Description: Tres Rios is a constructed wetland complex for wastewater treatment at the confluence of the Salt, Gila, and Aqua Fria Rivers. Its waters and created habitat have made this a premier birding area, providing winter habitat for many species of waterfowl in close proximity to the metropolitan Phoenix area. Although not well developed, this site offers excellent viewing opportunities to the knowledgeable birder.

Wildlife to Watch: More than 150 different species of birds have been spotted in the area. You may see three species of egrets, green, great blue, and black-crowned night herons, white-faced ibis, neotropic cormorant, yellow-headed and red-winged blackbirds, least bittern, black-bellied tree duck, and black-necked stilt. The wetlands also are home to muskrat, raccoon, skunk, coyote, bobcat, and beaver. The cottonwood trees and other dense shrubs around the ponds and along the trail attract many migratory and wintering songbirds. During late fall and early winter, these trees are frequently full of foraging yellow-rumped and orange-crowned warblers, which birders search through for less common wintering species such as black-throated gray, Townsend’s, yellow, and black-and-white or even rarer warblers. The site also contains a great blue heron rookery near the parking area. Though winter visitors are unlikely to encounter reptiles and amphibians, the area is home to several snakes including gophersnake, long-nosed snake, glossy snake, coachwhip, common kingsnake; lizards include desert spiny, ornate tree, common side-blotched and zebra-tailed; toads include Woodhouse’s, Great Plains and red-spotted.

Other Activities: A trail runs along the creek among cottonwoods, mesquite and willows and accesses all three ponds; portions of the trail have universal accessibility.

Driving Directions: 13 miles southwest of central Phoenix; go west on Papago Freeway (I-10) to 91st Ave exit, south for 4.6 mi to Main Gate of Wastewater Treatment Plant on left. Go ¼ mi on 91st Ave to Gate 3, and drive straight back to fenced parking.

Ownership: City of Phoenix
Size: 35 acres
Closest Town: Phoenix

Facilities:

Best Seasons for Wildlife Viewing:

Main Photo Credit: Orange-crowned Warbler by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Wildlife Viewing Areas

A Guide to North American Wildlife Viewing Opportunities

Tres Rios Wetlands

Tres Rios Wetlands

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