Western Tanager; Photo: Vera Markham

Want to come birding with us? Sonoran Audubon Society offers birding trips throughout the year near the Phoenix area and further abroad. We host both regular, local, family-friendly bird walks and more extensive, scheduled field trips. 

Reservations: Family bird walks do not require a reservation, but sign-ups are encouraged so our guides know who & how many people to expect. Reservations for larger field trips are A MUST. Field trips are generally first-come, first-served.  Cancellation, if necessary, is common courtesy; please notify the Trip Leader ASAP and allow others an opportunity to go. Participation is limited on some trips in order to protect sensitive birds or habitats, or to reduce the number of vehicles and logistical issues. Most SAS trips are guided by volunteer Trip Leaders. The Field Trip Committee creates the schedule each year and publishes it on the website calendar.  Each Trip Leader manages the reservations for each trip. High-clearance vehicles with 4WD may be required for some locations. For an event you may be interested in, please be sure to read the description to get these details. If you have any questions that can’t be answered there, please reach out to our email sonoranaudubon@gmail.com.

Fees:  For some field trips, a reservation fee may be required in advance.  There is a fuel charge for some trips to share the costs of fuel and carpooling; thus, it is a good idea to bring some cash.  For overnight trips, costs are estimated and published ahead of time. There are no fees for family bird walks, but some locations do require the purchase of a parking pass. 

eBird:  Many participants on field trips keep lists of the birds they observed at each birding location. These bird count data can be entered at eBird.org, an online resource that has revolutionized how bird observations can be used by birders and by researchers.  Sonoran Audubon has an eBird account.  The Trip Leader may, if they desire, enter the data into eBird and will use eBird’s share function to share the bird list(s) with trip participants who also use eBird.

Always come prepared with appropriate clothing, personal amenities, food and beverages, and birding gear. Being as we are in Arizona, sun protection and adequate water are very important! 

Group Birding Etiquette:

  • General conduct:
    • Walk behind the trip leader. If the group stops to look for a bird, you may temporarily step ahead of the leader.
    • Don’t wander away from the group for any reason. If you need to leave the group (bathroom break, going home, etc.), please notify the leader.
    • Be quiet.
      • Try to walk quietly.
      • Do not talk loudly or persistently.
  • Specific conduct scenarios:
    • Do not walk or stop in front of someone who is looking through
      binoculars or a scope.
    • Don’t make sudden movements, such as pointing, that cause birds to flush before all birders have had a good view.
    • If you are in front of the group and others are trying to see a bird past you, stand still.
  • Helping others:
    • Once you have seen a bird, step aside and help others see it.
    • Give specific and clear directions when giving directions to a bird. For example, use the plant’s location, identity, and the clock position, such as: at the three o’clock position, midway up the closest mature cottonwood.
  • Clothing:
    • Avoid wearing brightly-colored clothes. For nighttime birding, do not wear white clothes.
    • Do not wear noisy clothing like jackets or pants made of some kinds of synthetic materials.

Browse reports from previous trips.

Check the SAS calendar for any news on trips.