BIRDING IN MARANA
Birding (i.e. bird-watching) has become a wildly popular recreation in the United States. Southern Arizona is known as one of the premier bird hot spots in the U.S. People visit Arizona from around the world to view the great variety of species here. Southern Arizona is located at the junction of the Sonoran Desert, Chihuahuan Desert, and the mountain ranges from Northern Mexico and the Southern U.S. This great coming-together of such a variety of habitat types means that we have bird species associated with all of those habitats here in Southern Arizona.
There are several different micro-habitat types within the Town of Marana, each with its own suite of bird species. The Tortolita and Tucson Mountains are located in the Upper Sonoran Desert Scrub, where golden eagles and other species nests. There are lush patches of riparian vegetation for wading birds and ducks along the Santa Cruz River, and the irrigated farmlands provide habitat for hawks, burrowing owls, and other species. READ THE FULL ARTICLE.
TOP BIRDING LOCATIONS IN MARANA
El Rio Preserve
A fairly easy walking area where one can see riparian and grassland species, as well as views of raptors soaring above the nearby Tucson Mountains.
10190 N Coachline Blvd
Park Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Shared-use path along the Santa Cruz River
Great for spotting riparian species, including many warblers, and during summer evenings bats emerge in vast numbers near the Ina Road Bridge.
7548 North Silverbell Road
Sunrise to Sunset
WILD BURRO TRAILHEAD
There are several good hiking trails Tortolita Mountains, with opportunities to see hawks, eagles, and many other species.
14810 North Secret Springs Drive
Park Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
TORTOLITA PRESERVE
The Tortolita Preserve consists of 2,400 acres with nine miles of mostly flat, gentle West-sloping natural desert.
6250 West Moore Road
Park Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Lower Javelina Trail
Best Bird-Watching Trails in Marana FROM ALLTRAILS.COM
Explore the most popular bird-watching trails near Marana with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you.
BIRDING Partners
El Rio Open Space Preserve on eBird
Tucson Audubon Society
Friends of El Rio Preserve
Pima County Natural Resources
THINGS TO DO
Discover Marana
Live Life in Marana
Marana Visitor Center
Marana Parks & Recreation
Town Signature Events
IN THE NEWS
Green Living - Marvelous Marana
10/11/2022: “El Rio becoming a birder’s delight”
10/20/2020: “El Rio Preserve offers rare sanctuary for birds”
04/04/2023: “Finding balance in improvements to preserve”
07/28/2023: “Birding festival takes flight in Marana”
01/09/2024: “El Rio Preserve sees increase in wildlife sightings”
BIRD SIGHTINGS IN MARANA, AZ
Photos by the Friends of El Rio Preserve and Town staff
CONTACT US
Parks & Recreation Department
Phone: (520) 382-1950
Email: marana.parks@maranaaz.gov
Natural Resources
Phone: (520) 382-3496
QUESTIONS OR INQUIRIES
Email us your inquiry and a member of our team will respond as soon as possible.
