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Field Trip Schedule 2008 / 2009
Field Trip Schedule opens an electronic copy (PDF file) of the field trip schedule mailed to the Chapter in early 2008. The January - March trips in 2008 (shown below) were listed in last year's schedule. When printed this gives a four-page document. Acrobat Reader software must be used to download the file. A free copy of this software can be obtained at Adobe Acrobat Reader.
The following text includes the information found in the electronic copy of the field trip schedule with the added advantage of descriptive links. The field trips are designed to promote understanding and appreciation of wildlife and their habitats. We aim to cultivate awareness of outdoor ethics in an atmosphere of friendly companionship. Field trips are free and open to the public. Some area entry fees are required and driving costs are shared. Participants are expected to carpool whenever possible. Always wear appropriate clothing and walking shoes for the weather. Bring water, lunch and binoculars. No pets, please. Some trips require that the leader be contacted for information. However, in general it is advisable to call before any trip as a cancellation could occur for a variety of reasons. In particular for a trip where a leader has not been identified, a lack of interest up to two days before the scheduled time may prompt cancellation.
Jan - Mar
2008
Apr - Jun
2008
Carlsbad Vicinity LAST MINUTE CHANGE: CALL 505-989-8295
Caja del Rio MEETING PLACE CHANGE FROM THE MAILED BROCHURE
Jul - Sept
2008
FUND-RAISER
Oct - Dec
2008
Jan - Mar
2009
Directions to Carpooling Locations
When carpooling please arrive 10 minutes early so that we can leave promptly at the scheduled time. Depending on the field trip one of three primary meeting points will be used in Santa Fe.
De Vargas Mall
Located at Paseo de Peralta and Guadalupe Street. Meet in the parking lot in front of Starbucks on the south side of the mall.
Pecos Trail Inn
Formerly Pecos Trail Pizzeria, located at 2239 Old Pecos Trail (intersection of Old Pecos Trail and Calle Espejo). Park on Calle Espejo.
Santa Fe Place
Formerly Villa Linda Mall located on Cerrillos Road just south of Rodeo Road. Meet in the parking lot west of Mervyn's.
Saturday, January 19 Maxwell NWR Mary Ristow 505-820-0906 mristow(at)newmexico.com We'll be looking for swans, loons, grebes, and anything else brave enough to spend the winter at Maxwell. Bring lunch, dress in layers, and bring a scope if you have one. Meet at the Pecos Trail Inn carpooling location at 6:30 a.m.
Sunday, February 10 Sandia Crest / Rosy Finches Lonnie Howard 505-995-9799 lonnieh(at)cybermesa.com This trip to the Sandia Crest for those unpredictable Rosy Finches can be very weather dependent. So, be sure to call the leader. Meet at the Santa Fe Place carpooling location at 8:00 a.m.
Friday - Sunday, April 11 - 13 Lesser Prairie Chicken Festival Contact: Tish McDaniel 575-762-6997 chickenfestival(at)yahoo.com The Lesser Prairie Chicken males will be showing off at the festival in Milnesand, New Mexico. Contact Tish or visit the New Mexico Game and Fish festival site at the above link.
Sunday, April 20 Cochiti Lake Linda Mowbray 505-989-8295 birdinglinda(at)yahoo.com The east side of Cochiti Lake should be open and there may be some early migrants. This is an easy half-day trip. Bring scopes if you have them. Meet at the Santa Fe Place carpooling location at 7:00 a.m. Check with Linda in the previous week about trip status.
Friday - Sunday, May 2 - 4 PLANS CHANGED: CALL LINDA MOWBRAY AT 505-989-8295 Carlsbad Vicinity Jim Paulsel 505-501-4085 titus(at)photocorral.com This three-day trip to southeastern New Mexico will visit Rattlesnake Springs, Sitting Bull Falls, and the Guadalupe Mountains. Southern species will be seen, as well as eastern and western migrants. Contact Jim for more information.
Sunday, May 25 Orilla Verde Jerry Friedman 505-753-1946 jerry_friedman(at)yahoo.com On this half-day trip along the Rio Grande we'll be looking for warblers, sparrows, and raptors. Meet at the De Vargas Mall carpooling location at 6:45 a.m. or at the Rio Grande Recreation Area Visitors Center in Pilar at 8:00 a.m.
Saturday, July 12 Santa Fe Ski Basin Tom Taylor 505-424-3238 tn21tay(at)comcast.net This half-day trip is at very high altitude with some moderate to steep hiking. However, good birding may be found without too difficult a walk. Previous trips have regularly seen Pine Grosbeaks, Gray Jays, Red Crossbills, and Hermit Thrushes. Appropriate for all levels of birders. Meet at the De Vargas Mall carpooling location at 7:00 a.m. or at the ski basin at 7:45 a.m.
CHAPTER FUND-RAISER WITH BILL WEST
Sunday, September 21 Ruby Ranch / Las Vegas NWR Join Bill West, owner of "WingsWest Birding Tours" in Santa Fe, on a day-long birding trip to the Las Vegas NWR and the Ruby Ranch, a private 20,000 acre property located north of Las Vegas. Some highlights from previous trips during this time of September include Sabine's Gull, Red-necked Phalarope, and Peregrine Falcon. The trip cost is $55 per person ($50 for Audubon members) with a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 11. For more information see the spring and fall newsletters, another part of this website, or contact: Linda Mowbray 505-989-8295 birdinglinda(at)yahoo.com Tom Taylor 505-424-3238 tn21tay(at)comcast.net
DO NOT CONTACT BILL WEST
Sunday, November 2 Backside Las Vegas NWR Tom Taylor 505-424-3238 tn21tay(at)comcast.net Adele Caruthers 505-984-3279 adelec(at) cybermesa.com On this half-day trip we'll spend some time on the rarely open back roads at Las Vegas NWR looking for waterfowl and several species of raptors. Bring scopes if you have them. Appropriate for all levels of birders. You may want to bring a lunch or eat afterwards in Las Vegas. Meet at the Pecos Trail Inn carpooling location at 7:00 a.m. or at the entrance to the refuge headquarters east of Las Vegas at 8:30 a.m.
Thursday - Saturday, November 27 - 29 Bosque del Apache NWR Mary Ristow 505-820-0906 mristow(at)newmexico.com Join us to celebrate Thanksgiving at the Bosque. There should be lots of waterfowl, cranes, geese, and raptors. Limited participation. Camping available or stay in nearby Socorro. Call Mary for information.
Christmas Bird Counts The National Audubon Society began the nationwide Christmas Bird Count (CBC) in 1901. These counts provide important information about wintering bird populations. There are close to 30 local counts held in New Mexico and the Sangre de Cristo Audubon Chapter participates in about 10 counts in its area. The 2008 CBC will be held from December 12 to January 10. For information about New Mexico counts check the web sites for the Chapter, Audubon New Mexico or the New Mexico Ornithological Society. Contact the leaders of each count you want to participate in to make meeting arrangements.
Sunday, January 18 Sandia Crest / Rosy Finches Leader: To Be Announced Contact: Linda Mowbray 505-989-8295 birdinglinda(at)yahoo.com This traditional and usually easy trip to see Rosy Finches calls for having hot soup in the Crest House and watching for all three species at the feeders. Meet at the Santa Fe Place carpooling location at 8:00 a.m. Check with Linda in the previous week about trip status.
Saturday, February 14 Bosque del Apache NWR Leader: To Be Announced Contact: Linda Mowbray 505-989-8295 birdinglinda(at)yahoo.com This long, one-day trip is a good chance for those who missed the Thanksgiving trip to see large numbers of Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes plus raptors and other waterfowl. Appropriate to all levels of birders. Meet at the Santa Fe Place carpooling location at 6:30 a.m. Check with Linda in the previous week about trip status.
Saturday, March 14 Rio Grande Nature Center Leader: To Be Announced Contact: Linda Mowbray 505-989-8295 birdinglinda(at)yahoo.com The Center offers great views of waterfowl from its indoor observation room. We'll be walking outdoors as well. This half-day trip is appropriate to all levels of birders. Meet at the Santa Fe Place car pooling location at 7:45 a.m. or at the Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque at 8:45 a.m. Check with Linda in the previous week about trip status.