BIRDING THE NATIONAL FOREST SOUTH OF EAGAR:

Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area is about 10 miles from Eagar. From the stoplight in Eagar drive east on Highway 260 (the road turns south and becomes Highway 191/180). It is five miles from the stoplight to the top of the mesa, turn right. Sipe Wildlife Area is 5 miles from the turnoff on a gravel road.

Sipe is a former ranch and has agricultural fields, grassland, pinyon/juniper hillsides, and several reservoirs. The best birding at Sipe is along Rudd Creek and the area around the visitor's center. Sora can be found at the small pond near the entrance in the summer.

A trail along Rudd Creek goes to the national forest boundary. You can cross the fence and follow the old road along the creek. The vegetation changes to ponderosa pine here. Typical montane species are found including: Hairy Woodpecker, White-breasted and Pygmy Nuthatch, Mountain Chickadee, and Western Tanager. Grace's and Red-faced Warbler nest in the area near the creek. Montezuma Quail have been found along this road.

There are several reservoirs at Sipe. You can drive to Trinity Reservoir, where there are restrooms and a short trail to an overlook. McKay is the largest reservoir. It is accessed by hiking trail. Bald Eagles (winter) and Peregrine Falcon are seen occasionally. Listen for Pinyon Jays while hiking, they are heard frequently. Restrooms and a small picnic area are at the visitor's center. The birding at Sipe Wildlife Area is best during migration.

Nelson Reservoir is one of the best places to find Pinyon Jay. They roost on the east side of the road. If you are at the lake early in the morning you have the best chance of seeing them. From the light in Eagar travel 10.4 miles on Highway 260/191/180 south. Waterfowl generally congregate at the south end of the lake. Yellow-headed, Red-winged and Brewer's Blackbirds nest here. Black-crowned Night Heron, Virginia Rail and Sora can be seen (summer). Listen for Eastern Meadowlark here as well.

Road N2171 (off of Highway 191/180, south of Nelson Reservoir 1.4 miles) is another good area to check for Pinyon Jays. In the summer Vesper Sparrow, Green-tailed Towhee, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak and various swallows are plentiful. An asphalt plant is at the end of this road, so be sure to pull completely off the road to avoid large trucks that travel back and forth. A small spring 1.25 miles from the highway is worth checking. Some small cottonwoods are attractive to migrants. You can access the east entrance to Sipe Wildlife Area by taking the first right onto a two track road. Rock and Canyon Wrens are common in the canyon. A high clearance vehicle is necessary to travel this rocky road.

Nutrioso Lake (7 miles south of Nelson Reservoir) is accessed by turning right on Auger Canyon Road from Highway 191/180. The reservoir is on the west side of the highway. Warblers, nuthatches, and tanagers can be found in the pines. Pinyon Jays are occasionally heard here. Listen for their distinctive calls The lake can be full of waterfowl during migration. The post office area in Nutrioso (east of the highway) is a good place to look for Lewis's Woodpecker and sapsuckers. Nutrioso Creek south of the village of Nutrioso can be good birding. Gray Catbird nests here and many migrant warblers utilize the riparian resources. All this is private property, but can be birded from the road.

Terry Flat is one of the most reliable places to find Three-toed Woodpecker. Travel south on Highway 191/180 about 3.5 miles past Nutrioso Lake to Forest Road 56 on the left. There is currently no sign on the highway. Travel up the road past Hulsey Lake until the split at Terry Flat loop. Take the right fork and listen for the drumming of Three-toeds along this stretch, especially near the Paddy Creek area. Near Paddy Creek there is a closed logging road. Check this road too. If you don't find them here, continue along the road stopping periodically to listen for their drumming. The road makes a loop and there are numerous old roads that can be checked as well. Blue Grouse, Clark's Nutcracker, Golden-crowned Kinglet and other high altitude birds may be found along the Escudilla Mountain Trail. The trail climbs through aspen, spruce-fir, and open areas to a fire lookout.

Luna Lake is near the New Mexico border, 25 miles from Eagar. Travel south on Highway191/180, go left on Highway 180 in Alpine to the lake. Bald Eagles nest across the lake from the boat launch. There is a Great Blue Heron rookery in the ponderosa on the south side of the highway as you look west from the parking area. Both Eastern and Western Meadowlarks are heard here. Scope the lake for waterfowl. Drive to the dam (east, towards the campground). Check the outlet, particularly during migration. Walk along the San Francisco River looking in the pines for nesting Grace's and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Pygmy and White-breasted Nuthatches, Hairy Woodpeckers, and the occasional Lewis's Woodpecker.

The Blue River is one of the most interesting and under-birded areas in east central Arizona. The turnoff to Blue River (Forest Road 281) is at the west edge of Luna Lake on Highway 180. After climbing a small rise, the road follows the river as it drops in elevation until the road deadends at private property about 30 miles from the turnoff. Greater Pewee, Hepatic Tanager, Common Black-Hawk, Black-chinned Sparrow, Mexican Jay, Painted Redstart, Bridled Titmouse, Purple Martin and Band-tailed Pigeon are found here (summer). Montezuma Quail, Gambel's Quail and Wild Turkey are seen occasionally. There is private property interspersed with the public land along the road, please respect it.

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