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CELEBRATE DOCENT BREWING'S 7TH ANNIVERSARY!

Join us every last saturday in march.

Taste some of the top craft beers with over 40+ breweries pouring at this one-day event. Enjoy food, live music and community! 

Enjoy music on two stages with the main stage offering up and coming talent that you won't want to miss! The intimate second Backporch stage will feature some of the top bands in Orange County, CA.

  Community and Craftsmanship is what we bring to this festival. Join one day event to help promote craft beer, live music and a love for community.  Bring your family and friends!

MUSIC LINE UP FOR 2024

Field Trip Fest will be headlined by two unique artists: the laid-back soul guitarist DONOVAN FRANKENREITER and honky-tonk siren NIKKI LANE . The event will feature two alternating stages of music, including Early James , plus OC favorites Robert Jon & The Wreck , Eric Roebuck, Leroy From The North and Alice Wallace

SOME OF THE TOP BREWERIES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Join us for a day of craft beer, music, food, and fun! Our festival features a diverse lineup of talented artists, delicious local cuisine, and some of the top craft beers in the state. Don't miss out on the ultimate experience!

All Vintage Volkswagen's Welcome

See 80+ vintage Volkswagen on the meadow at Rancho Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano on March 30, 2024. This will be a fun day in San Juan Capistrano checking out some great vintage rides. Show starts at 12:00 noon on Saturday, March 30, 2024

OVERNIGHT GIVEAWAY

Win docent lounge tickets and then enjoy an overnight stay at the inn at the mission.

ENTER-TO-WIN an overnight stay at the Inn at the Mission after your Field Trip Fest Adventure, plus, a Docent Brewing gift card.

All you have to do is fill out the form, it takes less than a minute. It's our final and BIGGEST giveaway ever, don't miss out. 

Bonus entry if you follow @innatthemissionSJC , @fieldtripfestdocent , and @docentbrewing on Instagram. 

Deadline to enter is March 25!

Stay where timeless meets contemporary and uncover new experiences where guests can explore the rich history and heart of California.Experience Field Trip Fest with Docent Lounge Passes and top off the weekend at Docent Brewing. Your perfect weekend plans are set, just ENTER-TO-WIN

2023 FIELD TRIP FUN

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Music + Concerts | Field Trip Fest will celebrate community, beer…

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Music + concerts, music + concerts | field trip fest will celebrate community, beer and folk music in san juan capistrano, the single-day music and craft beer festival will feature sets by donavon frankenreiter, nikki lane and robert jon & the wreck at rancho riding park on saturday, march 30..

“A lot of times, people say things, and it’s hard to know if they are true, but trust me, this is what we do everything for. It’s always about the community,” he continued.

This commitment to the community lies at the heart of Docent Brewing, a sentiment that resonates deeply as they gear up to celebrate its 7th anniversary with Field Trip Fest . The festival, set to take place at Rancho Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, March 30, will offer attendees a vibrant blend of folk music and brews.

Donavon Frankenreiter (pictured performing on day one of the BeachLife Ranch Festival on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach) is set to play at this year’s Field Trip Fest at The Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano on March 30. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Nikki Lane (pictured performing on the Palomino Stage during the Stagecoach Country Music Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Saturday, April 29, 2023) is set to headline at this year’s Field Trip Fest at The Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano on March 30. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Contributing Photographer)

Donavon Frankenreiter (pictured performing on the Highlands Stage on day one of the BeachLife Ranch Festival on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach) is set to play at this year’s Field Trip Fest at The Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano on March 30. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Day Trip Fest will also host a free Volkswagen bus show produced by the South County Bus Society, where attendees can browse through 80 classic Volkswagen buses as well as a handful of eclectic cars. (Photo courtesy of Field Trip Fest)

One of two stages is set for this year’s Field Trip Fest, which will take place at Rancho Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, March 30. (Photo by Mark Christensen)

Leroy From The North is set to play at this year’s Field Trip Fest at The Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano on March 30. (Photo by Skyler Barberio)

Robert Jon & The Wreck will perform at this year’s Field Trip Fest at The Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano on March 30. (Photo by Rob Blackham)

Docent Brewing began its journey in 2017 and introduced its inaugural Field Trip Fest in 2019 to mark its second anniversary that March. The festival’s name stems from the team’s decision to christen their beer cans ‘field trips’ at the brewery as a playful nod to embracing adventure and exploration outdoors, fostering a connection with childlike wonder. This year, the tradition continues as cans retain the same name, offering fans a familiar experience to enjoy.

The single-day fest will debut at a new location this year, just a stone’s throw from its previous spot. Nestled on the opposite side of the creek from its former home at Reata Park , the larger outdoor space was a strategic move, Hendon shared, as the team wanted to keep the fun in the same vicinity, but just with more space.

Despite the festival’s significant expansion since its reinstatement post the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, Hendon said that its core objective remains unchanged: to commemorate and celebrate Docent Brewing’s anniversary each year, coincidentally accompanied by a star-studded lineup of folk acts.

The music and craft beer festival will include two stages with performances by alt-country rocker Nikki Lane and singer-songwriter Donavon Frankenreiter , along with performances by Alabama folk outlaw Early James, Orange County rockers Robert Jon & The Wreck , Eric Roebuck, Leroy From The North and Alice Wallace .

“When we first created Field Trip Fest, the initial goal was to create a folk festival, but I personally didn’t think we had many in Southern California,” Hendon said. “I’m originally from West Virginia, and there’s some really great rootsy and folk festivals in Colorado and back east and the Appalachian Mountains, (so we’re) bringing that energy over here. It’s also important for us to bring local acts to the stage, and fans seem to appreciate that sense of community in music.”

Hendon is equally excited about the festival’s Volkswagen bus show produced by the South County Bus Society, where folks can browse through 80 classic Volkswagen buses as well as a handful of eclectic cars.

There will be more than 40 local breweries in attendance, offering those 21-and-older samples of a variety of brews from 1-4:30 p.m. Adding to the culinary list, Heritage BBQ , renowned as one of South Orange County’s premier eateries, will be on the grounds.

As Field Trip Fest commemorates another anniversary, it also honors the inauguration of Docent Brewing’s third brewery in Corona Del Mar, alongside its latest establishment in San Clemente. While expansion is on the horizon, Hendon remains steadfast in his desire for the festival to uphold the values of community, friendship and good music that have defined Field Trip Fest and continue to shape its legacy.

“When we first started, it was just us inviting our closest friends, whether it came to breweries or musicians we knew, and that’s how it’s kind of always stayed. It’s the core of who we are.”

Field Trip Festival

When: Saturday, March 30

Where : Rancho Riding Park, 30753 Avenida La Pata, San Juan Capistrano

Tickets : Passes start at $59-$89; parking passes are $20 at fieldtripfest.com .

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Field Trip Fest

Get your tickets here fieldtripfest.com.

Music + Concerts | Field Trip Fest returns with Jamestown Revival,…

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Music + concerts, music + concerts | field trip fest returns with jamestown revival, robert jon & the wreck and more, tickets for the single-day music and beer festival in san juan capistrano are on sale now..

Docent Brewing in San Juan Capistrano is celebrating its 6th anniversary by hosting Field Trip Fest at Reata Park and Event Center on March 11.

The music and craft beer festival will feature two alternating stages with performances by Texas-based folk rock band Jamestown Revival and Austin-based blues guitarist Zach Person, along with Orange County artists Robert Jon & The Wreck , Moonsville Collective, Ted Z & The Wranglers, Victoria Bailey and Pio Gabriel.

General admission tickets are now on sale starting at $59; Early entry passes start at $69; Docent lounge passes start at $89; Parking passes start at $20 on fieldtripfest.com.

Docent Brewing is San Juan Capistrano’s first brewery house and will have complimentary beer sampling for attendees with more than 40 craft breweries participating from 1 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. The festival will also feature Heritage BBQ, one of South Orange County’s top eateries , food trucks, local vendors and three Docent Lounges.

As a new addition, the festival will host a VW Bus Show produced by the South County Bus Society where folks can browse through 80 different classic Volkswagen buses. This show is included with fest admission.

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Field Trips for Your Music Class

Field trips offer a unique opportunity to enrich the learning experience. From being immersed in sensory activities to being able to see firsthand the places where music happens, a field trip is unforgettable for most kids.

Traditionally, field trips involve traveling to a destination, but this isn’t a requirement. Technological advances have made it possible to tour far-off places that a lack of time and money might otherwise make it impossible to visit.

Whether your music field trips are virtual or take place in the real world, your homeschoolers will find these experiences to be deeply enriching. They bring to life all of the things about which they have been learning in music education. This may mean unlocking even greater knowledge and imagination.

Here are just a few ideas for music field trips for your homeschoolers:

1. Attend a Symphony or Orchestra Performance

If you live close to a city where there is a symphony, orchestra, chamber music performance troupe or other groups, check into getting tickets for you and your kids. Finding matinee concerts on weekends is usually easy or you could choose to take in an evening performance to make the field trip even more momentous for your children.

Many cities also have youth philharmonics or orchestras. It can be especially fun and inspiring for kids to see others who are close to their own age excelling at playing an instrument. Don’t shy away from choral performances as well. Some kids are even more inspired by a beautiful voice and the way that it blends with musical accompaniment.

If you’re fortunate enough to live relatively close to an orchestra, then pay attention to their website. Many of these performance groups periodically present weekday performances for local school groups. They may be welcoming to your homeschooled students joining the group. What a fun opportunity to hear a live music performance with an audience that’s filled with kids!

Many of these programs also have fun and informative question and answer periods to make the field trip even more interesting.

2. Take a Virtual Tour

Is there a music-related destination that you and your students have always wanted to visit? Maybe it’s just too far away to be a realistic field trip, but the good news is that many famous sites now offer virtual tours. This can be a convenient and inexpensive way to get a backstage look at some of the most famous music venues in the world.

Here’s a sample of available virtual tours:

• The Beede Gallery: A one-of-a-kind collection of musical instruments from the Pacific Islands, Africa, Asia and beyond makes this collection informative and unforgettable. It’s a wonderful way to introduce youngsters to how music is made in various countries and cultures;
• New York’s Metropolitan Opera : This world-renowned opera company streams past performances for people around the world to enjoy. Watching even part of one of these performances is a wonderful opportunity to see powerful vocal and instrumental artists in one of the most famous venues on the planet;
• The Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow: Plenty of famous artists have enjoyed stellar careers playing in this venue. From the gilded balconies and seats from which the audience enjoys performances, the virtual tour takes viewers on a journey through the costume department and other backstage areas;
• Carnegie Hall, New York City: Located in Manhattan, this prestigious venue has hosted everything from classical music to rock ‘n roll. Go on the virtual tour to explore the Hall’s three auditoriums, learn about its history and watch a fascinating 360-degree view of a performance by the renowned Philadelphia Orchestra;
• Theatro Municipal, Sao Paulo: This opulent venue was built in 1903 in Brazil using materials that were imported from Europe. Get a 360-degree view of the audience, a tour of the backstage areas and see a performance of a Wagner opera by visiting the theater’s website; and
• Burgtheater in Vienna: Europe’s second-oldest theater was originally built in 1741. Bombs and a subsequent fire all-but destroyed the venue during World War II, but it has since been restored to its former glory. As you take the virtual tour, pay particular attention to the intricately painted ceiling, which features some work by a young Gustav Klimt.

These and dozens of other virtual tours are free and easy to access online. If there’s a famous theater, venue or performance troupe to which you think it would be beneficial to introduce your students, visit their website to see what kind of resources they offer.

3. Visit a Factory that Makes Musical Instruments

This won’t be available to everyone, but if you can find a factory or musical instrument maker within a reasonable distance of your home, then it might be a good idea to ask about scheduling a tour.

Here’s just a small sampling of possible tours:

• William S. Haynes Company, Inc. in Acton, Massachusetts, makers of flutes since 1888;
• Tsunami Guitars in Cleveland, Tennessee, makers of solid-body electric guitars;
• Wooden Cross Hardware in Decatur, Indiana, makers of snare drums and drum sets;
• Cunningham Piano Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a piano restoration factory;
• Fender Musical Instruments Corporation in Corona, California, featuring 8,000 square feet of exhibits and much more; and
• Gibson Guitar Factory in Memphis, Tennessee, makers of world-famous guitars.

4. Tour a Local Theater or Other Music Venue

Did you know that many theaters and performance venues provide daytime tours of their auditoriums and backstage facilities? Each tour is a fascinating opportunity for kids and parents to discover how theaters work.

Many of these tours are offered for free or at an impressively reduced rate, especially if the tour is given in the name of education. Going on a tour provides a chance to see the venues in which musicals, concerts, stage plays and dance performances are given on a regular basis.

Frequently, the tour guide is extremely knowledgeable about the inner workings of the theater and the troupes that perform there. Feel free to ask lots of questions. To make the tour even more meaningful, try to attend a performance after the tour.

5. Go to a Musical Theater Performance

If you live relatively close to a metropolitan area, then you may have more opportunities than you realize to attend a musical theater show. Sometimes, these shows are a national touring company for a Broadway show. Other times, these performances are presented by local and regional troupes on a professional, semi-professional or amateur basis.

Any of these shows may be worthwhile. If you’re not sure if this is your kids’ cup of tea, then try a community theater performance where the tickets will be less expensive and the atmosphere may be more casual.

If this goes well, then it may be time to step up to a national touring company that offers plenty of big set changes, special effects and more. It’s an unforgettable experience for any kid!

6. Attend a Ballet or Modern Dance Program

Opportunities to see dance troupes abound in most metropolitan areas. From local to national professional companies, you may discover a wide range of dance styles to explore.

Don’t overlook the recitals of local children’s dance schools as well. Kids love to see performers who are in their age group. Moreover, these offerings tend to be less expensive and shorter in duration, which can be a major plus for children with shorter attention spans.

7. Go to a Recording Studio

You don’t necessarily have to live in Nashville, Los Angeles or New York to tour a recording studio. These facilities can be found in most good-sized cities, and kids may be fascinated to see all of the high-tech equipment that goes into making professional recordings. A highlight on some of these tours is being able to make your own music into the microphone so that you can hear it being played back.

8. Attend a Rehearsal for a Band or Choir

Children can learn a great deal by watching musicians and singers practice their art. Seeing the polished performance is one thing, but it is quite another to watch as artists struggle to get that performance to that point. It’s a wonderful lesson in discipline and the rewards of hard work. Try to attend the performance of the piece that was being rehearsed so that your kids can spot the differences.

9. Tour the Music Program at the Local College or University

If you live fairly close to a college or university that has a music program, then you may want to call someone at the department to see about scheduling a tour for your homeschoolers. Such a tour provides an excellent opportunity to see practice and performance venues, recording studios, libraries and other facilities that all may contribute to music education. For kids who are thinking about studying music in college, this can be a rewarding experience.

10. Take in a Music Festival

From classical music to bluegrass, music festivals are popular events across the country. Some are mega-festivals spread over more than a week with thousands of attendees, but others are quite intimate and feel almost exclusive. While some of these events focus on a single musical instrument or genre, others are quite diverse. A festival can be a relaxed way to introduce your children to new genres and live performances.

Instructors miss a golden opportunity when they neglect to follow up after a music field trip. For one thing, the kids’ minds are primed to learn more about the topic they’ve just spend an entire day seeing close up. Quality post-planning for every trip is the real key to extending and multiplying the learning experience. Here’s a roster of activities you can include in your trip follow up lessons:

Spend time asking each student what they enjoyed about the trip and ask the class to come up with suggestions for the next excursion.

Assign different class members to prepare reports about specific portions of the trip and assemble the final product into a class book to be distributed to students, parents and even trip hosts. Orchestra directors, for example, love receiving such reports from teachers. The document not only makes a nice thank-you gift but lets the hosts know how much a particular visit meant to the entire class. Try to have students work in small groups on the different sections of the report so that everyone has a chance to contribute.

Review any assignments that students completed while on the trip.

Have everyone compose thank-you notes to those who hosted field trip events, like symphony members, museum directors, sound studio managers, and more. This is more than just an exercise in social niceties. You’ll likely discover that many of the hosts reply with open invitations for future events, free concert tickets and other generous offers. Even more, the thank-you note writing teaches children a valuable lesson about networking, a skill they’ll need in their later careers.

If you’ve introduced music education into your homeschool and your kids love it, then maybe it’s time to encourage them to make their own music. At Music Prodigies, we develop accessible music curricula that are suitable for kids. It’s a fun, inventive and interactive way to learn about music, and even parents will find it enjoyable.

After the Trip: Following Up

Allow for at least an hour of classroom time on a day after the trip for pupils to share their experiences and mention anything they discovered that was surprising or unexpected. For example, someone might mention how long the symphony practice sessions are just prior to a big public performance. Kids are always amazed at how much time and dedication it takes to be a symphony orchestra member. In any case, make sure to give students time to bring up anything they want about their perspective of the outing.

12 Amazing Field Trips Every Idahoan Took As A Kid (And Should Retake Now)

Super-rad musician, scholar, photographer, and traveler. The Mountain West and larger PNW = home, but can be found wherever there's adventure.

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As just about any kid will tell you, the best days of the schoolyear are field trip days – a distant second would be the occasional movie day (even those monotone documentaries were better than endless worksheets!) Whether to the zoo, the local museum, or to somewhere a little more exotic, getting out and learning a few new tidbits while seeing old sights is always worth it! But, I’ll let you in on a little secret… you don’t have to be eight years old to take a field trip or enjoy your state from a new perspective. In fact, if you cast your adult-hat aside and step back into childhood for a day, you might just find yourself caught up in awe of our historic and diverse state. Take the time to explore all those places you explored as a child, and you might just be surprised at how little (or much) things have changed. For a day of fun reliving your childhood rediscovering the joy of discovery, here are 12 places you’ve probably already visited, but should definitely take a second look at:

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Ah, nostalgia! Where was your favorite field trip as a child? Let us know!

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Southeast Arizona Birding Festival

August 7–11, 2024.

Festival Field Trips

Festival links.

Van field trips include van transportation, but “Drive Yourself” field trips do not .   A packed lunch, snacks, and drinking water  are provided on full-day field trips . A light snack and drinking water  are provided on half-day field trips.   All Van Trips depart from the  DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at Reid Park .  “Drive Yourself” field trips will meet on-site at birding locations  and you will received detailed directions.

• Southeast Arizona specialty bird list
• 2023 Festival Species list (234 species)
• Meet our expert trip leaders
• Southeast Arizona habitats and field trip destinations
• Trip birding ethics:  The health and safety of birds is our top priority. Tucson Audubon uses the ABA’s position on birding ethics at   aba.org/about/ethics

field trip Schedule

Red-faced Warbler by Shawn Cooper

Mobile International Festival

Field Trip Planner

The Mobile International Festival field trip planner has everything you need to know for planning your field trip, whether you're school staff, a teacher, a chaperone, or a parent or guardian of a student.

You can download the document by clicking the button below.

SOUTHWEST WINGS

Birding and nature festival in sierra vista, arizona, greatest little birding festival in the united states - since 1991, our mission is to promote nature-based tourism and environmental awareness in southeastern arizona.

​FIELD TRIPS | Guides | KEYNOTE DINNER |  FREE PROGRAM | PRESENTERS  

2024 summer festival

field trips

TUE. JUL. 30  | Wed. JUL. 31  | thu. Aug. 1  |  Fri. aug. 2  |  Sat. AUG. 3

PLEASE NO TE

SUMMER FESTIVAL 2024 will be mainly small, group van field trips (marked  GROUP VAN ) with a few car-caravan style guided field trips in participants' own vehicles (marked  CAR CARAVAN ) to nearby, easily accessible, locations.

Group Van Field Trips will leave from Cochise College, Sierra Vista while Car Caravans will have a set meeting point and time, where you will meet your guide.

​Bag lunch is provided on Group Van Field Trips consisting of a sandwich of your choice on Wheatberry bread, whole fruit (based on availability), chips, cookies and water. Please select your choice of sandwic h from the menu below Field Trip descriptions on the registration page. 

See map of Cochise College here .

See an eBird trip report for the 2023 Summer Festival here .

REGISTRATION CLOSES 15 JULY 2024

TUEsday, JULY 30, 20 2 4    

Pre-festival.

3:0 0 - 5 :00 PM

Early Bird Check-in and Free Welcome Jamboree 

Early Bird check-in starts at 3pm.

Festival participants are cordially invited to join us as our guest for our pre-festival FREE Welcome Jamboree festivities at Cochise College, Sierra Vista.

Enjoy a chance to meet your fellow Southwest Wings participants, guides, and the faces behind “The Greatest Little Birding Festival in the United States”, along with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages (non-alcoholic, due to licensing restrictions).

All attendees must register for the Jamboree. 

The Check-in and Jamboree will take place at the Cochise College Sierra Vista Campus Library, in Building 900.  See map .

Wednesday, JULY 31, 2024

6:00 AM - 4:0 0 PM

WF1 Chiricahua Mounta ins/Cave Creek    GROUP VAN

(Three days, two nights, return Friday, August 2 )

Join expert bird guide, to be confirmed , on an exploration of the Chiricahua Mountains. We will start with Cassin's and Botteri's Sparrows in the prairies at the base, then climb into the pine-oak woodlands to search for Arizona Woodpecker, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, and Bridled Titmouse. Entering the coniferous forest we'll look for Virginia's, Grace's, and Olive Warblers along with Greater Pewees, Red-faced Warblers, Pygmy Nuthatch and Steller's Jay. A Chiricahua specialty is the Mexican Chickadee, not found anywhere else on public lands within the entire United States.

We have two nights at Portal Peak Lodge at the mouth of majestic Cave Creek Canyon. There we will explore sycamore-laced South Fork for Elegant Trogon, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Painted Redstart, and Hepatic Tanager. The many hummingbird feeders in the area host colorful Rivoli's, Blue-throated and Broad-billed Hummingbirds. On a pre-breakfast excursion into the desert below Portal we'll try for Bendire's and Crissal Thrashers and adjacent foothills harbor Juniper Titmouse and Black-chinned Sparrow.  A night run up Cave Creek may net us Whiskered Screech-Owl and Elf Owl, along with calling Mexican Whip-poor-will.

This trip includes all meals and two nights accommodation at the Portal Peak Lodge. This trip is best suited for intermediate birding skills. Bring hat and sunscreen, camera, pocket flashlight, and wear sturdy hiking boots. With birding stops en route, this trip may get back after 4 pm. Hiking Difficulty: 3 moderate. Guide: To be confirmed

Price is for double occupancy, however, if you are interested in single occupancy, please contact us at [email protected] .

Meeting place : Cochise College, Sierra Vista. Follow Campus Drive to east of Colombo Avenue and park in parking lot on the left. Map link

6:00 A M - 4:00 PM

WF2 California Gulc h and Santa Cruz Valley   GROUP VAN

(Three days, two nights, r eturn Friday, August 2)

The rugged canyons of the Atascosa Mountains and Pajarito Wilderness are some of the most celebrated birding spots on the Arizona/Sonora border. This double-overnight tour, with professional guide Richard Fray , will focus on the search for the area’s most famous specialty birds, among them Rose-throated Becard, Montezuma Quail, Buff-collared Nightjar, and Five-striped Sparrow. This tour also provides excellent opportunities for seeing a good cross-section of southeast Arizona’s many specialties, including Elf Owl, Gray Hawk, Elegant Trogon, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Tropical Kingbird, Painted Redstart, Botteri’s, Rufous-winged and Rufous-crowned Sparrows, and Scott’s Oriole. We begin in Patagonia, where we will hit prime locations for Violet-crowned Hummingbird, and other exciting possibilities. After lunch our route takes us directly to California Gulch, where we will look for the rare Five-striped Sparrow, Black-capped Gnatcatcher and other species. We will remain in the area until the end of the day to look for Buff-collared Nightjar, which breeds there, as well as the chance of other night birds. We will have a 'picnic' dinner and be late back to our accommodation.

The next morning, after a little sleep in and breakfast, we will explore the “birdy” Santa Cruz Valley, where we hope to spot Rose-throated Becard, Thick-billed Kingbird and others. Sites around Rio Rico and Nogales could produce Black-bellied Whistling-Duck and Elegant Trogon. The final day, we'll head back to Sierra Vista via Box Canyon, which could produce Five-striped Sparrow and Lucifer Hummingbird, and the grasslands of Las Cienegas. Most of our birding will be from the vehicle or on level, sometimes rocky paths. This trip includes all meals and lodging at the Rancho Santa Cruz B&B. Hiking Difficulty: 3 moderate. This trip is best suited for intermediate birding skills. Bring binoculars, camera, sunscreen, and insect repellant. Guide Richard Fray .

6:00 AM - 3:00 PM

W1 Carr Canyon    GROUP VAN

Join professional birding guide and environmental educator, Jeff Babson , on this full-day tour of Carr Canyon, beginning in the lower canyon, where we will look for Gambel's Quail, Rufous-crowned, Chipping and Botteri's Sparrows, Blue and Black-headed Grosbeaks, and other canyon outlet species. We may stop at the Carr House Nature Center to check the hummingbird feeders. Venturing to the top of Carr Canyon, we may see up to six species of hummingbirds, as well as Arizona, Gila and Acorn Woodpeckers, Buff-breasted Flycatcher, Grace's and Olive Warblers, Painted Redstart, Yellow-eyed Junco, Hepatic Tanager, Scott's Oriole and other mountain and canyon specialties. Be prepared for a slow walk covering a mile or two with a 200ft elevation gain and uneven terrain. Bring water, hat, sun protection, and wear trail shoes.  Lunch is included. Hiking Difficulty: 3 moderate. Guide Jeff Babson .

W 2 Garden Canyon    GROUP VAN

Join professional guide Ken Blankenship  on a full day exploring Garden Canyon, hidden within Fort Huachuca. We will explore a variety of habitats including foothill grasslands, sycamore-lined canyon woodland, and pine forest. We will search for regional and mountain specialties such as Elegant Trogon, Arizona Woodpecker, Sulphur-bellied, Buff-breasted and Dusky-capped Flycatchers, Plumbeous Vireo, Painted Redstart, Grace’s Warbler and Hepatic Tanager. Access to Upper Garden Canyon may be restricted, and a two-mile hike is to be expected.  Bring hat, sun protection and walking shoes. Lunch is included – please select your sandwich filling from menu below the Field Trip descriptions on the registration page. Hiking Difficulty: 3, moderate.  Guide: Ken Blankenship  

PLEASE NOTE: This trip enters Fort Huachuca and a visitor's pass is required. If you are eligible, please obtain your pass before the trip as there may not be time to get one on the day. See Visitor access

6.00 AM - 4:00 PM

W3 Patagonia/Sonoita    GROUP VAN

Join professional bird guide, Matt Brown , for a trip to the Patagonia area. Patagonia is one of south-eastern Arizona’s best-known destinations for riparian birds. Specialties that can be found here include Gray and Zone-tailed Hawks, Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Thick-billed Kingbird, and Rufous-winged Sparrow. Good birding sites in Patagonia are numerous and our probable itinerary will include Harshaw Canyon, Patagonia Lake State Park, and the Paton Center for Hummingbirds. Our exact itinerary will be at the discretion of the leader and may vary based on where the target birds are most readily being seen. A short visit (about an hour) to the open grasslands around Sonoita will complement the riparian habitats of Patagonia, and we should see a wide variety of species. We will enjoy a lunch break in the shade somewhere along the way. Bring water, hat, sun protection, and wear trail shoes. Lunch is included – please select your sandwich filling from menu below the Field Trip descriptions on the registration page. Hiking Difficulty: 3 moderate. Guide Matt Brown .

6:00 AM - 4:00 PM

W4 Madera and Box Canyons    GROUP VAN

Join naturalist guide Steve Tracey  on a trip which will take you to Madera Canyon via Box Canyon and the Santa Rita grasslands and explore this famous birding site. For the last couple of years Box Canyon has hosted breeding Five-striped Sparrow and we will stop to look for this rare species, also hoping to see Varied Bunting and Scott's Oriole. Moving on to Madera Canyon we will bird the many habitats it has to offer - grassland, riparian, and woodland. We will also enjoy a  lunch break while watching feeding stations. Target species would include Rivoli's Hummingbird, Elegant Trogon, Painted Redstart, Black-capped Gnatcatcher, Hepatic Tanager, Botteri’s Sparrow, Yellow-eyed Junco and Scott’s Oriole. Bring water, hat, sun protection, and wear trail shoes. Lunch is included – please select your sandwich filling from menu below the Field Trip descriptions on the registration page . Hiking Difficulty: 3 moderate. Guide Steve Tracey.

W5 Hummingbird Hunt     GROUP VAN

Sierra Vista is the Hummingbird Capital of the United States, so what better place can there be to hunt for hummingbirds. This exciting trip is led by professional bird guide Kristy Gallo , and will visit all of the best locations for hummingbirds in the Huachuca Mountains. As well as the regulars such as Rivoli’s, Broad-billed and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds there will be opportunities to look for Violet-crowned and Lucifer and maybe rarer ones like White-eared and Berylline. Visit locations like Ash Canyon Sanctuary, Beatty’s feeders in Miller Canyon, Ramsey Canyon, Casa San Pedro and wherever other interesting hummers have been seen. Lunch is included – please select your sandwich filling from menu below the Field Trip descriptions on the registration page. Hiking Difficulty: 2 easy.  Guide Kristy Gallo .

Meeting place: Cochise College, Sierra Vista. Follow Campus Drive to east of Colombo Avenue and park in parking lot on the left. Map link

6:30 AM - 12 noon

W 6 San Pedro House and  River Walk  CAR CARAVAN

The San Pedro River is a vibrant green ribbon of life, its riparian vegetation forming an avian super highway through the desert for millions of migrants. Join naturalist guide Robert Weissler in an exploration of the lush cottonwood/willow forest which is home to Gray and Zone-tailed Hawks, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, low elevation warblers including Lucy's Warbler, Abert’s Towhee, and many more. Also look at the garden with feeders around San Pedro House. Bring hat, sun protection, walking shoes and water. Hiking Difficulty: 2 Easy. Guide Robert Weissler .

Meeting place : San Pedro House parking lot. Follow Hwy 90 to the east of Sierra Vista and turn right just before the San Pedro River. Map link .

7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

WN1 Blacklight Adventure    CAR CARAVAN

After the sun sets, a whole new world awakens, largely unseen by most. Join Jeff Babson to explore the Huachuca Mountains at night and step into the nighttime world of moths and other insects. At historic Carr House, set at the entrance to Carr Canyon, w e will set up a black (or UV) light to see what we can draw out of the darkness. Southern Arizona is as famous for insects as it is for birds, and is home to over a thousand species of moth as well as a great variety of beetles. This is an easy, casual way to get acquainted with nature after dark and we may even be serenaded by owls. Bring a camera, flashlight, light jacket, and hat. Guide Jeff Babson .

Meeting place: Carr House, about 2.3 miles up Carr Canyon Road, off Highway 92. Drive through gate to park. Map link .

thursday, AUGUST 1, 2024

T1 Carr Canyon    GROUP VAN

Join international birding guide and special guest, Greg Homel , on this tour of Carr Canyon, beginning in the lower canyon, where we will look for Gambel's Quail, Rufous-crowned, Chipping and Botteri's Sparrows, Blue and Black-headed Grosbeaks, and other canyon outlet species. We may stop at the Carr House Nature Center to check the hummingbird feeders. Venturing to the top of Carr Canyon, we may see up to six species of hummingbirds, as well as Arizona, Gila and Acorn Woodpeckers, Buff-breasted Flycatcher, Grace's and Olive Warblers, Painted Redstart, Yellow-eyed Junco, Hepatic Tanager, Scott's Oriole and other mountain and canyon specialties. Be prepared for a slow walk covering a mile or two with a 200ft elevation gain and uneven terrain. Bring water, hat, water, sun protection, and wear trail shoes. Lunch is included – please select your sandwich filling from menu below the Field Trip descriptions on the registration page. Hiking Difficulty: 3 moderate. Guide Greg Homel.

6 :00 AM - 4:00 PM

T 2 Las Cienegas NCA     GROUP  VAN

A visit to what was formerly one of the Southwest’s largest cattle ranches. This expansive BLM National Conservation Area is home to Pronghorn Antelope, Prairie Dogs and a wide variety of birds. Professional guide Matt Brown will visit rolling grasslands, mesquite thickets and cottonwood-lined Cienega Creek, one of the area’s only sources of permanent water, looking for Zone-tailed and Gray Hawks, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Bell’s Vireo, Lucy’s Warbler, Summer Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, Abert’s Towhee, and Cassin’s, Botteri’s, Song, Lark, and Grasshopper Sparrows. If time permits, it may be possible to visit Patagonia for a short look at hummingbirds and some riparian species. Bring water, hat, sun protection, and wear trail shoes. Lunch is included – please select your sandwich filling from menu below the Field Trip descriptions on the registration page. Hiking Difficulty: 1-2 easy. Guide Matt Brown

6 :00 AM - 3:00 PM

T3 Scotia Canyon    GROUP VAN

 Join professional guide, Ken Blankenship, on an exploration of Scotia Canyon, a lesser-known 'hotspot' on the west side of the Huachuca Mountains. The rich Madrean woodlands and sycamore-lined riparian habitat hosts breeding birds like Sulphur-bellied and Dusky-capped Flycatchers, Elegant Trogon, Plumbeous Vireo, Painted Redstart, Red-faced and Grace's Warblers and much, much more. The area will be accessed along the road past Parker Lake, with a quick stop there to look for any interesting birds. Hiking will be along a rough gravel road, with moderate elevation gain. Bring hat, sun protection, and wear trail shoes. Lunch is included – please select your sandwich filling from menu below the Field Trip descriptions on the registration page. Hiking Difficulty: 3 moderate.  Guide Ken Blankenship .

Meeting place : Cochise College, Sierra Vista. Follow Campus Drive to east of Colombo Avenue and park in parking lot on the left.  Map link

T4 Coronado National Memorial    GROUP VAN

Join Enjoy a scenic exploration of the south side of the Huachuca Mountains with professional guide and environmental educator, Jeff Babson . The tour begins with a drive through the grasslands which carpet the foothills on the way to the entrance to the Coronado National Monument. Here there are both Botteri's and Cassin's Sparrows as well as familiar Western and Cassin's Kingbirds, and Loggerhead Shrike. The visitor centre, has a large observation window at the back and a trail runs from the centre through to a picnic area and this is good for Arizona Woodpecker. Driving upwards the road becomes a track, and there is a chance anywhere along here of encountering Montezuma Quail. The area is good for mid-elevation species, such as Painted Redstart and Black-throated Gray Warbler. The trip reaches its highest point at Montezuma Pass, with its incredible views over to Mexico. Here we will stop and hike up the Coronado Peak Trail, an easy walk with a 300ft elevation gain. Venturing over the other side, we will explore along the trail to Copper Canyon, where a small stream crosses the road. Always good for butterflies, this area also hosts Rufous-crowned Sparrow and Hepatic Tanager. Bring water, hat, sun protection, and wear trail shoes. Lunch is included – please select your sandwich filling from menu below the Field Trip descriptions on the registration page . Hiking difficulty 2-3 easy to moderate. Guide Jeff Babson .

T 5 Lake Cochise and Pinery Canyon     GROUP VAN

Lake Cochise, near Willcox, is a magnet for waterbirds. Shorebirds, like Black-necked Stilt and Wilson's Phalarope, wildfowl like Cinnamon Teal, and others like White-faced Ibis, are drawn to the water here. Join guide Steve Tracey to spend a few hours checking the lake and the area around it before heading for the nearby Chiricahua Mountains. Explore up to Pinery Canyon, a beautiful area on the east side of the Chiricahuas, where typical canyon species can be found, including Western and Dusky-capped Flycatchers, Yellow-eyed Junco, Red-faced Warbler and Painted Redstart, and the sought-after Mexican Chickadee is often seen here. Bring hat, water, sun protection, and wear trail shoes. Lunch is included – please select your sandwich filling from menu below the Field Trip descriptions on the registration page. Hiking Difficulty: 2 easy.  Guide Steve Tracey

T6 Ramsey Canyon    CAR CARAVAN

Join local bird expert   Dan Hoobler  on a visit to the world famous Ramsey Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains. Owned by The Nature Conservancy, this area has been a hot spot for birding for decades. The lower canyon is good for Montezuma and Gambel's Quails, Gila and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, Rufous-crowned, Chipping and Botteri's Sparrows, Blue and Black-headed Grosbeaks, and other canyon outlet species. Ramsey Canyon is a reliable location to find Arizona and Acorn Woodpeckers, Hepatic Tanager, Grace's and Red-faced Warblers and Painted Redstart as well as hummingbirds around the information centre. Be prepared for a slow hike covering two miles with a steep 200-foot elevation gain. Bring hat, water, sun protection, and wear trail shoes. Hiking Difficulty: 4 difficult. Guide Dan Hoobler .

Meeting place: Ramsey Canyon Preserve parking lot, at the top of Ramsey Canyon Road.  Map link

T7 Hunter Canyon     CAR CARAVAN

Join professional guide Kristy Gallo on a half-day hike up Hunter Canyon where the 2011 Miller Peak Wilderness fire left its mark, with the result being a unique combination of habitats that are home to a nice diversity of bird species. The initial hike is dominated by successional oak-scrub with birds like Crissal Thrasher, Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, Black-chinned Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, and Scott’s Oriole. Higher up, the trail enters a stand of soaring conifers that were spared when the fire “jumped” the canyon; here we hope to find Band-tailed Pigeon, Buff-breasted and Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers, Grace’s and Virginia’s Warblers, “Mountain” Pygmy-Owl and more. The pine forest wasn’t completely spared, however, and the scrubby disturbed habitat here is home to a resident pair of Rufous-capped Warblers, which we hope will be a well-earned highlight of our hike.  Bring hat, water, sun protection, and wear trail shoes. Hiking Difficulty: 4 difficult. Guide Kristy Gallo.

Meeting place : Car park next to Sierra Grill restaurant (formerly Ricardo's) just north of the junction of Highway 92 and Hereford Road at 6.30am.  Map link

8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

T8 Butterflies and Dragonflies of the Sierra Vista Area   GROUP VAN

Join leader Rich Bailowitz (co-author of several butterfly books as well as Field Guide to the Damselflies and Dragonflies of Arizona and Sonora ) as we search for some of the butterflies and dragonflies of the Sierra Vista area. The day will include stops in Escapule Canyon (near the San Pedro River) and in Huachuca Canyon, at various elevations between 4,500 and 6,500ft. A net will be used to catch and release insects for up-close species identification. This trip is best suited for butterfly and dragonfly enthusiasts of all skill levels. Bring hat, sun protection and wear trail shoes. Lunch is included – please select your sandwich filling from menu below the Field Trip descriptions on the registration page. Hiking Difficulty: 3 moderate. Guide Rich Bailowitz .

TP1 Blacklight Adventure    CAR CARAVAN

After the sun sets, a whole new world awakens, largely unseen by most. Join Jeff Babson to explore the Huachuca Mountains at night and step into the nighttime world of moths and other insects. At historic Carr House, set at the entrance to Carr Canyon, we will set up a black (or UV) light to see what we can draw out of the darkness. Southern Arizona is as famous for insects as it is for birds, and is home to over a thousand species of moth as well as a great variety of beetles. This is an easy, casual way to get acquainted with nature after dark and we may even be serenaded by owls. Bring a camera, flashlight, light jacket, and hat. Guide Jeff Babson .

PLEASE NOTE: This trip conflicts with the Keynote Dinner

Meeting place:   Carr House, about 2.3 miles up Carr Canyon Road, off Highway 92. Drive through gate to park. Map link .

friday, AUGUST 2, 2024

F1 Chasing R arities    GROUP VAN

Join author and professional guide Rick Wright on an exciting day-long excursion to see what's new or unusual in SE Arizona. This trip's destinations will be based on recent bird reports in the area as well as the needs of the group. With no pre-planned destination, Rick will be free to chase after what's available in any direction or location. The trip may include any of the areas covered by our regular trips and may try a new location to see what is available. Bring water, hat, sun protection, and wear trail shoes. Lunch is included – please select your sandwich filling from menu below the Field Trip descriptions on the registration page. Hiking Difficulty: 3 to 4 moderate to difficult. Guide Rick Wright.

PLEASE NOTE: This trip may enter Fort Huachuca and a visitor's pass is required. If you are eligible, please obtain your pass before the trip as there may not be time to get one on the day. See Visitor access

F2 Warblers and Flycatchers    GROUP VAN

Professional guide Homer Hansen will focus on characteristics, behaviors, and other clues for the identification of the flycatchers of SE Arizona. This field trip will visit many habitats to study these birds in the wild and will be useful for both the expert and beginner alike. It will start in the lowlands seeking kingbirds, Myiarchus flycatchers and Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet plus Lucy's Warbler and early warbler migrants. Then move up into the mountains looking for pewees, phoebes, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, and those tricky Empidonax species. Homer will be running a grassland bird workshop at Cochise College after this trip at 4.30, as part of the free programs. Lunch is included – please select your sandwich filling from menu below the Field Trip descriptions on the registration page . Hiking Difficulty: 4 difficult. Guide Homer Hansen

F3 Miller Canyon    GROUP VAN

Join birding expert  Jeff Babson on an exploration of one of the finest Huachuca Mountain Canyons. Miller Canyon is known to local birders as a reliable place to find Red-faced Warblers and there may even be a chance of a Mexican Spotted Owl. Other SE Arizona specialties including Arizona Woodpecker, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Painted Redstart, Grace’s Warbler and Hepatic Tanager are all found here. This trip includes a visit to the famous hummingbird feeders at Beatty's B&B where up to 10 species of hummingbirds can be found, including a chance of the rare White-eared Hummingbird. Bring hat, sun protection and wear trail shoes. Lunch is included – please select your sandwich filling from menu below the Field Trip descriptions on the registration page. Hiking Difficulty: 4 difficult.  Guide: Jeff Babson

F 4 Fort Huachuca Canyons    GROUP VAN

Enjoy a full day birding with professional guide, Matt Brown,  on Arizona’s largest military base, famous for over a century for its Arizona specialties. We will cover a wide range of habitats from grasslands to pine-oak woodlands. At higher elevations, we will hope to encounter Elegant Trogon, Arizona Woodpecker, and Dusky-capped and Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers in Huachuca Canyon. Along the much gentler trails of Sawmill Canyon, at the top of Garden Canyon, we will try for Greater Pewee, Buff-breasted Flycatcher, Grace’s Warbler, and Hepatic Tanager. The elusive Montezuma Quail is possible anywhere on this trip. This is one of the few trips that access the highest elevations in the Huachucas. Bring hat, sun protection, and wear trail shoes. Lunch is included – please select your sandwich filling from menu below the Field Trip descriptions on the registration page. Hiking Difficulty: 3 moderate. Guide: Matt Brown .

PLEASE NOTE: This trip enters Fort Huachuca and a visitor's pass is required. If you are eligible, please obtain your pass before the trip as there may not be time to get one on the day. See Visitor Access  

F5 Hummingbird Hunt    GROUP VAN

Meeting place: Cochise College, Sierra Vista. Follow Campus Drive to east of Colombo Avenue and park in parking lot on the left. Map link .

6:00 AM - 12:00noon

F6 San Pedro River Trails    CAR CARAVAN

Join professional guide  Jennie MacFarland on a half-day exploration of the San Pedro River which starts at the renowned Casa San Pedro. After a look at the feeders which attract many hummingbirds and other species, the tour will take you along the riverine habitat of the San Pedro River. The shady cottonwoods and lush riverside vegetation are home to a wide range of species including Gray Hawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Vermilion Flycatcher, Abert's Towhee, and Blue Grosbeak while in nearby grassland there is Botteri's Sparrow. Bring hat, water, sun protection, and wear trail shoes. Hiking Difficulty: 2 easy. Guide: Jennie MacFarland.

Meeting place: Car park at Casa San Pedro, 8933 S Yell Lane, Hereford. Map link .

7:0 0 PM - 10:00 PM

FP1 Bats    CAR CARAVAN

Join bat aficionado Karen Krebbs as we visit the semi-desert grassland to see agave food plants of bats up close. After sunset we’ll watch hummingbird feeders and/or agaves for Lesser Long-nosed Bats and Mexican Long-tongued Bats flying in for dinner. Attendees on this field trip will benefit from Karen's free lecture on Friday 1:30 PM (not a necessity). Because this is a night trip (sunset is 7:17 pm) so bring a flashlight or headlamp (a red light is best). Bring your binoculars and a small chair or stool to increase your comfort. Hiking Difficulty: 2 easy. Guide Karen Krebbs.

saturday, august 3, 2024

S1 Fort Huachuca Canyons    GROUP VAN

​​Enjoy a full day birding with professional guide and environmental educator, Jeff Babson,  on Arizona’s largest military base, famous for over a century for its Arizona specialties. We will cover a wide range of habitats from grasslands to pine-oak woodlands. At higher elevations, we will hope to encounter Elegant Trogon, Arizona Woodpecker, and Dusky-capped and Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers in Huachuca Canyon. Along the much gentler trails of Sawmill Canyon, at the top of Garden Canyon, we will try for Greater Pewee, Buff-breasted Flycatcher, Grace’s Warbler, and Hepatic Tanager. The elusive Montezuma Quail is possible anywhere on this trip. This is one of the few trips that access the highest elevations in the Huachucas. Bring hat, sun protection, and wear trail shoes. Lunch is included – please select your sandwich filling from menu below the Field Trip descriptions on the registration page. Hiking Difficulty: 3 moderate. Guide Jeff Babson .

S2 Patagonia/Sonoita    GROUP VAN

Join professional tour leader Scott Olmstead for a trip to the Patagonia area. Patagonia is one of south-eastern Arizona’s best-known destinations for riparian birds. Specialties that can be found here include Gray and Zone-tailed Hawks, Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Thick-billed Kingbird, and Rufous-winged Sparrow. Good birding sites in Patagonia are numerous and our probable itinerary will include Harshaw Canyon, Patagonia Lake State Park, and the Paton Center for Hummingbirds. Our exact itinerary will be at the discretion of the leader, and may vary based on where the target birds are most readily being seen. A short visit (about an hour) to the open grasslands around Sonoita will complement the riparian habitats of Patagonia, and we should see a wide variety of species. We will enjoy a lunch break in the shade somewhere along the way. Bring water, hat, sun protection, and wear trail shoes. Lunch is included – please select your sandwich filling from menu below the Field Trip descriptions on the registration page. Hiking Difficulty: 3 moderate. Guide Scott Olmstead

S3 Saint David/Wil l cox    GROUP  VAN

​The focus of this trip with professional bird guide Homer Hansen will be the Benedictine’s Holy Trinity Monastery, a 132-acre site on the east side of the San Pedro River in St. David, Arizona. A popular retreat center, the grounds include a 1.3-mile birding trail, several small ponds, a pecan orchard, mesquite woodland, a working farm, and magnificent cottonwoods. Nesting birds are numerous and include: Gray and Zone-tailed Hawks, Mississippi Kite (at one of its only nesting sites in Arizona), Bell’s Vireo, Vermilion Flycatcher, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Curve-billed Thrasher, Lucy’s Warbler, Summer Tanager, and Blue Grosbeak. Tropical Kingbird, another local breeder, can usually be found here.   Time and weather permitting, we will make a trip to Twin Lakes in Willcox, where we can add a number of shore birds such as Wilson’s Phalarope, Least and Baird’s Sandpipers, Long-billed Curlew, and Horned Lark. Bring hat, sun protection, and wear trail shoes. Lunch is included – please select your sandwich filling from menu below the Field Trip descriptions on the registration page. Hiking Difficulty: 2 easy. Guide Homer Hansen.

S 4 Las Cienegas and Box Canyon    GROUP VAN

A visit to what was formerly one of the Southwest’s largest cattle ranches. This expansive BLM National Conservation Area is home to Pronghorn Antelope, Prairie Dogs and a wide variety of birds. Professional guide Jennie MacFarland will visit rolling grasslands, mesquite thickets and cottonwood-lined Cienega Creek, one of the area’s only sources of permanent water, looking for Zone-tailed and Gray Hawks, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Bell’s Vireo, Lucy’s Warbler, Summer Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, Abert’s Towhee, and Cassin’s, Botteri’s, Song, Lark, and Grasshopper Sparrows. After a break for lunch, head through the oaky foothills of the Santa Rita Mountains to Box Canyon. In this lush succulent-thornscrub habitat, we hope to find Five-striped Sparrow, Varied Bunting, Costa’s Hummingbird, Scott’s and Hooded Oriole, and more. Bring water, hat, sun protection, and wear trail shoes. Lunch is included – please select your sandwich filling from menu below the Field Trip descriptions on the registration page. Hiking Difficulty: 1-2 easy. Guide Jennie MacFarland

S5 Madera and Box Canyons    GROUP VAN

Join professional guide Matt Brown  on a trip which will take you to Madera Canyon via Box Canyon and the Santa Rita grasslands and explore this famous birding site. For the last couple of years Box Canyon has hosted breeding Five-striped Sparrow and we will stop to look for this rare species, also hoping to see Varied Bunting and Scott's Oriole. Moving on to Madera Canyon we will bird the many habitats it has to offer - grassland, riparian, and woodland. We will also enjoy a  lunch break while watching feeding stations. Target species would include Rivoli's Hummingbird, Elegant Trogon, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Painted Redstart, Black-capped Gnatcatcher, Hepatic Tanager, Botteri’s Sparrow, Yellow-eyed Junco and Scott’s Oriole. Bring water, hat, sun protection, and wear trail shoes. Lunch is included – please select your sandwich filling from menu below the Field Trip descriptions on the registration page . Hiking Difficulty: 3 moderate. Guide: Matt Brown 

S 6 Big Day with Rick Wright   GROUP VAN

Join author and international bird guide, Rick Wright , on a mini Big Day. The object on this trip will be to see as many different species as possible, covering the different habitats. SE Arizona is a region where bird species from Mexico, the Rockies, and both Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts can be found. Specialties like Gray Hawk, Montezuma Quail, Elegant Trogon, Sulphur-bellied and Buff-breasted Flycatchers, Painted Redstart and Olive Warbler can be found, plus lower elevation species such as Lucy's Warbler, and Cassin's, Botteri's and Rufous-winged Sparrows. Then there are all of the hummingbirds! This trip begins at the San Pedro River, goes to the high elevations in the Huachucas. Bring water, hat, water, sun protection, and wear trail shoes. Lunch is included – please select your sandwich filling from menu below the Field Trip descriptions on the registration page. Hiking Difficulty: 3 moderate. Guide Rick Wright

S7 Chickadee Chase    GROUP VAN

Join professional bird guide  Richard Fray  for a trip to the Chiricahua Mountains to search for the Mexican Chickadee. The trips starts with a drive across the Sulphur Spring Valley and chance to see grassland species before ascending into the Sierra Madrean pine-oak woodlands along past Pinery Canyon where we will look for Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Painted Redstart and Bridled Titmouse, and as we get higher and enter the coniferous forest there are Virginia's, Grace's, and Olive Warblers. Up at Rustler and Barfoot Parks there is Greater Pewee, Red-faced Warbler, Pygmy Nuthatch and Steller's Jay. The most special bird up here is the Mexican Chickadee - this is the only public land on which it occurs in the entire United States. Bring hat, water, sun protection, and wear trail shoes. Lunch is included - please select your sandwich filling from menu below the Field Trip descriptions on the registration page. Hiking Difficulty: 3 moderate. Guide: Richard Fray.

S 8 San Pedro House & River Walk    CAR CARAVAN

6:30 AM - 12  noon

S 9 Hunter Canyon    CAR CARAVAN

Meeting place : Car park next to Sierra Grill restaurant (formerly Ricardo's) just north of the junction of Highway 92 and Hereford Road at 6.30am.

S10 Ramsey Canyon    CAR CARAVAN

Join local bird expert, Dan Hoobler,  on a visit to the world famous Ramsey Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains. Owned by The Nature Conservancy, this area has been a hot spot for birding for decades. The lower canyon is good for Montezuma and Gambel's Quails, Gila and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, Rufous-crowned, Chipping and Botteri's Sparrows, Blue and Black-headed Grosbeaks, and other canyon outlet species. Ramsey Canyon is a reliable location to find Arizona and Acorn Woodpeckers, Hepatic Tanager, Grace's and Red-faced Warblers and Painted Redstart as well as hummingbirds around the information centre. Be prepared for a slow hike covering two miles with a steep 200-foot elevation gain. Bring hat, water, sun protection, and wear trail shoes. Hiking Difficulty: 4 difficult. Guide Dan Hoobler.

Meeting place: Ramsey Canyon Preserve parking lot, at the top of Ramsey Canyon Road. Map link

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SUBMERGE Marine Science Festival

Calling NYC teachers & students: Explore marine science during a field trip to Hudson River Park’s SUBMERGE Marine Science Festival!

SUBMERGE is an annual two-day celebration of our local waterways located on Pier 84.

Featuring a diverse array of hands-on marine science, opportunities to meet local wildlife and the chance to get on the Hudson River, SUBMERGE offers so many science-centric activities for the whole family to enjoy!

While Saturday is open to science lovers of all ages, Friday is all about NYC students. During this special day of SUBMERGE, teachers can book a field trip to attend the festival and learn from STEM experts across New York.

During a field trip to SUBMERGE, students will have the opportunity to take part in this interactive festival and try out awesome experiments, meet local wildlife and more! SUBMERGE field trips are free to book, with priority access given to Title I schools.

Space is limited, so please book a field trip today using the button below. Field trip timeslots occur every half-hour starting at 10:15 AM and last for about 60–90 minutes.

Book a Field Trip

If you have any questions, please contact our River Project team at  [email protected] .

Event Details

You might also like, our river project.

HRPK’s River Project conducts research and offers hands-on environmental education that communicates the ecological importance of the Park’s 400-acre Estuarine Sanctuary.

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Field Trips

Book a field trip at blackberry farm.

Blackberry Farm is a living history museum where pioneer life is re-created through educational demonstrations and hands-on fun. Our educational experiences complement classroom curriculum for grades Pre-K and up. Topics and hands-on activities align with Illinois State Standards. Below are the different field trips to review when deciding which field trip would best for your group.

• Self-Guided Field Trips (May - Sept.)
• Guided Field Trips (Sept. - Oct.)
• How to Book Your Field Trip

Self-Guided Field Trips (May – September)

Self-Guided field trips are offered May-September. Self Guided field trips allow students to explore educational exhibits and demonstrations in addition to all of Blackberry Farm’s rides and activities. For more information about Blackberry Farm’s historical sites and attractions please visit our Plan Your Visit page.

May : Monday-Friday, 9:30am-2pm June-August : Monday-Friday, 9:30am-3:30pm September : Friday, 9:30am-3:30pm

Illinois State Standard: 15.C.1a, 15.C.1b, 18.B.1a, 16.A.1c, 16.A.1b, 16.A.2c, 16.B.2d, 16.C.2c, 16.E.2a

Field Trip reservations cannot be scheduled on Free Museum Days (2024 Dates: June 5, 19; July 3, 17, 31, August 14)

Guided Field Trips (September & October)

Guided field trips are offered September & October. Field trips are 2 hours in length and have a minimum of 25 students and a maximum of 100 students. Please Note: Blackberry Farm is closed to the public during guided field trips. Only the sites involved with the field trip will be open during the visit.

September : Monday – Thursday, 9:30 or 10 a.m. October : Monday-Friday, 9:30 or 10 a.m.

Apple Hayride (Pre-K to Grade 2):

Take a tractor-driven hayride to the farm’s own apple orchard, learn about the legend of Johnny Appleseed, see and use an antique apple press and sample some tasty apple treats.

Illinois State Standards: 15.C.1a, 15.C.1b, 18.A.1, 17.C.1a, 17.C.1b, 16.A.1A, 16.A.1b, 16.A.1c, 16.B.1

Pioneer Exploration (Grades 1 to 2):

Step into the life of a child from the 1800s. Students will receive a lesson in our One-room Schoolhouse, try their hand at daily chores at the Pioneer Cabin, visit with the weaver for a hands-on experience working with wool and learn about animals at the Discovery Barn.

Illinois State Standards: 15.C.1a, 15.C.1b, 18.A.1, 18.B.1a,18.C.1, 17.C.1a, 17.C.1b, 17.D.2b, 16A.1a, 16.A.1b, 16.A.1c, 16.B.2d, 16.C.2c, 16.D.2B, 16.E.2a

Destination 1800s (Grades 3 to 5):

Through hands-on and interactive activities, students will step back in time to learn why pioneers chose to move to Illinois and how they survived. Explore the Pioneer Cabin, Blacksmith Shop, Print Shop and Weaver’s Cabin.

Illinois State Standards: 15.C.1a, 15.C.1b, 18.A.2, 18.B.1a, 18.C.1, 18.C.2, 15.C.1a, 17.C.1b, 17.C.2c, 17.D.2b, 16.A.1a, 16.A.1b, 16.A.1c, 16.A.2c, 16.B.2d, 16.C.2c, 16.D.2b, 16.E.2a

One-Room Schoolhouse (Grades 2 to 5):

The One-room Schoolhouse program offers an immersive experience in the life of children of the 1800s. Activities will be led in the most authentic way possible and simulate actual lessons and activities form the days of the One-room Schoolhouse. Maximum number: 30 Students.

Illinois State Standards: 16A.1a, 16.A.1b, 16.A.1c, 16.B.2d

Please follow the link below for the required request form you will need to fill out in order to book your field trip.

Self-Guided Field Trip Form

Guided Field Trip Form

• Download the appropriate form for your field trip type, fill out all fields, and email it to [email protected] .
• A Blackberry Farm staff member will respond to your request within 48 hours. Blackberry Farm takes all inquiries on a first-come, first-served basis, and your submission will be responded to in the order in which it was received.
• Once your field trip has been officially booked a confirmation email will be sent including all of your field trip details.

Still unsure which field trip would best fit your group needs? Have additional questions for our staff? We’re here to help. Fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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WOD on the Loch Fitness Festival 2024 | Luss Highland Games Field

Experience the grandeur of Scotland's largest fitness festival and the prestigious individual CrossFit Licensed Event at the WOD on the Loch Fitness Festival 2024. Witness two days of thrilling fitness challenges, delectable food, and joyful entertainment amidst the stunning backdrop of Luss Highland Games Field, nestled by the tranquil waters of Loch Lomond. Browse through a diverse selection of over 20 stalls and vendors offering top-notch fitness brands, mouth-watering food trucks, and a fully licensed bar. Immerse yourself in the excitement of watching elite athletes from the UK and beyond showcase their skills across seven intense events, all while enjoying the company of friends and family. For those seeking a complete experience, camping options are available on-site for both tents and campervans. Don't miss this exceptional opportunity to be a part of a remarkable gathering of fitness enthusiasts and athletes at WOD on the Loch Fitness Festival 2024 in Luss.

Provided by Socrates | Published May 18, 2024

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Bird enthusiasts flock to Presque Isle for annual Festival of Birds

Birds and birders alike are flocking to Presque Isle State Park as the annual festival of birds began Friday morning.

It’s a weekend of field trips, hikes, workshops and keynote speakers all devoted to the migrating birds that pass through our area twice a year.

The festival is limited to 150 attendees.

While the festival of birds is a pre-registered event with limited slots, birders of all levels can feel encouraged to give birding a try at Presque Isle.

“Everybody can come out and do it. It doesn’t matter what level of birding experience you have. We have people that are just interested in nature. It doesn’t have to be birds specifically, but just coming out here and enjoying the park and seeing everything that there is to see. There are over 320 species of birds that have been recorded here on the peninsula,” said Jaimie Miller, Festival of Birds committee member.

This marks the 14th year of the festival. The event is hosted by the Presque Isle Audubon Society with partners Erie Bird Observatory and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.

2021 Southeastern Section Meeting

1–2 april 2021.

Online Meeting

Original/In-Person Program

Meeting Program App Events Code of Conduct

Field Trips

There is no fee for these field trips; the price is included in registration cost. For additional information, please contact the Field Trip chair, David T. King, Auburn University, [email protected] .

FT1. CO 2 Storage in Geological Formations in the Southeast USA.

Richard A. Esposito, Southern Company, [email protected]; Lauren Beckingham, Auburn University, [email protected].

Description : CO 2 capture and storage are anticipated to play a role in the foreseeable future energy mix as a technology to reduce GHG emissions. This real-time virtual field trip will provide an opportunity to see and consider the drilling of deep resource assessment wells for site characterization of geological formations, allowing participants to gain knowledge of the requisite skills and technologies for CO 2 capture and storage.

The Spiritual, Hands-on, and Naturalist Pedagogy of George Washington Carver: A Virtual Tour of the Carver Museum at the Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site, Tuskegee, Alabama, USA.

Marilyn Vogel, Auburn University, [email protected].

Description : This virtual field trip will visit the George Washington Carver Museum at the Tuskegee Institute National Historical Site in Tuskegee, Alabama, USA. Carver was a strident educational theorist, gifted naturalist, artist, and community organizer. He modeled many of the interdisciplinary, ethical, and pedagogic approaches currently under discussion in higher education.

FT2. A Late Cretaceous Paleodrainage System on the Coastal Plain Unconformity of Alabama-Georgia.

Clint Barineau, Columbus State University, [email protected]; Diana Ortega-Ariza, Kansas Geological Survey, University of Kansas, [email protected].

Description : This field trip will take place in a live Zoom session with field-trip leaders discussing key outcrops along the Coastal Plain unconformity (i.e., Fall Line) of southwestern Georgia (GA) and southeastern Alabama (AL) as they relate to the presence of Late Cretaceous (ca. 100 Ma) paleodrainage systems. The field trip will begin near the AL-GA state line at a rare exposure of the unconformity itself, where fluvial sedimentary rocks of the Tuscaloosa Formation overlie highly weathered crystalline rocks of the Gondwanan-affinity Uchee belt. The trip will then move westward to similar exposures east of Tallassee, AL, in order to demonstrate similarity in character, including localized relief on the unconformity and the presence of a regionally-extensive, Upper Cretaceous residual paleosol built on the underlying crystalline basement rocks. Afterward, we will explore a more typical, discontinuous group of exposures near the campus of Columbus State University in Columbus, GA, beginning in metamorphic rocks of the Phenix City gneiss and progressively working up section through the residual paleosol and overlying detrital sedimentary units of the Tuscaloosa Formation. The field trip will conclude at an exposure of the paleosol, overlying detrital Tuscaloosa Formation, and intervening unconformity west of Columbus, GA, to demonstrate lateral continuity of this stratigraphic relationship over a distance >125 km. Afterward, field-trip leaders will discuss geospatial analysis of the unconformity, including how distribution of the stratigraphy in three-dimensions reveals broad, incised paleovalleys below detrital units of the Tuscaloosa Formation and within the igneous-metamorphic Appalachian basement rocks and their residual paleosol. Regional analysis suggests the identified paleodrainage system may be a forerunner to the modern Chattahoochee River.

FT3. Are There Any Rocks Here Other Than Mylonites? A Virtual Field Trip to Honor the Career of Dr. Mark Steltenpohl.

Joshua Poole, Wellborn Mining Inc., [email protected]; Dane S. VanDervoort, Geological Survey of Alabama, [email protected]; John Whitmore, Geological Survey of Alabama, [email protected]; Randy L. Kath, University of West Georgia, [email protected]; Willis Hames, Auburn University, [email protected].

Description : This virtual field trip will examine aspects of structural and tectonic evolution in the crystalline rocks of Alabama and the Scandinavian Caledonides, with particular emphasis on the contributions of Dr. Mark Steltenpohl and his students to understanding Appalachian-Caledonian tectonics.

FT4. Georgia’s Barrier Islands: Formation, Function, and Future.

Robin McLachlan, College of Coastal Georgia, [email protected]; James Deemy, College of Coastal Georgia, [email protected]; Kimberly Takagi, College of Coastal Georgia, [email protected]; Damon Gannon, University of Georgia Marine Institute, [email protected].

Description : Georgia’s coastline is composed of a series of short, wide barrier islands, each backed by extensive marsh, topped with mobile dunes, and bordered by deep inlets. This virtual field trip will explore the geology of the Golden Isles, revealing evidence of island formation, modern ecologic function, and likely future changes.

FT5. Virtual Field Excursion to the Cretaceous–Paleogene Boundary Section, Moscow Landing, Western Alabama.

Charles E. Savrda, Auburn University, [email protected].

Description : This narrated pictorial field trip explores a spectacular but difficult-to-access K-Pg section at Moscow Landing, western Alabama. Litho-, bio-, cyclo-, and sequence stratigraphy and structure of Upper Cretaceous and Lower Paleocene strata are explored. However, emphasis is placed on K-Pg boundary sand bodies that purportedly record deposition by bolide-impact megawaves. This virtual excursion, which potentially can be used as a teaching tool even for introductory courses exploring Earth’s history and basic “sequence of events,” will be accessible through GSA any time during and after the meeting.

FT6. Transect across an Early Paleozoic, Laurentian Suprasubduction System: Blue Ridge and Western Inner Piedmont of Alabama-Georgia.

Clint Barineau, Columbus State University, [email protected]; James Tull, Florida State University, [email protected]; Ben Davis, Florida State University, [email protected].

Description : This field trip will take place in a live Zoom session with field-trip leaders discussing key outcrops across a >100-km transect across the Blue Ridge and western Inner Piedmont of Georgia (GA) and Alabama (AL) as they relate to the Lower Paleozoic evolution of the Laurentian margin in the region of the Alabama promontory and Tennessee embayment. The field trip will begin in latest Neoproterozoic–Cambrian and Lower Ordovician rocks of the western Blue Ridge Talladega Slate belt and eastern Blue Ridge Ashland–Wedowee–Emuckfaw belt that mark the breakout of Laurentia from the Rodinian supercontinent and transition to a passive, Iapetus-facing margin. After, we will explore the significance of a tectonically emplaced, Ordovician metavolcanic sequence—the Hillabee Greenstone—above metasedimentary rocks of the Laurentian shelf-affinity Talladega Group. Interpretations of the palinspastic position and tectonic affinity of the Hillabee Greenstone will serve as a segue to discussion of coeval and associated metavolcanic sequences in the structurally-higher eastern Blue Ridge, including exploration of outcrops in Ordovician sequences of the Wedowee and Emuckfaw Groups in AL-GA, Opelika Complex in AL-GA, and Pumpkinvine Creek Formation in GA and North Carolina (NC). These rocks comprise the Wedowee-Emuckfaw-Dahlonega back-arc (WEDB) basin which formed on the Laurentian margin above a westward-dipping subduction zone consuming Iapetus oceanic crust. The trip will then explore structural, stratigraphic, and temporal relationships between rocks of the eastern Blue Ridge of AL-GA-NC and rocks of the western Inner Piedmont Dadeville complex, the paired arc to the WEDB basin, including the results of ongoing efforts to constrain the northeastern extent of this arc complex from AL to GA. Critical to this discussion, we will investigate key outcrops within and along the Brevard fault zone of AL-GA that provide critical structural and stratigraphic constraints on emplacement of the Ordovician Dadeville Complex across this controversial boundary.

Virtual Field Trip—Wetumpka Impact Structure, Alabama: Field Sites and Digital Modeling.

David T. King Jr., Auburn University, [email protected]; Leticia De Marchi, Auburn University, [email protected]; Vinamra Agrawal, Auburn University, [email protected]; Lucille W. Petruny, Auburn University, [email protected].

Description : On an entirely virtual field trip, we will examine the Late Cretaceous Wetumpka impact structure both in the field and in digital modeling. Wetumpka was a wet-target (shallow-marine) impact, which had a two-layer target. The field trip will be entirely online, but participants will be able to interact with field-trip leaders.

FT7. An Undergraduate’s First Field Experience: A Virtual Tour through the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida.

Laura Mulrooney, University of Florida, [email protected]; Victoria Pavlovics, University of Florida, [email protected]; Emily Sonnenberg, University of Florida, [email protected]; Jamie Good, University of Florida, [email protected]; Anita Marshall, University of Florida, [email protected]; Ashlyn Spector, Rutgers University, [email protected]; Nikita Kepezhinskas, University of Alberta, [email protected].

Description : This student-led online trip is designed as an ice-breaker for undergraduate students to interact, learn field techniques, and see some fun rocks from all over the southeast. The asynchronous portion of the trip will include virtual stops at Talbot Island, Washington Oaks, Stone Mountain, and various places along the Carolina Terrane (and more!). Our goal is to introduce the unique (and highly varied) geology of the Southeastern U.S. and then focus on helping students build the skills to take on future field assignments with confidence (especially with the limited field experiences from classes over the past year ).

FT8. Tectonism and Metamorphism along a Southern Appalachian Transect across the Blue Ridge and Piedmont.

Harold Stowell, University of Alabama, [email protected]; Elizabeth Bollen, University of Alabama, [email protected]; Matthew McKay, Missouri State University, [email protected]; Ryan Thigpen, University of Kentucky, [email protected].

Description : This three-day field trip will showcase the tectonic core of the southernmost Appalachians from the Piedmont in Alabama to the Blue Ridge in Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. This complex orogenic belt was affected by multiple thermal and deformational events, and we will examine outcrops that provide evidence for unraveling the complex history of tectonism and metamorphism .

FT9. The Carboniferous Foreland of the Southern Appalachians: A Virtual Field Trip in Alabama.

Willis Hames, Auburn University, [email protected]; Ashraf Uddin, Auburn University, [email protected], Jack Pashin, Oklahoma State University, [email protected].

Description : This virtual field trip will examine stratigraphic sections, critical exposures, samples from surface outcrops and deep drill cores, and new geochronologic and petrologic data for Carboniferous sediment of the Cumberland Plateau and Valley and Ridge in Alabama as records of Appalachian orogenesis and deposition during the culminating Alleghanian orogeny.

FT10. Fall Line to the Flint: Geology and Hydrology of the Dougherty Plain and Nearby Destinations. ( Canceled )

James B. Deemy, College of Coastal Georgia, [email protected]; Todd C. Rasmussen, University of Georgia, [email protected]; Steven Brantley, The Jones Center at Ichauway, [email protected]; Joe Honings, The Jones Center at Ichauway and Louisiana State University, [email protected]; Coleman Barrie, The Jones Center at Ichauway and Auburn University, [email protected].

Description : The Dougherty Plain is a karstic physiographic province with deep sands and interbedded clay lenses. The province is distinguished by few small order streams, incised rivers, and frequent clusters of depressional wetlands. This field trip will virtually travel from Auburn through Georgia and the Dougherty Plain to Flint River in Albany.

FT11. Alabama Botany for Rock Jocks.

Marilyn B. Vogel, Auburn University, [email protected]; Noah Yawn, Auburn University, [email protected]; Patrick Thompson, Davis Arboretum of Auburn University, [email protected].

Description : Alabama’s biodiversity echoes its diversity in geography and geology. Botanical relationships between speciation and geography deserve recognition on a geologic time scale. Explore these concepts with the staff of Auburn University’s Davis Arboretum on a virtual tour of Alabama’s plants, highlighting differences that can be traced to geological influences.

Virtual Presentations Due: 11 May

Abstracts Due: 18 February

Early Registration Ends: 13 April

Hotel Deadline: 27 April