The mountain ranges of southeast Arizona offer steppingstones of forest for birds migrating between the Sierra Madres of Mexico and the Rocky Mountains of western North America. In addition, these sky islands provide cool, moist retreats for the birds and other wildife that reside in the Sonoran Desert, concentrating their populations and making them more accessible to humans who hope to observe them. Harboring a mix of Mexican and North American species, these ranges are thus renowned as superb birdwatching sites and Madera Canyon is among the more popular destinations.
Incising the northwest flank of the Santa Rita Mountains, 25 miles SSE of Tucson, Madera Creek rises along the crest of the range (an elevation of almost 9500 feet) and drops 7000 feet to the floor of the desert. Within its spectacular canyon, varied life zones attract a tremendous diversity of plant and animal life, including more than 200 species of resident and migrant birds. Among the more treasured sightings are elegant trogons, sulfur-bellied flycatchers, painted redstarts, yellow-eyed juncos, flame-colored tanagers, whiskered screech owls and 15 species of hummingbirds; the latter are best observed at feeding stations around the Santa Rita Lodge. Other canyon residents include black bears, mountain lions, bobcats, coati, ring-tailed cats, wild turkeys, black-necked garter snakes, tiger rattlesnakes and canyon tree frogs.
Accessed by a central roadway and numerous trails, Madera Canyon is a popular site for hiking and camping throughout the year; day use and camping fees are charged. Madera Creek, which sculpted this magnificent canyon, generally flows from the monsoon season of mid-late summer until depletion of the snow pack in early spring but can be dry for months at a time. Birders are advised to avoid the weekend crowds and to visit the Canyon early or late in the day.
