods.  And if you're on that bridge while it all happens, you might also see police lights flashing at you.  It's no joke so be careful NOT to congregate on that bridge. There's a resident who's watching. He's not looking at hawks; he's waiting for a birder to break the rules! Come inside the park and....park! 

A kettle of Vultures

As the coffee or tea courses through your body, you might feel the need to visit a bathroom.  You'll be happy to know that this park does have a nice restroom nearby. Also layer your clothing.  It's cold in the morning but as it warms up, you'll want to peel some of those clothes off.  

Zone-tailed Hawk

You'll learn about all the different types of Red-tailed Hawks.  You'll see numerous Common Black Hawks fly over.  Peter has been keeping track of their numbers for many many years. If you're lucky, you might even spy a very rare Short-tailed Hawk that likes to pass through the area every year. 

Red-tailed Hawk

You'll see large kettles of vultures, both Turkey and Black, mix into the aerial parade above you. While hawk migration can begin as early as the last days of February, the real show begins during the second and third weeks of March.  

Black Vulture

This year, we are expanding our hawk watch to Canoa Ranch lead by Mr. Brian Nicholas.  I am excited to join him for this new adventure.  I don't know what to expect, but that is what is exciting about this count.  Canoa Ranch is going to be something special as Pima County completes the wetland portion of the property by the end of this month. The water is already flowing into the cienegas. 

On a wet and overcast day, the newly created cienegas fills up with water....and promise. 

This ranch also sits along a major flyway for many birds.  So I'm looking forward to see what comes our way. The hawk watch at Canoa Ranch starts March 12th-16th from 10:00-1:00 each day at the ramada on the north/east side of the lake. Canoa Ranch is just south of Green Valley along the interstate.  Take the Canoa Ranch exit to get there. 

White-tailed Kite

During this time of year, several local birders will also count vultures/hawks along the washes of Tucson in areas like Ft. Lowell Park OR the Tanque Verde Wash east of the city.  It's fun!  I'd say if you haven't seen a Common Black Hawk or a Zone-tailed Hawk, head to Tubac with Peter Collins.  They're easier to spot there, but if you've "been there and done that", come and check out Canoa Ranch.  It'll all be brand new for everyone! 

Gray Hawk

We'll keep our eyes out for Gray and Swainson's Hawks.  Maybe a wandering Golden Eagle will pass over us.  There are so many wonderful possibilities.  Spring is a time of renewal.  It's also a time of beauty and excitement. 

Swainson's Hawk

As for Canoa Ranch, I'll be there on March 14th which is a Saturday.  I'm pretty excited about the possibilities.  Maybe I'll see you there?

Brian Nicholas leads his Saturday morning bird walks every Saturday at 8 AM. 

The Magic of Migration

Red-tailed Hawk

Just when it seems like you've run out of birds to find, there are more heading your way!  As each new season approaches, one set of birds leave while another arrives.

Peter Collins searches the skyway for hawks

In Arizona, migration truly begins with Peter Collins' Hawk Watch.  Every March, hundreds of hawks and vultures venture north from their wintering homes in Central America and Mexico.  Peter monitors a riparian area near the artsy village of Tubac each day. It's close to the US/Mexican border and it's a favorite place for the migrating birds to rest after a long day of flight. Hundreds of birders join him each week in the count as they watch Common Black Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, Gray Hawks, Swainson's Hawks, Zone-tailed Hawks and even one or two random and rare Short-tailed Hawks take flight!  They are often joined by thousands of Black and Turkey Vultures.  For me, this event says, "Spring has arrived."

Snowbirders amass and study hawk photos and flight patterns.  For many, it's their first time watching birds!

I like to join the group at least once a year and watch all the amazing hawks fly over our heads.  I pull my folding chair out from the trunk of my car and monitor the skies.  It's some of the easiest birding I've ever done.  Just sit and watch!

A pair of Common Black Hawks fly over my head.  The Cottonwood trees are in bloom sending cotton looking particles into the air giving it the appearance of snowflakes. 

Soon after the hawks arrive, other birds, like our Western warblers, begin to make their move North into the state of Arizona. 

An Olive Warbler calls

You realize that each season brings with it a new song. 

A male Olive Warbler

Each Spring, I find myself habitually returning to these spaces. Why?  I've seen the birds.  Why must I go and see them again?  And the closest answer I've found is that I quite simply miss them.  They make me happy.  For me, it's a different style of birding for these locations. I walk the trails alone listening for every sound while searching for movement among the vibrantly green new buds on trees and bushes. While I can travel to new lands and find life birds, these birds are different.  They are the ones I know best. My birds.  My friends. 

During a walk at Agua Caliente park, I subconsciously text my friend Kathie. The Lucy's Warblers have arrived and are singing while they are foraging for bugs on the mesquite trees. I forget that this is where I met Kathie for the first time and where I submitted my first ever ebird report.  It seems like so long ago. And I guess it was.  Five years ago, I was a birder nobody:)  Life certainly has changed! 

Lucy's Warbler

After the warblers start to trickle into our mountains and deserts, the shorebirds begin their migration.  Hummingbirds and Orioles all have begun their move.  Then the Tanagers arrive and so on and so forth.  With the arrival of spring migration, the landscape changes and brings with it hope. Renewal. And incredible bird song. I don't know about you, but I find myself having to relearn their calls again!

A Bell's Vireo flies from one tree to the next

From now until the end of May, Arizona birding starts to get exciting.  Which bird are you always happy to see return to your patch?  For my Grandma, it's the Orioles and Hummingbirds.  For me, it's the Nightjar and Owl family.  I love their calls on a hot summer night under the stars.  It's quite a magical experience. Here is a video on Birding Stereotypes created by talented birders Tommy D and Laurence Butler. There are really people like this out in the birding world! I thought it was a joke until I met my first "Hawks Hawks Hawks" guy.  Wow! Until next time......