Southeast Arizona is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the United States.  Habitats include the Sonoran Desert with its dramatic columnar cacti, the Chihuahuan desert with its grasslands and desert scrub, and the dramatic “Sky Islands” where species from the Rocky Mountains and Mexico’s Sierra Madre come together.  During our journey, we’ll explore most of these habitats, encounter a great diversity of plants and animals, and enjoy fine weather at one of the richest times of year.  We’ll visit many of the birding and wildlife hotspots – Madera Canyon, the Patagonia area, Huachuca Canyon, and the San Pedro River.

Species we’re likely to see include elegant trogon, gray hawk, zone-tailed hawk, vermilion flycatcher, painted redstart, Grace’s, Lucy’s, red-faced and other warblers, three species of Myiarchus flycatcher (ash-throated, brown-crested, and dusky-capped), thick-billed kingbird, northern beardless tyrannulet, greater pewee, yellow-eyed junco, up to seven species of hummingbirds, many sparrows (five-striped, Botteri’s, rufous-winged, black-throated, rufous-crowned), Scott’s oriole, and many others.

In addition to birds, the area is well known for its butterfly diversity.  While May is not the peak season for butterflies, we should see as many as 15 – 20 species.  Mammal diversity in the area is also high, and we’ve seen 20 species on past trips.  And of course, with this being the Southwest, we may see as many as 10 species of reptiles.

This trip is led by naturalist and bird guide Mark Pretti, a long-term, much loved tour guide for GGAS.

If you are interested in this trip, please contact Dawn from GGAS  first.  She will put you in touch with Mark Pretti. This trip is currently FULL.

Please note that the Duquesne House in Patagonia (where we’ll be for 2 nights) has only 4 rooms and that a single will only be possible if you stay at a nearby home.  The single supplement for this trip is $200 if you share at Duquesne and $275 if you don’t share.