When most people think of Arizona, they picture the Grand Canyon or sun-baked deserts, saguaro cactus and John Wayne. Few know that the state also showcases some of the largest pine forests in the U.S., high mountains, rivers and lakes. Serious birders are well-acquainted with Arizona, but most of them target the southeastern corner of the state, where 14 species of hummingbirds have been counted in a single day, and where Flame-colored Tanagers and Elegant Trogans regularly cross over from Mexico. Having toured the bird-rich southeastern corner, however, birders would be well-advised to consider other areas of the state. The tiny community of Greer, in the White Mountains, is one of many rewarding choices.
The Colorado Plateau extends south, covering much of the northern third of Arizona. The Mogollon Rim, a transition zone, separates the plateau's mountains from the sweeping deserts of the lower third of the state. Small sky island mountain ranges populate the deserts, offering residents of the state's two largest cities, Phoenix and Tucson, easy escapes from mid-summer heat. Mt. Lemmon, for example, sits on the edge of Tucson, and features a 25 mile drive that climbs through six life zones to a climate that averages 30 degrees less than Tucson's summer highs.
Those looking for an extended mountain getaway, however, turn to destinations in the Mogollon Rim and the White Mountains, which lie just a few hours' drive from both Phoenix and Tucson. Mountain communities, lying at elevations between 7,000 and 9,000 feet, boast conifer forests, lakes, reservoirs and year-round streams. Many of these have colorful names like Snowflake, Pinetop and Show Low, which was named in a low-ball poker game.
Greer is one of the smallest and more remote of these towns, but is still a popular summer tourist destination. This popularity is mostly due to trout fishing on the Little Colorado River, which runs through the center of Greer. The Little Colorado is more a creek than a river as it ripples through Greer, near its Mt. Baldy source, but it is regularly stocked with Apache trout. The elevation of Greer is about 8,400 feet above sea level, and this habitat, among pine and spruce forests, along the Little Colorado and with several nearby lakes, offers some outstanding spring and fall birding.
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The narrow road that winds through the community of Greer ends at a parking lot and trailhead on the banks of the Little Colorado River. The main trail leads uphill into the pines, but the best birding is along a smaller trail that parallels the river, and between that riparian area and the forested slope above. This area is particularly rich with birds in late summer, when fall migrants join year-round residents. Common warblers include Virginia's, Wilson's and Red-faced, together with Willow Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Rufous and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, House Wren, American Robin and Hermit Thrush. Look to the higher reaches of conifer for Clark's Nutcracker, Williamson's and Red-naped Sapsucker, Brown Creeper, Pigmy and White-breasted Nuthatches, Mountain Chickadee, Hairy Woodpecker and Northern Flicker. Many of these birds can also be found on the Butler Canyon Nature Trail, an easy walk just east of Greer. That trailhead is on East Fork Road.
Different species can be found just a mile outside of town, where a small road turns east from Highway 373, leading to three reservoirs. The first, Bunch Reservoir, is reached by turning left on a signed side road. This narrow road crosses an open meadow often filled with late summer wildflowers, ending at a parking lot and boat launch for the reservoir. The meadow's trees and flowers are favorite habitat for American Kestrel, Chipping Sparrow, Loggerhead Shrike, Western and Mountain Bluebirds, and Pine Siskins, which can number in the hundreds.
The reservoir may hold Great Blue Heron, White-faced Ibis, Mallards and Canada Geese among other water birds, while trees and shrub along the shoreline are good places to find Calliope Hummingbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Red-naped Sapsucker, Belted Kingfisher and Lesser Goldfinch. The two other reservoirs, Tunnel and River, are nearby and also worth birding.
From Tucson, Highway 77 leads to Globe (via Highway 70), where it joins Highway 60 from Phoenix. This combined highway (60/77) heads northeast to Show Low, where it intersects with Highway 260, which climbs southeast to an intersection with Highway 373, the road into Greer. Greer can be reached in about four hours from Phoenix, or about five hours from Tucson.
Southeastern Arizona is unquestionably the state's premier birding destination. That said, birders who take time to explore other areas of the state may be surprised at the diversity and number of birds found throughout Arizona. One of these alternate destinations is the White Mountains, exemplified by the little community of Greer, on the headwaters of the Little Colorado River. Booking.com
The White Mountains and Greer, Arizona
The Colorado Plateau extends south, covering much of the northern third of Arizona. The Mogollon Rim, a transition zone, separates the plateau's mountains from the sweeping deserts of the lower third of the state. Small sky island mountain ranges populate the deserts, offering residents of the state's two largest cities, Phoenix and Tucson, easy escapes from mid-summer heat. Mt. Lemmon, for example, sits on the edge of Tucson, and features a 25 mile drive that climbs through six life zones to a climate that averages 30 degrees less than Tucson's summer highs.
Those looking for an extended mountain getaway, however, turn to destinations in the Mogollon Rim and the White Mountains, which lie just a few hours' drive from both Phoenix and Tucson. Mountain communities, lying at elevations between 7,000 and 9,000 feet, boast conifer forests, lakes, reservoirs and year-round streams. Many of these have colorful names like Snowflake, Pinetop and Show Low, which was named in a low-ball poker game.
Greer is one of the smallest and more remote of these towns, but is still a popular summer tourist destination. This popularity is mostly due to trout fishing on the Little Colorado River, which runs through the center of Greer. The Little Colorado is more a creek than a river as it ripples through Greer, near its Mt. Baldy source, but it is regularly stocked with Apache trout. The elevation of Greer is about 8,400 feet above sea level, and this habitat, among pine and spruce forests, along the Little Colorado and with several nearby lakes, offers some outstanding spring and fall birding.
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Birding in and Around Greer, Arizona
The narrow road that winds through the community of Greer ends at a parking lot and trailhead on the banks of the Little Colorado River. The main trail leads uphill into the pines, but the best birding is along a smaller trail that parallels the river, and between that riparian area and the forested slope above. This area is particularly rich with birds in late summer, when fall migrants join year-round residents. Common warblers include Virginia's, Wilson's and Red-faced, together with Willow Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Rufous and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, House Wren, American Robin and Hermit Thrush. Look to the higher reaches of conifer for Clark's Nutcracker, Williamson's and Red-naped Sapsucker, Brown Creeper, Pigmy and White-breasted Nuthatches, Mountain Chickadee, Hairy Woodpecker and Northern Flicker. Many of these birds can also be found on the Butler Canyon Nature Trail, an easy walk just east of Greer. That trailhead is on East Fork Road.
Different species can be found just a mile outside of town, where a small road turns east from Highway 373, leading to three reservoirs. The first, Bunch Reservoir, is reached by turning left on a signed side road. This narrow road crosses an open meadow often filled with late summer wildflowers, ending at a parking lot and boat launch for the reservoir. The meadow's trees and flowers are favorite habitat for American Kestrel, Chipping Sparrow, Loggerhead Shrike, Western and Mountain Bluebirds, and Pine Siskins, which can number in the hundreds.
The reservoir may hold Great Blue Heron, White-faced Ibis, Mallards and Canada Geese among other water birds, while trees and shrub along the shoreline are good places to find Calliope Hummingbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Red-naped Sapsucker, Belted Kingfisher and Lesser Goldfinch. The two other reservoirs, Tunnel and River, are nearby and also worth birding.
How to Get to Greer
From Tucson, Highway 77 leads to Globe (via Highway 70), where it joins Highway 60 from Phoenix. This combined highway (60/77) heads northeast to Show Low, where it intersects with Highway 260, which climbs southeast to an intersection with Highway 373, the road into Greer. Greer can be reached in about four hours from Phoenix, or about five hours from Tucson.
Birding in the White Mountains of Arizona
Southeastern Arizona is unquestionably the state's premier birding destination. That said, birders who take time to explore other areas of the state may be surprised at the diversity and number of birds found throughout Arizona. One of these alternate destinations is the White Mountains, exemplified by the little community of Greer, on the headwaters of the Little Colorado River. Booking.com
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