SAS’ ANNUAL SPRING BIRD WALKS AND PICNIC AT HORSESHOE RANCH is Saturday APRIL 1, 2023 from 7:30 AM to about 12:30 PM. We’ll be in the shade on the campus of the Horseshoe Ranch complex near one of the houses—the Cook Shack —on site. The SAS gathering will be RAIN or SHINE! HOWEVER, SEE ALERT BELOW REGARDING POTENTIAL FOR RIVER FLOODING. RSVP to Karen at [email protected] by Thurs, MARCH 30, EOB.

ALERT: Due to the weather patterns this winter there may be potential for a righteous spring snow melt. The Agua Fria River may be flooding and impassable for vehicles to cross to drive into the Ranch proper. If this is the case, you will receive an email or phone call/message the day or night before to let you know the event is cancelled. So, PLEASE RSVP to Karen at [email protected] AND PLEASE INCLUDE CONTACT INFO.

AT THE RANCH: Parking is across the Agua Fria River on the ranch property.

WHAT TO BRING: There is no need to bring Pot Luck as SAS does not do potluck any longer; and we do not cook hamburgers and hot dogs either—So YOUR PICNIC is truly “yours”. Bring your bag lunch, snacks, soft drinks and water for your household or group and of course, your lawn chairs and binoculars. Thanks to Andree’ Tarby, SAS will provide coffee, decaf coffee and donuts for your arrival!

Plants for Birds: There may be “Plants for Birds” to plant in your yard or on your balcony courtesy of National Audubon grants with guidance from Jim Consolloy, former Chapter President and horticulturalist extraordinaire and SAS’ Board Member, Kaylee Del Cid, former Plants for Birds intern.

THANKS to GAME & FISH: SAS is always grateful to the AZ Game & Fish—especially to Kelly Wolff and ranch manager, Trevor Kerin, for their hospitality.

The Bird Watching: Start time: 8:00-8:30 AM

“Around the Ranch Big Easy Walk.” You’ll be able to meander around the Ranch House property with Kathy and Karen. Sometimes we get a GREAT bird list that way. We’ll be looking for migrants, of course….

The Ford and Cottonwood Canopy Walk: There will be an easy and short walk to the ford over the Agua Fria River or down/up the river a bit with Tim Flood.

Says Tim: “This is a 1-mile hike under the cottonwood canopy and hopefully without high river flow. Some bushwacking and rock hopping may be required. Hoping to see spring migrants and a white-breasted nuthatch.”

“McBob’s Walk for the Birds” could be what you want! This walk is for INTREPID BIRDERS with Bob McCormick as your guide. You must bring your boots or comfy walking shoes, hats, sun screen, water, cameras and binocs!…

Says McBob: “We’ll drive up to Silver Creek, then walk the Creek to the Agua Fria River. Rocky with some brush, it’s about a two mile round trip; again hopefully not too wet! and yes, we’ll be looking for migrants!”

Finally, you can do “The Big Sit Not-A-Walk” on the lawn at the Cook Shack. There you have access to trees and we mean BIG trees usually full of birds…

A Golden Eagle flew right over a few years ago! And recently we had the migrating Long-Billed Curlew in the field next to the picnic area lawn…it was there all day for Vera Markham to get some great photos. So, from your catbirds’ seats with little exertion required, there should be “good” birds including migrants.

COVID 19 NOTE: For Centers for Disease Control information on vaccines, COVID data and other information go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html . Maricopa County risk is reported as “low” currently. Car-pooling is encouraged with appropriate ventilation.

HORSESHOE RANCH is a conservation inholding owned by the AZ Game & Fish Dept in the Agua Fria National Monument about 60 miles north of Phoenix Metro. SAS has a special relationship with this wonderful site. The Chapter’s collaboration goes way back to the time that the Game & Fish raised funds for acquisition of this working cattle ranch to save it as a conservation area.

DIRECTIONS TO HORSESHOE RANCH: Drive north toward Flagstaff on Route 17 out of Phoenix to the Bloody Basin Road exit #259 about 50-60 miles from Phoenix. Drive EAST on BB Road for six miles. The dirt road is OK for regular cars; just go slow in some places as there may be rough spots with all the snow & rain lately. As you come over the rise at about Mile 6 and see the Upper Agua Fria River/big trees below in the valley you will also see the Ranch complex across the river. Go most of the way down the hill and Turn LEFT into the Ranch Road, drive OVER (through!) the stream (yes, it is the river) and up into the Ranch yard to park.