August 14, 2020
Most of the ponds and lakes I’ve visited in the SE Arizona region have been pretty trashy. The City of Tucson has established refuges for homeless ducks of questionable parentage and giant shark-like carp. Patagonia Lake, a State Park, is an exception. The pond at Canoa is another exception but has a phony feel to it. Arivaca Lake is a true gem. It is a real back-county lake. Little utilized except for a few anglers. It is reached from Green Valley by heading south on I-19 until you get to Amado/Arivaca Road. Take Arivaca Road west about 21 mile to Arivaca. At Arivaca you will turn left (east) onto Ruby Road. The intersection is well-marked with a sign direction you to Arivaca Lake. Ruby road is a narrow, twisty road. Watch out for wildlife and cattle. You will notice a large communications tower in the about 4 miles off in the distance, that is about where the Arivaca Lake Road turnoff is located. The road is marked, It is a decent-quality dirt road with some ruts here and there. A high clearance vehicle is recommended. But a Corolla or a Civic should do fine if the driver picks their path carefully.
The lake has lots of shady shoreline with many cottonwoods, willows, mesquite and little inlets with grasses. A short hike east over a small hill takes you to another portion of the lake with mudflats which so far has not been birded heavily. This area should be good for peeps. I am going out there soon and will edit this report.
There is a dirt parking area next to the boat ramp and small dock. Restrooms too, but they are locked up because of the Chinese Flu. Best to park at the east side of the lot in the shade of the cottonwoods. You can be a lazy birder and set up scope and chair in the shade and watch the action in the small meadow full of grasses immediately east. The cottonwoods and grasses near the dock and boat ramp have been very productive for all four buntings, two orioles, cuckoos and other breeding and migrant species.
