14.
LAS LAGUNAS de ANZA & PALO DURO CREEK GOLF COURSE
Size: 18.3 sq. mi.
GENERAL: Urban, with some excellent and productive wetlands to explore. By car, but with with short to moderate walks to cover the wetland areas and grassy fields.
NOTES: The prime birding spots in this sector are on Country Club Drive. From Grand Ave, turn west onto Country Club Drive. In about 100 yards turn right (north) into a dirt driveway with a gate, and park. This is Las Lagunas de Anza preserve. (If the gate is closed, park across the street in the church parking lot.) Quietly approach the small wetland to the west, and take the trail through the dense reeds/cattails. Then continue west on Country Club, under the I-19 bridge to the next intersection. Just past the intersection pull into the Nogales Dog Park lot. There are several small ponds there with excellent potential. Also walk back to the frontage road intersection, and walk south along the paved road. (The road is busy at times, so be safe.) There is usually water on both sides of the road until you get to the hill. These features are well evident on the map. Continuing on Country Club Dr, take the next right (north) onto W Meadow Hills Drive. Park near the playground, and walk west along the tree line to more ponds and explore the widespread grasses. (see map).
The remaining time, explore
residential areas south of Ruby Road and east of Grand Ave for birds that
may be seeking food in exotic plantings. There are several access points to the river off the frontage road that should be checked. South River Road is being
counted by other parties.
TARGET SPECIES: The old GC ponds are excellent habitat for all kinds of shorebirds, waterfowl, marsh birds and wintering blackbirds and sparrows.
TARGET SPECIES: The old GC ponds are excellent habitat for all kinds of shorebirds, waterfowl, marsh birds and wintering blackbirds and sparrows.
