Enthusiasm was evident as the group explored some wooded birding sites around Prescott that most participants had not previously seen. With a dawn departure from Sun City birders arrived at Granite Basin Recreation Area in the Prescott National Forest early enough to catch some good activity in the birds of the pine woods.

Acorn Woodpeckers and Lesser Goldfinches were predominant. Several snags at the base of Granite Mountain provided good perches for a female Western Tanager and an adult male Scott's Oriole. Steller's Jay, Cordilleran Flycatcher, American Robin, Juniper Titmouse, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Whitebreasted Nuthatch put in appearances. A Great Blue Heron, American Coot and Red-winged Blackbird were seen at the pond and a flock of Bushtits fed among the junipers.

At the Stricklin Natural Area, an in-town park, Bridled Titmice were feeding in the oaks and some bright blue Western Scrub-Jays were chasing each other.

Watson Woods Conservation Area with its large cottonwoods and fields of sunflowers was dreadfully bare of birds. Although it was cool, it was midday and stomachs were growling so the nine adventurers opted to end birding and eat.

Lending to the enthusiasm: one birder was christening her new Leica binoculars and enjoying them; one said the trip was her fine introduction to Arizona birds; another got three "Lifers." After a terrifically satisfying lunch at Prescott's Iron Springs Cafe everyone agreed it had been a great birding trip.

The rest of the 34 bird species seen including those along the roads enroute were: Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Greater Roadrunner, Hummingbird sp., Gila Woodpecker, Say's Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, Common Raven, Northern Mockingbird, Curvebilled Thrasher, Phainopepla, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, and House Finch.