Date: 10/12/25 1:48 pm From: dpsiminski (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Sierra Vista EOP Sunday Birding Walk
This morning, five local birders attended the birding walk at the Sierra Vista
Environmental Operations Park (EOP). We walked the dikes, and we saw 62
species of birds.
Expecting a thunderstorm later in the walk from the wake of Hurricane
Precilla, we came prepared with raincoats and umbrellas. It did not happen. We
had a pleasant cloudy walk with the temps in the mid-60s. Nice.
Ducks were the theme of the day. We spotted our first pochards of the year;
Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Ducks. Some will likely be around through the
winter at the EOP. The American Widgeons are a different story. They arrive
about now in very large numbers, 125 today! This large flock will increase and
remain through the fall, but strangely mostly disappear in January at the EOP.
We saw twelve duck species in all today, including two still black-downy
rubber duckies, I mean Ruddy Ducklings diving near their mother. Also somewhat
strange was that we saw only three Mexican Ducks today. Usually, the post-
breeding flocks at the EOP are very large through the winter. Where did they
go?
The bird of the day was a single Lawrence’s Goldfinch calling a bell-like
“TEE-lee” as it flew overhead. We are hoping that it might be an irruptive
year for these little darlings, but there does not appear to be much food for
finches this year. See them while you can.
Five transient Vaux’s Swifts were another nice sighting for the day.
Birding walks behind the locked gates of the Sierra Vista EOP occur every
Sunday morning. For the months of October and November, the walks start at
7:00am. Meet early at the EOP Bird Viewing Platform to sign up with the guide.
Late arrivals will not have access behind the locked gates. Scopes are useful.
A hat and water are highly recommended.
The EOP is located just east (~ 3 miles) from Sierra Vista on AZ Hwy 90. Look
for the Brua Animal Care Center and the Wildlife Viewing signs on the
northside of AZ Hwy 90. Turn left (north) and proceed to the bird viewing
platform. Note that Google Maps may direct you to the wrong entrance.
The next EOP Birding Walk is on Sunday, 19 October, at 7:00 am.
