Join Naturalist Journeys for a fun, beginning birder trip to our beloved Southeast Arizona. This trip is designed to teach new birders not only some of the basics of the hobby, but also digs a little deeper on ID skills and the ethics of birding.

Our tour is based out of two beautiful hotels—the Lodge on the Desert in Tucson, and the Casa de San Pedro Bed and Breakfast in Hereford. These comfortable bases serve as excellent jumping off points for our group to explore some of Southeast Arizona’s most famous birding locations including Sweetwater Wetlands, Saguaro National Park, Madera and Santa Rita Canyons, Patagonia, Ramsey and Ash Canyons, and Whitewater Draw.

Each day has a dedicated lesson and objectives. Come ready to learn, enjoy excellent food and lodgings, and have fun with good camaraderie amongst like-minded birders. We’re excited to help you hone your new skill!

Tour Highlights

  • Spend time at the world-renowned Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum
  • Explore different famed canyons for plentiful hummingbirds, possible Coppery-tailed Trogon, overwintering warblers, and more
  • Stay in comfort at two well-known lodges, a real treat after days in the field
  • Witness winter migrants at Whitewater Draw, including Sandhill Cranes by the thousands

Trip Itinerary

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

Mon., Oct. 18      Arrive in Tucson | Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum | Local Cuisine

Lesson of the Day
Getting Started: How to watch birds and tools of the trade.

Tucson is surrounded by picturesque desert mountains. After a mid-day meet-up at the airport, we wind through these mountains  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 mammals are displayed in open-air habitat zones accentuated with native plants. Wild species such as Costa’s and Anna’s Hummingbirds are attracted to the lush vegetation, so have your binoculars handy! There should be shrubs still in bloom, which attract a number of feeding butterflies. 

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 favorite local restaurant.

Today’s objectives: Today we go over the basics of birding, including  the gear and tools we use, and how we use them. This is also a good time to cover proper birding etiquette, too. Topics we cover include:

  • Optics

  • Phone Apps

  • Proper field clothing

  • Home feeders

Accommodations at Lodge on the Desert (D) 

Tues., Oct. 19     Sweetwater Wetlands | Saguaro NP West | Tucson Local Parks

Lesson of the Day
Think like a Birder: How birders identify birds.

Sweetwater Wetlands, one of Tucson’s many birding hotspots, is first on the docket after breakfast today. 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 Blackbirds are on the wing. One year, we had a surprise glimpse of a Bobcat on the prowl! This wetland is a true treasure in the heart of Tucson and fourth on the list of hotspots for the most species in Arizona! 

After a nice morning at Sweetwater Wetlands we make our way 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 Sparrows, Curve-billed Thrasher, and a host of other species. Greater Roadrunner may zip past us chasing its next lizard snack. After a couple of short walks and an informative drive, we leave the park on its southern side. 

Returning to Tucson, we take an evening stroll before dinner at a wonderful park near the hotel. Reid Park comprises 131 acres and was established in 1925; this is a local favorite, and one of the best places in town to photograph the brightly hued Vermilion Flycatcher; these birds love the open grassfields of the park.

Today’s objectives: IDing birds. Good birders aren’t necessarily better at recognizing birds; they’re better at noticing clues. Sweetwater provides us with a great opportunity to explain the different methods we use to find and I.D. birds. How different habitats affect where we look, the changes in flora that we look for, and even how the topography of the area can determine where we look. A few of the topics we cover include:

  • The 5 Ss: Shape, Shade, Size, Sound, and Space. How to describe what you’re seeing.

  • Watching the birds behaviour Observation before identification.

  • Where to look. 

  • How to describe where you see a bird. 

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

Wed., Oct. 20      Madera & Santa Rita Canyons

Lesson of the Day
Habitat and the birds you can expect: Let the habitat narrow the possibilities.

Box, Montosa, and Florida Canyons are carved out of the Santa Rita Mountains. Recent sightings dictate where we start, but these lower elevation canyons could give us the chance to see Costa's, Broad-billed, and Anna’s Hummingbirds, Rock & Canyon Wren, Greater Roadrunner, and Rufous-crowned Sparrow.

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 woodland 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 fruitful berry years a good spot to find wintering Coppery-tailed 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 Bushtit and Hutton’s Vireo and we have a great chance to see Mexican Jay. Depending on what we find here, we may also venture to other nearby canyons.

Today’s objectives: How the bigger, broader habitats affect how and where we look for birds.  

The Santa Rita mountain range is a great example, as we zoom out, of how the bigger picture of habitat plays a role on how and where we look for birds. As we make our way into the mountains we see the stunning Sky Islands rise dramatically from the desert, revealing many different life zones from afar. Today we cover topics including: 

  • Life Zones: Where am I?

  • Topography: What does the land look like? 

  • Patches: Where are the birds likely to be right now?

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

Thurs., Oct. 21   Patagonia Lake & Hummingbirds |  San Pedro River

Lesson of the Day:
The Power of Bird Structure: Shape often tops color.

After a great breakfast at the resort, we pack up our gear and head towards the Huachuca Mountains and our next lodgings at the beloved Casa de San Pedro. We make this a full day, as we pass through prime birding areas along the way.

Our first stop is at Patagonia Lake, where the inlet to the lake occasionally shelters an overwintering Coppery-tailed Trogon. They like to feed on Giant Water Bugs! A variety of ducks and grebes may be on the water, and in the shrubby vegetation rimming the lake we can find wintering warblers, vireos, and gnatcatchers. 

Then it’s on to the hamlet of Patagonia. We enjoy lunch here at a favorite café and then check out what’s happening at feeders at Tucson Audubon’s Paton Center for Hummingbirds and other sites of interest. There is a nature trail winding through mesquite woodlands and riparian areas that connects to the local Nature Conservancy Reserve for those that wish to wander. Species we may see here include Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Rufous-winged Sparrow, Canyon and Abert’s Towhees, and Lazuli Bunting.

From here it’s about an hour and a half to our lodgings. Our wonderful hosts Patrick Dome and Karl Schmitt are waiting to greet us at the Casa de San Pedro. We save enough time to get settled into our room and have a nice evening stroll along the river before dinner. Tonight we talk about birding by ear. 

Today’s objectives: How bird topography is used in identification and the beginnings of “Gestalt.”

  • Bills

  • Tails

  • Wing shape

  • Posture

  • Silhouette

Accommodations Casa de San Pedro (B,L,D)

Fri., Oct. 22     Ramsey Canyon | San Pedro River | Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary

Lesson of the Day
Looking beyond color: Field marks and behavior. Good birders don’t necessarily know more birds—they simply notice more details.

The morning starts off with a wonderful Casa de San Pedro breakfast. After that, we head to The Nature Conservancy Preserve at Ramsey Canyon, one of the first well-known birding sites in Southeast Arizona. Here, Ramsey Creek descends through oak woodlands, its banks lined with massive, sculptured trunks of Arizona Sycamores. We hope to see some wintering warblers such as Townsend’s Warbler and Painted Redstart, Wild Turkey, Red-naped Sapsucker and Hutton’s Vireo. Hummingbird feeders may delight us with a sighting of Blue-throated Mountain-gem, the largest hummingbird species in the United States. Walk the trails, browse the bookstore and gift shop, or park yourself under a tall, bending sycamore to wait for the birds to come to you!  

After lunch we head down to the San Pedro House, a visitor center with walking trails on the San Pedro River. Here we search for birds of the cottonwood riparian areas, adjacent mesquite woodlands and grasslands—Northern Harrier, Loggerhead Shrike, American Kestrel, Lark Bunting, Lark Sparrow, Abert’s Towhee, and other species occur here. Some years a Western Screech Owl likes to sunbathe from his cottonwood-tree home. 

We enjoy our lunch with the birds at some local feeders, then continue to the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory’s Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary property to look for hummingbirds including Rivoli’s, Anna’s, and Broad-billed, as well as other specialties of the pine-oak woodlands. With luck, Arizona Woodpecker and Bridled Titmouse may join us. 

Today’s objectives: Today we put our studies to the test, but also take a deeper dive into field markings and behaviour. Feeders along the way today are a perfect classroom to work on studying different fieldmarks. As repeat birds come into the feeders it offers us a great opportunity for learning.

  • Observe before you identify

  • Start with the big picture—size, shape, bill, tail

  • Looking beyond color: Fieldmarks and behavior

  • Habitat

  • Put all the clues together 

Accommodations Casa de San Pedro (B,L,D)

Sat., Oct. 23      Whitewater Draw | Sulphur Springs Valley & Sandhill Cranes 

Lesson of the Day
Migration: Why are birds here today?

This morning, after a scrumptious Casa de San Pedro breakfast, we head out to Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area. Many of the wintering Sandhill Cranes have arrived (numbering some 35,000 birds in the Sulphur Springs Valley at the peak of winter!), and we look for them in ponds and in farm fields where they feed. Depending on water levels, Whitewater Draw may be one of the only local sites hosting shorebirds, and with luck we may see the area’s resident Great Horned and Barn Owls. The entire valley is a major wintering ground for raptors and some of the northern species like Ferruginous Hawk can be found here.

Midday, we have a box lunch at Whitewater Draw. From there we continue birding the Sulphur Valley. Agriculture fields can be a very productive form of birding, too. Dispersed throughout the many farm fields are patches of native habitat where we search for species such as Bendire’s Thrasher. Depending on time, we may have a chance to stop in historic Bisbee before returning to the Casa for a final celebratory dinner. 

Today’s objectives: Today we learn about migration and how seasons change the birds we see and hear. We also learn about how migrants can change the behaviors in the birds that stay year-round or alter the habitats we find them in. Topics we cover include:

  • Spring vs Fall Migration

  • Why do birds migrate?

  • How does this affect the previous lessons learned? 

It's our last evening together so we make sure we return with ample time to get packing done for our departure tomorrow. 

Accommodations Casa de San Pedro (B,L,D)

Sun., Oct. 24     Departures

After one final delicious breakfast at the Casa we make the drive back to Tucson for airport drop-offs. Please plan your flight after 12:30 PM. (B)

 

 

  • Casa de San Pedro entrance by Amelia Morrow

  • Cactus Wren by Hugh Simmons

  • Vermilion Flycatcher by Bryan Calk

  • Mexican Jay by Bryan Calk

  • Casa de San Pedro courtyard at night by Amelia Morrow

  • Greater Roadrunner by Hugh Simmons

  • Clark's Spiny Lizard by Bryan Calk

  • Sandhill Cranes by Bryan Calk

  • Costa's Hummingbird by Bryan Calk

  • Lodge on the Desert

  • Lodge on the Desert Deck

  • Whitewater Draw by Bryan Calk

  • Townsend's Warbler by Bryan Calk

  • Birding the grounds at Casa de San Pedro by Sandy Robinson

  • Acorn Woodpecker by Troy Corman

  • Saguaro National Park by Hugh Simmons

  • Broad-billed Hummingbird by Hugh Simmons

  • Painted Redstart by Bryan Calk

Cost of the Journey

Cost is per person, based on occupancy: $TBD DBL / $TBD SGL from Tucson, AZ.

The cost includes: accommodations for six nights, meals as specified in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch and D=dinner), professional guide services, park and program entrance fees and miscellaneous program expenses.

The cost does not include: round-trip airfare to and from Tucson, items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone, time in the photography blind if scheduled, drinks from the bar, or gratuities for luggage handling or personal services.

 

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 & Departure Airport: Tucson International Airport (TUS)

Arrival Information: Please plan flights to arrive by October 18, 2027 before 1:00 PM

Departure Information: Please plan your flight after 12:30 pm on October 24, 2027. 
If you wish to extend your stay in Tucson, you could use the below hotel recommendations or plan accordingly on your own.

Hotel Recommendations: IIf you want to relax and stay near the airport after arrival (we can pick you up at these hotels), we recommend: La Quinta Inn & Suites Tucson Airport (520) 573-3333. Does staying downtown and exploring the many shops and restaurants sound interesting? We would recommend: Home 2 Suites by Hilton (520) 274-7400 and 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

Travel Tip: If you want to arrive a day or two early, 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 November 3 if you are not staying at an airport hotel.

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

Arizona

Monsoon Madness

Sunshine & Saguaros

  • Scott Huber

    Scott’s passion for the outdoors and wildlife has provided him with a wide range of experiences in the field, beginning with songbird and owl surveys, as well as mammal and amphibian surveys. In 2007 Scott began leading birding tours in the western U.S., starting in his home state of California and subsequently in Arizona, Texas, Utah and parts of two summers in Alaska. In 2011 he became the Outdoor Education Coordinator for California State University Chico’s Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve. Scott began five years of guiding wildlife tours in Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks in 2020. In 2025, Scott and his wife built a home in Portal, Arizona, at the mouth of magical Cave Creek Canyon, where he leads day birding trips. Scott has written two novels, one dealing with the gray wolves of Yellowstone and one about border-crossing jaguars.

    Other trips with Scott Huber

  • Barbara Jording

    Barb’s passion for birds started early; in grade school she spent hours leafing through her mother’s Birds of America, making lists of birds according to color. A family trip to Europe at age 12 opened the world to her. She returned to Switzerland as an exchange student in high school and in college guided student tours with the Experiment in International Living.

    Barb volunteered with Golden Gate Raptor Observatory trapping and banding raptors for 5 years and has participated in many Christmas Bird Counts. After 25 years as a small business owner, Barb sold out and with her partner Liz, spent the following 5 years work-camping in their RV, crisscrossing the US and Canada exploring National Parks and Monuments, choosing destinations according to migration, connecting with nature, people and history.

    Not yet ready to retire, in 2016 Barb prepared for a new career as a Certified RV Technician which led to touring contracts with an exclusive, small RV Caravan company. Several tours to Alaska and the Grand Circle of the Southwest were the perfect opportunity to feed the travel bug and share nature, culture, history and local cuisine with guests.

    Dual addictions to travel and birding have guided Barb’s journeys through Europe, South and Central America, Mexico, Canada, and every US state. Always with a pair of binoculars handy! Barb looks forward to each opportunity to share the excitement and joy of these passions with our guests here at Naturalist Journeys.

    Other trips with Barbara Jording

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.
  • Real ID is required as of May 2025 for U.S. citizens on domestic flights who are not carrying a valid passport.

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.

Many of our accommodations provide a laundry service for a fee. However, consider packing laundry soap sheets in case you need to hand launder in a pinch.

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 at (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! Luggage: Soft-sided luggage is much easier for us to pack in vehicles or Read more

Please pack light!

Luggage: Soft-sided luggage is much easier for us to pack in vehicles or charter aircraft than a more rigid hard sided piece, so if you have the choice, please use your soft-sided 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 bag that does not exceed 50 pounds. Please reconfirm your airline’s baggage weight and size restrictions about a week or so before departure.

Lost luggage:  Imagine NOT getting your checked bags upon arrival. Therefore, DO NOT pack any essential medications, vital optics (binoculars, camera, eye-glasses), or essential travel documents in your checked luggage! Pack these and other essential items in your carry-on bag and on your person (i.e. under-garment pouch). You will want a day pack for field trips, so this makes an ideal carry-on. Another suggested tip is to travel wearing your most important shoes for the field and have one day’s clothing change (including a change of underwear!).

Expected weather: Pack clothing that is appropriate for the anticipated temperatures and conditions.  In general, the weather should be mostly chilly, with highs in the low-60°s and lows sometimes dipping down to the low 30°s or even 20°s.  We suggest packing a medium/heavy jacket and layers. Check your favorite weather website like, www.weather.com, closer to your departure to better predict what the weather will be on your adventure. You may also visit https://www.climatestotravel.com for more regional information by month.

Dress: Plan to dress comfortable and informal throughout the trip. Dressing in lightweight layers is the best way to provide options to get you through a day of varying weather and temperatures comfortably. Lightweight long sleeve shirts and long pants make ideal field clothing as they are more protective from sun, vegetation and pests. Also, choose clothing you don’t mind getting dirty or muddy and things that are loose-fitting, comfortable, and easy to layer and launder. Quick-dry fabrics are ideal.  A lightweight and waterproof outer layer is essential as well as comfortable hiking footwear. It is important to have a warm jacket if the tour includes higher elevations.

Treating your clothing to better protect you from insects: It is possible to purchase Permethrin spray (online or from REI) to treat your field clothing and socks before your departure. Another approach is to purchase field clothing permeated with insect repellent such as the Craghoppers Insect Shield collection.

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.

Valuables: 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!

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)
  • Hat with broad brim
  • 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!
  • Medium to heavy weight jacket
  • Warm fleece/sweater/sweatshirt
  • Gloves, warm hat, scarf for mornings and evenings
  • Comfortable clothes for evening (a cleaner version of your field cloths or a skirt, etc.)
  • Field vest (optional), a great source is Big Pockets

Equipment & Miscellaneous

  • Airline tickets or E-ticket verification
  • Real ID required as of May 2025 for U.S. citizens on domestic flights who are not carrying a valid passport.
  • Cell phone and charger
  • 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)
  • 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
  • Toiletry articles
  • Gel bandana for cooling (optional)
  • Sunglasses with neck strap
  • Insect repellent
  • Sulphur powder for possible chiggers (found at garden store)
  • Umbrella, compact and not brightly colored (optional, but useful for protection from rain if not windy)
  • Small flashlight or headlamp with fresh batteries
  • 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)
  • A collapsible airplane footrest (such as an inflatable, foldable, or hammock type) may help make longer flights more comfortable. Some airlines may have restrictions, so confirm with your airline which types are allowed and where they may be not allowed, i.e. bulkhead or exit rows (optional)

Medical & First Aid Items

  • Health insurance and vaccination information (kept in personal pouch with other travel documents)
  • Personal Rx medications (in their original labeled prescription packaging)
  • Epi-pen if needed for allergic reactions (include prescription label)
  • Anti-malarial prophylactics and antibiotic prescription in case of infection, if recommended for this destination, prescribed by your physician
  • Altitude illness meds (such as Diamox) if likely to be needed
  • Motion sickness preventatives if likely to be needed on bus, van, drives, etc.
  • Personal first aid kit and medications for general ailments, colds and stomach ailments, etc.
  • Foot powder, lotions, general “comfort” items
  • Hydrocortisone cream to ease itching from insect bites
  • Band-Aids, moleskin to protect against blisters
  • Antibacterial and/or hygienic cleansing wipes
  • Copy of eyeglass prescription, medical prescriptions, and any medical alerts
  • Extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts (with plenty of wetting and cleaning solution)

 

Suggested Reading List +

On your trip, you will find there is a good selection of books available for Read more

On your trip, you will find there is a good selection of books available for sale at visitors’ centers, and your guide will also have a selection of reference books and materials for participants to share. However, we have created a list below to get you started!  

Top Picks

Field Guide to the Birds of Western North America

Merlin App. A phone-based birding app from Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology. Download it for free here.

General Reading

Mountain Islands and Desert Seas:  A Natural History of the U.S./Mexico Borderlands

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

Natural Environments of Arizona: From Desert to Mountains

Roadside Geology of Arizona

Field Guides

A Birder's Guide to Southeastern Arizona

The Sibley Guide to Birds

Hummingbirds of North America: The Photographic Guide

Hummingbirds of North America (Peterson Field Guides)

Butterflies of North America (Kaufman Field Guides)

Dragonflies and Damselflies of the Border Southwest (Wild West Series)

Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona (Tucson Audubon Society)

A Guide to the Identification and Natural History of the Sparrows of the United States and Canada  

Hawks in Flight

A Field Guide to Warblers of North America

Kaufman Field Guide to Advanced Birding: Understanding What You See and Hear

The Birder’s Handbook: A Field Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds

 The Complete Birder: A Guide to Better Birding

 Lives of North American Birds

Pete Dunne’s Essential Field Guide Companion: A Comprehensive Resource for Identifying North American Birds

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Useful Links +

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

General

Tucson

Sanoita

Sulphur Springs Valley

Bisbee

Paradise

Patagonia

Casa de San Pedro Bed and Breakfast – An Environmentally Friendly Inn

Nature, Wildlife & Biology

Paton Center for Hummingbirds (check out the live cam link!)

Birding Lake Patagonia

Hotspots in the Huachuca Mountains and the San Pedro River (SABO.org)

Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area – Birding Hotspot

Sandhill Cranes Return to Whitewater Draw - Article

Desert Adaptation of Birds & Mammals (AZ-Sonora Desert Museum)

Reptile and Amphibians - Desert Museum of the Southwest

Reptiles of Arizona

Mammals

Pollinator Conservation Resource Southwest

Pollinator Plants of the Desert Southwest, Native Milkweeds

Southeastern Arizona Wildflowers & Plants

Conservation, Parks & Reserves

Tucson Audubon Society

Sky Island Alliance

Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve 

Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory

Chiricahua National Monument – Coronado National Forest

Chiricahua Desert Museum

San Pedro River

Huachuca Mountains

Friends of Madera Canyon – Conservation Efforts

Ramsey Canyon Preserve – The Nature Conservancy

Geology & Geography

Geology of Arizona

Geologic Origin of the Sonoran Desert

Southern Arizona's Geography - Encyclopedic Overview

History & Culture

Tucson’s History and Culture

Culture History of Southern Arizona – American Era

Canoa Ranch: THEN AND NOW - A Historic View

History of Bisbee

Sonoran Food in Southern Arizona

Helpful Travel Websites

Homeland Security Real ID Act

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

Visa ATM Locator

Mastercard ATM Locator

Date & Time

 


Photo credits: BANNERS: Vermilion Flycatcher (Bryan Calk), Whitewater Draw (Bryan Calk), Costa’s Hummingbird (Bryan Calk) THUMBNAILS: Mexican Jay (Bryan Calk), Sandhill Cranes (Bryan Calk), Cactus Wren (Hugh Simmons)

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