We are looking to do some birding and golfing in SE Arizona in April. We wonder if it is possible to combine both and not have to change our lodging? Any suggestions??

Sorry - not much on the birding, but at least this will bump you back top and someone may answer. Where are you planning on staying now?

That's funny, I can't help on the golf! But the best birding is in Cochise County, in and around Sierra Vista, which is about an hour south of Tucson. SV, Bisbee and Hereford would be great places to base yourself. Consider booking a day trip through http://www.markprettinaturetours.com, Mark is the best! Let me know if you have more uqestions about birding in SE AZ, we lived there for a couple of years and became avid birders as a result.

You might want to consider Benson. Not much there, but it would be about half way between the many golf courses in Tucson and the birding areas.

I would try for Tubac Inn which is in the general area of the other suggestions...also has a golf course and beautiful surroundings.

You should be able to do both easily in SE Arizona and April is not "high season" for rentals so housing should be easy. As NewbE stated Cochise County is good for birding, but it depends on if you want to stay in small towns or larger areas. Tucson area has more cultural events and museums etc, but Madera Canyon near Green Valley offers small lodges as well as a few individual cabins for rent. They offer bird walks with an expert guide in the canyon, but you do not have to stay there to participate. Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Montains is about 25 minutes from Green Valley for groceries, restaurants, golf courses etc so many prefer to stay in Green Valley (20 miles S of Tucson) and then drive to various spots for birding. Golf courses are plentiful in GV and area. While birding ranks higher than golfing with me, I do golf. It is easy to combine both activities on one course in GV since there is usually always a roadrunner at one fairway and numerous birds are in the many trees and ponds of the course. Wonderful birding spots like Sierra Vista, Patagonia Lake, San Pedro Riparian Conservation area, Tubac, or Bisbee are easy day trips from GV. There are many scehduled hikes and birding trips, and Tucson Audibon is wonderful for information in the area. The Chamber of Commerce or tourist information from various cities also offers event schedules and information. April is probably too late for the sandhill cranes at Whitewater Draw, but that is an experience if you haven't seen sandhill cranes before. SE AZ is a birder's paradise so if you have specific questions, I'll try to answer them.

can't help with the golf but we spent a few days in a B&B in Ramsey Canyon right next to the nature conservancy which is excellent birding. this is in the sierra vista area. like the other posters mentioned that SE area is a birder's paradise.

Thank you all for your generous advice! This is my first time chatting with other travelers and I am delighted with the information you have shared with me! I am not sure about the mechanics of this forum...how long does my question remain posted?

I think it remains posted forever, you just may have to really search to find it as there are so many posts to this forum on a daily basis.

Certainly this thread will remain here longggggg after you have come and gone to Arizona.

If you are looking for a break from your birding and golfing you might want to consider visiting Kartchner Caverns just west of Benson & north of Sierra Vista. Pretty interesting tour with a very informative vistor center.

http://azstateparks.com/Parks/KACA/index.html

Enjoy your stay in SE Arizona. We own some retirement property in J-6 (off I-10 just west of Benson). There certainly are a LOT of birds in the general area. Our first time there we were there in January looking at property in the Picture Rocks area just west of Tucson and I remember the area was swarming with all variety of songbirds - so much so, that I kind of felt I was back in the tropics. Didn't make it to Sierra Vista that trip but that part of the state is world famous for it's birding (as you probably already know).

April should be lovely weather.

Ken

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