6 June, 1995
3904 Anderson Ave., SE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
Phone: 505/255-9282

Dr. Sartor O. Williams III
P.O.Box 25112
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Dear Sandy,

Included below is my report for the Spring season. The report includes sightings from 1 March through 31 May, 1995.

It was good to finally get to meet you. To update you on my big year, I ended March with 223 species, April with 303 species, and May with 336 species. After we saw you on the 27th, we got the 3 expected species in Guadalupe Canyon (Brown-cr. Flycatcher, Thick-bld. Kingbird, Varied Bunting) on Sunday, and I picked up White-r. Sandpiper and Eastern Kingbird in southern Harding Co. on 5/29. John and I have both done estimates and figure that I should be able to finish the year in the high 370's. With a good fall, I could get into the 380's. With our luck to date on chases, this may be a pipe dream.

I relocated the Long-billed Thrasher at Rattlesnake Springs on 4/16 and was able to show it to John Parmeter on 4/22. Additional notes from these sightings are included in the report and should be attached to the record I submitted. I'm sure that John will submit his own description. I have also included a comparative description of a Brown Thrasher from Rattlesnake Springs on 4/16. This bird was located about 100 yds. downstream from the Long-bld. Thrasher. On a later visit, another Brown (?) Thrasher was seen about half way between these two locations.

Jerry R. Oldenettel

errata: I found that in the winter report, I had mistyped NM-249 as NM-248 in 3 places (Harris Hawk, Sage Sparrow, and trip list). All of these references refer to southeastern Chaves County.

Spring Season Sightings by Species
1 March through 31 May, 1995

Abbreviations used:

• CLSP - Conches Lake State Park
• MR - Maxwell NWR
• BAR - Bosque del Apache NWR
• BLR - Bitter Lakes NWR
• RGNC - Rio Grande Nature Center
• RSPA - Rattlesnake Springs Picnic Area
• LVR - Las Vegas NWR
• LJSGR - La Joya State Game Refuge
• GTR - Grasslands Turf Ranch (Isleta)
• GCTR - Green Chaparral Turf Ranch (Moriarity)
• ULSP - Ute Lake State Park
• BD - Boone's Draw
• MVT - the vagrant trap about 10 miles west of Melrose.
• PDSP - Percha Dam State Park
• EBMP - Elephant Butte Lake, North Montecello Point
• LCP - in the vicinity of Laurel Circle Park in Albuquerque. This is my
• neighborhood, I typically bird the area bounded by
• Ridgecrest, Sierra, Parkland Place, Parkland Circle, and
• Sundown for about 45 minutes (0700-0745).
• GC - Guadalupe Canyon (Hidalgo Co.)
• LBM - The marshy area at the northeast corner of Lordsburg.

Coobservers: Louis Cuellar (LC), John Parmeter (JP), Larry Gorbet (LG), Jon L. Dunn (JLD), Carol Davis (CD).

Note: (ABE) following the species name indicates and all birds encountered and identified during the spring period are included in the account. Otherwise I have included only the first, unusual, and/or late encounters and high counts. Dates are given as MM/DD. Many locations are given as NM-xx/MPyy, where xx gives the state or U.S. route number and yy indicates the nearest milepost number.

Common Loon. (ABE) A single bird at ULSP on 3/11. 5-6 birds at EBMP on 3/18 (with JP&LG). 2 birds at Brantley Lake on 3/25 (with LC). 2 at EBMP on 4/1 (with JP&LC). 1 at Sumner Lake on 4/23. About 6 at Brantley Lake on 4/29 (with LC). 1 at ULSP on 5/29 was still in basic plumage.

Pied-billed Grebe. 1 bird at the ponds at I-10/exit 29 (Hidalgo) on 4/9 (with JP). 1 at Chaparral Park in Lovington on 5/20.

Horned Grebe. (ABE) 3 birds at ULSP on 3/11. 1 bird at EBMP on 3/18 (with JP&LG).

Eared Grebe. 3 birds at the ponds at I-10/exit 29 (Hidalgo) on 4/9 (with JP). 2-4 birds at BLR on 4/15-16 and throughout period. 2 at Jal Lake on 4/22.

Clark's Grebe. A single bird at BLR on 4/21 and 4/28 (with LC).

White Pelican. 5 birds at Tucumcari Lake on 3/11. 1 at Sumner Lake on 4/23. 3 at Tucumcari Lake on 5/29.

American Bittern. (ABE) A single bird at BLR on 4/29 was the only one seen.

Great Egret. A single bird at Isleta Marsh (Valencia) on 3/10. 1 at BLR on 5/19.

Snowy Egret. (ABE) 3 at BAR on 4/7 (with JP) were the first ones seen. 3 at the LBM on 4/8 (with JP). 1 at I-10/exit 29 (Hidalgo) on 4/9 (with JP). 1 at BLR on 4/21. 3-4 at BLR on 5/7. 1 at Moriarity on 5/7. 100 at BAR on 5/10 (with LC). 15 at BLR on 5/19. 2 at Tucumcari Lake and 1 at Moriarity on 5/29.

Cattle Egret. 1 at the LBM on 4/8 (with JP) was the first one seen. About 30 at Las Palomas Marsh on 4/9 (with JP). A flock of 8 at US-285/MP192 (Guadalupe) on 5/7. 2 at LBM on 5/27 (with JP&LC).

Green Heron. 1 at BLR on 5/14 (with JP) was the first one seen. 1 at RSPA on 5/20. 1 at Redrock on 5/27 (with JP&LC). 1 at Tucumcari Lake on 5/29.

Black-cr. Night Heron. (ABE) 4 birds below Caballo Dam on 3/19. 1 at Maddox Lake (Lea) on 3/25 (with LC). About 15 at BAR on 4/1 (with JP&LC). 3 at the Lordsburg Playas on 4/9 (with JP). 1-2 birds at RSPA on 4/16. 25 at BAR on 5/10 (with LC). About 15 at a small lake 4 miles east of Elida on 5/13 (with JP) and 6 at another pond about 4 miles east on 5/20. 4 at LBM on 5/26 (with JP&LC). 5 at Tucumcari Lake on 5/29.

Glossy Ibis. (ABE) A single breeding plumaged adult at Ft. Sumner on 4/14-15 (with JP&LC on 4/15).

I received a call from Pat Snyder at about 1:30 on Friday afternoon, relaying a message from Chris Rustay that he had located a Glossy Ibis at a flooded field in Ft. Sumner. I started for Ft. Sumner at 2, arriving just before 4:30. I drove the roads around the fields to locate the flock of Ibis, which apparently had not moved since Chris had left them (they were within 100 ft. of the yellow tractor he mentioned). I drove back to the farm and got permission to drive the dikes to look at the birds. I then drove to the yellow tractor and looked through the flock (5 Ibis and 2 Long-billed Curlews), quickly finding the Glossy Ibis. It was late afternoon and the birds were to the southwest of my position, so they were pretty badly back lit. There was about a 10-15 mph westerly wind with gusts to about 20-25 mph. Because of the poor lighting, I moved across the small irrigation ditch and down a dirt track to the west until I had fairly good lighting with the birds about 100 feet away. This also allowed me set up my scope in the wind shadow of the Cherokee so that it was not buffeted so much. The birds were actively feeding in clover which was about back high, so I had little chance to see anything about leg or knee color at this time, but was able to study the facial pattern and back and head colors. Over the next hour, the birds worked their way to the south side of the field (about 300 ft. away from me) and into a fairly open area where there was a small pool of water. I drove down the irrigation ditch to within about 75 feet of the birds and setup the scope, again using the Cherokee as a wind screen. Here I was able to get better looks at the legs and the overall bird. After about 15 minutes, I tried to photograph them, but as I approached, they became pretty badly back lit, and it is unlikely that these will be of much use. I walked on past the birds and started down the south edge of the field to get them in better light. This pushed them too far and they took flight. I got my last photo of three of the birds in flight, but it was also badly back lit and probably not of much use. At this point I departed the area to check Bosque Redando S.P. and call John Parmeter to verify the sighting and update the people in Albuquerque. Just before dark, I returned to the west end of the field in time to see the 5 birds, which had returned, fly out of the area and about 1/4 mile south into Bosque Redando. I drove to the Park and watched the birds settle into the reed bed at the back of the northwest lake to roost. About then, a second flock of about 20 birds appeared from the east and, after circling for some time, began to settle into the same area to roost. I returned to Bosque Redando at daybreak and waited for the birds to fly out. At 6:30, I went into town to meet John and Louis, and we returned to the Park. After about 10 minutes, we saw a largish flock of Ibis flying off to the west. After another 10 minutes, we decided to check out this flock in case the two had merged, so we drove to a flooded field almost due west of the Park where the birds had appeared to be landing. It took a short while to pick out the Glossy Ibis among the larger flock of birds. We stayed with the birds and comparatively studied them until about 8:30 when they lifted off and made a wide circle, landing in a field about a half mile to our northeast. About this time, Larry Gorbet and the Cox's arrived and we chased the birds to the new location. By driving the dikes, we were able to get within about 50 yards of them. After a short period (~10 minutes), the flock again lifted off and flew back to the field west of the Park. We returned to the area and were able to spend some time (about 1/2-3/4 hour) studying, photographing, and video taping the flock at 150-200 feet distance. The birds then lifted off again and circled for quite a long time, ending up in a field about a mile to the northeast. I decided to leave and do some birding in the Park at this time, the others went to the new field and apparently got considerably better pictures.

Description. The following description is adapted from notes taken while studying the bird. The Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus ) was seen feeding in flooded fields just north of Bosque Redando State Park in Ft. Sumner on April 14 and 15, 1995. The bird was an adult in the company of 4 adult White-faced Ibis (all molting into breeding plumage) and 2 Long-billed Curlews on the 14th. This flock joined up with a flock of 21 White-faced Ibis (all adults in various stages of molt into breeding plumage) on the 15th. The Long-bld. Curlews were occasionally present with the flock on the 15th. The birds were typically studied through a Kowa TSN-4 at 40-60 power on both days. The lighting on the 14th bright sunlight with occasional high cirrus. On the 15th it was solidly overcast, producing much flatter lighting. It was fairly windy on the 14th, and I was able to use my Cherokee as a wind screen to stabilize the scope at high power. It was essentially calm on the 25th. I was never able to get closer than about 100 feet when studying the birds through the scope. My previous direct experience with both Glossy and White-faced Ibis is limited to relatively distant views, so I have relied on the marks discussed in various field guides for differentiation of the two species.

The Glossy Ibis had the same build and overall proportions as the accompanying White-faced Ibis. The bird was persistently perceived to be slightly taller and bulkier than any of the White-faced Ibis. The hind crown and face, the neck, the back, the breast, belly and undertail coverts were uniform dark chestnut. The forecrown and sides of the face were iridescent greenish. The coverts and flight feathers were iridescent greenish to purplish. I did not note the color of the tail. The molt into breeding plumage appeared to be complete. The soft part coloration indicated that the bird was still in transition to full breeding condition. On the 14th in bright sunlight, the leg color appeared to be indistinguishable from the accompanying White faced Ibis, a dull flesh color. On the 15th, in flatter light, the leg color appeared more olive than that of the other Ibis. This is only a relative observation. In fact, the legs of the White-faced Ibis looked more pinkish. On both days, a slightly darker olive color was evident in the area of the knee, extending about 1/4 inch above and below the joint. This was not present on any of the White-faced Ibis. The bills of all birds, including the Glossy Ibis, appeared to be a dark horn colored to a very dirty flesh colored, depending on the light. The White-faced Ibis varied from no white band around the facial skin to a very wide white band. In all cases, this white band had a rather ragged trailing edge (evidently formed by the feather tips) and completely enclosed the eye, facial skin, and bill. The facial skin varied from pink to reddish. On the Glossy Ibis, the facial skin was blackish immediately in front of the eye, a blackish spot about the size of the eye, and then turned dark grayish as it got to the bill. In my views, the edge of the facial skin was white. Only on one occasion on the 15th did I see a little bit of pale blue above and slightly ahead of the left eye. The white edging of the facial skin did not enclose the eye, but terminated above and below the eye. The upper white edge was thin above the eye, then widened by about a factor of 2 in front of the eye, and then became thin again across the forehead. The lower white edge appeared to be about a uniform thickness. I was able to see the under-chin clearly a couple of times and no white edge was visible there. The eye color of all of the White-faced Ibis I studied (5-10 birds) was easily seen to be red. It typically took less than 15 seconds of watching to clearly see the red color. I specifically looked at the eyes of the Glossy Ibis for a long time, a cumulative 10-15 minutes, and never saw anything other than a dark eye.

[ed - this bird was accepted by the NMBRC as the first documented record for New Mexico]

White-faced Ibis. A single bird at the Hobbs Sewage Ponds on 3/25 (with LC) was the first one seen. About 5 at the LBM on 4/8 (with JP) and 30 there on 4/9 (with JP). A flock of 4 in Ft. Sumner on 4/14 joined up with a flock of 21 the next morning (see Glossy Ibis description). 30 birds flying over RSPA and 3 birds in a flooded field north of Artesia on 4/16. 1 at BLR on 4/21. About 40 at the Hobbs sewage ponds on 4/22. About 15 at Ft. Sumner on 4/23. 1 at BLR on 4/29 (with LC). About 250 at BAR on 5/1 and about 400 there on 5/10 (with LC). 6 at BLR on 5/13 (with JP) and 4 there on 5/19. About 10 at BAR on 5/16.. 1 at LBM on and 7 at Redrock 5/27 (with JP&LC). About 20 at Tucumcari Lake on 5/29.

Tundra Swan. (ABE) 4 birds at BAR on 3/5 (with JP). The bird found earlier at Lake 12 at MR was still present on 3/12.

White-fronted Goose. (ABE) A single bird at the RGNC on 3/21 was the only one seen.

Snow Goose. A single bird at Jal Lake on 3/25 (with LC). About 10 birds at BLR on 3/26 (with LC). About 50 at BAR and 1 at the Isleta Sewage Ponds on 4/1 (with JP&LC). 2 at BLR on 4/21 and 1 there on 4/29 (with LC), 1 there on 5/13 (with JP) and 1 there on 5/19

Ross' Goose. About 5 at BAR on 4/1 (with JP&LC). A single bird at Jal Lake on 5/6 and 5/20. This bird had a silver band on it's left leg and a blue-green neckband with a "J9" as a verticle inscription and a "5" as a horizontal inscription (1" white letters). The bird was obviously uncomfortable with it's neck band and tried to pull it off twice while I was watching it.

Canada Goose. 2 at Ute Lake (Harding) on 5/29.

Wood Duck. (ABE) 3-5 birds at the Isleta sewage ponds on 3/5 (with JP), 3 birds there on 3/10 and 3/19 and 14 birds there on 4/1 (with JP&LC).. About 25 at RGNC on 3/21. 2 at Bosque Redando S.P. on 4/15 (with LC&JP). A male at Jal Lake on 4/22. A single male at Jal Lake on 5/6. A male at Ute Lake (Harding) on 5/29.

Blue-winged Teal. 1 at Las Palomas Marsh and 1 at BAR on 4/1 (with JP&LC) were the first ones seen.

Eurasian Wigeon. (ABE) A single male at Las Palomas Marsh on 3/19, 4/1 (with JP&LC), and 4/9 (with JP). The bird was well seen, in good light over a period of about 10 minutes, at about 30 yards, with a 15-60 power zoom scope. It was a male wigeon with a brick red face, buffy median stripe, slightly mottled reddish brown breast, gray wings and back, white shoulder patch, black upper and under tail coverts and tail with what appeared to be white outer tail feathers (white along the edge of the tail when swimming) and white flanks.

A single male at BAR on 4/1 (with JP&LC), description as above.

Redhead. 2 males at the Moriairty sewage ponds on 5/29.

Greater Scaup. (ABE) A flock of 800-1000 birds at ULSP on 3/11 appeared to be mostly this species. I had a chance to give the flock a quick scan before a fishing boat flushed it, and the flock was about 10% Redheads. During the scan, I looked more or less critically at at least 25-30 scaup and I saw only one bird which I thought was a Lesser Scaup. About 10 birds with a flock of 50 Scaup/Ruddy Ducks at EBMP on 3/18.

Lesser Scaup. A single male was at Jal Lake through most of April and at least to 5/19.

Surf Scoter. (ABE) A single female plumaged bird at BAR on 5/12. A scoter feeding along the south loop. Body and neck dark brown with some contrasting lighter brown in the wings. No white seen then the bird flapped it's wings. Head rather flat topped, with a black cap which covered the crown down to the black eye and tapered to disappear about the middle of the hind-neck. Face the same dark brown as the body with a large white patch (some brownish mottling) in the loral area and a smaller, brighter white patch below and behind the eye. Very thick based bill. Distal half of bill black. The black continued up the ridge of the culmen to the face. Proximal sides of bill contrasting and will defined dark gray.

A male molting into breeding plumage at BLR on 5/14 (with JP) and 5/19. The bird was resting with Ruddy Ducks at the southeast corner of unit 6. The bird kept it's head tucked under it's wing the whole time we had it in view. A black duck with a stiff, erect tail which was about 30% larger than the Ruddy Ducks. The large white spot on the nape was visible. As the bird paddled away (when I approached for photos), I could see that the legs were bright orange. On the second (5/19) sighting, the bird was foraging and could be seen to be an immature molting into breeding plumage. The nape patch was mottled, appearing dusky rather than bright white. the distal half of the bill and the culmen were bright orange. The sides of the bill were white overlaid with a largish black circular spot near the base of the bill.

Common Goldeneye. (ABE) A single male at I-10/exit 29 (Hidalgo) on 3/4 (with JP). About 10 birds at ULSP on 3/11. A single bird at Clayton Lake SP on 3/12.

Bufflehead. A single female at the Lordsburg Playas on 4/8 (with JP). 1 at Santa Rosa on 4/30. A male at the Jal sewage ponds on 5/6 and a female at BLR on 5/7. A female at BLR on 5/14 (with JP). 2 at BAR on 5/16.

Hooded Merganser. (ABE) A pair at BAR on 3/5 (with JP). A single female at BAR on 3/18 (with JP&LG). A pair at Bottomless Lakes SP on 3/26 (with LC).

Red-br. Merganser. (ABE) About 15 at Bottomless Lakes SP on 3/26 (with LC). 1 at EBMP on 4/1 (with JP&LC).

Turkey Vulture. About 40 birds at a roost in north Carlsbad on 3/25 (with LC) were the first ones seen. 8 birds roosted at LCP on 4/10. 1 at Lovington on 4/22.

Osprey. (ABE) A single bird at Brantley Lake on 3/25 (with LC) was the first one seen. 1 at the TorC horseshoe lake on 4/1 (with JP&LC). 1 bird at Bosque Redando S.P. on 4/14-15 (with JP&LC) and 1 there on 4/23. 7 at Brantley Lake on 4/15. 1 at Lake Avalon on 4/15-16 and 4/29 (with LC). 1 at Santa Rosa (trout hatchery) on 4/30. 1 at BLR on 5/13 (with JP).

Mississippi Kite. (ABE) A single adult at Cahoon Park in Roswell on 5/7 was the first one seen. 2 birds at Clovis on 5/12 (with JP).

Bald Eagle. (ABE) A single adult at BAR on 3/5 (with JP). A single immature at MR on 3/12. 4 immatures at Las Palomas Marsh on 3/19.

Sharp-shinned Hawk. I flushed a bird off a nest at NM-104/MP86 (San Miguel) on 5/29.

Cooper's Hawk. A female was involved in nest building at the south east corner of LCP on the morning of 4/7.

Harris Hawk. (ABE) A single adult at San Simon Cienega on 3/3 (with JP).

Broad-winged Hawk. (ABE) 1 adult at RSPA (with JP) and an immature at Prairie Haven Cemetery in Hobbs on 4/22 were the first ones seen. 2 birds, a light phase immature and a dark phase adult, were at BD on 4/23.

The bird at the Rattlesnake Springs Picnic Area was seen in flight from below. A small buteo, the bird had relatively short, pointed wings with black tips and trailing edge. The under-tail was black with about 4 narrow white bars.

The immature at Hobbs was also a small buteo and was seen perched and in flight. The head was brown with some tan mottling and a distinct moustacial mark. The cere was horn colored and the bill looked dark. The back was dark brown with some paler splotchiness. The upper tail was dark brown with several indistinct black bands, the terminal band being thickest. In flight, the bird was quite white below, with only a dark few spots along the sides of the breast. The under-wing appeared all white except for blackish wing tips. The under-tail looked white with a dark terminal band.

I got photos of both birds at Boone's Draw, the light phase immature while perched, and the dark phase in flight. The under-tail pattern for dark phase bird was the same as the bird at Rattlesnake Springs. The light phase bird, when perched, had a dark brown head and throat with a horn colored cere and dark bill. The legs and feet were bright yellow. Fine, pale brownish barring was visible on the breast. I only saw the dark phase bird in flight. The breast, belly, under-tail coverts and wing linings were blackish. The flight feathers were whitish with a dark trailing edge and wing tips.

An immature at Ft. Sumner on 5/5, 1 at Tatum on 5/6, and 1 at RSPA on 5/7 (with JLD). An immature at BD on 5/12-13 (with JP).

Swainson's Hawk. 2 at NM-339/MP22 (Hidalgo) and 1 at Cotton City on 4/8 (with JP) were the first ones seen. 1 bird at the south end of NM-272, another 14 miles south of the end of NM-272, 1 at US-70/MP387, 1 at BLR, and 1 at Carlsbad on 4/15. 1 at NM-31/MP5, 1 at Brantley Lake S.P., and 1 about 20 miles north of Roswell on 4/16. 1 at US-285/MP161 on 4/21. 2 at NM-128/MP14, 1 at NM-128/MP 36, and 1 at Hobbs on 4/22. 3 at Boone's Draw and 1 at Ft. Sumner on 4/23. 1 at GTR on 4/27. 1 at Encino, 1 at Mesa (Chaves), and 1 at the Mesa Rest Stop on 4/28. 1 east of RSPA and 1 at US-285/MP181, on 4/29 (with LC). 1 at US-380/MP180 and 1 at MP 191 on 3/29. 1 at Ft. Sumner on 5/5, 1 at Hobbs, 1 at Jal, and 1 at NM-18/MP23 on 5/6. 1 at US-285/MP195 on 5/7. 1 at Encino, and 1 at the Mesa rest stop on 5/19. 1 at RSPA, 1 at NM128/MP34 (Lea) and 1 at NM-206/MP 50 (Roosevelt) on 5/20. 1 at I-40/MP253 on 5/21. 1 at NM-338/MP30, 1 at Animas, 1 at the Lordsburg Playas, and 1 at Redrock on 5/27 (with JP&LC). 1 at I-40/MP63 and 2 at NM-26/MP9 on 5/28 (with JP&LC). 4 in Southern Harding Co., 1 at Tucumcari, 1 at NM-104/MP93 (San MIguel), and 1 at NM-26/MP11 (San Miguel) on 5/29.

Zone-tld. Hawk. (ABE) A single bird in the Peloncillos on 4/9 (with JP) was the first one seen. 1 soaring over Clanton Canyon on 5/27 (with LC).

Ferruginous Hawk. (ABE) A single bird along I-40 at exit 343 (Quay) on 3/11. A single bird at NM-370/MP5 on 3/11 and one at US-64/87/MP399 on 3/12 (both Union). An adult at Ranger Lake (Lea) on 5/13 (with JP).

Rough-legged Hawk. (ABE) A single adult at US-64/87/MP414 (Union) on 3/12.

Golden Eagle. (ABE) A single bird at NM-370/MP17 (Union) on 3/12. One at I-25/MP112 (Socorro) on 3/18 (with JP&LG) and on 3/19. A single adult at US-380/MP180 (Chaves) on 3/26 (with LC). One at I-25/MP114 (Socorro) on 4/1 (with JP&LC).

Merlin. (ABE) A male Richardsonii  was devouring a sparrow-sized bird carcass at Anderson and Morningside in Albuquerque on 3/7. One at Kirtland AFB on 3/27 was chasing a pair of starlings (both screaming their heads off in obvious terror). This bird, while briefly seen, was quite dark overall and may have been a Suckleii. It lit on a power pole about 100 yards away, but had flown by the time I got my scope out. A male Columbaris  at Anderson and Morningside in Albuquerque on 4/13 and 4/18. A single bird harassing shorebirds at BLR on 4/21.

Falcon, sp. A single bird soaring in the distance at Las Palomas Marsh was either a Prairie or Peregrine (judged probably Peregrine) on 4/1 (with JP&LC).

Peregrine Falcon. (ABE) A single bird at US-80/MP13 (Hidalgo) on 4/9 (with JP) was the first one seen. A single immature at RSPA on 5/7 (with JLD). A single immature (anatum ) about half molted into adult plumage at BAR on 5/12.

Lesser Prairie Chicken. (ABE) About 10 males displaying at a lek on an oil pad in the Caprock Wildlife Habitat Area on 3/26 (with LC). Birds heard calling from leks at NM-209/MP33 (Lea) and MP42 (Roosevelt) on 4/30.

Montezuma Quail. (ABE) 3 near the Springtime campground (Roberts Canyon) in the San Mateo Mts. on 3/18 (with JP&LG).

Northern Bobwhite. About 10 calling birds at Boone's Draw on 4/23 were the first ones encountered. About 5 calling at the Hobbs Cemetery on 5/6 and 4-5 calling at RSPA on 5/7. A bird calling at Pep on 5/20. 3-4 calling in southern Harding Co. and 2 at Logan on 5/29.

Virginia Rail. 10-15 birds calling at dawn at Tucumcari Lake on 3/11. About 5 calling at Bosque Redando S.P. on 4/15. About 10 at dusk at BAR on 4/25. 1 seen at RSPA on 4/29. 4-5 birds calling at Bosque Redando SP on 5/21.

Sora. 3-5 calling birds at BAR on 3/5 (with JP) were the first ones encountered. 2 calling at Bosque Redando S.P. on 4/15. About 10 at dusk at BAR on 4/25. 1 flushed twice from the underbrush at MVT on 5/21.

Common Moorhen. (ABE) A single bird feeding in reeds along the seasonal tour loop at BAR on 4/25 was the only one seen.

Sandhill Crane. About 150 birds at Verdin on 3/3 (with JP). About 150 birds flying over Clayton Lake SP on 3/12. 9 birds at Los Lunas on 3/23.

Black-bel. Plover. (ABE) A breeding plumaged adult at BAR on 5/10 (with LC) and on 5/12. 10-11 birds at BLR on 5/13 (with JP), 1 there on 5/14 (with JP) and 1 on 5/19.

Snowy Plover. (ABE) About 10 birds at Laguna Grande (Eddy) on 3/25, 40 birds at Bottomless Lakes SP, and 20 birds at BLR on 3/26 (with LC) were the first ones seen. 1 at EBMP on 4/1 (with JP&LC). About 65 birds at BLR on 4/15-16. About 10 birds at BLR on 4/21 and 4/28-29 (with LC), 15 there on 5/7, and 10 there on 5/13-14 (with JP). 2 birds at Brantley Lake on 4/29 (with LC), 1 there on 5/7, and 3 there on 5/14 (with JP). About 30 at BLR on 5/19.

Piping Plover. (ABE) A single bird at Brantley Lake on 4/29 (with LC). The bird was encountered at the large gravel point along the west side of the lake (the south end of the access road at US-285/MP50.5). There were a few high cirrus, but it was mostly sunny. We observed the bird from 14:45-15:15 with 10X binoculars and a 15-60 power zoom scope at distances ranging from 25 -100 ft. There were also 2 Snowy Plovers and 3 Baird's Sandpipers present at the point. I took several photographs of the Piping Plover as close as 25 ft., and also snapped a picture of one of the Snowy Plovers for comparison.

The bird was a small plover, about 10% larger than an accompanying Snowy Plover. The crown, nape, cheek, back, wings, and upper-tail were a uniform pale gray- brown (same color as the Snowy Plover's back). There was no difference in color between the crown and back. There was a black bar across the forehead which extended between the bird's eyes. This bar narrowed to a thin black line which ran over and extended to about 1/2 inch behind the eye. There was a slightly and contrasting paler area (buffy tan) just above the black line over the eye. The area between the black bar and the bill was white. The eye was black and the basal half of the short, stubby bill was dusky orange with the distal half being black. The throat, breast, belly and under-tail coverts were clean white. There was a black band about a 1/4 to 3/8 inch wide which ran completely across the breast. When the bird extended it's head forward to pick food off the beach, this black band could be seen to go completely over the birds hind neck and was separated from the pale gray-brown nape by a narrower white band on the hind neck. The legs were dark flesh and could be seen to have an orangeish cast in good light. The soles of the feet were orange and little orange flashes could be seen when the bird was walking away.

Mountain Plover. (ABE) 6 birds at GTR on 3/10 were the only ones seen.

Black-necked Stilt. (ABE) A single bird at the Isleta Marsh on 3/10 was the first one seen. 1 at BAR on 3/18 (with JP&LG). 1 at Jal Lake on 3/25 (with LC). 1 at BLR on 3/26 (with LC). About 5 birds at BAR and 2 at Isleta Marsh on 4/1 (with JP&LC). About 20 birds at BAR on 4/7 (with JP). About 15 at the LBM on 4/8-9 (with JP). 2 birds at Bosque Redando S.P. on 4/15. About 50 birds at BLR on 4/15-16. About 50 birds at BLR on 4/21. 4 at Jal Lake and 1 at the Hobbs sewage ponds on 4/22. About 10 birds in flooded fields around Ft. Sumner and 1 at the Moriarity sewage ponds on 4/23. About 30 birds at BAR on 4/25. About 20 birds at BLR on 4/28-29 (with LC) and 10 there on 5/7. 2 at Jal Lake on 5/6. 1 at the Moriarity sewage ponds on 5/5 and 5/7. About 25 at BAR on 5/10 (with LC). 5 at BLR on 5/13-14 (with JP). 3 at BAR on 5/16. 1 at Moriarity on 5/19 and 2 there on 5/21 and 5/29. About 15 at BLR on 5/19 abd 10 there on 5/26 (with JP&LC). 7 at the Hobbs sewage ponds and 2 at Tatum on 5/20. 10 at LBM on 5/27 (with JP&LC). 2 in the Uvas Valley on 5/28 (with JP&LC).

American Avocet. (ABE) A single bird at Lordsburg on 3/3 and 2 birds at BAR on 3/4 (with JP) were the first ones seen. About 5 birds at BAR on 3/18 (with JP&LG) and about 18 birds there on 3/19. About 5 at BLR on 3/26 (with LC). 3 at BAR on 4/1 (with JP&LC) and 10 there on 4/7 (with JP). 6 at the Lordsburg Playas and 5 at the LBM on 4/8-9 (with JP). About 100 birds at BLR on 4/15-16. 30 at the east end of Brantley Lake on 4/16. About 10 birds at BLR on 4/21. 3 at the Hobbs sewage ponds and 12 at Chaparral Park in Lovington on 4/22. 1 at the Moriarity sewage ponds on 4/23. About 40 birds at BAR on 4/25. About 100-150 at BLR on 4/28-29 (with LC) and on 5/7. 5 birds at the Moriarity sewage ponds on 4/28 and 2 birds there on 4/30. 6 at Moriarity on 5/5 and 2 there on 5/7. About 40 at BAR on 5/10 (with LC). 10 at a small lake 4 miles east of Elida and about 5 at stock ponds north of Tatum on 5/13 (with JP). About 25 at BLR on 5/13-14 (with JP) and 5/19. About 40 at BAR on 5/16. 3 at Moriarity on 5/19 and 2 there on 5/21. 5 at Jal and 6 at Tatum on 5/20. 10 at BAR on 5/26 (with JP&LC). 4 at the Lordsburg Playas and 10 at LBM on 5/27 (with JP&LC). 2 at Ute Lake (Harding), 6 at CLSP, and 1 at Moriarity on 5/29.

Greater Yellowlegs. (ABE) A single bird at LBM on 3/4 (with JP) and 4/8-9 (with JP). 2 birds just south of Storey Lake on 3/12. 3-4 birds at BAR on 3/18 (with JP&LG) and about 6 there on 3/19. 8 birds at Las Palomas Marsh on 3/19. 6 at Bottomless Lakes SP, 1 at BLR, and 3 at the Capitan Sewage Ponds on 3/26 (with LC). 2 at Las Palomas Marsh, about 15 at BAR and in flooded fields to the north on 4/1 (with JP&LC). About 10 birds at BAR on 4/7 (with JP). 1 at LBM on 4/8 and 4/9 (with JP). 3-4 birds in flooded fields around Bosque Redando S.P. on 4/14-15. About 10 birds at BLR on 4/15-16 and 4/21. 1 at Jal Lake on 4/22. About 10 in flooded fields around Ft. Sumner and 1 at Santa Rosa on 4/23. About 20 birds at BAR on 4/25. About 5 birds at BLR on 4/28-29 (with LC). About 10 at BAR on 5/1. 3 at BAR on 5/10 (with LC) and 1 there on 5/16. 3 at BLR on 5/19.

Lesser Yellowlegs. (ABE) A single bird at BAR on 3/18 (with JP&LG) was the first one seen. 2 at BLR on 3/26 (with LC). 4 at Las Palomas Marsh and about 10 at BAR and in flooded fields to the north on 4/1 (with JP&LC). About 20 birds at BAR on 4/7 (with JP). 1 at the LBM on 4/8-9 (with JP). 1 bird in a flooded field near Bosque Redando S.P. on 4/15 (with JP&LC). About 30 birds at BLR on 4/15-16. About 50 at BLR on 4/21. 3 at Jal Lake and 3 at the Hobbs sewage ponds on 4/22. About 60 in flooded fields around Ft. Sumner on 4/23. About 50 birds at BAR on 4/25. About 5 birds at BLR on 4/28-29 (with LC). 7 birds at Brantley Lake on 4/29 (with LC). About 20 at BAR on 5/1 and 1 there on 5/16. 1 at BLR on 5/19.

Solitary Sandpiper. (ABE) 1 at Jal Lake on 4/22 was the only one seen.

Willet. (ABE) A flock of 13 at the east end of Brantley Lake and 1 at BLR on 4/16 were the first ones seen. 1 at BLR on 4/21 and 5 there on 4/29. 1 at BAR on 5/10 (with LC), possibly a different bird on 5/12 and 2 there on 5/16. 1 at Hobbs and 4 at Elida on 5/20.

Spotted Sandpiper. About 8 at Jal Lake on 4/22 were the first migrants seen. 1 at the Moriarity sewage ponds on 4/23. 3 birds at BAR on 4/25. 2 at RSPA on 4/29 (with LC). 2 birds at Santa Rosa and 2 at the Moriarity sewage ponds on 4/30. About 6 at BAR on 5/12 and about 15 there on 5/16. 2 at Moriarity on 5/19 and 5 there on 5/21. 2 at the Lordsburg Playas and 1 at LBM on 5/27 (with JP&LC). 1 at Ute Lake (Harding) and 3 at Moriarity on 5/29.

Whimbrel. 2 birds at BLR on 5/19 were the only ones seen. Two long legged waders, slightly smaller than nearby Avocets and with somewhat shorter legs, were seen in the southwest pond at Bitter Lake Refuge a little before sunset on 5/19. The birds were observed with 10X binoculars and a 15-60 X zoom scope at a distance of about 100 ft. It was partly cloudy. The bills were long, decurved, and black with a little pinkish at the base of the lower mandible. The bill was about twice as long as the depth of the head, and considerably shorter than Long-bld. Curlew. The crown was dark brown with a narrow whitish median stripe. There was a well pronounced pale tan eleline and cheek. A dark line ran from the lores through the dark eye to the back of the ear patch. The birds were tan below with the sides and flanks barred brown on buff and fine dark streaking on the breast. The back was brown and the coverts were brown with pale tan edges. One of the birds called persistently, a high pitched "kee-kee-kee-kee-kee" given in a rapid burst. The other bird called once or twice in a somewhat lower pitch (sexual dimorphism?).

Long-billed Curlew. (ABE) 2 birds in the fields north of Bosque Redando S.P. on 4/14-15 (with JP&LC) were the first ones seen. 12 in flooded fields around Ft. Sumner on 4/23.

Marbled Godwit. (ABE) A flock of about 60 at Sumner Lake on 4/23 were the first ones seen. 1 at BAR on 4/25, on 5/12, and on 5/16.

Sanderling. (ABE) About 6 at BLR on 5/13 (with JP), and 3-4 there on 5/14 (with JP) were the first ones seen. 1 at Elida on 5/20.

Semipalmated Sandpiper. (ABE) 1 bird at BLR on 4/15 and 2 birds there on 4/16 were the first ones seen. 2 birds at BLR on 4/28 (with LC), 1 there on 5/7 and 1 there on 5/19.

Western Sandpiper. A single bird at BAR on 4/1 (with JP&LC) was the first one seen. About 5 at the LBM on 4/8 (with JP). About 2500 at BLR on 4/15-16 and about 5000 there on 4/21. About 1500 at BAR on 4/25. About 200 at BLR on 4/28-29 (with LC). About 30 at BLR on 5/7 and 2 there on 5/19.

White-rumped Sandpiper. A single bird at Ute Lake (Harding) on 5/29. The day was overcast with intermittant light rain. I observed the bird at distances of 60-100 feet with a 15-60 power spotting scope. The bird was a peep, about the same body size as the nearby Spotted Sandpiper, but appearing much longer (like Baird's) with wngs extending beyond the tail. The crown was streaked and contrasted with the paler nape. There was a well defined eyeline and a darkish bar through the eye to the ear coverts. The lower face appeared to be finely streaked. The bill was short and black, about 0.9 times the depth of the head. The breast was finely and neatly streaked (a little coarser than Pectoral Sandpiper), terminating in a straight line across the mid-breast. This streaking continued to the flanks along the bird's sides. The belly, undertail coverts, and undertail were white. The legs were black. The back was gray-brown and the scapulars and coverts (?) were broadly edged with pale yellowish tan. At one point, the bird was preening it's wing feathers and it swung it's tail sideways so I could see about a half inch wide black terminal band and a one inch wide white band above that.

Baird's Sandpiper. (ABE) 2 birds at BLR on 4/28 (with LC) were the first ones seen. 3 birds at Brantley Lake on 4/29 (with LC). 8 at BLR on 5/7. 3-6 at a small lake east of Elida on 5/13 (with JP) and 4 there on 5/20.

Pectoral Sandpiper. (ABE) A single bird at BAR on 4/7 (with JP) was the first one seen. 1 bird in a flooded field near Bosque Redando S.P. on 4/15 (with JP&LC). 2 birds at BLR on 4/15 and 1 there on 4/16. 1 at BAR on 4/25.

Dunlin. (ABE) A single bird at BAR on 3/19. 6 at a salt flat just north of Bottomless Lakes SP on 3/26 (with LC). A single bird at BLR on 4/16 and 1 there on 4/28 (with LC).

Stilt Sandpiper. (ABE) 5 birds at BLR on 4/15 were the first ones seen. About 6 at BLR on 4/21. 2 at BAR on 4/25. 20 birds at BLR on 4/28 (with LC). 2 at BAR on 5/1. 6 at BLR on 5/19.

Common Snipe. A single bird at Maddox Lake (Lea) on 3/25 and one at BLR on 3/26 (with LC).

Wilson's Phalarope. 4 birds at BLR on 3/26 (with LC). About 30 at BAR on 4/1 (with JP&LC). About 150 at the LBM on 4/8-9 (with JP). About 50 birds at BLR on 4/15-16 and 100 there on 4/21. 20 at the Jal sewage ponds and 15 at the Hobbs sewage ponds on 4/22. 6 at the Moriarity sewage ponds on 4/23. About 250 at BAR on 4/25 and 5/12. About 250 at BLR on 4/28-29 (with LC), 5/7, and 5/13-14 (with JP). 10 at the Moriarity sewage ponds on 5/7. About 30 at a small lake east of Elida on 5/13 (with JP) and 10 there on 5/19. 40 at BAR on 5/16. About 75 at BLR on 5/19. 4 birds at Moriarity on 5/29.

Red-necked Phalarope. 5 breeding plumaged females at BAR on 5/16 were the first ones seen. 2 at BLR on 5/19.

Franklin's Gull. About 70 birds in flooded fields around Bosque Redando S.P. on 4/15-16 were the first ones seen. 2 flocks of about 20 birds at BLR on 4/15-16. 10 at BLR on 4/21. 1 at Jal Lake and 6 at Chaparral Park in Lovington on 4/22. About 100 in flooded fields around Ft. Sumner and 50 at Sumner Lake on 4/23. 1 at BLR on 4/29 (with LC) and 5/7. 4-6 at BLR on 5/13-14 (with JP). 3 at BLR on 5/19. 3 at Tucumcari Lake, 1 at ULSP, and 4 at CLSP on 5/29.

Bonaparte's Gull. 1 at BLR on 4/28 (with LC) and 1 at Santa Rosa on 4/30. 1 at BLR on 5/7.

Ring-bld. Gull. About 10 birds at the Lordsburg Playas on 3/4 (with JP). 2-3 birds at the LBM on 4/8-9 (with JP). 1 at the Moriarity sewage ponds on 5/5. 2 at BLR on 5/7. 15 at BAR on 5/10 (with LC) and 2 there on 5/16. 3 at BLR on 5/19. 1 at Sumner Lake on 5/21. 6 at LBM on 5/27 (with JP&LC). 1 at Tucumcari Lake, about 10 at ULSP, and 10 at CLSP on 5/29.

California Gull. (ABE) A single adult at EBMP on 3/19.

A single adult at the Lordsburg Playas on 4/8 (with JP). A largish gull with a dark gray back (notably darker than Ring-billed Gull) was seen in good light with a 15-60 power scope and 10 X binoculars. There was a fairly stiff breeze and the bird was about 50 yards away, standing at the edge of the pond. When the bird lifted it's head, a yellow bill with a black and a red gonial spot could be seen.

Herring Gull. An adult and a first year bird at Rock Canyon Marina, Elephant Butte Lake on 3/18 (with JP&LG), 3/19, and 4/1 (with JP&LC). A first year bird at EBMP on 4/1 (with JP&LC).

Forster's Tern. 6 at BLR on 5/7. 1 at Tucumcari Lake on 5/29.

Least Tern. (ABE) 1 at Brantley Lake on 5/7 was the first one seen. 1 at BLR on 5/14 (with JP). 2 at BLR on 5/19.

Black Tern. 2 birds at BLR on 5/13 (with JP) were the only ones seen.

Band-tld. Pigeon. About 4 birds at Ruidoso (Diane Harris') on 3/26 (with LC) were the only ones seen.

White-winged Dove. Birds had returned to LCP with 3-4 present on 3/7.

Inca Dove. (ABE) About 6 at Verdin on 3/3 (with JP). 2 at TorC on 4/1 (with JP&LC). 2 at JAL on 5/20. 2 in Lordsburg on 5/27 (with JP&LC).

Yellow-billed Cuckoo. A single bird at BD on 5/21 was the only one seen.

Barn Owl. (ABE) 1 bird in flight about 10 miles east of Clovis on 4/15. 1 bird in flight about 1 mile south of Pep (Roosevelt) and 1 bird in flight 3 miles south of Dora (Roosevelt) on 4/23. 1 at BD on 5/6 (with JP&LC) and on 5/12-13 (with JP). 1 along NM-267 (Currey) on 5/13 (with JP). 2 at BD on 5/21.

Flammulated Owl. (ABE) A single bird at MVT on 5/12 (with JP) was the first one seen. A small owl was flushed in the east grove. Viewed at about 30 feet distance, the bird was about the size of a Screech Owl. The bird had small ear tufts, all black eyes, and a prominent whitish wingbar.

Whiskered Screech Owl. (ABE) A single bird at the main campground (6th stream crossing coming from the east) in Clanton Canyon on 4/8 (with JP) and 2-4 birds there on 5/27 (with JP&LC).

Western Screech Owl. (ABE) A single bird in Water Canyon (Socorro) on 3/19. 1-2 birds calling in the Peloncillos on 4/9 (with JP). 1 at Bosque Redando S.P. on 4/15. One at RSPA on 4/16.

Great Horned Owl. 1 bird at MVT on 4/23, 4/30, and 5/5. This bird was perched in the open and giving warning calls at me on 4/30. I assume there is a nearby nest. It accompanied a young on 5/12. 1 at RSPA on 4/29 and 2 there on 5/7. 1 at BD on 4/30, 1 there on 5/6 (with JP&LC), 1 there on 5/12 (with JP). 2 (1 juv) at BLR on 5/19. 2 at BD and 2 (1juv) at MVT on 5/21. 1 at the main campground in Clanton Canyon on 5/27 (with JP&LC),

Elf Owl. 1 bird calling at the main campground in Clanton Canyon on 5/27 (with JP&LC) was the only one encountered.

Burrowing Owl. (ABE) 3 birds at I-10/Exit 150 in Socorro on 3/5 (with JP) were the first ones seen. 1 at Kirtland AFB on 3/6. 1 along the entrance road just north of the BAR boundary on 3/18 (with JP&LG). 4 birds at I-10/Exit 150 in Socorro on 3/19. A single bird in a Prairie Dog Town about 3 miles northwest of Kenna (Roosevelt) on 4/15. 2 at Rosewell (Springtime Golf Course) on 4/28 (with LC). 2 along NM-480 east of BD on 5/12 (with JP). 1 at Ft. Sumner on 5/21.

Saw Whet Owl. (ABE) A single calling bird at Red Canyon Campground (Torrance) on 3/31.

Lesser Nighthawk. About 25 birds at BAR on 4/25 were the first ones seen. About 150 at BAR on 5/16 were foraging over the reed beds into a strong westerly wind.

Common Nighthawk. (ABE) 2 birds at Eunice (Lea) on 5/6 were the first ones seen. 1 at Ft. Sumner on 5/12 (with JP). 1 at Floyd (Roosevelt) on 5/13. 3 at Waldrop Park on 5/13 (with JP). 2 near Brantley Lake on 5/14. 2 at BLR on 5/19. 1 at Pep on 5/20. 1 at MVT on 5/21. About 5 at the top of GC on 5/28 (with JP&LC). About 10 at Tucumcari Lake and 1 at CLSP on 5/29.

Poorwill. (ABE) 10-15 calling birds the Peloncillos on 4/8-9 (with JP) were the first ones encountered. 1 calling at RSPA on 5/7.

Whip-poor-will. A single calling bird along Forest Road 540 in the Guadalupe Mts. on 5/19 was the first one encountered. 5-10 calling birds at the main campground in Clanton Canyon on 5/27 (with JP&LC).

Chimney Swift. (ABE) A single bird feeding over the lawn at Washington Ranch on 4/22 (with JP) was the first one seen. 2 at Tucumcari Lake on 5/29.

Broad-billed Hummingbird. (ABE) About 6 birds in GC on 4/8 (with JP) and 2 birds there on 5/27 (with JP&LC) were the only ones seen.

Black-chinned Hummingbird. A single male coming to my feeders on 4/7 was the first one seen.

Anna's Hummingbird. (ABE) 1 male in GC on 4/8 (with JP) and 1-2 males in the Pelocnillos on 4/9 (with JP).

Costa's Hummingbird. (ABE) A single male in GC on 4/8 (with JP). The bird was perched on a snag atop a bush about 40 feet away. It was a small hummingbird with a short, thin bill. It had a green back and white breast and belly. The gorget covered the forehead and throat and, at the sides, extended down past the shoulders. It was bright sunlight and the bird was poorly situated to consistently see the gorget color, but a couple of glimpses of the violet color were seen when the bird flew. It returned to the perch several times.

Broad-tld. Hummingbird. (ABE) 2 males at Ruidoso (Diane Harris') on 3/26 (with LC) were the first ones seen. Diane indicated that there had also been a female present for about a week. One at my feeder on 4/6. 2-3 in GC on 4/8 (with JP). 2 in the Peloncillos on 4/9 (with JP). 1 at LCP on 5/5.

Elegant Trogon. (ABE) A single male in the Peloncillos on 4/9 (with JP). The bird was seen with 10 X binoculars at 40-60 feet distance. The bird had been heard consistently calling (cow-cow-cow-cow-cow) when we were about 200 yards down stream. When we approached, it flew across the stream and into a juniper about 30 feet up the south canyon wall. The green back and long, square shaped tail could bee seen. The bird soon flew up into a dead bush about 10 feet further up the canyon wall. It lit facing us and the front of the bird was clearly visible. The bird had a bright red breast, belly and undertail coverts with a white breast stripe, green head and breast with a black eye and yellow bill. The undertail was terminated in a black band. Above the black band, the under-tail was light gray for about half of it's length and white above that. After a few seconds, the bird flew further up the hill into another juniper. It had a loose, loping flight, similar to that often seen in Townsend's Solitaire when feeding.

Red-hdd. Woodpecker. (ABE) An adult at BD on 5/6 (with JP&LC) was the first one seen. 1 there on 5/12-13 with JP). 1-2 at BD and 1 at MVT on 5/21. 2 birds in southern Harding Co. (working on fence posts and light poles) and 1 bird at NM-104/MP94 (San Miguel) on 5/29.

Acorn Woodpecker. (ABE) 3 birds at Ruidoso (Diane Harris') on 3/26 (with LC). 2 birds in GC on 4/8 (with JP). About 5 birds in Clanton Canyon on 5/27 (with JP&LC). About 5 birds in GC on 5/28 (with JP&LC).

Gila Woodpecker. (ABE) 2-3 birds at Verdin on 3/3 and 20-25 birds in Guadalupe Canyon (Hidalgo) on 3/4 (with JP), 4/9 (with JP) and 5/28 Iwith JP&LC). 1-2 birds at NM-338/MP42 on 5/27 (with JP&LC). 2-3 birds at Redrock on 5/27 (with JP&LC).

Red-naped Sapsucker. A male at LCP on 3/22. A male at Nogal (Lincoln) on 3/26 (with LC). A male at NM-59/MP11 on 4/1 (with JP&LC).

Downy Woodpecker. (ABE) A single female at LCP on 3/24. A male at Willie Chaves S.P. on 3/31. A male at NM-59/MP6 on 4/1 (with JP&LC). A male at LCP on 4/25. A female at the BLR headquarters area on 4/28 (with LC). A male at Capulin Spring (Sandia Mts.) on 5/18.

Hairy Woodpecker. (ABE) A male near Springtime campground in the San Mateo Mts. (Roberts Canyon) on 3/18 (with JP&LG). A male at Ruidoso (Diane Harris') on 3/26 (with LC). A male at NM-59/MP6 on 4/1 (with JP&LC). A pair at Water Canyon on 4/28. 2 at Capulin Spring (Sandia Mts.) on 5/18.

Strickland's Woodpecker. (ABE) One near the Turkey Seep in Clanton Canyon on 3/3 (with JP). 1-2 birds in Clanton Canyon on 5/27 (with JP&LC).

Northern Beardless Tyrranulet. (ABE) A single bird at the ranch at the top of Guadalupe Canyon (Hidalgo) on 3/4 (with JP) was the first one seen. About 5 birds calling in GC on 4/8 (with JP) and 5-6 there on 5/28 (with JP&LC).

Olive-sdd. Flycatcher. (ABE) 1-2 birds at BD on 4/30 were the first ones seen. 1 at Fairview Cemetery on 5/3 and 2 there on 5/8. 2 at BD on 5/6 (with JP&LC). 1 at LCP on 5/9 and 5/10. 2 at MVT on 5/12. 2-3 at BD on 5/13 (with JP). 1 at Tatum on 5/13 (with JP). 1-2 at RSPA on 5/14 (with JP). 1 at South Park Cemetery on 5/14 (with JP). 5-6 at BD and 2 at MVT on 5/21.

Western Wood Pewee. A single bird at RSPA on 4/22 (with JP) was the first one seen.

Eastern Wood Pewee. Two birds were seen during May which were probably Eastern Wood Pewees. I have not added EWP to my state list and I do not intend to officially submit them as such, but only to note the encounters. The first bird was reported to me by ? Brozak (I believe he is a biology teacher from Albuquerque) when I ran into him at BLR. He had seen and heard the bird at RSPA that morning (5/13). I found the bird on arriving at RSPA at about 7 on the morning of 5/14. The bird was on the far side of the stream due south of the restrooms. I stayed with it for about 20 minutes during which time it gave many peer calls and an occasional ju-dit-dit calls. I unfortunately did not hear it give any diagnostic calls for EWP (long pee-ier or peeowee). The calls it did give were clear toned, without any hint of the raspiness in WWP calls. After making a round of the area, I returned to the spot to try to tape the calls but the bird had stopped calling and I never heard it again. The bird spent most of it's time out of sight, so I got no description of the plumage.

I encountered the second bird along one of the back roads in southern Harding county on 5/29. I suspect that the bird was an EWP by plumage characteristics, since it did not call. When I first saw the bird, perched and flycatching from several fence posts about 50-100 feet west of the road, I thought that it was an Olive-sided Flycatcher and only realized that it was a pewee after a short study. The breast patterning of the bird was distinctly divided by a verticle white central band and there were some diffuse streaks in the upper breast in the dark portion of the pattern. The lower mandible appeared to be mostly pale. These are listed as extreme differentiating characters for EWP in Kaufmann's book.

Willow Flycatcher. (ABE) About 10 at MVT and 5 at BD on 5/12-13 (with JP) were the first ones seen. 2 at RSPA on 5/14 (with JP). About 25 at BD, 5 at MVT, and 2-3 at Ft. Sumner on 5/21. 1 at Burton Park in Albuquerque on 5/24. 1 in southern Harding Co. on 5/29.

Least Flycatcher. (ABE) 3 birds at BD on 5/6 (with JP&LC) were the first ones seen. The first bird was located and identified by song (chee-bek, chee-bek).

Dusky Flycatcher. A single bird at RSPA on 4/22 (with JP) was the first one seen. 2 birds at MVT on 5/5 and 2 at BD on 5/6 (with JP&LC). 3 at LCP on 5/9 and 2 there on 5/10. 20-25 at BD on 5/13 (with JP). About 25 at BD and 4-5 at MVT on 5/21.

Gray Flycatcher. (ABE) A single bird in the Peloncillos on 4/9 (with JP) was the first one seen. 1 at Mesa (Chaves) on 4/21. 1 at RSPA on 4/22. 1 at MVT on 4/23. 1 at LCP on 4/25 and possibly the same bird on on 5/4, 5/10 and 5/15 (all in the same back yard). 1 at Fairview Cemetery in Albuquerque on 5/8.

Cordilleran Flycatcher. 1 at Balsam Glade (Sandia Mts.) on 5/18 was the only one encountered.

Say's Phoebe. 3 birds at San Jon and 1 at NM-120/MP88 (Harding) on 3/11.

Vermillion Flycatcher. (ABE) About 3 birds at Verdin, a female at San Simon Cienega, a male at Animas on 3/3 and a male at Guadalupe Canyon and a male at NM-338/MP40 on 3/4 were the first ones seen (with JP). 6 males and 3 females at RSPA on 3/25 (with LC) and about 8 birds there on 4/16 and 4/22 and throughout the period. A male at BD on 5/12-13 (with JP, LG, & CD) and on 5/21. 2-3 in the Animas Valley and 4-6 at Redrock on 5/27 (with JP&LC). 4-6 in GC on 5/28 (with JP&LC).

Dusky-capped Flycatcher. (ABE) About 20 birds in GC on 4/8 (with JP) and 1 bird in the Peloncillos on 4/9 (with JP) were the first ones seen. About 5 birds in Clanton Canyon on 5/27 (with JP&LC). About 20 birds in GC on 5/28 (with JP&LC).

Ash-throated Flycatcher. A single bird at RSPA on 3/25 (with LC) was the first one seen. 1 at Marble & Girard in Albuquerque on 4/28. 1 at Fairview Cemetery in Albuquerque on 5/4.

Brown-crested Flycatcher. About 10 birds at GC on 5/28 (with JP&LC) were the only ones seen.

Cassin's Kingbird. About 20 birds in GC on 4/8 (with JP) and 5 birds in the Peloncillos on 4/9 (with JP) were the first ones seen. About 5 at RSPA on 4/22 (with JP).

Thick-billed Kingbird. About 5 birds at GC on 5/28 (with JP&LC) were the only ones seen.

Western Kingbird. About 4 birds in the Animas Valley on 4/8 (with JP) and 4 birds in the San Simon Valley on 4/9 (with JP) were the first ones seen.

Eastern Kingbird. A single bird in southern Harding Co. on 5/29 was the only one seen.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. (ABE) 4 birds in the fields north of Loving (Eddy) on 4/16 were the first ones seen. 1 nesting at US-380/MP189 (Chaves) on 4/29. 2 at Jal and 3 at Eunice on 5/6. 2 at BD on 5/12 (with JP). 1 at Waldrop Park on 5/13 (with JP). 1 at Washington Ranch on 5/14 (with JP). 3 at Jal and 1 at Hobbs on 5/20.

Violet-grn. Swallow. The first spring birds seen were 2 in Clanton Canyon on 3/4 (with JP). About 15 birds at CLSP (foraging along the stream below the dam) on 5/29.

Bank Swallow. 3-5 birds along the Rio Grande in TorC on 4/1 (with JP&LC) were the first ones seen.

Cliff Swallow. About 10 birds along Black River Road (Eddy) on 3/25 and 1 bird at BLR on 3/26 (with LC) were the first ones seen.

Cave Swallow. (ABE) About 10 birds at Carlsbad Caverns N.P. on 4/16 were the only ones seen.

Barn Swallow. 4 birds in 2 pairs 1/2 and 1 mile south of PDSP on 3/19 were the first ones seen.

Blue Jay. About 20 birds in Tucumcari on 3/11 and 1 bird in Clayton on 3/12. 1 at Cahoon Park in Roswell on 5/7. 1 at MVT on 5/12 (with JP) nwas at an unusual location. 1 at the Mesa Rest Stop (Chaves) on 5/19 was at an unusual location. About 10 at Ft. Sumner on 5/21.

Stellar's Jay. (sub-montane birds) A single bird at PDSP on 3/19. 1-2 birds (I'm pretty sure there were two) at LCP on 3/22. 6 birds at RSPA on 3/25 (with LC), 6 birds there on 4/16 and 4/22 (with JP), and 1 bird there on 4/29 (with LC). 1 at LCP on 5/30.

American Crow. (birds away from the Rio Grande Valley) 1 bird near Chicosa Lake State Park (dry) on 3/11. 2 at NM-370/MP12 (Union), 4 birds in Des Moines, and about 6 in Raton on 3/12. 1 at LCP on 5/30 was quite late.

Mountain Chickadee. (sub-montaine birds) A single bird at the RGNC on 3/21. 1 at LCP on 3/22 and 2 birds there on 3/31.

Verdin. (birds north of Sierra County) 3 birds at BAR on 3/5 (with JP).

Bushtit. 2 at LCP on 3/23, 1 there on 3/30, 1 there on 4/24, and 2 there on 4/25. 2-3 pairs were occasionally seen in the LCP area through the end of the period.

Red-br. Nuthatch. A single bird at MVT on 5/21.

White-breasted Nuthatch. (sub-montane birds away from the Rio Grande Valley) 2-3 birds at Verdin on 3/3 (with JP). 1 at LCP on 3/23 and 3 there on 3/24. 2 birds at RSPA on 3/25 (with LC). 1 in GC on 4/8 (with JP) and 1 in the Peloncillos on 4/9 (with JP).

Rock Wren. 1 bird at LCP on 4/25. 1 at MVT on 4/30 and 5/6.

House Wren. 1-2 birds at BD on 4/23 were the first ones seen. 1 at LCP on 5/5 and 1 on 5/9.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher. A single bird in Skeleton Canyon on 4/9 (with JP) was the first one encountered. 1 at RSPA on 4/22 (with JP). 3 at MVT on 4/23.

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher. (ABE) 3 birds at San Simon Cienega on 3/3 (with JP).

Eastern Bluebird. (ABE) 3 birds at Des Moines (Union) on 3/12. 1 at RSPA on 3/25 (with LC).

Mountain Bluebird. A single male at CLSP on 5/29.

Townsend's Solitaire. (all birds on the eastern plains or south of Socorro county) 4-6 birds in Guadalupe Canyon (Hidalgo) on 3/4 (with JP) and 4/8 (with JP). 8-10 birds in Roberts Canyon (San Mateo Mts.) on 3/18 (with JP&LG). A single bird below Caballo Dam on 3/19. 5-10 birds along NM-52 and NM-59 on 4/1 (with JP&LC). About 5 birds in GC on 4/8 (with JP) and 5 birds in the Peloncillos on 4/9 (with JP).

Swainson's Thrush. (ABE) 1 bird at MVT on 5/5 was the first one seen. 1 heard at MVT and 1 seen at BD on 5/12 (with JP). 1 at MVT and 1 at Ft. Sumner on 5/21. 1 singing bird in GC on 5/28 (with JP&LC).

Hermit Thrush. 2 birds at Mesa (Chaves) on 4/21 were the first obvious migrants seen. 4 birds at LCP on 4/25. About 15 birds at MVT on 4/30 and 5/6.

Gray Catbird. (ABE) A single bird at BD on 5/6 (with JP&LC) was the first one seen. 1 at the large cottonwood 1/2 mile south of the Mesa Rest Stop on 5/19. 1 at BD on 5/21.

Brown Thrasher. (ABE) A single bird south of the restrooms (along the stream bed) at RSPA on 4/16 was the first one seen. I had this bird in good light at a distance of about 15 ft. for several minutes as it foraged in the leaf litter under a small tree. I took the opportunity to study the bird with respect to the stated differences with Long-billed Thrasher. The bill appeared to be fairly large with a gradual curvature of about it's width over it's full length (i.e., slightly and uniformly curved). The proximal half of the lower mandible was quite pale, almost white. The eye on this bird was quite orange. Looking closely, it did look a little yellowish, but if I had not known that this was supposed to be, I would have simply called the eye orange. There was some gray in the face and side of the neck when the head was at the right angle or the light was right, but this was not consistently seen. The background color to the breast and flanks was slightly buffy and there was a decidedly rufous look to the undertail coverts. The small spotting on the breast looked blackish, but as the spots got larger toward the flanks, the spots were clearly medium to dark brown. I could see no color difference between the back and upper tail.

1 at RSPA (sp?) on 4/29. 1 at BD and 1 at MVT on 4/30. 2 at RSPA on 5/7 (with JLD).

Long-billed Thrasher. (ABE) The bird from the February 20, 1995 encounter was relocated again about 100 ft. east of the first encounters on 4/16. For a description of the February encounter, see my letter submission to the records committee dated April 3, 1995. The 4/16 encounter was again brief, lasting less than 1 minute. As I approached the east end of the brushy area at the southeast corner of the pasture in front of the Ranger's residence, I heard the bird begin it's churring call and looked to see it jump up to about the 10 foot level in a lone Russian Olive tree about 40 feet east of the brushy area (25-30 feet due south of my position). The bird was clearly visible through a gap in the branches and I noted the orange eye, all black bill, and gray in the face and neck. I immediately set up my camera and was able to get off 1 frame before the bird flew into the brush to the west and disappeared. I returned to the area 2-3 times and tried to pish the bird into a response. I also tried at the original location in the pasture, but was unable to get any further looks at or response from the bird.

The bird was seen again on 4/22 (with JP). Nothing new was added to the description of the bird on this sighting except to confirm impressions and data from previous sightings. John worked the bird from the south side of the creek bed and I spent some time on the north side trying to push it toward John. John saw it several times over about an hour's period and will undoubtedly submit his own description to the committee.

[ed - This bird was accepted by the NMBRC as the first documented record for New Mexico]

Bendire's Thrasher. (ABE) 2 birds at US-70/MP18 on 3/3 (with JP) were the only ones seen.

American Pipit. A single bird at GCTR on 5/14 (with JP) seemed late.

Cedar Waxwing. (ABE) About 10 birds at RSPA on 3/25 (with LC), 4/16, and 4/22 (with JP), many remained through 5/14 (with JP). 20 birds at GC and 25 birds in Lordsburg on 4/8 (with JP). About 10 at BD on 4/30. 6 at Eunice on 5/6. 10-20 at Washington Ranch on 5/20. 1 at BD on 5/21. 3-5 birds at GC on 5/28 (with JP&LC).

Phainopepla. (ABE) 2-3 birds at Verdin on 3/3 (with JP). 2 birds (paired) at PDSP on 3/19. 2 birds at Hatch on 4/9 (with JP). 2-3 at RSPA on 4/29 (with LC). 2 at Washington Ranch on 5/7 (with JLD). 1 in the Animas Valley on 5/27 (with JP&LC). 75-100 at GC on 5/28 (with JP&LC).

Northern Shrike. (ABE) A single bird at NM-370/MP41 (Union) on 3/12 was the only one seen.

White-eyed Vireo. (ABE) A single singing bird at Bosque Redando S.P. on 4/15 was the only one encountered. The bird sang the typical chuck-pee-weer song. The song was repeated about 5 times over a minute's span. I am familiar with White-eyed Vireo song from visits to the East coast and the Texas coast. Rather than looking for the bird, which was in the dense salt cedar west of the northwest lake. I quickly departed the area to notify other birders in the area looking at Glossy Ibis (JP, LC, LG, and the Cox's). When we returned to the area, about 15 minutes later, the bird had quite calling and did not start again.

Bell's Vireo. (ABE) About 5 birds in GC on 4/8 (with JP) were the first ones seen. 1 singing bird at RSPA on 4/16, 2-3 there on 4/29 (with LC), 1 there on 5/7 (with JLD), 2 there on 5/14 (with JP), 1 there on 5/20. 2 birds at Redrock on 5/27 (with JP&LC). About 5 birds at GC on 5/28 (with JP&LC).

Gray Vireo. (ABE) A singing bird south of US-60/MP131.5 (Socorro) on 4/28 was the only one encountered.

Solitary Vireo. (ABE) 1-2 plumbeous  birds at RSPA on 4/16, 1 there on 4/29, and 1-2 there on 5/7 (with JLD).. A single plumbeous  bird at MVT on 4/23, 4/30, and 5/5. A singing bird at Water Canyon on 4/28. 2-3 plumbeous  birds at BD on 5/6 (with JP&LC). 5-6 plumbeous  birds at BD on 5/12-13 (with JP). 1 plumbeous  bird at Pep on 5/13 (with JP). 1 plumbeous  bird at RSPA on 5/14 (with JP). 2 at RSPA on 5/20. 2-3 at BD, 1 at MVT, and 1 at Moriarity on 5/21. 2 at the main campground at Clanton Canyon on 5/27 (with JP&LC).

Yellow-throated Vireo. (ABE) 1-2 (probably 1) birds at BD on 4/23. The bird was a small vireo with a gray upper-tail and back. The nape, crown, and face were bright olive green. The bird had a prominent yellow eye-ring and lores with a dark eye. The throat and upper breast were bright yellow. The belly and undertail coverts were white. The bill was black.

2 together at BD on 4/30 and on 5/6 (with JP&LC).

Hutton's Vireo. 2 birds in Clanton Canyon on 5/27 (with LC).

Warbling Vireo. About 3 birds in Water Canyon on 4/28 were the first ones seen. 1 at MVT on 5/5. 1-2 at BD on 5/6 (with JP&LC). 1-2 birds at RSPA on 5/7 (with JLD). 1 at LCP on 5/10. 1 at MVT and 1-2 at BD on 5/12-13 (with JP). 1-2 at RSPA on 5/14 (with JP). 1 at Encino and 1 at Vaughn on 5/19. 1 at RSPA on 5/20. 3-4 in Clanton Canyon on 5/27 (with JP&LC).

Orange-cr. Warbler. A single bird at RSPA on 3/25 (with LC).

Nashville Warbler. (ABE) A singing male at LCP (804 Grandview) on 4/5 was the first one seen. 1 at RSPA on 4/22 (with JP). 3 at MVT on 4/23. 1 at Washington Ranch on 4/29. 1 at BD and 1 at MVT on 4/30 and on 5/6 (with JP&LC). 1 at RSPA on 5/14 (with JP).

Virginia Warbler. (ABE) 2-3 at LCP on 5/1 were the first ones seen. 1 at BD on 5/6. 1 at LCP on 5/9 and 2 there on 5/10. 1 at RSPA on 5/14. 1 at Bosque Redando SP on 5/21. 1 at Burton Park in Albuquerque on 5/24. 1 at LCP on 5/31.

Lucy's Warbler. (ABE) 6-8 territorial males (singing) at Animas Creek (Sierra) on 3/19. 30-40 birds at GC on 4/8 (with JP). 1 at BD on 5/13 (with JP,LG&CD). The bird was spotted by John feeding near the top of a tree at the south end of the south grove. A small warbler with a reddish-brown rump. Plain, pale gray above and white below.

Northern Parula. (ABE) A single female at BD and 1-2 males and a female at MVT on 4/30 were the only ones seen.

Yellow Warbler. About 30 birds in GC on 4/8 (with JP) and 10 birds in the Peloncillos on 4/9 (with JP) were the first ones seen. 2-3 birds at LCP on 5/1 were the first ones seen away from GC and the Peloncillos. 1 at LCP on 5/5. 6-8 at LCP on 5/9.

Chestnut-sided Warbler. (ABE) A single male at BD on 5/13 (with JP,LG&CD) was the first one seen. The bird was a small warbler found feeding in cottonwoods at the south end of the north grove. It was an active feeder, tending to stay near the trunk and main branches of the trees. The bird was a breeding plumaged male, with extensive chestnut sides of the breast and flanks, otherwise white underneath. The wings were dark with two yellowish wingbars. The crown was bright yellowish-green. The back was dark with some streaking. The post ocular area and lores were black and the cheek was white. A black line trailed from the lores down the side of the throat.

1 at Sumner Lake (Riverside Campground) on 5/21. This warbler was a female, with a dull grayish/greenish-yellow crown. It had almost as much chestnut on the sides as the male seen at BD.

Black-throated Gray Warbler. (ABE) About 10 birds in the Peloncillos on 4/9 (with JP) were the first ones seen. 1-2 singing birds at the main campground in Clanton Canyon on 5/27 (with JP&LC).

Townsend's Warbler. (ABE) A female at Washington Ranch on 4/29 and a female at MVT on 4/30 were the first ones seen. A female at BD on 5/6 (with JP&LC) and a female at Washington Ranch on 5/7 (with JLD).   A single female plumaged bird at BD on 5/13 (with JP). 2 females at Clanton Canyon on 5/27 (with LC).

Yellow-throated Warbler. (ABE) A single bird (albilores ) at RSPA on 4/22 (with JP). The bird was a small warbler foraging in the top of a large cottonwood east ot the spring.. From the shape, I mistook it for a Ruby-crowned Kinglet until I put my binoculars on it. The bird had an unstreaked dark gray back and blackish wings with 2 white wing bars. There was dark spotting/streaking on the flanks. The throat and upper breast were bright yellow. The face was black with a white eye line and a white spot behind the black ear patch.

Grace's Warbler. (ABE) 2-3 birds at Water Canyon on 4/28 were the first ones encountered. 2-3 birds near the main campground in Clanton Canyon on 5/27 (with JP&LC).

Blackpoll Warbler. (ABE) A single singing male at Washington Ranch on 5/14 (with JP). The bird was located by it's song, a short series of high pitched tseet notes. It was a warbler a little larger than a Wilson's with a black cap and white face. The bird had a black eye and bill and pink legs. The throat, breast, and belly were white with a black whisker mark and heavy black streaking on the sides and flanks. The bird was black above with 2 white wingbars. There was some paler flecking on the hind-crown as if the bird's molt was not yet complete.

Black-and-White Warbler. (ABE) A single female was at BD on 4/23. A female at MVT on 5/5 and a male at BD on 5/6 (with JP&LC). 1 heard singing at LCP on 5/11. A female at Pep on 5/20.

American Redstart. (ABE) A single imm. male at RSPA on 5/7 (with JLD) was the first one seen. 2 females at BD and 1 female at MVT on 5/21.

Ovenbird. (ABE) 2 birds at MVT on 4/30 were the first ones seen. 1 at MVT on 5/5.

Northern Waterthrush. (ABE) 2 birds at RSPA on 4/29 were the first ones seen. 1 at MVT on 5/5. 1 at RSPA and 1 at Washington Ranch on 5/7 (with JLD). 1 at MVT on 5/12 (with JP). 2-3 birds at BD on 5/13 (with JP). 1 at Washington Ranch on 5/14 (with JP). 2-4 at GCTR on 5/14 (with JP).

Kentucky Warbler. (ABE) A single bird at BD on 5/13 (with JP,LG&CD). Evidently the same bird seen by Jim & Charlie Black on 5/11. The bird was flushed from the ground at the north end of the north grove and was observed for 15-20 minutes as it actively fed on the ground and at the bases of trees and bushes in the area. The bird was a largish warbler, olive green above and yellow below. The crown was notably darker than the back with a gradual grading between the two. The upper tail and wings were the same color as the back. There were no wingbars. The legs were pink and the bill was black. There was a yellow eyeline, lores and eye-ring which wrapped about half-way around the eye from the top. The area below the eye and down the side of the throat was black. When feeding, the bird had the habit of flick-fanning it's tail (similar to Am. Redstart). When the tail was fanned and back lit, the outer 2-3 tail feathers looked translucent gray.

MacGillivray's Warbler. 3-4 birds at RSPA on 4/29 (with LC) were the first ones seen. 1 bird at LCP on 5/1 and 1 there on 5/5. 3-4 at LCP on 5/9.

Common Yellowthroat. 1-2 birds at RSPA on 4/16 were the first ones encountered, 1 there on 4/22 (with JP). 1 at Melrose on 4/23. 1 at BAR on 4/25. 2-3 at RSPA on 4/29 (with LC). 1 at MVT on 4/30.

Wilson's Warbler. About 50 birds at RSPA on 4/16 were the first ones seen.

Painted Redstart. (ABE) 2-3 birds in Peloncillos on 4/9 (with JP) were the only ones seen.

Red-faced Warbler. (ABE) 2-3 birds in Water Canyon on 4/28 were the only ones encountered.

Yellow-br. Chat. 3-4 birds at RSPA on 4/29 (with LC) were the first ones encountered. 1 at MVT on 5/12 (with JP) and 1 at BD on 5/12-13 (with JP). 1 at BD on 5/21. 1 at NM-338/MP42 (Hidalgo) on 5/27 (with JP&LC).

Hepatic Tanager. (ABE) A bright male at MVT on 5/5 was the first one seen. 5-10 birds in the area of the main campground in Clanton Canyon on 5/27 (with JP&LC).

Summer Tanager. (ABE) 1 at Guadalupe Canyon on 4/8 (with JP) was the first one encountered. 1 at RSPA (with JP) and 1 at the Prairie Haven Cemetery in Hobbs on 4/22. A female at the refuge headquarters at BLR on 4/28 (with LC). A single male at Pep (Roosevelt) on 5/6. 2 at BAR on 5/12. A female at BD on 5/13. A female at Caprock (Lea) on 5/13 (with JP). 5-10 at RSPA/Washington Ranch on 5/14 (with JP) and 5/20. 1 at Ft. Sumner on 5/21. 1-2 in the Animas Valley and 1-2 at Redrock on 5/27 (with JP&LC). 10-15 at GC on 5/28 (with JP&LC).

Western Tanager. A male at BD on 4/23 was the first one seen. A male at LCP on 4/25. 1 at BD and 1 at MVT on 4/30. 3-4 at Fairview Memorial Park on 5/3.

Northern Cardinal. (ABE) About 5 birds at Verdin on 3/3 and 10 birds in Guadalupe Canyon (Hidalgo) on 3/4 (with JP). 2 at RSPA on 3/25 (with LC). 10-15 birds at GC on 4/8 (with JP). About 5 birds at RSPA on 4/16. 2-3 birds at RSPA on 4/22 (with JP), and 1 at Jal on 4/22 and 1-2 there on 5/6. 2 birds at Eunice on 5/6. 3-4 birds at RSPA on 5/7 (with JLD), 5/14 (with JP), and 5/20. Several birds in the Animas Valley and GC on 5/27-28 (with JP&LC). 1 singing at Tucumcari Lake on 5/29.

Pyrrhuloxia. A single bird at BD on 4/23 and 4/30.

Rose-br. Grosbeak. (ABE) A single male at Washington Ranch on 4/29 (with LC). A pair at BD on 4/30. A female at RSPA on 5/7. A female at Dora on 5/13 (with JP). A male at the Mesa Rest Stop on 5/19. 3 males at BD on 5/21.

Black-hdd. Grosbeak. 2 birds at RGNC on 4/27 were the first ones seen. 2-3 at LCP on 5/3. A female at MVT on 5/5. 2 females at BD on 5/6 (with JP&LC).

Blue Grosbeak. A single male at Washington Ranch on 4/29 was the first one seen.

Lazuli Bunting. A single male about 3/4 molted into breeding plumage at the Melrose City Park on 4/23 was the first one seen. A male at MVT on 5/5. 1-2 birds at RSPA on 5/7 (with JLD).

Indigo Bunting. (ABE) 2 Breeding plumaged males at RSPA on 4/22 were the first ones seen. A male at MVT on 5/5. 4-5 birds at RSPA on 5/7 (with JLD) and 5/14 (with JP). 2 at RSPA on 5/20.

Varied Bunting. About 6 birds in GC on 5/28 (with JP&LC) were the only ones seen.

Painted Bunting. (ABE) 2 birds at RSPA on 5/7 (with JLD) were the first ones seen. 4-6 at RSPA/Washington Ranch on 5/14 (with JP) and 5/20.

Green-tld. Towhee. 3 birds at Mesa (Chaves) on 4/21 were the first ones seen. 1 at LCP on 5/24.

Abert's Towhee. (ABE) About 5 birds at Verdin and 3 birds at San Simon Cienega on 3/3 (with JP). 2 birds at San Simon Cienega on 4/8 (with JP). 1 at Redrock on 5/27 (with JP&LC).

Tree Sparrow. (ABE) A single bird at NM-469/MP30 (Quay) on 3/11 was the only one seen.

Chipping Sparrow. First migrants (2) arrived at LCP on 4/13.

Clay-col. Sparrow. (ABE) A single adult with a large flock of Chipping Sparrows in Ft. Sumner on 4/23 was the first one seen. 1 in Albuquerque on 4/28. 5 birds at MVT on 4/30. 1 at LCP on 5/2. 1 at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque on 5/3. 1 at BD on 5/6 (with JP&LC). 1 at Pep and 2 at Tatum on 5/6. 1 at Dora on 5/13 (with JP).

Vesper Sparrow. 2 at BAR on 4/1 (with JP&LC). 5 at Mesa (Chaves) on 4/21.

Lark Sparrow. 1-2 birds at Mesa (Chaves) on 4/21 were the first birds seen.

Black-chinned Sparrow. (ABE) About 5 singing birds in GC on 3/4 (with JP) were the only ones encountered.

Lincoln's Sparrow. 3 birds at BD and 1 at Ft. Sumner on 5/21. 1 in southern Harding Co. on 5/29.

Swamp Sparrow. (ABE) A single bird at PDSP on 3/19 was the only one encountered.

White-thtd. Sparrow. (ABE) A breeding plumaged adult at Ft. Sumner on 4/23 was the only one seen.

Dark-eyed Junco. 1 Gray-hdd. Junco at Fairview Cemetery on 5/8 and 1 at LCP on 5/9.

Yellow-eyed Junco. (ABE) A single bird in the vicinity of the Turkey Seep in Clanton Canyon on 3/4 (with JP).

McCown's Longspur. (ABE) 200-400 birds at GTR on 3/5 (with JP).

Chestnut-col. Longspur. (ABE) One flock of 10 and one flock of 50 at NM-338/MP33-35 (Hidalgo) on 3/4 (with JP). A flock of 100 at the Isleta Marsh on 3/5 (with JP). 2-3 birds heard calling at GTR on 3/5 (with JP).

Yellow-headed Blackbird. (ABE) 1-3 birds at Demming on 3/4 (with JP). 25-50 birds at PDSP on 3/19. About 10 birds at LBM on 4/9 (with JP). About 50 birds in flooded fields around Bosque Redando S.P. on 4/14-15 (with JP&LC). About 10 birds in flooded fields east of Roswell on 4/15. About 20 birds in flooded fields north of Loving on 4/16. 1 at Santa Rosa on 4/30. 1 at Jal on 5/6. 150 in flooded fields south of Socorro on 5/12. About 20 at Tucumcari Lake on 5/29.

Common Grackle. 2 birds at San Jon and 2 birds at Clayton on 3/11 had probably wintered. 1 bird at Jal on 3/25 (with LC). Birds returned to their breeding area around LCP on 3/30 with 2 males present. About 10 were there on 4/5. About 20 birds in Ft. Sumner on 4/14-15. About 100 at Jal on 4/22. 10 at the Moriarity sewage ponds on 4/23.

Bronzed Cowbird. (ABE) A single male at the Hobbs Cemetery on 5/6 was the first one seen. A single female there on 5/20. 1-2 females and a male at GC on 5/28 (with JP&LC).

Brown-hdd. Cowbird. About 50 at San Jon on 3/11. 10 at Clayton and 1 at Des Moines on 3/12. About 30 at Jal on 3/25 (with LC). 3 at LCP on 4/25.

Orchard Oriole. (ABE) 2 males and a female at Washington Ranch on 4/30 were the first ones seen. A male at MVT on 5/5. 5-6 at RSPA and Washington Ranch on 5/7 (with JLD), 5/14 (with JP), and 5/20.

Hooded Oriole. (ABE) About 10 birds in GC on 4/8 (with JP) were the first ones seen. 1 heard at RSPA on 4/29. A male at Washington Ranch on 5/7 (with JLD). 1 at Redrock on 5/27 (with JP&LC) and about 10 birds in GC on 5/28 (with JP&LC).

Northern Oriole. A single bird (Bullock's) about 3 miles south of Mesa (Chaves) on 4/21 was the first one seen.

Scott's Oriole. About 6 birds in GC on 4/8 (with JP) and 5 birds in the Peloncillos on 4/9 (with JP) were the first ones seen. 2-3 birds singing along the entry road to Carlsbad Caverns N.P. on 4/16.

Cassin's Finch. 3 birds at Capulin Spring (Sandia Mts.) on 5/18 were the only ones seen.

Pine Siskin. 4-5 at LCP on 3/30, 6-8 there on 3/31, and about 10 there on 4/5. 2-3 birds at RSPA on 4/16. About 50 birds at Jal on 4/22. About 10 birds at BD and 100 birds at the Melrose city park on 4/23.

Lesser Goldfinch. About 15 birds at Verdin on 3/3 (with JP) were the first ones seen. A singing male below Caballo Dam on 3/19. 1 at LCP on 3/30.

Evening Grosbeak. (ABE) A coworker (Ray Richmond) reported to me on 3/22 that he had had a pair coming to his feeder in Placitas for about 2 weeks ( the next day he said that about 50 had arrived on the 22nd). 6 birds along Monjeau Lookout Road (Lincoln) and 4 birds at Ruidoso (Diane Harris') on 3/26 (with LC).

Appendix A
Trip Log

3/3-5 Black Range (owling), Verdin, US-70, Lordsburg, San Simon
Cienega, Animas, NM-338, Clanton Canyon, (night in Douglas),
Guadalupe Canyon, Clanton Canyon, NM-338, Cotton City,
Lordsburg, upper Playas Valley, Pancho Villa S.P., (night in
Demming), BAR, Grassland. (with JP)

3/11-12 Tucumcari Lake, Tucumcari, San Jon, NM-469, Ute Lake, NM-39,
Roy, NM-120, Clayton Lake (night in Clayton), NM-456, NM-370,
Clayton Lake, US-64/87, Des Moines, Capulin, Capulin
Volcano NM, Raton, Maxwell NWR, Wagon Mound WMA, Storey
Lake SP.

3/18 Trail 48, San Mateo Mts. (Socorro), EBMP, EB-South Montecello
Point, EB-Long Point, EB-Rock Canyon Marina, BAR, Isleta
Marsh & Sewage Ponds (with JP&LG).

3/19 Water Canyon (owling), PDSP, Caballo Dam, Animas Creek, Las
Palomas Marsh, EB-Rock Canyon Marina, EBMP, BAR, Isleta
Marsh & Sewage Ponds

3/21 RGNC.

3/22 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am)

3/23 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am)

3/24 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am)

3/25-26 Brantley Lake, Avalon Lake, RSPA, Black River Road, Laguna
Grande, Jal Lake, Jal Sewage Ponds, Hobbs Cemetery, Hobbs Sewage
Ponds, Maddox Lake. Caprock Wildlife Habitat Area, Waldorf Park
(rest area along US-380 about 30 miles east of Roswell),
River Road (south from US-380 to Bottomless Lakes SP), Bottomless
Lakes SP, BLR, Capitan Sewage Ponds (Lincoln), Ruidoso (Diane
Harris' feeders). (with LC)

3/28 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am)

3/30 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am)

3/31 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am). Afternoon, Willie Chaves S.P., Red Canyon Campground (Torrance).

4/1 NM-52, NM-59, Las Palomas Marsh, TorC, EB-Dam, EB-Rock Canyon Marina, EBMP, BAR, Isleta Marsh & Sewage Ponds. (with JP&LC)

4/5 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am)

4/6 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am)

4/7 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am)

4/7-9 BAR, Black Range, (night at Silver City), Clanton Canyon, Guadalupe Canyon, Animas Valley, Lordsburg Playas, LBM, San Simon Cienega, Peloncillo Mts. (spent the night), San Simon Valley, Lordsburg Playas, LBM, I-10/exit29, Las Palomas Marsh, Isleta Marsh. (with JP)

4/11 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am)

4/12 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am)

4/13 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am)

4/14 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am)

4/14-16 Ft. Sumner fields, Bosque Redando S.P., night in Clovis, [Bosque Redando, Ft Sumner fields, Bosque Redando,] (in brackets with JP&LC), NM-272 and mesquite southwest to Kenna, Bitter Lakes, Fields south of Roswell, Brantley Lake, Lake Avalon, night in Carlsbad, Rattlesnake Springs (owling), above White's City (owling), Rattlesnake Springs, Carlsbad Caverns, Black River Road, fields north of Loving, Laguna Grande, Lake Avalon, Brantley Lake (backside), Bitter Lakes.

4/18 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am)

4/19 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am)

4/20 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am)

4/21-23 RGNC, Mesa (Chaves), BLR, (Night in Roswell), RSPA, NM-128, Jal, Hobbs, Lovington (night in Lovington), Tatum (owling), BD, MVT, Ft. Sumner, Sumner Lake, Santa Rosa Golf Course, Moriarity sewage ponds.

4/24 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am)

4/25 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am & noon). BAR (evening)

4/26 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am)

4/27 (am) Fairview Cemetery, RGNC.

4/27-28 overnight in Water Canyon (Socorro).

4/28-30 BLR, Cahoon Park (Roswell), night in Roswell, RSPA, Lake Avalon, Brantley Lake, BLR (prev with LC), Walter Park (rest stop in east Chaves on US-380), Caprock, night in Lovington, BD, MVT, Santa Rosa.

5/1 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am)

5/2 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am)

5/3 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am). Fairview Cemetery, pm.

5/4 Fairview Cemetery, Neighborhood.

5/5 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am)

5/5-7 Moriarity Sewage Ponds, I-40/MP252 rest stop, MVT, Ft. Sumner (night), BD (with LC&JP), Elida, NM-114, Pep, Tatum, Lovington, Hobbs, Jal, Hobbs (night), RSPA (with JLD), Brantley Lake, Cahoon Park (Roswell), BLR, Moriarity Sewage Ponds.

5/8 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am). Fairview Cemetery, pm.

5/9 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am & noon).

5/10 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am). Bosque Del Apache (pm, with LC).

5/11 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am).

5/12 Bosque del Apache (6-7:30am).

5/12-14 MVT, BD, (night in Clovis), MVT, BD, Elida, Tatum, Caprock, Waldrop Park, BLR, (night in Rosewell), RSPA, Brantley Lake, South Park Cemetery (Roswell), BLR, Ramon, Moriarity (with JP).

5/15 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am).

5/16 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am). Bosque Del Apache (pm).

5/17 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am).

5/18 Sandia Crest Road (am).

5/19 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am).

5/19-21 Moriarity, Encino, Vaughn, Ramon, Mesa rest stop, BLR, Guadalupe Mts (night), RSPA/Washington Ranch, Bell Lake (dry), Jal, Hobbs, Lovington, Tatum, Pep, Elida, (night at Portales), BD, MVT, Ft. Sumner, Sumner Lake, Moriarity.

5/22 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am, no migrants).

5/23 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am, no migrants).

5/24 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am).

5/25 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am).

5/26 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am).

5/26-28 BAR, Las Palomas Marsh (night in Demming), Clanton Canyon, Animas Valley, Lordsburg, Redrock, Clanton Canyon, (night in Douglas), GC, Clanton Canyon, Animas Valley, Caballo Lake, Las Palomas Marsh. (with JP&LC).

5/29 Tucumcari Lake, ULSP, southern Harding Co., Logan, Tucumcari Lake, CLSP.

5/30 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am).

5/31 Neighborhood (Laurel Circle Park, am).

Appendix B
Photo log

As with last season's report, I have included several slides to help document records. The slides are duplicates and need not be returned. All photos were taken with ASA-400 film (Ectachrome Elite 400) with auto speed setting using Nikon N6006 body and Nikor 500 mm mirror lens with a fixed stop of f/8.

Slide no. (yymmdd) Species Location/Comments

1011-17 950423 Yellow-thtd. Vireo Boone's Draw

1011-18 950423 Broad-w. Hawk(imm.) Boone's Draw

1011-23 950423 Broad-w. Hawk (ad.) Boone's Draw

1012-4 950423 White-thtd. Sparrow Ft. Sumner

1012-15 950429 Piping&Snowy Plovers Brantley Lake

1012-19 950429 Piping Plover Brantley Lake

1012-23 950429 American Bittern Bitter Lakes NWR

1013-6 950430 Yellow-thtd. Vireo Boone's Draw

1013-14 950430 Ovenbird Melrose Trap

1013-17 950506 Hepatic Tanager Melrose Trap

1013-19 950506 Black&White Warbler Boone's Draw

1013-22 950506 Bronzed Cowbird Hobbs

1013-23 950506 Ross' Goose Jal Lake

1014-3 950506 Ross' Goose Jal Lake

1014-5 950512 Flammulated Owl Melrose Trap

1014-8 950513 Lucy's Warbler Boone's Draw

1014-13 950513 Kentucky Warbler Boone's Draw

1014-18 950513 Kentucky Warbler Boone's Draw

1014-22 950514 Blackpoll Warbler Washington Ranch

Appendix C
Other Interesting Things

As a member of Fish & Game, you might be interested in mammal and reptile sightings as well as birds. I have included here some of the ones I have seen on various trips.

950304 -- A herd of about 15 Pronghorn in the Animas Valley between Animas and Cotton City.

950312 -- A Porcupine just downstream from the dam at Clayton Lake. One at RSPA on 3/25 and 2 there on 4/29.

950430 -- A 4-5 ft. Coachwhip Snake at Santa Rosa. The reptile was briefly seen (rapidly) crossing the road about half way between the main street in Santa Rosa and the Trout Hatchery. My closest approach was about 15 ft. (at 30-40 mph). The animal was light rose-colored above, grading to light pink on the sides. I noted no markings or patterning. The body diameter was about an inch at it's broadest. My instant thought was Red Racer (life reptile), but I have no indication whether Western Coachwhip coloration can be reddish. The range map in the Peterson Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians indicates that the animal was out of the main range for either subspecies, but was probably a Red Racer.

950513 -- a 2-3 ft. Prairie Rattlesnake at Boone's Draw.

950520-21 -- Striped Skunks became active during the daytime with 1 at RSPA on 5/20 and 1 at Boone's Draw and 1 at Ft. Sumner on 5/21.

copyright, 1995 Jerry R. Oldenettel
use by permission only