Jim Hoagland
For the sixth year, the SaddleBrooke Ranch (SBR) Cuckoos will participate in the Tucson Bird Alliance’s Birdathon. This year, instead of our usual 24-hour marathon to see as many bird species as possible, we are doing something different. Our goal is to educate the community and encourage greater involvement in the Birdathon, fostering awareness of birds and nature at the Ranch.
We will host a full week of activities, April 19 through April 25, starting with a presentation on the “Birds of SBR” by Jim Hoagland. Since moving to SBR in June 2020, Jim has recorded 190 bird species at the Ranch. His program will highlight many of these species and include photographs he has taken at the Ranch. This presentation will be on Sunday, April 19, at 1 p.m. in the Sol Ballroom. Participants will also learn about the eBird and Merlin apps and have the chance to become citizen scientists for the week. The week will include field trips, seminars, and a wrap-up party on Saturday featuring raffle prizes.
In addition to Jim’s presentation, Michael Bain, a Senior Park Ranger at Oracle State Park, will host a program titled “All About Oracle State Park: Programs, Wildlife, Dark Skies & More!” This presentation will cover ranching history, dark skies, environmental education and interpretive programming, wildlife sightings, birding opportunities, and ways to get involved. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the 4,000-acre wildlife refuge’s diversity. Michael’s program will take place on Monday, April 20, at 10 a.m. in the La Mesa meeting room at the Hacienda.
On Tuesday, April 21, Laurie McCoy will lead a “Mindful/Meditative Birding on the Patio” session at Oracle State Park at 8 a.m. This approach to birding is slow and casual, in contrast to the traditional view of birding as long walks and extensive travel. For more details and to sign up for the event, please contact Laurie McCoy at lkmmitten53@gmail.com.
Several field trips are planned here at the Ranch starting Monday morning. Karen Vanderwall will lead a field trip on the SBR Nature Trail, with additional Nature Trail field trips planned throughout the week, including a late-afternoon trip for those who prefer not to rise early.
A busy day is planned for Thursday, April 23. Deb Sandin, Gary Sandin, and Carrie Gesley will guide a field trip to Oracle City Park, followed by a visit to Peppersauce Campground. In recent years, Lewis’s Woodpeckers have been spotted in the city park. Tim DeJonghe, one of the premier birders in Arizona, will lead an Owling field trip at Peppersauce in the early evening. Participants could see or hear various species, including the Elf Owl, Western Screech Owl, Great Horned Owl, Common Poorwill, and possibly even a Whiskered Screech Owl. And Jim Hoagland will also host a group at Sweetwater Wetlands, recognized as the No. 1 birding hotspot in Arizona. He will also lead a field trip to El Rio Preserve on Friday, April 24.
Additional activities are still in the planning stages, so please look for details and instructions on how to sign up for field trips or programs on the SBR Facebook page and Nextdoor.
The Birdathon is similar to a walkathon—rather than counting miles, we count birds! Every dollar raised supports the Tucson Bird Alliance in protecting birds, restoring habitats, and ensuring that future generations can enjoy them. Your support for the Birdathon inspires people to protect and appreciate birds through recreation, education, conservation, and restoration.