All things avian will be in the spotlight — or, more appropriately, the binoculars — at the sixth annual Southeast Arizona Birding Festival Thursday through Monday, Aug. 11-15.
The festival, hosted by the Tucson Audubon Society, will include field trips to more than 20 bird-watching hotspots in the region, workshops, presentations by speakers and social gatherings.
Based at the Arizona Riverpark Inn, 777 W. Cushing St., the festival has a $15 registration fee as well as fees for field trips and other activities.
“The month of August typically brings the most species at one time due to breeding and migration periods,” said Jennie MacFarland, bird conservation biologist for the Tucson Audubon Society. “Specifically, hummingbird species reach peak numbers in August, with over 13 different species of hummingbirds that can be seen. This is more than any other place in the United States.”
Five festival field trips, a workshop and a dinner presentation all involve hummingbirds, and organizers say field trip participants have a good chance of seeing some of the colorful, fast-moving little birds.
Speakers and workshop presenters include Sheri Williamson, director of the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory, and Jeffrey Gordon, president of the American Birding Association.
Go online to tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/festival.html for more information.
