Birding Vietnam with Rob Ripma of Sabrewing Nature Tours

Join Rob Ripma of Sabrewing Nature Tours for an introduction to the remarkable birding and wildlife opportunities of Vietnam, one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting birding destinations. This program explores the country’s diverse habitats, from misty highland forests to lowland tropical reserves, home to an impressive array of endemic and range-restricted species. Discover specialties such as Gray-crowned Crocias and Vietnamese Greenfinch, along with notoriously elusive birds that are often easiest to observe in Vietnam, including Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant, Blue-rumped Pitta, and Siamese Fireback. Rob will highlight key birding areas, target species, and what makes Vietnam uniquely rewarding for birders. Beyond the birds, Vietnam offers exceptional wildlife encounters, outstanding cuisine, welcoming culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you are planning a future trip or simply want to learn more about this emerging birding hotspot, this program will showcase why Vietnam deserves a place high on every birder’s travel list. (Limit of 60)

Bar-bellied Pitta, Sabrewing

Raptor ID with Homer Hansen

The term raptor is derived from the Latin word rapere, meaning “to seize or take by force.” These birds are characterized by their keen vision that allows them to detect their prey during flight, as well as powerful talons and beaks. The size, speed, and variety of the species have impressed birdwatchers all over the world. Yet, the ability to successfully ID raptors is a challenge, especially among the species that can be found here in southeast Arizona. Homer Hansen will demonstrate how raptors can be identified through their behavior, wing shape, and flight influence. (Limit of 100)

Harris’s Hawk, Dan Weisz

Designing for Access in the Field: A Practical Workshop for Field Trip Leaders with Lindsey Stone

Birding is often described as one of the most accessible ways to connect with nature, but field experiences can unintentionally center a narrow “default” participant. In this interactive workshop, we’ll examine how field trip design choices shape who feels welcome, prepared, and able to participate. We will also work through realistic birding scenarios that surface common barriers related to mobility, sensory processing, communication styles, stamina, and other barriers to access. Together, we’ll explore practical, field-tested adjustments that trip leaders can implement without needing specialized equipment or major structural changes. This session is designed for field trip leaders, volunteer guides, and anyone who would like to plan birding outings. Participants will leave with a simple planning lens they can apply immediately when writing trip descriptions or preparing for outings. Accessibility Information: This workshop will be held indoors in a seated format with small-group discussion. No outdoor walking is required. Printed materials will use large, high-contrast fonts, and digital copies can be provided. Participants may engage through speaking, listening, or writing. We aim to model flexible participation and encourage attendees to care for their own access needs. For specific accommodation requests, please contact the festival organizer in advance. (Limit of 60)

Owl with Paul Bannick

In Owl, award-winning photographer Paul Bannick uses his intimate yet dramatic images to illustrate four different nesting owl species—Northern Pygmy, Burrowing, Great Gray, and Snowy—throughout the course of the year in four distinct habitats. Each stage in an owl’s life is chronicled: courtship, mating, and nesting in spring; fledging and feeding of young in summer; dispersal and learning independence in fall; and, finally, winter’s migration. Unusual irruptions and the everyday struggle to survive are also covered. In addition to the four featured owls, the fifteen other species of North American owls are generously depicted throughout the book; Bannick’s startling images reflect their shared behaviors as well as some surprising exceptions and adaptations. More than just a backdrop, the four featured owl habitats—forest, grassland and steppe, boreal, and Arctic—reveal wildly rich stories of their own. Owl is a stunning follow-up to Bannick’s bestselling title, The Owl and the Woodpecker, giving bird lovers yet another gorgeous photographic tribute, engaging natural history, and a compelling call to preserve the habitats that sustain these most iconic of birds. (Limit of 100)

Burrowing Owl by Paul Bannick.

Wings of the Sacred: How Birds Shaped the Soul of Ancient Colombian Cultures with Giovani Ortiz of Icaro Birding

Colombia is the bird capital of the world, but for its ancient civilizations, our feathered friends were more than mere flying wonders. They were messengers, guardians, and even deities. This presentation explores the deep-rooted relationship between Colombia’s avian diversity and its rich indigenous folklore through the eyes of 5 iconic species and where we can find them. Sponsored by Icaro Birding. (Limit of 60)

Golden-fronted Whitestart by Greg Lavaty

Las Cienegas Grasslands with Joshua Covill sponsored by Hillstar Nature

Difficulty: Moderate. Some walking on mild slopes on dirt trails or gravel roads. Dirt trails may be muddy. Bathroom at Empire Ranch. Drive time to location approximately one hour plus driving on gravel/dirt roads.

Las Cienegas is a 45,000-acre national conservation area with high desert grasslands, riparian strips and perennial streams, marshes, and juniper-oak woodlands. Here we can find 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. Las Cienegas is great for mammals, too — we’ll visit a colony of Black-tailed Prairie Dogs (road condition permitting) and keep an eye out for Pronghorn Antelope. Join Joshua Covill of Hillstar Nature to explore this beautiful habitat. Limited to 9 participants.

Chihuahuan Meadowlark, Alan Schmierer

Photography at Battiste’s Bird Garden with Jamie Cunningham of Sabrewing Nature Tours

Difficulty: Easy. Most of the time will be spent in photography blind. Drive time to final location just over 90 minutes.

Join Sabrewing Nature Photographer Jamie Cunningham to experience the photography blind at Battiste’s Bird Garden! This exciting new opportunity gives photographers the chance to photograph up to 8 species of hummingbirds and a variety of songbirds, all from the comfort of a newly designed photo blind. Limited to 6 participants.

Rivoli’s Hummingbird, Roger van Gelder

Arivaca Lake and Area with Keith Kamper and Chrissy Kondrat

Difficulty: Hard. Will include walking along some graded roads as well as some dirt or somewhat undefined trails at the lake with some slopes. Bathroom is available at the lake. Please bring 2 liters of water. Drive time to location about 75 minutes)

This tour will focus on Arivaca Lake, which is an interesting 90 acre impoundment built by the Arizona Game & Fish Department that attracts some interesting species, especially in fall migration. We’ll be on the forefront of migration so we’ll look for all sorts of possible rarities as well as more likely such as Mexican Duck, Common Ground-Dove, Spotted Sandpiper, Black Vulture, Cassin’s Kingbird, Lark Sparrow, and Lazuli Bunting. This can be a good spot to find a wayward Painted Bunting in migration. We’ll also visit areas around Arivaca, before or after, for many riparian birds such as Thick-billed Kingbird and Gray Hawk. Lunch provided, limited to 8 participants.

Gray Hawk, bryanjsmith

Mindful Birding at Cienega Creek Preserve with Holly Thomas and Chris Benesh

Difficulty: Moderate. Expect a slow hike on dirt trail that has some loose rocks and moderate incline at times. Bathroom at the trailhead. Bring two liters of water.

Mindful birding is about the intention to focus on the present moment without judgment, just noticing and welcoming whatever shows up, opening our senses to take in the sights and sounds of birds.  Our morning will begin with an overview of mindful birding and its health benefits followed by a birding walk into the cottonwoods along Cienega Creek from the Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead. Drive time to meeting location from festival venue is about 30 minutes, specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand. Limited to 10 participants.

Summer Tanager, Hemant Kishan

Desert Purple Martins – Monsoon Saguaro Nesters with Jennie MacFarland

The Desert Purple Martin (Progne subis hesperia) is a distinct subspecies that is very different from the familiar Purple Martins of the eastern USA. The Desert Purple Martin times its nesting to monsoon abundance and nests exclusively in saguaros in Arizona and cardons in Mexico. Learn about recent discoveries in their nesting, migration and wintering grounds in Brazil. We’ll talk about the technology that revealed the previously unknown details of their yearly cycle with lots of photos, videos and amusing stories of field research mishaps. (Limit of 100)

Image by Henry T McLin