We started the day watching the Snow/Ross’ Geese take off at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. I would say today’s take-off was about a 4.5 in my opinion. My cousin Heather gave it a 9 – that’s good, I want them to be happy. After the – Eh – Morning lift-off we started out on one of the loops around the Refuge.
My posse!
Plus Chris (in the plaid shirt)
Tons of Ducks & American Coots.
Northern Pintails
American Wigeon
We spent about 15 minutes watching two Coyotes that were actually leaping around the marsh – I didn’t get an action photo – but they were fun to watch. When I first spotted them I thought they were a large bird.
Coyote
A little past the Coyotes, Chris heard a Bewick’s Wren, so we stopped. There was also a Spotted Towhee in the same tree – two life birds for me. Oh, one of the Coyote’s followed us, even came up on the road – it finally moved into the marsh.
Bewick's Wren
Spotted Towhee
Immature White-crowned Sparrow - they were ALL over the place.
We stopped at another spot and the group went on a walk, I stayed at the van. That yielded me a Black Phoebe – flying over the slew, just as Chris had told me. Then I turned around and there were two Brewster’s Sparrows next to the road. When the group came back, Chris said – We should have stayed at the van.
Black Phoebe
Brewer's Sparrow
Chihuahuan Raven
Northern Harrier
We went back to Socorro for lunch at the Buckhorn Tavern (excellent burgers and such) and picked up a Ladderback Woodpecker. Then back to Bosque Del Apache South Loop for the afternoon. We started at the Nature Center in the desert garden – with several a number of new species and some old friends.
Gambel's Quail
Red-winged Blackbird
White-winged Dove
Pyrrhuloxia
We were in search of the Long-tailed Duck that has been there for a month and shouldn’t be – it’s a sea duck and there is no sea water anywhere near. We found it but Chris felt it was diving in desperation – probably slowing starving because it is out of its element.
We also happened up on a Black-necked Stilt which was in that area only the 3 time in December. Some really good looks at Western Meadowlarks too and a Mexican Duck.
Black-necked Stilt
Greater Yellowlegs
Bufflehead
Western Meadowlark
Mexican Duck
Further down the loop we spotted a Prairie Falcon – and it put on quite a show.
Prairie Falcon
All of us were tired and ready for a break, so as the sun went down, we headed back to the hotel.
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