Winter New Mexico

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch © Barry Zimmer

Experience the spectacle of huge numbers of wintering waterfowl and cranes at world-famous Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Raptors, sparrows, and southwestern specialties will also be plentiful.

The Rio Grande Valley of central and southern New Mexico plays host to an incredible array of wintering bird species each year. Tens of thousands of geese, ducks, and cranes descend on famous Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, the Bernardo Waterfowl Complex, and Caballo and Elephant Butte Reservoirs. An impressive list of sparrows occurs, some years in staggering numbers that cover the deserts and grasslands. Raptors abound, drawn by the abundant prey, with a combined total of 17 hawk and owl species possible. In addition, many southwestern specialties are resident and easily located at this time of year.

Expected species include Clark’s and Western grebes; 20 or more species of waterfowl; Ferruginous Hawk; Golden Eagle; Prairie Falcon; Gambel’s Quail; Burrowing Owl; Red-naped Sapsucker; Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay; Bridled and Juniper titmice; all three bluebirds; Townsend’s Solitaire; Sage and Crissal thrashers; Green-tailed Towhee; Black-chinned (irregular), Black-throated, Sagebrush, and Brewer’s sparrows; Yellow-headed Blackbird (a roost of often more than 5,000 in El Paso); and possibly all three species of rosy-finches.

The highlight of the tour will be a visit to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. In mid-winter, Snow Geese numbers may reach 30,000 and Sandhill Cranes about 5—12,000 at this wonderful refuge. The tiny Ross’s Goose winters in good numbers here as well. Prairie Falcons, and Bald and Golden eagles, patrol the huge waterfowl flocks, often sending thousands of birds into the air at once—a sight that will be forever etched in your memory.

With the abundance of wintering species, a good variety of resident southwestern specialties, and generally pleasant weather conditions, this short winter tour is a must.

Good accommodations; easy to moderate terrain; one uphill hike, otherwise mostly roadside birding; generally mild winter conditions with potentially cold mornings.

Snow and Ross's Geese © Barry Zimmer