Tuzigoot-Dead Horse State Park, Monday May 6, 2024, 7:30 - 10:30 AM. Drive to Dead Horse State Park & meet at the parking area at the end of Flycatcher Road. From here, we will walk along the Verde River under willows and cottonwoods, peer from a cliff to look for birds in the canopy & walk along a potentially damp area up to an open area of desert scrub in Tuzigoot National Monument. The path is uneven and steep at times but the length of the walk is not much more than a mile. We will look for tanagers, flycatchers, and orioles as well as our resident birds. There are no restrooms here; you might want to use the ones on Owl Road as you drive into the park. Wear sturdy shoes, a hat and sunscreen.  Bring binoculars, water and a snack. The state park is a fee area. Please text Julie Wills at 928 300 9775, if you don't have a park pass.

THIS EVENT IS FULL. Butterfly Spring on Mingus Mountain - Wednesday May 8th 7 AM-12 NOON. REGISTRATION REQUIRED for this one and will be limited to 7 people. We will meet in Cottonwood to carpool in two vehicles. This is a little bit of an adventure walk where we scramble up a steep hill with loose scree to start and could potentially encounter rustic trail conditions. Freak hail storms have surprised us here in Spring before. The payoff is warblers!! No restrooms or reliable cellphone service on the trail.

Wild and Wonderful Wetlands

In May, Kachina Wetlands are birdy, beautiful, and at their best! Join Northern Arizona Audubon for a 2-mile walk with the opportunity to see a wide variety of songbirds, waterbirds, swallows, and raptors. Plumage is brilliant this time of year, birds are singing, and ospreys are adding sticks to their nest. The field trip leader is Harrison Jones.

Please bring binoculars if you have them, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and water. Although the route is gravel, it is wheelchair accessible. No bathrooms.

How to get there: From I-17, take the Kachina Village exit, immediately turn right onto Tovar Trail, and follow it one mile to the dirt parking lot at the end.

Any questions? Contact Harry at hjones@birdpop.org

Join us for the 3 rd annual All-Chapter Pot Luck. Last year, we had good birds and great
food!
When: Saturday, May 18th
Where: Montezuma Well Picnic Area
Time: 8:00-11:45
Details: BYOE (Bring Your Own Everything)
-Chair, blanket, beverage, plates, cups, etc.
-Serving and eating utensils
-Trash bags
And bring: A Potluck Dish to Share
Agenda:

1. Bird; in small groups from 8:30-10:00 (volunteer leaders will be available)
2. 10:00 - 10:30 set out shared dishes on picnic tables
3. 10:30 - 11:30 Brunch and chat
4. Out by 11:45
   The shade of the trees keeps the temperature very pleasant!
   If you pack it in – please pack it out – leave no trace.
   (Emphasis on sustainability; - there will not be trash collection. Nor will paper products be provided.
   Don’t move the picnic tables. We are to leave everything as it was before the free event! There will be help schlepping your stuff in and out.)
   PARKING DETAILS:
   Gate does not open until 8:00 a.m.
   Directions: Drive as if you are going to Montezuma Well. Once you are through the gate, take the right hand road to the Picnic Area. Parking is limited. Please consider carpooling with friends.
   If all of these spaces are taken, you may park to the right of the picnic area in the dirt cul-de-sac (however, do not move any of the parking cones.)
   Questions: Contact khawklee@gmail.com

Cave Springs Campground, Wednesday, May 22nd 7:30 – 10:00 am.

Meet at the pullout into Cave Springs Campground (Coords: 35.000458, -111.737290) The campground is closed this summer. Parking here is limited so carpooling is highly recommended. We will be walking on the trails along Oak Creek, and in the campground itself, in search of migrants and other local species within the mixed riparian.

Possibly only one bathroom is available during the campground portion of the walk.

Suggested wear long pants due to possible poison ivy. Bring good hiking shoes and hiking sticks/poles as needed; along with the usual items (binoculars, cameras, water, snacks, hats, field guides, etc). For any additional info please contact Kay Hawklee via email: khawklee@gmail.com; text (432)-703-0007. 

Synopsis of Presentation – Butterflies of the Verde Valley

Arizona is home to 334 butterfly species, second only to Texas.  In the Verde Valley, we now have the possibility to see half of those species, due to our varied habitats throughout the region.  That number continues to grow; in 2023 alone, two new species were added to the list!  Becky will share the Verde Valley butterfly families you can expect to observe, including their distinguishing characteristics; as well as some of the best locations to find their species.  She will also share the difference between butterfly host and nectar plants and how you can attract butterflies to your garden.

Social at 5:30, presentation at 6:00.