Local & Statewide Field TripsDesert Rivers Audubon Society Calendar

Desert Rivers offers field trips almost every weekend, September through May, with fewer during the summer months. Come join like-minded birders and learn more about our local bird species with enthusiastic leaders who are eager to share their knowledge and experience. All are welcome, beginners to experts, and family groups with middle school kids and up.

We travel to well-known birding locations within the valley, and sometimes all-day trips to good
locations outside the valley. A few trips are weekenders that include a stay-over in towns like Sierra Vista or Flagstaff. See the schedule to the right and make a reservation with our Field Trip Director, Charles Saffell at marisaff@cox.net

Special birding trips can be organized for Scouts, Life-long Learners, Home schoolers, Elementary and Middle School classes, civic groups, large employers, and others. Contact our Field Trips Director with specific requests and we will tailor an educational and informative outing for your special group! We provide binoculars, field guides, and leaders at no cost.

BIRDING ETHICS

Everyone who enjoys birds and birding must always respect wildlife, its environment, and the rights of others. In any conflict of interest between birds and birders, the welfare of the birds and their environment comes first. To review the American Birding Association Code of Birding Ethics, please click here.

OTHER AUDUBON TRIPS

Tucson Audubon
Sonoran Audubon
Northern Arizona Audubon
White Mountain Audubon
Prescott Audubon
Yuma Audubon

Upcoming Field Trips
See Calendar for complete listing of all DRAS Field Trips throughout the 2009-2010 season.

 

Glendale Recharge Ponds, led by Claudia Kirscher
Sat, February 13, 6am – 2pm
Glendale Ponds (map)
Glendale Ponds on the valley's west side has become a popular birding location within the last year or two, hosting the only nesting pair of Least Terns ever recorded in the state, and a Ruff among other species. There is almost always a large assortment of waterfowl there, and this trip should yield a good number of species. If you haven't been to this site, this is a good opportunity to carpool there and see for yourself what's going on at the Glendale Ponds. To reserve your spot, contact Charles or Marion Saffell, marisaff@cox.net, or 480 668-9393.


Scottsdale Ponds, led by Harvey Beatty
Sat, February 27, 7am – 12pm
Scottsdale Ponds have long been a great place to find a surprising assortment of waterfowl. Harvey Beatty will lead this group to these and perhaps a couple other ponds nearby to see wintering ducks, sandpipers, and geese. In the past, Common Mergansers and Hooded Mergansers have been seen here, along with Bufflehead, Ring-necked Ducks, American Wigeons, N. Pintails, N. Shovelers, and egrets and herons.

 

Tres Rios Nature Festival
Sat, March 6, 9am – Sun, March 7, 4pm
Phoenix International Raceway (map)
This is the BIG one! Plan to bring your family and friends for a day of activities, displays, and learning about everything environmental. Sponsored by Arizona Game & Fish and many other corporations and environmental groups, this Saturday/Sunday event offers lots to adults and kids of all ages. See more at: www.tresriosnaturefestival.org

 

Mesa Hotspots, led by Kathe Anderson
Fri, March 5, 7am – 10am
Blythe, CA (map)
Haven't heard of Mesa Electric Park? You won't find it on a map, but it's a great in-town place to take visitors for a short, free experience of desert flora and fauna. Good views of common desert species such as cactus wrens, Gila woodpeckers, curve-billed thrashers, and usually, rosy-faced lovebirds, among others. We'll head to Red Mountain Regional Park afterwards to add some waterfowl to our list and wrap up. Further details will be provided to participants closer to the date. Bring water. Please register with Kathe at kathe.coot@cox.net, or Charles or Marion Saffell, marisaff@cox.net, or 480 668-9393.

 

APACHE TRAIL, ROOSEVELT LAKE, led by Kathe Anderson
Fri, March 12, 6am – 4pm
Roosevelt Dam, AZ (map)
Roosevelt Lake and Globe Loop--We'll leave the East Valley about 6am and return about 4pm. Meeting site TBA. This trip requires patience--behind the wheel on the winding Trail and looking for birds, but is rewarding for its remarkable scenery and possibilities for interesting sightings. The last group was mesmerized by the dive and bob dance between a bald eagle and pied-billed grebe--the eagle gave up! We'll bird along the trail, stopping at promising spots, along the lake's edge and probably near Besh Ba Gowah in Globe. Should yield a nice variety of desert and water birds. Further details will be provided to participants closer to the date. Bring water, lunch, and a scope if you have one. Return about 4pm. Limited to 8. Please register with Kathe at kathe.coot@cox.net

 

PAGE SPRINGS FISH HATCHERY, led by Richard Kaiser
Sat, March 13, 6:30am – 1:30pm
Cornville, AZ (map)
Join leader Richard Kaiser on this trip to Page Springs. We will visit the Page Springs fish hatchery near Camp Verde, and bird other nearby areas. Part of this is a new IBA (Important Bird Area). Possible sightings include Sora, Green Heron, Bewick's Wren, and American Robin. Bring a lunch & lots of water. Two meeting places are the Tempe Public Library parking lots (southeast corner) at Rural and Southern Roads (leader would not be present) at 6:30 A.M., and then Village Inn parking lot at Northern Avenue and Interstate 17 (NW corner) at 7:15 A.M. Trip ends early afternoon. Please register with Charles or Marion Saffell, marisaff@cox.net, or 480 668-9393.