Shipman's field notes, May 2012

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2012-05-12: NM: Socorro County: North American Migration Count
Notable: Downy Woodpecker; Gray Catbird
2012-05-12: NM: Socorro County
Notable: Common Gallinule
2012-05-14: NM: Albuquerque: 430 Washington NE
2012-05-15: NM: Socorro: 507 Fitch
2012-05-19: NM: Magdalenas: Water Canyon area
2012-05-27: NM: Magdalenas: Water Canyon area

2012-05-12: NM: Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Notable: Downy Woodpecker; Gray Catbird

@NAMC: Socorro County: North American Migration Count

@Riv4: Socorro: Riverine Park #4

@Soc: Socorro

@TBay: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Route

This group of records from my official territory, the city of Socorro and environs.

Official effort: by foot, 4.17 hours and 1.60 miles; by car, 2.63 hours and 32.60 miles; total, 6.80 hours and 34.20 miles.

0546, drove to Turtle Bay.

0552, on foot at Turtle Bay. Greeted the dawn at this spot, which is a sorry sight after their recent pogrom against all understory vegetation within 8′ of the ground. Fortunately there is still some cover along the chain-link fence west of the new childcare center.

0744, driving: Lopezville Road, the north end of Chaparral Drive, and Riverine Park #5, “Confluence.”

0834, on foot at Riverine Park #4, always my favorite of these.

1012, driving the rest of Chaparral Drive, Hope Farms Road, and Evergreen Drive.

1224, back at Turtle Bay for another look; stop at 1304.

Wigeon, American 2 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

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

Quail, Gambel's 7 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Vulture, Turkey 2 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Hawk, Cooper's 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Blasted through the clearing. Suddenly everything got very quiet.

Dove, Rock 3 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Collared-Dove, Eurasian 23 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Dove, White-winged 7 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Dove, Mourning 8 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Roadrunner, Greater 2 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Hummingbird, Black-chinned 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Woodpecker, Downy 1 @Socorro: Riverine Park #4

Directly over the picnic tables at the end of the road.

Description: Medium-small woodpecker, plain white back, tiny bill.

Flicker, Red-shafted 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Wood-Pewee, Western 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Phoebe, Black 2 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Phoebe, Say's 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

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

Kingbird, Western 36 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Raven, Chihuahuan 2 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Just about impossible to miss this species at the pig farm on Chaparral Loop.

Vocalizations: 'rack' call

Swallow, Northern Rough-winged 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Swallow, Cliff 3 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Swallow, Barn 8 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Robin, American 34 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Catbird, Gray 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

In the thickest part of the cover along the chain-link fence west of the new childcare center, only about 10 yards from the road that goes out to the pro shop.

Description: When I could see only the small, straight bill, I was guessing Hermit Thrush. It emerged for a few seconds and allowed me to observe the generally medium-gray plumage, black cap, and rusty vent.

Mockingbird, Northern 8 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Thrasher, Curve-billed 1 @Socorro

Lopezville Road near its junction with Newberry Road.

Starling, European 5 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Phainopepla 1♀ @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Near the location of the catbird. It was apparently gleaning Russian Olive fruits from the very tops of the tree.

The bird seemed to be deliberately staying out of my line of sight as I jockeyed for position. This whole dance reminded me quite a bit of a former year's Scarlet Tanager, with the same exact location and behavior. Took me several minutes to get a decent look.

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

From the picnic tables at the end of the road, there is a trail that winds north in the salt cedar and willow.

Description: Tiny gray job zipping around.

Vocalizations: 'swayt^2 sweet^3'

Warbler, Yellow 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Towhee, Spotted 4 @Socorro: Riverine Park #4

Vocalizations: Typically, saw none, constantly heard them giving out their 'chep^3 tweee'.

Tanager, Summer 6 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Tanager, Western 1♂ @Socorro: Riverine Park #4

Grosbeak, Black-headed 11 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Blackbird, Red-winged 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Meadowlark, Western 2 @Socorro

Vocalizations: Heard the complex song.

Grackle, Great-tailed 24 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Oriole, Bullock's 1♂ @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Only one bird working what looked lots of ripe mulberries.

Finch, House 16 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Sparrow, House 23 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

2012-05-12: NM: Socorro County

Notable: Common Gallinule

@A101: Socorro County Road A-101

@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR

@SocCo: Socorro County

Goose, Canada # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Swan, Mute 1 [uncountable] @Bosque del Apache NWR

Not countable, of course, but there was an authentic Tundra Swan elsewhere (the Phil Norton Blind, according to Gary Froehlich), so worth mentioning just for the benefit of tyros who might not look closely.

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

Teal, American Green-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Redhead 1♂ @Bosque del Apache NWR

Seen from the Flight Deck.

Turkey, Wild 7 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Six crossed the road just north of the point where the seasonal road rejoins it. One more at the south end of the Marsh Loop.

Grebe, Western 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Cormorant, Neotropic 6 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Heron, Great Blue 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Egret, Great 20 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Abundant and conspicuous.

Egret, Snowy 2 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Ibis, White-faced # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Hawk, Swainson's 1 @Socorro County

Kestrel, American 1 @Socorro County Road A-101

As of the countdown at 1430, nobody had seen this species yet, so I asserted that A-101, also known as Farm-Market Road, would produce, and it did indeed.

Gallinule, Common 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

In the “old rookery”, the triangular pond south of the center road just west of where the Marsh Loop returns to it. Close to the wall of reeds on the west side of this pond, wandering into and out of cover.

Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Killdeer @Bosque del Apache NWR

Avocet, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Dowitcher, Long-billed 11 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Phalarope, Wilson's # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Yellowthroat, Common 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Sparrow, Lark # @Socorro County Road A-101

Cowbird, Brown-headed 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

2012-05-14: NM: Albuquerque: 430 Washington NE

@ABQ: Albuquerque: 430 Washington NE

Roadrunner, Greater 1 @Albuquerque: 430 Washington NE

Flying across Washington, a minor thoroughfare, just a block or so south of Lomas.

It is a matter of constant fascination to me how these birds seem to have adapted to these urban habitats. This is an older neighborhood with nice yards and no small amount of vehicle traffic.

2012-05-15: NM: Socorro: 507 Fitch

@home: Socorro: 507 Fitch

Thrasher, Curve-billed 1 @Socorro: 507 Fitch

2012-05-19: NM: Magdalenas: Water Canyon area

@NF: Magdalenas: North Fork Road

@WC: Magdalenas: Water Canyon

@WCRd: Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road

@day: Magdalenas: Water Canyon area

Route

0925, leave Socorro.

0940, Water Canyon Road. No birds.

0950, Water Canyon proper.

1010, walking up North Fork Road from the Water Canyon Group Camp (the old North Fork party site).

1530, back to the car, briefly up to Trail 13 trailhead, then back to town.

Reptiles: new to me was a Short-horned Lizard, Phrynosoma dougallii, about 4cm snout-vent; also two Western Fence Lizards, Sceloporus occidentalis. Butterflies: new species identified included Weidemeyer's Admiral, Limenitis weidemeyerii; Sleepy Orange, Abaeis nicippe; and lots of the usual Mourning Cloaks, Nymphalis antiopa, and Two-tailed Swallowtails, Papilio multicaudata.

Vulture, Turkey 1 @Magdalenas: North Fork Road

Dove, White-winged 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Woodpecker, Acorn

1 @Magdalenas: North Fork Road

Vocalizations: '(rat, chet)+' with a pause between syllables

2 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Wood-Pewee, Western 1 @Magdalenas: North Fork Road

Flycatcher, Ash-throated

1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Vireo, Plumbeous 1 @Magdalenas: North Fork Road GPS: 340149.0n 1070856.3w

Breeding: The bird was carrying what might have been nest material and seemed to be waiting for me to leave; so it could visit the nest?

Vireo, Warbling 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Near the base of the Langmuir Road, in the big trees by the old campground.

raven sp. 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road

Raven, Chihuahuan 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road

Nuthatch, White-breasted 1 @Magdalenas: North Fork Road

Bluebird, Western # @Magdalenas: North Fork Road

Thrush, Hermit 1 @Magdalenas: North Fork Road

Robin, American # @Magdalenas: North Fork Road

Sparrow, Chipping @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Sparrow, Lark 2 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Tanager, Western 1♀ @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Grosbeak, Black-headed # @Magdalenas: North Fork Road

Cowbird, Brown-headed 1♂ @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Just above buildings of the Hall Ranch, by the paved road.

Description: Medium-sized bird, sharp bill, black body, coffee-brown head.

2012-05-27: NM: Magdalenas: Water Canyon area

@Box: Socorro Co.: US-60: Box Canyon

@US60: Socorro Co: US-60 near Water Canyon Road

@WC: Magdalenas: Water Canyon

@day: Magdalenas: Water Canyon area

Route

0845, leave Socorro on US-60^W.

0910, Water Canyon Road.

0920, Water Canyon proper.

0935, walked straight up the Langmuir Road to the #20 blue sign, then back down at 1230. Over three miles, a post-knee-replacement record for me. (Ow.)

1530, drive back to town.

Vulture, Turkey 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Hawk, Swainson's 1i @Socorro Co: US-60 near Water Canyon Road

Dove, White-winged 2 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

One near the end of the pavement, but another nearly a mile further up, just above the first stream crossing on the Langmuir Road. This is further up-canyon than I've ever seen this species.

Dove, Mourning 2 @Socorro Co.: US-60: Box Canyon

Woodpecker, Acorn 3 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Flycatcher, Olive-sided 1? @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Flycatcher, Ash-throated # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Vireo, Plumbeous # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Jay, Steller's 2 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Vocalizations: Fussing notes, 'psssht'.

raven sp. 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Swallow, Violet-green 3+ @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Near the Hall Ranch, over the paved road.

Chickadee, Mountain 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Nuthatch, White-breasted # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Thrush, Hermit # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Vocalizations: By rolling song.

Warbler, Grace's 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Vocalizations: 'joo^4 JEE^4 juh^2', the middle part faster and higher, the end indistinct.

Towhee, Spotted # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Sparrow, White-crowned ? @Magdalenas: Water Canyon area

Vocalizations: 'dee-dah dah', the familiar three-note whistle. If I had heard it in town a month ago, I would say White-crown without a pause. But I didn't see it.

Tanager, Western

2♂ @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

1♀ @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Grosbeak, Black-headed # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon