On their free Mondays from January to July, Lewis and Leskiw lead bird-watching tours along the San Pedro River. Lewis, the founder of the tours, opens part of his land to lead the walk along the river where the public can take in the natural scenery and look for bird rarities passing through Southeastern Arizona. Leskiw is a writer and environmentalist.

During these morning walks, the two keep track of each bird they encounter to use in their writings. The woods along the river appear peaceful and uninhabited. But walk a little farther toward the tree–lined banks and the sounds of birdcalls and find a treasure trove of different bird species. The area is a temporary home to at least a half-million birds throughout the year as they embark on their migratory patterns.

Since the river flows from north to south, it is a perfect migration corridor, with an abundance of food, water and shelter, Lewis said.

A few minutes of walking along the path, a Great Horned Owl appears sitting within the treetops across the bank waiting for potential prey. The magnified view through the binoculars revealed its menacing yellow eyes and horned ears.

"It's like looking into the eyes of a criminal," Lewis said. According to Lewis, these particular owls are silent flyers that attack almost everything in sight.

As the tour continued and the temperature warmed, bird sightings became more frequent. Walking through the wooded area, Lewis and Leskiw tuned into the trill of the woodpecker, the beeping of the white-breasted nuthatch, the gobble of the wild turkey and the whiny mimicking of the starling.

"A lot of the birding you do is by ear," Lewis said. While many times you will not see the bird, you will hear its calls; to spot a bird, just listen and look, he said.

The best season for a birdwatcher in this area is spring when numerous types of birds come through, said Leskiw.

The area attracts many different breeds, making it an appealing place for bird watchers. Its trees border the river and mimic deciduous trees found mostly on the East Coast and therefore attract unusual birds that should normally be on the gulf coast, Leskiw said.

"This gets the juices flowing for the avid birders looking for more unusual species," he said.

The San Pedro River holds the highest number of nesting grey hawks in the United States. "People will drive a long way to come to find these birds," Lewis said.

Birders are also drawn to Southeastern Arizona for the different varieties of hummingbirds, he said. On a good day you could see up to 12 varieties.

For birdwatchers, the appeal comes from an element of research, Leskiw said.

Knowing certain species' habits and habitats makes spotting them much easier. It's a form of hunting, coming away from the experience with a video or a photo of a rare species, he said.

"Nowadays rarities are somewhat suspect if you can't get a photo," he said.

For others, bird watching is a way to experience nature without having to carry golf bags, Lewis said.

"Birding is a good excuse to get out and explore the U.S.," Leskiw said.

Tours begin at 8 a.m. For more information, email Gordon Lewis at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (520) 366-5560.