The El Rio Preserve: A Birding Oasis

Experience one of the best birding hotspots and unique habitat types in Southern Arizona.

Click here for a guide by local birding expert and photographer Henry Johnson

Marana is a birding hotspot! The town’s location at the intersection of several migratory routes and habitat types gives it a high level of biodiversity.

Located along the Santa Cruz River, the El Rio Preserve is one of Southern Arizona’s top locations to witness a wide variety of bird species. The El Rio Preserve protects 104 acres of riparian habitat along the Santa Cruz River. Until about 100 years ago, the banks of the Santa Cruz were lined by lush, green, riparian ecosystems for thousands of years, and supported a wide diversity of plant and animal life, including human agriculture.

Winging It In Marana

More than 250 bird species have been identified at the El Rio Preserve. Among these are egrets, vireos, cormorants, warblers, mallards, and hummingbirds, all of which flock to the lush oasis the preserve provides. In addition to birds, the preserves' wetlands provide refuge for a variety of mammals, reptiles, and insects.

Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk

CreditGary D. Johnson

A variety of birds can be found at the preserve year-round, but to see the greatest diversity of species, there are several main bird migration seasons:

The spring migration typically runs from mid-April through mid-May
The late summer and fall migration season can start as early as late June, and usually peaks between late August and mid-September.
The late summer Monsoon season is a particularly active season for hummingbirds.

A Hooded Oriole spotted at El Rio Preserve

CreditA. Core

Indigo Bunting bird at El Rio Preserve

CreditAndrew Core

The preserve’s riparian habitat is supported by its lake, which is filled with water year-round. It reflects the rugged outline of the Tucson Mountains and mature cottonwood trees that act as perches to majestic snowy egrets and many other shore birds.

This makes it a perfect place for a picnic and open-air painting, photography or just taking in the view.

CreditMarana Parks & Recreation

Guided Tours

The Town of Marana's Parks & Recreation Department, Tucson Bird Alliance, Pima County, and many other organizations in Southern Arizona dedicated to sharing the birding hobby host frequent guided tours of the preserve.

The preserve is also a mainstay on the schedule for the Southeast Arizona Birding Festival, which is held every August to coincide with one of the top bird migration times.

View events at the El Rio Preserve

CreditMarana Parks & Recreation

Getting There

Take the Twin Peaks Rd. exit off of Interstate 10, and go west to Coachline Blvd. Turn north on Coachline Blvd. and follow it until you see the parking lot and ramada on the north side of the road. There are also brown street signs at the entrance to the parking lot.

The El Rio Preserve is conveniently connected to The Loop, an award-winning, 137-mile paved multi-use trail for bikes, pedestrians, horses, and other non-motorized vehicles, that connects to all other parts of Pima County!

Click here for directions on Google Maps

Historical Significance

The El Rio Preserve is not only significant for the habitat it protects and the bird species you can observe. From ancient times through today, the preserve's location has been an important historical sight.

The Preserve is located just to the north of Los Morteros, an important archaeological site. The site was the location of an Hohokam-era village with a ballcourt, and its namesake, mortar holes, that were used to grind mesquite pods.
When the Juan Bautista de Anza expedition passed through what is now Marana in October of 1775, they camped in the area of the El Rio Preserve. The campsite was known as Puerto del Azotado, and is marked by an interpretive sign.
The site was home to a stop on the Butterfield Overland Stagecoach Route from 1858 to 1861.

PicturedInterpretive sign for the Puerto del Azotado campsite from the Juan Bautista de Anza expedition.

CreditNational Park Service

Discover More about the El Rio Preserve

In November of 2024, local photographer and birding expert Henry Johnson published a blog detailing his trip to the El Rio Preserve, with some fascinating photos and facts about some of the species that can be observed at the Preserve. It is a great starting point to learn about some of the species you're likely to see on your trip!

Click Here to Read Henry's Blog