| The San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (NCA) is comprised of over 56,000 acres in Cochise County, Arizona, extending approximately 40 miles northward from the Mexican border to south of St. David. This represents the most extensive riparian ecosystem remaining in the desert southwest. The Bureau of Land Management has selected to protect and enhance the existing riparian habitat and wildlife communities, as well as provide for recreational use, cultural interpretation, and educational opportunities.
The NCA harbors over 100 species of breeding birds and provides invaluable habitat for another 250 species of migrant and wintering birds. Located between the Huachuca and Mule Mountains, and adjacent to Mexico, the NCA is uniquely located for attracting a myriad of bird species from a wide variety of vegetative life-zones.
Please refer to the NCA checklist for bird abundances and seasonal patterns to more completely understand the avian use patterns in this area. The following areas are highly recommended for the birding enthusiast. Check with a map or visitor guide of the NCA for directions and particulars involving access areas.
Fairbank
The area around Fairbank is primarily composed of mesquite habitat in the floodplain terraces, with cottonwood and willow found along the riparian zone. Typical birds found here include Ash-throated Flycatcher, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove and a few Varied Buntings along the dirt road to the south of Fairbank. The historic townsite of Fairbank offers parking, water and information for the entire NCA.
Charleston
Mesquite, creosote and acacia predominate in this area, providing habitat for many of the dry upland birds within the NCA. At times Gray Hawks may be seen to the north or south of the Charleston bridge area.
Highway 90
The tall riparian gallery forest near Hwy 90 (east of the San Pedro House) harbors a great variety of bird species, including Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Gray Hawk and Summer Tanager in the summer, and Green-tailed Towhee, Dusky, Hammond's and Gray Flycatchers in the winter. This riparian area has the richest avian diversity levels in the entire NCA.
Hereford
The riparian zone here, although narrow, provides key habitat for many passerine species. The sacaton grass-lands on each side of the river harbor large numbers of Botteri's and Cassin's sparrows in the summer and White-crowned, Vesper, Brewer's and Lark sparrows in winter.
AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION CODE OF ETHICS
All birders have an obligation at all times to protect wildlife, the natural environment, and the rights of others. Birders must provide leadership in meeting this obligation by adhering to the following general guidelines of good birding behavior.
I. Birders must always act in ways that do not endanger the welfare of birds or other wildlife.
- observe and photograph birds without knowingly disturbing them in any significant way.
- avoid chasing or repeatedly flushing birds.
- only sparingly use recordings and similar methods of attracting birds and not use these methods in heavily birded areas.
- keep an appropriate distance from nests and nesting colonies so as not to disturb them or expose them to danger.
- refrain from handling birds or eggs unless in recognized research activities.
II. Birders must always act in ways that do not harm the natural environment.
- stay on existing roads, trails, and pathways whenever possible to avoid trampling or otherwise disturbing fragile habitat.
- leave all existing habitat as we found it.
III. Birders must always respect the rights of others.
- respect the privacy and property of others by observing "No Trespassing" signs and by asking permission to enter private or posted lands.
- observe all laws and the rules and regulations which govern public use of birding areas.
- practice common courtesy in our contacts with others. For example, we will limit our requests for information, and we will make them at reasonable hours of the day.
- always behave in a manner that will enhance the image of the birding community in the eyes of the public.
IV. Birders in groups should assume special responsibilities.
- take special care to alleviate the problems and disturbances that are multiplied when more people are present.
- act in consideration of the group's interest, as well as our own.
- support by our actions the responsibility of the group leader(s) for the conduct of the group.
- assume responsibility for the conduct of the group.
- lead and inform the group of any special-rules, regulations, or conduct applicable to the area or habitat being visited.
- limit groups to a size that does not threaten the environment or the peace and tranquility of others.
- teach others birding ethics by our words and example.
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