Wildlife

Willcox Playa Wildlife Area

Willcox Playa is best known for its wintering population of sandhill cranes that migrate to the playa in large numbers, particularly in wet winters. It is not unusual to see several thousand cranes in winter at the power plant ponds viewing area on the southwest side of the playa, or at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s 600-acre Wildlife Area on the southeast side. The cranes feed and court, but after February migrate to their summer breeding grounds in the northern Great Plains.

Birding is best from mid-October through March, when more than 15 species of birds of prey may also be found here. The annual Wings over Willcox Birding and Nature Festival takes place in nearby Willcox each January and features guided tours.

Recreational Opportunities

Camping: Overnight public camping is allowed in designated areas only, for no more than 14 days within a 45-day period. There are no facilities at the Wildlife Area

Hunting: Portions open to all hunting in season as permitted under R12-4-304 and R12-4-318, except portions of the wildlife area closed to entry and areas closed to Sandhill Crane hunting. Game management unit 30A.

Hiking: This wildlife area has hiking trails or developed roads that meander through the habitat and a signed road that takes you to Crane Lake. Parking is at designated sites only and the wildlife area is open from sunrise to sunset.

• Habitat Trail is a one-mile loop following developed roads within the habitat.the western edge of Becker Lake to an observation platform overlooking the southern, marshy end of the lake.
• Crane Lake Walk Trail starts at the visitor parking lot and continues to the Crane Lake viewing area, is approximately 2.4 miles round trip.

Restrictions

• Open fires are allowed in designated areas only, Parking area only.
• No firewood cutting or gathering.
• Motorized vehicle travel permitted on designated roads, trails, or areas only, except as permitted under  R12-4-110(H). This subsection does not apply to Department authorized vehicles or law enforcement, fire response, or other emergency vehicles.

Wildlife observed in the area

Amphibians and Reptiles: Reptiles include gopher snake, diamondback rattlesnake, kingsnake, red racer, horned lizard and coachwhip.

Birds *Important Bird Area*: Within the Willcox Playa and Cochise Lakes Global Important Bird Area. Willcox Playa also supports other large waterbirds, including white-faced ibis, as well as many raptors, including several wintering hawks. Red-tailed hawks, northern Harriers, Harris’s hawks, prairie falcons, bald and golden eagles, as well as caracaras, great horned owls, and burrowing owls all make use of this surprisingly diverse habitat. The shrubs and trees on the periphery of the playa support migrating northern flickers, white-necked ravens, and many songbird species. Sometimes more than 10,000 birds will congregate at the playa.

Mammals: Mammals documented on the WPWA include mule deer, javelina, coati, badger, jack rabbit, skunk, fox, bobcats, coyote, and raccoon.

Plants and Vegetation

Willcox Playa is a sparsely-vegetated desert grassland, strongly dominated by alkali sacaton and saltgrass, with some cover of little bluestem and other grasses. Shrub cover increases towards the periphery, with saltbushes, mesquites and non-native tamarisk. Scattered Fremont cottonwood and Goodding’s willow grow in or along the network of ditches that have been built to drain sections of the playa over the past century. The playa also supports a population of a rare plant species, the Chiricahua Mountain tansy-aster.

Directions: Willcox Playa Wildlife Area – From Willcox, go east on AZ 186 for 6 miles; turn south on Kansas Settlement Road for 4 miles to the wildlife area. Apache Station Wildlife Area – Take the I-10 exit 331 south for 8.5 miles. Lake Cochise – just south of Willcox on Hwy. 186, turn into Twin Lakes Golf Course and follow signs to birding area.

Sulphur Springs Valley Loop – From Tucson, take I-10 east to Hwy. 191, then south on Hwy. 191 to junction with Hwy. 181 (Sunizona). Continue south towards Elfrida and take Central Highway south to Double Adobe Road, then east back to Hwy. 191 and north to McNeal.