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Shipman's field notes, Feb 2016

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2016-02-06: NM: Socorro County

Notable:  Harlan's Hawk; Eastern Phoebe
@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR
@Chupo: Chupadero RV Park
@FMRd: Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
@SocCo: Socorro County
Route
1035, Farm-Market Road, and San Antonio area. The “Chupadero [sic] RV Park” locality is also an art gallery, and the small pond nearby is deep enough for diving ducks.
1145, Bosque del Apache NWR.
Goose, Blue # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-02-06-29362016-02-06-29462016-02-06-29062016-02-06-2910
Goose, white Snow # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-02-06-29542016-02-06-29252016-02-06-29222016-02-06-2939
Goose, Ross' # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-02-06-29302016-02-06-2916
Goose, Canada # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Gadwall # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-02-06-30152016-02-06-3011
Wigeon, American # @Chupadero RV Park
Mallard 
# @Chupadero RV Park
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Shoveler, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Pintail, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Canvasback 
# @Chupadero RV Park
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Redhead # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Scaup, Lesser 2♀ @Bosque del Apache NWR
Bufflehead # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Merganser, Hooded 
1♂ @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-02-06-29762016-02-06-2982
1♀ @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-02-06-2984
It's hard to see her head plumage; perhaps it's in molt.
Merganser, Common 6 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-02-06-2893
Duck, Ruddy # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Grebe, Pied-billed # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Heron, Great Blue 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Eagle, Bald 2a @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-02-06-2876
Hawk, Cooper's i @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-02-06-2900
Hawk, Harlan's 1 @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Kestrel, American 
2♂ @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
4♀ @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
1♂ @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-02-06-2992
1♀ @Bosque del Apache NWR
Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Crane, Sandhill # @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Collared-Dove, Eurasian # @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Roadrunner, Greater 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-02-06-3025
I find the structure of the foot fascinating.
Woodpecker, Ladder-backed 
1♀ @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-02-06-2998
1♂ @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-02-06-3006
Flicker, Red-shafted 1 @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Phoebe, Eastern 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Wren, Marsh # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Starling, European # @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Sparrow, Song 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-02-06-28912016-02-06-2888
Sparrow, White-crowned # @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Blackbird, Red-winged 
# @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Meadowlark, Western # @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
2016-02-06-2865
Finch, House # @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road

2016-02-13: NM: Socorro County

@Bern: Bernardo WMA
@BernT: Bernardo WMA: trails
@Soc: Socorro
@SocCo: Socorro County
Route
1335, leave I-25^N at the Bernardo exit and work the Bernardo WMA.
1405, walk all the trails.
1440, rolling.
1455, have a look at the ponds along US-60^E.
1530, Harold and Chaparral Drives in Socorro.
Goose, Snow 1 @Bernardo WMA: trails
Pintail, Northern 2 @Bernardo WMA: trails
Quail, Gambel's # @Bernardo WMA
Heron, Great Blue 1 @Socorro
Hawk, Red-tailed 1a @Bernardo WMA
Kestrel, American 
2♀ @Bernardo WMA
1♂ @Socorro
2016-02-13-30802016-02-13-30722016-02-13-3075
1♀ @Socorro
Crane, Sandhill 
# @Bernardo WMA
2016-02-13-30432016-02-13-30442016-02-13-30472016-02-13-30532016-02-13-30622016-02-13-30892016-02-13-30402016-02-13-30422016-02-13-30492016-02-13-30572016-02-13-30812016-02-13-3037
These days, crane lovers should prefer Bernardo to Bosque NWR. They have lots of cranes, they're a lot closer to the road, and they are relatively less wary because Bernardo gets less vehicle traffic.
# @Socorro
Pigeon, Rock # @Socorro
Collared-Dove, Eurasian # @Socorro
Dove, White-winged # @Socorro
Dove, Mourning # @Socorro
Phoebe, Say's 1 @Bernardo WMA
Crow, American 
# @Socorro
# @Bernardo WMA
Towhee, Spotted # @Bernardo WMA: trails
Sparrow, White-crowned # @Socorro
Junco, Oregon 1 @Socorro
Meadowlark, Western # @Bernardo WMA

2016-02-17: NM: Socorro County

@Lem: Lemitar
@SocCo: Socorro County
@SocNA: Lemitar: Socorro Nature Area
Route
1600, Lemitar.
1615, Socorro Nature Area, walked the mile loop.
1725, rolling out.
Goose, Canada # @Lemitar: Socorro Nature Area
2016-02-17-3097
Kestrel, American 1♀ @Lemitar
2016-02-17-3093
Crane, Sandhill # @Lemitar
Collared-Dove, Eurasian 1 @Lemitar
Dove, Mourning # @Lemitar: Socorro Nature Area
Kingfisher, Belted 1 @Lemitar: Socorro Nature Area
Flicker, Red-shafted # @Lemitar: Socorro Nature Area
Raven, Chihuahuan # @Lemitar: Socorro Nature Area
Meadowlark, Western # @Lemitar
Finch, House # @Lemitar: Socorro Nature Area

2016-02-18: NM: Socorro County

Notable:  swallow sp.; Northern Rough-winged Swallow
@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR
@FMRd: Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
@SAnt: San Antonio area
@SocCo: Socorro County
Route
1035, San Antonio; no Farm-Market Road southbound today.
1100, Bosque del Apache NWR.
1420, drive Farm-Market northbound for a change.
Goose, Blue # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Goose, white Snow # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Goose, Ross' # @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
2016-02-18-3141
This female is about to scratch the top of her head with that big orange foot.
Pintail, Northern # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Teal, American Green-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Canvasback 3 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-02-18-3144
Times like this I want to bring hedge clippers. This gorgeous bird was swimming in great light behind a thin screen of vegetation. I never got a clear shot.
Redhead # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Duck, Ring-necked # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-02-18-31382016-02-18-3139
Like roadrunners, lots of ducks have expressive head feathers.
Scaup, Lesser # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-02-18-3136
Duck, Ruddy # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Quail, Gambel's # @San Antonio area
Grebe, Pied-billed # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Grebe, Eared 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-02-18-31292016-02-18-3130
First one I've seen since the really cold weather drove them away. Note the diagnostic pale bill tip.
Heron, Great Blue 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Eagle, Bald 1a @Bosque del Apache NWR
Harrier, Northern 1i @Bosque del Apache NWR
Hawk, Red-tailed 
1u @Bosque del Apache NWR
1u @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Hawk, Harlan's 1 @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
2016-02-18-31652016-02-18-31612016-02-18-31642016-02-18-31582016-02-18-31602016-02-18-31622016-02-18-31632016-02-18-31572016-02-18-3159
Harlan's Hawks frequently demonstrate site fidelity, I hear. I have been playing hide-and-seek with this bird, or a similar one that hangs in this area, for several years. It's very wary and this is the first time I've gotten a clear shot, albeit at some distance.
Kestrel, American 1♀ @Bosque del Apache NWR
Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Crane, Sandhill # @San Antonio area
Collared-Dove, Eurasian # @San Antonio area
Dove, White-winged 1 @San Antonio area
Roadrunner, Greater 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-02-18-31132016-02-18-31252016-02-18-31152016-02-18-3118
Phoebe, Say's # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Shrike, Loggerhead 1 @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
On the east-west leg of the road.
2016-02-18-3170
Crow, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR
swallow sp. 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Swallow, Northern Rough-winged 3 @San Antonio area
Sparrow, White-crowned 
# @San Antonio area
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Junco, Oregon # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Blackbird, Red-winged 
# @San Antonio area
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Meadowlark, Western 
1 @San Antonio area
2016-02-18-3101
30 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Finch, House # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Siskin, Pine # @Bosque del Apache NWR

2016-02-22: NM: Socorro, Belen

@TBM: Belen: Taco Bell Marsh
@day: Socorro, Belen
@home: Socorro: 507 Fitch
Mallard # @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh
Shoveler, Northern # @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh
Teal, American Green-winged # @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh
Coot, American # @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh
Killdeer 1 @Belen: Taco Bell Marsh
Verdin 1 @Socorro: 507 Fitch

2016-02-24: NM: Socorro to Carlsbad

@Hinch: Capitan: Helen Hinch Memorial Park
@day: Socorro to Carlsbad
@road1: Socorro to Carrizozo
@road2: Capitan to Salazar Canyon
@road3: Lincoln Co.: Baca Campground, Salazar Canyon
@road4: Lincoln to Riverside
Route
1405, leave Socorro.
1550, Capitan.
1605, Baca and Salazar.
1700, Riverside.
Wigeon, American # @Lincoln to Riverside
Kestrel, American 
1♂ @Socorro to Carrizozo
1 @Lincoln to Riverside
Flicker, Red-shafted 1 @Lincoln to Riverside
raven sp. 
# @Socorro to Carrizozo
1 @Capitan to Salazar Canyon
Raven, Common # @Lincoln Co.: Baca Campground, Salazar Canyon
Bluebird, Western # @Lincoln Co.: Baca Campground, Salazar Canyon
2016-02-24-31752016-02-24-31722016-02-24-28322016-02-24-2836
Solitaire, Townsend's 1 @Lincoln Co.: Baca Campground, Salazar Canyon
2016-02-24-3176
Retro-identified; I had no idea what it was at the time.
Starling, European # @Capitan: Helen Hinch Memorial Park
Waxwing, Cedar ? @Lincoln Co.: Baca Campground, Salazar Canyon
Meadowlark, Western # @Capitan: Helen Hinch Memorial Park

2016-02-25: NM: Carlsbad to Hobbs

Notable:  Harris' Hawk
@Jal: Jal
@JalCC: Jal Country Club
@JalWTP: Jal Water Treatment Plant
@RS: Rattlesnake Springs
@Wash: Washington Ranch
@day: Carlsbad to Hobbs
@road1: Carlsbad to Lake Avalon
@road2: Lake Avalon to US-62-180^E
@road3: US-62-180^E from Carlsbad to NM-31^S
@road4: Lea Co.: NM-128^E to Jal
Route
0845, Washington Ranch Road.
0900, Rattlesnake Springs.
1130, Washington Ranch.
1145, rolling out.
1345, Lake Avalon.
1445, try to find Lake McMillan, fail.
1520, US-62-180^E from the bypass.
1620, Lea Co.
1650, Jal, water treatment plant and Country Club.
Gadwall 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-02-25-32022016-02-25-3205
Wigeon, American # @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-02-25-3202
Shoveler, Northern # @Jal Water Treatment Plant
Teal, American Green-winged # @Washington Ranch
2016-02-25-3307
Duck, Ring-necked 
1♀ @Washington Ranch
2016-02-25-3302
# @Jal Water Treatment Plant
Merganser, Hooded 
1♂ @Carlsbad to Lake Avalon
1♀ @Carlsbad to Lake Avalon
Duck, Ruddy # @Carlsbad to Lake Avalon
Turkey, Wild 60 @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-02-25-32972016-02-25-31922016-02-25-31882016-02-25-31942016-02-25-3196
This flock of wild-type but not terribly feral birds continues to thrive. Lots of half-size chicks. Aren't they gorgeous?
Aechmophorus sp. # @Carlsbad to Lake Avalon
Lake Avalon.
2016-02-25-2844
One bird in the top left corner. There was another about equally distant. A bit too far to call.
Cormorant, Double-crested 8 @Carlsbad to Lake Avalon
Heron, Great Blue 2 @Carlsbad to Lake Avalon
Hawk, Harris' 2 @US-62-180^E from Carlsbad to NM-31^S
From US 62-180 between Carlsbad and Jal.
2016-02-25-33282016-02-25-28482016-02-25-28502016-02-25-28562016-02-25-33212016-02-25-33232016-02-25-3325
Photos 2-5 used a different rig. Which one delivered more detail? Long range, like 70 yards or so.
Hawk, Red-tailed 
3 @Rattlesnake Springs
1 @US-62-180^E from Carlsbad to NM-31^S
2 @Lea Co.: NM-128^E to Jal
2016-02-25-3332
Kestrel, American 1♂ @Lake Avalon to US-62-180^E
Coot, American 
# @Washington Ranch
# @Carlsbad to Lake Avalon
Killdeer 4 @Lake Avalon to US-62-180^E
2016-02-25-33172016-02-25-28422016-02-25-3312
Gull, Ring-billed 500 @Carlsbad to Lake Avalon
Lake Avalon.
2016-02-25-2844
Spent some time scoping the whole reservoir from a high bluff on the southwest side, but saw no gulls that stuck out as not being Ring-bills.
Collared-Dove, Eurasian # @Jal
Dove, White-winged 1 @Jal
Dove, Mourning # @Jal Water Treatment Plant
Roadrunner, Greater 1 @Lea Co.: NM-128^E to Jal
Phoebe, Say's 2 @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-02-25-3228
Flycatcher, Vermilion 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
Raven, Chihuahuan 
1 @Lake Avalon to US-62-180^E
# @Lea Co.: NM-128^E to Jal
Wren, Marsh 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-02-25-32612016-02-25-32542016-02-25-32562016-02-25-32572016-02-25-32672016-02-25-32702016-02-25-32402016-02-25-32742016-02-25-32322016-02-25-3252
There isn't a really decent picture in this whole sequence, but I'm proud to say that sitting quietly by the Black River for most of an hour bore fruit in this difficult quest: any picture at all of a Marsh Wren. Their tribe seems to have an ethos that says, never give a photographer a clear shot in good light. One of my favorite challenge birds.
Bluebird, Western # @Rattlesnake Springs
Thrush, Hermit 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-02-25-3217
Another species I bagged by sitting quietly in one place. This one of my favorite spots: on the south side of the tiny pool a few yards west of the main reservoir. Many birds come here to drink and bathe in the heavy cover with branches that lead down into shallow water. They seldom offer a clear shot, but it's a good place to see what's around with little physical exertion.
Mockingbird, Northern 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-02-25-3203
Starling, European # @Jal Water Treatment Plant
Waxwing, Cedar # @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-02-25-3293
Warbler, Audubon's 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
Sparrow, White-crowned # @Jal Country Club
Cardinal, Northern 
1♂ @Rattlesnake Springs
1♀ @Rattlesnake Springs
Pyrrhuloxia 1♂ @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-02-25-3209
See the remarks under Hermit Thrush about one of my favorite Big Sit locales, the only place I saw this species today.
meadowlark sp. 1 @Lea Co.: NM-128^E to Jal
Sparrow, House # @Jal

2016-02-26: NM: Hobbs, Jal, Bell Lake, Allred Tank

Notable:  Double-crested Cormorant
@Allred: Lea Co.: Allred Tank
Neither the gate at LE-21 nor the gate to the fence around the tank were locked today.
@BellL: Lea Co.: Bell Lake
@EunCem: Eunice: cemetery
@GML: Hobbs: Green Meadow Lake
@Hob: Hobbs
@HobCP: Hobbs: City Park
@Jal: Jal
@JalL: Jal Lake
@Rockw: Hobbs: Rockwind Links
@day: Hobbs, Jal, Bell Lake, Allred Tank
@road1: Lea Co.: Delaware Reef Road (LE-21)
Route
0915, leave Hobbs.
1025-1105, Jal Lake.
1155-1235, Bell Lake.
1310-1345, Allred Tank.
1425-1435, Eunice Cemetery.
1510, Hobbs City Park.
1530, Green Meadow Lake.
1550, Rockwind Links.
Wigeon, American # @Lea Co.: Bell Lake
Shoveler, Northern 
# @Lea Co.: Allred Tank
# @Hobbs: Green Meadow Lake
Teal, American Green-winged # @Lea Co.: Allred Tank
Duck, Ring-necked # @Lea Co.: Bell Lake
2016-02-26-3390
Scaup, Lesser 1 @Lea Co.: Bell Lake
2016-02-26-3391
Quail, Scaled # @Lea Co.: Bell Lake
Grebe, Pied-billed 1 @Lea Co.: Bell Lake
Cormorant, Double-crested 1 @Jal Lake
2016-02-26-33402016-02-26-2863
Harrier, Northern 1i @Lea Co.: Bell Lake
2016-02-26-34102016-02-26-34122016-02-26-34082016-02-26-34112016-02-26-34142016-02-26-34022016-02-26-3403
Hawk, Sharp-shinned 1 @Hobbs: City Park
Hawk, Red-tailed 1 @Lea Co.: Allred Tank
Kestrel, American 1♀ @Lea Co.: Delaware Reef Road (LE-21)
2016-02-26-3421
Coot, American 
# @Jal Lake
# @Lea Co.: Bell Lake
2016-02-26-3391
# @Hobbs: Green Meadow Lake
Killdeer 
# @Jal Lake
2016-02-26-3367
# @Lea Co.: Bell Lake
Pigeon, Rock # @Hobbs
Dove, White-winged # @Hobbs: City Park
Dove, Mourning 
# @Hobbs
# @Hobbs: Rockwind Links
Shrike, Loggerhead 1 @Lea Co.: Delaware Reef Road (LE-21)
2016-02-26-34152016-02-26-3416
Alas, a nice flight shot, but a retreatin subject.
Raven, Chihuahuan # @Hobbs
Robin, American 1 @Eunice: cemetery
Sparrow, Savannah # @Jal Lake
2016-02-26-33442016-02-26-33462016-02-26-3355
Sparrow, White-crowned 
# @Jal Lake
# @Eunice: cemetery
Junco, Oregon # @Eunice: cemetery
2016-02-26-3424
Pyrrhuloxia # @Jal
West side of town near some new home construction.
2016-02-26-33782016-02-26-33772016-02-26-33822016-02-26-33792016-02-26-33692016-02-26-33712016-02-26-3386
meadowlark sp. 
1 @Hobbs
1 @Lea Co.: Bell Lake
Grackle, Great-tailed # @Hobbs
Finch, House # @Jal Lake
Sparrow, House # @Jal Lake

2016-02-27: NM: Hobbs, Maljamar, Brantley, Bitter Lake NWR

Notable:  Blue Jay
@BLNWR: Bitter Lake NWR
@BrantSP: Brantley Lake State Park
@Champ: Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
@ChapP: Lovington: Chaparral Park
@HobCP: Hobbs City Park
@Rockw: Hobbs: Rockwind Links
@day: Hobbs, Maljamar, Brantley, Bitter Lake NWR
@road1: Hobbs to Lovington
@road2: Lovington to Maljamar
Route
0945-1015, Hobbs City Park.
1050-1105, Rockwind Links.
1120-1130, Chaparral Park.
1205, wandered around south of Maljamar trying to find Conoco Lake, and failing, because on Google Earth I found Caswell Frac Pond instead, which did not look hospitable to life forms.
1240, enter Eddy County, again fail to find Lake McMillan.
1400, Brantley Lake S.P.
1445-1500, Champion Cove Road.
1615-1705, Bitter Lake N.W.R.
Goose, white Snow 50 @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-02-27-3471
Gadwall # @Bitter Lake NWR
Mallard # @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-02-27-34662016-02-27-3465
Teal, Cinnamon # @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-02-27-34932016-02-27-3489
Shoveler, Northern # @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-02-27-34622016-02-27-34602016-02-27-3463
The lovely detail in the bills of both these birds shows the sieve structure.
Pintail, Northern # @Bitter Lake NWR
Canvasback # @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-02-27-3487
Redhead # @Bitter Lake NWR
Duck, Ring-necked # @Bitter Lake NWR
Scaup, Lesser # @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-02-27-28812016-02-27-3458
Bufflehead # @Bitter Lake NWR
Duck, Ruddy # @Bitter Lake NWR
Egret, Great # @Bitter Lake NWR
Egret, Snowy # @Bitter Lake NWR
Hawk, Red-tailed 
1 @Hobbs: Rockwind Links
1 @Lovington to Maljamar
2016-02-27-34542016-02-27-34442016-02-27-34362016-02-27-34382016-02-27-34432016-02-27-34312016-02-27-34392016-02-27-3447
Hawks frequently lighten their loads if they are thinking of launching. The third frame shows one such result.
Coot, American 
# @Lovington: Chaparral Park
# @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
# @Bitter Lake NWR
Crane, Sandhill 100+ @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-02-27-3485
Gull, Ring-billed 
# @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
# @Bitter Lake NWR
Dove, White-winged # @Hobbs City Park
Dove, Mourning # @Hobbs City Park
Roadrunner, Greater 1 @Brantley Lake State Park
Shrike, Loggerhead 1 @Brantley Lake State Park
Jay, Blue 1 @Hobbs City Park
Raven, Chihuahuan # @Hobbs to Lovington
Sparrow, White-crowned 
# @Brantley Lake State Park
# @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
Blackbird, Red-winged # @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-02-27-34822016-02-27-3479
Good photos to study the detail of the toes.
Grackle, Great-tailed # @Lovington: Chaparral Park
Sparrow, House # @Hobbs City Park
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Last updated: 2016-05-08 20:30 MDT