TUCSON AUDUBON PRESENTS

August 11–15, 2016

Prepare to be amazed by nature! Tucson Audubon and the Riverpark Inn invite you to experience southeast Arizona birding at its best. Immerse yourself in the spectacular and unique biodiversity of the Sonoran Desert and Sky Islands at the sixth annual Southeast Arizona Birding Festival.

Festival Keynoters: Jeff Gordon and Sheri Williamson Join Jeff and Sheri for evening programs and field trips throughout the weekend.

REGISTER ONLINE AT TUCSONAUDUBON.ORG/FESTIVAL

Clockwise from left: Elegant Trogon, Lois Manowitz; Sweetwater Wetlands, Jennie MacFarland; Broad-billed Hummingbird, Rhett Herring; Vermilion Flycatcher, Jeremy Hayes Welcome! At the Southeast Arizona Birding Festival, you are invited to hit the trails with our friendly expert leaders, who will help you track down your most wanted birds. Visit the Vendor Fair where you’ll find a variety of nature related gifts, optics, tour companies, and conservation opportunities. Learn new skills in workshops, and expand your horizons over dinner presentations. Make monsoon memories in Tucson this August 11–15.

The Southeast Arizona Birding Festival is a program of Tucson Audubon Society, and Tucson Audubon is For the Birds! With your support, we are working cooperatively with a diverse array of partners to create a more bird-friendly and birder-friendly community. You can count on us to create opportunities for all to discover, understand, and enjoy birds and the natural world.

We proudly: • support destination events like the Southeast Arizona Birding Festival to showcase our region’s unique watchable wildlife and highlight the local economic impact of birding & nature tourism; • promote our community’s valuable natural assets—our special birds and wildlife and the places they thrive—that are the foundation of a $1.4 billion statewide economic impact; • protect and enhance important areas for birds and birders: cherished natural habitats and renowned birding sites; and • provide information on the when, where, how and why of birdwatching and bird conservation in the Tucson region and beyond.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Jeff Gordon and Sheri Williamson share the spotlight at this year’s Southeast Arizona Birding Festival.

DINNER/PROGRAM TIME ON FRI/SAT 6–8:30 PM; $65 PP Ticket to the dinner program includes one complimentary drink ticket to use at the afternoon social hour from 5:00 pm–6:00 pm in the Arizona Riverpark Inn lobby, a buffet dinner, and a seat at presentation.

Join Sheri on Friday for her evening presentation “Hummingbirds: Join Jeff on Saturday for his evening presentation “Birding To- Small Wonders”. Dazzling colors, “singing” feathers, huge brains, vo- gether: How Birding Can Save Your Life, and Maybe, Just Maybe, racious appetites, continent-spanning migrations, and sometimes Save the World.” This will be a celebration of the power of birding scandalous sex lives are just a few of the qualities that have earned to heal and to transform, not only our own lives but even our these miniature marvels a devoted following far beyond the birding world. Birding is a passion, a practice, and a community whose community. Grow in your ability to identify hummingbirds by taking time has come. Jeff will also be your guide on the Friday field trip Sheri’s workshop on Thursday afternoon and go out in the field on to Sweetwater Wetlands and on Saturday to California Gulch. her guided “Big Hummingbird Day” on Friday. JEFF GORDON SHERI WILLIAMSON Jeffrey Gordon is the president of the American After more than 20 years of general birding and Birding Association, headquartered in Delaware hawkwatching, Sheri L. Williamson’s life got City, Delaware. In addition to leading birding hijacked by hummingbirds when she and her hus- tours around a goodly portion of the globe, he band and colleague Tom Wood moved to Arizona is a frequent speaker and trip leader at birding to manage The Nature Conservancy’s Ramsey and nature festivals. He served as field editor Canyon Preserve. A quarter century later, Sheri is for Birdwatcher’s Digest, and is the coordinator still obsessed with these rainbow-hued warriors, for the Delaware Birding Trail. A lifelong nature enthusiast, Jeff feeding them year round, maintaining a hummingbird garden, writing worked as an interpretive naturalist at national parks including about them in her blog, and banding hundreds of them each year. She Yosemite and Acadia, and at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in currently serves as Director of the Southeastern Arizona Bird Obser- Texas. He spent 12 years leading birding tours full- time, specializing vatory and is working on a revision of A Field Guide to Hummingbirds in North & Central America, as well as guiding trips to Antarctica and of North America in the Peterson Field Guide Series, originally pub- Africa. For more information on the ABA and on Jeff, visit aba.org. lished in 2002.

Visit tucsonaudubon.org/festival for festival information, latest updates, and more! WHY GO BIRDING IN ARIZONA IN AUGUST?

Unlike most of the United States the desert southwest is highly influenced by a late summer monsoon. From late July through September, mois- ture-laden air streams up from the south, bringing frequent and often intense rains to the largely parched Sonoran Desert. This rain stimulates a wealth of plant growth, as palo verdes and ocotillos leaf out, grasslands turn green and lush, and a profusion of flowers sprout. Usually dry desert washes fill with water, and at night a chorus of frog song bursts forth seemingly from thin air. Small mammals and reptiles are much more in evidence, and a host of birds turn their attentions to breeding. It seems like virtually all of our resident bird species also respond to the increase in water, insect life, and forage by setting about the business of raising a second (or in some rare cases a third) brood of the year. It is in August when usually cryptic species such as Botteri’s, Cassin’s and Five-striped Sparrows are in full song, when Montezuma Quail chicks begin roaming the hills, and when we reach our peak hummingbird diversity. With some diligent searching and a few requisite hours looking at arrays of feeders it is possible to tally 12 or 13 species of hummingbirds in a day within 100 miles of Tucson! Our breeding warblers, gems such as Red-faced, Painted Redstart, Grace’s, Black-throated Gray, Olive and Virginia’s are joined in mid-August by the first of the southbound migrants such as Townsend’s and Hermit Warblers and can often be found in active feeding flocks plying the upper slopes of the Sky Islands.

It is a vibrant and dynamic time of year, and although still hot, the afternoon rains break up the oppressive nature of our summers.

Come join us for what is arguably one of the richest and most exciting birding areas in the country, but remember to bring an umbrella! Matt Griffiths L: Rufous-capped Warbler, Jim Burns; Middle: Painted Redstart, George West Redstart, Painted George Jim Burns; Middle: Warbler, L: Rufous-capped Birders at Pena Blanca Canyon, Richard Fray Richard Blanca Canyon, at Pena Birders Pike Sara Las Cienagas, Montezuma Quail, John Hoffman Montezuma Kenn Kaufman at Sweetwater Wetlands, Chrissy Kondrat-Smith Wetlands, at Sweetwater Kaufman Kenn

Visit tucsonaudubon.org/festival for festival information, latest updates, and more! 1 FIELD TRIPS SOUTHEAST ARIZONA BIRDING FESTIVAL

FIELD TRIP DIFFICULTY LEVELS 1 Flat walking on groomed trails or roads 2 Some mild slopes, but still on excellent surfaces 3 Steeper slopes or more rocky/rooted trails 4 Long walks away from road surfaces over hiking terrain Prices are per person, registration required (includes transportation, and packed lunch on full-day trips, except for noted carpool trips) Matt Griffiths

HALF-DAY FIELD TRIPS habitat for Arizona Woodpecker, Painted Redstart, AUGUST HMMM — HUMMINGBIRD and Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher. We’ll spend some MIGRATION MORNINGS AT time exploring the riparian trail and investigating SWEETWATER WETLANDS WOW ARIZONA! the hummingbird feeders that make Madera FRI 8/12, 6–9AM 1 $30 PP FRI 8/12 & SUN 8/14, 6–11 AM 3 $85 PP one of the best spots for hummingbird diversity This is a “must see” destination for any birder Share a delicious, gourmet, homemade in the country. with a few hours to spend in Tucson, and a breakfast on the “Hummingbird Patios” at great place to get started as a beginner birder. WOW Arizona! You will be encircled by 25 LAS CIENEGAS This artificial wetland is the premier waterbird hummingbird feeders, all within arm’s reach. SAT 8/13, 5:30AM–12:30 PM 2 $65 PP location in the Tucson Valley, offering a stunning Expect to see at least eight different species, This 45,000 acre National Conservation Area variety of species that can be found here at any as you indulge in a morning feast. When you with high desert grasslands, perennial streams, season. We’ll need to arrive early before the day are done with breakfast, walk the grounds and marshes, and juniper-oak woodlands is home heats up to catch the prime activity, where we’ll feel the buzz and the pulse of the tiny, colorful to monsoonal breeders including the highly look for everything from Cinnamon Teal to Abert’s birds that surround you! Visit WOW Arizona’s soughtafter Cassin’s, Botteri’s and Grasshopper Towhee! Accompanying our group will be our website for more details. This trip is offered in Sparrows, as well as riparian-associated species keynote speaker, Jeff Gordon, who will offer his partnership with WOW Arizona and a portion of like Gray and Zone-tailed Hawks, Yellow-billed wealth of knowledge on bird identification. the trip fee will be donated to Tucson Audubon Cuckoo, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, and **Meet at Sweetwater Wetlands** so we can continue to work to protect southeast Summer Tanager. Plus black-tailed prairie dogs Arizona birds and their habitats. (and their Burrowing Owl Neighbors) and the possibility of pronghorn. SPARROWS AND RAPTORS OF LAS CIENEGAS FRI 8/12, 5:00 AM–12 PM 2 $70 PP Upstream and uphill of Cienega Creek near the town of Sonoita are the Las Cienegas grasslands. Managed by BLM, this area is host to several grassland breeders, including Cassin’s, Botteri’s and Grasshopper Sparrows and “Lilian’s” Eastern Meadowlark. A riparian corridor through the Phainopepla, Joan Gellatly grasslands provides tall cottonwoods for nesting raptors such as Gray, Zone-tailed and Common CIENEGA CREEK Black Hawk. Enjoy a scenic morning with Homer & DAVIDSON CANYON 3 Hansen looking for sparrows, raptors, and other FRI 8/12 & SUN 8/14, 5:30–11 AM $55 PP species on this field trip. Prepare for this trip by Here, perennial stream flow and lush riparian taking Homer’s workshop on Thursday, “LBJs: Alan Schmierer Sparrow, Five-Striped vegetation create an important nesting and Little Brown Jobbers.” See the workshop page migration corridor for a multitude of avian for more details. species. Home to Gray Hawk, Yellow-breasted BORDERLAND SPECIALTIES: Chat, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Northern WILDCARD 3 Beardless-Tyrannulet, Bell’s Vireo, and Lucy’s MADERA CANYON SAMPLER SUN 8/14, 5:30AM–12:30 PM $65 PP Warbler, the creek has also hosted a number of FRI 8/12, SAT 8/13 & SUN 8/14; Join local experts Rick Taylor (author of the exciting vagrants. Under the shade of towering 5:30 AM–12 PM 4 $65 PP new Birds of Southeastern Arizona and ABA’s Fremont cottonwoods, we will explore this Starts in grassland habitat for singing Cassin’s, A Birder’s Guide to Southeastern Arizona) and well-watered and increasingly rare habitat Botteri’s, and Rufous-winged Sparrows, species John Yerger for a wildcard exploration of several on a half-day outing. that have waited just for the monsoon season of the region’s “can’t miss” birding sites. The to breed. Then up to mid-elevation oak-juniper exact itinerary will be determined by the latest

2 Visit tucsonaudubon.org/festival for festival information, latest updates, and more! SOUTHEAST ARIZONA BIRDING FESTIVAL FIELD TRIPS

sightings of borderland treats like Elegant Trogon, Patagonia area to look for Thick-billed King- equivalent biologically to traveling from Mexico Arizona Woodpecker, and Sulphur-bellied bird, Violet-crowned Hummingbird and more. to Canada. The fascinating array of desert Flycatcher, and other potential birds include Depending on recent reports, we may take denizens like Gilded Flicker at the base, to Zone-tailed Hawk, Virginia’s and Grace’s short detours for Gray Hawk, Tropical Kingbird, Olive, Red-faced and Grace’s Warblers on the Warblers, Painted Redstart, Flame-colored and Black-capped Gnatcatcher or other border easy drive up make this trip high on any birder’s Tanager, and Botteri’s and Cassin’s Sparrows. range specialties. Note: this trip includes a list. The mountain supports very high numbers short but steep and rocky bird walk conducted of breeding warblers, and by August they are at a leisurely pace appropriate to birdwatching. beginning to form mixed species foraging flocks. WILLCOX SHOREBIRDING A few hummingbird feeders are scattered EXCURSION around the route as well, and the day list will be 1 SUN 8/14, 5:30 AM–12 PM $65 PP high! Bonus: temps at the top nearly 30 degrees Although not a major flyway for waders, cooler than below, plus unparalleled scenery. southeast Arizona still supports good numbers of a wide variety of shorebirds on migration. Join us on this half-day trip to the Willcox Twin MONTOSA & FLORIDA CANYONS Lakes and Benson Sewage Ponds to witness FRI 8/12, 5:15 AM–2 PM 3 $85 PP migration in action, and to gain some insights Madera Canyon has long been the most visited on how to identify some of the shorebird spot in the Santa Rita mountains. Join us on a species that, albeit briefly, call Arizona home. half-day exploration of two other excellent Likely species include American Avocet, Hawk, Muriel Neddermeyer Gray canyons in the range. Montosa Canyon Wilson’s Phalarope, Long-billed Dowitcher, supports some thornscrub habitat, as well Pectoral, Stilt, Baird’s, Western, and Least BIG HUMMINGBIRD DAY as a nice drainage with scattered oaks and Sandpipers. The lakes also play host to an FRI 8/12, 5 AM–4 PM 3 $110 PP mesquites. We’ll seek out Black-capped array of migrant swallow species, as well as Southeast Arizona is a mecca for U.S. humming- Gnatcatchers, which have been breeding in the birds of the open grassland like Scaled Quail bird diversity, and the monsoon season is the area for several years, and should see dazzling and Horned Lark. With sometimes hourly turn- best time of the year to find the full complement Varied Buntings on territory. On the north side over nearly every visit during migration has a of species. Our goal is 13 including Lucifer, of the mountain range a small canyon with good chance of turning up something unusual. White-eared, and Berylline Hummingbirds. dense streamside vegetation and permanent This will be a very relaxed paced half-day trip Flexible itinerary allows us to pinpoint staked- water will occupy the rest of our tour. Florida with limited walking on level surfaces. out species and spend some time sorting Canyon, and the adjacent research station offer through often tricky female and immature a range of habitats, from mesquite grasslands, plumaged birds. This trip will likely involve limited to dense oak forest and a community of upland walking, plenty of opportunities for extended desertscrub and wild cotton. Here we’ll look for studies and photography. Rufous-capped Warblers, which have set up a small breeding population in the canyon for the last several years. BORDERLAND SPECIALTIES: WILDCARD SAT 8/13, 5:30 AM–2 PM 3 $85 PP FURTHER AFIELD: Local expert Rick Taylor leads a wildcard HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS exploration of several of the region’s “can’t miss” FRI 8/12 & SAT 8/13, 5 AM–3:30 PM 3 $105 PP birding sites. Our itinerary will be determined We’ll get an early start from Tucson to explore the Matt Griffiths by the latest sightings of borderland treats like madrean oak woodland and open pine forests FULL-DAY FIELD TRIPS Elegant Trogon, Arizona Woodpecker, and of Carr Canyon. This scenic canyon on the east Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher; other potential flank of the Huachucas supports species such birds include: Zone-tailed Hawk, Virginia’s as Arizona Woodpecker and Painted Redstart CALIFORNIA GULCH ADVENTURE and Grace’s Warblers, Painted Redstart, on its lower slopes, and species such as Olive FRI 8/12, SAT 8/13 & SUN 8/14; Flame-colored Tanager, and Botteri’s and Warbler, Buff-breasted Flycatcher and Greater 5 AM–4 PM 3 $110 PP Cassin’s Sparrows. Pewee along the upper stretches of the road. This trip sets out in search of some of the We’ll spend a few hours exploring along the main avian treasures (at the very northern edge of road that winds up to near the peaks of the their ranges here) for which southeast Arizona MT. LEMMON: Huachucas before taking our picnic lunch and is renowned. The day begins with a rugged DESERT TO CONIFERS then descending to nearby Ash Canyon, where 3 mile-long (round-trip) trek to California Gulch FRI 8/12 & SAT 8/13, 5:30 AM–3:30 PM a private bank of hummingbird feeders should in search of Five-striped Sparrow, Varied $100 PP be buzzing with activity, including perhaps the Bunting, and Montezuma Quail as well as other Rising over 6,000 feet above Tucson, Mt. range-restricted and very attractive Lucifer species from south of the border. We’ll also Lemmon, at 9157 feet asl, is the highest peak Hummingbird. We will be walking slowly along stop at Peña Blanca Lake to check for Least in the Santa Catalinas. The 25-mile journey up nearly level dirt roads at up to about 7000 Grebe. Time-permitting, we may travel to the the wide, paved, two-lane Catalina Highway is feet in elevation.

Visit tucsonaudubon.org/festival for festival information, latest updates, and more! 3 FIELD TRIPS SOUTHEAST ARIZONA BIRDING FESTIVAL

IDA CANYON/OVERSITE CANYON SKY ISLANDS FRI 8/12, 5-4 PM 4 $110 PP NATURALIST SAUNTER Located on the southwest side of the Huachuca SAT 8/13, 5:30 AM–4:30 PM 3 $110 PP Mountains, these beautiful pine-oak canyons Join Naturalist, Wildlife Biologist, Ethnobotanist, feature high elevations, sycamore-lined streams, and Wilderness Survival Instructor, Vincent and areas of long-needle pines. Birding will Pinto, for an in-depth exploration of the consist of a mix of hiking along rough but Grasslands, Desert Scrub, Riparian Areas, and well-established forest service roads and some Madrean Evergreen Woodlands of the Patagonia trail hiking. Some highlight species we hope region, making for a very diverse trip, bird and to encounter include Gray Hawk, Band-tailed plant-wise! Vincent will lead you on a series of Pigeon, Northern (“Mountain”) Pygmy-Owl, short walks to investigate the flora and fauna Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Elegant Trogon, of the 42-acre Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Sulphur-bellied spectacular Sonoita Creek State Natural Area

Flycatcher, Virginia’s Warbler, Grace’s Warbler, and the Patagonia mountains. This trip has a Muriel Neddermeyer Flycatcher, Sulphur-bellied Hermit Warbler, Red-faced Warbler, and more. good chance at Varied Bunting, Bell’s Vireo, Rufous-winged and Botteri’s Sparrow, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Northern Beardless GARDNER CANYON/CAVE CANYON SAT 8/13, 5:30 AM–2 PM 4 $85 PP Tyrannulet, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Gray The Cave Canyon Trail on the east side of the Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk, Elegant Trogon, Santa Rita Mountains offers some great birding Montezuma Quail, Arizona Woodpecker, and and is very similar to the more popular Madera Painted Redstart. Canyon, except without the crowds. Mesquite grasslands along Gardner Canyon Road give PATAGONIA & RIO RICO way to oaks and junipers in the lower canyon, SAT 8/13, 5:30 AM–4 PM 3 $105 PP and finally some hiking to gain elevation will Towering cottonwoods support Gray Hawk, reward observers with more long-needle pines Yellowbilled Cuckoo and Northern Beard- and a few more species as well. A wildfire did less-Tyrannulet, and also form an important considerable damage to the upper portion of migration corridor along the Santa Cruz River. the trail as it ascends to Florida Saddle, so we We’ll visit isolated wetlands near Rio Rico and will only hike through intact habitat and then Kino Springs for Blackbellied Whistling-Duck, back down. The birding will consist of a mix of Common Ground-Dove, Varied Bunting, Tropical hiking along rocky but well-established forest Kingbird, and a variety of migrants. Next we’ll service roads and well-maintained, but some- Montezuma Quail, John Hoffman Montezuma hit the famous birding locations of Patagonia times steep trails. Some highlight species we targeting Zone-tailed Hawk, Thickbilled Kingbird hope to encounter include Montezuma Quail, LOWER HUMBOLDT CANYON/ and Violet-crowned Hummingbird. “Mountain” Pygmy-Owl (more often heard than PATAGONIA MTS (Carpool Trip) seen), Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Elegant FRI 8/12, 5:30 AM–3:30 PM 4 $50 Trogon, Greater Pewee, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, A GRASSLAND SAMPLER We’ll start exploring this pretty canyon by Olive Warbler, Painted Redstart, Yellow-eyed OF BIRDS AND WINE walking two miles up an old jeep road looking Junco, Hepatic Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, SAT 8/13, 5:30 AM–4 PM 2 $105 PP for birds common to mid-level Sky Island Lazuli Bunting, Scott’s Oriole. This field trip begins with a stop at Las Cienegas, habitats including Painted Redstart, Elegant a 45,000-acre national conservation area, with Trogon, Spotted Owl, and more. This trail is high desert grasslands, riparian strips with characterized by outstanding scenery, solitude, perennial streams, marshes, and juniper-oak an interesting mine adit, and dry waterfall woodlands. It is home to monsoonal breeders, at the end. Afterwards, we’ll stop back in including the highly sought-after Cassin’s, Patagonia and enjoy lunch at a local eatery and Botteri’s and Grasshopper Sparrows, as well perhaps also make quick stops at the Roadside as riparian-associated species including Gray Rest Stop and Paton’s Center for Hummingbirds Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, for any species of interest to participants Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, and Summer before returning to the hotel. Participants are Tanager. We will continue on to Patagonia, responsible for their own water, snacks, and visiting several sites on the lookout for Common lunch. We will carpool to our destination, Ground-Dove, Varied Bunting, Tropical Kingbird, requiring at least two participants to drive Thick-billed Kingbird and Violet-crowned and take three others with them. In return, Hummingbird and other migrants. Having the fee will be waived for volunteer drivers. worked up an appetite, we will enjoy a catered Reimbursement will occur post-trip.

lunch and wine tasting at Sonoita Vineyards. Kunin Calvin Magnificent Hummingbird,

4 Visit tucsonaudubon.org/festival for festival information, latest updates, and more! SOUTHEAST ARIZONA BIRDING FESTIVAL FIELD TRIPS

SYCAMORE CANYON SPECIALTY CLEAN-UP SAT 8/13, 5 AM–4 PM 4 $110 PP MON 8/15, 5:30 AM–2 PM 2 $85 PP This remote canyon near the Mexico border is This post-Festival trip is designed to find home to one of the most fascinating birding species of interest such as Black-capped experiences in the area. Steep-sided canyon, Gnatcatcher, Elegant Trogon, Five-striped riparian and pine-oak woodlands, and brushy Sparrow, Thick-billed Kingbird, Buff-breasted hillsides are a few of the habitats that we will Flycatcher, etc., that participants might have traverse. Montezuma Quail, Elegant Trogons, missed during the other Festival trips. Target Yellow-billed Cuckoos, many species of fly- birds and trip location/s will be selected by catchers, and Varied Buntings will be potential the Leader to match the interests of participants Elf Owl, JeremyHayes target species. Please be aware that some of and decided upon during the course of the the hiking and conditions in Sycamore can be We’ll head straight up to dense spruce/fir Festival. Participants will be asked to nominate strenuous and each participant should be in forests and maple-filled draws in search of species of interest prior to the Festival but good physical shape. Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, Red then we will meet on Sunday afternoon to Crossbill, Olive Warbler and Northern Goshawk. finalize target species and routes, grouping Mixed species flocks often include numerous participants by their similar interests. Red-faced, Townsend’s, Virginia’s, and Black- throated Gray Warblers.

PATAGONIA & SONOITA FRI 8/12 & SUN 8/14, 5:30 AM–4 PM 3 $105 PP Patagonia is one of this area’s best known destinations for riparian birds. Nearby, Sonoita’s grasslands hold an entirely different set of species. There are many famous places to bird here and the Patons’ reports will determine our exact itinerary. Targets include Gray Olive Warbler, Scott Olmstead Warbler, Olive Hawk, Thick-billed Kingbird, Varied Bunting, Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Botteri’s, Grass- SCOTIA CANYON (Carpool Trip) hopper, and Cassin’s Sparrows. Aztech Thrush, David MacKay Thrush, David Aztech SAT 8/13, 6:30 AM–3:30 PM 2 $50 This wooded canyon follows Scotia Creek and PENA BLANCA LAKE AND CANYON offers excellent birding in relative seclusion from SUN 8/14, 5 AM–2 PM 2 $90 PP YOUTH BIRDER OUTING the more popular areas. Birds to see include An interesting man-made lake provides sponsored by Zeiss Elegant Trogon, Montezuma Quail, an excellent opportunities for a few wetland bird species, SUN 8/14, 6:30–9AM chance for Buff-breasted Flycatcher, and all the including the possibility of a Green Kingfisher, AT SWEETWATER WETLANDS, FREE typical oak-zone species. The drive out includes which made an appearance at the lake last Sweetwater serves as an environmental the last two miles on a good dirt road and we August. The adjoining canyon has become education facility and habitat for a wide will park in the old Arizona Trail parking lot. Our quite popular recently and has been popular variety of wildlife. Get ready for an easy hike will be along old jeep roads with minor for Rufous-capped Warbler. Montezuma Quail walk through the wetlands to see water- elevation gains for about 1-2 miles total. We favor the hillsides surrounding the lake and fowl in the hundreds, regular and visiting will eat lunch back at the cars. Participants other interesting species include Gray Hawk, warblers, and several exciting species are responsible for their own water, snacks, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Varied Bunting, and hiding in the reeds. Birders ages 10–18 and and lunch. We will carpool to our destination, migrants. Expect to walk on groomed trails of all experience levels are welcome to requiring at least two participants to drive around the lake and a gravel/loose rock forest participate in an expert-led trip! You will and take three others with them. In return, service road through the canyon. have a chance to sample high-end Zeiss the fee will be waived for volunteer drivers. binoculars and receive a free Southeast Reimbursement will occur post-trip. Arizona bird checklist. HUMMINGBIRD SAFARI FOR BEGINNERS MT. LEMMON & MT. BIGELOW SUN 8/14 6 AM–2 PM 2 $80 PP SUN 8/14, 5 AM–1 PM 2 $80 PP This small-group excursion is a “can’t miss” for The Catalina Mountains, just north of the city beginner birders or visitors interested in getting of Tucson, offer a respite from the heat of the to know some of the Tucson area’s most dazzling desert floor, and access to high elevation forests birds and a few popular, nearby birding sites! that are more typical of the Rocky Mountains. Ducks, Lois Manowitz

Visit tucsonaudubon.org/festival for festival information, latest updates, and more! 5 SOUTHEAST ARIZONA BIRDING FESTIVAL WORKSHOPS VENDOR FAIR Open Thursday 5–7:30pm; WORKSHOPS Arizona. Summer thunderstorms bring a second spring to the “sky island” mountains Friday & Saturday, 12–6pm and valleys. Blooming wildflowers and the Sunday, 10–2pm MUSEUM BIRDING: FROM THE area’s famous feeding stations attract up SPECIMEN DRAWER TO THE FIELD to 15 hummingbird species plus many other The Vendor Fair at the Riverpark Inn WITH RICK WRIGHT colorful birds, butterflies, and much more. Join is open to everyone and offers many THURS 8/11 & SAT 8/13, 10:30 AM–12:30 AM AT Sheri, Co-founder of the Southeastern Arizona opportunities including: THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, $35 PP Bird Observatory and author of the Peterson • Shop for nature-related gifts, Field Guide to Hummingbirds, as she takes How do we birders know the things we think we books, and much more at the you through the spectrum of hummingbird know? Where do “field marks” come from? And Tucson Audubon Nature Shop. what on earth do all those dead birds on their ID, starting with the basics, and working your backs in wooden drawers have to do with our way up to understanding some of the more • Get all your optics questions hobby as we practice it in the 21st century? Join advanced ID issues. answered by a variety of optics Rick Wright for a two-hour workshop exploring reps including Zeiss, Swarovski, the intimate connections between museum and Opticron. specimens and conservation, research, and, • Become familiar with many yes, recreational birding along with stories top-notch bird tour companies. of collecting adventure, daring, and even foolishness. Workshop participants will come • Meeting other people who share away with new knowledge they can use in the your passion for birding and field—and a new respect for the sources of that conservation. knowledge, sources that lie on their backs in wooden drawers.

LBJs: LITTLE BROWN JOBBERS WITH HOMER HANSEN THURS 8/11, 1:30–3 PM AT THE RIVERPARK INN, $35 PP Our skulky sparrows come to life during the monsoon season in southeast Arizona, and Hawk, Gator Gray Harris’s species such as Botteri’s, Cassin’s and Grass- hopper’s can be identified readily if you are DEMYSTIFYING EBIRD familiar with their appearance and vocalizations. WITH JENNIE MACFARLAND This workshop will introduce you to the breeding SAT 8/13, 3–5 PM sparrows of our region, along with their habitat, AT THE RIVERPARK INN, $25 PP identification characteristics, and songs. eBird, a website and online birding tool, is changing the face of modern birding. This workshop will teach you what eBird is and why Sara Pike Sara it’s important that you contribute, show you what it can do for you as a birder, and teach you how to get started. Join Jennie MacFarland, PRE AND POST Tucson Audubon’s Bird Conservation Biologist, FESTIVAL TRIPS and get empowered to make your observations Consider extending your stay in south- count! Bring your own laptop or device and enter east Arizona by attending one or more of in your festival birding lists during the workshop! our Pre and Post- Festival Trips that we are offering in partnership with Solipaso and Borderland Tours. Both companies LuciferHummingbird, John Hoffman LuciferHummingbird, are generously donating a portion of the registration fee to Tucson Audubon HUMMINGBIRD ID: EVERYTHING YOU to help us continue protecting birds EVER WANTED TO KNOW! and habitat in the region. Solipaso and WITH SHERI WILLIAMSON Borderland Tours will have booths set up THURS 8/11, 3:30–5 PM at our Vendor Fair and information for the AT THE RIVERPARK INN, $35 PP pre and post trips, which are available on August is one of the most exciting months the festival website. for hummingbird watching in southeastern

6 Visit tucsonaudubon.org/festival for festival information, latest updates, and more! ABOUT YOUR STAY SOUTHEAST ARIZONA BIRDING FESTIVAL

ABOUT YOUR STAY

There are many restaurants, hotels, and Socials, banquets, workshops and exhibits SPEEDWAY attractions conveniently located near the will all be held at this conveniently located festival headquarters. For more details, downtown resort hotel, which features free UNIVERSITY OF AZ breakfast, free wireless, free parking, on-site visit tucsonaudubon.org/festival. CONGRESS restaurant, swimming pool and more! VISIT TUCSON CONVENTION CENTER With incredible attractions for the whole 350 S. Freeway, Tucson, AZ 85745 TUCSON From I-10, take Congress Street, excit 258 INTERNATIONAL family, 350 days of sunshine for outdoor AIRPORT adventures and golf, an extensive arts and culture background, world-class accom- SPECIAL FESTIVAL RATE at the Riverpark Inn: $74/night+ tax (includes complimentary full modations and spas, and a burgeoning American breakfast buffet or “Early Birder” breakfast to go). Call 800-551-1466 and ask for the culinary and nightlife scene, Tucson will “Southeast Arizona Birding Festival” rate. Valid August 6–20, 2016. keep you entertained and wanting to come The Riverpark Inn is a member of Tucson Audubon’s Birds Benefit Business Alliance and a proud back for more. co-host and partner of the Southeast Arizona Birding Festival!

For more information on visiting southeast Arizona, including alternate local accommodations offered by Tucson Audubon’s Birds Benefit Business Alliance members, go to: tucsonaudubon.org/visitingseaz.

THE SOUTHEAST ARIZONA BIRDING FESTIVAL IS MADE POSSIBLE BY AN AMAZING TEAM OF SUPPORTERS.

Our expert field trip leaders, workshop instructors, and keynote speakers include: OUR SPONSORS Jeff Gordon Karen Krebbs Sheri Williamson Kendall Kroesen George Armistead Bryon Lichtenhan Jeff Babson Larry Liese Chris Benesh Jennie MacFarland Andy Bennett Jake Mohlmann FESTIVAL HOSTS Gavin Bieber Richard Moncrief Ken Blankenship Scott Olmstead Chip Clouse Vincent Pinto Brian Gibbons Cynthia Pruett Matt Griffiths Rick Taylor Laurens Halsey Raymond VanBuskirk Homer Hansen Tom Wood SPECIAL THANKS GOES TO Tim Helentjaris Rick Wright Keith Kamper John Yerger

The Southeast Arizona Birding Festival planning committee brings their passion and vision to making the festival a success.

Tucson Audubon staff and volunteers work throughout the year to make every detail fall in place.

From all of us, we look forward to welcoming you to Tucson this August!

Visit tucsonaudubon.org/festival for festival information, latest updates, and more! 7 NEW MEMBER SPECIAL JOIN TODAY Receive all the benefits of a Tucson Audubon membership: • Quarterly Vermilion Flycatcher news magazine · Discounts on Nature Shop merchandise INDIVIDUAL $35 · Special field trips, classes, and social gatherings · Opportunities to join a large, active volunteer membership FREE Tucson Audubon Green Tote! who share your love of nature (made from recycled plastic bottles)

Support Tucson Audubon’s mission: FAMILY $50 · Restore bird habitat FREE · Protect water for birds and people Tucson Audubon Green Tote · Establish Important Bird Areas PLUS · Grow community conservation power and effect positive change a $15.00 gift certificate to our Nature Shop

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Introducing VICTORY SF. Stunning light transmission. The widest, most natural field of view. And an extremely lightweight ergonomic Protect It! design that enhances comfort. It’s like seeing every bird for the very first time. Developed especially to catch your birding moments.

Explore the new ZEISS VICTORY SF // F ASCINATION at your local dealer or join us at: MADE BY ZEISS www.zeiss.com/nature

8 Visit tucsonaudubon.org/festival for festival information, latest updates, and more! COMBINING A SPOTTING SCOPE AND A CAMERA CAPTURING THE WONDER OF NATURE The TLS APO from SWAROVSKI OPTIK, this digiscoping adapter connects your SLR or system camera simply and quickly to your STX spotting scope. Enjoy moments even more – with SWAROVSKI OPTIK.

SEE THE UNSEEN WWW.SWAROVSKIOPTIK.COM

If You Love It,

Protect It! Lois Manowitz Trogon, Elegant ​DONATE TO THE TUCSON AUDUBON SOCIETY​ TODAY and help inspire people to enjoy and protect birds through recreation, education, conservation, and restoration of the environment upon which we all depend.

Three easy options for contributing: • at the nature shop on-site at the festival • online at: tucsonaudubon.org • by mail: Tucson Audubon Society 300 E. University Blvd #120, Tucson, AZ 85705 Please make checks payable to: Tucson Audubon Society.

Visit tucsonaudubon.org/festival for festival information, latest updates, and more! 9 SOUTHEAST ARIZONA BIRDING FESTIVAL SCHEDULE August 11–15, 2015

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7 SATURDAY, AUGUST 13 Aug 7–9 p Pre-Trip: Bird Communities of the Sky Islands 5:00 AM–3:30 PM  Huachuca Mountains, $105 with Borderland Tours, $795 5:00 AM–4:00 PM  California Gulch Adventure, $110 Aug 7–10 p Pre-Trip: Madera, Mexico with Solipaso, $1200 5:00 AM–4:00 PM  Sycamore Canyon,$110 5:30 AM–12:00 PM  Las Cienegas NCA, $65 THURSDAY, AUGUST 11 5:30 AM–2:00 PM  Borderland Specialties, $85 10:30AM-12:30PM  Workshop: Museum Birding with Rick Wright, $35 5:30 AM–3:30 PM  Mt. Lemmon: Desert to Conifers, $100 1:30 PM–3:00 PM  Workshop: LBJs: Little Brown Jobbers 5:30 AM–4:00 PM  Patagonia & Rio Rico, $105 with Homer Hansen, $35 5:30 AM–12:00 PM  Madera Canyon, $65 3:30 PM–5:00PM  Workshop: Hummingbird ID: Everything You 5:30 AM–4:00 PM  Gardner Canyon/Cave Canyon, $85 Wanted to Know! with Sheri Williamson, $35 5:30 AM–4:00 PM  A Grassland Sampler of Birds and Wine, 105 5:00 PM–7:00 PM  Nightlife Social 5:30 AM–4:30 PM  Sky Islands Naturalist Saunter, $110 5:00 PM–7:30 PM VENDOR FAIR OPEN 6:00 AM–11:00 AM  Scotia Canyon, $50 10:30 AM–12:30 PM  Workshop: Museum Birding with Rick Wright, $35 FRIDAY, AUGUST 12 11:00 AM–1:30 PM TERRACE CAFÉ OPEN 5:00 AM–4:00 PM  California Gulch Adventure, $115 12:00 PM–6:00 PM VENDOR FAIR OPEN 5:00 AM–3:30 PM  Huachuca Mountains, $105 3:00 PM–5:00 PM  Workshop: Demystifying eBird 5:00 AM–4:00 PM  Big Hummingbird Day, $110 with Jennie MacFarland, $25 5:00 AM–12:00 PM  Sparrows and Raptors of Las Cienegas, $70 5:00 PM–6:00 PM  Social Hour, $5 5:00 AM–4:00 PM  Ida Canyon / Oversite Canyon, $110 6:00 PM–8:00 PM  Keynote Presentation featuring Jeff Gordon, $65 5:15 AM–2:00 PM  Montosa Canyon / Florida Canyon, $85 Sponsored by Swarovski Optik 5:30 AM–11:00 AM  Cienega Creek / Davidson Canyon, $55 5:30 AM–12:00 PM  Madera Canyon Sampler, $65 SUNDAY, AUGUST 14 5:30 AM–2:00 PM  Patagonia/Sonoita, $105 5:00 AM–1:00 PM  Mt. Lemmon / Mt. Bigelow, $80 5:30 AM–3:30 PM  Mt. Lemmon: Desert to Conifers, $100 5:00 AM–4:00 PM  California Gulch Adventure $110 5:30 AM–3:30 PM  Lower Humboldt Canyon, $50 5:00 AM–2:00 PM  Pena Blanca Lake and Canyon, $90 6:00 AM–9:00 AM  Sweetwater Wetlands, $30 5:30 AM–11:00 AM  Cienega Creek / Davidson Canyon, $55 6:00 AM–11:00 PM  Hummingbird Migration Mornings, $85 5:30 AM–12:00 PM  Madera Canyon Trogon Trek, $65 11:00 AM–1:30 PM TERRACE CAFÉ OPEN 5:30 AM–12:00 PM  Willcox Shorebirding, $65 12:00 PM–6:00 PM VENDOR FAIR OPEN 5:30 AM–4:00 PM  Patagonia & Sonoita, $105 5:00 PM–6:00 PM  Social Hour, $5 5:30 AM–12:00 PM  Borderland Specialties, $65 6:00 PM–8:00 PM  Keynote Presentation 6:00 AM–11:00 AM  Hummingbird Migration Mornings, $85 featuring Sheri Williamson, $65 6:00 AM–2:00 PM  Hummingbird Safari, $80 Sponsored by Zeiss 6:30 AM–9:00 AM  Youth Birders’ Outing, Sponsored by Zeiss 10:00 AM–2:00 PM VENDOR FAIR OPEN

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TO REGISTER FOR THE SOUTHEAST ARIZONA BIRDING FESTIVAL, VISIT TUCSONAUDUBON.ORG/FESTIVAL Registration is required to attend Field Trips, Workshops, and Evening Programs, and there is a non-refundable registration fee of $15 associated with those activities. YOUTH BIRDERS: No Registration Fee for 16 and under! Must be accompanied by parent/guardian.