Subject: Advice on Birding Locations in SE Arizona
Date: Dec 4 10:29:27 2003
From: Caratfeathers at aol.com - Caratfeathers at aol.com


Janine, Maricopa County and Sedona also have regional guides. They are
"Birds of Phoenix and Maricopa County Arizona" (available through Maricopa Audubon)
and "Birding Sedona & The Verde Valley" (Yes, I know Sedona is not SE :-),
but good birding just the same!); the Sedona guide is available from the
Northern Arizona Audubon Society.

The SE AZ Bird Observatory web site is terrific as are either of the two
guides to birding in SE AZ.

A good spot in the Phoenix area is the 91'st Avenue Waste Water Treatment
Plant (Tres Rios Constructed Wetlands) in Tolleson (west of Phoenix proper).
This web site has directions:

http://phoenix.gov/TRESRIOS/areamapv.html

and this is the wetlands home page:

http://www.usbr.gov/lc/phoenix/user/7000/tresrios.home.html

Be sure to check in at the treatment plant office as directed; they will give
you updates on bird sightings as well as safety tips for visiting the area
(occasionally they have problems with "rabble rousers" (sp???) at the west
ponds. But I have visited Tres Rios many times and had no problems; I just kept
an eye alert for potential problems as well as for birds.

Look for Burrowing Owls along the edges of the agricultural fields in the
area.

Also, I suggest subscribing to BIRDWG05 , the AZ and NM chat group, to get
the latest sightings before you go. You join this much like joining Tweeters:

send email to join is to: listserv at listserv.arizona.edu
subject line: leave blank or use a period if your browser objects to no
subject
body of email message: SUBSCRIBE BIRDWG05 your first and last name

be sure there is no other text in the message (i.e, delete any automatic
signature)
If you have any problems let me know; I am currently subscribed and will
check to see if there have been any changes to the joining process.

The Rogers Road Waste Water Treatment Plant and neighboring wetlands (name
escapes me at the moment, but it is in the guide to SE AZ) is the best place to
see Harris's Hawks.

After having lived in AZ for seven years I know a gozillion out-of-the-way
spots in central and SE AZ, but you will see the same species by visiting the
locations given in the guides and from Birdwg05 tips.

Have a great trip! Judy

Judy Rowe Taylor
Mukilteo, WA
caratfeathers at aol.com