Welcome to BirdingSEAZ.com & other ARIZONA info
                     (one of three websites by BEATTY'S Miller Canyon GUEST RANCH and Orchard, LLC)

For Birders coming to Southeastern Arizona, I (Tom Beatty Sr.) recommend:

  1. JOIN the AZNMBirds List Server several weeks before your trip by sending an email to list@list.arizona.edu
    by putting the command Subscribe AZNMBirds in the Subject Line, and leave the message-part of your email blank.

    The AZNMBirds List Server has over 1100 members. Hence each member gets emails of the latest AZ/NM bird sightings etc.

    One can also use the Tucson Audubon Society SEAZ Bird hotline to listen to the RBA by dialing (520) 629-0510 ext 3
    and then press 1 or Visit the Tucson Audubon Society for Rare Bird Alerts and daily birding tours etc.

    To report a rare bird, dial (520) 629-0510 ext 3 and then press 2 or EMAIL reports to rarebirdalert@tucsonaudubon.org

  2. Not going to Tombstone during your visit to SEAZ, because of the pending Lawsuits against the USFS/USDA and Us.
    See Monument Fire/Flood INFO for more info. They have taken all the water out of Miller Canyon.

  3. That you read about Valley Fever since you could contact this disease during your trip to Arizona
    and back home your doctor most likely won't know what you have. Even here is Arizona the doctors
    don't think about checking. For example; They thought my brother had lung cancer because of spots
    on his lung and did not think about valley fever until I and others told him to get a Valley Fever Test.

    About 150,000 Valley Fever infections occur in the United States each year. It’s called “Arizona’s Disease”
    because two-thirds of the reported cases in the U.S. are in the Tucson-Phoenix corridor..

  4. For those interested in HUMMINGBIRDS Click Here

  5. For DIRECTIONS and MILEAGE to Beatty's from any location Click Here

  6. For NON US CITIZENS that would like to bird on FORT HUACHUCA, The Sierra Vista Convention
    & Visitors Bureau
    (SVCVB) is working with Fort Huachuca to have certified people with you during
    your visit.

    What this means is that you will need to contact SVCVB's Erika K. Breckel several weeks in advance
    to coordinate your visit.
    Email: Erika K. Breckel
    Phone: 800-288-3861 or 520-417-6960
    Fax: 520-417-4890
    or visit SVCVB at
    1011 N. Coronado Drive
    Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

    If NON US CITIZENS are trying to get on Fort Huachuca just for the Spotted Owl and/or Elegant Trogon
    there is now NO NEED since the Spotted Owl is now more easily seen here in Miller Canyon and the
    Trogon can be seen elsewhere in SEAZ.

    Charles W Melton's 12 LIFE SPAN photos of the Miller Canyon 2012 SPOTTED OWL fledging.

    SABO's Video of Miller Canyon MEXICAN SPOTTED OWLS preening

  7. Join the FREE BIRDAZ text message system for field reporting/reports of uncommon birds or
    ornithological phenomenon in SE Arizona.

  8. Read the newest edition of one of the following:

    1. The ABA Lane Birdfinding Guide "A Birder's Guide to Southeastern Arizona" by
    Richard Cachor Taylor, 2005

    2. "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona" published by & available from the Tucson Audubon Society.
    For changes in access to sites described in this guide Visit Tucson Audubon Birding Updates

    For a close look at these two birding guides go to http://www.azfo.org/birding/review_2006.htm
    Note: The ABA guide contains more info about SEAZ Birding, while the TAS guide contains more
    info on Southern Arizona/Tucson locations.

  9. VISIT Stuart Healy's website for all kinds of SEAZ birding info.

    Note: STUART'S SITE is more than about birding SEAZ, it is a comprehensive travel guide for SEAZ.
    For example, check out his information on RESTAURANTS/BUSINESSES for the SIERRA VISTA area.

  10. VISIT Sierra Nevada Avian Center's ARIZONA PAGE for a Great SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA tour.

  11. Part of an email from Malkolm Boothroyd: "I'm an avid 15 year old birder. In June (2007) my parents
    and I will cycle from our home in Whitehorse, Yukon for a fossil-fuel-free "big year." It will not just be
    a birding adventure; it will be a conservation project. We will cycle through BC, down the coast until
    southern California, then east to Florida and finally back to Texas." See how he DID IN SEAZ etc.

  12. Mary Scott's "Birding America Arizona Section". This website gives good info on about 20
    of Southeastern Arizona's birding hotspots.

    She was the person who first saw the Ivory-billed Woodpecker in Arkansas ~ in 2003. The report
    from the kayaker that led to the first verified sighting also came to her first ~ after analyzing it,
    as she had done for hundreds and hundreds of "reports"; over the last 6 years, forwarded it to
    friends at Cornell. She now lives in Arivaca, AZ.

    Her story is online at http://www.birdingamerica.com/ivorybilledwoodpecker.htm

  13. Birders trying for Black-capped Gnatcatchers, Rufous-backed Robin, and Elegant Trogon.
    Visit Rich Hoyer's Patagonia Lake State Park Map where he has added x's to mark roughly
    the places where they have been reported.

    Also Visit Rich Hoyer's MONTOSA CANYON Black-capped Gnatcatcher Area where he
    has added x's to mark roughly the places where they have been reported.

  14. For those hard to get any info on areas? Read the guide on the AZFO web site.
    Go to http://www.azfo.org and click on "Birding".

  15. Mark Stevenson has written a marvelous birding guide for the Lower Colorado River Valley from
    Parker to Bullhead City. http://azfo.org/birding/BirdingTheLCRV.html

  16. Copy of an email from Rick Wright: "This is to announce the 'publication' of my new B-log, an online
    journal about birds, birders, and birding in southeast Arizona--and wherever else I may wander. The
    entries will be short, simple, and without pretension to literary or scientific merit; but I hope that you
    will look at it once in a while, and perhaps pass it on to anyone contemplating a visit to Arizona."
    The address is http://www.birdaz.com/blog.

    Best wishes, Rick Wright

  17. The newly expanded "Sightings" column of ABA's "Winging It" newsletter is the most
    comprehensive and timely summary of BIRD rarity news in North America. Written by Rick Wright,
    with expert consultants Jon Dunn and Paul Lehman.

  18. For Southwest Arizona-mostly Yuma County. Click Henry Detwiler's website: Birding Yuma Area

  19. Alan Davies/Ruth Miller embarked from Tucson (01 Jan 2008) on their THE BIGGEST TWITCH.
    A quest to see 5000 species in 2008. The above link contains their daily blog, photos, schedule, trip
    highlights and more as they scour the globe.

  20. Visit David Allen Sibley for his latest Bird Notes, Conservation info etc.

  21. The NEW HEREFORD ROAD BRIDGE is open and again becoming a birding Hotspot.

  22. SR 92 has been widen to 4 lanes from Carr Canyon past Hunter Canyon. A Traffic Light at Hereford Road
    has been installed. Two retention ponds on the eastside of SR 92 have been built.  A small one South of
    Miller Creek for its' flow and a larger one North of Miller Creek for Clark'scSpring Creek flow. Time will tell
    if these 2 ponds become birding spots. However the area was cleared of trees. Might be a good project
    for some group to make into a wildlife area.

    This highway project will mean a more safe Carr-Miller part of SR 92.

  23. For Great Bird/Nature photography: With Set up tables and below ground blinds overlooking a Pond etc.
    try Bill Forbes's Professional Photographer setup near Madera Canyon.

    His Photographic Trigger System was used at our Cabin A by BOB CLARK to take the following
    of two BLACK-CHINNED females.

  24. If having trouble finding a name on a Map etc., try USGS Geographic Names Information System

  25. Check out the Slaughter Ranch which is 15 miles east of Douglas for an off the path birding experience
    and while there also visit the adjacent San Bernardino N.W.R.

  26. Check out what the Birdwatching Lady says about Arizona in her Great Birding Locations Section.
    Note: If new to Birdwatching this is a great website for info!

  27. Check out the "Rail to Trails" link to the NEW Patagonia Train Track Trail " that loops thru the town of
    Patagonia, TNC and the Native Seeds farm.

  28. Visit The Amerind Foundation for one of the finest private collections of Native American art and artifacts
    in the country. The Foundation now welcomes birders to walk the grounds and use the picnic area.

BIRD WALKS:

  1. SABO: For more Info visit Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory Calendar of Events
    TUESDAY Morning: San Pedro River with SABO.
    WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY Evening: SABO Owl Prowls.
    THURSDAYS Morning: Our GUESTS get discounts on SABO's Miller Canyon Bird walks.

  2. SATURDAY Morning: River Walks led by The Friends of the San Pedro River

  3. SUNDAY Morning: tours of the Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park, led by
    docents provided by Huachuca Audubon, Friends of the San Pedro and SABO.
    Lasting about 2-2.5 hours. Starting at 8 AM, Oct - Mar and 7 AM, Apr - Sept.
    Note: Special tours can be arranged for other times by calling SABO at 520-432-1388

  4. VISIT Huachuca Audubon Society for Birdwatching Field Trips to the San Pedro River etc..

  5. The Patagonia Lake State Park (Sonoita Creek State Natural Area) has several birding walks
    and boat birding tours. For example, the following is their 2005 March/April Schedule:
    9:00 a.m. Birding Hike, meet at Sonoita Creek Trailhead. Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon*, Tue**
    * Monday's walk is for Beginning Birders.
    ** Tuesday's walk is at 11:30 AM
    9:00 AM & 10:15 AM, Avian Adventure Pontoon Boat Tour: pre-register, $3, Sat, Sun, Tue
    For up-to-date & more INFO/reservations call: 520-287-2791 or VISIT Arizona State Parks

  6. Benson, Arizona, in an effort to promote ecotourism, is touting its new "Benson Birding Trail"
    along the San Pedro River. A map and info on the wastewater treatment plant, now known as the
    "Waterfowl Viewing Pond" is also included. For more about Benson ecotourism, drop by the
    Visitors Center at the old train depot, or email Bob at bob@bensonvisitorcenter.com Phone: 520 586-4293
    Fax: 520 586-4295
    249 E. 4th Street
    Benson, AZ 85602

  7. SABO's Banning Creek Field Station North of Bisbee is open to the public, though when staff
    and volunteers are not on site (which is most of the time these days) facilities are limited to seating
    on the stone porch. The field station is on the Westside of SR 80 at the bottom of Hidden Meadow
    Lane, which is exactly 2 miles North of the of the Mule Mountain Tunnel and 4.2 miles South of the
    SR 80/90 intersection.

  8. Visit the Tucson Audubon Society for daily birding tours etc.

ONE on ONE PERSONAL BIRDING GUIDES:

The following info taken from a 7 Feb09, Rick Wright email: 

A free online reservation service for private guiding in Southeast Arizona.
In the early "beta" stage, the website provides access to nine guides, but it is my hope to add all of the
region's competent professional guides over these next months so that visiting birders can quickly and
conveniently make contact with the expert of their choice.

The site also offers a general reservations calendar for birders who are willing to be connected with the
next available guide--a great way to sample the talent so amazingly concentrated here in Southeast AZ.

In addition to the reservations service, the site also includes the most significant recent sightings,
continuously updated rarities lists and statewide bar graphs from ebird. Bookmark it and check back often.

A note to photographers: though I'm unable to offer an honorarium, I'd be delighted to publish your photos
of rarities and specialties, with full credit, of course. The gorgeous Blue Mockingbird on the rarities page
right now is from Mike Moore

Rick Wright, Tucson

The follow SEAZ Birding Guides have USFS/BLM permits:

The law says that Guides that charge for their services and take people on USFS/BLM land must have permits
from these agencies. Guides can be fined thousands of dollars, so ask your guide if he/she is legal? Also look for
the required USFS "Outfitter/guide permittee of the Coronado National Forest" statement on guide's website.

  1. Melody Kehl's "Birding or Outdoor adventures with a Personal touch"

  2. Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory

  3. NIGEL CROOK Bird Guide, Personal Guiding and Tours
    Specializing in South East Asia; Britain, Europe etc., North America, especially Arizona
    since he lives in Tucson, Phone: 520-304-0649 or Nigelcrook@yahoo.com

  4. Wezil Walraven

The follow Birding Guides have USFS permits:

  1. Clifford A. Cathers Economy Birding Services, Inc."Quality Birding With Your Budget in Mind"

  2. MATT BROWN previously at TNC Patagonia, Specializing in Bird Vocalizations. He would be the
    best Guide for NON Fort Huachuca Spotted Owls, since he has located some near Patagonia.
    For more INFO: VISIT The Patagonia Birding & Butterfly Co.

  3. The Adventure Birding Company *** John Yerger, Jake Mohlmann, and Keith Kamper***

  4. Laurens Halsey - Desert Harrier Bird and Nature Guide Services, specializing in SE Arizona

Need a place to stay while is SEAZ. Visit AZ-NM Birder Friendly Accommodations

Birding Tour Company Websites: Note: 1 thru 6 have SEAZ tours

  1. Rich Taylor's "Borderland Tours"
  2. WINGS (Tucson, Arizona) *** Will Russell ***
  3. Field Guides Inc. (Austin, Texas) *** Chris Benish, Arizona ***
  4. High Lonesome Ecotours
  5. BIRD TREKS--Quality Worldwide Birding Tours
  6. Lots of SEAZ info on Richard Fray's Website
  7. For birding in Northern Guatemala near the ruins of Tikal

Birding Info:

  1. The NEW 2006 Southeastern Arizona Birding Trail
  2. Mary Scott's "Birding America Arizona Section"
  3. BLM Arizona info.
  4. Visit PATONS in Patagonia from Earle Robinson's Website.
  5. Earle Robinson's Website of Arizona Wildbird Photos
  6. Larry & Terrie Gates "Birding Southeast Arizona"

Interested in attending a Hummingbird Photography Workshop or just Nature Photography then
VISIT Charles W. Melton's Near Famous Photography

Of the many guidebooks to the state, Moon Handbook ARIZONA offers the most comprehensive
coverage of the sights, history, recreation, and practicalities of travel. You'll find both the city sights
and countryside delights. Many hikes and backroad drives lie within the 654 pages. It is sold at most
bookstores and at amazon.com

We are on page 575 in the Sierra Vista Section.

Other Info:

  1. Coronado N.M./Huachuca Mtn Trail info. etc.
  2. Parker Canyon Lake
  3. Patagonia/Sonoita Chamber of Commerce
  4. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
  5. Southeast Arizona Butterfly Association
  6. Kartchner Caverns State Park
  7. Kartchner Caverns AZ Daily Star URL
  8. Arizona Highways
  9. Sierra Vista Convention and Visitors Bureau
  10. National Weather Service info
  11. Baja Frontier Tours
  12. Arizona Vineyards
  13. Slaughter/San Bernardino Ranch

For a small outfitting and guided adventure company that caters to equestrian lovers and outdoor
enthusiasts. Located in the beautiful San Rafael Valley of SE Arizona try Coronado Outfitters

Bear encounter article used JR's bear photo

Checkout "Adventure Birding Co's" 12 July 09 trip for Miller Canyon's: Hummingbirds, Skippers and Orchids.

Visit the Arizona Tourism Web Ring for more AZ info or to add your AZ info website.

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Last Update: 01/14/2013
Web Author: Thomas L. Beatty Sr./Jr.
Copyright ©2006 by BEATTY'S Miller Canyon GUEST RANCH & Orchard - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED