Shipman's field notes, Feb 2013

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2013-02-02: NM: Socorro County
Notable: Western Scrub-Jay
2013-02-06: NM: Socorro: 507 Fitch
2013-02-08: NM: Albuquerque
2013-02-10: NM: Socorro County
2013-02-11: NM: Socorro to Albuquerque
2013-02-13: NM: Socorro
2013-02-16: NM: Socorro County
Notable: Downy Woodpecker
2013-02-17: NM: Albuquerque
2013-02-22: NM: Socorro: 507 Fitch
2013-02-25: NM: Socorro to Albuquerque
2013-02-27: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech
2013-02-28: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

2013-02-02: NM: Socorro County

Notable: Western Scrub-Jay

@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR

@MOT: Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

@SocCo: Socorro County

@road1: Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101

@road2: San Antonio to Bosque del Apache including Miera Road

Route

1245, leave Socorro.

1300, Luis Lopez to San Antonio.

1325, NM-1 south to San Antonito Road, then clockwise around the Miera Road loop and back to NM-1.

1355, Bosque del Apache, South Loop.

1435, walk the Marsh Overlook Trail clockwise.

1620, rolling: finished the South Loop, drove the Center Road, then clockwise up to the end of the two-way section north of the Flight Deck and then back out the same way; leave at 1730.

An early butterfly: Spring White, Pontia sisymbrii.

Goose, Blue # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Goose, white Snow # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Goose, Ross' # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Goose, Canada

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

# @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

Gadwall # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Mallard # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

Teal, Cinnamon 1♂ @Bosque del Apache NWR

Shoveler, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Pintail, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Canvasback 1♂ @Bosque del Apache NWR

Duck, Ring-necked # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Scaup, Lesser # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Bufflehead # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Duck, Ruddy # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Quail, Gambel's # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache including Miera Road

Pheasant, Ring-necked 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

Near the southeast corner of the trail.

Vocalizations: The familiar 'cow-cuck' call.

In years past I would expect to see several pheasants in a trip around the loop. This single bird reminded me how rare it is in the last few years that I'd see one at all.

Grebe, Pied-billed 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Cormorant, Neotropic

In the “old rookery” on the south side of the east end of the Center Road.

2a @Bosque del Apache NWR

In the “old rookery” on the south side of the east end of the Center Road.

1i @Bosque del Apache NWR

In the “old rookery” on the south side of the east end of the Center Road.

Eagle, Bald 2a @Bosque del Apache NWR

Harrier, Northern

2 @Bosque del Apache NWR

1i @Bosque del Apache NWR

Hawk, Red-tailed

1 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101

Description: Close to the “intermediate adult” illustrated in the western Sibley guide, with a red breast and underparts that are a dark brown but a bit lighter than the blackish of a dark-phase bird.

2a @Bosque del Apache NWR

Hawk, Harlan's 2 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101

Just south of the bend in A-101.

Kestrel, American

3 @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache including Miera Road

The photo shows the “false eyes” at the back of his head.

2 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Killdeer # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Yellowlegs, Greater 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Sandpiper, Least # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Snipe, Wilson's 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Sitting on a bar just N of the Flight Deck.

Collared-Dove, Eurasian # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache including Miera Road

Dove, Mourning 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

Woodpecker, Ladder-backed 1♂ @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

Phoebe, Say's

1 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101

1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Shrike, Loggerhead

1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Scrub-Jay, Western 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

In the tallest trees at the very south of the interior of the trail loop.

Crow, American

500+ @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101

# @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache including Miera Road

Raven, Chihuahuan # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

Starling, European

# @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache including Miera Road

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

Warbler, Audubon's # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

Towhee, Spotted 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

Sparrow, White-crowned

# @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101

# @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

Blackbird, Red-winged # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache including Miera Road

meadowlark sp.

# @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache including Miera Road

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

Finch, House 1♂ @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache including Miera Road

Vocalizations: Singing like mad.

Goldfinch, American 1♀ @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

For some reason the ID of this bird completely baffled me, possibly because all the illustrations in the Sibley western guide show two wide wingbars, but this bird had only one. Perhaps it was just the way her feathers were arranged.

2013-02-06: NM: Socorro: 507 Fitch

@home: Socorro: 507 Fitch

Thrasher, Curve-billed 1 @Socorro: 507 Fitch

2013-02-08: NM: Albuquerque

@ABQ: Albuquerque

Falcon, Peregrine 1 @Albuquerque

San Antonio Road between I-25 and Wyoming.

Bluebird, Western 3 @Albuquerque

Next to the buffalope enclosure at Bien Mur on the Sandia Reservation.

2013-02-10: NM: Socorro County

@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR

@MOT: Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

@SocCo: Socorro County

@road1: Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101

@road2: San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

Route

1125, leave Socorro.

1205, San Antonio.

1225, on the refuge proper.

1335, walk what is officially called the Marsh Overlook Trail, only at the moment I think Dirt Overlook Trail is closer to the facts.

1630, rolling out (clockwise, with light failing); 1655, out.

Goose, Blue # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Goose, white Snow # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Gadwall # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Mallard # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Teal, Cinnamon # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

Shoveler, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Pintail, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR

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

Duck, Ring-necked # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Scaup, Lesser # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Bufflehead # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Duck, Ruddy # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Quail, Gambel's # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

Eagle, Bald

2a @Bosque del Apache NWR

1i @Bosque del Apache NWR

Harrier, Northern 3 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Hawk, Red-tailed

1a @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101

1i @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101

Hawk, Harlan's 1 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101

Opposite the Oldenettel Wildlife Refuge.

Kestrel, American 1♀ @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Crane, Sandhill # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

Killdeer # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Yellowlegs, Greater 8 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Sandpiper, Least # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Snipe, Wilson's 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Gull, Ring-billed

1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

40 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

Behavior: Flew over in a single group.

Dove, White-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Flicker, Red-shafted

1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

2 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Phoebe, Black 2 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Phoebe, Say's 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

Crow, American # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

Raven, Chihuahuan 2 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

Bluebird, Western # @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101

Thrasher, Crissal 1 @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

In a front yard along El Alto Road.

Starling, European # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

Warbler, Audubon's # @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101

Sparrow, Song 2 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

Sparrow, White-crowned

# @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

# @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

Blackbird, Red-winged # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

meadowlark sp. # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Marsh Overlook Trail

2013-02-11: NM: Socorro to Albuquerque

@TBM: Belen: Taco Bell Marsh

@day: Socorro to Albuquerque

@home: Socorro: 507 Fitch

Shoveler, Northern 1 @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh

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

Robin, American 1 @Socorro: 507 Fitch

Vocalizations: 'Squeeee-zeee, squirpadaburp!': the first given in alarm whilst stationary, the second while fleeing. Robins are so entertaining.

2013-02-13: NM: Socorro

@NMT: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

@Soc: Socorro

@home: Socorro: 507 Fitch

Woodpecker, Ladder-backed 1♀ @Socorro: 507 Fitch

On the water feature.

Junco, Dark-eyed # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech

Blackbird, Red-winged 50 @Socorro: 507 Fitch

At least fifty visiting my water feature and feeders.

2013-02-16: NM: Socorro County

Notable: Downy Woodpecker

@Chap: Socorro: Chaparral Road

@HF: Socorro: Hope Farms Road

@SocCo: Socorro County

@WC: Magdalenas: Water Canyon

@WCF: Magdelanas: Water Canyon on foot

@WCRd: Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road

@road1: Socorro to Water Canyon Road via US-60

Route

1115, leave Socorro via US-60^W.

1135, turn off on Water Canyon Road.

1215, in the canyon proper.

1305, afoot. Walk downstream to the private property fence line. Walk back upstream, off the Langmuir road until only the last quarter mile or so, turnback at the Trail 13 parking lot, walk back down.

1530, rolling out of the canyon; 1540, canyon mouth; 1605 back east on US-60.

1625–1700, drove along Chaparral and Hope Farms roads to survey the suburban to agricultural scene.

First Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) of the year.

Hawk, Red-tailed

2 @Socorro to Water Canyon Road via US-60

2a @Socorro: Hope Farms Road

Kestrel, American

1♂ @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road

1 @Socorro: Chaparral Road

Crane, Sandhill # @Socorro: Hope Farms Road

Pigeon, Rock # @Socorro: Chaparral Road

Collared-Dove, Eurasian # @Socorro: Chaparral Road

Dove, White-winged # @Socorro: Chaparral Road

Roadrunner, Greater

1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road

1 @Socorro: Hope Farms Road

Woodpecker, Acorn 2 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Woodpecker, Downy 1 @Magdelanas: Water Canyon on foot

Just above the first stream crossing on the Langmuir Road.

Description: Bill about 1/2". Plain white back.

Phoebe, Say's # @Socorro: Hope Farms Road

Jay, Steller's 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Raven, Chihuahuan 2 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road

Description: Pair on a power pole, white underfeathering showing clearly on both.

Raven, Common # @Magdelanas: Water Canyon on foot

Chickadee, Mountain 3 @Magdelanas: Water Canyon on foot

Nuthatch, White-breasted 2 @Magdelanas: Water Canyon on foot

Creeper, Brown 1 @Magdelanas: Water Canyon on foot

The second photo shows how well-camouflaged these birds can be on the right trunk.

Kinglet, Ruby-crowned 1 @Magdelanas: Water Canyon on foot

Robin, American

1 @Magdelanas: Water Canyon on foot

1i @Socorro: Chaparral Road

Starling, European # @Socorro: Chaparral Road

Junco, Gray-headed # @Magdelanas: Water Canyon on foot

Junco, Oregon # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Blackbird, Red-winged # @Socorro: Chaparral Road

Meadowlark, Eastern 40 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Unless I heard them sing, I seldom try to split the meadowlarks in the field. However, in this photo, note the strong dark line behind the eye; the pure white malar; and the long dark streaks on the flanks.

Meadowlark, Western

# @Socorro: Chaparral Road

# @Socorro: Hope Farms Road

ID based on: more yellow in the malar; dark line through the eye is not as solid or as dark; and the flanks are marked with small, nearly round spots.

Sparrow, House # @Socorro: Chaparral Road

2013-02-17: NM: Albuquerque

@ABQ: Albuquerque

Roadrunner, Greater 1 @Albuquerque

Another healthy-looking urban cuckoo, corner of McEarl and Princeton.

2013-02-22: NM: Socorro: 507 Fitch

@home: Socorro: 507 Fitch

First emergence of the Pogonomyrmex ants in my driveway this year.

Thrasher, Curve-billed 1 @Socorro: 507 Fitch

2013-02-25: NM: Socorro to Albuquerque

@BWMA: Bernardo WMA

@TBM: Belen: Taco Bell Marsh

@day: Socorro to Albuquerque

Zeiss replaced my thirty-year-old unrepairable pocket mini binoculars with the current equivalent, free except for the shipping. [Standard disclaimer: I have no financial interest in Zeiss] I'm impressed that they honored their lifetime warranty when I'd forgotten what warranty (if any) I had.

Shoveler, Northern # @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh

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

Hawk, Red-tailed

1 @Bernardo WMA

1a @Bernardo WMA

Hawk, Ferruginous 1 @Bernardo WMA

Killdeer 30 @Bernardo WMA

A banner day for Killdeer in short dry grassy fields here, standing around in what I'd consider good habitat for longspurs and Horned Larks.

Flicker, Red-shafted 1 @Bernardo WMA

Raven, Chihuahuan 1 @Bernardo WMA

Description: Feathering along the upper mandible extends well beyond halfway.

Sparrow, Song 1 @Bernardo WMA

Sparrow, White-crowned # @Bernardo WMA

2013-02-27: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

@NMT: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

raven sp. 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech

Robin, American 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech

Warbler, Audubon's # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech

Junco, Oregon # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech

Blackbird, Red-winged # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech

2013-02-28: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

@NMT: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

Phoebe, Say's 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech

Robin, American 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech

Junco, Oregon # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech