The Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill invites you to its ongoing public lecture series exploring the science, ecology, history, and culture of the Sonoran Desert. These talks highlight fascinating research and discoveries about the landscapes and species that make our region unique. All talks are free and open to the public.
🗓 Wednesday, April 1st
🕠 5:30 PM
🎤 Desert Purple Martins – Star Birds of the Arizona Monsoon
with Jennie MacFarland
The Desert Purple Martin is a remarkable and little-studied subspecies that times its nesting to the life-giving abundance of the Arizona monsoon. These birds nest almost exclusively in saguaros and other large columnar cacti, making them a unique part of the Sonoran Desert ecosystem.
Despite their distinctive behavior, Desert Purple Martins remain extremely understudied, with major gaps in our understanding of their nesting habits, migration routes, and wintering grounds. In this presentation, Jennie MacFarland will share recent discoveries and new research findings, along with captivating video and audio recordings that highlight the charm and fascinating behavior of these monsoon-timed birds.
About the Speaker:
Jennie MacFarland is the Director of Bird Conservation at the Tucson Bird Alliance. She co-coordinates the Arizona Bird Areas Program and leads the Tucson Bird Count, a citywide urban spring bird survey that engages the community in bird conservation and research.
📍 Location: Tumamoc Hill Boathouse (base of the Hill)
1675 W. Anklam Rd., Tucson, AZ
🚗 Parking:
Street parking is available on Anklam Road or in the lot at the corner of Anklam and Silverbell.
Note: There is no event parking available on Tumamoc Hill.
📞 Questions?
(520) 621-6945
✉️ tumamoc-hill@arizona.edu
