10.
LAKE PATAGONIA RANCH ESTATES & NOGALES AIRPORT AREA
Size: 18.2 sq. mi.
GENERAL: Mostly by car, but also walking on quiet roads and along washes. Lake Patagonia Ranch Estates, plus Nogales Airport and National Forest land to the east side of Rte 82. Most of the southern half of this sector in inaccessible private land.
NOTES: A large sector, and historically very productive. Lake Patagonia Ranch Estates is a non-gated residential development. Paved roads are County roads. DIRT ROADS ARE PRIVATE, BUT MAY BE WALKED AND DRIVEN BY BIRDERS, DESPITE THE SIGNS. DO NOT ENTER FENCED AREAS OR BIRD IN or TOO-NEAR YARDS !!
GENERAL: Mostly by car, but also walking on quiet roads and along washes. Lake Patagonia Ranch Estates, plus Nogales Airport and National Forest land to the east side of Rte 82. Most of the southern half of this sector in inaccessible private land.
NOTES: A large sector, and historically very productive. Lake Patagonia Ranch Estates is a non-gated residential development. Paved roads are County roads. DIRT ROADS ARE PRIVATE, BUT MAY BE WALKED AND DRIVEN BY BIRDERS, DESPITE THE SIGNS. DO NOT ENTER FENCED AREAS OR BIRD IN or TOO-NEAR YARDS !!
This is a great grassland sparrow
area, depending on possible over-grazing. Best chance in the circle for
multiple Botteri's Sparrows. Play Botteri's Sparrow recordings especially in
the higher areas (upper 50th percentile of the general terrain) where the grass
is thick (minimally grazed) and listen for responses. Botteri's, Cassin's,
Grasshopper, Vesper, Rufous-winged and other sparrows may respond with action
or high-pitched chipping. The Botteri's recordings are most productive for all
species. The lower relative elevations are good for other sparrow species.
Access to the land on the east side
of Rte 82 is minimal. From the Rte 82/Park Road junction go north on Rte 82 for
about 200 yards to a dirt road east. Also just under 1.0 miles north to a dirt
road that goes to a parking area. Both of these places are in National Forest.
They are very close to the circle edge, however, so check the CBC circle map
before you walk or drive too far.
TARGET SPECIES: Grassland sparrows
and maybe some oak-loving species in the forest area. Botteri's, Cassin's and
Grasshopper Sparrows are the most unique birds here and thus are the targets.
