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Wings Over Willcox Festival
Winter visitors from the north - the Sandhill Cranes, that is - have already begun arriving in southeastern Arizona, and soon, there will be more than 20,000 cranes inhabiting the Sulphur Springs Valley. As usual, local residents are preparing to showcase these special birds, along with the more than 100 species that winter here, during the Wings Over Willcox Sandhill Crane Celebration.
The 12th annual Wings Over Willcox is slated for Jan. 13-16, 2005, and many reservations have already been booked thanks to early registration from the Internet. A complete list of tours, free seminars, and accommodations can be requested by calling the Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture at 1-800-200-2272. Complete information is also on the Internet at www.wingsoverwillcox.com.
If you plan to attend, make your reservations soon, as some tours sell out well in advance.
Wings Over Willcox is proud to present Clay and Patricia Sutton as the keynote speakers for the Jan. 15 banquet. A husband-and-wife team with over 40 years of experience between them as professional naturalists and authors, the Suttons will share their love of hawks and eagles. There will be special emphasis on finding raptors throughout the seasons, including wintering raptors in the Sulphur Springs Valley. Their slide program is based on their recent book, and will cover raptor basics, finding hawks and eagles both near and far, and when and where to go. The Suttons will be available for personal signing of their books after their talk.
The Willcox Playa and surrounding habitats attract more than a dozen species of raptors, many winter sparrows, and a diversity of waterfowl. As Arizona's only winter birding festival, Wings Over Willcox provides four exciting days of activities highlighting southeastern Arizona's natural and cultural attractions. Tours are led on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The festival offers something for everyone, from novice to expert birder. Natural history tours visit the Muleshoe Ranch Cooperative Management Area in the Galiuro Mountains, Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains, and Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area.
In addition to birding, trips to historic sites and geological wonders will entertain and educate birders and non-birders alike.
Tours to the Johnson Mine and a working cattle ranch give participants a glimpse of two of Arizona's pioneer industries. Geology tours visit Chiricahua National Monument, Willcox Playa, and Ft. Bowie. A visit to the Eurofresh greenhouses is a new tour for 2005.
Free seminars at Wings Over Willcox offer a chance to learn even more about natural and cultural history. Talks include bird identification, species conservation, wildlife photography, astronomy, riparian ecology, backyard gardening, butterflies, and bats.
A trade show features booths with information about local attractions. Artisans and vendors sell nature-related items throughout the weekend.
The Wings Over Willcox Sandhill Crane Celebration is sponsored by the Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture in cooperation with local Audubon members, Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO), Aplomado Environmental Consultants, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Geological Survey, Arizona State Parks, Bureau of Land Management, City of Willcox, Cochise College, Coronado National Forest, National Park Service, Phelps Dodge Mining, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative, and Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory, along with support from local businesses.
The 12th annual Wings Over Willcox is slated for Jan. 13-16, 2005, and many reservations have already been booked thanks to early registration from the Internet. A complete list of tours, free seminars, and accommodations can be requested by calling the Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture at 1-800-200-2272. Complete information is also on the Internet at www.wingsoverwillcox.com.
If you plan to attend, make your reservations soon, as some tours sell out well in advance.
Wings Over Willcox is proud to present Clay and Patricia Sutton as the keynote speakers for the Jan. 15 banquet. A husband-and-wife team with over 40 years of experience between them as professional naturalists and authors, the Suttons will share their love of hawks and eagles. There will be special emphasis on finding raptors throughout the seasons, including wintering raptors in the Sulphur Springs Valley. Their slide program is based on their recent book, and will cover raptor basics, finding hawks and eagles both near and far, and when and where to go. The Suttons will be available for personal signing of their books after their talk.
The Willcox Playa and surrounding habitats attract more than a dozen species of raptors, many winter sparrows, and a diversity of waterfowl. As Arizona's only winter birding festival, Wings Over Willcox provides four exciting days of activities highlighting southeastern Arizona's natural and cultural attractions. Tours are led on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The festival offers something for everyone, from novice to expert birder. Natural history tours visit the Muleshoe Ranch Cooperative Management Area in the Galiuro Mountains, Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains, and Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area.
In addition to birding, trips to historic sites and geological wonders will entertain and educate birders and non-birders alike.
Tours to the Johnson Mine and a working cattle ranch give participants a glimpse of two of Arizona's pioneer industries. Geology tours visit Chiricahua National Monument, Willcox Playa, and Ft. Bowie. A visit to the Eurofresh greenhouses is a new tour for 2005.
Free seminars at Wings Over Willcox offer a chance to learn even more about natural and cultural history. Talks include bird identification, species conservation, wildlife photography, astronomy, riparian ecology, backyard gardening, butterflies, and bats.
A trade show features booths with information about local attractions. Artisans and vendors sell nature-related items throughout the weekend.
The Wings Over Willcox Sandhill Crane Celebration is sponsored by the Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture in cooperation with local Audubon members, Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO), Aplomado Environmental Consultants, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Geological Survey, Arizona State Parks, Bureau of Land Management, City of Willcox, Cochise College, Coronado National Forest, National Park Service, Phelps Dodge Mining, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative, and Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory, along with support from local businesses.
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