Shipman's field notes, May 2011

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2011-05-03: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Notable: Green-tailed Towhee
2011-05-04: NM: Socorro-Melrose Woods
Notable: Orange-crowned Warbler; Black-and-white Warbler; Gray-headed Junco
2011-05-05: NM: Melrose Woods-Clovis WTP-Bitter Lake-Brantley Lake
Notable: Mississippi Kite; Willet; Plumbeous Vireo; Gray Catbird; Ovenbird; Gray-headed Junco; Dickcissel
2011-05-06: NM: Rattlesnake Springs-Brantley-Bosque del Apache
Notable: Cassin's Vireo; Brown Thrasher; Lucy's Warbler; Northern Parula; Palm Warbler
2011-05-07: NM: Socorro: 507 Fitch
2011-05-09: NM: Belen: Taco Bell Marsh
2011-05-14: NM: Socorro: North American Migration Count
Notable: Bell's Vireo; Virginia's Warbler; Townsend's Warbler; Scott's Oriole
2011-05-14: NM: Bosque del Apache (not part of NAMC effort)
Notable: Common Black-Hawk; Hooded Oriole
2011-05-20: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
2011-05-22: NM: Socorro: 507 Fitch
2011-05-29: NM: Socorro: 507 Fitch

2011-05-03: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

Notable: Green-tailed Towhee

@NMT: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

Towhee, Green-tailed 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech

Casually foraging in the flowerbed just south of the MSEC building.

2011-05-04: NM: Socorro-Melrose Woods

Notable: Orange-crowned Warbler; Black-and-white Warbler; Gray-headed Junco

@Mel: Melrose Woods

First time I've seen this site since a fire went through recently. About a third of the understory was burned out. Some of the larger cottonwoods are quite blackened on the outside but still have green foliage above. Still, the relatively dense stands of Silverleaf Poplar on the center of the west side are still fairly well intact, and the northern half or so of the woods proper are still mostly intact, although the understory vegetation is thin. However, the treeless habitat around the outside is in very bad shape, with large stretches completely denuded, forming a sort of a dunes microhabitat west of the woods.

@day: Socorro-Melrose Woods

Hawk, Red-tailed 1a @Melrose Woods

Kestrel, American @Melrose Woods

Empidonax sp. @Melrose Woods

@Melrose Woods

Bird #1.

@Melrose Woods

Bird #2.

@Melrose Woods

Bird #3.

@Melrose Woods

Bird #4; possibly the same individual as #3.

Flycatcher, Gray 1 @Melrose Woods

Behavior: Dips tail.

Kingbird, Western @Melrose Woods

Vireo, Warbling 1 @Melrose Woods

Raven, Chihuahuan @Melrose Woods

Wren, House @Melrose Woods

Kinglet, Ruby-crowned @Melrose Woods

Thrush, Hermit @Melrose Woods

Warbler, Orange-crowned 1 @Melrose Woods

Warbler, Black-and-white 1 @Melrose Woods

Warbler, MacGillivray's @Melrose Woods

In the second photo, note the bright yellow patch on the underwing.

Warbler, Wilson's @Melrose Woods

Towhee, Green-tailed # @Melrose Woods

Towhee, Spotted @Melrose Woods

Sparrow, White-crowned 1a @Melrose Woods

Junco, Gray-headed 1 @Melrose Woods

Late.

Tanager, Summer @Melrose Woods

Grosbeak, Black-headed 1♂ @Melrose Woods

2011-05-05: NM: Melrose Woods-Clovis WTP-Bitter Lake-Brantley Lake

Notable: Mississippi Kite; Willet; Plumbeous Vireo; Gray Catbird; Ovenbird; Gray-headed Junco; Dickcissel

@Bit: Bitter Lake NWR

@CWTP: Clovis Water Treatment Plant

Easy to find and full of great birds, this will definitely go on my standard circuit from now on. Bill Wittman gave me directions and got my attention by saying he had eleven Whimbrels a couple days earlier. From the east-west main drag (where the Econo-Lodge is), go south on Prince Street. Look for a large green sign announcing the water treatment plant and turn east for a mile or so. Ask permission from whatever human you first encounter.

@Cheap: Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road

@Mel: Melrose Woods

@day: Melrose Woods-Clovis WTP-Bitter Lake-Brantley Lake

Goose, Canada 1 @Clovis Water Treatment Plant

Gadwall # @Bitter Lake NWR

Wigeon, American # @Bitter Lake NWR

Mallard

# @Clovis Water Treatment Plant

# @Bitter Lake NWR

Teal, Blue-winged # @Clovis Water Treatment Plant

Teal, Cinnamon # @Bitter Lake NWR

Shoveler, Northern

# @Clovis Water Treatment Plant

# @Bitter Lake NWR

Duck, Ruddy # @Bitter Lake NWR

Grebe, Eared 1 @Clovis Water Treatment Plant

Description: Alternate plumage.

Cormorant, Double-crested 20 @Clovis Water Treatment Plant

Breeding: Nesting underway on the southern rim of the large water body. Count approximate.

Heron, Great Blue 1 @Clovis Water Treatment Plant

Egret, Great # @Bitter Lake NWR

Ibis, White-faced # @Bitter Lake NWR

hawk sp. @Bitter Lake NWR

I have no idea what kind of bird this is. It was a ways off and these pictures capture pretty much what I saw through binoculars. Possibly one of those southeast NM Red-tails with immaculate underparts. Size and shape about Buteo.

Kite, Mississippi 1 @Bitter Lake NWR

Soaring over the marsh just east of the Skeen Visitor Center.

Description: Sorry I failed to get any photos, but it was pretty unmistakable. Adult bird, slender wings, long dark tail with straight rear margin, underparts pale gray.

Harrier, Northern 1 @Bitter Lake NWR

Kestrel, American 2 @Melrose Woods

Coot, American # @Clovis Water Treatment Plant

Plover, Snowy

2 @Bitter Lake NWR

1 @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road

Killdeer # @Clovis Water Treatment Plant

Stilt, Black-necked

# @Clovis Water Treatment Plant

# @Bitter Lake NWR

Avocet, American

# @Clovis Water Treatment Plant

# @Bitter Lake NWR

Yellowlegs, Greater 1 @Bitter Lake NWR

Willet 1 @Clovis Water Treatment Plant

Yellowlegs, Lesser 1 @Clovis Water Treatment Plant

Sandpiper, Baird's 1 @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road

Det. based on: black legs rule out Least; bill not as long as Western, not drooping; buffy band across breast, not as extensive as Pectoral; long wingtips crossing beyond the tail.

Dowitcher, Long-billed # @Clovis Water Treatment Plant

Phalarope, Wilson's

# @Clovis Water Treatment Plant

In the photo, note the tiny food item near the tip of the bill.

# @Bitter Lake NWR

1 @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road

Gull, Franklin's

# @Clovis Water Treatment Plant

9 @Bitter Lake NWR

1 @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road

Gull, Ring-billed

2 @Clovis Water Treatment Plant

6 @Bitter Lake NWR

Woodpecker, Ladder-backed 1 @Melrose Woods

Empidonax sp. @Melrose Woods

@Melrose Woods

Behavior: Flicks wings and tail up together. Too much yellow and green to be a Gray.

Bird #1 for the day.

@Melrose Woods

Bird #2 for the day.

Flycatcher, Gray 1 @Melrose Woods

Phoebe, Say's 1 @Melrose Woods

Kingbird, Western # @Melrose Woods

Vireo, Plumbeous 1 @Bitter Lake NWR

Trees just north of the old headquarters building. Quite tame, giving me frame-filling photos.

Description: All plumage colors shades of white and gray. Distinct border between gray cheek and white throat. Secondary edges white, no tinge of green.

Swallow, Barn # @Melrose Woods

Wren, House @Melrose Woods

Kinglet, Ruby-crowned 1+ @Melrose Woods

Thrush, Hermit # @Melrose Woods

Scads of these everywhere. Most common bird here today.

Catbird, Gray 1 @Melrose Woods

Foraging on the “dunes” west of the woods.

Mockingbird, Northern

1 @Melrose Woods

@Bitter Lake NWR

Warbler, Audubon's # @Bitter Lake NWR

Ovenbird 1 @Melrose Woods

Towhee, Green-tailed 3+ @Melrose Woods

Seems like there was one of these every time I turned around. Most were rather uncooperative for photos, though.

Towhee, Spotted 1 @Melrose Woods

Sparrow, Chipping

# @Melrose Woods

# @Bitter Lake NWR

Sparrow, Lark # @Melrose Woods

Bunting, Lark @Melrose Woods-Clovis WTP-Bitter Lake-Brantley Lake

A short distance north of Elida along NM-330.

Junco, Gray-headed 1 @Melrose Woods

Tanager, Summer 1 @Melrose Woods

Tanager, Western # @Melrose Woods

Dickcissel 1 @Melrose Woods

Perched in a tree at the south end of the Pit.

Meadowlark, Western # @Bitter Lake NWR

Vocalizations: By song type.

Grackle, Great-tailed # @Clovis Water Treatment Plant

Oriole, Bullock's 1 @Melrose Woods

2011-05-06: NM: Rattlesnake Springs-Brantley-Bosque del Apache

Notable: Cassin's Vireo; Brown Thrasher; Lucy's Warbler; Northern Parula; Palm Warbler

@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR

@Cheap: Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road (Cheapskate Point)

@Cot: Carlsbad Caverns NP: Cottonwood Day Use Area

@RS: Rattlesnake Springs

@SAnt: San Antonio

@day: Rattlesnake Springs-Brantley-Bosque del Apache

Goose, Canada # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Gadwall # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Mallard # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Teal, Blue-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Teal, Cinnamon # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Shoveler, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Duck, Ruddy # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Quail, Gambel's # @San Antonio

Pheasant, Ring-necked 1♂ @Bosque del Apache NWR

Turkey, Wild 7 @Rattlesnake Springs

Grebe, Pied-billed # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Cormorant, Neotropic # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Cormorant, Double-crested 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Egret, Great # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Egret, Snowy # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Heron, Green 1 @Rattlesnake Springs

Ibis, White-faced # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Harrier, Northern

1♂ @Carlsbad Caverns NP: Cottonwood Day Use Area

1♀ @Carlsbad Caverns NP: Cottonwood Day Use Area

Coot, American

1 @Carlsbad Caverns NP: Cottonwood Day Use Area

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

Killdeer # @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road (Cheapskate Point)

Stilt, Black-necked 2 @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road (Cheapskate Point)

These two birds were resting comfortably right at the edge of the water.

Phalarope, Wilson's

# @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road (Cheapskate Point)

The photo shows the lobed shape of the foot.

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

Gull, Franklin's 1a @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road (Cheapskate Point)

Gull, Ring-billed 2 @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road (Cheapskate Point)

Dove, White-winged # @Rattlesnake Springs

Dove, Mourning # @Rattlesnake Springs

Hummingbird, Black-chinned 1♂ @Rattlesnake Springs

Kingfisher, Belted # @Rattlesnake Springs

Woodpecker, Ladder-backed 1♀ @Carlsbad Caverns NP: Cottonwood Day Use Area

Phoebe, Black 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Flycatcher, Vermilion # @Rattlesnake Springs

Kingbird, Cassin's 1 @Rattlesnake Springs

Kingbird, Western # @Rattlesnake Springs

Vireo, Cassin's 1 @Rattlesnake Springs

Description: A very different-looking bird than yesterday's Plumbeous. Much green and yellow coloration, color change between the gray cheek and the paler throat quite gradual.

raven sp. # @Rattlesnake Springs

Swallow, Barn # @Rattlesnake Springs

Kinglet, Ruby-crowned # @Rattlesnake Springs

Thrush, Hermit # @Rattlesnake Springs

Mockingbird, Northern # @Rattlesnake Springs

Thrasher, Brown 1 @Rattlesnake Springs

On the grassy strip on the north side of the “ash grove” just east of the ranger's house.

Warbler, Lucy's 1 @Rattlesnake Springs

In mesquite north of the fence, west of the picnic area.

Description: Brief look showed an all-gray bird with a chestnut rump.

Parula, Northern 1 @Rattlesnake Springs

At the time, I reported Nashville, based on the general blue-and-yellow coloration. However, I did notice the dark bar between the yellow throat and the yellow breast at the time, and it bothered me. Not until I saw the photos did I realize the correct ID.

Warbler, Yellow # @Rattlesnake Springs

Warbler, Audubon's # @Rattlesnake Springs

Warbler, Palm 1 @Carlsbad Caverns NP: Cottonwood Day Use Area

Foraging under and in the smallish cottonwoods just to the right of the observation deck at the pond here.

Warbler, MacGillivray's 1 @Rattlesnake Springs

Yellowthroat, Common 1-3 @Rattlesnake Springs

Warbler, Wilson's # @Rattlesnake Springs

Chat, Yellow-breasted # @Rattlesnake Springs

Towhee, Green-tailed # @Rattlesnake Springs

Sparrow, Chipping

# @Rattlesnake Springs

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

Sparrow, Brewer's @Rattlesnake Springs

This bird came in to drink at the small pool just west of the main pond. I like Brewer's rather than Chipping because the dark line through the eye and the “mustache” line are equally strong.

Sparrow, Lark # @Rattlesnake Springs

Bunting, Lark # @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road (Cheapskate Point)

Group of at least seven birds in mesquite along Champion Cove Road not far from US-285.

Sparrow, White-crowned

# @Carlsbad Caverns NP: Cottonwood Day Use Area

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

Tanager, Summer 1♂ @Rattlesnake Springs

Cardinal, Northern # @Rattlesnake Springs

Grosbeak, Black-headed 1♂ @Rattlesnake Springs

Cowbird, Brown-headed 1♂ @Rattlesnake Springs

Oriole, Orchard 1♂ @Rattlesnake Springs

Finch, House # @Rattlesnake Springs

Siskin, Pine 1 @Rattlesnake Springs

2011-05-07: NM: Socorro: 507 Fitch

@home: Socorro: 507 Fitch

Bunting, Lazuli 1 @Socorro: 507 Fitch

2011-05-09: NM: Belen: Taco Bell Marsh

@TBM: Belen: Taco Bell Marsh

Mallard 1 @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh

Teal, American Green-winged 1♂ @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh

Duck, Ruddy 1♂ @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh

Egret, Snowy # @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh

Egret, Cattle # @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh

Coot, American 1 @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh

Stilt, Black-necked # @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh

Avocet, American 2 @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh

Phalarope, Wilson's # @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh

Swallow, Northern Rough-winged # @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh

Swallow, Barn 1 @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh

2011-05-14: NM: Socorro: North American Migration Count

Notable: Bell's Vireo; Virginia's Warbler; Townsend's Warbler; Scott's Oriole

@NAMC: Socorro: North American Migration Count

@Riv4: Socorro: Riverine Park #4

@TBay: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Route

0558-0803, foot, 0.5 miles, Turtle Bay.

0803-0903, car, 7.8 miles, city of Socorro.

0903-1103, foot, 0.8 miles, Riverine Park #4.

1103-1310, car, 26.3 miles, Socorro and farm fields.

Party of one. Total: 7.24 hours, 35.4 miles; 4.08 hours and 1.3 miles by foot, 3.12 hours and 34.1 miles by car.

Wigeon, American 2 @New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Mallard 1 @Socorro: Riverine Park #4

Quail, Gambel's 2 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Vulture, Turkey 1 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Hawk, Sharp-shinned 1 @New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Hawk, Swainson's 1 @Socorro: Riverine Park #4

Coot, American 1 @New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Killdeer 1 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Pigeon, Rock 24 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Collared-Dove, Eurasian 11 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Dove, White-winged 13 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Dove, Mourning 9 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

hummingbird sp. 4 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Flicker, Red-shafted 2 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Wood-Pewee, Western @Socorro: North American Migration Count

The “Diagonal” off Hope Farms Road.

Empidonax sp. 4 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Flycatcher, Gray 1 @Socorro: Riverine Park #4

Phoebe, Black 2 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Flycatcher, Ash-throated 1 @Socorro: Riverine Park #4

Kingbird, Western 29 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Vireo, Bell's 1 @Socorro: Riverine Park #4

Vocalizations: Heard only. Exactly the same as the songs of the Bell's Vireos I spent last weekend chasing all over Rattlesnake Springs. Phrases with a longer gap between them than the “Solitary” types; range of pitches narrower.

raven sp. 22 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Raven, Chihuahuan 4 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Swallow, Bank 1 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Near the Low-flow Conveyance Channel.

Swallow, Barn 46 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Nuthatch, White-breasted 1 @Socorro: Riverine Park #4

Wren, House 1 @Socorro: Riverine Park #4

Thrush, Hermit 2 @Socorro: Riverine Park #4

Robin, American 14 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Mockingbird, Northern 17 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Thrasher, Curve-billed 2 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Starling, European 8 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Phainopepla 1♀ @New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Warbler, Orange-crowned 1 @New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Warbler, Virginia's

1 @New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Description: Gray above, white below, large solid yellow area around the vent.

Seen through a chain-link fence that made it impossible to get a photo.

1 @Socorro: Riverine Park #4

Warbler, Yellow 2 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Warbler, Audubon's 9 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Warbler, Myrtle 1 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Warbler, Townsend's 1 @Socorro: Riverine Park #4

At the southerly edge of the salt cedar thicket. Roughly 34°05′12″N, 106°52′27″W.

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

Warbler, Wilson's 6 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Towhee, Green-tailed 1 @New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Towhee, Spotted 3 @Socorro: Riverine Park #4

Sparrow, Lark 2 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

On a Faculty Hill lawn.

Sparrow, White-crowned 8 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Tanager, Summer 2 @Socorro: Riverine Park #4

Tanager, Western 2 @New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Grosbeak, Black-headed 3 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Blackbird, Red-winged 2 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Meadowlark, Western 2 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

East end of Otero Road.

Vocalizations: By song type.

Grackle, Great-tailed 22 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Cowbird, Brown-headed 2 @Socorro: Riverine Park #4

Oriole, Bullock's 3 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Oriole, Scott's 1♂ @Socorro: North American Migration Count

On a south-facing slope just above the last segment of Calle de Lago. This is a few yards from the edge of the golf course, in scrub habitat, but also close to a popular feeder at a faculty residence.

Finch, House 14 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

Sparrow, House 18 @Socorro: North American Migration Count

2011-05-14: NM: Bosque del Apache (not part of NAMC effort)

Notable: Common Black-Hawk; Hooded Oriole

@BdA: Bosque del Apache (not part of NAMC effort)

Goose, Canada # @Bosque del Apache (not part of NAMC effort)

Teal, Cinnamon # @Bosque del Apache (not part of NAMC effort)

Egret, Great # @Bosque del Apache (not part of NAMC effort)

Egret, Snowy # @Bosque del Apache (not part of NAMC effort)

Black-Hawk, Common 1 @Bosque del Apache (not part of NAMC effort)

Description: General size and shape Buteo-like. Head and shoulders a steel blue-gray, rest of body coffee brown. Large bill, yellow cere. Tail white with about six narrow black bands, the distal band wider, the very tips light. Upperwing gray with a small light-colored mark near the leading edge of the wing just inside the bases of the primaries.