IBA Focus: Atascosa Highlands with Jennie MacFarland

Difficulty: Moderate (Steeper slopes or more rocky/rooted trails. Drive time to location approximately 90 minutes, some gravel road.)

The Arizona Important Bird Area website describes this area beautifully: Oak savannah and oak woodland with a heavy Madrean influence dominate almost all of the Atascosa Highlands with undulating bajadas of oak savannah, spectacular intact canyons and highly valuable riparian habitat, alive with streams and precious pools. The exact location will be at the discretion of Tucson Bird Alliance’s Conservation Biologist, Jennie MacFarland. We’ll search for a myriad of Arizona specialty species including Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bridled Titmouse, and Varied Bunting. Expect some walking on some rocky trails and/or forest service roads. Limited to 9 participants.

Varied Bunting by Martin Molina

General Hitchcock to Bear Wallow with Chris Benesh and Holly Thomas

Difficulty: Moderate (Some walking on mild slopes, and possibly rocky/uneven surfaces.)

We’ll explore the oaks to pines of the Catalina Mountains starting with Bear Canyon and the area around General Hitchcock Campground where we’ll search for Mexican Jay, Plumbeous Vireo, and Grace’s Warbler among others in the sycamores and pines. We’ll then head up to Bear Wallow and higher elevations for birds of the mixed conifer forest including Hairy Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay, and Hermit Thrush. Depending on timing and activity we may visit other locations. Limited to 9 participants.

Grace’s Warbler by Shawn Cooper

Montosa Canyon with Ethan Kistler

Difficulty: Hard (Steeper slopes or more rocky/rooted trails. Drive time to location approximately one hour with some gravel roads.)

While Madera Canyon has long been the most visited spot in the Santa Rita Mountains, this adjacent canyon to the south is deserving of more birders’ attention. Join us on a half-day exploration of Montosa Canyon, which supports some hackberry thornscrub habitat as well as a nice drainage with scattered oaks and mesquites. Some more common species we can expect to encounter include Bell’s Vireo, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Canyon Wren, and Ladder-backed Woodpecker. We’ll also target rare species which have nested in the canyon in past years, including Five-striped Sparrow and Black-capped Gnatcatcher. We’ll also keep our eyes out for dazzling Varied Buntings on territory. Limited to 9 participants.

Five-striped Sparrow by Richard Fray

Pokemon and Birding: Gotta Bird ‘em All at Reid Park with Christina Baal


Difficulty: Easy (Walking on excellent surfaces at a city park)

Calling all birders, AND Pokemon trainers! We’ll search midtown Tucson’s largest park for Pokemon and birds! Join artist and birder Christina Baal of Drawing 10,000 Birds on this epic search of our two favorite things at Reid Park. Pokemon was created by an individual who became fascinated with observing the insects and creatures living in his backyard. If you think about it, birding is just like Pokemon- but in real life! We will see just how many Pokemon are based on living (and non-living thing) things all around us, particularly birds, and see how many entries we can add to our group Pokedex while exploring the natural world. A fun activity to test your Pokemon AND birding skills and knowledge, and earn your very own Birder Gym Badge! Drive time to the meeting location from the festival venue is less than 5 minutes, specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand. Limited to 15 participants.

Catalina Regional Park with Gerry Hodge

Ladder-backed Woodpecker by Shawn Cooper

Difficulty: Moderate (some mild slopes–mostly flat ground and some loose sand in the wash)

This park in northwest Tucson near Catalina State Park became famous a few years ago for the appearance of a Fan-tailed Warbler. While we most likely won’t see one of those, we can expect to come across a variety of Arizona specialties including Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Phainopepla, Rufous-winged Sparrow, and Canyon Towhee. 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.

Ladder-backed Woodpecker by Shawn Cooper

Altar Valley with Tim Helentjaris

Crested Caracara by Michele Weisz

Difficulty: 3 (Will include walking through desert with uneven surfaces for <3 miles.  Drive time to location ~75 mins)

This area just southeast of Tucson has some of the highest biological diversity in the state but is little visited by birders. Amidst the amazing rolling landscape of Sonoran Desert and grassland we’ll hope to find numerous species characteristic of this rich desert habitat including Gilded Flickers, Bendire’s Thrashers, and Black-throated and Rufous-winged Sparrows. Crested Caracara are known to nest in this area as well. Limited to 9 participants.

Crested Caracara by Michele Weisz

Lakeside Park with Donito Burgess

Difficulty: Easy (1.75 mile round trip on concrete and paved surfaces. Restrooms are available)

Lakeside Park in southeast Tucson is a great place to get to know your urban birds. We’ll be at the front end of the possibility of migrating shorebirds, wading birds, gulls or terns, so while unlikely, we’ll be sure to keep our eyes peeled for unusual birds as well. Osprey is a possibility. We’ll explore the lake and the adjacent lawns and ball fields. Likely sightings include Black-crowned Night-heron, hummingbirds (Anna’s, Black-chinned, & Broad-billed), Cassin’s Kingbird, Vermillion Flycatcher, Cooper’s Hawk, swallows, Abert’s Towhee, and more! Drive time to park and meeting location is about 15 minutes, specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand. Limited to 10 participants.

Osprey by David Kreidler

Accessible Birding: Agua Caliente Park with Marcia OBara

Difficulty: This field trip is designed to meet the needs of participants with accessibility needs.

Join Marcia OBara for a leisurely birding experience designed for nature lovers with accessibility challenges; wheelchairs, walkers, or other assistive devices are welcome. The pace is slow, distance short, and terrain even. We’ll explore Agua Caliente Park where we hope to see our favorite aquatic and desert species. Each registered participant is welcome to bring a support person. To view a complete accessibility review for this location, visit the official Birdability Map. Limited to 12 participants.

Lucy’s Warbler by Hemant Kishan

Sweetwater Wetlands with Alex Patia

Green Heron by Hemant Kishan

Difficulty: Easy (Less than 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.

Green Heron by Hemant Kishan

Hummingbird Photography Field Workshop with Stephen Vaughan at the Paton Center

Difficulty: Easy

Hummingbirds can flap their wings up to 80 times a second, which can present quite the challenge for a photographer. This is the perfect opportunity to learn the specialized techniques needed to create stunning images of hummingbirds. We’ll traveling to the famous Paton Center for Hummingbirds and discuss ambient light, fill-flash and high-speed flash photography techniques. Join professional nature photographer Stephen Vaughan for this fantastic opportunity to experience the joys of photographing these flying jewels. Recommended equipment: Digital SLR, TTL flash, tripod and a telephoto lens capable of focusing close enough the fill the viewfinder with a 5 x 7 inch object. You can email Steve at StephenHVaughan@Gmail.com if you have questions. Lunch included. Limited to 9 participants.

Violet-crowned Hummingbird by Lois Manowitz