Not Just a Field Trip…AZFO Field Expeditions
We have designed these expeditions with our mission in mind -- to study Arizona’s birdlife. When you join in a Field Expedition, you are contributing to the understanding of the seasonal status of birds around our state. We may design an expedition in hopes of observing a single AZ rarity suspected to be in an under-studied region. We might survey an area to improve our knowledge of the winter distribution of species there.
These are birding field trips with a purpose. What we learn from these Expeditions will contribute to better management of less-well-known tracts around our entire state, for the benefit of birds and the habitat we share. Because we turn to experienced ornithologists to identify areas in need of study,
these outings are citizen science at its best. We provide leaders, location, and logistics.
After that, we need YOU --to help gather the data.
Greenlee County AZFO Expedition
November 9-10, 2024
Objective:
The purpose of this expedition is to visit current eBird hotspots with a low number of checklists.
Accommodations:
We plan to camp at Upper and Lower Juan Miller Campground (No fee).
Why Greenlee County? Explore diverse habitats, with elevations ranging from 9,000 ft to 3,000 ft. We will explore from mid-elevation pine/conifer to riparian drainages filled with various oaks, Arizona Sycamore, and Manzanita-dominant mixed chaparral. Some expected species include Steller's and Mexican Jays, Acorn Woodpeckers, Hermit Thrush, Bridled Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Vermilion Flycatchers, and Verdins. This is a great time of year to find eastern vagrants and Mexican species, alongside commonly expected species. We hope to add more data to the county and see rare birds!
Field Expedition to Search for Breeding Mountain Plovers
May 31- June 2
Summary coming soon!
Field Expedition to the Avra Valley
April 20-21
Summary coming soon!
Lake Havasu Field Expedition
Participants raved about Our Winter Field Expedition, a boat trip on Lake Havasu ! The trip was a half-day adventure on January 27, 2024, with two boats fully subscribed. The purpose of this survey was to collect data on birds wintering on the lake, to enhance data collected from on-shore reports.
Some expedition photos, below.
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Green Kingfisher Expedition: In July of this year (2023), we led a Field Expedition to look for Green Kingfisher in a 6-mile stretch of the Santa Cruz river that is not yet fully open to the public. Despite the heat, our teams found 14 Green Kingfishers in this new, sensitive stretch of the river! Our survey results will guide river managers as they work to protect that section of the river.
For a detailed report on the expedition,
Support AZFO's Field Expeditions and Workshops!
AZFO is committed to enhancing bird identification skills and overall knowledge of distributions of Arizona's birds through Field Expeditions and Workshops. To support these activities we have created a new “Field Expedition and Workshop" Fund to help cover related costs, including trip leader compensation and expense reimbursements, insurances, communications, supplies and equipment, and all other expenditures that the board deems necessary to maintain and improve these programs. Your contribution would be greatly appreciated and would directly support our field expeditions and workshops. To donate, click below and type "Field Expeditions" into the notes section of the donation form.
(AZFO Field Expedition. Photo: Jennie Macfarland)