Each day, we took off in search of winged treasures such as the Red-faced Warbler, Gray Hawk, and White-eared Hummingbird. These birds live in Mexico, Central, or South America, but can be found during breeding season in the high mountains or along riparian areas in southeast Arizona.
Meeting Up With Fellow Birders
Adding tremendously to our enjoyment of Sierra Vista was meeting up with Fred and Jo Wishnie of the The Wandering Wishnies. I’ve been reading their travel journal for years. When I realized that they were in Sierra Vista, I emailed and asked them if they would like to get together. Fortunately, they readily agreed. That was a good thing. Not only were we staying in the same RV park, our site was right around the corner from their rig.
We established an immediate camaraderie at our very first happy hour, and spent part of every day of the following nine days together. We birded together, convened for happy hour daily, and enjoyed several delicious meals together. It was wonderful to meet this interesting and delightful couple who had never camped in their lives, but decided on a whim to take to the road full-time in 2006.
Here, the highlights of our Sierra Vista birding extravaganza:
San Pedro Riparian Area
Just a few miles from Sierra Vista, this is a rare remnant of what was once an extensive network of similar riparian systems throughout the Southwest. It’s a lush green corridor of cottonwoods and willows in the midst of the dry desert. Stretching 40-miles along the upper San Pedro River, San Pedro provides habitat for more than 250 species of migrant and wintering birds.
Vermillion Flycatcher
More than 4 million birds migrate through here each year. On several hikes along the river, we were accompanied by a symphony of bird song. We enjoyed numerous sightings of Summer Tanagers, Vermillion Flycatchers, Yellow and Lucy’s Warblers, and Western Tanagers.
Miller Canyon
Beatty’s Guest Ranch in Miller Canyon is renowned for hummingbirds, and holds the North American record of 14 species found in a single day. The Beatty family has created a lovely hummingbird garden and feeding area. This is luxurious birding, with stadium seating and a shade canopy so that visitors can observe the hummingbirds in comfort.
For a $5 donation, you can watch the feeding, courtship, territorial, and acrobatic antics of hummingbirds to your heart’s content. We saw at least a half-dozen species, including the rare White-eared Hummingbird. We were told that August is actually the best time for finding the most species of hummingbirds. Late summer in Arizona is not a pleasant thought, but we were assured that “it’s not that bad.” We might brave it someday.
Another treasure in Miller Canyon is a pair of Mexican Spotted Owls, which return each year to breed in the canyon. We hiked up canyon twice in search of the owls. On our first foray, we found only the barest glimpse of the female in her nest cavity. A couple of days later, we returned and after a long search and scramble through the dry creek bed, we found the male perched and sleeping. We continued further up the canyon on a rough, rocky, and steep path and finally found Red-faced Warblers, a beautiful bird mostly found in the mountains of Mexico.
Searching for the Mexican Spotted Owl in Miller Canyon
We found it! A Mexican Spotted Owl. :-)
The Red-faced Warbler was an elusive treasure
Red-faced Warbler
Ash Canyon
About 15 miles from Sierra Vista is another well-known birding destination. The primary attraction here is Ash Canyon Bed & Breakfast. The proprietor is an avid birder and welcomes day visitors to her gardens for a $5 donation. She’s in the garden every day, watching the birds and offering observations with her African gray parrot perched on her shoulder. Apparently, the bird is temperamental. As we walked into the garden, I said, “What a beautiful bird!” He glared at me, and Mary Jo said, “He’s very protective. He wants you to sit down.” So we did, and spent a pleasant couple of hours watching a variety of birds coming to the feeders, including hummingbirds, nuthatches, orioles, quail, and woodpeckers.
Garden Canyon
About 10 miles from Sierra Vista, this very pretty shaded canyon is located in Fort Huachuca, an active army base. Entrance is via a military checkpoint, and then a winding, confusing network of roads that meander past military installations, an enormous water tower that proclaims “Fort Huachuca, A Great Place To Re-enlist Since 1877!” and shooting ranges. The Upper Picnic Area offers excellent birding along a creek. We had numerous views of the beautiful Painted Redstart and a terrific up-close sighting of a juvenile Gray Hawk there.
Juvenile Gray Hawk
Ramsey Canyon
One of the most well-known birding destinations in southeast Arizona, Ramsey Canyon (owned by the Nature Conservancy) is a cool oasis in the hot desert. Sycamores and maples grow along the banks of a spring-fed creek. A steep two-mile hike climbs to the top of the canyon for a view of the San Pedro Valley, and comfortable bird viewing areas are set up along the creek for those who choose to sit and bird. We enjoyed hiking up the canyon, seeing Hepatic Tanagers, Bridled Titmice, and Arizona Woodpeckers. We got absolutely no usable photos of any bird that day.
Enormous oaks in Ramsey Canyon
About The RV Park
We stayed at Sierra Vista Mobile Home Village & RV Park. Pickings are slim in Sierra Vista, and this is primarily a mobile home park, but it’s beautifully maintained and a great place to stay. There are 33 RV sites; the weekly rate is $175.
We enjoyed fabulous birding at our campsite after putting out treats for the birds.
Fantastic bird sightings!
Thanks, Carol — we were delighted with the variety of beauties that we saw!
Don’t you love making a special connection with like minded folks? And being camped around the corner from each other….what a treat.
I had wanted to explore around Sierra Vista when we were staying in Benson, but that’s when I started feeling ill :-(
Oh yes, it’s wonderful to connect with like minded folks — and especially important for us since we’re away from our close community of friends in Ashland. We’re loving the new friendships we’re making on the road. You would really enjoy Sierra Vista, Ingrid — there are so many great birding opportunities within just a few mile radius.
I would have crawled through and climbed with you to find the owl. What a cutie sleeping peacefully!
Pam, I was thinking of you when I posted that owl photo — I know how you love owls. We need to go hiking together and find an owl!
Great bird pics. I will always be jealous of your views of the Red-faced Warbler. And you had such a nice assortment of birds at your campsite. Better than we did in all the time we were there. You must be “bird whisperers”. Thanks for the kind words about us also. We so enjoyed our time with you and hope to see you again.
Jo
I think Eric is the “bird whisperer,” Jo. I wish we had called you to come over the morning that the Blue Grosbeak appeared on our picnic table. We’re looking forward to lots more birding adventures with you and Fred — and just fun times in general!
Wow is this a birding extravaganza. I’m totally convinced I need to be in Sierra Vista in mid May. And I must have that very same campsite with the blue grossbeak on the picnic table. Your posts are just making me drool and this is not good for my image. I sent this one to David, I often do this, with the caption. “Laurel and Eric are at it again”.
GREAT post! Thanks!
Your comment made me smile, Sherry. :-) We were thrilled with the Blue Grosbeak, too — that’s the best sighting we’ve ever had of one. Eric says the best time to be in Sierra Vista is the last week of April until mid-May, otherwise it gets too hot. (We left on May 16th.)
Oh, my goodness, all the gorgeous birds. It would
be difficult to pick a favorite from all these beauties.
I like the Goldfinch, Blue Grosbeak, Black Headed
Grosbeak, The Vermillion Flycatcher, White Winged Dove – ah, shucks I like them all.
Great photos and text. You guys are doing a fantastic job, maybe this could work into a second
career…..
This is the best job of all, doing what we love, photographing our adventures, and writing about them. :-) I’m so glad you like the photos, Peggy — I think it’s hard to choose a favorite, too. I always enjoy knowing which photos people are drawn to. xo
I have always heard that Sierra Vista is a birder’s paradise but have never experienced it in this way myself. I have seen so many interesting birds on your blog site. Thanks so much for sharing your passion with us.
LuAnn, I don’t think I would go to Sierra Vista if it weren’t for the birding opportunities, but it’s certainly a wonderful location for birding hikes and explorations. And it was made all the better by meeting up with Jo and Fred!
Unbelievable birding! I have never seen any of these birds but do hope to make it to that area on our next trip west. What an inspiration! Nice shooting & great reporting too.
Thanks, David! We had a good number of new-to-us birds, too. This would be a fun area to explore with you guys.
I should have left Steve and rode with you. Oh my goodness, indeed a birding extravaganza. I am so jealous, those birds are just to die for. Great bird pictures, the BEST!
We were wishing you were with us, MonaLiza! You are such an awesome birding buddy. (Bring Steve, he would like the hiking.) We worked hard for the photos of the Red-faced Warbler and Mexican Spotted Owl, but our picnic table birding photos were easy, haha!
HELP!!! I have wracked my brain and exhausted my search in my bird books. What is the bird in your opening photo? You didn’t name him and I can’t decide what he is. Only thing I come close to is a Vermilion Flycatcher. It is the black crest that is puzzling me. Thanks you ‘all.
Oh, I should have identified him — you’re absolutely right, Barbara — it’s a Vermillion Flycatcher. Just a bit of a different pose from the other photo.
We have enjoyed all your posts, but this was my favorite. Great photography,awesome birds!
Thanks, you guys! It was fun seeing so many birds and having such a variety come to our “backyard,” too.