UPDATE: Crest House is closed for the winter (December 1, 2012 - March 1, 2013. See details in current winter Sub-Forum above.
Gene Romero, manager of the Crest House, advised that opening time is now a half hour later. The doors will now be open to customers at 10:00 AM every day instead of 9:30. On Sunday mornings when banding is scheduled, only members of the banding team will be admitted earlier, to permit them to set up. The first banding session is tentatively scheduled for Sunday morning, November 27.
Employees also must arrive early in order to prepare for the business day. Please do not request entry before the new business hours, even though you may see activity inside. Crest House may not open if heavy snow or ice keeps employees from reporting for work.
Donations of seed will be accepted by Crest House staff, but it should be in a secure container such as a bucket or sealed bag. The feeding operation is supported solely by contributions of seed and volunteer labor. PLEASE DO NOT FILL THE FEEDER yourself or scatter seed on the deck, parking lot, or anywhere on Forest Service land.
Crest House management and staff have been extremely cooperative, and they are learning how to identify the species at the feeder and show avid interest and support of the program. They often re-stock the feeder, even though it's not in their "job description." Thank them by patronizing the gift shop and restaurant.
A reminder: Non-birders have a perfect right to walk on the patio and take photos of the view. It pays to be helpful to other Crest House patrons and visitors by explaining your interest in the birds and some details of their migration and conservation issues. If they understand what you are doing they are less apt to walk up to the feeder and scare away the Rosies. They may even act as spotters. Such an encounter may ignite a heightened interest in birds and their protection.
Also, to keep heat from escaping, please try to open the door as briefly and infrequently as possible. Propane must be trucked up to the top of the mountain and is very expensive. Under certain weather and snow conditions the door may need to be kept closed, to the disappointment of photographers. Hint-- the feeder may be visualized just outside the upper (NW) front door, from the sidewalk that leads up to the top of the crest.
Special thanks to Lee Hopwood, Albuquerque entrepreneur, who has made continuous seed donations over the past years, and to Dave Weaver and Fran Lusso, who co-coordinate the program.
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