Date: 11/17/24 5:14 pm From: Betsy Checchia <betsy.checchia...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Western NM Today -- Bluewater Lake area
I spent a chilly morning birding around Bluewater Lake (near Grants, NM and
at the base of the Zuni Mountains) and the neighborhood at the south end of
the lake. The shallower parts of the lake had thin ice, and there was some
ice along much of the shore, but there's still plenty of open water. I
birded the north side of the lake from the State Park entrance to the dam;
the south side of the lake near the Las Tusas Recreation Area; and the west
side of the lake from Route 612. I also birded the neighborhood along Lake
Shore Drive near the south side of the lake. There was a lot of duck
variety (10 species, plus Hooded Merganser), but not huge numbers of any
particular species. I did not see any geese. Bird of the Day was a toss-up
between Common Loon, a big flock of Pinon Jays, and a lone male Lewis's
Woodpecker, which was ultimately the winner. Lots of Western and Mountain
Bluebirds, and 2 Townsend's Solitaires. 46 species total for the day.
Links to eBird checklists are below.
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/bB30COJpWjfA0vWRqsEflHGWW-x?<domain...> https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/C5pTCP6q0kC4o3pGyI0h0Hxyi3B?<domain...>
