El Charco del Ingenio

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El Charco del Ingenio

Date of Visit: December 30, 2008

Most of the attractions of San Miguel center around the colonial center. If you tire of sightseeing, shopping, and restaurants and wish to get out into the countryside there's a convenient attraction just outside the city. This is El Charco del Ingenia Jardín Botánico.

The facility occupies a canyon and valley overlooking the city. There are 220 acres with dry chapparal, wetlands, and canyon zones. There's a conservatory of Mexican plants, cactus gardens, trails, two dams or presas, overlooks with views of the valley and San Miguel, and even a small store and cafeteria. Entry fee is 30 pesos per person.

This is a pretty good birding destination too. Here are the species we spotted in a three hour visit to the jardin.

Black-necked Stilt

American Avocet

Green-winged Teal

Blue-winged Teal

Great Egret

Northern Shoveler

Northern Pintail

Mexican Mallard

Ruddy Duck

Spotted Sandpiper

Killdeer

Solitary Sandpiper

White-faced Ibis

Vermillion Flycatcher

Curve-bill Thrasher

Canyon Towhee

Loggerhead Shrike

American Coot

Black Phoebe

Groove-billed Ani

White-winged Dove

American Kestral

Caracara

Northern Mockingbird

Cactus Wren

Mexican Jay

Gila Woodpecker

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Marsh Wren

Cassin's Finch

Bulloch's Oriole

Inca Dove

American Pippit

Gray Flycatcher

Black-chinned Sparrow

See below for pictures of the trip. For more information about RV destinations, things to do, and campgrounds throughout Mexico see our book Traveler's Guide to Mexican Camping.

Entrance Sign Open from 9 am to 5 pm
	Display Map It's easy to see what the jardin has to offer. Your 30 peso entrance fee includes a map to carry along.
The Upper Dam
	The Canyon
Vermillion Flycatcher
	Northern Mockingbird
Presa del Obraje and San Miguel beyond
	Loggerhead Shrike
Upper Reservoir
	Mexican Mallards
Green-winged Teal
	Northern Pintails
American Pippit
	Caracara
Cactus Wren
	Cafeteria A welcome sight after 3 hours on the trails.