1
-
Yuma
Main Drain
Winter home
to a Thick-billed Kingbird from 2002-2005, this area also
attracts waders, shorebirds, and raptors. Recent sightings
have included Tricolored Heron and White-tailed Kite. 2
- South of
Yuma
Cultivated
areas with citrus groves
and farm fields. Targets include Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie
Falcon, Mountain Plover, and Green-tailed Towhee in the winter.
In August 2007 I found an immature Roseate Spoonbill along the
Yuma Main Drain.
3
-
Yuma
Wetlands
along the Colorado River and city parks create wonderful
diversity. Look for Clapper Rail and Ladder-backed
Woodpecker.
4
- Gila
River & Fortuna Pond
Riparian
areas, fields, and open water provide a multitude of habitats.
Recent finds include Willow Flycatchers and all the western warblers. 5
- Betty's
Kitchen and Mittry Lake
Desert scrub,
riparian
areas plus a large lake with marshes. Listen and watch for
Black, Virginia and Clapper Rails, Crissal Thrasher, and lots of
raptors. 6
- Imperial
Dam Area
Riparian
areas, marshes, and a golf course. Look for migrants,
rails, and water birds. 7
- Martinez
Lake and Imperial
NWR
Riparian
areas, shallow lakes, open water, and marshes. Targets
include Clark's Grebe, Osprey, Bald Eagle, shorebirds & waterfowl. 8
- Cibola NWR
Spectacular
area of riparian
areas, lakes, fields, marshes, and nearby desert mountains. Targets
include
Clapper Rail, White-fronted Goose, Sandhill Crane, and Bald
& Golden Eagles. Bird
List here! 9
-
Kofa NWR
Awesome
desert
mountains and washes. Targets are Golden Eagle and desert
sparrows. 10
-
Tacna Area
Desert
saltbrush flats and agricultural fields. Great area for Ferruginous Hawk,
Prairie Falcon, LeConte's Thrasher, and wintering sparrows. In
2007, Paul Lehman found Arizona's first Couch's Kingbird here. 11
- West
Pond & Desilting Ponds
Some of the
best waterfowl habitat around, the desilting ponds provide a
safe haven for wintering ducks. West Pond is one of the
best places to hear and occasionally see Black, Clapper, and
Virginia Rails. 12
- Laguna
Dam Area
With
California Fan Palms and lots of riparian habitat, this area is
good for Crissal Thrasher, Cactus Wren, sparrows, and rare
wintering birds. In December 2002 we found
Rufous-backed Robin, Ruddy Ground Dove, Golden-crowned Sparrow, and Summer Tanager. 13
- Spook
Canyon
Lush desert
wash and high-walled canyon. Breeding birds include Prairie Falcon and
Canyon Wren. 14
-
Tinajas
Altas
Desert
watering hole on the Camino del Diablo, just north of the
Mexican border. Anything can show up, including breeding LeConte's
Thrashers,
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and migrants. 15
- Hunter's
Hole &
Lower Colorado River
An oxbow of
the Colorado River provides fine riparian area. Target
birds include Willow Flycatcher and Blue Grosbeak. 16
- Dateland
Shrimp Ponds
These 10
multi-acre ponds north of Dateland are an excellent spot to see
waterfowl, waders, and shorebirds during the late spring and
summer month. A great place to find rarities, too! As of
2007, they are dry. :-( 17
-
Kofa Queen
Canyon & Signal Peak
This lush
desert canyon is one of the few reliable spots in Yuma County to
find Elf Owl, Canyon Towhee & Gilded Flicker. On the
path to Signal Peak (4780') you can find Black-chinned &
Rufous-crowned Sparrows. |