[TN-Bird] Re: News for Patagonia, AZ
- From: Bates Estabrooks <wgpu@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <routledges@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Tn Bird <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2012 19:26:33 -0400
It would be a shame if this spot was no longer open to birders. Reminds me of
the Spofford's in Portal which, on their passing, was sold and closed to
birders.
Bates Estabrooks
Andersonville
-----Original Message-----
From: Cynthia Routledge
Sent: 21 Aug 2012 20:34:14 GMT
To: Tn Bird
Subject: [TN-Bird] News for Patagonia, AZ
Good Afternoon TnBirders...
I received this news via HummerNet...another list serve I'm on. I thought it
would be of interest to those who have visited the Patagonia, AZ.
Cyndi Routledge
Clarksville, TN
*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Renowned Paton Birder Haven in Search for Buyer
July 12, 2012: PATAGONIA, ARIZONA -----The Paton Family Trust announces the
intent to open market the property of the late Marion and Wally Paton on
Pennsylvania Avenue in Patagonia, Arizona, known as “Paton Birder Haven.” This
decision is reached after 2 ½ years endeavoring to sell the property to local
non-profit birding interests. Paton Birder Haven is a world renowned location
for observing migrating hummingbird species, as well as other elusive birds of
the Coronado Forest.
Since the passing of their mother in August 2009, the children of Marion and
Wally have kept the feeders filled and welcomed birders to the privately owned
Paton property. Paton Birder Haven has been featured on PBS, in National
Geographic Magazine, Smithsonian, Bird Watcher’s Digest, National Wildlife
Magazine and in articles in other publications. Also featured in widely
respected travel guides, Frommer’s, promotes Paton’s as “a favorite stop of
avid birders.” Annual visitors to the Paton backyard number 20,000 – 30,000.
A recent visitor to the site noted, “Paton’s is a national treasure!”
Marion and Wally Paton moved from New Hampshire in 1974. They planted bushes
and flowers in their Patagonia backyard to attract birds. With many types of
feeders they observed different species which brought daily delights. Over the
next decade, continuous feeding presented exciting sightings at the edge of the
Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, among them the rare Violet Crowned
Hummingbird. Adjacent to the Nature Conservancy preserve, birders would line
the fence along the Paton property with cameras, trying to get a glimpse of the
Violet Crowned. At this point, Wally and Marion decided to open their gate and
welcome the public. A tent was erected in the backyard; benches and birding
guides were set out. They placed a chalkboard so daily sightings could be
posted and installed a tin can on the gate for donations to defray the cost of
sugar.
Graciously welcoming the public, Marion and Wally enjoyed meeting folks from
around the world including naturalists, ornithologists, well-traveled birders,
as well as first time observers and many people with physical limitations.
Over the years, Wally and Marion continued to feed and attract rare birds and
in 1992, the first Cinnamon Hummingbird viewing in United States was at Paton’s
- one of only two sightings in the U.S. The Plain-Capped Starthroat has been
observed on several occasions. Paton’s is considered one of the most reliable
spots in the United States to view the Violet Crowned. Today many birding
tours of Southeast Arizona include Paton’s on their itineraries.
“We are grateful to so many for their continuing interest and support since the
passing of our mother,” said Bonnie Paton Moon. “Honoring our parents’
dedication and 30 years feeding and attracting birds to their backyard has been
an incredible living legacy for the birding community,” she continued.
The Paton family is not engaged in any fundraising for this effort and, at this
juncture, they have not authorized the use of the “Paton” name for any
charitable organization.
<")
( \
/ |` Cyndi
"When one tugs at a single thing in Nature,
he finds it attached to the rest of the world."
~John Muir
Other related posts:
