Most lists for this hotspot do not reach a double-digit species count. One recent year's CBC list for this location totaled only 3 species; birders should set their expectations accordingly. There are few fall and winter lists for the hotspot, so an opportunity exists for greater birder contribution in understanding species frequency in this particular area. For example, a single November listing of Red Crossbill in 2023 could indicate winter residency, or merely be evidence of a wandering flock.

Species appearing in multiple lists include:  Mourning Dove (March-July); Anna's Hummingbird (August-September); Rufous Hummingbird (August-September); Broad-billed Hummingbird (May and September); Turkey Vulture (April-September); Red-tailed Hawk (March-April); Red-naped Sapsucker (February-March); Acorn Woodpecker (March-November); Arizona Woodpecker (February-April and November-December); Northern Flicker (February-April and November-December); Greater Pewee (April and September); Western Wood Pewee (August-September); Say's Phoebe (March-April); Ash-throated Flycatcher (April-July); Hutton's Vireo (March-May); Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay (March-December); Mexican Jay (March-December); Common Raven (November-February); Bridled Titmouse (April-September); Bushtit (March-May); Ruby-crowned Kinglet November-April); White-breasted Nuthatch (July-September); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (April and November); Canyon Wren (September-December); Bewick's Wren (February-December); Curve-billed Thrasher (April and August); Crissal Thrasher (February-March and November-December); Phainopepla (July-September); House Finch (April-November); Lesser Goldfinch (July-February); Chipping Sparrow (February-April and September-December); Dark-eyed Junco (February-March and November-December); Canyon Towhee (all year); Spotted Towhee (all year); Rufous-crowned Sparrow (July-December); Scott's Oriole (May-July); Black-headed Grosbeak (May-September); and Blue Grosbeak (May-August). 

This hotspot, possibly the most southerly within the Ramsey Canyon CBC circle, is farther west than the more well-known and older hotspot, Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary (formerly Ash Canyon B&B) as well as the contiguous Ash Canyon Road hotspot.  

About 1.6 miles from AZ-92, Lutz Canyon Road splits from Ash Canyon Road. Continuing southwest on Ash Canyon Road, you enter the South Fork hotspot. The road is increasingly narrow and rough from this point. After half a mile, you come to a dispersed camping area, where there is a spring marked by some sycamore below the road. Parking here and walking down to the spring will usually yield some birds. 

Driving less than a fifth of a mile farther, you come to a Forest Service information board. You will probably want to park here and hike the rest of the way. While still discernibly a road, the track is quite washed out and gets steeper and steeper, climbing from oak woodland into the pines.  Approximately an eighth of a mile from the information board, Morgan Mine Road takes off to the southeast. If you continue along the main Ash Canyon South Fork trail, another quarter mile of climbing brings you to a point where the way branches:  the central and north (right-hand) paths lead you quickly to the canyon wash; the path to the left takes you farther uphill. This is a rugged hike at any time of year, so take plenty of water.

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