Difficulty: Moderate. Some walking on mild slopes and possibly rocky/uneven surfaces. Drive time to locations about 75 minutes on paved roads.
Southeast of Tucson near the town of Sonoita are the Las Cienegas grasslands and Sonoita Creek. The grasslands are host to breeding raptors and possible early migrants, including American Kestrel, Red-tailed and Swainson’s Hawk, White-tailed Kite, and Northern Harrier. The riparian corridor through the grasslands and along Sonoita Creek provide tall cottonwoods for nesting “Southwest Specialty” raptors such as Gray, Zone-tailed and Common Black Hawk. Other common species we could see along the riparian corridor include Turkey and Black Vulture, and Cooper’s Hawk. Enjoy a scenic day with Homer Hansen looking for raptors and other species on this field trip. Lunch included from Gathering Grounds in Patagonia. Limited to 9 participants.
American Kestrel, David Kreidler