Shipman's field notes, May 2015

How to read Shipman's field notes

2015-05-09: NM: Socorro County: North American Migration Count
Notable: Osprey; American Goldfinch
2015-05-09: NM: Socorro County (non-NAMC)
Notable: white Snow Goose
2015-05-12: NM: Socorro County
2015-05-13: NM: Socorro to Melrose Woods
Notable: Mississippi Kite; Swainson's Thrush; Gray Catbird; Northern Waterthrush; White-throated Sparrow; Baltimore Oriole
2015-05-14: NM: Clovis, Melrose Woods
Notable: Olive-sided Flycatcher; Swainson's Thrush; Gray Catbird; Nashville Warbler; American Redstart; Bronzed Cowbird
2015-05-15: NM: Carlsbad, Rattlesnake Springs, Hobbs
Notable: Long-tailed Duck; Gray Hawk; Swainson's Thrush; Orchard Oriole
2015-05-16: NM: Melrose Woods, Bosque del Apache NWR
Notable: Carolina Wren; Gray Catbird; Virginia's Warbler; American Redstart
2015-05-17: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
2015-05-21: NM: Socorro County
2015-05-22: NM: Socorro County
Notable: white Snow Goose
2015-05-24: NM: Socorro, Animas Creek, Percha, Bosque NWR
Notable: Acorn Woodpecker; Lucy's Warbler; Bronzed Cowbird
2015-05-26: NM: Socorro: NRAO Domenici Operations Center
Notable: Mountain Chickadee
2015-05-30: NM: Socorro County
Notable: Burrowing Owl

2015-05-09: NM: Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Notable: Osprey; American Goldfinch

@SocCo: Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Route

By car, 3.28 hours, 25.5 miles.

On foot, 4.18 hours, 2.6 miles.

Total, 7.47 hours, 28.1 miles.

Jerry Armijo is a landowner near Sedillo Spring and ! patrols the area on behalf of the other landowners ! including Chris Hefner. He gave me permission to ! bird this area and said to use his name. !

Wigeon, American 2 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Quail, Gambel's 11 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Vulture, Turkey 3 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Osprey 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Hawk, Sharp-shinned 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Hawk, Cooper's 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Kestrel, American 2 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Killdeer 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Sandpiper, Spotted 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Pigeon, Rock 4 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Collared-Dove, Eurasian 14 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Dove, White-winged 17 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Dove, Mourning 7 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Nighthawk, Lesser 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

hummingbird sp. 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Hummingbird, Black-chinned 3 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Woodpecker, Ladder-backed 1♀ @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Wood-Pewee, Western 3 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

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

Phoebe, Say's 2 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Flycatcher, Ash-throated 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Kingbird, Western 31 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

raven sp. 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Raven, Chihuahuan 4 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Swallow, Tree 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Swallow, Violet-green 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Swallow, Cliff 50 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Swallow, Barn 9 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Robin, American 23 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Mockingbird, Northern 2 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Thrasher, Curve-billed 4 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Thrasher, Crissal 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Starling, European 13 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Waxwing, Cedar 10 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Phainopepla 2 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Warbler, MacGillivray's 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Warbler, Yellow-rumped 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Warbler, Audubon's 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Warbler, Wilson's 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Chat, Yellow-breasted 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Towhee, Green-tailed 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Sparrow, Brewer's 2 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Sparrow, Black-throated 8 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Sparrow, White-crowned 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Tanager, Western 3 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Grosbeak, Black-headed 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Grackle, Great-tailed 4 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Cowbird, Brown-headed 2 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Oriole, Bullock's 6 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Finch, House 9 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Siskin, Pine 1 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Goldfinch, Lesser 3 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Goldfinch, American

1♂ @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

1♀ @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

Sparrow, House 7 @Socorro County: North American Migration Count

2015-05-09: NM: Socorro County (non-NAMC)

Notable: white Snow Goose

@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR

@FMRd: Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road

@SocCo: Socorro County (non-NAMC)

Route

1325, leave Socorro.

1335, Luis Lopez, Farm-Market Road.

1405, Bosque del Apache NWR. After the mid-count meeting (only Gary and Ann showed up), worked the North Loop via the Seasonal Road, then the South Loop.

1755, leave Bosque del Apache.

Goose, white Snow 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Goose, Canada # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Gadwall # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Teal, Blue-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Teal, Cinnamon # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Shoveler, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Scaup, Lesser 1♂ @Bosque del Apache NWR

Duck, Ruddy # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Grebe, Pied-billed 2 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Cormorant, Neotropic 4 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Egret, Snowy # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Ibis, White-faced # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Stilt, Black-necked # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Avocet, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Flycatcher, Vermilion 1♂ @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road

Kingbird, Cassin's 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Description: Traveling with a clearly marked Western Kingbird. White chin contrasts sharply at its lower margin with darkish gray breast. Head, back and underparts much darker gray than Western. Broad whitish tail tip.

Swallow, Bank 3 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Sparrow, Lark 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Tanager, Summer 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Blackbird, Red-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR

meadowlark sp. 1 @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road

2015-05-12: NM: Socorro County

@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR

@SAnt: San Antonio area

@SocCo: Socorro County

@TBay: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Route

1100-1200, Turtle Bay.

1630, San Antonio.

1655, Bosque del Apache NWR.

Testing new 80-400.

Goose, Canada # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Mallard # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Teal, Cinnamon # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Shoveler, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Duck, Ruddy # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Turkey, Wild 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Cormorant, Neotropic 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Another low-light test: 1/30 sec at ISO 640, 1x1 pixels from original frame.

Egret, Great # @Bosque del Apache NWR

At 1/50, a good test of the image stabilization. This is most of the original frame at ISO 400. Poor light, rain.

Egret, Cattle # @San Antonio area

Night-Heron, Black-crowned 1a @Bosque del Apache NWR

Wretched picture, but then again, I don't have that many flight shots of this species.

Ibis, White-faced # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Vulture, Turkey # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Stilt, Black-necked # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Avocet, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Collared-Dove, Eurasian # @San Antonio area

Dove, White-winged # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Dove, Mourning # @San Antonio area

Wood-Pewee, Western 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Phoebe, Black

1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

2 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Phoebe, Say's

1 @San Antonio area

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

I often find cooperative Say's Phoebes. Although I have a number of dramatic closeups, I think this one is right up there. It would make a good print, but I'm not sure that all the white stuff on top of the post would make it a good choice for a dining room wall.

Kingbird, Western # @San Antonio area

Power dive!

Robin, American # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Mockingbird, Northern # @San Antonio area

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

The subtle ochre color to the anterior crown is not something I remember seeing in life. Considering how small, distant, and kinetic they are, I guess that's not surprising.

Sparrow, Lark # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Low light test: original 1:1 pixels, 1/125, ISO 1100.

Sparrow, White-crowned # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Tanager, Summer 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Tanager, Western # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Blackbird, Red-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Meadowlark, Western # @San Antonio area

Grackle, Great-tailed

# @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

# @San Antonio area

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

Siskin, Pine # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Goldfinch, American # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Late. Pair.

Sparrow, House

# @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

# @San Antonio area

2015-05-13: NM: Socorro to Melrose Woods

Notable: Mississippi Kite; Swainson's Thrush; Gray Catbird; Northern Waterthrush; White-throated Sparrow; Baltimore Oriole

@Mel: Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

@day: Socorro to Melrose Woods

@road01: Socorro Co.: US-60^E, I-25 to Torrance Co.

@road02: US-60^E, Socorro/Torrance line to Mountainair

@road03: US-60^E, Mountainair to Willard

@road04: US-60^E, Willard to Encino

@road05: US-60^E, Vaughn to DeBaca Co.

@road06: US-60^E, Yeso to Fort Sumner

@road07: US-60^E, Fort Sumner to Taiban

@road08: US-60^E, Melrose Woods to Curry Co.

Route

1315, leave Socorro.

1340, US-60^E.

1410, Torrance Co.

1420, Mountainair.

1440, Willard.

1520, Encino.

1540, Vaughn.

1600, DeBaca Co.

1615, Yeso.

1635, Fort Sumner.

1655, Taiban.

1700, Roosevelt Co.

1710-1900, Melrose Woods.

Thirteen Pronghorn on the Willard-Encino leg.

Shoveler, Northern # @Socorro Co.: US-60^E, I-25 to Torrance Co.

Vulture, Turkey 1 @US-60^E, Yeso to Fort Sumner

Kite, Mississippi 1 @US-60^E, Fort Sumner to Taiban

Fort Sumner, seen from US-60.

Hawk, Red-tailed 1 @US-60^E, Socorro/Torrance line to Mountainair

Kestrel, American 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Dove, Mourning # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Woodpecker, Red-headed 1♂ @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Woodpecker, Ladder-backed 1♀ @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Flycatcher, Ash-throated 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Kingbird, Western

1 @Socorro Co.: US-60^E, I-25 to Torrance Co.

# @US-60^E, Mountainair to Willard

1 @US-60^E, Willard to Encino

# @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Vireo, Warbling 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Raven, Chihuahuan

1 @US-60^E, Willard to Encino

# @US-60^E, Vaughn to DeBaca Co.

# @US-60^E, Melrose Woods to Curry Co.

Raven, Common # @US-60^E, Socorro/Torrance line to Mountainair

Lark, Horned

# @US-60^E, Mountainair to Willard

# @US-60^E, Vaughn to DeBaca Co.

Swallow, Cliff

1 @Socorro Co.: US-60^E, I-25 to Torrance Co.

# @US-60^E, Yeso to Fort Sumner

Swallow, Barn

# @US-60^E, Socorro/Torrance line to Mountainair

# @US-60^E, Yeso to Fort Sumner

# @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Thrush, Swainson's 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Description: Buff spectacles and ground color of the throat. Tail color same as the back: a clay-brown.

The camera raised the ISO for the second and third shots: ISO 1250 and 3200 respectively, compared to 560 for the first shot. Not great at the higher ISOs but quite useable.

Thrush, Hermit # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Catbird, Gray 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Mockingbird, Northern

1 @Socorro Co.: US-60^E, I-25 to Torrance Co.

1 @US-60^E, Mountainair to Willard

1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Starling, European 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Waterthrush, Northern 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Vocalizations: 'plink'

Pretty happy with these photos! Although there are marks that indicate Louisiana, like the buff color on the flanks, all the experts were calling it Northern. The tiny speckles on the throat and the superciliary narrowing posteriorly say Northern. Looks more like the “yellow” form in the new Sibley guide.

Warbler, MacGillivray's 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Warbler, Audubon's 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Warbler, Wilson's 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Sparrow, Lincoln's 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Sparrow, White-throated 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Somewhat incongruous: one White-throat and no White-crowns?

meadowlark sp. 1 @US-60^E, Willard to Encino

Blackbird, Brewer's

1♂ @US-60^E, Willard to Encino

1♀ @US-60^E, Willard to Encino

Grackle, Great-tailed # @US-60^E, Melrose Woods to Curry Co.

Oriole, Bullock's 1 @US-60^E, Vaughn to DeBaca Co.

Oriole, Baltimore 1♂ @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Description: Same color scheme as a male Bullock's: black and orange, but this bird had a complete black hood.

Seen for five seconds at a range of about 40 yards. No photos, unfortunately.

2015-05-14: NM: Clovis, Melrose Woods

Notable: Olive-sided Flycatcher; Swainson's Thrush; Gray Catbird; Nashville Warbler; American Redstart; Bronzed Cowbird

@CWWTP: Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant

@Mel: Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

@SRDUA: Brantley SP: Seven Rivers Day Use Area

@day: Clovis, Melrose Woods

@road01: US-60^W, Clovis to Melrose Woods

@road02: US-70^W: Clovis to Elida

@road03: US-70^W: Elida to Pecos R.

Route

0555, leave Clovis.

0630, Roosevelt Co.

0635-1225, Melrose Woods.

1410, Clovis WWTP.

1430, US-70^E.

1440, Roosevelt Co.

1515, Elida.

1605, Pecos R.

1710, Artesia.

1735, Seven Rivers DUA.

Gadwall # @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant

Wigeon, American # @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant

Teal, Blue-winged # @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant

Shoveler, Northern # @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant

Grebe, Pied-billed 1 @Brantley SP: Seven Rivers Day Use Area

Grebe, Eared 1 @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant

Night-Heron, Black-crowned 1 @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant

Hawk, Swainson's

1 @US-60^W, Clovis to Melrose Woods

1 @US-70^W: Elida to Pecos R.

Coot, American

# @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant

# @Brantley SP: Seven Rivers Day Use Area

Killdeer

# @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant

There were at least two of these half-grown chicks running around.

1 @US-70^W: Elida to Pecos R.

Stilt, Black-necked # @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant

Avocet, American 1 @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant

Sandpiper, Stilt 1 @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant

Phalarope, Wilson's # @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant

Tern, Forster's # @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant

ID is guesswork; they had complete black caps.

Pigeon, Rock # @US-60^W, Clovis to Melrose Woods

Collared-Dove, Eurasian 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Dove, Mourning # @US-60^W, Clovis to Melrose Woods

Owl, Great Horned 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Woodpecker, Red-headed 2 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Flycatcher, Olive-sided 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

I misidentified this bird at the time as one of the eleventy jillion Western Wood-Pewees, even though it bothered me at the time as just not right. Sibley pointed out that the stark white throat is not right for the pewee.

Wood-Pewee, Western # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Ubiquitous.

Flycatcher, Ash-throated 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Kingbird, Western

# @US-60^W, Clovis to Melrose Woods

# @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

1 @US-70^W: Clovis to Elida

Vireo, Warbling 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Got only a quick look and this one poor photo.

Swallow, Barn

# @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Wren, House # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Thrush, Swainson's 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

These shots show the warm buff ground color in the face, chin, and upper breast. Compare the ground color in these areas in the Hermit Thrush photos below, which looks to me like a very cool white, almost bluish.

Thrush, Hermit 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

The second photo clearly shows the contrast between the brown back and the redder uppertail. Compare the Swainson's tail above, which is pretty much the same shade as the rest of the back.

Catbird, Gray 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Mockingbird, Northern

1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Starling, European

# @US-60^W, Clovis to Melrose Woods

# @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

As I was cataloging photos, this one quite stopped me. I couldn't even place it in a family. The bill shape didn't fit icterids, tanagers, thrushes, or finches. But it's a fair match for Sibley's illustration of the juvenile starling, so that's my guess.

Warbler, Nashville 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Seen briefly. No photo.

Warbler, MacGillivray's 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Another species that is almost always a challenge to photograph. It's not as active as a Wilson's Warbler or an American Redstart, but it is active, and it prefers to crawl around inside the vegetation most of the time. I'll take this rear quarter view over no photo at all.

Redstart, American 1♂ @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

A little like trying to photograph lightning. This bird was reasonably obliging about showing itself, but like all the redstarts I've seen, never stopped.

Warbler, Yellow 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Warbler, Audubon's # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Warbler, Wilson's # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

The photo shows the gray underside of the tail.

Sparrow, Lincoln's 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Tanager, Summer 1♀ @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

It must be embarrassing to be halfway through a molt between such different colors.

Tanager, Western 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Grosbeak, Black-headed 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Bunting, Lazuli 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Grackle, Common 1♂ @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Grackle, Great-tailed # @US-60^W, Clovis to Melrose Woods

Cowbird, Bronzed 1♀ @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Description: Same general color scheme as a female Brewer's Blackbird, but the bill is much too massive, and too long to be a female Brown-headed Cowbird.

Popped up twice briefly at close range. No photos.

Sparrow, House # @US-60^W, Clovis to Melrose Woods

2015-05-15: NM: Carlsbad, Rattlesnake Springs, Hobbs

Notable: Long-tailed Duck; Gray Hawk; Swainson's Thrush; Orchard Oriole

@CVS: Clovis

@ChapPk: Lovington: Chaparral Park

@HOB: Hobbs

@HobCP: Hobbs City Park

@RS: Rattlesnake Springs

@RSRd: Rattlesnake Springs Road

@Rockw: Hobbs: Rockwind Community Links

One of my standard birding spots, formerly known as Ocotillo Park. They are just finishing a complete rebuild of the golf course. Unfortunately the perimeter road, which has given me a number of good records, is now closed to vehicles.

@Wash: Washington Ranch

@day: Carlsbad, Rattlesnake Springs, Hobbs

@road01: Lea Co.: US-62-180^E from Eddy Co. to Hobbs

@road02: Lea Co: NM-206^N, Lovington to Tatum

@road03: Lea Co: NM-206^N, Tatum to Roosevelt Co.

@road04: Roosevelt Co.: NM-260^N, Milnesand to Pep

@road05: Roosevelt Co.: NM-260^N, Dora to Portales

Route

0525, leave Carlsbad.

0550, turn off US-62-180^W for Rattlesnake Springs.

0610, Rattlesnake Springs.

0630, afoot at the restroom, walked to the pond and a short distance out into the scrub and back.

1040, rolling; quick look at the first pond at Washington Ranch.

1430, Hobbs.

1440, short visit to Hobbs City Park.

1520, Rockwind Community Links.

1625, Chaparral Park in Lovington.

1655, Tatum.

1720, Milnesand.

1735, Pep.

1740, Dora.

1805, Portales.

1815, Curry Co.

Duck, Long-tailed 1♀ @Clovis

On the Pecos River just south of the Hobbs Highway bridge.

A stakeout. Bob Nieman says the bird has a bad leg. He was close enough to capture it for rehab last weekend but he was in the middle of the NAMC.

Duck, Ruddy 1 @Lovington: Chaparral Park

Quail, Scaled

1 @Rattlesnake Springs Road

Vocalizations: 'wheer'

# @Hobbs: Rockwind Community Links

1 @Roosevelt Co.: NM-260^N, Dora to Portales

Turkey, Wild # @Rattlesnake Springs

Vulture, Turkey # @Rattlesnake Springs Road

Kite, Mississippi 2 @Hobbs: Rockwind Community Links

I think this species and the White-tailed Kite are two of the most elegant birds in North America.

Hawk, Gray 1 @Rattlesnake Springs

Coot, American

1 @Washington Ranch

# @Hobbs: Rockwind Community Links

# @Lovington: Chaparral Park

Collared-Dove, Eurasian

# @Rattlesnake Springs Road

1 @Hobbs City Park

Dove, White-winged # @Rattlesnake Springs

Dove, Mourning # @Hobbs City Park

Woodpecker, Ladder-backed 1♀ @Rattlesnake Springs

Wood-Pewee, Western # @Rattlesnake Springs Road

Phoebe, Black 1 @Rattlesnake Springs

Flycatcher, Vermilion # @Rattlesnake Springs

Flycatcher, Ash-throated 1 @Rattlesnake Springs

Kingbird, Western

# @Rattlesnake Springs Road

This shot with the Fuji S1, which is not that bad if you can fill the frame.

1 @Lea Co.: US-62-180^E from Eddy Co. to Hobbs

1 @Hobbs City Park

Flycatcher, Scissor-tailed 1 @Hobbs: Rockwind Community Links

I went to Hobbs with two target birds in mind: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and Mississippi Kite. Here they are in the same frame!

Shrike, Loggerhead 1 @Roosevelt Co.: NM-260^N, Milnesand to Pep

Vireo, Bell's # @Rattlesnake Springs

Vireo, Warbling # @Rattlesnake Springs

Raven, Chihuahuan

1 @Hobbs

# @Lea Co: NM-206^N, Tatum to Roosevelt Co.

Swallow, Barn # @Rattlesnake Springs

Thrush, Swainson's 1 @Rattlesnake Springs

Mockingbird, Northern

# @Rattlesnake Springs Road

1 @Hobbs

# @Hobbs: Rockwind Community Links

Starling, European # @Hobbs City Park

Yellowthroat, Common 1 @Rattlesnake Springs

Warbler, Wilson's 1 @Rattlesnake Springs

Chat, Yellow-breasted # @Rattlesnake Springs

Bunting, Lark # @Roosevelt Co.: NM-260^N, Dora to Portales

Sparrow, White-crowned # @Rattlesnake Springs

Tanager, Summer # @Rattlesnake Springs

Tanager, Western # @Rattlesnake Springs

Cardinal, Northern # @Rattlesnake Springs

Grosbeak, Black-headed 1 @Hobbs: Rockwind Community Links

Grosbeak, Blue 1 @Rattlesnake Springs Road

Blackbird, Red-winged 1 @Washington Ranch

meadowlark sp. 1 @Lea Co: NM-206^N, Lovington to Tatum

Meadowlark, Western # @Rattlesnake Springs Road

Grackle, Great-tailed

1 @Washington Ranch

# @Hobbs City Park

Cowbird, Brown-headed # @Rattlesnake Springs Road

Oriole, Orchard 1♂ @Rattlesnake Springs

Oriole, Bullock's 1 @Hobbs: Rockwind Community Links

Finch, House # @Rattlesnake Springs

Siskin, Pine # @Rattlesnake Springs

Goldfinch, Lesser # @Rattlesnake Springs

Sparrow, House # @Hobbs City Park

2015-05-16: NM: Melrose Woods, Bosque del Apache NWR

Notable: Carolina Wren; Gray Catbird; Virginia's Warbler; American Redstart

@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR

@Mel: Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

@SAnt: San Antonio area

@day: Melrose Woods, Bosque del Apache NWR

@road01: US-60^W, Encino to Willard

@road02: Socorro Co.: US-60^W, Torrance Co. to I-25

Route

0800, leave Clovis.

0845-1130, Melrose Woods.

1135, DeBaca Co.

1150-1205, Fort Sumner.

1225, Yeso.

1240, Guadalupe Co.

1300, Vaughn.

1315, Encino.

1355, Willard.

1410, Socorro Co.

1450, looked at Bernardo WMA but it was closed.

1530, San Antonio.

1535-1740, Bosque del Apache.

Goose, Canada # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Mallard # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Teal, Cinnamon # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Shoveler, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Duck, Ruddy 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Quail, Scaled # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Grebe, Pied-billed # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Stripey half-grown immatures.

Cormorant, Neotropic 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Egret, Great # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Egret, Snowy # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Egret, Cattle # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Kestrel, American 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR

A strong entry in the Ugly Baby Contest!

Stilt, Black-necked 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Yellowlegs, Lesser 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Phalarope, Wilson's # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Collared-Dove, Eurasian 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Wood-Pewee, Western

# @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

Phoebe, Black # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Phoebe, Say's # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Kingbird, Western # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Raven, Chihuahuan 1 @Socorro Co.: US-60^W, Torrance Co. to I-25

Swallow, Northern Rough-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Swallow, Cliff

# @US-60^W, Encino to Willard

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

Swallow, Barn

# @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

Wren, Carolina 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Wren, House # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Thrush, Hermit # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Catbird, Gray 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Vocalizations: Singing; not seen.

Mockingbird, Northern

1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

2 @San Antonio area

1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Starling, European # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Warbler, Virginia's 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Warbler, MacGillivray's # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Redstart, American 1♂ @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Vocalizations: 'seet^3'

Warbler, Yellow # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Warbler, Audubon's

1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

Warbler, Wilson's 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Chat, Yellow-breasted # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Sparrow, Lincoln's 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Sparrow, White-crowned # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Tanager, Western

1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

Grosbeak, Black-headed 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Blackbird, Red-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Cowbird, Brown-headed # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

Oriole, Bullock's # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods

2015-05-17: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

@TBay: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Oriole, Baltimore 1♂ [uncountable][fide Patrick Haynes] @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

The mulberry trees along the fence going south from Macey.

Mr. Haynes is a novice birder, but he described the bird as orange with a complete black hood. I asked him if it were yellow or orange and he said definitely orange. His companion, Paulina Inigo, seems to be a pretty capable birder, but she didn't see the bird.

2015-05-21: NM: Socorro County

@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR

@FMS: San Antonio: Farm-Market Road south of US-380

@SAnt: San Antonio area

@SocCo: Socorro County

@TBay: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

@home: Socorro: 507 Fitch

@sito: San Antonio: 11th St, Miera Road, San Antonito Road

Route

1415, Turtle Bay.

1620, Bosque del Apache NWR.

1800, San Antonito loop.

1900, south end of Farm-Market Road.

Goose, Canada # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Gadwall # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Mallard # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Teal, Cinnamon # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Shoveler, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Duck, Ruddy 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Quail, Gambel's # @San Antonio: 11th St, Miera Road, San Antonito Road

Grebe, Pied-billed 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Cormorant, Neotropic 2 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Egret, Great # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Egret, Snowy # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Ibis, White-faced # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Vulture, Turkey # @San Antonio: 11th St, Miera Road, San Antonito Road

Hawk, Swainson's 1 @San Antonio area

Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR

More chicks only a mother could love.

Killdeer # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Sandpiper, Spotted # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Dove, White-winged 1 @San Antonio: 11th St, Miera Road, San Antonito Road

Hummingbird, Black-chinned 1 @Socorro: 507 Fitch

Wood-Pewee, Western # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Phoebe, Black # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Phoebe, Say's # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Kingbird, Western # @San Antonio: Farm-Market Road south of US-380

Swallow, Northern Rough-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Swallow, Barn # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Robin, American # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Mockingbird, Northern 1 @San Antonio: 11th St, Miera Road, San Antonito Road

Phainopepla 2 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Sparrow, Lark # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Sparrow, White-crowned # @San Antonio: 11th St, Miera Road, San Antonito Road

Tanager, Western # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Grosbeak, Blue # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Blackbird, Red-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Meadowlark, Western # @San Antonio: Farm-Market Road south of US-380

Grackle, Great-tailed # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

Oriole, Bullock's 1 @San Antonio: 11th St, Miera Road, San Antonito Road

Sparrow, House

# @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

1 @San Antonio: 11th St, Miera Road, San Antonito Road

2015-05-22: NM: Socorro County

Notable: white Snow Goose

@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR

@Chap: Socorro: Chaparral Drive

@SocCo: Socorro County

Route

1350, San Antonio.

1400, Bosque del Apache NWR.

1530, Chaparral Drive, Socorro.

Goose, white Snow 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Goose, Canada # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Mallard # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Grebe, Pied-billed # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Cormorant, Neotropic 2 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Egret, Great # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Vulture, Turkey # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Collared-Dove, Eurasian # @Socorro: Chaparral Drive

Wood-Pewee, Western # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Kingbird, Western # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Raven, Chihuahuan # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Chat, Yellow-breasted 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Grackle, Great-tailed

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

# @Socorro: Chaparral Drive

2015-05-24: NM: Socorro, Animas Creek, Percha, Bosque NWR

Notable: Acorn Woodpecker; Lucy's Warbler; Bronzed Cowbird

@AnimCr: Animas Creek afoot

@AnimCrRd: Animas Creek Road

@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR

@CabDam: Percha Flats above Caballo Dam

@CabFore: Caballo Forebay

@FMS: San Antonio: Farm-Market Road south of US-380

@Percha: Percha Dam State Park

@day: Socorro, Animas Creek, Percha, Bosque NWR

@road1: I-25^S: Socorro to Sierra Co.

@road2: I-25^S: Sierra Co.: Socorro Co. to Truth or Consequences

@road3: I-25^S: Truth or Consequences to Hillsboro exit

@road4: I-25^S: Hillsboro exit to Caballo Dam exit

Route

0825, leave Socorro.

0905, Sierra County.

0920, T or C.

0935, Hillsboro exit, drive west on Animas Creek Road. A few brief excursions on foot.

1040, park before the creek crossing (which is the etiquette here) and hike around a bit on the near side of the creek.

1130, rolling west.

1200, I-25^S.

1205, "East Grand Percha Road", and Percha SP with a short hike from the south end.

1300, rolling from Percha SP; drove out to the east end of Percha Flats above Caballo Dam.

1345, drove through a very crowded Caballo Forebay.

1400, I-25^N.

1450, San Marcial exit, Bosque refuge.

1640, looked in at the south end of Farm-Market Road.

Goose, Canada # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Gadwall # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Mallard # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Duck, Ruddy # @Bosque del Apache NWR

A transitional plumage: the white face but not yet the bright blue bill.

Quail, Gambel's

# @Animas Creek Road

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

Turkey, Wild 4 @Animas Creek afoot

Grebe, Pied-billed # @Bosque del Apache NWR

The facial patterns of the two grebes in the foreground look random, but on closer examination, they have exactly the same pattern.

Aechmophorus sp. # @Percha Flats above Caballo Dam

There were at least half a dozen dodging boats and jet skis near the dam. I only got a good look at one Clark's.

Grebe, Clark's @Percha Flats above Caballo Dam

1a @Percha Flats above Caballo Dam

These photos show why I will continue to carry the Fuji S1, despite having cameras with better optics and better sensors. This unscaled crop shows what I call the smeary impressionistic detail at the pixel level, but it is still the better shot for documentation purposes due to the sheer magnification of the 1200mm zoom. The subjects were somewhere around a hundred yards out.

1i @Percha Flats above Caballo Dam

Identity presumed by its close association with an adult Clark's.

Cormorant, Neotropic 2 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Heron, Great Blue # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Egret, Great # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Heron, Green 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Ibis, White-faced # @Bosque del Apache NWR

I love the tiny rainbows of the smaller feathers that show the complex iridescence of this creature.

Vulture, Turkey

1 @I-25^S: Truth or Consequences to Hillsboro exit

1 @I-25^S: Hillsboro exit to Caballo Dam exit

1 @Animas Creek Road

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

Hawk, Swainson's 1 @Animas Creek Road

Hawk, Red-tailed 1a @Animas Creek Road

Kestrel, American 1 @Animas Creek Road

Collared-Dove, Eurasian 1 @Animas Creek Road

Dove, White-winged # @Animas Creek Road

Dove, Mourning # @I-25^S: Socorro to Sierra Co.

Woodpecker, Acorn 3 @Animas Creek Road

I associate these with Gambel Oaks, but here the only obvious source of acorns is the smallish oaks with the lozenge-shaped pale gray leaves.

Woodpecker, Ladder-backed 1♂ @Animas Creek afoot

Wood-Pewee, Western

1 @Animas Creek Road

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

Phoebe, Black 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Flycatcher, Ash-throated 1 @Animas Creek afoot

Kingbird, Western # @Animas Creek Road

Raven, Chihuahuan

1 @I-25^S: Socorro to Sierra Co.

The first photo shows the white underfeathering of the neck.

# @I-25^S: Sierra Co.: Socorro Co. to Truth or Consequences

Swallow, Northern Rough-winged @Socorro, Animas Creek, Percha, Bosque NWR

First photo, new 600m rig; second, classic 900mm rig. Same bird from the same position.

Swallow, Cliff # @Animas Creek Road

Swallow, Barn # @Animas Creek Road

Wren, Cactus 1 @Animas Creek Road

Vocalizations: Heard singing, the throaty 'gr-gr-gr-gr-gr', near where I stalked one last year. Not positive because there was a nearby Northern Mockingbird in full logorrhea, but they overlapped a couple of times.

Wren, Bewick's 1 @Animas Creek afoot

Near where the road crosses the creek.

Wren, House 1 @Animas Creek afoot

Robin, American

# @Animas Creek Road

1 @San Antonio: Farm-Market Road south of US-380

Mockingbird, Northern

# @Animas Creek Road

1 @I-25^S: Hillsboro exit to Caballo Dam exit

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

Thrasher, Curve-billed 1 @Animas Creek Road

The bird was missing its left eye.

Thrasher, Crissal 2 @Animas Creek Road

Another fine miscall in the field: I missed the brick-red vent plumage at the time, but it shows clearly in the photo, especially the lower bird. When I noticed that, I took a closer look at the bills. Yep, they're a bit long for a Curve-billed.

Phainopepla

1 @Animas Creek Road

1 @San Antonio: Farm-Market Road south of US-380

Warbler, Lucy's

1 @Animas Creek afoot

Near where the road crosses the creek.

1 @Percha Dam State Park

The blood-red patch on the crown is not a smooth, even color like the crown of a Chipping Sparrow; it seems to be broken into little blobs and streaks, and appears shaggy in profile. The photos also show the pinkish-red rump. Absent those features, this is The Bird With No Field Marks.

Chat, Yellow-breasted

# @Animas Creek Road

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

Sparrow, Lark 1 @Caballo Forebay

Sparrow, Black-throated

1 @Animas Creek Road

1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

Tanager, Summer 1 @Percha Dam State Park

Pyrrhuloxia 1 @Animas Creek Road

Grosbeak, Black-headed 1 @San Antonio: Farm-Market Road south of US-380

Grosbeak, Blue 1 @San Antonio: Farm-Market Road south of US-380

Blackbird, Red-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR

Meadowlark, Western # @San Antonio: Farm-Market Road south of US-380

Grackle, Great-tailed

1 @Caballo Forebay

# @Bosque del Apache NWR

Cowbird, Bronzed 1♀ @Animas Creek Road

This bird was kind enough to sit on a wire adjacent to a female Brown-headed Cowbird, which makes the size difference quite apparent. I miscalled it as a Brewer's Blackbird before I saw the red eye and noticed the relatively massive icterid bill. The first photo shows the characteristic cowl-like ruff of feathers at the back of the head.

Cowbird, Brown-headed 1♀ @Animas Creek Road

See under Bronzed Cowbird.

Finch, House # @Animas Creek Road

Goldfinch, Lesser # @Animas Creek afoot

2015-05-26: NM: Socorro: NRAO Domenici Operations Center

Notable: Mountain Chickadee

@NRAO: Socorro: NRAO Domenici Operations Center

Chickadee, Mountain 1 @Socorro: NRAO Domenici Operations Center

2015-05-30: NM: Socorro County

Notable: Burrowing Owl

@SocCo: Socorro County

@TFWC: Socorro Co.: Torstenson Family Wildlife Center

@WC: Magdalenas: Water Canyon

@WCRd: Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road

@road1: US-60^W: Socorro to Water Canyon Road

@road2: US-60^W: Water Canyon Road to Torstenson FWC

Route

Lots of butterflies but nothing I could get a good look at except the usual Two-tailed Swallowtails and Arizona Sisters. Numerous Pronghorn at Torstenson and along US-60 west of Magdalena.

Hawk, Swainson's 1 @US-60^W: Socorro to Water Canyon Road

Kestrel, American 1♂ @Socorro Co.: Torstenson Family Wildlife Center

Dove, White-winged 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road

Owl, Burrowing 1 @Socorro Co.: Torstenson Family Wildlife Center

hummingbird sp. @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Woodpecker, Acorn # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Wood-Pewee, Western # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Phoebe, Say's

@Magdalenas: Water Canyon

# @Socorro Co.: Torstenson Family Wildlife Center

Kingbird, Cassin's 1 @Socorro Co.: Torstenson Family Wildlife Center

Kingbird, Western 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road

Shrike, Loggerhead 1 @Socorro Co.: Torstenson Family Wildlife Center

Vireo, Plumbeous # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Vireo, Warbling 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

raven sp. # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road

Raven, Chihuahuan 1 @US-60^W: Water Canyon Road to Torstenson FWC

Raven, Common # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Lark, Horned # @Socorro Co.: Torstenson Family Wildlife Center

Swallow, Violet-green # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Swallow, Barn 1 @Socorro Co.: Torstenson Family Wildlife Center

Bushtit # @Socorro Co.: Torstenson Family Wildlife Center

Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Bluebird, Western # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Thrush, Hermit 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Robin, American 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Mockingbird, Northern # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road

Warbler, Grace's # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Trail 13 parking lot.

Towhee, Spotted 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Sparrow, Chipping # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Sparrow, Vesper 2 @Socorro Co.: Torstenson Family Wildlife Center

Sparrow, Lark # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road

Sparrow, Black-throated # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road

Tanager, Hepatic # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Tanager, Western # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Grosbeak, Black-headed # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon

Meadowlark, Eastern # @Socorro Co.: Torstenson Family Wildlife Center

Vocalizations: ID by song.

Beyond the song, this is an Eastern by microhabitat (grasslands) and macrohabitat (western Socorro County). Note the rather small dark flank marks, which I'm still considering as an auxiliary field mark.

Finch, House # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road