Southeastern Arizona’s Graham County Offers Special Places for Birders

Arizona Outdoorsman / AZOD

Southeastern Arizona’s Graham County Offers Special Places for Birders

   Southeastern Arizona’s Graham County region in and around Safford offers eight special places for birders to spot many of the more than 300 species which have been recorded in the area. In alphabetical order, here are the spots and some basic information about each:
   Aravaipa Canyon & Turkey Creek – Located about 50 miles west of Safford on dirt roads off U.S. 70. Creeks have carved spectacular canyons and their waters support mixed broadleaf riparian ecosystems. The area supports habitat for more than 30 species of birds plus other wildlife including bighorn sheep and coatimundi.
   Bonita Creek – Located about 20 miles east of Safford off U.S. 70, the area is part of the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area established by Congress in the Arizona Desert Wilderness Act of 1990. More than 140 species of birds have been recorded here and more than 70 species of them nest along the Creek which is also a haven for native fish and frogs. There is a watchable wildlife viewing deck on a cliff near the confluence of Bonita Creek and the Gila River.
   Cluff Ranch – Located about 10 miles west of Safford of U.S. 70 on 788 acres at 3000 feet elevation in the northern foothills of Mt. Graham. This area features aquatic, riparian woodland, desert scrub and agricultural fields and is a haven for birders.
   Discovery Park – Located at 20th Avenue and Discovery Park Blvd. on the southern edge of Safford, the park offers a variety of habitats including a small pond, cottonwood and willow trees. There are trails and a wildlife viewing blind. Discovery Park also is the home of the Gov Aker observatory, educational exhibits on the origins of the world as told by many cultures, and a full-motion space simulator ride.
    Gila River – Also a part of the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, this area is about 20 miles northeast of Safford. Although there are several entry points for vehicles, the area is best accessed by foot, horseback or raft. Waterfowl and shore birds are seen along the river while hawks and eagles soar overhead.
   Haekel Road and Ponds – Haekel Road is located about 8 miles east of Safford on U.S. 70. The road provides access to San Simon Valley, Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area and several ponds north of Bowie. The San Simon Valley is a good location to spot winter raptors, buntings and sparrows.
   Roper Lake State Park & Dankworth Pond – Located about 5 and 7 miles respectively south of Safford to the east off U.S. 191, there is good access for vehicles near the ponds at both areas. Roper Lake features hot springs and campgrounds with hot showers. Rangers and local birders post recent sightings which have included pelicans and herons.
   Swift Trail – This 35-mile-long road, Hwy 366, is accessed from U.S. 191 about 8 miles south of Safford. The road climbs from 3300 feet to almost 9000 feet in elevation, passing through five life zones on the eastern and southern flanks of Mt. Graham. It passes from cactus and ocotillo-clad hillsides to forests of fir, pine and spruce. The varied habitat brings with it a vast variety of birds.
   Because many of these special areas are on land controlled by federal agencies, permits are often required. Further information about each of these areas and the appropriate agency to contact is available in a free color brochure listing the more than 300 species of birds that have been seen and recorded in Graham County. The brochure is available on the internet and can be viewed and downloaded at the Graham County Chamber of Commerce ‘s tourism information site: www.visitgrahamcounty.com.
   Southern Arizona’s Graham County offers an unspoiled view of life the way it ought to be. For further information about birding as well as other area activities and attractions, upcoming events and the variety of accommodations available for visitors, call the Graham County Chamber of Commerce at (928) 428-2511 or toll free at (888) 837-1841, or visit the website at www.visitgrahamcounty.com.