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Reay Lane Reclamation Ponds & Marsh - 1 member in 4 triplogs has rated this an average 2 ( 1 to 5 best )
4 triplogs
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Sep 21 2023
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 Guides 4
 Photos 4,732
 Triplogs 2,639

55 male
 Joined Sep 29 2004
 Small Town USA
Reay Lane Reclamation Ponds & MarshTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Walk / Tour avatar Sep 21 2023
SkyIslander18Triplogs 2,639
Walk / Tour2.00 Miles 100 AEG
Walk / Tour2.00 Miles
100 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
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Late afternoon/sunset walk through the cotton fields that surround the ponds.
I love walking the cotton fields this time of the year.
Cotton buds are open, flowers on every bush, birds & critters everywhere ... and not a bad sunset!
:)
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  2 archives
Aug 22 2022
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 Guides 4
 Photos 4,732
 Triplogs 2,639

55 male
 Joined Sep 29 2004
 Small Town USA
Reay Lane Reclamation Ponds & MarshTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Birding avatar Aug 22 2022
SkyIslander18Triplogs 2,639
Birding
Birding   1 Hour      0.00 mph
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I guess I'll log this as a birding trip, but it was really a drive out to the Gila River after hearing about the flooding in Duncan. I drove a big loop first crossing the Safford bridge then coming back over the Reay Lane bridge. The Gila is flowing hard, but no where near flooding status ... at least in these parts.
I stopped at the reclamation observatory tower before leaving, saw quite a few birds over the ponds silhouetted by a great sunset! 7/10
:)
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Dec 05 2018
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 Routes 85
 Photos 3,737
 Triplogs 488

female
 Joined Oct 15 2002
 Rimrock, Arizona
Reay Lane Reclamation Ponds & MarshTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Birding avatar Dec 05 2018
cactuscatTriplogs 488
Birding
Birding      20 Mns   0.00 mph
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1st trip
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A birder friend texted me this morning that the gates were open and Wood Ducks were present, so it was time to finally check out this local eBird hotspot!
It's not 100% clear that this location is public, so it felt like a bit of a caper. I only drove 150 or so yards inside the gate - and never saw another vehicle or person, so no sweat.
Quickly found the Wood Ducks, and got decent photos of a beautiful female Northern Harrier. Noted Northern Shovelers and Green-winged Teals. Got a Least Sandpiper, and a surprise lifer - the very spiffy-looking Wilson's Snipe!
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  3 archives
Sep 23 2013
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 Guides 4
 Photos 4,732
 Triplogs 2,639

55 male
 Joined Sep 29 2004
 Small Town USA
Reay Lane Reclamation Ponds & MarshTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Birding avatar Sep 23 2013
SkyIslander18Triplogs 2,639
Birding3.10 Miles 50 AEG
Birding3.10 Miles
50 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Took an afternoon drive down to Thatcher and the ponds for a little birding. I'm not really sure what to think about the ponds & marsh just yet until I go out a few more times and see it in all seasons. The entire facility is fenced in so you cannot really get close to the ponds, but there is a nice concrete observation deck to look for birds from. I turned it into a hike by walking the circumference of the fence and then down to the Gila River another .5 miles down the road. Arrived at the Gila and climbed down under the bridge to the river's edge hoping not to run into a Crispin Glover type, I did not and spent a little time watching the strong flow go by. Completed the loop back to the observation deck in time for a short sunset shoot along with 100's of very vocal blackbirds settling into the ponds cattails for the night.

Conclusion for this visit - I'm sure with a good pair of binoculars & a telephoto lens an avid birder might find this place wonderful. For myself, there are much better places around the valley for my style of birding. The real highlight on this trip was walking along the cotton fields adjacent to the fence, the bolls are in all stages of opening now.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Cotton
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Raccoon
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Bridge
foliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observation
Autumn Foliage Observation Isolated
The tips of the cottonwoods along the Gila River are just starting to turn yellow.
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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