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[edit] Overview

The Desert Botanical Garden is located in Phoenix, Arizona. It hosts one of the world’s finest collections of desert plants and the 50 acres of landscaped grounds are home to a staggering 21,000 plants of 3,931 classifications. There are six major trails including the Sonoran Desert Nature Trail which is a great place to relax and indulge in a little bird watching.

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

Winter: Cactus Wren, Abert's Towhee, Anna's Hummingbird, Ladder-backed Woodpecker ,Gila Woodpecker, Pyrrhuloxia, Gambel's Quail, Verdin, Rock Wren, Red-tailed Hawk, Lesser Goldfinch, Curve-billed Thrasher and Inca Dove.

[edit] Rarities

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[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

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[edit] Other Wildlife

Mammals include Desert Cottontail, Round-tailed Ground Squirrel and Harris's Antelope Squirrel.

Reptiles such as Desert Spiny Lizard, Common Side-blotched Lizard and Western Whiptails can often be seen around the gardens. Bullfrogs inhabit the pond.

[edit] Site Information

[edit] History and Use

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[edit] Areas of Interest

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[edit] Access and Facilities

• The gardens are situated at 1201 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix (next to the zoo). Only a 10 minute taxi ride from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the site can easily be visited on a long stopover in the city or before a flight out of Phoenix.
• The facilities include rest rooms, shop, cafe and stroller hire.

Admission prices:

• free to members
• Adults ~ $15.00
• Seniors ~ $13.50 (60 years and older)
• Students (13-18 and college with ID) ~ $7.50
• Children (3-12) ~ $5.00
• Children under 3 ~ free

[edit] Contact Details

Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Tel: 480-941-1225

[edit] External Links

• Desert Botanical Garden
• Desert Botanical Garden: Bird Checklist

Content and images originally posted by robertmortensen

[edit] Reviews

robertmortensen's review

This was my first visit to this location. I can't wait to go back and see more. They host bird walks every Monday morning.

Today was very hot and I had my two small girls with me and it was too much for them. My visit was in the middle of the day, so the bird activity was minimal, but I was suprised at how much I did see. Pros

• Beautiful desert plans and the birds that love them!

Mike Richardson's review

I visited the Botanical Gardens in early March, 2009, on a particularly long stopover in Phoenix. Situated only 10 minutes from the airport, the gardens are a great place to relax and indulge in a little birding.

On my brief visit I saw Cactus Wren, Albert’s Towhee, Anna’s Hummingbird, Ladder-backed Woodpecker ,Gila Woodpecker, Pyrrhuloxia, Gambel’s Quail, Verdin, Rock Wren, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Blue Heron, Lesser Goldfinch, Curve-billed Thrasher and Inca Dove. More common birds such as House Sparrow and Starling were also present.

Reptiles showed well with Desert Spiny and Common Side-blotched both been seen in good numbers. Two American Bullfrogs were spotted in the well vegetated pond.

I would highly recommend the Phoenix Desert Botanical Gardens to anyone visiting the Phoenix area. With excellent facilities, interesting exhibits and great wildlife, the site has something to offer everyone.