Gilbert and Chandler Heights Roads Ponds

Fast Flight Facts

Target Species:  Different waterbirds

Elevation: 1260'

Habitat:  Two large ponds inside of chained fences that can be scanned from the road

Overall Birding Rating: 1

Difficulty: 1 (Easy)

Birding Type: Walking and Scanning

Facilities:  None

Fees/Ownership:  None/Private Property

Closest Town or City/How far from Phoenix:  Chandler /22 miles southeast of Phoenix

Getting there:  Accessed from scanning roadside on Gilbert Road

Overview:  Near the intersection of Gilbert and Chandler Heights Roads, are two big ponds that are surrounded by chained fences.  Both of these ponds are private property where trespassing is prohibited, but they can still be viewed from the roadside.  The two ponds lie on the west side of Gilbert Road, one north of Chandler Heights and the other one south of Chandler Heights.  The pond on the north is a better pond to view and more open looks of this pond are provided when walking along Gilbert Road.  This pond is also lined by cottonwoods in places, which a stand of cottonwoods are very close to the road.  The south pond is more concealed by by trees and the views are more limited.  It's certainly worth a look as well.  These ponds are often very productive for ducks, geese, cormorants, and occasionally American White Pelicans.  Check the cottonwoods close to the road for interesting songbirds. 

Birding Tip:  Once reaching the intersection of Gilbert and Chandler Heights Roads, park in the business center at the northwest corner of the intersection.  Parking here gets you closer to the north pond.  Walk north along the west side of Gilbert Road to view this large pond.  A scope is highly recommended here.  It's a longer walk south to reach the southern pond that is south of Chandler Heights Road, but it is still worth a stop if time permits (some nearby neighborhoods might have closer parking by the south pond).  Parking is prohibited along Gilbert Road here, so the ponds have to be viewed by walking to them on foot. 

Directions:  From the Loop 202 (Santan Freeway), take the Gilbert Road exit and then head south on Gilbert Road for 3.2 miles.  Park in the shopping and business center on the northwest corner of the Gilbert and Chandler Heights Road intersection.  If coming south on Gilbert Road, this will be on the west side of Gilbert, shortly after driving by the huge pond, and slightly north of Chandler Heights Road.  Continue south on Gilbert Road just past Chandler Heights were the south pond is located.

Pages:

Gilbert and Chandler Heights Roads Ponds Maps

Gilbert and Chandler Heights Roads Ponds eBird Data

Scenes and Sights from Gilbert and Chandler Heights Roads Ponds:

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