Hi Ken and Mary Lou,
My wife and I are thinking of driving from near Dallas to Sandia Crest to
see the Finches and have a nice "get-away Christmas" assuming all is not
booked up. Thanks for the work on the website.
Is there no lodge to stay in where the finches appear? If not, where is the
best place to stay? Would that be the Ski area, and if so do you have a
favorite place there? We are not skiers, so we may have too much
competition in the ski resort to get rooms this late.
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Lamont and Anne
Denton Texas= = = = =
Our reply:
There are no lodges high up on the mountain near the ski area.
We have enjoyed our stays at
Elaine's B&B, which is on NM 14 in Cedar Crest, only about 4 miles from the base of the 13 mile road up to Sandia Crest. At 7200 feet, a night there helps one get used to the higher elevation. Elaine is very birder-friendly and usually adjusts the schedule to fit the needs of birders.
She may have typical montaine species at her feeders and watering ponds, but the Rosy-Finches usually stay above 10,000 feet. Elaine's may be reached at
1-800-821-3092 or <elaine@elainesbnb.com>
If Elaine's is not available, you might also stay in any of several motels in Albuquerque-- I would avoid those at the east end of Central Avenue-- stick to established chains. Acclimatizing in Albuquerque, at 5200 feet elevation, will also help you avoid altitude sickness.
Let me know if you have any questions. I will post your query anonymously on the Sandia Crest Birding Forum, and forward any replies to you. You may wish to register there so that you may directly obtain any additional replies from other birders.
Be sure to record your sightings in the log book as well as report them to eBird.
Good luck, and let me know if you have any other questions.
Ken
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