Wildlife

High Country Hummingbird Festival

Arizona Wildlife Viewing

Saturday, July 27, 2019
Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area – Eager
8:00 am – 12:00 pm

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is again offering a unique opportunity for people to learn more about Arizona’s colorful forest hummingbirds at the 16th annual High Country Hummingbird Festival. Sheri Williamson, one of the nation’s foremost experts on hummingbirds, will lead a capture and bird-banding event with the invaluable assistance of a dedicated group of volunteers that is free and open to the public. Participants will be able to observe researchers up close as they handle, measure and band these flying jewels. The festival takes place at the department’s Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area located near Eagar in eastern Arizona.

This one-of-a-kind program begins at 8 a.m. and concludes at noon. Come prepared to spend most of the morning outdoors with the potential of some summer rain. It’s a good idea to bring a camera, as there will be plenty of great photo opportunities, such as taking your picture with a live raptor at the Department’s Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center “critter photo booth.”

Sheri is the author of the Peterson Field Guide to Hummingbirds of North America. She, together with her husband Tom Wood, founded and operate the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory (SABO), which is a non-profit scientific and educational organization based in Bisbee. SABO’s mission is to promote conservation of birds of southeastern Arizona, their habitats, and the diversity of species that share those habitats through research, monitoring and public education.

Other fun programs will also be offered

• Birding for kids. An opportunity for kids to make their own hummingbird feeder to take home
• Tom Wood will lead a fascinating presentation on hummingbird natural history
• Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center will have an educational exhibit featuring hawks, owls and other wildlife
• Get your photo taken with one of the Adobe Mountain Center animals
• AZGFD department photographer, George Andrejko, will lead a one hour workshop on hummingbird photography.  Be sure to bring your camera and a tripod for this hands-on activity
• Department staff will lead a “birding basics” program, including identification tips, recommended field guides and technological tools available to aid in learning about our avian visitors
• People are welcome to explore the visitor center’s interpretive displays on wildlife conservation, habitats and prehistoric culture

Exhibitors

• White Mountain Audubon Society
• “Grow a Bird Feeder” – Information on landscaping for hummingbirds

Pets must be kept on a leash and are not allowed near live wildlife.

Breakfast and lunch concessions will be provided by the Springerville-Eagar Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The Sipe Wildlife Area is located southeast of Eagar and Springerville. From Eagar, take Highway 191 toward Alpine for about two miles to the signed turnoff at the top of the first hill. Drive south five miles to the Sipe property on a gravel road suitable for passenger cars. Parking is extremely limited if the area has received recent rains. Check forecasted weather conditions before and for the day of the event. 

Off-site Programs

Springerville Heritage Center featuring the Rene Cushman Museum, Becker Family History Museum, Casa Malpais archaeological museum and tour, and art gallery of local artists displaying their photographs, oil and watercolor paintings and quilts.