A traditional favorite, excellent for waterfowl and raptors. This beautiful area usually produces a large variety of species.
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This park is relatively new to our participants and will include Jewel of the Creek, which features a stand of cottonwoods, willow and ash. Passerines should be abundant in this riparian area. We have had a wide variety of birds both years we visited plus a western diamondback, coyote and several mule deer. Three mile walk. Bring a lunch. Call leader for meeting place and reservations.
Leader:
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We will walk along the roadway that used to form the old two-lane State Route 87/Beeline Highway bordered by lots of trees and plants and Sycamore Creek. This should attract a variety of birds, including Cassin's Kingbird, Scrub Jay,Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, and Scott's Oriole.
Later in the morning, we will drive across the current Beeline Highway to climb up
the Mt. Ord road with increasing amounts of Juniper and Ponderosa Pine. Birds we
could spot here include Olive Warbler, Hermit Thrush, Hepatic Tanager, Painted
Redstart and Hairy Woodpecker.
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A special piece of Arizona’s natural environment is being protected and restored at the Hassayampa River Preserve near Wickenburg. For most of its 100-mile course through the desert, the Hassayampa River flows only underground. But within the preserve its crystal clear waters emerge, flowing above ground throughout the year. This lush streamside habitat is home to some of the desert’s most spectacular wildlife. Yet many of them have become dangerously imperiled as riparian areas have disappeared from the Arizona landscape.
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The Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area encompasses a five mile stretch of the Salt River just south of downtown Phoenix. This once deteriorated dumping site is now transformed into a lush riparian corridor for visitors to enjoy. The trail system brings you through various habitats - explore the demonstration wetland pond inhabited by wintering waterfowl, observe a jackrabbit in the mesquite bosque, walk under a canopy of cottonwood and willow trees, or enjoy the view of a waterfall from one of the lookouts. The four staging areas listed below provide access to the paved trails. Keep an eye on this page for the latest information. We also recommend calling the Ranger Office with any questions or concerns before heading out to the area.
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