Birding Sedona & the Verde Valley is finally returning to inventory after a long and arduous re-editing process. Now in full color with new maps, an updated bird list corrected text to reflect road changes, and a new more legible format, Virginia Gilmore's classic guide to the birds of the region is on its way to birders bookshelves and bookstores.

There's a little-known birder's paradise waiting for you in the heart of Arizona. Amid mountains and spectacular red sandstone canyons, among the riparian beauties of the Verde River, Oak Creek, Tavasci Marsh and other waterways, in untold acres of grasslands, in sweet-scented pinyon, juniper, and Ponderosa Pine forests, birds--and birders-- have found a year 'round haven.

The long awaited book on birding Central Arizona is finally at hand. This authoritative text for seekers of the scarcely known Verde Valley area birding locations, and the birds you may find there is now available.

Until now birders wishing to explore the avifauna of Central Arizona have been in the dark. No guide exists to give pointers on finding the hotspots in this interesting area.

Virginia Gilmore was a long time resident of Sedona. She finally yielded, after much pestering, to Northern Arizona's Audubon Society request to set her vast store of local knowledge into type. And just in time - Virginia passed away just a brief time after publishing her book. NAAS has planted a stand of cottonwoods, the Gilmore Grove, at the Oak Creek Important Bird Area in Page Springs, AZ.

Gary Romig, wildlife artist and Jerome resident, collaborated to illustrate this information packed gem with handsome images of the local avian specialties.

What the critics say about
Birding Sedona and the Verde Valley

"Virginia Gilmore has long been an environmental advocate and avid birder in Northern Arizona. In the process, she has amassed a formidable knowledge and understanding of the birds of the Sedona and Verde Valley region. This area, long known for its awesome beauty…also supports an astounding array of beautiful and interesting birds. Virginia’s book provides a much-needed synthesis of ornithological information and grants others the opportunity to see some of the unique birds and landscapes of the "other," but no less spectacular, Arizona."

Mark K. Sogge, USGS Ecologist, Colorado Plateau Field Station, NAU

"This long needed book documents the remarkable diversity of avian life and habitats from the Verde River to the top of Mingus Mountain. This is an essential resource for both casual and avid birders. I keep a copy under the front seat, alongside my binoculars, and you’ll want to do the same."

Dr. Paul Beier, Wildlife Biologist, School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University

"Virginia has compiled an impressive array of birding sites on this fascinating area. Visitors and long time Arizona birders will find this guide  extremely useful in locating both the well known and many enticing out-of-the way locales the Verde Valley has to offer. Virginia has given us something to really crow about."

John Coons  Field Guides tour guide