Well since living in New Mexico I have been lazy about chasing down some great birds.  Usually because they are a long drive and it requires an early morning wake-up. 

Enough procrastinating, yesterday I woke up at 5am and hit the road to Albuqueque.  My intention was to try and find Black-throated Sparrow and Black-chinned Sparrow.  I went based on some information I got from several emails in response to my question regarding the whereabouts of these species.  So I began my birding at the Elena Gallegos Picnic Area.  There are several well maintained mile-long trails that crisscross the park that is entirely covered in scrub and pinion trees.  My first surprise was a Bewick’s Wren (another life bird that has eluded me).  Second, was the Black-chinned Sparrows I was searching for.  It fluttered up to the top of a Juniper, posed for a few seconds, and flew off into the distance.  Birding is often about luck, and this find was no exception.  If I had been one minute earlier or later to this specific part of the trail, I would have missed it entirely.  I am very glad I spotted this little gem.

Then I moved on to Tres Pistolas Open Space.  Following the sign’s warning, I locked up the car and only birded a short time.  The trail head parking lot yielded my only new bird, a Warbling Vireo!  I could have left at that point, but like any bird watcher, I hoped for more.

I finished this location and went to Albuquerque to burn the heat of the day off before doing any more birding.  The early evening came eventually and I headed up the Turquoise Trail towards Sandia Crest.  I was intrigued by an area I had read about called Capulin Spring.  This is a small spring that trickles water along an old hallowed out trough of a log.  Birding here is simply a wait and watch as birds come to the spring for a drink.

My experience here was a fun one.  I initially frightened a couple of Stellar’s Jays, but they returned and gave the all clear to the other forest creatures.  It was like Glenda calling out the Munchkins after Dorothy was deemed friendly.  One by one the chipmunks, squirels, and various birds came in for a drink.  I was treated to a great bathing show by a Cordilleran Flycatcher.  It was fun watching it repeatedly dip quickly into the water and return to it’s perch to preen.  It did this for several minutes before flying off into the trees.  The other notable species for me came when I spied a group of 7 Band-tailed Pigeons perching.  They were the last lifer in a very productive day.

I hope this account was interesting.  I still have a few birds to find here in New Mexico, but I don’t mind the chase now!

My complete checklist was posted to ebird.org and if you’d like to see it feel free to email me.