AZFO FIELD EXPEDITION

13-15 March—Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (Pima County)

Leader: Troy Corman & Eric Hough

Contact: expeditions@azfo.org

Overview:

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument exists to protect the limited U.S. range of its namesake plant species, as well as rare wildlife species occupying the diverse upland desert-scrub and rugged xeroriparian canyons within the Ajo Mountains and bajadas along the international border with Mexico. In fact, this 330,688 acre park has been designated an International Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations and is part of Audubon’s Sonoran Desert Borderlands Important Bird Area (IBA). This habitat diversity attracts a broad range of breeding bird species, including some that have restricted ranges within Arizona and the U.S. We will conduct both nocturnal and diurnal surveys in a joint effort with the U.S. National Park Service and Arizona Game & Fish Department to help assess the current distribution of bird species within areas of this park. Our expedition will survey several areas of the park, including Alamo Canyon, canyons off of Ajo Mountain Drive loop, and Puerto Blanco Drive to Quitobaquito Springs, a location that until last fall had been closed off for several years and has in the past attracted many rare vagrants.

Itinerary:

Registered participants will be instructed on meeting time and place for the afternoon of Friday, 13 March at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. We will split into groups to conduct nocturnal surveys on to-be-determined nights and/or pre-dawn periods. On Saturday, 14 March, we will split into groups to survey for birds along Ajo Mountain Drive, Alamo Canyon, Puerto Blanco Drive to Quitobaquito Springs, and possibly along portions of Armenta Well Rd. along the northern boundary of the park. The morning of Sunday, 15 March, may be spent surveying trails around the campground area before parting ways by late morning/midday to allow time for participants to head home. An optional birding trip to the Ajo wastewater ponds and golf course to check for migrants may be scheduled as time allows.

Things to Know/Bring:

Entrance fees are currently $8 per vehicle per day. Federal land passes, including senior discount passes, are recognized at this monument. The leaders will be putting down a deposit to reserve a group campsite, with the camping fee for each participant being $5 per person per night.

When we split up to cover areas, we will organize carpools of at least 3-4 people per group as a safety precaution due to our proximity to the border and illegal activities that may occur in the area.

Most of the roads that we will be traveling are paved or graded dirt, so should be passable by passenger cars unless it has rained recently.

Gas stations are located in Ajo, Why, and Lukeville, and Ajo has a grocery store and restaurants.

You will be responsible for your own food and water on the trip. The campground has water, but it is always good to bring extra water and containers. A gallon of water per person per day is recommended. A daypack to carry water and snacks while we are out surveying is recommended.

We will be camping at an established campground that contains bathrooms with flush toilets and showers, and picnic tables, but you will need to bring your own camping gear. A tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and/or cot, camping chair, lantern, and flashlight or headlamp (bring extra batteries for your flashlights).

Please bring binoculars and cameras, with extra batteries.

Bathrooms are available at the visitor center, campgrounds, and some of the trailheads, but will not be available further in along the trails and more remote roads that we will cover.

Weather at this time of year may be warm later in the day, but still cool at night. Therefore, it is recommended that you bring a hat, gloves, jacket, sweatshirt, and warm socks so that you may dress in layers. Prickly desert vegetation and ample sunlight warrant wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants.

We will be doing moderate hiking, so plan on bringing sturdy hiking boots.

A wide-brimmed hat and sunblock are also highly recommended.

Carpooling, Meeting Time/Location:

Upon registering via email with the expedition leader, details on meeting time and place will be arranged. Carpooling possibilities can be arranged among registered participants.