Common Yellowthroat
Photo by Earle Robinson

According to the leader, Vera Markham, it was a very good birding trip to Tres Rios constructed wetlands at the 91st Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Salt River in south Phoenix. The site includes riparian areas, running stream, marshland, retired fields and open desert which provide ample habitats for a variety of birds. Despite chilly, overcast and unpredictable looking weather the nine participants observed 40 species.

Birds seen at the Hayfield site were: Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant (very plentiful), Least Bittern (seen by one who got to the site early), Great Blue Heron (very plentiful), Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret, Redhead (seen by one), Green Heron, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Osprey, Gambel's Quail, Common Moorhen, American Coot (very plentiful), Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Costa's Hummingbird, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Verdin, Marsh Wren, Cactus Wren (heard), Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, European Starling, Orange- crowned Warbler (very plentiful), Yellow-rumped Warbler (very plentiful), Common Yellowthroat, Northern Cardinal, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Whitecrowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Gila Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Black Phoebe, Swallow (sp.) possible Northern Rough-winged.

Also seen near the Cobble site pond were Belted Kingfisher and Black-crowned Night Heron.

Those that attended were: Doyle Van Sant, Don Samuels, Liz and Stew Morris, Bob McCall, Cathy Huffman, Ian Jeffrey, Marjorie Eckman and Marr Simons.