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Shipman's field notes, Aug 2016

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2016-08-03: NM: Socorro to Carlsbad

Notable:  Snowy Plover; Baird's Sandpiper
@ArtAg: Artesia ag areas, Atoka Road to Four Dinkus Road
@BLNWR: Bitter Lake NWR
@Baca: Lincoln Co.: Baca Campsite
@Cheap: Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
@Ros: Roswell area
@day: Socorro to Carlsbad
@road01: Socorro Co.: US-380^E to Lincoln Co. line
@road02: US-380^E, Lincoln Co.: Socorro Co. line to Carrizozo
@road03: US-380^E, Lincoln Co.: Carrizozo to Capitan
@road04: US-380^E, Lincoln Co.: Lincoln to Tinnie
@road05: US-380^E, Lincoln Co.: Tinnie to Riverside
@road06: US-380^E, Lincoln Co.: Riverside to Chaves Co. line
@road07: US-380^E, Chaves Co.: Lincoln Co. line to Roswell
@road08: Roswell to Artesia
Route
1210, leave Socorro.
1225, US-380^E.
1315, Lincoln Co.
1325, Carrizozo.
1340, Capitan. Sadly, raining too hard to see anything at the Helen Hinks reserve.
1410-1415, quick look at the Baca Campsite.
1420, Lincoln.
1435, Tinnie.
1450, Riverside.
1500, Chaves Co.
1515, Roswell.
1530, Bitter Lake NWR.
1635, head south.
1740-1830, worked the ag districts east of US-285 between Atoka and Four Dinkus roads, hoping for Upland Sandpipers, but failing.
1840, Brantley: Champion Cove Road.
Quail, Scaled # @Artesia ag areas, Atoka Road to Four Dinkus Road
Heron, Great Blue # @Bitter Lake NWR
Egret, Snowy # @Bitter Lake NWR
Vulture, Turkey 
# @US-380^E, Lincoln Co.: Socorro Co. line to Carrizozo
# @US-380^E, Lincoln Co.: Carrizozo to Capitan
1 @US-380^E, Lincoln Co.: Riverside to Chaves Co. line
# @Roswell to Artesia
Hawk, Swainson's 
1 @Socorro Co.: US-380^E to Lincoln Co. line
3 @Roswell area
2016-08-03-28932016-08-03-28982016-08-03-29002016-08-03-27952016-08-03-2903
Hawk, Red-tailed 
1 @Socorro Co.: US-380^E to Lincoln Co. line
2 @US-380^E, Lincoln Co.: Carrizozo to Capitan
# @Roswell area
Kestrel, American 2u @Artesia ag areas, Atoka Road to Four Dinkus Road
Coot, American # @Bitter Lake NWR
Plover, Snowy 2 @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-08-03-28842016-08-03-28862016-08-03-28662016-08-03-28872016-08-03-2888
Killdeer 
# @Bitter Lake NWR
# @Artesia ag areas, Atoka Road to Four Dinkus Road
Stilt, Black-necked # @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-08-03-28322016-08-03-28332016-08-03-2810
I don't recall ever seeing the light feather edgings that appear on the back in the third photo.
Avocet, American # @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-08-03-28322016-08-03-2833
Not sure what caused this recurvirostrid feeding frenzy, but all these birds were concentrated in one small area.
Yellowlegs, Greater # @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-08-03-28532016-08-03-2854
Sandpiper, Western 1 @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-08-03-28602016-08-03-28562016-08-03-2873
Sandpiper, Baird's 1 @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
2016-08-03-29332016-08-03-29342016-08-03-28752016-08-03-28762016-08-03-2880
Note the characteristic well-defined black blobs on the back plumage, and the folded wingtips that project beyond the tail.
Phalarope, Wilson's # @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-08-03-28272016-08-03-27992016-08-03-28142016-08-03-28192016-08-03-2842
Tern, Black 
20 @Bitter Lake NWR
120 @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
2016-08-03-29282016-08-03-29262016-08-03-2927
Pigeon, Rock 
# @Roswell area
# @Artesia ag areas, Atoka Road to Four Dinkus Road
2016-08-03-2918
Collared-Dove, Eurasian 
# @Socorro Co.: US-380^E to Lincoln Co. line
1 @US-380^E, Lincoln Co.: Tinnie to Riverside
# @Roswell to Artesia
# @Artesia ag areas, Atoka Road to Four Dinkus Road
Dove, Mourning 
# @US-380^E, Chaves Co.: Lincoln Co. line to Roswell
# @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
Roadrunner, Greater 
# @Roswell area
2 @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
Woodpecker, Ladder-backed 1♀ @Roswell area
Kingbird, Western 
# @Socorro Co.: US-380^E to Lincoln Co. line
# @US-380^E, Chaves Co.: Lincoln Co. line to Roswell
# @Roswell area
# @Artesia ag areas, Atoka Road to Four Dinkus Road
raven sp. 
1 @Socorro Co.: US-380^E to Lincoln Co. line
# @US-380^E, Lincoln Co.: Riverside to Chaves Co. line
Robin, American # @Artesia ag areas, Atoka Road to Four Dinkus Road
Mockingbird, Northern 1 @Roswell area
Sparrow, Chipping # @Lincoln Co.: Baca Campsite
Sparrow, Lark # @US-380^E, Lincoln Co.: Lincoln to Tinnie
Bunting, Lark 1 @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-08-03-28492016-08-03-28502016-08-03-2847
Grosbeak, Blue 
1 @Lincoln Co.: Baca Campsite
# @Artesia ag areas, Atoka Road to Four Dinkus Road
2016-08-03-29092016-08-03-29102016-08-03-2911
Grackle, Great-tailed 
# @Roswell area
# @Artesia ag areas, Atoka Road to Four Dinkus Road
Cowbird, Brown-headed # @Artesia ag areas, Atoka Road to Four Dinkus Road
2016-08-03-2913
Siskin, Pine 1 @Lincoln Co.: Baca Campsite
2016-08-03-2789

2016-08-04: NM: Rattlesnake Springs to Hobbs

Notable:  Gray Hawk; Baird's Sandpiper; Painted Bunting
@Hob: Hobbs
@LagGr: NM-128^E: Laguna Grande
@RS: Rattlesnake Springs
@StephP: Eunice: Stephens Park
@Wash: Washington Ranch
@WashRd: Washington Ranch Road
@day: Rattlesnake Springs to Hobbs
@road01: US-62-180^W: Carlsbad to Washington Ranch Road
@road02: NM-128^E: Laguna Grande to Lea Co. line
@road03: Lea Co.: Delaware Basin Rd.
Route
0630, leave Carlsbad westbound.
0655, turn onto Washington Ranch Road.
0715-1110, walked from the east gate of Rattlesnake Springs to the west end and back, with special attention to the Conservancy side of the fence near the picnic area.
1110-1125, quick look at the near end of Washington Ranch.
1330, quick look at Laguna Grande.
1415-1500, Delaware Basin Road north to NM-176, thence east to Stephens Park.
1500-1520, Stephens Park west of Eunice.
1545, stop in Hobbs.
Quail, Scaled # @Lea Co.: Delaware Basin Rd.
2016-08-04-2963
Turkey, Wild # @Washington Ranch Road
Heron, Great Blue 1 @Eunice: Stephens Park
2016-08-04-3250
Vulture, Turkey # @Washington Ranch Road
Kite, Mississippi 1 @Hobbs
Hawk, Gray 1i @Rattlesnake Springs
Hawk, Swainson's 
# @NM-128^E: Laguna Grande to Lea Co. line
1 @Lea Co.: Delaware Basin Rd.
1 @Washington Ranch Road
1 @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-08-04-31002016-08-04-30922016-08-04-31132016-08-04-29372016-08-04-30912016-08-04-31102016-08-04-31422016-08-04-3228
Coot, American 
# @Washington Ranch
1 @Eunice: Stephens Park
Killdeer 
# @Washington Ranch
100 @Eunice: Stephens Park
peep sp. # @NM-128^E: Laguna Grande
Sandpiper, Baird's # @NM-128^E: Laguna Grande
2016-08-04-32072016-08-04-32102016-08-04-32112016-08-04-32172016-08-04-3197
Phalarope, Wilson's # @NM-128^E: Laguna Grande
2016-08-04-31882016-08-04-31752016-08-04-31842016-08-04-32032016-08-04-3205
Collared-Dove, Eurasian # @US-62-180^W: Carlsbad to Washington Ranch Road
Dove, White-winged # @US-62-180^W: Carlsbad to Washington Ranch Road
Dove, Mourning # @Eunice: Stephens Park
Roadrunner, Greater 1 @Washington Ranch Road
2016-08-04-29592016-08-04-29502016-08-04-29532016-08-04-2960
Woodpecker, Ladder-backed 1♂ @Rattlesnake Springs
Empidonax sp. # @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-08-04-31602016-08-04-31532016-08-04-31542016-08-04-3156
Flycatcher, Vermilion # @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-08-04-30602016-08-04-30612016-08-04-3063
Kingbird, Western 
# @Washington Ranch Road
# @Rattlesnake Springs
Flycatcher, Scissor-tailed 1 @Lea Co.: Delaware Basin Rd.
Vireo, Bell's # @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-08-04-31482016-08-04-3150
Vireo, Warbling 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
Raven, Chihuahuan # @Lea Co.: Delaware Basin Rd.
Swallow, Barn # @Rattlesnake Springs
Mockingbird, Northern # @Rattlesnake Springs
Thrasher, Curve-billed 1 @Eunice: Stephens Park
2016-08-04-3236
Phainopepla 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-08-04-30672016-08-04-30682016-08-04-3071
Chat, Yellow-breasted # @Rattlesnake Springs
Sparrow, Chipping # @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-08-04-3166
Sparrow, Lark # @Washington Ranch Road
Sparrow, Black-throated 1 @Washington Ranch Road
Tanager, Summer 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
Tanager, Western 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
Cardinal, Northern # @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-08-04-2978
Bunting, Painted 
3♂ @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-08-04-29702016-08-04-31342016-08-04-29992016-08-04-30062016-08-04-30232016-08-04-30262016-08-04-31372016-08-04-29712016-08-04-29932016-08-04-30012016-08-04-30032016-08-04-30192016-08-04-2994
2♀ @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-08-04-30122016-08-04-29742016-08-04-30412016-08-04-30512016-08-04-3053
Meadowlark, Eastern 1 @Eunice: Stephens Park
2016-08-04-32472016-08-04-3248
Grackle, Great-tailed # @US-62-180^W: Carlsbad to Washington Ranch Road
Finch, House 
# @Washington Ranch Road
2016-08-04-2943
# @Rattlesnake Springs
# @Eunice: Stephens Park
Sparrow, House # @US-62-180^W: Carlsbad to Washington Ranch Road

2016-08-05: NM: Hobbs to Percha SP via Alamogordo

Notable:  Sanderling; Warbling Vireo; Blue Jay
@Cheap: Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
@ConL: Lea Co.: Conoco Lake
A new location for me.
GPS: 324721n1034546w From NM-259, turn north here onto LE-126^N.
GPS: 324845n1034547w Traveling on LE-126^N, turn east here onto a fine-quality dirt road (but take it slow).
GPS: 324845n1034506w Turn south here onto the loop road that circumnavigates Conoco Lake counterclockwise.
@Hob: Hobbs
@HobCP: Hobbs City Park
@Hollo: Holloman Lake
@Percha: Sierra Co.: Percha SP area
@RockL: Hobbs: Rockwind Links area
@day: Hobbs to Percha SP via Alamogordo
@road01: NM-529^W: Hobbs to Maljamar area
@road02: Eddy Co: NM-82^W, Lea Co. line to Artesia
@road03: US-285^N: Eddy Co.: Brantley Lake to Chaves Co. line
@road04: US-285^N: Chaves Co.: Eddy Co. line to Roswell
@road05: US-82^W: Otero Co.: Mayhill area
Route
0850, rolling through urban Hobbs to City Park.
0910-0930, Hobbs City Park.
0930-1010, Hobbs, Breakwind Links area.
1035-1120, west on NM-529.
1120-1150, look into the east side of Conoco Lake.
1235-1305, look again at the ag areas south of Artesia for Upland Sandpipers (and fail again).
1320-1350, Cheapskate (aka Champion Cove Road).
1415, north on US-285.
1440, Chaves County.
1515, Otero County.
1635, Holloman Lake.
1815, quick look at Percha. The nice lady at the booth was not empowered to accept the $30 annual fee and I didn't want to pay $5 for ten minutes' look at the forebay, so I just turned around and left. She suggested I drive up to the office, but there was no one there. And the Percha park manager was closed. There's no place I know of between T or C and Albuquerque that will sell me an annual state park pass.
Quail, Scaled # @Hobbs: Rockwind Links area
2016-08-05-32692016-08-05-32552016-08-05-32642016-08-05-32672016-08-05-3261
Vulture, Turkey 
# @US-285^N: Eddy Co.: Brantley Lake to Chaves Co. line
# @US-285^N: Chaves Co.: Eddy Co. line to Roswell
1 @US-82^W: Otero Co.: Mayhill area
Kite, Mississippi 2 @Hobbs: Rockwind Links area
Seen briefly near the soaring society headquarters.
Hawk, Swainson's 1 @NM-529^W: Hobbs to Maljamar area
2016-08-05-33022016-08-05-33032016-08-05-33412016-08-05-33012016-08-05-3337
Hawk, Red-tailed 
1 @US-285^N: Eddy Co.: Brantley Lake to Chaves Co. line
1 @US-285^N: Chaves Co.: Eddy Co. line to Roswell
Kestrel, American 1 @US-82^W: Otero Co.: Mayhill area
Coot, American 2 @Lea Co.: Conoco Lake
Plover, Snowy @Holloman Lake
2016-08-05-34272016-08-05-3429
It's easy to miss these guys, because they're not down at the waterline with the peeps, and they're pale and blend in with the pale background.
Killdeer # @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
Avocet, American 
# @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
# @Holloman Lake
2016-08-05-3418
Sanderling 1 @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
2016-08-05-33642016-08-05-33562016-08-05-33582016-08-05-33662016-08-05-33702016-08-05-33522016-08-05-33572016-08-05-3367
I miscalled this species at this spot last spring, but now I'm a lot more tuned in to the short bill that is slightly thicker at the end, and the well-defined black blocks on the back.
Sandpiper, Baird's # @Holloman Lake
2016-08-05-34162016-08-05-3417
Another species pulled out of pictures after the fact, identified by the dark streaking on the breast and the long wingtips.
Phalarope, Wilson's # @Holloman Lake
2016-08-05-34182016-08-05-3426
Gull, Ring-billed # @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
2016-08-05-3385
Tern, Black # @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
2016-08-05-33932016-08-05-3378
Tern, Forster's # @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
2016-08-05-34082016-08-05-33932016-08-05-34042016-08-05-3378
My notes from the field included two Common Terns, but I must have been misled by shadows at the wrist that looked like a dark carpal bar.
Collared-Dove, Eurasian 
# @Hobbs
# @Hobbs City Park
# @Hobbs: Rockwind Links area
Dove, White-winged 
# @Hobbs City Park
# @Hobbs: Rockwind Links area
Dove, Mourning 
# @Hobbs City Park
# @Hobbs: Rockwind Links area
# @NM-529^W: Hobbs to Maljamar area
Roadrunner, Greater 1 @NM-529^W: Hobbs to Maljamar area
Owl, Barn 2 @Lea Co.: Conoco Lake
2016-08-05-32982016-08-05-32992016-08-05-32962016-08-05-3297
I am pretty happy with the way these flight shots turned out, given that the birds were fleeing and already fairly distant by the time I got them in the frame.
Kingfisher, Belted 1 @Lea Co.: Conoco Lake
2016-08-05-3295
Wood-Pewee, Western 1 @Lea Co.: Conoco Lake
2016-08-05-3321
Empidonax sp. 1 @Lea Co.: Conoco Lake
Phoebe, Black 1 @Sierra Co.: Percha SP area
Kingbird, Western 
# @Hobbs: Rockwind Links area
# @Eddy Co: NM-82^W, Lea Co. line to Artesia
# @US-285^N: Eddy Co.: Brantley Lake to Chaves Co. line
# @US-285^N: Chaves Co.: Eddy Co. line to Roswell
Vireo, Warbling 1 @Lea Co.: Conoco Lake
2016-08-05-33262016-08-05-33242016-08-05-3323
Jay, Blue 
1 @Hobbs
On Llano Drive just east of North Turner.
Vocalizations: Heard only.
1 @Hobbs City Park
Heard from across Clinton Street, which runs along the north side of the park.
Vocalizations: Heard only.
raven sp. 1 @Sierra Co.: Percha SP area
Raven, Chihuahuan # @NM-529^W: Hobbs to Maljamar area
Raven, Common 1 @US-82^W: Otero Co.: Mayhill area
bunting sp. 1 @Lea Co.: Conoco Lake
Sparrow, Chipping 1 @Lea Co.: Conoco Lake
2016-08-05-33132016-08-05-3317
Sparrow, Lark 1 @Sierra Co.: Percha SP area
Grosbeak, Blue 1 @Sierra Co.: Percha SP area
Bunting, Painted 1♀ @Lea Co.: Conoco Lake
2016-08-05-33112016-08-05-33082016-08-05-3309
Another case where I had no idea in the field (goldfinch?) but the photos were pretty clear.
Grackle, Great-tailed 
# @Hobbs
# @Hobbs City Park
# @Hobbs: Rockwind Links area
Finch, House 1 @Lea Co.: Conoco Lake

2016-08-10: NM: Socorro County

Notable:  Common Gallinule
@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR
@FMRd: Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
@SocCo: Socorro County
Route
1200, Farm-Market Road.
1255, Bosque del Apache NWR.
1525, Farm-Market again.
Shoveler, Northern 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Quail, Gambel's # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Pheasant, Ring-necked # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-08-10-35012016-08-10-34962016-08-10-3499
Grebe, Western 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Boardwalk pond.
2016-08-10-3469
I'm getting lazy. Why get the scope out when I can get a recognizable shot at around 200 yards? Identified after the fact.
Cormorant, Neotropic 3 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-08-10-3467
Heron, Great Blue # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Egret, Great # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Heron, Green 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Kestrel, American 
2u @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
1♂ @Bosque del Apache NWR
1♀ @Bosque del Apache NWR
Gallinule, Common 1i @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-08-10-35102016-08-10-3508
Killdeer # @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Sandpiper, Least 1 @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
2016-08-10-35432016-08-10-35452016-08-10-35382016-08-10-35322016-08-10-35392016-08-10-35202016-08-10-35302016-08-10-3537
Just a random puddle with a bunch of Killdeer and this one peep.
Collared-Dove, Eurasian # @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Dove, White-winged 1 @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Dove, Mourning 1 @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Roadrunner, Greater # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Wood-Pewee, Western # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Phoebe, Black 2 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Kingbird, Western 
# @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
2016-08-10-3453
Nice example of contrasting extremes. The dark bird is clearly in acute remex molt and could resemble a Cassin's but for the light breast; the remiges are no help, showing neither a light tip nor white outers.
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
raven sp. # @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Swallow, Tree # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-08-10-34452016-08-10-3443
Swallow, Cave 1? @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
2016-08-10-3447
The light forehead and very light throat, plus the dark greenish back, suggest this ID.
Swallow, Barn # @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Mockingbird, Northern # @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Sparrow, Chipping 1 @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
2016-08-10-34612016-08-10-34622016-08-10-3460
Sparrow, Lark 
# @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
2016-08-10-3441
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Grosbeak, Blue # @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
2016-08-10-34552016-08-10-3456
Finch, House # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Goldfinch, Lesser # @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
2016-08-10-3514
Sparrow, House # @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road

2016-08-13: NM: Socorro County

Notable:  Common Gallinule
@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR
@FMRd: Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
@SAnt: San Antonio area
@SocCo: Socorro County
Route
1120, San Antonio.
1145, Bosque del Apache NWR.
1445, Farm-Market Road northbound.
duck sp. # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Quail, Gambel's # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Pheasant, Ring-necked # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Grebe, Pied-billed # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Heron, Great Blue # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Heron, Green 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-08-13-35552016-08-13-35562016-08-13-3562
Kestrel, American 
1♂ @San Antonio area
1u @San Antonio area
1♂ @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
2♀ @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Gallinule, Common 1i @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-08-13-35792016-08-13-35802016-08-13-35812016-08-13-35772016-08-13-3578
Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Collared-Dove, Eurasian # @San Antonio area
Dove, White-winged # @San Antonio area
Dove, Mourning 
# @San Antonio area
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Roadrunner, Greater 
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
# @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Wood-Pewee, Western # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Kingbird, Western # @San Antonio area
raven sp. 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Swallow, Bank # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Swallow, Cliff # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Swallow, Barn 
# @San Antonio area
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Chat, Yellow-breasted 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Sparrow, Lark 
# @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
2016-08-13-35482016-08-13-3549
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Grosbeak, Blue # @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-08-13-3583
Finch, House 
# @San Antonio area
1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Goldfinch, Lesser 1 @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road

2016-08-18: NM: Socorro to Melrose Woods

Notable:  Barn Owl; Red-headed Woodpecker
@Mel: Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
@ROCO: Roosevelt Co.
@day: Socorro to Melrose Woods
@road01: Socorro Co.: Bernardo to Torrance Co.
@road02: Torrance Co.: Mountainair to Willard
@road03: US-60^E: Encino to Vaughn
@road04: US-60^E: Vaughn to De Baca Co.
@road05: US-60^E: De Baca Co. to Yeso
@road06: US-60^E: Yeso to Fort Sumner
Route
1330, leave Socorro.
1400, US-60^E.
1430, Torrance Co.
1440, Mountainair.
1455, Willard.
1530, Encino.
1545, Vaughn.
1610, DeBaca Co.
1630, Yeso.
1645, Fort Sumner.
1705, Taiban.
1710, Roosevelt Co.
1720, Melrose Woods.
1830, US-60^E.
1835, Curry Co.
Long-tailed Weasel roadkill east of Vaughn. Mexican Ground Squirrels common in the ag areas south of Artesia.
Vulture, Turkey 1 @Torrance Co.: Mountainair to Willard
Hawk, Swainson's 
3 @Socorro Co.: Bernardo to Torrance Co.
1 @US-60^E: Vaughn to De Baca Co.
# @US-60^E: De Baca Co. to Yeso
1 @US-60^E: Yeso to Fort Sumner
1 @Roosevelt Co.
Hawk, Red-tailed # @US-60^E: Yeso to Fort Sumner
Kestrel, American 
1♂ @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
1♀ @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Dove, Mourning 
# @Socorro Co.: Bernardo to Torrance Co.
# @US-60^E: Encino to Vaughn
# @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Owl, Barn 2 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Restless, moving frequently, often both moving at once, always keeping several large trees between me and them so I never got any chance of a photo.
Woodpecker, Red-headed 2 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2016-08-18-35912016-08-18-3593
Wood-Pewee, Western # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Kingbird, Western # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Shrike, Loggerhead 1 @Torrance Co.: Mountainair to Willard
raven sp. 
# @US-60^E: Encino to Vaughn
# @US-60^E: De Baca Co. to Yeso
# @US-60^E: Yeso to Fort Sumner
# @Roosevelt Co.
Swallow, Cliff 1 @US-60^E: Yeso to Fort Sumner
Swallow, Barn # @US-60^E: Vaughn to De Baca Co.
Mockingbird, Northern 1 @US-60^E: Vaughn to De Baca Co.
Starling, European # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Sparrow, Lark 1 @Socorro Co.: Bernardo to Torrance Co.
meadowlark sp. 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2016-08-18-35992016-08-18-36002016-08-18-3601
Some people claim tail characters are definitive. Opinions?

2016-08-19: NM: Melrose Woods; Oasis SP; Bitter L. NWR; Cheapskate

Notable:  Yellow-crowned Night-Heron; Upland Sandpiper
@ArtAg: Artesia: fields E of US-285 between Atoka and Four Dinkus
@BLNWR: Bitter Lake NWR
@Cheap: Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
@Mel: Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
@Oasis: Oasis SP
@ROCO: Roosevelt Co.
@day: Melrose Woods; Oasis SP; Bitter L. NWR; Cheapskate
@road01: Curry Co.: Clovis to Roosevelt Co.
@road02: Curry Co.: NM-467^S to Roosevelt Co.
@road03: Roosevelt Co.: US-70^W to Chaves Co.
@road04: Chaves Co.: US-70^W from Roosevelt Co. to Roswell
@road05: Chaves Co.: US-285^S to Eddy Co.
@road06: Eddy Co.: US-285
Route
0635, US-60^W from Clovis.
0710, Roosevelt Co.
0715, Melrose Woods.
0855, US-60^E.
0940, NM-467^S.
1005, Oasis S.P.
1115, NM-467^S.
1120, US-70^W.
1200, Chaves Co.
1230, Old Clovis Highway in Roswell.
1245, Bitter Lake NWR.
1335, Roswell.
1400, US-285^S
1440, ag areas south of Artesia.
1545, US-285^S.
1600, Champion Cove Road.
1615, southbound.
teal sp. # @Bitter Lake NWR
Mallard 1 @Bitter Lake NWR
Quail, Scaled # @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Pelican, American White 5 @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-08-19-3746
Heron, Great Blue 
1 @Oasis SP
# @Bitter Lake NWR
1 @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
Egret, Snowy # @Bitter Lake NWR
Heron, Green 1 @Bitter Lake NWR
Night-Heron, Black-crowned 1i @Oasis SP
2016-08-19-37402016-08-19-37362016-08-19-3734
The large triangular white spots on the folded wing are diagnostic, as is the yellow in the bill.
Night-Heron, Yellow-crowned 2i? @Oasis SP
2016-08-19-3717
ID is pretty tentative, as the photo does not show the margin of the folded wing. I'm going on the distinct streaking at the throat, and the somewhat shorter bill with no large yellow areas.
Ibis, White-faced # @Bitter Lake NWR
Vulture, Turkey 1 @Chaves Co.: US-70^W from Roosevelt Co. to Roswell
Kite, Mississippi 3 @Curry Co.: Clovis to Roosevelt Co.
In fields not far west of the town of Melrose.
2016-08-19-37032016-08-19-36912016-08-19-36932016-08-19-36952016-08-19-36972016-08-19-36832016-08-19-36842016-08-19-3689
Harrier, Northern 
1 @Bitter Lake NWR
1♂ @Artesia: fields E of US-285 between Atoka and Four Dinkus
2016-08-19-38142016-08-19-38162016-08-19-3817
Hawk, Swainson's 
1 @Curry Co.: Clovis to Roosevelt Co.
2 @Roosevelt Co.
1 @Chaves Co.: US-70^W from Roosevelt Co. to Roswell
1 @Chaves Co.: US-285^S to Eddy Co.
1 @Artesia: fields E of US-285 between Atoka and Four Dinkus
Hawk, Red-tailed 1 @Curry Co.: NM-467^S to Roosevelt Co.
Kestrel, American 
# @Curry Co.: Clovis to Roosevelt Co.
1♀ @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Coot, American # @Bitter Lake NWR
Plover, Snowy # @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-08-19-37852016-08-19-37892016-08-19-37782016-08-19-3784
Killdeer # @Artesia: fields E of US-285 between Atoka and Four Dinkus
Stilt, Black-necked # @Bitter Lake NWR
Avocet, American # @Bitter Lake NWR
Yellowlegs, Greater 1 @Bitter Lake NWR
Sandpiper, Upland 4 @Artesia: fields E of US-285 between Atoka and Four Dinkus
2016-08-19-38272016-08-19-38282016-08-19-38292016-08-19-38222016-08-19-3833
Here is my recipe for finding this species in New Mexico. Firstly, August 5 was too early this year; figure mid-August generally. From Artesia, drive south on US-285, turn east on Atoka Road, and work all the fields between Atoka and Four Dinkus Roads and a bit further south, for at least the first few miles east of the highway. Look for sprinklers that are running over a field that has vegetation that isn't more than a foot or so tall. The sandpipers like to work right in the spray. They are rather wary, and inconspicuous when the vegetation is more than a few inches tall.
Sandpiper, Western # @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-08-19-37512016-08-19-3771
Sandpiper, Least # @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-08-19-37782016-08-19-3753
Tern, Forster's 7 @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
2016-08-19-38442016-08-19-38472016-08-19-38412016-08-19-3843
Pigeon, Rock # @Curry Co.: Clovis to Roosevelt Co.
Dove, White-winged # @Roosevelt Co.
Dove, Mourning 
# @Curry Co.: Clovis to Roosevelt Co.
# @Curry Co.: NM-467^S to Roosevelt Co.
# @Artesia: fields E of US-285 between Atoka and Four Dinkus
Roadrunner, Greater 1 @Artesia: fields E of US-285 between Atoka and Four Dinkus
Wood-Pewee, Western 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2016-08-19-3679
Flycatcher, Willow 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2016-08-19-36432016-08-19-36602016-08-19-36622016-08-19-36662016-08-19-36682016-08-19-36212016-08-19-36232016-08-19-36252016-08-19-36302016-08-19-36342016-08-19-3656
These may not all be the same individual, or all correctly identified. I'm basing the ID on the thin incomplete eyering, the brownish tones contrasting with the white throat, and the moderate primary projection.
Phoebe, Say's 1 @Oasis SP
Kingbird, Western 
# @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
# @Curry Co.: NM-467^S to Roosevelt Co.
Shrike, Loggerhead 1 @Eddy Co.: US-285
Near HavenHill Road x US-285.
Raven, Chihuahuan 
# @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
1 @Roosevelt Co.: US-70^W to Chaves Co.
1 @Chaves Co.: US-70^W from Roosevelt Co. to Roswell
# @Chaves Co.: US-285^S to Eddy Co.
Swallow, Barn 
# @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
# @Oasis SP
Mockingbird, Northern 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
2016-08-19-3650
Thrasher, Curve-billed 
1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
1 @Oasis SP
Meadowlark, Western # @Artesia: fields E of US-285 between Atoka and Four Dinkus
2016-08-19-38092016-08-19-37952016-08-19-38002016-08-19-3804
Grackle, Great-tailed 
# @Curry Co.: Clovis to Roosevelt Co.
# @Curry Co.: NM-467^S to Roosevelt Co.
Oriole, Bullock's 1 @Roosevelt Co.: Melrose Woods
Finch, House 1 @Oasis SP
Sparrow, House # @Curry Co.: NM-467^S to Roosevelt Co.

2016-08-20: NM: Rattlesnake Springs; Cheapskate; Bitter L. NWR

Notable:  Gray Hawk; Olive-sided Flycatcher; Painted Bunting; Orchard Oriole
@ArtAg: Artesia: fields E of US-285 between Atoka and Four Dinkus
@BLNWR: Bitter Lake NWR
@Cap: Capitan
@Cheap: Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
@RS: Rattlesnake Springs
@Wash: Washington Ranch
@WashRd: Washington Ranch Road
@day: Rattlesnake Springs; Cheapskate; Bitter L. NWR
@road01: US-62-180^W: Carlsbad to Washington Ranch Road
@road02: US-285^N: Brantley Lake to Artesia area
@road03: Chaves Co.: US-285^N, Eddy Co. to Roswell
@road04: Roswell area
Route
0830, US-62-180^W from Carlsbad.
0905, Washington Ranch Road,then Rattlesnake Springs on foot from the west gate to the Piratic Flycatcher Spot and back.
1115, drive to the pond at Rattlesnake Springs.
1140, walk around the pond.
1205, rolling out.
1220, Washington Ranch.
1230, Washington Ranch Road out.
1240, US-62-180^E.
1410, US-285^N from Carlsbad.
1425, Champion Cove Road: way too many hominids.
1435, US-285^N.
1445, ag areas south of Artesia.
1530, US-285^N.
1550, Chaves Co.
1615, US-380^E to Bitter L. NWR.
1630, Bitter L. NWR.
1655, afoot at the Oxbow.
1715, rolling on the loop.
1730, Roswell area.
1755, US-70-380^W.
1815, Riverside.
1835, US-380^W.
Turkey, Wild 
# @Rattlesnake Springs
# @Washington Ranch
2016-08-20-40012016-08-20-40032016-08-20-4000
The turkeys at Washington Ranch are extremely tame. This bird let me fill the frame with a head shot that brings out the monumentally ugly details. Note the fine white feathers over the tympanum of the ear. The last frame, a 1:1 crop of actual pixels, clearly shows a reflection of my trusty Ford Escape.
Grebe, Pied-billed 1 @Bitter Lake NWR
Egret, Snowy # @Bitter Lake NWR
Vulture, Turkey 
1 @US-62-180^W: Carlsbad to Washington Ranch Road
# @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-08-20-38672016-08-20-3864
Harrier, Northern 1 @Bitter Lake NWR
Hawk, Gray 1i @Rattlesnake Springs
Description: As it flew over my head, I observed the generally pale underwing, and the tail with many thin dark bands and one wider dark subterminal band: immature.
Vocalizations: 'zee-urr', the first part sounding a bit hoarse. Distinct from Red-tailed Hawk, which starts with short rising pitch and sounds to me more like 'ree-urrr'.
Hawk, Swainson's 
1 @Artesia: fields E of US-285 between Atoka and Four Dinkus
1 @Roswell area
Hawk, Red-tailed 1i @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-08-20-38562016-08-20-38492016-08-20-3852
The last frame shows one of the ways to tell when a hawk is about to take off: the lightening of the load.
Kestrel, American 
1♂ @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-08-20-4101
1 @Capitan
Coot, American 
1 @Washington Ranch
# @Bitter Lake NWR
Stilt, Black-necked # @Bitter Lake NWR
Yellowlegs, Greater # @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-08-20-41082016-08-20-4110
Yellowlegs, Lesser # @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-08-20-41082016-08-20-41102016-08-20-41152016-08-20-4116
In the third frame, the Lesser is on the right side, standing directly in front of a Greater. The size difference is easier to spot in a direct comparison. There were quite a number of these birds today; in the last frame I counted at least a dozen.
Sandpiper, Upland 6 @Artesia: fields E of US-285 between Atoka and Four Dinkus
2016-08-20-40632016-08-20-40652016-08-20-40692016-08-20-40502016-08-20-40512016-08-20-40642016-08-20-40772016-08-20-4044
Once again, all the birds I found were adjacent to sprinklers that were running. It was not clear to me whether the attraction was the bath or the effect on its feeding, or perhaps both.
Curlew, Long-billed 10 @Artesia: fields E of US-285 between Atoka and Four Dinkus
2016-08-20-40342016-08-20-40912016-08-20-40322016-08-20-40822016-08-20-40892016-08-20-40272016-08-20-40282016-08-20-4033
I was out looking for Upland Sandpipers and found this group in a similar situation, working an area right under running sprinklers, strung out over maybe fifty yards in one group and nowhere else in the area.
Sandpiper, Least # @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-08-20-41102016-08-20-41282016-08-20-4130
Dowitcher, Long-billed 2 @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-08-20-4115
Phalarope, Wilson's # @Bitter Lake NWR
2016-08-20-4108
Dove, Mourning 
# @Rattlesnake Springs
# @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
Roadrunner, Greater 
1 @Rattlesnake Springs
# @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
Kingfisher, Belted 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
Flycatcher, Olive-sided 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-08-20-3950
Flycatcher, Willow 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-08-20-38802016-08-20-38942016-08-20-39082016-08-20-38782016-08-20-39412016-08-20-39392016-08-20-3940
ID is tentative and based on the thin eyering, olive tones on the head contrasting with a whitish throat, and general guesswork, as always with this blasted genus.
Phoebe, Black 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-08-20-3936
Flycatcher, Vermilion # @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-08-20-39252016-08-20-3932
Two generations.
Flycatcher, Ash-throated 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
Kingbird, Cassin's 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-08-20-3912
Kingbird, Western # @Roswell area
Shrike, Loggerhead 
1 @US-285^N: Brantley Lake to Artesia area
1 @Bitter Lake NWR
Raven, Common 1 @Roswell area
Mockingbird, Northern 
1 @Chaves Co.: US-285^N, Eddy Co. to Roswell
1 @Bitter Lake NWR
Warbler, Wilson's # @Rattlesnake Springs
Chat, Yellow-breasted 1 @Rattlesnake Springs
Sparrow, Lark # @Washington Ranch
Bunting, Lark # @Washington Ranch Road
2016-08-20-40142016-08-20-40122016-08-20-40172016-08-20-4008
Tanager, Summer 
# @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-08-20-3996
1♀ @Washington Ranch
Bunting, Painted 1♀ @Rattlesnake Springs
Inside the Conservancy fence near the east end of the picnic area.
2016-08-20-39042016-08-20-39012016-08-20-39052016-08-20-3900
Grackle, Great-tailed 
# @Brantley Lake: Champion Cove Road
# @Chaves Co.: US-285^N, Eddy Co. to Roswell
Oriole, Orchard 1♀ @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-08-20-39592016-08-20-39562016-08-20-3957
I shot this at some range and thought at the time it was a female Summer Tanager from the all-over yellow color. But the bill clearly says icterid, and a pretty thin and slightly recurved icterid bill at that. Orchard Oriole fits but for one little hitch: what little you can see of the folded wing here doesn't look like it has the wingbars one would expect on the oriole.
Goldfinch, Lesser # @Rattlesnake Springs
2016-08-20-39862016-08-20-39832016-08-20-39762016-08-20-3982

2016-08-25: NM: Socorro County

Notable:  Sora; Solitary Sandpiper; Baird's Sandpiper; Vermilion Flycatcher
@BdA: Bosque del Apache NWR
@FMRd: Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
@SocCo: Socorro County
Route
1100, leave Socorro.
1110, Luis Lopez, Farm-Market Road.
1200, Bosque del Apache NWR.
Heron, Great Blue # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Egret, Great 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Heron, Green 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-08-25-41842016-08-25-4141
Night-Heron, Black-crowned 2 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-08-25-41412016-08-25-4172
Hawk, Sharp-shinned 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Kestrel, American 
3♀ @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
2♂ @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
2016-08-25-4140
1u @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
1u @Bosque del Apache NWR
Sora 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-08-25-41912016-08-25-41902016-08-25-4188
Coot, American # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Sandpiper, Solitary 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-08-25-4151
Yellowlegs, Greater 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Sandpiper, Baird's 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-08-25-41532016-08-25-4156
Considered Pectoral but the breast streaking does not go low enough nor does it have a well-defined lower margin.
Dove, Mourning # @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Roadrunner, Greater # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Wood-Pewee, Western 
1 @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Phoebe, Black # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Flycatcher, Vermilion 
1♂ @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
2016-08-25-4136
1♂ @Bosque del Apache NWR
Kingbird, Western # @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
Swallow, Tree # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Swallow, Northern Rough-winged # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Swallow, Cliff # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Swallow, Barn 
# @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Warbler, Wilson's # @Bosque del Apache NWR
Sparrow, Lark 
1 @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road
# @Bosque del Apache NWR
Tanager, Summer 1♀ @Bosque del Apache NWR
2016-08-25-41672016-08-25-4169
Grosbeak, Blue 1 @Bosque del Apache NWR
Finch, House # @Luis Lopez: Farm-Market Road

2016-08-28: NM: Socorro: 507 Fitch

@home: Socorro: 507 Fitch
Kingbird, Cassin's 1 @Socorro: 507 Fitch
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Last updated: 2016-09-18 22:00 MDT