Winter
Birds of Prey
January 31 - February 3, 2008
Southeast
Arizona provides raptors with one of North America’s richest
wintering grounds, as well as a productive place to nest. Join us
for an in-depth seminar, in which local
raptor biologists illuminate
the lives of raptors of the region’s desert grasslands and neighboring
mountain ranges. Learn about the ecological factors that make this
diverse winter habitat a magnet for hawks, eagles, and falcons; discover
why the area boasts one of the most varied and dense raptor populations
found anywhere.
Seminars
provide extensive field time observing raptors’ behavior, habitat,
ecology, and food sources. Field time is complemented by slide shows
and hands-on sessions with research specimens to study plumage
variation. Identifying raptors can be quite confusing –
learn new skills from an expert.
From our lodgings
at the Casa de San Pedro, an enchanting Southwestern inn south of
Tucson, we spend the days driving back roads, hiking gentle canyons,
and walking along desert washes frequented by raptors. We also spend
time where raptors’ prey congregate, including wetlands, agricultural
fields, native riparian and grassland habitats, and even local feeders
that attract prey species.
On
the first day, we explore the valley of the San Pedro River. This
riparian area and the surrounding grasslands boast hundreds of bird
species, including many raptors. The second day, we head north to
the Sulphur Springs Valley; here, in addition to Northern Harrier,
Ferruginous and possibly Rough-legged Hawk, we have a chance to watch
thousands of wintering Sandhill Cranes, shorebirds, and waders at
the APCOA ponds and surrounding agricultural fields.
The final two
days we visit a variety of key raptor habitats in southeastern Arizona’s
mountain ranges, including Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains
and Fort Huachuca and Scheelite Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains.
This is a great short trip to combine with a personal vacation!
ITINERARY
Thursday
(Jan. 31): Arrivals / San Pedro Valley
Plan to be at Casa de San Pedro by 1:00 p.m. ready to head into the
field in our comfortable van. We start our exploration with an introduction
to local wintering and nesting habitats crucial to raptors: the San
Pedro River valley, the surrounding oak grasslands, and the Huachuca
Mountains. Our first outing is to an agricultural area close to the
Casa. Enjoy a welcome dinner catered at Casa de San Pedro, followed
by an introductory slide show on raptors.
Accommodations
at Casa de San Pedro, Hereford, AZ (D)
Friday (Feb.
1): Sulphur Springs Valley / Willcox Playa
After a delicious breakfast at the Casa, we head out – driving
through the old mining town of Bisbee and then north into the Sulphur
Springs Valley to the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Management Area. This
is a marvelous wintering haven for raptors, 
sparrows,
and Sandhill Cranes. After walking in and birding around the water
areas, we drive the extensive road system of this agricultural valley.
We examine how the condition of the local habitats – including
the invasion of exotic plant species – affects the availability
of food for prey species, and thus the raptors’ food supply.
Enjoy dinner tonight at one of our favorite restaurants, the Adobe,
specializing in creative Southwest cuisine.
Accommodations
at Casa San Pedro (B,L)
Saturday (Feb.
2): Cochise Stronghold / APCOA Ponds
We go north again today: first to look for raptors along the corridor
of the San Pedro River, 
and
then into the Dragoon Mountains. In this range, we take a leisurely
walk beneath the cliffs of Cochise Stronghold, home to nesting falcons
and possibly Golden Eagle. Enjoy a picnic lunch with birding in the
oaks, and afterwards we visit the wetlands of APCOA PONDS, a marvelous
roosting area for Sandhill Cranes. After a full day, return via the
productive raptor viewing roads of the Sulphur Springs Valley to relax
at a final catered dinner at Casa de San Pedro.
Accommodations
at Casa San Pedro (B,L,D)
Sunday (Feb.
3): Fort Huachuca / Scheelite Canyon / Departures
This
morning, we venture into the Huachuca Mountains and the grasslands
and canyons of Fort Huachuca, where Aplomado Falcons nested 100 years
ago. Learn more about pioneering ornithologists that were stationed
at the Fort in its early days. Today, the mountain/grassland interface
is a prime raptor wintering and nesting ground for Golden Eagle, Northern
Goshawk and more.
Our final venture is a walk up Scheelite Canyon, a beautiful north-facing
canyon of the Huachucas, steep but well worth it if we find the Mexican
Spotted Owl. We know many of this faithful pairs 
roosting
sites, but one never knows just where they may be. Learn more about
research and conservation efforts sponsored by Fort Huachuca. Enjoy
a final picnic lunch before departing by 2:00 p.m. (or, for those
flying, whatever afternoon time we need to coordinate with the shuttle
to Tucson). (B,L)
Located south of Sierra Vista on the San Pedro River, Casa de San
Pedro is a nationally acclaimed bed- and-breakfast 90 miles from Tucson.
Guests have labeled it the most upscale B&B in southeastern Arizona
(www.bedandbirds.com).
We think it’s the ideal location for a learning vacation! (B,L;
other meals on plane)
Cost
of the Journey
Cost of the journey is $975.00 from Sierra Vista.
This cost is based on double occupancy and includes: transportation
during the journey, all accommodations, all meals as specified
in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), professional
guide services, park and other entrance fees, and miscellaneous
program expenses.
Cost
does not include: roundtrip airfare to and Tucson or Sierra
Vista, items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone,
or drinks from the bar; or gratuities for porterage or personal
services. With fewer than 8 participants, a small-group surcharge
(typically $100-300 per participant) may apply. Single supplement
is $195.00.
Travel
Planning
You
are responsible for planning your arrival to and departure
from Sierra Vista, Arizona. Many of our participants drive,
but or those arriving by air, there is a shuttle to Sierra
Vista from the Tucson airport (additional cost). There is
also flight service now into Sierra Vista on Great Lakes Airlines.
And in the past, some of our participants have been willing
to carpool from Phoenix or Tucson; we are happy to facilitate
communication on this closer to departure. Please plan to
arrive by 1:00 PM on Jan. 31 if at all possible. Plan departures
for 1:00 PM and later on Feb. 3.
Photo Credits:
Great Horned Owl and Rough-legged Hawk, Tony Beck - to see
more of his images, go to: www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony/;
Casa de San Pedro (Casa de San Pedro); Lone Bald Eagle, C.
Wheeler McDougal, Jr; all other photos by Peg Abbott.
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