I started creating my Oasis in the Christmas Mountains adjacent to Big Bend National Park in 1996. At an elevation is 4100', the existing vegetation was pretty much desert scrub (i.e. lechugillas, creosote, sotol, mesquite, and in good rainy years, nice grasses).  Rainfall varies from 6 or 7 inches per year to as much as 20 or more inches in a very wet year.  With only low output seep wells for water the challenge is horrendous. Having lived there since 1980, I was well aware that a quick rain of 1/2 inch or more caused the arroyos to quickly swell, flash flooding for 30 minutes or so, then everything basically bone dry until the next time, which might be not for another year. Over the course of several years we built two diversion dams in the major arroyo and concreted 2 storage tanks to impound a year's supply (probably close to a million gallons) of water. I planted lots of trees and now have lots of birds for myself and other birders to enjoy.

Visitor's Policies

Only once have birders visited without prior contact or permission. They were graciously welcomed, as is every birder. However, they were lucky the gate happened to be open and lucky my sister, who lives near the gate, was home and could give them final instructions. They had gone many extra miles, and lost much time, unnecessarily, because they couldn't find the place. Locals they questioned finally got them as far as my sister's (where they later told me they had planned to give up and turn around). Birders who contact me for directions, seldom, if ever, go even slightly astray.

There is no fee if you come and do your own thing. I tried charging a fee (at my husband's insistence) for a short while, but it totally
spoiled the pleasure I derive from sharing my oasis with other birders. Large groups that require my birding services are charged a
small fee.

Pets are only allowed if they remain inside your vehicle, and under no circumstances do I allow minors. I require visitors to sign a liability release, which minors cannot
legally do.

Birders need to have a general appointment time prior to visiting. Thereafter, they can wander freely. I would appreciate them respecting
vegetation, (which everyone has been really good about doing), and minimal use of bird tapes. Please stay a respectable distance from nests
in use.

To get to my oasis there are about 7 miles of good-to-substandard dirt roads. Low clearance vehicles can make it by going really slow, but high
clearance is recommended.

My place is too wonderful not to share. I enjoy visiting birders, and they all seem to enjoy visiting. There are between 30-60 species present at any given time (though not always seen), depending on the time of day, weather, and time of year.