Southwest Treasures Newsletter- Celebrating the diversity, magic, mystery, culture and history of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah!

April 15, 2025-This weeks post is about the migration of the hummingbirds into southern Arizona.

Located in a deep cleft lies between Mexico’s Sierra Madre, the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts and the Rocky Mountains – Ramsey Canyon has a secret.

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Hello There Reader

April through September is excellent for birders to observe these fascinating creatures.

Rolling grasslands, high mountains and warm winters makes southeastern Arizona a birdwatcher’s paradise. More than 500 species of birds call this area home–hummingbirds can be seen year round, and specialty birds like Gray Hawk, Red-faced Warblers and Vermilion Flycatchers can be found within a short drive from metropolitan Tucson.

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Hummingbirds Galore!

Ramsey Canyon is best known for its hummingbirds (including the Anna’s and white-eared hummingbird, among many others). In peak month, August, up to 14 species of hummingbirds zip around the canyon in large numbers, but the entire space of time from April to September is excellent for birders.

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The Hamburg Trail, which runs along Ramsey Creek, is a hike you can begin birding from. Of course, you’ll have more to watch for than hummingbirds – there are 130 species of birds in the canyon.

Many types of songbirds also migrate through the canyon and elegant trogans and golden eagles frequent Ramsey as well. Even in the “off-season,” you can find plenty of sapsuckers, kinglets and juncos.

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Stop by the Preserve Nature Center

Since they are so many species to view, you might want to stop by the preserve’s nature center, which neatly lays out the species present in Ramsey Canyon. There’s also a bookstore and hummingbird observation area within the center.

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​Ramsey Canyon Preserve Nature Center is open Thursday-Monday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Nov. through Feb., bookstore open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Admission $6/person or $3/person for Conservancy members and Cochise County residents.

Children under age 16 admitted free. Admission is free to all on the first Saturday of each month.

Birding events worth checking out this year:

​Southwest Wings Spring Fling​

​Nature Conservancy’s Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve​

​Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival​

​Get Your Hands on Audubon’s Award-Winning Bird Field Guide For Free!​

This must have app for birders, instantly turns your mobile device into the most trusted field guide in North American. Access 821 in-depth bird species profiles and browse by shapes, region, and color.

Use eBird to locate birds recently seen around you and test your knowledge with thousands of hours of the highest quality bird sounds.

You May Also Enjoy:

​Brazilian Free-Tailed Bats Incredible Journey​

​Finding the Elusive Mexican Spotted Owl​

​Roadrunner- New Mexico’s State Bird​

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If you like what you are learning and reading about, please share with family and friends. Till next time!