April 4 - Field Trips

Field Trip Leader: Kathe Anderson - phone # to be provided at meeting

Field Trip Leader: Katey Linway - phone # to be provided at meeting

Where to meet: Just off the west end of the parking lot to the Gilbert Water Ranch – at the low walls in front of you as you enter the parking lot from E Guadalupe Road. Parking can be tight. If the lot is full, park at the Regional Library just west of the site and walk to the Water Ranch. No fees.

Description: The Gilbert Water Ranch is a lush water recharge and recreation site, with cottonwood and mesquite shade in several areas. It is the premier birding hotspot in the Phoenix metro area, boasting over 330 species on its eBird list. In early April, many of the wintering waterfowl and shorebirds will be gone, but we should still get a smattering of duck species, plus stilts, avocets, Killdeer and possible baby birds! The usual herons and egrets should be visible, and if we’re lucky, the Least Bittern may appear. Regular desert species such as Gambel’s Quail, Curve-billed Thrasher, Abert’s Towhee and Verdin may be joined by early migrants such as Lucy’s and Wilson’s Warblers, Bell’s Vireo and possible flycatchers.

Time: 6:30am – 9am

Difficulty: Mostly easy walking on generally smooth dirt paths. Largely wheelchair accessible.

Capacity: 20 - note: participants will be assigned to either one of the field trip leaders by the meeting organizers and notified on Friday

Field Trip Leader: Bob McCormick - phone # to be provided at meeting

Where to meet: To be announced 

Description: This trip will cover two or more sites depending on the group's size and participant interest. The Glendale Recharge Ponds, owned by the Salt River Project, consists of six very large water recharge basins that make this place one of the most exciting hotspots in the county.  The ponds work out to the birders' advantage as they have different and variable water levels throughout the year. The ponds are one of Maricopa County’s best birding locations throughout the year due to their large size and ability to attract large numbers of waterbirds. Besides shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors, passerines can be observed as well at times. Birds observed here could be Anna’s Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Burrowing Owl, Gila Woodpecker, Greater Roadrunner, and White-winged Doves plus many other species.  Tres Rios Overbank Wetlands is a 700-acre habitat restoration project that has brought this part of the Salt River back to life. Thanks to reclaimed water from a nearby water treatment plant, perennial surface water creates a splendid complex of wetlands and riparian habitats that draw all kinds of avian species year-round. Birds observed here could be Costa’s Hummingbird, Desert Purple Martin, Gray Hawk, Harris’s Hawk, Pyrrhuloxia, Red Crossbill, Ridgway’s Rail, Sage Thrasher 

Time: 7:30am – 11:00 am

Difficulty: Mostly easy walking on generally smooth dirt paths. 

Permit Required: Go to the link below to receive your free of charge permit.

 https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/waterservices/development-infrastructure/tres-rios-wetlands/tres-rios-wetlands-access-permit-request.html

Capacity: 10

Field Trip Leader:  Robert Carter, phone # to be provided at meeting

Where to meet: TBA depending on the status of the Granite Reef parking area. The Lower Salt River requires a Tonto National Forest Pass OR an America The Beautiful Pass for day use recreation

Description: The lower Salt River boasts a number of habitats including willow/Cottonwood riparian, mesquite bosque, a few marshy pockets in which one can expect to encounter a variety or avian wildlife including waterfowl (Mallard, Cinnamon Teal, Pied-billed Grebe, and more), wading birds (Sora, Greater Yellowlegs, Least Bittern, Great Blue Heron, etc.), Raptors (Osprey, Bald Eagle, Black Vulture, and sometimes a surprise bird or two), a variety of flycatchers (Vermilion Flycatcher, Gray Flycatcher, Say’s Phoebe, and everyone’s favorite, Empidonax sp.) various songbirds (thrushes, finches, sparrows, vireos, warblers, blackbirds), and we’ll keep our eyes peeled for hummingbirds and the various swallows and swifts that visit these habitats. 

Time: 6:15 am-10:00am

Difficulty: Some walking along uneven trails, some ducking under tree branches and some stepping up and down onto or from large rocks. Bring water, a snack, sturdy shoes, and your sun protection of choice. Optional: trekking poles. 

Permit Required: A Tonto Daily Pass of $8 is required and may be purchased on site or in advance at Ranger Stations

Capacity: 10

Workshop Leader:  Cheryl Fallstead, phone # to be provided at meeting

Where to meet: Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center

Description: Naturalists and birders across the globe have learned to deepen their connection to the natural world through nature journaling. Join nature journaling educator and Mesilla Valley Audubon Society president Cheryl Fallstead to explore nature journaling and learn how it can become part of your chapter’s offerings (and bring in new members!). Introduction to nature journaling kits with supplies to get you started will be provided to attendees. To learn more about this global movement before the workshop, go to wildwonder.org.

Time: 8:30 am -10 30 am

Difficulty: Easy! There will be a presentation followed by the opportunity to journal nearby.

Capacity: 20