12 Dec. 19, 2009 - Jan. 8, 2010
Community
www.SanTanSun.com
Snowbirds from Page 1
The local chapter of the Audubon Society, Desert are more people in the Valley
Rivers Audubon (DRA), records avian species seen during the winter months, and
at Veterans Oasis. The group has been conducting when temperatures cool down,
monthly bird counts for the park since January 2008, animals become more active in
shortly before the park opened to the public. DRA the daytime, so there’s a much
tracks the various bird species as well as the total greater chance that they’ll be
number of birds sighted each month and records seen by people.”
the data on a website called
www.ebird.org. Recent He emphasizes that it’s illegal
reports include sightings of the brown pelican,
Submitted photos
to feed coyotes since they will
sandpiper, ring-necked duck, osprey, western grebe,
BIRDS EYE VIEW: A Cooper’s Hawk, left, and a great egret, right, on perches at the Veterans
then consider populated areas
Oasis Park Environmental Education Center.
belted kingfi sher and bald eagle among others. their territory and become
“There are interpretive signs in the park that offer in her neighborhood on several occasions over the bolder in their incursions.
information on birds and butterfl ies likely to be seen past few weeks. “The absolute best way to react is to make their
here,” notes Muñoz-Weingarten. “The park also has “The fi rst time I spotted them they were close to interaction with humans as unpleasant as possible,”
a number of wildlife viewing blinds behind which where Willis meets Cooper Road,” says Hernandez. Julian recommends. “Make yourself big by putting up
people can observe birds without disturbing them and “The second time they were to the east of Willis Road, your arms, make loud noises, throw rocks at them, use
just sit and enjoy nature in general.” where an empty lot meets the end of the cluster homes pepper spray, do whatever you can to irritate, but not
In order to protect the wildlife, visitors are asked that runs along the Santan Freeway near Gilbert Road. injure them. Coyotes need to see people as a danger so
to stay on the trails, keep noise to a minimum, and They obviously roamed that general area to stay close they’ll stay away.”
most importantly, to refrain from feeding any birds, to the freeway and the open fi elds south of the 202.” Julian also suggests such common sense measures
waterfowl or other wild animals in the park. Bread Hernandez and her husband managed to scare the as not leaving pet food outside and keeping an eye on
can be potentially fatal to many species, and making coyotes off by driving towards them and fl ashing their small pets whenever they’re outdoors.
wildlife dependent on humans for food is also a headlights, but she worries they will return again in “We need to learn to deal with coyotes, because
signifi cant danger. Muñoz-Weingarten encourages search of food and easy prey. they’ll always be here on some level,” notes Julian.
nature lovers to visit Veterans Oasis to learn more “I am concerned for my cat as well as for others with For more information on local bird watching
about interacting with the wild to make the experience small animals,” Hernandez explains. “We have quite a opportunities, contact Krys Hammers of Desert
better for all involved. few missing animals in our area, and I would not be Rivers Audubon at 480-227-8332 or email
“For bird watchers, novice or expert, we have surprised if that’s what the coyotes are looking for.”
krys.hammers@cox.net.
information and photos inside the EEC on recent bird To learn about coyotes and other area predators,
sightings in the park, as well as a list of recent bird Simple precautions prevent tragedy visit
www.azgfd.com.
sightings that members of the public can add to.” Urban Wildlife Specialist Darren Julian with the
Arizona Game and Fish Department says this time
Miriam Van Scott of Kerby Estates is a freelance writer and
Suburban coyotes of year is high season for coyote sightings, and offers
Chandler transplant from the Washington, D.C. area. She can be
Winter brings out other animals as well, as a recent advice on how to handle the issue.
reached at
Miriam@SanTanSun.com.
rash of coyote sightings demonstrates. Aldea resident “The number of nuisance calls goes up this time of
Lisa Hernandez reports seeing a small pack of coyotes year,” says Julian, “mainly due to the fact that there
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