Difficulty: Moderate. Some walking on mild slopes, and possibly rocky/uneven surfaces at the ranch, but no more than one mile at a stretch. Bathrooms available. Drive time to locations approximately an hour.
We’ll combine birding, wine, and good food during this tour of the grasslands south of Sonoita at the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch. We’ll look for grassland breeders such as Cassin’s, Botteri’s, and Grasshopper Sparrows, Chihuahuan Meadowlark, and Loggerhead Shrike, as well as riparian-associated species including Gray and Zone-tailed Hawks, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow Warbler, and Summer Tanager. We’ll have a lunch at Pronghorn Pizza (a favorite of the locals!) and then we’ll visit Charron Vineyards, a long-time festival partner, for a wine tasting. Time-permitting we’ll make a stop in Las Cienegas for some more birding. Limited to 8 participants.
Loggerhead Shrike by Mick Thompson