DVOC - New Mexico Field Trip 2004

Day one of the DVOC field trip to New Mexico.
Today, we had three main objectives: meet at the Albuquerque Airport, bird at the Rio Grande Nature Center and bird at the Petroglyph National Monument. The first object hinged on our three groups of travels all arriving in Albuquerque as scheduled. Steve and Nancy arrive the day before and only had to find us at the Enterprise Rental Car Counter. This was more a challenge than we had thought it would be as the counter was not on the airport grounds as we had originally thought but a couple miles away. Next Adrian, Bert, Tom, Bill, Naomi, Colin, Don, Jayne, Connie, Deborah and Doris all arrived as promised by American Airlines and Martin, Dennis, Anna, Dennis and Fran all arrived as promised by Continental Airlines. All of which fell into place as scheduled. Since the American Airlines crew arrived 15 minutes ahead of the Continental crew, Adrian and Colin went to get the vans. We were finally rolling from the airport a little after noon. A quick stop at Subway/Burger King for lunch and then we were off to the Rio Grande Nature Center.

The pond at the nature center held our first surprise and our first target species. The surprise was a nice drake Eurasian Wigeon and the target was Cackling Goose. We ticked them both off right away along with Ring-necked Duck, American Wigeon, Mallard, Gadwall, American Coot and Lesser Scaup. While working the waterfowl, we had the first few Sandhill Cranes fly overhead. Certainly, nothing but a mere drop in the bucket of what we will see in Bosque Del Apache but still always a treat to see and HEAR these birds. A walk along the trails of the nature center provided us with Dark-eyed Juncos (Oregon and Pink-sided races), White-breasted Nuthatch, White-crowned Sparrows, Mountain Chickadees, Bewick’s Wren, Pine Siskin, Downy Woodpecker, and Spotted Towhee. We also had a Botta’s Ground Squirrel working on its burrow near the entrance to the center. A look at the pond from this side of the nature center yielded a dozen or more Wood Ducks and some Northern Shoveler. We never found the “sparrow” flock that had been in the area and the resident Western Screech-owl was not being cooperative but still it was a great 90-minute start to the trip.

At 2:00, we headed off to Petroglyph National Monument. Here our targets were birds of high desert sage habitat: Sage Sparrow, Crissal and Curve-billed Thrasher and Rock Wren. We found the monument to be a bit quiet bird-wise although we did have plenty of Rock Wrens, two fly-by Say’s Phoebes, a quick look as a Sage Sparrow or two, several more White-crowned Sparrows, a Canyon Towhee and Bewick’s Wren. We also had Desert Cottontail and Black-tailed Jackrabbit to add to the mammal list. We were now truly losing light and since it had been a long day for most of us, we headed to the Comfort Inn. We did our day’s checklist at 6:00 before heading over to the Rio Grande Yacht Club Inn for dinner. While there may or may not be a yacht club but it was a decent meal and a fine way to wrap up the first day of this adventure. Tomorrow we head up to Sandia Crest for some high altitude (10,000 feet) birding especially all three rosy-finches.

Day Two of the DVOC trip to New Mexico
Today our primary target was the Sandia Crest area and specifically the rosy-finches that are found at the Sandia Crest House. Sandia Crest House is at 10,678 feet in elevation. From here, we would work our way south to Socorro to put us in position to bird Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. We began to congregate in the lobby of the motel for breakfast at 6:00 and we had the vans loaded and were on our way right on schedule. We had a dusting of snow on the vans to clear off the vans and the weather had indicated that an inch or two of fresh snow probably awaited us on the road to the peak. We started up the 14-mile drive to the peak and made a stop at a campground at the 2-mile mark.

We walked along a forest trail from this area to the next campground and then walked down the road to the vans. While we did have a few nice Townsend’s Solitaires and White-breasted Nuthatches it was, rather quiet and we did not find any of the promised woodpeckers in this area. We moved on up the mountain stopping where we could and where we were advised that there could be birds. We were particularly looking for Northern Pygmy-Owl, Pine Grosbeaks and crossbills. We had not luck with any of these targets and the remnants of the weather front that had dropped the fresh snow on the peak was still blowing itself through. We watched at least two other cars get pulled out of the snow as we climbed higher and higher. As we went of the mountain the weather worsened with fog and blowing snow. It was rather scenic as all the trees were dusted with snow. We finally arrived at the Sandia Crest House a little after 10 and walked inside where from the comfort of the lodge and gift shop we had great views of all three feeding stations and most importantly rosy-finches.

A few days earlier the reports had been of a mixed flock of rosy-finches consisting of 20-25 Black Rosy-finches and a few each of Brown-capped and Grey-headed Rosy-finches. Today we were treated to a mixed flock of 25-30 Black; 20-25 Brown-capped and maybe half a dozen Grey-headed Rosy-finches. Not only could we watch these birds from the comfort of the lodge for over two hours but we also were able to watch and listen to a team of banders who were actively working this flock. In addition to the rosy-finches, we also had a Stellar’s Jay, small flock of Pine Siskins (maybe a dozen birds); Red-breasted Nuthatches; “Oregon” Juncos and a Hairy Woodpecker. We also were able to have lunch at the lodge before starting down the mountain. The road on the top half of the mountain was still somewhat snow covered as the blow was still making headway but the lower half of the road was clear. Another stop at the campgrounds found many people enjoying the beautiful day and not more birds but we did have two Abert’s Squirrels.

Our route from Sandia Crest took us on Route 333 to Route 41 to Route 60 to Route 25 into Socorro. Route 333 is the old Route 66 and trivia about the stars of the old TV show soon were traveling the radio waves between the vans. It was not until much later that the name of Martin Milner was remembered. This route took us through agricultural fields and we were hoping for raptors and field birds. We had a few raptors that were discussed as we moved along since we had no shoulder to pull off on. Fortunately, the first perched raptor we had was where we had a road to pull of on. This turned out to be a juvenile Ferruginous Hawk. This hawk did not sit for long but gave us a wonderful look at this regal raptor in flight. We also had our first Loggerhead Shrike. We continued along Route 41 and had quiet a few more Ferruginous Hawks including a spectacular adult. We had tons of Western Meadowlarks and the occasional Kestrel. A stop for a dark phase Red-tail Hawk became even more productive as a small group of Eurasian Collared Doves, a male Northern Harrier, several 100 Horned Larks and a huge covey of Scaled Quail. We estimated 50 of these quail. We continued along Route 41 stopping for maybe a dozen Ferruginous Hawks. We stopped for another raptor that turned out to be a red-tail and had a small group of young Mountain Bluebirds. They provided a nice contrast in study for the group or Western Bluebirds seen earlier in the day. Here we also had a Sage Thrasher. We also had a pair of Chihuahua Ravens and a Great Horned Owl along Route 60 before we thought we would be making a beeline to the Econo Lodge in Socorro. However, shortly after crossing Rio Grande we came to a wet meadow that held a few hundred Sandhill Cranes and many waterfowl, which in the advanced twilight could not be identified but could certainly be appreciated from an “abundance” point of view. This was a sampling of what we would be seeing tomorrow at Bosque Del Apache. After re-sorting out our arrangements at the Econo Lodge we all dropped our bags in our rooms, met in the lobby to do our checklists before heading out for dinner.

Tomorrow the plan is to spend the day at Bosque beginning with the pre-dawn fly out and ending with the sunset fly in.

Day Three of the DVOC Field trip to New Mexico
Today was our first day to visit Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Bosque is one of the better known refuges in the system and a favorite of wildlife photographers because of the spectacle of Sandhill Cranes and waterfowl that winter here. Couple the number of individual birds with a dawn fly out and a dusk fly in as well as the wonderful winter’s light on the surrounding mountains and you have more Kodak moments than you can shake a stick at. In order to be at the flight deck (an observation platform specifically located for viewing this phenomenon) at dawn we would have to leave the Econo Lodge at 6:15. So it was an early morning and much to our chagrin, it was snowing. Yes, we came to the desert in winter for a break from the coming cold at home and we ran into the first major snow here in a couple of years. All told maybe 3 inches of snow fell in the early morning hours and we did not have a sunrise to watch. We still had 100s or cranes to watch as they left their night roost for a day foraging in the surrounding fields. We also had lots of Northern Shovelers and Northern Pintails, Wigeon and Mallards. A few juvenile Bald Eagles kept watch over the departing waterfowl and cranes. While enjoying the departing waterfowl we also had quite a few Western Meadowlarks feeding in the marsh edges and a Coyote.

From the fly out area, we worked half of the auto tour loop of the refuge in the snow. We did the best we could but the snow was really blowing and our optics were fogging up so it was a bit of a challenge. Still we had “looks” at Ruddy Ducks, Canvasbacks, a Redhead and a Common Merganser. It was not the best of conditions but you could still sense the wealth of waterfowl using the refuge. Every pool had lots of Mallards, Pintails and Shovelers with a smattering of Gadwall and Green-winged Teal. Coots were everywhere and we knew if the conditions had been more favorable, we could have picked up over birds. One snowy field held at least a dozen Pheasants and the occasional raptor was found in the treetops. We came to the viewing platform opposite the “flight deck” and here we had six Bald Eagles in our field of view and another Coyote. This time we first became aware of the Coyote because we heard it howling and then made it a point to find it. A small group of American Pipits and a Say’s Phoebe foraged along the vegetation near the pool’s edge. As we were leaving this platform, we played hide-n-go-seek with a Ladder-backed Woodpecker. Finally, everyone got on the woodpecker and we made a move to the Visitor’s Center. In one of the trees, surrounding the parking lot was an adult Cooper’s Hawk. Here at the feeders we had many White-crowned Sparrows, a Spotted Towhee and a Green-tailed Towhee. When we left the center, a group of six White-winged Doves was in the treetops. We headed to lunch in the small town of San Antonio and headed to the Buckthorn Tavern. After a somewhat protracted lunch hour, we returned to the refuge and a beautiful, sunny winter’s day. A walk along the Marsh Trail helped work off lunch if not produce much in the way of birds.

We got out of the vans and started to work the geese in search of both lesser Snow and Ross’ Geese. Although the majority of the flock was Snow Geese, we had no trouble picking out numerous Ross’s Geese. The cranes kept our attention between their bugling and dancing. A mixed blackbird flock also fought for out attention, as we were able to pick out some Yellow-headed Blackbirds in with the much more numerous Brewer’s and Redwing Blackbirds. At this point the group was enjoying the spectacle of the geese and scenery when, a blue Ross’ Goose was found in the flock. It took awhile to get everyone on this bird and our efforts were hindered by the blue Snow Geese in the area and active nature of this entire flock. However, this bird was very distinct and easily picked out repeatedly so that everyone was eventually able to see it. Its bill shape was clearly small and triangular, it was a smaller bird and its coloration was almost a jet black back to its neck rather than a grayish tone of a blue snow goose. This was a highlight of the day and from here, we returned to the flight deck to watch the fly in.

This spectacle had drawn many of us on this trip. In groups of four to a dozen, the cranes came into to roost and the geese and ducks came into the pool here by the 100s. On at least two occasions, the sky again looked like it was snowing as a soaring eagle put all the geese in to the air. Wow! It was a wonderful collage of sight and sounds as the cranes bugled and the geese honked. Added to the beauty here was a wonderful sunset turning the sky and surrounding mountains a mix of red, pink, mauve and blue. It was truly a wonderful way to end the day. Dinner was at Frank and Lupe’s El Sombrero restaurant.

Day Four of the DVOC Field Trip to New Mexico
Today we had an early start (6:00AM) to be at Bosque Del Apache for the morning fly out. For the first time on this trip, we did not have snow. In fact, it was a clear and wonderful morning. The temperature was about freezing with prospects of no precipitation and a mostly sunny day. We left right on time and arrived at the flight deck just as the first glow of the sunrise was coming over the mountains.

We had timed it perfectly as most of the Snow and Ross’ Geese were still on the pool and the cranes were still asleep. Slowly the geese became more and more active and started flying off in small groups. Then just as the sun was peaking over the mesa, the entire flock took to the air in a cacophony of wings whirring and geese honking. It was a tremendous explosion of sight and sound and truly the type of moment many of us had hoped to see and would never forget. Several 1000 geese flew off to feed in the nearby fields why several 1000 circled back to the pool to wait for a later departure time. This flock “christened” Adrian as he tried to capture the splendor of the moment in a picture. We waited as the sun rose higher and higher in the sky and did not leave this area until the sun was up; the cranes were awake and beginning to depart.

We then took a quick drive along part of the autoroute finding several Hooded Mergansers and a good size flock of Redheads. We made a quick stop at the Nature Center for a pit stop and we were on our way back to the motel to pickup anything we needed for the rest of the day. We also stopped at a supermarket to pick up lunch for our visit to Water Canyon. The road to Water Canyon was still somewhat snow covered and above the campground was closed but this was not a problem as the campground was our turnaround point anyway. We birded our way up the road to the canyon picking up Red-naped Sapsucker, Western Scrub Jay, Juniper Titmouse and Bushtits. A stop about half way from the turnoff to the canyon road and the campground we stopped at an Acorn Woodpecker larder tree and had a group of four Acorn Woodpeckers. In this area, we also had Western Bluebirds, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Pine Siskins and at least 2 more sapsuckers. We made it to the campground a little before noon and had a picnic lunch there. A walk around the area in hopes of Western Screech-owl turned into a nice post-lunch walk, as we could not coax out an owl. We worked our way back down the road, picking up the titmouse for the people who missed it on the way up and then headed to the “ponds” at the New Mexico Tech.

While the only waterfowl we had at the ponds was American Wigeon, we did have White-winged Doves, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Brown Creeper and more Red-breasted Nuthatches. From here, we returned to Bosque to again see was in the area and catch the fly in and hopefully a sunset as spectacular as sunrise had been. A brief incident in the lead vehicle resulted in the back-up van taking the point out of San Antonio. The less said about the incident the better, but had we been playing “Survivor” we would be in need of a new navigator. Rumor has it the vote would have been unanimous on whose torch was extinguished this day. Apparently, his sense of humor was less than overwhelmingly received. Anyway, as we drove towards the refuge, a Harlan’s Hawk flew and perched in the fields east of the road. This bird was very dark and had a white tail with a terminal black band. It is a striking bird and the first or second viewing of this phase of a Red-tail that most of the group had ever seen. Along with the blue Ross’ Goose, we were beginning to develop a trend to finding these dark western specialties.

Our drive around the autoroute again was rewarded with a few Bald Eagles, several Say’s and one Black Phoebe, a group of 13 White-fronted Geese, a Lesser Yellowlegs and another fly in spectacle. While watching the geese and cranes we had a Coyote feeding on some misfortunate duck. Again, the mix of sight and sound was wonderful and the only thing missing was a wonderful sunset to serve as a backdrop. The day ended on a cloudy note so we headed straight back to Socorro rather than waiting for sunset. On the way back we had a Great Horned Owl perched on one of the telephone poles. Because some of us wanted to return to the Socorro Springs Brew Pub and others wanted to go back to Frank and Lupe’s we decided to split up for dinner. After all what is the point of having two vehicles if you cannot make such a simple thing work. Anyway, we met for our checklist in the lobby at 6:30 and then headed off to dinner. Tomorrow we would again visit Bosque Del Apache before heading south. In the afternoon, we would be birding Elephant Butte Reservoir and the riparian region of Percha Dam before settling in to Truth or Consequences for the first of two nights.

Day Five of the DVOC field trip to New Mexico
Today we again returned to Bosque for the fly out and while we timed it again perfectly and again the geese performed wonderfully, the day started off cloudy so the Kodak moments were not as striking. As we were loading up the vans, a White-faced Ibis flew overhead. Our quick spin around the autoroute yielded another Black Phoebe, lots of ducks, Bald Eagles and a calling Eastern Phoebe and calling Marsh Wren. A quick visit back at the visitor center provided us with some last minute shopping opportunities and finally Gambel’s Quail. We had the first one perched up on the shrubs just outside the center’s front door and then had a covey of about ten at the feeders around back. The Green-tailed Towhee made a quick visit and a White-throated Sparrow popped into view briefly in the garden. From the refuge, we made a move south to bird Elephant Butte State Park and Anamas River. We stole some time here and there so we would not get to Percha State Park today as we had thought.

Anyway, a quick stop at the southern end of the Canyon trail gave us an opportunity for Crissal Thrasher, Black-throated Sparrow and Black-tailed Gnatcatcher. While scanning the tops of the bushes in the area, we stumbled upon two Crissal Thrasher and even though they were a bit distant, most of us managed to get them in the scopes. We also scared up the gnatcatcher although he proved very, very elusive and only a few people managed to get a good look and some people did not get a look at all. We gave it a really good try as he popped into view twice as we were about to board the vans and prolonged our stay here. Our next stop was Elephant Butte and a walk amongst the Creosote bushes produced a quick look for some at a Black-throated Sparrow and good looks for everyone at two different Sage Sparrows. From here, we returned into town for lunch at Hodge’s Corner Restaurant. After lunch, we went to scan the lake and see if we could find several species of grebes, Neotropic Cormorants, both Brown and American White Pelicans, a Common Loon and an Osprey. This list represents a list of expected and recently seen rarities.

From our first overview, we were able to find quite a few Clark’s Grebes, 1 Eared Grebe and 2 or 3 Western Grebes. We also had some Neotropic and Double-crested Cormorants. We decided to go to the end of the boat ramp in hopes of a better view of the lake. We were successful in that we had much closed looks a one Western Grebe and were able to scan the roosting gulls from a much closer position. Several Herring Gulls were easily picked out from the numerous Ring-billed Gulls and after several scans, an adult California Gull was picked out and everyone was able to see it and pick out the differences in bill and leg color. We still had a few target species here at the lake so we went in search of another viewpoint. We came to a rather distant viewing point and almost did not scan the lake but fortunately made the correct executive decision to take a peak. While scanning a group of approximately a dozen American White Pelicans, Nancy picked up the juvenile Brown Pelican, shortly thereafter; the Osprey flew in and landed on the mudflats. We then picked up a Spotted Sandpiper and a Greater Yellowlegs. As we retraced our steps we came across at least 5 Sage Thrashers, lots more Gambel’s Quail and some White-winged Doves.

We then headed south on Route 25 to get to the Anamas River area. Our targets here were riparian species and Western Screech-Owl. Here amongst the Cottonwoods and Arizona Sycamore trees we had a few Acorn Woodpeckers, Red-naped Sapsuckers, Dark-eyed Juncos, a Phainopepla and a pair of Bridled Titmouse. We then went to work on coaxing the owl into view. For a while it seemed as if we would have to again be content with just hearing the owl but just a dark was settling in it flew into the trees just above our heads. Everyone was very satisfied and happy with this great close to a long day. A very tired and quiet group checked into the Best Western Inn in Truth or Consequences before having dinner. Tomorrow we get to sleep in, as breakfast will be at seven before some local birding in the T or C area.

Day 6 of the DVOC Field Trip to New Mexico
Today we got off to a slow start as breakfast was not until 7:00. Afterwards we walked the scrub behind the Best Western for about 90 minutes. We were able to clean-up on some birds from earlier in the trip – Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Crissal Thrasher and Black-throated Sparrow. We were also able to add Curve-billed Thrasher, our first Verdin and Pyrrhuloxia of the trip. We then loaded up the vans, picked up lunch at the IGA and headed down to Percha Dam State Park and Caballo Lake State Park. Percha is some of the best riparian birding in the state and a noted migrant trap.

As we drove into Percha Dam area, we had several Kestrels, Say’s Phoebes and a few Gambel’s Quail. We started to walk around the campground and had some Spotted Sandpipers, several Verdin, Phainopepla and a Belted Kingfisher. We then walked along the streambed where we added a flock of 25 Cedar Waxwings and a Black Phoebe. Our first pass of the dried marshy area resulted in a quick look at a Lincoln’s Sparrow, Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, Red-naped Sapsucker, Chipping Sparrows and Western Bluebirds. It was now time for lunch as we had just about settled down at several different picnic tables to eat when Bill saw a Prairie Falcon coming right towards us.

The falcon had something in its talons (probably a Killdeer from the flock that had been feeding in one of the farm fields) and was coming at us fast. Most of us jumped up from lunch and got on this bird. In quick succession, following the falcon was a Ferruginous Hawk and two Red-tailed Hawks. We then retraced our steps along the marshy area in hopes of sparrows and with some effort picked up Swamp Sparrow. We also had several Phainopepla and Pyrrhuloxia along with the ubiquitous White-crowned Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos. It was the first seasonable day weather-wise, which meant it was rather warm. This brought out a few butterflies including Checkered White, Orange Sulphur, Clouded Sulphur and Red Admiral.

We then started to work Caballo Lake and viewed the lake from three different vantage points. We picked up much of the same waterfowl we had seen earlier at Bosque and Elephant Butte – White Pelicans; Eared, Western and Clark’s Grebes; and many of ducks we had seen closer earlier in the trip. At one of the stops, we picked up Least Sandpipers and at the final one, we added Bonaparte’s Gull. Thanks to the drought and water drain-off, Caballo Lake was also very low and that meant that viewing of waterfowl was not of nearby birds. Still the scenery was spectacular. We headed back up the last dirt road a bit before five.

Day Seven of the DVOC field trip to New Mexico
Today we would be leaving Truth or Consequences and heading back to Albuquerque. Our birding plans called for us to re-visit the scrub behind the Best Western Motel, revisit Riverside Drive, stop at Paseo Del Rio State Park and Elephant Butte State Park, pop on into Bosque Del Apache one last time and then go back to Sandia Crest for another shot at the Northern Pygmy-owl. Breakfast was again at 7 and we then slowly met out back of the motel. Our walk today was very different from our walk yesterday. Unfortunately, we had far, far fewer birds today than we did yesterday. However, we did have a Brewer’s Sparrow that was a new bird for the list. After giving it the old college try for at least an hour, it was then time to load up the vans and push off. We again stopped at the IGA/Subway for lunch and then drove down Riverside Drive in beautiful downtown Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. We had a few ducks on the Rio Grande and House Sparrows and Yellow-rumped Warblers in some yards. Eventually we came across a group of six Inca Doves (another new bird for “the list”). It was then time to begin the drive north.

Our stop at Paseo Del Rio gave us an opportunity to take a short leisure walk around the ponds that are new the state park’s office and through the campground area. Even before we had parked the vans, we added our third new bird for the trip with a pair of Northern Mockingbirds. While not exactly a CMF of a bird they still were good bird for New Mexico and the trip. Our walk around the pond eventually yielded new bird #4 for the day in an extremely cooperative Sora. Initially, it was a very reluctant individual who really paid our tape little attention but once we found it actively feeding along the pond’s edge, it responded to the tape amazingly. We also had several Pyrrhuluxia, Cactus Wrens, Say’s and Black Phoebes, Curve-billed Thrashers and Verdin we had a nice little walk. It was approaching lunchtime so we made the decision to go to Elephant Butte Lake to have lunch in a location we could scan the lake. Our initial lunch stop was pleasant and had a few birds but nothing new.

We made the move back to the cove with a large flock of Redheads when we spotted a group of 6 scaup. The discussion then ensued as to whether these were Greater or Lesser Scaup as we debated the shape of the head and size of the nail on the bill. It was agreed that they were not peaky-headed although it was also agreed that they were flat headed to some degree, it was also thought that the nail was large but neither of these were 100% convincing. Finally one of the birds had to stretch out its wing and we could clearly see the extension of the through the secondaries and primaries, Greater Scaup.

We then continued north to the visitor Center at Bosque. We spent 30 minutes here to make one final determination of whether or not we really need another tee shirt and looked at the feeders and vegetation around the center. From here, we made the 90 minute drive to Sandia Crest. We gave the owl about 45 minutes of calling and while we had a few quick replies we never got on the bird or had it juiced up enough to keep singing. It was too bad that we could not get this bird to be more cooperative but sometimes that is the way it is. We then headed into Albuquerque, checked into the Comfort Inn, met to go over the checklist and then headed out to dinner. Most of us went to Fuddruckers while others went to the Village Inn. It was our longest day of driving but we still got some good birding in and added 6 new birds to the collective trip list.

Day 8 of the DVOC field trip to New Mexico
Today was our last full day and we intended to try to pick up a few new species by trying some areas where we might get lucky as well as the Sante Fe Ski Basin for Gray Jay, Clark’s Nutcrackers and other higher altitude species. We departed at a leisurely 7:30 and made a stop in Corrales. Our hope here was for Lewis’ Woodpeckers that had been reported on a few Christmas bird counts over the last decade or so. While admitting this was a rather long shot, it was worth the try. As could be expected, we did not see the woodpeckers and moved on to Sante Fe. While working our way towards the ski basin, we stopped at the Raymond Davey Audubon Center. On our way in, we had the first Black-billed Magpies of the trip. When we arrived we had Mountain Chickadees, Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches, more magpies and a report of a pygmy-owl just up the hillside. A search for the owl was unsuccessful but a few people had a Black-capped Chickadee at the feeders.

We then made a move to the ski basin and after arriving there soon had several Stellar’s Jays and one Gray Jay. We were able to see Clark’s Nutcrackers against the skyline but it was not until some trail mix was spread out on the snow that the multiple jays and eventually a few nutcrackers came close. The group had split up prior to this and the segment of the group up the hill had another Black-capped Chickadee and head Golden-crowned Kinglet. We stay to have lunch at the lodge and continued to enjoy jays, the nutcracker and many Common Ravens overhead. We then headed down the mountain and headed towards the Lake Cochite Recreation Area.

The area was home to a Native American pueblo, a lake and lots of open space. Just before reaching our turnoff to the lake, we had a flurry of activity on a hillside. We scampered out of the vans and had Western Bluebirds, Pine Siskins, American Robins, Northern Flickers and American Goldfinches on the hillside. All this activity was one of the most active areas of landbirds we had witnessed on the entire trip.

Our scanning of the lake found a few Common Goldeneyes, Red-breasted Merganser and many of the waterfowl we had seen. We also had a group of Mule Deer on the far bank and a nearby Crissal’s Thrasher for some. We then drove through the pueblo of Cochite Lake is search of Pinyon Jay without much luck. A stop at the spillway revealed a few more goldeneye, lots of Bufflehead, Black Phoebe and just as we were about to head back to the motel a juvenile Thayer’s Gull. The gull got us all out of the vans in a hurry and circled for the next 15-20 minutes as we studied this bird. From there it was a drive back to the motel and a very festive dinner at the Rio Grande Yacht Club.