BIRDING TEXAS
& B E Y O N D
Winter in Southeastern Arizona
December 9-15, 2025
Scouting Trip with Oscar & Ariel Carmona
Saguaro National Park East © Oscar Carmona
From December 9–15, 2025, we embarked on a week-long birding journey through the diverse landscapes of Southeastern Arizona. This region offers a remarkable blend of desert basins, riparian corridors, and “sky island” mountain ranges that rise dramatically from the surrounding Sonoran Desert. Even in winter, the area provides a rich tapestry of avian life, with resident desert specialties, wintering migrants, and occasional rarities that draw birders from across the continent.
Gila Woodpecker © Oscar Carmona
We arrived in Tucson and settled into the rhythm of the desert city, framed by mountain ranges and the iconic silhouettes of saguaros. The crisp December air carried a sense of anticipation as we prepared to begin our birding adventure. Our first destination was Saguaro National Park East where towering saguaros framed the landscape, each one a sentinel of the Sonoran Desert. Here we encountered Gilded Flicker, Gila Woodpecker, Phainopepla, Black-throated Sparrow, Cactus Wren, and Curve-billed Thrasher, all quintessential desert species. The combination of birds, scenery, and the quiet grandeur of the saguaros made this stop unforgettable. The late afternoon light painted the saguaros in golden hues, creating a dramatic backdrop for birding. As the sun set, silhouettes of saguaros stretched across the horizon, and the desert quieted into evening. It was a fitting introduction to Southeastern Arizona—an immersion in the landscapes and species that define the region.
Gambel's Quail © Oscar Carmona
Our first full day in Tucson provided a rich introduction to the region’s diverse bird habitats. We began at Sweetwater Wetlands, a thriving oasis inside the city limits that supports an impressive array of waterfowl and songbirds. Here, the ponds and surrounding mesquite scrub produced memorable sightings of Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal, Verdin, Abert’s Towhee, and Say’s Phoebe. From the wetlands, we ventured north into the Santa Cruz Flats, a vast agricultural area renowned for its open-country birds and raptors. The fields were alive with Ferruginous Hawk and Gambel’s Quail, while flocks of Yellow-headed Blackbird added a splash of color to the landscape. In the afternoon, our visit to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum offered the chance to deepen our appreciation for the local ecology, followed by an evening birding session at Saguaro National Park West. The park’s iconic saguaros framed the landscape as we observed desert specialists including Bendire’s Thrasher, Gila Woodpecker, Gilded Flicker, and Greater Roadrunner. Throughout the day, the variety of habitats—wetlands, agricultural flats, and desert—enabled us to encounter an impressive diversity of species, making for a rewarding start to our birding adventure in Southeastern Arizona.
Sandhill Cranes © Oscar Carmona
Day three began at Willcox Twin Lakes, a renowned hotspot for wintering waterfowl and shorebirds. Here we observed an impressive variety of species, including Snow Geese, Ruddy Duck, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Cinnamon Teal, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, and overhead, flocks of Sandhill Cranes. Raptors were active around the lakes, with sightings of Ferruginous Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, and the majestic Golden Eagle. Among the waterfowl, we were fortunate to spot a rare Surf Scoter, a noteworthy addition to the day’s checklist. Our journey continued into the Chiricahua Mountains, where the oak woodlands provided a new set of birding opportunities. Here, Mexican Jays moved noisily through the trees, while Bridled Titmouse foraged along shaded trails. We also encountered Hutton’s Vireo, Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet in a mixed flock, capturing the diversity of the mountain habitat. In the wide-open grasslands of Sulphur Springs Valley, we witnessed flocks of Lark Buntings as a covey of Scaled Quail scurried across the road, adding excitement to the afternoon’s birding. As dusk approached, we arrived at Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, where the spectacle of thousands of Sandhill Cranes unfolded in breathtaking fashion. Alongside the cranes, Snow Geese, Ross’s Geese, and a variety of ducks crowded the ponds, their calls filling the evening air and creating a memorable conclusion to the day’s birding. We ended the day in the historic mining town of Bisbee - a rewarding and unforgettable way to conclude the day's journey.
Mexican Jay © Oscar Carmona
We began the next day at Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary near Sierra Vista, observing a variety of birds including Anna’s and Broad-billed Hummingbirds, Lesser Goldfinch, White-winged Dove, Pyrrhuloxia, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Mexican Jay, Dark-eyed Junco, and House Finch. The sanctuary offered a peaceful environment for birdwatching and highlighted Southeastern Arizona’s hummingbird diversity. Next, we visited Ramsey Canyon Preserve in the Huachuca Mountains. The preserve’s lush habitat and towering trees offered a cool refuge and added to its reputation as one of Arizona’s top birding destinations. Here, we observed Bridled Titmouse, Acorn Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, Townsend’s Warbler, and Red-naped Sapsucker - to name a few. In the afternoon, Miller Canyon, another notable location in the Huachuca Mountains, provided sightings of Western Bluebird, Spotted Towhee, and Dark-eyed Junco against a mountainous backdrop. As the day drew to a close, we shifted our focus from birding to cultural exploration with a visit to Tombstone, the legendary Wild West town - a memorable and distinctive finale to our day.
Violet-crowned Hummingbird © Oscar Carmona
Our fifth day began at Hereford Bridge, a renowned vantage point along the San Pedro River. The lush riparian corridor was bustling with bird activity, providing excellent opportunities to observe a diverse range of species. Highlights included Vermilion Flycatcher, Say’s Phoebe, Green-tailed Towhee, Lesser Goldfinch, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Harris’s Hawk, and Red-tailed Hawk. As we continued birding through the San Pedro corridor, we spotted additional species such as Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Phainopepla, Lark Sparrow, Curve-billed Thrasher, and Pyrrhuloxia. A particular highlight was observing the Rufous-winged Sparrow, a regional specialty that added excitement to our morning exploration. Late in the morning, we visited the Paton Center for Hummingbirds in Patagonia. This legendary site provided intimate, close-up views of Broad-billed, Anna’s, and Violet-crowned Hummingbirds as they darted between feeders. A brief visit to Kino Springs yielded a rewarding sighting of Cassin’s Kingbirds, observed flycatching from the tops of sycamore trees. Though our stop was short, the presence of these kingbirds offered a satisfying conclusion to the day’s birding itinerary.
Arizona Woodpecker © Oscar Carmona
Day six began in the oak-pine forests of Madera Canyon, where the cool morning air was filled with the activity of mixed species flocks. Among the highlights were Bridled Titmouse, Painted Redstart, Olive Warbler, and Townsend’s Warbler. At the feeders in Santa Rita Lodge we enjoyed close views of Rivoli’s Hummingbird, Mexican Jay, Wild Turkey, Hepatic Tanager, Yellow-eyed Junco, and Arizona Woodpecker. By midday, we transitioned into the desert scrub of Box Canyon to search for grassland birds. A visit to the Amado WTP proved unexpectedly productive, with waterbirds such as Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Duck, and American Wigeon present. These sightings highlighted the essential role that even small wetlands play in sustaining local bird populations. We continued to Montosa Canyon, where the quiet foothills supported a different mix of species. Notable observations included Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Canyon Wren, Black-throated Sparrow, Verdin, Pyrrhuloxia, and Black-tailed Gnatcatcher. In the historic town of Tubac, we explored riparian forests along the Santa Cruz River. Here, Vermilion Flycatchers, Black Phoebes, Black-and-white Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, and White-breasted Nuthatch were all present, taking advantage of the lush river corridor. The mission grounds at Tumacácori provided a final stop, where Gila Woodpecker and Curve-billed Thrasher called from the surrounding mesquite trees. Tubac’s art-filled streets and historic mission created an enriching cultural backdrop for our experience. The vibrant local art scene added color and life to our exploration of the town, offering a unique dimension that complemented the natural wonders along the Santa Cruz River corridor.
Northern Saw-whet Owl © Gordon Karre
On our last morning, we began at Agua Caliente Park near Tucson. The park’s spring-fed ponds and lush palms provided a striking contrast to the surrounding desert landscape. Waterbirds were abundant, with Northern Pintail, American Coot, Mallard, Common Merganser, and Pied-billed Grebe all present on the ponds. Along the riparian edges, we observed Verdin, Phainopepla, and Gila Woodpecker, while a Great Egret glided gracefully across the water. Notably, the park offered an uncommon sighting of a Northern Saw-whet Owl, a species rarely found in Tucson’s lowlands. We also visited East Lawn Palms Cemetery. Despite its urban setting, the cemetery proved to be a productive birding location. Among the manicured grounds and mature trees, we spotted Western Bluebird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and a pair of Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jays in the far northwest part of the cemetery. Just outside the grounds, a Lewis’s Woodpecker was perched on a utility pole, providing a unique observation in an unexpected setting. With these final stops, our birding journey through Southeastern Arizona came to a close.
Over seven days, we experienced the full range of habitats—from desert flats and saguaro forests to mountain canyons, riparian corridors, and grassland valleys. Highlights included rare winter visitors like Northern Saw-whet Owl and Surf Scotter, iconic Southeastern Arizona specialties such as Arizona Woodpecker, Rivoli’s Hummingbird, Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Rufous-winged Sparrow, Yellow-eyed Junco, Painted Redstart, and Olive Warbler – and unforgettable spectacles like the thousands of Sandhill Cranes at Whitewater Draw. The trip underscored why the region remains one of North America’s top birding destinations: its diversity of habitats, abundance of species, and the unique blend of natural and cultural landscapes.
Photo Gallery
