Upcoming Field Trips and Surveys
Let's go birding! Our field trips are generally free and open to the public. If driving is required, we will try to carpool using participants’ vehicles. We do ask passengers to reimburse the driver at a rate of $.15 (15 cents) per mile, to be split between all passengers in the vehicle. Bring binoculars, comfortable walking shoes and gear, and all the water and snacks you will need.
To manage the group size on some of our trips, we ask that you sign up in advance. Just hit the "Register Here" button to contact the trip leader for details, start time, carpooling, etc.
Please provide your cell number.
Watson Woods Monthly Bird Walk
December/January - no walk
February 1, 9:00 a.m.
March 1, 8:30 a.m.
April 5, 8:00 a.m.
May 3, 8:00 a.m.
June 7, 7:30 a.m.
July 5, 7:00 a.m.
August 2, 7:30 a.m.
September 6, 7:30 a.m.
October 4, 8:00 a.m.
November 1, 9:00 a.m.
This will be our last walk of 2025
We begin again on February 7, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
On the first Saturday of the month, we lead bird walks in Watson Woods, one of our favorite Prescott birding sites!
The walks are approximately 2 hours long and are open to birders of all ages and levels. Experienced Prescott Audubon birders lead these outings. This is a great way to get acquainted with birds and birding or to improve your skills.
Meet at the Peavine Trailhead parking area on Sundog Ranch Rd.
(GPS: 34.57542; -112.42723; fee $3/vehicle).
No registration required; everyone is welcome.
**We begin promptly at the listed start time**
Badger Springs/Agua Fria
Postponed (weather) to Wednesday, April 9
Contact the email address below to register for this new date; we should have a space or two left.
Less than an hour from Prescott, the Badger Springs trail follows a wash down to the Agua Fria River canyon. The gravel trail, about a mile one-way, is uneven footing and may be wet or muddy. The habitat ranges from chaparral to cottonwood-willow to saguaros, and we expect to see a variety of sparrows (including towhees), raptors and woodpeckers. We may find some early migrants as well. This will be a full morning and participants may wish to bring a lunch. Limit 8. To register and for details, contact [email protected].
Second Thursday Bird and Nature Walks
Thursday, April 10, 8AM - 10AM
This spring, we're trying a new style of field trip with a focus on enjoyment of birds and nature.
We plan an optional social time after each walk.
In April, we will meet at
the Prescott Creeks Parking Lot off Rosser and HWY 89 for a stroll in the southern section of Watson Woods. (From HWY 89, turn
east at the Rosser St traffic light to a dirt
parking area; parking is free.)
No registration necessary.
Questions?
Contact [email protected]
Black Canyon City's Heritage Park
Friday, April 11, 2025
Join us for a desert riparian birding morning at Black Canyon Heritage Park in Black Canyon City. This small park is an oasis for spring migrants and desert residents. We’ll spend the morning on the easy path that surrounds a spring-fed pond and meanders along a short shaded stream. And for those who would like to stay a bit longer, enjoy a picnic lunch.
To register and for details contact [email protected].
Rockin' River Ranch State Park Areas
Friday, April 18, 2025
This trip is full, waitlist only
Join us as we venture to Arizona's newest State Park. At Rockin' River Ranch we'll meander along the Verde River to look for feathered spring arrivals, as well as migrants passing through and residents of the Verde Valley. For those who would like to stay a bit after birding, we'll plan on picnicking at the park. Limit 12. To register and for details contact [email protected].
Willow Lake North Shore & White Dot Trails
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Explore the north side of Willow Lake on the Approach and white-dot Basin Trails. This is a 1.7 mile hike through a variety of habitats: chaparral, pines, oaks and manzanita with a quick detour to view Willow Lake, and could take 3 hours. Participants should be comfortable hiking on uneven surfaces and short steep slickrock sections. We hope to find Crissal Thrashers and spring migrants. Limit 8. To register and for details, contact [email protected].
It's Birdathon Time!
May 2 through May 5
"Birdathons" are both a fun event for birders and a way to raise money for PAS's work to protect birds and their habitats. Participants join count teams to see how many birds they can find. The teams collect pledges or donations from friends, family, and sponsors, with the money raised going towards our conservation and education efforts.
To make a pledge of support, click below. To join a team, contact [email protected].
Second Thursday Bird and Nature Walks
Thursday, May 8, 8AM - 10AM
This spring, we're trying a new style of field trip with a focus on enjoyment of birds and nature.
We plan an optional social time after each walk.
This month, we meet at
the trailhead behind the dog
park on Willow Creek Road. We will bird the "Cottonwood Peninsula" area, which should be busy with tanagers and orioles returing to nest.
No registration necessary.
Questions?
Contact [email protected]
Walnut Creek
Wednesday, May 14
This trip is full, waitlist only
Join us for birding where Apache Creek and Walnut Creek meet, about an hour’s drive north and west of Prescott out Williamson Valley Road. We will search for migrating arrivals and courting and nesting summer residents in this riparian woodland as well as the adjacent pinyon-juniper, chaparral, and grassland habitats. Bring a lunch; we will eat on the grounds of the Walnut Creek Center for Education and Research. Limit 12. To register and for details, contact [email protected].
Global Big Day
Saturday, May 10
We're encouraging all birders in Yavapai County to go birding in your favorite spot(s) on May 10. By submitting your count list to eBird, you will be joining thousands of birders around the globe--and making your contribution to citizen science.
Bird with a group, a friend, or just go solo--no matter; it's about celebrating birds and the world we share.
What exactly is Global Big Day? Click below.
Second Thursday Bird and Nature Walks
Thursday, June 12, 7:30AM - 9:30AM
Join us as we try this new style of field trip with a focus on enjoyment of birds and nature.
We plan an optional social time after each walk.
This month, we will be birding at
the Highlands Center for Natural History (1375 Walker Rd).
Meet by the restrooms.
No registration necessary.
Questions?
Contact [email protected]
Field Trips Under Construction
June and July
We'll be birding in Flagstaff and on Mingus Mountain, to escape the heat and do some exploring. Check back here --we will post details as we get them from the trip leaders.
Quaky Trail #741
Tuesday, September 9
Built last year, this trail wanders through mixed aspen, pine
and oak forest from Aspen Springs to the Aspen Creek Trail #48 trailhead.
The trail is about a mile, and we will bird it going one-way downhill, doing
a car shuttle to return to the start. Participants should be comfortable
hiking a dirt trail with sometimes loose surfaces. We hope to see migrating
warblers as well as vireos, flycatchers and summer-resident species.
Limit
8. To register and for details, contact [email protected]
Sedona Wetlands
Monday, September 29
The Sedona Wetlands Preserve is a great location for birding. As part of the city's wastewater treatment system, there are 6 man-made basins providing good viewing areas across open and reed-lined ponds. Sedona Wetlands is one of the top eBird hotspots in Yavapai County for number of species observed.
Limit 8. To register and for details, contact [email protected].
Upper Verde River Surveys
IBA Surveys
These ongoing surveys document changes in bird populations over time in this riparian habitat east of Paulden. The data contribute to the Audubon Southwest IBA database and help to preserve the IBA status of this beautiful area. The survey transects include off-trail walking over somewhat difficult terrain.
Yellow-Billed Cuckoo Surveys
These surveys are a chance to help document the presence of a threatened species in this riparian habitat east of Paulden. The survey transects include off-trail walking over somewhat difficult terrain. The weather will likely be hot and will include a chance of thunderstorms.
Bird Walks by The Lookout
Walks in the Prescott region
sponsored by one of our local birding shops (formerly Jay's Bird Barn)