Join us in November for an Arizona birding and nature tour, a gorgeous time to explore Arizona’s saguaro deserts. Temperatures are typically perfect and light is ideal for photography. Birds abound as wintering species arrive to join residents such as Greater Roadrunner, Vermilion Flycatcher, Verdin, Gambel’s Quail, Pyrrhuloxia, and Phainopepla. Every year rarities occur in Tucson’s tree-lined parks or outlying pecan groves where in many years Lewis’ Woodpecker can be found.

This Arizona birding tour starts and ends in Tucson, a delightful, multicultural city recognized for its local cuisine. Indulge in warm desert days among saguaros as we walk trails in Saguaro National and Catalina State Parks with fine views of the surrounding Sky Island Mountain ranges. Visit desert botanical gardens that hummingbirds frequent and the famed Sonoran Desert Museum. Northwest of the city, visit Santa Cruz Flats, where big agricultural fields create a winter birding hotspot with habitats ranging from turf farms to ponds and fields. We search for Yellow-headed Blackbird, Ferruginous Hawk, and Crested Caracara. One section of the flats is a reliable spot to find three species of thrashers: Curve-billed, Bendire’s, and with some luck, Le Conte’s.

Enjoy three nights in Tucson on this Southeast Arizona birding tour followed by two nights along the Santa Cruz River south of the city in view of the Santa Rita Mountains. At Madera and Montosa Canyons, Elegant Trogon may overwinter, feeding on fruits and on warm days, large insects. Trails near the artisan town of Tubac are ideal for natural history exploring. This tour make a nice short getaway, or pairs perfectly with our Arizona Fall Sampler that ventures to Patagonia, the Huachuca Mountains near Sierra Vista, the San Pedro River, and Sulphur Springs Valley.

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"This was a wonderful trip with great guides, great food, and great lodgings." — Ellen Adams

Tour Highlights

  • Explore stunning Saguaro National Park, where, on quiet roads and trails through dramatic cactus forests, we seek out Gilded Flicker, Gila Woodpecker, Gambel’s Quail, Harris’s Hawk, and other desert-associated species
  • Learn about the geology and biodiversity of the saguaro desert while soaking in some southwestern sunshine
  • Tally sightings of raptors, hummingbirds, wintering sparrows, and longspurs and desert mammals such as Javelina and Black-tailed Jackrabbit
  • Dine in fun, local restaurants that feature a mix of borderland and bistro-style international cuisine
  • Enjoy photography—our guides lend tips as we travel and site various birds and wildlife
  • Seek out that elusive Le Conte’s Thrasher!
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Trip Itinerary

Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary may occur to account for weather, road conditions, closures, etc. and to maximize your experience.

Mon., Nov. 11: Arrive in Tucson | Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum | Local Cuisine

Tucson is surrounded by picturesque mountains. After a mid-day meet-up at the airport, we wind through them to visit the world renowned Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum, a wonderful introduction to the rich natural history of the area. Its aviary lets you see species up close and personal, and mammals are displayed in open-air habitat zones with plants of the region. Wild species, such as Costa’s and Anna’s Hummingbird, are attracted to the lush vegetation, so have your binoculars handy! There should be shrubs still in bloom and butterflies feeding at them as well.

Following our visit to the museum, we take a scenic drive to our hotel over Gate’s Pass to check into our lodgings in the center of Tucson and enjoy dinner at a nearby favorite local restaurant.
Accommodations at Lodge on the Desert (D)

Tues., Nov. 12: Catalina State Park | Tohono Chul Park | EL Rio Preserve 

We start the morning off with breakfast at a local favorite, then it's off to indulge in another immersion into the Saguaro Cactus forests so unique to this area. Catalina State Park has some lovely trails, and brushy habitat prized by Rufous-winged Sparrow. Views of the Catalina Mountains are stunning here.

After a morning at the base of Mount Lemmon, we head over to a delightful botanical garden not far away. Tohono Chul has an excellent café where we enjoy lunch with the hummingbirds and a walk to see what plants are still in bloom, and the birds and butterflies attracted to them. Tohono Chul boasts thousands of native and native-adapted plants on their grounds. 

Once leaving Tohono Chul Park we will work our way along the Santa Cruz River, to a newly formed spot, quickly turning into a favorite among wintering waterfowl, El Rio Preserve. In just a few short years this new park has quickly become a favorite wintering spot for many ducks, including Mexican Duck and Cinnamon Teal. After a stop at El Rio, time permitting, we take a drive through the agriculture fields of Marana to look for Burrowing Owl, Ferruginous Hawk, and other frequenters to the farm fields

Freshen up at the hotel, then enjoy dinner at another favorite local restaurant.
Accommodations at Lodge on the Desert (B,L,D)

Wed., Nov. 13: Sweetwater Wetlands | Saguaro NP West| Tucson Local Parks

Sweetwater Wetlands, one of Tucson’s many birding hotspots, will be first on the docket after breakfast on our second full day. Harris’s Hawk rest in tall eucalyptus trees, while Song Sparrow and Abert’s Towhee hide in thick stands of salt brush. Ducks float past cattails and willows as Red-winged, Yellow-headed, and Brewer’s Blackbird are on the wing. One year, we had a surprise glimpse of a Bobcat on the prowl! This wetlands is a true treasure in the heart of Tucson and 4th on the list of hotspots with the most species in Arizona! 

After a nice moring at Sweetwater Wetlands we make our way out west to Saguaro National Park, a 90,000-acre wilderness preserve teeming with desert life. The park is home to Vermilion Flycatcher, Gilded Flicker, Gila Woodpecker, Rufous-winged and Black-throated Sparrow, Curve-billed Thrasher, and a host of other species. Greater Roadrunner may zip past us, chasing lizards! After a couple of short walks and an informative drive, we leave the park on its southern side. 

Returning to Tucson for a nice evening stroll before dinner at a wonderful park near the hotel. Reid Park, an area of 131 acres, the foundation of which was laid in 1925, is another local favorite, and one of the best places in town to photograph Vermilion Flycatchers; these park birds love the open grassfields of the park.

Accommodations at Lodge on the Desert (B,L,D)

Thurs., Nov. 14: San Xavier del Bac | Madera Canyon

Today is a small travel day starting with breakfast at another local favorite before we make a stop at the beautiful San Xavier del Bac mission church for photos and to learn about the Tohono O’odham people. A National Historic Landmark, completed in 1797, San Xavier Mission has been a stopover for humans traveling the Santa Cruz Corridor for centuries.

Weather pending, we have a picnic, or a local restaurant lunch, then spend the afternoon in Madera Canyon’s oak-pine woodland and the grasslands that surround it. Scenery is dramatic here, and birding can be excellent. Madera Canyon, one of the most famous birding areas in the United States, is a north-facing valley in the Santa Rita Mountains with riparian woodlands along an intermittent stream, bordered by mesquite, juniper-oak woodlands, and pine forests. Madera Canyon is home to over 250 species of birds and, in berry years, a good spot to find wintering Elegant Trogon and possibly wintering Painted Redstart. Arizona Gray Squirrel can be found here, and Black-tailed Jackrabbit occur in the grasslands surrounding the peaks. Acorn Woodpecker call from their food-storage trees and Arizona Woodpecker may visit local feeders to join the array of hummingbirds. We may also see Common Bushtit and Hutton’s Vireo, and we’ll certainly see Mexican Jay. Depending on what we find here, we may also venture along Proctor Road, another productive birding hotspot.

In the afternoon we settle into our lodgings and enjoy dinner at the nearby favorite. 

Accommodations at Tubac Golf Resort & Spa (B,L,D)

Fri., Nov. 15: Montosa Canyon | Tubac | Tumacacori | Local Hotspots

The corridor south of Tucson is legendary for winter birding, with much of it centered on the Santa Cruz River. A trail connects the artisan village of Tubac to the historic site of Tumacacori National Monument, and birding can be excellent here. Montosa Canyon is good for a variety of species and known as a favorite wintering location for Elegant Trogon that do not migrate south.

We visit Montosa in the morning, then walk along the Santa Cruz River in a couple of different spots to make the most of our day. We network with other guides to know the latest sightings and have a fun and full day.

Dinner is at a favorite restaurant in Tubac.

Accommodations at Tubac Golf Resort & Spa (B,L,D)

Sat., Nov. 16: Paton Center | Patagonia 

Our first stop is a treat–Patagonia Lake–the #1 birding hotspot in Arizona. Nowhere in the state has recorded more species than Patagonia Lake. The Birding Trail will be a fantastic first stop on this exciting day. Black-capped Gnatcatchers have been known to favor this area. Canyon and Green-tailed Towhees also like to frequent this trail full of towering cottonwood and ash trees. We will then spend some time scanning the lake for Western Grebes as we watch the Northern Pintails fly in.

Once we leave Patagonia Lake, the prime birding is not yet behind us. After lunch in the town of Patagonia, we visit the Tucson Audubon Society’s Paton Center for Hummingbirds. Formerly the home of the late Wally and Marion Paton, who invited visitors to their backyard feeders for decades, the property was purchased in 2015 by the Tucson Audubon Society to protect it for posterity. In addition to their usually reliable Violet-crowned Hummingbird, 210+ other species have been recorded onsite.

Leaving Paton Center is always one of the hardest things to do in birding; it's just such a special place and it's easy to find yourself wanting to just sit in the gardens until the sun is long gone. We will start to make our way back to Tubac so we can freshen up for our last dinner before the tour departs the next day.

Accommodations at Tubac Golf Resort & Spa (B,L,D)

Sun., Nov. 17: Canoa Pond | Return to Tucson

Our flock disperses today. After breakfast, we pack up and head out to enjoy some local birding at a pond at Canoa Ranch, a birding spot on our route that can be quite productive. We then head to the airport, reaching there by 10:30 AM for flights out after NOON.

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Sunrise in Tucson

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Elegant Trogon by Homer Gardin

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Vermillion Flycatcher

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Santa Catalina Mountains

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Curve-billed Thrasher

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Birding Arizona by Homer Gardin

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Western Meadowlark by Hugh Simmons

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Prickly Pear

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Broad-billed Hummingbird by Hugh Simmons

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Tucson, Arizona

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Painted Redstart by Hugh Simmons

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Bobcat

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Tucson, Arizona

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Loggerhead Shrike

Cost of the Journey

Cost of the Journey is $3090 DBL / $3660 SGL based on double occupancy from Tucson, AZ. The tour price includes airport transfers, 5 nights’ accommodation, ground transportation in vans, professional guide services, park and other entrance fees, and miscellaneous program expenses. The tour price does not include round-trip airfare to and from Tucson, personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, drinks from the bar, and gratuities for luggage handling or other services. Guide gratuities are at your discretion.

Travel Details

Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed.

Arrival and Departure Airport: Tucson International Airport (TUS)
Arrival Details: Please plan to arrive November 11, 2024 no later than 1:00 PM
Departure Details: Please plan November 16 flights to leave after 12:00 PM. We plan to arrive at the Tucson International Airport (TUS) by 10:30 AM. If you wish to extend your stay in Tucson, we have listed hotel recommendations below or plan accordingly on your own.

Travel Tip: If you want to arrive a day or two early or stay on after the tour, Tucson is a great city to explore. The world-renowned Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a fun place to spend part of a day with a zoo, natural history museum, and botanical gardens all in one location. Tohono Chul Botanical Gardens offers easy nature trails through a variety of gardens and Saguaro National Park is a great place to visit for scenery, hiking, and to see the iconic saguaro cactus. The downtown area, which is close to the University of Arizona campus, offers many restaurants and shops. Downtown Tucson is about 8 miles from the airport and can be reached by a taxi, Uber/Lyft, or renting a car. You will need to return to the airport by 1 PM on January 10 if you are not staying at an airport hotel.

Hotel Recommendations: If you want to relax and stay near the airport after arrival (we can pick you up at these hotels), we recommend: La Quinta Inn Tucson Airport (520) 573-3333 Courtyard by Marriott Tucson Airport (520) 573-0000 Does staying downtown and exploring the many shops and restaurants sound interesting? We would recommend: Home 2 Suites by Hilton (520) 274-7400 The Leo Kent Hotel by Marriott (520) 549-5330 If you have a rental vehicle and plan on visiting Tohono Chul, a great hotel in that area is La Posada. There are many restaurants in this area as well. La Posada Lodge & Casitas (520) 492-6637.

Items of Note

Tour Notes & Pace
PACE: Moderate, with full days of birding and walks on quiet roads and trails. A typical walk is less than two miles and often we have a series of walks at different spots that are a half-mile each, several times a day. DINING: Casual, a mix of local restaurants and both restaurant and picnic lunches.

Browse below for trip reports and species lists from past versions of this and other tours from this destination.

Arizona

Monsoon Madness

Sunshine & Saguaros

  • Troy Corman

    Troy has been an avid birder since high school. Raised in rural south-central Pennsylvania, he moved to Arizona in 1980 to pursue higher education and new adventures. For several years he conducted wildlife inventories on the upper San Pedro River for the Bureau of Land Management. He has worked for the nongame Branch of the Arizona Game and Fish Department since 1990, conducting surveys and coordinating projects for species of concern. He coordinated the Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas project from its inception. His passion for birds has taken him as far away as Peru and East Africa, and he plans to increase his world travels.

    Other trips with Troy Corman

Map for Arizona: Sunshine & Saguaros

Essential Information +

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have Read more

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have the best experience possible. If you only read one section, this one is key!

Ahead of Your Tour

  • Please talk with your doctor about general health needs. It is a good idea to consult with your doctor about general vaccinations recommended for travel.
  • Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed. After you make travel reservations, please send a copy of your travel itinerary to the Naturalist Journeys office at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com.
  • Travel insurance in case of serious medical emergency is recommended. Full health coverage and repatriation is available through Allianz Travel Insurance.
  • Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Remember to pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay.

Health Information

We will share a copy of your health and emergency contact information with your guide. This information will be kept confidential but is very important in case of a medical emergency. In addition to bringing any prescription medications with you, we recommend that you have a copy of the prescriptions in case of loss.

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.  

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Food & Drink

We carry water and juices/cold drinks in the cooler each day, and sodas if people like them. Please also plan on bringing and filling your water bottle for hiking each day. We try to use as few plastics as possible!

Packing, Clothing & Laundry

Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Please pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay.

Dress is informal and is casual even at restaurants. Layering is a great way to stay comfortable. Protective clothing is essential, whether it be from sun, rain, cold, insects, or vegetation. You need closed toe shoes, and wear comfortable walking shoes with good tread. Hiking boots with good support for hiking and on rocky terrain can work well.

Spending Money

Many people ask how much to plan to bring as spending money. Part of that depends on how much you want to shop. Most shops will take VISA and MasterCard or American Express. Typical items people purchase include local souvenirs and T-shirts, caps, and natural history books.  You may want to bring cash for drinks with dinner (if available) or smaller local purchases.

Gratuities

Expect the normal tipping protocol to apply for hotel maids and bar service. If at the end of the tour, you would like to show your appreciation to your guides, tipping is entirely appropriate but at your discretion. We hope that you will be pleased with all professional services. Gratuities for group meals are included. For your birding tour guide, we suggest $10-$15 per day per guest. Note that if there is more than one guide, this amount can be split among them.

Cell Phones & Internet Service

Wi-Fi and cell phone service are available in most US destinations, although there are some exceptions in remote locations. Wi-Fi is generally provided in all hotels, lodges, and restaurants you visit, at least in public areas. Please refrain from taking or making cell phone calls in the vehicles when traveling with other passengers unless it appears to be an emergency as this disrupts other guests – please plan cell phone calls on your own time.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

For this tour, your guides will drive travelers in either full-size or mini-vans or a combination of those two. We ask all attendees to please rotate your seating, so you ride with different drivers and alternate between front and back seats.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives permission to record photos and/or video of your participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochures, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.

 

Packing List +

Please Pack Light! Soft luggage is much easier for us to pack than a more rigid Read more

Please Pack Light!

Soft luggage is much easier for us to pack than a more rigid hard sided piece, so if you have the choice, please use your soft luggage  Be sure to have your name and address on the inside of the bag, as well as on the luggage tag on the handle. It is our hope that you can pack in one checked suitcase that does not exceed 45 pounds. Be sure to pack your personal medication, airline tickets, passport, binoculars, camera, and other essential items in your carry-on bag. You will want a day pack for field trips, so this is an ideal carry-on. Please reconfirm your airline’s baggage weight and size restrictions about a week or so before departure.

In general, the weather should vary from warm to cool, with highs  to 80° and lows dipping down to the low 40s°F, sometimes even below freezing. We suggest packing a jacket and layers. Check your favorite weather website closer to your departure to better predict what the weather will be on your adventure.

Dress is comfortable and informal throughout the trip. Dressing in layers is the best way to be comfortable. Lightweight long-sleeved shirts and long pants make ideal field clothing as they are more protective from sun and vegetation. But if you like to wear them, by all means bring some shorts. Also, choose clothing you don’t mind getting dirty or muddy and things that are comfortable and easy. Note on clothing colors: We recommend muted colors of tan, brown, khaki, grey or green, as they are spotted less easily than white or bright colors, though camouflage clothing is not recommended.

Clothing & Gear

  • Long pants, 2 pairs
  • Shorts (1 pair or use a pair of zip-offs that give you both short and long)
  • Long-sleeved shirts (2)
  • T-shirts or equivalent (remember you may be buying some there anyway)
  • Lightweight raincoat or poncho (rain not likely, but possible)
  • Windbreaker type jacket (can be same as above)
  • Personal underclothing
  • Socks, long enough to tuck in your pants – lightweight and easy to wash and dry
  • Comfortable walking shoes and lightweight hiking boots – good tread is essential!
  • Light to medium weight jacket
  • Fleece sweater or a sweatshirt
  • Hat with broad brim
  • Gloves, warm hat, scarf for mornings and evenings
  • Comfortable clothes for evening (a cleaner version of your field cloths or a skirt, etc.)

Equipment & Miscellaneous

  • Airline ticket
  • Photo identification
  • Toiletry articles
  • Small daypack or fanny pack for carrying your field gear
  • Walking stick (optional but recommended if you usually use sticks when hiking)
  • Water bottle (or plan to refill one bought on location)
  • Alarm clock (if you use your phone, be sure to turn off data roaming)
  • Sunscreen/lip balm
  • Gel bandana for cooling (optional)
  • Sunglasses with neck strap
  • Umbrella, compact and not brightly colored (optional, but useful for protection from rain if not windy)
  • Small flashlight or headlamp with fresh batteries
  • Binoculars (a clear shower cap works well to keep off rain and mist)
  • Camera and extra batteries, battery chargers, film or digital chips, lens cleaning supplies and your instruction manual (optional)
  • Spotting scope and tripod (optional, guide will have one)
  • Notebook or journal and pen (optional)
  • Field guides (optional)
  • Earplugs (optional) 
  • Portable packages of facial tissues
  • Laundry soap if you plan to do hand washing
  • Small bottle of antibacterial soap
  • Rechargeable power bank (optional)

 

WE DO NOT RECOMMEND TRAVELING WITH PRECIOUS OR VALUABLE JEWELRY – don’t tempt anyone and don’t bring things you’d regret losing, and your mind will be at ease!

Medical & First Aid Items

  • Personal medication
  • Motion sickness preventatives if likely to be needed on bus, van, drives, etc.
  • Personal first aid kit and medications for general ailments (including tweezers for spines)
  • Copy of eyeglass prescription, medical prescriptions, vaccination records, and any medical alerts
  • Health insurance information
  • Extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts
  • Band-aids, moleskin to protect against blisters
  • Antibacterial soap in small container for quick handwashing

 

Suggested Reading List +

General Reading The Deserts of the Southwest: A Sierra Club Naturalist’s Guide Natural Environments of Arizona: From Read more

General Reading

The Deserts of the Southwest: A Sierra Club Naturalist’s Guide

Natural Environments of Arizona: From Desert to Mountains

Roadside Geology of Arizona

A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert

House in the Sun: A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert

Gathering the Desert

The Deserts of the Southwest: A Sierra Club Naturalist’s Guide

A Natural History of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Arizona; with an Introduction to the Madrean Sky Islands

Sonoran Desert Spring

Field Guides

National Audubon Society Sibley Guide to Birds

Field Guide to the Birds of North America

There are a number of other good bird field guides, bring that you are most used to using. Please note that your guide will have a full set of local identification guides for plants, reptiles and amphibians, mammals and butterflies.

General Birding

Hummingbirds of North America: The Photographic Guide

A Field Guide to Hummingbirds of North America

Lives of North American Birds

Pete Dunne’s Essential Field Guide Companion

Site Guides

A Birder’s Guide to Southeastern Arizona

Tucson Audubon’s Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona

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Useful Links +

Learn more about your destination at these external websites, carefully researched for you. Read more

General

Tucson

Tubac

Nature, Wildlife & Biology

Tucson Audubon Society

Birding Guides

Santa Cruz Flats Sightings List – eBird.org

Hummingbirds of Arizona

Sweetwater Wetlands hotspot

Reptiles and Amphibians

Mammals

Southeastern Arizona Wildflowers

Conservation, Parks & Reserves

About Sky Island Mountain Ranges

Sonoran Desert Museum

Pollinator Conservation

Tohono Chul Gardens

Saguaro National Park

Tucson Mountain Park

Catalina State Park

San Xavier del Bac

Madera Canyon

Tubac Nature Center

Tumacácori National Historical Park

Geology & Geography

Geology of Arizona and Coronado National Memorial Arizona

Geography of Arizona

History & Culture

Tucson & Southern Arizona

Helpful Travel Websites

Tucson International Airport

Homeland Security Real ID Act

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

ATM Locator

Date & Time


Photo credits: Banners: Tucson Mountain State Park Scenic (NJ Stock), Loggerhead Shrike (NJ Stock), Desert Flowers (NJ Stock), Tucson Scenic (Steve Wolfe), Acorn Woodpecker (Hugh Simmons) Thumbnails: Harris’ Hawk (Steve Wolfe), Broad-billed Hummingbird (NJ Stock), Albert’s Towhee (NJ Stock), Yellow-headed Blackbird (NJ Stock), Anna’s Hummingbird (NJ Stock), Crested Caracara (NJ Stock), Greater Roadrunner (NJ Stock), Gila Woodpecker (NJ Stock)

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