Four intrepid birders ventured north to Dead Horse State Park in Cottonwood in spite of the unseasonable heat on Saturday. Although the temperature was about 10 degrees higher than normal for early October, we were able to find 28 species of birds. Not a lot of individuals though. The temperature was in the mid- to high-70s when we arrived in Cottonwood. However, by 11:00 after birding, it was in the 90s, so we found a shady area to eat lunch, then headed for home. The highlight of the day was seeing a Sora swimming in a small pond at Tavasci Marsh. None of us had ever seen a Sora swim before. Another highlight was hearing a very verbose Virginia Rail also at Tavasci Marsh. Trip attendees were; Rich and Carol Schooler, Cheryl White and Joe Ford. 

Bird species seen were: Mallard, Turkey Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk, American Coot, Sora, Virginia Rail (heard), Killdeer, Mourning Dove, Hummingbird Species (most likely an Anna’s), Gila Woodpecker, Northern Flicker (Red-shafted), Red-naped Sapsucker, Western Wood-pewee, Black Phoebe, Say’s Phoebe, Common Raven, Rock Wren, European Starling, Common Yellow-throat, Orange-crowned Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Abert’s Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Brewer’s Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.