SOUTHWEST BIRDERS

YUMA AREA BIRDING GUIDE
Regional Map


Peregrine Falcon

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Yuma Area Overview

This map of southwest Arizona displays seventeen areas which are good for birding.  Click on the site numbers* (or the brief descriptions below) to access web pages that provide detailed maps and information about each location.
*This is a work in progress, so keep checking back or send me an e-mail if you'd like more info about a particular area. 

      

Each number corresponds with a birding area.  Summaries of the sites are listed below.  Clicking on the Site #  takes you to web pages with detailed maps and birding information.

If you would like to help out with the costs of this birding guide (web fees, gas, time, etc.), any voluntary donation would be greatly appreciated!  (This donation button will take you to the PayPal site, which will take a few minutes of your time--THANKS!)

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.

     
Photos © Henry D. Detwiler
Last Update: 14 Nov 2007