Saturday April 28, 2012

Saturday Field Trips and Walks

Photography Safari
Tom Whetten and George Andrejko-from Arizona Game and Fish

Prescott Field Trip
Bonnie Pranter & Micah Riegner
Saturday, April 28
Departure: 6am
Return: 4pm
Rating: 3
Cost: $45
Travel to the other side of Mingus Mountain to the mile-high Prescott area. We’ll visit a variety of habitats from lakes to grassland to ponderosa forest in search of such species as acorn woodpecker, violet-green swallow, pine siskin and ash-throated flycatcher. This all-day excursion includes a box lunch.
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Flagstaff Wetlands Field Trip
Tom Linda
Saturday, April 28
Departure: 6am
Return: 4pm
Rating: 3
Cost: $45
This trip will take us up on top of the Mogollon Rim to explore the wetlands around Flagstaff. We will visit Kachina Wetlands and Anderson Mesa that includes Lake Mary, Mormon Lake and other smaller lakes. Birds we're hoping to see include gulls, ducks, and shorebirds. Bald eagles and osprey nest and hunt on these lakes. Tom Linda is one of our favorite guides; he is knowledgeable and willing to lend his expertise. It can be cold and windy this time of year so dress appropriately. We'll bring lunch.
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Tavasci Marsh Field Trip
Bob Miller
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, April 26, 27, 28, 29
Departure: 7am
Return: 11am
Rating: 4
Cost: $30
We will leave in shuttle vans that will take us to nearby Tavasci Marsh where water and shore birds, raptors, and flycatchers abound. The Yuma clapper rail has been spotted here in the past as have the river otters. The marsh and adjoining Peck’s Lake and Verde River Greenway are part of Audubon’s Tuzigoot Important Birding Area. This is one of our most popular trips. Includes lots of walking, a mile each way in and out, but worth every step.
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Greenway Walk
Craig Anderson
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, April 26, 27, 28, 29
Departure: 7am
Return: 11am
Rating: 3
Cost: $25
One of the many reasons for holding the festival at Dead Horse Ranch State Park is its location in the heart of the Verde River’s riparian corridor. A walk along the Verde River Greenway will provide opportunities to spot riparian dependent species. An expert guide will enhance your experience. You should be able to see most of the species of the season on the park’s bird list including the common black-hawk that is known to nest here.
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Backyard Birding with Doug
Doug Von Gausig

Bubbling Ponds at Page Springs Field Trip
Troy Blanchard
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, April 26, 27, 28, 29
Departure: 7am
Return: noon
Rating: 3
Cost: $30
The Page Springs area is a favorite hangout for birds and birders alike. This trip will take you to one of the locals’ favorite hot spots on the banks of Oak Creek. Bubbling Ponds has been a project of the Northern Arizona Audubon with trails, invasive plant species eradication and habitat restoration and is part of the Lower Oak Creek Important Birding Area.
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Bent River Ranch FT
Dena Greenwood
Saturday April 28
Departure: 7am
Return: noon
Rating: 3
Cost $30
Just across the river from Tuzigoot National Monument, we will bird rich Verde River riparian habitat as guests of the Jordan family. The river bottom land, canal corridors and historic farm meadows are all part of Bent River Ranch. The bend in the river is how Tuzigoot got its name. Join us with one of our favorite birders, Dena Greenwood. Moderate walking and just 10 min. from the festival location.
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Focus on Flycatchers FT
Homer Hansen
Saturday, April 28
Departure: 7am
Return: 3pm
Rating: 3
Cost: $45
This trip will take us into prime flycatcher country led by Homer Hansen of “Wings Over Willcox” fame. Species that might be seen include gray flycatcher and other “Empids,” black phoebe, Say’s phoebe, vermilion flycatcher, brown-crested flycatcher, ash-throated flycatcher, western kingbird, and Cassin’s kingbird. Box lunch is included. Homer will be presenting a workshop on Friday afternoon on the basics of flycatcher identification. We recommend you don’t miss his presentation to prepare you for this field trip.
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Along the Rio de Flag
Laura McGrath
Saturday, April 28
Departure: 7:30am
Return: 3pm
Rating: 3
Cost: $45
This trip takes us up to Flagstaff to the Museum of Northern Arizona along the Rio de Flag. After birding, we will take a quick drive over to Laura’s private property for lunch and to continue birding. Laura is new to guiding for this festival but has been an ornithologist for 17 years and did her masters work at NAU on the migration of neo-tropical migrants. You’re sure to learn a lot from her and enjoy a great day’s birding. Bird hopefuls include acorn woodpecker, red-faced warbler, evening grosbeak, bald eagle, red crossbill. Box lunch included.
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Armchair Birding
Anita MacFarlane
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, April 26, 27, 28, 29
Departure: 8am
Return: 10am
Rating: 5
Cost: Free
Let the birds come to you. Bring your favorite camp chair, binoculars, a little refreshment, and just enjoy birding as the hours slip by. We will only have to walk a short distance on the Day Use Accessible Trail to a spot where feeders bring the birds up close. A knowledgeable guide will help identify species. The area is open for birding at any time but the guide will only be available during these hours. Donations to help cover feeder costs are appreciated.
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Introduction to Birding for Kids
Nikki Lober
Saturday, April 28
Departure: 8am
Return: :10am
Rating: 5
Cost: Free
Part of our Nature Fair, this is the chance to bring our kids into the pleasures of birding. Nikki is skilled at teaching the basics to all ages. Kids will enjoy learning how to bird with fun activities and hands-on experience in the field. Recommended for ages 7 to 12 years. Registration is not necessary.
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Beginning Birding Walk for Adults
Kathe Anderson
Saturday, April 28
Departure: 8am
Return: 10:30am
Rating: 2
Cost: Free
The best way to learn birding is to go with others. Not only do you learn identification skills but also how to bird effectively and ethically. This is a rare opportunity to go with a top birder at no cost. Let Kathe show you the basics that just might lead to a life-long love of birding and the outdoors. Beginners only please.
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Cadillac Canoe Brunch Chip Norton Saturday & Sunday, April 28 & April 29 Departure: 8am Return: 1pm Rating: 3 Cost: $60

On this, our signature trip, we will be taking canoes down the Verde River for a different perspective of the riparian habitat. We will beach the canoes at a private residence and be treated to a home-made brunch. Experienced paddlers pilot every canoe so you can sit back and enjoy the river’s surprises. There’s always the chance that you might get wet so wear shoes and clothes that can take the water. Shorts are recommended depending on weather. This trip is dependent upon the water flow. Weight limit - 200lbs.
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Monkeyflower Falls FT
Curt Fultz
Saturday, April 28
Departure: 8:30am
Return: 3pm
Rating: 3
Cost: $45
An all-around naturalist, Curt is back with us this year to lead us on his very popular outing exploring lower Oak Creek with stops at several local birding hotspots including Page Springs, Windmill Park, and the mysterious Monkeyflower Falls. Curt is a favorite and his trip includes an elegant brunch, served outdoors. We can only accept eight passengers so sign up early.
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Eating “Wild” Walk
Patty West
Saturday, April 28
Departure: 10am
Return: 11:30am
Rating: 3
Cost: $5
There’s a lot to munch on in nature. Learn the wild edible plants, both native and non-native, in a walk through the riparian and desert habitats in the park. Patty will also talk about how to process this natural garden for your dinner plate. This will be a 2-mile walk over various terrains. Sturdy shoes are recommended.
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Butterfly Walk in the Park
Adriane Grimaldi
Saturday & Sunday, April 28, April 29
Departure: 10am
Return: noon
Rating: 2
Cost: $10
Take a leisurely walk with Adriane Grimaldi, a volunteer from Boyce Thompson Arboretum, to see the area’s butterflies. Learn about the life cycle these beautiful insects and about the different varieties seen here. Adriane will allow time for questions and answers and has handouts to take home. Be sure to catch her workshop later this afternoon on “Building for Butterflies.
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Dragonfly Field Trip
Rich Bailowitz
Saturday, April 28
Departure: 10am
Return: 3pm
Rating: 3
Cost: $40
Odonata are fun to watch and are as varied as the birds. These amazing predators of the insect world offer a fascinating glimpse into Nature. This year we start with a walk in the park to find those flying jewels near the event site. A break for lunch and then board the vans to visit the lagoons. Box lunch.
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River Walk
Jeanmarie Haney
Saturday, April 28
Departure: 12:30pm
Return: 2pm
Rating: 1
Cost: $5
Always keeping a watchful eye on the river, we are excited to offer this walk along the banks of the Verde. Jeanmarie joins us from the Nature Conservancy to share the story of the Verde River, its past, its threats, its importance and its questionable future.
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Verde Valley Geology Field Trip - Geology of the Jerome Mining District and Mingus Mountain
Paul Lindberg
Saturday, April 28
Departure: 1pm
Return: 5pm
Rating: 3
Cost: $30
What does ancient geology mean to us today? Historic and modern mining, made possible by remarkable geologic processes, creates jobs and impacts our lives in many ways. Travel along with Paul Lindberg, our local geological guru whose explanations make it easy for anyone to understand the processes that formed our landscape. There will be lots of stops along the way including Jerome State Historic Park, a peek into the open pit mine and breath-taking views from the mountain.
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Botanical Walk
Jean Searle
Saturday, April 28
Departure: 3pm
Return: 5pm
Rating: 2
Cost: $10
A guided walk to identify many of the riparian and grassland species of plants and flowers found in the park. Learn arid plants’ secrets to survival and the challenge of invasive species. If the rains favor us, we could even experience a wealth of wildflowers. Please prepare for warm afternoon weather.
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Tom Linda's Owl Spot
Tom Linda
Saturday, April 28
Departure: 5pm
Return: 10pm (or later)
Rating: 2
Cost: $35
We will drive to Flagstaff to join Tom for an evening of owling on Mt. Humphreys, Arizona’s highest peak. We will visit several sites along Snow Bowl Road and will enjoy a short hike to look for northern saw-whet, flammulated, great-horned and long-eared owls. The trail can be rocky, so a flashlight and hiking boots are highly recommended. Be prepared for cold weather, bring a warm jacket, camera, binoculars and your best owling story.
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Owl Prowl
Scott Woolbright
Saturday, April 28
Departure:7 pm
Return: 8:30pm
Rating: 2
Cost: $15
Our second evening of owling in the park. We will attempt to spot the great horned owl, the barn owl, and perhaps the western screech owl. They have all been seen here in the past. Bring along a flashlight as well as your binoculars.
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Saturday Workshops & Seminars

Workshops and seminars have a fee and require registration. Both are being held in the Studio located in the far end of the park, unless noted otherwise. Check for any changes or additions and check in for all workshops at the registration tent. Participants will be shuttled to and from all workshops/seminars. There is no parking at the Studio or Cabin. Restroom facilities are located in the building.

Dragonflies- Benevolent Predators
Rich Bailowitz
Saturday, April 28
Location: Studio
8am - 9am
Cost: $5
Colorful and fascinating! We are very excited to have Rich Bailowitz join us for this workshop. A noted entomologist and author, he will give a quick run-through of the various species of dragonflies found in the middle Verde Valley. Rich’s current project is A Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Arizona and Sonora. This talk will be a great introduction to the Dragonfly Field Trip or may spark your interest in discovering these water jewels for yourself.
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Hummingbirds: The Most Magical Birds in the World
Ross Hawkins
Saturday, April 28                     
Location: Studio
9:30 – 11am          
Cost: $5
Hummingbirds, the most universally loved birds in the world, have charisma and inspire devotion and enthusiasm. They are also magical: their dazzling appearance and ability to hover amaze us and seem to defy understanding. Dr. Ross Hawkins, Founder and Executive Director of The Hummingbird Society, presents an intimate look at these “glittering fragments of the rainbow,” as John James Audubon described them. Through images and stories he holds your attention as you begin to understand their unique relationship with flowers, their tiny, amazing nests, their ability to hover, their GPS-like memories, and their fearlessness of humans. Personal encounters with hummingbirds are often memorable, and so is this presentation.
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The Lunch & Learn Series is designed to provide you with an intense, skill oriented presentation over the lunch hour, so a box lunch will be provided. Be sure to pick up your lunch and a drink at the Aviary before boarding the shuttle to the Studio.

Lunch & Learn: Feathers-A little knowledge goes a long way.
Kathe Anderson
Saturday, April 28
Location: Studio
11:30am – 1:30pm
Cost: $20
Feathers seem obvious when it comes to birds but we often don’t realize how they work or their role in the life and survival of birds. Not only is this class fun and interesting but it will give you a deeper understanding of our feathered friends and the expression, birds of a feather. Kathe comes to us with years of experience in leading field trips and teaching classes.
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Owls – Whoooo Are They?
Andy Berry
Saturday, April 28
Location: Studio
2pm - 3pm
Cost: $5
This workshop covers the natural history of owls and what makes them so interesting and diverse. From the largest to the smallest, their adaptations make them unique among the raptors. Even the mythology of owls makes them fascinating. Join Andy as she introduces you to these amazing birds.
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Raptors in Arizona
Homer Hansen
Saturday, April 28
Location: Studio
3:30pm – 4:30pm
Cost: $5
If you’re interested in the raptors that grace our skies, don’t miss this workshop. This session will be a great start-up for Homer’s field trip on Sunday. He will tell you all about their amazing natural histories and help you with identification.
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Family Nature Fair (Click here to view information about the Family Nature Fair.)
Saturday, April 28                     
Cost: Free
Walks starting at 8am                           
Activities: 10am - 2pm                                       
You don’t need to be registered for the festival to attend. Just bring the kids and enjoy. Check in at the children’s registration booth for a complete schedule, nametags, and 10 free activity tickets per child. Additional tickets can be purchased for fifty cents each. We will be crafting bird feeders, building birdhouses, and playing games that make learning fun. Special presentations geared to the family will enlighten you. Live animals will delight the curious. Everyone is welcome to this “wild” family outing.

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