- RBA
* New Mexico Bird Report
* August 10, 2006
* NMEX0608.10
Birds Mentioned and Counties:
Common Loon (Colfax)
Eared, Western and Clark’s Grebes (Colfax)
Great Blue Heron and Snowy Egret (Dona Ana, Torrance)
Reddish Egret (Eddy)
Cattle Egret (Valencia)
Black-crowned Night and Green Herons (Dona Ana)
White-tailed Kite (Hidalgo)
Gray and Zone-tailed Hawks (Hidalgo)
Peregrine Falcon (Otero, Hidalgo)
Prairie Falcon (Hidalgo)
Montezuma Quail (Catron)
Snowy Plover (Eddy, Sierra)
Black-necked Stilt (Otero)
American Avocet (Otero)
Baird’s and Stilt Sandpipers (Otero)
Wilson’s Phalarope (Otero)
California Gull (Sierra)
Least Tern (Eddy)
Black Tern (Colfax, Catron, Otero, Eddy, Valenia, Torrance)
Elf Owl (Eddy)
Northern Saw-whet Owl (Rio Arriba)
Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Hidalgo)
Magnificent Hummingbird (Catron)
LUCIFER’S HUMMINGBIRD (Hidalgo)
Calliope Hummingbird (Catron, Otero)
Rufous Hummingbird (Otero)
Three-toed Woodpecker (Los Alamos, Catron)
Greater Pewee (Dona Ana)
Vermilion Flycatcherr (Dona Ana)
Purple Martin (Dona Ana)
BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Hidalgo)
Gray Catbird (Colfax)
Bendire’s Thrasher (Hidalgo)
Western Tanager (Otero)
Botteri’s Sparrow (Hidalgo)
Lark Bunting (Colfax, Otero)
Savannah Sparrow (Colfax)
FOX SPARROW (Rio Arriba)
Painted Bunting (Hidalgo, Socorro, Otero)
Dickcissel (Colfax)
Bronzed Cowbird (Dona Ana)
Orchard Oriole (Dona Ana)
White-winged Crossbill (Conejos County, Colo.)
- Transcript
hotline: New Mexico
date: August 10, 2006
RBA phone number 505-884-3269
compiler Patricia R. Snider
home phone number 505-884-1320
e-mail address _pinyonjay@aol.com_ (mailto:pinyonjay@aol.com)
This is Pinyon Jay with the New Mexico Bird Report for August 10, 2006,
sponsored by the New Mexico Ornithological Society. When phone numbers are given
for private property, please call before going. Highlights: Black-capped
Gnatcatchers, Reddish Egret.
The recent rains have been needed, but have brought muddy roads with rocks,
washouts and raging streams, totally unsafe to cross.
US Fish and Wildlife released 11 captive NORTHERN APLOMADO FALCONS on the
Armendariz Ranch (of parrot fame) on August 3.
Most places mentioned and a checklist of N.M. birds are in the N.M. Bird
Finding Guide. All N.M. phone numbers are area code 505, though a second
number may be added soon. For past RBA's check the NMOS web page at
_www.nmosbirds.org_ (http://www.nmosbirds.org) . For photos of rarities and
directions to
some birding sites check hometown.aol.com/borealowl.
For the Bird Records Committee and both Field Notes please send reports to
Dr. Sartor O. Williams, III, 1819 Meadowview NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104 or to
_sunbittern@earthlink.net_ (mailto:sunbittern@earthlink.net) .
In Rio Arriba County:
JBl on July 22 at the top of Cumbres Pass above Chama a half mile up FR 686
(to Apache Creek drainage) near the Colorado line saw an adult SAW-WHET OWL.
A half mile into the Dixie Creek drainage to the west in Colorado was a
singing adult female WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL.
BW and JNM found a singing FOX SPARROW along the river in Chama south of the
Elkhorn Café.
In Los Alamos County:
DB saw four THREE-TOED WOODPECKERS at the Apache Springs area of the
Bandelier NM on July 9 west of Los Alamos on NM 4.
In Colfax County:
On Miami Lake July 28 DC found the COMMON LOON still present. On the way to
the lake on NM 21 at mile marker 15 there were two CATBIRDS.
DC on July 31 had on Stubblefield/Laguna 40 BLACK TERNS. He had two
DICKCISSELS between the two ranch homes on Hwy. A1 with LARK BUNTINGS on the Maxwell
Refuge. Around Laguna Madre (north of Stubblefield) there was three
SAVANNAH SPARROWS, with a colony of EARED, WESTERN, and CLARK’S GREBES.
In Valencia County:
WW on August 7 had 20 BLACK TERNS and 35 CATTLE EGRETS at the marsh behind
the Taco Bell in Belen. Rains have flooded the road farther and he found an
amazing 135 CATTLE EGRETS there.
In Torrance County:
WW on August 7 found 20 BLACK TERNS and three GREAT BLUE HERONS at the
sewage ponds in Mountainair.
In Socorro County:
CL on August 3 at Bosque del Apache Refuge south of San Antonio had a pair
of PAINTED BUNTINGS near the EXIT sign at the visitor center parking lot.
In Sierra County:
JP on July 29 found good shorebird habitat at South Monticello Point at
Elephant Butte Lake. It was still goon on August 4 with three immature
CALIFORNIA GULLS and two SNOWY PLOVERS.
In Catron County:
JH on July 28 found 14 BLACK TERNS on Quemado Lake.
CL found the road into the Snow Lake and Willow Creek areas east of Mogollon
was closed after the recent Bear Fire. At a primitive camp site where NM
159 is closed he had two to three THREE-TOED WOODPECKERS. The site is 22.1
miles east of US 180.
On July 22-23 he found a pair of MONTEZUMA QUAIL with young on the edge of
Mogollon. At feeders in the town there were a female MAGNIFICENT HUMMINGBIRD
and up to 20 CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRDS.
CBr found the road into Whitewater Canyon at Glenwood was a bit of a problem.
In Grant County:
CBr on August 5 had four INDIGO BUNTINGS at the Gila Bird Farm near Cliff.
In Hidalgo County:
CL reported a male LUCIFER’S HUMMINGBIRD on August 5 in Clanton Canyon .15
mile below Geronima Pass at the top. (The wast side is actually Cottonwood
Canyon). And on August 6 he saw a female Lucifer’s at the same site.
GOOD NEWS!! The BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER nest in the New Mexico part of
Guadalupe Canyon was not abandoned, but fledged. CR and MH on August 6 reported
a family group near the orchard. The canyon can be ‘fun’ in floods, so be
careful. BW and JNM on August 2 found each crossing knee deep in water. They
saw a VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRD at Hadley’s feeder.
At Dunagan’s Crossing on Co. 1 south of Animas WW and WK saw a ZONE-TAILED
HAWK, a GRAY HAWK, and a BOTTERI’S SPARROW. BW and JNM on August 1 had two
singing Botteri’s and two BENDIRE’S THRASHERS. JP, WW, and JO had the
Zone-taile on August 5, CL saw one or two on August 6.
On July 29 CL found on Stateline Road two BOTTERI’S SPARROWS, one on each
side of the state line. BW and JNM on August 2 at Rodeo had a GRAY HAWK and a
male PAINTED BUNTING. CL on August 3 had an adult male bunting with two ‘
green’ ones on the Arizona side of Stateline Road. The road is sloppy but
passable. JP, JO, and WW had the buntings on August 5 in a row of trees just
north of Rodeo. They also found the WHITE-TAILED KITE a mils south of Rodeo
along US 80.
Also at the Hachit exit off I-10 west of Deming there was a PEREGRINE FALCON
with a PRAIRIE FALCON in the San Simon Valley north of Rodeo.
County Hwy. 1 south of Animas crosses the Diamond A (Gray) Ranch. Because of
events with thoughtless birders, one must not go off the road.
In Luna County:
The waste treatment ponds in Deming have been closed for construction and
birding till further notice.
In Dona Ana County:
CL on August 9 has a concentration of herons on the sandbars at the Mesilla
Dam with 10 BLACK-CROWNED, five GREAT BLUES, a GREEN, and a SNOWY EGRET. On
August 5 CBr had a male VERMILION FLYCATCHER at the dam.
JZ and MS on August 1 had a calling GREATER PEWEE in their yard in Radium
Springs, photographed. They had a male ORCHARD ORIOLE and a female-plumaged
PURPLE MARTIN on August 4.
DG at his home northeast of Las Cruces reported on July 23 he had a male
BRONZED COWBIRD there.
In Otero County:
CL and CBr found good shorebird habitat at the Holloman Lakes with two
PEREGRINE FALCONs, hundreds of WILSON’S PHALAROPES, and dozens of AVOCETS AND
BLACK-NECKED STILTS. DB on August 5 found thick mud barring the way to Lagoon G,
but saw a male PAINTED BUNTING, five WESTERN TANAGERS, eight BLACK TERNS, a
STILT SANDPIPER, and many BAIRD’S SANDPIPERS.
DG on Otero Mesa on July 22 had many returning LARK BUNTINGS in flocks of up
to 30. On July 25 he again found many Lark Buntings still in black plumage,
with many RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS crossing the mesa with a few CALLIOPE
HUMMINGBIRDS. Flowers are in bloom after recent rains.
At the Holloman Lakes near Alamogordo the "no access" signs are for hunters
only. The entire shore is open to birding. A board has been installed for
birders to list their sightings.
In Eddy County:
RD on August 2 had an immature REDDISH EGRET at the northwest corner of
Brantley Lake near the large mud flat. He also saw three LEAST TERNS and SNOWY
PLOVERS. WW found the egret on August 8 hiding in reeds at the northern end.
Signs there say “Keep out Habitat Restoration.” He saw nine BLACK TERNS
near Cheapskate Point.
SW found ELF OWLS in Last Chance Canyon of the Guadalupe Mts. near Carlsbad.
INITIALS USED:
DB, Dan Battaglia; JBl, James Black: CBr, Charles and/or Chandra Britt;
DC, David Cleary; RD, Rob Doster; DG, David Griffin; JH, Joan Hardie; MH,
Michael Hilchey; WK, Woody Kuehn; CL, Carl Lundblad; JNM, Jim
Nelson-Moore; JO, Jerry Oldenettel; JP, John Parmeter; CR, Chris Rustay; MS,
Marcy
Scott; BW, Bill West; SW. Steve West; WW, Bill Wittman; JZ, Jimmy Zabriskie.
Field Trips:
Central Audubon in Albuquerque has Thursday field trips. For details call
Margaret Wallen at 341-0928. Check as there may be a last minute change in
plans. August 17 to Bosque del Apache with Pat Franklin-Henden, and August 24
to Sulfur and Cienega Canyons in the eastern Sandias with Sally Burke.
Finally on August 31 to the Belen (Taco Bell) Marsh) with Rebecca Gracey.
Sangre de Cristo will bird at Apache Springs near Los Alamos for the
three-toed woodpeckers and other highland species on Sunday, August 13. Contacts
are Lonnie Howard at 995-9799 and Gail Szpatura at 471-4496.
Sangre de Cristo on Saturday, August 19, will do the strenuous three-hour
hike up to the Santa Barbara Ridge at 12,000 feet below Jicarita Peak for the
White-tailed Ptarmigans and other high altitude species. Contact is Jim
Pausel at 501-4085 or _titus@photocorral.com_ (mailto:titus@photocorral.com) .
Central Audubon will have a three-day trip on August 25 to 27 to
southwestern New Mexico including Percha Dam and Caballo Lake, Roberts Lake, the Grey
Feathers Lodge, Cherry Creek and the Gila River, Glenwood Catwalk, and return.
Call Sei Tokuda for details at 266-2480.
Mesilla Valley on Saturday, August 26, will have a trip to Bosque del Apache
Refuge for migrants. Call Walt Whitford at 521-1358.
End transcript.
* New Mexico Bird Report
* August 10, 2006
* NMEX0608.10
Birds Mentioned and Counties:
Common Loon (Colfax)
Eared, Western and Clark’s Grebes (Colfax)
Great Blue Heron and Snowy Egret (Dona Ana, Torrance)
Reddish Egret (Eddy)
Cattle Egret (Valencia)
Black-crowned Night and Green Herons (Dona Ana)
White-tailed Kite (Hidalgo)
Gray and Zone-tailed Hawks (Hidalgo)
Peregrine Falcon (Otero, Hidalgo)
Prairie Falcon (Hidalgo)
Montezuma Quail (Catron)
Snowy Plover (Eddy, Sierra)
Black-necked Stilt (Otero)
American Avocet (Otero)
Baird’s and Stilt Sandpipers (Otero)
Wilson’s Phalarope (Otero)
California Gull (Sierra)
Least Tern (Eddy)
Black Tern (Colfax, Catron, Otero, Eddy, Valenia, Torrance)
Elf Owl (Eddy)
Northern Saw-whet Owl (Rio Arriba)
Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Hidalgo)
Magnificent Hummingbird (Catron)
LUCIFER’S HUMMINGBIRD (Hidalgo)
Calliope Hummingbird (Catron, Otero)
Rufous Hummingbird (Otero)
Three-toed Woodpecker (Los Alamos, Catron)
Greater Pewee (Dona Ana)
Vermilion Flycatcherr (Dona Ana)
Purple Martin (Dona Ana)
BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Hidalgo)
Gray Catbird (Colfax)
Bendire’s Thrasher (Hidalgo)
Western Tanager (Otero)
Botteri’s Sparrow (Hidalgo)
Lark Bunting (Colfax, Otero)
Savannah Sparrow (Colfax)
FOX SPARROW (Rio Arriba)
Painted Bunting (Hidalgo, Socorro, Otero)
Dickcissel (Colfax)
Bronzed Cowbird (Dona Ana)
Orchard Oriole (Dona Ana)
White-winged Crossbill (Conejos County, Colo.)
- Transcript
hotline: New Mexico
date: August 10, 2006
RBA phone number 505-884-3269
compiler Patricia R. Snider
home phone number 505-884-1320
e-mail address _pinyonjay@aol.com_ (mailto:pinyonjay@aol.com)
This is Pinyon Jay with the New Mexico Bird Report for August 10, 2006,
sponsored by the New Mexico Ornithological Society. When phone numbers are given
for private property, please call before going. Highlights: Black-capped
Gnatcatchers, Reddish Egret.
The recent rains have been needed, but have brought muddy roads with rocks,
washouts and raging streams, totally unsafe to cross.
US Fish and Wildlife released 11 captive NORTHERN APLOMADO FALCONS on the
Armendariz Ranch (of parrot fame) on August 3.
Most places mentioned and a checklist of N.M. birds are in the N.M. Bird
Finding Guide. All N.M. phone numbers are area code 505, though a second
number may be added soon. For past RBA's check the NMOS web page at
_www.nmosbirds.org_ (http://www.nmosbirds.org) . For photos of rarities and
directions to
some birding sites check hometown.aol.com/borealowl.
For the Bird Records Committee and both Field Notes please send reports to
Dr. Sartor O. Williams, III, 1819 Meadowview NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104 or to
_sunbittern@earthlink.net_ (mailto:sunbittern@earthlink.net) .
In Rio Arriba County:
JBl on July 22 at the top of Cumbres Pass above Chama a half mile up FR 686
(to Apache Creek drainage) near the Colorado line saw an adult SAW-WHET OWL.
A half mile into the Dixie Creek drainage to the west in Colorado was a
singing adult female WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL.
BW and JNM found a singing FOX SPARROW along the river in Chama south of the
Elkhorn Café.
In Los Alamos County:
DB saw four THREE-TOED WOODPECKERS at the Apache Springs area of the
Bandelier NM on July 9 west of Los Alamos on NM 4.
In Colfax County:
On Miami Lake July 28 DC found the COMMON LOON still present. On the way to
the lake on NM 21 at mile marker 15 there were two CATBIRDS.
DC on July 31 had on Stubblefield/Laguna 40 BLACK TERNS. He had two
DICKCISSELS between the two ranch homes on Hwy. A1 with LARK BUNTINGS on the Maxwell
Refuge. Around Laguna Madre (north of Stubblefield) there was three
SAVANNAH SPARROWS, with a colony of EARED, WESTERN, and CLARK’S GREBES.
In Valencia County:
WW on August 7 had 20 BLACK TERNS and 35 CATTLE EGRETS at the marsh behind
the Taco Bell in Belen. Rains have flooded the road farther and he found an
amazing 135 CATTLE EGRETS there.
In Torrance County:
WW on August 7 found 20 BLACK TERNS and three GREAT BLUE HERONS at the
sewage ponds in Mountainair.
In Socorro County:
CL on August 3 at Bosque del Apache Refuge south of San Antonio had a pair
of PAINTED BUNTINGS near the EXIT sign at the visitor center parking lot.
In Sierra County:
JP on July 29 found good shorebird habitat at South Monticello Point at
Elephant Butte Lake. It was still goon on August 4 with three immature
CALIFORNIA GULLS and two SNOWY PLOVERS.
In Catron County:
JH on July 28 found 14 BLACK TERNS on Quemado Lake.
CL found the road into the Snow Lake and Willow Creek areas east of Mogollon
was closed after the recent Bear Fire. At a primitive camp site where NM
159 is closed he had two to three THREE-TOED WOODPECKERS. The site is 22.1
miles east of US 180.
On July 22-23 he found a pair of MONTEZUMA QUAIL with young on the edge of
Mogollon. At feeders in the town there were a female MAGNIFICENT HUMMINGBIRD
and up to 20 CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRDS.
CBr found the road into Whitewater Canyon at Glenwood was a bit of a problem.
In Grant County:
CBr on August 5 had four INDIGO BUNTINGS at the Gila Bird Farm near Cliff.
In Hidalgo County:
CL reported a male LUCIFER’S HUMMINGBIRD on August 5 in Clanton Canyon .15
mile below Geronima Pass at the top. (The wast side is actually Cottonwood
Canyon). And on August 6 he saw a female Lucifer’s at the same site.
GOOD NEWS!! The BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER nest in the New Mexico part of
Guadalupe Canyon was not abandoned, but fledged. CR and MH on August 6 reported
a family group near the orchard. The canyon can be ‘fun’ in floods, so be
careful. BW and JNM on August 2 found each crossing knee deep in water. They
saw a VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRD at Hadley’s feeder.
At Dunagan’s Crossing on Co. 1 south of Animas WW and WK saw a ZONE-TAILED
HAWK, a GRAY HAWK, and a BOTTERI’S SPARROW. BW and JNM on August 1 had two
singing Botteri’s and two BENDIRE’S THRASHERS. JP, WW, and JO had the
Zone-taile on August 5, CL saw one or two on August 6.
On July 29 CL found on Stateline Road two BOTTERI’S SPARROWS, one on each
side of the state line. BW and JNM on August 2 at Rodeo had a GRAY HAWK and a
male PAINTED BUNTING. CL on August 3 had an adult male bunting with two ‘
green’ ones on the Arizona side of Stateline Road. The road is sloppy but
passable. JP, JO, and WW had the buntings on August 5 in a row of trees just
north of Rodeo. They also found the WHITE-TAILED KITE a mils south of Rodeo
along US 80.
Also at the Hachit exit off I-10 west of Deming there was a PEREGRINE FALCON
with a PRAIRIE FALCON in the San Simon Valley north of Rodeo.
County Hwy. 1 south of Animas crosses the Diamond A (Gray) Ranch. Because of
events with thoughtless birders, one must not go off the road.
In Luna County:
The waste treatment ponds in Deming have been closed for construction and
birding till further notice.
In Dona Ana County:
CL on August 9 has a concentration of herons on the sandbars at the Mesilla
Dam with 10 BLACK-CROWNED, five GREAT BLUES, a GREEN, and a SNOWY EGRET. On
August 5 CBr had a male VERMILION FLYCATCHER at the dam.
JZ and MS on August 1 had a calling GREATER PEWEE in their yard in Radium
Springs, photographed. They had a male ORCHARD ORIOLE and a female-plumaged
PURPLE MARTIN on August 4.
DG at his home northeast of Las Cruces reported on July 23 he had a male
BRONZED COWBIRD there.
In Otero County:
CL and CBr found good shorebird habitat at the Holloman Lakes with two
PEREGRINE FALCONs, hundreds of WILSON’S PHALAROPES, and dozens of AVOCETS AND
BLACK-NECKED STILTS. DB on August 5 found thick mud barring the way to Lagoon G,
but saw a male PAINTED BUNTING, five WESTERN TANAGERS, eight BLACK TERNS, a
STILT SANDPIPER, and many BAIRD’S SANDPIPERS.
DG on Otero Mesa on July 22 had many returning LARK BUNTINGS in flocks of up
to 30. On July 25 he again found many Lark Buntings still in black plumage,
with many RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS crossing the mesa with a few CALLIOPE
HUMMINGBIRDS. Flowers are in bloom after recent rains.
At the Holloman Lakes near Alamogordo the "no access" signs are for hunters
only. The entire shore is open to birding. A board has been installed for
birders to list their sightings.
In Eddy County:
RD on August 2 had an immature REDDISH EGRET at the northwest corner of
Brantley Lake near the large mud flat. He also saw three LEAST TERNS and SNOWY
PLOVERS. WW found the egret on August 8 hiding in reeds at the northern end.
Signs there say “Keep out Habitat Restoration.” He saw nine BLACK TERNS
near Cheapskate Point.
SW found ELF OWLS in Last Chance Canyon of the Guadalupe Mts. near Carlsbad.
INITIALS USED:
DB, Dan Battaglia; JBl, James Black: CBr, Charles and/or Chandra Britt;
DC, David Cleary; RD, Rob Doster; DG, David Griffin; JH, Joan Hardie; MH,
Michael Hilchey; WK, Woody Kuehn; CL, Carl Lundblad; JNM, Jim
Nelson-Moore; JO, Jerry Oldenettel; JP, John Parmeter; CR, Chris Rustay; MS,
Marcy
Scott; BW, Bill West; SW. Steve West; WW, Bill Wittman; JZ, Jimmy Zabriskie.
Field Trips:
Central Audubon in Albuquerque has Thursday field trips. For details call
Margaret Wallen at 341-0928. Check as there may be a last minute change in
plans. August 17 to Bosque del Apache with Pat Franklin-Henden, and August 24
to Sulfur and Cienega Canyons in the eastern Sandias with Sally Burke.
Finally on August 31 to the Belen (Taco Bell) Marsh) with Rebecca Gracey.
Sangre de Cristo will bird at Apache Springs near Los Alamos for the
three-toed woodpeckers and other highland species on Sunday, August 13. Contacts
are Lonnie Howard at 995-9799 and Gail Szpatura at 471-4496.
Sangre de Cristo on Saturday, August 19, will do the strenuous three-hour
hike up to the Santa Barbara Ridge at 12,000 feet below Jicarita Peak for the
White-tailed Ptarmigans and other high altitude species. Contact is Jim
Pausel at 501-4085 or _titus@photocorral.com_ (mailto:titus@photocorral.com) .
Central Audubon will have a three-day trip on August 25 to 27 to
southwestern New Mexico including Percha Dam and Caballo Lake, Roberts Lake, the Grey
Feathers Lodge, Cherry Creek and the Gila River, Glenwood Catwalk, and return.
Call Sei Tokuda for details at 266-2480.
Mesilla Valley on Saturday, August 26, will have a trip to Bosque del Apache
Refuge for migrants. Call Walt Whitford at 521-1358.
End transcript.