Field trip leader Anne Leight says this is a fun place to bird! Mt. Ord offers high-elevation birding in Maricopa County, located near Sunflower east of State Route 87. Once we leave S.R. 87, the roads are steep, but passable to most vehicles. Carpooling will be coordinated with Anne. We will make several stops along the route to get out and walk, including “the green corral” and forest road FR1688.
Species we hope to see are Gray Vireos, Ash-throated Flycatchers, Scott’s Orioles, Black-chinned Sparrows, Rufous-crowned Sparrows. As we move higher in elevation expect Grace’s Warblers. Virginia’s Warblers, Acorn Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, White-breasted Nuthatch, Black-chinned Sparrows, Crissal Thrashers, Painted Redstarts, Woodhouse Scrub Jays, Steller’s jays, Bushtits, Black-throated gray warblers, Broad-tailed and Rufous Hummingbirds, Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Tanager and Spotted Towhee. Time permitting, we may drive to the top of Mt. Ord for Mountain Chickadee and Red Crossbill.
Meet: Parking lot at Denny’s in Fountain Hills on Shea BLVD near State Route 87.
Difficulty: 2-3 Walking at high elevation, some uphill walking
Limit: 8 participants. Maximum 3 vehicles. No more than two vehicles preferred to drive together to the top of Mt. Ord.
Registration: To register, send your name and phone number to [email protected] with the name of this field trip in the subject line. You will receive an email with confirmation and further details.
Photo by Joshua Ellis, Audubon Photography Awards
