Welcome to Fun Birding Tours in SE Arizona
Hi, I’m Richard Fray, owner and guide for Fun Birding Tours. I was born in Leicester, England and lived there until I moved to Tucson, Arizona in 2002. Having spent more than seven years studying the wildlife of southeast Arizona, I started Fun Birding Tours in January 2010.
I have a pretty simple philosophy when it comes to birding – enjoy it! As you’ll discover when you meet me, I’m a fairly laid back guy, easy to get along with and in possession of a typically English sense of humor. I like to be laid back when I’m birding, too, but equally I enjoy birding intensely and locating as many birds as I can, particularly scarce birds. I chase the odd rarity and keep a few lists, but I don’t approach birding with a particularly competitive edge (with the exception of my SE AZ “found” list which I’m always keen to improve). My main goal is always to increase my own knowledge and enjoy the birds I see.
It’s not just birds, I’m interested in all aspects of the natural world. I’m particularly fond of butterflies and dragonflies, and increasingly keen on mammals and reptiles, living in such a great place to see them. I’m no expert in any of these areas but I have a good background knowledge.
I get a real kick out of showing people the birds, wildlife and beautiful scenery of my adopted home of southeast Arizona, and I’m especially thrilled when I get the chance to show people birds they’ve never seen before. You’ll find that I’m always enthusiastic about what we see, and I’m not putting it on; I’m like that even when I’m birding on my own! 
The all-inclusive birding tours that I offer are medium-paced, but they can be customized for those who want to bird pre-dawn until after dark, those that want to bird a little, shop a little and siesta a little, or anyone in between. The same applies if you’re hiring me as a birding guide by the day – you set the pace and tone, and I’ll advise on the best way of getting what you want from your day. It’s your day, and I want to help you make it as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
Am I the world’s finest birder? No, far from it. But I’m pretty good in southeast Arizona now, and improving all the time as I experience more of the region’s amazing birdlife. I’ve found a number of rare and scarce birds recently, including the state’s 16th Bay-breasted Warbler in November 2009 and only the 9th Ruff for Arizona in January 2010, so I must be getting the hang of it…
» Read what previous guests have said about Fun Birding Tours
