Greer area
Greer
Greer is where I practically got started in birding, and is one of my very favorite places to bird. This area supports a wide variety of bird species, due to a great variety of habitats. I've only been here during the summer months to bird, where I've recorded about 130 species. I've never been here during migration periods or the winter months, which I plan on doing hopefully in the upcoming years. From what I've seen just in the summer months, Greer has it all! In this summary, I'll explain the best places to bird in Greer during the summer months, and good places to find certain species.
We'll start from the turnoff (Highway 373) into the Greer Recreation Area, which is about 5 miles from that point to the very end of Greer, and we'll make stops along the way, according to that road. The Greer turnoff can be reached between Springerville and Sunrise along Highway 260.
Hall Creek: This narrow riparian canyon with a creek that runs through it is probably a consistent place to find a Canyon Wren, in which I saw one the only time I made a focused effort to explore the creek. Its hard to get down here, but its probably a good place to see other birds too such as warblers and various song birds. Without the Canyon Wren, your time is better off not checking Hall Creek at all, these warblers and songbirds will be found more easily elsewhere. On another note, in the past years, Ospreys have nested along the creek and are usually highly visible from the road when passing by. They weren't present the last time I was here in July 2009, but may return in the future hopefully. They are very worth looking at when present!
Benny Creek: Shortly a mile or so after Hall Creek, is Benny Creek, which is a very good birding area, with two sides on each side of the road. The best parking is along the north side of Benny Creek which is really the parking lot for the Squirrel Springs Recreation Area. The north side goes along more of a conifer-like forest with riparian habitat down the middle of the forest edges and the trail ends up doing upward into Rolfe C. Hoyer Campground, and the south side across the street is a lot of the same riparian habitat only with more ponderosa-like habitat along both sides. I recommend birding along both sides. My best sighting was on the north side, when I saw a group of three young Northern Pygmy-Owls, which basically, I got lucky and found completely by chance. Shows that they have nesting in this immediate area most likely. The north side is also a very good place to see Red-naped Sapsuckers, Cordilleran Flycatchers, MacGillivray's Warblers, and many other species. Crossing the road to the south side often has the most bird activity for me. I commonly hear a Plumbeous Vireo singing up in the Ponderosa Pines, and usually, an Olive-sided Flycatcher is present on a dead snag. At times I've seen Ash-throated Flycatchers here. I also commonly see Red-tailed Hawks, Hairy Woodpeckers, Clark's Nutcrackers, Black Phoebes, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, Violet-green Swallows, House Wrens and sometimes Red Crossbills at this location. By walking along the creek, it has parts when a trail is well marked, especially during the further back in when the riparian habitat narrows more. Several medium-sized ponds in the marshy habitat support waterfowl at times. I've heard both Virginia Rails and Soras here too.
 Northern Pygmy Owl
Rolfe C. Hoyer Campground: I wouldn't recommend this place for a birding outing, but if you decide to stay here, Clark's Nutcrackers commonly visit campsites, which is awesome to see, especially when staying in the campground! Band-tailed Pigeons, Rufous and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, Western Bluebirds, Nuthatches and Chickadees, Robins, and Steller's Jays also greet campers. Apart from the common campground birds, I've also had some incredible woodpecker sighings: Three-toed and Downy Woodpeckers on one occasion, and also, Williamson's Sapsucker.
 Clark's Nutcracker
Greer Lakes: The area of the Greer Lakes and the area surrounding the lakes can have good birding. There are three reservoirs: Bunch, Tunnel, and River, with River easily being best of the three lakes birding wise. When first pulling in on the turnoff road to the lakes, the surrounding grasslands and fields are good places to observe Eastern Meadowlarks, Rufous and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, Vesper Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows, Brewer's Blackbirds, Western Bluebirds, American Kestrels, Red-tailed Hawks, and Western Kingbirds. The Greer Lakes usually hold many Violet-green and Cliff Swallows, Canada Geese, Great Blue Herons, Ospreys, Double-crested Cormorants, Mallards, and sometimes Common Mergansers and Cinnamon Teal. Killdeer and Spotted Sandpipers are common around the waters edges, especially at River Reservoir. I've also had Willets and Greater Yellowlegs on an occasion around the lakes, but I'm usually not around by the time shorebird migration really begins. I commonly hear Grace's Warblers and Plumbeous Vireos in pines around the lakes. The forest habitat around the lakes are good places to bird as well. River Reservoir has the best bird activity, and there are a few nesting trees full of Double-crested Cormorants. The main attraction though would have to be the Ospreys, who are very common around all three lakes, and they can easily be observed nesting and of course fishing. Ever since 1998, I've watched the Ospreys around the reservoirs and even before I was a birder, I ventered around to look for them. I've recorded three different nesting sites around River Reservoir, and even two more behind the lake's dam (also a good potential birding area). The main nest is located at the southern end of River Reservoir, which can be seen from the parking lot at more of the southern end of the lake. Be sure to keep your distance from the Ospreys when they are in the important stages of their breeding and when the fledglings are very young. Usually, there are two to three juvenilles on a yearly basis by the time I get to Greer. I've also seen Purple Martins very close to the Osprey nest at times, a great addition to Osprey viewing anytime!
 Osprey
"South Marsh": South Marsh is a name I have given a good birding location. Really, it is the Little Colorado River running into the south end of River Reservoir, but the river branches into alot of different directions as it runs through, creating not only a river habitat, but a marsh. Many ponds are created along this stretch, which makes a perfect ecosystem for many different waterbirds, songbirds, and other wildlife. This area is easy to access, and there are a few ways to get here. One is by taking the 373 down just past the Tin Star Market (which is probably close to a mile past Hoyer Campground). Once just past Tin Star, you'll come upon a bridge. Cross this bridge and park. There are trails that go along both ends of the highway, both sides great for birding. Another way to access South Marsh is County Road 1126 (which is a little further up the road, aka, the turnoff for Butterfly Lodge Museum), where you drive down this well maintained dirt road until you reach the parking area for River Reservoir. Once you get out, go to the very south end of the lake (where the Ospreys are), and you'll eventually come across the marshy river habitat. A fence is here, just open the fence and walk along the well marked trail. After walking a roughly over a mile, you'll come across the 373 once again. I recommend parking closer to the 373. Birding wise, I often walk up and down these paths for an hour or so and an hours time here can be very productive, as I commonly see 35-40 different species just along this small stretch in that hour's worth of time. This is a great place to see Black-crowned Night-Herons in the White Mountains. Green-winged Teal prefer this area also, as well as Cinnamon Teal. Since its very close to the Osprey nest, of course the Ospreys are commonly present here and flyover. Its not uncommon here to see five different species of swallow, at times I have Tree, Barn, Cliff, Violet-green, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows all within a few minutes. Dusky Flycatchers as well as Say's and Black Phoebes and Western Wood-Pewees prefer this area. Northern Flickers like the trailside grass and fence, and Red-naped Sapsuckers like the riparian riverside trees. Gray Catbirds have increased in Greer over the last few years, and this is a great location to find one. I've also heard a Swainson's Thrush in this area, which was actually right by the immediate area of the bridge. The songs of Song Sparrows and Common Yellowthroats fill this area. MacGillivray's and Virginia's Warblers are common, as well as Warbling Vireos. Black-headed Grosbeaks, House Wrens, Green-tailed Towhees, as well as Broad-tailed and Rufous Hummingbirds. Belted Kingfishers are occasionally common, and at times a Virginia Rail can be heard calling way out of sight. Lazuli Buntings are very possible in late July/early August. Once getting to the point where your past the marshy area and come to the place where the south end of River Reservoir is viewable, this can be good birding too. At times, half of River Reservoir is drained out, creating a good mudflat. In summer, the mudflat is great to view Spotted Sandpiper. But during shorebird migration at it's peak, this area would be worth checking for shorebirds, especially around the muddy edges of the lake. Other than the marshy/river/riparian habitat of South Marsh, Ponderosa Pine forest also of course runs along this stretch. Keep your eyes open for the forest birds as well.
 Spotted Sandpiper
County Road 1126: County Road 1126 is a good birding area, especially if you are very interested in finding forest species. County Road 1126 can be accessed from the 373, and is shortly after Tin Star Market and right before the closeby East Fork Road, or vice versa. This road is a well-maintained dirt road that runs for a few miles before an ending where only maintenence vehicles are permitted access. Driving along this stretch is good for Red-tailed Hawks, American Kestrels, Band-tailed Pigeons, different Woodpeckers, Western Wood-Pewees, Cordilleran Flycatchers, Plumbeous Vireo, Steller's Jay, Clark's Nutcracker, Violet-green Swallow, Mountain Chickadee, White-breated and Pygmy Nuthatches, Western Bluebird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Western Tanager, Dark-eyed Juncos, and Black-headed Grosbeaks. Once you come upon the fence that doesn't allow any further vehicle traffic, this part is a very good place to park your car and get out to bird. There are two medium-sized ponds as well as surrounding grassland. The ponds provide a sanctuary for Red-winged Blackbirds and Soras, which this is surprisingly a great place to see a Sora. I hear one almost every time I come down here and this pond is actually the first place I was able to catch sight of a Sora. Ducks are here on occasion, sometimes Gadwall. The grasslands around the ponds have Spotted Sandpiper (always close to the ponds), plus Eastern Meadowlarks and Vesper Sparrows. Besides the pond, there is also access to a nice trail/small road that climbs up the surrounding moutains. To reach this area, walk down the road of the cabin communtiy called "Hacienda" by going straight until the road goes either to the left or right. Go to your right, and soon after later you'll run into a pulloff that is a small road to your left. Go up this small road that climbs up into the mountain. This place is extremely reliable to find Olive-sided Flycatchers, which have always been a guarantee for me at this spot. I've seen young birds as well as adults, which this area is definetely a great breeding site for them. Besides the Olive-sided, I've seen good birds such as Red Crossbills and Brown Creepers. Many forest birds are along this stretch, and I've even seen Wild Turkey in this area. It is worth walking up, and is very beatiful. Before coming to this small road, be sure to respect the people who own cabins and their property, as alot of it is private property in the area of these cabins. Also, the closed road at the end does allow foot travel and hiking down the road a few miles ends up at a very dry and pinyon-juniper like habitat, which is also some type of wastewater treatment plant. This area can be possibly good for birds that favor the pinyon-juniper areas, and I've even had Montezuma Quail out here. Keep walking on this road until you get out to this area, in which birding is good for forest species of all types along this stretch as well. This part of Road 1126 can also be accessed from the River Reservoir dam on the lakes north side. Walk the dam and continue on the road that curves to the left. You'll come upon County Road 1126 shortly walking on this road, in which 1126 is alot better marked and maintained (no signs however to state what road it is at this point).
 Young Olive-sided Flycatcatcher
East Fork Road: The area of East Fork Road is one of the best places to bird at in all of Greer. Mixed pine and conifer forest mixed with mountain riparian habitat along the Little Colorado River attracts many different bird species. East Fork Road is right after or right before County Road 1126. This is a well maintained dirt road, and also along this road is the Butler Canyon Nature Trail (good birding spot), the East Fork Cabins, and Montlure Bible Camp. The road runs for a mile and a half, and birding is good the entire time. Perhaps this road is the best place in Greer to find a Red-faced Warbler, which can be found in the trees along the road usually pretty easily. I've also seen Gray Catbirds in this area as well alot over the last few years, and one of my best Greer sightings was a Swainson's Thrush about halfway down this road, which was singing in a spruce. Birding along the road and also on both sides of the Little Colorado is very good. Birds to expect here along the road in the forest habitat as well as the riparian habitat include Black-crowned Night-Heron, Red-tailed Hawks, Band-tailed Pigeon, Broad-tailed and Rufous Hummingbirds, Belted Kingfisher, Williamson's and Red-naped Sapsuckers, Western Wood-Pewee, Dusky and Cordilleran Flycatchers, Clark's Nutcracker, American Dipper, Townsend's Solitaire, Warbing Vireo, MacGillivray's and Red-faced Warblers (many others as well, probably a great place to find migrant Warblers), Green-tailed Towhee, Lincoln's Sparrow, and Black-headed Grosbeak. The river is sometimes hard to access from the road, but by parking by or walking down to the road's end where the entrance to the Bible camp is, is a good and easier place to walk along the river. I highly recommend the Butler Canyon Nature Trail as well. This trail is good for woodpeckers, and I have had some good sightings of the Three-toed and Downy Woodpeckers here, also a good place for Hermit Thrushes. Many of the birds mentioned that favor East Fork Road can be found along Butler Canyon as well. Butler Canyon also has a few extensive trails that branch off from the main trail, in which one goes up quite a distance. This area may be good for more of the possible elusive species, possibly such as Wild Turkey and Dusky Grouse.
 Red-faced Warbler
"NO FISHING FROM BRIDGE": Shortly after East Fork Road you'll immediately go down a hill and come upon another bridge that runs over the Little Colorado River. There is a sign by the bridge that reads, "No Fishing from Bridge". Park along this area and go down to the river. This spot can be amazing to see American Dippers at times, and other times, they are completly absent. On one trip in 2008, my cabin was right above this place and I could come down almost every time and see the Dippers, which there was a pair of adults and a young fledgling who constanly begged for food. Gray Catbirds also seem to somewhat prefer the area of this spot. By walking further down the road (373), you'll see many meadows and grassy open areas that are along the Little Colorado (which is actually the other side of East Fork Road). This is an easy way to access the opposite side of the East Fork area. Alot of different species like this area as well, and it's usually a good place to find a Mountain Bluebird in Greer. There are also a few small ponds out in the fields that attract herons, ducks, and Spotted Sandpipers. A good way to find this spot is that it's directly across from the restaurants called Rendezvous Diner and Molly Butler Lodge and is also behind the Greer Library.
 American Dippers
East Fork Trail # 94: The East Fork Trail is another good birding area in Greer. This trail can be reached from Osborne Road, which is almost right after the bridge with the sign "No Fishing from Bridge". The turnoff is a sharp turn to the right if you are coming south from the bridge on the 373. It climbs up a little ways before it levels out. Drive a short distance to the trailhead and park. This area is a cabin community, and also has good birding around the cabins. East Fork Trail 94 is seven miles in length, eventually ending up at the West Mount Baldy Trail # 94. I would consider the first mile or two in the Greer area. The trail is beautiful, going through mixed conifer forest. Along the first half mile was a sighting of my very first Northern Goshawk, which left me speechless. All along this trail would be a good place to look for that elusive Goshawk. Along the first small strech of the trail a creek runs along, which attracts many songbirds. Red-faced Warblers and Green-tailed Towhees can commonly be found here as well as many other species typical of East Fork Road. Further into the trail, is good for mountain birds of the forest, including Wild Turkeys, Clark's Nutcrackers, and Red Crossbills. I assume it would be a good place to look for Dusky Grouse, although I haven't seen one on this trail. This is also a great area to listen to Hermit Thrushes singing, which in my opinion is very enjoyable. If you want to look for mountain birds specifically, this trail would be a good bet. The cabin I stayed in with my family called Julie's Cabin is almost right next door to the trailhead, so I've been on this trail a bit, mainly just the first mile. The cabins around here are very nice, and I highly recommend them!
 Northern Goshawk
West Fork of the Little Colorado River: The West Fork of the Little Colorado River is another great birding area. Reaching this area is easy, you drive down to the very end of Greer/373. It turns into a dirt road and once that road ends, park and bird the area. This area is often crowded with people fishing, but walking the trail past the restrooms a few miles can be productive birding wise. At some points, the vegetation gets very thick and its hard to get around. Birding usually is very good before this point however. The habitat is similiar to the East Fork Road setting, as are many of the birds. This area the most beautiful in Greer, and is more dense surrounding forest than the East Fork. I've seen Dusky Grouse here before on one occasion. It is a good location to find an American Dipper at times, as well as Red-faced and MacGillivray's Warblers, Red-naped Sapscukers, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Lincoln's Sparrows, and many other riparian and mountain species.
 MacGillivray's Warbler
Greer is certainly a great birding area, and I wish I could bird it year round. As mentioned before, my Greer birding has only been done from June to early August, so I'm missing alot of species. From what I've seen, the area is incredible birding with a lot more potential. Spring and Fall migrations would be an great time to bird this area. Besides birds, I've had many other incredible wildlife sightings including Elk, Deer, Black Bears, Pronghorn Antelope, Coyotes, Gray Fox, Muskrats, Beavers, many Squirrels and Chipmucks, and Eastern Cottontail Rabbits.
Greer species list
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