Field Trip – Upper Beeline Highway, Sycamore Creek

This is Maricopa county’s most accessible high elevation riparian area, just 20 minutes north of Fountain Hills. Meet at the Denny’s parking LOT near the intersection of Beeline Hwy (RT 87) and Shea Blvd.

We will bird by car along a paved road, and partly by foot (also along a paved road). There will be many stops by car and then walking, three miles round trip, on mostly flat, paved surfaces. Species: Hutton’s Vireo; Woodhouse and Steller’s Jays; Townsend’s Solitaire; Green-tailed, Spotted and Canyon Towhees; Juniper and Bridled Titmice; Canyon Wren; Red-naped Sapsucker; Mountain Chickadee; Bushtit; Crissal Thrasher; Dark-eyed Junco; Western Bluebird. Cell service is good at the very beginning of the road (old Beeline Hwy) and at the very end of the road, near Sunflower, but none in between.

Bring snacks, plenty of water, trekking poles if you use them.

Cost: No fee, however consider giving your driver 25 cents per mile for gas.

Register: Anne Leight, email below

Spotted Towhee – Michelle Maani/Audubon Photography Awards