Archive for the ‘Down By The River FAQ’ Category

Lodging For Birders Near Benson Can Be A World Class B and B

During the monsoon thunderstorms, Mother Nature puts on a show for free

There are options when looking at lodging for birders near Benson, Arizona. There is only one bed and breakfast that has been labeled as one of the most spectacular b and bs in the US. Looking for a b and b located on the San Pedro River, one of the best migratory birding locations in the US. During the year a birder has a chance to find approximately 400 different species of birds along the San Pedro and in the nearby sky islands. There are about 150 species of birds that are year round residents of the area.  250 other bird species either winter or summers in the area or fly through during the Spring and Autumn migrations.

Vermillion Flycatcher after a moth.

Down By The River B and B is the one place where you are able to see a wide variety of birds while staying in a single centralized location. Down By The River B and B offers that unique spot allowing lodging for birders near Benson with access to the San Pedro River. If you wish to take short day trips Down By The River is that perfect spot to use as a lodging base.

Feeders attract the House Finch, American Goldfinch and Lesser Goldfinch near the patio area for easy viewing. A Says Phoebe nests at the porch beams and has done so for the last 5 years. Vermillion Flycatchers, Canyon Towhees and Curved Bill Thrashers can be spotted in the nearby trees during the day. Myriads of sparrows, doves, and quail spend time on the ground around the feeders. The friendly Greater Road Runner makes an appearance looking for lizards around the house. Birders have sat on the porch and enjoyed the view as the birds came to visit.

Goldfinches flock to the feeders at Down By The River B and B.

During migration we have encountered Bullocks Orioles, Red Winged Blackbirds, Blue Grossbeaks, Cardinals, Purple Martins and a variety of swallows. Sometimes we are lucky and get some good photos of the birds that frequent the B and B. The opportunity presents itself when least expected so have the camera ready. A little luck can be helped along when you are prepared.

We also have raptors that fly over the property during the day. The Sharp-shinned Hawk, Coopers Hawk, Red Tail Hawks and Northern Harrier all take time to do a flyover looking for a meal. Guests have spotted Grey Hawks, Peregrine Falcons, and Mississippi Kites along the river during their viewing. So take some time to join us and find out just why Down By The River is perfect lodging for birders near Benson.

The Greater Roadrunner is a frequent guest at Down By The River

San Pedro River Birds – My point of view.

Goldfinch, Warblers and other San Pedro Birds love to visit the feeders.

I have been given the chance to do a guest blog on the San Pedro River Birds. There are days that I sit at the door or the window and watch the San Pedro River birds with their variety of coloring. They poke around on the ground while others are at the feeders. Some fly high overhead while others glide over the fields behind the house.  I would like to have some fun sneaking up on them and surprise them with a quick leap.

The White-crowned Sparrow

I have three things I like to do every day – look at birds, sleep and eat but not necessarily in that order. Now I am not an avid birder like some people that come here. That is because my wait staff won’t let me out so that I can get face to face with some of the birds I see from the window and door. I guess I can’t complain too much since they do maintain my food and water and I can sleep anywhere and at any time since I own the place. I do find it tantalizing to think about the birds that flit about my residence. But let me introduce myself. Name is Eight Ball but I do go by Ditz. I was given that name because of some of my so called antics. I consider it normal meowing around. Such is life.

I am Eightball and you can address me as Your Majesty.

But I digress, so back to my story about San Pedro River birds. The American Goldfinches are here all year round and my staff keeps the thistle feeder filled on a regular basis. The sparrows, dove, quail and house finches spend a lot of time at the seed feeders. But sometimes they feed on the ground when the Gila Woodpecker gets on the feeder and flicks all the seed out.

Gila Woodpecker Getting Into Position To Have A Drink Of Nectar.

The hummingbirds are fun to watch as they hover at the feeder. I really like to watch them since they stay for a while and they always bring their family and friends. I don’t think that I could get near enough to them to scare them though since they are so fast. The Gila Woodpecker also hangs around this feeder and drinks the sugar water.

There are also some San Pedro River birds that catch flying insects. One is red with black wings but I don’t really see the red color very well. The other is grey and orange-ish. I have been told that they are Vermillion Flycatchers and Says Phoebes. I have some experience catching flying insects but those birds have an ability that I don’t have. I can only leap so high. From a branch, they take off very fast, grab the insect and go back to their perch and wait to start all over again.

Insects are always on the fly and dine menu for these San Pedro River Birds

I have imagined lying in the juniper below the feeders and then jumping out at the woodpeckers and watch them all scatter and fly off to a tree screeching at me. That would be so much fun. Just thinking of springing out of cover at the woodpecker gives me such a thrill. But my servants tell me if I tried to scare him, he would peck my eyes out. Me thinks that they have watched too much of the Christmas Story.

I only get to watch the San Pedro River Birds. Can’t hide in the juniper and leap out with my frightening MEOW.

Northern Harrier searching for prey.

I allow my servants to run a b and b here between taking care of my wants and needs. You ought to stay at Down By The River B and B and find out what kind of San Pedro River birds are around here. You could also see just how well I have trained them to keep things running smoothly. You could also enjoy sitting outside and watching all the San Pedro River birds; unlike me. I would love to get out and play with the San Pedro River birds but I have been told that the hawks or the owls might get me. I have seen some of them and they are rather large but I think I could smack them around if they got in my way.

Yawn…this has been exhausting.  So I guess I will just head to my box, lie down and dream about chasing a bird down. It has been a little tiring watching the birds and thinking about how to get out the door. I need a nap. Oh and you servants, the water and food levels are getting low, look after that will you. And do it quietly I don’t want my catnap disturbed.

On and leave the blog quietly I hate being disturbed during my nap.

A Birding Hotspot on the San Pedro River is at Down By The River B and B

From the back patio of Down By The River there is a path to the tree lined San Pedro River.

A birding hotspot on the San Pedro River is the Riparian National Conservation Area which is located just south of Down By The River B and B. Down By The River is abuts this birding hot spot and has access down to the river by a couple of ways.. One way is to travel about one half mile from our San Pedro River b and b property on Efken place back to Escalante Road and from there east to the San Pedro River. The other access is a pathway that has been established across the property of the b and b, through a gate and following a cut trail to another Texas gate. From there a path has been cleared to the river.

The path leads to a gate to exit the property at the b and b onto a common area with a path that leads down to the river.

The birding hotspot on the San Pedro River is because it is a migratory path for the birds heading from Central America up into the Northern States and Canada. While there are many birds that live in this part of Cochise County year round there are up to 250 different species that use the San Pedro River for food and water as they fly through. There are birds that also winter in the area and when it warms up they fly back north.

Angie and I took some time recently to take the trail down across the property and through the two gates to the path leading to the San Pedro. We cleared brush and burrs from the trail to make it easier for guests to use. When we got to the bottom and came out on the banks of the river, we could hear the chatter of birds in the trees.  Even in January the birding hotspot on the San Pedro River found on the length of the river wherever water is above ground.

The bank along the San Pedro River is treacherous and if you go off the path.

As we walked the river, we spotted numerous birds although most were on the wing and we weren’t able to make an ID. There were 3 that we were able to get pictures of. One was a flycatcher but we weren’t able to get close enough to make a good visual as to the species. Many different flycatchers are found on the river. The other was a Northern Flicker that let me walk up close enough to photograph him. He was in a tree about at about 20 feet up on a branch and eyed me as I moved closer. I was able to get a good photo of him. The third bird was a song sparrow that was in and out of an old stump that had been washed down the river. He played hide and seek with us until I was finally able to get a few pictures of him so that I could get an ID later.

Unidentified flycatcher was spotted in a tree

As birding hotspots go, the San Pedro River is one of the best you will find. At the northern end of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, Down By The River is the only B and B that is located on the river and has access from the back door. Guests have seen many birds here on their visit and we have documented that list. Click on this Birding Link to go the the page where we have our bird list. We also have a listing of guides that will make your experience at the birding hotspot on the San Pedro River a memorable time. To view addresses and phone numbers of these highly recommended guides check near the bottom of our birding webpage.  Check us out and find why our b and b is perfect for lodging near the birding hotspot – The San Pedro River.

The Song Sparrow was hiding amongst the branches in a old stump along the river.

The Norther Flicker can be found at the Birding hotspot on the San Pedro River