SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA IN WINTER
January 16-24, 2008

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Great scenery, great birds, and pleasant temperatures are highlights of a winter trip to one of the top birding destinations in the U.S.  Riparian areas are host to a wide array of wintering landbirds while grasslands provide feeding grounds for birds of prey, sparrows, and longspurs, and area lakes are home to a variety of grebes, geese, and ducks.  We should be able to see a long list of raptors including Golden Eagle, Prairie Falcon, and Ferruginous Hawk, thousands of Sandhill Cranes as they come to their evening roost, and 20+ species of sparrows.  Winter is also a good time to hope for a stray from Mexico, with Ruddy Ground-Dove and Rufous-backed Robin being two rare possibilities.  Places visited will include Sweetwater Wetlands, Saguaro National Park, Buenos Aires NWR, Patagonia Lake, the Sulphur Springs Valley, and Willcox Twin Lakes. 

PACE, WEATHER, AND TRAVEL CONDITIONS:

Our days in the field will usually begin about 7:00 a.m. and will end about 5:00 p.m.  On a few days, an earlier start may be required; we build in either siesta time or an early end to the day (that day or the day before) in those cases.  On most days lunches will be in the field (we have coolers for cold food and drinks), and we will provide ample opportunity to get them before the day begins.  The trip involves easy to moderate walking over flat and hilly terrain.  On one or two occasions we may hike up canyons about one mile or so.

Temperatures will be generally cool to warm, though early morning and evening may be chilly.  Expect a temperature range from 40-75 degrees.  Rain is a possibility, though not likely; it is still advisable to pack a rain poncho or umbrella.  The sun is always strong in this region, so sunscreen and a brimmed hat are advised.

Travel during this tour will be in vans, with no more than 6 participants plus a leader in one "12 person" van.  Tour size is limited to 12 participants.  Terrain varies from flat trails to some canyons and hilly terrain.  Walking is easy to moderate.  Biting insects such as mosquitoes could be present at one or two sites, but are unlikely to be very bothersome during the tour.

Additional information about the tour, with specific meeting times, a list of participants, addresses of motels, lists of things to bring, a reading list, a list of probable/possible birds, further information about weather, dress, and so forth, will be mailed to all participants well in advance of the tour.

DATES: Wednesday, January 16 (meet at our hotel in Tucson at 8:00 pm) to Thursday, January 24, 2008 (flights home)

PRICE: Cost for this tour is approximately $1750, based on double occupancy; single supplement $350.  A deposit of $500 will hold your place until November 16, 2007 when full payment becomes due.

PRICE INCLUDES:

Motel accommodations for 8 nights, tour leadership, ground transportation while in Arizona, and entrance fees/permits to all areas on the itinerary.  It does not include meals or airfare to/from Tucson.

SEND DEPOSITS & OTHER PAYMENTS TO:

NJAS Eco-Travel
9 Hardscrabble Rd.
Bernardsville, NJ 07924
908-204-8998
Make Checks payable to NJAS.

TOUR LEADERS:

Scott Barnes began birding at the age of twelve and has been an avid naturalist ever since.  Encouragement and learning came from his parents and many birders, including members of the Urner Ornithological Club and staff of New Jersey Audubon Society.  An interest in travel and natural history has led him from northwestern Alaska to the desert southwest to Trinidad and Tobago in search of plants and animals.  He began birding at Sandy Hook, where he is the Senior Naturalist for the Sandy Hook Bird Observatory.  Scott is the Region 3 Editor for Records of New Jersey Birds, compiles the Sandy Hook Christmas Bird Count, is the current Chair of the New Jersey Bird Records Committee, and a tour leader for the NJ Audubon Travel Program.  Scott has led NJAS tours to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Florida, Utah, North Carolina, and Trinidad and Tobago.  Scott has led two previous tours to Arizona.

For tour itineraries, to register, or for more information contact:

NJAS Eco-Travel at: (908)-204-8998
9 Hardscrabble Road
Bernardsville, NJ 07924
or email travel@njaudubon.org.

If you are not a member and would like to become one, consider Joining New Jersey Audubon Society.