Date: 4/20/25 5:25 pm From: Steven Tracey <straceyflash...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: Sierra Vista EOP -- 20 April 2025
Hi Birders,
This morning we had a full house for the walk at the EOP this morning
including birders from AZ, WA, IN, PA, OR, NH, CO and GA. Recently I've
seen some fun chatter on the AZ Rare Birds Discord server about the
challenge of finding 100 birds or more for one eBird checklist. Well, we
almost did that today, falling only 2 birds short with 98 species. This is
our highest total for the year and likely one of the highest totals ever on
the EOP walk. There were a few common species like Lincoln's Sparrow and
Lazuli Bunting that we missed that could have put us into triple digits.
So close...
Seeing nearly 100 species, as you would expect, there was plenty of good
stuff out there. We are still seeing nearly a full complement of the
common duck species but with much lower numbers and the absence of any
rarer ducks we were still seeing a few weeks ago. We had a really good
shorebird day for the EOP with avocets, both yellowlegs, a Wilson's
Phalarope, and Spotted Sandpipers joining the dowitchers, snipe, peeps and
Killdeer we have been finding in recent walks. It was also a good swallow
day, as we got all expected species, just missing Purple Martin, which it's
probably a bit early for. It wasn't a good day for a couple of swallows,
however, as a Swainson's Hawk flew over to land on a close utility pole to
devour a swallow right in front of us and later we witnessed a Peregrine
Falcon tearing one up while on the wing.
We had a few special highlights as well with a continuing Greater
White-fronted Goose, three Ring-billed Gulls which is a species we only see
once or twice a year at the EOP and finally, a Dusky Flycatcher which has
only been seen twice previously in 2011 and 2023 on the EOP walks.
Bird walks behind the locked gates of the Sierra Vista EOP occur every
Sunday morning. For the spring months (March-May) walks start promptly at *7:00
a.m.* Arrive early at the EOP Bird Viewing Platform to sign in with the
guide--group size is limited to fifteen. Late arrivals will not have access
behind the locked gates. Scopes are useful. Bring a hat and water--there is
no shade nor any amenities on the walk route. There is a chem toilet in the
parking area.
The EOP is located just east (~ 3 miles) of Sierra Vista on AZ Hwy 90. Look
for the Brua Animal Care Center and the Wildlife Viewing signs on the north
side of Hwy 90. Turn left (north) and proceed to the bird viewing platform.
Note that Google Maps may direct you to the wrong entrance.
