Birdability outing to Madera Canyon with Birdability’s Virginia Rose and Freya McGregor, and Tucson Audubon accessible outing leader Marcia OBara
Date: Thursday August 12th, 8:00am – 10:30am Arizona Time.
Difficulty: 1. For detailed accessibility information on these locations, please visit the Proctor Rd Trail Birdability Site Review, and the Santa Rita Lodge Birdability Site Review on the Birdability Map.
Distance: Up to 2 miles on an accessible trail, with additional stationary birding.
Bathrooms: Accessible bathrooms are available at the Proctor Rd Trailhead; bathrooms are not available for public use at Santa Rita Lodge.
Type of bird outing: This trip is designed to be intentionally inclusive and accessible for beginner and advanced birders who experience accessibility challenges as a result of a disability or other health concern. The three outing leaders experience their own accessibility challenges, including one who uses a manual wheelchair, and the location’s accessibility features have been documented in detail to help you decide if you’d like to attend.
Description: Join us for a leisurely birding experience in beautiful Madera Canyon. We will meet at the Proctor Road Picnic Area at the entrance to Madera Canyon, and will bird 1 mile of this paved trail (travelling 2 miles total). There are two benches along the way, and a rest area with benches near the end of the first half. Participants are welcome to wait for us or turn back at any time.
After that we will drive up the canyon to Santa Rita Lodge. Folks who need to drive themselves can do so; we ask everyone else to carpool from Proctor Rd – we're conscious of limited parking at Santa Rita Lodge and want to prioritize it for folks who need it. At Santa Rita Lodge we will enjoy the variety of birds at the feeder station, where benches are available. We will have two scopes available to use: one set up at the height of a seated person, and one at the height of a standing person.
Target birds: Rivoli's Hummingbird, Mexican Jay, Black-headed Grosbeak, Hepatic Tanager, Arizona Woodpecker, Bridled Titmouse.
Number of attendees: Limited to 15 participants, with up to five additional attendants if you need to bring someone to help you participate.
Additional information: 12 pairs of loaner binoculars will be available, and scopes to use at Santa Rita Lodge. Outing is free with festival registration, however attendees are responsible for the US Forest Service entrance fee of $8/vehicle. (For more information, including Interagency Passes, visit the Coronado National Forest Service website.) Please feel free to email info@birdability.org with any additional questions you may have about this event.
To learn more about the Southeast Arizona Birding Festival, including the other fieldtrips and workshops offered, and to register, visit the Southeast Arizona Birding Festival webpage.