Hummingbird Safari with Karen Krebbs and Andrew Lydeard

Difficulty: Moderate. Some mild slopes, but still on excellent surfaces. Most of the time will be at hummingbird feeder set-ups. Drive time to location approximately two hours.

This small-group excursion is a “can’t miss” for birders who are interested in getting to know some of the area’s most dazzling hummingbirds and a few popular hummingbird locales around Southeast Arizona. Peak hummingbird diversity is happening and you’ll have the chance to see anywhere from 8 – 10 species. Beatty’s Guest Ranch and Ash Canyon will be our primary destinations and the fees for both sites are included. Lunch included. Limited to 8 participants.

Lucifer Hummingbird, Greg Lavaty

Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve with Nature Conservancy Volunteers Peggy & Marc Faucher

Difficulty: Moderate. Mostly flat walking trails on some uneven and rocky terrain, about 2 miles total. Bring 1 to 2 liters water. Bathroom on-site.

One of the best known U.S. birding hotspots with tall cottonwoods and willows lining a perennial stream. Open fields, mesquite bosque and a cienega compound the habitat diversity that make it a birding paradise. Listen for the Gray Hawk’s whistle in the cottonwoods while looking for Common Ground Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Thick-billed Kingbird, and more. Please bring $8 per person for Nature Conservancy fees. Be prepared to wear chigger protection. Drive time to the meeting location from the festival venue is about 70 minutes, specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand.  Limited to 10 participants.

Thick-billed Kingbird by Martin Molina

Butterflies & Birds with Robert Gallardo and Vernie Aikins of Naturalist Journeys

Difficulty: Moderate. More will be known when location is determined but expect some possible incline with some uneven or rocky terrain, but the trip will be planned to not be difficult.

Join Robert Gallardo of Emerald Valley Lodge in Honduras and Vernie Aikins of Naturalist Journeys on an adventure to look for something beyond our feathered friends. Location will be determined ahead of time based on butterfly activity. Robert is the author of “Guide to the Butterflies of Honduras” and oversees the Honduras Butterfly Festival. Drive time to meeting location from festival venue will be determined, specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand. Limited to 10 participants.

Monarch by Dan Weisz

Sabino Canyon with Rachel Clark

Difficulty: Moderate. Mostly flat walking trails on some uneven and rocky terrain for about one to two miles. Bathrooms on-site. Bring 1-2 liters of water.

We’ll bird Sabino Canyon Recreation Area walking a loop that includes both Sonoran desert upland and Sabino Creek riparian area. Gila Woodpeckers, Purple Martins, and Cactus Wrens should be readily seen with other desert and riparian birds. Meet at the ramada by the Visitor’s Center at 5700 N Sabino Canyon Road. $8 parking fee. Return to car by 9am. Sunhat, water and walking shoes always recommended. Drive time to meeting location from festival venue is about 25 minutes, specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand. Limited to 10 participants.

Gila Woodpecker by Laura Stafford Covic

Bird Photography Walk and Photography Tips with OM SYSTEM’s Tech Expert Mike Amico

Difficulty: Easy. Mostly flat, groomed trails at a city park. No more than one mile slow walking. Bathrooms available.

Guided by seasoned bird photographer and OM SYSTEM Tech Expert Mike Amico, this casual walk at the nearby Reid Park welcomes both nature enthusiasts and photographers alike. Mike will offer tips and setting ideas for capturing breathtaking bird photos. Join us for a fun photo walk amidst nature, where we’ll appreciate the outdoors and experience beautiful bird moments together. Photographers using any camera system are invited. Birders without a camera are welcome too! Limited loaner gear will be available on site. Limited to 10 participants.

Image by Mike Amico

Honey Bee Canyon Park & Petroglyphs with Gerry Hodge

Difficulty: Moderate. Some mild slopes, most of walking will be in soft sand for about one mile. Bring 1 to 2 liters of water. Bathroom on-site.

Join local field trip leader, Gerry Hodge, at this under-birded and hidden park in Oro Valley. Fall migrants, like Western Tanager and Lazuli Bunting, are beginning to come through and we will look for usual desert inhabitants, like the range-restricted Gilded Flicker. We will also check out a large rock with petroglyphs. Most of the walking will be in soft sand, but it could be wet in places this time of year so please be prepared. Drive time to the meeting location from the festival venue is about 45 minutes, specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand.  Limited to 10 participants.

Cactus Wren by Mick Thompson

Agua Caliente Park with Steve Valasek

Difficulty: Easy. Mostly flat, groomed trails at a large city park. Bathrooms on-site.

This beautiful park in northeast Tucson includes a large lake (with a few smaller ponds), grassy park area with palm trees, and is surrounded by Sonoran desert. This mix of habitats creates opportunities for many birds including Anna’s, Costa’s, and Black-chinned Hummingbirds, Brown-crested Flycatcher, the Hesperia subspecies of Purple Martin, Phainopepla, and Hooded Oriole. Drive time to the meeting location from the festival venue is about 30 minutes, specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand. Limited to 10 participants.

Phainopepla by Shawn Cooper

Anza Trail at Santa Gertrudis with Pat Isaacson sponsored by Neblina Forest

Difficulty: Moderate. Around 1 ½ miles of mostly flat walking on some sandy/gravel trails and road. No bathroom on-site; use restrooms at rest stop along I-19 beforehand which is about 15 minutes from exit. Bring water.
We’ll walk in the shaded riparian forest along the Santa Cruz River which is a fantastic location for three types of kingbirds (Cassin’s, Tropical, and noisy Thick-billed) along with a wide variety of other desert riparian species like Inca Dove, Gray Hawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bell’s Vireo, and Blue Grosbeak. This walk is sponsored and led by Neblina Forest. Drive time to the meeting location from the festival venue is about 50 minutes, specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand. Limited to 10 participants.

Thick-billed Kingbird by Martin Molina

Rose Canyon Lake with Mike Hillman

Difficulty: Moderate. Mostly walking on paved road or dirt trails, but will involve some incline at elevation and possibly some rocky/rooted trails. Bathroom on-site.

Rose Canyon Lake in the Catalina Mountains is the top destination for birding on Mt. Lemmon. The oak and pine habitats contain many Madrean species normally found only south of the border.  This short paved road is interspersed with camp sites and picnic grounds which affords easy access for several targets for birders coming to the Sky Islands including Western Flycatcher, Steller’s Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Plumbeous Vireo, Western Tanager, and several warblers including Red-faced, Grace’s, and Painted Redstart. Drive time to the meeting location from the festival venue is about 60 minutes, specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand. Limited to 10 participants.

Grace’s Warbler by Shawn Cooper

Patagonia Lake State Park with Tom Brown

Difficulty: Moderate. Will involve walking along mostly level trail but with uneven surfaces for around 2 miles, one area with steep stairs. Bathroom on-site.

Patagonia Lake is the top eBird hotspot in the state thanks to its mix of waterbirds and great riparian habitat. Mexican Duck, Neotropic and Double-crested Cormorants should be readily seen on the lake along with raptors, flycatchers, and tanagers along the Birding Trail. As one of the few “large” bodies of water in Southeast Arizona, you never know what could show up. Drive time to the meeting location from the festival venue is about 80 minutes, specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand. Limited to 10 participants.

Song Sparrow by Francis Morgan