Visit advice (1 Viewer)

[Paul Eele]

Hello all

I am planning a visit this year and wanted to get some advice. Sadly, due to work commitments I can't make a spring visit so was thinking about the autumn. Was planning on mid/late august to early September, would this still be ok for hummers, red faced and olive warblers plus painted redstart amongst others?

Many thanks for your help

Paul

 

[ovenbird43]

Hi Paul,

You can still find all the specialty warblers in late August, and that is the best time of year for hummingbirds in terms of diversity and numbers. Do you already have a general area in mind or plans for places to stay? Madera Canyon is a good spot for all the warblers and hummingbirds. The area around Sierra Vista (Huachuca and Ramsey Canyons, for instance) are also excellent and tend to be less crowded than Madera. And who knows, maybe the Huachuca Canyon Sinaloa Wren will still be around.

Be prepared for hot and somewhat humid weather with afternoon thunderstorms. The higher elevations will be a bit more pleasant at least.

 

[Paul Eele]

Hi Paul,

You can still find all the specialty warblers in late August, and that is the best time of year for hummingbirds in terms of diversity and numbers. Do you already have a general area in mind or plans for places to stay? Madera Canyon is a good spot for all the warblers and hummingbirds. The area around Sierra Vista (Huachuca and Ramsey Canyons, for instance) are also excellent and tend to be less crowded than Madera. And who knows, maybe the Huachuca Canyon Sinaloa Wren will still be around.

Be prepared for hot and somewhat humid weather with afternoon thunderstorms. The higher elevations will be a bit more pleasant at least.

Hi Ovenbird

Many thanks for your reply. I have the up-to-date site guide but haven't done any route planning yet. Initially checking that I would be too late. Probably going for the last week Aug/1st of Sept.

Have you got any site recommendations for a 2 week trip that would take in all the sites to get a nice variety of habitats and species?

Thanks again

Paul

 

[ovenbird43]

I double-checked with eBird on the warbler departure times- most (or all) summer breeders will still be around, though some will be quiet and less common- Red-faced may be the most difficult warbler but still definitely findable. Painted Redstart should be a cinch, they even overwinter in decent numbers.

My opinion on some "must-see" sites that encompass a good diversity:

Chirichahuas- spend at least a few days. All the pine-oak specialties (warblers, trogons, etc.), Cave Creek often turns up rarities, and this range is the only spot for Mexican Chickadee. There are hummingbird feeders in Portal and at the Southwest Research Station that should have some good stuff, and Black-chinned Sparrows breed in the oak/juniper scrub.

Fort Huachuca- good diversity starting with grasslands in the low elevations with Botteri's Sparrow, leading up to beautiful pine-oak canyons. May be of special interest if the Sinaloa Wren is still there (he's been there since early fall and is building nests). Also in that general vicinity are several bed and breakfasts with hummingbird feeders (detailed in the guide book, I've never actually been to them) that are rarity magnets and are the most reliable for Lucifer Hummingbird.

Saguaro National Park and/or Catalina State Park - for lowland desert birds.

Madera Canyon- good as a backup, there is a lot of overlap with the Chiricahuas/upper Fort Huachuca, but a good spot to "clean up" on montane birds and hummingbirds. Also Florida Wash on the approach to the canyon is the easiest spot for Rufous-winged Sparrow, and is another chance for Botteri's Sparrow. Do to its proximity to Tucson,Madera Canyon is heavily birded and thus a lot of rarities tend to be found there- Buff-collared Nightjar and Black-capped Gnatcatcher may be present, and the Rufous-capped Warbler family will likely still be present in adjacent Florida Canyon.

 

[Richard Fray]

Things do start to quieten down by the last week in August/first week in September, so I'd advise the week or two before that if you can. Some of the warblers will be getting hard to find by late August, as will some of our other specialty summer birds.

As for sites, it's more down to making sure you visit as many different habitats as possible. For example, high elevation pines at Mt Lemmon, Carr Canyon in the Huachucas or high in the Chiricahuas, mid-elevation canyons such as Madera Canyon, Huachuca Canyon or Cave Creek in the Chiricahuas, riparian habitat along the Santa Cruz, San Pedro or Sonoita Creek, desert habitat at Saguaro National Park, etc.

One thing for all visitors to AZ to bear in mind, although this depends on whether you're from Norfolk, Virginia or Norfolk, England - Fort Huachuca is an army base and only allows non-US citizens to enter if they are accompanied by a pre-approved guide with military ID. This pretty much rules out Fort Huachuca for most non-US birders, unless you have a very specific itinerary that you know well in advance, and are prepared to pay for a (non-birding) guide to escort you. Fort Huachuca includes Huachuca Canyon, Garden Canyon, Scheelite Canyon and Sawmill Canyon, but other sites nearby generally offer the same species.

 

[Paul Eele]

Hi Richard and Ovenbird

Thank you both for your very comprehensive advice, it is much appreciated. However, due to my workload this year, I am postponing my trip until next year as it will allow me to visit at the right time.

Best wishes

Paul