In my column last week, I commented how productive the birding has been recently at our local lakes, particularly at Willow and Watson Lakes. After writing that column, I was able to spend several hours at both lakes this past week.
Friday afternoon, I was at Willow Lake for almost four hours with a representative from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. We were working on filming new footage for a future Arizona Wildlife Views show to be shown on PBS.
We saw an incredible variety of birds during our time at Willow Lake, including a merlin and a northern harrier, American white pelicans, Wilson’s snipe, long-billed dowitcher, greater yellowlegs, least sandpiper, a lone dunlin, and a large flock of American avocets.
Saturday morning, we continued our filming along the Peavine Trail where it borders Watson Lake. Once again, we witnessed an amazing variety of birds, including western, pied and eared grebes, hooded merganser, spotted sandpiper, an American herring gull, several ring-billed gulls, and nine species of ducks. In just two hours, we saw forty-six species!
Ironically, I received an email last week from a customer on the topic of protecting migratory birds at our lakes. He wrote, “This morning a flock of American White Pelicans was disturbed by a kayaker and flew off, not to be seen again. I think the flock of about 30 (likely tired) had arrived only a few minutes earlier.”
My response back was the following, “Migratory birds use our lakes as a place to rest and refuel during their migration—and sometimes their migration can be thousands of miles in distance. When birds are harassed and bothered, and they don't get to rest and refuel, and they are flushed by people who don't give them their space, the birds end up using fuel and body fat that they need for their migration.”
Mindfulness is really important when we are recreating in nature. We should tread lightly—upon the land, and when we are in the water. Earlier this year, when a pair of Bald Eagles were working on building a nest in the Watson Woods Riparian Preserve, they were harassed by individuals who wanted a closer look. Eventually the pair abandoned the nest, which was very disappointing.
On a different note, as the days continue to get shorter, and the nights get longer, you might consider using a bird bath de-icer to keep the water in your birdbaths and water features ice-free and accessible to the birds. Even in cold weather, wild birds need access to water for both drinking and bathing.
Even with the shorter, colder days, we’re still hosting our free weekly bird walks. If you are interested in attending one of our bird walks, the schedule through the end of the year is listed on our website (www.thelookoutaz.com), and is available at the store. Bird walks are limited to 12 individuals. To sign up, please call the store at 928-443-5900.
More of our winter birds are continuing to show up. In the last week I have seen red-naped sapsuckers, ruby-crowned kinglets and dark-eyed juncos—all recent arrivals. Each of these species will winter here, so be on the lookout for them.
Other species will be showing up too. There are several bird species that summer at the higher elevations surrounding the Prescott area that move down in elevation in winter, such as western bluebirds.
Last Saturday we announced the winners of our 16th annual wild bird photography contest. If you would like to see the winning pictures, stop by the store. The pictures are framed and on display in our conference room until next year’s contest.
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 Swarovski and Vortex optics. Eric has been an avid birder for over 55 years. Eric can be contacted at eric@thelookoutaz.com.
