Went on a trip to SE Arizona using Tucson as a base.  Did a some additional touring as well as birding.  Tallied more than 60 species including over 40 new lifers.  Though the list is extensive, it is by no means exhaustive.  Was led one full day by Melody Kehl who owns Outdoor Adventure and is a professional guide in the area.

Books used:  A Birders Guide to Southeastern Arizona; American Birding Association, Birds of North America by Kenn Kaufman.

Places Visited:

Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
Catalina State Park, Catalina Mountains
Cochise Stronghold
Tucson Botanical Gardens

May 15: Flew to Tucson via Chicago from New York.  Not long after checking into my hotel room upon arrival at the La Quinta Hotel where I stayed, I heard some cheerful singing outside amongst the trees.  Upon investigating, found a beautiful House Finch perched atop a tree.  It was my first bird of the trip.

May 16: A morning was spent at the Desert Museum just outside of Tucson.  Upon entering the grounds, spotted a Cactus Wren perched atop a Saguaro Cactus, it was my first life bird.  Additional birds spotted on the grounds were the ever plentiful (and noisy) Gila Woodpecker and Bronze Cowbird.   But the real find was a pair of Pyrhulloxia, outside and not far from the aviary.

May 17:  This was not a birding day. But did enjoy the museums at the University in town.

May 18: Picked up at 7:30am by Melody Kehl.  As it was already getting hot by 8:00am, we headed to a Christopher Columbus Park, a local park with a paved path and picnic tables before heading to the Catalina’s and the Mt Lemmon area.  The local park, which was in an area of ranchlands, birds seen here included Western Kingbird, Purple Martin and Curve-billed Thrasher.   We then ascended the road stopping at numerous points in order to get species in the various zones.  Several Warbler, Vireo and Flycatcher species were tallied here.  Virtually all were new life species for me.  Standouts included the Painted Redstart, Red-faced Warbler, Mexican Jay and Western Bluebird.  On the way back into town, we spotted a Harris Hawk perched atop a telephone pole. Great.

May 19:  This wasn’t really a birding day, but did hear what I believed to be a Scaled Quail and spotted a Swainsons Hawk, Identified by the habitat, color and wings.

May 20: Spent a glorious morning in the Tucson Botanical Gardens where great looks of Gambels Quail, Hooded Oriole and Broad Tailed Hummingbird were had in addition to the flowers and cacti.

May 21:  Departed early for my flight home.  End of a great trip.

Bird List:  (This list is organized according to the official Checklist of the Tucson Audubon Society)

1. Turkey Vulture
2. Mallard
3. Harris Hawk
4. Swainsons Hawk
5. Zone Tailed Hawk
6. Red Tailed Hawk
7. Gambels Quail
8. Band-tailed Pigeon
9. White Winged Dove
10. Mourning Dove
11. White-throated Swift
12. Broad-billed Hummingbird
13. Magnificent Hummingbird
14. Broad-tailed Hummingbird
15. Acorn Woodpecker
16. Gila Woodpecker
17. Arizona Woodpecker
18. Hairy Woodpecker
19. Northern Bearded Tyrannulet
20. Greater Peewee
21. Western Wood-peewee
22. Cordilleran Flycatcher
23. Dusky-capped Flycatcher
24. Ash-throated Flycatcher
25. Western Kingbird
26. Bells Vireo
27. Plumbeous Vireo
28. Cassins Vireo
29. Hutton’s Vireo
30. Warbling Vireo
31. Mexican Jay
32. Common Raven
33. Purple Martin
34. Violet-green Swallow
35. Bridled Titmouse
36. Cactus Wren
37. Bewicks Wren
38. Black-tailed Gnatcatcher
39. Black-capped Gnatcatcher
40. Western Bluebird
41. Hermit Thrush
42. American Robin
43. Northern Mockingbird
44. Curve-billed Thrasher
45. Phainopepla
46. Lucy’s Warbler
47. Black-throated Gray warbler
48. Townsend’s Warbler
49. Graces Warbler
50. Wilson’s Warbler
51. Red-faced Warbler
52. Painted Redstart
53. Hepatic Tanager
54. Western Tanager
55. Aberts Towhee
56. Rufous-winged Sparrow
57. Yellow-eyed Junco
58. Northern Cardinal
59. Pyrhulloxia
60. Blacked-headed Grosbeak
61. Great-tailed Grackle
62. Bronzed Cowbird
63. Hooded oriole
64. House Finch
65. Lesser Goldfinch

In addition to all those listed, there were the ever present House Sparrows, Rock Doves and Starlings.