- Montezuma Quail - currently very scarce having suffered last breeding season. Even when they're common they're very difficult to see. The Ruby Road area is good (California Gulch, Sycamore Canyon, Pena Blanca Lake) or anywhere on grassy hills and rocky slopes with oaks in the Patagonia, Huachuca, Chiricahua or Santa Rita Mountains.
- Scaled Quail - Sulphur Springs Valley is good, or grasslands around Elgin, Huachuca foothills.
- Common Black Hawk - migrating through SE Arizona right now, by April/May they will be on territory a little further north. Arivaipa Canyon is probably the closest to Tucson.
- Whiskered Screech Owl - Madera Canyon or other similar oak/mixed woodland at 5,000 ft or higher.
- Owls (any, especially Elf, Burrowing, Mexican and Ferruginous Pygmy) - Elf Owl at Madera Canyon, Battiste's B&B near Sierra Vista. Burrowing in agricultural areas such as Santa Cruz Flats or Sulphur Springs Valley with one or two in/around Tucson. Mexican (Spotted, I assume) roosting during the day at Miller Canyon, or Scheelite Canyon on Fort Huachuca. Ferruginous Pygmy is only left at one or two secret sites in S Arizona and is the only owl I've yet to see. You can safely assume you won't see one. In general, an owling expedition in one of the mountain ranges should net you something of interest.
- Goatsuckers (any) - places like Madera Canyon are best
- Elegant Trogon - Madera Canyon, Huachucas, Chiricahuas.
- Green Kingfisher - sporadic at best. A few recent records but none that have hung around. Most likely at San Pedro House and Patagonia Lake/Sonoita Creek.
- Olive Warbler - breeds in mountains from 5,000 feet upwards. Madera Canyon, Mt Lemmon, etc
- Painted Redstart - quite common in wooded canyons, again, Madera Canyon, Huachucas, Chiricahuas, etc.
- Red-faced Warbler - higher elevations in mountains, as above
- Rose-throated Becard - sadly has not returned to breed for four years. The usual site is the Patagonia Roadside Rest.
- Indigo Bunting - small numbers can sometimes be seen in riparian areas such as San Pedro River, Empire Ranch
- Varied Bunting - not usually seen until mid-May. Uncommon on rocky slopes. Try Proctor Road at Madera Canyon, Patagonia Roadside Rest, California Gulch.
In addition we are interested in seeing some reptiles and mammals. Are there any good places for the following species
- Gila Monster - prime Sonoran desert, such as Saguaro National Park (East or West). Rare.
- Snakes (any, especially Rattlesnakes an AZ Coral Snake) Rattlers are fairly easily encountered at places like Saguaro National Park around or after dusk, especially on the road. During the day, any dirt roads are worth driving down extremely slowly whilst scanning for what are often brown snakes on a brown road. You can easily go for weeks without seeing any snakes if you're not looking out for them.
- Pronghorn - uncommon but often encountered around Elgin/Sonoita.
- Bighorn Sheep - rare. I've never seen one.
- Coyote - any open habitats, relatively common and can be seen during the day.
- Kit Fox - never seen one.
- Black Bear - still not seen one in Arizona. I'm way overdue.
Any chance to see Mountain Lion (Dream...)? - I'm still dreaming too...
And at last some organizational stuff:
- Do you think it is possible to get a place for one tent on campsites without prebooking (April-May)? - No idea I'm afraid.
- In the Chiricahuas are there any problems with Black Bears when leaving edibles in a car by day? - I wouldn't have thought so during the day. At night, yes, be careful.
- Would you recommend bringing a scope with us or is it just dead weight? - yes and no. I carry one all the time but only because I'm a guide. I sometimes don't use it at all in wooded canyons. If you can bear it, bring it, but it's not a huge loss if you can't, as much of your birding will be in canyons.