Birding In and Around Patagonia
Birding Trail at Patagonia Lake State Park
The trail begins at the kiosk at the east end of the campground. The first 1/4 mile is level terrain, then a short section of steps down and through a gate to the lake. Ducks and wading birds like the shallow, reedy area on the left and woodland birds prefer the mesquite and hackberry trees on the right. The trail opens onto a grazed area with Gooding’s willows. The trail leads to the east end of the lake with a good view of the water and then follows south of the lake to and along Sonoita Creek. If you follow the creek, usually with some wading, you will eventually reach the Circle Z guest ranch fence about 2 miles upstream. Return by the same route. The trail is open year around. → AZStateParks.com/patagonia-lake
The Nature Conservancy’s Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve
Winter hours, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm, summer hours, 6:30 am – 4:00 pm. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Fees: $8 per person. Conservancy members and Santa Cruz/Cochise County residents $5. Patagonia residents and children under 12 are free. Location: 150 Blue Heaven Road, just 1 miles from The Paton Center for Hummingbirds. → The Nature Conservancy’s Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve
The Paton Center for Hummingbirds
212 bird species have been reported for this cozy home lot on the outskirts of Patagonia, including Violet-crowned Hummingbirds, Gray Hawks, Varied Buntings, Green-tailed Towhees, Thick-billed Kingbirds, and many more local specialties. Gates are open dawn to dusk. Entry is free of charge, but donations are accepted. Location: 477 Pennsylvania Ave. Patagonia, AZ. → The Paton Center for Hummingbirds
Elegant Trogon, Trogon Elegans
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanuso
Green-tailed Towhee, Pipilo Chlorurus
