Shane Woolbright, trip leader
Eleven Sangre de Cristo Audubon members made the trip out to Melrose Woods migrant trap east of Fort Sumner on May 3-4. Unfortunately, migrant traps depend upon the weather cooperating, and on these days a strong southerly wind took the migrants northward. We did find a few fallouts such as Olive-Sided Flycatcher, Indigo Bunting and Parula Warbler along with a Brown Thrasher. Local birds included Cave Swallow, Chihuahuan Raven, Ferruginous Hawk, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock’s Oriole, Green Tailed Towhee.
The May 3 date may have been a little early this year; however, it was a good day for wildflowers as a recent rain had brought out a surprising amount of color in the area.