Returning from Flagstaff and the Overland Expo West we decide to stop at the Kachina Wetlands to see what birds are enjoying the Wetlands in May. It is quite cold again when we reach the wetland as it is getting close to the evening and we decide to take a shortened version of our usual hike through the area. There is only one car in the parking lot so at least we do not expected any other people today on our hike through this beautiful area.
Almost immediately we see something flying, hmm, only a plane taking off from the Flagstaff airport, false alarm.
But then we arrive at the first lake and here the birds are abundant. While they are mostly Canada Geese and White Faced Ibis we really like the young Canada Geese chicks, they are as far from Canada as they will ever be we think.
There are also the hilariously named Killdeer here and we spend some time just watching before moving on as the cold is getting to us.
And the birds keep on coming, even though they are common we really like watching them. There are lots of Red winged Blackbirds, very beautiful, but also the dissonant, to us, Ruddy Duck is not that uncommon here and now.
Above all flies the osprey surveilling all he owns. We always wonder if it is the same as always but there is no way to validate. In our mind it is always the same but who knows.
There are also a few Pied billed Grebes here, every time we visit we can see at least a few. That is not true for the Brewer’s Blackbird but when they are present they are present as a flock.
And then it is time to return via the grasslands as most lakes here are dry. We are not sure if there will be any birds in this stretch as it is more hit and miss and with the general cold in a way we are hoping that we won’t see anything on the last stretch.
That is not true however, the grasslands are full with sparrows, both Lark Sparrows and Chipping Sparrows vying for our attention.
When we arrive at the trailhead we discover a new toilet, it is quite clean and even has toilet paper. And then it is time to return back to warmer climates after three eventful days up north.
