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A sampling of Southwestern specialties that we are likely to see include . . .
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White-faced Ibis
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Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet
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Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
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Buff-breasted Flycatcher
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Cinnamon Teal
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Black Phoebe
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Gray Hawk
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Say's Phoebe
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Zone-tailed Hawk
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Vermilion Flycatcher
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Golden Eagle
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Tropical Kingbird
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Prairie Falcon
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Thick-billed Kingbird
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Montezuma Quail
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Juniper Titmouse
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American Avocet
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Mexican Chickadee
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Band-tailed Pigeon
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Canyon Wren
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Greater Roadrunner
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Bendire's Thrasher
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Barn Owl
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Crissal Thrasher
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Western Screech-Owl
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Lucy's Warbler
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(Mexican) Spotted Owl
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Grace's Warbler
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Northern Pygmy-Owl
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Red-faced Warbler
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Elf Owl
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Olive Warbler
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Burrowing Owl
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Hermit Warbler
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White-eared Hummingbird
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MacGillivray's Warbler
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Violet-crowned Hummingbird
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Lazuli Bunting
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Magnificent Hummingbird
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Varied Bunting
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Blue-throated Hummingbird
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Rufous-winged Sparrow
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Elegant Trogon
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Black-chinned Sparrow
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Green Kingfisher
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Five-striped Sparrow
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Acorn Woodpecker
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Hooded Oriole
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Arizona Woodpecker
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Scott's Oriole
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Rarities that we have observed on previous tours include White
Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Tricolored Hero, Roseate Spoonbill,
Arizona's second record of Western Gull, an immature
Purple Gallinule, Plain-capped Starthroat, Yellow Grosbeak, and
Elegant Tern--WOW!!
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A complete list of the birds found on our previous Arizona
tours is available upon request. In general it is a bit easier to
find a larger variety of owls, nightjars, and
migrants in May as opposed to July. July has a few more species
of hummingbirds and a better chance for Mexican strays.
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In addition we'll look for: Pronghorn, Bobcat, Gray Fox,
Coyote, Black (Cinnamon) Bear, Coatimundi, Javelina, Kangaroo Rats,
and Black-tailed and Antelope Jackrabbits.
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SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA
12-21 May 2007
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Day |
Agenda
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1
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Plan to arrive in Tucson as close to noon as possible. A visit to San
Xavier Mission and Green Valley often yields Burrowing Owl,
Yellow-headed Blackbird, Lark Sparrow, Gambel's
Quail, and our first Greater Roadrunner. We'll settle into
Santa Rita Lodge, then prepare for Elf Owl, Whiskered
Screech-Owl, and Whip-poor-will. Our first of two nights in
Santa Rita Lodge.
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2
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We have a full day of birding in the varied habitats of Madera Canyon.
In the bottomlands there are Bell's Vireo, Varied
Bunting, Lucy's Warbler and several interesting
sparrows. A climb into the oak belt will give us our first
chance for Elegant Trogon, Greater Pewee, and Arizona
Woodpecker. Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher will be just
arriving: we'll listen for their 'squeaky toy' calls in the Arizona
Sycamores. After sunset our spotlight may reveal Lesser
Nighthawk, Common Poorwill, Bobcat, and Kangaroo
Rat. If the Buff-collared Nightjars return to the Oro
Blanco Mine, we may revise the itinerary a bit to include a chance to
see them. A second night at Santa Rita.
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3
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Our first stop is at Arivaca Cienega for Vermilion Flycatcher,
Common Ground-Dove, and Gray Hawk. We'll search for
Montezuma Quail, Five-striped Sparrow, and Varied
Bunting in the wilds of California Gulch. Patagonia Lake State
Park is reliable for Neotropic Cormorant, Sora, perhaps
a Western or Clark's Grebe, and hopefully the nesting
Black-capped Gnatcatchers. We'll do some late day birding along
Sonoita Creek and spend a relaxing hour in Marion Paton's backyard
amidst Violet-crowned, Broad-billed and many other
hummingbirds. Overnight at the Stagestop Hotel in the Old West
town of Patagonia. There's a nice pool if you care for a swim before
dinner.
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4
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We'll begin our day at Kino Springs for Tropical and
Cassin's Kingbirds, while Thick-billed Kingbird and
Gray Hawk are likely at the famous Patagonia Rest Stop. In past
years the Rest Stop has also given us a male Yellow Grosbeak
and a Violet-crowned Hummingbird on a nest! There will be
plenty of time to explore Sonoita Creek Sanctuary for Gila
Woodpecker, Lucy's Warbler, Summer Tanager, and
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet. And more time in Marion's
backyard is always welcome, perhaps for Lesser Goldfinch,
Zone-tailed Hawk and another hummer or two. After
looking for Western Screech-Owl and Barn Owl, we'll
settle down for a second night in Patagonia.
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5
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Our first stop will be either French Joe Canyon or Sycamore Canyon,
assuming that the Rufous-capped Warblers are still in
residence. They have been found in one of these locations for several
years. The rest of the day will be spent at Ramsey and Miller Canyons
looking for Golden Eagle, Northern Goshawk,
Black-throated Gray Warbler, and Coatimundi. A careful
watch of the feeders should produce Magnificent,
Blue-throated, and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, with a
chance for rarities such as White-eared and Berylline.
We'll have a picnic dinner at the San Pedro House and look for
Green Kingfisher, Bendire's Thrasher, Abert's
Towhee, and the late day Lesser Nighthawks. Overnight in
Sierra Vista.
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6
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Elegant Trogon
--Tom Amico
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At Fort Huachuca we'll visit Sawmill and Sheelite Canyons for
Buff-breasted Flycatcher, (Mexican) Spotted Owl, and
Northern Pygmy-Owl. Garden Canyon has some reliable Elegant
Trogons and offers excellent habitat for additional highland
species. Nighttime owling in this area may yield Whiskered and
Western Screech-Owls or, we may choose to search for Common
Poorwill and Gila Monster in the flatlands. A second night
in Sierra Vista.
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7
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We have a third full day in the Sierra Vista area. This will allow
ample time for a hike up the Miller Canyon Trail. One or more
Flame-colored Tanagers have been found in this area in recent
years, along with nesting Spotted Owl, Sulphur-bellied
Flycatcher, and a nice variety of warblers that included a
Tropical Parula. Later in the day we'll drive to the higher
elevations of Carr Canyon and spend time in Comfort Spring. Here we
may find Northern Pygmy-Owl, Hepatic Tanager,
Band-tailed Pigeon, and Buff-breasted Flycatcher. Our
final night in Sierra Vista.
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8
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An early morning visit to the San Pedro River is likely to produce
Abert's Towhee, Scott's Oriole, and Great Horned
Owl. Sora is reliable at the local sewage ponds, where a
locally rare White-rumped Sandpiper was found several years
ago. We'll watch for Horned Lark, Swainson's Hawk, and a
herd of Pronghorn on the road to Rodeo, where we'll look for
Barn Owl, Scaled Quail, Greater Roadrunner, and
Lark Sparrow. There is sometimes a Lucifer Hummingbird
at a local feeder. Overnight in Portal, at the mouth of Cave Creek
Canyon, where we'll watch and listen for Elf Owl.
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9
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Our goal in the morning is Bendire's and Crissal
Thrashers in the lowlands, then a walk along South Fork Trail for
Elegant Trogon, Virginia's Warbler, and Painted
Redstart. At the 8000-foot level there will be Steller's
Jay, Mexican Chickadee, Red-faced Warbler, and
Olive Warbler. We could even be lucky enough to find the
Short-tailed Hawks that have been seen in this area in recent
years. After dark we'll try for Flammulated Owl,
Javelina, and Tarantula in our spotlight. A second
night in Portal.
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Montezuma Quail
--David Schutsky
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10
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Paradise Road is excellent for Black-chinned Sparrow,
Western Scrub-Jay, and Juniper Titmouse. Then it will be
time to load the van and head for Tucson and our afternoon flights
home, the end of ten days of adventure in glorious Southeast
Arizona!
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Leader:
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This trip will be led by John Puschock or Bob Schutsky.
Both are intimately familiar with all of the target birds and where to
look for them. They will have you in the right place at the right time
for the best birding opportunities and a worry-free tour.
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Price:
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$2095 per person based upon double occupancy. Single accommodations
are available for an extra charge of $415.
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Includes:
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Expert guide service, lodging for 9 nights, ALL meals, entrance
fees, and all ground transportation within Arizona. ALL tips
are also included in the tour fee, except for anything that you may
wish to give to your tour leader(s).
Does not include the cost of airfare to and from Tucson, Arizona.
BIRD TREKS
will, upon request, help you obtain the best airfare. Also not
included are the cost of alcoholic beverages and items of a personal
nature.
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Deposit:
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A $500 deposit will assure your reservation on the tour. The balance
is payable 1 March 2007. Southeast Arizona is a popular and
spectacular birding destination. Send your deposit soon to
insure your reservation and to obtain the best possible airfare. There
is great demand for the lodges at this time of year so your EARLY
RESERVATION is greatly appreciated.
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Extra
Services:
|
We offer the services of our exclusive
BIRD TREKS travel agent,
Lori Heathcote, in arranging your air travel. Lori has 21 years
of experience in the travel industry and is a veteran birder. Contact
her through Bailey Travel at 1-800-224-5399, or you can e-mail
lori@baileytravel.com.
By dealing with Lori you have the security of a 24-hour toll-free
telephone number in case of any travel emergency. She can also assist
you with all pre- and post-tour travel plans.
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Refund &
Cancellation
Policy:
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With written notice more than 60 days prior to the first day of the
tour, 100% of your deposit will be refunded, minus a $75 service fee.
With 30-60 days notice, you will receive a 50% refund of the full cost
of the tour. No refund can be made with less than 30 days notice. You
will receive a full refund if you provide a replacement for your spot
on the tour.
No partial refund can be given once a tour begins.
We strongly recommend that you purchase trip
cancellation insurance to protect your investment in case of injury or
illness to you or your family prior to or during a tour. Click on the
following link to Access America or contact
BIRD TREKS for information
on obtaining this coverage.
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| |
Robert M. Schutsky
216 Spring Lane
Peach Bottom, PA 17563
Phone: 717-548-3303
Fax: 717-548-3327
e-mail: info@birdtreks.com
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