Date: 3/3/25 7:31 am
From: Popp, Cappy <cappy.popp...>
Subject: Re: [MASSBIRD] Phoenix/Tempe AZ
Also, I highly recommend the Tres Rios Overbank Wetlands, a bit west of
you: https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L1871151. Go near dusk/dawn (big
flocks of yellow-headed blackbirds). Reeds are pretty high, but tons of
birds and a chance to get the Ridgway's Rail. And driving around the farms
in the area, look for any who have irrigation going, and you'll likely see
tons of ibis, long-billed curlew, Western/Chihuahan Meadowlarks, etc. Easy
to tell since it's so flat out there. It says permit required, and
supposedly they're trivial to get, but I've never bothered and haven't had
a problem, nor have the crowds of people fishing there whenever I visit.
You may need some more powerful glass, though. Many farmers don't take
kindly to you walking through their fields! Another great spot that will
likely get you all the local thrashers (Curve-billed, Sage, Le Conte's,
Bendire's, etc.) is the locally well-known 'Thrasher Spot' out in the
middle of effectively nowhere, but I've had great luck there.
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L280695 Walk around slowly through the
underbrush, paying close attention to the dry creek washes. The thrashers
tend to be around them, at least in my experience. Good luck!

On Sun, Mar 2, 2025 at 3:21 PM <kjsejkora...> <kjsejkora...>
wrote:

> Hi Bennet,
>
> If you are up for a bit of a drive to the east, Boyce Thompson Arboretum
> on the way toward Superior/Globe is well worth a visit. That could also be
> combined with a trip toward the northeast along the Salt River and/or Verde
> River northeast of Mesa. Also up in that direction is Lost Dutchman State
> Park.
>
> More local to the Phoenix metro area, the Riparian Reserve at Water Ranch
> in Gilbert at the intersection of North Greenfield Road and East Guadalupe
> Road offers some great birding opportunities. It is a series of over half
> a dozen water reclamation ponds filled to various levels to provide some
> diverse habitats. Plus, it's not too far from Tempe, about 17-miles or 25
> to 30 minutes depending on traffic.
>
> I have a brother who lives in Phoenix, and one who used to live in Queen
> Creek, so am more familiar with the eastern portion of the Phoenix metro
> area.
>
> Good luck, and enjoy the birding out there.
>
> Ken Sejkora
> East Falmouth, MA
> <kjsejkora...>
>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* <massbird-approval...> <massbird-approval...>
> on behalf of Bennet Porter <bennet.porter...>
> *Sent:* Sunday, March 2, 2025 12:40 PM
> *To:* Massbird <massbird...>
> *Subject:* [MASSBIRD] Phoenix/Tempe AZ
>
> Hi all,
>
> I'm heading to Tempe in a couple of weeks for a work event and should have
> one afternoon and one morning that I hope to put to some good birding use.
> Any ex-pat Massbirders out there, or folks who know the area that can
> recommend some places to go? I haven't been to AZ or the southwest in
> general since I started birding so most of the birds are going to be novel
> to me.
>
> Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
>
> Bennet Porter
> East Falmouth
>

 
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