A nest sits in a Cholla cactus along the Birding Trail in Catalina State Park north of Tucson.

Doug Kreutz / Arizona Daily Star

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Birds, as far as we know, can't read.

But take a trek on the Birding Trail in Catalina State Park and you might begin to wonder. So many birds fly, perch and nest along the route that it's almost as if they've taken note of signs identifying the trail — and felt obliged to make it their home.

"The trail is just a beautiful area for birds, all kinds of birds. You never know what you might see," says Sara Pike, an avid bird-watcher and manager of the Tucson Audubon Society Nature Shop.

A mile-long loop route in the park north of Tucson, the Birding Trail attracts a rich mix of species thanks to its varied terrain.

Along a riparian, or stream-side, segment of the trail with lush growths of cottonwood and velvet ash trees, you might see verdins, towhees or a Cooper's hawk nesting site.

The trail climbs a gradual slope to a desert hilltop in a zone of vegetation known as desert scrub. Here, along with grand views of rugged Pusch Ridge, you might see a Gila woodpecker, cactus wren or black-throated sparrow.

Nearby, in a mesquite thicket known as a bosque, the winged residents include thrashers, phainopeplas and pyrrhuloxias.

"The trail is especially nice because of these different types of terrain and different elevations," Pike says.

Keep an eye out along the way for birds' nests as well as birds — but take care not to disturb the nests.

To reach the Birding Trail from Tucson, go north on Oracle Road, which becomes Arizona 77. Watch for the signed entrance to Catalina State Park at Milepost 81.

Enter the park, where you'll pay a $6-per-vehicle admission fee, and drive to a parking area at the end of the main park road. The trailhead is across the road from the parking area.

Start walking on the main trail and watch for a signed junction with the Birding Trail just after crossing broad, sandy Sutherland Wash.