New Mexico, May 17-20, 1997.

This was a working trip in that I was checking logistics and scouting some locations for a trip at the end of the month. As such I spent much more time driving than birding, trying to cram too much into too few days. I spent 2 full days and two partial days in New Mexico, logging 1600 miles in the state and 1900 miles total.

I didn't expect any surprises and my expectations were met! My objectives were to check on a few places that I've visited before as well as a few new spots. Since my upcoming trip is the first week in June, I was most interested in breeding birds and not migrants - hence I didn't visit the prime migrant traps.

I was foiled in my attempt to visit the Jemez Mtns (some lousy weather) and I wasted much time driving so far north without results. Eastern and Southeastern areas were also very overcast and cool - actually cold in Santa Rosa and Fort Sumner. Carlsbad was apparently near 100 prior to my arrival but I enjoyed cool, cloudy skies for the most part.

I always enjoy visiting eastern NM because it offers the chance to see some eastern species rarely seen in AZ. The following is a summary of my route and any highlights (for me) and stuff that I think might be significant for the season/location. The complete list of species seen follows. NM birders: I'd appreciate any comments on anything that looks out of place - thanks.

Saturday, May 17, 1997
I entered the state on Hwy 78 in the Burro Mtns with a brief stop at Harden Cienega - plenty of Hepatic Tanagers here. From there I headed N through Glenwood (Fish Hatchery was quiet except for a noisy Belted KF!) and into the Mogollon Mountains were it was wet and cool at times. Large flocks of Pine Siskins and a few Clark's Nutcrackers and Golden-Crowned Kinglets about 4 miles above Mogollon. Willow Creek was heavy on water and light on birds, although I did see Red-faced Warbler. MacGillivray's don't seem to be in yet. Giita Campground had Band-tailed Pigeon. I continued to work north on 94 towards Apache Creek were Pinyon Jays became common. I spent the night at the Allison Motel in Quemado - the restaurant next door is quite good.

Sunday, May 18, 1997
I headed NW on Hwys 36/117 and was at El Malpais at first light. At The Narrows, more Pinyon Jays and nearby singing Black-chinned Sparrows. La Ventana unit was very productive. Hairy Woodpecker seemed a little out of place. Lots of common stuff - best bird was a singing Gray Vireo, habitat for this species was quite good at the base of the cliffs. Mountain Bluebirds were common throughout. I continued on to Grants and looped back S and E on Hwy 53. Man, those Pinyon Jays are everywhere! Notable in town at Ramah were large flocks of Pine Siskins and Evening Grosbeaks. I worked the sage near Gallup - no Sage Thrashers (too early?) but a few Sage Sparrows. I then headed east on I-40 then north to Santa Fe where the weather worsened and the crows thickened. However, it's always a treat to see the handsome Magpie. Only other bird of note was a lone Lewis' Woodpecker along Co Rd 84 near San Ildefonso Pueblo. I abandoned my plan to hit the high country and headed S to Clines Corners and on to Santa Rosa, seeing my first  Common Nighthawks along I-40. Night in Santa Rosa. I can recommend Joseph's Restaurant but what can you say about Motel 6? Ok, you can say cheap.

Monday, May 19, 1997
Santa Rosa at dawn was very cold with heavy overcast but the TVs were soaring! James Wallace Park in town had (nesting?) Pied-billed Grebe and a few cormorants. A trip down the Pecos along Hwy 91 was unproductive - too much riverside private property. Bullock's Oriole and Belted KF. I headed S to Fort Sumner where the birdlife got decidedly more eastern with species such as Blue Jay, Brown Thrasher and Common Grackle. I've seen the grackle as far north as Roswell but never before at Fort Sumner. Bosque Redondo had the jay and thrasher, 2 Eastern Phoebes, numerous  Wilson's and MacGillivrays Warblers and a single Virginia's (I've seen her here before). A small flock of Ibis flew over. The grackle and another Eastern Phoebe were in the fields to the east. Continuing S on 20 I began to see Swainson's Hawks and a mild surprise at the intersection of Hwys 20/285 N of Roswell was a Cattle Egret. Bitter Lake NWR was fairly productive with Franklin's Gull, Black and Forster's Terns (no Least that I could find), and a smattering of lingering ducks and shorebirds. Common Nighthawks were abundant near Carlsbad on a coolish mid-afternoon. On the Black River Village Road I picked up a few desert species including  Pyrrhuloxia along with more interesting stuff like singing Cassin's Sparrow, a pair of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers (13 miles from Hwy 180) and a Western Tanager looking very incongruous! Night in Carlsbad - Lucy's restaurant, like the warbler, is not pretty but well worth looking at.

Tuesday, May 20, 1996
Rattlesnake Springs at first light (6:00am) was very busy. Lots of Orchard Orioles, active Great Horned Owls, Pine Siskins, Am. and Lesser Goldfinch, and a male Painted Bunting. MacGillivrays were numerous and I saw 1 Eastern Phoebe plus a lot of common stuff. From here it was a long haul home with few stops. Harris Hawk in Whites City. I headed for the Sacramento Mtns via Co Rd 21, Rockin R Red Rd which is mostly paved to the town of Hope.Cassin's Sparrows were abundant along a 6.5 mile stretch from Crossback Rd to Armstrong Rd. In the mountains my timing was perfect for a spectacular thunderstorm. The only birds of note were Townsend's Solitaire in Cloudcroft and Red-faced Warbler, Western Tanager, Grace's Warbler, Cordilleran Flycatcher and Warbling Vireo (abundant) in Karr Canyon.