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AZFO FIELD EXPEDITION

 

13-15 February—Muleshoe Ranch Preserve (Cochise County)

 

Leader: Eric Hough

Contact: expeditionsATazfo.org

 

Overview:

Grassland and riparian vegetation types are some of the most endangered habitats in the world, particularly in Arizona. Sanctuaries such as the Muleshoe Ranch Preserve in southeastern Arizona provide protection and active habitat restoration that help maintain and recover these ecosystems, and the wildlife populations that reside in them. The Muleshoe Ranch Preserve Cooperative Management Area consists of public and private lands managed by The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service. Situated in northwestern Cochise County east of the San Pedro River, south of the Galiuro Mountains, and west of the Winchester Mountains and Sulphur Springs Valley, the preserve encompasses seven springs with associated cottonwood-sycamore dominated riparian areas, grassland, upland desert-scrub, and oak woodlands across rolling hills. While the distribution of breeding bird species of this preserve is more well-known, very few birders visit this preserve during winter outside of occasional January field trips during the annual Wings Over Willcox festival. Bar graphs on eBird (ebird.org) reveal data gaps for most of the late fall and winter from November through February. This expedition will focus on exploring the species richness and density of resident and wintering bird species, especially within the preserve’s restored grasslands and riparian areas. We will spend Saturday, March 14th, surveying grassland habitat first thing in the morning, followed by surveying the riparian habitat along Bass Canyon and Hot Springs Canyon. This expedition will likely be a great opportunity for participants to practice their sparrow identification skills! Bird counts from this weekend will be entered into AZFO’s eBird account that can be shared afterwards with expedition participants. Coincidentally, this expedition also falls over the period (Feb. 13-16th) that the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society hold their annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), which is supplemented with eBird checklist data submitted during this period. Come join us in exploring the winter bird life occupying this important preserve in southeastern Arizona!

Itinerary:

Due to the distance involved in reaching this preserve from either Benson or Willcox and the potential for especially cold weather in February, there is a possibility that this will only consist of a one-day survey on Saturday, February 14th. Under this scenario, participants would plan to meet at the preserve headquarters early on Saturday morning and spend the day surveying and then depart by late afternoon or evening. However, if warmer weather allows for bearable camping conditions, we will plan to meet on the afternoon of Friday, February 13th, to camp on state trust lands just south of the preserve headquarters and continue additional surveying on the morning of Sunday, February 15th, following the Saturday surveys. Registered participants will be notified of definitive survey plans the week before the expedition once weather forecasts are available to inform our decisions. For participants that may not want to camp, there are motels available in both Benson and Willcox.

For the surveys, we will divide into teams to walk transects over grassland habitat first thing in the morning, followed by surveying along riparian areas later in the morning into the afternoon. One person in each team will keep track of species numbers and observer effort (time, distance covered) for each location visited that will later be entered into AZFO’s eBird account and shared among participants on each team.

Things to Know/Bring:

The roads heading to the preserve headquarters from Willcox and Benson are currently in conditions suitable for passenger cars, but preceding winter rains could change these conditions and the Jackson Cabin Rd. heading north of the preserve headquarters to grassland habitat is currently only accessible in high clearance/4WD vehicles. Therefore, if you own a high clearance/4WD vehicle that you would be willing to drive over for the expedition, we request that you please consider bringing them so we can more easily access survey areas.

Since the preserve is located a good distance from towns (about a 30 mile drive from Willcox), be sure to fill up your gas tank in either Benson or Willcox before traveling to the preserve.

Weather in February will likely be cold (especially in the morning and late afternoon) and inclement weather events are always a possibility, so please plan to dress in layers. Hats, gloves, sweatshirts, jackets, long-johns, thick socks, and boots are recommended.

Hiking on this trip will likely be moderate, so plan on wearing sturdy hiking boots and bringing a light backpack to carry water and snacks in.

You will be responsible for your own food and water. One gallon of water per day per person is recommended.

Please bring binoculars, cameras, and extra batteries. Scopes can be brought, but are not necessary.

Bathrooms might be available at the visitor center/headquarters, but will not be available along the trails and more remote roads that we will cover. So, plan to bring toilet paper, a shovel, and any other necessary toiletries. Garbage cans will also likely not be available, so plan to pack it in and pack it out.

If weather conditions allow for camping and you choose to join us camping near the preserve, you will need to bring your own camping equipment. A tent, sleeping bag, a sleeping pad and/or cot, camping chair, lantern, and flashlight would be recommended.

Please bring an Arizona road atlas/gazetteer and topographic maps if you have them.

If you have two-way radios, please bring them as well so we can communicate between teams, as cell reception could be poor here.

Pets are NOT allowed on the Muleshoe Ranch Preserve, so please leave them at home.

Meeting Time & Location:

Upon registering via email with the expedition leader, details on meeting time and place will be arranged. Carpooling possibilities can be arranged among registered participants.

 

 

 

 

 


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