August 12-16, 2026
Festival Links
Rosemary Mosco
Featured Special Event
Southeast Arizona Birding Festival Banquet with special guest Rosemary Mosco
Saturday, August 15
6:00–8:00pm
$80/person
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 Rosemary Mosco.
Rosemary Mosco is an author, illustrator, and speaker whose work connects people with the natural world. Her evening presentation, Bird Words: Finding humor and joy in birding and its terminology, celebrates birding with hilarious definitions and clever illustrations. This talk will highlight Mosco’s process, behind-the-scenes discoveries, and why birding definitions are so funny. You can find The Birding Dictionary and another of Mosco’s books, A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching, at our online Nature Store or in-person at the Nature Shop booth in the Nature Expo. (Limit of 120)
Presentation & EVENT Schedule
Opening Party sponsored by Sabrewing Nature Tours, Nature Expo Open
- Wednesday, August 7
- 4–6 pm
- Free—no need to register
We’ll kick-off the festival by introducing special guests, recognizing our greater purpose as birders, and celebrate the first birds seen by checking them off the “Big Board” together. A cash bar will be on-site along with free appetizers and door prizes.
Explore the festival’s Nature Expo on the first night and talk with leaders and exhibitors about their favorite birding locations in Southeast Arizona while checking out new optics, beautiful nature-oriented art, and more. Sponsored by Sabrewing Nature Tours.
Montezuma Quail image by Greg Lavaty