NEW MEXICO & ARIZONA - USA WINTER BIRDING AT ITS BEST!

The stunning snow-capped mountains, arid deserts, secluded rivers, prairie and grasslands of New Mexico all form a visually stunning backdrop to some of the most exciting winter birding that North America has to offer. This specially designed ZOOTHERA tour is aimed at seeing some of New Mexico’s & south-east Arizona's most exciting and special birds in a fairly relaxed manner, with the emphasis on getting good views and studying the impressive wildlife on offer. The undoubted highlight of any tour to this exciting region is a visit to Bosque del Apache NWR, where literally thousands of Snow Geese, ducks and Sandhill Cranes fill the air each morning and evening. It is estimated that there are up to 32,000 geese and 14,000 cranes present at any one time here during the winter! The sheer volume of noise and flurry of wings combined with the crisp, clear winter air should provide superb photographic opportunities and we will spend plenty of time savouring one of the natural world’s most impressive wildlife spectacles. An extensive series of lakes, ponds and marshes will be searched for such wanted species as Hooded Merganser, Ross's Goose, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Clark’s Grebe and a multitude of other waterfowl. Whilst the surounding desert and canyons are home to Scaled Quail, Greater Roadrunner, Crissal Thrasher, Mountain Bluebird, Bridled Titmouse and Phainopepla. Several impressive mountain ranges will be searched for a variety of scarce birds such as Northern Pygmy Owl, Red-naped Sapsucker, Clark's Nutcracker, Mountain Chickadee and at Sandia Crest, 3 species of rosy-finch – a rather unique experience. There's a short journey to look for Bridled Titmouse and several lakes to explore as well. Continuing south we will be just a couple of hours drive from Portal in the Chiricahua Mountains and we will visit Cave Creek Canyon and surrounding areas in search of Arizona Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Coppery-tailed Trogon, Painted Whitestart, Hutton's Vireo, Rivoli's Hummingbird, Blue-throated Mountain-Gem, Verdin, Mexican Jay, Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay, Abert's Towhee, Pyrrhuloxia, Yellow-eyed Junco, Pine Siskin and many others.

There is also a wide variety of commoner USA species on offer throughout the tour which provide a perfect introduction to the birdlife of North America, all set in superb scenery that provides a fantastic winter break. 

We are also preparing a few days at SaxZim Bog in Minnesota (7th - 10th January) as a pre-tour extension. At this time of year there are numerous feeding stations in the area that prove attractive to species such as Pine & Evening Grosbeaks, sometimes Hoary Redpoll, White-winged Crossbill and others. But it's the owls that are the main draw for many people and it is possible to see Great Grey Owl, Snowy Owl, Northern Hawk Owl and Boreal Owl. There are also opportunities to see Ruffed & Sharp-tailed Grouse feeding along the roadside, whilst we will also drive a couple of hours to a site that will increase our chances of  seeing Spruce Grouse. Other species we hope to see include Rough-legged Hawk, Thayer's & Glaucous Gulls, Black-backed Woodpecker, Northern Shrike, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Boreal Chickadee, Grey Jay, Black-billed Magpie, Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings, American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin and possibly a rarity or two. Our last tour see also saw a fantastic Ivory Gull...! There's also an option to visit Texas and see Whooping Cranes as well on a post-tour extension. Please email our office for more info.