In my weekly column last Thursday, I mentioned how we’ve been receiving reports from customers of newly arrived hummingbirds. The day after my column ran in the paper, I led a store sponsored bird walk to the south shore of Willow Lake, and we saw five or six Anna’s hummingbirds in the wild.
I was surprised to see so many hummingbirds that were not associated with a nectar feeder. Typically, if you are seeing hummers in January or February, they are hanging around a yard where there is a feeder providing a constant food source.
It is reassuring to see hummers in February, where they are not reliant on a hummingbird feeder to survive. It just goes to show how resilient Anna’s hummingbirds are, and it reinforces the fact that there is sufficient food available to them in the wild and that they don’t need to rely on feeders.
While on Friday’s bird walk, I mentioned to the group, “Any day now, we should start seeing swallows.” There are a number of swallow species that either breed here, or pass through Prescott, in the spring on their way north. The earliest arrivals are usually northern rough-winged swallows and violet-green swallows.
Interestingly, the very next day as I was walking the Peavine Trail late in the afternoon, there was a small flock of northern rough-winged swallows flying over the lake and the surrounding habitat, catching insects in flight.
On another note, this past Sunday, the Courier ran an article by the Arizona Game and Fish Department titled, “Public urged to observe bald eagle nesting closures.” The article stated “Enjoy from a distance. Bald eagles should always be viewed from outside the [boundary of] seasonal closures which are marked with signs…watch from a distance using a spotting scope, binoculars or telephoto camera lens.”
Recently, a pair of bald eagles built a nest in the Watson Wood Riparian Preserve. This is the first documented nesting of bald eagles at this location. Typically, eagles are fairly shy about nesting in high-traffic areas, so the location of this nest is very surprising. Because the eagles were easily observed from the Peavine Trail, word spread rapidly of their presence.
Unfortunately, some eager photographers decided to leave the trail and walk down into Watson Woods and approached the nest to get closer shots of the eagles. This resulted in the eagles leaving the nest—which is a grave concern. If there is too much human disturbance, it is possible they will abandon the nest, resulting in a nest failure.
I commend the City of Prescott’s Parks and Recreation staff for responding quickly by putting up signs at the trailheads and at several points along the trail stating “Ongoing bald eagle nesting has been observed. Off trail activities are strictly prohibited. Please respect OUR wildlife.”
I am hopeful the eagles won’t abandon their nest. It would be amazing to witness success at this location. It is extremely important for individuals to honor the request to stay out of the woods and give the eagles plenty of space.
This request is not just for photographers and hikers. It is equally important for kayakers to stay out of the area. With all of the snow melt we’ve experienced recently, Watson Lake has risen so much the water has backed up into Watson Woods, making it possible to kayak into the area near the tree where the nest is located.
In order for these bald eagles to nest successfully, it is imperative that everyone stay on city-maintained trails. Please, no bush-whacking or kayaking to get closer!! Thank you.
Until next week, Happy Birding!
Eric Moore is the owner of The Lookout, in Prescott, where you will find a Hallmark Gold Crown Store, wild bird products, and Vortex and Swarovski optics. Eric has been an avid birder for over 55 years. Eric can be contacted at eric@thelookoutaz.com.
