The largest fire ever recorded in the Chiricahua Mountains on the border between Arizona and New Mexico will undoubtedly have an immense impact on local wildlife, but for now birders are grateful that the popular Cave Creek Canyon birding spot is thus far untouched. According to the Deseret News, additional destruction may be imminent when rains arrive later in the season, and denuded slopes may be subject to landslides.Birds suffer from natural disasters just as humans do. A wildfire of this magnitude can devastate food sources and nesting sites, and birds that flee will faced increased competition from resident birds in untouched sites. At the moment the birds are safe, though heavy smoke is impacting the visits of some birders to local accommodations. Many birders are continuing to visit, however, with the hopes that this year's nesting season in Cave Creek Canyon will not be its last.
Have you birded in Cave Creek Canyon? Share your experiences in the comments!
Wildfire
Photo © NOAA Photo Library
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