To a Pennsylvanian it’s counter intuitive that birding is excellent in southeastern Arizona in early August. It’s hot — especially at the lower elevations (104oF in Tuscon last Monday) — but the birds are active because it’s the breeding season. Breeding? Here’s why.
From late June through September, it’s so hot that rising desert air creates a low pressure zone that sucks in moisture from the south, primarily from the Gulf of California in western Mexico. When the moist air hits Arizona’s sky island mountains it condenses into clouds, isolated thunderstorms, and rain. This annual weather pattern is called the monsoon.
The moisture doesn’t have to travel far. This mountain in Mexico, called Sierra San Jose, is easily visible from Sierra Vista, Arizona, headquarters of the Southwest Wings Festival.
While I was at the Festival it thundered every afternoon at 3:00pm and rained somewhere by 4:00pm. “Somewhere” means you can see it raining in the distance but you often don’t get wet. The downpours are intense but you can drive in and out of them, sometimes within a mile. However, watch out for flash floods!
The rain brings cooler temperatures, green leaves and, I quickly learned, bugs. (Don’t ask me about chiggers.)
Bugs are food for baby birds so the monsoon is a second Spring when the birds court, sing and nest. That’s why the Southwest Wings summer festival is held in early August.
I had a great time! The festival offers free seminars and one-day or two-day paid outings with guides. I chose the day-long outings where we hiked in morning, ate lunch in the shade, and watched hummingbirds at feeders in afternoon. In this way I visited Madera, Box, Ash, Miller and Huachuca Canyons, the Sonoita grasslands, and Patagonia.
The guides were excellent! I saw 139 species and 33 Life Birds during my time in Arizona, and that wasn’t my first trip to the area. Did I tell you I saw four elegant trogons? Yes!
I highly recommend the Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival. Southeastern Arizona is a lovely place in early August.
(photos by Kate St. John)
Kate: I finally got caught up on your Arizona entries, and I thoroughly enjoyed them! Thanks for the vicarious birding adventure. Where are you going next?
David, I’m not sure where & when my next birding trip will be … I’m getting used to being at home after so much excitement. 😉
“I can see Mexico from my front porch” hee hee hee! Nice photos! Glad you enjoyed yourself.
Liked your photos and blog! Last Peak is Carr Peak though, Miller is 1 Peak to the south.
Thanks, J, I’ve made the correction.
Have you done the Salton Sea (in Winter) yet?
Janet, I’ve never been to the Salton Sea … yet.