Bubbling Ponds Preserve and Page Springs Fish Hatchery

Recent bird sightings: Latest species and photos, Illustrated checklist  Printable checklist: Bub Pond bird checklist - Rob 8-17-20.pdf

This Sanctuary has two unique parts that straddle Oak Creek:  The bubbling ponds with adjoining mesquite bosque, and the state’s largest cold-water fish production facility located across the river at 1600 N Page Springs Rd.  The habitat is included in the Important Bird Area of Lower Oak Creek. Bubbling Ponds Preserve offers outstanding wildlife viewing with reports of River Otter, Mountain Lion and 263 species of birds to date.  Northern Arizona Audubon has partnered with the Arizona Game & Fish Department to provide a wonderful wildlife sanctuary designed for easy public access with a Visitor's Center. The 1.8-mile Black Hawk nature trail is a favorite with local birders. The Preserve contains a large Ramada, two viewing decks, an outdoor educational area, convenient seating areas along the trail, and a Porta Potty.

Bubbling Ponds Preserve has four “marsh ponds” that are habitat to marsh birds and the endangered Mexican Garter Snake. Each Spring, NAAS volunteers survey the four ponds for Virginia Rail and Sora. These wetlands are the perfect habitat for marsh birds who can be heard vocalizing in the early mornings.

Sanctuary Steward, Rob Gibbs, and his wife Denise Gibbs, work to maintain the viewing platforms at Bubbling Ponds Preserve and the Monarch Way Station at the Page Springs Fish Hatchery. Many thanks to the volunteers who tend to the Monarch Way Station with loving care. Monarchs are in as bad - if not worse - shape as birds. Pesticides, mowing and habitat destruction plague Monarchs:

Monarch Waystations are places that provide resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration. Without milkweeds throughout their spring and summer breeding areas in North America, monarchs would not be able to produce the successive generations that culminate in the migration each fall. Similarly, without nectar from flowers these fall migratory monarch butterflies would be unable to make their long journey to overwintering grounds in Mexico. The need for host plants for larvae and energy sources for adults applies to all monarch and butterfly populations around the world.  Learn more

Navigate