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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Coati. 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 and Great Horned Owl. Overnight in Sierra Vista.

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.

We have a third full day in the Huachuca Mountains. 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.

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 and Collared Peccary.

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 are nesting in this area in recent years. After dark we'll try for Flammulated Owl in our spotlight. A second night in Portal.

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 to Willcox for shorebirds and waterfowl. Our final stop is Tucson for our afternoon flights home, the end of ten days of adventure in glorious Southeast Arizona!

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.

$2195 per person based upon double occupancy. Single accommodations are available for an extra charge of $435.

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.

A $500 deposit will assure your reservation on the tour. The balance is payable 1 March 2008. 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.

We offer the services of our exclusive BIRD TREKS travel agent, Lori Heathcote, in arranging your air travel. Lori has 22 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.

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 to 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.