White pelicans
Have you seen white pelicans in Sun Lakes? Currently, the beautiful white pelicans are loving Arizona. There were about 35 fishing and feeding at the Gilbert Water Ranch during the recent Desert Rivers Audubon Family Bird Walk. The pelicans had visitors stunned. It’s also a delight to see them riding the thermals with a nine-foot wingspan and black flight feathers. If you live on a lake in Sun Lakes, you probably have them in your backyard!
Desert Rivers Audubon offers Family Bird Walks and provides binoculars and an experienced bird leader to point out the species in the park during a one-hour walk. Bring the children, as there are binoculars for them also. The parks have lakes, mud, and shallow areas with natural habitats that draw different bird species. Join a Family Bird Walk.
Chandler Oasis Park: Chandler Heights Road and Lindsay Road. Walks are on the first Saturday of the month. The next one is Jan. 7 from 8 to 11:30 a.m. There will be a white tent where one can sign up for a walk and peruse the bookstore for additional bird guides and learning.
Gilbert Water Ranch: Just east of the library at Guadalupe and Greenfield Roads is the Gilbert Water Ranch. Walks are offered the third Saturday of the month. The time is also 8 to 11:30 a.m. The next walk is Jan. 21. The Water Ranch always has surprise birds visiting. Often there are 30 to 40 bird species identified.
The Audubon Monthly Speaker program is available at the Gilbert Library at Greenfield and Guadalupe Roads. It is in person and on Zoom. To register for the Zoom meeting, just visit the website Desertriversaudubon.org and request it. It’s more fun in person, and the cookies are good!
Monthly Speaker Programs: Jan. 20 is speaker Michael Erb, and the title is “Birds and the Weather.”
The Desert Rivers Audubon Society supports education, the environment, conservation, and the Western Rivers programs. There are programs for children and classroom support. Visit the website Desertriversauduabon.org. Help your New Year’s resolution: Get out in nature.