OUTDOORS
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.
Watching the birdies
Birding — Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road. Take a guided walk to see a variety of birds such as warblers, flycatchers, hummingbirds, orioles, and vireos. Loaner binoculars available. Online registration required. 7:30-9 a.m. May 24 and 31. 724-5375.
Birding — Historic Canoa Ranch, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Road, Green Valley. Join local birding expert Brian Nicholas to see a wide variety of sparrows, raptors and the possibility of waterfowl on the newly restored pond. 7-9 a.m. May 26. 724-5220.
Hummingbird Banding — San Pedro House, 9800 E. Highway 90, Sierra Vista. A close-up look as staff and volunteers from the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory capture, band, weigh, measure, and release them as part of long-term studies. 4-6 p.m. May 26. Donations accepted. 459-2555.
River Bird Walk — San Pedro House, 9800 E. Highway 90, Sierra Vista. Birders of all levels. Suitable footwear and water. 7-9 a.m. May 26. Donations accepted. 459-2555.
River Walk — San Pedro House. The walks are led by The Friends of the San Pedro River. Look for 82 species of mammals, dozens of reptiles/amphibians and nearly 350 species of birds. Suitable footwear and water. 8-10 a.m. May 26. Donations accepted. 459-2555.
Bird Walk — Environmental Operations Park, Hwy. 90 east of Sierra Vista. Led by docents from Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory and the Friends of the San Pedro River. A 50-acre wetlands planted with aquatic plants, including cattails, and grasses that attract migrating and nesting birds. First come first served basis. Suitable footwear and water. 7-10 a.m. May 27. 459-2555.
It's not to hot to ...
Is it A Cactus or A...Sparagus — Saguaro National Park East, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail. Learn the difference between the two most famous families of desert plants on this short stroll in the cactus garden. 10-10:30 a.m. May 24 and 27. 733-5153.
Desert Botany 101 — Saguaro National Park East. Review the basic principles of desert botany on this easy walk through the cactus garden. 10-10:30 a.m. May 25. 733-5153.
Habitats and Haunts Hikes Along the Bi-National Santa Cruz River — Lowe House Project, 14 Calle Iglesia, Tubac. Join with members of the Walking Sticks hiking group for casual hikes around the Village of Tubac and on the Juan Bautista de Anza International Trail. Observe riparian flora and fauna, cottonwood/willow forest, mesquite bosques, bird immigrants and more. Meet at Lowe House Project 14 Calle Iglesia, Old Town Tubac at 6:30 a.m. 6:30-8 a.m. May 25 and June 1. 398-9571.
Nature Stories — Pima County Agua Caliente Park. Outdoors for a nature-themed story hour and art activity. Ages 2-5 with an adult companion. 10-11 a.m. May 25. 724-5375.
Spiny, Shady, and Cool — Saguaro National Park West, 2700 N. Kinney Road. Take a short walk and discover the great variety of cacti. 10:15-10:45 a.m. May 25 and 26. 733-5158.
Synergy in the Desert: The Sonoran Habitat — Saguaro National Park West, 2700 N. Kinney Road. A talk and walk to learn how the parts of the Sonoran Desert work together to create a rich living desert that is unique. 3:15-4 p.m. May 25. 733-5158.
Saguaros — Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road. A short guided walk and indoor presentation to beauty, traditional uses by the Tohono O’odham, and importance as provider of home, food, and shelter for wildlife. Online registration required. 8:30-10 a.m. May 26. 724-5375.
When It Rains, It Pours — Saguaro National Park East. Explore the how's and why's of our monsoon season. 2-2:30 p.m. May 26 and 29. 733-5153.
Full Moon Wander — Pima County Feliz Paseos Park, 1600 N. Camino de Oeste. Join a Pima County naturalist to send off the sun and welcome the full moon. Suitable footwear, water and flashlight. Ages 12 and up. Online registration required. 7-9 p.m. May 29. $5. 724-5375.
Guided Hike — Mt. Lemmon, Sunset Trailhead milepost 22.9 Catalina Highway. A 3.5 mile hike guided by a Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalist through growth trees leading to the original Mt. Lemmon ski run, then to the top of the run near the observatory. Elevation gain of about 800 feet. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. June 1. 749-8700.
