5b.
PATAGONIA LAKE STATE PARK – CAMPGROUND AREA
Size: 2.75 sq. mi.
GENERAL: This sector covers the approach road to the park, from the top of the hill where you first see the lake, the whole campground area to the last campsite east, the waste treatment ponds, the boat basin, the west picnic area and the three small coves west of that picnic area. It also covers a lot of over-grazed hills to the south, that need not be birded much unless you have lots of time and energy. This sector is often done by the same persons who do the lake surface, plus some additional reinforcements. They can bird together or split up into two groups.
GENERAL: This sector covers the approach road to the park, from the top of the hill where you first see the lake, the whole campground area to the last campsite east, the waste treatment ponds, the boat basin, the west picnic area and the three small coves west of that picnic area. It also covers a lot of over-grazed hills to the south, that need not be birded much unless you have lots of time and energy. This sector is often done by the same persons who do the lake surface, plus some additional reinforcements. They can bird together or split up into two groups.
Walking is mostly on roads and is
variable in length, but generally about three miles.
A PERSON MAY BE ASSIGNED TO THE EAST
END FEEDERS (JUST EAST INTO SECTOR 5a). THIS IS AN IDEAL OPPORTUNITY FOR AN
INDIVIDUAL WITH LIMITED MOBILITY, TO INCLUDE WHEELCHAIR-DEPENDANT. LIKEWISE,
THE VISITORS CENTER FEEDERS might present the opportunity for someone with
LIMITED MOBILITY.
NOTES: Between 6:30am and 7:00am pick up a free volunteer pass from the Visitors Center to avoid the park entrance fee. Or it can also be gotten the day before, or after 9:00am at the Visitors Center.
NOTES: Between 6:30am and 7:00am pick up a free volunteer pass from the Visitors Center to avoid the park entrance fee. Or it can also be gotten the day before, or after 9:00am at the Visitors Center.
THE VISITORS CENTER IS THE CENTRAL
POINT OF INFORMATION & COORDINATION FOR SECTORS #3 (Ash Canyon), #4 (the
lake surface), #5a (the east end birding trail), 5b (this sector) and #6 (the
area below the the dam).
A map of the sector will be
available in your Sector Leader package and at the Visitors Center, with notes
drawn on it, including a suggested route and areas to check.
The lake surface and wet edges
present a difficult situation, since the lake boat birders are counting lake
surface and shores, and the land-based birders see parts of the lake surface.
Record all birds seen from your sector, including those on and near the lake
surface The compilers will later take the higher of the two (boat vs land
sightings) of a given species.
TARGET SPECIES: Almost anything! Be
aware of similar species ID issues: Cassin's vs Plumbeous Vireos, winter
Black-capped vs Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Look hard for Rufous-backed Robins,
especially in secluded hackberry trees. Listen distinctive calls of the
tyrannulet. Approach the waste treatment ponds slowly and check the edges
carefully. The small trail at the west end of the boat basin can be good. Check
the fisherman's trail to the three small coves west of the west end picnic
area. Walk along all of the roads.
