Join Park Volunteer Tom Locascio for a morning walk followed by an informational program in the Nature Center about the birds of White Tank Mountain Regional Park! Join experienced birder and Park Volunteer Tom Locascio—a proud member of the Audubon Society and Sun City Birding Club—for a guided bird walk through White Tank Mountain Regional...
Stoneman Lake is one of only two natural lakes in Arizona and it is part of the Wet Beaver Creek Watershed. We travel to over 6000' elevation to the Mogollon Rim and enter Ponderosa pine country and then drop into the lake’s crater. Birding will include a variety of high desert, woodland and wetland birds....
The Page Springs area is a favorite hangout for birds and birders alike. This trip will take you to one of the locals’ favorite hot spots on the banks of Oak Creek. Bubbling Ponds has been a project of the Northern Arizona Audubon Society with trails, invasive plant species eradication and habitat restoration and is...
This field trip begins south of Camp Verde where we will turn off of Route 260 and onto the open grasslands of Wingfield Mesa. After birding here for sparrows, meadowlarks and other open-area-loving avian life we will descend off the Mesa to Rancho Tres Brisas. Rancho Tres Brisas is a family run working cattle ranch...
Oak Creek Valley is a private community on the confluence of Oak Creek and Spring Creek. With a variety of habitats and designated nature trails, over 100 species have been identified over the years. The Gallery Forest, Spring Creek and habitat within the community offer up many neotropical migrants, riparian-dependent birds, raptors and a cast...
We will start the day at Red Rock State Park, getting in before the park opens with Tori Marshall, Ranger. Tori will lead us in about a 4 hour program including an introductory movie about cleaning up that area of Oak Creek and possibly meeting Moonlight, the Owl. We will then head off to the...
Explore Northern Arizona’s Anderson Mesa with Wildlife Biologist and local birder, Brooks Hart. In addition, you will have Jennie MacFarland, Director of Bird Conservation and a coordinator for Arizona IBA’s with you. Anderson Mesa is an Important Bird Area (IBA) comprising various habitat types, and supports coniferous and deciduous trees, pinyon pine & juniper dotted...
Warblers are challenging to identify and Homer is not only knowledgeable, he can help you to master this skill. You’ll visit appropriate habitats, and with Homer’s skill, you will soon be able to keep up with the best. Species that might be seen include black-throated gray, Nashville, Grace's, Lucy's, Virginia's, and yellow yellow-rumped warblers, painted...
We’ll meander around this urban park looking for hidden gems in the masses. We’ll meet at the entrance to the Rose Garden. Driving directions to get you closest to the Rose Garden: Enter Reid Park from Country Club Rd at Concert Pl.. Drive through the parking lot to the covered parking S of the amphitheater...
Free- MUST RSVP Let the birds come to you! Bring your favorite camp chair, binoculars, a little refreshment, and just enjoy birding as the time slips by. You will only have to walk a short distance on the handicapped accessible Canopy Trail to a spot where feeders bring the birds up close. A knowledgeable guide...
Bird enthusiasts join a naturalist for a guided walk appropriate for beginner and advanced birders. Most year-round birds are found in the riparian area next to Oak Creek or along the field behind the Visitor Center. The Audubon Society has designated Red Rock State Park as part of the Lower Oak Creek Important Birding Area...
Here is your chance to learn the basics of birding firsthand. If you've never been birding before or you consider yourself a beginner birder, there's nothing that can help you more than being with a group of fellow beginners and a good leader. Rich's enthusiasm and knowledge make this a fun and rewarding experience. You...
Water Trip On this new variation of our signature trip, we will be taking tandem kayaks down the Verde River for a different perspective of the riparian habitat. The trip will end at Alcantara where we will enjoy a lunch. Experienced paddlers pilot every kayak so you can sit back and enjoy the river’s surprises....
Join Ranger Kevin for an introduction to birding in one of Arizona’s premiere birding locations. Enjoy a roughly 2-mile walk on the Palm Lake, Mesquite Meander, Lions, and Willow Walkway trails. We’ll cover birding basics, from tools and equipment to bird identification tips and strategies. Trails are rated easy, although thick sand is possible in...
Part art. Part engineering. Totally amazing! Add a pop of wonder and a pinch of nostalgia to your spring with Sean Kenney’s Nature Pop! Marvel at over 40 wildly creative sculptures made entirely of LEGO® bricks at this exhibition, included with Zoo admission and free for Zoo members from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily....
Are you looking for ways to engage your students in real-world science? Would you like to learn more about citizen science and its role in wildlife conservation ? As Citizen Science Month wraps up, the Arizona Game and Fish Department is pleased to offer this exciting workshop designed specifically for educators. We will dive into...
Join us for a fun, family-friendly nature adventure at the Rio Salado Audubon Center! Families are invited to get outside, explore the trails and gardens, and discover wildlife that calls Rio Salado home. Enjoy an easy walk with plenty of chances to spot birds, insects, plants, and more. After the walk, stick around for hands-on...
Every morning, a volunteer naturalist leads a guided nature walk informing visitors about the different life zones of Red Rock State Park. The subjects discussed on this walk may include geology, wildlife, history, archeology, and plant life. The naturalists welcome questions during the walk, enhancing the learning experience. Hikes are included with park entrance fees...
The Nature Program is a live reptile exhibit and the perfect opportunity for people of all ages to learn all about Arizona’s wildlife! Our team of passionate, experienced volunteers are here to answer your questions and show you how these animals have adapted to survive in the Sonoran Desert. This program is weather dependent. Meet at...
Presentation presnted by Rachel Laura Cost: $15 Speaker: Rachel Laura Deputy Executive Director, Friends of the Verde RiverRachel is the Deputy Executive Director of Friends of the Verde River and a Certified Wildlife Biologist with expertise in species conservation, habitat restoration, and Endangered Species Act (ESA) policy. She has extensive experience leading species status assessments...
Birds are the most species-rich clade of any vertebrate on land, and this speaks to their success as the last dinosaurs on Earth. But at what point does a dinosaur stop being a dinosaur and start being a bird? Does it ever stop being a dinosaur? And why did they survive when the other dinosaurs...
Montezuma Well is one of the most extraordinary spring ecosystems in the world, and one of the most heavily visited springs in the Southwest. Dr. Larry Stevens is an internationally recognized authority on spring ecosystem ecology. In this presentation he will discuss the evolutionary and ecological characteristics and processes that make the Well a hotspot...
Alice Madar, Executive Director of the International Hummingbird Society, will share her perspective on what makes hummingbirds so special, why targeted conservation for them is critical, what conservation projects are currently underway, and steps you can take to help hummingbirds. With 68% of the world's 370 species of hummingbird in decline, protecting these winged wonders...
Learn to paint the Yellow-breasted Chat in watercolors with Sedona artist Sandy Beck. In this two-hour class you’ll learn the basics of painting with watercolors and you’ll take home your own masterpiece—a vivid painting of the Yellow-breasted Chat. Supplies included. Location: TBD Cost: $35 Rating: 1 Capacity: 15 Transportation: Self-Drive Part of the Verde Valley Birding...
Birding by ear is a great way to help with species identification. Sometimes it's the call of a bird that clinches that final ID. You'll want to attend this workshop to prepare for the Sunday field trip but even if you don't get on his trip, this will be a worthwhile workshop for all birders....
Arizona’s deserts, forests, and grasslands are home to two familiar yet often misunderstood animals—deer and coyotes. Though they share the same environments, these species live strikingly different and often polarizing lives, shaped by their roles as prey and predator. This educational talk explores the daily challenges faced by Arizona’s deer species and the highly adaptable...
We'll be walking and birding along the riparian corridor of the Jail Trail that ends up in Old Town Cottonwood where we'll have a special meal at Belfry Brewery. This historic downtown restaurant is known for Chef Bobby D’s legendary wood-fired cuisine. Bring along a flashlight, as well as your binoculars, and maybe some extra...
One of our favorite birding spots, a great guide, and dinner at the "Up the Creek Restaurant" in Page Springs. There will be dusk birding along the ponds and trails in this Important Birding Area. As darkness falls owls may be spotted so bring your flashlights. Species might include: lesser nighthawk, osprey, common black-hawk, bald...
Kartchner Caverns invites you to join us for a walk in the park as we uncover and learn about some of the 13 different neighboring bat species in the park. We will use bat detectors while on a walk through the beautiful desert night to see and hear some of them while learning about the diversity of these flying mammals. Boldly go where the...