Wilderness Hike - Sycamore Canyon
Saturday June 6, 2009

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Hello Friends!

Thank you for your interest in our June Wilderness hike into the Tumacacori Highlands! Joining us will be Tucson Audubon instructor and birder Homer Hansen, and naturalist writer Ken Lamberton, together to help us identify the birds, amphibians and reptiles of Sycamore Canyon. Birds and Reptiles of Sycamore Canyon This beautiful and mild hike along a shady perennial stream showcases deep pools and boulders that are home to several species of threatened and endangered fish, amphibians and reptiles. Sycamore, oak, manzanita and pinyon pine host birds such as the elegant trogon and five-striped sparrow, making this hike a famous birding destination in the southwest. It has been designated as the Goodding Research Natural Area, and an Important Birding Area. We will hike between 4-6 miles round-trip, stopping to eat lunch in the shade of Arizona's lowest elevation for pinyon pine, where tropical bromilads hang from the branches.

About the Birds
This very small canyon has a very high concentration of nesting IBA priority bird species. This canyon has one of the highest breeding bird diversity concentrations in Arizona (95 species). This unique area was found to have the lowest elevation breeding populations of many avian species in Arizona, including: Spotted Owl, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Whip-poor-will, Acorn Woodpecker, Arizona Woodpecker, Elegant Trogon, Sulphur-Bellied Flycatcher, Rose-throated Becard, Eastern Bluebird, Painted Redstart, Hepatic Tanager, and Black-Headed Grosbeak. During surveys in 1993 and 1994, 3-4 pairs of Rose-throated Becards were found nesting in Sycamore Canyon. This is one of the highest concentrations ever found for this species in Arizona and in the United States. Through the years, this rugged canyon has attracted many resident and visiting birders in hopes of viewing the rare Mexican species that have occasionally been reported. These include such birds as the Black-capped Gnatcatcher, Rufous-capped Warbler, Fan-tailed Warbler, and Yellow Grosbeak. [Audubon; Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas].

The Reptiles, Fish and Amphibians
Keep a weather eye out for some threatened and endangered species! On our hike we may get to see several rare or unusual animals that occupy the canyon, such as the Sonoran chub, mountain skink, canyon spotted whiptail, Sonora mud turtle and Chiricahua leopard frog. Ring-necked snakes, Sonoran mountain kingsnakes, and tiny Yaqui black-headed snakes are a few of the many snake species inhabiting these mountains and canyons. The rare and unusual Mexican brown vinesnake has been seen here along with many other species of tropical reptiles. We are sure to see lots of the more common canyon treefrogs!

Where and When:
We will meet at 7am at Sky Island Alliance. Free parking is available in the lot on the south side of the building. We will carpool and caravan to the trailhead, which is about 2 hours from Tucson. Please contact Jessica if you are willing to drive a carpool vehicle.

For those who wish to meet us at the trailhead parking area, we will meet there at 9:30am. Bring a packed lunch and plenty of water! Estimated time of return to Tucson is between 4 and 5pm.

There is room for all who are interested... feel free to bring along friends and family!
We ask that for this trip, you keep your dogs at home.
Cell coverage may not be available at our destination.

RSVP Here

Please Bring:
Plenty of WATER, sunscreen, a hat, sturdy hiking boots, a packed lunch, snacks. You may also want to bring binoculars, a notebook, bird book or walking stick... anything you usually like to take with you for a day hike. Expect that your feet might get wet!

Bring your Camera! We would love to use your shutter skills! We are looking for photos to share with our members and for use in outreach, if you are willing to share your photos of the hike.

Directions:

Sky Island Alliance The Historic Y Building 738 N. 5th Avenue Tucson, AZ 85705 Located on the southeast corner of University Blvd and 5th Ave. We will meet in front of the 5th Ave entrance. Parking is available in the lot on the southside of the building.

Sycamore Canyon trail head Take the Pena Blanca Lake/Ruby Road/Hwy. 289 exit (Exit 12) off I-19 and proceed west on Ruby Road. Ruby Road is paved for 9 miles to the Pena Blanca Lake Recreation Area and then becomes a graded dirt road called Forest Road 39. Continue for 8.5 miles on FR 39 to Sycamore Canyon Road (FR 218). Turn left (south) and proceed a short distance to the tree-shaded parking area.

Thank you for all you do for Wilderness and the Sky Island Region!
Questions about how you can participate? Contact us at Sky Island Alliance:
jessica@skyislandalliance.org or (520) 624-7080 ext. 21
mike@skyislandalliance.org or (520) 624-7080 ext. 11

or email info@tumacacoriwild.org

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