Birding and Natural History in Southeast Arizona

May 1-7, 2012  (An additional trip, May 9-15, will be added if the first trip fills.)

Southeast Arizona is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the United States .  Habitats include the Sonoran Desert with its dramatic columnar cacti, the Chihuahuan desert with its grasslands and desert scrub, and the dramatic “ Sky Islands ” where species from the Rocky Mountains and Mexico ’s Sierra Madre come together.  During our journey, we’ll explore most of these habitats, encounter a great diversity of plants and animals, and enjoy fine weather at one of the richest times of year.  We’ll visit many of the birding and wildlife hotspots – Madera Canyon , the Patagonia area, Ramsey and Garden Canyons in the Huachuca Mountains , and the San Pedro River .  Species we’re likely to see include elegant trogon, vermilion flycatcher, painted redstart, Grace’s, Lucy’s, red-faced and other warblers, three species of Myiarchus flycatcher (ash-throated, brown-crested, and dusky-capped), thick-billed kingbird, up to ten species of hummingbirds, and many others.  We’ll also spend time learning about the general ecology of the area and explore the fascinating relationships among southeast Arizona ’s birds, plants, mammals, reptiles, insects, geology, and regional climate.

Cost will be about $1400.00 per person, double occupancy, and includes all lodging, meals, tips, admission fees, and ground transportation from Tucson , AZ.  Limited to 8 participants.  Please contact me for a detailed itinerary.

Daytrips in Southeast Arizona

Whether you are a beginner seeking to develop your skills (and your life list), an experienced birder looking for that elusive specialty, or a general nature enthusiast desiring to learn about the biological diversity of southeastern Arizona, I offer;

My primary goal is for you to have a great time seeing, enjoying, and learning about the birds and natural history of this amazing area at your pace.  My field style combines basic identification with knowledge of avian ecology and general natural history. In addition to field marks, I use behaviors, calls and songs, habitat, and general life history to help with bird identification. I find that this approach helps reinforce the identification while also teaching about avian ecology and local habitat characteristics.

Depending on your interests, my extensive experience in natural history and conservation in southeast Arizona can provide you with as much (or as little) general natural history interpretation as you like, including plants, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and regional conservation issues and actions.

With most of my business taking place south of the border, these days I tend to limit my southeast Arizona day guiding to the birding hotspots close to home.  If you're looking to bird in areas closer to Tucson or in the Chiricahuas, I'll be happy to recommend guides that work in those areas.  Locations I visit, and a few sample birds, include;

Patagonia (Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, the Paton's yard, the roadside rest, Patagonia Lake, Kino Springs, the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area) - gray and zone-tailed hawks, tropical and thick-billed kingbirds, violet-crowned and broad-billed hummingbirds, grasshopper sparrow, varied bunting, northern beardless tyrannulet, rose-throated becard 

San Pedro River - yellow-billed cuckoo, Abert's towhee, yellow-breasted chat, Swainson's hawk, summer tanager, blue grosbeak, Botteri's, Cassin's and black-throated sparrows 

Huachuca Mountains / Sky Islands (Garden, Scheelite, Sawmill, Ramsey, Carr, and Miller Canyons) - elegant trogon, owls including Mexican spotted, whiskered screech, western screech, and elf, buff-breasted and dusky-capped flycatchers, greater pewee, Arizona woodpecker, sulphur-bellied flycatcher, golden eagle, Montezuma quail, white-eared and berylline hummingbirds, rufous-crowned sparrow, Grace's, olive, and red-faced warblers 

I hold guiding permits from the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service.

Photo - Mexican spotted owl by Judy Lin
            Montezuma quail by John Dicus

Last updated: May 09, 2011.