I supposed this post should have been written months ago since I leave in less than two weeks, but I've been busy birding Rhode Island and planning this trip. I am very grateful to the Rhode Island birders who have either spent a lot of time exploring South East Arizona (Bill Thompson & Scott Tsagarakis), were there at the same time I am going last year (Tim Metcalf & Scott MacAlister) & Barbara Sherman has family there, all shared their trip reports with me.
As you probably know by now I have mobility challenges, including steps & rocky trails and spend too much time on my feet. I am fortunate that my advisors were all aware of this and considered it in their advice. I passed my "final" (is it ever final?) on to Scott & Bill and they both told me it was very ambitious. I recognized that and cut it back a little, but I never know how much time I will want to spend in a particular place, so I like to have choices. Also you never know what is going to show up where... so I have learned to be flexible on trips like this.
I think I have been advised well - so what's left. The route (making sure I can get places without cell service), making sure I can find Gas & Food and knowing the birds. Oh yes, and praying to the weather gods.
I've identified the life birds I think I have a chance to see and have been reviewing them. Because I don't have a guide this trip, I am also reviewing the songs. I still need to put together my spotify playlist (another possible issue with cell service) for target bird songs.
Here is a summary of my plan (as of today) :
Arrive in Phoenix (one afternoon)
Encanto Park
Gilbert Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch
Tucson (3 nights/ 2 days)
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
Sweetwater Wetlands Park
Reid Park
Mt. Lemmon
Portal/Chiricahua Mountains (2 nights)
Willcox Playa/Cochise Lakes
Cave Creek Canyon South Fork & USFS Visitor's Center
Southwestern Research Station\
Onion Saddle/Rustle Park/Barfoot Park
Willow Tank/Stateline Road
Town of Portal
Patagonia & Nogales (2 nights)
Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area
Las Cienegas NCA
Paton Center for Hummingbirds
Patagonia Rest Stop
Patagonia lake State Park/Sonoita Creek
Pena Blanca
De Anza Trail- Carmen
Hereford/Sierra Vista/ Huachuca Mountains (2 nights)
Beatty's Guest Ranch/Miller Canyon
Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary
San Pedro House
Ramsey Canyon Preserve (Bird Blind at the Inn)
Sierra Vista Environmental Operation Park
Madera Canyon (2 nights)
Santa Rita Lodge (staying there)
Florida Canyon
Proctor Road
Depart from Phoenix
My potential life birds include:
16 Flycatchers/Kingbirds
14 Hummingbirds
10 Sparrows
11 Warblers
5 Owls
6 Hawks
8 Woodpeckers
4 Orioles
4 Wrens
Plus many others. I will admit my list has been pared down from my December visit to New Mexico, despite the fact its a very different time of year. This trip is the midst of migration!
Right now beside studying the birds I am packing and trying to be as "light" as possible as I would like to only take carry on, so I can get right out birding without waiting for luggage. Looks possible -- plan a trip to Trader Joe's and Target once I arrive in Tucson for some basics for the car trip (insulated drink containers, Cold bag, etc.)
I've been watching a video about birding in South East Arizona as I type this. Stay tuned!
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