Posted March 11, 2020
The San Xavier Mission, on the San Xavier Reservation, was constructed between 1783-1797 and is considered to be one of the finest examples of original Spanish Colonial Architecture in the United States. It is located just south of Tucson on I-19.
The grounds of the San Xavier Indian Reservation are a decent birding spot. The best birds, recently, were a family of 4 Crested Caracaras who in January roosted in the trees south of the main E-W road. To get to the site, take the San Xavier Mission exit off of I-19 and proceed west into the reservation. Then take the first left onto a well-graded dirt road with an illegible, small wooden street name sign. Cruise south on the dirt road and watch the trees, fields and hedgerows.
The Mission farms could be good for wintering mountain plovers and mountain bluebirds, and when they flood their fields, snipe.
I have not visited the mission – it will be another thing to look forward to. A lovely photograph BTW. The caracaras are so cool – what a great looking bird with that funky hairpiece on top . Nice shots!