The Secret Lives of Desert Purple Martins with Jennie MacFarland

Difficulty: Moderate (walking over uneven, rocky terrain and off trails relatively short distances)

Be a part of the Desert Purple Martin Project research crew for a morning! Tucson Audubon is using technology and a network of volunteers to learn more about these little known birds that nest in saguaro cavities during the monsoon abundance. We will visit several saguaros with active nests and use an endoscope camera and telescoping pole to peek inside the nests. We will be gathering real data points of what stage each nest has reached as specific timing of nests is still not completely known to science. Participants must wear sturdy shoes, long pants and sleeves, binoculars, hat and other sun protection. Bring water and snacks, it heats up quickly in the desert! Specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand. Limited to 10 participants.

Sweetwater Wetlands with Alex Patia

Green Heron, photo by Hemant Kishan

Difficulty: Easy (Just over a mile walking on excellent surfaces.)

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 Heron, Common Gallinule, Tropical Kingbird, Common Yellowthroat, and Abert’s Towhees are some of our prime targets. Drive time to meeting location from festival venue is about 20 minutes, specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand. Limited to 10 participants.

Photography Field Workshop: Bat Photography at Pond at Elephant Head with Dano Grayson

Difficulty: Easy (Most of the time spent in photography blinds)

The desert comes alive at night and the Pond at Elephant Head offers the perfect opportunity to catch it in action with your camera. Bat migration is happening during the monsoon season and offers an amazing experience. Join Wildlife Photographer, Dano Grayson for an evening of photographing bats and other wildlife at this private photography location. Equipment Needed for this Workshop: Camera with telephoto lens of at least 300mm along with tripod and shutter release cable. Limited to 9 participants.

Birds & Brews: Sunset Birding at Reid Park followed by Brother John’s with David Simpson

Difficulty: Easy (Mostly flat, groomed trails)

Finish out your birding day by walking the grounds of Reid Park looking for early migrants, Vermilion Flycatchers, Black-crowned Night Herons, and possibly Lesser Nighthawks. We’ll follow up our birding heading to Brother John’s BBQ for some great food (lots of appetizers!) and drinks. Drink ticket included. Limited to 9 participants.

Hummingbird Murals of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe with Dan Weisz

Difficulty: Easy (Very short walks from vehicle)

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 D. Valenzuela, an accomplished Yaqui artist, the hummingbird “represents the Yoeme culture. The hummingbird is considered to be a spiritual bird that comes from the ‘Sewa Ania’ Flower World and is a messenger with powerful blessing and protection.” Limited to 9 participants.

Santa Cruz Flats with Keith Kamper & David Simpson

Difficulty: Easy (Birding from vehicles and the road but very hot by mid-morning. Drive time to flats area approximately one hour. Will include driving on gravel roads.)

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 their young at this time, and we can expect to see them in the rows of pecan trees along the road. Raptors such as Black Vultures, Swainson’s Hawks, and Burrowing Owls and if we are lucky, an early Crested Caracara, are possible. Sludge ponds and flooded fields at this time of year have yielded a variety of shorebirds, waders and blackbirds, while swallows and flycatchers catch our attention in the air. It will be very hot by 10 am so put on sunblock, bring a water bottle and wear a hat. Limited to 8 participants.

Going Batty with Addison Lander and Genavieve Gray-Sandoval

Difficulty: Easy (Easy watching from pathway/parking area and short drive.)
Join Addison Lander and fellow bat researchers from the University of Arizona on an adventure to watch thousands of bats come out of their roost at dusk. This nightly Tucson spectacle is a must-see for all ages and could even bring out a raptor or two preying on the bats. You will meet Addison on-site in mid-town Tucson near the River/Campbell intersection. Drive time to the meeting location from the festival venue is approximately 15 minutes, specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand. Limited to 15 participants.

Lesser-Long-nosed-bat by Dan Weisz

Birding & Photography with Hunt’s Photo at Madera Canyon with Simon Tolzmann and Christopher Smith

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult (1-2 miles of bumpy/rocky trail depending on activity of birds and the desire of group)

Enjoy a mix of birding and photography with leaders representing your favorite photography retailer, Hunt’s Photo. Some of the special species found here include Arizona Woodpecker, Broad-billed, Anna’s, Rivoli’s, and more species of hummingbird are possible, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, and Elegant Trogon just to name a few. $8 Coronado National Forest parking pass not included. Specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand. Limited to 10 participants.

Rivoli’s Hummingbird by Roger van Gelder

Birding & Photography with Hunt’s Photo at Sweetwater Wetlands with Simon Tolzmann and Christopher Smith

Green Heron by Hemant Kishan

Enjoy a mix of birding and photography with leaders representing your favorite photography retailer, Hunt’s Photo. Highlight species of this location include; Vermilion Flycatchers, Common Gallinule, Black-crowned Night Heron, Green Heron, various species of flycatcher, and more. Specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand. Limited to 10 participants.

Green Heron by Hemant Kishan

Moths: A Nocturnal Exploration with Jeff Babson

Difficulty: Easy (Easily accessible location with a short drive)

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 see what treasures the night produces.  UV lights, also known as black lights, emit wavelengths that attract many insects, including moths and beetles.  Many of these insects are common, but live their lives in darkness and many people are unaware of their existence. Feel free to arrive anytime during the allotted timeframe. Great for families! Location will be at Sabino Canyon. Drive time to meeting location from festival venue is approximately 25 minutes, and specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand. $8 parking fee. Limited to 15 participants.

White-lined-sphinx-moth by Doris Evans