New Mexico Ornithological Society - New Mexico Bird Finding Guide: Fourth Edition

By Outskirts Press

New Mexico has the 4th highest bird diversity of any state in the U.S. with nearly 550 species documented within its borders including over 300 species known to breed. At a biological crossroad between east and west and north and south, the state’s birdlife is influenced by the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, Great Basin and Chihuahuan deserts, and the sierras of northwest Mexico. An elevational range from lowland desert and rivers below 3,000 feet to alpine tundra over 13,000 feet also greatly contributes to its diversity. This Fourth Edition of the New Mexico Bird Finding Guide contains chapters covering each of the state’s 33 counties addressing nearly 400 birding locations to explore. These include easily accessed, well known destinations as well as sites that are obscure and remote. Detailed maps, directions, and lists of expected and ‘specialty’ species accompany each location. The guide also includes an annotated checklist presenting the status, distribution, frequency, and abundance, for all species recorded in the state. This will be a valuable reference for resident and visiting birders alike.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Outskirts Press
• Release date: Dec 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781977250995

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NEW MEXICO BIRD FINDING GUIDE, Fourth Edition

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2022 The New Mexico Ornithological Society

v11.0

The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Outskirts Press, Inc.

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ISBN: 978-1-9772-5099-5

Cover Photo © 2022 David J. Krueper. All rights reserved

Outskirts Press and the OP logo are trademarks belonging to Outskirts Press, Inc.

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Primary Authors

John E. Parmeter, Sartor O. Williams III, and William F. Wittman

Editor

William H. Howe

Maps

Patricia Mehlhop

Photos

David J. Krueper

Illustrations

Dale A. Zimmerman

The New Mexico Ornithological Society

P.O. Box 3068

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87190-3068

www.nmbirds.org

Cover Photo: Greater Roadrunner, State Bird of New Mexico

This New Mexico Bird Finding Guide is dedicated to the memory of Dale and Marian Zimmerman, editors of the first two editions, who for over 50 years enriched our avian knowledge in NM and in multiple areas worldwide.

(Photo by Allan Zimmerman; used with permission)

And to the memory of Jerry R. Oldenettel, a leading figure in New Mexico field ornithology, who over the past quarter century elevated birding in the state to the highest level. (Photo by David J. Krueper)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

NORTHWESTERN REGION

SAN JUAN COUNTY

McKINLEY COUNTY

CIBOLA COUNTY

NORTH-CENTRAL REGION

RIO ARRIBA COUNTY

TAOS COUNTY

SANDOVAL COUNTY

LOS ALAMOS COUNTY

SANTA FE COUNTY

NORTHEASTERN REGION

COLFAX COUNTY

UNION COUNTY

MORA COUNTY

HARDING COUNTY

SAN MIGUEL COUNTY

TORRANCE COUNTY

GUADALUPE COUNTY

QUAY COUNTY

CENTRAL REGION

BERNALILLO COUNTY

VALENCIA COUNTY

SOCORRO COUNTY

SOUTHWESTERN REGION

CATRON COUNTY

GRANT COUNTY

HIDALGO COUNTY

LUNA COUNTY

SOUTH-CENTRAL REGION

SIERRA COUNTY

LINCOLN COUNTY

DOÑA ANA COUNTY

OTERO COUNTY

SOUTHEASTERN REGION

DE BACA COUNTY

ROOSEVELT COUNTY

CURRY COUNTY

CHAVES COUNTY

EDDY COUNTY

LEA COUNTY

ANNOTATED CHECKLIST OF NEW MEXICO BIRDS

AUTHORS

PRIMARY AUTHORS

JOHN E. PARMETER – Regional Summaries, Bernalillo, Chaves, Colfax, Curry, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Roosevelt, Sierra, Socorro; co-author of Lea, Rio Arriba, Taos; contributor to Catron (Gila Cliff Dwellings), Luna (Uvas Valley)

SARTOR O. WILLIAMS III – Annotated Checklist; contributor to Guadalupe (Villanueva), Harding (NM 39), Hidalgo (Hachita)

WILLIAM F. WITTMAN, who sadly passed away before publication of this book – Catron, Guadalupe, Harding, Luna, Otero, Quay, Torrance, Union, Valencia; co-author of Lea, Rio Arriba, Taos

OTHER CHAPTER AUTHORS

JONATHAN P. BATKIN – Santa Fe

MATTHEW J. BAUMANN – De Baca; contributor to Roosevelt (Tolar)

STEPHEN M. FETTIG – Los Alamos

WILLIAM H. HOWE – Introduction (co-author), Sandoval; contributor to Chaves (sw corner), Guadalupe (Borica)

DAVID J. KRUEPER – Introduction (co-author)

JAMES M. RAMAKKA – San Juan (co-author)

TIMOTHY REEVES – San Juan (co-author)

CHRISTOPHER M. RUSTAY – Cibola, McKinley, Mora; contributor to Grant (Gila Bird Area), Union (Weatherly Lake)

MARCY T. SCOTT – Doña Ana (co-author)

NANCY G. STOTZ – Doña Ana (co-author)

WILLIAM F. WEST – Lincoln, San Miguel

JAMES E. ZABRISKIE – Doña Ana (co-author)

INTRODUCTION

This 4th Edition of the New Mexico Bird Finding Guide (Guide) provides an expanded and detailed overview of the best birding locations within each of the state’s 33 counties, as well as an updated Annotated Checklist of Birds briefly describing the status and distribution of all birds that have been recorded in the state. This Guide builds upon the 3rd Edition published in 2002, incorporating much of what was written by the authors of those chapters along with information on additional sites, updated directions, and detailed maps of the primary birding locations within each county. The chapters mention some species one can expect to find at each location (with an emphasis on those that out-of-state visitors may find of interest), a subset of the rarities that have turned up, and additional specifics on where to find highly sought-after ‘specialties’ as appropriate.

The state has a number of popular birding sites frequented by state residents and out-of-state birders alike, such as Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge and the Carlsbad Caverns area. Many parts of the state, however, are remote, difficult to access, and less well known ornithologically, with much yet to be learned at a time when species distributions and abundances are in considerable flux. Focusing on birds at a county level provides a convenient geographical reference for exploring the state’s birdlife. It is hoped that the additional detail provided in this Guide may increase coverage by birders and continue to expand our knowledge of the avifauna statewide.

Presented within are three state-level maps that may be useful for becoming familiar with various features in New Mexico. The outside back cover shows the state’s counties and river systems with locations (unlabeled) of some of the major reservoirs popular with birders. Just inside from the back cover is a map of the state’s major mountain ranges. Featured prior to this Introduction is a map depicting the primary road systems and cities across New Mexico plus the Bird Conservation Regions covering the state, descriptions of which are below.

As in the 3rd Edition, this Guide breaks down the state into seven regions containing three to eight physiographically similar counties. Each county chapter contains an Overview Map showing roads and major features, plus for most counties additional detailed maps of some of the major birding sites discussed in the chapter. In general birding locations within a county are presented from west to east and north to south, except when major roads or access to a county dictate that another approach makes more sense.

OVERVIEW OF NEW MEXICO AND ITS BIRDLIFE

Totaling 121,590 square miles and spanning nearly five degrees of longitude and three degrees of latitude, New Mexico is the fifth largest state in the United States, ranking slightly behind Montana in size and slightly larger than Arizona. Its geographic and biotic diversities are considerable, owing in part to a broad elevational gradient and in part to its location within the continent. Elevations in the state range from a low of 2,842 feet where the Pecos River exits into Texas in the southeast, to 13,161 feet atop Wheeler Peak in the Rocky Mountains near the Colorado border. The diverse habitats within the state range from lowland grasslands and shrublands upwards through the oak and pinyon-juniper zones, ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, and spruce-fir forests, to alpine tundra above roughly 11,500 feet. Within those zones, lowland and middle-elevation riparian woodlands are also critical habitats for many species of birds as are various wetlands, reservoirs, playa lakes, and saline lakes.

New Mexico’s biota is influenced not only by its elevational gradients but also by its geographic position at the intersection of five major North American physiographic regions – the Great Basin, Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, Chihuahuan Desert, and Sierra Madre Occidental. This juxtaposition results in a high diversity not only of birds but also of plants, butterflies, reptiles and amphibians, bats, and other taxonomic groups, making New Mexico a rich biological treasure on several fronts.

As of this writing 549 species of birds have been verified within New Mexico, ranking fourth among all the U.S. states behind California, Texas, and Arizona. Presently 306 of those 549 species are known to breed or are suspected of breeding in the state. The different physiographic regions contribute greatly to that diversity of breeding birds. For example, sagebrush flats in the northwest bring in Great Basin species such as Sage Thrasher and Sagebrush Sparrow, and the Rocky Mountains contribute White-tailed Ptarmigan and Boreal Owl, among others. The eastern New Mexico portion of the Great Plains supports Lesser Prairie-Chicken, Mountain Plover, and Dickcissel, whereas the Chihuahuan Desert grassland/shrubland mix is a stronghold for Loggerhead Shrike, Cactus Wren, and Cassin’s and Black-throated sparrow. Wetlands in the east contain the states only breeding Snowy Plovers and Least Terns. The Sierra Madre Occidental contains multiple species better known in the U.S. from southeastern Arizona, but also with limited New Mexico ranges, including Whiskered Screech-Owl, Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Thick-billed Kingbird, and recently, Black-capped Gnatcatcher and Rufous-winged Sparrow.

In addition to the breeding birds, most species breeding further north migrate through and/or winter in New Mexico, and wanderers from Mexico also make their occasional appearance. Coastal birds and seabirds occasionally drift into this land-locked state from both the Gulf of California (250 miles away) and the Gulf of Mexico (460 miles away). Here is a brief overview of the major bird groups in the state; see the Annotated Checklist for more detail.

Waterfowl (39 species). As an arid state, habitats for water-associated species are limited. Notable for attracting large numbers of waterfowl in migration and winter are Maxwell, Las Vegas, Bosque del Apache and Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuges, several State Wildlife Areas, large reservoirs in the Rio Grande, Canadian, and Pecos river valleys, and scattered small playa lakes in the east. Snow, Ross’s, Canada, and Cackling geese occur by the thousands. At times the large reservoirs (especially Elephant Butte and Caballo lakes) attract large flocks of Gadwall and Common Merganser.

Upland Game Birds (11 species, 2 extirpated). Dusky Grouse inhabits several of the northern and western mountain ranges. Lesser Prairie-Chicken is found in several parts of the eastern plains although access to leks may vary over time. Good numbers of Scaled and Gambel’s quail populate the lowlands, with Scaled favoring grassy habitats and Gambel’s prevalent in desert shrublands. Montezuma Quail occurs on grassy juniper and oak slopes in the southwest quarter of the state.

Waterbirds (82 species). Most of these, comprising colonial and non-colonial species of loons, grebes, pelicans, cormorants, herons and allies, rails, gallinules, coots, cranes, gulls, and terns, occur in the state in small numbers. An exception is the thousands of Sandhill Cranes that winter around eastern playas and associated agricultural areas, the Rio Grande Valley, and parts of the southwest. Large numbers of Western and Clark’s grebe nest in upper parts of Elephant Butte Lake and elsewhere, and in some years hundreds of Eared Grebe breed in northern lakes. Scattered small heron rookeries are located in river valleys across the state consisting mostly of Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron and Black-crowned Night-Heron, with Great, Snowy, and Cattle egret more local and in smaller numbers. Many species of gulls visit New Mexico; Ring-billed is by far the most abundant and Franklin’s migrates through in moderate numbers.

Shorebirds (45 species). Important populations of Mountain Plover and Long-billed Curlew nest in the state’s grasslands. Snowy Plover occurs at various saline lakes, breeding primarily at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge. That refuge is also one of the best locations for migrating shorebirds, but other areas at times host good numbers including the large reservoirs when water levels are low, exposing extensive shoreline.

Landbirds (372 species). See the Annotated Checklist, county chapters, and the section below on bird conservation for more detail on these.

NEW MEXICO CLIMATE AND POTENTIAL HAZARDS

New Mexico’s climate is one of extremes, with hot dry summers in the lowlands especially in the south and east, and cold snowy winters in montane areas in the north, on average. It is an arid state overall, with low humidity and abundant sunshine on most days of the year statewide. Because of its elevation and dry air, solar radiation can be quite intense at any elevation at any season. Wearing a hat along with liberal use of sunscreen is highly recommended. Visitors unused to high elevations will find breathing and physical activity to be a challenge particularly when one gets above 7000 feet. Be aware of that and allow a day or two in the lowlands (i.e., 5000 feet or lower) to gradually become accustomed to the change. Always carry and consume large amounts of water wherever you go; at high elevations drinking and staying hydrated are very important to help avoid altitude sickness.

The summer monsoon season can be punctuated by sudden severe thunderstorms which may lead to flash flooding. At these times, pay close attention to weather forecasts and avoid arroyos and stream crossings which may become dangerous raging torrents due to storms occurring at higher elevations. At the other extreme, in recent years New Mexico has been plagued by persistent drought and extensive brushland and forest fires. Access to montane areas during such times may be limited and numerous National Forests may be entirely closed. When fire danger is high it is recommended that you contact the managing agency of the land you wish to access for information on potential restrictions or closures.

The state is not without its hazardous creatures. Rattlesnakes are widespread in lowlands and at middle elevations, so be aware of that possibility when birding grasslands, shrublands, and riparian woodlands at least up into the pinyon-juniper zone. Rocky slopes in particular are favorite haunts, but they can be encountered in multiple habitats. Watch where you step! Scorpions and black widow spiders are also entities to be aware of in low and middle elevations, though fairly easily avoided if one pays attention. Mark-recapture studies of scorpions have indicated densities of hundreds or more per acre in places. However, because individual scorpions spend over 95% of their lives underground they are relatively infrequently encountered on the surface. Nevertheless, exercise caution when moving brush or rocks as they are often found under those when not underground. Most species are relatively innocuous with a mild sting, but one species – the Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) – is very poisonous and occurs in the southwestern part of New Mexico as well as in much of Arizona. Black widows (Latrodectus sp.) are common spiders throughout the state especially in the warm lower elevations. Numerous in populated areas as well as in the wild, its presence is often betrayed by its web – a loose tangle of strong sticky strands up to a foot or more across, and often with leaves or other debris caught in them. A good rule of thumb is to not grasp anything with your hands until you’re certain there is nothing unpleasant lurking on the other side. Be especially vigilant for black widows in outhouses.

If birding the southern border areas especially in the bootheel of southwestern New Mexico, do not go alone. There is a considerable movement of people across the border from Mexico, and although the vast majority are totally harmless and in search of better lives, there certainly exists a bit of drug smuggling activity especially in remote mountain ranges. Birding there alone is risky; one is much safer in groups.

BIRD CONSERVATION EFFORTS

In North America bird conservation has been coordinated by four major initiatives: the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (nawmp.org), Waterbird Conservation for the Americas (waterbirds.org), the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Partnership (shorebirdplan.org), and for landbirds, Partners in Flight (partnersinflight.org). All of these initiatives consist of a varied group of governmental agencies, conservation organizations, private businesses, and interested individuals working together for a common conservation goal. These initiatives as well as New Mexico-specific efforts are mentioned so readers of this Guide are aware of these activities. Setting conservation priorities in these plans depends upon accurate current data on avian occurrence, distribution, and abundance. Visiting birders to New Mexico are strongly encouraged to report their sightings to the New Mexico Ornithological Society (more detail on that below) to assist in these efforts.

Due to its size and the large acreage of multiple distinct habitats, New Mexico has an important role to play in bird conservation. Being an arid state, the initiative most relevant to New Mexico is Partners in Flight for landbirds, but the state is a player in the other initiatives as well. Land managers may take steps to protect or enhance populations of species already identified as Threatened or Endangered, or by maintaining large blocks of important habitats for species that are considered vulnerable to serious population declines.

For the past 30 years Partners in Flight has spearheaded the conservation of landbirds in North America. Their mission: Keeping common birds common and helping species at risk through voluntary partnerships. To further these efforts and facilitate conservation at more manageable scales, North America has been divided into ecologically distinct Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs, see map) defined by similarities in avian communities, habitat assemblages, and shared resource management issues. Portions of four of these BCRs overlap New Mexico, each of which extends into other states and/or Mexico: the Southern Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau (BCR 16), Shortgrass Prairie (BCR 18), Sierra Madre Occidental (BCR 34), and Chihuahuan Desert (BCR 35). Since their initial development, BCRs have become the focal scale for coordinating and implementing integrated, all-bird conservation.

Partners in Flight has identified at a continental scale landbirds requiring immediate conservation attention as well as those with vulnerable populations requiring close attention, either through attempts to reverse ongoing population declines or to prevent populations from declining. This effort has been stepped down to the state scale by New Mexico Partners in Flight – now called New Mexico Avian Conservation Partners – which has recently revised the New Mexico Bird Conservation Plan (avianconservationpartners-nm.org). These activities have also been used to inform the bird portion of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s State Wildlife Action Plan (wildlife.state.nm.us).

Following is a brief description of each of New Mexico’s BCRs. Detail on New Mexico’s biogeography, historical land use patterns, key habitats within each BCR, and the priority species for conservation may be found in the NM Bird Conservation Plan referenced above.

BCR 16 — Southern Rocky Mountains/Colorado Plateau. This largest of New Mexico’s BCRs (roughly 33 million acres) covers most of the northwestern two-thirds of the state. Topographically variable with great habitat complexity, it includes the north-central mountains, the Colorado Plateau, and the central Mogollon Mountains.

BCR 18 — Shortgrass Prairie. This BCR (16 million acres) generally coincides with the boundary of New Mexico’s eastern plains, roughly the eastern quarter of the state. It includes extensive grasslands and shrublands, and important playa wetlands and saline lakes. Playa lake habitats consists of numerous shallow wetlands that support a large number of migrating and wintering waterfowl; saline lakes attract a high variety of shorebirds during migration.

BCR 34 — Sierra Madre Occidental. Located in the southwestern quadrant, New Mexico’s smallest BCR segment (7 million acres) includes the Mogollon and Pinos Altos mountains, the Black Range, and the bootheel mountain ranges. Southeast Arizona and southwest New Mexico contain only the northernmost portion of this BCR, most of which lies in northwest Mexico. The region is characterized by a complex sky island montane topography with semi-arid scrub and important grassland habitats at lower elevations.

BCR 35 — Chihuahuan Desert. This BCR covers some 22 million acres in the southern half of the state consisting of desert scrub and grassland, isolated mountain ranges including the Sacramento and Guadalupe mountains, and important riparian and wetland areas along the Rio Grande and Pecos River drainages.

NEW MEXICO ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND REPORTING BIRD RECORDS

The New Mexico Ornithological Society (NMOS) was organized in 1962 to gather and disseminate accurate information concerning the bird life of New Mexico. Additional functions include promoting appreciation of the value of birds, furthering effective conservation of the state’s avifauna, and producing publications relevant to these interests. The NMOS publishes quarterly the NMOS Bulletin and the NMOS Field Notes. The Bulletin contains peer-reviewed scientific papers on studies conducted on New Mexico birdlife, plus information on events of interest to the New Mexico ornithological community such as the NMOS annual meeting. Field Notes provides seasonal summaries of bird observations in the state in greater detail than are published in the journal North American Birds, which is space-limited with the ability to focus only on those observations that are deemed most noteworthy. View the Society’s website at nmbirds.org.

The NMOS would not be able to track changes in status and distribution of New Mexico’s avifauna without extensive contributions from birders, serious and novice alike. All individuals are encouraged to submit their observations to the Field Notes. One may do so by sending the information to Dr. Sartor O. Williams III, 1819 Meadow View Drive NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104-2511, or by emailing him at [e-mail]. Especially solicited are records of uncommon species, nesting birds, and early, late, or out-of-season/range birds. Details are necessary for unusual records. These are identified in the Annotated Checklist as Review Species (marked with an asterisk – species requiring as thorough detail as possible) and Sketch Detail species (marked with a ‘degrees’ symbol – species less rare than those on the Review List but still requiring sufficient detail to ensure the species are correctly identified). Details may be submitted on a report form (available at nmbirds.org) although any written format is acceptable. Photographic and/or audio documentation are very helpful.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

As with previous editions, this 4th Edition of the New Mexico Bird Finding Guide was made possible through input from many dozens of birders throughout the state. Much appreciation is extended to the authors of the county chapters in the 3rd edition – Doug Emkalns, Alan P. Nelson, Bruce Neville, John Parmeter, Timothy Reeves, Christopher Rustay, and Dale Zimmerman – whose language provided the framework for many of the current chapters, revised and expanded as appropriate.

In addition to being primary authors, John Parmeter and Sartor (Sandy) Williams III provided invaluable input on the avifauna at birding locations statewide, greatly refining and improving many chapters. The many other chapter authors provided detail on multiple sites beyond their respective counties. Others contributing vital information on birding locations included Grant Beauprez, Steven Cox, Ariel Elliott, Kathy Granillo, Erin Greenlee, David Hawksworth, Judith Liddell, Kristin Linner, Chris Lohrengel, Katie McVey, Jerry Oldenettel, Jennifer Owen-White, Jeffrey Sanchez, and Jarrod Swackhamer. Sandy Williams and Patricia Mehlhop provided extensive reviews of chapter texts and spent countless hours clarifying directions and mileages for sites throughout the state. Nancy Hetrick developed the Index, and during the process offered numerous valuable editorial suggestions.

Patricia Mehlhop’s detailed crafting of the Guide’s 50 maps was made possible through the cooperation and assistance of Natural Heritage New Mexico, who provided access to computers, map-making software, expertise, and guidance throughout the map-making process.

Much appreciation goes to NMOS President Kathy Granillo for exploration of printing options for this book, and whose persistence and encouragement made publication of this book possible.

A special thanks to my wife Mari, who put up with me for far too long during the production of this book.

William H. Howe, Editor

NORTHWESTERN REGION

(San Juan, McKinley, and Cibola Counties)

Mountain Bluebird

THE NORTHWESTERN REGION is composed of three counties bordering Arizona, from north to south being San Juan, McKinley, and Cibola. These are all located within the Southern Rocky Mountains/Colorado Plateau Bird Conservation Region (see Introduction for description). San Juan County, also bordering Colorado and the only New Mexico county lying entirely west of the continental divide, is largely isolated from the rest of the state, but it has a substantial human population and has long been home to one of the state’s more active birding communities. The city of Farmington offers numerous accommodations and is the best base for exploration. McKinley and Cibola counties lie along Interstate 40 (I-40) and birding can be based from Gallup, Grants, or even Albuquerque.

This region is composed of Great Basin desert, canyonlands, mesas, and a few isolated mountain ranges, of which the most important are the Chuskas in San Juan County, the Zunis in McKinley and Cibola counties, and Mount Taylor, which rises to 11,300 feet on the McKinley/Cibola border. Important bodies of water include Morgan Lake and Navajo Lake in San Juan County and Bluewater Lake on the McKinley/Cibola border. The San Juan River, New Mexico’s largest by volume flow, runs through northern San Juan County and offers some good riparian habitat.

Despite its geographic location, this region has no avian specialties not found elsewhere in New Mexico. When the third edition of this guide was written, Barrow’s Goldeneye regularly wintered on the San Juan River below Navajo Dam and was considered a regional specialty, but that population has dwindled or disappeared altogether and the species is now found more regularly in the North-Central Region. The Northwestern Region contains much sagebrush shrubland and pinyon-juniper woodland, and thus harbors the largest breeding populations of Sage Thrasher, Brewer’s Sparrow, and Sagebrush Sparrow in the state, and perhaps also the largest Pinyon Jay population. The San Juan River harbors resident northern riparian species such as Black-billed Magpie and Black-capped Chickadee, as well as a good diversity of summering riparian birds that include eastern species such as Eastern Kingbird (local) and Common Grackle, and northern species such as Cedar Waxwing. Sought-after species that occur locally in this region include Gray Vireo and Bendire’s Thrasher. The breeding avifauna is distinctly northern, but a few southern species such as Acorn Woodpecker, Grace’s Warbler, and Hepatic Tanager occur locally in the region’s mountains. The mountains in this region lack several of the high-altitude specialties found in North-Central New Mexico, but there are still a number of interesting resident or breeding montane species, such as Dusky Grouse (rare), Flammulated Owl, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Williamson’s Sapsucker, American Three-toed Woodpecker, and Clark’s Nutcracker. The best montane birding is in the Chuskas and Zunis, since much of Mount Taylor is closed to the public. Among sites for water birds, Morgan Lake west of Farmington is outstanding for both variety of common species and rarities in migration and winter; Bluewater Lake (often frozen in winter) also often hosts unusual species in migration, especially in fall.

Loggerhead Shrike

SAN JUAN COUNTY

Timothy Reeves and James M. Ramakka

This 5,500-square-mile county occupies the northwestern corner of New Mexico and forms a portion of the Four Corners area. The city of Farmington and the nearby towns of Aztec and Bloomfield provide accommodations, shopping, and city parks for birding (Overview Map). Birding is quite varied in the county owing to five rivers, numerous lakes, and a wide variety of habitats. The San Juan, Animas, La Plata, and other rivers provide abundant riparian habitat, although access is localized. Large reservoirs include Navajo, Morgan, Farmington, and Jackson lakes. Vegetation types include grassland, salt-desert shrub, greasewood, sagebrush, pinyon-juniper woodland, ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, spruce/fir/aspen forests, and deciduous riparian woodland. Elevations range from 4625 feet east of Four Corners to 9370 feet atop the Chuska Mountains. Birding is excellent for waterfowl year round, raptors in winter, water birds of all kinds, migrating warblers and vireos, and northern specialties in winter, the latter especially in the Chuska Mountains.

EASTERN SAN JUAN COUNTY

Farmington lies at the confluence of the Animas, San Juan, and La Plata rivers at 5,250 to 5,600 feet elevation (Overview Map). Woodlands line the river banks surrounded by hills containing pinyon-juniper woodland, sagebrush, and grassland.

Lake Farmington has a wide variety of birds year round. Also called Farmington Lake or Beeline Reservoir, this 198-acre lake sits at the eastern boundary of the city limits. There is a $5 daily use fee. From the stoplight at the intersection of 20th Street and East Main, drive east on East Main Street (NM 516) for 4.5 miles. The paved road to the lake is on the north (left) side at milepost 7 in front of the large Welcome to Farmington sign. Some map programs may indicate access to the lake via CR 3535 and CR 3544, but this route crosses private land and is not recommended. Dirt roads circle the lake and may be very muddy or have deep sand. Rare or unusual migrant water birds are among the highlights. Among multiple common species of waterfowl, those recorded here include Trumpeter Swan in winter (from the illegally released population in Pagosa Springs, CO), Yellow-billed, Pacific, and Common loon, Red-necked and Horned grebe, Greater Scaup, Long-tailed Duck, White-winged and Surf scoter, and Red-breasted merganser. One may also encounter Bald Eagle (winter), a variety of shorebirds (low numbers), Sabine’s, Bonaparte’s, Franklin’s, California (year round), and Herring gull. Rare gulls have included Iceland (Thayer’s) and Lesser Black-backed. Land birds in the area include resident Ring-necked Pheasant, Downy Woodpecker, Juniper Titmouse, Brown Creeper, Western and Mountain bluebird, Cedar Waxwing, and Spotted Towhee. Townsend’s Solitaire is regular in migration, and Northern Shrike and Hermit Thrush in winter.

Lake Luther is part of a housing development but with public access, and is only a short air distance from Lake Farmington across NM 516. From Farmington go east on East Main Street (NM 516) and turn southeast (right) on Old Aztec Highway (CR 3520) at the east end of the cemetery on the south side of Main Street. From the Lake Farmington turnoff drive west on NM 516 for 1.2 miles and turn left on Old Aztec Highway. Once on Old Aztec Highway drive 1.3 miles and turn right (south) on Lake Shore Drive at the west end of the lake. Park on the roadside where there are openings in the surrounding trees allowing viewing of the lake. This small 20-acre lake holds a variety of ducks especially in winter if the lake is not frozen. Greater White-fronted Goose, Greater Scaup, Hooded Merganser and Horned Grebe have occurred. When the lake is partly or all frozen, Ring-billed, California (uncommon), and Herring (rare) gulls often sleep on the ice. Each winter there are feral Trumpeter Swans from the Pagosa Springs, CO flock previously mentioned. Check surrounding trees for land birds.

Three parks in eastern Farmington offer access to riverine habitats along the Animas River: Berg Park and Gateway Park on the north side of the river, and Animas Park on the south side (Map A). The Riverside Nature Center in Animas Park has a county bird checklist, regular field trips, and instructional sessions in the park. Directions to each park are from the intersection of East Main Street and the Browning Parkway (NM 516). For Gateway Park, go east on E. Main Street (which is NM 516 from here on) for 0.45 miles to the intersection with 20th Street. The park will be on the right just past 20th Street. For Berg Park, go west on E. Main Street for 0.2 miles and turn left on San Juan Boulevard, which curves westward. Follow San Juan Boulevard for 0.55 miles and turn left onto S. Fairview Avenue. Turn right at the T-intersection with River Road, which ends at the parking lot. For Animas Park, go south on the Browning Parkway, cross the Animas River, and take the first right turn after the bridge onto Browning Road. Bear right at the fork in the road and take the first right to get to the parking area. Good for riparian birds, these parks are especially active during migration, when the woodlands can be alive with warblers, tanagers, orioles, grosbeaks, and buntings. Local rarities have included Little Blue and Green heron, Broad-winged Hawk, Black Swift, Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Dipper, Swainson’s Thrush, Gray Catbird, Bohemian Waxwing (winter, rare), Cedar Waxwing (breeding), Phainopepla, Black-and-white, Bay-breasted, and Kentucky warbler, White-throated and Harris’s (annual fall, winter, and spring) sparrow, Summer and Scarlet (once) tanager, Indigo Bunting plus hybrids with Lazuli Bunting (breeding), Common Grackle, Cassin’s Finch, and Evening Grosbeak.

Slightly northwest of Farmington, Jackson Lake State Wildlife Area (Overview Map) features 60-acre Jackson Lake located 5.4 miles north of US 64/NM 160 (3.8 miles north of Pinon Hills Boulevard) on NM 170. A large parking lot frequented by fishermen is on the west side of the highway at this mileage. Several trails lead west through riparian woodland with cottonwoods and along a creek and past marshes to the lake one-quarter mile away. The lake has limited vegetation around it but gets a variety of water birds including Tundra Swan, many species of ducks, Common Loon, Eared and Western grebe, and Double-crested Cormorant.

Jackson Lake requires birders or photographers to have a permit – either a valid NM hunting or fishing license or a $5 Habitat Management & Access Validation (HMAV). A HMAV can be purchased on the New Mexico Dept. of Game and Fish website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/hunting/licenses-and-permits/license-requirements-fees/ or by phone at 888-248-6866.

Aztec, the county seat, is located on the Animas River 10 miles east of Farmington on NM 516. At the west end of the Animas River bridge about 0.5 miles west of the intersection with US 550, take Ruins Road north from NM 516 for half a mile to the Aztec Ruins National Monument (featuring Anasazi ruins) (Map B). A bird checklist can be purchased at the Visitor Center. The park is open from 8 AM to 6 PM from Memorial Day to Labor Day and 8 AM to 5 PM the rest of the year. The picnic grounds have numerous trees providing a pleasant shady spot to enjoy migrants and several nesting species. Sagebrush surrounds most of the ruins with wetlands with cottonwoods and New Mexico privet east of the ruins. Resident species include Gambel’s Quail, Lewis’s, Hairy, and Downy woodpecker, Brown Creeper, Brewer’s Blackbird, and Great-tailed Grackle. Wetland breeding species include Virginia Rail, Sora, and Common Yellowthroat. Other species reported here include Red-naped Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Waterthrush (rare migrant), Green-tailed Towhee, American Tree Sparrow (winter), Yellow-headed Blackbird, and Cassin’s Finch.

The best birding spot on the Animas River outside Farmington is Aztec Riverside Park. It is reached from the intersection of NM 516 and NM 574 just west of the Animas River bridge in Aztec. Go south on Light Plant Road into the park. This is good for Bald Eagle and Hermit Thrush in winter. Lewis’s Woodpecker and Brown Creeper occur year-round. Common Grackle is occasionally observed in spring, uncommon in summer, and only rarely seen in winter. In December 1999 a Varied Thrush appeared here.

The Mesa Mountains, Sandstone Canyon, and the Arkansas Loop provide the adventurer with a 4x4 vehicle access to excellent pinyon-juniper habitat plus canyons with ponderosa pine, Gambel oak, and Douglas-fir. Most of the roads on this route are unsigned gas field roads. BLM Surface Management Status Maps, with its Township, Range, and Section numbers, can be very helpful for verifying your location by checking the signs on well pads. Each well should have a sign indicating its location in latitude and longitude, the section number, and distance from the Section Line (e.g., 1750 FSL 2200 FWL Sec. 25 T31N R11W means the well is located 1,750 ft. from the South Line of Section 25 and 2,200 ft. from the West Line of Section 25 in Township 31 North, Range 11 West).

From Aztec, go north on US 550 from its junction with NM 516 for 9.3 miles and turn right on CR 2390 (Ditch Canyon Road) just before reaching the Animas River bridge (Map C). Park after turning off the highway and walk the abandoned road that parallels the highway toward the Animas River bridge and bird the riparian habitat there. Black Phoebe has been found here in some years.

Continue east, where CR 2390 becomes a dirt (or mud) road crossing a large sandy arroyo with cottonwoods and thickets (set your odometer to zero here), and climbs out of Ditch Canyon to the top of the Mesa Mountains with the highest elevation of 7000 feet atop Mount Nebo. If it is wet at all, do not attempt the steep road even with 4x4. At 2.5 miles after crossing the arroyo bear right off of CR 2390 to continue following the main gas field road, which parallels the canyon and then climbs up in a series of steep hairpin turns. In 5.5 miles more you will come to an unsigned 3-way intersection. The road to the left leads to Mount Nebo with pinyon-juniper and canyon country. Or, stay straight (the center road) to cross the Mesa Mountains. This route passes mostly through pinyon-juniper woodland. Summer or resident birds include Golden Eagle, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Common Nighthawk, Common Poorwill, Peregrine Falcon, Gray and Ash-throated flycatcher, Cassin’s Kingbird, Gray and Plumbeous vireo, Juniper Titmouse, Rock, Canyon, and Bewick’s wren, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Spotted Towhee, and Black-headed Grosbeak. The canyons have Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine with Olive-sided Flycatcher and Western Tanager. To continue the loop, follow the road as it continues north and eventually turns east. In 6.3 miles you will come to T intersection with a pipeline road, just beyond a large natural gas compressor station, turn right (south) and follow the main road as it curves left and then right and south becoming the Arkansas Loop road. Go 2.9 miles to Sandstone Canyon. Turn left (east) onto the road just before the ponderosa pines. Here one can see Plumbeous Vireo, Violet-green Swallow, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Western and Mountain bluebird, and Virginia’s Warbler (in oaks in canyon bottom). Further down canyon (east) Flammulated Owl inhabits the ponderosa pines. Follow the road for 2.8 miles to the end through pinyon-juniper woodland and sagebrush areas to find Gray and Plumbeous vireo and Juniper Titmouse. Return to the Arkansas Loop road. You can either return by your previous route across the Mesa Mountains or turn left to bird grassland and sagebrush habitats as you continue south for 6 miles to Hart Canyon Road (CR 2770). Turn right on Hart Canyon road and watch for Gambel’s quail as you drive 6.3 miles west to return to US 550.

Bloomfield is located 8 miles south of Aztec where US 550 joins US 64 (Overview Map). Riverside Park, located at the end of 1st Street (which runs south from the junction of US 550 and US 64) has had nesting Barn Owl and Eastern Kingbird. A trail leads east along the San Juan River on BLM public land into thickets and cottonwood woodlands.

Huerfano Mountain area. The sagebrush flats between Angel Peak and Huerfano Mountain have a number of nesting shrubland/grassland species including Northern Harrier, Horned Lark, Sage Thrasher (a few), Sagebrush Sparrow, and Western Meadowlark. To access the area, drive south on US 550 for 21.4 miles from the intersection of US 550 and NM 64 (Broadway) in Bloomfield. Turn left on CR 7425. Drive east-northeast for 1.3 miles and bear left on a road lined with white and yellow pipeline markers. The road will pass through an old sagebrush treatment area which now contains scattered sage and grassland habitat. After 1.6 miles, turn right (east) at a junction of several roads. Continue east for 4.9 miles as the habitat changes into larger grassland patches. The road will rejoin CR 7425 at a natural gas compressor station. Turn right (southwest) on CR 7425, continue for roughly 4 miles, and turn left on to a road leading 0.4 mi to a well pad below the northeast side of Huerfano Mountain. Habitat here is primarily healthy untreated sagebrush with a stringer of pinyon pine and juniper trees. Species that may be observed here include Scaled Quail, Golden Eagle, Loggerhead Shrike, Horned Lark, Brewer’s, Vesper, and Sagebrush (a few) sparrow, Lark Bunting (sporadically in summer; most likely after wet winters and springs), and Western Meadowlark. Return to CR 7425, turn left and drive another 0.5 miles and turn left at another short well pad road which passes through similar habitats. Return back to CR 7425, turn left and drive 1.9 miles to return to US 550.

Blanco Trading Post and Navajo 57. The loop described here offers some areas of good-quality sagebrush habitat, with nesting Sage Thrasher and Brewer’s and Sagebrush sparrow. There are also large areas of sage which have been treated with herbicide and converted to grasslands. In the summer these habitats support Common Raven, Horned Lark, and Western Meadowlark. The area is located 27 miles south of the intersection of NM 64 and US 550 in Bloomfield (Overview Map), south of Huerfano Mountain. Driving south on US 550 beyond Huerfano Mountain, the now closed Blanco Trading Post will be on the right (west) side of the highway at its intersection with Navajo 57. Turn right (west) on Navajo 57, drive 2.2 miles, and turn left and cross a cattleguard. Within a few hundred yards you will encounter a fenced, black-plastic-lined pond beside a large metal tank and livestock water troughs. Birds frequently perch on the fence to access the water (especially late summer family groups) including Say’s Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, Brewer’s, Lark, and Vesper sparrow, and Lark Bunting.

Return to Navajo 57, turn left and continue past the Brethren in Christ Mission for 0.9 miles. Just past the cattle pens and cell phone tower, turn right on to CR 7610. After 0.3 miles bear right on to CR 7520 and proceed through treated sage habitat for 3.7 miles to CR 7500. Bear right and travel about 5 miles to return to Hwy 550. Or, turn left on CR 7500 to go to the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness.

Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness and Split Lip Flats. This 60 mile loop can begin either in Farmington or Bloomfield (Overview Map). From the intersection of NM 64 and US 550 in Bloomfield drive 23.2 miles south toward Huerfano Mountain. Turn right (west) off US 550 onto CR 7500. After 1.5 miles bear to the right to remain on CR 7500. This route will lead you through extensive sagebrush habitat with scattered pinyon pine and juniper trees. Watch for perching raptors as you pass under three powerlines. At 6.0 miles from US 550 (one mile southwest of the intersection with CR 7520) the road crosses under and then parallels a fourth powerline. Continue 0.8 miles further to the junction with CR 7150. Bear left and continue southwest on CR 7500. You will pass through low pinyon-juniper habitat for about 1 mile and then return to sagebrush habitat. Pinyon Jay, Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay and Juniper Titmouse are uncommon but possible in the pinyon-juniper habitat along with Bewick’s Wren and Spotted Towhee. Sage Thrasher and Brewer’s and Sagebrush sparrow nest in the sagebrush habitats.

Approximately 2.8 miles after the junction with CR 7150, the badlands of the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness will appear on the right side of the road. A BLM parking area and entry point is located to the right approximately 1 mile further west on CR 7500. This wilderness area is designated as a New Mexico Important Bird Area, primarily because it contains nesting habitats for Ferruginous Hawk, Golden Eagle, and Prairie Falcon. Other breeders include Great Horned and Burrowing owl, Say’s Phoebe, Common Raven, and Rock Wren.

The area known as Split Lip Flats begins about 1 mile further west on CR 7500 at a cattleguard and an unsigned entry point to the wilderness area. Here the habitat changes into an extensive grassland of galleta grass, interspersed with alkali sacaton swales and ancient sand dunes supporting grass and saltbush shrub communities. Scaled Quail are occasionally seen along the road, and Horned Lark is abundant all year. Mountain Plover has been recorded nesting in the badland areas and alkali flats. In rare wet years, American Avocets will nest at the edges of stock ponds and flooded swales, and Cassin’s Sparrow and Lark Bunting may nest in saltbush habitats. During winter, roosts of Long-eared Owl have been documented in saltcedar stands along arroyos, and of Short-eared Owl within the grasslands.

After the second wilderness entry point cross the cattleguard and drive 16.4 miles to NM 371. Turn right and drive 7.0 miles to the sign on the right pointing to the wilderness entry. Drive the rough dirt road (labeled CR 7295 on Google Earth and CR 7297 on Google Maps) for about 1.9 miles until it makes a T with the unmaintained CR 7299 (labeled CR 7290 on Google Earth and Google Maps but the road sign is labeled CR 7299). Turning left will lead to the Bisti Wilderness parking area but with few birding opportunities. Instead, turn right at the T intersection and drive 0.3 miles and then bear left. The road will dead end at an artesian well spraying water in the air. Runoff from the well has created four small ponds surrounded by sedges and bulrushes. During spring and fall migration, a variety of water birds (including White-faced Ibis and American Avocet) can be observed using the area.

Once you return to NM 371, continue north 34 miles to the intersection with US 64 in Farmington. En route you will drive through more extensive grasslands and the irrigated cropland of the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project. The irrigation project is not open to the public at this time.

In the northeastern part of the county the tiny town of Navajo Dam and nearby Navajo Lake, San Juan River, and Navajo Lake State Park, provide a spectacular setting of high cliffs and pinyon-juniper slopes for excellent birding (Map D). The river valley below the dam is filled with willow thickets and scattered groves of cottonwoods, Russian olive, and saltcedar, plus extensive wetlands with cattails, sedges, and rushes.

To get to these areas, from US 550 in Aztec take NM 173 east for about 18 miles through the town of Navajo Dam to the intersection with NM 511. From US 550 in Bloomfield take US 64 east about 9 miles to Blanco. Continue through the town; 1.5 miles after crossing the San Juan River turn left (north) onto