Nature Conservancy’s Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve

The Preserve is one of the best-known and most popular places for birding in the U.S. More birders have seen their first Gray hawks here than anywhere else.

The streamside or riparian habitat found along Sonoita Creek contains some of the richest habitat remaining in Southern Arizona. More than 300 species migrate, nest, and live in this critical habitat and bird enthusiasts come thousands of miles to catch a glimpse of some of them. Of particular interest are the Gray hawk, vermilion flycatcher, violet-crowned hummingbird, thick-billed kingbird, zone-tailed hawk, green kingfisher, white-throated sparrows (in winter) and black-bellied whistling duck.

But even if you can’t tell a bluebird from a blue jay, the Preserve still offers something for you. Three miles of easy walking trails take you along Sonoita Creek and through rare cottonwood willow forest, and the peace that comes from relaxing under 140 year-old cottonwood trees will bring you one step closer to nature. Come during the summer months when the wildflowers are blooming! Guided walks are offered every Saturday morning at 9:00am starting from the Visitor Center.

Take Hwy 82 into Patagonia and turn north on 4th Avenue. Turn left on Pennsylvania Avenue. Pennsylvania changes to Blue Heaven once you cross the cattle guard and then it is about one mile further, on the left.