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 – the Central Flyway, as well as bird species from east of the Continental Divide – the Mississippi 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 Sunday, May 5, 2024, Starting Monday, May 6, and ending Saturday, May 11th.

If you arrive on Sunday, May 5th, in the afternoon, check into the Albuquerque Best Western Airport. Your room will be reserved for you.

May 6th: 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,

May 7th: 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.

On May 8 and 9, we will bird in Taos, visiting several key birding areas, including the Rio Grande River Bridge State Park and the high-elevation Taos Ski Lodge area.

May 10th: After breakfast and check out, we travel to eastern New Mexico to Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge for grassland and raptor species.

May 10th: Our hotel will be in Las Vegas, NM,

May 11th: 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 2025 field trip.

Download the registration form here.