The Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory offers a variety of activities year-round for birders and other nature enthusiasts. Each season has its own special appeal and unique opportunities. For more information on planning your visit, please check SABO's Tips for Birding Travelers or contact us.
| Spring & Summer | Fall & Winter |
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River Walks &
Canyon Walks Fiesta de las Aves: A Spring Migration Celebration! |
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All SABO activities are
led by experienced local naturalists and are conducted with |
SABO's program schedule is subject to additions and cancellations. Reservations are required for workshops, winter weekend tours, and owl prowls and recommended for all other activities except hummingbird banding sessions. For reservations or more information on any of these activities, contact SABO.
The Fine Print: Though SABO and its cooperators will do their best to ensure that participants are notified of such changes in advance, we reserve the right to cancel tours, workshops and other activities or change fees without notice. Deposits on workshops, tours, and other activities are non-refundable unless the activity is canceled by SABO.
| SABO offers a variety of educational workshops in birding
and natural history. Workshops include three full days of activities,
usually starting with a morning classroom session followed by field trips to
a variety of hot spots appropriate to the subject and season.
Don't have a full three days to spend? SABO's revised workshop format
and fee schedule is for you! Join us for just one or two days of activities
at reduced rates. SABO workshop packages include field trip transportation from Bisbee in SABO's roomy touring bus, some meals, and instructional materials, including bird checklists. The American Birding Association is responsible for format, pricing, and reservations for IFO workshops (see links below). |
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Hummingbird Field Clinic
May 1, 2008, 1-4 p.m.Work on your hummingbird identification skills with Sheri Williamson, SABO naturalist and author of A Field Guide to Hummingbirds in the Peterson Field Guide Series, at Beatty's Guest Ranch, Arizona's number one hummingbird hot spot. Up to 12 species of hummingbirds may be present, offering opportunities to study fine differences in plumage, behavior, and voice under the guidance of an expert. Limited to 8 participants.
$35 for current SABO members, $45 for non-members. For reservations or more information, e-mail us or call 520-432-1388.
Institute for Field Ornithology
Owls & Trogons Workshop
May 11 - 18, 2008
Sorry - this workshop is FULL!Owls have always held a special fascination for birders and other wildlife enthusiasts, but their nocturnal habits make them challenging to observe. Trogons are less well known than owls among the general public, but their colorful plumage, tropical origins, secretive nature, and extremely limited distribution within the United States spark the imagination of birders. Your afternoon and evening classroom sessions will explore the lives of owls and trogons in depth, while day and evening field trips into a variety of habitats will give you first-hand experience with these fascinating and mysterious birds. No recordings will be used in the field, and every effort will be made to minimize our impact on the birds during this, their nesting season. Field trips will also offer opportunities to search for area specialties such as Mexican Chickadee, Crissal Thrasher, Red-faced Warbler, Arizona Woodpecker, and Montezuma Quail. You may also have the opportunity to observe or assist with research and monitoring projects involving owls, Elegant Trogons, or some of the seven species of hummingbirds that breed in the Chiricahuas as a workshop participant. You will have a fantastic time as we cover the behavior, ecology, conservation, and identification of the thirteen species of owls and two species of trogons that occur in southeastern Arizona. The workshop will be based in Sierra Vista, near the Huachuca Mountains.
Institute for Field Ornithology
Hummingbirds Workshop
July 27 - August 3, 2008From urban gardens to exotic birding hot spots, hummingbirds hold equal fascination for both novice and expert birders. In this workshop you will learn natural history, behavior, ecology, and identification of North American hummingbirds, with special emphasis on the fifteen species that occur in summer in southeastern Arizona. In many species, the gaudy plumage of adult males is virtually unmistakable, while the more subtle colors and intricate patterns of females and immature males present identification challenges on par with raptors, gulls, and shorebirds. These popular birds also have a tendency to wander far afield, so a working knowledge of a variety of species is an asset to virtually any birder anywhere in North America. Mornings will be spent in the field, while afternoons will be divided between classroom sessions and additional field time. Classroom presentations will focus on hummingbird natural history and aspects of identification progressing from basic to advanced, including aging and sexing, molt, behavior, voice, and wing sounds. Field trips will visit a variety of birding hot spots of particular interest to hummingbird aficionados but will not neglect the many other species that make this region so special. The workshop will be based in Bisbee.
Hummingbirds Mini-Workshop
August 30-31, 2008Hummingbirds are more than just pretty faces. These tiny dynamos pack a lot of excitement into a small package. What other group of birds combines mind-bending identification challenges with prismatic plumage and pit-bull pugnacity? Whether honing your identification skills to prepare for a rare vagrant in your own yard or just trying to understand your common species, workshop leader Sheri Williamson, author of A Field Guide to Hummingbirds of North America in the Peterson Field Guide Series, can help.
The workshop begin with a Saturday morning classroom session followed by field practice on Saturday afternoon and Sunday. Participants will also have the option of observing hummingbirds in hand during SABO's regularly scheduled banding session on Saturday afternoon.
$65 for current SABO members, $75 for non-members. Fee includes a copy of the latest supplement to A Field Guide to Hummingbirds of North America (copies of the guide may be ordered from SABO). Lunches and field trip transportation are not included. For reservations or more information, e-mail us or call 520-432-1388.
Activities Map | The Fine Print | Back to menu
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Activities Map | The Fine Print | Back to menu
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Activities Map | The Fine Print | Back to menu
Owl ProwlsFive species of small owls nest in the "sky islands" of southeastern Arizona, but they can be difficult to find and identify. Join a SABO naturalist on a no-tapes night walk in search of owls and other night creatures. Mule Mountain Owl Prowls take place at SABO's Banning Creek Field Station, where Elf Owl is the common nesting species and Whiskered Screech-Owls are occasional visitors. These walks are offered on an approximately weekly basis from late March through May. $10 per person for members of SABO, $15 for non-members. Participation is limited to 12, and reservations are required. As of April 21, the 2008 schedule of Mule Mountain Owl Prowls is suspended for lack of owl activity. We will substitute Huachuca Mountain Owl Prowls for these walks. Please see next paragraph for details and SABO's Calendar of Events for dates. Huachuca Mountain Owl Prowls are moonlight strolls through the oak woodland habitat of Elf Owls, Whiskered and Western screech-owls, "Mexican" Whip-poor-wills, and Common Poorwills. These walks are typically offered once or twice per month from late March through May, depending on the timing of the full moon. $15 per person for members of SABO, $20 for non-members. Participation is limited to 10, and reservations are required. Both walks begin with an introduction to owling ethics and the natural history, behavior, and identification of the small owls of southeastern Arizona. Please check SABO's calendar of events for dates of upcoming Owl Prowls. For Owl Prowl reservations or more information, contact SABO. |
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Sierra Vista EOP Bird WalksIn cooperation with the City of Sierra Vista, SABO, the Friends of the San Pedro River, and Huachuca Audubon Society offer 2-hour birding tours of the wastewater wetlands at the Environmental Operations Park on the city's east side. These Sunday morning tours begin at 8 a.m. from October through March and 7 a.m. from April through September. The tours spend approximately 2 hours exploring areas normally off limits to the public. No reservations are required for these tours, and there is no charge to participate, but all three organizations appreciate donations to help continue their work on behalf of southeastern Arizona's wildlife and habitats. Special tours are available for groups of 6 or more with advance arrangements; for more information on group tours, contact SABO. |
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Whitewater Wetlands WalksThese 3-hour bird walks take place at the Arizona Game & Fish Department's Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area between Bisbee and Elfrida, an oasis for breeding and migrating birds and winter home to hawks, owls, eagles, falcons, waterfowl, songbirds, and thousands of Sandhill Cranes. Walks begin at 9 a.m. Picnic facilities are available, and participants are encouraged to bring lunch as well as drinking water (the site has restrooms but no potable water). The walks include general birding around the main wildlife viewing area and adjacent trails; in winter, a highlight is watching the Sandhill Cranes return from their breakfast in nearby farm fields (dependent entirely on the cranes' schedule, of course). $10 per person for members of SABO, $15 for non-members. No reservations are required for these walks, which may be cancelled without notice depending on weather and road conditions and other access issues. Whitewater Wetlands Walks take place on an approximately weekly basis from late November through early April; please check SABO's calendar of events for dates. Personalized tours of Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area for individuals and groups are available with advance arrangements. For more information, contact SABO. |
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Hummingbird Banding
Hummingbird banding is conducted April through May and July through September at the San Pedro House visitor center of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, 7 miles east of Sierra Vista on Highway 90. Banding sessions take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on a weekly to biweekly schedule; please check SABO's calendar of events for specific dates. Sessions are open to the public without reservations and at no cost, but donations in support of this study are gratefully accepted. For more information, contact SABO. |
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Hawk Stalks
These all-day tours depart downtown Bisbee at 8 a.m. and return around 4 p.m. Participants travel in SABO's roomy touring bus, with frequent stops for roadside birding and short walks. Lunch in a local restaurant, educational materials and transportation from Bisbee are included. We recommend making reservations at least 1 week in advance by e-mail or phone. Tours begin Thanksgiving weekend and continue most weekends through February. Please check SABO's calendar of events for upcoming dates. $55 per adult for members of SABO, $65 for non-members; $35/members, $40/non-members for children age 10 to 16 when accompanied by an adult. Groups of 6 or more adults qualify for a discount of $10 per person. For Hawk Stalk reservations or more information, contact SABO. |
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Sulphur Springs Valley Tours
These short tours depart at 8.a.m. (note new time for 2007) from downtown Bisbee and return by 12:30 p.m. Participants travel to feeding and roosting sites in SABO's roomy touring bus; some walking required. Transportation from Bisbee is included. We recommend making reservations at least 1 week in advance by e-mail or phone. Tours begin Thanksgiving Friday and continue most Sundays through February. Please check SABO's calendar of events for upcoming dates. $35 per adult for members of SABO, $40 for non-members; $18/members, $20/non-members for children age 8 to 16 when accompanied by an adult. Groups of 6 or more adults qualify for a discount of $5 per person. For Sulphur Springs Valley Tour reservations or more information, contact SABO. |
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We're looking for a few curious, enthusiastic travelers to share some of our favorite international destinations. Group size will be small to ensure a quality experience. Contact SABO for more information.
Parrots & Quetzals: The Sierra Madre of Chihuahua
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Sonora Ranch Tours
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Personalized Guide ServicesLimited time? Special needs? Let a naturalist from the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory be your personal birding guide! We can introduce you to the birds, butterflies, other wildlife, flora, geology and history of this fascinating region in formats ranging from a half-day bird walk to a multi-day custom tour. We can even arrange all-day outings for groups of 6 or more, with lunch and transportation in a comfortable tour bus included. Rates (effective through June 1, 2008): Half-day tours (3-5 hours, 1-6 people): $140 for 1 or 2 people, plus $20 for each additional person. Members of SABO may deduct $10 from these rates. (Transportation and meals not included.) All-day tours (5-10 hours, 1-6 people): $210 for 1 or 2 people, plus $35 for each additional person. Members of SABO may deduct $20 from these rates. (Transportation and meals not included.) Guided bus tours (6-8 hours, 6-12 people): $60 per person, including lunch. Departure from Bisbee or Sierra Vista area for tours of multiple destinations in SABO's roomy tour bus.Rates for both walking and bus tours apply to locations or starting points within 30 miles of Bisbee, including the southern the Sulphur Springs Valley, southern San Pedro Valley, and Huachuca Mountains. Tours that begin at more distant locations and/or cross the border into northern Sonora may be arranged for a slightly higher fee. All personalized guide services are subject to availability; we recommend making reservations for bus tours at least 1 month in advance. Group guide services for non-profit educational organizations are available at reduced rates. Please contact SABO for more information on personalized guide services. |
River Walks
Canyon
Walks
Up
to ten species of hummingbirds use the San Pedro River as a freeway between
their tropical winter retreats and northern nesting grounds. Get a close-up look
at these tiny travelers as SABO staff capture, band, measure, and release them
as part of long-term studies of the bird life of this internationally important
migration route.
The
Sulphur Springs Valley is a winter paradise for birds of prey. Up to twenty
species may be found here between November and March, including eagles, falcons,
buteos, accipiters, harriers, kites and owls. SABO's Hawk Stalk tours take you
down highways and back roads in search of these magnificent predators and other
species that share their habitats. Along the way you'll learn about the
identification, behavior and ecology of the valley's raptors, cranes, sparrows
and other wintering and resident birds.
The Sulphur Springs Valley
is winter home to a wide variety of migratory birds, from tiny sparrows to
majestic Sandhill Cranes, as well as southwestern residents such as Gambel's and
Scaled Quail, Great Horned Owl, Greater Roadrunner, Harris's Hawk, and
Pyrrhuloxia. SABO's morning tours visit some of the best bird habitats in the
southern part of the valley, including a wetland that is home to waterfowl, shorebirds,
raptors, and one of the largest crane flocks in Arizona. 
