If you haven’t visited the Paton Center recently, you are in for a real treat. Before becoming The Tucson Bird Alliance Paton Center for Hummingbirds it was known, for decades, as Paton’s Birder Haven, home to my parents, Wally and Marion Paton.  It has been over a decade now since Tucson Bird Alliance took possession of this world-renowned birding destination following the death of my parents, who resided there for nearly 40 years.

Since the dedication in December 2014, the Paton Center for Hummingbirds, as it is now known in perpetuity, has undergone numerous enhancements. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of  Tucson Bird Alliance’s leadership, staff and an army of volunteers, it remains one of the top birding destinations in the world, visited by thousands each year.

Most of the initial improvements were to the property itself. Additional acreage was acquired with new trails dug, a pond was dug and meadows cleared, invasive plants removed. New seedlings were planted creating a beautiful pollinator pathway, trees were planted including 350 Fremont cottonwoods and a stunning new viewing pavilion built.

Under the canopy at Paton’s Birder Haven, 1990’s

Today, birders enjoy a stunning new pavilion at the Paton Center replacing numerous canopies of years past

New shade structures were erected on the newly dug trails

Plans for the house moved more slowly with various options considered over the past decade. One of the main problems was the house location. Being in close proximity to the Sonoita Creek there was need to address flooding concerns. But after much due diligence, in 2024 Executive Director, Melissa Fratello, issued a statement that allowed many of us to breathe a sigh of relief. It was not always a given that the house would remain. Initial plans indicated that it would be torn down and a new 2 story structure built. This controversial idea was met with some sadness on the part of long-time Paton supporters. Paton loyalists, and there are thousands, feel strongly that the house represents more of a home – not just Marion and Wally Paton’s home, but theirs as well.

The Paton “House” will be saved!!!

For all those Paton lovers and supporters who understand the importance of the “house”  to the entire birding experience, we can breathe a sigh of relief – the essence of this remarkable place will be preserved.  In an email to membership, Melissa Fratello, Executive Director shared the wonderful news about the future of the “house” where my parents lived for some 40 years.

“After re-engaging a committee of long-time supporters, volunteers, staff, and board, we sought guidance from local architectural firm Vint & Associates. Bob Vint has a stellar reputation throughout the region, with extensive experience in historic preservation, and an affinity for the Paton Center. Working in partnership with Justin Turner and Julia Fonseca, local hydrologists with equally impressive depth of knowledge and experience, they assessed the feasibility of restoring the Paton house and constructing a separate restroom facility to accommodate our high volume of visitors.” 

“To our relief and delight, it has been determined that the property is structurally sound. To that end, the committee has endorsed moving forward with renovations that will meet the needs of staff and volunteers while maintaining the sense of place that visitors—including the feathered variety—have come to know and love. We are so pleased to maintain the “backyard feel” of the Paton house, honoring the legacy of Marion and Wally Paton, who for more than three decades welcomed visitors from far and wide to gawk at the birds that frequented their yard.”

“Our ability to steward and uphold the legacy of the Paton family rests solely on our dedicated supporters, and for that, we and the Violet-crowned Hummingbirds are deeply grateful.”

Recently we learned the equally exciting news that the house will undergo major improvements inside as well. New interior space will include a work area for preparing hummingbird nectar (the Paton’s former sunroom), a meeting space for 30 people, a memory wall, and a small gift shop.

With the hiring of on-site manager, Tom Brown, it wasn’t long before work got underway to renovate the aging house. One of the first major projects was replacing the roof, installing new windows and applying much needed paint.

At the top of the list for many birders has always been bathrooms and that became a reality in late 2025.

Two new ADA bathrooms and a new parking area hidden nicely behind some trees were recently completed.

The Paton Center is ADA compliant in many areas – a ramp leading to the pavilion, ADA parking spaces, even ADA trails. Even when Wally & Marion lived there, the property was somewhat conducive to those with disabilities due to the flatness of the site and the chairs and benches that my parents put out so birders with ambulatory issues could sit, relax and see hundreds of birds from the comfort of their back yard

“The birders have benefited in a myriad of ways and I would like to mention just a few. This is one of the few places where people with physical limitations can visit and view these always special, and sometimes very rare, birds, on an equal basis with birders, who do not have physical limitations. This is an immeasurable joy for these birders.

“For every person who appreciates nature and birds, this yard is a beloved home one visits to renew one’s spirit; to experience the joy of the beauty of a quick flash of metallic colors adorning  these jewels of nature, and to hear a sweet courting song, a dazzling display flight, or thrill to the sight of a rare bird.

“Each and every time a birder visits this yard, they also marvel at the generosity and warmth of the lovely couple who opened their yard and welcomed birders to partake in the wonders of nature, and what may be the truly irreplaceable, priceless ingredient in the treasure that is Paton’s Birder Haven.”—Darlene Smyth, Tucson Audubon Field Trip coordinator, October 2009

Long awaited new ADA compliant public bathrooms at the Paton Center – 2025

Most recently (December 2025)  a small gift shop was completed where the former patio of the Paton house was located. I love how the fireplace in my parent’s former living room was incorporated into the design. Beautiful! I am pleased that my book, “Journey Home, How a Simple Act of Kindness Led to the Creation of a Living Legacy,” will be available there. This book tells the story of   how this remarkable birding mecca came to be and the story behind the gracious and generous couple who created it.

” People all over the world know about the bird sanctuary in the back yard at 477 Pennsylvania Avenue, but few know anything about the special people who lived in the house and fed the birds every day for decades. Now we can get to know Marion & Wally Paton, their ancestors and their family. Their daughter, Bonnie Paton Moon, gives us a rich, detailed history of her family, and their legacy in a new book, ‘Journey Home: How a Simple Act of Kindness Led to the Creation of a Living Legacy.‘ …”

” ‘Journey Home’ is a wonderful tribute to Wally & Marion Paton. They were hardworking, unpretentious, and generous Americans. It’s a delight to get to know the Patons through this book, with photos and quotes and the obvious love that Bonnie Paton Moon brings to it. ” (Review of “Journey Home,” –  Ann Katzenbach, “Patagonia Regional Times” – 2016)

New gift shop at the Paton Center – 2025-26

Tom Brown, became the on-site manager at the Paton Center in 2024. In an interview for the “Patagonia Regional Times,” Tom provides details of all the many new improvements.

“This little mini spot right here is truly one of the best spots in the world for birders. It is a huge deal. SEAZ is truly magical. About 200 to 300 people a day from around the world come right here to experience what we offer.”

Tom has done an incredible job in overseeing the most recent site improvements and renovations to the house. He and the many generous volunteers have done an outstanding job of bringing the Paton Center to a higher level of excellence.

When asked about his important role of feeding the birds and greeting the constant flow of visitors to the property, Brown said:

“My mission statement is: This is always going to be Marion Paton’s Backyard. There is a tranquility and serenity here that isn’t found anywhere else. Audubon is currently doing a major restoration at the Paton Center. My job is to take this project over, manage the restoration, do the scheduling, obtain all the necessary permits, and manage the Center as a business. And I am at the same time the ‘Bird Person.’ I want to accomplish Audubon’s goals that they hope to achieve here and my personal goals align with Audubon’s.”

Renovations are rescheduled for completion in early 2026.

Despite the noise and the chaos of the construction birds seemed unfazed. They continue to show up by the thousands – seemingly mindful of the plan to keep this remarkable place, that was created out of an act of kindness and generosity, as a birding mecca for generations to come.

Paton Legacy Sign – Paton Center for Hummingbirds, Patagonia, AZ