American Robin (baby)
Photo by George Wall

Early Saturday morning, six of us (Gerry Horton, Chuck Kangas, Vera Markham, Donna Smith, Rosemary Zanter and George Wall – leader) headed for Flagstaff. We met at the little pond (left side of the road) just after Raymond Park. 

The weather was nice as we looked for birds in the little pond and we were surprised when we saw a Sora among the 13 species we saw there. From the pond, we went to the Kachina Wetlands where we picked up a few more birds. We then stopped at Nancy Reed’s house for lunch. Much to our surprise, the birds weren’t out other than a Rufous Hummingbird looking for food. We then decided to try St. Mary’s Lake – what a disappointment as the boaters and picnickers were out in force since it was a Saturday. We couldn’t even find a parking place; so off we went again. We tried the Flagstaff Museum and then the Sun Bowl area, but only picking up a couple of birds. 

We checked into our rooms at the Route 66 Days Inn and then went to eat at Picazzo’s Gourmet Pizza & Salads Restaurant. What a treat! Some had pizza while others tried some of their specialties. I had Mama’s Meatballs and a salad. I can tell you for a fact that Mama’s Meatballs were a meal in itself. I’ll have it again but without the salad. For your information, there is a Picazzo’s in our area at 11340 W. Bell Road. 

The next morning after the free breakfast and checkout, we headed for the Flagstaff Arboretum. We were a little surprised to only find a few birds there. It was still enjoyable though for the scenery and fine weather we had on the entire trip. 

The 48 species we saw or heard were Mallard, Ruddy Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Red-tailed Hawk, Sora, American Coot, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Mourning Dove, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Acorn Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Western Wood-Pewee, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Say’s Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Steller’s Jay (h), American Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow, White-breasted Nuthatch, Pygmy Nuthatch, House Wren, Marsh Wren, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, American Robin, European Starling, Lucy’s Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Yellowthroat (h), Western Tanager, Vesper Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco (red-backed), Red-winged Blackbird, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer’s Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.