AUDUBON THURSDAY BIRDERS SCHEDULE WINTER 2017

[Rosyfinch]

AUDUBON THURSDAY BIRDERS SCHEDULE WINTER  2017

Thursday Birders meet almost every Thursday in Albuquerque. You don’t need to let the leader know you will be attending – just show up at the meeting spot no later than the specified time. If you have any questions email or call the trip leader for that particular day.

DECEMBER 7
Walk in Calabacillas Arroyo with Maurice Mackey: 505-897-0415, [e-mail]

The group will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the parking lot on the west side of the Rio Grande. The area is reached by driving north on Coors, past Paseo Del Norte and Irving Boulevard, turning east on Westside Drive, the first right 0.28 miles north of Irving. Follow Westside Drive about 0.2 of a mile to an open gate on the left. Go through the gate and down the arroyo to the parking area. If driving south on Coors from Corrales or Alameda, get in the left lane and turn onto Westside Drive. The walk will end before noon.

DECEMBER 14
Walk along the ditch and through the bosque from the Paseo del Bosque, Shining River Access Point, followed by a holiday potluck, with Rebecca Gracey: 505-242-3821, [e-mail]

Meet at 10:00 a.m. in the parking lot located directly south of Paseo del Norte on the west side of Rio Grande Boulevard. There is no exit from Paseo del Norte to Rio Grande. Take the Second Street exit from Paseo, drive south on Second to El Pueblo, and then drive west on El Pueblo to Rio Grande. Turn right (north) on Rio Grande to the parking lot.

After the walk, the group will go to the nearby home of David Watkins and Maxine Schmidt. Directions will handed out to people after the walk. The hosts will provide soup, and the guests should bring other dishes and beverages to share with the group.  

DECEMBER 21
Walk around the Tingley bosque ponds with Linda Otterson: 505-280-3123, [e-mail]
 
Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the north end of the Tingley Beach parking lot. To reach the area, drive west on Central Avenue past Rio Grande Boulevard, then turn left on Tingley Drive. Take the first right from Tingley Drive, and then turn right again to the dirt overflow parking lot.  The walk will be about one mile in length.

DECEMBER 28
Walk around the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park with Leah Henzler: 505-280-2085, [e-mail]

Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Candelaria wetland blind in the northeast corner of the Nature Center parking lot. A $3 parking fee, State Parks pass, or Friends of the RGNC pass is required per car. The visitor center opens at 10:00. After that time one may use the restrooms and/or purchase either parking pass. The walk will be about one mile in length.

JANUARY 4
Visit Pueblo Montano Open Space for a walk along the bosque with Pauline and Bernie Morris: 505-369-1227, [e-mail]

Meet at 9:00 a.m. in the parking lot that is located on the south side of Montano and one block east of Coors. It can be accessed from either street. This will be a two-mile walk ending before noon.

JANUARY 11
Drive to see raptors on the eastern plains of Torrance County with Bonnie Long: 505-379-1985, [e-mail]

Meet at 7:50 a.m. for an 8:00 departure from the Tijeras Senior Center on NM 333/ Rt. 66. To reach the parking area, turn north on Tijeras Avenue, just west of the Tijeras Library. A secondary meeting place is the Pilot Travel Center located on north NM 41 after taking the second Moriarty exit from I-40. Meet there at 8:30 a.m. The group will drive south of Moriarty  to look for raptors. Lunch will be at the Old Mill in Estancia. The group should be back in Tijeras in the late afternoon. For those not driving the shared gas expense is $5 at five cents per mile.

JANUARY 18
Visit Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge with Barbara Hussey: 505-385-1165, [e-mail]

Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the refuge entrance on Second Street by the refuge sign. To reach the refuge, drive south on I-25 and take the Rio Bravo Exit. That exit may still be under construction, so there may be a delay. Drive west on Rio Bravo to Second Street. Turn south on Second and drive 3.2 miles to the entrance. The group will drive to different areas of the refuge and take a couple of half-mile walks. The trip will end before noon.

JANUARY 25
Walk in the Alameda Open Space in the North Valley
with Gale Owings: 505-255-8333.

Meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Open Space parking lot on the south side of Alameda Boulevard, just east of the Rio Grande. The one-mile walk will end before noon.

FEBRUARY 1
Visit the Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area in Belen with Linda Heinze: [e-mail] 270-1779.

Meet at 8:50 a.m. for a 9:00 departure from the del Apache at 9:30. Bring lunch. A $5 entrance fee or federal pass is required. The group should be back in Albuquerque in the late afternoon. For those not driving the shared gas expense is $10 at five cents per mile.

FEBRUARY 15
Walk in the Open Space Visitor Center and nearby bosque with Susan Chaudoir: 985-302-2878, [e-mail]

Meet at 9:00 a.m. in the center’s parking lot on the east side of Coors Boulevard. The entrance road, Bosque Meadows Road, is located north of Montano Road and south of Paseo del Norte. It will be a two-mile walk ending before noon.

FEBRUARY 22
Walk in the Willow Creek Bosque in the Rio Rancho Bosque Open Space with Becky Purvis: 505-930-3424, [e-mail]

Meet at 9:00 a.m. in the open space parking lot. For people not living on the west side of the river, go north on I-25 and take the exit to Bernalillo/US 550. Drive west on 550 to the traffic light at NM 528. Drive south on 528 for 1.8 miles. Turn east at the traffic light on Willow Creek Road. Drive three blocks to the entrance just past Spruce Mountain Loop. Turn left on an unpaved road that follows an arroyo to the parking lot. The one-mile walk will end before noon.