Birdwatching in Arizona

Birding contacts and birdwatching information



Local Birdingpal Contacts

Local Birdwatchers Using the Birdingpal resources you must agree to the following: If you contact a local Birdingpal and make arrangement to go birding, you should note it is common courtesy to make sure you show up for the appointment. If for any reason you are unable to do this, the least you must do is contacting the local Pal right away. Please note that most Birdingpals are serious birdwatchers. It is a privilege to contact them, and your message should reflect it. A local Pal does not get paid, but should he/she offer to take you out birding, using their own vehicle, it would be courteous to pay for the fuel. A lunch and/or a small gift would also be appropriate, something as simple as a souvenir of your country, or a pin from your local birding club. _____________________________________________________________ We want to hear about your experiences with Birdingpals. Please contact us with any comments or suggestions you have. CONTACT US _____________________________________________________________
		Initial	Last Name	Area	Available	Language
		J	O'Callaghan	Camp Verde	Anytime	English of course, some Spanish
		I live on the Verde River and have a large ranch with access to the national forest. Many birds are here. Willing to work with families.
		J	Ellison	Flagstaff	Anytime	English
		T	Blows	Flagstaff	Weekend	English
		As a long term resident of Flagstaff I am well acquainted with the area and its wildlife. I am always happy to help those wanting to see birds in the area.
		J	Day	Green Valley, Arizona & Plovdiv, Black Sea	June - September, Black Sea	English, Spanish, Bulgarian, Latin
		I am Jim Day, and I've been birding for 35 years. These days I split my year into three locations: The Bulgarian Black Sea, the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and Green Valley, Arizona. I've welcomed a number of BirdingPal visitors over the past several years, from many parts of the world, and it's always fun. I also make a major birding trip yearly. Last year it was Madagascar, Namibia and Botswana, the prior year South Africa, and in each of the three years before that I birded in Colombia. This year I'm considering Australia. I started birding during my years in Texas. Most of my Pals have found me at the Bulgarian Black Sea. I am based in Ravda, between Bourgas and Sunny Beach, and am usually in residence there from early June through most of September. A few of the many birds we usually turn up include Black-headed Bunting, Dalmatian Pelican, Collared Pratincole, Slender-billed Gull, Bee-eater, and Pygmy Cormorant. During fall migration starting about August 15, we get tens of thousands of White Stork, White Pelican, and a spectacular variety of raptors. One of the most popular local sites is Lake Atanasovsko, on the north side of Bourgas. I'd also be happy to welcome Pals in Plovdiv and in Arizona.		Area: The Bulgarian Black Sea, the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and Green Valley, Arizona. Area Birds:	Interests: Nature: birdwatching,
		T	Manson	Green Valley (a half hour south of Tucson), Arizona, USA	Anytime	English
		I have recently moved to the Green Valley area from British Columbia, Canada, where I also volunteered as a Birding Pal. Prior to the move, my wife and I spent part of the winters here as " snowbirders ". I have birded S.E. Arizona extensively, as well, at other times of the year. I have been an active birder for about 30 years, and have birded all parts of North America from St. Lawrence Island, in Alaska, in the extreme North West to Florida and Texas in the South East. Green Valley is directly opposite the Santa Rita Mountains which holds the world famous Madera, and Florida Canyons. Other local hotspots I regularly visit include all areas from Green Valley South and East to Patagonia, West to the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, and North to Tucson, and the Santa Cruz Flats. Depending on the time of year, there are a great number of birds that spend all or part of the year in this area. Some of the most sought after include Elegant Trogon, Black capped Gnatcatcher, Rufous backed Robin, Thick- billed Kingbird, Whiskered Screech Owl, Elf Owl, Mexican Whip-poor-Will, Violet crowned Hummingbird, Yellow billed Cuckoo, Sulphur bellied Flycatcher, Arizona Woodpecker, Summer and Hepatic Tanagers, and of course, the elusive Montezuma Quail to name just a few. Although I am always a birder first, I am also interested in bird photography, and am always willing to spend the time on a bird to get the best possible photo. Other interests of mine include hiking the myriad of great trails we have in this area. I am also a bit of a " gym rat " to try to stay in shape in support of my birding passion. Road biking also helps to keep my " blood flowing ".		Area: Madera, and Florida Canyons. Green Valley South and East to Patagonia, West to the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, and North to Tucson, and the Santa Cruz Flats. Area Birds: Elegant Trogon, Black capped Gnatcatcher, Rufous backed Robin, Thick- billed Kingbird, Whiskered Screech Owl, Elf Owl, Mexican Whip-poor-Will, Violet crowned Hummingbird, Yellow billed Cuckoo, Sulphur bellied Flycatcher, Arizona Woodpecker, Summer and Hepatic Tanagers, and of course, the elusive Montezuma Quail to name just a few.	Interests: Nature: birdwatching
		G	Crandall	Green Valley (Winter only)	Anytime	English
		J	Alpert	Kingman	Anytime	English
		The non-profit Willow Creek Riparian Preserve is a 10 acre high desert riparian preserve located 30 miles east of Kingman, Arizona. It is 1.5 hours east of Lake Havasu, 3 hours southeast of Las Vegas, NV, and 2.5 hours west of the Grand Canyon National Park. The Preserve is owned and operated by Senior Preserve Managers Bob and Julie who have over 45 years of combined professional birding experience. Bob and Julie have also created and conducted ecological education tours; perform habitat management restoration; and are knowledgeable about ethnobotanical resources. The Preserve offers much more than birding - there are many reptiles and amphibians present as well as mammals, in addition to significant historical and cultural resoures. The property was utilized as a way station between 1840 and 1880 between Hardyville (i.e. Bullhead City) and Prescott/Fort Whipple - the road was known as the Hardyville Toll Road. Camp Willow Glen, 8th Cavalry, was located in the southern portion of the Preserve. The surrounding area offers dry camping with plenty of room to set up an RV (water available at the Preserve) and 1,000's of surrounding acres to explore. The nearest lodging and dining is in Kingman. Special events at the Preserve may be considered. All donations go to the Preserve for future habitat acquisition and restoration.
		M	Bilotta	Mesa	Anytime	English
		D	Edmonds	Patagonia, AZ and Westminster, CO	Anytime	English
		I am sometimes available to go into the field with birders, but am open to requests and will accommodate whenever possible. I am more familiar with birding spots in Colorado, including Southern/Southeastern areas.		Area: I live part of the year in Westminster (North Denver suburb), Colorado, and part in Patagonia, Arizona. Area Birds:	Interests: Nature: birdwatching
		T	Waters	Phoenix	Anytime	English
		Longtime birder who has lived in several states, I lead field trips for Maricopa Audubon. Enjoy birding with anyone, from beginners to experts!		Area: Area Birds: Thrasher Spot, Riparian Preserve in Gilbert, Glendale Recharge Ponds, Tres Rios	Interests: Nature: birdwatching, twitching, photography, butterflies Travel: stroll, walking, hiking, car, long walk Visit: tourist site, museum, restaurant, monument, arboretum Attend: theatre, live music, sports event, convention, competition Play: cards, sports, boardgames, chess, checkers, scrambled letters games, lawn games, computer games
		V	Heron	Phoenix	Weekends and most national holidays	English
		I've been birding a little over a year so I am familiar with most of the resident birds and the more common visitors to the area. I mainly go to Boyce Thompson Arboretum and Tres Rios but will usually travel anywhere and am open to exploring new places.		Area: Desert Botanical Gardens, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Gilbert Water Ranch, Tres Rios, Area Birds: Roadrunner, Gila Woodpeckers, Abert's Towhees (and Canyon, Green tailed and spotted) Raptors, Water birds in winter. Flycatchers in spring and summer	Interests: Nature: birdwatching,, photography, hiking, butterflies Travel: train, bus, car, long walk, Visit: tourist site, museum, restaurant, club, vineyard, outdoors, nature spot, beach, lake, ocean, architecture, shop, antique, swap Attend: concert, horse race, ballet, dance show, theatre, live music, sports event, auction, antique, convention, political rally, protest, competition Participate: night life, rock, country, classical,swing, wine, liquor, social games,
		I	Kitzman	Portal	Anytime	English
		J	Hilton	Prescott	Anytime	English
		R	Armstrong	Sedona	Anytime	English
		My wife and I have been birders 25 years. Retired now. Have lead Audubon field trips. Mid Arizona birds, not southeast specialties.
		R	Wood	Tucson	Anytime	English
		J	Smith	Tucson	Anytime	English
		R	Carlson	Tucson (winter only)	Anytime	English
		B	Jackson	Tucson (Winter only)	Anytime	English
		R	Tess	Tucson	Anytime	English
		I moved here 5 years ago, found it to be the top area in the USA for possible varity a warm climate.
		N	Williams	Tucson	Anytime	English
		I've been a birder in Tucson for over 50 years. I'm an 84 y.o. female. I can walk a mile--more with rest stops. I live in the Orange Grove/La Canada part of Tucson.
		V	Rose	Tucson	Anytime	English, French, Spanish, some Brazilian Portuguese
		I love birds and love to share my appreciation of them with others. My emphasis is more on natural history than ticking, but as we have many endemics and specialties here. I'm willing to go for the elusive warbler with you. I live on the western edge of Saguaro National Monument; there are lots of good high desert birds right in my back yard.
Professional Guides If you contact a professional Birdingpal guide you must be prepared to pay a fee for guiding services.
		Initial	Last Name	Area	Available	Language
		M	Kehl	Tucson	Anytime	English
		Melody is an avid birder who loves to share her knowledge with anyone and everyone. She continues to take courses in ornithology to keep up to date and to feed her frenzied need for more knowledge about our feathered friends. In addition to leading personal tours for a one-on-one experience for beginners and advanced birders, Melody also leads birding and hiking tours for the Tucson Audubon Society and the Southern Arizona Hiking Club. Her 20+ years (10 of those years spent leading professionally) of intensive birding and hiking in Southern Arizona has provided her with intimate knowledge of the places where birds gather, nest, feed and hide. She is also knowledgeable of the area's fauna and flora and current environmental issues. Melody's enthusiasm for birding is contagious and makes for exciting and fun days in the field.
Local Information
		Service			Information
		Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia			Arizona
		Local weather			Yahoo
		Desert Rivers Audubon Society			Club
		Huachuca Audubon Society			Club
		Maricopa Audubon Society			Club
		Northern Arizona Audubon Society			Club
		Prescott Audubon Society			Club
		Sonoran Audubon Society			Club
		Tucson Audubon Society			Club
		White Mountain Audubon Society			Club
		Yuma Audubon Society			Club
		Hummingbird Society			Club
		Northern Arizona Audubon Society's			Latest Sights
		SABO Bird Observatory			Banding
		Willow Creek Riparian Preserve			Park
		Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area			Phoenix
		Wings over Willcox			Festival
		Verde Valley			Festival
		Southwest Wings			Festival
		Birding Hotspots around the world			Sites