{"id":674,"date":"2012-01-04T19:59:29","date_gmt":"2012-01-04T19:59:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/aziba.org\/?page_id=674"},"modified":"2025-10-31T15:32:59","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T22:32:59","slug":"watson-and-willow-lakes-ecosystem-iba","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/aziba.org\/?page_id=674","title":{"rendered":"Watson and Willow Lakes Ecosystem IBA"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Watson<\/a>

Watson Lake by Michael Wilson<\/p><\/div>\n

County<\/strong>: Yavapai<\/p>\n

\"Watson<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Site Status<\/strong>: Identified 07\/2002 Recognized 04\/2011<\/p>\n

Ownership<\/strong>: City of Prescott<\/p>\n

Area<\/strong>: 2.3 square miles, 1,501 acres<\/p>\n

Criteria<\/strong>: D1 – State Species of Conservation Concern<\/p>\n

D4ii – Waterfowl Significant Concentration (>2000)<\/p>\n

D4iii – Wading birds concentration site<\/p>\n

V<\/strong>isiting<\/strong> This<\/strong> Important<\/strong> Bird<\/strong> Area:\u00a0 Watson Woods Riparian Preserve FOREVER PRESERVED – Prescott Creeks<\/a> and Birdwatching – City of Prescott AZ<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Willow<\/a>

Willow Lake by Michael Wilson<\/p><\/div>\n

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Site Description:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

This Important Bird Area (IBA) is located within the city limits of Prescott, AZ at 5100 ft. elevation. It occurs in two sections, Watson Lake east of Highway 89 and Willow Lake west of Highway 89. The IBA includes Watson and Willow Lakes and immediate surrounding uplands, and 2 miles of Granite Creek flowing into Watson Lake. Prescott Audubon <\/a>Society and Prescott Creeks <\/a><\/strong>are the stewards for this IBA.<\/p>\n

Mini Conservation Plan<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

For an interactive map and habitat and land ownership analysis of this IBA visit the <\/strong>National Audubon IBA Map<\/strong><\/a> and select \u201cArizona” and then select this IBA<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bar Charts – eBird<\/a><\/p>\n

Ornithological Summary:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Northern<\/a>

Northern Pintail by David Schenfeld<\/p><\/div>\n

Watson and Willow Lakes are most notable for the number of waterfowl they support during the migration and winter periods. These lakes are particularly important to large numbers of waterfowl and shorebirds during the fall migration. In wet years waterfowl numbers can exceed 5000 birds at one time. \u00a0Notably abundant are Northern Pintails<\/strong> and Northern Shovler<\/strong>. Shorebird numbers in the fall can exceed 300 birds on a given day, including Black-necked Stilts<\/strong> and American Avocets<\/strong>. White-faced Ibis<\/strong> and Forester\u2019s Tern<\/strong> also regularly occur in the fall, and Marbled Godwits<\/strong> occur in the spring migration. There are no other comparable lake systems within a distance of 200-300 miles east and west, and 60 to 150 miles north and south, thus indicating the importance of the lakes ecosystem as stop-over feeding and resting site for these migrants. Ruddy<\/strong> and Ring-necked Ducks<\/strong> and Common Merganser<\/strong> over-winter in this lake system in large numbers. Wintering Bald Eagles<\/strong> and resident Peregrine Falcons<\/strong> find available prey among the waterfowl flocks. Wood Duck<\/strong> (approximately 50 pairs) are notable breeders within the two lakes ecosystem. There are Great Blue Heron<\/strong> and Double-crested Cormorant<\/strong> rookeries as well. The riparian area is small, and supports breeding Yellow Warbler<\/strong> in abundance, breeding Lucy\u2019s Warblers<\/strong>, and nesting Green Heron<\/strong>. Bird data for this IBA is collected by Prescott Audubon Society volunteers since 2005 and the results are posted on the Arizona IBA website, www.aziba.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Important Bird Area Surveys – Prescott Creeks<\/a><\/p>\n

Conservation Issues:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"American<\/a>

American Avocet by Ann Morrison<\/p><\/div>\n

The City of Prescott has implemented regulations regarding recreational use of the two lakes, most notably a \u201cno wake\u201d regulation on Watson Lake with limited horsepower motors.\u00a0 \u00a0Kayaking is the only boating allowed on Willow Lake.\u00a0 Kayakers do disturb the waterfowl in the winter, but this is intermittent, and the birds seem to stay in spite of these disturbances.\u00a0 Periodic consultation with City staffers and council by Prescott Creeks<\/a> and Prescott Audubon<\/a> has increased the City\u2019s awareness of the value of the IBA as an ecotourism value.\u00a0 The first annual Get Out\u2026 Get Into It<\/em> festival in 2011 included a dedication of this Important Bird Area.<\/p>\n

Prescott Creeks<\/a> is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of the ecological integrity of the Granite Creek Watershed riparian systems and associated wetlands through conservation, restoration and education. \u00a0\u00a0This organization is currently restoring Watson Woods Riparian Preserve just south of Watson Lake and a part of this IBA.\u00a0 As part of the restoration project, avian monitoring coordinated by Prescott Audubon Society is ongoing throughout the year.<\/p>\n

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\"Watson<\/a>

Watson and Willow Lakes Ecosystem IBA – zoomed out<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Watson<\/a>

Watson and Willow Lakes Ecosystem IBA<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

County: Yavapai Site Status: Identified 07\/2002 Recognized 04\/2011 Ownership: City of Prescott Area: 2.3 square miles, 1,501 acres Criteria: D1 – State Species of Conservation Concern D4ii – Waterfowl Significant Concentration (>2000) D4iii – Wading birds concentration site Visiting This Important Bird Area:\u00a0 Watson Woods Riparian Preserve FOREVER PRESERVED – Prescott Creeks and Birdwatching – … <\/p>\n

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