Learn more about what we do
Thanks !
On Saturday, February 21, Prescott City hosted an outreach event about their upcoming management plan for Willow Lake. The event, at the Adult Center, was well-attended, with several tables where people could ask questions, review information, and add comments to the comment boards. We want to give a
BIG THANKS to all the PAS folks who stopped by!
Our interests were very well-represented.
Bird of the Month :
Cooperative Raptors
Each month, we publish an article in a local magazine, "5enses" . We share these articles here.
What's This Bird?
We're betting that you recognize this bird. Not from color but from shape, apparent tail length, and on-the-ground feeding behavior. You may also recognize the spots on the wing coverts, even though they are fewer and paler than expected on this species.
Yes, it's a Mourning Dove, but a leucistic one. We have shared several images of leucistic species over the years, always of interest to observe. Leucism affects pigment-producing cells. It is not the same as albinism. Leucism indicates some abberation in the feather follicle cells, since feather color comes from there--think of those follicles as little color printers. (Does this one need an ink refill?)
Thanks to Debra Bradford for this image.
We welcome all images of leucistic (or albino!) birds.
Read the Results of Our 2025
IBA and Cuckoo Surveys
on the Upper Verde River
Our surveys are essential for the protection of Yellow-billed Cuckoo, considered to be a threatened species by Federal and State wildlife managers alike. Our data helps wildlife managers to protect this sensitive habitat along the Verde. Our data also supports continuation of this unique area as an Important Bird Area (IBA)
Read on for a summary of our 2025 Cuckoo surveys!
PAS Conservation Efforts:
West Willow Natural Area Protections
For some time now, several of us at Prescott Audubon have been encouraging the City to recognize that the Cottonwood forest just east of the dog park is an exceptional resource. For all of us. The good news is that the City has taken meaningful first steps to manage this area, prioritizing wildlife and lower-impact human access. This is a first for the City, and we hope they get lots of good feedback from trail users.
Most of us at PAS have long valued the “Cottonwood Peninsula”, home to Great Horned Owls as well as cormorant and Great Blue Heron colonies. The City has identified a loop trail from the dog park trailhead parking area (free), through the Cottonwood Peninsula, southward along the old two-track , then back to the parking area via the trail that parallels Willow Creek. For now, they have named this the “West Willow Nature Trail” and put the entire area on their City maps as a sensitive wildlife area. If you go there, look for the new educational signage that PAS helped to design.
Recently, this new signage marks the official trails, minimizing the many social trails that were crisscrossing the forest. Despite the very dry conditions this year, new vegetation is now growing along the abandoned social trails. The forest is healing a bit. Remarkably, this is the first City trail ever listed as closed to bicycles. Bike traffic is routed to the much-longer circle trail around the lake. Of course, time will tell, but for now we see a reduction in bike traffic, in social trails, and in dogs off leash. Those who enjoy a quiet moment in nature close to town, take note!
Our thanks to Chris Hosking, the City’s Trail Guru, to the PAS members who encouraged the City to see the natural values of this urban forest as a benefit to the City, and to trail users who voice their support for this new City option. Most important, this change helps wildlife habitat –- and that’s the primary purpose of conservation, after all.
As you see, some signs have been put in place, including some closure of "social trails" for restoration. We will stay involved, proposing some access restrictions and trail modifications to protect sensitive bird species and all the wildlife that live in this urban forest.
Has the mainstream found our secret?
Birds in Paradise
We're sure you have seen "Prescott Living" magazine around town. Their Fall 2025 issue includes a very nice article about birding in the Prescott area. The title? "Birds in Paradise: Watch Prescott Skies for Uplift." We think you will enjoy the content and the photos.
Duck Feeding Signs
Posted in both English and Spanish, our signs remind people to bring healthy food when they come to feed the ducks on our lakes. Offering birdseed, grapes, oats, corn or cooked rice is nutritious for the birds and reduces water pollution as well.
Other Audubon chapters have requested permission to use our signs at their duck-feeding sites.
We are happy to share!
Limited Public Access to The City of Prescott Airport Water Reclamation Facility (Recharge Ponds)
As of October 16, 2023, public access to the Recharge Ponds is limited to individuals who have signed a Waiver and have obtained a Keycard from the City of Prescott. The Keycard allows access to the Recharge Ponds seven days a week from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
Please find more information about the access, Keycard and Waiver here in this PDF file.
To obtain your Keycard, please make an appointment with the City of Prescott Financial & Business Operations Manager, Public Works, by calling 928-777-1130 ext: 5003, or by emailing [email protected].
Kestrel Nestbox Program
American Kestrels are on the decline, and limited nesting sites are part of that decline. We have had great success with our American Kestrel nestbox installations, and the 2024 nesting season is no exception! If you happen to see a Kestrel with legband(s), please report your sighting and location to [email protected].
Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owls
To reuse is to recycle! In 2020, we built some hack boxes for our American Kestrel Nestbox and Release Program. Now they will help the Pygmy Owls.
Hack boxes provide a safe place for fledgling raptors to roost as well as a place to learn to fly and hunt before being released into the wild. We no longer need our boxes for the kestrels, so we are donating them the the AZ Game & Fish Dept. They will head to southern Arizona to assist the AZGFD with their efforts to help the tiny Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owls. Yeah!
Yes, Administration is Important, too--
Join our Team! We Welcome You (and your skills)
All-volunteer organizations such as Prescott Audubon survive thanks to help from all who believe in the organization's mission. At PAS, our focus is on celebrating birds and the habitat we share. We want to thank our officers and board members for their efforts to keep this busy & multi-dimensional team that is Prescott Audubon somewhat organized and heading in the right direction.
All the board members share all the tasks for steering this little ship, and we owe them a big debt of gratitude. But it take more than the officers. If you are organized, an artist, a media or IT person, a retired attorney, a bird-lover, a writer--- You get the idea --we welcome your help and we are always happy to meet new members, so don't be shy!
What would you like to do for Prescott Audubon?