Two Recreation Areas along the Lower Salt River, Bush Highway, Maricopa County, AZ

 Thursday, January 30, 2022

     For whatever reason, I seldom visit the two rec areas after the bridge over the Salt River (going east). Perhaps it's due to the number of cars/people that are there when I pass by after birding elsewhere.

    Lois L. and I arrived around 8 a.m. and found it deserted. Yay!  Birding the mesquite bosques on both sides of the parking lot, the ground beside the north-flowing river, and up onto the sheep trail, I'm posting photos for Blue Point Rec Area below:

male 

GREAT-TAILED GRACKLEs were cleaning up the parking area and surrounding grounds. female GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE

    Two GREAT-BLUE HERON stood or walked in the water near the Point near where one fisherman in waders was casting his line.

Later, we would see a single Great Blue up on Blue Point Ridge of Stewart Mountain on the Northwest side of the Salt. It blended in spectacularly.

    Having never spotted a GREATER YELLOWLEGS in this section of the Salt River; it surprised me.

    Perched up in a tree on the west shore of the river was a male BELTED KINGFISHER.

    Soon after we had arrived, PHAINOPEPLA moved from their nests to the surrounding trees to soak up early sun rays and, it seems, to chase the females.

    When we walked the sheep trail at the lower end of Blue Point Ridge, a BALD EAGLE landed on an outcrop of rocks ahead of us. 

    Thank you, BALD EAGLE!

    After finishing up at Blue Point, we drove across Bush Highway to park and walk the trails in the Salt's Pebble Beach Recreation and RV camping area.

    The most exciting bird I was able to photograph there was a WILSON'S SNIPE. On the west side of the River, south of the bridge, was a WILSON'S SNIPE tucked beneath some bushes at river's edge.

    We continued to follow trails and dip down to the river several times but marsh grasses prevented photographs. However, it looked great seeing so many marsh reeds that serve as bank preservation while providing food and shelter for birds.

Lois L. at a Buckhorn Cholla along the east trail at Pebble Beach Recreation area.

    Our more or less trail looped through the mesquite forest where we caught sight of a fair number of birds. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was the predominant songbird.

    Another great day in the field.

    As always, you may check out the eBird lists below for more details.

 https://ebird.org/checklist/S101083740

 https://ebird.org/checklist/S101090381

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