Phoenix Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Project

Rio Salado is a remarkably diverse assemblage of habitats along the Salt River in the heart of Phoenix. The core of the project is a restored riparian corridor, with copious reeds and willows and a permanent stream, in the center of the river channel. The terraced banks include a cottonwood forest, several streams (and a waterfall that's very popular with warblers), constructed wetlands, desert vegetation, and expanses of grass and saltbrush. Although the project only opened to the public on Nov. 5, 2005, the diversity of habitats has already attracted 176 bird species, as well as turtles, raccoons, muskrats, coyotes, and a profusion of butterflies and dragonflies.

The project has already attracted nearly fifty breeding bird species, including pied-billed grebes, black-crowned night herons, green herons, cinnamon teal, burrowing owls, Bell's vireos, and the threatened Sonoran subspecies of yellow warbler. Wintering birds include a large variety of waterfowl, waders (including American bittern), shorebirds, rails, and birds of prey (including peregrine and harriers). Rio Salado has already become a busy migration stopover for passerines. Numbers of colorful migrants such as lazuli buntings, Western tanagers, and Scott's orioles peak in April and May, and the Rio has already attracted higher-altitude birds such as whip-poor-will in fall migration. Rarities so far have included little blue herons, Sprague's pipits, and hooded, chestnut-sided and palm warblers.

At present, the area between 16th Street and 19th Avenue is open to the public, and the section from 16th to 28th Streets is under construction. Parking is available on the south bank of the river at 16th and 7th Streets and 7th Avenue, and the main visitors' plaza is on the north bank on Central Avenue, less than two blocks south of Interstate 17. Future plans include a major education center to be built and operated by Arizona Audubon at Central Avenue, and an eventual expansion of the habitat restoration project from 19th Avenue to Tres Rios.       Birdwalks are sponsored by the City of Phoenix throughout all but the hottest months of the summer, and meet at the Central Avenue visitors' plaza. Thanks to the growing popularity of  the birdwalks, they will be offered on Saturdays by Tom Gaskill and on Sundays by Frank Insana, usually on alternate weeks. (For an up-to-date schedule and a bird checklist, visit www.phoenix.gov/riosalado.) The walks are free of charge but, so that plans can be made for when demand is especially great, the City asks that you register at http://phoenix.gov/PARKS and click on classes and programs or call 602-262-6863.

Spring 2007 Birdwalk Schedule (meet at 8:00 AM until April, when start time moves to 7:30)

February 3 (Saturday)

February 11 (Sunday)

February 17 (Saturday)

February 18 (Sunday)

March 4 (Sunday)

March 11 (Sunday)

April 14 (Saturday)

April 15 (Sunday)

April 22 (Sunday)

April 28 (Saturday)

May 12 (Saturday)

May 20 (Sunday)