I thought that I would add my 2 cents. Last November, I was on a trip and asked one of my leaders, a well-known birder/butterflier/dragonflyer from SE Arizona who he would recommend as a SE AZ guide if I wanted to hire one. I mentioned Stuart and Melody. He said that considering my birding desires and methodology that Melody would probably be the best choice for me.

In March I was in Phoenix and, like Guy, wanted to get a few missing SE AZ lifers. I contacted Melody and we arranged to meet in Tucson for a day of birding. This was the 1st time I'd hire a guide. I had one of the most enjoyable days of birding ever. Melody was fun to be with, provided excellent expertise, but still was very intense about locating my wanted birds. We beat the brush to no avail for black-capped gnatcatcher and unfortunately didn't locate any Montezuma quail while doing this. However, she showed me lots of sign of their presence. I ended up getting flame-colored tanager and crissal thrasher and many other great and beautiful birds. Melody had no problem with my photography, but still kept a check on me. Melody also supplied a wonderful picnic lunch in a beautiful spot where we had the company of a painted redstart and several butterflies. I should mention that Melody is also knowledgeable about butterflies and I got several lifers.

I should note that I provided Melody with a list of birds I desired before I arrived. For the species not found in the SE AZ area, she provided me with directions to areas that I could see them. So she's knowledgeable outside the Tucson area. I thought this was above and beyond what she needed to do and I greatly appreciated this. It resulted in seeing some absolutely beautiful scenery and some other good birds.

All-in-all I would highly recommend Melody for a guide. She provided a wonderful experience. If you're taking your 1st trip to SE AZ or need to fill in some missing lifers, Melody is willing to work with you, but plan in advance, she's in demand. Check out her website.

Valerie Elliott
Olympia, WA
----- Original Message -----
From: Guy McWethy
To: Tweeters
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 10:42 AM
Subject: [Tweeters] SE Arizona Birding Guides - Pre-trip Review (long)


Hey Tweets!
I've been conflicted about reporting this, but feel an
obligation to my fellow birders to post a warning.

Background - I have been planning a birding trip to SE
arizona for about 8 months now (yes, I started
planning last september). I based a week-long trip
around 4 days of guided birding, looking to fill some
difficult holes in my life list. I solicited
recomendations, and ended up talking to Stuart Healy.
I was warned about his attitude (2 people
independently described him as a "Curmudgeon"), but
his birding skills were described as exemplary.

So I contacted him, and reserved 4 days in May with
him, for myself and 3 other birders. Put down my
deposit, and started exchanging Emails with him. His
Website explicitly asks for all the trip information
beforehand. We hashed out our Wish-Lists, and where
we were going to be going. I filled him in on our
plans for before and after his portion of the trip.

About 3 weeks before the trip, I asked for a final
Itinerary, so we could plan the rest of the trip
around his schedule. He sent it. He had scheduled a
LONG night for that last day with him, which would
have put us off schedule for the remainder of the
trip. I asked him (nicely, I thought) IF he COULD
move the first and last days around, to accomodate the
remainder of the trip.

His response was a LITTLE unexpected.
He cancelled our trip with him. With less than 2
weeks to go until the trip. Said we were obviously
going to be TOO much trouble. And he refunded my
deposit.

So, I can heartily NOT recomend Stuart Healy as a
Birding Guide to SE Arizona. I have heard he is a
fantastic birder, but now I will never know firsthand.

I have heard good things about Melody Kehl, but she
was (of course) already booked for that week.

I CAN recomend Rick Wright. I Emailed him, asking if
he had any openings, and he QUICKLY got us in contact
with a couple of other guides in the area, and we are
now set up with a guide for one day, looking for some
of the tougher species. The rest, we are 'winging'
ourselves.

I will be leaving for this trip in 3 days (YAH !!!).
I will post a report after we get back about our
results. Wish us Luck!

Guy

Guy McWethy
Renton, WA
mailto: lguy_mcw at yahoo.com



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