Hi Victoria,

Have a great trip to Tucson. Here are a few suggestions for birding:


1. Visit Arizona WOW. This is just north of Catalina State Park. You have to contact them before visiting. Best Costa's Hummingbird viewing anywhere and most of the Sonoran desert resident birds are easy there as well. Should see Rufous-winged Sparrow, Pyrrhuloxia, Green-tailed Towhee https://ebird.org/barchart?r=L1064140&byr=1900&eyr=2019&m=12
2. Spend a day in the Santa Rita mountains, 45 minutes south of Tucson.
* Florida Canyon Lower is a mid elevation canyon. Lot of species there including Elegant Trogon (sometimes) in Winter. There are three Gnatcatcher species, and can be Rufous-capped Warbler. https://ebird.org/barchart?r=L720787&byr=1900&eyr=2019&m=12
* Continue uphill to the Santa Rita Lodge, at about 5000 feet. Rivoli's Hummingbird should be there, along with several other resident species for that elevation (Bridled Titmouse, Mexican Jay, Arizona Woodpecker, Hepatic Tanager, Yellow-eyed Junco, Painted Redstart). https://ebird.org/barchart?r=L268114&byr=1900&eyr=2019&m=12
3. In the Phoenix/Gilbert area:
* If you like driving, consider going out past Buckeye to the Thrasher spot, where you get see Bendire's, Le Conte's, and Crissal Thrashers: https://ebird.org/barchart?r=L280695&byr=1900&eyr=2019&m=12
* The Desert Botanical Garden has an entrance fee of like $15, but there are Gilder Flicker's there that come to feeders, so you can really see the field marks on their face that distinguish them from Northern Flicker: https://ebird.org/barchart?r=L210015&byr=1900&eyr=2019&m=12
* There are lots of parks in Phoenix where you can see Rosy-faced Lovebirds. I usually find them quickly here: https://ebird.org/barchart?r=L834429&byr=1900&eyr=2019&m=
<https://ebird.org/barchart?r=L834429&byr=1900&eyr=2019&m=12>

The Southeast Arizona Rare Bird Alert is published every Friday. Worth checking before you go. It will have information about finding Rufous-capped Warbler, Black-capped Gnatcatcher, whatever else is being seen. Currently there are Rose-throated Becards in Tubac, and they are likely to still be there when you arrive. http://tucsonaudubon.org/go-birding/southeast-arizona-rare-bird-alert/

Todd Sahl
Bellevue, WA


________________________________
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces at mailman11.u.washington.edu> on behalf of Victoria Moffatt <vlmoffatt3 at gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 5, 2019 6:50 PM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Subject: [Tweeters] birding in Tucson over holidays

I am traveling to Tucson from 26th to January 1st and would love to know some of your hotspots/suggestions for that time of year to see what is there during that time.

We are also going to Gilbert to visit family and planning a trip to Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch.
Also any experience with Neely Ranch Riparian Preserve?

We went last year and found Sabino Canyon and Sweetwater treatment plant. Any Suggestions would be very appreciated.

thanks and happy birding
Victoria
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