Difficulty: Moderate. Mostly flat walking trails but there is some uneven and rocky terrain, and possibly muddy. Bring 2 liters of water. Bathrooms on-site.
Las Cienegas is a 45,000-acre national conservation area with high desert grasslands, riparian strips and perennial streams, marshes, and juniper-oak woodlands. You will meet at Empire Ranch and bird the significant riparian areas along Cienega Creek. Here we can find riparian-associated species including Gray and Zone-tailed Hawks, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow Warbler, and Summer Tanager. Join Ken Blankenship of East West Birding Tours to explore this beautiful area. Drive time to meeting location from festival venue is about 50 minutes, specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand. Limited to 8 participants.
Zone-tailed Hawk, Ned Harris