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| Photo courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. |
Thousands of migrating birds are back at the Bosque del
Apache and fall is a great time to visit the refuge and enjoy the spectacular
wildlife display.
“The show is on,” says Chris Leeser of the U.S Fish and Wildlife
Service. “Now is the perfect time to come and enjoy the fall colors along with
all the birds.”
The 57,000 acre wetland refuge provides migrating waterfowl
a place to stop, rest and feed during their travels south for the winter.
Many cranes, geese and ducks stay on at the refuge where
food and water is abundant and there’s plenty of open space.
Visitors to the refuge especially in the morning and evening
will enjoy watching large groups of birds taking off and landing amid a
symphony bird calls.
Other wildlife also live on the refuge and visitors may see
coyotes stalking the flocks, turkeys strutting or deer grazing in the fields.
The refuge features a popular 12-mile long auto tour route that
wends its way among the marshes, ponds and fields of the refuge.
The refuge also features numerous hiking trails and roadside
viewing areas. There is no camping or overnight parking allowed on the refuge.
Pets are not allowed outside of vehicles from Oct. 1 through March 31. The
refuge is open one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. The entrance
fee is $5. Visit the refuge’s website at www.fws.gov/refuge/Bosque_del_Apache/
for more information or call them at 575-835-1828.
Those traveling to the refuge may want to save their
appetite for when they get there as the nearby town of San
Antonio features three of New
Mexico ’ best green chile cheeseburger joints, the
Owl, Buckhorn and Crane cafes.
Next month the refuge will host the 32nd annual
Festival of the Cranes from Nov. 20 through Nov. 23 with more than 130 events
scheduled.
The festival some call New Mexico’s balloon fiesta for
birdwatchers draws thousands of visitors from all over the world who
participate in photography classes, seminars, tours and other activities. Visit
the website www.friendsofbosquedelapache.org
for more information and registration.
Many visitors come to photograph the cranes known for their
artful dancing and posturing while sweeping vistas, deep blue skies and immense
cloud formations serve as the backdrop.
The refuge is about 95 miles south of Albuquerque
off Interstate 25. While in the area the public is welcome to visit the New
Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s 17,000 acre Bernardo Wildlife Area where
crops are grown to feed migrating birds. The area features a three-mile auto
tour loop and several elevated viewing platforms where visitors can watch
birds.
