The El Rio Preserve: A Birding Oasis

Marana, and all of Southern Arizona is a birding hotspot. Its location at the intersection of several migratory routes and habitat types give it a high level of biodiversity. Located along the Santa Cruz River in the shadows of the Tucson Mountains, the El Rio Preserve is one of Southern Arizona's top locations to witness a wide variety of bird species.

The El Rio Preserve protects 104 acres of riparian habitat along the Santa Cruz River. The banks of the Santa Cruz were lined by lush, green, riparian ecosystems for thousands of years, and supported a wide diversity of plant and animal life, including human agriculture. Due to large-scale diversions for irrigation, the once-free-flowing river was transformed into an intermittent stream. The riparian habitat has been restored at the El Rio Preserve, as a result of treated effluent being re-routed into the preserve maintaining its lake year-round.

Birding

Nearly 250 bird species have been identified at the El Rio Preserve. Among these are egrets, vireos, comorants, warblers, mallards, and hummingbirds, all of which flock to the lush oasis the preserve provides. In addition to birds, the preserve's wetlands provide refuge for a variety of mammals, reptiles, and insects.

CreditGary D. Johnson

A variety of bird species can be found at the preserve year-round, but to see the greatest variety of species, there are two main bird migration seasons. The spring migration typically runs from mid-April through mid-May. The late summer and fall migration season can start as early as late june, and usually peaks between late August and mid-September. The late summer Monsoon season is a particularly active season for hummingbirds. Generally, the maximum diversity of species can be found from mid-April through mid-September.

CreditA. Core

CreditAndrew Core (both images)

The preserve's riparian habitat is supported by its lake, which is filled with water year-round. It reflects the rugged outline of the Tucson Mountains and mature Cottonwood trees that act as perches to majestic Snowy Egrets and many other shore birds. This makes it a perfect place for a picnic and open-air painting, photography, and any other way you can think to capture and depict the landscapes and wildlife through art.

Guided Tours

The Town of Marana Parks & Recreation Department, Tucson Audubon Society, Pima County, and many other organizations in Southern Arizona dedicated to sharing the birding hobby host frequent guided tours of the preserve. Also, it is a mainstay on the schedule for the Southeast Arizona Birding Festival, which is held every August, to coincide with a common bird migration season.

Getting There

The preserve is located on the north side of Coachline Blvd. and just east of Old Silverbell Road. El Rio Preserve lies between the northern end of the Tucson Mountains and the Santa Cruz River. Take the Twin Peaks exit from I-10, and go west to Coachline Blvd. Turn north on Coachline Blvd and follow it until you come to a nice parking lot on the north side of the road. The El Rio Preserve is conveniently connected to The Loop, an award-winning, 131-mile paved multi-use trail for bikes, pedestrians, horses, and other non-motorized vehicles, that connects to all other parts of Pima County!

Interesting Facts about El Rio Preserve

It has archaeological significance – this site is located just to the north of Los Morteros, an important archaeological site. The site was the location of an Hohokam-era village with a ballcourt, and its namesake, mortar holes, that were used to grind mesquite pods.
A regional wildlife linkage that was identified by Paul Beier, Northern Arizona University and by the Arizona Game and Fish Department runs through El Rio Preserve.