Paton Center for Hummingbirds: What to Expect

The Paton Center for Hummingbirds (formerly Paton’s Yard) is a great place to go birding in southeast Arizona. You can sit in the shade and enjoy hummingbirds frequenting the feeders they have set up. I’ve visited the Paton’s Yard a few times, typically in the middle of the day when it’s super hot out. The seating and shade make it nice to cool off, have lunch, and digiscope hummingbirds.

Hummingbirds

The Paton Center for Hummingbirds is the best place to see the Violet-crowned Hummingbird. You can also see Black-chinned, Anna’s, Costa’s, and Broad-billed Hummingbirds. Here’s a picture of a Violet-crowned Hummingbird that I saw on June 2, 2013. Digiscoped with an iPhone 4, Celestron Regal M2 80ED, and Phone Skope Adapter.

The Paton Center for Hummingbirds | Violet-crowned Hummingbird

Other Birds

In addition to hummingbirds, you can easily view White-winged Dove, Gila Woodpecker, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Blue Grosbeak, and Summer Tanager. This female Summer Tanager gave us good really good views. Digiscoped with an iPhone 4, Celestron Regal M2 80ED, and Phone Skope Adapter.

The Paton Center for Hummingbirds | Summer Tanager

Digiscoping at Paton’s Yard is super fun. You can set up your phone and scope on any hummingbird feeder and click record to start the video. Sometimes, you can get two or three species in a one-minute clip! From all of the places I’ve birded in southeast Arizona, the digiscoping at this location can’t be beat. Especially if you want to practice taking pictures.

In conclusion, you really can’t beat the birding here. The views are close and the hummingbirds frequently visit the feeders. The lighting is typically good as well, so you can really study and learn the various birds you’re seeing. So, the next time you’re birding in southeast Arizona, be sure to put Paton’s Yard on your trip list. It never disappoints.

Want to take better Phone Skope pictures? Try using a Bluetooth Shutter Button. It removes any added vibration from tapping the phone.

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