Southeast Arizona: Trogons and Hummingbirds In conjunction with Rancho Hidalgo we are pleased to announce two tours during May 2011 to Southeast Arizona. Due to the anticipated success of the first tour May 9-14, we will repeat the same itinerary May 23-28 Expect to see 150 species of birds, some of which cannot be found anywhere else in the US. By offering a personal experience compared to big, impersonal tour operators, we limit our tours to only four participants. This will help ensure that everyone will get great looks at the birds. The pace will be comfortable so feel free to bring along your camera! Day 1, Mon, 9 May: Pick-up at Tucson International Airport by 2:00 pm. We will head to Green Valley and check-in to our hotel. After dinner at a local restaurant, we will head to nearby Madera Canyon to look for the charismatic Elf Owl. Other night birds may include Whiskered Screech-Owl, Lesser Nighthawk and Whip-poor-will. Night in Green Valley. Day 2, Tue, 10 May: We will spend the day at Madera Canyon looking for Rufous-winged Sparrow, Varied Bunting, Black-capped Gnatcatcher, Elegant Trogon, Acorn and Arizona Woodpeckers, Greater Pewee, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Painted Redstart, and hopefully the elusive Montezuma Quail. For the past several years a Flame-colored Tanager has summered in the canyon and if present this year, we will spend time searching for it. Night in Patagonia. Day 3, Wed, 11 May: We will visit the famous Roadside Rest Area to look for such specialties as Thick-billed Kingbird and Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet. We will then visit the Patagonia/Sonoita Creek Sanctuary to look for Gray Hawk, Vermilion Flycatcher and Bridled Titmouse. During the heat of the day we will relax in the shade at the Paton’s hummingbird haven where we will witness a host of hummingbirds including the Violet-crowned Hummingbird. After dinner we will go owling in Carr Canyon for possible Whiskered and Western Screech-Owls, “Mexican” Whip-poor-will, Common Poorwill, and Flammulated Owl. Night in Sierra Vista. Day 4, Thu, 12 May: We will start at the San Pedro River, a National Conservation Area that protects the best example of desert riparian ecosystem in the United States. The area also supports the largest breeding population of Gray Hawks in the country. Other nesting birds include Green Kingfisher, Tropical Kingbird, Vermilion Flycatcher, and Abert's Towhee. As the temperature starts to rise, we will visit some nearby feeders where we may have a chance to observe ten or more species of hummingbirds! Night at Rancho Hidalgo in southwest New Mexico. Day 5, Fri, 13 May: A leisurely day driving over the scenic Chiricahua Mountains. We will start in the lowlands looking for Scaled Quail, Greater Roadrunner, Curve-billed Thrasher and Pyrrhuloxia. We will then enter Cave Creek Canyon, arguably one of the most scenic and biological diverse areas in all of North America! We will search for Zone-tailed Hawk, Olive and Red-faced Warblers, Mexican Jay, and Yellow-eyed Junco. This is the only accessible location in the US to see the Mexican Chickadee. Night in Willcox. Day 6, Sat, 14 May: Early morning visit to Twin Lakes to search for ducks and migrating shorebirds before driving to Tucson airport. COST (PER PERSON) DOUBLE: $1,295. Single room supplement add $200. DEPOSIT: $300 INCLUDES: From Tucson, five nights lodging, all meals and non-alcoholic beverages from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 6, transportation, entry fees, guides, and taxes. Not included: Airfare from your home to Tucson, airport departure taxes, alcoholic beverages, special gratuities, phone calls, laundry, or other personal expenses. PARTICIPANTS: Two leaders and a maximum of 4 participants. LEADERS: Tony and Shela Godfrey. Southeast Arizona May 23-28: The same tour will be repeated for the above dates. The minor difference is that the few remaining late summer visitors such as Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher will have arrived on their breeding grounds. Please email us at artfullbirds@yahoo.com for more information, or download our registration packet. A $300 deposit must be received no later than 90 days before the start of the tour. Balance in full must be received no later than 45 days before the start of the tour. A cancellation fee of $50 will be charged, plus any expenses that we cannot recover, such as hotel deposits and rental transport, ect. A full refund will be issued if a trip is cancelled by Artfullbird Tours. Please read the Terms and Conditions for more information. Names of bird images from top to bottom of this page are: Vermilion Flycatcher, Elegant Trogon, Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Gray Hawk, and Mexican Chickadee. All photographs were taken by Tony Godfrey and are copyrighted.