loading spinner
Arizona

Birding Bonanza

Program No. 7414RJ
Explore three of the nation’s top birding destinations to spot sandhill cranes, western tanagers and myriad other species as you learn from experts and add to your birding list.

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
climate
Plan ahead.
What kind of weather can you expect? Take a look!
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Apr 2 - Apr 7, 2023
Starting at
1,749
Apr 16 - Apr 21, 2023
Starting at
1,749
Nov 12 - Nov 17, 2023
Starting at
1,749
Jan 7 - Jan 12, 2024
Starting at
1,899
Jan 21 - Jan 26, 2024
Starting at
1,899
Feb 4 - Feb 9, 2024
Starting at
1,899
Feb 18 - Feb 23, 2024
Starting at
1,899
Mar 3 - Mar 8, 2024
Starting at
1,899
Mar 17 - Mar 22, 2024
Starting at
1,899
Mar 31 - Apr 5, 2024
Starting at
1,899
Apr 14 - Apr 19, 2024
Starting at
1,899
Nov 17 - Nov 22, 2024
Starting at
1,899
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Apr 2 - Apr 7, 2023
Starting at
2,019
Apr 16 - Apr 21, 2023
Starting at
2,019
Nov 12 - Nov 17, 2023
Starting at
2,019
Jan 7 - Jan 12, 2024
Starting at
2,299
Jan 21 - Jan 26, 2024
Starting at
2,299
Feb 4 - Feb 9, 2024
Starting at
2,299
Feb 18 - Feb 23, 2024
Starting at
2,299
Mar 3 - Mar 8, 2024
Starting at
2,299
Mar 17 - Mar 22, 2024
Starting at
2,299
Mar 31 - Apr 5, 2024
Starting at
2,299
Apr 14 - Apr 19, 2024
Starting at
2,299
Nov 17 - Nov 22, 2024
Starting at
2,299

At a Glance

Three of the Top 10 birding destinations in the U.S. are within a close radius of Sierra Vista. The region is a seasonal home to many migrating species, including the Green-tailed Towhee, Belted Kingfisher and Western Tanager. Visit premier viewing sites in the Huachuca Mountains, San Pedro Riparian area and other sites known throughout the world as premier viewing sites. An average of 100-125 species of birds may be spotted during this birding adventure!
Activity Level
Outdoor: No Sweat
Walking up to one mile and standing up to one hour. Elevation ranges between 3900 and 5800 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.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • View the migration of Sandhill Cranes during an exploration of the Sulphur Springs Valley.
  • Enjoy opportunities to spot key species inside the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, encompassing 57,000 acres teeming with birds.
  • Experience premier birding amid the peaks and canyons of the Huachuca Mountains and observe the many water bird species living on and around Patagonia Lake.

General Notes

Birding programs have a maximum participant-to-instructor ratio of 14:1 in the field, according to the American Birding Association’s Code of Ethics. Please note that on day 5 the group will need to travel through the base at Fort Huachuca to arrive at the Huachuca mountains. At this time, the military base is only open to US citizens.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Profile Image
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 Malcolm Chesworth
Malcolm Chesworth View biography
With the gift of a pair of binoculars some 45 years ago and the first view of a European Goldfinch, Malcolm Chesworth’s lifelong love of and respect for birds began. His first visit to Arizona two decades ago years ago cemented his love of birding in the Southwest. As a member of Tucson Audubon, he volunteers at the Tucson Audubon’s Paton Center for Hummingbirds in Patagonia and has been a participator, leader and compiler in the Southern Arizona Christmas Bird Counts.
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.
Shrubs and Trees of the Southwest Uplands
by Elmore, Francis H.
Flowers of the Southwest Deserts
by Dodge, Natt
Trogons of the Arizona Borderlands
by Taylor, Richard Cachor
Field Guide to the Birds of North America. Third Edition.
by National Geographic Society
Mountain Islands and Desert Seas: A Natural History of the U.S. Mexican Borderlands.
by Gehlbach, Frederick R.
Birding Arizona
by McMillon, Bill
A Birder's Guide to Southeastern Arizona
by Lane, James A.
Davis and Russell's Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona
by Davis, William A. and Stephen M. Russell





Important registration tip:
If you want to attend the live lecture, please do not wait until the last minute to enroll.
If you enroll after a lecture is complete, we’ll send you a recording of the event.