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Arizona

Cooper's hawk
Cooper's hawk
©Lin Stryker
Event: Gray Hawks Returning
Where: Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve
When: First week in March
Spring marks the return of the notable neotropical migrant gray hawks.

Open to the public.
Wilson's warbler
Wilson's warbler
©Charlie Ott
Event: Song Birds Arrive
Where: Ramsey Canyon Preserve
When: March
Warblers and other songbirds begin to arrive, along with a few migrant hummingbirds. Whiskered screech owls begin calling at night. Rock squirrels, spiny lizards, and more butterflies begin to appear.

Open to the public. No smoking, pets, picnicking, camping, fires, hunting, radios or tape players, collecting, feeding wildlife, motorized vehicles and bicycles.
Black vulture and turkey vulture
Black vulture and turkey vulture
©Barry Smith
Event: Zone-tailed Hawks Return
Where: Muleshoe Ranch Cooperative Management Area
When: March through April
Warblers, hooded orioles, and hummingbirds return. Zone-tailed hawks and black hawks return to canyons to nest, as do turkey vultures. Many migrant song birds passing through. Rock squirrels, spiny lizards, and leopard frogs emerge from hibernation.

Open to the public. Access to Muleshoe is limited to 4-wheel drive vehicles only, since the road is very rough, not well maintained and subject to regular washouts. The following is prohibited: collecting flora, fauna, minerals, or artifacts. No car or RV camping. Do not operate vehicles off existing roads. No littering or dumping or woodcutting.
Golden eagle
Golden eagle
©William Burkett
Event: Soaring Eagles
Where: Muleshoe Ranch Cooperative Management Area
When: May through June
Flycatchers and kingbirds abound. Golden eagles, falcons and Cooper's hawks seen throughout the Muleshoe from the canyon bottoms to the peaks. Gambel's quail and pygmy owls heard at dusk. Young great horned owls announce their place in the world at night.

Open to the public. Access to Muleshoe is limited to 4-wheel drive vehicles only, since the road is very rough, not well maintained and subject to regular washouts. The following is prohibited: collecting flora, fauna, minerals, or artifacts. No car or RV camping. Do not operate vehicles off existing roads. No littering or dumping or woodcutting.
Desert tortoise
Desert tortoise
©Tom Klare
Event: Summer Rains Begin
Where: Muleshoe Ranch Cooperative Management Area
When: July through August
Summer rains begin. White-tailed deer seen in mesquite bosques, as well as javalinas. Coatis seen in small bands in canyons. Also abundant, praying mantis, butterflies, and bumblebees. Desert tortoises come out of their burrows to feed on new grasses.

Open to the public. Access to Muleshoe is limited to 4-wheel drive vehicles only, since the road is very rough, not well maintained and subject to regular washouts. The following is prohibited: collecting flora, fauna, minerals, or artifacts. No car or RV camping. Do not operate vehicles off existing roads. No littering or dumping or woodcutting.
Magnificent hummingbird
Magnificent hummingbird
©Dick Dickenson
Event: Hummingbird Migration Peaks
Where: Ramsey Canyon Preserve
When: August
Hummingbird migration peaks; up to 14 species may be present. White-tailed deer fawn appear. Nectar feeding bats visit feeders at night. Reptiles commonly seen. Butterflies, wildflowers, and mushrooms are abundant.

Open to the public. No smoking, pets, picnicking, camping, fires, hunting, radios or tape players, collecting, feeding wildlife, motorized vehicles and bicycles.

For additional information on a particular location, click on the name of the preserve associated with the event or visit the Arizona site.