New Mexico | May 14, 2024

New Mexico Spring Migration Central Flyway, Santa Fe, Taos, eastern High Plains to the Pecos region.

Southern Rocky Mountains and High Plains, Birding during Spring Migration.

New Mexico is a spectacular state with astonishing ecological diversity–wet and dry habitats, wide-open blue sky, eastern plains, grasslands, mountain ranges exceeding 12,000 ft. elevation with wonderful Aspen forests, deep canyons, plus pine and juniper forests situated on the spine of the Continental Divide. Birding in New Mexico offers bird species found west of the Continental Divide–Pacific Flyway, as well as bird species from east of the Continental Divide–Central Flyway, which contributes to an impressive birding experience. Spring migration through the Rocky Mountains will be underway. Birds will be making their way to the northern nesting grounds. I will bring the latest field guides for you to use during the trip. Bring your camera to take advantage of the many photo opportunities this field trip will provide. I will bring a 60 Power Swarovski Scope for the trip to share. We do not get dirty on this trip, but bring a fleece vest and light rain cover.

Day by Day Itinerary

Arriving May 13, 2024, ending May 19th.
Arriving Monday, May 13th: arriving in the afternoon, check into the Albuquerque Best Western Airport. Your room will reserved for you.
May 14th: After breakfast, we’ll get an early start by birding The Rio Grande River Riparian habitat corridor.
Monday afternoon, we move to Mount Sandia to bird the summit for Pine Grosbeaks, Black-crown Rosey Finches, and Dark-eyed (red-back type) Junco. Our hotel will be in Santa Fe, NM, for three nights.
May 15th: we bird Santa Fe Canyon, an Audubon property. After lunch along Canyon Road, we’ll travel to Taos, stopping to bird the Rio Grande National Monument. Our hotel will be in Taos, NM.
May 16 and 17: we will bird in Taos, visiting several key birding areas, including the Rio Grande River Bridge State Park.
May 18th: After breakfast and check out, we travel to eastern New Mexico to Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge for grassland and raptor species.
May 18th: Our hotel will be in Las Vegas, NM,
May 19th After breakfast, we’ll bird the Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge. After lunch, we’ll drive to Albuquerque where the trip ends. If you plan to stay overnight in Albuquerque, you need to reserve a hotel room.

Reservations are being accepted for the 2024 field trip.

Download the registration form here.

Trip Details


Start date:
May 12, 2024
End date:
May 19, 2024
Destination:
New Mexico
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