Ah, Willow and Watson! These two lakes are the very heart of the Willow-Watson Important Bird Area, bordered by the magnificent Prescott Dells. They are also the top two eBird hotspots for Yavapai County. This trip will be easy walking on level trails, about two miles total.  We will tour Watson Woods looking for returning songbirds, with emphasis on our western species such as Bullock’s Oriole, Bridled Titmouse, and the tiny Lucy’s Warbler. If lake levels are good, we will check the shorelines for migrating shorebirds, gulls, and lingering ducks.  This tour should provide a good start to your Festival birdlist, for sure! You will be invited to join Susan for lunch afterwards at The Palace in Prescott. Everyone will pay for their own meal.  There is a $5 parking fee.

Restaurant Link: https://palace-restaurant-saloon.shop/menu

PPart of the Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival

Join us 100 miles North of Phoenix in North Central Arizona’s Verde Valley for the Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival. Experience birding during the peak Spring migration season at Dead Horse Ranch State Park on the banks of the Verde River. Close proximity to the Verde, Oak Creek, Sycamore Creek, and other perennial waters offers a wide selection of guided tours, hikes, and workshops in one of Arizona’s richest birding habitats.

Our experienced guides have extensive knowledge of birds and the unique habitat that makes this region special. The festival, presented each April by Friends of the Verde River, is a purpose-driven community benefit organization and 501(c) 3 non-profit working to preserve one of the last perennial flowing rivers in the American Southwest.

Festival site is at Dead Horse Ranch State Park.