Northern Arizona Audubon Society upcoming events

Bird Walk | Kachina Wetlands (10 Oct 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Enjoy migrating birds at Kachina Wetlands with Audubon field trip leader Harry Jones. You'll find a wonderful variety of ducks, shorebirds, sparrows, and raptors in October, and the weather should be great.

Location: Kachina Wetlands Bird Preserve
Meeting Point: Parking area at the end of Tovar Trail in Kachina Village.

Directions: From Flagstaff, drive south on I-17 to the Kachina Village exit. Turn right onto Tovar Trail and follow it to the end. The parking area will be on your right.

What to Bring: Binoculars, sturdy shoes, hat, water, snacks, and weather-appropriate clothing.

About the Location: Kachina Wetlands is a premiere birding hotspot in Northern Arizona due to its juxtaposition of wetland habitat, forests, and grasslands. October is perhaps the best month to see birds there, because the preserve provides resting habitat for birds that are traveling south. Plan on walking approximately two miles on a flat dirt road. No toilet facilities, so plan accordingly.

Contact: Harry Jones. Please send an RSVP to Harry if you plan to attend so he will know if a co-leader will be needed. His email [hjones@birdpop.org](mailto:hjones@birdpop.org)

HawkWatch | Grand Canyon NP (14 Oct 2026)

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

The Grand Canyon HawkWatch monitors long-term trends in raptors using the southern portion of the Intermountain Flyway. The flight through this region is one of the largest concentrations of migrating raptors known in the western U.S. and Canada. We will be joining the official counters at their perch on the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Be sure to register as our space is limited.

Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Time: 6:00AM - 3:30 PM (including travel time)
Location: Yaki Point, Grand Canyon National Park

Meeting Point: Sedona Whole Foods parking lot at 6:00 AM or Yaki Point at 9 AM

Directions: If you are carpooling, meet us in the parking lot at the Sedona Whole Foods on 89A. If you are driving yourself, park at the South Entrance Visitor Center and take the shuttle to Yaki Point. For most of the year, the road to Yaki Point is closed to private cars. At Yaki Point, look for the signage to the Hawkwatch perch. Please let me know if you plan to carpool or drive yourself.

What to Bring: Water, snacks/lunch, binoculars, sturdy shoes, hat, weather-appropriate clothing, your own chair, and if you are driving, your National Park Pass.

Before you go: Review videos of hawks in flight

About the Location: We will be standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon, looking for migrants coming up out of the canyon. Expect to see sharp-shinned hawks, Cooper's hawks, broad-winged hawks, red-tailed hawks, Swainson's hawk, American kestrels, and turkey vultures, but you never know what will show up. You can track the daily count here.

Leader & Contact Information: Nancy Steele
Questions: nancy@birdnaas.org

Butterflies | Bubbling Ponds (16 Oct 2026)

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Join Janie Agyagos, retired USFS wildlife biologist and BENA member.

Location: 1600 N Page Springs Rd

Description: Meet in the dirt parking lot at Bubbling Ponds. We will walk approximately 1.5 miles on mostly flat trails, looking for fall butterfly species. Some possible species observations include: Monarch, Queen, Common buckeye, Fiery skipper and Great purple hairstreak. While looking for butterflies, Janie will share the history of how Bubbling Pond’s trails came about.

What to Bring: binoculars and/or camera, hat, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, hydration and a snack.

This event is open to everyone! A $5 donation per person is appreciated to support BENA’s efforts. Rain will cancel the event. Porta-potty onsite. Carpooling is recommended because the parking lot is small.

Questions: contact Janie at wildlifebiophile@outlook.com.

Butterflies | Bubbling Ponds (17 Oct 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Join Janie Agyagos, retired USFS wildlife biologist and BENA member.

Location: Bubbling Ponds Preserve, 1600 N Page Springs Rd

What to Bring: binoculars and/or camera, hat, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, hydration and a snack.

Questions: contact Janie at wildlifebiophile@outlook.com.

Bird Walk | Ashurst Lake, Flagstaff (18 Oct 2026)

Sun, 18 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Experience the excitement of bird migration at Ashurst Lake with Aububon field trip leader Tom Linda.

Meeting Point: Meet in the parking lot at the junction of E JW Powell Blvd and Lake Mary Road to arrange carpooling.
Please RSVP so we know how many people plan to attend.

What to Bring: Binoculars, spotting scope if you have one, water, snacks, sturdy boots, and clothing for potential wind. Parts of the trail can be rocky.

About the Location: In October, Ashurst Lake attracts a high diversity of ducks and shorebirds, along with raptors and an array of forest birds. Unexpected species frequently make an appearance. It's one of the best birding hotspots in Coconino County.

Questions: Contact Tom Linda – 928-864-9047 | roughlegged@gmail.com

Bird Walk | Elden Spring (22 Oct 2026)

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Elden Spring with Elizabeth Harding.

We will meet at 8:00 a.m. at Lugano Way and walk into the spring from there. Terrain is mostly level but with four short rocky stretches in some areas. We will look for passerines, and scan the mountainside for raptors.

Wear boots and appropriate clothing. Bring water, snacks and binoculars. We will bird till about 11:00.

Questions: Contact Tom Linda at 928-864-9047 roughlegged@gmail.com with any questions.

Bird Walk | Frances Short Pond (24 Oct 2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

This beginner-friendly walk offers great opportunities to see waterfowl and other charismatic birds up close without traveling far. We'll take a short walk through willows to the pond, searching for water birds, passerines, and raptors.

Meeting Point: Frances Short Pond parking area

Directions: Located between Thorpe Park and Flagstaff High School. Access parking by turning onto N Aztec St from W Cherry Ave.

What to Bring: Snacks, water, binoculars, camera

Questions: Samantha Grow, (505) 397-9207

What to Bring: Binoculars, water, hat, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, and warm layers

About the Location: This small urban pond provides excellent close-up views of birds such as Northern Shovelers, Mallards, Ring-necked Ducks, Northern Flickers, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Great-tailed Grackles. Other species like Redheads and Common Mergansers may also be present. Flat, easy walking trails with bathrooms available nearby.

Register so we can notify you directly of any updates, including cancellations, delays, or weather-related changes. Not mandatory to attend. Plus get reminders

Join the Flock!

This bird walk is hosted by the Northern Arizona Audubon Society, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting birds and the habitats they rely on across Northern Arizona. Everyone is welcome! If you enjoy our events, please consider supporting our work by becoming a member, making a donation, or signing up for our newsletter.

Bird Walk | Sedona Wetlands (28 Oct 2026)

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Join us for a visit during fall migration. A scope will be available for close views of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other good stuff.

Meeting Point: Sedona Wetlands parking lot

Directions: The turn off for the Sedona Wetlands is 4 miles west of the Sedona High School along Hwy 89A

What to Bring: Water, snacks, binoculars, camera, scope (if you have one), sturdy shoes, proper clothing, hat, sunscreen, etc.

About the Location: We will walk a 0.5 mile loop through riparian habitat, with a long stop at the big pond overlook pavilion. The trail is completely flat & well maintained.

Questions: Janie Ward-Langley – footballmom27@gmail.com

Program Meeting | All I Want for Christmas is More Birds (28 Oct 2026)

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 01:00:00 GMT

What do birders really want for Christmas? More birds!

Join Rich Armstrong for a humorous look at the Christmas Bird Count (CBC)— what it is, how it works, and why birders willingly get up before dawn in the middle of winter to count birds.

The CBC is an early-winter bird census; the world’s longest-running community science survey. Thousands participate, counting every bird they see. Feeder watchers also join in, counting birds from the comfort of home.

At our October meeting, Rich Armstrong will tell you everything you. need to know about the Christmas Bird Count, including why you should participate.

Time: Doors open 5:30pm, Program starts 6pm

Presenter: Rich Armstrong, PhD., has been birding in Texas, Oregon, and now Arizona, for 37 years. Rich is the coordinator of the Sedona CBC, is the Birding Pal for the Verde Valley, and coordinates the North America Migratory Bird Count for Yavapai County. He is the local Audubon Chapter Steward for the Sedona Wetlands Preserve and has led over 100 birding field trips here. Sit back, relax, find out why Rich Armstrong is known as the ‘big mouth of the valley.’

Before he became an avid birder, Rich earned his PhD in Nuclear Inorganic Chemistry from Stanford. He spent 5 ½ years in the Army as a nuclear and chemical officer including jumping out of airplanes in Korea and as a Professor of Chemistry at West Point. He also spent 15 years in Army Reserves, retiring as a Major. He worked 20 years for Texaco and was part of the team that invented long life coolant.

Join the Flock!

This program is hosted by the Northern Arizona Audubon Society, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting birds and the habitats they rely on across Northern Arizona. Everyone is welcome! If you enjoy our events, please consider supporting our work by becoming a member, making a donation, or signing up for our newsletter.

Bird Walk | Bubbling Ponds (30 Oct 2026)

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Join us for a relaxed morning exploring ponds, Oak Creek and surrounding fields, where riparian birds are easy to spot. It’s a great outing for seeing iconic Verde Valley species up close!

Meeting Point: Bubbling Ponds parking lot; carpooling is recommended because the lot is small

Directions: 2.3 miles down Page Springs Rd from 89a

What to Bring: Water, snacks, binoculars, camera, scope, sturdy shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing

About the Location: This mix of ponds, creekside and agricultural habitat attracts a variety of birds. Expect Abert’s Towhee, Common Black Hawk, Osprey, Black Phoebe, Wood Ducks, maybe shorebird, and more.

Questions: Janie Ward-Langley – footballmom27@gmail.com

Bird Walk | Cave Springs Campground (31 Oct 2026)

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Join us for a beautiful morning of birding in Oak Creek Canyon, where towering canyon walls, flowing water, and lush vegetation create one of the most diverse bird habitats in Northern Arizona. May is an excellent time to visit, with spring migrants and breeding birds filling the canyon with color and song—making this a rewarding outing for birders of all experience levels.

Meeting Point: Parking lot immediately to the right of the entrance road OR meet at the Bashas in Flagstaff (see below) and carpool.
Directions: From Sedona, drive north on Highway 89A into Oak Creek Canyon. Turn into Cave Springs Campground (look for signage). From Flagstaff, park at the Bashas Supermarket on Woodlands Blvd (on the left side of the store facing Woodlands). We'll carpool from there to the campground.

What to Bring: Water, snacks, binoculars, camera, sturdy shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing

About the Location: Cave Springs Campground sits along Oak Creek in a shaded canyon setting with a mix of riparian habitat and canyon forest. This combination attracts a wide variety of species, especially during spring migration. Expect birds such as raptors, passerines, maybe even an American Dipper, along with year-round canyon residents. We will walk approximately 1.5 miles on relatively easy trails.

Questions: Tom Linda, (928) 864-9047 or roughlegged@gmail.com

Join the Flock!