San Pedro River Bird Walks Still a Big Draw at the San Pedro

By R.J. Cohn

You don’t have to be a professor of Ornithology or a diehard bird watcher to appreciate the remarkable bird activity flourishing along a stretch of the San Pedro River.

Even if you don't know a Song Sparrow from a Northern Flicker, you’ll still be awed at what’s flying through the cottonwoods and Goodding willows on the trails behind the San Pedro House.

That’s why for years, novice and experienced bird watchers can’t get enough of taking the popular 3-mile bird walk to witness close to 60 species of birds flying through the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area’s migration corridor. The area provides a habitat for 100 species of breeding birds and temporary shelter for another 250 migratory and wintering birds.

If you time it just right — shortly after first morning’s light — like a dozen bird enthusiasts did late spring with Friends of the San Pedro bird walk docent Steve Tracey, what you’ll see is a hotspot of birdlife flying everywhere around you.

“You won’t see this in New Hampshire, especially right now,” said Helen Rose, who was wintering in the area but decided to stay longer. “This is just remarkable, how so many birds are drawn to this lovely area. I really don’t know a thing about birds, but I had read about the San Pedro, and I didn’t want to miss this. You are so fortunate to have treasure like this in your backyard where you’re able to access it year-round.”

Armed with binoculars and cameras, bird watchers and nature lovers followed Tracey on the 2 ½-hour walk that rang with the chirping for birds, many huddling in the groves of cottonwoods, while most darted from branch to branch before quickly vanishing.

“In early spring, we get more people who are visiting the area through the winter coming to these walks,” said Tracey, who was continually pointing out various birds to the group. “Because of the larger turnout as well as many new birds arriving, we often have to split into two bird-walking groups to accommodate everyone who comes to see this.”

But since two to four million birds of more than 250 species migrate and winter along the San Pedro River annually, the bird walks never disappoint, giving many first-time bird watchers a thrill of spotting a Montezuma Quail, a Belted Kingfisher or a Black-chinned Sparrow. Even more remarkable, about 80 percent of the U.S. Gray Hawk population nests along the San Pedro in the tall cottonwoods, primarily feeding on lizards.

“You definitely won’t see birds like these in New Hampshire, that’s for sure,” said Rose. "This is just a marvel. Some of these birds that are common here are just rare in other regions of the country. This is unforgettable.”

For more information about San Pedro bird walks, call (520) 508-4445 or email fspr@sanpedroriver.org.