It’s the same year after year. Birds come and birds go.

But with the fall bird migratory season coming to a close along the San Pedro River, concerns are rising that the water that nurtures the trees and scrubs that house the feathered visitors is drying up, potentially bringing an end to one of the premiere bird rest-stations in the Western United States.

Research shows that less and less water is flowing in the San Pedro and that raises concerns about the future of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area.

“In nature, it takes a lot of time to see an effect,” said Heather Swanson, natural resource specialist at the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. “Ultimately, if (the river) keeps depleting, then there will be a major decrease in bird species.”

Local bird watcher Fidel Kamm said he is concerned about the depletion of the aquifer and believes he already sees the impact from the drying river.

“The aquifer goes down and down and down, and the vegetation is dying,” Kamm said. “I keep records of how many bird species we see and over the years. It’s downhill.

“This is one of the last places. This is a beautiful spot,” Kamm added. “But this is a dying river, just go down there and take a look. There‘s hardly anything left.”

So far, Swanson said, there have been no significant decreases in the numbers of migratory birds through the area, but she believes it has reached a plateau.

Though unable to give a specific number, Swanson said that hundreds to thousands of birds have migrated through the channel, which is similar to previous seasons.

Congress established the San Pedro conservation area in 1988 to enhance the desert eco-system. This reduced the impact of agriculture and ranching on the river, improving the vegetation that is welcoming to birds.

“When they first established the (conservation area), there was a large increase in every species of bird,” Swanson said.

The area includes more than 56,000 acres of land in Cochise County and supports more than 350 species of birds, roughly 80 species of mammals, two native species of fish plus several introduced species, along with roughly 40 species of amphibians and reptiles along the river.

This migratory season has seen no significant decrease in bird specie populations, and has witnessed the comings and going of many flycatchers, warblers, sparrows, and orioles that utilize this channel for its vegetation.

Robert Weissler, a board member of the Huachuca Audubon Society, found himself fascinated by the coloring and design of birds when initially getting into bird watching. Since then, he has become more involved, leading bird walks with the Friends of San Pedro.

“It wasn’t enough to just walk and observe the birds, you want to organize and inform others,”î said Weissler whose been leading bird walks since 2002.

On a recent weekend walk, some local bird watchers noticed no differences in bird species population and were simply enjoying the bird watching this season.

Husband and wife Paul and Alice Gravatt saw one of their favorite bird species this season: a scarlet-colored vermillion fly catcher.

The couple from Sun City have been into bird watching for about eight years. Paul Gravatt said he likes the different characteristics, habits, designs and colorations of the birds he watches.

His wife agreed. “It’s something about birds,”î she said. “The freedom of flying is enjoyable.”

Trained docents lead birding walks. Anywhere from 25 to 50 species can be observed on a typical walk. The next walk begins at 7 a.m. this Sunday, Monday and Wednesday and again on Oct. 18, 19 and 20. Meet at the San Pedro House on Hwy. 90.