Home > Birding Tours > Arizona

May 18 - 30, 2009

With Chris Charlesworth

• Spring in America’s premiere birding destination
• Up to 12 species of hummingbirds and 9 species of owl possible
• Sought after birds like Elegant Trogon, Montezuma Quail and Rufous-winged Sparrow
• 21 species of flycatcher including Buff-breasted Flycatcher and Thick-billed Kingbird
• Visit to Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
• Relaxing afternoons watching feeders in the shade

North America’s most popular birding destination, Southeastern Arizona is host to a large number of species found nowhere else on the continent. Nearly 250 species of birds may be seen during our tour, not to mention the spectacular scenery for which Arizona is also famous.

We’ll visit the majestic mountain ranges or ‘sky islands’ which jut high above the desert. In these mountain ranges such as the Santa Rita, Chiricauhua, Huachuca and Santa Catalina mountain ranges, we’ll travel from the Sonoran Life Zone all the way up the Canadian Life Zone.

This classic tour will take in a number of fascinating canyons such as Sabino, Madera, Ramsey, Miller, Scheelite and Cave Creek canyons where we’ll escape the afternoon heat amongst the trees where a stunning variety of birds reside. Special attention will be given to owls (9 species are possible, including Whiskered Screech-Owl, Spotted Owl and Elf Owl) and hummingbirds (of which 11 are possible including Violet-crowned, White-eared, Costa’s, Broad-billed, Blue-throated, Magnificent, Lucifer and Broad-tailed).

Elegant Trogons will be vocalizing in wooded canyons and an impressive list of flycatchers are possible including Sulphur-bellied, Dusky-capped, Brown-crested, Ash-throated, Buff-breasted, Cordilleran, and Vermilion flycatchers, Black Phoebe, Cassin’s, Tropical and Thick-billed kingbirds, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet and Greater Pewee!

At the Patagonia Roadside Rest Stop we’ll search for Rose-throated Becard and Black-capped Gnatcatchers, both extremely rare north of the Mexican border.

In the forested canyons we’ll search for a number of Arizona specialty warblers such as the stunning Red-faced Warbler and the Painted Redstart and the lady warblers such as Lucy’s, Virginia’s and Grace’s warblers. The distinctive Olive Warbler will also be seen as may migrant Hermit Warblers.

With over 200 possible bird species, butterflies and other wildlife and fantastic scenery, this tour to Arizona promises to be unforgettable.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Monday, May 18 – Travel to Phoenix and spend night.

Day 2 – Tuesday, May 19 – Our first official stop will be at the Gilbert Water Ranch just E. of Pheonix where a series of ponds provide excellent habitat for shorebirds, waders, ducks and cormorants. Shorebirds to expect include Western and Least sandpipers, Black-necked Stilts, American Avocets and Wilson’s Phalarope. We’ll enjoy excellent views of Black-crowned Night-Herons, Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, White-faced Ibis, Neotropic Cormorants and other water birds here as well. In the desert scrub surrounding the ponds we should see Cactus Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Verdin, White-winged Dove and perhaps Greater Roadrunner. We’ll then make our way towards Aravaipa Canyon. Here, raptor enthusiasts will appreciate the selection of raptors; Gray Hawk, Common Black-Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk and Golden Eagle! Near the town of Dudleyville we’ll search for the most reliable Mississippi Kites in Arizona. The towering Santa Catalina Mountains will soon be visible on the southern horizon and we’ll make a stop at Catalina State Park. In this desert, dotted with giant Saguaro Cactus we’ll look for a number of resident desert species such as Gambel’s Quail, Costa’s Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Cactus Wren and perhaps the tiny and uncommon Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet. We’ll then continue south into Tucson and check into our motel where, after dinner, we may stroll to see what birds are found on the grounds. Night in Tucson.

Day 3 – Wednesday, May 20 –We’ll ascend the Catalina Highway which traverses 5 biogeoclimatic zones from the Sonoran Desert Zone to the Canadian Zone. The diversity that we will experience will be the equivalent of traveling from Mexico to Canada! Our first stop at Molino Basin Campground should produce Acorn Woodpecker, Mexican Jay, Bridled Titmouse, Canyon Towhee and Scott’s Oriole. We’ll search through the chaparral near Molino for two desert specialties, Black-chinned Sparrow and Crissal Thrasher. As we continue up the Catalina Highway, Agaves, or century plants, will begin to appear amongst an open (partially burned) aspen forest.

At Milepost 10, the Catalina Hwy enters Bear Canyon, a cool shady canyon excellent for warblers such as Painted Redstart, Grace’s, Olive, Virginia’s, Lucy’s, Red-faced and Hermit warblers. Amongst the tall trees in Bear Canyon we could also see Arizona Woodpecker, Plumbeous Vireo and Hepatic Tanager. Once we climb above 7000 feet Ponderosa Pines begin to dominate. Birds such as Pygmy Nuthatch, Wild Turkey, Mountain Chickadee and Band-tailed Pigeon inhabit the pine forest. We’ll reach our maximum elevation near Mount Lemmon where we’ll be over 8200 feet. Birds to watch for here include Cordilleran Flycatcher, Hermit Thrush, Brown Creeper and Golden-crowned Kinglet. We’ll return to Tucson for the night.

Day 4 – Thursday, May 21 – Early in the morning we’ll head for scenic Sabino Canyon where comical Greater Roadrunners, Gambel’s Quail, Black-throated Sparrow, Phainopepla and other typical desert species are will be enjoyed along with the desert sunrise.

Later on in the morning we’ll visit the Marana Pecan Grove in Tucson where a grove of dying trees and a small water canal attract birds from the surrounding desert. Birds to watch for here include Burrowing Owl, White-tailed Kite, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Bendire’s Thrasher, Pyrrhuloxia and Abert’s Towhee.

In the afternoon we’ll visit the Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson. A visit to the museum is a great way to increase your knowledge of desert plants and wildlife. Wild birds can be found here as well including Costa’s Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Verdin and Black-tailed Gnatcatcher. Drive to Green Valley and spend the night.

Day 5 – Friday, May 22 –Today we’ll explore one of Southeastern Arizona’s best known birding locations; Madera Canyon. Our first stops will be in the washes below Madera Canyon. Florida Wash is perhaps the most famous. Potential birds include Pyrrhuloxia, Curve-billed and Crissal thrashers, Ladder-backed Woodpecker and Cactus Wren. Florida Wash is also good for the very local Rufous-winged Sparrow. We’ll check the grassy fields in Box Canyon for two similar sparrow species; Cassin’s and the rare Botteri’s Sparrow.

We’ll continue up Madera Canyon to the famous Santa Rita Lodge, smack dab in the middle of the best birding in the Santa Rita Mountains. The lodge, at 5000 feet elevation, has a gift shop full of checklists, books and other birding paraphernalia. Anticipated birds include Zone-tailed Hawk, Arizona Woodpecker, White-winged Dove, White-throated Swift, Dusky-capped and Sulphur-bellied flycatchers, Plumbeous Vireo, Yellow-eyed Junco and Scott’s Oriole amongst others. With luck we’ll see the rare Montezuma Quail. Hummingbirds are abundant at the lodge and we should see Blue-throated, Magnificent, Broad-billed and Broad-tailed hummingbirds. With luck we’ll see the rare White-eared and Violet-crowned hummingbirds. After the sun sets we’ll spend a little time searching for Elf Owl, Whiskered Screech-Owl, Whip-poor-will and perhaps even the rare Buff-collared Nightjar. Night in Green Valley.

Day 6 – Saturday, May 23 –After a little early morning birding in Madera Canyon we’ll head further S. towards Patagonia. We’ll begin at Kino Springs. Ponds and cottonwood groves at Kino Springs are an oasis for birds and we’ll spend some time searching for Tropical Kingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Gilded Flicker, Northern Cardinal, Abert’s Towhee and Hooded Oriole. Around the Kino Springs Golf Course we’ll search for Yellow-billed Cuckoo and the local Thick-billed Kingbird.

Next, we’ll visit Patagonia Lake State Park, the best place in southeastern Arizona for Neotropic Cormorant and waterfowl before heading to the famous Patagonia Roadside Rest Stop. The rest stop is famous because it has hosted two North American firsts; Black-capped Gnatcatcher and Yellow Grosbeak. Rose-throated Becards also have a tiny colony here, the only ‘reliable’ becards in North America!. We’ll then continue on to Pagatonia and spend the night.

Day 7 – Sunday, May 24 –This morning we’ll return to the Patagonia Roadside Rest Area to take advantage of early morning bird activity. Next, we’ll head for the Patagonia – Sonoita Ck Preserve where a mature stand of Fremont Cottonwoods attract a slough of birds. The woods here are the haunts of Dusky-capped and Brown-crested Flycatchers, Bell’s Vireos and Blue Grosbeaks. Surrounding thorn-scrub hillsides are home to Curve-billed Thrashers, Phainopeplas, Rufous-crowned Sparrows and Varied Buntings. Acorn Woodpeckers, Mexican Jays, Eastern Bluebirds and Canyon and Abert’s towhees are also on the menu at the preserve. We should see the flashy Vermilion Flycatcher, the male a brilliant study in red and brown. At the Patagonia Sewage Ponds we’ll hope for the elusive Black-bellied Whistling-Duck. The Sonoita Grasslands are excellent for open country birds such as Loggerhead Shrike, Eastern Meadowlark and Cassin’s and Grasshopper sparrows. In the afternoon we’ll investigate the Paton home in Patagonia, where great numbers of hummingbirds come in to feed at feeders. This is the best spot in the USA for Violet-crowned Hummingbird and Lucifer Hummingbird. Not only hummingbirds will be present. We should also see Inca Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Thick-billed Kingbirds!  Spend night in Patagonia.

Day 8 – Monday, May 25 –We’ll begin with a drive through the Huachuca Mountains enroute to Sierra Vista and the famous Ramsey Canyon. At Ramsey Canyon we’ll hunt for the gorgeous Elegant Trogon, a species whose range barely creeps into North America in the southeastern corner of Arizona. In the trees we’ll watch for Grace’s Warblers gleaning insects from the leaves, Zone-tailed Hawks teeter-tottering above, and rarities such as White-eared Hummingbird and perhaps even a Flame-colored Tanager. Later on we’ll head the San Pedro River, excellent for a stunning variety of birds. Birds are abundant around San Pedro House where we will see such tantalizing birds as Lucy’s Warbler, Cassin’s Kingbird and Bullock’s Orioles. We’ll follow the trail alongside the San Pedro River checking the shore for Snowy Egrets and the overhanging branches for Green Kingfishers and Tropical Kingbirds. Summer Tanagers and Yellow-breasted Chats sing their loud and conspicuous songs from the cottonwoods along the banks of the river.  Spend night in Sierra Vista.

Day 9 – Tuesday, May 26 –This morning we’ll continue our explorations of canyons and deserts in the Huachuca Mountains near Sierra Vista, beginning with a short hike through Carr Canyon. Here, with a little luck we’ll some great birds such as Virginia’s Warbler, Plumbeous Vireo and Bridled Titmouse. The next canyon of interest is Miller Canyon where Montezuma Quail, Botteri’s and Cassin’s sparrows, Hepatic Tanagers, and Arizona Woodpeckers are possible. We’ll make an afternoon visit to the delightful Beatty’s Guest Ranch where Blue-throated, Magnificent and White-eared hummingbirds visit the feeders. Onwards to Ash Canyon where nearby hummingbird feeders attract dry country hummers like Costa’s and Broad-tailed. We’ll return to Sierra Vista and spend the night.

Day 10 – Wednesday, May 27 –We’ll begin with a hike up Scheelite Canyon in search of North America’s most-viewed Spotted Owls, often found roosting in trees alongside the trail. Our next feat will be to search for Rufous-capped Warblers if they have been reported in French Joe Canyon. We’ll then make the drive into the Chiricahua Mountains and the tiny hamlet of Portal. We’ll make a late afternoon trip into the lower confines of South Fork Cave Creek Canyon, famous for its scenery and birds. We’ll hope for Elegant Trogons, Montezuma Quail, Arizona Woodpecker, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Painted Redstart, Hepatic Tanager and Yellow-eyed Junco. Night in Douglas.

Day 11 – Thursday, May 28 –This morning we’ll bird the higher elevations of Cave Creek Canyon for specialties such as Mexican Chickadees and Red-faced Warblers. In the shady cottonwoods at the confluence of the South Fork and North Fork creeks, Buff-breasted Flycatcher can often be seen. We’ll also explore the tiny ‘hamlet’ of Portal for birds where they are attracted to feeders lining the single street. We will hope for Harris’s Hawk, Crissal and Bendire’s thrashers, Burrowing Owls and Black-tailed Gnatcatchers in Portal. Hummingbird feeders here may have Violet-crowned and Lucifer hummingbirds, both rare residents in Arizona. Night in Douglas.

Day 12 – Friday, May 29 –This morning we’ll make a brief journey back to the South Fork of Cave Creek for one last time before heading N. and E. towards Phoenix. Enroute we’ll visit the Willcox Sewage Ponds where ducks and shorebirds are possible, including Arizona’s only breeding Snowy Plovers. Spend night in Phoenix.

Day 13 – Saturday, May 30 – Flight home from Phoenix.