Traipse Thru Tres Rios!

Time to get our fall birding off to a good start with another stroll along the wetlands and trees of Tres Rios! Recent ebird checklists are chock full of bird sightings, including rarities like Inca dove, Virginia rail, sora, Laurence's goldfinch, and many warblers, including Nashville, MacGillivrays, orange-crowned, northern parula, and a rare yellow-throated! We'll also see lots of herons, egrets, pelicans, and ducks, along with many raptors overhead. We will bird the marsh areas along the water recharge ponds down past the dam, and then spend a fair amount time in the dryer habitats looking for songbirds, woodpeckers, flycatchers, and raptors. Be prepared for a long walk--we'll plan on at least 4 miles, which is why we want to get an early start. Weather should be great--sunny or partly cloudy, temperatures in the 60's when we start out. Bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, binos, and bird books!

We will meet at the parking lot off 91st Avenue as usual. I will have the necessary permit which will cover all members of the group. This is a fairly austere location, but there is a porta-potty just off the parking lot

From the Tres Rios web site:
"The Tres Rios Environmental Restoration project involves the rehabilitation of nearly 700 acres in and around the Salt River, restoring a vital wetland and riparian habitat. The project creates a mutual relationship between the renewed wetlands and the nearby wastewater treatment plant.
The lush and scenic Tres Rios is now home to more than 150 different species of birds and animals like muskrats, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, bobcats, and beavers. The beautiful cottonwood groves, willows, mesquites, and other desert shrubs around the reed-lined ponds and along the trail attract many migratory and wintering songbirds. By bringing the Salt River back to the condition it was in during the early 1800s, this project is repairing a natural habitat.
The reclaimed water from the wastewater treatment plant is pumped over to the wetlands, and the plants and animals take what they need before it is discharged back into the river."

There aren't any decent brew pubs in the Tolleson area, so afterwards we are going to take a drive to the Grand Avenue Brewing Company, located towards downtown at 1205 W. Pierce St. It has a good selection of local brews and a great selection of tasty food items, and should be able to accommodate the group either inside or outside.