The Binocular Site
Rio Grande Nature Center, New Mexico
The Rio Grande Nature Center is located along the Rio Grande flyway, and is therefore an important stop during annual migration. Look for redwinged blackbirds, kingfishers, grebes, and herons as well.
It also is used as a winter home by sandhill cranes, Canada geese, and many species of ducks. Here the forests, meadows, ponds, and wetlands attract 260 recorded bird species in all.
The park also offers magnificent displays of wildflowers, herbs, and grasses, which invite turtles, snakes, muskrats, and other animals.
The three ponds here in the park are particular crowd pleasures, with one constructed in 1995 specifically to allow visitors to conduct water tests, study aquatic life, and even view that life under a microcope.
Finally, a canopy formed by 50 to 100 foot tall cottonwoods also invites visitors from near and far. A group called The Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center supports programs to protect and preserve the Rio Grande bosque.
Over 12000 schoolchildren are given classes on ecology and conservation, thanks to the Friends organization. Guided walks for birding, wilderness watching, and even star-gazing also offered thanks to the amazing efforts of these 170 naturalists. See the Rio Grande Nature Center website for more information.
The state bird of New Mexico is the Greater Roadrunner and you can find a birding checklist for New Mexico here.
Photo credit to J.N. Stuart, used with permission under the creative commons license.
If you've visited Rio Grande Nature Center, please take the time to share your experience and any tips or insight you have about this New Mexico birding location below.
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