New Mexico's Birding Hot Spots

In their second guide to birding in New Mexico, Judy Liddell and Barbara Hussey share their experiences and intimate knowledge of the best places to find birds in and around Santa Fe and other areas in northern New Mexico. Like their first book, published by Texas A & M University Press as part of their W.L. Moody Jr. Natural History Series, this guide also provides user-friendly resources to help both new and experienced birders locate convenient places to enjoy their passion, or to assist visitors and newcomers to locate specific bird species.

Following the same format as their book on the Albuquerque area, the authors describe 32 sites organized by geographic regions. Along with a general description of each area, the authors list target birds; explain where and when to look for them; give driving directions; provide information about public transportation, parking, fees, restrooms, food, and lodging; and give tips on availability of water and picnic facilities and on the presence of hazards such as poison ivy, rattlesnakes, and bears. Maps and photographs provide trail diagrams and images of some of the target birds and their environments.

A “helpful information” section covering weather, altitude, safety, transportation, and other local birding resources is included along with an annotated checklist of 276 bird species seen with some regularity in and around Santa Fe.

The book was selected as winner of the Reference Book category in the 2016 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards.

For information on where to purchase this book, see “Buy.”

With more than 300 bird species in central New Mexico, including sought-after specialties such as the Greater Roadrunner, wintering Sandhill Cranes and the three species of Rosy-Finch, the area is a draw for both visitors and residents alike. The mission of the book, published by Texas A & M University Press as part of their W.L. Moody Jr. Natural History Series and a FINALIST IN THE AZ/NM BOOK AWARDS, is to provide user-friendly resources to help both new and experienced birders locate convenient places to enjoy their passion, or to assist visitors and newcomers to locate specific bird species.

From pine forest to desert scrub, from alpine meadow to riparian wetland, Albuquerque and its surrounding area in New Mexico offer an appealing variety of wildlife habitat. Judy Liddell and Barbara Hussey share their intimate knowledge of the best places to find birds in and around this important region.

There are 29 different site descriptions organized by habitat, such as Sandia Foothills and Along the Rio Grande. Each site contains the following information:
general description including habitat,list of target birds and where and when to look for them, other birds that can be seen, driving directions and public transportation routes, parking and fees, special considerations and hazards, such as poison ivy, rattlesnakes and bears, location of nearest restrooms, whether water and picnic tables are at the site, and nearest food and lodging.

For information on where to purchase this book, see “Buy.”