Birding at Sonoita Creek & Patagonia Lake, Arizona

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Sonoita Creek State Natural Area and Patagonia Lake State Park are designated as an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society. If you are a bird watcher you may hit the jackpot here. During spring migration, late January through early April, a guided bird walk of a few hours could bring over 60 species to your attention. The complete bird list is over 300 species. You can download a list of birds recently sighted at Patagonia Lake and Sonoita Creek. One of the most sought after birds is the elegant trogon which may be seen from November to March. Ducks, rails, raptors, and flycatchers are commonly sighted. Summer is the time to see gray hawks, common black hawks, zone-tailed hawks and the yellow-billed cuckoo. In the Natural Area along the creek squirrels, coatis, raccoons, skunks, and Coues deer can be seen. Sightings in the upland areas include snakes, javelina, jackrabbits with gigantic ears, and an occasional bobcat or mountain lion. Nimble-fingered ringtails are also about. Sonoita Creek supports numerous species of wildlife that are listed as endangered, threatened, sensitive, or of special concern in Arizona, including the following: Gila topminnow, desert sucker, longfin dace, canyon tree frog, cave myotis bat, ringtail cat, common black-hawk, gray hawk, and bald eagle.

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