BIRDING HOTSPOTS

Welcome to the Birding Hotspots Page

"Where can I go to see the most birds? Where can I watch them in the best way? You can travel the world. You travel a day's drive. You can walk down the street. You just sit behind your kitchen window and watch birds at your feeder.

Let's see if we can't simplify the "Where to go..." question.

See vast numbers of exotic and unusual birds: This means that you will become a world traveler. You will see exotic and strange places such as the Amazon and Kenya's Mass ai Mara and the Galapagos Islands.

See lots of birds in terms of diversity and numbers of individual birds: Simply go to Google Search and enter - birding hot spots (your state or town). A Google search will bring up sites which list hot spots. It's a lot less expensive than traveling the world. And - you won't need to get immunity shots.

See some birds so often that you come to know their habits: Set up bird feeders in your backyard and find a nice soft chair.

If you happen to live in Northern Arizona you will be delighted by these several hot spots that I have come to enjoy. There are many more, but these are my personal favorites. If you do not live here, please enter "birding hotspots (your state)" onto the Google search window and invest a few clicks on your birding enjoyment.

Kachina Wetlands Is an interesting story. It is located just south of Flagstaff, Arizona outside a new subdivision and is actually a series of wastewater treatment ponds that have been built with thoughts of bird habitat. Since the area is, otherwise dry, these ponds have become a huge draw for breeding birds. They are awesome places in the Spring to observe species such as Yellow-Headed Blackbirds, Great Blue Herons, Mountain Bluebirds and Ruddy Ducks. It is great example of what happens in a desert area when a large water source is established. To learn a great deal more about this fine project, click here.

Tavasci Marsh is a broad, large marsh which makes it atypical for Arizona. That alone makes it worth visiting in this desert state. It is both spring fed and run-off (from Peck's Lake) fed and thus it has a flush system which keeps it a more or less constant level and also keeps the water fresh. The marsh is large expanse of reeds with a few runs of open water flowing through it. The south side as a lovely observation deck protruding into into it and, even if there are few birds when you are there, it is great place to relax and dream. You can even see otters if you are lucky. Read more about it with the local Audubon Chapter.

The Verde Greenway is a wonderful resource that has recently been set aside under the watchful eye of the Arizona State parks Department and is administered from nearby Dead Horse State Park. This is an excellent riparian tract of land with easy access for parking and hiking. The Verde River is of only 5 major