Fourth annual hummingbird event scheduled at Sipe Wildlife Area

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is again offering a unique opportunity for people to learn more about Arizona's hummingbirds at the 4th annual High Country Hummers event. On Saturday, July 29, Sheri Williamson, one of the nation's foremost experts on hummingbirds, will conduct a capture and bird-banding event that is free and open to the public at the department's Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for people to get up close and personal with these flying jewels," says Bruce Sitko, spokesman in the department's Pinetop office. "We are quite fortunate to be able to get Sheri, who is the author of the 'Peterson Field Guide to Hummingbirds of North America,' to come to our part of the state to demonstrate her research."

The unique program will begin at 7:30 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m. Observers will be able to interact with Williamson as they watch her capture, measure, weigh and band birds. They will also be able to use a stethoscope to hear a hummingbird's heart beat more than 200 times a minute.

Other fun programs will be offered at the wildlife area that day. There will be an exhibit featuring live hawks and owls. White Mountain Audubon Chapter members will lead a bird walk on one of the hiking trails on the Sipe property. Visitors can also view a slide presentation on hummingbird natural history. Plus, people are welcome to explore the visitor center's interpretive displays on wildlife, habitats, prehistoric culture and conservation.

"We encourage people to come prepared to spend most of the morning outdoors," says Sitko. "It's a good idea to bring your own food and water, as well as a camera and binoculars."

The Sipe Wildlife Area is located southeast of Eagar and Springerville. From Eagar, take Highway 191 toward Alpine for about two miles to the signed turnoff at the top of the first hill. Drive about five miles, on a dirt road suitable for passenger cars, to the Sipe property.

For more information on this special event, contact the Pinetop Game and Fish office at (928) 367-4281.