Southwest Wings: Summer Festival – TF1 Chiricahua Mountains/Cave Creek Field Trip
August 6 @ 6:00 am - 11:59 pm
$475
Join expert bird guide, David Simpson, on an exploration of the Chiricahua Mountains.
We will start with Cassin’s and Botteri’s Sparrows in the prairies at the base, then climb into the pine-oak woodlands to search for Arizona Woodpecker, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, and Bridled Titmouse. Entering the coniferous forest we’ll look for Virginia’s, Grace’s, and Olive Warblers along with Greater Pewees, Red-faced Warblers, Pygmy Nuthatch and Steller’s Jay. A Chiricahua specialty is the Mexican Chickadee, not found anywhere else on public lands within the entire United States.
We have one night in the village of Portal, where we will explore sycamore-laced South Fork for Coppery-tailed Trogon, Zone-tailed Hawk, Painted Redstart, and Hepatic Tanager. At local hummingbird feeders we could find Rivoli’s, Blue-throated, Broad-billed and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds while a night run up Cave Creek may find Whiskered Screech-Owl and Elf Owl, along with an advertising Mexican Whip-poor-will. A pre-breakfast excursion to the nearby desert below Portal will look for Scaled Quail and Bendire’s and Crissal Thrashers. Adjacent foothills harbor Juniper Titmouse and Black-chinned Sparrow. This trip includes all meals and one night accommodation at the Portal Peak Lodge and is best suited for intermediate birding skills. Bring hat and sunscreen, camera, pocket flashlight, and wear sturdy hiking boots. With birding stops en route, this trip may get back after 4 pm. Hiking Difficulty: 3 moderate. Guide: David Simpson
Price is for double occupancy, single supplement no longer available.
Meeting place: The south-east entrance of The Mall at Sierra Vista, 2200 El Mercado Loop, Sierra Vista. Turn west onto Calle Mercancia from Highway 92, by the Wells Fargo bank, and the entrance is straight ahead. Map link
August 6 – 7
The 35th Southwest Wings Summer Birding and Nature Festival will be based at The Mall at Sierra Vista, 2200 El Mercado Loop, Sierra Vista from August 5-8, 2026. This family friendly event is our main one with expertly guided field trips, pre-festival Jamboree, free programs, including some new ones just for kids, exhibitors, vendors, live animals and Keynote Buffet Dinner.
A non-refundable registration fee ($25.00) is required if you want to join field trips and attend the welcome Jamboree. The small-group guided field trips will be mainly in Group Vans but there will also be several Car Caravan style, in participants’ own vehicles, to nearby easily-accessible locations.