AZFO Meetings

Sky Islands and Desert Waters

More than 80 birders attended AZFO’s annual meeting in Safford on September 23-25. Friday began with four mini-expeditions to the Pinaleño Mountains and ended with an evening social. Avian research was featured on Saturday with abstracts to be posted soon. The business meeting included changes in AZFO Bylaws, election of Board members and officers, and plans for future field expeditions.

At the banquet, Doug Jenness was honored with the AZFO Achievement Award for his contributions to bird research and many publications. Rick Taylor then led a visual tour through “Six Seasons: A Birding Year in the Land of the Apache” and signed copies of his newest book, Birds of Arizona.

Sunday field expeditions visited the Gila River, Cluff Ranch Wildlife Area, Duncan Birding Trail, Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, Lake Cochise and grasslands around the Willcox Playa.

A total of 177 birds were documented during the AZFO weekend in Graham County. In nearby Greenlee County, 130 species were seen and/or heard.

AZFO Annual Meetings Feature:

Expert presentations on identification, status and distribution of Arizona birds

Reports on AZFO activities such as Field Expeditions

Photos of recent rare bird sightings from the Arizona Bird Committee

Updates from Arizona Birds, our online journal

Presentation of awards and research grants

Fun bird identification games

Sales and a silent auction for art, books, gear, and other bird-related merchandise

A chance to meet new friends and visit with old ones!

Past Meetings Summaries:

2012: Lake Havasu City

2011: Phoenix

2010: Prescott

2009: Tucson

2008: Flagstaff (no summary)

2007: Gilbert (no summary)