Ponds of various sizes are located on the monastery grounds. The sewage treatment ponds west of the RV park are surrounded by chain-link fence, and typically inaccessible to birders.  Volunteers attempt to keep cattails in check at the pond west of the chapel and farther north, west of the northernmost building. Due to drought and aquifer depletion, larger ponds may have scant water, whereas smaller ponds may be dry due to facility water system deterioration.  The ponds attract various species of waterfowl including Wood Duck in winter. Birders should be prepared to distinguish between Mallard and Mexican Duck. 

Likewise, birders may find an identification challenge with the year-round presence of both Chihuahuan and Common Raven.

The Monastery has a bird trail that provides access to the river. Drive to the end of the RV Campground on the Monastery grounds and look for the sign to the Bird Trail. Go through the gate and take the trail which heads diagonally left just past the gate.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo, a threatened species, have been recorded June through August.

Hummingbirds, primarily Black-chinned and Broad-billed, are present April through September. 

Belted Kingfishers are observed September into April.

Lewis’s Woodpecker have been listed December-January.

Plumbeous Vireo are noted October through April, as are Pyrrhuloxia.

Phainopepla and Rufous-winged Sparrow may be observed almost year-long.

Yellow-rumped Warbler are common in the pecan grove October-April, a time period when Black-throated Gray Warbler are spottily recorded. Other warbler species (such as Lucy’s and Yellow) are more prevalent April-September, while some (such as McGillivray’s) only pass through during migration months of April-May and Aug-September.

From 1974 until early 2017, an active Benedictine monastery with a retreat program, this 100-plus- acre property is located a bit more than a mile north of the northern boundary of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. Now incorporated as the Holy Trinity Monastery Retreat Center, the property continues to be owned by the Benedictine Olivetan Congregation and operated as a non-profit education center.  Resident volunteers maintain the facilities and programs.  Donations and proceeds from any activities are applied to those programs as well as maintenance of the grounds and buildings,

Grounds are open each day of the week from 8am until 6pm. You will find an office on your left, to the west of the pecan grove. You may park here or west of the cloister, between the gift shop and Bishop’s House.  Restrooms are located near the chapel.

A trail, variously signed as “Bird Trail” and “Bird Walk”, provides access to the San Pedro River, which often has very little running water this far north.  A trail head is at the chain-link gate west of the RV park. The trail forks immediately after the gate;  take the fork diagonally left for the longer route. Despite signage reminding visitors to close gates, it is not uncommon to encounter trespass cattle along the trail. The trail – 1.25 to 1.75 miles, depending on your route -- meanders through mesquite and tamarisk bosque, with the occasional large cottonwood.  You can also access the trail by skirting the west side of the pond north of the chapel, and then turning west. This path will “T”;  going south takes you to the RV park, whereas going north takes you to another pond.