In spring, the one habitat where songbird migration is most easily detected is in our riparian areas. A simple definition of the word riparian means “stream side habitat”. In Prescott, this includes areas such as Watson Woods Riparian Preserve, the Granite Creek corridor, and areas bordering our many local creeks such as Willow Creek, Miller Creek, Aspen Creek, Manzanita Creek, etc.
Riparian habitats typically host a lot of deciduous trees such as cottonwoods and willows. As these trees bloom in the spring, their flowers attract insects which in turn attracts birds. Riparian areas provide a critical habitat for migrating birds, as a lot of our migratory song birds are insect-eaters.
There are many families of bird species that fit into the insect-eater category including warblers, vireos, orioles and tanagers. Additionally, a lot of bird species that we typically think of as being seed-eaters switch their diet seasonally to insects. For example, seed-eating species such as house finches and lesser goldfinches eat less seed this time of year as they take advantage of the profusion of insects.
Another family of insect-eating birds is woodpeckers. I don’t consider most of the woodpeckers in the Arizona Central Highlands as migratory, such as our ladder-backed woodpecker, acorn woodpecker, hairy woodpecker and northern flicker. However, some woodpeckers do migrate.
Earlier this week, there were several eBird reports of a Lewis’ woodpecker in the Watson Woods Riparian Preserve, south of Watson Lake. Lewis’ woodpeckers are somewhat nomadic, and are difficult to find from one year to the next. I hadn’t seen one this year, so after work Monday night I made a beeline for Watson Woods.
I parked at the Watson Lake overlook on Highway 89 and walked towards the red bridge spanning Granite Creek. I was specifically looking for Lewis’ woodpecker, with a secondary goal of seeing the common black hawks that have also been reported (in eBird) at Watson Woods. The name common black hawk is somewhat of a misnomer, as they aren’t so common in the Prescott area.
I took my time, birding slowly, listening intently, birding my ear, being deliberate in my search for the woodpecker. I wasn’t in a hurry, and my birding style resulted in my seeing forty bird species. Unfortunately, I struck out on both the woodpecker and hawk!
In spite of missing my target birds, I really enjoyed my time in Watson Woods. I saw three warbler species—Lucy’s, yellow-rumped, and yellow—several Bullocks orioles, vermilion flycatchers and summer tanagers, and I found an active hummingbird nest. It was like a feast for my eyes—so many pretty birds.
I am participating in the 2023 Birding Challenge, and since the beginning of the year I’ve been waiting for our spring birds to arrive so I can start checking them off of my Birding Checklist. I saw several species on the Birding Challenge Checklist during my time in Watson Woods.
If you notice a dip in bird activity at your feeders, don’t be alarmed. This is fairly normal for this time of year. First, a lot of our winter birds have already left for the summer, and second, a lot of our spring/summer birds haven’t arrived yet. This gap will be short-lived as our spring arrivals are on their way as evidenced by my time in Watson Woods.
This Saturday our store, The Lookout, will be participating in the Prescott Earth Day Celebration in downtown Prescott from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. I invite you to stop by our booth on Cortez Street to say hello. Next weekend, I will be at the Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood.
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@jaysbirdbarn.com.
