If you're going as far as Sierra Vista, a sight not to be missed is the
gathering of Sandhill Cranes at Whitewater Draw (about 30 min south and a
bit east of there). About 20,000 cranes fly in and out of this tiny basin
every day - arriving back around noon and spending a couple of hours there
resting. There are also usually a collection of owls in the area (great
horned, barn and long-earred) and an assortment of other birds present in
winter. It may be getting a little late in the season for Sandhills,
migration wise, so check locally before you trot down there. If the cranes
are still around, a miraculous sight is seeing them all fly out at first
light in the morning.



I'd suggest one of the "finding birds in AZ" books to help you locate the
several private residences in the canyons near SV that open up to birders.
These are often great places to find lots of area specialties more readily.



Finally, just north of Tucson (about a 20 minute detour off the freeway
linking north to Phoenix) you might spend a morning at Santa Catalina State
Park. Good chances for most of the AZ towhees here, several sparrows, and
even the possibility of some unusual thrashers.



Good luck.

( I'd be happy to share more specifics off list or by phone if you want to
email me directly.)

Janet Ray

Preston WA