There was water running in the creeks and a cool breeze fanning the ten birders who explored the Tonto Creek Recreation Area in the Tonto National Forest below the Mogollon Rim east of Payson. Painted Redstarts were the first to greet the group and flitted colorfully throughout the trip.

The hikers, led by Dan Bohlmann, traversed Horton Creek Trail and investigated the Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery where a Common Black Hawk, chased by an American Robin, welcomed them. A MacGillivray's Warbler sang enthusiastically for a long time in the surrounding shrubs and some had a spectacular view of the male.

Warbling Vireos and Acorn Woodpeckers were prevalent and two pairs of House Wrens revealed their nesting sites--one in a tree cavity, the other in a metal pole.

A Western Tanager and a Western Wood Pewee were seen at Christopher Creek Campground. Other birds seen were: Steller's Jay, Common Raven, Turkey Vulture, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Hairy Woodpecker, Grace's Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lesser Goldfinch, Plumbeous Vireo, Black Phoebe, Brown-headed Cowbird, Spotted Towhee, and Northern Roughwinged Swallow.

Participants in addition to the leader were: Richard Theobald, Jan Harding, Eleanor Campbell Chuck Richard, Marjorie Eckman, Richard Kaiser, Grace and Bill Schoerner, and John Depert.