Payson area: We’ll leave Fountain Hills no later than 5am and head up to Payson to explore some reliable areas that are good for winter birding—and see what shows up in the summer! One area is south of Payson—big lot, semi-ranch housing area that could be good for flycatchers and bluebirds. Then we’ll head through town and bird around the East Verde River in primarily juniper/pine woodlands. Back in Payson, we might visit a pond or two before we’ll wrap up with a visit to Rumsey Park for a picnic lunch. We should see the usual collection of titmice, woodpeckers, thrushes, nuthatches and other woodland species, plus we could be lucky with summering warblers, vireos and tanagers. Head back to arrive in Fountain Hills 2:30ish.

Easy-1. Limit 7 participants. Logistics to be decided a few days before the trip. Please register with Kathe at kathe.coot@cox.net.