Fall & Winter
Hawk Stalks
The Sulphur Springs Valley is a winter paradise for birds of prey. SABO's Hawk Stalk tours take you down highways and back roads in search of these magnificent predators and other species that share their habitats. Along the way you'll learn about the identification, behavior and ecology of the valley's raptors, cranes, sparrows and other wintering and resident birds. These all-day tours depart downtown Bisbee at 8 a.m. and return around 4 p.m. The tour includes frequent stops for roadside birding and short walks.
Winter 2011-12: $85 per adult for members of SABO, $75 for non-members; $40/members, $45/non-members for children age 10 to 16 when accompanied by an adult. Groups of 6 or more adults qualify for a discount of $10 per person. Space is limited, and reservations are highly recommended; pre-paid registration is refundable only if unforeseen circumstances force SABO to cancel the tour. Tours begin Thanksgiving weekend and continue most weekends through February. Please check SABO's calendar of eventsfor upcoming dates. Custom Hawk Stalks for groups of 6 or more are available with advance arrangements.
Whitewater Wetlands Walks
These 2- to 3-hour bird walks take place at the Arizona Game & Fish Department's Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area between Bisbee and Elfrida, an oasis for breeding and migrating birds such as hawks, eagles, falcons, owls, waterfowl, and songbirds and winter home for thousands of Sandhill Cranes. Winter walks last 2 hours and are followed by a 2-hour Sandhill Crane Watch (free). Spring walks last 3 hours.
Winter (Jan-Feb, 2 hours): $5 per person for members of SABO, $10 for non-members. Spring (Mar-Apr, 3 hours): $10 per person for members of SABO, $15 for non-members. Participation is limited, and reservations are recommended for these walks; pre-paid registration is refundable only if unforeseen circumstances force SABO to cancel the walk. Whitewater Wetlands Walks take place on an approximately weekly basis from late November through mid-April; please check SABO's calendar of eventsfor dates. Custom walking tours of Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area for individuals and groups are available with advance arrangements.
Sandhill Crane Watches
Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, just 30 minutes from Bisbee, is winter home to thousands of Sandhill Cranes. These 2- to 3-hour programs center around the awe-inspiring spectacle of the cranes' return from breakfast in nearby farm fields. As the flocks arrive at the wetland that they share with ducks, geese, shorebirds, songbirds, and birds of prey, a SABO naturalist will talk about their behavior, family lives, and intercontinental travels. This program is a family-friendly activity suitable for wildlife watchers of all ages and
free to the public thanks to the generosity of the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory's members and donors.
Sandhill Crane Watches
take place on an approximately weekly basis from late November through the end of February, usually following Whitewater Wetlands Walks; please check SABO's calendar of eventsfor dates. Custom Sandhill Crane programs for individuals and groups are available with advance arrangements.
Sparrow-phobics Anonymous Mini-Workshop
February 18-19, 2012
Are you terrified at the thought of sorting through all those "little brown jobs"? You're not alone! Let fellow sufferers guide you through the basics of sparrow identification with a little classroom study and plenty of practice on the real thing.
This weekend workshop begins on Saturday morning with a classroom presentation at Casa de San Pedro Bed & Breakfast covering the basics of sparrow identification, including season, habitat, field marks, behavior, and voice. The group will then do some leisurely exploration around the inn and along the San Pedro River to hone our new skills, with a midday break for a brown-bag lunch. On Sunday morning, the group will meet at Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area in the Sulphur Springs Valley to work on a slightly different group of sparrows before an optional picnic lunch.
Registration and additional information