Indulgent Birding at Casa de San Pedro–3 Day Field Trip
June 27-29: Indulgent Birding!
This is a three-day program focusing on birds morning and evening, with afternoons free to relax at Casa de San Pedro or explore the many natural and cultural resources of the area. Hummingbird banding is planned for Friday, from 4-6pm. La Casa website: https://www.bedandbirds.com
For those who have never stayed at la Casa, this is a unique opportunity to escape to lovely southeast Arizona, experience a B&B dedicated to birds and birders (garnering 5 stars from 94% of those leaving reviews on TripAdvisor), and enjoy birding, unlimited pies, and more over three days of activities.
Estimated costs:
· Casa de San Pedro – 2 nights = $450 plus tax. Casa will donate $10 per room per night to Tucson Audubon!
· Gas – suggested donation to your driver for carpooling (approx. 300 miles from Tucson) = $30 (donations in my car will go to TAS)
· Meals –
June 27 lunch at Copper Brothel 3437ff_
June 28 lunch optional; dinner catered/BBQ = $38
· Entrance fees –
June 27 – Patons Center for Hummingbirds ($5 suggested donation)
June 28 – Ramsey Canyon ($5 for Nature Conservancy members, $8 for others) and Ash Canyon ($10)
June 29 – none
Folks should bring one snack to share. I’ll bring the coffee cake and multiple snacks to share.
Friday, June 27:
· For those wishing to bird on the way to Casa, we’ll have a plan to carpool/caravan. Here’s a tentative itinerary for birding and lunch. Details will be available after folks register:
Sweetwater Wetlands outside of Tucson.
Las Cienegas, north of Sonoita.
Lunch at The Copper Brothel in Sonoita.
Patons Center for Hummingbirds.
4:30pm-ish – arrive at Casa de San Pedro.
· 4:30-5:30ish – hummingbird banding at Casa
· 6-7pm – dinner on your own or bring dinner and eat with other participants in the dining room.
Saturday, June 28*:
· 5:30am – coffee and coffee cake available.
· 6-7:15am – Early Bird Bonus! A slow wander around la Casa to see what’s showing up at the feeders and immediate environs.
· 3:30pm – State Birds of the Western States – while we share snacks.
· 5:30pm – a short walk down to the San Pedro River.
· 6:30pm – A catered Mexican dinner for $38, including tax and tip (if 10 participants) or a BBQ onsite (if fewer than 10 participants).
Sunday, June 29*:
· 6am – coffee and coffee cake available.
· 6:30-7:30am – Early Bird Bonus! A slow wander in the area around la Casa to look for whatever shows up.
· 8:30am – Breakfast.
Right after breakfast (and we won’t rush the delicious meal!): Approximately 3+ hour field trip to nearby grassland/oak habitat of Coronado National Monument and, time permitting, the lower part of Carr Canyon. Wrap up with snacks!
If this sounds fun and you want to register here’s how:
· First, contact Casa de San Pedro at bedandbirds@gmail.com, to check for available space. Book your room! Let Casa know of any food allergies.
· Second, register online at the Tucson Audubon website no later than May 15: Field Trips ⋆ Tucson Audubon (After May 15, if there is space, the program will be open for the Phoenix area Audubon Chapters.)
· Feel free to contact Kathe Anderson (your guide) at kathe.coot@cox.net if you have any questions.
You’ll be responsible for your costs of the program listed above, and any incidentals you may incur. As a bonus, though, Casa de San Pedro is donating $10 of the regular reservation rate per room per night to the Tucson Audubon Society. What a deal! You have a great time and TAS gets donations! Thank you, Patrick and Karl at Casa!!