Casa de San Pedro Bed & Breakfast

We are noting the early arrival of some of the sentinel migrants (and the departure of some of our winter birds) somewhat early this year.  Of course migrations can start and stop abruptly with changes in storm systems – but it is beginning to feel as though the birds are pushing northward a bit on the early side this year.  Our Vermilion Flycatchers are back on the river, the Sandhill Cranes at Whitewater Draw seem to be filtering out a couple of weeks early this year.  So will it be an early Spring Migration?  Only the birds will tell us for sure!

Many people have asked whether the Monument Fire last June will significantly affect the number of birds in SE Arizona this year.  Of course some specific locations that suffered the worst of the fires and ensuing mud slides have been negatively impacted by the fires – as their unique habitats were decimated.  But those are very localized impacts.  For instance, Mary Jo Ballitor’s yard was in the middle of significant fire damage all around her  – but her own yard survived essentially intact resulting in a haven of habitat for the birds and other wildlife.  Meanwhile, the Beatty’s Ranch in Miller Canyon was decimated by both fire and mud slides – taking out valuable habitat.  One site may then become a haven for wildlife and the other needs to be rehabilitated.  But it is amazing how fast the habitats recover and how fast the birds return to locations that humans would consider to be decimated.  Rumors of the destruction of the Huachuca Mountain wildlife habitats have been wildly overstated.  A few locations still have years of recovery in front of them.  Others were skipped over or never touched by the fires and floods.  Ramsey Canyon, Garden Canyon, Huachuca Canyon all were spared as the fires were confined mostly to the south of Carr Canyon.  While the road up Carr Canyon is still closed (for the winter) the picnic ground at the top of the road is still intact as are the pines and overall habitat.

And just as noteworthy, the San Pedro River was not touched by the fires so our critical habitat for birds and other wildlife is now supporting a wider array of species and unprecedented numbers of birds.  When one considers the overall habitat of the San Pedro River and the surrounding mountain canyons you will find seven distinct environmental zones, each with its own unique habitat and unique species of birds and other wildlife.  Most of these environmental zones were not touched by the fires and they provide ample opportunities for wildlife from the affected zones/locations to relocate and to thrive.

Did we lose important sites and were some of the birding sites negatively affected?  Yes.  But those sites are limited, and the birds (who can fly over those sites) just go on to the areas that were not affected.  So the bottom line is that SE Arizona, the San Pedro River Valley, and all the environmental zones from the river to the top of the Huachucas still provide habitat for our normal mix of species of wildlife and birds.  And birdwatchers and naturalists may still find ample opportunities to view incredible and unique species throughout the area.

Spring is Springing and we are looking forward to another excellent year of some of the best birding and nature experiences in the US.