in SOUTHERN
ARIZONA


At some great places
in the mountains and the desert

During a great time of year for birds,
with breeders and some migrants


With numbers of Hummingbirds, 
Flycatchers, Warblers, Sparrows,
Hawks and Owls, 
and a Trogon.


August 27 - September 4, 2009

(tour: FON/AZ-1, '09)

Tour to be led by Armas Hill.

From our Previous Tours, Lists of: 

Birds (with photos) 

Mammals & Other Wildlife     

Butterflies of Arizona

Previous Tour Highlights

Black-chinned Hummingbird
(photo by Howard Eskin)

Thu, Aug. 27:  Arrival mid-day in Tucson. Afternoon birding on Mt. Lemon. Possibilities include: Zone-tailed Hawk, Acorn Woodpecker, Pygmy Nuthatch, Mountain Chickadee, Red-faced, Olive, and Grace's Warblers. Overnight in the Tucson area.

Fri, Aug. 28:  Early morning desert birding, near Tucson, among the giant Saguaro Cactus for species such as: Curve-billed Thrasher, Gambel's Quail, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Gila and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, Verdin, and Cactus Wren. Followed by a visit to the famous Sonoran Desert Museum, where the nature of the desert is presented in natural settings, and there are good photographic opportunities.
Next, our Arizona journey continues as we head to the Madera Canyon, traditionally a good birding spot in the Santa Rita Mountains. Overnight in the area of the Madera Canyon.

Cactus Wrens, during the FONT Aug/Sep 2008 Tour in Arizona
(photo by Doris Potter)
 

Sat, Aug. 29:  The day will start with birding in the various habitats of Madera Canyon. Hummingbirds, woodpeckers, jays, and tanagers are among the possibilities. In the oak forest, Elegant Trogon, Greater Pewee, and Arizona Woodpecker occur. In addition to the more common hummingbirds, Berylline Hummingbird sometimes visits. At the nearby Florida Wash, there can be birds such as: Bell's Vireo, Lucy's Warbler, Crissal Thrasher, Rufous-winged Sparrow, Cassin's and Botteri's Sparrow, Varied Bunting, and Pyrrhuloxia.
Travel, with birding, later in the day, between Madera Canyon to Patagonia. Stops can be at: Arivaca Cienega for Gray Hawk and Vermilion Flycatcher, and in the Nogales area for Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, shorebirds, and waterbirds of various sorts. Birding along the Sonoita Creek can be good for hummingbirds: maybe Violet-crowned, Costa's, and Rufous. Overnight in the "Old West town" of Patagonia.

Violet-crowned Hummingbird (at nest),
photographed during our July 2001 Arizona tour

Sun, Aug. 30:  In the morning, we'll go to the Kino Springs and the renowned (for birding) Patagonia rest-stop for such specialties as: Rose-throated Becard, Thick-billed Kingbird, Tropical and Cassin's Kingbirds, and more. Rarities (for the US) there have included Yellow Grosbeak and Kiskadee.
At the Sonoita Creek Sanctuary there can be: Green Kingfisher, Gray Hawk, Gila Woodpecker, and Northern Beardless Tyrannulet. Overnight, again, in Patagonia.

Mon, Aug. 31:  Much of this day at the Ramsey and Miller Canyons, where there can be: Golden Eagle, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, and Black-throated Gray Warbler among the birds. Among the mammals: Coatimundi.
At hummingbird feeders there can be as many as 11 species of hummingbirds. Quite likely: Magnificent and Blue-throated. Possible: White-eared and Berylline. Other birds, this day, could include: Bendire's Thrasher and Abert's Towhee. Overnight in the Sierra Vista area.

A young "Mexican" Spotted Owl,
photographed during our July 2001 Arizona tour. 

Tue, Sep. 1:  Travel to Portal, with birding enroute. Along the San Pedro River, there can be: Abert's Towhee, Scott's Oriole. Also this day, a visit to a feeder that's frequented by a Lucifer Hummingbird. Greater Roadrunner, Scaled Quail, and Lark Sparrow should be seen during the day. Overnight in Portal, at the entrance to Cave Creek Canyon.

Wed, Sep 2:  Much of the day birding in the highlands, but before that, some birding in the lowlands where the Crissal Thrasher will be sought. In the highlands of the Chiricahua Mountains. Elegant Trogon, Mexican Chickadee, Northern Hepatic-Tanager, Virginia's Warbler, Olive Warbler, Painted Redstart, and Red-faced Warbler all occur. All amid spectacular scenery. Some of the best birding in the U.S., in one of the most beautiful settings. If we're fortunate, after dark, we could hear (and maybe see) the Flammulated Owl. If we're fortunate, earlier during the day, we may find the Montezuma Quail. Overnight, again, at Portal.

Thu, Sep. 3:  Another morning of birding along Paradise Road where there should be: Black-chinned Sparrow, Western Scrub-Jay, and Juniper Titmouse.
Later in the day, along the way to Tucson, these birds can be found around Wilcox: Eared Grebe, White-faced Ibis, Cinnamon Teal, Long-billed Curlew, Black Tern, and an assortment of shorebirds, waterfowl, herons, and others. Overnight in Tucson.

Fri, Sep. 4:  Departure from Tucson.

The Black-bellied Whistling Duck 
occurs near Nogales in far-southern Arizona
(Photo by Howard Eskin)

Includes: All accommodations and transportation. Services of an expert birding leader. Breakfasts & lunches Aug. 28–Sep. 3. 

Pyrrhuloxia
(a cousin of the Cardinal)




A small mammal, the Round-tailed Ground Squirrel




Larger, the Coyote