Birds are a bridge between the past and the present—a reminder of their longevity here on earth. There aren’t many better ways to enjoy all of the beauty and wonder of Mother Earth than by embarking on a birdwatching hike. Birders from all over can enjoy the diversity in wildlife in New Mexico. From the highest peaks to flourishing sanctuaries, here are five enchanting birdwatching hikes in the state.
Birds flock to this area because of the diverse habitat of the Rio Grande Gorge. There’s the river, of course, plus cottonwood groves, willows, tamarisk, piñon trees, and springs along the canyon walls. The Las Minas Trail takes you to several overlooks above the gorge with views of the river and surrounding cliffs. Be on the lookout for golden eagles and peregrine falcons, it’s a breeding area for both species. You might also spy piñon jay, canyon wren, rock wren, bushtit and the common American dipper.
This is a birder’s paradise. As a designated Important Bird Area, there are hundreds of birds that live and migrate through this region just north of Santa Fe. Access is free. There are miles of trails in this 135-acre sanctuary, bordered by the Santa Fe National Forest and the Santa Fe River Watershed. Popular sightings include the spotted and canyon towhee, hairy woodpecker, black-headed grosbeak and hummingbirds, nuthatches, juncos, and chickadees. It’s a beautiful tribute to ornithologist John James Audubon and his love for his feathered friends.
This small natural oasis in the Chihuahuan Desert is inside Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The number of birds spotted in this arid region is considerable. Stands of cottonwood trees, desert scrub, and a damp marsh bring an eclectic assortment. The trail makes a circle around the springs. At any given time, you might see yellow-billed cuckoo, black phoebe, vermilion flycatcher, bell’s vireo, painted bunting, and even a red cardinal. Migratory birds laying over include Williamson’s sapsucker and the worm-eating warbler. Nesting gray hawks inhabit the area as do many wild turkeys. Bird spotters post sightings at the visitor’s center bulletin board.
Established in 1937, this significant wetland area is home to a winter layover for more than 350 birds. There are four short hikes in and around the refuge headquarters, plus trails that take you into the adjacent wilderness area. One trail to a loop of the Pecos River is particularly good for viewing. Thousands of geese and ducks, from a variety of species, winter here, as do sandhill cranes in large numbers. Shorebirds, like greater yellowlegs, western sandpiper, long-billed dowitcher and the snowy plover rest and feed here before heading back to coastal homes. Quite often flocks of American white pelicans are present, as well as osprey. Nesting birds include white-faced ibis, Virginia rail, Wilson’s phalarope and scaled quail. The visitor center has maps and birding information.
The Sandia Mountains are situated in southwestern New Mexico, with its highest peak reaching 10,679 feet. Its high elevation provides a unique opportunity to view wildlife you might not otherwise see in lower areas of New Mexico. From pinyon-juniper to coniferous forest, the diversity of natural space in the Sandia Mountains is captivating. This is a great place to see gray-crowned rosy finch, black rosy finch, and brown-capped rosy finch. Birders may also get a look at band-tailed pigeons, white-throated swifts, American three-toed woodpeckers, cordilleran flycatchers, mountain chickadees, ruby-crowned kinglets, and much more.
