Sweetwater Wetlands with Alex Patia

Difficulty: Easy (Just over a mile walking on excellent surfaces.)

This artificial wetland is the premier birding hotspot in the Tucson Valley, offering a stunning variety of species that can be found here at any time during the season. Green Heron, Common Gallinule, Tropical Kingbird, Common Yellowthroat, and Abert’s Towhees are some of our prime targets. Drive time to meeting location from festival venue is about 20 minutes, specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand. Limited to 10 participants.

Common Yellowthroat by Mike Henry

Madera Canyon’s Santa Rita Lodge with Hollie Mansfield

Arizona Woodpecker by Mick Thompson

Difficulty: Easy. We’ll enjoy the feeders from the benches and chairs. No bathrooms at the lodge feeders.
Join festival volunteer and leader, Hollie Mansfield, for a 90 minute outing of enjoyable “stationary birding” at the Santa Rita Lodge feeders. We will enjoy the variety of birds at the feeder station, where benches are available. Possible birds include Rivoli’s Hummingbird, Acorn & Arizona Woodpecker, Mexican Jay, and Hepatic Tanager. Drive time to the meeting location from the festival venue is about 55 minutes, specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand. Limited to 8 participants.

Arizona Woodpecker by Mick Thompson

Southeast Arizona Birding Festival Banquet & Culmination with special guest, David Lindo

Wrap up your festival experience with us as we celebrate more than just the new birds we’ve seen, but also the movement that birding is becoming—all over the world, and right here in Tucson. You’ll enjoy a delicious meal, receive a drink ticket, visit with friends, and hear from special guest, David Lindo and his presentation “A World of Urban Birds.”

Celebrated Urban Birder, David Lindo, takes us around the urban world of birds. Over 20% of the globe’s bird species have been recorded within our towns and cities, sometimes without us noticing. You will be surprised as to some of the variety of species David will be featuring. To see some of these great birds all you have to do is open your hearts, minds and importantly, look up! (Limit of 120)

Want Birds? Ecuador! Smaller than Arizona but over 1700 Species – and don’t forget the Gaudy Tanagers! with Francisco Munoz of Neblina Forest

Glistening-green Tanager by Francisco Munoz

When considering a South American birding destination, Ecuador should come first to your mind. This little Country packs a whopping 1700 plus species into an area less than the size of Arizona. There are numerous habitats, including Mountain coastal and rain-forest climates. Over half the Global total amount of Tanagers – 143 are found in Ecuador! Ecuador also holds the world record for the amount of Hummingbirds at over 132 Species! In this presentation we will discuss the numerous types of birds present, where you can see them and the efforts underway to conserve their habitats. Ecuador is an easy destination for US-based travelers as they use the American dollar as currency, no Visa requirements and the same electrical standards as the USA, and we will offer tips for first time travelers. (Limit of 60)

Glistening-green Tanager by Francisco Munoz

The Paton Center for Hummingbirds: Past Present and Future with Tom Brown, Paton Center Site Manager

This presentation will begin with a discussion about Wally and Marion Paton, and how their hard work and willingness to open their yard to public was the beginning of a truly amazing birding location. We will discuss the current Paton Center, as it is under to ownership of Tucson Bird Alliance with a description of the property, its features and a short coverage of the birds that can found there. Then we will cover the future plans for the Paton Center, repairs, remodels, additions and our expanded property and trail system. (Limit of 100)

BABITA TOURS India’s Wild Guardians: Birding, Wildlife, and Community Conservation with Vinod Goswami

Great-Hornbill-Ashley-Boon

After spending over 30 years exploring India’s forests, grasslands, wetlands, and high-altitude habitats, I’ve come to believe that the heart of conservation beats strongest when people are involved—and when you experience wildlife firsthand. From tiger safaris in Central India to birding tours across the country, I’ve witnessed how empowering local communities—through eco-tourism, education, and shared passion—not only transforms them into protectors of their land, but also creates deeply fulfilling experiences for travelers. What started as a love for wildlife slowly turned into a mission: to blend storytelling, photography, and local voices to build awareness and appreciation for India’s wild spaces. Join me for a visual and conversational journey through some of India’s most biodiverse corners. Expect colorful birds, elusive mammals, stunning landscapes—and, more importantly, stories of the incredible people behind the conservation efforts. (Limit of 60)

Great-Hornbill-Ashley-Boon

Birding and Belonging with Bryan Calk of Naturalist Journeys

Birding often starts with a quiet fascination – something that sparks our curiosity and grows into a deeper connection to the world. Bryan Calk shares how a spark during his youth in rural Texas shaped the path his life would follow. But birding’s deepest value isn’t just in the birds, but in the people we share them with.

This light-hearted narrative explores how that insight led Bryan to create Rio Diablo Birding Camp, an event where young birders find mentorship, community, and a sense of belonging.

More than a story, this photo-rich talk is an invitation to think about what we’re passing on, what kind of birding culture we’re building, and how it can shape not only the future of birding, but also how we connect with each other.

Desert Birds in Charcoal Workshop with Laura Milkins hosted at The Drawing Studio

Charcoal Drawing by Laura Milkins

Drawing is about looking deeply. Since the days of Audubon, art has been a way to understand birds on an intimate and detailed level. In this workshop, we will focus on the patterns found on birds of the Sonoran desert. First we will enjoy some bird images from art history with a focus on charcoal drawing. Next we will draw sample patterns using charcoal, a fun and forgiving medium that allows you to quickly render an image. Step by step, I will walk you through drawing techniques that make this process of creating patterns fun and accessible to beginners as well as more advanced participants. Finally, working from a photo, we will draw an Elf Owl using these simple techniques to create a charming charcoal drawing. Materials provided by The Drawing Studio, 2760 N. Tucson Blvd. Limited to 12 participants.

Charcoal Drawing by Laura Milkins

Photographing Birds in Flight, Big and Small with Krisztina Scheeff of KS Nature Photography

Mountain Bluebird by Krisztina Scheeff

It can be incredibly rewarding to photograph birds in flight. Equally, however, there can be nothing more frustrating than the very same thing. In this classroom & field workshop professional photographer Krisztina Scheeff with KS Nature Photography will teach you lots of tips and tricks, camera settings and more to help you get those fantastic in flight bird shots. (Limit of 100)

Mountain Bluebird by Krisztina Scheeff