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Shipman's field notes, Jan 2013

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2013-01-04: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Terry Lake

@Terry: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Terry Lake
Scaup, Lesser 
1♂ @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Terry Lake
2♀ @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Terry Lake
Duck, Ruddy # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Terry Lake
Coot, American # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Terry Lake
Sparrow, White-crowned # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Terry Lake

2013-01-05: NM: Socorro County

@BWMA: Bernardo Wildlife Management Area
@SocCo: Socorro County
@home: Socorro: 507 Fitch
@road1: I-25, Socorro to Lemitar
Mallard # @Bernardo Wildlife Management Area
Harrier, Northern 1 @Bernardo Wildlife Management Area
Hawk, Sharp-shinned 1 @Socorro: 507 Fitch
Hawk, Red-tailed 1 @I-25, Socorro to Lemitar
Kestrel, American # @Bernardo Wildlife Management Area
Coot, American # @Bernardo Wildlife Management Area
Crane, Sandhill # @Bernardo Wildlife Management Area
Flicker, Red-shafted 1 @Bernardo Wildlife Management Area
raven sp. 1 @I-25, Socorro to Lemitar
Starling, European 1 @Bernardo Wildlife Management Area
Towhee, Spotted 1 @Bernardo Wildlife Management Area
2013-01-05-8312
Sparrow, Song 1 @Bernardo Wildlife Management Area
2013-01-05-8309
Sparrow, White-crowned # @Bernardo Wildlife Management Area
meadowlark sp. # @Bernardo Wildlife Management Area
2013-01-05-8299

2013-01-06: NM: Socorro County

Notable:  Tundra Swan
@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR
@IR: Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
@SocCo: Socorro County
@Unit8: Bosque del Apache NWR: Trail at Unit 8
I was late getting to the refuge today. By the time I got to the left-hand blind of this set of three new blinds, a refuge employee was there to tell me they were closing the road and I had best move out.
@sito: San Antonio: 11th St, Miera Road, San Antonito Road
Goose, Blue # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
Goose, white Snow # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
Goose, Ross' # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
Goose, Canada # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Swan, Tundra 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Wigeon, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Mallard # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
Shoveler, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Pintail, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Canvasback 9 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Trail at Unit 8
Bufflehead # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Quail, Gambel's # @San Antonio: 11th St, Miera Road, San Antonito Road
Eagle, Bald 3a @Bosque del Apache NWR
Two together (photo) in the Display Pond. A third hunting around the northeast corner of the Intermittent Road.
2013-01-06-8325
Harrier, Northern ♀ @Socorro County
2013-01-06-8321
Hawk, Red-tailed 1a @Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
Hawk, Ferruginous 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
2013-01-06-8331
Kestrel, American 1 @San Antonio: 11th St, Miera Road, San Antonito Road
Crane, Sandhill # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Killdeer 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Trail at Unit 8
Near the left-hand new blind.
2013-01-06-8335
Dove, Mourning # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
Phoebe, Say's 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
Verdin 1 @San Antonio: 11th St, Miera Road, San Antonito Road
Sparrow, White-crowned # @San Antonio: 11th St, Miera Road, San Antonito Road
meadowlark sp. # @San Antonio: 11th St, Miera Road, San Antonito Road
Southbound on Miera Road, which by that point becomes El Alto, turn east on San Antonito Road and shortly there is a nice high viewpoint that looks down on a large field. This field had several meadowlarks in it today.
2013-01-06-8316

2013-01-09: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

@NMT: Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Nuthatch, White-breasted 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech

2013-01-11: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

@NMT: Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Robin, American 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Waxwing, Cedar 4 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech

2013-01-12: NM: Socorro County

Notable:  Tundra Swan
@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR
@MVT: Bosque del Apache: Marsh View Trail
@NMT: Socorro: New Mexico Tech
@SocCo: Socorro County
Goose, Blue # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Goose, white Snow # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Goose, Ross' # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Swan, Tundra 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-01-12-8421
Gadwall # @Bosque del Apache NWR
From the Boardwalk: Gadwalls On Ice!
2013-01-12-8364
Wigeon, American # @Bosque del Apache: Marsh View Trail
Shoveler, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Pintail, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Duck, Ring-necked 4 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Scaup, Lesser # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-01-12-83612013-01-12-8354
Bufflehead # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Pheasant, Ring-necked 1♂ @Bosque del Apache NWR
Harrier, Northern 1ϕ @Bosque del Apache: Marsh View Trail
Hawk, Red-tailed 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Kestrel, American 
1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
1♀ @Bosque del Apache: Marsh View Trail
Coot, American 2 @Bosque del Apache: Marsh View Trail
Crane, Sandhill # @Bosque del Apache: Marsh View Trail
Dove, Mourning 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Flicker, Red-shafted 1 @Bosque del Apache: Marsh View Trail
Phoebe, Say's 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Shrike, Loggerhead 2 @Bosque del Apache: Marsh View Trail
Scrub-Jay, Western 1 @Bosque del Apache: Marsh View Trail
2013-01-12-8414
Crow, American # @Bosque del Apache: Marsh View Trail
Raven, Chihuahuan @Bosque del Apache: Marsh View Trail
Phainopepla 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Perched in the top of a tree just north of Fidel Center.
Sparrow, Song 3 @Bosque del Apache: Marsh View Trail
Along the trail just a few yards south of the Boardwalk.
2013-01-12-84012013-01-12-83992013-01-12-84032013-01-12-83982013-01-12-83942013-01-12-83832013-01-12-8374
A drab, common bird, but one that I've found hard to photograph, so I was grateful for this cooperative bird, and the overcast day that eliminated strong contrast.
Sparrow, White-crowned # @Bosque del Apache: Marsh View Trail
Junco, Oregon # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Blackbird, Red-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR
meadowlark sp. # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-01-12-83482013-01-12-83512013-01-12-8353
Jerry Oldenettel says Western Meadowlarks like mowed fields and Easterns like longer grasses. By that token, these would be Easterns. They do seem to have more facial contrast.

2013-01-17: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

@NMT: Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Phoebe, Say's 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Behavior: Frequently seen out my office window, working the window sill, eaves, and often close to the building.

2013-01-19: NM: Socorro County

Notable:  Harlan's Hawk; Prairie Falcon; Hairy Woodpecker
@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR
@IR: Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
@JT: Bosque del Apache NWR: John Taylor Trail
@SocCo: Socorro County
@Unit8: Bosque del Apache NWR: Trail at Unit 8
@road1: Socorro to Luis Lopez
@road2: Luis Lopez to San Antonio
@road3: San Antonio to Bosque del Apache via Miera Road
Route
1030, leave Socorro.
1040 at Luis Lopez.
1105 at San Antonio.
1125, start the Bosque North Loop.
1215, enter the Intermittent Road.
1230–1355, walk to all three of the new blinds labeled “The Trail at Unit 8.”
1405, leave the Intermittent Road, continue North Loop, then South Loop.
1510–1600, walked the John Taylor Trail to the viewing platform and back.
1640, leave Bosque del Apache.
Goose, Blue # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
Goose, white Snow # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
Goose, Ross' # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
Goose, Canada # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Gadwall # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Wigeon, American 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Trail at Unit 8
Mallard # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Pintail, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Teal, American Green-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-01-19-85012013-01-19-8496
The last picture might make a good ID quiz. Note, however, the rich gold and black coloring of the tail feathers of the drake.
Scaup, Lesser # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-01-19-85052013-01-19-8506
Bufflehead # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Duck, Ruddy # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Quail, Gambel's # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache via Miera Road
Grebe, Pied-billed 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Heron, Great Blue 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
2013-01-19-8489
Eagle, Bald 
1a @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-01-19-84462013-01-19-84412013-01-19-8437
Individual #1.
1i @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-01-19-8447
Individual #2.
1a @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-01-19-8464
Individual #3.
1i @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-01-19-84732013-01-19-84712013-01-19-8474
Individual #4. Note in the last photo the bluish nictitating membrane that slides up from below to protect the eye.
1a @Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
Individual #5.
1i @Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
Individual #6.
1i @Bosque del Apache NWR: Trail at Unit 8
Individual #7.
1a @Bosque del Apache NWR: John Taylor Trail
Individual #8.
1i @Bosque del Apache NWR: John Taylor Trail
2013-01-19-85132013-01-19-8514
Individual #9, for a total of four adults and five immatures.
Harrier, Northern 
1ϕ @Bosque del Apache NWR
2ϕ @Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
1♀ @Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
1♂ @Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
Hawk, Cooper's 
1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Pointed out by Cathie Sandell as it swooped through the headquarters parking lot.
1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Trail at Unit 8
Hawk, Red-tailed 
2a @Luis Lopez to San Antonio
1a @Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
1a @Bosque del Apache NWR: Trail at Unit 8
Hawk, Harlan's 2 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio
Near the bend where A-101 turns from eastbound to southbound, in the trees east of the road.
Jerry Oldenettel remarked that there's “a Harlan's” that hangs out here, but today was the first time I've seen two perched together in the same tree. Both birds were the dark phase, resembling dark phase Red-tailed generally, but both tails showed the characteristic dark terminal band fading quickly proximally to a mostly white tail.
Kestrel, American 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Falcon, Prairie 1 @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache via Miera Road
South side of San Antonio near the junction of NM-1 and 11th Street. Flew east, perched briefly in a large tree by a farmhouse.
2013-01-19-84282013-01-19-8430
Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Trail at Unit 8
Crane, Sandhill # @Luis Lopez to San Antonio
Killdeer 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Trail at Unit 8
2013-01-19-8482
Today's only shorebird.
Gull, Ring-billed 
6 @Socorro to Luis Lopez
Headed for the landfill.
1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Dove, Mourning 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
2013-01-19-8454
Roadrunner, Greater 2 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Woodpecker, Hairy 1♂ @Bosque del Apache NWR: Trail at Unit 8
On the trail to the right-hand blind.
Vocalizations: Soft 'bip' notes.
2013-01-19-84762013-01-19-84772013-01-19-8478
This bird is noted on the refuge checklist as uncommon. It was certainly a surprise to me. The third photo was a heartbreaker: tack-sharp, but the head was obstructed.
Flicker, Red-shafted 2 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Trail at Unit 8
Phoebe, Say's 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
raven sp. 2 @Socorro to Luis Lopez
Crow, American # @Luis Lopez to San Antonio
Raven, Chihuahuan 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Trail at Unit 8
Behavior: Chivvying an immature Bald Eagle in flight.
Vocalizations: 'rack'
Lark, Horned # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Fields north of the North Loop, east of the start of the Intermittent Road. I saw loose flocks of small passerines streaming around on these short grassy fields, but had to use the scope at 120x to be sure they weren't longspurs.
Kinglet, Ruby-crowned 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Trail at Unit 8
Bluebird, Eastern 1 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio
Starling, European # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache via Miera Road
Pipit, American 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: John Taylor Trail
Sparrow, Song 
1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Trail at Unit 8
1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Sparrow, White-crowned # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Intermittent Road
meadowlark sp. # @Luis Lopez to San Antonio

2013-01-23: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

@NMT: Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Phainopepla 1♂ @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Top of a tall tree immediately north of the Fidel Center.

2013-01-27: NM: Lemitar: Socorro Nature Area

@SNA: Lemitar: Socorro Nature Area
Route 1200-1400, walked the loop trail and had a look at the Low Flow Conveyance Channel.
Hawk, Cooper's 1 @Lemitar: Socorro Nature Area
Behavior: Jumped from a perch above my head and flew straight away from me: not the easiest of angles for identification. Later, as it was perched near the entrance, a strafing kestrel betrayed its location and eventually knocked it off the branch.
Hawk, Red-tailed 1a @Lemitar: Socorro Nature Area
Kestrel, American # @Lemitar: Socorro Nature Area
Crane, Sandhill # @Lemitar: Socorro Nature Area
2013-01-27-85242013-01-27-8520
Raven, Chihuahuan # @Lemitar: Socorro Nature Area
Warbler, Yellow-rumped # @Lemitar: Socorro Nature Area
Sparrow, Song 1 @Lemitar: Socorro Nature Area
Down on the low-flow.
Sparrow, White-crowned # @Lemitar: Socorro Nature Area
meadowlark sp. # @Lemitar: Socorro Nature Area
Finch, House # @Lemitar: Socorro Nature Area

2013-01-29: NM: Socorro: 507 Fitch

Notable:  Pyrrhuloxia
@home: Socorro: 507 Fitch
Pyrrhuloxia 1 @Socorro: 507 Fitch
Five feet from my car in cholla.
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Last updated: 2013-02-09 17:22 MST