It was a warm day by the Verde River. The river was running well and looked very inviting. Before we started birding, Loretta Richards released two Kestrels that had been rehabilitated at the AZ Game and Fish Wildlife Center. Then the group birded through cottonwood trees and along the river. Unfortunately the bird population wasn’t up to the scenery. By mid morning, the lack of birds and the heat dictated a return to the vehicles.

Only 21 species were seen. They are: Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Turkey Vulture, Mallard, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel (things were slow so we counted everything), Gambel’s Quail, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Morning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, House Wren, MacGillvray's Warbler, Summer Tanager, Abert’s Towhee, White Crowned Sparrow, Lesser Goldfinch.