Difficulty: Moderate. Some steeper slopes or more rocky/rooted trails, but mostly walking on gravel road with little incline for about 1.5 miles round-trip. Bathroom near trailhead. Drive time to location approximately 90 minutes, including some gravel road.
Walking the old road up Peña Blanca Canyon is a good location for Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Hutton’s Vireo and Hepatic Tanager, with Coppery-tailed Trogon as a remote possibility. Montezuma Quail favor the hillsides surrounding the lake, but are notoriously hard to see or hear, but we’ll be on the lookout. Other interesting species could include Gray Hawk, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, and Varied Bunting to name a few. After walking the road we’ll check out Peña Blanca Lake which makes a great water source and stopover for migrants and nesting birds. Expect to walk on groomed trails around the lake and a gravel/loose rock forest service road through the canyon. We’ll have lunch at the lake which is provided. Limited to 9 participants.
Gray Hawk by bryanjsmith