AT RAVENS NEST NATURE SANCTUARY
Located at 4000 feet in elevation, Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary affords you a wide range of climatic choices with very distinct seasons. All of the contrasting Sky Islands seasons have their unique charms resulting in a striking natural kaleidoscope throughout the year! Some highlights of seasons include: spring and autumn bird migrations, Monsoon season, emergence of reptiles, amphibians, and summer wildflowers, succulent flowering season during our dry foresummer, and spring wildflowers.
The unique biodiversity supported by our 5 Sky Island seasons has proven an effective lure for a wide array of human visitors. Birders seeking to add a “mexican Specialty” to their life list, naturalists eager to identify wildflowers, butterfly enthusiasts, and countless others have all enjoyed discovering the wild species at Raven’s Nest.
Our 42-acre preserve serves as a key hub for biodiversity given its strategic location. The species diversity at Raven’s Nest draws directly from surrounding natural areas, including: the Patagonia Mountains, The San Rafael Valley, the Santa Rita Mountains, Sonoita Creek State Natural Area, and Patagonia lake State Park. These diverse species pools open up countless biodiversity possibilities. In spring a Golden Eagle visits in search of Antelope Jackrabbits at play. Summer witnesses Western Yellow-billed Cuckoos visiting the preserve for some post-breeding foraging. Autumn welcomes fall flowers to the landscape along with their pollinators. The cool of winter sees occasional flocks of waterfowl in transit overhead. To each season its beauty.
OUR WINTER
In December cooler weather heralds in our mild Winter season! Late December daytime highs range from the mid 60’s to low 70’s, with nighttime lows in the high 20’s to low 40’s. Gentle Winter rains occasionally pervade the region, especially during an “El Nino Winter”, leading to sometimes spectacular Spring wildflower displays.
Rarely, we have also enjoyed a great surprise at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary – a welcome and delightful dusting of snow in winter – generally melted by noon. Sunny winter days with blue skies are the norm at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary in January with occasional colder fronts that only last a few days. Typically, our daytime highs average around the mid 60’s with nighttime lows ranging from high 20’s – mid 30’s. February temperatures gradually increase with generally sunny days and highs in the 60’s or low 70’s – very pleasant for Winter! Nighttime temperatures are usually in the low – high 30’s.
Some Sky Island Winter highlights include:
- Arrival of many wintering Ducks and other waterbirds
- Ideal Astronomy viewing conditions during the cold, crips winter nights, with spectacular celestial 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.
SPRING
Starting anywhere from mid-February to the beginning of May or so we often have a relatively lush Spring. Temperatures in March fluctuate from the mid – high 70’s during the day and the high 30’s – low 40’s at night.
Some Spring highlights include:
- Blooming of dozens of species of spring annual and perennial wildflowers, sometimes spectacularly carpeting the ground
- Influx of migrating birds including many Warblers, Flycatchers, Hawks, and Hummingbirds
- Arrival of the “Mexican Specialty” bird species, such as Gray Hawk and Elf Owls
- Luxuriant Ocotillo stands in bloom, attracting many bird species to their nectar
April and May are peak spring migration times for many bird species. Along with lingering wildflowers, butterflies, and nature’s overall abundance, they all provide a serious glimpse into our fabled Sky Islands biodiversity.
Fore-Summer
Fore-Summer highlights include:
- Blooming Prickly Pear, Cholla, and other succulents
- Emergence of some Monsoon season species, including many fascinating Invertebrates
- Arrival of late bird migrants, including Varied Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo
MONSOON SEASON
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!
In July our daytime highs reach the high 80’s to the high 90’s, with nighttime lows in the mid to high 60’s. Daytime highs during August, the peak of Monsoon season can vary quite a bit from hotter days reaching into the 90’s to other periods where 80’s are more the norm. Nighttime lows usually hover around the mid-to-high 60’s – pleasant sleeping weather. Overall, the lushness and beauty of our monsoon season is a magnificent sight to behold!
Peak autumn bird migration occurs in August and September for many species, while summer wildflowers lend their beauty to an already lush season.
Monsoon biodiversity at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary encompasses a wide diversity of colorful wildflowers, nesting birds – some on their second or third nest, peak reptile and amphibian activity and reproduction, and a literal explosion of butterflies and other fascinating invertebrates! For Naturalists interested in Sky Islands Biodiversity, this is a fantastic time of the year to visit Raven’s Nest.
Monsoon season highlights include:
- A diversity of colorful wildflowers
- Nesting birds – some on their second or third nest!
- Peak reptile diversity, including many Lizards
- Breeding Frogs and Toads
- Coues White-taiedl and Mule Deer fawning
- Peak Autumn Bird migration in August and September
Autumn
Cooler temperatures, migrating birds aplenty – including an 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 all are hallmarks of our Sky Islands Autumn.
By the beginning of September, daytime highs settle into the high 80’s to low 90’s with night temperatures in the low to mid 60’s. By the end of September temperatures usually settle into the low 80’s for daytime highs, while nights range from the high 50’s to mid 60’s. The lushness of Monsoon season is still in evidence – even through October in some years!
The beginning of October can host a few late storms, esentially extending monsoon season. Overall, however, October is a beautiful month with more stable and predictable weather, as rains cease to enter our area. Daytime temperatures hover in the 80’s, while nights range from the mid – high 50’s.
November is often our driest or second-driest month and can experience rather large temperature swings. Early November daytime temperatures usually settle between the high 70‘s -low 80’s, while nights range from the mid 40’s – mid 50’s. Thanksgiving temperatures are in the low 70’s, while nights range from the low to mid 40’s.
Autumn highlights include:
- The first frosts of the year
- Migrating birds aplenty, including the influx of some wintering species
- Blooming members of the Aster family
- Fall colors on a variety of deciduous trees
- Peak abundance of Wild Edible Plants in our harvest season
Sky Islands Biodiversity comes to the fore each year at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary – much of it hinging on our diverse weather patterns and seasonal shifts in both temperature and precipitation.
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 ArticleAR