BIRDING AT OJO

Birding in Northern New Mexico is a treat, and especially here at Ojo Caliente with its varied habitats. New Mexico enjoys the fourth largest number of bird species in the United States, and many of those birds can be seen here at Ojo! Numerous birds can be seen near the Historic Hotel and other lodging units, in the bosque, or forest, that lines the Rio Ojo Caliente, and in the more desert-like habitat on the mesas to the west of the resort.

Birds you may see year-round on the Bosque Loop trail include Northern Goshawks, Cooper’s and Swainson’s Hawks, Northern Flickers, Bushtits, and Piñon Jays, as well as resident deer and coyotes. White-breasted Nuthatches and Downy Woodpeckers regularly visit the trees in front of the Historic Hotel throughout the year.

When hiking the mesas in summer, listen for Warbling Vireos, Rock Wrens, and watch for Common Nighthawks in the early morning or at dusk.

In late spring and summer watch Broad-tailed and Rufous Hummingbirds at the feeders in front of the Historic Hotel. Also frequently viewed from the Hotel’s portal in summer are Ash Throated Flycatchers and nesting Barn Swallows. Along the Rio Ojo Caliente watch for Black-headed Grosbeaks, colorful Western Tanagers and Blue Grosbeaks, nesting House Wrens, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and Spotted Towhees. A Great Horned owl is sometimes seen near Casa Blanca.

Fall and spring migration brings many birds through Ojo. Listen for Sandhill cranes flying overhead during spring and fall migration, and in winter, watch for Bald Eagles scanning the Rio Ojo Caliente for a meal.

This list was compiled using birding lists for Taos and Rio Arriba counties, in consultation with an expert birder, who will also work with Ojo Caliente staff birders to conduct a birding survey throughout 2012. We will continue to update our website with information gleaned from these efforts. We will be keeping an eye and ear open for the endangered Southwestern willow flycatcher, as Ojo has ideal habitat for this rare species in rush riparian areas along the Rio, as well as New Mexico’s state bird, the Roadrunner, on the scrubby mesa tops!

Download entire PDF which includes a list of local birds.

For more information about Birding in Northern New Mexico, please visit the Audubon New Mexico website:
http://nm.audubon.org/ncnmbt/index.html