Birding
A desert oasis for more than 300 species
Nestled along the life-giving waters of the Hassayampa River, this preserve is one of central Arizona’s best birding spots. More than 300 species have been recorded here, from vibrant songbirds to desert-dwelling specialists.
Year-Round Residents
Even a short walk can reveal local favorites like the Abert’s towhee, Gila woodpecker, Verdin, and Gambel’s quail. You may also spot a Northern cardinal or hear the soft coo of a mourning dove echoing through the cottonwoods.
Riparian & Lake Visitors
Around Palm Lake and the river’s shaded pools, look for great blue herons, black phoebes, mallards, and coots. In spring and fall, migrating warblers, tanagers, and flycatchers pause here to rest and feed.
Desert Edge Birds
Step away from the water, and you’ll enter the realm of cactus wrens, curve-billed thrashers, and black-throated sparrows. Keep an eye overhead for Harris’s hawks or red-tailed hawks soaring above the mesquite.
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If you’re lucky, you might catch a flash of scarlet from a vermilion flycatcher or hear a great horned owl calling at dusk — reminders of the preserve’s wild spirit. Bring your binoculars, move slowly, and let the songs and colors of Hassayampa’s birdlife guide your visit through this unique desert oasis.