>A group of us from Vancouver Island are spending a week in Arizona at the end
>of April. The itinerary is all worked out; we will be going to Arizona
>Sonora Desert Museum, the Saguaro National Monument, San Xavier Mission,
>Madera Canyon, Tumacacori, Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Sanctuary, Ramsey Canyon,
>San Pedro River, & Cave Creek. Although our week is going to be very full,
>I'm sure we could squeeze in any extra places that people say we ABSOLUTELY
>have to vist. Any pointers to good food bargains would be appreciated, also.

Sounds like a full and fun week! Don't miss the hummingbird display at
the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum; it provides an excellent opportunity
to view hummers close-up without optics. Saguaro National Monument will
provide you with typical desert species, however you might consider nearby
Sabino Canyon (which offers excellent birding in several different habitats).

At San Xavier, check out the weedy area to the east of the mission (prime area
for Crissal Thrasher). Also work through any flocks of Inca Doves on the
soccer field for any interloping Ruddy Ground Doves. The field across (south)
from the cemetary can be a good place for Rufous-winged Sparrows.

At Madera, try to spend time in each of the different habitat areas. I like
to walk the lower canyon (Florida Wash and Proctor Road trail) early in the
day, then move up the canyon as things warm up. Don't miss stopping at the
Pallisport Gift Shop, as their feeders often attract Blue-throated
Hummingbirds,
Scott's Orioles and other goodies. The Elf Owl should be in residence at
the Santa Rita Lodge. Late April is a bit early for Buff-collared Nightjar,
but you might watch the Elf Owl fly out at the Santa Rita and then bomb down
the hill to Florida Wash.

On your way from Madera to Patagonia, consider stopping at Kino Springs (near
Nogales). This can be an excellent location for Scaled Quail, flycatchers,
buntings, sparrows, and ducks. Directions are in all the bird guides to the
area.

You might consider a short side trip to Patagonia Lake State Park (south of
Patagonia, on the road from Nogales). This is one of the best locations
for Neotropical Cormorant (the others are Pena Blanca Lake and Painted Rock
Dam). Given that this is a state park, there is an entrance fee.

Don't miss the Patagonia roadside rest. It will probably be too early for
Rose-throated Becards or Tropical Kingbirds, but this is an excellent place
for Black Vulture, Gray Hawk, Thick-billed Kingbird, and other great birds.
Try to be there early or late in the day, as it can be pretty dead in the
heat of the day.

In Patagonia, plan on an hour at the Patton's residence for hummers (including
the Violet-Crowned). Watch for over-flying Gray and Zone-tailed Hawks. The
area around the Patagonia Sewage Ponds (on the south end of town at the
terminus of Mendoza Alley) is a fairly good spot for Green Kingfisher,
warblers,
and flycatchers. The Preserve can be great, or it can be horrible. If
conditions
are windy, consider giving it an abbreviated visit. Gray Hawks are usually
heard
and seen toward the southwest end of the Creek Trail. The Cienega Trail is
the
best place to hear (and occasionally see) Northern Beardless Tyrannulet.
Green
Kingfishers are sometimes seen by sitting on the abandoned railroad abuttments
and waiting for one to fly up or down the stream bed.

There is not much of note between Patagonia and Ramsey Canyon, though watch
for Scaled Quail along the side of the road early or late in the day.

As others have noted, Ramsey can be a disappointment. Late April is early for
the specialty hummers and the like. In addition, the Preserve doesn't open
until 8:00am and parking can be a pain. One option is to bird the San Pedro
Preserve early in the morning and then sprint back to Ramsey for the gate
opening. Another is to bird down to Ramsey from Carr Canyon, return to Carr
Canyon, and drive around to Ramsey for a short visit to the hummer feeders.
The advantage of this strategy is that you can be birding the prime upper
canyon locations (near the Brown Trail, for example) by the time that others
are just starting up from the Preserve at 8:00am. In any event, remember that
parking reservations are required during the weekends and holidays. If you
can't get a parking reservation, you can usually make a short visit by
showing up in the late morning or late afternoon, after the folks who
reserved the spot have left.

Another option (and one that I often did) is to skip the upper canyon at
Ramsey in favor of the canyons on Ft. Huachuca. Garden, Sawmill, and
Scheelite offer the same habitats and birds, though without the crowds
or trail restrictions. These canyons are also excellent for Buff-breasted
Flycatchers and owling.

San Pedro is another "can't miss" stop. Of the several access points,
the SR90 access offers the best birding. Check the stream directly east
of the Visitor Center for nesting Green Kingfishers. The area north of
the bridge can be good for migrating warblers and vireos, as well as for
Willow Flycatcher, Yellow-breasted Chat, etc. The trails to the ponds
are good for sparrows, kingbirds, orioles, etc.

I usually opt for the northern route from the San Pedro to Cave Creek,
which means passing right by the Willcox Playa. This can be a good
short stop for migrating ducks and shorebirds. Check any mudflats for
Scaled Quail coming down for a drink.

While Cave Creek is about as good as Arizona birding gets, I would
certainly plan stops at the Spofford's feeders, at the feeders (and
near the Post Office) in Portal, at the feeders and grounds of the
American Museum of Natural History's Southwestern Research Center,
and Rustler Park. Onion Saddle, on the way to Rustler Park, can
be great for migrating warblers, Eastern Bluebirds, Mexican Chickadees,
etc. Rustler Park is the easiest location for Red-faced Warbler,
Olive Warbler, Mexican Chickadee, etc. A night drive between Chiricahua
National Monument and Rustler Park can sometimes yield 8 species of owls.

Hope this all helps, Dave.



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Dave Eshbaugh [e-mail] eshbaugh at teleport.com
2726 N.E. 14th Avenue [voice] (503) 284-3316
Portland, OR 97212-3201 [fax] (503) 284-3886
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