Subject: RFI: New Mexico


Jerry and I just got back from Albuquerque and Socorro New Mexico. We spent
a day at Bosque Del Apache and were impressed by the Very dry conditions and
the effects of a fire two years ago.
NM has had less than their usual low rainfall this winter and a very low
snowpack, so things may be even drier in another month. The fire burned
about half the trees in the lower riparian area.
The result is very little greenery and low numbers of birds, at least right
now.

We had a nice morning at a campground about 20 minutes west of Socorro at an
elevation almost 2,000 ft higher. It's called Water Canyon and we got one
lifer there - Plain Titmouse. There was a running creek there. lots of
woodpeckers and sparrows. The HOliday inn in Socorro is a good base, good
breakfast included in the room rate beginning at 6 am, with literature about
places to go.
In Albuquerque, we went to the Rio Grande Nature Center and saw about two
birds in two hours, it is just brown and crunchy. Maybe in a month, things
will pick up. Good place to take kids as they have an activity center. But
they don't open until "late" - 10 am.and close at 5 - not the best hours for
birding.
We also walked along the rio grande - there is a paved hike/bike trail for
miles alongside the river. there is an access (parking place) right next to
the Botanic Gardens/ Aquarium.

Inside the aquarium they had an American Avocet. Real strange to see this
bird preening on the tiny artificial "beach" they had constructed at one end
of a shallow tank filled with small rays and sharks. Signs along the low
edge (just about kiddie height) says "Please don't put your hands in " - but
the whole setup was an invitation to do just that and pet the animals.
anyway, I asked if the avocet was a re-habbed bird, and it turns out a pair
was put in, obtained by a swap with a zoo with excess birds. One of the
birds got his little toes nibbled off by one of the sharks and it got
infected and the bird died. The other birds got his little toes nibbled on,
and they got it to the zoo vet in time to save it.
Now they put some sort of cover over the pool at night. All very strange.
Clarice Clark