“If you build it, they will come.”
— Field of Dreams

A male Montezuma Quail poses on the rocks at the edge of Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary’s new pond. The pond was designed in part with the quail in mind, with a section of saturated soil to provide suitable growing conditions for some of their favorite food plants.

The Montezuma Quail are back, and they like our new pond!

Sanctuary caretakers Tim Blount and Kristy Reske Gallo have been hearing and seeing Montezuma Quail more frequently over the last few weeks, mostly near the new pond where Tim captured this fabulous portrait this morning!

The best chances of seeing a quail are in the early morning and late evening, though the males’ eerie quavering songs may be heard off and on through the day. The best locations are the three new viewing blinds on the south side of the property. The quail can be quite sensitive to movement and loud or sudden noises, so we recommend moving slowly when approaching the blinds and keeping voices down.

With our late summer busy season approaching, it’s important to remember that the sanctuary is closed until noon on Thursdays, our public parking is limited to 9 spaces, and there is no legal parking along the road between the sanctuary and SR 92. Should you happen to arrive to find the parking lot full, please visit one of the many excellent birding areas nearby and try again later. We sincerely appreciate our visitors’ assistance in maintaining good relations with our neighbors so that the sanctuary can continue to welcome birders and nature lovers from around the world.

Thanks again to Tucson Audubon Society for helping to make our pond dreams come true!