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OverviewSoutheast Arizona contains one of the richest and most biologically diverse desert-regions in the world. Twice-yearly rainy seasons, as well as elevations ranging from 2,000-9,000 feet are two main factors contributing to this diversity. On this tour, we’ll search for specific bird species in southeast Arizona. We'll be based at one location in the Tucson area during the entire tour. We'll arise early every day and bird all day, focusing on birds that are specialties of the area. Several days will involve long drives, but it will be worth it! Target species include Le Conte's and Crissal Thrashers, Spotted Owl, Harris's Hawk, Vermillion Flycatcher, Rufous-winged and Rufous-crowned Sparrows, and Ferruginous Hawk. Every year is different, and we'll also be sure to look for any of the unusual species that turn up for 2006. Examples of these from 2005 include Elegant Trogon (over-wintering for the past several years in Patagonia), Black-capped Gnatcatcher, Lawrence's Goldfinch, Scott's Oriole, Le Conte's Sparrow, and Mountain Plover. We will visit the fascinating Sonoran Desert Museum, which attracts many wild birds to its grounds. In Patagonia, we will walk among the beautiful Fremont cottonwood trees along Sonoita Creek, look for hummingbirds at local feeders, check for Green Kingfisher along the San Pedro River, and travel to Wilcox to see the Sandhill Cranes of the Sulphur Springs Valley. In summary, our focus will be on birds, including Arizona specialties, over-wintering raptors, waterfowl and landbirds. According to Davis and Russell’s Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona, in January, about 100 species of birds are common or abundant, with another 50 species listed as uncommon. Winter “irruptives”, bird species whose winter wanderings vary each year, such as Lewis’ Woodpecker, Mountain Bluebird, and Lawrence’s Goldfinch can also occur, and there are always lingering migrants or rarities to add to the possibilities. A list of bird species seen on past trips can be found below. The mountain and canyon scenery is spectacular, and the comfortable temperatures and relaxed pace will make this tour a nice way to take a break from winter’s cold weather. We’ll start and finish in Tucson. Logistics
Tentative Itinerary – Subject to ChangeDay
1. Arrive in Tucson. Pickup at airport and transfer to our lodging in
Green Valley. If time allows (depending on your flight arrival time), we’ll
have a pre-dinner outing to a nearby birding area.
Day
2. In the morning we’ll check a few local birding “hot-spots” like the
Sweetwater Wetlands, where there are often large flocks of ducks, such as
Gadwall, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler and Northern Pintail, as well as
“desert denizens” such as Gambel’s Quail, Greater Roadrunner, and Cactus
Wren. During the January 2003 and 2004 tours, Least Grebe was present. We’ll
spend several hours visiting the famous Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum, where
desert plants and animals are featured. Since it is an open-air museum, many
birds are attracted to the grounds.
Day 3.
In the early morning, we’ll travel to Buckeye to a location that supports Le
Conte’s and Crissal Thrashers. January is the beginning of breeding activity
for these species, so they should be vocalizing and active, making them easier
to locate. On the return drive we’ll stop at several locations along the way,
including the Western Sod Farms to search for possible Mountain Plover, Lewis's
Woodpecker, Ruddy Ground-Dove, Burrowing Owl, and Bendire's Thrasher.
Day 4. The 114,000 acre Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge will provide us with the opportunity to view a variety of desert habitats today. We’ll start in the town of Arivaca, at the Cienega Trail, with a pleasant walk that includes a boardwalk through a rare desert cattail-marsh. From there, we’ll visit grasslands in search of sparrow flocks and wintering raptors. Baird’s Sparrow and Chestnut-collared Longspur are sometimes found among the more common sparrows, and Golden Eagle, Merlin, and Ferruginous Hawk join the Red-tailed Hawks for the winter.
Day 5. Today’s travels will take us closer to the Mexican border where we will
stop at several wetland areas, including Kino Springs, and Lake Patagonia.
Because of the close proximity to the border, and the accompanying mild winter
temperatures, some bird species travel no farther during migration, and
over-winter here. Neotropic Cormorant, Hammond's, Gray, and Dusky Flycatchers
are examples of some of the species we may see. Bird species rarely seen north
of Mexico, such as Black-capped Gnatcatcher, and Ruddy Ground-Dove, occasionally
are found. In recent years there have been one or two wintering Elegant Trogons
found in the area.
Day 6. We’ll drive to the San Pedro River area, a rich riparian habitat originating in the Mexican highlands, which attracts birds and wildlife. Green-tailed and Abert’s Towhee hop in the underbrush, and we’ll hope for a look at the elusive Green Kingfisher, although they haven’t been regularly seen in the past few years. Coyotes are sometimes seen. In the afternoon, we'll visit the Coronado National Monument in the southeast part of the Huachuca Mountains where Rufous-crowned Sparrows, Yellow-eyed Juncos, and a variety of other upland birds occur. The history of Coronado's exploits is fascinating to learn about.
Day
7. This will be an all-day trip to Sulphur Springs Valley where thousands of
Sandhill Cranes, hundreds of Lark Buntings and Vesper and Brewer’s Sparrows,
and many raptors, including Ferruginous Hawk, also congregate. We’ll first
drive to Bisbee to stop at a bird feeding station where a variety of birds may
be found, including Spotted Towhee and Violet-crowned Hummingbird. Then we’ll
head north towards Willcox. We should find Vermillion Flycatcher, and Scaled
Quail will be a good possibility. In some years, Long-billed Curlew and Mountain
Plover are found.
Day
8. The tour officially ends, but there may be time for local birding in the
morning, depending upon your flight departure time. Transport and drop-off at the airport included.
Back to topBIRD SPECIES SEEN ON 2003 and 2004 TOURS
Other interesting wildlife seen includes: Coyote, Desert Cottontail, Antelope Jackrabbit, Javelina, Pronghorn Antelope, Mule Deer, Bobcat. Mark Suomala
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