Date: 7/20/26 9:21 am From: Betsy Checchia (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Maxwell NWR, NM, Sunday, 19 July
On my way back from Colorado on I-25, I stopped at Maxwell NWR (between the
small towns of Raton and Springer). I didn't get there until 12:30 and it
was in the 90's, so I wasn't expecting much except the water birds on Lake
13. It was the only lake with a significant amount of water, but the
birding was great! 65 total species in about 3 hours of birding, including
60 American White Pelicans and as many Eared Grebes (18, and bird of the
day) as I've ever seen in one place, plus Clark's, Western and Pied-billed
Grebes. Three owls out in the daytime -- I flushed a W. Screech Owl
roosting in a picnic area, saw a couple of Burrowing Owls, and had a
hissing/screeching Am. Barn Owl fly right over my head as it was being
mobbed by a variety of Kingbirds. One very large flock (40) of Lark
Buntings, and another (60) of Brown-headed Cowbirds with a few
Yellow-headed Blackbirds adding some color. Lots of Lark Sparrows and a
few others (Song, Savannah, Grasshopper, Brewer's, Vesper). Links to
checklists are below.
