Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge.
A birding hotspot 65 miles south west of Tucson. Many typical desert-grassland birds are found here. Look for Cassin’s, Botteri’s and Grasshopper Sparrows, and both Western and Eastern Meadowlark. Bobwhite have been re-introduced and can be seen.
Cave Creek Canyon.
Just outside of Portal in the south east corner of Arizona, Cave Creek Canyon is a birding hotspot renowned for its’ owls. Flammulated, Whiskered-Screech, Northern Pygmy, Western, Spotted and Elf Owls can all be found here. During the day, look for Band-tailed Pigeon, Arizona Woodpecker, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Mexican Jay, Bridled Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Canyon and Bewick’s Wren, Virginia and Grace’s Warbler, Hepatic Tanager and Rufous-crowned Sparrow. In Portal check out the hummingbird feeders as most south eastern hummingbirds can be found here, along with a few vagrants.
Flagstaff Area
Flagstaff, in north central Arizona, a gateway to Grand Canyon, has several sites worth exploring, with juniper grassland, spruce-fir forest, and lakes.
Flagstaff Arboretum, open April 1 to October 15, has Ponderosa pine forest, aspen groves, ponds riparian areas, grasslands and gardens. There are a number of summer breeders and an array of migrants in April/May and Sept/Oct. Look for migrating warblers the riparian area, and for sparrows in the grasslands. Western Bluebird, House Wren, Mountain Chickadee, Say’s Phoebe, American Robin, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Brewer’s Blackbird, Vesper Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, and Plumbeous Vireo breed here. The Arboretum is west of Flagstaff and south of I-40. From the junction of South Milton Road (I-17 extension) and West Hwy 66, drive 2 miles west on Hwy 66 to Woody Mountain Campground. There is a sign for the arboretum on the right side of Hwy 66. Turn left into Woody Mountain Road. Drive 4 miles to the Arboretum entrance. Bird walks from 07:30 to 09:00AM each Saturday from early May.
Kachina Wetlands is ponds surrounded by open ponderosa grassland. Look for rails, ducks shorebirds, raptors and migrants in season. You reach the wetlands be going south on I-17 to Kachina Village Blvd. Turn right off the off-ramp, then right again onto Tovar Trail, going to the end of this road. Turn right onto Lohali Trail which ends at a gate with a parking area.
Continental Country Club Lakes during migrations has ducks and passerines and raptors. This site has had numerous vagrants: Snowy and Cattle Egrets, Surf Scoter, Black-necked Stilt, Wilson’s and Red-necked Phalaropes, and Franklin’s and Sabine’s Gulls. To reach this site take Country Club Dr from I-40 at Exit 201, or go by way of Butler Ave coming from the west.
Lake Elaine, south of Butler Ave and west of Skyview Dr, is the largest lake in the city of Flagstaff. Birds such as Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser, American Wigeon, Cinnamon & Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Ruddy Duck, Northern Pintail may be found here. Bald Eagles winter in the area. In summer anumber of passerines breed in the area.
Lower and Upper Mary Lakes are best during migration. Watch for wintering Bald Eagles and various raptors in migration, plus grebes, herons, waterfowl, warblers and other passerines. Lower Lake Mary begins about 6 miles south on Lake Mary Rd (Hwy 3).
Mormon Lake, a large shallow lake dry in drought years, is usually filled by winter snows and summer rains. Thousands of migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, passerines and hawks stop here. The lake is 20 miles south of Flagstaff via Lake Mary Road (Hwy 3). Exit Hwy 3 onto Mormon Lake Rd. Bird at Dairy Springs and Double Springs campgrounds(Red-faced Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Western Wood Pewee, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Plumbeous Vireo, Common Yellowthroat). Two miles south of Double Springs is a heron rookery. Purple Martins and Violet-green Swallows are also here.
Continue around the lake. At the east T-junction with Hwy 3, turn left (north) for about a mile. A left-hand-only turn provides another access to the lake. The lakeshore road can be walked to the north for about 5 miles with good habitat for warblers, kinglets and other passerines.
Four Corners Area
This area includes the Arizona section of the Navajo reservation and the Hopi reservation. A tourist destination with spectacular scenery and fascinating archaeological sites, it also has good birding. Well over 300 species of birds have been recorded here. Two good sites are:
Canyon de Chelly, good birding with great archaeology. Check the cottonwoods and the Russian olives at the mouth of the canyon from Chinle Wash to Thunderbird Lodge. Many migrants feed in the underbrush and the treetops. It is also a favored wintering area for finches, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Townsend’s Solitaires, and American Robins. During migration look for Wilson’s, Macgillivary’s, Nashville, Orange-crowned, Virginia’s and Townsend’s Warblers, Northern Waterthrushes, Solitary and Warbling Vireos, Lazuli Buntings, House Wrens, and (rarely) Grey Catbirds. The rims of the canyon are mainly pinyon-juniper woodlands. Watch for White-throated Swifts, swallows, Common Ravens and occasional raptors. Visitors with a high clearance vehicle, in dry weather, can follow the dirt extension of the rim road from Spider Rock Overlook turnoff up to the Defiance Plateau. At Sawmill in the Ponderosa pines search for Wild Turkey, Lewis’ Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay, Mountain Bluebird, Townsend’s Solitaire, Grace’s Warbler (summer), Clark’s Nutcracker, Mountain Chickadee, Pygmy Nuthatch and Red Crossbill.
Many Farms Lake is good birding at any season. Over 200 species of birds have been seen here. The south and east shores of the lake are the most productive areas. They can be reached by the ungraded road that circles the lake. In dry weather one can walk along the shoreline. During migration many unusual birds have been seen here, including California Gull, Black-billed Magpie, Chestnut-sided Warbler, and Golden-crowned Sparrow as well as many more common migrants. The road to Many Farms Lake leaves Highway 191, headed east, a few hundred yards north of the hamlet of Many Farms. The dirt road crosses Chinle Wash and turns south at the dam. The dam area can be reached by turning left on a steep road that climbs up the south end of the dam. About a quarter of a mile further along the main ring road a side road heads out to the cliff overlooking the lake. Search for shorebirds and rafts of ducks.
Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon
Every year millions of people visit Grand Canyon National Park to see one of the world’s outstanding natural wonders. A great many of these people, while visiting the canyon, would enjoy seeing the wildlife of the area, most especially its birds. There are two sites that are easily reached by car, and two others that require some hiking. Among the best sites are:
Grand Canyon Village, on the South Rim, is one of those places where different habitats come together. Within a twenty minute walk from the center of the Village, you can find three distinct vegetation system, a Pinon-Juniper woodland, mountain shrub, and Ponderosa Pine. Walk from the Visitor Center toward the Shrine of Ages and the Rim Trail. In the Ponderosa Pines watch for Steller’s Jay, Cassin’s Finch, Pygmy and White-breasted Nuthatch, Hairy Woodpecker, Western Bluebird, and Dark-eyed Junco. In summer Western Tanager, Chipping Sparrow, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Western Wood Pewee, Solitary Vireo, and three warblers, Graces, Virginias, and Yellow-rumped. In the Pinon-Juniper area at the rim itself look for Bushtits, , Black-throated Grey Warbler, Pinon Jay, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Juniper Titmouse. From the rim (except in winter), look for raptors - Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture, and if you are lucky, Peregrine Falcon and even California Condor. White-throated Swifts and Violet-green Swallows should be feeding, and Common Nighthawk (at dusk). Look at the mountain scrub on the face of the canyon below the rim for Scrub Jay, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Rock and Canyon Wrens, and Spotted Towhee.
Bright Angel Point on the North Rim (which is several thousand feet higher than the South Rim) has many of the ponderosa pine birds that can be seen on the South Rim, but in greater numbers. Higher elevation birds to be found in this area include Turkey, Mountain Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Clark’s Nutcracker, Townsend’s Solitaire, Yellow-bellied and Williamson’s Sapsucker, Three-towed Woodpecker, House Wren, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Dusky Grouse. Two rare birds here are the Magnificent Hummingbird and Red-faced Warbler.
Vermillion Cliffs, although not a part of the Park, are located outside the North Rim section of the park, on Rte 89 east of Jacob Lake on the west and Marble Canyon on the east. Here, although you may see other high desert birds, you are looking for the California Condor. These great birds have been brought back from the brink of extinction. If you see them, some of them may be young birds born here in the wild.
Madera Canyon.
One of the top birding spots in the state. Most of the sky island "specialties," can be found here, as well as vagrants and rarities. On the way in, spend 30 minutes or so stopping at Florida Wash. Scaled Quail, Crissal Thrasher, Phainopepla and Black-throated and Rufous-winged Sparrows can all be found here. Check the grasslands just beyond the wash. You can pull up on the side of the road and look for Botteri’s and Cassin’s Sparrow, both of which are present in good numbers in summer. When you arrive at the picnic areas, park and walk some of the paths. Watch for Zone-tailed Hawk flying overhead among the Turkey Vultures. In summer it is possible to see five hummingbird species. Look for Arizona Woodpecker in the sycamores by the stream. Follow the road to the top parking and walk up the Mount Wrightson Trail. Elegant Trogon, Hutton’s Vireo, Painted Redstart, Greater Pewee and Sulpher-bellied Flycatcher can be found all along this trail. As you get higher in altitude, look for Red-faced, Olive and Grace’s Warbler and Pygmy Nuthatch.
Miller Canyon.
Situated in the Huachuca Mountains near Sierra Vista, the road into Miller Canyon provides good birding. Look for Greater Roadrunner, Acorn and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, Mexican Jay, Chihuahuan Raven and Pyrrhuloxia. Botteri’s and Cassin’s Sparrow can be seen in summer after the rains have come. Montezuma Quail are present, but often hard to see. From the parking area at the end of the road take Miller Canyon Trail, and as you walk through the oak and juniper woodlands, watch for Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Hepatic and Western Tanager, Scott’s Oriole, Grace’s and Red-faced Warbler. By the parking area is Beatty’s Bed and Breakfast. The fences here are lined with hummingbird feeders and annually Lucifer’s and White-eared Hummingbirds are seen. Carr Canyon and Ramsey Canyon are also situated in the Huachuca Mountains. Similar birds are found at all three locations.
ount Lemmon.
Just to the north of Tucson, this is a good spot to look for many high-elevation birds. The road up is very scenic. It is worth stopping at a number of the pull-offs. Molino Basin after 5.4 miles is good oak habitat with grasslands. Bridled Titmouse, Scott’s Oriole and Roadrunner are often found here. Two miles further on at Prison Camp Road look for Rock Wren. This is normally a reliable site. It is worth spending some time at Bear Canyon (mile 11.5). In summer Buff-breasted Flycatchers are normally present, as are Hutton’s, Solitary and Warbling Vireos, along with most other oak and pine birds. Rose Canyon is another place to stop. Park in the parking area on Mt. Lemmon road, to avoid the toll assessed on automobiles that enter the Rose Canyon campground area. Walk the entry road. Look for Red-faced and Olive Warblers, Pygmy Nuthatch, Hermit and Swainson’s Thrushes, Bluebirds in migration, Mountain Chickadees, sometimes Red Crossbills, and other good birds. Calling in at Ski Valley farther up the mountain can get you a number of hummingbirds that frequent the feeders there. Walking around the town of Summerhaven or the trails at road's end can give you the opportunity to see some of the more common higher altitude birds you may have missed on the way up.
Patagonia Lake State Park.
This is a reliable location for Neotropic Cormorant. It has also recently attracted Nutting’s Flycatcher. Black-capped Gnatcatchers have nested here for the last several years. The walk down to the lake passes reed beds that, in winter, attract Swamp Sparrow. Virginia Rail and Sora are present and Least Bittern can often be seen. The thornscrub on the right side of the trail is worth birding. This is the area that the Nutting’s Flycatcher was first sighted, and where Black-capped Gnatcathers have bred. Hammond's, Dusky and Gray Flycatchers can all be seen here as can Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet. At the end of the lake it is possible to follow Sonoita Creek up through the woods. Elegant Trogon winter here and Black Hawk are often seen.
Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve.
Sonoita Creek has some of the richest of the remaining riparian (streamside) habitat in the region. Over 300 bird species have been recorded in the area. The reserve entrance is located on an unpaved road that runs parallel to and north on the main highway. Gray Hawks nest along the creek. Zone-tailed and Common Black-Hawks are occasionally seen. Over 20 species of flycatchers have been recorded on the preserve, including Thick-billed Kingbird and Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet. Most riparian woodland birds can be seen here and Mexican rarities occur quite regularly. Please note that this Preserve is only open Wednesday – Sunday. While in Patagonia, take the opportunity to visit and birdwatch at “Paton’s”. This house is set in a rural residential area with scattered houses, trees and shrubs. The feeders, on the back of the house, attract an incredible variety of hummingbirds, including Violet-crowned Hummingbirds, with numbers peaking in late August and September.
Roadside Rest Area.
4 miles west of Patagonia on the road to Nogales, this birdwatching site has become well known for the Rose-throated Becards, which have regularly nested in the Arizona Sycamores along Sonoita Creek. Park on the east side of the highway, where there is a pull off and picnic tables. Cross the highway, carefully, to reach the creek and the prime birding area. Thick-billed Kingbirds and Violet-crowned Hummingbirds are also found here. Look for Canyon Wrens that sing from the cliffs next to the Rest Stop, the White-throated Swifts that can be seen circling above, and the Peregrine Falcons that have nested on the cliff face.
Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area.
About 10 miles from the town of Eagar, Sipe is a former ranch and has agricultural fields, grassland, pinyon/juniper hillsides, and several reservoirs. Typical montane bird species are found, including Hairy Woodpecker, White-breasted and Pygmy Nuthatch, Mountain Chickadee, and Western Tanager. Grace's and Red-faced Warbler nest in the area near the creek. Montezuma Quail have been found here. The road to Big Lake, which is south and a little west of Eager, is a prime place to see Mountain Bluebirds in the summer.
Sweetwater Wetlands.
This has to be the best birdwatching hotspot in the Tucson city limits. Just off Prince Road west of Interstate 10, and only 8 minutes from downtown Tucson, this small wetland offers some of the best birding in and around Tucson. In winter it is excellent for waterfowl with large numbers present. During spring and autumn passage, shorebirds come in and concentrate in ponds where the water level has been adjusted to attract them. Raptors are common here. This is the most reliable site for Harris Hawks, which nest just across the road in the Roger Road Sewage Works. Prairie Falcon can often be seen sitting on the pylons in the distance. Cooper’s, Sharp-shinned and Red-tailed Hawk are all common. This is also a good place to identify sparrows and towhees, as good numbers are present. Sweetwater attracts Mexican vagrants, and Least Grebe and Northern Parula have been regulars here.
Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area.
Located between Bisbee and Elfrida, this wetland attracts up to 25,000 Sandhill Cranes in winter. From late summer through spring, large numbers of ducks are present. Raptors are also plentiful and up to 14 species can be seen. This area is probably the best in south-eastern Arizona for Ferruginous Hawk. The grasslands here, in winter, hold a wide variety of sparrows as well as Chestnut-collared Longspur.