Thursday Field Trips and Walks

Today we are featuring educational opportunities for beginning birders with our workshops. We invite local students to join us at the park to learn about their natural world. When on your trips, be sure to pack out what you pack in and a little more. Enjoy the day and take the time to reflect on what you can do to make sure the river and the natural areas you are enjoying will be here in good health in the future. 

All walks and field trips leave from the River Day Use area unless otherwise noted. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to departure and check in with the trip leader at the Aviary.

Birding and Breakfast at Page Springs                        Tom Linda
Thursday, April 25                      Meal included
Departure: 6am                         Return: noon
Rating:  3                                   Cost: $35
One of our favorite birding spots, a great guide, and one of our favorite cooks. John Hart returns after many requests to cook a country breakfast for you. In the new ramada built by the Northern Arizona Audubon Society at Page Springs’ Bubbling Ponds, you will eat breakfast then bird along the ponds and trails of this Important Birding Area. Species might include: osprey, common black-hawk, bald eagle, black-crowned, green, and great blue herons, lazuli and indigo buntings, summer and western tanagers, hooded, Bullock’s and Scott’s orioles, blue grosbeak, marsh wren, and bridled titmouse.

Sycamore Canyon FT           SOLD OUT                         David Moll
Thursday, April 25 
Departure: 6am                       Return: 3pm
Rating: 4                                  Cost: $45
This will be a great day of birding. Sycamore Canyon, one of our vast wilderness areas, hosts the Sycamore Creek that offers a rare watering hole for many species of birds. Travel is along a dirt road with a hike down to the riparian canyon. David is one of our most popular guides and will help seek out those elusive species. As you approach the trail you may see grassland sparrows including lark, black-throated, Brewer’s, sage, vesper and chipping sparrows, loggerhead shrike and verdin. Canyon species may include Virginia’s, and Grace’s warblers, Hutton’s vireo, and yellow-breasted chat.

Bull Pen Ranch Field Trip            SOLD OUT                     Scott Woolbright
Thursday, April 25                      Box lunch included
Departure: 6am                         Return: 3pm                 
Rating: 4                                    Cost: $45
This is a new and exciting trip this year. Bull Pen Ranch is a hidden secret. Clear Creek flows through this historic cattle ranching site. Upper reaches are part of the West Clear Creek Wilderness and is a remote and challenging hiking area. You should see grassland and woodland birds as well as riparian species. We’ll stay to the lower ground but sighting might include: golden and bald eagles, red-naped sapsucker, indigo and lazuli buntings, blue-gray gnatcatcher, mountain and western bluebirds, cedar waxwings, Hermit thrush, and pinyon jays, Costa’s and black-chinned hummingbirds. Cactus wren are found in uplands; black-throated, black-chinned, lark and vesper sparrows in grassy meadows.

Tavasci Marsh Field Trip SOLD OUT                                      Doug Von Gausig
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, April 25, 26, 27, 28
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. Includes lots of walking, a mile each way in and out, but worth every step. 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. Species may include northern harrier, Virginia rail, sora, double-crested cormorant, white-faced ibis and osprey. River otters have been spotted here in the past.

Greenway Walk                                                     Bob Miller
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday,  April 25, 26, 27, 28
Departure: 7am                      Return: 11am 
Rating: 3                                 Cost: $30
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.

Montezuma Well Field Trip     SOLD OUT                         Geoffrey Bland           
Thursday, April 25
Departure: 7am              Return: 11am
Rating: 3                                   Cost: $30
The well is actually a unique closed-system water body, a limestone sinkhole with warm springs and prehistoric canal system with abundant riparian life. Species you may see include common black-hawk, ladder-backed and Gila woodpeckers, yellow-billed cockoos, vermilion and brown-crested flycatchers, bridled and juniper titmouse, verdin, Bullock’s, Scott’s and hooded orioles, yellow, orange-crowned, and Lucy’s warblers, yellow-breasted chats, black-throated and lark sparrows, and Abert’s towhee.

Clear Creek Field Trip  SOLD OUT                             Rich Armstrong
Thursday, April 25
Departure: 7am                        Return: 12am
Rating: 3                                   Cost: $30
This new trip will be taking us into a lush riparian habitat with a new guide we are excited to introduce. Clear Creek is one of several perennial spring-fed streams that flows from the Mogollon Rim into the Verde River. We will walk through a Forest Service campground with lush riparian growth and into upland desert scrub following Clear Creek. Hopeful species include summer and western tanagers, orioles, yellow warblers, flycatchers and maybe even a western screech owl.

Birding and Lunch at Page Springs  SOLD OUT                                   Jim Logan
Thursday, April 25                      Meal included
Departure: 7am                         Return: 1pm
Rating: 3                                    Cost: $35
One of our favorite birding spots, a great guide, and one of our favorite cooks. John Hart cooks a special outdoor meal just for you. In the new ramada built by the Northern Arizona Audubon Society at Bubbling Ponds in Page Springs, you will eat lunch after birding along the ponds and trails of this Important Birding Area. Species might include: osprey, common black-hawk, bald eagle, black-crowned, green, and great blue herons, lazuli and indigo buntings, summer and western tanagers, hooded, Bullock’s and Scott’s orioles, blue grosbeak, marsh wren, and bridled titmouse.

Oak Creek Canyon and Briar Patch Inn SOLD OUT                 Bonnie Pranter
Thursday, April 25            
Departure: 7am                       Return: 2pm
Rating: 3                                  Cost: $50
Upper Oak Creek Canyon offers different varieties of birds than we see in the valley and the scenery is spectacular. We will be birding with one of our best guides in an exclusive private area along Oak Creek at the Briar Patch Inn. First comes the birding then the Inn will serve us a special buffet brunch at 9:30am. Temperatures in the upper canyon can be very cool in the mornings, so bring warm layers. Birds to look for include the American dipper, black-throated gray and Virginia’s warbler, and painted redstart.

Sheep's Crossing Field Trip         SOLD OUT                               Dena Greenwood
Thursday, April 25
Departure: 7:30am                     Return: noon
Rating: 5                                   Cost: $30
This new trip features our most popular guide. Sheep's Crossing is a historic river crossing where sheepherders would traverse the Verde River taking their sheep from winter to summer pastures. Oak Creek confluences with the Verde River at this location. We will walk the river corridor looking for bald eagles, northern cardinal, and verdins. In the cliffs above potential great horned owl and roadrunner.

Armchair Birding                                                 Anita MacFarlane 
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, April 25, 26, 27, 28
Departure: 8am                      Return: 10am
Rating: 5                                 Cost: $5
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 accessible Canopy 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. 

Monkeyflower Falls FT  SOLD OUT                                                   Curt Fultz
Thursday, April 25                      Meal included
Departure: 8am                         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.

Water to Wine (First Trip)                                     Richard Lynch----Wayne Johnson
Thursday, April 25                     Box Lunch Included
Departure: 9am                        Return: 1pm
Rating: 4                                   Cost: $100
This is an adventure trip focusing on water, birding and ending with wine tasting. Sedona Adventure Tours is hosting this river trip on the Verde River to Alcantara Winery. The staff will pick you up at the park and take you to the launch area. An hour in your safe and stable Ducky Kayak will bring you to the winery, where you will be greeted by one of our expert birders who will lead you to some great birding. Eagles fly through this area and most riparian species can be seen. You will be issued a $20 gift certificate that can be used toward the wine tasting or a purchase at the winery. Normally, you would pay a lot more for this trip, so we want to thank Richard and Sedona Adventure Tours for their support.

Water to Wine (Second Trip)                               Richard Lynch----Kristen Rothrock

Thursday, April 25                      Box Lunch Included
Departure: 11:30am                  Return: 3:30pm
Rating: 4                                    Cost: $100
Same as above only it’s the second time around. If you can’t get on the first trip (or you’re not an early birder), we will do it again just for you. You will be issued a $20 gift certificate that can be used toward the wine tasting or a purchase at the winery.

Welcome Wine Social                                                Hosted by Jay’s Bird Barn
Thursday, April 25
Time: 4pm - 5pm                        Cost: Free
It’s time to sit back and reflect on the day and meet some of the leaders and our exciting keynote. Sample some of our local wines and munch on snacks. Check out the exhibits and vendors in the “Birdy Bizarre”. They’re here to inform and delight you.

Dusk Birding and Dutch-Oven Dinner at Page Springs -    SOLD OUT       Scott Woolbright
Thursday, April 25                      Meal included
Departure: 5pm                          Return: 9pm
Rating: 2                                    Cost: $40
One of our favorite birding spots, a great guide, and one of our favorite cooks. John Hart returns after many requests to cook a Dutch oven dinner for you. In the new ramada built by the Northern Arizona Audubon Society at Page Springs, you will eat dinner then do some dusk bird along the ponds and trails of this Important Birding Area. As darkness falls owls may be spotted so bring your flashlights. Species might include: lesser nighthawk, osprey, common black-hawk, bald eagle, black-crowned, green, and great blue herons, lazuli and indigo buntings, summer and western tanagers, great-horned owl.

Owl Prowl                  SOLD OUT                                           Bob Miller
Thursday, April 25
Departure: 7pm                       Return: 9pm
Rating: 2                                  Cost: $15
We will be prowling our way around the park in an 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.

Thursday Workshops & Seminars

Workshops and seminars have a fee involved and require registration. Both are held in the Studio located in the far end of the park, unless noted otherwise. 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. Restroom facilities are located in the building.

Meet at the shuttle stop in the parking lot of the River Day Use Area near the Aviary 15 minutes PRIOR to the seminar or workshop.

Birding Basics Seminar                                     Eric Moore                 
Thursday, April 25                       Location: Studio
8am – 11am                                Cost: $15
Here are the consequential ABC’s for the beginner birder. You will gain knowledge of the basic techniques of field identification, an increased understanding of birds, and learn how to use binoculars and spotting scopes. The class packs in a lot of information in only three hours. Eric Moore, owner of Jay’s Bird Barn in Prescott, shares his birding enthusiasm and expertise. 

Lunch & Learn: Bird Sounds and Song                Doug Von Gausig
Thursday, April 25                        Location: Studio
11:30am – 1:30pm                      Cost: $20
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.

Doug will help you train yourself to listen as a means of locating and identifying the birds. His experience with recording and studying bird songs and calls has given him an advantage when birding. Let him teach you what you should know to improve your birding skills. He has recorded bird and other animal sounds that you can enjoy on his website at naturesongs.com.

Binocular Basics                                  Eric Moore
Thursday, April 25                      Location: Studio
2 pm - 3pm                              Cost: $5
Take the mystery out of selecting and buying binoculars and spotting scopes. What does a Diopter do? What does 8x32 or 10x42 mean exactly? Learn why field of view, eye relief and brightness are important factors in choosing the right optic for you. Do you really need a spotting scope? Is a $500 pair of binoculars really better than a $200 pair?

Watching Warblers         SOLD OUT               Homer Hansen 
Thursday, April 25                        Location: Studio
3:30pm – 4:30pm                        Cost: $5
Watching warblers is a truly satisfying experience. This presentation will focus on characteristics, behaviors, and other clues for the identification of warblers and will be useful for the expert and beginner alike. Both visual and audio presentations of these diverse birds will enchant you and help with your identification skills. You may want to sign up for Homer’s field trip on Friday.

Click here for a copy of the festival Field Trip Descriptons in a printable PDF format.