Tucson Bird Alliance: Southeast Arizona Birding Festival – Birding with a Purpose: Cactus, Cottonwoods & Birds Field Trip

Join Tony Figueroa, Director of the Invasive Plant Program, to hear how Tucson Bird Alliance is constantly working to restore and preserve these places for future generations of people and birds to enjoy. The Sonoran Desert is amazingly dense with vegetation compared to other deserts, but this sensitive habitat is at risk due to invasive species such as buffelgrass. We’ll discuss the ecology of the area and find some great birds, too, as we explore the desert and riparian areas around Colossal Cave. Possible bird sightings include Gray Hawk, Purple Martin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Canyon Towhee, and Varied Bunting. Limited to 9 participants.

Difficulty: Hard. Will involve hiking/walking about three miles roundtrip with some mild slopes/wash crossings, but overall mostly flat ground and good surfaces. Bring 2 liters of water. Bathroom on-site.

Van Field Trip*

Part of the Tucson Bird Alliance’s Southeast Arizona Birding Festival.

There is a $35 non-refundable registration fee for all festival participants that are attending fee based activities: field trips, workshops, and evening programs.

*Van field trips include van transportation, but “Drive Yourself” field trips do not.  A packed lunch, snacks, and drinking water are provided on full-day field trips. A light snack and drinking water are provided on half-day field trips. All Van Trips depart from the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at Reid Park. “Drive Yourself” field trips will meet on-site at birding locations and you will received detailed directions.