May 24, 2025 — Rene Laubach, Leader

Six registrants, my wife Christyna and myself enjoyed stellar weather conditions, lovely scenery, and fine birding during this field trip. Although detecting birds mostly by sound in the beginning, we were eventually treated to good looks at a variety of colorful and interesting species–43 in all, including Acorn Woodpecker, Warbling and Plumbeous Vireos, a rare-flagged Gray Catbird, Hermit Thrush, Northern House Wren, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Bullock’s Oriole, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, and five species of warblers–Virginia’s, MacGillivray’s, Yellow, Grace’s, and Wilson’s. 

eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S242140912

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.