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Shipman's field notes, Sep 2015

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2015-09-03: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

@TBay: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Kingfisher, Belted 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Vocalizations: Heard a rattle.
Vireo, Warbling 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
2015-09-03-1891
Swallow, Barn # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Warbler, Yellow 1♀ @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Warbler, Wilson's # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
2015-09-03-1894

2015-09-04: NM: Socorro County

Notable:  Forster's Tern; Bell's Vireo
@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR
@FMRd: Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
@SAnt: San Antonio area
@Soc: Socorro
@SocCo: Socorro County
Mallard # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Quail, Gambel's # @San Antonio area
2015-09-04-1933
Pheasant, Ring-necked 1♀ @Bosque del Apache NWR
Crossing the North Seasonal Road.
2015-09-04-2012
Grebe, Pied-billed 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Cormorant, Neotropic 2 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-04-19662015-09-04-1971
Egret, Snowy 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Night-Heron, Black-crowned 1i @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-04-0332
Vulture, Turkey # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Hawk, Cooper's 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Hawk, Swainson's 1 @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
2015-09-04-02502015-09-04-02532015-09-04-02592015-09-04-1922
Hawk, Red-tailed 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-04-0325
With a female American Kestrel keeping company in the rain.
Kestrel, American 
1♂ @San Antonio area
2015-09-04-02692015-09-04-0274
1♀ @San Antonio area
2015-09-04-0271
1u @San Antonio area
1♀ @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-04-0325
Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Killdeer 80 @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
In the field just northwest of the intersection of Farm-Market Road with US-380. This field was completely denuded of all vegetation recently.
2015-09-04-19272015-09-04-1928
I saw exactly zero shorebirds at the refuge today, but here were all these plovers milling around on bare, dry dirt.
Tern, Forster's 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Boardwalk pond.
Behavior: Diving and picking at the surface.
2015-09-04-19842015-09-04-19742015-09-04-19812015-09-04-19902015-09-04-19932015-09-04-03072015-09-04-03182015-09-04-19522015-09-04-19552015-09-04-19562015-09-04-19572015-09-04-19882015-09-04-03082015-09-04-03102015-09-04-03212015-09-04-1950
Back in my novice days at Palo Alto Baylands, getting flight shots of this bird was a big challenge. It still is, but autofocus doesn't hurt. Some of these shots are with the old 900mm manual focus rig (frame numbers in the 03xx range).
Pigeon, Rock # @Socorro
Collared-Dove, Eurasian 
# @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
# @San Antonio area
Dove, White-winged 
# @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
# @San Antonio area
Dove, Mourning 
# @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Roadrunner, Greater # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Hummingbird, Rufous # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-04-20252015-09-04-20272015-09-04-2024
Wood-Pewee, Western 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-04-19452015-09-04-0291
Phoebe, Black 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Phoebe, Say's 
# @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
1 @San Antonio area
1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Kingbird, Cassin's 2 @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
2015-09-04-02632015-09-04-19242015-09-04-1925
Vireo, Bell's 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
In the screen of willows on the west side of the South Loop about halfway between Dabbler Deck and the Boardwalk.
Vocalizations: Heard only, the characteristic song.
Gary Froehlich says he has heard this bird here every time he's been to the refuge since April.
Raven, Chihuahuan 500 @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
One large group in the fields west of Farm-Market Road and in the trees on the east side.
Description: All tails observed were wedge-shaped.
Vocalizations: All calls heard were the species' characteristic 'rack'.
2015-09-04-02442015-09-04-1915
This is not the first time I've seen a sizeable monotypic flock of these ravens. I recall one fall a few years ago I counted over 100 birds sitting on the line between two phone poles near the Socorro south-end freeway exit. However, the number is remarkable.
Swallow, Cliff # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Swallow, Barn 
# @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
# @San Antonio area
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Verdin 1 @San Antonio area
Wren, Bewick's 1 @San Antonio area
El Alto Road, San Antonito.
2015-09-04-19402015-09-04-1941
Crawling through the shrubbery as usual.
Thrasher, Crissal 1 @San Antonio area
2015-09-04-02792015-09-04-1935
Starling, European # @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Sparrow, Black-throated # @San Antonio area
Grosbeak, Blue 
# @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Meadowlark, Western 1 @San Antonio area
Finch, House 
# @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
# @San Antonio area
Sparrow, House # @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road

2015-09-06: NM: Socorro County

@Box: US-60: The Box
@HFR: Socorro: Hope Farms Road
@NF: Magdalenas: North Fork
@SocCo: Socorro County
@WC: Magdalenas: Water Canyon
@WCRd: Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road
Route
0950, leave Socorro, US-60^W.
1030, Water Canyon Road.
1055, Water Canyon.
1110, North Fork on foot from Group Camp.
1250, rolling out.
1310, Water Canyon Road.
1340, US-60^E.
1355, looked in at The Box briefly.
Butterflies: Arizona Sister, Bordered Patch, Canyonlands Satyr, Checkered-Skipper sp., Reakirt's Blue, Hoary Comma.
Heron, Great Blue 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road
Standing next to a catchment pond fairly close to the US-60 end of the road.
2015-09-06-2144
Vulture, Turkey 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road
Hawk, Red-tailed 
1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road
2015-09-06-0374
1 @Socorro: Hope Farms Road
Kestrel, American 
1♂ @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road
1♀ @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road
2015-09-06-03652015-09-06-0359
Dove, Mourning 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road
Roadrunner, Greater 3 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road
2015-09-06-03402015-09-06-2036
Hummingbird, Rufous 2 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road
Just hanging out on the barbed wire.
2015-09-06-2030
Woodpecker, Acorn 
# @Magdalenas: Water Canyon
2015-09-06-03522015-09-06-0350
1 @Magdalenas: North Fork
Empidonax sp. 1 @Magdalenas: North Fork
2015-09-06-2096
Phoebe, Say's 
1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road
1 @US-60: The Box
Kingbird, Western 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road
2015-09-06-2040
Scrub-Jay, Western 
1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road
# @Magdalenas: Water Canyon
Raven, Common # @Magdalenas: North Fork
Titmouse, Juniper 1 @Magdalenas: North Fork
2015-09-06-20492015-09-06-20522015-09-06-20472015-09-06-20532015-09-06-20542015-09-06-2043
Came to drink at a tiny pool of water right in the middle of the road.
Bluebird, Western # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon
Towhee, Canyon 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road
2015-09-06-21342015-09-06-03552015-09-06-0357
Sparrow, Chipping 1 @Magdalenas: Water Canyon
Sparrow, Lark # @Magdalenas: Water Canyon Road
2015-09-06-0370
Tanager, Hepatic 1♂ @Magdalenas: North Fork
Vocalizations: I heard a monotonous 'jip' repeated at roughly once every two seconds for several minutes. Triangulation on the call revealed this culprit.
2015-09-06-2100

2015-09-12: NM: Socorro: 507 Fitch

@home: Socorro: 507 Fitch
Pelican, American White 45 @Socorro: 507 Fitch
Moving south in a tight group overhead. House list!
2015-09-12-54972015-09-12-5502

2015-09-13: NM: Socorro County

Notable:  Orange-crowned Warbler
@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR
@Diag: Socorro: Hope Farms Road: The Diagonal
@SAnt: San Antonio area
@SocCo: Socorro County
duck sp. # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Back corner of the Old Rookery, all in eclipse. Probably Mallards.
Quail, Gambel's # @San Antonio area
Turkey, Wild 5 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-13-2286
Cormorant, Neotropic 4 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-13-2266
Heron, Great Blue # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Ibis, White-faced # @San Antonio area
The first photo shows the location, a field on the west side of NM-1 between San Antonio and the refuge, with the Magdalenas in the far background.
2015-09-13-21482015-09-13-21462015-09-13-2149
Vulture, Turkey # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Hawk, Sharp-shinned 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Hawk, Swainson's 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Kestrel, American 
2 @San Antonio area
1♂ @Bosque del Apache NWR
2♀ @Bosque del Apache NWR
Coot, American 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Collared-Dove, Eurasian # @San Antonio area
Dove, Mourning 
@San Antonio area
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Roadrunner, Greater 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Wood-Pewee, Western 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Flycatcher, Least 1? @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-13-2245
Guessing Least based on the complete eyering, thicker in back; the generally smaller build and rounder head; the greenish back color contrasting with the head; and the all-yellow lower mandible of a smallish bill. But, yes, I'm totally guessing.
Phoebe, Black 
1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-13-03992015-09-13-04022015-09-13-0406
1 @Socorro: Hope Farms Road: The Diagonal
Phoebe, Say's 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Kingbird, Western # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Raven, Chihuahuan 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Swallow, Barn # @San Antonio area
Kinglet, Ruby-crowned 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-13-2204
Another bird I didn't ID at the time, but discovered in a photo later.
Warbler, Orange-crowned 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-13-21712015-09-13-21862015-09-13-21732015-09-13-21722015-09-13-2191
I've always had trouble with the gray-headed O. c. celata form. The main disturbing feature was the apparent yellow eyebrow, visible in the last photo. Everything else, however, fits: the eyering broken fore and aft; the blurry streaks on the breast; and certainly the gray undertail.
Warbler, Wilson's 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Sparrow, Clay-colored # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-13-22272015-09-13-03902015-09-13-21662015-09-13-21672015-09-13-21922015-09-13-03912015-09-13-21652015-09-13-21972015-09-13-2228
Lots of these around today. I'd guess I identified well over twenty, and there were hordes of sparrows flitting around the bushes of the North Seasonal Road that could have been any Spizella.
Sparrow, Brewer's 
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-13-03922015-09-13-22492015-09-13-22482015-09-13-2254
One of the photos shows a bird with a gray nape,
These photos show birds for which I'm reasonably confident of the ID. The first three photos show a gray nape, but it's not a clear gray nape: it has streaks crossing it. That and the eyering convinced me to put these here. For the last photo, I'm calling it a Brewer's because of the gray color on the breast and the less distinct face and throat pattern than Clay-colored. The lack of a strong dark line through the eye rules out Chipping, aside from the fact that I haven't seen a Chipping since the last time I was in the mountains.
1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-13-22232015-09-13-2222
Not terribly sure about this bird's ID.
Sparrow, Vesper 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-13-03952015-09-13-22102015-09-13-22782015-09-13-22722015-09-13-22772015-09-13-2282
Another species I missed at the time: I was concentrating on keying out the various Spizella migrants and didn't notice these, which don't really look that similar. The white lateral tail margins didn't leap out at me at the time and they're not prominent in these photos either. The rusty wrist does show in the last photo.
Sparrow, Lark 
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
1 @Socorro: Hope Farms Road: The Diagonal
Tanager, Western 1♀ @Bosque del Apache NWR
Grosbeak, Blue 1♀ @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-13-2273
meadowlark sp. # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Finch, House # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Goldfinch, Lesser # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-13-22062015-09-13-2207
Inconspicuous yet numerous in the many sunflower thickets.

2015-09-14: NM: Belen: Taco Bell Marsh

Notable:  Red Phalarope
@TBM: Belen: Taco Bell Marsh
Teal, Green-Winged 1 @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh
Egret, Snowy 1 @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh
Egret, Cattle 2 @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh
Killdeer 1 @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh
Phalarope, Red 1 @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh
2015-09-14-19822015-09-14-19832015-09-14-19862015-09-14-1987
A stakeout seen by many. Photos from my Fuji S-1 that I have with me even when not on an expedition: it's not great, but at 1200mm it's nice and long for record shots of shy birds like this one.

2015-09-16: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

@TBay: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Kingfisher, Belted 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Wood-Pewee, Western 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Swallow, Cliff # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Swallow, Barn # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Starling, European # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Warbler, Wilson's 1♀ @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

2015-09-18: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

@TBay: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Phoebe, Black 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

2015-09-20: NM: Socorro County

@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR
The north loop was closed for an elk hunt.
@SAnt: San Antonio area
@SocCo: Socorro County
@TBay: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Route
0855, Turtle Bay.
0945, leave Turtle Bay.
1120, Bosque del Apache.
1225, Boardwalk pond.
1310, rolling.
Wigeon, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR
See photo under Ring-necked Duck.
Teal, Cinnamon # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Pintail, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR
See photo under Ring-necked Duck.
Redhead 4 @Bosque del Apache NWR
First of the season.
Duck, Ring-necked 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-20-2361
First of the season.
Duck, Ruddy # @Bosque del Apache NWR
First numbers of the season.
Grebe, Pied-billed 
1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
2015-09-20-23302015-09-20-2336
1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Cormorant, Neotropic 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Pelican, American White 12 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Heron, Great Blue 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Egret, Great 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Vulture, Turkey # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Kestrel, American 
1♂ @San Antonio area
1♀ @Bosque del Apache NWR
Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Avocet, American 20 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Dove, Mourning 
# @San Antonio area
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Roadrunner, Greater 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Kingfisher, Belted 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Wood-Pewee, Western 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Phoebe, Black 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Phoebe, Say's 1 @San Antonio area
Swallow, Cliff 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Swallow, Barn # @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Kinglet, Ruby-crowned 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Warbler, Audubon's # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-20-2364
Warbler, Myrtle # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-20-2369
Warbler, Wilson's 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Sparrow, Vesper 1 @San Antonio area
2015-09-20-04082015-09-20-23512015-09-20-2350
Sparrow, White-crowned # @Bosque del Apache NWR
First of the season.
Tanager, Summer 1♀ @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Vocalizations: 'dibbit'
2015-09-20-2345
Tanager, Western 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Grosbeak, Blue 1♀ @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-20-2371
Finch, House 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR

2015-09-22: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

@TBay: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Route 0950 for about twenty minutes.
Grebe, Pied-billed 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Wood-Pewee, Western 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Phoebe, Black 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
2015-09-22-2378
Warbler, Audubon's 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Warbler, Wilson's 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Tanager, Summer 1♀ @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

2015-09-24: NM: Socorro to Melrose Woods

Notable:  Wood Duck; Chestnut-sided Warbler
@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR
@Bern: Bernardo WMA
@FMRd: Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
@Mel: Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
@Seas: Bosque del Apache NWR: Seasonal Road
@day: Socorro to Melrose Woods
@road01: US-60^E: Willard to Encino
@road02: US-60^E: Vaughn to Torrance/De Baca line
@road03: US-60^E: Torrance/De Baca line to Yeso
@road04: US-60^E: Yeso to Fort Sumner
@road05: US-60^E: De Baca/Roosevelt line to Melrose Woods
Route
1040, leave Socorro.
1050, Luis Lopez.
1140, Bosque del Apache NWR.
1330, leave the Bosque refuge.
1435, US-60^E.
1505, Socorro/Torrance line.
1515, Mountainair.
1530, Willard.
1625, Encino.
1640, Vaughn.
1700, Torrance/De Baca line.
1715, Yeso.
1745, Fort Sumner.
1805, De Baca/Roosevelt line.
1820, Melrose Woods until dark.
Note: D7201 camera time 0700 == actually 1300.
Duck, Wood 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR: Seasonal Road
A few yards from the point where the North Seasonal Road crosses a ditch to rejoin the North Loop, I saw this duck just above the irrigation gate in that ditch on the north side of the bridge. First record since last August 15.
2015-09-24-05472015-09-24-2407
Wigeon, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Mallard 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Pintail, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR
See photo under Ring-necked Duck.
Teal, Green-Winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-24-0519
Duck, Ring-necked # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-24-0521
Duck, Ruddy # @Bosque del Apache NWR
See photo under Ring-necked Duck.
Quail, Scaled # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Grebe, Pied-billed # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Cormorant, Neotropic 3 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-24-0516
Heron, Great Blue 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-24-0537
Night-Heron, Black-crowned 1i @Bosque del Apache NWR
The Old Rookery.
2015-09-24-0531
Vulture, Turkey # @US-60^E: Torrance/De Baca line to Yeso
2015-09-24-04192015-09-24-0421
These flight shots were from the first dozen frames through my new 200-500. Pretty happy with them, and it.
Harrier, Northern 1ϕ @Bosque del Apache NWR: Seasonal Road
2015-09-24-05452015-09-24-0544
Hawk, Swainson's 
2 @US-60^E: Willard to Encino
2015-09-24-0556
2 @US-60^E: Torrance/De Baca line to Yeso
1 @US-60^E: Yeso to Fort Sumner
2015-09-24-06352015-09-24-06372015-09-24-06452015-09-24-0634
1 @US-60^E: De Baca/Roosevelt line to Melrose Woods
Hawk, Red-tailed 
1i @US-60^E: Willard to Encino
2015-09-24-05622015-09-24-05632015-09-24-05662015-09-24-05572015-09-24-05602015-09-24-0611
1a @US-60^E: Yeso to Fort Sumner
2015-09-24-0609
Kestrel, American 
2♀ @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
2♂ @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
2015-09-24-04852015-09-24-04862015-09-24-04822015-09-24-04842015-09-24-04582015-09-24-2395
1♀ @US-60^E: Yeso to Fort Sumner
1u @US-60^E: Yeso to Fort Sumner
Killdeer # @Bernardo WMA
Avocet, American 1 @Bernardo WMA
Dove, Mourning 
# @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
1 @US-60^E: Torrance/De Baca line to Yeso
Roadrunner, Greater 1 @US-60^E: Vaughn to Torrance/De Baca line
2015-09-24-0494
Phoebe, Black 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Phoebe, Say's 1 @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Shrike, Loggerhead 
1 @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
2015-09-24-04292015-09-24-04322015-09-24-0426
1 @US-60^E: Vaughn to Torrance/De Baca line
1 @US-60^E: Torrance/De Baca line to Yeso
1 @US-60^E: Yeso to Fort Sumner
2015-09-24-0629
Raven, Chihuahuan 
# @Bosque del Apache NWR: Seasonal Road
Vocalizations: 'rack'
2015-09-24-0612
1 @US-60^E: Willard to Encino
1 @US-60^E: Torrance/De Baca line to Yeso
1 @US-60^E: Yeso to Fort Sumner
2015-09-24-05022015-09-24-0500
Lark, Horned # @US-60^E: Willard to Encino
2015-09-24-0600
Swallow, Barn # @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
2015-09-24-04372015-09-24-04402015-09-24-0445
Wren, House 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-24-2421
Robin, American # @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
2015-09-24-0436
Warbler, Chestnut-sided 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-24-24262015-09-24-24252015-09-24-2427
Warbler, Wilson's # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Towhee, Green-tailed 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Sparrow, Vesper #? @US-60^E: Willard to Encino
Sparrow, Lark # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Seasonal Road
Sparrow, White-crowned # @Bosque del Apache NWR: Seasonal Road
Grosbeak, Blue # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Vocalizations: 'sink', a higher, thinner, more metallic note than the 'pink' of Black-headed Grosbeak.
meadowlark sp. 1 @US-60^E: Torrance/De Baca line to Yeso
Blackbird, Brewer's 1♂ @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-24-05102015-09-24-05052015-09-24-2402

2015-09-25: NM: Melrose Woods to Brantley Lake

Notable:  Osprey; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher; American Redstart; Townsend's Warbler; Pyrrhuloxia; Painted Bunting
@BLNWR: Bitter Lake NWR
@Brant: Brantley Lake: Seven Rivers Day Use Area
@CWWTP: Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant
@Houk: Clovis: Ned Houk Park
@Mel: Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
@day: Melrose Woods to Brantley Lake
@road01: US-60^W: Clovis to Curry/Roosevelt Line
@road02: US-60^E: Roosevelt/Curry line to Clovis
@road03: US-70^W: Elida to Pecos River
@road04: Roswell: Old Clovis Highway, Pecos River to Bitter Lake NWR
@road05: Roswell: Red Bridge Road
Route
0620, leave Clovis.
0700, Curry/Roosevelt line.
0705, Melrose Woods.
1045, US-60^E.
1100, Roosevelt/Curry line to Clovis and thence to Ned Houk Park.
1155, Ned Houk Park.
1230, leave Ned Houk.
1310, Clovis WWTP.
1330, US-70^W.
1335, Curry/Roosevelt line.
1420, Elida. Looked into the cemetery, but it was dead.
1510, turn onto Old Clovis Highway just west of the Pecos River.
1535, Bitter Lake NWR.
1620, leave Bitter Lake NWR.
1650, southbound from Roswell on US-285.
1755, to the boat ramp at Seven Rivers Day Use Area.
1820, US-285^S.
Shoveler, Northern 
# @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant
1 @Bitter Lake NWR
2015-09-25-07692015-09-25-0771
Teal, Green-Winged # @Bitter Lake NWR
Duck, Ruddy 
# @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant
# @Brantley Lake: Seven Rivers Day Use Area
Quail, Scaled 
# @Roswell: Old Clovis Highway, Pecos River to Bitter Lake NWR
2015-09-25-07362015-09-25-0740
# @Bitter Lake NWR
Grebe, Eared # @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant
Aechmophorus sp. # @Brantley Lake: Seven Rivers Day Use Area
The birds were several hundred yards out. Most likely the yahoos trying to run over the Ruddy Ducks with their jet skis dissuaded them from coming anywhere close to the boat ramp.
Cormorant, Double-crested 10 @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant
2015-09-25-26022015-09-25-2603
Heron, Great Blue 
1 @Clovis: Ned Houk Park
2015-09-25-0669
1 @Bitter Lake NWR
Egret, Snowy # @Bitter Lake NWR
Night-Heron, Black-crowned 50 @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant
2015-09-25-07252015-09-25-2603
I've always been able to find a few of these here. Today I decided to venture out on one of the berms a bit closer to where they roost, and disturbed a bunch of them who were hiding in the reeds. There are a lot more than I realized!
Vulture, Turkey # @Clovis: Ned Houk Park
Osprey 1 @Bitter Lake NWR
2015-09-25-07752015-09-25-26202015-09-25-2621
Harrier, Northern 1i @Bitter Lake NWR
Hawk, Swainson's 
2 @US-60^E: Roosevelt/Curry line to Clovis
2015-09-25-0657
1 @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant
1 @US-70^W: Elida to Pecos River
1 @Roswell: Old Clovis Highway, Pecos River to Bitter Lake NWR
Hawk, Red-tailed 1 @Roswell: Old Clovis Highway, Pecos River to Bitter Lake NWR
2015-09-25-0746
Though the tail is obscured, ID based on the whitish scapulars and plain red-brown head.
Hawk, Ferruginous 1 @Clovis: Ned Houk Park
2015-09-25-06952015-09-25-0699
I forget who first told me that where there are prairie dogs, there is usually at least one Ferruginous Hawk, but here is another example. This is my first visit to Ned Houk Park a few miles north of Clovis, but in addition to a nice little bison paddock, they allow prairie dogs to live there. The rodents are plentiful but wary of both this gorgeous hawk and humans as well.
Kestrel, American 
2u @US-60^W: Clovis to Curry/Roosevelt Line
1♂ @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
1♂ @Clovis: Ned Houk Park
2u @Roswell: Old Clovis Highway, Pecos River to Bitter Lake NWR
Coot, American # @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant
Killdeer 
# @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant
# @Bitter Lake NWR
Avocet, American # @Bitter Lake NWR
Yellowlegs, Greater 
# @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant
2015-09-25-07092015-09-25-0715
# @Bitter Lake NWR
Pigeon, Rock 
# @US-60^W: Clovis to Curry/Roosevelt Line
# @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant
2015-09-25-07022015-09-25-07062015-09-25-0700
Collared-Dove, Eurasian # @Clovis Waste Water Treatment Plant
Dove, Mourning # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Cuckoo, Yellow-billed 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-25-2578
I didn't realize what I was shooting at until the next day, when I read John Parmeter's notes and saw it again.
Roadrunner, Greater 1 @Brantley Lake: Seven Rivers Day Use Area
Sitting atop the kiosk at the entrance to Seven Rivers Day Use Area.
2015-09-25-0780
Owl, Barn 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Flicker, Red-shafted 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Wood-Pewee, Western 1 @Bitter Lake NWR
Flycatcher, Least 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-25-25542015-09-25-2553
Kingbird, Western 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Flycatcher, Scissor-tailed 2 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-25-06512015-09-25-2581
One of the birds had a kingbird-length tail but the coloring was all wrong. Then I noticed the other one.
Shrike, Loggerhead 
1 @US-70^W: Elida to Pecos River
1 @Bitter Lake NWR
Vireo, Cassin's 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Description: Greenish edges on the folded primaries; weak contrast between dark gray cheek and throat.
2015-09-25-24602015-09-25-2463
Raven, Chihuahuan 
# @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
# @Clovis: Ned Houk Park
Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-25-2516
Kinglet, Ruby-crowned # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-25-24892015-09-25-25302015-09-25-2528
Thrush, Hermit # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Robin, American # @Clovis: Ned Houk Park
Mockingbird, Northern 1 @Roswell: Old Clovis Highway, Pecos River to Bitter Lake NWR
Thrasher, Curve-billed 
1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Vocalizations: Never saw it, but heard the familiar 'whick-whick' note several times.
1 @Roswell: Red Bridge Road
2015-09-25-0776
Starling, European 
# @US-60^W: Clovis to Curry/Roosevelt Line
# @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Warbler, Orange-crowned 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Redstart, American 1♀ @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-25-25452015-09-25-25402015-09-25-25442015-09-25-25492015-09-25-2541
Warbler, Yellow-rumped # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Warbler, Townsend's 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Warbler, Wilson's # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Towhee, Green-tailed 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-25-24872015-09-25-24822015-09-25-2484
Towhee, Canyon 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-25-2492
Sparrow, Chipping 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-25-25732015-09-25-25722015-09-25-25662015-09-25-2563
The same plumage that gave me fits in Water Canyon last month: gray below with fine black streaking. The crown isn't much help. I'm going with Chipping due to the strong dark eyeline extending anterior to the eye.
Sparrow, Clay-colored 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-25-24562015-09-25-25682015-09-25-25712015-09-25-24532015-09-25-24542015-09-25-2565
Sparrow, Vesper 1 @Roswell: Old Clovis Highway, Pecos River to Bitter Lake NWR
2015-09-25-07552015-09-25-07572015-09-25-0751
Sparrow, Lark 1 @Roswell: Old Clovis Highway, Pecos River to Bitter Lake NWR
Sparrow, Lincoln's 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-25-24682015-09-25-2470
Sparrow, White-crowned 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-25-2457
Pyrrhuloxia 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-25-25022015-09-25-2499
Grosbeak, Blue 1♀ @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-25-24792015-09-25-2474
A good day to study the various female buntings. The wingbars are not as prominent or as chestnut-colored as some plumages, but this one has way too much bill to be anything but a Blue Grosbeak.
Bunting, Lazuli 1♀ @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-25-24502015-09-25-24452015-09-25-2449
Going with Lazuli here due to the bluish tinge on the folded primes.
Bunting, Painted 1♀ @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-25-25092015-09-25-25112015-09-25-2503
Grackle, Great-tailed # @US-60^E: Roosevelt/Curry line to Clovis

2015-09-26: NM: Rattlesnake Springs-Lea County-Clovis

@Brin: Lea Co.: Brininstool Road
Now paved at least as far as Bell Lake Road.
@DBR: Lea Co: Delaware Basin Road
GPS: 321843n 1033040w Also known as Lea County 21. The entrance to Allred Tank is now gated, and it doesn't look like it has seen much if any traffic since the gate went in.
@GML: Hobbs: Green Meadow Lake
@Hobbs: Hobbs City Park
@RS: Rattlesnake Springs
@Rock: Hobbs: Rockwind Community Links
@Wash: Washington Ranch
@day: Rattlesnake Springs-Lea County-Clovis
@road01: US-62-180 to Rattlesnake Springs
@road02: US-62-180^E: Rattlesnake Springs Road to Carlsbad
@road03: NM-31^E: US-285 to NM-128^E
@road04: NM-128^E: Eddy/Lea line to Brininstool Road
@road05: NM-206^N: Lovington to Tatum
@road06: NM-206^N: Lea/Roosevelt line to Milnesand
@road07: NM-206^N: Milnesand to Pep
@road08: NM-206^N: Pep to Dora
@road09: NM-206^N: Dora to Portales
Route
0645, leave Carlsbad, US-62-180^W.
0710, Rattlesnake Springs Road.
0735, Rattlesnake Springs.
1110, brief look at the south end of Washington Ranch.
1130, US-62-180^E.
1235, US-285^S.
1245, NM-31^E to NM-128^E.
1320, Eddy/Lea line.
1335, short drive north on Brininstool Road.
1350, NM-128^E.
1355, LE-21^N, Delaware Basin Road.
1500, NM-248^N.
1515, NM-18^N.
1530, Hobbs, quick look at City Park.
1540, Green Meadow Lake.
1600, Rockwind Community Links.
1620, NM-18^N.
1640, NM-206^N.
1700, Tatum.
1720, Crossroads.
1725, Lea/Roosevelt line.
1730, Milnesand.
1745, Pep.
1755, Dora.
duck sp. # @NM-206^N: Pep to Dora
teal sp. # @NM-206^N: Pep to Dora
Quail, Scaled 
2 @Washington Ranch
# @Hobbs: Green Meadow Lake
2015-09-26-09722015-09-26-09712015-09-26-0970
Turkey, Wild 
3 @US-62-180 to Rattlesnake Springs
30 @Rattlesnake Springs
Behavior: Some of these young birds are not terribly wild. Driving over toward Washington Ranch headquarters, a group of half a dozen or so half-grown birds came charging over to my vehicle, as if they expected a handout.
2015-09-26-26452015-09-26-26462015-09-26-26382015-09-26-26432015-09-26-26442015-09-26-07992015-09-26-26292015-09-26-2632
Vulture, Turkey # @Rattlesnake Springs
2015-09-26-08172015-09-26-08182015-09-26-08162015-09-26-0808
Harrier, Northern 1u @NM-206^N: Pep to Dora
Hawk, Sharp-shinned 1 @US-62-180 to Rattlesnake Springs
Hawk, Swainson's 
1 @Rattlesnake Springs
2015-09-26-0897
1 @NM-31^E: US-285 to NM-128^E
1 @NM-128^E: Eddy/Lea line to Brininstool Road
1 @Lea Co: Delaware Basin Road
2015-09-26-09472015-09-26-09502015-09-26-0957
1 @Hobbs: Rockwind Community Links
2 @NM-206^N: Milnesand to Pep
2015-09-26-1022
Hawk, Red-tailed 
1 @US-62-180 to Rattlesnake Springs
2015-09-26-0801
1 @US-62-180^E: Rattlesnake Springs Road to Carlsbad
Kestrel, American 
1♀ @NM-206^N: Milnesand to Pep
1 @NM-206^N: Pep to Dora
1♀ @NM-206^N: Dora to Portales
Coot, American # @Hobbs: Green Meadow Lake
Collared-Dove, Eurasian # @Hobbs: Rockwind Community Links
Dove, White-winged 
1 @Rattlesnake Springs
# @Hobbs City Park
Dove, Mourning 
# @Hobbs: Rockwind Community Links
# @NM-206^N: Lea/Roosevelt line to Milnesand
Flicker, Red-shafted 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
Wood-Pewee, Western 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
2015-09-26-0900
Phoebe, Black 2 @Rattlesnake Springs
Flycatcher, Vermilion # @Rattlesnake Springs
2015-09-26-08512015-09-26-08622015-09-26-08732015-09-26-08652015-09-26-0868
Flycatcher, Ash-throated 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
2015-09-26-0854
Kingbird, Cassin's 
1 @US-62-180 to Rattlesnake Springs
# @Rattlesnake Springs
2015-09-26-08842015-09-26-08832015-09-26-0882
Kingbird, Western 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
Flycatcher, Scissor-tailed 
# @Lea Co: Delaware Basin Road
2015-09-26-09522015-09-26-09542015-09-26-09562015-09-26-09352015-09-26-09422015-09-26-09512015-09-26-09282015-09-26-0933
# @Hobbs: Rockwind Community Links
2015-09-26-09802015-09-26-0982
# @NM-206^N: Lovington to Tatum
1 @NM-206^N: Pep to Dora
Raven, Chihuahuan 
2 @NM-206^N: Milnesand to Pep
2 @NM-206^N: Dora to Portales
Wren, Bewick's 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
2015-09-26-08772015-09-26-08812015-09-26-08782015-09-26-08792015-09-26-0880
Rather inconspicuous among dried seed pods of our state flower, the Soapweed Yucca, Yucca glauca.
Mockingbird, Northern # @Rattlesnake Springs
Thrasher, Curve-billed 1 @Hobbs: Rockwind Community Links
2015-09-26-09892015-09-26-09912015-09-26-09962015-09-26-0998
Regrowing its tail and generally in heavy molt.
Warbler, Wilson's 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
Chat, Yellow-breasted 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
Towhee, Canyon 2 @Rattlesnake Springs
2015-09-26-08222015-09-26-0825
Sparrow, Clay-colored 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
2015-09-26-0902
Sparrow, Brewer's 1 @US-62-180 to Rattlesnake Springs
2015-09-26-07962015-09-26-07932015-09-26-07952015-09-26-0791
Sparrow, Vesper 
# @US-62-180 to Rattlesnake Springs
# @Lea Co.: Brininstool Road
2015-09-26-09192015-09-26-0916
Tanager, Summer # @Rattlesnake Springs
Tanager, Western 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
Cardinal, Northern 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
2015-09-26-0830
meadowlark sp. 1 @NM-206^N: Lovington to Tatum
Grackle, Great-tailed 
# @Hobbs City Park
# @Hobbs: Rockwind Community Links
Finch, House # @US-62-180 to Rattlesnake Springs

2015-09-27: NM: Melrose Woods to Bosque del Apache

Notable:  Yellow-billed Cuckoo; Nashville Warbler
@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR
Saw something small and white floating way out in the Boardwalk pond. Couldn't judge the size, but somewhere between a phalarope and a small gull.
@Bern: Bernardo WMA
@FMRd: Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
@Mel: Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
@day: Melrose Woods to Bosque del Apache
@road01: Clovis to Melrose Woods
@road02: US-60^W: Roosevelt/De Baca line to Fort Sumner
@road03: US-60^W: Yeso to De Baca/Guadalupe line
@road04: US-60^W: De Baca/Guadalupe line to Vaughn
@road05: US-60^W: Vaughn to Guadalupe/Torrance line
@road06: US-60^W: Encino to Willard
@road07: US-60^W: Willard to Mountainair
@road08: US-60^W: Torrance/Socorro line to I-25
Route
0650, leave Clovis.
0725, Curry/Roosevelt line.
0730, Melrose Woods.
1100, US-60^W.
1120, Roosevelt/De Baca line.
1130, Fort Sumner.
1215, De Baca/Guadalupe line.
1230, Vaughn.
1240, Guadalupe/Torrance line.
1250, Encino.
1330, Willard.
1350, Mountainair.
1405, Torrance/Socorro line.
1430, NM-116^N, quick turn around Bernardo WMA.
1450, I-25^S.
1545, leave Socorro.
Quail, Scaled # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-27-10442015-09-27-10992015-09-27-11002015-09-27-10332015-09-27-1042
Pheasant, Ring-necked # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-27-11722015-09-27-11672015-09-27-11702015-09-27-1176
Cormorant, Neotropic 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-27-1156
Heron, Great Blue 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Vulture, Turkey # @US-60^W: Yeso to De Baca/Guadalupe line
Hawk, Swainson's 
# @US-60^W: Yeso to De Baca/Guadalupe line
2 @US-60^W: Encino to Willard
2015-09-27-1136
Hawk, Red-tailed 1 @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Kestrel, American 
1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-27-1097
# @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Collared-Dove, Eurasian # @Clovis to Melrose Woods
Dove, Mourning 
# @Bernardo WMA
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Cuckoo, Yellow-billed 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-27-26862015-09-27-26872015-09-27-2679
Found yesterday by Parmeter.
Roadrunner, Greater 
1 @US-60^W: Encino to Willard
1 @US-60^W: Torrance/Socorro line to I-25
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Owl, Great Horned 2 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Vocalizations: Two calling back and forth in the early morning.
Phoebe, Black 1 @Bernardo WMA
2015-09-27-1146
Phoebe, Say's 1 @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Kingbird, Cassin's 1 @US-60^W: Willard to Mountainair
2015-09-27-1144
Raven, Chihuahuan 
# @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
# @US-60^W: Roosevelt/De Baca line to Fort Sumner
# @US-60^W: Yeso to De Baca/Guadalupe line
# @US-60^W: De Baca/Guadalupe line to Vaughn
# @US-60^W: Vaughn to Guadalupe/Torrance line
# @US-60^W: Willard to Mountainair
Lark, Horned 
# @US-60^W: De Baca/Guadalupe line to Vaughn
# @US-60^W: Encino to Willard
West side of Encino.
2015-09-27-11172015-09-27-11182015-09-27-11202015-09-27-11242015-09-27-11282015-09-27-11082015-09-27-11142015-09-27-1115
Swallow, Barn 
# @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Kinglet, Ruby-crowned # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Thrush, Hermit # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-27-1087
Starling, European 
# @Clovis to Melrose Woods
# @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Warbler, Orange-crowned # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-27-10822015-09-27-1084
Warbler, Nashville 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Two brief glimpses of a bluish-gray head, complete white eyering, and yellow throat. Found yesterday by Parmeter.
Warbler, Audubon's 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-27-10712015-09-27-10702015-09-27-10762015-09-27-10552015-09-27-1056
Warbler, Wilson's # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Towhee, Green-tailed 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Towhee, Canyon 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2015-09-27-1163
Sparrow, Chipping # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-27-10582015-09-27-10642015-09-27-10882015-09-27-10472015-09-27-1048
Sparrow, Clay-colored # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Sparrow, Brewer's # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Junco, Gray-headed 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2015-09-27-1081
Blackbird, Red-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR
meadowlark sp. 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Grackle, Great-tailed 
# @Clovis to Melrose Woods
# @US-60^W: Vaughn to Guadalupe/Torrance line
Sparrow, House # @Clovis to Melrose Woods

2015-09-30: NM: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay

@TBay: Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
Grebe, Pied-billed 1 @Socorro: New Mexico Tech: Turtle Bay
2015-09-30-2713
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Last updated: 2016-01-07 20:08 MST