Fall Events

BIRDS


 Bye Bye Buzzards Migration Celebration September 24 at Boyce Thompson Arboretum
ASU Professor and author Dave Pearson is the special guest interpretive guide for September's seasonal salute to the Arboretum's flock of Turkey Vultures before the big black birds fly away on their winter migration southwards. The Arboretum opens at 7:00 am today, one hour earlier than usual for September, so visitors can join our staff and volunteers 'vulture viewing' from 7:00-8:30 before Dr. Pearson leads the 8:30 am bird walk. Preview this event on YouTube. Bring your camera, today brings a chance to see a real, live vulture up close and personal at the Arizona Game & Fish Department wildlife rehabbers living exhibit near the smith building - with other rescued birds, mammals and reptiles too. Read more at http://ag.arizona.edu/bta/events/buzzards.html.

Tour de Bird - November 5, 2016. Desert Rivers Audubon annual bird-friendly, water conserving, East Valley, garden tour. Get great ideas from local birding and garden enthusiasts own backyards. More details to follow, including locations and maps.  Tickets won't be distributed until after September 1, 2016. Buy tickets here.

Dead Horse Ranch Verde River Days - Saturday, September 24 at 9am. For the last 28 years the Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce and its partners have hosted Verde River Day, a celebration of the Verde River and it significance to the Verde Valley as well as the State of Arizona.
Verde River Day is an opportunity not only to experience the river and all it has to offer, but to learn about our responsibilities in helping to maintain its fragile hold on the landscape. Experience the beauty of the Verde River while you enjoy free canoe rides, games and activities for the kids, fishing, demonstrations, food, music & more!


CLASSES

Desert Botanical Garden-  Register early, classes fill quickly, prices vary, go to www.dbg.org.

Product ImageWading Birds: Herons, Egrets, Bitterns and More
Wednesday and Saturday / August 24 and August 27
Wednesday / 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. / Saturday / 7 a.m. - 12 p.m. (field trip)


Identification of some of our large wading birds can be confusing, especially the white egret and immature heron. Spend an evening in the classroom learning the ecological differences among the many species of wading birds and the behavioral clues that make field identification easier. Put your new skills to use during a field trip to local, urban wetlands where immature herons live and large numbers of migrating egrets pass through. Students are encouraged to bring binoculars. Transportation to wetlands is provided. Instructed by Tom Gaskill. Limit 10.
Session Summer 2016: Wed, Aug 24, 2016 6:30PM - 8:30PM   OPEN
Bats - Thursday / August 25 / 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Though bats may seem scary, they are actually quite beneficial, eating a vast number of harmful insects. There are more than 28 species of bats in Arizona. Unfortunately, eastern U.S. bat populations are declining faster than any other land mammal. However, Arizona bat populations appear stable and some species have been increasing in numbers. Join Randy Babb, from Arizona Game and Fish, and learn more about these fascinating flying friends and how we can protect them. Limit 30  Session Summer 2016: Thu, Aug 25, 2016 6:30PM - 8:30PM   OPEN

BUGS N' STUFF

August 28 Butterflies and Dragonflies Walk GWR - 7:00AM  This area is outstanding for beautiful butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies.  Learn to identify local butterflies including Painted Lady, Queen, and Fiery Skipper as well as common dragonflies and damselflies such as Western Pondhawk, Flame Skimmer, Blue-ringed Dancer, and Familiar Bluet. Suggested $5.00 donation to support the Gilbert Riparian Preserve. Bring binoculars (close-focus preferred), water, and hat. For Information Click Here
August 27 Butterfly Walk  at Boyce Thompson Arboretum with Adriane Grimaldi - 8:30 AM; start time moves to 9:00 am for the September 24 guided walk.  Adriane Grimaldi leads Arboretum guests on a walking tour to see, photograph and learn about colorful species ranging from Empress Leilia to Queen, Spring Azure and more. This relaxed and slow-moving walk explores our Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden, Demonstration Garden and Children's Garden collections.
FALL PLANT SALES


Desert Botanical Garden -
October 14, 2016 - October 16, 2016, Members Preview: Friday, Oct 14 | 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Open to General Public: Saturday, Oct. 15 | 7 a.m.-5 p.m.Sunday, Oct. 16 | 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum - Plant Sale brings a great selection, also a prime time to buy annual membership at BTA, our annual members save 20-percent on plant purchases during the opening weekend of this fundraising sale of trees, shrubs, herbs, flowers, cacti and succulents. Need planting and landscaping advice? Arboretum staff are joined by helpful volunteers from Pinal County's Superstition Mountain Master Gardeners program there to advise and assist buyers with suggestions for trees and smaller plants ideal for a wide range of landscaping projects.

Arizona Rare Fruit Growers - Oct. 15, 8a.m. - 12p.m. on the Mesa Community College Campus, next to the MCC Rose Garden along Southern Ave, in Mesa. (Stay tuned for a detailed map and sale details)  Adding to the crazy fun and chaos of the day, we will be joined by the Mesa East Valley Rose Society, Arizona Herb Association, MCC Urban Farmers Club!!


PLANTS

Prickly Pear Festival for Saturday and Sunday, August 20-21, 2016 in the mining community of Superior.  A fun filled day awaits those attending with desert hikes on the mountainside at dawn; a pancake breakfast with prickly pear syrup; vendors selling prickly pear food and wares at the old high school; the Cactus Lounge with art and entertainment and prickly pear beer, wine and margaritas; talks and demonstrations on how to use the ubiquitous prickly pear; lunchtime menus in the local restaurants featuring the fruit or the pad; food trucks with more delicacies; topped off by an evening Edible Desert Dinner and
entertainment.'

Prickly Pear Cactus Fruit Class with Patty West August 27, 10:00 am at
Boyce Thompson Arboretum - Have you wished you knew how to pick a peck o’ prickly pears, turning the bright red fruits into syrup you can use in margaritas and smoothies, or even a batch of tasty jelly? Ethnobotanist and field botanist Patty West is a special guest presenter both days of this weekend -- and on August 27 she hosts a 10:00 am class coaching the finer points of processing ripe fruit of the season for fresh batches of jelly, jam, syrup and more.

Prescott Annual Wildflower Celebration, September 11 @ 7:30 am - 11:30 am  At the Community Nature Center of Prescott, 1980 Williamson Valley Rd.  After our region’s annual summer rains, the diversity of wildflowers at the CNC’s Interior Chaparral site is lovely. Join area naturalist on the trail to learn and have fun! Free wildflower walks will start every 30 minutes and last about an hour. Trails are not difficult, but some stretches are dirt with slope. Water and a portable restroom are available on site. Watch for a banner that will mark the turnoff.









Do you have an event, bird walk, meeting, or nature walk that belongs on this calendar? Please send info to birdbloglady@gmail.com


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