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Announcements

• Meet our fantastic field trip leaders! NEW!
• Self-serve field trip carpool sites
• Nature Shop products available online
• Tucson Audubon Afield-summaries of recent sightings
• Urban bird walks and other regional field trips

Weekly Walk
Arivaca Cienega - Saturday at 8:00am
Join Tucson Audubon for a bird walk at Arivaca Cienega in Buenos Aires NWR every Saturday at 8:00am November through April, whatever the weather, meet at the Arivaca Cienega trailhead. We will walk approximately 2 miles of mostly flat trail. You can expect to see between 30-55 species, depending on the season. For more information about this walk call Bob Rolfson at (520) 399-2873.

Current Trips

International Migratory Bird Day Special: Participants on these next three field trips receive a 2-for-1 pass to the evening portion of the Ironwood Festival at the Mason Center. See www.tucsonaudubon.org/masoncenter for more information about the festival.

May 10 – Saturday 6a.m.
Marana-area Birding for International Migratory Bird Day
Participants will help the trip leader count birds for International Migratory Bird Day. We'll make several stops in the Marana area including at a new site: the High Plains Effluent Recharge Project. This Pima County facility is normally off-limits but we have arranged to have access on May 10. It is an experimental site testing effluent recharge rates in several ponds that have different amounts of vegetation. We'll also visit the Simpson Farm habitat restoration project and perhaps others sites depending on the results of a reconnaissance in the preceding week. We should see adults and juveniles of resident species and potentially a whole lot of migrants. Bring water, snack, good walking shoes, and dress in layers. Scope useful. Meet for a 6:00 a.m. departure from the Jack-in-the-Box on Ina Road just east of I-10. Done by late morning. 50 miles round trip.
Leader: Kendall Kroesen (971-2385 cell, or email)

May 10—Saturday 6a.m.
Catalina State Park —International Migratory Bird Day
Birding on International Migratory Bird Day gives us a chance to enjoy the birds while counting the species and individuals we see. Come help me find and count the birds at this beautiful state park. (State park pass or fee required). This will be a morning of leisurely birding with ample time for long looks at species we encounter. The leader will have a scope, but bring yours if you'd like. Walking shoes, sun protection and water are necessities; you may need a light jacket early in the morning, and a snack is optional. Meet at the first picnic area (the first road on the left just past the road to the Equestrian Center ) at 6a.m. Done by late morning.
Leader: Darlene Smyth 297-2315 or dsmyth3@comcast.net

May 10 – Saturday 7a.m.
Lincoln Park and Atturbury Wash —International Migratory Bird Day
Come celebrate our migratory birds. Lincoln Park and Atturbury Wash is a little-known area in SE Tucson with established trails in a bird sanctuary. The riparian forest may have flycatchers, warblers, and finches. Roadrunners are possible sightings, as well. Bring binoculars, water, and good walking shoes. Meet at Lincoln Park at 7a.m. Directions: from Broadway, drive south on Kolb Rd , turn left (east) on Escalante. The park is about 1.5 miles on the right (south).
Leader: Karen Hochgraf klhochgraf@cs.com

May 10 & 11 Saturday & Sunday
Gila Box RNCA (near Safford , AZ )
Birdathon Friendly
Most similar to a hike in Aravaipa Canyon, the main birding outing of this trip will be a walk up through the streambed of Bonita Creek from its confluence with the Gila River. We'll be walking in the water a lot of the time, which should feel nice and cool! Since it's a long way from Tucson, the trip consists of arriving (when you'd like) on Saturday, informal birding along the Gila River on Saturday afternoon, camping out in the River View Campground on Saturday night (fee area), walking up Bonita Creek early on Sunday morning for maybe four miles round trip max, followed by the drive home Sunday afternoon. Anyone wishing to drive up (very) early Sunday morning would be welcome to do that. Birds I've seen here include Common Black-Hawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Tropical Kingbird. It's a very pretty area. See entry in Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona 7th edition pages 110-113. Not a limited signup trip, but please let me know if you plan on attending. I'll try to help manage carpooling between us.
Leader: Larry Liese 743-3520, or larryliese@prodigy.net

May 13 – Tuesday 6a.m.
Anza Trail
Birdathon Friendly
This 1200 mile trail was first used in 1775-76 by the Spanish colonial expedition as they traveled from Sonora to what is now San Francisco . We will use a less ambitious portion of the trail as we look for Tropical Kingbirds, Gray Hawks, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulets, warblers, tanagers and orioles. It is a relatively under-birded area but, with a mix of habitats including some old-growth cottonwoods, a remnant Cienega, and part of the most extensive mesquite bosque along the Santa Cruz , it has lots of potential. After lunch at the trailhead in Rio Rico, we will visit a couple of the wetlands in the area for Black-bellied Whistling-Duck and other water birds of the wetlands in the area. Bring lunch and plenty of water. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes for walking this trail. Meet at the Fry's parking lot at Irvington and I-19 at 6a.m. (leader not present) or at the McDonald's in Green Valley at 6:30a.m. (leader present). (Approximately 90 miles roundtrip from Tucson)
Leader: Michael Marsden birdanza@cox.net or 269-6240

May 17 – Saturday  7:30a.m.
PATAGONIA : Summer Riparian Birds for Beginners
Those who are new to birding are especially invited to join us looking for the special hawks, flycatchers, hummingbirds and other birds that live along desert rivers during the hot seasons. After checking out the Paton's backyard feeders and the Blue Haven (sanctuary) Road , we'll bird the Roadside Rest along Sonoita Creek as well, have lunch at the Patagonia City Park (restrooms available), and will offer a short after lunch option up Harshaw Rd.  The pace will be easy with time to ask questions and have good looks at  the birds. The walking will be on flat dirt trails except for one short steep section near the Roadside Rest. Be ready for a hot and sunny day. Bring sun protection, lots of water, lunch, and money for the “hummer sugar fund." Round trip mileage is 150 miles. Meet at Houghton Road just north of I-10 at 7:30a.m to arrange carpooling, leader NOT present.  Meet the leader at Mrs. Paton's house by 8:30a.m.  Back by 2p.m. LIMIT OF TEN BIRDERS: Sign up with leader only by phone starting on Sunday, May 4 at noon. Contact leader before then if you have any questions.
LEADER: Robin Baxter 520-394-2625 baxterrobin@hotmail.com

May 20 – Tuesday 5:30a.m.
San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area
This is one of the country's best birding areas. Our resident southern Arizona specialty birds will be very involved in nesting, and we will make an effort to find as many as possible. Bring plenty of water and a snack, use sun protection and a hat. A scope may be useful. Meet at Houghton Road north of I-10 for a 5:30a.m. departure (leader not present). Meet the leader at the San Pedro House off Arizona Route 90 east of Sierra Vista at 7a.m. Due to the heat, we will be finished by 10:30 , giving you the opportunity to visit some of Sierra Vista 's hummer hotspots on your own. (160 miles roundtrip)
Leader: Erika Wilson 225-0393 ( Tucson ), 234-4359 ( Sierra Vista ), or terika88@cox.net

May 24 – Saturday 6a.m.
Catalina Mountains
Look for birds at several spots, from the desert at the bottom up to the forest on Mt. Lemmon . Bring water and lunch. Meet at the parking lot on the northeast corner of Catalina Highway and Tanque Verde Road . Back by 3pm.
Leader: Bob Bates (296-5629)

May 27 – Tuesday 5a.m.
Madera Canyon
We'll stop at the wash on the way to the canyon, the Proctor parking area, the feeder area near the lodge, and check the Madera Kubo area if the Flame-colored Tanager is in residence. We'll end with a walk of a mile or so up from the upper parking lot, hoping the trogons will be there. Meet at Fry's parking lot on Irvington just east of I-19 at 5a.m. We'll swing by the MacDonald's in Green Valley ( 5:30a.m. ) to pick up any additional people. It will be getting hot so we will end early, around 11a.m. with a snack or bag lunch. Bring water, eats, sunscreen, and $5 for the forest service fee (or a Golden Eagle, Golden Age, or annual pass). (About 80 miles roundtrip from Tucson ). Limit: 15 people.
Leader: Brian McKnight 881-4481, mcknight@email.arizona.edu

May 31 – Saturday 6:30a.m.
Peppersauce Canyon  
On the north side of the Catalinas, near the town of Oracle , is a seldom-birded canyon. This little canyon has a nice riparian stretch surrounded by mesquite, oak and juniper hillsides. We will look for such denizens as Bridled Titmouse, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Acorn Woodpecker, Lucy's Warbler, and Western Scrub-Jay. If there is time we will swing by Oracle State Park . Bring your Santa Catalina pass for parking at Peppersauce and your state park pass for parking at Oracle State Park . Meet for carpooling at 6:30a.m. in the Ina and Via Ponte commuter parking lot one block west of Oracle and Ina, on the south side of Ina. Bring a hat, sunscreen, lunch and plenty of water. Back by 1pm. (Approx. 80 mi. roundtrip)
Leader: Robert Payne 867-0490

June 3 – Tuesday, 9a.m.
Time-travel birding at the Arizona Museum of Natural History!
Summer is here and it's too hot to play outside. Professor Peabody has his time machine all revved up and ready to take us back to the origins of our feathered friends. We just have to get to Mesa , pay our $8 at the door and step into the Arizona Museum of Natural History. Feathered Dinosaurs and the Origin of Flight, an exhibition at the museum presents exciting evidence from remarkable fossils discovered in China that are bringing new answers to the on-going debate about the relationship between dinosaurs and birds, as well as how they evolved the ability to fly. The exhibit is a rare opportunity to see firsthand a collection of 35 fossils that are national treasures on loan from the People's Republic of China. These fossils reveal a new understanding of how birds are related to dinosaurs. Also on display are many life-size recreations that demonstrate startling changes in how dinosaurs have been portrayed over the years. And there are several other ongoing exhibits worth browsing too.

Let's meet at the civilized (but ungodly hot) hour of 9a.m. at the central carpooling spot near the University Blvd Audubon Nature Shop. Please bring $8 admission fee (they accept major credit cards) and whatever lunch or snacks you'll want. You can either offer to drive some folks or bring money to reimburse your driver (1 hour, 45 min. / 230 miles round trip) and we'll carpool together to Mesa for an indoor day of birding at the museum. If we're not careful, we might even learn something! No limit but if you are willing to drive please contact the leader. Plan to be back in Tucson by late afternoon.
Leader: Vivian MacKinnon 629-0757 or email

June 7 – Saturday 5:15a.m.
Scotia Canyon, Huachuca Mountains
Yes it will be hot, but we'll compensate by starting and ending early. Join Tucson Audubon for a trip to the less-visited side of the Huachuca Mountains where Elegant Trogons croak, Painted Redstarts flit, Eastern Bluebirds warble and Buff-breasted Flycatchers do, well, whatever it is they do. We'll stroll in along level ground about 1 mile and then casually stroll back; no big physical acts—just one minor up-and-down-grade required on this hot day. Meet at the Houghton and I-10 meeting spot at 5:15a.m. (leader not present) and then take I-10 east to the Highway 83 (Sonoita) exit where the leader will be present at the parking area on the west side of the road after the entrance ramp (in a white Dodge Durango) at 5:30a.m.

The road past the Canelo Hills is winding and dirt, but usually in good shape and passable by passenger cars to Parker Canyon Lake. Carpooling is always recommended. The leader can carry the first four who sign up at azcliffy@q.com . Bring lots of water, wear lots of sunscreen and be prepared for heat even as early as 9a.m. (when I hope we'll be wrapping it up and wandering back). Because it is fire season and the national forests can and do close during this time of year, the alternate trip will be the Patagonia Roadside Rest, the Patons' feeders in Patagonia and Kino Springs near Nogales . The meeting place and times would remain unchanged.
Trip Leader: Clifford A. Cathers, 762-3201, 586-5339, azcliffy@q.com

June 8 – Sunday Time TBA
Liz's Grove
The magic of water in the desert! Liz's Grove is a lovely new-to-us locale and a very special spot near Dudleyville. This pretty riparian ribbon along the Double Check Ranch is part of Tucson Audubons' Lower San Pedro IBA and significant for dense nesting populations of Willow Flycatchers, Bell 's Vireo, Lucy's and Yellow Warbler ( sonoriensis ). Gray, Zone-tailed and Common Black-Hawks are not uncommon; Mississippi Kites have been known to nest close by.

We'll depart early (just before sunrise) and may make a few stops along the way to Dudleyville to search for orioles, wrens, sparrows and warblers. Depending on heat, time and interest, we might have a go at Winkleman Flats Park , for kingbirds on the return. Come enjoy some relaxed birding—we may even tally a Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

It will be hot, so be sure to bring extra water, snacks/lunch, and sun protection. Wear sturdy shoes as it may be muddy and uneven along the river. Limited to 10 birders and 3 cars (4x4 would be very beneficial if you have one). Email the leaders beginning May 18 to reserve a space and learn the meeting time and place. (120 miles roundtrip)
Leaders: Sara Pike, and Liz Payne, ant_hill@comcast.net

June 10 – Tuesday 8a.m.
Sweet Time at Sweetwater
This field trip for families and beginners will meet at Sweetwater Wetlands parking lot—expect to spend a couple of hours. To get there go west on Prince from central Tucson (or take the Prince Rd exit off westbound I-10). From the I-10 underpass, go west on Prince to where it ends, and turn right on Business Center Dr . Then turn left on River Park Road which loops around the business park and becomes Commerce Drive . Take the first left, which has no street sign, follow it to the dead end at Sweetwater Drive and turn left. After a very short distance you will see the Sweetwater Wetland parking on the left. This is one of the most user-friendly birding sites in the area, with wide, flat trails (some paved) that wind among the ponds, marsh, riparian and desert vegetation. With this many distinct habitats we're sure to see a wide variety of birds. Although most of the birds will be close at hand, bring binoculars and a bird book if you have them. The leader will bring a birding scope for closer views. Don't forget water, sunscreen, and a hat.
Leader: Peggy Wenrick 577-0029 or pwenrick@comcast.net

June 14 – Saturday 6a.m.
West Turkey Creek
Let's go afield and visit roads less traveled on the southwest side of the Chiricahuas along West Turkey Creek. We will look for grassland birds such as Scaled Quail, Cassin's Sparrow, and Bendire's Thrasher on the way in and spend some time walking and looking for Montezuma Quail, Mexican Chickadees, and Buff-breasted Flycatchers in the woodlands. Pack a lunch, hat, sunscreen, and water. Meet at the parking area on the north side of I-10 and Houghton Road before 6a.m. Please plan on carpooling. Questions about the trip may be sent to the leader. (Approx. 240 miles roundtrip)
Leader: Homer Hansen hhansen@aplomado.com .

June 17 – Tuesday 5:30a.m.
San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area
This is one of the country's best birding areas. Our resident southern Arizona specialty birds will be very involved in nesting, and we will make an effort to find as many as possible. Bring plenty of water and a snack, use sun protection and a hat. A scope may be useful. Meet at Houghton Road north of I-10 for a 5:30a.m. departure (leader not present). Meet the leader at the San Pedro House off Arizona Route 90 east of Sierra Vista at 7a.m. Due to the heat, we will be finished by 10:30 , giving you the opportunity to visit some of Sierra Vista 's hummer hot-spots on your own. (160 miles roundtrip)
Leader: Erika Wilson 225-0393 ( Tucson ), 234-4359 ( Sierra Vista ), or terika88@cox.net

June 22 – Sunday 6:30a.m.
Santa Catalina Mountains
The low desert heat means it's time to head for the sky islands of southeast Arizona and our own Santa Catalina Mountains provide ample birding opportunities on our back doorstep. Join me for a field trip up the Catalina Highway in search of Red-faced, Grace's, Olive, and Black-throated Gray Warblers, Greater Pewee, Black-chinned Sparrow, Mountain Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Western Tanager, Steller's Jay, Western Bluebird, and a whole lot more. It'll be hot, so we'll start early. Bring water, snacks and sunscreen. Meet at the McDonald's at the corner of Tanque Verde Road and the Catalina Highway at 6:30a.m. (leader present in white Dodge Durango ). We'll try to be down by noon or shortly thereafter, birding density permitting. Carpooling is encouraged, and remember your National Forest Pass. We'll also likely bird Rose Canyon which requires an additional daily fee of $6 per vehicle.
Leader: Cliff Cathers 762-3201, 586-5339, azcliffy@q.com

June 24 – Tuesday 6a.m.
Madera Canyon
Summer brings some snazzy birds to this canyon and they often concentrate around the few water sources available before the rains start. Checking a few of these areas should give us some great birding experiences, and an Elegant Trogon is possible! There may be some uphill hiking on rocky trails involved. To reduce the pressure on area birds the trip will be limited to 10 birders. Bring water and a snack and wear sun protection. Meet at Fry's parking lot on Irvington just east of I-19 at 6a.m. or at the Green Valley McDonald's on Continental Road and I-19 (exit 63) at 6:30a.m. There is a $5 fee for parking or use your USFS pass. (80 miles roundtrip) Contact the leader to sign up.
Leader: Denis Wright zytgiest@pobox.com

June 28—Saturday 6a.m.
Madera Canyon
This trip will allow birders who could not join the Tuesday group a chance to bird this famous canyon. We'll take advantage of the great scouting done on Tuesday and visit the most productive areas; so be prepared for possible uphill hiking on rocky trails. Again, to reduce the pressure on the birds in this heavily birded area, this trip will be limited to 10 birders. Bring water and a snack and wear sun protection. Meet at Fry's parking lot on Irvington just east of I-19 at 6a.m. or at the Green Valley McDonald's on Continental Road and I-19 (exit 63) at 6:30a.m. There is a $5 fee for parking or use your USFS pass. (80 miles roundtrip) Contact the leader to sign up.
Leader: Nigel Crook nigelcrook@yahoo.com

July 1– Tuesday 5a.m.
Scotia Canyon , Huachuca Mountains
This pretty canyon on the western side of the Huachuca Mountains has most of the same birds for which the eastern canyons are famous, but is much less heavily birded. High-clearance vehicles desirable; others should plan to carpool. Mostly walking on a rocky road with some possibly wet stream crossings. Bring water and lunch. Meet at the Central Tucson carpooling site for a 5a.m. departure or at Houghton Road north of I-10 before 5:30a.m. We will drive through Sonoita and follow the road toward Parker Canyon Dam before turning off onto rough roads to reach Scotia Canyon (180 miles roundtrip).
Leader: Jim Hays jhays@iname.com 203-3489

Sept 19-21 – Fri-Sun
Monterey Bay Pelagic Trip!
This is an exciting opportunity for pelagic veterans and first-time seabirders alike. Monterey Seabirds has offered a very reasonable price for two pelagic trips, chartered exclusively for Tucson Audubon members. Sept 19 will focus on the incredible seabird diversity of Monterey Bay; Sept 20 will be a day for rest or land birding near Monterey , CA ; Sept 21 will focus on offshore storm-petrel flocks, with other seabirds and marine mammals en route. Price for each pelagic trip: $80 per person, limit 25 people per trip. Each trip will be led by knowledgeable Monterey Seabirds naturalists, some with 30 years of pelagic experience. Several Tucson Audubon volunteer leaders will also be aboard. Choose one trip or both. Please note the 25 person limit, so reserve your spot early!

While we were unable to schedule a Tucson Audubon Society-specific trip with Shearwater Journeys—another operator with well-known leaders, they offer two tours overlapping with our trip: Sept 19 and 22. Members may choose to take one of these tours in addition to or in place of a trip with our selected operator, but will need to make reservations with Shearwater Journeys independently. Their tours also tend to fill up quickly.
For registration and other info, contact John Yerger jyerger24@yahoo.com or 814-308-4078.

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This page was updated on 7 May, 2008