SE Arizona? (1 Viewer)

gpike

Well-known member

• May 16, 2011

• #1

I'm living in southern New Mexico (Las Cruces, so it's probably 2.5 hours to the Arizona border, I think) for a short time and I thought it would be great to visit SE Arizona.


My question is: Where should I go? I've tried to do a bit of research but I'm not sure what the best spots are. I hear that Portal is a bit on fire right now. I would only have 2 days at most to visit the area, since my husband has to be at work on mondays.

Anybody have any suggestions where I should try to go?

 

Mysticete

Well-known member

• May 16, 2011

• #2

Madera Canyon is one of my favorite spots, and there is a good range of habitats and birds if you have only a weekend, including usually a few rarities. The Chiricuahuas (sp?) up near portal are good, but if obviously perhaps not too doable if there are major fires in the area.

 

Steve Gross

Well-known member

• May 16, 2011

• #3

I'd lurk on the AZ-NM listserve for a while to find out where birds are currently being seen. The Tucson Audubon and ABA guides are excellent resources, as well.

The AZ-NM listserve can be viewed here:

http://www.birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/AZNM.html

 

Lisa W

I really need to get out and bird more

Staff member

Supporter

• May 17, 2011

• #4

Agree with Steve. The list would help you see where some interesting birds are. The Huachuca mountains are great this time of year, especially for hummers.

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• May 17, 2011

• #5

you might consider (if you don't have one or both already) to look at the ABA or Audubon site guides for the area, they are supposed to both be good.

Niels

 

gpike

Well-known member

• May 18, 2011

• #6

Thank you all for the responses so far!

Where can I find the site guides? Are they online somewhere?

 

D

djludlow

David J Ludlow

• May 18, 2011

• #7

www.aztrogon.com

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• May 18, 2011

• #8

One of them is third one down here: http://www.buteobooks.com/ABAPUB.html
The other here: http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/nature-shops/onlineshop/birdingbooks.html

Niels

 

gpike

Well-known member

• May 19, 2011

• #9

Oh, unfortunately I can't afford to spend that kind of money for books I'd only be using for 2 months and can't keep since I'm moving to Guam in July. Thanks, though. : )

 

Steve Gross

Well-known member

• May 19, 2011

• #10

You certainly wouldn't need all of the books. One should do. My guess is that you'll go back to AZ once you've birded there and seen how great it can be.

Another resource I use is Blake Maybank's repository of trip reports:

http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/maybank/USA/AZ/AZ-Index.htm

I'm a big believer in good planning for trips, so my suggestion is to get as much information as possible. Stuart Healy's website (he is a guide in SE AZ) has a journal that offers great insight about which birds to see where/when:

http://www.aztrogon.com/Journal/Main.htm

Best of luck.

 

gpike

Well-known member

• May 26, 2011

• #11

Thank you Steve, I will absolutely check those out! I've actually ordered one of the books and worked out arrangements to send it on to somebody else when I'm done with it.

I may well come back to the area someday if my husband gets a job out here, but we'll be living on guam for at least 2 years and hopefully doing some more overseas travel during/after that time, so it's too early to plan for anything like that. XD