Shipman's field notes, Sep 2008

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2008-09-05: NM: Clovis-Melrose Woods-Bitter Lake-Carlsbad
Notable: Brown Thrasher; Townsend's Warbler; Black-and-white Warbler; Northern Waterthrush
2008-09-06: NM: Carlsbad-Rattlesnake Springs-Roswell-Socorro
Notable: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
2008-09-11: NM: Socorro: 507 Fitch
2008-09-16: NM: Belen: Harvey House
2008-09-21: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Notable: Hooded Merganser
2008-09-25: NM: Sumner Lake
Notable: Long-tailed Jaeger
2008-09-26: NM: Clovis-Melrose Woods-Bitter Lake-Cheapskate Point
Notable: Peregrine Falcon; Chestnut-sided Warbler
2008-09-27: NM: Carlsbad-Rattlesnake Springs-Bitter Lake NWR-Socorro
Notable: Gray Hawk
2008-09-30: NM: Socorro

2008-09-05: NM: Clovis-Melrose Woods-Bitter Lake-Carlsbad

Notable: Brown Thrasher; Townsend's Warbler; Black-and-white Warbler; Northern Waterthrush

@BL: Bitter Lake NWR

@Clov: Clovis

@Elida: Melrose Woods-Elida

@Mel: Melrose Woods

@day: Clovis-Melrose Woods-Bitter Lake-Carlsbad

duck sp. @Bitter Lake NWR

Pelican, American White 1 @Bitter Lake NWR

Egret, Great @Bitter Lake NWR

Egret, Snowy @Bitter Lake NWR

Vulture, Turkey @Clovis

Hawk, Swainson's @Clovis-Melrose Woods-Bitter Lake-Carlsbad

Kestrel, American 1 @Melrose Woods

Coot, American @Bitter Lake NWR

Yellowlegs, Greater @Bitter Lake NWR

Tern, Black 1 @Bitter Lake NWR

Dove, Rock @Clovis

Collared-Dove, Eurasian @Melrose Woods-Elida

Dove, Mourning

@Clovis

@Bitter Lake NWR

Roadrunner, Greater @Bitter Lake NWR

Owl, Great Horned 2 @Melrose Woods

Vocalizations: Duetting from trees just north of the fence.

Woodpecker, Ladder-backed @Melrose Woods

Wood-Pewee, Western @Melrose Woods

Empidonax sp. @Melrose Woods

Flycatcher, Hammond's @Melrose Woods

Behavior: Flicks wings and tail together.

Shrike, Loggerhead 1 @Melrose Woods-Elida

Vireo, Warbling @Melrose Woods

Raven, Chihuahuan @Melrose Woods-Elida

Swallow, Barn

# @Melrose Woods-Elida

@Bitter Lake NWR

Wren, House @Melrose Woods

Thrasher, Brown @Clovis-Melrose Woods-Bitter Lake-Carlsbad

Description: Rich red-brown dorsally, crown to tail tip.

Warbler, Townsend's @Melrose Woods

Warbler, Black-and-white 1 @Melrose Woods

Waterthrush, Northern 1 @Melrose Woods

Warbler, MacGillivray's @Melrose Woods

Warbler, Wilson's # @Melrose Woods

Tanager, Summer 1♀ @Melrose Woods

Tanager, Western 1♀ @Melrose Woods

oriole sp. @Melrose Woods

Vocalizations: 'ch-ch-ch' call; not seen

Grackle, Great-tailed

@Clovis

@Bitter Lake NWR

Sparrow, House @Clovis

2008-09-06: NM: Carlsbad-Rattlesnake Springs-Roswell-Socorro

Notable: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR

@CBD: Carlsbad area

@Cheap: Brantley Lake: Cheapskate Point

@RS: Rattlesnake Springs

@SalCyn: Lincoln: Salazar Canyon

@WR: Washington Ranch area

@Zo: Carrizozo

@day: Carlsbad-Rattlesnake Springs-Roswell-Socorro

Quail, Gambel's # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Pheasant, Ring-necked @Bosque del Apache NWR

Grebe, Clark's 2+ @Bosque del Apache NWR

Vulture, Turkey @Carlsbad area

Harrier, Northern @Bosque del Apache NWR

Buteo sp. @Rattlesnake Springs

Description: Seen briefly flying away, edge-on. A smallish Buteo. I wonder if this is the Gray Hawk that Steve West has been seeing here lately.

Vocalizations: Two-note 'seee-yuuuuh'.

Sandpiper, Least 1 @Brantley Lake: Cheapskate Point

Pigeon, Rock 1 @Carrizozo

Collared-Dove, Eurasian @Bosque del Apache NWR

Dove, White-winged @Rattlesnake Springs

Dove, Mourning

@Rattlesnake Springs

@Bosque del Apache NWR

Roadrunner, Greater

1 @Brantley Lake: Cheapskate Point

@Bosque del Apache NWR

Wood-Pewee, Western @Bosque del Apache NWR

Flycatcher, Vermilion @Rattlesnake Springs

Flycatcher, Ash-throated 1 @Rattlesnake Springs

Kingbird, Western @Rattlesnake Springs

Flycatcher, Scissor-tailed 1 @Washington Ranch area

Near the junction where you turn west to Rattlesnake Springs or continue north to the main gate of Washington Ranch; flycatching from the wires east of the road.

Shrike, Loggerhead @Rattlesnake Springs

Vireo, Bell's # @Rattlesnake Springs

Vireo, Warbling @Rattlesnake Springs

Scrub-Jay, Western 4 @Lincoln: Salazar Canyon

Raven, Common 1 @Lincoln: Salazar Canyon

Swallow, Bank @Bosque del Apache NWR

Swallow, Cliff @Bosque del Apache NWR

Swallow, Cave @Rattlesnake Springs

Swallow, Barn

@Rattlesnake Springs

@Bosque del Apache NWR

Sparrow, Cassin's @Rattlesnake Springs

Spizella sp. @Rattlesnake Springs

Sparrow, Chipping @Rattlesnake Springs

Sparrow, Lark @Bosque del Apache NWR

Sparrow, Black-throated @Rattlesnake Springs

Tanager, Summer @Rattlesnake Springs

Tanager, Western @Rattlesnake Springs

Cardinal, Northern @Rattlesnake Springs

Grosbeak, Blue

1♀ @Rattlesnake Springs

@Bosque del Apache NWR

Blackbird, Red-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Grackle, Great-tailed @Carlsbad area

Finch, House @Rattlesnake Springs

Goldfinch, Lesser @Rattlesnake Springs

2008-09-11: NM: Socorro: 507 Fitch

@home: Socorro: 507 Fitch

Thrasher, Curve-billed 1 @Socorro: 507 Fitch

2008-09-16: NM: Belen: Harvey House

@Bel: Belen: Harvey House

Egret, Cattle 5 @Belen: Harvey House

Flock flying over.

2008-09-21: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Notable: Hooded Merganser

@TBay: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

domestic goose sp. 4 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

domestic duck sp. # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Wigeon, American 6 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Duck, Ring-necked

1♂ @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

1♀ @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Merganser, Hooded @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Description: Dull brown bird, long plain brown crest, narrow serrated bill.

Duck, Ruddy 1♀ @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Kingfisher, Belted @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Phoebe, Black 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Robin, American @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Warbler, Wilson's 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Tanager, Summer 1♀ @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Tanager, Western #♀ @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

2008-09-25: NM: Sumner Lake

Notable: Long-tailed Jaeger

@SumL: Sumner Lake

Grebe, Clark's @Sumner Lake

Osprey 1 @Sumner Lake

Killdeer 1 @Sumner Lake

Sanderling 4 @Sumner Lake

At the top of the main boat ramp, there is a dirt road to the left marked with signs for “shoreline access.” These birds were foraging along the shoreline.

Gull, Ring-billed @Sumner Lake

Jaeger, Long-tailed 1 @Sumner Lake

Description: Seen at about a 40-yard range, backlit, in flight. Bulky jaeger build, pointed tail, but shorter than the full-length tails I used to see on pelagic trips. I did not personally identify this to species, but this individual has been around for many days and seen by many.

2008-09-26: NM: Clovis-Melrose Woods-Bitter Lake-Cheapskate Point

Notable: Peregrine Falcon; Chestnut-sided Warbler

@BL: Bitter Lake NWR

@Chp: Brantley Lake: Cheapskate Point

@Clo: Clovis

@Elida: Melrose-Elida

@Mel: Melrose Woods

@day: Clovis-Melrose Woods-Bitter Lake-Cheapskate Point

duck sp. # @Bitter Lake NWR

Pheasant, Ring-necked 1♂ @Clovis

North side of US-60 a few miles west of the town center, wandering along the side of the road.

Pelican, American White 14 @Bitter Lake NWR

Heron, Great Blue 2 @Bitter Lake NWR

Egret, Great # @Bitter Lake NWR

Egret, Snowy # @Bitter Lake NWR

Ibis, White-faced # @Bitter Lake NWR

Vulture, Turkey @Melrose-Elida

Harrier, Northern @Bitter Lake NWR

Falcon, Peregrine 1 @Bitter Lake NWR

I was rounding the south end of the loop, concentrating on the flooded units on my left, when I noticed out of the corner of my eye a large bird perched on a snag close to the road. The bird was quite calm about my blazing away out the car window. For some reason, the photos were badly overexposed. These images required significant surgery, and there's nothing I can do about the blown-out highlights.

Coot, American # @Bitter Lake NWR

Killdeer 1 @Brantley Lake: Cheapskate Point

Stilt, Black-necked # @Bitter Lake NWR

Yellowlegs, Greater @Bitter Lake NWR

Yellowlegs, Lesser @Bitter Lake NWR

dowitcher sp. # @Bitter Lake NWR

Gull, Ring-billed 1+ @Brantley Lake: Cheapskate Point

Tern, Forster's @Bitter Lake NWR

Dove, Rock @Clovis

Dove, Mourning @Clovis

Flicker, Red-shafted # @Melrose Woods

Kingbird, Western @Melrose-Elida

Shrike, Loggerhead @Bitter Lake NWR

Swallow, Barn # @Bitter Lake NWR

Kinglet, Ruby-crowned @Melrose Woods

My first of the fall. You know, it's really hard to photograph this little guys. They don't sit still very often, or for very long.

Thrush, Hermit @Melrose Woods

Description: Ground color of breast is white. No buffy “spectacles”. Back brown, tail reddish.

Warbler, Chestnut-sided 1i♀ @Melrose Woods

Description: Greenish upperparts and crown. Two wide green wingbars. Prominent white eyering.

Warbler, Yellow-rumped # @Melrose Woods

Warbler, Audubon's @Melrose Woods

Warbler, Wilson's # @Melrose Woods

Bunting, Lark @Melrose-Elida

Grackle, Great-tailed

@Clovis

Description: Many males completely tailless.

1♂ @Melrose Woods

Description: Complete tail.

2008-09-27: NM: Carlsbad-Rattlesnake Springs-Bitter Lake NWR-Socorro

Notable: Gray Hawk

@BL: Bitter Lake NWR

@CBD: Carlsbad area

@Chp: Brantley Lake: Cheapskate Point

@RS: Rattlesnake Springs

@Sal: Lincoln: Salazar Canyon

@Wash: Washington Ranch area

@day: Carlsbad-Rattlesnake Springs-Bitter Lake NWR-Socorro

duck sp. # @Bitter Lake NWR

Gadwall # @Bitter Lake NWR

Wigeon, American # @Bitter Lake NWR

Shoveler, Northern # @Bitter Lake NWR

Pintail, Northern # @Bitter Lake NWR

Teal, American Green-winged # @Bitter Lake NWR

Turkey, Wild 5 @Rattlesnake Springs

Grebe, Pied-billed 1 @Bitter Lake NWR

Pelican, American White 6 @Bitter Lake NWR

Egret, Great # @Bitter Lake NWR

Egret, Snowy # @Bitter Lake NWR

Ibis, White-faced # @Bitter Lake NWR

Vulture, Turkey

@Carlsbad area

@Rattlesnake Springs

Harrier, Northern 2 @Bitter Lake NWR

Hawk, Gray 1 @Rattlesnake Springs

Description: Underparts generally light-colored, with dark wingtips. Tail pattern, basal to distal: white, a wide black band, a narrow white band, another wide black band, a relatively wide white band almost as wide as the adjacent black bands, a wide black band, and a fairly narrow white tip. Somewhat long tail for a soaring hawk, but not as long as an Accipiter tail.

The bird was soaring; it disappeared behind the ranger's residence before I could get more than this one pathetic shot, which appears to show the bird carrying a prey animal.

Coot, American # @Bitter Lake NWR

Yellowlegs, Greater # @Bitter Lake NWR

Thought it was a Lesser, but the photo clearly shows the long bill, with a hint of recurvature.

dowitcher sp. # @Bitter Lake NWR

Dove, White-winged 60+ @Rattlesnake Springs

Dove, Mourning # @Rattlesnake Springs

Roadrunner, Greater @Brantley Lake: Cheapskate Point

Kingfisher, Belted 1♀ @Rattlesnake Springs

Phoebe, Black 1 @Rattlesnake Springs

Getting a flight shot like this of a fleeing passerine is strictly a matter of luck.

Flycatcher, Vermilion # @Rattlesnake Springs

Kingbird, Cassin's @Washington Ranch area

Description: In the photos, there are two feather shafts in the undertail that look light-colored, but closer inspection reveals that these are not the white outer rectrices of Western Kingbird. I'm calling this a Cassin's from the dark gray head, and the sharp edge of the lower margin of the white chin contrasting with the dark gray throat and breast.

Kingbird, Western @Washington Ranch area

Vireo, Bell's @Rattlesnake Springs

Scrub-Jay, Western 4 @Lincoln: Salazar Canyon

raven sp. @Carlsbad-Rattlesnake Springs-Bitter Lake NWR-Socorro

Swallow, Barn # @Rattlesnake Springs

Bushtit # @Lincoln: Salazar Canyon

Warbler, Wilson's 1 @Rattlesnake Springs

Sparrow, Clay-colored @Rattlesnake Springs

All three Spizella species were probably around today.

Sparrow, Lark @Bitter Lake NWR

Tanager, Summer @Rattlesnake Springs

Tanager, Western 1♀ @Rattlesnake Springs

Cardinal, Northern 1♂ @Rattlesnake Springs

If I were bright red, I'd skulk deep inside the brush too. This photo is a fine example of a situation where autofocus is useless.

Blackbird, Brewer's # @Rattlesnake Springs

2008-09-30: NM: Socorro

@Soc: Socorro

Raven, Chihuahuan 100+ @Socorro

Description: Wedge-shaped tails.

Vocalizations: 'rack'

I don't usually see large numbers of this species in the area, except for the pig farm on Chaparral Loop, where I might see twenty on a good day. But this photo shows at least 100 birds strung out along the phone wires near the south freeway exit.