Join Naturalist Journeys for a NEW! tour, timed perfectly for spring raptor migration in Arizona. This is a fun, short getaway that we think you’ll love!

The beginning of migration is in the air, and so are the raptors! The raptors are some of the first to start migrating through the Santa Cruz River Valley. This valley holds a lot of history as a travel route for early settlers as well as being a prime pathway for wildlife. The river originates in Arizona in the San Rafael Valley, flows south into Sonora, Mexico, then makes a U-turn, returning as a lush green corridor flowing north through Tucson eventually to the Gila River, a tributary of the Colorado. During the first two weeks of March, Arizona’s nesting raptors start flowing through.

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"This was a wonderful trip with great guides, great food, and great lodgings." — Ellen Adams

Tour Highlights

  • Explore stunning Saguaro National Park, where, on quiet roads and trails through dramatic cactus forests, we seek out Harris’s Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Swainson’s Hawk, and possibly Ferruginous Hawk
  • Learn about the geology and biodiversity of the saguaro desert while soaking in some southwestern sunshine
  • Tally sightings of raptors, hummingbirds, wintering sparrows, and longspurs and desert mammals such as Javelina and Black-tailed Jackrabbit
  • Dine in fun, local restaurants that feature a mix of borderland and bistro-style international cuisine
  • Enjoy photography—our guides lend tips as we travel and site various birds and wildlife
  • Spend three mornings at the Santa Cruz Hawkwatch, watching for Common Black Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk, and Turkey and Black Vultures, and possibly even Golden Eagle
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Trip Itinerary

Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary may occur to account for weather, road conditions, closures, etc. and to maximize your experience.

Thurs., Mar. 13     Arrivals in Tucson | Sweetwater Wetlands

After a midday meetup at the Tucson airport, our birding begins with gusto at Sweetwater Wetlands, one of Tucson’s many birding hotspots, and a perfect start to an exciting tour. Harris’s Hawk rest in tall eucalyptus trees, Red-tailed Hawk patrol the dry river basin, and Cooper’s Hawk control the wetlands. Song Sparrow and Abert’s Towhee hide in thick stands of salt brush. Ducks float past cattails and willows as Red-winged, Yellow-headed, and Brewer’s Blackbird are on the wing. One year, we had a surprise glimpse of a Bobcat on the prowl! This wetland is a true treasure in the heart of Tucson and fourth on the list of hotspots with the most species in Arizona.  

We cap the evening off with a delicious welcome dinner at the world famous El Charro Cafe. We’ve chosen a hotel with hacienda-style accommodations and a lot of southwestern charm. With a great location in central Tucson, we can get to several urban oases that are magnets for birds. Welcome to Arizona!
Accommodations at Lodge on the Desert (D) 

Fri., Mar. 14     Saguaro National Park | Hawk Trail 

Our first full day is spent among the tree-size columnar cacti of the Sonoran Desert, better known as Saguaros. Enjoy birding and exploring Saguaro National Park, a 90,000-acre wilderness preserve teeming with desert life. The park is home to Vermilion Flycatcher, Gilded Flicker, Gila Woodpecker, Rufous-winged and Black-throated Sparrows, Curve-billed Thrasher, and a host of other species. Greater Roadrunner may even zip past us chasing lizards! After a couple of short walks and an informative drive, we leave the park on its southern side. Watch the sky for Harris’s Hawk and even the occasional Crested Caracara. 

After lunch in the park, we work our way north to the agriculture fields just north of Tucson. This is a favorite area for species such as Prairie Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Swainson’s Hawk, and even the possibility of a holdover Ferruginous Hawk. The lower creosote desert habitat is also prime for thrasher viewing; sometimes upwards of 3 species of thrasher can be seen at once. Curve-billed, Bendire’s, and Sage Thrashers have all been found on the same stretch of road. Before leaving the agriculture fields, we also make one more stop at a Burrowing Owl colony. First established in 2021 as part of a statewide effort to protect Burrowing Owl habitats, it has been a very successful colony. 

With spirits hopefully soaring high from our time with the owls, we return to our lodgings passing through another saguaro forest. This is prime habitat for Harris’s Hawk. This large stand of saguaros north of Tucson is a local favorite for driving and looking for these unique raptors. It can be a prime area for photographers looking to get that special picture of a hawk perched on a giant saguaro. This is a last chance to pick up some other desert species we may have missed, including Cactus Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, and Pyrrhuloxia. 

Dinner is again at a local favorite restaurant near the hotel. 
Accommodations at Lodge on the Desert (B,L,D)

Sat., Mar. 15      Tubac Hawk Watch |  Santa Cruz River

Today is an exciting day! This is our first of three mornings at the International Hawkwatch’s Tubac Hawk Watch. We have an early start in Tucson so we can make it down to Tubac before the first liftoffs of the morning. We don’t want to miss the possible steady stream of Common Black Hawks. The Common Black Hawk is generally scarce, and can be hard to find since it lives along riparian corridors and spends much of its time perched, soaring briefly only in the mornings. Arizona is the best place in the U.S. to see this summer visitor from the tropics. Along with the Common Black Hawk, we also keep our eyes peeled for Zone-tailed Hawk and Turkey and Black Vultures. 

The morning also affords us time at the International Hawkwatch Festival to take in the booth set up and attend any guest speakers that might align with our time there. After the morning at hawk watch, we have a refreshing lunch in the artistic town of Tubac. We then check into our nicely-appointed country club lodging with a little downtime before heading out for an early evening walk along the Santa Cruz River. This is one of the best habitats for Gray Hawk and we often find them perched in the giant Arizona Sycamores lining the river. Here, we also look out for Green Kingfisher, the first early arrivals of Lucy’s Warbler, Bell’s Vireo, and Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet. 

Dinner tonight is in Tubac at the most excentrically decorated Elvira’s restaurant. 
Accommodations at Tubac Resort (B,L,D)

Sun., Mar. 16      Tubac Hawk Watch | Santa Rita Canyons

Sunday marks day two of hawk watching. We return this morning after breakfast, in time for the show. There is something special about sitting at the local park with dozens of like-minded birders all looking upward, hoping to catch a glimpse of the first raptor of the morning. Today give us plenty of time to view the mimicry of the Zone-tailed Hawk and Turkey Vulture, as well as the Common Black Hawk, along with the Black Vulture it is mimicking. The hawk watch averages about 200 Common Black Hawks passing by in the month of March so we should have plenty of chances to study them. 

After a tasty lunch in Tubac, we make our way to the canyons of the Santa Rita Mountains. This is one of the most diverse Sky Islands in Arizona. Comprising some of the most bird-diverse canyons in the US, we have a variety of options to explore the range and its many treasures. Hummingbirds abound at Santa Rita Lodge, and they have just started making their migration north. The upper portions of Madera Canyon have been a known area for breeding Goshawks. The foothills of the Santa Rita Mountains are also a place we want to keep an eagle eye out for spotting … Golden Eagle! It's hard to beat a soaring Golden Eagle with a 10,000-foot peak in the background. Other species we search for could be early season Elegant Trogon, Crissal Thrasher, and Arizona Woodpecker. 

After an early evening in the canyons, we head back to the Tubac Resort with time to freshen up before our final dinner. We enjoy a celebratory dinner and a sunset show at the Tubac Stables Ranch Grill on the property of our hotel. 
Accommodations at Tubac Resort (B,L,D)

Mon., Mar. 17     Tubac Hawk Watch | Departures 

Today marks our third and final morning at the hawk watch. After breakfast we spend a few hours in the morning watching our last liftoff of the trip before departing for the airport. It’s a bittersweet day after enjoying three mornings of hawk migration, as we, like them, make our way north to the airport. (B)

  • Group Photo by Hugh Simmons

  • Costa's Hummingbird by Hugh Simmons

  • Fall in Arizona by Hugh Simmons

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Elegant Trogon by Homer Gardin

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Vermillion Flycatcher

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Santa Catalina Mountains

  • Greater Roadrunner by Hugh Simmons

  • Guide Troy Corman by Hugh Simmons

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Curve-billed Thrasher

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Birding Arizona by Homer Gardin

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Western Meadowlark by Hugh Simmons

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Prickly Pear

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Broad-billed Hummingbird by Hugh Simmons

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Sunrise in Tucson

  • Northern Shovelers by Hugh Simmons

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Painted Redstart by Hugh Simmons

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Tucson, Arizona

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Bobcat

  • Arizona Birding, Arizona Bird Watching, United States, North American Birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot, Sonoran Desert, Tucson

    Loggerhead Shrike

  • Fall in Arizona by Hugh Simmons

  • Harris's Hawk by Hugh Simmons

  • Rock Squirrel by Hugh Simmons

  • Catalina State Park by Hugh Simmons

  • Gambel's Quail by Hugh Simmons

  • Group at Santa Cruz Flats by Hugh Simmons

  • Pomarine Jaeger by Hugh Simmons

Cost of the Journey

Cost of the Journey is per person, based on occupancy: $2290 DBL / $3270 SGL, from Tucson, AZ. The tour price includes airport transfers, 4 nights’ accommodation, ground transportation in vans, professional guide services, park and other entrance fees, and miscellaneous program expenses. The tour price does not include round-trip airfare to and from Tucson, personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, drinks from the bar, and gratuities for luggage handling or other services. Guide gratuities are at your discretion.

Travel Details

Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed.

Arrival and Departure Airport: Tucson International Airport (TUS)

Travel Tip: If you want to arrive a day or two early or stay on after the tour, Tucson is a great city to explore. The world-renowned Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a fun place to spend part of a day with a zoo, natural history museum, and botanical gardens all in one location. Tohono Chul Botanical Gardens offers easy nature trails through a variety of gardens and Saguaro National Park is a great place to visit for scenery, hiking, and to see the iconic saguaro cactus. The downtown area, which is close to the University of Arizona campus, offers many restaurants and shops. Downtown Tucson is about 8 miles from the airport and can be reached by a taxi, Uber/Lyft, or renting a car. You will need to return to the airport by 1 PM on January 10 if you are not staying at an airport hotel.

Hotel Recommendations: If you want to relax and stay near the airport after arrival (we can pick you up at these hotels), we recommend: La Quinta Inn Tucson Airport (520) 573-3333 Courtyard by Marriott Tucson Airport (520) 573-0000 Does staying downtown and exploring the many shops and restaurants sound interesting? We would recommend: Home 2 Suites by Hilton (520) 274-7400 The Leo Kent Hotel by Marriott (520) 549-5330 If you have a rental vehicle and plan on visiting Tohono Chul, a great hotel in that area is La Posada. There are many restaurants in this area as well. La Posada Lodge & Casitas (520) 492-6637.

Items of Note

Tour Notes & Pace
PACE: Moderate, with full days of birding and walks on quiet roads and trails. A typical walk is less than two miles and often we have a series of walks at different spots that are a half-mile each, several times a day. DINING: Casual, a mix of local restaurants and both restaurant and picnic lunches.

Browse below for trip reports and species lists from past versions of this and other tours from this destination.

Arizona

Monsoon Madness

Sunshine & Saguaros

  • Vernie Aikins

    Vernie fell in love with birding in Southern Arizona in 2011 through his love of photography, starting out with just a camera and guide book. He started guiding in 2021 with his wife’s non-profit S.A.A.W.R. and the Tucson Audubon leading bird outings for people with disabilities. Though Vernie is primarily the Office Administrator at Naturalist Journeys, he does get the chance to guide from time to time. His excitement in seeing a Turkey Vulture (his favorite bird) for the 50th time or a lifer is contagious, and he has a true passion for helping others find, identify, and enjoy birds. As an avid mountain biker, he also started a non-profit focusing on trail maintenance and reopening trails after the devastating fires in the Catalina Mountains in 2003, overseeing thousands of hours of volunteer trail work. His favorite place to be is in Southern Arizona exploring along the Santa Cruz River or high up in one of the Sky Islands.

    Other trips with Vernie Aikins

  • Troy Corman

    Troy has been an avid birder since high school. Raised in rural south-central Pennsylvania, he moved to Arizona in 1980 to pursue higher education and new adventures. For several years he conducted wildlife inventories on the upper San Pedro River for the Bureau of Land Management. He has worked for the nongame Branch of the Arizona Game and Fish Department since 1990, conducting surveys and coordinating projects for species of concern. He coordinated the Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas project from its inception. His passion for birds has taken him as far away as Peru and East Africa, and he plans to increase his world travels.

    Photo credit: Hugh Simmons

    Other trips with Troy Corman

Essential Information +

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have Read more

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have the best experience possible. If you only read one section, this one is key!

Ahead of Your Tour

  • Please talk with your doctor about general health needs. It is a good idea to consult with your doctor about general vaccinations recommended for travel.
  • Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed. After you make travel reservations, please send a copy of your travel itinerary to the Naturalist Journeys office at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com.
  • Travel insurance in case of serious medical emergency is recommended. Full health coverage and repatriation is available through Allianz Travel Insurance.
  • Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Remember to pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay.

Health Information

We will share a copy of your health and emergency contact information with your guide. This information will be kept confidential but is very important in case of a medical emergency. In addition to bringing any prescription medications with you, we recommend that you have a copy of the prescriptions in case of loss.

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.  

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Food & Drink

We carry water and juices/cold drinks in the cooler each day, and sodas if people like them. Please also plan on bringing and filling your water bottle for hiking each day. We try to use as few plastics as possible!

Packing, Clothing & Laundry

Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Please pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay.

Dress is informal and is casual even at restaurants. Layering is a great way to stay comfortable. Protective clothing is essential, whether it be from sun, rain, cold, insects, or vegetation. You need closed toe shoes, and wear comfortable walking shoes with good tread. Hiking boots with good support for hiking and on rocky terrain can work well.

Spending Money

Many people ask how much to plan to bring as spending money. Part of that depends on how much you want to shop. Most shops will take VISA and MasterCard or American Express. Typical items people purchase include local souvenirs and T-shirts, caps, and natural history books.  You may want to bring cash for drinks with dinner (if available) or smaller local purchases.

Gratuities

Expect the normal tipping protocol to apply for hotel maids and bar service. If at the end of the tour, you would like to show your appreciation to your guides, tipping is entirely appropriate but at your discretion. We hope that you will be pleased with all professional services. Gratuities for group meals are included. For your birding tour guide, we suggest $10-$15 per day per guest. Note that if there is more than one guide, this amount can be split among them.

Cell Phones & Internet Service

Wi-Fi and cell phone service are available in most US destinations, although there are some exceptions in remote locations. Wi-Fi is generally provided in all hotels, lodges, and restaurants you visit, at least in public areas. Please refrain from taking or making cell phone calls in the vehicles when traveling with other passengers unless it appears to be an emergency as this disrupts other guests – please plan cell phone calls on your own time.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

For this tour, your guides will drive travelers in either full-size or mini-vans or a combination of those two. We ask all attendees to please rotate your seating, so you ride with different drivers and alternate between front and back seats.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives permission to record photos and/or video of your participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochures, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.

 

Packing List +

Please Pack Light! Soft luggage is much easier for us to pack than a more rigid Read more

Please Pack Light!

Soft luggage is much easier for us to pack than a more rigid hard sided piece, so if you have the choice, please use your soft luggage  Be sure to have your name and address on the inside of the bag, as well as on the luggage tag on the handle. It is our hope that you can pack in one checked suitcase that does not exceed 45 pounds. Be sure to pack your personal medication, airline tickets, passport, binoculars, camera, and other essential items in your carry-on bag. You will want a day pack for field trips, so this is an ideal carry-on. Please reconfirm your airline’s baggage weight and size restrictions about a week or so before departure.

In general, the weather should vary from warm to cool, with highs  to 80° and lows dipping down to the low 40s°F, sometimes even below freezing. We suggest packing a jacket and layers. Check your favorite weather website closer to your departure to better predict what the weather will be on your adventure.

Dress is comfortable and informal throughout the trip. Dressing in layers is the best way to be comfortable. Lightweight long-sleeved shirts and long pants make ideal field clothing as they are more protective from sun and vegetation. But if you like to wear them, by all means bring some shorts. Also, choose clothing you don’t mind getting dirty or muddy and things that are comfortable and easy. Note on clothing colors: We recommend muted colors of tan, brown, khaki, grey or green, as they are spotted less easily than white or bright colors, though camouflage clothing is not recommended.

Clothing & Gear

  • Long pants, 2 pairs
  • Shorts (1 pair or use a pair of zip-offs that give you both short and long)
  • Long-sleeved shirts (2)
  • T-shirts or equivalent (remember you may be buying some there anyway)
  • Lightweight raincoat or poncho (rain not likely, but possible)
  • Windbreaker type jacket (can be same as above)
  • Personal underclothing
  • Socks, long enough to tuck in your pants – lightweight and easy to wash and dry
  • Comfortable walking shoes and lightweight hiking boots – good tread is essential!
  • Light to medium weight jacket
  • Fleece sweater or a sweatshirt
  • Hat with broad brim
  • Gloves, warm hat, scarf for mornings and evenings
  • Comfortable clothes for evening (a cleaner version of your field cloths or a skirt, etc.)

Equipment & Miscellaneous

  • Airline ticket
  • Photo identification
  • Toiletry articles
  • Small daypack or fanny pack for carrying your field gear
  • Walking stick (optional but recommended if you usually use sticks when hiking)
  • Water bottle (or plan to refill one bought on location)
  • Alarm clock (if you use your phone, be sure to turn off data roaming)
  • Sunscreen/lip balm
  • Gel bandana for cooling (optional)
  • Sunglasses with neck strap
  • Umbrella, compact and not brightly colored (optional, but useful for protection from rain if not windy)
  • Small flashlight or headlamp with fresh batteries
  • Binoculars (a clear shower cap works well to keep off rain and mist)
  • Camera and extra batteries, battery chargers, film or digital chips, lens cleaning supplies and your instruction manual (optional)
  • Spotting scope and tripod (optional, guide will have one)
  • Notebook or journal and pen (optional)
  • Field guides (optional)
  • Earplugs (optional) 
  • Portable packages of facial tissues
  • Laundry soap if you plan to do hand washing
  • Small bottle of antibacterial soap
  • Rechargeable power bank (optional)

 

WE DO NOT RECOMMEND TRAVELING WITH PRECIOUS OR VALUABLE JEWELRY – don’t tempt anyone and don’t bring things you’d regret losing, and your mind will be at ease!

Medical & First Aid Items

  • Personal medication
  • Motion sickness preventatives if likely to be needed on bus, van, drives, etc.
  • Personal first aid kit and medications for general ailments (including tweezers for spines)
  • Copy of eyeglass prescription, medical prescriptions, vaccination records, and any medical alerts
  • Health insurance information
  • Extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts
  • Band-aids, moleskin to protect against blisters
  • Antibacterial soap in small container for quick handwashing

 

Suggested Reading List +

General Reading The Deserts of the Southwest: A Sierra Club Naturalist’s Guide Natural Environments of Arizona: From Read more

General Reading

The Deserts of the Southwest: A Sierra Club Naturalist’s Guide

Natural Environments of Arizona: From Desert to Mountains

Roadside Geology of Arizona

A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert

House in the Sun: A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert

Gathering the Desert

The Deserts of the Southwest: A Sierra Club Naturalist’s Guide

A Natural History of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Arizona; with an Introduction to the Madrean Sky Islands

Sonoran Desert Spring

Field Guides

National Audubon Society Sibley Guide to Birds

Field Guide to the Birds of North America

There are a number of other good bird field guides, bring that you are most used to using. Please note that your guide will have a full set of local identification guides for plants, reptiles and amphibians, mammals and butterflies.

General Birding

Hummingbirds of North America: The Photographic Guide

A Field Guide to Hummingbirds of North America

Lives of North American Birds

Pete Dunne’s Essential Field Guide Companion

Site Guides

A Birder’s Guide to Southeastern Arizona

Tucson Audubon’s Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona

As an Amazon Associate, Naturalist Journeys earns from qualifying purchases, and may get commissions for purchases made through links on this page at no added cost to you.

 

Useful Links +

Learn more about your destination at these external websites, carefully researched for you. Read more

General

Tucson

Tubac

Nature, Wildlife & Biology

Tucson Audubon Society

Birding Guides

Santa Cruz Flats Sightings List – eBird.org

Hummingbirds of Arizona

Sweetwater Wetlands hotspot

Reptiles and Amphibians

Mammals

Southeastern Arizona Wildflowers

Conservation, Parks & Reserves

About Sky Island Mountain Ranges

Sonoran Desert Museum

Pollinator Conservation

Tohono Chul Gardens

Saguaro National Park

Tucson Mountain Park

Catalina State Park

San Xavier del Bac

Madera Canyon

Tubac Nature Center

Tumacácori National Historical Park

Geology & Geography

Geology of Arizona and Coronado National Memorial Arizona

Geography of Arizona

History & Culture

Tucson & Southern Arizona

Helpful Travel Websites

Tucson International Airport

Homeland Security Real ID Act

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

ATM Locator

Date & Time


Photo credits: Banners: Tucson Mountain State Park Scenic (NJ Stock), Loggerhead Shrike (NJ Stock), Desert Flowers (NJ Stock), Tucson Scenic (Steve Wolfe), Acorn Woodpecker (Hugh Simmons) Thumbnails: Harris’ Hawk (Steve Wolfe), Broad-billed Hummingbird (NJ Stock), Albert’s Towhee (NJ Stock), Yellow-headed Blackbird (NJ Stock), Anna’s Hummingbird (NJ Stock), Crested Caracara (NJ Stock), Greater Roadrunner (NJ Stock), Gila Woodpecker (NJ Stock)

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