Events: Arizona - Phoenix - Scottsdale

There’s more to desert landscaping than crushed granite and pools. Anyone can transform a backyard or patio into a mini nature preserve that’s good for wildlife and people using native plants. You can pick up ideas and know-how on November 3, when Desert Rivers Audubon hosts its Seventh Annual Tour de Bird – a self-guided ramble through 10 bird-friendly habitats.

This year, the tour features gardens at 10 homes and parks in the East Valley, where gardeners and birders will offer information and advice throughout the day. Wild Birds Unlimited, located at 2136 East Baseline Road, Mesa, offers instructional talks about backyard birding during the tour.

“People enjoy their landscapes for the comfort, color and beauty they provide,” say Krys Hammers, president of Desert Rivers Audubon. “Attracting birds adds dimension to the aesthetics -- the color of the birds to be sure, but also movement and song. There’s joy in watching the antics and flight of the birds and listening to them chirp and sing.”

Transforming our yards into bird-friendly environments benefits more than just the human inhabitants. “When we plant our yards using native plants, we mitigate the devastating effects of habitat loss for birds,” Hammers explained. “Habitat loss is one of the top three threats to birds today.”

Proceeds from Tour de Bird ticket sales help support the free Family Birdwalks in Chandler and Gilbert hosted by Desert Rivers Audubon members one Saturday a month from October through March. We provide loaner binoculars and field guides to participants.

Tickets are available in advance for $15, online at desertriversaudubon.org, at Wild Birds Unlimited at 21236 East Baseline Road, or by calling (480) 227-8332. On the day of the event, tickets will be available at the door anywhere on the tour for $20.