Tucson Audubon Society

General Information: Tucson Audubon field trips are free! Contact trip leader for more information about each field trip, or contact Field Trip Coordinator This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 297-2315.

Announcements

• Birdathon 2010 takes flight April 9. Create your team now!
• Meet our fantastic field trip leaders!
• Additional Tucson region bird walks
• Local bird guiding services provided by Birds & Business Alliance Members
• Global birding tours provided by Birds & Business Alliance Members

Continuing Walks

Wake up with the Birds at Agua Caliente Park - Thursdays
Pima County Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation offers guided bird walks especially for beginning bird watchers. Binoculars will be available for use during the walk. Location: Roy P. Drachman Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road. Meet at the Visitor's Center. Free. For meeting time and more information, call 749-3718 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Arivaca Cienega - Saturdays 8AM
Buenos Aires NWR. Tucson Audubon bird walk at Arivaca Cienega every Saturday at 8 AM, November through April, whatever the weather. Meet at the trailhead for a mostly level walk of approximately 2 miles. You can expect to see 30 to 50 species depending on the season. For more info, call Bob Rolfson at 399-2873.

Current Trips

March 9—Tuesday 7 AM
Going North to: Catalina State Park
We'll welcome in Bell's Vireos and Lucy's Warblers with a visit to this park that combines a great mix of desert, riparian, and foothill habitats. We'll be going on dirt trails with some up-and-down walking, so wear sturdy footgear. Bring a lunch. Done by 2 p.m. Meet at Tucson Audubon carpool site #1 (commuter parking lot one block west of Ina & Oracle, south side). State park fee area, so bring your pass if you've got one.

Leader: Larry Liese (743-3520) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

March 14—Sunday 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
SPECIAL EVENT!
Bird with Jon Dunn at Sweetwater Wetlands
Jon Dunn, one of the chief editors of National Geographic's Field Guide to the Birds of North America (he actually wrote nearly the entire book) is in town for a book-signing at the Tucson Festival of Books (U of A) and has generously agreed to meet in the field with local birders for a few hours of relaxed birding. Bring along your field guide and he will be happy to sign it. Meet in the parking lot of Sweetwater Wetlands to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to meet this author, lecturer, and senior tour guide for WINGS.

Leader: Jon Dunn. Contact person: Darlene Smyth This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

March 16—Tuesday 6:30 AM
Tubac Black-Hawk Liftoff
A well known annual event, join Tucson Audubon for one of southeastern Arizona's marquee avian highlights. We'll watch for migratory Common Black-Hawks (and other raptors) lifting off from and soaring over the forest along the Santa Cruz River from the Tubac bridge. A walk north of the bridge will complete the morning. Meet at 6:30 am at the Fry's on Irvington and I-19 (leader not present) or at the Green Valley McDonald's on Continental Road at 7 am. Back by noonish. Roundtrip of 100 miles.

Leader: Clifford A. Cathers This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

March 20—Saturday 7 AM
Tubac Bridge
Celebrate spring by walking along the De Anza trail looking for migrating raptors, especially Black- and Gray Hawks. Easy pace on uneven dirt trail. Meet at 7 am at the Fry's parking lot on Irvington just east of I-19 or at 7:30 am at the Green Valley McDonalds's. Done before noon. Round-trip of 100 miles.

Leader: John Higgins 578-1830, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

March 23—Tuesday 7 AM
Mt. Lemmon Life Zones-Desert to Mt. Lemmon
Bird five life zones in one day! Meet at McDonald's at Tanque Verde and Catalina Hwy at 7 am. About 60 miles roundtrip.

Leader: Richard Carlson This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

March 27—Saturday 6:30 AM
Esperero Canyon: Botany and Birds
Tucson Audubon and the Arizona Native Plant Society jointly host this field trip to a dramatic, limited-access canyon. We will be looking for resident and migrant birds, spring wildflowers and other unique vegetation of the lower Santa Catalina Mountains. Tucson Audubon owns 15 acres here, between Ventana and Sabino Canyons. Done by noon. Mileage negligible from meeting place. Limit of 20 participants, who must be sure-footed enough to do negotiate the rocky canyon bottom. Contact leader to sign up and learn where to meet.

Leaders: Kendall Kroesen 971-2385, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Frank Rose and Jim Verrier

March 27—Saturday TBA
TAS Young Birders Club Field Trip: Santa Cruz River
The Young Birders Club will spend the day birding the Tucson section of the Santa Cruz River. We'll start the day at the Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment Facility and from there we'll head north to the Ina Road Bridge. Finally we will end at Sweetwater Wetlands for birds and pizza. Bring water, hat, and a taste for pizza. Done by 1:30pm. Call Rob Payne for details.

Leaders: Robert Payne This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 867-0490

March 27—Saturday 11 AM
Beginning Birding at Sweetwater Wetlands
If you have always wanted to try birding, now is your chance! We will chat about anything that interests you about birds. The leader will have a scope for viewing some of the more cooperative birds. At the end there will be an opportunity for those who so desire to accompany the leader to the Nature Shop to try out some binoculars and birding equipment. Register with the leader for specifics and to determine if you will need loaner binoculars.

Leader: Darlene Smyth 297-2315 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

March 30—Tuesday 6:45 AM
Going North to: Boyce Thompson Arboretum
This trip will include a leisurely walk around the beautiful and usually birdy grounds of Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park. Wintering birds and migrants are possible. We may visit one or more locations in Pinal County on the way back to Tucson, possibly including Oak Flats Campground and Kearny Lake. Late afternoon return. Bring State Park pass if you have one. Limited to 11 participants in three vehicles. About 200 miles roundtrip.

Sign up with leader Philip Kline beginning March 15. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 419-5086

April 3—Saturday 6 AM
Benson Birding Trail, St David Monastery
This trail can have some exciting birds and the property abuts the San Pedro River. Come explore and enjoy this fairly short trail, then off to St David Monastery to enjoy more riparian habitat. We will return to Benson and check out the Waste Water TP. Bring snacks and lunch. Meet at Houghton Road just north of I-10 to carpool at 6 am. (Leader not present) or at 6:30 am at the Safeway parking lot in Benson. Take exit 303 off I-10, drive about 1 mile south; Safeway and Wendy's are on the right. Approx. 100 miles roundtrip from Tucson

Leader: Lainie Epstein This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 720-8976

April 3—Saturday
Sweetwater Wetlands Family Outing Series (first Saturday of every month)
Rescheduled to April 10 this month only due to the school's spring break.

April 6—Tuesday 5:30 AM
Madera Canyon Environs
Heck, it's always a good idea to visit this jewel of southeastern Arizona (and on a Sunday for something different)! We'll start in the low desert, climb through the grasslands, check the Proctor Road area and end up in the canyon for a morning sampling of spring's progression. Meet at 5:30 am at the Fry's on Irvington and I-19 (leader not present) or at the McDonald's in Green Valley at 6 am. About 90 miles roundtrip from Tucson.

Leader: Clifford A. Cathers This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

April 10—Saturday 9 AM to 10:30 AM
Sweetwater Wetlands Family Outing Series
Changed to 2nd Saturday in April due to Spring Break
Do you enjoy sharing the joy of outdoor activities with your children or grandchildren? A new series of monthly field trips will connect children (ages 4-14) and their families with ecology, nature, conservation and BIRDS! Join Tucson Audubon and Sunnyside School District's Student Urban Naturalists as they provide guided and independent activities for families. Join the activities anytime between 9 and 10:30am. A parent or grandparent must accompany each child present.

Leader: Deborah Vath at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 490-4835

April 10—Saturday 7 AM
Pima Canyon
Scenic Pima Canyon, in the Santa Catalina Mountains, is popular with hikers. It also holds much of interest to birders. We'll have the opportunity to observe residents of the Sonoran Desert, as well as migrants. We'll ascend the canyon to at least the "First Dam" and possibly higher. The trail is rocky and of uneven tread. There may be wet stream-crossings. Return by 2 pm. Contact the leader for further details and to sign up.

Leader: Ethan Beasley 300-0049 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

April 13—Tuesday 8 AM
Sabino Canyon
We will walk trails and paved roads looking for typical desert birds and spring migrants. May walk up to 3 miles and will finish by lunch time. USFS fee area. Meet inside the parking lot close to the entrance booth.

Limited to 10 participants so please contact the leader Mary Ellen Flynn This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 797-1743.

April 17—Saturday 6 AM
Going North to: San Carlos Lake
When it is full San Carlos L., located on the San Carlos Apache lands east of Globe, is one of the largest lakes in Arizona. It is home to a large year-round population of aechmophorous grebes. We'll look for waterfowl, waders, early shorebirds, gulls, and possibly a few Bald Eagles. Most of the traveling will be by car, but there may be some walking to get nearer to mudflats. Expect mud so wear appropriate footgear. Bring lunch, $10 each for day pass onto the reservation, and scope if you have one. Trip is limited to 12 and sign-up will begin April 1. About 220 miles roundtrip.

Leader: Doug Jenness (909-1529) or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

April 20—Tuesday 7:30 AM
Going North to: Honeybee Canyon
We will walk for 2+ hours in Honeybee Canyon in sometimes heavy sand looking for familiar desert and canyon birds and hopefully some visiting migrants. A Great Horned Owl has nested under the bridge for the last several years. Special attention will be given to beginning birders. Honeybee Canyon is located 3 miles west of Oracle Road on Rancho Vistoso Blvd. in Oro Valley. The park and parking lot are on the south side (left) of Rancho Vistoso Blvd. There are no signs into the park. After crossing the bridge over Honeybee Canyon, make a U-turn at the first interchange and proceed back over the bridge into the parking lot.

Leader: Dick Sauer This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

April 24—Saturday TBA
Tucson Audubon Young Birders Club Field Trip: Catalina Highway
The Young Birders Club will find themselves heading up to Tucson's closest sky islands, the Catalinas, where we will seek out migrants and residents of higher elevations. We'll start at Molino Basin and break for lunch high on Mount Lemmon before returning to Tucson. Bring water, hat, and lunch. Done by 1:30pm. Call leaders for details.

Leaders: Robert Payne This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 867-0490
Scott Olmstead This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (520)-840-9567

April 24 to 26—Saturday-Monday
Saracachi Ciénega and Rancho La Brisca, Mexico
Tom Van Devender (Arizona Native Plant Society, Sky Island Alliance) and Robin Baxter (Tucson Audubon) will lead a camping trip in the Saracachi Ciénega and Rancho La Brisca area near Cucurpe, Sonora on April 24 to 26. They will visit a few cultural areas, do some birding and some botanizing in scenic areas. Observations will go into SIA's Madrean Archipelago Biodiversity Assessment (MABA) database (Madrean.org/maba/symbfauna/).

For more information contact Tom ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 887-6401). Registration is limited to 20 campers.

April 27—Tuesday 6 AM
Mt. Lemmon
Meet at 6 am in the parking lot at the NE corner of Tanque Verde and the Catalina Highway. Bring lunch, water, and a pass for the national forest. We'll bird our way slowly up, from Mexican birds at the bottom to Canadian birds at the top. Many of the breeding birds should be back and many migrants will be coming through, so it is an exciting time to go up the mountain. About 60 miles roundtrip. Back by 2 pm.

Leader: Bob Bates 296-5629; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

May 1—Saturday 7 AM
Century Run
Have you ever seen 100 bird species in a day? If not, maybe you'd like to join Larry as he celebrates, leading his 100th Tucson Audubon field trip with a Birdathon event, trying to see 100 bird species. It'll be a more-the-merrier event that should be lots of fun! To accomplish our goal we'll keep moving, but at an unhurried pace. Some easy trail walking involved. We'll start at Sweetwater Wetlands and make a loop south to Madera, Rio Rico, then up to the Patagonia area. Participants are expected to get $100 in Birdathon pledges to attend. Tucson Audubon will be providing refreshments at our finish in Patagonia. To sign up, contact Jean Barchman or Erin Olmstead of Tucson Audubon at 622-5622.

Leader: Larry Liese

May 1—Saturday 9 AM to 10:30 AM
Sweetwater Wetlands Family Outing Series (First Saturday of every month)
Do you enjoy sharing the joy of outdoor activities with your children or grandchildren? A new series of monthly field trips will connect children (ages 4-14) and their families with ecology, nature, conservation and BIRDS! Join Tucson Audubon and Sunnyside School District's Student Urban Naturalists as they provide guided and independent activities for families. Join the activities anytime between 9 and 10:30 am. A parent or grandparent must accompany each child present.

Leader: Deborah Vath at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 490-4835

May 4—Tuesday 4:30 AM
Fort Huachuca
Birding on foot in some of the canyons on Fort Huachuca. Because the Army limits the number of participants on the trails, this trip will be limited to twelve participants (including the leader) in three high-clearance vehicles. Contact the leader by email to reserve a place. All participants must have a government-issued picture ID, and all drivers must have drivers license, car registration, and proof-of-insurance. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please let the leader know when you make your reservation. Be prepared to hike on rough rocky trails that are steep in places. Bring lunch. 160 miles round trip.

Leader: Jim Hays This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (preferred) or 895-3299

SPECIAL TRIP!
May 4-11, 2010
Migration in Southwest Ohio
This trip is full!