Welcome to registration for the 18th
Annual Wings Over Willcox Birding & Nature Festival.
If you have
difficulty viewing the tour information, please check to see if you are using a
current version of your browser software. Also, please be aware that you will
have to scroll through the registration page using the inner scroll bar on the
right hand side of the webpage. If you have any questions call 1-800-200-2272.
The meeting times listed below are provided to ensure that the tours depart
on time. A volunteer will gather tour participants to collect your ticket and
provide a brief orientation. All tours depart promptly 10 minutes after
the meeting time.
To sign-up for the Wings Over Willcox tours or events, it is
necessary to first register as a participant for the festival. On-line
registration requires a credit card as payment. At this time we can only accept
Mastercard, Visa or Discover credit cards. A secure
on-line transaction is provided through GeoTrust. To pay by check, please print out the registration
form and send by mail.
To register, please click on any of the the "Register" links on this page and
follow the instructions. Please be aware that there is a $10.00 non-refundable
registration fee for each registrant. "Early Bird" registration deadline is
December 31st. Registration after this date will require an additional
$5.00 per event, per person (after December 31st the price will reflect
this fee).
It may be necessary to allow "Pop-ups" with your internet browser settings to
see the Trip Leader and Seminar Speaker details.
| Friday 01/14/11 |
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4 |
Whitewater Draw Sandhill Crane |
Remaining
Tickets:
8
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Meet at WCC:
5:50 AM
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Return:
10:00 AM |
$40.00
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Watch Sandhill Cranes take flight at Whitewater Draw as they begin their morning feeding.
Walking: Less than ½ mile of easy walking.
Level: Beginner to Intermediate Includes: Rest stops
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Trip Leaders:
Bob Coder Detail
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5 |
Daylong Photography |
Remaining
Tickets:
8
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Meet at WCC:
5:50 AM
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Return:
4:00 PM |
$100.00
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Spend time with two wildlife photography experts at Whitewater Draw and other southeastern Arizona sites, photographing Sandhill Cranes and other birds.
Walking: Less than ½ mile of easy walking.
Level: Intermediate to Advanced Photographers
Includes: Lunch, drinks, and rest stops
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Trip Leaders:
Thomas Whetten Detail
George Andrejko Detail
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6 |
Chiricahua Montane Specialties |
Remaining
Tickets:
0
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Meet at WCC:
6:20 AM
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Return:
4:00 PM |
$85.00
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The mountains of Cochise County are well known for spring and fall migrants and sought-after birds that are winter residents. The tour travels to the mountains of the Chiricahua National Monument and may visit Pinery Canyon, Turkey Creek, Rustler Park, or Barfoot Park. The tour will look for Montezuma Quail, Mexican Chickadee, Olive Warbler, Northern Pygmy-owl, Arizona Woodpecker, and other boreal and Madrean species. Scott Weidensaul, featured 2011 WOW keynote speaker, will also join the tour as a tour guide. Be prepared for possible snow. Significant snowfall may restrict access to the upper elevations of the Chiricahuas.
Walking: Approximately one mile of easy to moderate walking with several stops.
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Includes: Lunch, drinks, and rest stops
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Trip Leaders:
Michael Marsden Detail
Scott Weidensaul Detail
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7 |
Beginning Birdwatching |
Remaining
Tickets:
13
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Meet at WCC:
7:20 AM
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Return:
9:30 AM |
FREE |
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Learn and practice basic identification skills. Time will be spent at the Willcox ponds and nearby areas observing and identifying common bird species.
TRANSPORTATION IS NOT PROVIDED. This tour will require that you bring your own car and binoculars.
Walking: Less than ½ mile of easy walking.
Level: Beginner
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Trip Leaders:
Erika Wilson Detail
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8 |
A Naturalist's Saunter in Fort Bowie |
Remaining
Tickets:
7
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Meet at WCC:
7:50 AM
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Return:
4:00 PM |
$50.00
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Join naturalist, wildlife biologist, and guide Vincent Pinto as he journeys into the incomparable beauty and diversity of Fort Bowie National Historic Site. Applying a wide variety of disciplines, you’ll learn about the area’s unique rock formations and geology, delve into the region's human history, become acquainted with countless plants and their uses (food, medicine, shelter, tools) be introduced to the art and science of tracking animals, discover winter weather patterns, and (of course!) look for birds and other wildlife. You'll also learn how to use a nature journal to record and further enjoy your many discoveries. Here is a great opportunity to weave together many of WOW'S field trip topics into one amazing walk! As we will drive to only one location, this outing requires the ability to walk moderate distances (2- 4 miles total) in varying terrain.
Includes: Lunch, drinks, and rest stops
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Trip Leaders:
Vincent Pinto Detail
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9 |
Dairy Farms & Fields |
Remaining
Tickets:
10
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Meet at WCC:
8:50 AM
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Return:
4:00 PM |
$45.00
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Visit a cotton gin, a dairy milking 5,500 cows, a pistachio and pecan orchard, and a greenhouse growing tomatoes. Managers at each will explain the entire operation and discuss the latest methods they use to maximize their productivity. In addition, your farmer-guide will show and discuss irrigated farming of a variety of other agricultural crops between the tour stops. Be prepared for an odoriferous experience at the dairy.
Walking: Approximately 1/4 mile of easy walking.
Includes: Lunch, drinks, and rest stops.
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Trip Leaders:
Dwayne Owen Detail
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10 |
Ghost Towns |
Remaining
Tickets:
8
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Meet at WCC:
8:50 AM
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Return:
3:00 PM |
$55.00
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Visit three nearby ghost towns and learn of the influence of gold, silver and copper mining on the development of Cochise County. Your tour leader, a life-long resident, will discuss early life in these ghost towns and the "boom and bust" nature of early mining. Tour a restored general merchandise store dating from the late 1800s and inspect a restored jail and other buildings that still remain. Step back more than a century to an early, less hectic lifestyle.
Walking: Less than ½ mile of easy walking.
Level: No prior knowledge of history is needed.
Includes: Lunch, drinks, and rest stops.
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Trip Leaders:
Jim Burnett Detail
Don Hammer Detail
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11 |
Eurofresh & Farming |
Remaining
Tickets:
0
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Meet at WCC:
8:50 AM
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Return:
3:00 PM |
$45.00
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Eurofresh operates a 200+ acre greenhouse complex producing premium, hydroponically grown and pesticide-free tomatoes. Staff will explain all aspects of growing tomatoes under completely controlled conditions. On the return, visit a farm producing corn, alfalfa, cotton, and pinto beans where your farmer-guide will show and explain irrigated farming in the Sulphur Springs Valley.
Walking: Approximately ¾ mile of easy walking.
Includes: Lunch, drinks, and rest stops
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Trip Leaders:
Claire Owen Detail
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NEW!!
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12 |
Bowie Area Agriculture & Geology |
Remaining
Tickets:
3
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Meet at WCC:
8:50 AM
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Return:
3:00 PM |
$45.00
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Bowie, located in the San Simon Valley east of Willcox, is surrounded by pecan and pistachio orchards and fascinating geology. Stops will include a geology tour of a zeolite mine seven miles north of Bowie where tour guides will describe in nontechnical terms the geologic process responsible for modern landforms, soil, and water resources. We will then proceed south of Bowie to the pecans and pistachio orchards for an explanation of their orchards. On the return to Willcox, we will stop at the Coronado Vineyards where they will explain the wine making process and include a tour of the vineyard. Wine tasting will be offered to tour members for an additional fee.
Walking: Less than a 1/2 of easy walking on flat ground is required.
Level: Beginner
Includes: Lunch, drinks, and rest stops
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Trip Leaders:
Larry Fellows Detail
Tony Cohorn Detail
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13 |
Flora of Texas Canyon |
Remaining
Tickets:
9
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Meet at WCC:
9:20 AM
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Return:
3:30 PM |
$40.00
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Situated at 4,600–5,500 feet above sea level in the dramatic rock formations of Texas Canyon, the Amerind Foundation is a place where several plant communities come together. Here we’ll be learning about plants from the oak woodlands, desert grasslands, riparian communities, and Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts. Discussion will center around adaptations to environment, evolutionary relationships, reproductive strategies, and uses by people from prehistoric times to the present. TRANSPORTATION IS NOT PROVIDED. Please note that participants will car pool to the Amerind Foundation. The distance is approximately 45 miles round-trip.
Walking: Approximately 1-2 miles of easy to moderate walking on dirt roads with some short jaunts through grass and over rocks to see certain plants.
Includes: Lunch, drinks, and rest stops.
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Trip Leaders:
Barbara Hanson Detail
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14 |
Willcox Walking History |
Remaining
Tickets:
19
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Meet at WCC:
12:50 PM
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Return:
4:00 PM |
$10.00
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Take a tour of the Historic Downtown's Railroad Avenue with a local historian. You’ll see Arizona’s only remaining original Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, constructed in 1880; Willcox Commercial, the oldest continually operating store in Arizona; and the Schwertner House, built as an overnight rooming facility for Army personnel en route through Willcox to area military posts. Nearby, the Rex Allen Cowboy Museum honors the late singer/actor “hometown boy” success story. Stop by the Chiricahua Regional Museum where there are exhibits on the region’s history, featuring Apache Indians, cavalry, Butterfield Stage Line, and mining & railroad displays. On your stroll, you’ll pass several other historic buildings, such as the Headquarters Saloon, where Warren Earp was shot.
Walking: Approximately ¾ mile of easy walking.
Includes: A historic downtown walking tour map
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Trip Leaders:
Chuck Broeder Detail
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15 |
Beginning Birdwatching |
Remaining
Tickets:
15
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Meet at WCC:
3:20 PM
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Return:
5:30 PM |
FREE |
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Learn and practice basic identification skills. Time will be spent at the Willcox ponds and nearby areas observing and identifying common bird species.
TRANSPORTATION IS NOT PROVIDED. This tour will require that you bring your own car and binoculars.
Walking: Less than ½ mile of easy walking.
Level: Beginner
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Trip Leaders:
Tony Battiste Detail
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16 |
Sunset Sandhill Crane |
Remaining
Tickets:
16
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Meet at WCC:
3:50 PM
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Return:
6:30 PM |
$30.00
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This tour will start with a circuit of Lake Cochise for late afternoon arrivals of waterfowl. Next stop will be at a known roosting site as dusk begins to fall, with Sandhill Cranes coming in from the fields to spend the night.
Walking: Approximately 3/4 mile of walking is required along an unpaved, sandy road. Be prepared for cold temperatures as the sun sets, and bring a flashlight for the return walk to the vehicle.
Level: Beginner
Includes: Rest stops
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Trip Leaders:
Vivian MacKinnon Detail
John Yerger Detail
Jake Mohlmann Detail
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17 |
Amazing Arizona Astronomy |
Remaining
Tickets:
20
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Meet at WCC:
5:50 PM
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Return:
8:00 PM |
$30.00
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The Winter skies in southeastern Arizona rank among the best in the country. Naturalist and amateur astronomer Vincent Pinto will guide you through the constellations, visible planets, and deep-sky features visible during WOW. Blending modern technology with ancient stories and wisdom, Vince will open up new possibilities for viewing and understanding our universe. You'll have multiple opportunities to see a variety of beautiful and fascinating objects through a telescope (provided) and binoculars (bring your own, please).
Dress warmly and stay as long or as short as you desire, as our viewing site will be close to Willcox. TRANSPORTATION IS NOT PROVIDED. This tour will require that you bring your own car.
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Trip Leaders:
Vincent Pinto Detail
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NEW!!
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18 |
Dinner with Scott Weidensaul |
Remaining
Tickets:
7
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Meet at WCC:
6:00 PM
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Return:
8:00 PM |
$95.00
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Enjoy an intimate and elegant dinner at the Coronado Vineyards, a local winery, with Scott Weidensaul, the Wings Over Willcox 2011 Banquet Keynote Speaker. There will be no set schedule, just the opportunity to relax, enjoy dinner and wine, and talk with Scott and the other diners. Dinner includes one complimentary glass of wine and a book written and personally signed by Scott Weidensaul.
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Trip Leaders:
Scott Weidensaul Detail
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