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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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