OUTDOORS AND RECREATION
All events are free or included in admission or vehicle entrance fee unless otherwise noted. Parking may be additional. Bad weather may change or cancel activity. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No pets unless otherwise specified.
It's a bird, bat no rat.
Birding — Roy P. Drachman-Agua Caliente Regional Park, 12325 E. Roger Road. Take a guided walk to look for warblers, flycatchers, hummingbirds, orioles, and vireos. Binoculars available. Online registration required. 7:30-9 a.m. Aug. 24 and 31. 615-7855.
Bats in Flight — Pima County Pantano River Park, 2500 S. Pantano Parkway. Join Pima County naturalists and volunteers to watch as hundreds of bats emerge from daytime roosts under the 22nd St. bridge over the Pantano Wash. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 25. 615-7855.
Hidden Wildlife — Saguaro National Park East, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail. Learn to look for the signs that animals leave behind in the desert. 10-10:30 a.m. Aug. 26. 733-5153.
River Bird Walk — San Pedro House, 9800 E. Highway 90, Sierra Vista. Considered one of the largest and most critical avian migratory corridors remaining in the western United States. 7-9 a.m. Aug. 26. Donations accepted. 459-2555.
Bird Walk — Environmental Operations Park, Hwy. 90 east of Sierra Vista. A two hour walk led by docents from Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory and the Friends of the San Pedro River. Suitable footwear. 7-9 a.m. Aug. 27. Donations accepted. 459-2555.
Birding — Gabe Zimmerman Davidson Canyon Trailhead at Cienega Creek Natural Preserve, 16000 E. Marsh Station Road, Vail. A guided walk to search for raptors, warblers, sparrows, and others. Online registration required. 7:30-9:30 a.m. Aug. 29. 615-7855.
Morning Bird Walks — Sweetwater Wetlands, 2511 W. Sweetwater Drive. Join Audubon Society staff member Luke Safford, on a two hour, 1 mile easy hike to see waterfowl, warblers, and other species hiding in the reeds. 6-8 a.m. Aug. 30. 209-1811.
Kangaroo Rat: Super Survivor — Saguaro National Park West. An easy hike to learn how the rodents escape predators, evade heat, and endure aridity while you search for burrows, runways and tracks of this nocturnal animal. Suitable footwear. 3:15-4 p.m. Aug. 31. 733-5158.
Walking, hiking and cooking
Synergy in the Desert: The Sonoran Habitat — Saguaro National Park West, 2700 N. Kinney Road. A walk and talk to learn about the saguaro. 2:15-3 p.m. Aug. 24 and 31. 733-5158.
Guided Hike — Catalina Highway milepost 22.9, Sunset Trailhead. A 3 mile hike guided by Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists with little elevation gain. Not flat. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 25. 749-8700.
Cooking with Prickly Pear — Saguaro National Park West. A live cooking demonstration showing how to prepare and cook prickly pear. 3:15-3:45 p.m. Aug. 27. 733-5158.
Easy Being Green — Saguaro National Park East. A walk to learn how plants get by with little rain. 10-10:30 a.m. Aug. 27. 733-5153.
Life Cycle of the Saguaro: Seeds to Giant — Saguaro National Park West. A short walk to learn about saguaros. 11:15 a.m.- noon. Aug. 29. 733-5158.
Monsoon Rains in the Desert — Saguaro National Park East. A walk with a park naturalist to learn the vital role that the rains play in the lives of plants, animals and humans. 10-10:45 a.m. Aug. 29. 733-5153.
Water Walk — Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road. A guided walk to discover how water moves through the landscape. Online registration required. 7:30-9 a.m. Aug. 29. 615-7855.
What is the Reason for the Saguaro Fruit Harvest — Saguaro National Park West. Participate in a cultural experience and learn about this enriching tradition. 2:15-2:45 p.m. Aug. 29. 733-5158.
Desert Botany 101 — Saguaro National Park East. An easy walk through the cactus garden. 10-10:30 a.m. Aug. 30. 733-5153.
Who's Who — Saguaro National Park East. A walk through the cactus garden to learn names. 10-10:30 a.m. Aug. 31. 733-5153.
