There was plenty of water running in the Salt River which runs through the Tonto National Forest northeast of Phoenix. The sky was clear and craggy pinkish mountains added to the beauty of the habitat where birders searched for birds at various sites in the recreation area.

Verdins were feeding their young. Several Bullock's Orioles appeared to be establishing their territory for nesting. A Common Yellowthroat sang persistently in the reeds along the river although it was seen only briefly. The brilliant red Vermilion Flycatcher shimmered in the sunlight with his mate not far away. A pair of Black Phoebes flitted around the river bank while a pair of Curve-billed Thrashers let themselves be heard from a treetop.

Several Lark Buntings were feeding along the roadside as the group neared its destination. A group of large turtles sunning on the far shore of the river attracted much attention.

The species list for the day was: Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Mallard, Red-tailed Hawk, Common Moorhen, Spotted Sandpiper, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Hummingbird (sp.), Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Black Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Lark Bunting, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Bullock's Oriole, House Finch, House Sparrow. Heard were: Bell's Vireo and Canyon Wren.

Participants were: Eleanor Campbell, leader; Marshall Esty, Shirley Fackelman, Chuck Richard, Chuck Kangas, Betty Roberts, Vera Markham and Gerry Horton.