Tucson Audubon Society

General Information: Tucson Audubon field trips are free! Contact trip leader for more information about each field trip, or the Field Trip Coordinator This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , for general questions.

TRIP BIRDING ETHICS - PLEASE READ
Approach birding with the health and safety of nesting birds and bird populations as your first priority. For more on how to protect birds while birding, see the American Birding Association's statement of birding ethics at www.aba.org/about/ethics.html.

Announcements

• Meet our fantastic field trip leaders!
• Southeast Arizona birding sites
• Additional Tucson region bird walks
• Local bird guiding services provided by Birds & Business Alliance Members
• Global birding tours provided by Birds & Business Alliance Members

Continuing Walks

Wake up with the Birds at Agua Caliente Park - Thursdays
Pima County Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation offers guided bird walks especially for beginning bird watchers. Binoculars will be available for use during the walk. Location: Roy P. Drachman Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road. Meet at the Visitor's Center. Free. For meeting time and more information, call 629-0510, 615-7855 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Mason Center Saturday Morning Birdwalks
Learn the very basics of birdwatching and how to identify the backyard birds commonly seen in the Tucson area. A brief presentation is followed by a slow stroll around the 1/2 mile trail. Advanced signup required, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Time varies, see the Mason Center page for details. Led by Jim Gessaman or Mike Sadatmousavi.

Arivaca Cienega, Buenos Aires NWR - Saturdays 8AM
Tucson Audubon bird walk at Arivaca Cienega every Saturday at 8 AM, November through April, whatever the weather. Meet at the trailhead for a mostly level walk of approximately 2 miles. You can expect to see 30 to 50 species depending on the season. To get there, take I19 to exit 48 at the town of Amado, then southwest on Arivaca Road approximately 25 miles to the well-marked trailhead about ½ mile before the town of Arivaca. For more information call Bob Rolfson at 520-399-2873. LEADERS NEEDED! We need one or two docents to lead one Saturday a month. If you are available call Bob at the above number.

Current Trips

February 4 – Saturday 8:00 a.m.
Sabino Canyon
We'll bird Sabino Canyon Recreation Area walking a loop that includes both Sonoran desert uplands and Sabino Creek riparian areas. The 4-mile walk includes rocky uneven trails. Meet at the ramada by the Visitor's Center at 5700 N Sabino Canyon Road. $5 parking fee. Return by noon. Sunhat, water and walking shoes recommended. Leaders are Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists. Please email to reserve a space, limit 12 participants.

Leaders: Jean & Mark Hengesbaugh ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

February 7—Tuesday 6:00 a.m.
Whitewater Draw/Sulphur Springs Valley
We will begin at Whitewater Draw walking the dykes around the permanent ponds looking for waterbirds and sparrows and also checking nearby roads for thrashers. Later, we will visit other spots depending on what is being seen, likely including the Faria Dairy Farm and a search for Mountain Plovers if present in the Valley this winter. Raptors should keep us busy between locations. 180 miles roundtrip. Late afternoon return. Bring lunches and scopes if you have one. Limited to 11 participants. Please contact the leader beginning January 28th to sign up.

Leader: Philip Kline This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

February 11—Saturday 7:30 AM
Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve - NEW TRIP!
Join Tucson Audubon on a casual stroll through the Nature Conservancy's Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve for wintering birds. Meet in the preserve parking lot at 7:30 AM. Entry fees per person apply.

Contact Clifford Cathers the trip leader to register at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 520.762.3201.

February 14—Tuesday 8 AM
Identifying Winter Sparrows - NEW TRIP!
Most people find sparrows (aka "Little Brown Jobs") a definite challenge. Join us as we learn some key field marks and habitat tips to unlock sparrow ID secrets. The trick is patience and a field guide. We'll bird Green Valley and surrounding areas looking for sparrows and other migrants. Take a snack and plenty of water. Meet at the Green Valley McDonald's. Limit of 10 people. Back by noon. Contact leader to sign up.

Leader: Diane Holsinger This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 540-214-9303.

February 18–Saturday 5:00 a.m.
LeConte'sThrashers
A long trip for some great birds. With any luck we should have Sage Sparrow, 4 speciesof thrasher with the LeConte's as the dessert to entice us. Terrain is uneven and you will want good walking shoes. On our way back, we will take a side trip into Santa Cruz Flats and see what we may see. Meet at Ina Road and I-10 on the northeast side in the Motel 6 parking area behind the Jack in the Box at 5:00 am. 400 miles.

Leader: Melody Kehl This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 245-4085

February 21–Tuesday 10:30 a.m.
Reid Park
We will ramble around the park for two hours looking for wintering waterfowl, warblers, woodpeckers and raptors. Easy pace on flat ground. All ages and birding abilities invited. Meet in front of Edith Ball Adaptive Recreation Center, which looks like a big white tent near the zoo. Do not go to the zoo entrance. No need to sign up before the trip, but call leader if questions.

Leader: John Higgins (578-1830. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

February 28–Tuesday 8:00 a.m.
Crossroads Park Marana
Join us for a stroll through one of Marana's "birdiest" parks located along the Santa Cruz River. Likely sightings include egrets, ducks, shorebirds as well as wintering sparrows and warblers. We'll walk a multi-use pathway along the river where rarities have occasionally been spotted and check out the willow trees by the river's edge. Crossroads Park is off Silverbell Road west of the Santa Cruz River, south of Cortaro Road. Easy level walking. Limited to 10 participants so please contact the leader for details or directions.

Leader: M.E. Flynn 797-1743 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

March 3-5—Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Time TBD
Rosy-Finches at Sandia Crest, Albuquerque, N.M.
Depart Tucson early Saturday morning arriving in Albuquerque for dinner and a good night's sleep. Sunday, up Sandia Crest in quest of all three species of Rosy-Finch, even if that means coming back the next day. Time permitting, we'll enjoy some of the area's other birding hotspots. Monday we're back to Tucson via a quick trip through Bosque Del Apache. Limited to 12. 1200 miles. Contact leader for more details, sign up after Feb 2nd. $75 fee to cover leader expense

Leaders: Vivian MacKinnon - 323-6452 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and Lainie Epstein

March 3 – Saturday 8:00 a.m.
Sabino Canyon
We'll bird Sabino Canyon Recreation Area walking a loop that includes both Sonoran desert uplands and Sabino Creek riparian areas. The 4-mile walk includes rocky uneven trails. Meet at the ramada by the Visitor's Center at 5700 N Sabino Canyon Road. $5 parking fee. Return by noon. Sunhat, water and walking shoes recommended. Leaders are Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists. Please email to reserve a space, limit 12 participants.

Leaders: Jean & Mark Hengesbaugh ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

March 6—Tuesday 8 AM
Clark's Crossing & Anza Trail - NEW TRIP!
Let's bird Clark's Crossing Anza Trail looking for migrants & other interesting species. This is the trail where the Brown Thrasher & Black-throated Blue Warbler were found, so who knows what we may come across. Bring water, snack, and field guide. Meet at McDonald's Green Valley, where we will carpool to Tubac. Hope to return by Noon. Limit of 10.

Sign up with Diane Holsinger Leader This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 540-214-9303

March 13 - Tuesday 6:00 a.m.
Patagonia Lake State Park
We'll look for waterbirds, flycatchers, gnatcatchers and whatever else we can find. We'll walk a couple of miles on mostly level but not always clearly delineated trails. Expect some mud so wear appropriate footgear. Bring lunch and park fee or pass. We may visit other sites in Patagonia and its surroundings as well. Meet at the Fry's at Irvington and I-19 at 6:00 a.m. or at the Green Valley McDonald's (Continental Road Exit) before 6:30 a.m. (140 miles roundtrip).

Leader: Dave Dunford (909-1809)) or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

March 17–Saturday 6:30 a.m.
Sycamore Canyon
We will descend approximately one mile into this beautiful canyon along the Mexican border hoping for lots of birds. The terrain is uneven and rugged. Wear hiking shoes, bring plenty of water and lunch for in the canyon. Do not plan to leave anything of value in your vehicle. Although Border Patrol is monitoring this area vigilantly, there is no reason to make it easy for someone. Meet at the McDonald's in Green Valley (Continental exit off I-19). 200 miles.

Leader: Melody Kehl: outdoor1@ cox.net 245-4085.

March 18–Sunday 7:30 AM
Tubac Common Black-hawk Liftoff - NEW TRIP!
Join Tucson Audubon for the annual spring spectacle of Common Black-hawks as they lift off from the Santa Cruz River vegetation at Tubac and head north to their breeding grounds. Meet at the Green Valley McDonalds at 7:30 AM. Limited to 25 participants.

Register now with the trip leader Cliff Cathers at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 520-762-3201 to reserve your spot(s).

March 20-23–Tues--Fri 5:30 AM
San Diego - NEW TRIP!
Leave Tucson early Tuesday and drive straight to Pine Valley in the Laguna Mountains for brief mid-day birding, then on to San Diego for shorebirds and wading birds at the San Diego River mouth and birds of the coastal sage scrub at San Elijo Estuarine Reserve. Overnight Carlsbad. All Weds. spent birding the Orange County Coast, looking for rock shorebirds and seabirds at Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach and tideflat shorebirds and marsh birds at Bolsa Chica and Upper Newport Bay (with some coastal sage scrub and willow riparian birds here). Overnight Temecula. Most of Thurs. spent in the San Jacinto Mountains, weather permitting, looking for such mountain birds as Mountain Quail and White-headed Woodpecker. Late afternoon around the Sono Bono NWR Hdqtrs on the Salton Sea. Overnight Yuma. Friday morning spent at the Santa Cruz Flats near Picacho Peak. Back in Tucson around mid-day.

Target birds in CA: California Quail, California Thrasher, California Gnatcatcher; Allen's Hummingbird; loons, cormorants, grebes, gulls, shorebirds, and wading birds (including Little Blue Heron and Reddish Egret) ; Black-vented Shearwater and Common Murre; Clapper Rail; Nuttall's and White-headed Woodpecker; Mountain Quail; Oak Titmouse; Purple Finch. Limit 6 participants. Signup any time before March 1, except Feb. 13-23.

Leader: Diane Touret, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

March 27--Tuesday 7:00 a.m.
Crossroads Park, Marana
Another walk through one of Marana's "birdiest" parks along the Santa Cruz river. Likely sightings include egrets, ducks, shorebirds, wintering sparrows and early spring migrants. We'll walk a multi-use pathway along the river between the park and Ina Road where rarities have occasionally been spotted and check out the willow trees by the river's edge. Crossroads Park is off Silverbell Road west of the Santa Cruz River, south of Cortaro Road.

Leader Kendall Kroesen, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 520-971-2385.

March 31—Saturday 7:30 AM
Sweetwater Wetlands - NEW TRIP!
Are you a novice birder looking to hone your birding skills? Want to identify common birds in the local area? Come practice your skills in a relaxed group setting where no question is a silly one! We'll examine how to identify common birds by size, shape, bill, tail, and field marks. We'll also practice locating birds in a field guide and narrowing down an ID. Sibley's Field Guide to Birds will be provided, as well as binoculars, if needed. Bring your questions and curiosity; everyone will have good looks at birds. We'll walk approximately 1.5 miles on an even, graveled trail. Meet at Sweetwater Wetlands parking lot at 7:30am. We should finish by 11:00. Limit 10.

To sign up, contact Deborah Vath at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 520.490.4835.

April 7 – Saturday 8:00 am
Sabino Canyon
We'll bird Sabino Canyon Recreation Area walking a loop that includes both Sonoran desert uplands and Sabino Creek riparian areas. The 4-mile walk includes rocky uneven trails. Meet at the ramada by the Visitor's Center at 5700 N Sabino Canyon Road. $5 parking fee. Return by noon. Sunhat, water and walking shoes recommended. Leaders are Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists. Please email to reserve a space, limit 12 participants.

Leaders: Jean & Mark Hengesbaugh ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

April 21 - Saturday 6:00 a.m.
Superstition Mountains
We'll bird Forest Service Rd. 287A on the edge of the Superstition Wilderness Area, an area forested with junipers, pines, and oaks. Expect to see scrub-jays, Juniper Titmice, lingering winter thrushes, sparrows. Bring water and lunch. Not much hiking. Trip limited to 12. We'll carpool from the north side of Basha's parking lot in Catalina (NE corner of intersection of Oracle and Golder Ranch Roads). 300 miles roundtrip.

Contact leader after April 1 to sign up. Doug Jenness This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (520) 909-1529.

June 22-24–Friday/Saturday/Sunday 10:00 a.m.
Q Ranch/Mogollon Rim
Friday drive to Q Ranch. About 150 bird species have been identified, including Pygmy and Red-breasted Nuthatches and nesting Mountain Bluebirds. Expect lots of other wildlife. Dark clear night skies mean plenty of stars. Combine birding with brief hikes to cool and scenic locations. Tour the 1000-year-old Q Ranch Pueblo. Depart Sunday after brunch. Ranch is cell phone dead zone, but Verizon service available within a few miles. All meals included. $135/person/night for shared room. $175/person/night for single. Down payment due May 18. See facebook.com/QRanchLodge For reservations (due May 10) and more info contact Matt Griffiths ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Leader (present at Q Ranch only): Ken Furtado, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

SPECIAL TRIP

April 19-22, 2012
A Long Weekend on the Jersey Shore with Rick Wright - TRIP FULL
New Jersey's passerine migration is building in late April, and salt marshes and tidal flats are already alive with birds. To take full advantage of the birdy bustle of spring, we'll rise early, but we'll keep our days short, leaving plenty of time off before dinner each evening. This tour promises to be a relaxing but bird-filled introduction to the birdlife of a state whose ornithological renown is thoroughly deserved. Minimum four, maximum five participants, non-refundable registration fee $175 per person.

Leader: Rick Wright, contact Interim Field Trip Coordinator This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for details or to be added to the wait list.