These two canyons are just north of the more famous Madera Canyon and offer fabulous birding in riparian areas flanked by upland desert and grassland. We’ll bird mostly from the...
This flat area of agricultural fields, mesquite bosques, pecan groves and desert scrub is rarely birded in the summer, but it can hold many surprises. Tropical Kingbirds should be fledging...
Walking the old road up Peña Blanca Canyon is a good location for Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Hutton’s Vireo and Hepatic Tanager, with Coppery-tailed Trogon as a remote possibility. Montezuma Quail favor...
We’ll combine birding, wine, and good food during this tour of the grasslands south of Sonoita at the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch. We’ll look for grassland breeders such as Cassin’s, Botteri’s,...
Rugged, remote Sycamore Canyon is legendary among birders for the rarities it has harbored over the years, as well as for its scenic terrain. This steep-sided canyon is in the...
We’ll get an early start from Tucson to explore the east flank of the Huachuca Mountains. We’ll start by visiting the Nature Conservancy’s beautiful Ramsey Canyon and walk underneath the...
Las Cienegas is a 45,000-acre national conservation area with high desert grasslands, riparian strips and perennial streams, marshes, and juniper-oak woodlands. Here we can find grassland breeders such as Cassin’s,...
We’ll head to beautiful Oracle State Park, located at 3,700’ to 4,600’, with landscape dominated by rolling hills and panoramic vistas as it transitions from desert grassland to oak-woodland. There,...
Just outside of the small town of Arivaca is the Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge, known for its grasslands and cienegas, along with being a place where efforts to re-introduce Masked...
While Madera Canyon has long been the most visited spot in the Santa Rita Mountains, this adjacent canyon to the south is deserving of more birders’ attention. Join us on...
The Patagonia Mountains support an extensive oak-juniper biome along with many canyons and drainages lined with sycamores and other riparian vegetation creating the perfect habitat for Mexican Jays, Dusky-capped Flycatcher,...
This tour combines the best of the riparian habitat and cottonwoods along the Santa Cruz River and the madrean-oak habitat of Madera Canyons and its beautiful sycamores. We’ll start early...
Rising over 6,000 feet above Tucson, Mount Lemmon is the highest peak in the Santa Catalina Mountains at 9,157 feet, and a popular escape from urban life and the Arizona’s...
Explore this nature preserve area just northwest of Tucson in Marana along the Santa Cruz River which is also part of the historic Juan Bautista de Anza Trail. You’ll enjoy the view...
We’ll start in grassland habitat around Proctor Road looking and listening for singing sparrows first thing in the morning. Along with sparrows we will be looking for birds of upland...
Join Wesley Homoya of Natural Selections Tours to enjoy birding where Tucson residents escape the summer heat! In the small mountain hamlet of Summerhaven we’ll look for mixed warbler flocks which may...
A stroll through this lush riparian corridor along the Santa Cruz provides many opportunities for fall migrants, Zone-tailed and Gray Hawks, Thick Billed, Tropical, Cassin’s and Western Kingbirds, and many...
The famous Paton Center for Hummingbirds is known for its backyard birds and scenic location dating back to 1973. Wally and Marion Paton first began inviting birders into their yard...
This half-day trip to the Willcox area and Cochise Lake will add a wide variety of shorebirds to your Arizona and festival species list. Likely species include Black-necked Stilt, American...
Improve your bird ID skills using your smartphone! The Merlin Bird ID app is like having a well-informed birding field trip leader in your pocket. Tucson’s Fort Lowell Park has...
Guided by seasoned bird photographer and OM SYSTEM Tech Expert Mike Amico, this casual walk at the nearby Reid Park welcomes both nature enthusiasts and photographers alike. Mike will offer...
Are you a birder and would like to learn more about your camera and how to capture your own photos? Join professional Nature Photographer Krisztina with KS Nature Photography for...
This beautiful park in northeast Tucson includes a large lake (with a few smaller ponds), grassy park area with palm trees, and is surrounded by Sonoran desert. This mix of...
Join local field trip leader, Gerry Hodge, at this under-birded and hidden park in Oro Valley. Fall migrants, like Western Tanager and Lazuli Bunting, are beginning to come through and...
We’ll bird Sabino Canyon Recreation Area walking a loop that includes both Sonoran desert upland and Sabino Creek riparian area. Gila Woodpeckers, Purple Martins, and Cactus Wrens should be readily...
We’ll walk in the shaded riparian forest along the Santa Cruz River which is a fantastic location for three types of kingbirds (Cassin’s, Tropical, and noisy Thick-billed) along with a...
Rose Canyon Lake in the Catalina Mountains is the top destination for birding on Mt. Lemmon. The oak and pine habitats contain many Madrean species normally found only south of...
Join Robert Gallardo of Emerald Valley Lodge in Honduras and Vernie Aikins of Naturalist Journeys on an adventure to look for something beyond our feathered friends . Location will be determined ahead...
One of the best known U.S. birding hotspots with tall cottonwoods and willows lining a perennial stream. Open fields, mesquite bosque and a cienega compound the habitat diversity that make...
Patagonia Lake is the top eBird hotspot in the state thanks to its mix of waterbirds and great riparian habitat. Mexican Duck, Neotropic and Double-crested Cormorants should be readily seen...
Join festival volunteer and leader, Hollie Mansfield, for a 90 minute “Big Sit” at the Santa Rita Lodge feeders. We will enjoy the variety of birds at the feeder station,...
We’ll visit Mission Garden (at the base of “A” Mountain) which revives Tucson’s history through garden plots representing four millennia of multicultural and gastronomic history. Find some of the same...
For visitors and those new to the Sonoran Desert, Tohono Chul’s easy-walking trails and gardens provide close-up looks at many of the desert specialties. Of the more than 500 bird...
Interact with some of our special animals, which for many people is a once in a lifetime experience. Guests will get to learn about endangered species, how we contribute to conservation of those animals,...
Bring the whole family! Thursday, August 13 12:00pm – 5:30pm—Nature Expo Open Free to attend! Raptor displays with Arizona Raptor Center 4:30pm – 5:30pm—Festival Celebration sponsored by BWD Guess the cover...
For a different kind of ‘birding’, take a tour of a number of beautiful outdoor tile murals depicting hummingbirds, created by artists of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. According to Louis...
We’ll travel up towards the small town of Marana just northwest of Tucson with hopes of finding Burrowing Owls. Once we find them, we’ll spend some time at a respectful...
American Red Cross online training in learning the basics of providing first aid care for your cat or dog. This American Red Cross online training provides Girl Scouts with the...
This is a unique opportunity to enjoy the beauty of evening monsoon birding in the iconic Madera Canyon. We’ll enter the canyon just before sunset and explore the canyon for...
This artificial wetland is the premier birding hotspot in the Tucson Valley, offering a stunning variety of species that can be found here at any time during the season. Green...
The tall aleppo pines and eucalyptus, along with two large ponds, create great bird habitat right next to the festival venue. We’ll look for Black-crowned Night Herons, Neotropic Cormorants, Cassin’s...
Sabino Canyon night hikes during monsoon season are a local favorite past-time. Bring your flashlight as we walk up in the light and walk down in the dark in search...
Join Karen Krebbs on an adventure to watch thousands of bats come out of their roost at dusk. Karen has studied bats for more than 30 years and will share...
This state park is on the northwest side of Tucson and sits adjacent to the western slopes of the Coronado National Forest’s Santa Catalina Mountains. The mixture of Saguaro-Palo Verde...
Ever wondered how climate change will affect the animals and plants around us? Curious about how life in the desert will adapt to a warming world? If you’re asking yourself these questions,...
w Join Ranger Eric to look for and learn about scorpions, snakes, tarantulas, spiders, owls, nightjars, mammals, and other nocturnal wildlife while hiking along the Waterfall Trail. The hike will...
Join Ranger Eric to look for scorpions and other nocturnal wildlife on an easy to moderate hike along the Waterfall Trail. The first 0.5-mile is paved and barrier-free, but the trail becomes...
On this trip, we will shine a light into the hidden diversity that exists in the Sonoran Desert! Pima County Naturalist, Jeff Babson will set up a UV light and...
Go beyond the birds and explore the world of scorpions with Chris Benesh of Field Guides. Arizona is one of the world’s hot spots for scorpion diversity, especially Southeast Arizona! Location...