Field Trips
Local & Statewide
Field Trips
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.
Upcoming
Field Trips
See Calendar for complete listing of all DRAS Field Trips throughout
the 2009-2010 season.
FEATHERED FRIENDS FESTIVAL, GILBERT RIPARIAN PRESERVE
Sat, February 13, 6am – 2pm
Greenfield & Guadalupe, Gilbert, AZ (map)
oin us for the free annual Feathered Friends Festival, with fun booths and educational pursuits for families. There will be lots of activities, booths, programs, and learning opportunities for adults and kids of all ages. This one day event is fun and educational and usually has several thousand attendees. Seee more at: www.riparianinstitute.org
INTERNAT'L MIGRATORY BIRD DAY CELEBRATION
Sat, April 10, 8am – 1pm
RIO SALADO HABITAT (map)
Bring the kids and come to the Rio Salado Habitat to celebrate with DRAS. Lots of fun! Enjoy all the various environmental and conservation games and booths, bird walks, and more! This Festival is always a lot of fun for all ages. Desert Rivers Audubon will have our two booths there, with our book sales, and children's activities, and we will be leading bird walks throughout the day. More info to follow later.
FIELD TRIP; GRANITE REEF DAM, SALT/VERDE RIVERS, led by Charles Saffell
Sat, April 17, 6:45am – 11:00am
Come with us once again to the Lower Salt & Verde Rivers, East of Mesa, for Charles' Spring trip. We'll meet at the Walgreen's on the SE corner of McKellips and Power Rds., and will leave this area promptly at 6:45 a.m. Each car will need a Tonto Nat'l Forest Pass to drive and park in the area. $3 for Seniors with a Golden Age Pass, and $6 for others. Check the Tonto website for locations where these passes can be bought. Usually passes are available at the CircleK by our meeting place. We'll drive along the river, stopping at various parking areas and campgrounds to walk short distances to the river and birding areas. We usually see Bald Eagles, Osprey, Great Blue Herons, and smaller desert birds on this trip. For Reservations: contact Charles or Marion Saffell, marisaff@cox.net, or 480 668-9393.
Field Trip; Dudleyville, led by Pierre Deviche
Sat, April 24, 6:00am – 1:30pm
Dudleyville, AZ (map)
Pierre Deviche, PhD., ASU Ornithologist, will lead us to the Dudleyville area, located along the San Pedro River. This location offers rich and varied riparian habitats with year-round running water. Thus, there is great potential for observing regular resident species, but also uncommon to rare species that use the San Pedro River riparian corridor during migration. Bring water, a lunch, and waterproof footwear and mosquito repellent are also recommended. Some of the walk could be muddy. We'll meet in the SE Valley and leave promptly at 6 A.M. Meeting info will be sent with final info email to those with reservations. Please register with Charles or Marion Saffell, marisaff@cox.net,
or 480 668-9393.
Field Trip; Joint trip with Tucson Audubon, Gilbert Riparian Preserve
Sat, May 8, 7am – 11am
SE Corner, Greenfield & Guadalupe Rds., Gilbert, AZ (map)
Spend the morning birding the Riparian Preserve at the Gilbert Water Ranch on this joint field trip with the Tucson Audubon Society. This ‘Important Bird Area (IBA)’ is one of the best hot spots in metro Phoenix. With close to 200 species spotted here , you never know what you are going to find! Easy level walking and wheelchair accessible. Meet us at 7:00 am at the Gilbert Riparian Preserve parking lot, located about a quarter mile east of Greenfield Road on the south side of Guadalupe Road. (This is East of the corner Library parking lot, in the lot labeled Gilbert Water Ranch. Leader: Richard Filley. Please register with Charles or Marion Saffell, marisaff@cox.net,
or 480 668-9393.
DRAS BBQ Potluck Picnic @ Saffells
Tue, May 11, 6:30pm – 10:00pm
805 N. Grand, Mesa, AZ (map)