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Field Trips


SAS conducts three or four field trips each month, including summer months. The trips vary from just a few hours in the morning to three-day trips. Some trips are mornings only, but we plan longer ones if interest is expressed by the membership. Most of the trips are birding events, but we do intersperse other activities if our members express special interests.  Upcoming trips are listed below.

New requirement:  On all field trips, make reservations by calling or e-mailing the leader.  The leader can then give updated information as to the meeting place, times, etc.  Also, some trips are limited in size.

Click here to see reports from previous trips.

Coming up in 2008
Friday
May 9, 2008
Sycamore Creek/Bushnell Tanks
Leader:  Eleanore Campbell 623-977-7639
ercamp@juno.com
Exploration of sites along Route 87 (Beeline Highway northeast of Phoenix) should reveal nesting Summer Tanager, orioles, vireos and flycatchers.  With water running through old sycamores and an old road closed except for minimal local traffic it's possible to see Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Western Kingbird, Juniper Titmouse and various warblers.  The common Black-Hawk nests in the area.  A hike along Deer Creek trail could uncover more species.

Difficulty: 2 Bring lunch, drinks, snacks

Meet at Denny's Restaurant in Fountain Hills on the south side of Shea Blvd. just west opf Rte. 87 at 7:30 a.m.  Call the leader to register or for an additional meeting place and details.
Saturday
May 17, 2008
Yarnell and Area
Leader:  George Wall
623-875-7057
gwall5@cox.net
This trip will be an exploration of the tiny town of
Yarnell situated in Yavapai County between Phoenix
and Prescott in the Weaver Mountains at 4,700 feet.
There is a community park with woods and creek.
The Shrine of St. Joseph of the Mountains offers a
peaceful spot with a short trail and a riparian area to
look for birds. It’s possible to see Black-headed Grosbeaks, Bridled Titmouse and warblers. On the last trip in May, we saw Hooded Orioles. Escape from the Phoenix area for a trip into the high country.

Difficulty: 1 Bring a lunch

Meet at Bell Recreation Center, Boswell and Hutton Dr., one block south of Bell Rd. in Sun City to leave at 6:30 a.m. Contact leader for alternate meeting spot.
Wednesday - Friday
May 21-23 2008
Portal & Cave Creek in SE AZ
Contact:
Donna Smith
623-556-9535
rms1524@cox.net

Note:  Trip is full, but there is a waiting list.
The Portal and Cave Creek area is located in Southeastern Arizona. The area offers a multitude of bird habitats as well as magnificent views of beautiful vistas. The Elegant Trogon nests along Cave Creek regularly. Grace’s, Virginia’s and Black-throated Gray Warblers and Painted Redstart may be seen. The Arizona Woodpecker is common.

The Magnificent Hummingbird as well as several other species of hummers should be present along with several vireos and flycatchers. The Elf owl and Western Screech will certainly be heard and possibly seen. Besides the many national forest trails and campgrounds to explore there are private residents who welcome visitors to their backyards to view birds and they have put up feeders just for this purpose. This spot offers a range of ecological communities from desert and grassland through pine/oak woodlands, pinion/juniper, and cottonwood riparian areas— each providing a unique  habitat for birds.

On our last trip to this area in June 2004, we saw 97 species.  Check out the trip report here.

Note:  Trip is full, but there is a waiting list.

Thursday
June 5, 2008
Forest Road 300
Leader:  Donna Smith
623-556-9535
rms1524@cox.net
Drive north on US 17 to exit 287, Camp Verde, turn right and proceed along HWY 260 as it goes up the Mogollon Rim. Turn left on HWY 87, after several miles you will see a sign for Forest Rd. 300, turn right. Immediately after you turn there is a pullout on the right in a small clearing. We will regroup there. The gravel road is well graded for passenger cars. This is a beautiful drive in dense forest of pine and oak at 6000 to 7000 ft. We will travel to a burned out area, birding along the way, where we will listen for birds and the tapping of woodpeckers.

Difficulty:1—Bring a lunch

Meet at the McDonald’s on Carefree Hwy. at 5:30 a.m. Exit right off US 17 and at the first stoplight, make a left. McDonald’s is to the right. Call leader for alternate meeting place and other details.
Tuesday,
June 24, 2008
Dos Lagos Lake
Leader:  Marshall Esty 623-977-1637
mne@juno.com
Take an early morning birding trip to check for birds around this community lake.

Difficulty: 1

This is a morning trip only. Meet at Bell Recreation Center, Boswell and Hutton Dr., one block south of Bell Rd. in Sun City to leave at 6:30 a.m.
Monday
July 7, 2008
Flagstaff Arboretum and Area
Leader:  George Wall
623-875-7057
gwall5@cox.net
We’ll go up for day trip to Flagstaff to get out of the heat of the Phoenix area and hopefully see some nice birds. We’ll stop at the Kachina Wetlands and then the arboretum where we’ll have lunch before heading back.

Difficulty: 1—bring lunch

Meet at Bell Recreation Center parking lot near corner of Hutton and Boswell in Sun City to leave at 5:30 a.m. 
Thursday
July 17, 2008
Stoneman Lake
Leader:  Donna Smith
623-556-9535
rms1524@cox.net
Stoneman Lake, situated in the Coconino National Forest, is northeast of Camp Verde off Route 17. Stoneman Lake, is one of several spring-fed mountain lakes on the Mogollon Plateau and located 36 miles south of Flagstaff and 125 miles north of Phoenix. Take Interstate 17 to the Stoneman Lake Exit 306, and follow the clearly marked signs. Some of the birds of the Ponderosa Pine forest we might find are Red Crossbill, Pygmy Nuthatch, Mountain Chickadee and Northern Goshawk. Oak woodland, wooded drainage and natural springs offer lots of habitat for birds. Picnic area and toilets are available.

Difficulty: 2 Bring lunch and water.

Meet at Bell Recreation Center, Boswell and Hutton Dr., one block south of Bell Rd. in Sun City to leave at 6:30 a.m. OR at the parking area at the southeast corner of Carefree Highway and Rte. 17 at 6:00 a.m.
Monday-Wednesday
August 4-6, 2008
Pinetop-Lakeside
Leader:  George Wall
623-875-7057
gwall5@cox.net
Here’s a “Get-a-Way” to the high country. We are going to bird at seven or more different spots. See the article in the February Sonoran Audubon Society newsletter as it shows the places where we’ll bird. We’ll leave the morning of the 4th and should be back in the early afternoon of the 6th. We’ll be staying at the Best Western Inn in Pinetop—phone: 928-367-6667.

Difficulty: 1

This trip will be limited to 12 people. Call leader to register and for more details.
Saturday
August 16, 2008
Pinal Peak
Leader:  Dr. David L. Pearson
Contact:  George Wall

623-875-7057
gwall5@cox.net
Join ornithologist Dr. David L. Pearson on a trip to the Pinal Mountains south of Globe away from the heat of the valley and into the higher elevations of the Tonto National Forest. The beauty of the area is unmatched and birders should be rewarded with views of nuthatches, woodpeckers and other high forest birds. This trip is limited to 11 people (3 cars). The drive to the top of the mountain is about 11 miles on a good dirt road.

Difficulty: 1-2. Bring Lunch.

We’ll be leaving at 5 a.m. Call contact for all details of where to meet and any other information.


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