Welcome to Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary – our second Sky Islands Nature Sanctuary!
BIODIVERSITY IN THE HEART OF THE SKY ISLANDS
Situated in the heart of Arizona’s spectacular Sky Islands, Raven’s Nest is a private, 42-acre Nature Sanctuary located by 9000 acres of pristine and remote wilderness. Set in scenic rolling hills tucked between the soaring Santa Rita and lush Patagonia Mountains it is a naturalist’s paradise! Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary is only 75 minutes south of Tucson International Airport and about 3 hours from Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. Reaching Raven’s Nest is not only easy, it also ends with a gorgeous scenic drive through spectacular wild areas as far as your eyes can see!
The beautiful land at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary consists of an extensive Mesquite Woodland or Bosque in the lower reaches with intriguing arroyos (dry creek beds) winding throughout. Above the seclusion of the woodlands lie waving Grasslands and Ocotillo stands, providing sweeping vistas of the preserve and nearby Sky Island mountains. Several deep canyons add an air of mystery to the sanctuary and afford maximum privacy as you explore our extensive and well-groomed Nature Trails.
This rich land supports an impressive level of biodiversity – a subset of the species present in the Sky Islands as a whole. Our Woodlands and Grasslands boast a diverse flora, including many edible and otherwise useful species, attracting a broad spectrum of wildlife. Some of these are tropical plants that barely enter the U.S. For example, nectar-feeding Bats are drawn to the sweet blooms of Palmer Agave, while Collared Peccaries dine upon Prickly Pear pads and fruit. Meanwhile a variety of Hummingbirds investigate colorful wildflowers in search of a quick meal. Gorgeous seasonal wildflowers punctuate late Winter/early Spring as well as Summer/Autumn, adding color to an already stunning landscape.
Wildlife abounds at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary and is fascinating to both identify and observe. As of 2022 we’ve recorded 158 bird species at the sanctuary, exclusive of many other species found at Patagonia Lake and Sonoita Creek State Natural Area – both a mere 5 minute drive from us. Those 2 areas have recorded 315 species of birds over the years – about 1/3 of all the birds ever documented in the U.S.! Many of these species are at or near the northern terminus of their range, thus providing a tropical air to your stay! Some Bird highlights at Raven’s Nest include:
- Golden Eagle
- Osprey
- Gray Hawk
- Zone-tailed Hawk
- Swainson’s Hawk
- Black-bellied Whistling Duck
- Montezuma Quail
- Broad-billed Hummingbird
- Violet-crowned Hummingbird
- Costa’s Hummingbird & 4 other species of Hummingbirds
- Elegant Trogon
- Elf Owl
- Lesser Nighthawk
- Greater Roadrunner
- Yellow-billed Cuckoo
- Inca Dove
- Gila Woodpecker
- Red-naped Sapsucker
- Ladder-backed Woodpecker
- Northern Beardless Tyrannulet
- Dusky-capped Flycatcher
- Brown-crested Flycatcher
- Vermillion Flycatcher
- Bell’s Vireo
- Verdin
- Bridled Titmouse
- Rock Wren
- Crissal Thrasher
- Phainopepla
- Black-tailed Gnatcatcher
- 11 species of Warblers, incl. nesting Lucy’s Warbler
- Botteri’s Sparrow & 18 other species of Sparrows & Towhees
- Pyrrhuloxia
- Blue Grosbeak
- Varied Bunting
- Lazuli Bunting
- Bronzed Cowbird
- Pine Siskin
- Lawrence’s Goldfinch
- Cassin’s Finch
To download a detailed Raven’s Nest Bird List, please click: RAVEN’S NEST BIRD LIST
Equally impressive are our Mammals, which include:
- Mountain Lion
- Bobcat
- American Badger
- Coyote
- Gray Fox
- 4 species of Skunks
- White-nosed Coati
- Ringtail
- Northern Raccoon
- Virginia Opossum
- Coues Whitetail Deer
- Mule Deer
- Collared Peccary
- Antelope Jackrabbit
- Desert Cottontail
- Rock Squirrel
- Merriam’s Kangaroo Rat
- Southern Grasshopper Mouse – a predatory species that eats other Mice!
- Desert Shrew
- Mexican Long-tongued Bat & Lesser-long-nosed Bat – nectar-feeding species
- …..and a diversity of smaller species – many more typical of Mexico.
Birds and Mammals are joined by some of the most exciting Reptile and Amphibian species found in North America. Huge Sonoran Toads – common residents – are the largest Toad species in the U.S. and lumber about with impunity at night given their highly toxic skin. Gila Monsters, though reclusive, are an exciting find in summer, as are several species of Rattlesnake (don’t worry, they don’t want to bite you!), Sonoran Coral Snakes, and many non-venomous species. Here are some of the species resident at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary:
- Sonoran Toad
- Red-spotted Toad
- Great Plains Narrow-mouthed Toad
- Mexican Spadefoot
- Ornate Box Turtle
- Western Banded Gecko
- Elegant Earless Lizard
- Greater Earless Lizard
- Clark’s Spiny Lizard
- Ornate Tree lizard
- Regal Horned Lizard
- Great Plains Skink
- Sonoran Spotted Whiptail
- Madrean Alligator Lizard
- Gila Monster
- Coachwhip
- Sonoran Whipsnake
- Mountain Patch-nosed Snake
- Gopher Snake
- Long-nosed Snake
- Common Kingsnake
- Black-necked Garter Snake
- Sonoran Coral Snake
- Nightsnake
- Western Lyre Snake
- Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
- Black-tailed Rattlesnake
Ornate Box Turtles wander amidst the lushness of monsoon season, while a diverse assemblage of Lizards will tempt you into closer viewing. One species of Whiptail Lizard here amazingly consists only of females!
Invertebrates at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary are legion, yet we’re almost entirely lacking in biting flies or mosquitos! We do have flies (Robber Flies) that eat Paper Wasps, Wasps that consume Tarantulas, and Tarantulas that can eat Lizards… you get the idea! We encourage a deep appreciation of all species great and small at our Nature Sanctuary. Each has a vital role to play in our ecosystem. Invertebrates, for example, often help support the larger “flashier” species of wildlife – either directly as food or as plant pollinators.
On August 28, 2016 a Butterfly Survey conducted within Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary recorded 47 species. To view the Raven’s Nest Butterfly List as of that date please click: PDF. Many additional species may be found as well at our Nature Sanctuary, given the diversity of our plant communities as well as the proximity of Sonoita Creek State Natural Area’s 9,000 acres of wilderness. We have planted hundreds of native plants since our arrival in 2008, helping to support our Butterfly diversity. Over 133 species are included on the list of Butterflies for nearby Sonoita Creek State Natural Area & Patagonia Lake State Park. Please let us know if you would like to arrange a custom-made Butterfly Safari with us!
A UNIQUE ECO-LODGE EXPERIENCE
Set amidst the resplendent beauty of Nature, all the beautiful Eco-facilities at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary are designed to maximize your opportunities for relaxation, learning, and exploration. Whether you take a Sky Islands Nature Adventure with us or come along on a Birding & Biodiversity Tour of our Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary, we want for you to always be comfortable and enjoy the amazing luxuries afforded at our unique Eco-Lodge.
Our main priority was to build all our facilities in an Eco-friendly fashion – always striving to benefit the land and all the amazing wildlife – that inhabit Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary. We strive to provide very unique wilderness experiences, exciting nature adventures and attention to detail events with a very unexpected level of luxury at our remote Nature Sanctuary!
Guests from all over the world always praise the fact that we exceeded their expectations, as they find Raven’s Nest to be a wonderfully wild, beautiful, luxurious, and very unique place to immerse in Nature and learn about the unique Sky Islands Biodiversity.
Your time at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary will be enhanced by the songs of countless birds, the haunting call of a Gray Hawk, the raucous cacophony of cavorting Ravens, the iconic songs of the howling Coyotes at dawn and dusk, the hooting of our resident Great Horned Owls, and other amazing wild sights and sounds at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary.
At Ravens-Way Wild Journeys LLC we strive to raise awareness via experiential education, always helping you to better understand and protect our amazing Sky Islands biodiversity and fragile natural resources. Therefore common themes woven into our Eco-Lodge are our Earth Stewardship and Eco-friendly practices.
During your time at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary you will enjoy:
-
- 42 wild acres of private Nature Preserve with a diversity of Sky Islands wildlife & flora
- ~ 6 miles of engaging, groomed, and private Nature Trails winding through various habitats, including shaded sitting areas
- 2000 sq. ft. Sky Islands Discovery Center with Natural History displays
- Sky Islands Nature Library
- Organic Gardens & Organic Orchard with desert-adapted Kino Heritage Fruit trees
- 20,000 gallon capacity Rainwater Harvesting system, supporting several wildlife ponds and our ongoing Earth Stewardship Projects
- Wildlife Ponds & Rehabilitated Wildlife Habitat, incl. Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat (National Wildlife Federation)
- Gorgeous Lion’s Den Birding & Reading area
- Wildlife Blind for viewing & photography
- Unique Stone-Age Village for learning hands-on Wilderness Survival Skills
- Lizard Labyrinth for morning Meditation
- State-of-the-art stainless steel Incinerator Toilets
- Indoor & Outdoor hot showers
- Outdoor and covered Safari Camp Dining areas – Catclaw Lounge and Coati Cafe
- Gourmet Organic Dining
- The health benefits of spending time in Nature are well-documented, as are the stress-relieving aspects of taking a vacation. Travelers looking to really get away from it all should consider de-stressing at our relaxing and secluded Eco-Lodge in the Sky Islands. Good for your stress levels and for the environment, Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary is both tranquil and invigorating. Our diverse and private Sky Islands Nature Adventures to pristine and remote Sky Islands locations include:
SKY ISLANDS DISCOVERY CENTER
Welcome to our 2000 sq. ft. Sky Islands Discovery Center – full of educational and informative Natural History and Wilderness Survival displays. Devoted to the detailed interpretation and conservation of our incomparable Sky Islands Ecoregion, it provides fascinating self-guiding Nature information showcasing the unique biodiversity of the Sky Islands. Given his extensive experiences at other Nature centers throughout the U.S., Wildlife Biologist and Naturalist Vincent Pinto has created a hands-on museum, highlighting the amazing biodiversity of the Sky Islands. No matter how many times you wander the Discovery Center, you always learn new and fascinating facts about Sky Islands flora and fauna!
The Discovery Center is a treasure trove full of beautiful and educational displays, showcasing the dazzling biodiversity of the southeast Arizona. Whether you are an experience naturalist or relatively new to our area, you’ll enjoy seeing and learning about our unique flora, fauna, and ecology. We hope to inspire you to help protect the many wild species that we are so fortunate to have in the Sky Islands Region.
Some highlights of the Sky Islands Discovery Center include:
- Live and local wildlife in terrariums and aquarium
- Skins and skulls of local Mammal species
- Ethnobotany display, highlighting some of the wild edible and useful plants of the Sky Islands
- Wildlife Tracking display
- Invertebrate display
- Wilderness Survival classroom – full of artifacts and tools crafted by the hands of expert Survival Instructor Vincent Pinto
- Ecology classroom – highlighting the Biodiversity, Geology, Mycology, and Ornithology of the region
- Earth Stewardship classroom – focused on environmentally friendly practices
- Nature Library
- Community space with refrigerator – available for food storage
- Attached Organic Gardens and Organic Orchard
The numerous interpretive displays in the Sky Islands Discovery Center will inspire you to seek the flora and fauna of Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary while you are exploring outside and enjoying over 5 miles of groomed trails. The displays will also help you to understand the intricate ecology and biodiversity of this unique region.
At Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary we are always looking for opportunities to practice green living, helping to conserve key natural resources like water and energy. We’ll be happy to give you an Eco-tour highlighting our legion of environmental practices such as our gray-water irrigation systems, our ongoing rehabilitation of native habitats, removal of non-native species, passive and active rainwater harvesting projects, ongoing native plantings, Xeriscape gardens, our ADOPT-A-TREE initiative, and much more. For details Click Here
Eco-Lodge Amenities for a healthy Ecosystem
At Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary guests can also enjoy a beautiful indoor hot shower at Nighthawk Nook, which has been designed as a gray-water system. The used water from the 4 showers benefits the magnificent native trees around the gorgeous stone building.
Alternatively, you can enjoy one of our 7 outdoor solar showers at Main Camp which are also water the beautiful Mesquite trees. We treasure our well water and are passionate about reusing it at every sink and shower in our environmentally minded Eco-Lodge.
Over the years we have developed very solid and rewarding Education Partnerships with several American, Canadian, and international Universities, Colleges, International Organizations, and Outdoor Schools (including NOLS, the National Outdoor Leadership School) among others. Thus the facilities that we have built at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary can accommodate large groups – up to 30 guests.
For Nature lovers, birders, and photographers alike our Bird Blind is strategically located by a wildlife pond fed by our Rain Water Harvesting system. There you can relax and wait for the arrival of numerous bird species, Collared Peccaries (Javelina), lizards, and other wildlife. This charming site also has photos of our resident and migrant species as well as our Bird & Wildlife Lists, which can guide and inspire you in your quest to see and enjoy wildlife.
Upon arrival at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary, we welcome groups at our Check-In Kiosk, conveniently located by an ample and well-lit parking lot and nearby our Greeting Ramada.
Our marked and groomed trail system provides 6 miles of walking trails to our guests with a range of difficulty that will satisfy most tastes. You can also enjoy Lizard Labyrinth for Walking Meditations as a perfect way to take in the peace and beauty of Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary.
For details about about our exciting Sky Islands Nature Adventures, Sky Islands Birding,
Sky Islands Biodiversity Tours, Ethnobotany, Wilderness Survival Skills ,
OUR STRATEGIC SKY ISLANDS LOCATION
Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary is perfectly located near a wide range of recreational opportunities that are sure to enhance your Sky Islands experience. If you’re craving to explore a variety of wild areas – each unique in what it has to offer – then you’re definitely in the right place! A very short walk from us is Sonoita Creek State Natural Area with 9,500 wild acres to explore. The lists of plants and animals there, though overlapping with those of our Nature Sanctuary, are amazingly different despite the close proximity of the two. Adjoining the Natural Area, Patagonia Lake State Park presents incredible birding and wildlife viewing opportunities and lies a mere 5 minute drive away.
OUR DIVERSE SEASONS
Based at 4000 feet in elevation, Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary affords you a wide range of climatic choices for your Nature retreat with very distinct seasons. All the contrasting seasons have their charm, and which one is best suited for your Sky Islands visit will of course depend on many factors. What are the main goals for your trip? What type of wildlife and flora would you like to see? Length of stay? Is this my first, second, or third Sky Islands visit?
Are you a Birding group with a “Lifer Wish List”? Or is your group looking to add as many Sky Islands species to your “Life List” as possible? Are you a Naturalist looking to explore and learn about the unique Biodiversity of the Sky Islands region? Are you interested in adding “Mexican Specialties” to your “Life List”? Or are you like most Sky Islands visitors – interested in both Birding & Biodiversity? What’s your preferred weather when exploring Nature? Exciting Birding and Nature Adventures are offered all year long and we are happy to tailor an experience to meet your exact interests, needs, and preferred time of the year!
WINTER starts in December, often with gentle winter rains, especially during an “El Nino Winter”, leading to sometimes spectacular wildflower displays during Spring. Rarely, we have also enjoyed a great winter surprise at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary – a welcome and delightful dusting of snow in December – generally melted by noon. Sunny winter days with blue skies are the norm at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary in January and February, with occasional colder fronts that only last a few days at most. During the cold, crips winter nights, guests enjoy spectacular astronomy programs with awesome views of stars, planets, and deep sky objects.
Depending upon the amount and frequency of our winter rains, the emergence of spring wildflowers in late February can be abundant. Dozens of species of wildflowers carpet Deserts and Grasslands alike.
April and May are peak spring migration times for many bird species. Along with lingering wildflowers, butterflies, and nature’s abundance, they all provide a serious glimpse into our fabled Sky Islands biodiversity. Thus, Vincent’s renowned Sky Islands Birding & Biodiversity Naturalist Saunters are very popular and booked solid far in advance.
Blooming ocotillo, migrating birds including many Warblers, Flycatchers, Hawks, and Hummingbirds lead to very exciting Birding until the end of May. Wilderness Survival programs are very popular given the abundance of resources in the wilderness and the opportunity to learn first-hand Wild Medicinal & Wild Edible plants.
SUMMER at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary has 2 distinctive seasons. Our dry summer from late May through June with blooming Prickly Pear, Cholla, and other succulents. Also, the emergence of some Monsoon season species, including many fascinating Invertebrates.
From late May through June, Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary welcomes the arrival of late bird migrants including Varied Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo.
AWESOME MONSOON SEASON is triggered at the end of June and the beginning of July when we usually start to see a significant rise in our humidity levels, which, along with the continued high temperatures, lead to building storm clouds. This marks the beginning of the luxuriant Monsoon season or Wet Summer! The arroyos at Raven’s Nest fill periodically with much anticipated rain and slowly our gorgeous Nature Sanctuary turns lush, green, and abundant!
From about July 4th through the end of September we often have conditions conducive for brief, though sometimes significant and beautiful thunderstorms. It is now that life – both plants and wildlife – truly begin to flourish in the Sky Islands!
Guests are often very pleasantly surprised by the unexpected lushness and beauty of our abundant Monsoon season!
Peak migration occurs in August and September for many bird species, while summer wildflowers lend their beauty to an already lush season.
The awesome Monsoon abundance is all around at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary with a wide diversity of colorful wildflowers, nesting birds – some on their second or third nest! For Naturalists interested in witnessing the famous Sky Islands Biodiversity, this is a fantastic time of the year to enjoy peak reptile diversity, including many Lizards, breeding Frogs and Toads, an abundance of Coues Whitetail and Mule Deer giving birth and raising young, etc.
FALL will offer guests cooler temperatures, migrating birds aplenty, including the influx of some wintering species, blooming members of the Aster family, Fall colors on a variety of deciduous trees, and peak abundance of Wild Edible Plants in our harvest season.
November is often often our driest or second-driest month and can experience rather large temperature swings.
Our frequent guests from all over the world choose to come in every season to experience the amazing contrasts at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary. Groups are often surprised by the gorgeous weather which allows them the opportunity to enjoy the wide range of Nature Adventures that we offer all year round!
Thank you for your interest in RAVENS-WAY WILD JOURNEYS LLC and our ongoing conservation mission and passion!
RAVENS-WAY WILD JOURNEYS HAS BEEN FEATURED IN:
- Patagonia Regional Times – August/September 2019 Read Article
- Nogales International – September 1, 2017 Read Article
- Green Valley News – September 18, 2017 Read Article
- The Vermillion Flycatcher – Tucson Audubon Society Read Article