Arizona

Cave Creek Canyon Birding At Portal

Program No. 11973RJ
Boasting awe-inspiring landscapes and some of the richest wildlife diversity in the nation, it’s easy to see why Cave Creek Canyon is a mecca for both birds and birders alike.

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At a Glance

One of the premier birding areas of the U.S., Cave Creek Canyon’s proximity to Mexico and unique highland habitat produce a rich mix of species. The Chiricahua Mountains provide a migration corridor above the surrounding desert and rise through seven life zones. Providing a wide range of ecosystems, it is one of only two sites in the U.S. where the Elegant Trogon nests and is home to 16 varieties of hummingbirds. Join a birding professional for daily field trips in our exploration of the mountains.
Activity Level
Outdoor: No Sweat
Walking up to one mile at a time; getting in/out of vans. Elevations of 8,000 feet.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Journey to the San Simon Valley to view Bendire’s Thrashers and Inca Doves before searching local mountains for Mexican Chickadees and Painted Redstarts.
  • Visit Cochise Lakes and the Willcox Playa, a habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds and a popular destination for birders.
  • Dazzle in the spectacular views — and spot high elevation birds — during a field trip to Rustler Park, located high in the Chiricahuas.

General Notes

All Road Scholar birding programs have a maximum participant-to-instructor ratio of 14:1 in the field. This program has a ratio of 8:1. We adhere to the American Birding Association’s Code of Ethics. Learn more at http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Matt Brown
Matt Brown has been a birding enthusiast from a young age! In elementary school, Matt taught birding ID to his fellow classmates. He went on to study psychology at Syracuse University before moving to Arizona in 1998 to pursue his passion of bird watching and bird leader. Locally, Matt has worked for the Nature Conservancy, Patagonia Lake State Park, Road Scholar and local birding and butterfly festivals. Since 2002, Matt has owned the Patagonia Birding & Butterfly Company offering custom birding and butterfly programs.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Matt Brown
Matt Brown View biography
Matt Brown has been a birding enthusiast from a young age! In elementary school, Matt taught birding ID to his fellow classmates. He went on to study psychology at Syracuse University before moving to Arizona in 1998 to pursue his passion of bird watching and bird leader. Locally, Matt has worked for the Nature Conservancy, Patagonia Lake State Park, Road Scholar and local birding and butterfly festivals. Since 2002, Matt has owned the Patagonia Birding & Butterfly Company offering custom birding and butterfly programs.
Profile Image of Sharon Goldwasser
Sharon Goldwasser View biography
Sharon Goldwasser became an avid birder and naturalist as a student at UC-Santa Cruz. She worked as a field biologist for several years, then moved to Tucson for graduate school in ecology where she studied song mimicry by Lesser Goldfinches. In 1987, she routed her career into education, bringing love of science to thousands of middle school students. Since retiring from the classroom in 2020, she has renewed her birding passion and is excited to share knowledge of birds and the ecology of southern Arizona.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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6 days
5 nights
15 meals
5 B 5 L 5 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Portal, AZ
D
Portal Peak Lodge

Activity note: Lodge check-in from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. (All program activities in Back Dining Room.)

Afternoon: Program Registration: 4:30-6:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Take some time to relax in the tranquility of our surroundings at this charming lodge, located in a remote area surrounded by majestic mountains, abundant wildlife, and diverse flora.

Dinner: At the lodge restaurant.

Evening: Orientation.5:00 - 6:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review COVID-19 protocols and will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and requirements throughout the program. Our Group Leader and instructor — both expert birders — will lead lectures and field trips unless otherwise specified. Transportation throughout the program will be provided via passenger van. Note: This is a remote area where cell phones often do not get reception and Internet is not always available. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Our Group Leader will then give us a presentation introducing some of the bird species we can expect to spot throughout the program. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY
2
Wildlife Viewing, Cave Creek Canyon & Chiricahua Mountains
Portal, AZ
B,L,D
Portal Peak Lodge

Activity note: Getting in/out of a van; driving about 40 miles roundtrip, approximately 2.5 hours riding time with stops. Walking about 1.5 miles total, approximately 2 hours on our feet; mostly level terrain.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: Our learning adventure will begin on a walking field trip with our Group Leader and instructor, both birding experts. We’ll walk from the lodge along Main Street to some of the many bird and hummingbird feeders in the area. At each location, we’ll have private small group examinations. Fourteen species of hummingbirds are regularly seen in the area including Berylline, Violet-crowned, Lucifer, Broad-billed, White-eared, Blue-throated, Magnificent, Plain-capped Starthroat, Black-chinned, Costa’s, Anna’s, Broad-tailed, Calliope, and Rufous. There has also been a Great Horned Owl nesting by the Portal Library for years; if we’re lucky, we might get a look. We’ll then walk back to the lodge after our field trip.

Lunch: At the lodge.

Afternoon: Resuming our birding adventure, we’ll make our way aboard the van down Portal-Paradise Road, which starts out in a dry chaparral area just north of Portal, AZ. About 2 miles up the road, we’ll notice a change in habitat from chaparral to oak-juniper and, as we go, we’ll keep our eyes out for mid-elevation bird species such as the Elegant Trogon that nests in this area. Visitors from around the world travel to the Chiricahuas and Cave Creek Canyon to view the magnificent Elegant Trogon bird in its surroundings. This area is home to 330 species of birds which include 14 species of hummingbirds and 10 species of owls. Our expert Group Leaders will provide informative commentary along the way. We’ll then return to the lodge.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: We’ll gather to review our birding lists together. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure.

DAY
3
Rodeo-New Mexico, Chiricahua & Peloncillo Mountains
Portal, AZ
B,L,D
Portal Peak Lodge

Activity note: Getting in/out of a van; driving about 50 miles roundtrip, approximately 3 hours riding time with stops. Walking about 1.5 miles, approximately 5 hours on our feet throughout the day; well-maintained trails.

Breakfast: Lodge plated meal.

Morning: Setting out from the hotel by van, we will be on the look-out for Inca Doves, Gila Woodpeckers, and Great-tailed Grackles as we ride to Rodeo. Upon arrival, we will explore the Chiricahua Desert Museum with displays of Chiricahua Desert species of wildlife. Our Group Leader and instructor will provide commentary and answer questions as we examine the exhibits. We’ll then head out to the botanical garden to take advantage of its good bird watching location. After the field trip, we’ll ride back to the lodge.

Lunch: At the lodge.

Afternoon: Our next field trip will take us to the Chiricahua Mountains for some mountain birding in hopes of seeing elusive Elegant Trogons. We’ll hop out of the vans upon arrival and set out on a leisurely walk with our Group Leaders searching for birds and learning about this beautiful environment.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: After reviewing our birding lists together, the remainder of the evening will be at leisure.

DAY
4
Cochise Lakes & Willcox Playa, Waterfowl & Shorebirds
Portal, AZ
B,L,D
Portal Peak Lodge

Activity note: Getting in/out of a van; driving about 150 miles roundtrip; approximately 5 hours riding time with stops. Walking about 1.5 miles, approximately 2 hours; mostly flat terrain.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: We will leave the Chiricahua Mountains for a scenic drive to the small historic community of Willcox, Arizona, home to famed singer/entertainer Rex Allen. Along the way to Willcox — an agricultural area attractive to many species — we’ll stop at opportune viewpoints to stretch our legs and scan the skies for birds. Upon arrival in Willcox, we’ll make our way to a local restaurant.

Lunch: At a restaurant in Willcox.

Afternoon: Our birding field trip will continue nearby with a walk at the dry lakebed of Willcox Playa and the Cochise Lakes. A beautiful habitat, it serves as an ideal migratory stop-over for waterfowl and shorebirds such as the Ruddy Duck, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck and Cinnamon Teal Duck. On our way, we’ll keep our eyes open for Chiricahua birds and hawks as we listen to commentary by our Group Leader and instructor. Next, we’ll ride to downtown Willcox for a period of independent exploration in this quaintly charming cattle ranching town. In the early afternoon, we will make the return journey to the lodge with stops along the way to look for birds.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: We will review our birding lists together. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure.

DAY
5
Rustler Park Full Day Field Trip, Chiricahua Mountains
Portal, AZ
B,L,D
Portal Peak Lodge

Activity note: Getting in/out of a van; driving about 40 miles on dirt mountain roads, approximately 4 hours riding time stops. Walking about 2 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours on our feet; well-maintained trails. Elevation 8,500 feet.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: We will hop into the van and ride to Rustler Park, where we’ll begin a full day, high-elevation birding field trip. We’ll ride up the road to reach a scenic location at an elevation of 8,500 feet where several species of birds have been recorded. Species at this altitude typically include the Mexican Chickadee, Red-faced Warbler, Olive Warbler, and Red Crossbill.

Lunch: In the field, with many birds to observe amid the natural beauty of the area, we’ll have boxed lunches.

Afternoon: Our high-elevation birding field trip will continue to the top of the Chiricahua Mountain in Rustler Park. Species that can be seen here may be in mixed flocks during spring and fall migrations. Above the many wildflowers that may be in bloom, these migrations may include various Townsend’s such as Hermit, Yellow-rumped, and Grace’s, as well as Olive and Red-faced Warblers. We’ll return to the lodge after our field trip.

Dinner: At the lodge. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: We’ll review our birding list while relaxing around the dinner table. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure. The clean mountain air and a full day of birding will make for a good night’s rest. Prepare for check-out and departure after our final field trip.

DAY
6
Cave Creek Canyon, Program Concludes
Portal, AZ
B,L

Activity note: Getting in/out of a van; driving about 6 miles roundtrip, approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Walking about 1.5 miles, approximately 2.5 hours on our feet; maintained trails. Lodge check-out 11:30 a.m.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: We’ll return to scenic Cave Creek Canyon, an area boasting stunning vistas of the ragged cliff faces that are themselves marked with numerous caves. Nestled in the canyon, rich forest supports a diverse range of wildlife and birds including the Elegant Trogon. We could visit this magnificent area daily and never witness all the mountains have to offer. We’ll then return to the lodge for check-out.

Lunch: At the lodge, we’ll have boxed lunches to take away. This concludes our program.

Afternoon: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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