Quailway Cottage lies in the Chihuahuan Desert between the Chiricahua
Mountains on the west and the Peloncillo range on the east. The Cottage is
located five miles from the famed Cave Creek Canyon, summer home of the
Elegant Trogon and many other species of birds found only in southeastern
Arizona and adjacent New Mexico. Over 350 species of birds have been
observed on the east side of the Chiricahua Mountains.
Quailway
Cottage is a unique destination for this part of Southeastern
Arizona. It is located in Chihuahuan desertscrub, but only a
few air miles from a small wetland, isolated ponds, desert
grassland and oak-juniper woodland. The Cottage grounds host
typical, sought-after resident species like Gambel’s and Scaled
Quail, Roadrunner (pictured), Say’s Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, Cactus
Wren, Verdin, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed and Crissal
Thrashers, Black-throated Sparrow and Pyrrhuloxia. But, throughout the
year, we see many other birds traveling between these nearby
areas. Almost 160 species were
observed on Cottage grounds in 2011 alone! Guests at the Cottage
have access to 80 acres, including the orchard (a small but productive
migrant trap) and the roads & trails through the surrounding
desert.
Of course, the principal birding attraction will remain the
Chiricahua Mountains, with their wooded and watered canyons and high
country evergreen forests. The surprise, however, is the desert environs,
which beckons birders with its different habitat mix and which complements
the traditional mountain hotspots. Good birding!
WINTER SEASON | MIGRATION SEASON | BREEDING SEASON
"Seven birders from southern Arizona came to visit, at
Rustler and Barfoot we had great views of Mexican Pygmy owl, Red-faced
Warblers and Short-tailed hawk."
Favorite birding links:
Latest
Arizona-New Mexico bird sightings
Tucson Audubon
Society
Southeastern
Arizona Bird Observatory
Official AZ
state bird list AND AZ Field Ornithologists
