Birds of the Rio Grande Valley
Although known for the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, the entire central Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico is the winter destination for an amazing variety of birds from all over western North America. In addition to seeing the thousands of Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes present at the Bosque, you will have the opportunity, at Elephant Butte Lake, to witness one of the largest concentrations of Western Grebes.
The lake is also home to White Pelicans, Bald Eagles and even a few loons that have traveled from the Boreal forest of Canada. The diverse habitats of Ladder Ranch host an array of birds from game species such as Wild Turkey and Gambel's Quail to wintering songbirds such as the flashy Pyrrhuloxia. The ranch's 250 thousand acres provide ample room for elk, Mule Deer, Javelina, and mountain lion.
Besides being home to an abundance of wildlife, the valley has also hosted numerous human cultures. The group will visit some of the local museums that display artifacts from the Native American, Spanish colonial and mining eras.
Day 1
Albuquerque/Socorro. Individual arrivals at the Albuquerque airport by 3 pm. Depart Airport for transfer to the Econo Lodge, Socorro (1 hour and 15 minutes to Socorro). Arrival and Check-in to the Econo Lodge in Socorro.
Dinner and welcome at Socorro Springs Brewery.
Overnight at the Econo Lodge Inn Express in Socorro.
Day 2
Bosque del Apache/Truth or Consequences.
5:30 am: Breakfast at Econo Lodge.
6 am: Depart for Bosque del Apache to observe the fly-out. This ritual is an inspiring daily event for the geese and cranes that have roosted (often standing in ice water) on the refuge. We will then spend most of the morning touring portions of the refuge.
After the morning at the Bosque, the group will head south to the Town of Truth or Consequences. Originally called "Hot Springs", it took the name of a popular radio program in 1950, whenTruth or Consequences host Ralph Edwards announced that he would do the program from the first town that renamed itself after the show.
Upon arrival in T or C, the group will have lunch at La Cocina. In the afternoon there will be a boat trip on Elephant Butte Lake (pontoon boat) to see wintering Western Grebes, waterfowl, loons, gulls, Bald Eagles
The group will overnight at the Super 8 Motel in Truth or Consequences. Dinner will be at the Pacific Grill.
Day 3
Truth or Consequences/Ladder Ranch/Kingston. Breakfast at the Super 8 Hotel. Depart by bus for a full day on Ted Turners Ladder Ranch. None of his ranches are open to the public so this will be a very special visit.
Ladder Ranch includes an abundance of birding and other important wildlife of the area. The property is a breathtaking mix of ecosystems ranging from desert grasslands to pine forests in the foothills of the Black Range (Gila Mountains). Several streams intersect the ranch and provide rich riparian areas for an array of wildlife. The morning will be spent off and on the main Ranch road partaking in short walks to observe the surrounding birdlife. Ranch manager Steve DoBrott will meet the group at lunch and talk about the many unique projects ongoing at the Ranch including the Mexican Wolf "halfway house", a pure strain breeding herd of bison and numerous solar powered feed and watering stations for quail and other wildlife.
Box lunch at the Ranch.
After lunch, the group will travel up to the mesas by bus and take in the beautiful views of the Rio Grande Valley and mountain ranges surrounding the Ranch. We will observe the bison herds and other wildlife on the Ranch.
Depart the Ranch about 4-4:30 and head to Hillsboro for dinner at the Barber Café. Overnight at the Black Range Lodge in Kingston. Step into the old west when you enter the Lodge's spacious lobby. Its massive stone walls and log-beamed ceilings—built from the tumble-down ruins of Pretty Sam's Casino and the Monarch Saloon—were completed in 1940. The original plastered brick construction dates back to the 1880s, when the Lodge housed miners and cavalry.
Day 4
Truthor Consequences/Socorro. Breakfast at the Lodge.
Morning birding in the foothills around Kingston where one can see the Gray Flycatcher, Bridled Titmouse, Black-throated Gray Warbler and Hepatic Tanager. Juniper Titmouse and Rufous-crowned Sparrow.
The group will head back to the Bosque for the afternoon and evening fly-in.
Boxed lunch at the Bosque del Apache NWR. We will spend the afternoon completing our exploration of the refuge. This will include the viewing of the impressive evening fly-in of a myriad of cranes, geese and waterfowl.
Farewell dinner at Val Verde and overnight at the Econo Lodge in Socorro.
Day 5
Socorro/Albuquerque. Breakfast at the Econ Lodge. Early morning departure for the Albuquerque Airport. En route to the airport, there will be a stop at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, located in the Chihuahuan desert 20 miles north of Socorro.
In 1988 the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge became the host to the Sevilleta Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program. The Program is conducted by the University of New Mexico's Department of Biology and is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. The LTER conducts a variety of research. The dominant theme examines long-term changes in ecosystem attributes. This partnership of institutions and the US Fish & Wildlife Service has created a symbiotic relationship in which the research community is provided a unique outdoor laboratory, and the Refuge benefits from the wealth of knowledge provided by the research. The Director of the center will come and meet with the group.
Arrival to the Airport around 10:30-11 am for departure home.
Itineraries are samples and may change according to availability of the speaker and locations. All itineraries may be customized and modified to suit circumstances.