I was in Albuquerque, NM for a couple of days and a new birding buddy told me where I might be able to see a Western Screech-Owl. I got lucky and it was there! When I arrived, it seemed to be soundly sleeping. I didn't even see a twitch of the eye to check me out...then a Sharp-shinned Hawk flew between myself and the owl. It didn't make any noise except for the sound of its wings, but Ollie immediately took notice!
Yea, I name some of the birds I see...this one felt like an Ollie :) I was in Albuquerque, NM for a couple of days and a new birding buddy told me where I might be able to see a Western Screech-Owl. I got lucky and it was there! When I arrived, it seemed to be soundly sleeping. I didn't even see a twitch of the eye to check me out...then a Sharp-shinned Hawk flew between myself and the owl. It didn't make any noise except for the sound of its wings, but Ollie immediately took notice! He looked in the direction the hawk had flown for a few minutes before resuming his nap, but not before subtly giving me the once over... Then it was back to sleep... He finally woke up after sunset! When I left at dark, Ollie was still happy in his cavity. The End :)
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The Tingley Bosque Ponds and Beach area are a part of the ABQ BioPark. These ponds are free to visit. The Bosque Ponds have bird blinds and, while the Tingley Beach ponds are frequented by fisherman, they also have good waterfowl for birders. The closest access to the Bosque Ponds is from the gravel parking area in the map below. Entering this parking area also give you access to a drive that leads to the Beach ponds and their own parking lots. After parking in the lot on the map, turn south (away from Tingley Beach) to reach the end of the chain link fence separating the parking area from the paved public use trail, Paseo del Bosque. When you reach the end of the fence, cross the train tracks and the trail to the Bosque Ponds will be ahead of you, marked by wooden posts. There are dirt paths leading in three directions, but the short one leading straight ahead goes to the Bosque Ponds. I visited during the winter and I was able to see one of the bird blinds from the entrance to the trail. The trails were in good condition but there were a few large roots from the trees along the path, so watch your step. The first pond you reach is the southeastern one on the map. The second pond is to your right. Along the trail to the Bosque Ponds, I saw Dark-eyed Juncos and lots of woodpeckers including multiple Downies, a Hairy, and a Northern Flicker. There are other paths leading to the right or left that lead to more of the woods. I'm sure there was a Brown Creeper in there somewhere... The blind at each pond will give you a view of the entire pond. There are also trails that lead around the ponds. While facing the bird blind at the first pond, the trail to the right will lead to the second pond. You can follow this straight path all the way to the second pond or take the first left to walk between the ponds and along a culvert. It's a short walk either way. The second pond is about the same size and has a small island. I visited the area in the evening, so after I was finished at the Bosque Ponds, I walked to the Tingley Beach ponds. The middle pond has an island where cormorants (mostly Neotropic) and Black-crowned Night-Herons were coming in for the evening. There were also very confiding Wood Ducks at this pond.
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September 2022
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