Birding and Natural History in Southeast Arizona

One of the most biologically rich areas in North America, southeast Arizona is a birder's dream. Species from the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts, the Rocky Mountains, and Mexico's Sierra Madre all can be found in this dramatic "sky island" landscape - avian treasures include elegant trogon, red-faced warbler, white-eared hummingbird, hepatic tanager, and sulphur-bellied flycatcher, as well as hundreds of migratory and resident species. 

Alongside the avian riches are southwestern specialties such as coati, black-tailed rattlesnake, mountain spiny lizard, coral bean, hundreds of species of butterflies, exotic Chrysina beetles, and much more. 

Whether you are a beginner seeking to develop your skills (and your life list), an experienced birder looking for that elusive specialty, or a general nature enthusiast desiring to learn about the biological diversity of southeastern Arizona, I offer;

The goal of my service-oriented approach is for you to have a great time seeing, enjoying, and learning about the birds and natural history of this amazing area at your pace. 

My field style combines basic identification with knowledge of avian ecology and general natural history. In addition to field marks, I use behaviors, calls and songs, habitat, and general life history to help with bird identification. I find that this approach helps reinforce the identification while also teaching about avian ecology and local habitat characteristics.

Depending on your interests, my extensive experience in natural history and conservation in southeast Arizona can provide you with as much (or as little) general natural history interpretation as you like, including plants, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and regional conservation issues and actions.

I visit the well-known birding hotspots as well as some lesser-known areas that offer exceptional beauty and wildlife. Locations, and a few sample birds, include;

Patagonia (Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, the Paton's yard, the roadside rest, Patagonia Lake, Kino Springs, the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area) - gray hawk, tropical and thick-billed kingbirds, violet-crowned and broad-billed hummingbirds, varied bunting, northern beardless tyrannulet, rose-throated becard 

San Pedro River - yellow-billed cuckoo, Abert's towhee, yellow-breasted chat, Swainson's hawk, summer tanager, blue grosbeak, Botteri's, Cassin's and black-throated sparrows 

Huachuca Mountains / Sky Islands (Garden, Scheelite, Sawmill, Ramsey, Carr, and Miller Canyons) - elegant trogon, owls including Mexican spotted, whiskered screech, western screech, and elf, buff-breasted and dusky-capped flycatchers, greater pewee, Arizona woodpecker, sulphur-bellied flycatcher, golden eagle, Montezuma quail, white-eared and berylline hummingbirds, rufous-crowned sparrow, Grace's and olive warblers 

I hold guiding permits from the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service.

Photo - Mexican spotted owl by Judy Lin
            Montezuma quail by John Dicus

Last updated: November 23, 2009.