Join Ranger Eric for a guided hike along the Dragonfly Trail at Spur Cross and adjacent Jewel of the Creek Preserve to look for birds of the Sonoran Desert and riparian habitats. Along the way, we will discuss identification tips by sight and sound for birds, as well as their ecological roles. This weekend (April 26-29) is the City Nature Challenge, so we will also discuss free apps you can use for identifying plants, animals, and more, while also participating in citizen science (see more info below)!
We will hike about 2 miles on a moderate rated trail, with some rocky or uneven surfaces, including a couple of difficult spots. Please wear protective clothing or sunblock, wear sturdy footwear, carry ample water and snacks, and bring binoculars if you have them. Porta-potties are located a quarter mile beyond the Spur Cross parking lot nearby. No water available, so bring your own.
MEETING LOCATION: Dragonfly Trailhead at the Jewel of the Creek Preserve parking lot (small lot on the left side of the road before you get to the Spur Cross lot at the end of the road). See park map here: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/assets/1/6/spur-cross-8x11.pdf
Please note: Entry to Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area is $3 per person. Annual Pass or CASH are accepted, and exact change is much appreciated.
Limit 10 participants. To register, please call the Cave Creek Nature Center at 602-506-2930 ext. 8 with your name, phone number, and number of people attending. If you find you cannot attend a program after you have registered, please call back ASAP so those on the waiting list may be contacted. Registration for this program will close on Thursday, 4/25/24.
The April 26-29 City Nature Challenge is an international effort that encourages everyone to find and document plants and wildlife on the iNaturalist citizen science app in cities across the globe. This bioblitz-style competition challenges local communities to make the most observations in nature during this 4-day period, and then this data is available for science, management, and conservation. So this April 26-29, connect with your open spaces, your community, and other global naturalist using only your phone or camera to record nature wherever you go! For more info, check out www.citynaturechallenge.org.
*If you would like to learn how to document via iNaturalist, please download the free app at home and register with a username prior to arrival, as cell service is usually nonexistent at this park.