BIRDING IN THE ROUND VALLEY AND GREER AREA:

Wenima Wildlife Area was acquired by AZ Game & Fish for the water rights and to protect endangered fish. There is good birding here due to the variety of vegetation and the riparian area. Junipers and grasses cover the canyon sides. Walnut trees, wild rose, wild grape and numerous shrubs grow at the canyon/field edges.

Wenima is located about 5 miles from the stoplight in Springerville. Travel west on Highways 191/180/60 up the hill until the Highways split. Take Highway 191 north (right). Turn right almost immediately (signed turnoff). Follow that dirt road about one mile. You'll veer right, down into a canyon of the Little Colorado River and into the wildlife area's parking lot.

A trail on the east side of the river is excellent for migrants during spring and fall. A new trail is being constructed on the west side of the river that is accessed at the picnic table. The edges of the fields/canyon with dense vegetation and walnut trees are also good birding. There is a small pond on the north side that is worth checking for Sora, the occasional Green Heron and Black-crowned Night-Heron. Check the cliff edges for raptors. Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting and Yellow-breasted Chat nest here. Gray Catbird is a possible nester. Birding is best at Wenima in the spring, summer and fall; but it is worth visiting in the winter as well. Both Mountain and Western Bluebirds utilize the junipers in the winter and Golden Eagles hunt overhead.

Becker Lake Wildlife Area is west of Highway 60, three miles north of the stoplight in Springerville. If you are birding Wenima first, turn left on Highway 191/180 and head back towards Springerville. Becker Lake is on the right at the bottom of the hill. Many rarities have been found at Becker Lake, particularly in the late summer/fall, but it is worth a look at any time. Bald eagles are present in winter. Yellow-headed and Red-winged Blackbirds nest here. Check the trees on the east side for migrants in spring and fall. Lewis's Woodpeckers sometimes nest in these trees.

South Fork of the Little Colorado River

The South Fork of the Little Colorado River (about 5 miles west of Eagar on Highway 260, turn south) has attracted rare migrants over the years. Drive down the hill and park near the bridge. Walk up or downstream along the river. This is private property but access is allowed at this time. Do not trespass on any posted property. Gray Catbird nests here, along with Yellow-breasted Chat, Virginia's Warbler, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting. Lazuli Buntings are possible nesters. American Dipper have nested under the bridge. Montezuma Quail are resident but difficult to see. Pinyon Jay can usually be heard here.

The campground (at the end of the road, parking/camping fee in summer) is a good place to bird, as is the hiking trail along the river. Red-faced, Grace's, and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Plumbeous Vireo, Western Tanager and sapsuckers are found in the campground and along the trail. Northern Pygmy-Owl is heard occasionally. Clark's Nutcrackers and Golden-crowned Kinglets can be found in winter.

Greer

The area around Greer has some of the best summer birding in the White Mountains. Osprey, American Dipper, Williamson's and Red-naped Sapsucker; Grace's, Red-faced, MacGillivray's, Virginia's and Yellow-rumped Warbler; Clark's Nutcracker, Band-tailed Pigeon, Willow and Dusky Flycatcher can be found here. Olive Warbler and Three-toed woodpeckers have been seen (rare).

Travel west from Eagar on Highway 260, turn left at the Greer turnoff on Highway 373. The Benny/Rosey Creek parking area is 2.4 miles on the right (now signed as Squirrel Spring Rec Area). Follow the old road down to the creek and bird along the short creekside trail. Look for Red-faced, MacGillivray's, and Virginia's Warblers, House Wren, and woodpeckers here. The upland area near the parking lot is a good place to look for Grace's Warbler, Pygmy Nuthatches and Plumbeous Vireo.

Continue south 4.1 miles on Highway 373 to County Road 1126, turn left. Drive another .6 miles to the pulloff on the left. This is the south side of River Reservoir. Walk down the hill to the water and look for nesting Osprey. Bird along the path on the left along the willow-lined river. Dusky Flycatcher, both sapsuckers, Grace's Warbler, Pygmy Nuthatches, Song Sparrows can be found here.

Continue on road County Road 1126 for .2 mile from the River Reservoir pullout. On the right is a 4X4 road that climbs up into an old logging area. Northern Goshawk can sometimes be seen from here.

To continue birding in Greer, go back to Highway 373, turn left and drive .2 mile to East Fork Road. The Butler Canyon Nature Trail parking area is several hundred yards after the turnoff. This short trail is a good place to look for Red-faced Warbler and sapsuckers. Or you can drive/walk along the road listening for bird activity; or look for a place to access the river and walk along it.

After birding here, return to Highway 373 and turn left to the village of Greer. Clark's Nutcracker and Band-tailed Pigeon are frequently found along the highway near Greer Lodge. Continue south until the road crosses a cattleguard and turns to gravel (1.8 miles). There are several parking areas along this stretch of road before it deadends in approximately 1/2 mile. Walk along the river looking for warblers and American Dipper.

The East Fork Trail (accessed from the first parking area south of the cattleguard) climbs steadily before it levels out. Blue Grouse, Northern Goshawk (see photo below), and Three-toed woodpecker have been found along this trail, as well the usual montane birds.

Forest Road 117 Area

Green's Peak is the traditional place to look for the elusive Blue Grouse. Travel west on Highway 260 from Eagar to Forest Road 117. The mixed conifer habitat along Forest Road 117 is also good habitat for the Grouse, Three-toed Woodpecker and Sapsuckers.. Stop anywhere where you see/hear bird activity.

Beehive Spring (1.2 miles from the turnoff) is a good area to look for sapsuckers. As you continue on Forest Road 117 look for Grouse on the road edges or perched on logs.

Continue on Forest Road 117 until it forks, take Forest Road 61 (the left fork). At the next fork, go right (straight) to Green's Peak. There is a fire lookout at the end of the road along with a plethora of communications equipment. Clark's Nutcracker, Red-breasted Nuthatch and Golden-crowned kinglet are found here. If you haven't found the grouse you can check along the road to the Burnt Mill Spring area. Good grouse habitat exists along this road. Drive back on Forest Road 61 to the Forest Road 117 intersection and go left. It's about 6 miles to the spring. White Mountain Audubon has their annual campout here. Williamson's and Red-naped Sapsuckers nest in the area. Campers (and their food) sometimes attract Gray Jay.

Highway 273 area to Gabaldon Campground

Drive west on Highway 260 from Eagar and turn left on Highway 273, which goes past Sunrise Ski Area and Sunrise Lake on the White Mountain Apache Reservation. A pass is required if you want to bird on the Reservation. It can be purchased at the store near Sunrise Lake. Sunrise Campground is worth checking. Many waterbirds use Sunrise Lake. Savannah Sparrows are found in the short grass near the lake.

Continue on Highway 273 to the forest service boundary, where Highway 273 becomes Forest Road 113. Drive past the West Baldy Trailhead on your right to the Sheep Crossing area. Sheep Crossing isn't signed, but the road will make a rather tight curve to the left and you will see a small parking area just before the road crosses the river. This is the old access to West Baldy. Walk up to the Railroad Grade trail and walk left, checking for Three-toed Woodpecker, Gray Jay, and both Kinglets. Lincoln's Sparrows and Orange-Crowned Warblers nest below the dam.

Lee Valley Reservoir between Sheeps Crossing and Gabaldon Campground can be checked for waterbirds and Red Crossbills.

Continue on Forest Road 113 past East Baldy Trailhead to Gabaldon Campground. Gray Jays are found in the campground or fairly close to it. The trail from the campground connects to the East Baldy Trail. Good habitat exists along the trail for grouse and Three-toed Woodpeckers.

Information in this section written by Donna Roten.

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