HOLBROOK — A tundra swan spotted this fall at the Hidden Cove Park pond in Holbrook, caused a stir in the birding world, with birders flocking in from around the state to catch a glimpse of this rare sighting in Arizona. The pond, which is called Blue Heron Pond on the map system, holds the reclaimed effluent from Holbrook and is slowly becoming a treasure for the birding world.
Anita Ojeda, a local Holbrook resident and bird photographer, said that in the cooler months she travels to the pond twice a month to watch the birds and sometimes catches a rare sighting on camera.
“It’s nice and quiet out there and I never know what will show up,” shared Ojeda. “I am pretty sure birders are like gamblers, always hoping to hit the birding jack pot, and sometimes that is what that pond is.”
Over the last five years, Ojeda has seen a black and white warbler, a long-tailed duck and a cross between the Ross’s goose and the snow goose. “Sometimes there will be birds out of season,” continued Ojeda. “Late last season, I saw blue grey catchers.”
According to Mike O’Dell, an employee with the City of Holbrook and tour guide for the park, the pond is an extension of the Hidden Cove Golf Course and Petroglyph Park and is located just west of the petroglyph mesa. Surrounded by tamarack trees, fields of sagebrush and unique rock formations, the area creates a beautiful backdrop for photographing the birds.
“The birding aspects of this area are amazing,” said O’Dell, but concerns remain as to how to fully open the pond to public while protecting the Petroglyph Park.
“It is not uncommon to have parents bring their children out to look at the birds and the next thing that happens is the kids are running up the rocky cliff area of the petroglyphs,” continued O’Dell. “It doesn’t take much to damage what is there. Folks who want to see the petroglyphs must access the trail system at the trail head with a tour guide for the safety of both the artifacts and the people.”
While fencing might work, O’Dell wants to maintain as much of the authentic prehistoric look as possible. “The more the world changes, the more important it is for these prehistoric sites to be kept in their original state.”
O’Dell did say there is no hunting on this land as it belongs to the city and is within the city limits, which prohibits the discharge of firearms.
“About 2013 Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) helped us get grants from Arizona State Heritage fund for backpacks, binoculars and field guides for visitors to use,” shared O’Dell. “Recently a representative from AZGFD visited and expressed interest in renewing and strengthening their partnership with the city.
“I have watched a flock of Canada geese come here for three years now,” O’Dell said. “What makes that so unusual are the snow geese that travel with them.”
As O’Dell continued the tour around the pond a blue heron floated serenely on the water before it took off in majestic flight. Landing softly on the rocky ridge of the mesa on the west side, the heron stood still, blending into the background.
“I have seen bobcats, badgers, porcupines and deer up here,” said O’Dell. “It is gratifying to know that this place can be a refuge for so many animals and a place of quietness and peace for people to come and enjoy nature.”
O’Dell noted that it is not uncommon to have members of White Mountain or Flagstaff Audubon Society’s visit the pond. He also said that more and more birders are using the eBird App. “The eBird app had Hidden Cove as the number one birding site in Navajo County throughout this summer.”
Found at ebird.org, the app is a way for anyone around the world to store their bird observations, photos and sound recordings, while making them available to educators, scientists and birders.
As noted on the website, eBird is easy to use. Users note where they are birding, how far they traveled and what they saw. The website notes that the information is used to help understand the movements and needs of birds around the world.
For more information on the free access to the pond or to schedule a free tour of the petroglyphs, call (928) 241-0293 or (928) 524-6225.
