Planning For Your Trip to Arizona
If you're planning a trip to southeast Arizona for birding, you'll find yourself with a wealth of information
available to you in the form of regional bird finding books, articles in recent publications, an
informative and lively list serve and highly informative websites created and maintained by bird guides
who have been in business a long time.
The last thing I want to do here is consume bandwidth reiterating this vast pool of valuable
information and I wouldn't want to insult the people who have spent thousands of hours in the field by
replicating their knowledge. I urge you to search the Internet using your favorite search engine and
consult the regional specialty bird finding books for planning information already available and in
publication.
My intent here is to present information I might find useful if I were visiting for the first time and to grow
that content slowly as new information presents itself. Check back and you'll likely see this page
changing over time.
Download-able Checklists
Use these handy checklists for indicating target birds or as daily field or trip checklists once you're in
Arizona! I have used my Arizona list compiled since 1989 as a reasonable expectation of what you
could find in Arizona. If you see a bird that isn't on these lists, you've likely found something worth
reporting to 520-798-1005 (the local rare bird alert).
Multi-Location Checklist - 11 Pages
Single Location Checklist - 5 Pages
Paper Saver Checklist - 2 Pages
Tucson Sunrise, Sunset & Climate Information
Current Access to Wastewater Reclamation Facilities
Green Valley Wastewater Reclamation Facility
Corona de Tucson Waste Reclamation Facility
Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant
Cliffy's Reading List
Are you the kind that likes to study prior to taking your trip? If so, this is my preferred reading list
(based purely on personal preference - I have received no compensation for these
recommendations). All can be found easily enough online.
1.) "A Birders Guide to Southeastern Arizona", Richard Cachor Taylor, ABA/Lane Bird Finding Guide,
5th Edition, 2005, American Birding Association.
2.) "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona", Tucson Audubon Society, 7th Edition, 2007.
3.) "Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas", Troy Corman and Cathryn Wise-Gervais, 1st Edition, 2005, University
of New Mexico Press.
4.) "The Sibley Guide to Birds", David Allen Sibley, National Audubon Society, 1st Edition, 2000, Alfred
A Knopf.
5.) "A Field Guide to the Birds of Mexico", Ernest P. Edwards, 2nd Edition, 1989 (smallish orange
cover book, not the later editions).
Dangerous Things You've Heard About
Like most places on earth, Arizona has a few things to think about when it comes to safety. Below is a
list of our dangers to consider and what to do to avoid them.
Border Crossers - Arizona is a hotbed of illegal immigration from Mexico. While most are
impoverished folks looking for a better way of life, a few are nefarious and are in engaged in activities
you may not want to be a party to such as drug running and smuggling. Some people will tell you
there's no danger to consider here but my philosophy is that it only takes one bad encounter to
change that philosophy permanently.
Border crossings will continue despite all efforts to restrict them. Know that when you are in a border
canyon or a remote area, especially at night, that the possibility exists to encounter border crossers
and their intentions may not always be innocent.
Rattlesnakes - Arizona has quite a few species of rattlesnakes and thankfully they let you know when
you've gotten too close. However, in most circumstances, they will give you a chance to back off
(unless you've stepped on one). It is mostly a spring, summer and fall issue.
The best way to avoid a rattlesnake bite is to watch where you put your feet, never reach into a dark
space without knowing what's inside, never provoke a coiled rattler and take a flashlight for night
walks, especially on warm pavement where they tend to loaf.
Gila Monsters - Although their bite is dangerous, you'll likely never encounter this slow moving beast.
If you do, leave it alone. Once again, never reach into dark or shaded areas where you can't see and
carry a flashlight at night.
Scorpions - Unfortunately scorpions are a desert critter that exist in good numbers. Mostly they spend
their time under rocks or fallen brush or other such cover. They only become a problem when they
infiltrate places where humans reside. They move about at night and are a lot quicker than you might
imagine. The smaller the scorpion, the more potent the sting.
I carry a flashlight at night to go to the bathroom to light my walking path. While most places do not
have scorpions, some do, (my home does) and as a visitor you won't likely know if the place you're
staying does or doesn't. Always shake out your shoes before putting them on.
Black Widows - Again, this is a desert critter that exists in good numbers. It is mostly a nocturnal
spider, visibly attending webs in dark areas or other subdued light. Your indication of their presence
is a highly tensile, hardy, translucent webbing that sticks to your skin when encountered.
I have always found Black Widows in garages, sheds and around the exterior of the home (pool
equipment, electrical boxes, archways, hoses, furniture and the like).
Again, take a flashlight at night, don't reach into dark places and be aware of their webbing.
Sun Exposure - This is likely your biggest enemy in Arizona. Wear sunscreen. Wear it. It is
necessary, even on cloudy or cold days. I have been sunburned in every month of the year here and
time spent in the mountains is always the worst exposure.
Drink lots of water. There are lots of guidelines, but just drink until your urine runs clear. Headache,
fatigue, excessive sweating, sweating cessation, high heart rate, high body temperature and lots of
other symptoms tell you you're short on water and things are about to get a lot worse.
Drink lots of water and carry lots with you!!!!
Lightning - Arizona's summer thunderstorm season is impressive. The severity of storms which
sometimes suddenly appear is often surprising. When threatening conditions exist, be aware of the
potential for lightning, even here in the desert. Arizona's lightning storms can be quite dangerous.
Unfortunately, it's the first bolt that makes you aware and sometimes that's the most deadly indication.
Flash floods are also a problem, but they can be dealt with.
A lightning bolt leaves no room for negotiation.
If you're planning a trip to southeast Arizona for birding, you'll find yourself with a wealth of information
available to you in the form of regional bird finding books, articles in recent publications, an
informative and lively list serve and highly informative websites created and maintained by bird guides
who have been in business a long time.
The last thing I want to do here is consume bandwidth reiterating this vast pool of valuable
information and I wouldn't want to insult the people who have spent thousands of hours in the field by
replicating their knowledge. I urge you to search the Internet using your favorite search engine and
consult the regional specialty bird finding books for planning information already available and in
publication.
My intent here is to present information I might find useful if I were visiting for the first time and to grow
that content slowly as new information presents itself. Check back and you'll likely see this page
changing over time.
Download-able Checklists
Use these handy checklists for indicating target birds or as daily field or trip checklists once you're in
Arizona! I have used my Arizona list compiled since 1989 as a reasonable expectation of what you
could find in Arizona. If you see a bird that isn't on these lists, you've likely found something worth
reporting to 520-798-1005 (the local rare bird alert).
Multi-Location Checklist - 11 Pages
Single Location Checklist - 5 Pages
Paper Saver Checklist - 2 Pages
Tucson Sunrise, Sunset & Climate Information
Current Access to Wastewater Reclamation Facilities
Green Valley Wastewater Reclamation Facility
Corona de Tucson Waste Reclamation Facility
Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant
Cliffy's Reading List
Are you the kind that likes to study prior to taking your trip? If so, this is my preferred reading list
(based purely on personal preference - I have received no compensation for these
recommendations). All can be found easily enough online.
1.) "A Birders Guide to Southeastern Arizona", Richard Cachor Taylor, ABA/Lane Bird Finding Guide,
5th Edition, 2005, American Birding Association.
2.) "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona", Tucson Audubon Society, 7th Edition, 2007.
3.) "Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas", Troy Corman and Cathryn Wise-Gervais, 1st Edition, 2005, University
of New Mexico Press.
4.) "The Sibley Guide to Birds", David Allen Sibley, National Audubon Society, 1st Edition, 2000, Alfred
A Knopf.
5.) "A Field Guide to the Birds of Mexico", Ernest P. Edwards, 2nd Edition, 1989 (smallish orange
cover book, not the later editions).
Dangerous Things You've Heard About
Like most places on earth, Arizona has a few things to think about when it comes to safety. Below is a
list of our dangers to consider and what to do to avoid them.
Border Crossers - Arizona is a hotbed of illegal immigration from Mexico. While most are
impoverished folks looking for a better way of life, a few are nefarious and are in engaged in activities
you may not want to be a party to such as drug running and smuggling. Some people will tell you
there's no danger to consider here but my philosophy is that it only takes one bad encounter to
change that philosophy permanently.
Border crossings will continue despite all efforts to restrict them. Know that when you are in a border
canyon or a remote area, especially at night, that the possibility exists to encounter border crossers
and their intentions may not always be innocent.
Rattlesnakes - Arizona has quite a few species of rattlesnakes and thankfully they let you know when
you've gotten too close. However, in most circumstances, they will give you a chance to back off
(unless you've stepped on one). It is mostly a spring, summer and fall issue.
The best way to avoid a rattlesnake bite is to watch where you put your feet, never reach into a dark
space without knowing what's inside, never provoke a coiled rattler and take a flashlight for night
walks, especially on warm pavement where they tend to loaf.
Gila Monsters - Although their bite is dangerous, you'll likely never encounter this slow moving beast.
If you do, leave it alone. Once again, never reach into dark or shaded areas where you can't see and
carry a flashlight at night.
Scorpions - Unfortunately scorpions are a desert critter that exist in good numbers. Mostly they spend
their time under rocks or fallen brush or other such cover. They only become a problem when they
infiltrate places where humans reside. They move about at night and are a lot quicker than you might
imagine. The smaller the scorpion, the more potent the sting.
I carry a flashlight at night to go to the bathroom to light my walking path. While most places do not
have scorpions, some do, (my home does) and as a visitor you won't likely know if the place you're
staying does or doesn't. Always shake out your shoes before putting them on.
Black Widows - Again, this is a desert critter that exists in good numbers. It is mostly a nocturnal
spider, visibly attending webs in dark areas or other subdued light. Your indication of their presence
is a highly tensile, hardy, translucent webbing that sticks to your skin when encountered.
I have always found Black Widows in garages, sheds and around the exterior of the home (pool
equipment, electrical boxes, archways, hoses, furniture and the like).
Again, take a flashlight at night, don't reach into dark places and be aware of their webbing.
Sun Exposure - This is likely your biggest enemy in Arizona. Wear sunscreen. Wear it. It is
necessary, even on cloudy or cold days. I have been sunburned in every month of the year here and
time spent in the mountains is always the worst exposure.
Drink lots of water. There are lots of guidelines, but just drink until your urine runs clear. Headache,
fatigue, excessive sweating, sweating cessation, high heart rate, high body temperature and lots of
other symptoms tell you you're short on water and things are about to get a lot worse.
Drink lots of water and carry lots with you!!!!
Lightning - Arizona's summer thunderstorm season is impressive. The severity of storms which
sometimes suddenly appear is often surprising. When threatening conditions exist, be aware of the
potential for lightning, even here in the desert. Arizona's lightning storms can be quite dangerous.
Unfortunately, it's the first bolt that makes you aware and sometimes that's the most deadly indication.
Flash floods are also a problem, but they can be dealt with.
A lightning bolt leaves no room for negotiation.
| Black-throated Sparrow |
| Lucifer Hummingbird |
| Harshaw Canyon |
| Elephant Head |
| Rufous-backed Robin |
| Snowy Santa Ritas |
| Short-tailed Hawk |
| Gila Monster |
Economy Birding Services, Inc.
| Trip Planning |
"Quality Birding With Your Budget in Mind"
| Varied Thrush |
