Crystal Gardens Parkway

Fast Flight Facts

Target Species:  Wintering Waterfowl

Elevation: 1020'

Habitat:  Numerous ponds in midst of housing developments

Overall Birding Rating: 2

Difficulty: 1 (Easy)

Birding Type: Simple Walking, Walking and Scanning

Facilities:  None

Fees/Ownership:  None/Crystal Gardens

Closest Town or City/How far from Phoenix:  Glendale /12.7 miles west-northwest of Phoenix

Getting there:  Ponds reached by neighborhood streets throughout Crystal Gardens Community

Overview:  The area of the Crystal Gardens Parkway is a good place for wintering waterfowl and is worth a stop if you are in the area.  The parkway runs through many small lakes and ponds that are in the middle of a large neighborhood on the west and east side of the roads, which are all part of a water treatment facility. 

Among the common waterfowl observed here, there are often large numbers of Canada Geese that has had several Cackling Geese in the flocks.  Also look for Herons, Cormorants, Belted Kingfisher and different shorebirds in the area.  The yards in the housing areas have Costa's Hummingbirds. 

Birding Tip:  As this area is covered in housing developments and neighborhoods, birders shall respect the people who live here and stay on all paths that line the lakes and ponds when visiting.  It is best to park a vehicle in one of the streets and then walk down the main parkway and scan the ponds/lakes that way.  The ponds and lakes are all relatively close together and shouldn't take a long time to bird.  However, there aren't any good places to pull over immediately roadside, so parking the car and walking the parkway is the best birding method. 

Directions: The Crystal Gardens Parkway can be located by the intersection of 107th Avenue and McDowell, turning north on 107th Avenue and proceeding west into the parkway.   For quick access, take the McDowell exit at either the Loop 101 or the I-10 freeways.

Pages:

Crystal Gardens Parkway Map

Scenes and Sights from Crystal Gardens Parkway:

Birdlife of Crystal Gardens Parkway:

Canada and Cackling Geese (rarity)

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