Tips for Birders Visiting SE Arizona

What to Bring in Summer

Cool, lightweight clothing: shorts and t-shirts, by all means, but some long pants and long sleeved shirts for cooler times and insect bite/sunburn prevention
Waterproof clothing, if visiting during the monsoon season (July/August)
A light jacket. It’s not not red hot all summer, just the vast majority of it!
Lightweight walking shoes. Optional waterproof/rubber boots during monsoon
A good insect repellant, a bite/sting lotion

What to Bring in Winter

Warm hat, gloves, warm coat
Waterproof clothing – it doesn’t rain often, but it does sometimes
Stout walking shoes, optional rubber boots
Some lightweight clothing, for those sunny days in the desert

What to Bring All Year

Sunscreen! Wide-brimmed hat! You can burn almost as easily in January as you can July
Sunglasses
Optional water/beverage container (bottled water will be available at all times)
Additional or preferred snacks (some snacks provided)
Binoculars
Optional: telescope, tripod, camera, accessories
US electrical adapter, if bringing equipment from overseas
US Dollars, credit/debit cards
Passport (preferred) or Arizona-recognized ID. We will likely pass through Border Patrol checkpoints
Emergency contacts, medical and allergy information, medications and prescriptions
Health insurance, travel insurance
A positive attitude and a good sense of humor!

Recommended Online Birding Retailers

Recommended Arizona Birding and Wildlife Apps and Books

	iBird Pro 2 Birding App for Android Phones The biggest advance in birding in decades, I use this app in the field many times per day. Outstanding and HIGHLY recommended! Also available for iPhone.
	Birds of Southeastern Arizona (Rick Taylor) Published in 2010, this is a fantastic photographic field guide covering all the birds you’re likely to see in SE Arizona. I can’t recommend it highly enough, especially as 15 of my own photos have been used!
	Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona – 8th Edition (Tucson Audubon Society) Newly updated and published in summer 2011, this is an absolutely indispensible guide to birding in SE Arizona. Whether you’re a visitor or a resident, you NEED this book!
	A Birder’s Guide to Southeastern Arizona (Aba/Lane Birdfinding Guide, Rick Taylor)Published in 2005, Rick’s excellent guide to birding in SE Arizona contains many day and half day trips and is highly recommended.
	Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas (Troy Corman) Huge reference guide with amazing detail, an essential reference for the Arizona birder.
	The Sibley Guide to Birds of North America (David Sibley) The classic, and still the best field guide in North America.
	The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America (David Sibley)The more portable Western version of Sibley. A must in the field in Arizona.
	National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Sixth EditionThis latest edition is packed with info and has much improved illustrations.
	National Geographic Complete Birds of North AmericaComprehensive reference guide, the first place I turn for detailed North American bird info.
	Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America (Kenn Kaufman) The best photographic guide to North American birds from one of the finest birders.
	Butterflies of Arizona: A Photographic GuideComprehensive and easy to use photographic guide to Arizona’s butterflies.
	Finding Butterflies in Arizona: A Guide to the Best SitesThe companion to the above field guide, this book details all the best sites.
	Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West (Princeton Field Guides)Easily the best field guide to Western dragonflies and damselflies.
	A Field Guide To Amphibians and Reptiles in ArizonaOne of the best photographic wildlife guides around, this is an extremely good book.
	Hummingbirds of North America: The Photographic Guide (Steve Howell) Fantastic guide to hummingbirds from one of America’s top birders.
	A Field Guide to Hummingbirds of North America (Peterson Field Guides, Sheri Williamson)Excellent, information-packed guide from one of the foremost hummingbird experts in the world.