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Shipman's field notes, Mar 2013

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2013-03-03: NM: Socorro

@NMT: Socorro: New Mexico Tech
@Soc: Socorro
@home: Socorro: 507 Fitch
Temperature 75F, first over-70 day of the year.
Hawk, Sharp-shinned 1 @Socorro: 507 Fitch
Junco, Gray-headed # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Junco, Oregon # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Finch, House # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
North of Workman Center.
Vocalizations: Lots of them singing.

2013-03-04: NM: Socorro to Albuquerque

@NMT: Socorro: New Mexico Tech
@TBM: Belen: Taco Bell Marsh
@Terry: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Terry Lake
@day: Socorro to Albuquerque
My driveway Pogonomyrmex ants were out in force again. The weather has been warming.
Wigeon, American # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Mallard # @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh
Teal, Cinnamon 1 @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh
Shoveler, Northern # @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh
Teal, American Green-winged # @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh
Duck, Ring-necked # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Terry Lake
Scaup, Lesser 1♂ @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Terry Lake
Bufflehead # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Terry Lake
Harrier, Northern 1i @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Terry Lake
Coot, American 
1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Terry Lake
1 @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh

2013-03-05: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

@NMT: Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Robin, American 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Sparrow, White-crowned # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Blackbird, Red-winged # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
There is a huge evergreen shrub about 50m N of Fidel Center. I heard them singing from inside it, audible all over campus. I stuck my head into it from the west side just to verify it was not a recording, and saw at least two real birds.

2013-03-10: NM: Socorro County

Notable:  Merlin
@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR
@SocCo: Socorro County
@road1: Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
@road2: San Antonio to Bosque del Apache
@road3: Bosque del Apache to San Antonio
Route
From San Antonio, went to Point of Lands first to photograph a train, then worked the refuge.
1445-1705, walked the Marsh Overlook Trail, and made my first visit to the old overlook site at the southwest corner of this trail.
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
Gadwall # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Wigeon, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Mallard # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Teal, Cinnamon # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-03-10-8995
Shoveler, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Pintail, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Teal, American Green-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Redhead # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Duck, Ring-necked # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-03-10-8990
Scaup, Lesser # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-03-10-8989
Bufflehead # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Duck, Ruddy # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Cormorant, Neotropic 8 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Harrier, Northern 
1♂ @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
1i @Bosque del Apache NWR
Hawk, Red-tailed 2 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Hawk, Harlan's 1a @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
2013-03-10-89422013-03-10-89452013-03-10-89462013-03-10-89482013-03-10-8949
Note how the tail looks red, yet it has the characteristic dark terminal band. Jerry Oldenettel speculated that it might be an intergrade between Harlan's and Red-tailed.
Kestrel, American 1 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
Merlin 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Perched across the road from the Flight Deck.
2013-03-10-89992013-03-10-90052013-03-10-90062013-03-10-90082013-03-10-90122013-03-10-9015
Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Killdeer 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Collared-Dove, Eurasian # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache
Roadrunner, Greater 1 @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache
2013-03-10-8963
I have often observed these birds standing on the railroad track.
Phoebe, Black @Bosque del Apache NWR
Marsh Overlook Trail, along the south side.
2013-03-10-89802013-03-10-89772013-03-10-8975
Phoebe, Say's 
# @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Crow, American 20 @Bosque del Apache to San Antonio
bluebird sp. # @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
Starling, European # @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
Sparrow, Chipping 1 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
Sparrow, Savannah # @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
From A-101 just a short hop north of US-380.
2013-03-10-89542013-03-10-89582013-03-10-89602013-03-10-8961
Sparrow, White-crowned 
# @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
# @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache
Junco, Gray-headed # @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
Junco, Oregon # @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
Blackbird, Red-winged 
# @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Finch, House # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache

2013-03-11: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

@NMT: Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Phoebe, Say's 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Vocalizations: 'tseer'
Phainopepla 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Vocalizations: By the characteristic “water-drop” whistled note.

2013-03-14: NM: Socorro to Percha SP to Bosque del Apache

Notable:  Bald Eagle; Vermilion Flycatcher
@BCab: below Caballo Dam
@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR
@EBR: Elephant Butte Reservoir
@PWHA: Percha Wildlife Habitat Area
@Per: Percha SP
@PerD: Percha Dam area
@PerF: Percha Flats above Caballo Dam
@SMont: South Monticello Point area
@TC: Truth or Consequences
@TSP: Elephant Butte SP: Three Sisters Point
@day: Socorro to Percha SP to Bosque del Apache
Route
With Josef Brown of the NMT Math Department. Drove straight to Percha SP, arriving 0820. Walked the trail south of the park, then the area just northwest of the dam, then the Percha WHA including the Ash Grove.
1215, rolled through the park below Caballo Dam.
1240, Percha Flats.
1320-1420, lunch in T or C at the Happy Belly Deli (highly recommended).
Worked various of the Elephant Butte lake accesses including Three Sisters and South Monticello. Drove to Bosque del Apache and worked it briefly with the last light of the day.
Goose, Canada # @South Monticello Point area
Gadwall # @Elephant Butte SP: Three Sisters Point
Wigeon, American # @Elephant Butte SP: Three Sisters Point
Mallard @Bosque del Apache NWR
Teal, Cinnamon @Bosque del Apache NWR
Shoveler, Northern # @Percha Dam area
Pintail, Northern # @Percha Dam area
Teal, American Green-winged # @below Caballo Dam
Redhead @Bosque del Apache NWR
Duck, Ring-necked # @Elephant Butte SP: Three Sisters Point
Scaup, Lesser # @Elephant Butte SP: Three Sisters Point
Bufflehead @Bosque del Apache NWR
Duck, Ruddy @Bosque del Apache NWR
Quail, Gambel's # @Percha SP
Grebe, Western # @Elephant Butte SP: Three Sisters Point
Grebe, Clark's # @Elephant Butte SP: Three Sisters Point
Cormorant, Neotropic 3 @Elephant Butte Reservoir
Cormorant, Double-crested 
1 @Elephant Butte Reservoir
# @Elephant Butte SP: Three Sisters Point
Pelican, American White 3 @Elephant Butte Reservoir
Heron, Great Blue 1 @below Caballo Dam
Egret, Great 1 @Percha Dam area
Vulture, Turkey 1 @Percha Wildlife Habitat Area
Eagle, Bald 1i @South Monticello Point area
Harrier, Northern @Bosque del Apache NWR
Hawk, Red-tailed 1 @Percha Flats above Caballo Dam
2013-03-14-90392013-03-14-9042
Kestrel, American 1♀ @Percha SP
Coot, American # @Elephant Butte Reservoir
Killdeer @Bosque del Apache NWR
Gull, Ring-billed 1 @below Caballo Dam
Pigeon, Rock # @Truth or Consequences
Collared-Dove, Eurasian # @Percha SP
Dove, White-winged # @Percha SP
Dove, Mourning # @Percha SP
Roadrunner, Greater 1 @below Caballo Dam
Owl, Great Horned 1 @Percha SP
2013-03-14-90542013-03-14-9051
Sapsucker, Red-naped 1 @Percha Wildlife Habitat Area
Woodpecker, Ladder-backed 2 @Percha Wildlife Habitat Area
Flicker, Red-shafted # @Percha Dam area
Phoebe, Black 1 @Percha SP
Phoebe, Say's # @Percha Dam area
Flycatcher, Vermilion 1♀ @Percha SP
Right in the park proper, near the entrance.
Raven, Chihuahuan # @Percha Dam area
Vocalizations: 'rack'
Swallow, Northern Rough-winged # @Percha Dam area
2013-03-14-9031
Swallow, Barn # @Percha Dam area
Nuthatch, White-breasted # @Percha Dam area
Robin, American # @Percha SP
Starling, European # @Percha SP
Pipit, American 1 @Percha Dam area
Phainopepla # @Percha SP
2013-03-14-9024
Warbler, Audubon's # @Percha SP
Sparrow, Chipping # @Percha Wildlife Habitat Area
Sparrow, Vesper # @below Caballo Dam
Sparrow, Black-throated # @Percha SP
Sparrow, Song # @Percha Wildlife Habitat Area
Sparrow, White-crowned # @Percha SP
Junco, Gray-headed # @Percha Wildlife Habitat Area
Junco, Oregon # @Percha SP
Pyrrhuloxia 1♀ @Percha Wildlife Habitat Area
2013-03-14-90472013-03-14-9044
Blackbird, Red-winged # @Percha Dam area
Blackbird, Brewer's @Bosque del Apache NWR
Finch, House # @Percha SP
Goldfinch, American # @Percha Dam area
2013-03-14-9033
Sparrow, House 
# @Percha SP
# @Truth or Consequences

2013-03-17: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

@NMT: Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Wigeon, American 250 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Vulture, Turkey # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Already roosting in numbers near Brown Hall.
Coot, American 2 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Dove, White-winged # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Phoebe, Black 2 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Robin, American # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Waxwing, Cedar # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Warbler, Audubon's # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Junco, Gray-headed # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Junco, Oregon # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Junco, Pink-sided # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Grackle, Great-tailed # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech

2013-03-20: NM: Socorro: 507 Fitch

@home: Socorro: 507 Fitch
Thrasher, Curve-billed 1 @Socorro: 507 Fitch
Breeding: Sitting on the nest.

2013-03-21: NM: Socorro: 507 Fitch

@home: Socorro: 507 Fitch
Thrasher, Curve-billed 1 @Socorro: 507 Fitch
Breeding: Sitting on the nest. I accidentally made eye contact, and the next day that side of the nest was built up another couple of inches so I couldn't see what was going on after that.

2013-03-23: NM: Socorro County

Notable:  Baird's Sandpiper; Harris' Sparrow
@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR
@SocCo: Socorro County
@home: Socorro: 507 Fitch
@road1: Socorro to Luis Lopez
@road2: Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
@road3: San Antonio to Bosque del Apache
One of the most miserable days I've ever spent at the refuge, due to winds over 40mph and a lot of blowing dust. Today marks the return of my TC-300 2x teleconverter from repair; was using a TC-14.
Goose, Blue # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Goose, white Snow 200 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Goose, Ross' # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-03-23-9147
Goose, Canada # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Gadwall # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Wigeon, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Mallard # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Shoveler, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Pintail, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Very few compared to the other dabblers. A sharp reversal from last fall where it was the dominant puddle duck.
Teal, American Green-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Redhead # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-03-23-9119
Duck, Ring-necked # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Scaup, Lesser # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-03-23-91322013-03-23-9134
See also the group photo under Redhead.
Bufflehead # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Duck, Ruddy # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Quail, Gambel's # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Cormorant, Neotropic 11 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-03-23-9135
Vulture, Turkey # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Harrier, Northern 
1♀ @Bosque del Apache NWR
3u @Bosque del Apache NWR
Hawk, Harlan's 1 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
2013-03-23-9061
Kestrel, American 1♀ @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Killdeer # @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
Stilt, Black-necked 2 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Avocet, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Yellowlegs, Greater 2 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-03-23-9099
Sandpiper, Baird's 3 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-03-23-90942013-03-23-90912013-03-23-9090
I called these initially as Westerns although they seemed to be a bit too large and dusky around the breast. Careful scrutiny of the photos showed the wingtips crossed and extending well past the tail. Someone had recorded this species in the refuge log a day or two earlier, so I should have been more suspicious of my initial call.
Dowitcher, Long-billed # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Snipe, Wilson's 2 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-03-23-9107
Gull, Ring-billed 300 @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache
A flooded field just south of where San Antonito Road intersects NM-1.
2013-03-23-90652013-03-23-9069
Collared-Dove, Eurasian # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache
Phoebe, Say's 
1 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
raven sp. # @Socorro to Luis Lopez
Starling, European # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache
Sparrow, Vesper # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache
Sparrow, Harris' 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
In the feeder area outside the window at the east end of the headquarters building. Seen by many here for some time.
2013-03-23-90852013-03-23-90822013-03-23-9087
Photos were taken through the picture window.
Sparrow, White-crowned # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache
Blackbird, Red-winged # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache
Finch, House # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache
Siskin, Pine # @Socorro: 507 Fitch
2013-03-23-9153
Since I put up a Nyjer seed feeder recently, my place has been very popular with these guys. At times I've seen more than a dozen.
Sparrow, House # @Socorro to Luis Lopez

2010-03-25: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

@NMT: Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Warbler, Audubon's 2 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Getting a bit late for these.
Sparrow, Song 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Near the rose garden north of Fidel.
Sparrow, White-crowned # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Finch, House # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Goldfinch, Lesser # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech

2010-03-27: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

@NMT: Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Nuthatch, White-breasted 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Robin, American # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Sparrow, White-crowned # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech

2010-03-29: NM: Socorro County

Notable:  Sora
@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR
@LL: Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
@SocCo: Socorro County
@home: Socorro: 507 Fitch
@road1: San Antonio to Bosque del Apache
Route
In the bird log at headquarters, someone had recorded a bird from something called the Rio Viejo Trail, so I asked a refuge staffer about it. He said there was no sign at the trailhead and pointed on the refuge map to the parking lot at the east end of the center road.
However, I failed to get clear information and wound up on two pieces of the old River Trail, on the river side of the river dike. Three hours tromping around out there, sometimes half lost from the lack of any clear trail, produced zero bird sightings; there's nothing out there but bare dirt and leafless trees.
Turns out that the real Rio Viejo trail is on the near side of the Low-flow Conveyance Channel and extends southwest from that parking lot. According to John Bertrand, a mountain lion and two cubs have been sighted there recently.
Goose, Blue # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Goose, white Snow # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Goose, Ross' # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-03-29-92202013-03-29-9214
Goose, Canada # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Gadwall # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Wigeon, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Shoveler, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Teal, American Green-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Redhead # @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
Grebe, Pied-billed # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Cormorant, Neotropic 5 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-03-29-9252
Egret, Snowy 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-03-29-9245
Egret, Cattle 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Vulture, Turkey # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Harrier, Northern 
2ϕ @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
1♂ @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
2013-03-29-91572013-03-29-9158
Hawk, Red-tailed 
1a @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
1 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
Hawk, Harlan's 1 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
2013-03-29-91612013-03-29-9162
Kestrel, American 1♀ @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
Sora 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Vocalizations: Heard the characteristic grunts at the marsh at the end of the two-way road counterclockwise from the Flight Deck.
Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Killdeer # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Avocet, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-03-29-92812013-03-29-92262013-03-29-9208
Yellowlegs, Greater # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Dowitcher, Long-billed # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-03-29-9253
Gull, Ring-billed # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Collared-Dove, Eurasian # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache
Dove, White-winged 
# @Socorro: 507 Fitch
# @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
Dove, Mourning 
# @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Phoebe, Black # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Phoebe, Say's 5 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
raven sp. 2 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
Sparrow, Vesper # @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
2013-03-29-91822013-03-29-91852013-03-29-91752013-03-29-9177
The first photo shows why the rusty shoulder patch is not always visible: here, you can see the contour feathers that sometimes overlay it.
Sparrow, Song # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Sparrow, White-crowned 
# @Socorro: 507 Fitch
# @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Blackbird, Red-winged # @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache
Meadowlark, Eastern # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2013-03-29-92702013-03-29-92642013-03-29-92622013-03-29-92602013-03-29-9255
The last photo shows a bird with a deformed upper mandible.
Meadowlark, Western 1 @Luis Lopez to San Antonio via A-101
Grackle, Great-tailed # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Finch, House 
# @Socorro: 507 Fitch
# @San Antonio to Bosque del Apache
Siskin, Pine # @Socorro: 507 Fitch
Sparrow, House # @Socorro: 507 Fitch

2010-03-30: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech

@NMT: Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Robin, American # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Phainopepla 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Sparrow, White-crowned # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Siskin, Pine # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech
Behavior: Many feeding actively on clumps of elm seeds.
Goldfinch, Lesser # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech

2013-03-31: NM: Socorro

@Soc: Socorro
Route Dry habitat west of town up to the base of Socorro Peak.
Vulture, Turkey # @Socorro
Dove, White-winged 1 @Socorro
Dove, Mourning # @Socorro
Phoebe, Say's 1 @Socorro
Raven, Chihuahuan 1 @Socorro
Swallow, Cliff # @Socorro
Swallow, Barn # @Socorro
Sparrow, Black-throated # @Socorro
Sparrow, White-crowned # @Socorro
Junco, Gray-headed 1 @Socorro
Junco, Oregon # @Socorro
Finch, House # @Socorro
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Last updated: 2013-04-05 19:27 MDT