There is an interesting and diverse group of people who get together once a month for a program and socialization. These people are interested in birds. Of course, we have to have a name, and it is Desert Rivers Audubon Society (DRAS).

Our monthly meetings are held October through March at 7:00 p.m. at the Gilbert Library (southeast corner of Greenfield and Guadalupe Roads. That is the Southeast Regional Library, 775 N. Greenfield Road, Gilbert, AZ 85234).

Well, that library is way out there, but if you come to just one meeting, you will see displays of birding information. There is a real live DRAS member by each table/display ready to talk to you, ready to answer your questions and ready to tell you about DRAS. There are speakers at the meetings and T-shirts and books for sale. But the best part is the people – interesting/interested people.

And we have events for you, your children, your visiting guests, even your grandmothers that are held at a couple nearby parks. One of the events is our bird walks. Come check one out and see how accessible they are – you may want to put them on the list of things to do.

DRAS has guided walks around two different parks/lakes: First Saturday of the month – Veterans Oasis Park, Lindsay and Chandler Heights Road, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Road, Chandler AZ 85249, from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Third Saturday of the month – Gilbert Water Park, Greenfield and Guadalupe Roads (Riparian Preserve at Water Park, 2757 E. Guadalupe Road, Gilbert, AZ 85234) again, from 8:00 a.m. until noon.

The walk leaders know these lakes/parks. They know the birds, the lakes and ponds and they know DRAS. They speak to all ages of people. They like to have a regular crowd following them around. Some Saturday morning between October and March come join a DRAS guided walk. Check the schedule and just have a look at our website, www.desertriversaudubon.org.