Southeast Arizona: Monsoon Madness - Birds, Butterflies, Dragonflies & More!
August 9-15, 2010
The summer monsoon season turns Southeast Arizona’s mountains and deserts a verdant green. Arizona’s “second spring” is, by far, the best time to find a high diversity of hummingbirds (up to 14 species may be present), nesting grassland sparrows, breeding birds of Mexican affinity, and insects such as butterflies and dragonflies. Walks in cool shaded canyons and time in the pine and mixed conifer habitats are perfect for mid-day hikes; during early mornings and evenings we explore desert and grassland terrain. Guide, author, and local resident Bob Behrstock brings expertise with dragonflies and butterflies as well as birds to this adventure. From Tucson we explore lush canyons of the Santa Rita Mountains and nearby Arivaca Cienaga of the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. We visit legendary birding sites such as Kino Springs, the Nature 
Conservancy Preserves at Patagonia and Ramsey Canyon and an excellent wetland area at Whitewater Draw. Cool lush canyons of the Huachuca Mountains promise hummingbirds galore. At several feeding locations we find excellent opportunities to find and photograph colorful species. Our hosts at two delightful lodges treat us with special meals and hospitality. In Bisbee and at Fort Huachuca we blend in a bit of Arizona’s history adding human color as well.
ITINERARY
Mon., Aug. 9 Arrival in Tucson
Arrive in Tucson today, a vibrant city surrounded by mountain ranges that rise from the Sonoran Desert floor. Please plan to arrive by 1:00 PM. From our gathering point at Tucson International Airport (TUS), we’ll head southward to Amado, located between the Santa Rita and Atascosa mountains. Here, desert scrub and grasslands are home to typical southwestern species such as Gila Woodpeckers, Pyrrhuloxias, Verdins, Roadrunners, and Cactus Wrens; but the star performers are Cassin’s, Botteri’s, and Rufous-winged sparrows—all in full song as they breed during the monsoon season. Tonight in Amado, we stay at a delightful hotel where we can settle in, enjoy a welcome dinner, an overview of the week ahead, and the first bird sightings of the trip.
Accommodations at Amado Territory Inn, Amado (D)
Tues., Aug. 10 Madera Canyon / Arivaca Cienaga
The first portion of our drive takes us through mesquite grasslands—home to several species of nesting sparrows. Soon, we ascend the west slope of the Santa Ritas, visiting Madera Canyon, home to Elegant Trogons, Arizona Woodpeckers, Bridled Titmice, and during recent years, nesting Flame-colored Tanagers. In the canyons, thistle, basket flower, and milkweed attract butterflies such as Two-tailed Swallowtail, Mexican Yellow, Juniper Hairstreak, Bordered Patch, Red-spotted Admiral, Dull Firetip, and Moon-marked and Gold-costa skippers. After lunch and a short break at our hotel, we’ll head west to 
Arivaca Cienega, a part of Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, where we’ll investigate the boardwalk trail. Here, we often find Javelinas and beautiful Black-bellied Whistling Ducks as we gaze at the spire of sacred Baboquivari Peak on lands of the Tohono O’odham people. With luck we may find Thick-billed Kingbirds, migrant warblers or, overhead, a hunting Peregrine Falcon. At the Cienega (a permanent marsh), we can expect to see dragonflies such as Flame and Widow Skimmers and perhaps a very local Turquoise Darner. As sunset draws near, we return to Amado where you can choose to eat at the hotel’s great restaurant or at a nearby local steakhouse.
Accommodations at Amado Territory Inn, Amado (B,L)
Wed., Aug. 11 Kino Springs / Patagonia / Hereford
After breakfast we venture east towards the little hamlet of Patagonia, site of one of the Nature Conservancy’s very first preserves. Our first stop, just beyond Nogales, will be at the ponds of the Kino Springs Golf Course, where we hope to see several locally uncommon species including: Black-belliedWhistling Ducks, Gray Hawks, Tropical Kingbirds, and Varied Buntings. As we enter Patagonia, we'll stop at the municipal butterfly garden--close enough to the Mexican border to host an unusual stray. A Mexican visitor 
that appears during the summer rainy season is the Large Orange Sulphur--often encountered in the area's butterfly gardens.
In the town of Patagonia, we’ll have lunch, then visit hummingbird feeders for their usually reliable Violet-crowned Hummingbirds. We’ll also try for some of Sonoita Creek’s nesting birds such as Gray and Zone-tailed Hawks, Thick-billed Kingbirds, Brown-crested Flycatchers, and Yellow-breasted Chats. Passing through Sierra Vista, we arrive at Casa de San Pedro—a delightful B&B on the west bank of the San Pedro River. Casa de San Pedro is a nationally acclaimed inn, 90 miles 
from Tucson and inches from heaven. Guests have labeled it the most upscale bed and breakfast in Southeast Arizona. We find it the ideal location for our group, with meeting space, incredible hospitality, active bird feeders, a pond, and the San Pedro River right outside our door. From the Casa, we can explore cottonwoods that fringe the river, as well as surrounding grasslands and the nearby Huachuca Mountains, a Mecca for hummingbird enthusiasts. You’ll soon find out why so many guests return here again and again. (www.bedandbirds.com)
Accommodations at Casa de San Pedro, Hereford (B,L, D)
Thur., Aug. 12 Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, Bisbee, Miller and Carr Canyons
We check the Casa’s “backyard” of riparian cottonwoods and mesquite grassland for species such as Lucy’s Warblers and Abert’s Towhees, have breakfast, and then head east to the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area. Depending on water levels, Whitewater may be one of the only local sites hosting shorebirds and generally has an assortment of butterflies and dragonflies. The surrounding shrubby flats are home to Bendire’s Thrashers, Black-throated Sparrows, Cactus Wrens, Scaled and Gambel’s Quail, Roadrunners, and Pyrrhuloxias. We watch as well for early Brewer’s and Vesper sparrows.
Our next stop will be the historic copper mining town of Bisbee. Participants may enjoy a leisurely lunch, shop a bit, or visit the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum—an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. After lunch, we drive west, returning to the Huachuca Mountains. At Miller Canyon, we’ll visit Beatty’s orchard and B&B, where, on several occasions, fourteen species of hummingbirds have been seen in one day. Beatty’s is the most reliable site in Arizona for seeing White-eared Hummingbirds; while waiting for them to appear, we should see other species including Blue-throated, Broad-billed, Rufous, and Broad-tailed hummingbirds. Butterflies are usually numerous around Beatty’s garden and pond. Here too, we will have an opportunity to purchase several varieties of apples grown on the property.
Our dinner is at the Mesquite Tree Restaurant at the entrance to Carr Canyon. Afterwards, we head up the canyon a short distance and try for Whiskered Screech-Owl
Accommodations at Casa de San Pedro, Hereford (B,D)
Fri., Aug. 13 San Pedro River / Fort Huachuca Historical Museum
After an early breakfast, we will drive north a bit to the San Pedro House where we can walk along the San Pedro River and an adjacent pond. Birds of interest here include Swainson’s and Gray Hawks, Black Phoebes, Cassin’s Kingbirds, Bell’s Vireos, Lucy’s Warblers, Yellow-breasted Chats, Summer Tanagers, and several species of grassland sparrows. Rarely, a Green Kingfisher is present along the river or on the pond. If water levels are very high and the trail is not accessible, we may visit another site along the river, such as St. David.
In the afternoon, we visit Fort Huachuca, bringing a picnic lunch from Sierra Vista. A stop in either Garden or Huachuca canyon will provide more opportunities to see such species as Dusky-capped and Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers, Hepatic Tanagers, Painted Redstarts, and, if we’re very lucky, Montezuma Quail. Butterflies are often numerous and special dragonflies and damselflies here include Apache Spiketails, Neon Skimmers, Sierra Madre Dancers and the gaudy Painted Damsels.
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Fort Huachuca, constructed in 1877, was one of a chain of forts established to guard southern Arizona against the Chiricahua Apaches, led by Geronimo. The fort was also the headquarters of the famed 10th Cavalry, the "Buffalo Soldiers," one of the Army's elite black cavalry corps. Today the fort is still an active Army post specializing in Military Intelligence training. It covers more than 70,000 acres, 110 of which are the "Old Post Area." As time and interest dictate, we may visit the fort’s historic district that contains many notable buildings. Among these are the Pershing House, an adobe structure built in 1884 and traditionally the Post Commander's quarters; the "Old Post" Barracks, built c. 1882-1883; Leonard Wood Hall, a large two-storied building used as the hospital; and the Fort Huachuca Historical Museum, an adobe and stone building originally used as the post chapel. Tonight’s dinner will be at your leisure.
Accommodations at Casa de San Pedro, Hereford (B ,L)
Sat., Aug. 14 Carr, Ash, & Ramsey Canyons
After a delicious (some say outrageous!) breakfast at Casa de San Pedro, we head out to upper Carr Canyon, driving switchbacks up a mountain road to search for the birds of the high pine forest. Here we may find Steller’s Jays, Hairy Woodpeckers, Greater Pewees, Buff-breasted Flycatchers (extremely local in the U.S.), Hutton’s Vireos, Black-throated Gray, Olive and Grace’s Warblers, Yellow-eyed Juncos, and—with luck—a Northern Goshawk. Beautiful Ponderosa Pines dominate our trail, which is punctuated by exhibits about the silver mines run here over 100 years ago on a geologically dramatic cliff known as “The Reef.”.
Descending Carr Canyon, we continue on to feeders at the Ash Canyon Bed & Breakfast, a delightful spot where (from comfortable chairs) we hope to see Lucifer Hummingbirds, as well as more regular Anna’s, Black-chinned, and 
possibly migrant Rufous Hummingbirds. Acorn, Ladder-backed, and Arizona Woodpeckers, Mexican Jay, White-winged Dove, and up to three species of orioles (including Scott’s Orioles) are all expected at the feeders. Bob lives just down the road and we’ll visit his yard that has produced over 100 species of butterflies and nearly 160 species of birds (including 11 kinds of hummingbirds).
After a restaurant lunch, we’ll visit the Nature Conservancy Preserve at Ramsey Canyon—one of the first well-known birding sites in SE Arizona. Here, Ramsey Creek descends through oak woodlands, its banks lined with massive Arizona Sycamores—the favored nesting trees of Elegant Trogons. We also hope to see Wild Turkeys, Painted 
Redstarts, Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers, Black-throated Gray and other warblers, and a variety of colorful hummingbirds at close range. Walk the trails, browse the book store and gift shop, or park yourself under a tall, bending sycamore to wait for the birds to come to you! Butterflies occur here in abundance, as do a number of reptiles, amphibians, and dragonflies. This evening’s dinner will be at the Casa de San Pedro.
Accommodations at Casa de San Pedro, Hereford (B, L, D)
Sun., Aug. 15 Departures from Tucson (B)
After our final breakfast and a bit of feeder watching at the Casa de San Pedro, we’ll drive to Tucson International Airport for departing flights.
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PLAN AHEAD!
Protect yourself with Access America Travel Insurance.
Offset your Carbon Footprint. Show us the receipt and we'll take 50% - up to $50.00 - of your carbon offset fee off your final payment.
Your guide for the journey will be Bob Behrstock.
Tour
Cost and Travel Arrangements
Cost of the journey is $1850.00 from Tucson, based on double occupancy. This cost includes all accommodations, meals as specified in the itinerary, professional guide services, other park and program entrance fees, and miscellaneous program expenses.
Tour cost does not include: round-trip transportation from your home city to Tucson, optional activities or items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone charges, house cleaners, gratuities, or beverages from the bar.
Single supplement is $390.00
Group Size: Maximum of 14, minimum of 4. Tour price is based on 8 persons,
with fewer than 8 a small group surcharge (typically $100-$300) may apply.
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS: Plan to arrive in Tucson, Arizona on Monday, August 9 no later than 1:00 PM. Please plan your departing flights for after NOON on Sunday, August 15.
Naturalist Journeys, LLC is an equal opportunity service provider and committed to the goal of ensuring equal opportunity for all in employment and program delivery.
Photo Credits:
Casa de San Pedro (Casa de San Pedro); Flame colored Tanager, White-eared Hummingbird, Mexican Jay and Tree of Birds, Greg Smith; Roadrunner, Evelyn Earlougher; Zone-tailed Hawk, Scott's Oriole and Vermilion Flycatcher, Tony Beck - www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony/; Large Orange Sulphur and Painted Damse, Bob Behrstock; all other photos, Peg Abbott.
Naturalist Journeys, LLC is a permittee of the Coronado National Forest. Naturalist Journeys, LLC is an equal opportunity service provider and committed to the goal of ensuring equal opportunity for all in employment and program delivery. |
