Tortolita Preserve-SW Panorama (7/28/24)
Hiked the Tortolita Preserve (TP) Big Loop (7 miles) very early this morning (83 degrees-48% humidity) to assess current conditions---especially in light of recent monsoon events. I can report that TP is in fine condition. See details below and with photo collage associated with each section.
Monsoon Impacts
As of 7/27/24, the National Weather Service (NWS) reports a total of 4.34" of precipitation at the Tucson airport versus the Normal average (1991-2020) of 2.04". However, precipitation varies greatly across Pima County. Some areas are actually below average. Dove Mountain had three recent monsoon events with 0.93" (6/21/24), 0.35" (6/28/24) and 1.51" (7/25/24). Therefore, I would say we are about 0.75" above normal for the TP.
NOTE: These recent rainfall events are actually not that intense. On 7/25/24 we had 1.51" in two hours which equates to a 7-year storm frequency according to the NOAA Atlas 14 Storm Frequency Chart for Dove Mountain. To put this in perspective, as reported in our Guild Wash blog, there was up to 11" of rain reported during Tropical Storm Octave (1983) from 9/27/83 to 10/3/83 which was equivalent to a 100-year storm frequency. The point here is that we have not really experienced the "big one" since 1983 but it could happen at anytime and we need to be prepared.
TP has almost 100 washes and virtually all of them had evidence of flow, especially the smaller washes. However, not as much flow as witnessed during the wet summer of 2021. TP trails are in good condition with some minor wash-outs and a moderate amount of sand build-up at the wash crossings but the bikers seem to be dealing with it nicely.
Saguaros
Overall, the saguaros are doing fine. Saguaro health detoritates with age with some of the older saguaros (100+ years old) suffering from either bacterial necrosis, wind shear or a combination of both. I did see two older saguaros down and two saguaros with signifcant arm damage---all from this monsoon season.
It seems that wind shear is becoming a bigger problem with record high summer temperatures being set in the Southwest and perhaps fueling these high winds. I was in Tucson recently and the tree damage from recent storms is significant in certain locations. We also had the large loss of saguaros in the Saguaro National Park last summer.
The good news is the younger sauguaros are doing just fine. I am happy to report that baby Strong-Arm (2-years old) is doing very well. The other younger saguaros (10-50 years old) are also doing well.
See saguaro photo collage below (from left to right & down): saguaro-sheared in half, saguaro arms sheared off, saguaro down due to wind shear, saguaro with bacterial necrosis, saguaro with bacterial necrosis-close-up, baby Strong-Arm (2 years), twin saguaros (18"-10 to 25 years) and saguaro (5'-25 to 50 years)
Ants
Have you noticed the great number of ants this year? Must be the higher temperatures and precipitation. Same holds true for TP. The ants are even building nests in the middle of the trail. See photos below (from left to right): Leaf-cutter ant nest and harvester ant nest.
Wildflowers & Fruit
You may have thought the wildflower season was over. Not completely. See photos below (from left to right & down): Graham's nipple cactus, fishhook barrel cactus (red), fishhook barrel cactus (orange) and prickly pear fruit (unripe-green) and 2-prickly pear (ripe-red).
Do not forget to get your free copy of TA's Wildflowers of Tortolitas at the link below:
Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival
I will be giving a presentation entitled, Conserving The Tortolita Preserve, at the Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival in Sierra Vista on August 1. Please stop by if you are attending.
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