Birding in Arizona in early April (1 Viewer)

[Keitha]

Hi,
My wife and I are looking at the possibility of visiting Arizona in early April this year flying there from Kelowna after visiting family (we live in the UK). From googling the web it appears that the Birding is best from mid-April to mid-May but this will be too late for us. Is early April any good at all and where should one go at that time of year. The other possibility is to leave our visit until August when we return to Canada to see the grand-children again. The flight from Kelowna arrives in Phoenix and we intend to hire a car if we go. Also any good places to stay preferably that are birding orientated.

Regrds,
Keith Allen

 

[raymie]

While early April is not the peak time for birds in Arizona, it's still an excellent time for birding there. The best birding areas in Arizona are the southeastern part of the state and Tucson. (Also Gilbert Water Ranch in Phoenix, since you would have to be in Phoenix at some point).

I highly recommend staying for a night or two at the Santa Rita Lodge at Madera Canyon. They have feeders there and it's a beautiful area.

If you need further ideas for specific locations in SE AZ/Tucson, just let me know.

 

[YuShan]

I hiked the Arizona Trail in 2017 (hiking from the Mexican border to Utah state line) from end of March to beginning of May, so roughly around the same time as your planned visit. I found it fantastic in terms of both scenery and birds (and some other animals too, snakes, Gila monster, etc). I simply hiked the trail, so I leave it to others to comment on specific locations that are good when visiting by car.

 

[Lisa W]

I would also venture to the Sierra Vista and Patagonia area if you have time. Early April will have some of the migrant birds heading through that area of the “sky islands”.

 

[lmans66]

I would start in Tucson, and bird Sweetwater Water Treatment plant in Tucson (Free) ...... then drive south Madera Canyon.....and do what Rayme suggested and spend the night at Santa Rita Lodge. Then back south a bit more and bird the De Anza trail near Tubac and Tumacacori. Then south some more to Patagonia Lake State Park ($15), and on to the Patton House in Patagonia itself (Hummingbirds and a trail as well). Bird the grasslands near Sonoita and head to Sierra Vista and lots of places to bird there.

A nice little loop as you can then head north from Sierra Vista area and maybe stop off at Wilcox Lake as you head west for Tucson. Or..... Head east into New Mexico and bird Bosque Del Apache (an excellent spot as well) and fly out of Albuquerque instead of Tucson. A great adventure.

April will be fine...... do that as opposed to August as more alive, chirpy, colorful etc in spring.

 

[Keitha]

I very much appreciate the excellent help and advice on birding in Arizona and I have finalised my trip. I have 6 days in an air B&B in Sierra Vista. One of the birds I would love to see and photograph is the Costa's hummingbird and would appreciate knowing a good venue to capture this species.