Overview

Hidden away in the town of Paradise, Arizona, is the George Walker House - a B&B that not only provides a nice place to stay, but it also invites birders into the yard to watch the feeders. Located at about 5,500-feet elevation in the Chiricahua Mountains, this site offers bird species not often seen in the nearby, but lower elevation, birding mecca of Portal, AZ (4,800-ft elevation).

Departing Portal westbound, the Portal Road forks. Paradise Road forks right and leads up into the mountains. Winding up for about 5 miles on a somewhat rocky road, the road passes the Paradise Cemetery and reaches a T-intersection with a stop sign. Turn left onto S Turkey Creek Road and drive south about 0.4 miles. If not paying attention to the mileage, drivers will reach George Walker Road, on the right, at about 0.2 miles out. This is not the right road -- continue straight for another 0.2 miles to George Walker Lane. There are lots of signs for the George Walker House. Turn right onto George Walker Lane and drive up the steep driveway to the George Walker House (2228 W George Walker Ln).

Jackie, the lady of the house, is friendly and an excellent birder who provides running commentary on the birds in her yard. Wes sometimes takes over for Jackie. Two dogs live there, but if you are friendly, so are they. Often booked solid during birding seasons, the B&B rates are surprisingly low.

Look for lower- and mid-elevation specialties and even Juniper Titmouse and Arizona Woodpecker in the yard. Also keep an eye out for various hummingbirds (including Black-chinned Hummingbird, Blue-throated Mountain-gem, Rivoli's Hummingbird), Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Inca Dove, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Acorn Woodpecker, Steller's Jay, Mexican Jay, White-breasted Nuthatch, Scott's Oriole, House Finch, and Pine Siskin.

For more information, click George Walked House.

Link to Portal Area Map.