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INSTITUTE FOR FIELD ORNITHOLOGY

FLYCATCHERS

CANCELLED

21-27 July 2008
Sierra Vista, Arizona
Instructors: Chris Benesh

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet. Photo by Chris Benesh.

Probably the finest place in North America to see the largest number of Tyrant Flycatchers is in southeastern Arizona. We should expect to see 15 or more species, including some that are found regularly only here (e.g. Buff-breasted and Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers, and Thick-billed Kingbird) and others that only have a very limited distribution in the United States (e.g. Tropical Kingbird and Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet). But there is, of course, much more to see here than just Flycatchers. Several species reach the northern terminus of their range in southeastern Arizona and we should expect to run across many of these. We will be in Arizona at the prime time for the maximum diversity and number of hummingbirds, and there is always the chance of something truly exotic turning up. Our classroom sessions will focus on the visual, behavioral, and vocal differences in the various genera of flycatchers. These include Kingbirds, Myiarchus, and the notoriously difficult Empidonax Flycatchers, and we will cover all North American species.

INSTRUCTOR

Chris Benesh has traveled extensively throughout the Americas, and has gained a first-hand familiarity with virtually all of the flycatchers we will be discussing this week. Over the past 25 years, Chris has taught various bird workshops for Audubon chapters, at birding festivals, and at ABA conferences and conventions. He has been a tour leader for Field Guides Incorporated for the past 19 years and is both fun and informative. Chris currently serves on the Arizona Bird Committee, and is at work on a Photographic Guide to North American Flycatchers.

WORKSHOP LOCATION

Least Flycatcher. Photo by Bill Maynard.

The workshop begins and ends in Tucson, but for much of the time we will operate out of Sierra Vista on the north side of the famous Huachuca Mountains. By early August the summer monsoons will be in full force. Temperatures will be much reduced from late June, and the lowland landscape becomes green again.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Workshop activities will include hikes on roads and easy to moderately demanding trails. Late summer in Arizona is hot, with intense sun and temperatures as high as the upper 90s in the lower elevations, proper attire, sunscreen and containers for liquids to help avoid dehydration are essential. Nights are generally cool with average temperatures in the 60's. We will be at elevations between 4000 and 9000 feet, and anyone with known cardiac or respiratory problems should consult his or her doctor before scheduling the trip.

WORKSHOP PRICES

$1615 per person
$263 single room supplement

ABA Institute for Field Ornithology, ABA
4945 N 30th St, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80919
719/578-9703 x235 . fax 719/578-1480 . ifo@aba.org