Join EEC Naturalists on a Birding Trip to Arizona

The staff at the Somerset County Park Commission Environmental Education Center (EEC) have announced the dates of the 2018 “Southeastern Arizona Birding and Nature Trip.” Two EEC Naturalists will lead birders on a 9-day journey to one of America’s most exotic and extreme nature destinations from Saturday, May 26, 2018 to Sunday, June 3, 2018.

Southeastern Arizona is a biologically diverse area that is home to nearly half of the bird species in North America and thousands of species of plants, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Adventurers will visit a variety of birding hot spots from Phoenix to the Chiricahua Mountains, highlighted by four nights at the Southwest Research Station operated by the American Museum of Natural History. Researchers at the facility study the diverse environments and biotas of the Chiricahua Mountains.

Top avian attractions of the area include over ten species of hummingbirds, warblers including the Painted Redstart, Olive, and Red-faced Warblers, and potentially eight species of owls in one night.

The trip is open to active seniors and adults ages 18 or older with an interest in bird watching and natural history. Maximum group size will be ten people with enrollment on a first come, first served basis. A limited number of spots remain.

Fee is $2,700 per person with a $700 non-refundable deposit due at registration. Registration is in progress. For information or registration email bbarkly@scparks.org, mjuhasz@scparks.org or call 908-766-2489.

For information on Somerset County Park Commission activities and programs visit www.somersetcountyparks.org or call 908-722-1200.