tr rngr ng l* Newsletter of the American Birding Association, Inc.

Birding the Gila National Forest, New Mexico

From Cottonwoods to Conifers, Varied habitats and A*S,ti."unBi,rding Regional Specialties Are Easily Accessible North of Silver City By Dale A. Zimmerman and Roland S. Shook Vol. 15, No.6 (ituated in southwestern New Mexico, higher) and soon arriving at Gila National \rthe modest university town of Silver Forest. Mexican Jay, Cassin's Kingbird, June 2003 City may not be as famous among birders Western Bluebird, and other common spe- as the legendary sites of southeastern Ari- cies may be seen from the roadway (as is, issue: lnside this zona, not far to the west. But bird life, in- rarely, Montezuma Quail), but the best bird- 5 2003-2004 cluding many southwestern specialties, is ing begins at Cherry Creek Campground Duck Stamp plentiful and accessible in the Silver City (thfuteen miles from Silver City) in a can- 6 West Nile Virus: area, where varied habitats and elevations yon where sheer cliffs and spectacular rhy- What Birds? can easily be reached on state highways and olite spires rise above the steep, densely U.S. Forest Service roads. Birders seeking forested slopes. The campground vicinity is 7 Snetsinger an added incentive to visit Silver City might a site Painted Memoir traditional for Redstart, al- want to attend the joint Western (continued on next page) 2004 Field OrnithologistsA.,lew Mex- Convention ico Ornithological Society meet- B tFo Update ing, to be held 24-21 July 2003 (see sidebar on page 4). But this Birding 101 region offers outstanding bird- 9 Books For ing at any time of year, and the Birders following article introduces Eric Salzman some of the most productive lNat!onal McMillan C and birdable destinations. 10 News From Cherry Crk. Campground ABA Sales Pinos Altos Mountains 11 Sightings From the Hotlines Qome of southern New Mex- April-May 2003 rJico's best birdins is in the canyons of this low-rnountain 12 Classifieds range, accessible via New Mex- Milestones ico Route 15 branching north H from U.S. Route 180 in Silver 13 ABA-Endorsed Tours: lreland City at an elevation of 6,000 feet. This road passes through MichaelCarmodv To Deming, NM pinyon pine and juniper growth, x & t-l0 entering the ponderosa pine zone at Pinos Altos (eight miles Silver City, NM from Silver City and 1,000 feet & Gila Nat'l Forest t though this species is uncommon rn may be heard here on warm summer Red-breasted Nuthatches, Townsend' s some years. Look for it in the strip of evenings. Other regular breeding birds Solitaire, Orange-crowned Warbler, Arizona alders, narrow-leaved cotton- in the Cherry Creek-McMillan vicin- and Red Crossbill are additional breed- woods, and low willows along the nar- ity include White-throated Swift, ing species in the Signal Peak forests, row creek, which flows in all but the Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Acorn although some of these are scarce or driest of years. Red-faced Warblers Woodpecker, Western Wood-Pewee, irregular. Northern Saw-whet Owl is may be seen in this mixed riparian Canyon and House Wrens, Brown known here. but its status is uncertain. woodland as well as in the tall ponder- Creeper, Bridled Titmouse (scarce), Spotted Owls are heard on occasion, osa pines above the creek on the can- Mountain Chickadee, Pygmy Nut- and Flammulated Owls are common yon sides. In oak and pine/oak growth hatch, Western Bluebird, Hermit breeders, albeit hard to see. Signal on the drier south-facing slopes, Vir- Thrush, and Western and Hepatic Peak often is productive during fall ginia's Warblers breed, often singing Tanagers. AZone-talled Hawk occa- migralion, often yielding moderate near the road. Nesting among pinyon sionally joins the Red-tailed Hawks numbers of hummingbirds, sapsuck- pines and junipers are a few Black- and Turkey Vultures sailing over the ers, and vireos, and numerous wood throated Gray Warblers. Grace's War- cliffs. Forest Service facilities at the warblers (including Nashville, Town- bler is widespread among the Cherry Creek-McMillan Camp- send's, and Hermit). Golden-crowned ponderosa pines. grounds consist of camping sites and Kinglet and Clark's Nutcracker ap- restrooms. There is no potable water pear sporadically in late fall and win- Hutton's Vireo is scarce but fairly available. ter. regular here, mainly where gray and Gambel's oaks mingle with pines; the Three miles beyond Cherry Creek 154 common vireos are Plumbeous and (in Campground, Forest Road branches to the right and ascends the cottonwoods) Warbling. Most \[ years, the Greater Pewee may be 9,000-foot Signal Peak. Narrow and curves, this rough heard singing in the mixed conifer steep, with sharp t.N-\. | gravel road is not recommended for -_:-- woods near McMillan Campground, a although the Wrnqtnq*( I*-r mile or so farther along the road. The low sedans, first few .', \/, present problem. above-named warblers, plus Yellow- miles usually no rumped and Olive, should be looked Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Gos- Band-tailed for in and above the small camp- hawk, Wild Turkey, and ground and up the adjoining wooded Pigeon are sometimes seen along the here canyons. Northern Pygmy-Owl, for-. road. Olive Warbler, more likely merly regular here, is now hard to than in Cherry Creek Canyon, is best find, but imitating its call to attract located by its song, which in some years passerines sometimes stimulates the may be heard as early as Febru- owl itself to call. Flammulated and ary. Pairs may sometimes be found in the pine groves near the junction Spotted Owls are also possibilities, es- with pecially in narrow McMillan Canyon. New Mexico Route 15 during nesting post-breeding par- Both Whip-poor-will (on mesic, north- season; later, mixed possible facing slopes) and Poorwill (on drier ties are here or in the mixed southern exposures) conifers a few miles beyond. Yellow- rumped (Audubon's) and Grace's war- blers are common breeders throughout, and Greater Pewee is oc- casional. Magnificent Hummingbird, Red-naped and (rarely) William- son's Sapsuckers, Cordilleran Fly- catcher, Pygmy and

Painted Redstart bv Dale Zimmerman

Winging It, June 2003 ceed on the road east- Gila CIiff Dwellings Bridled Titmouse by Dale Zimmerman National MonumEnt ward around and prom Cherry Creek Canyon or Sig- above the lake, I nal Peak, continue norlh on New watching for Wild Turkey, Pinyon Jay Mexico Route 15 toward Cliff Dwell- (a pinyon ings National Monument and Lake few nest in pines Roberts. About seven miles from the on the nearby Signal Peak road junction, the high- hills), and Purple (nesting way descends in a series of switch- Martin in ponderosa backs through mostly wooded habitat tall dead pines, to shallow Sapillo Creek and its few an intersting large cottonwoods, and soon turns sight for birders used left at an obvious fork. From here it to seeing this species is fifteen miles north to the National using artifi- Monument headquarters in Cliff cial hous- Dweller Canyon, where White- ing). Be. throated Swift, Canyon'Wren, yond the Painted Redstart, and some of the upper camp- ground Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Canyon other species listed for Cherry Creek is and Spotted Towhees, and Rufous- Canyon are to be expected (bird di- Spirit Canyon Lodge, where feeders crowned Sparrow, plus species typi- versity, though, is greater along also lure numerous hummingbirds. cal of grasslands and pinyon Cherry Creek). An occasional Spot- Near the east end of the lake, turn pine-juniper woodland. During ted Owl has been recorded along the right and drive through a small camp- ground to a parking area not far from autumn, winter, and early spring, ex- foot trail to the cliff dwellings or else- pect the water. There is a good mixture of Mountain Bluebird in open ar- where in the area. Along the cotton- eas, and Townsend's Solitaire and wood-lined Gila River below the habitats here including a cattail juniper Pinyon Jay where there are trees. canyon, Common Black-Hawk may marsh, willows, woodland, and extensive pine forest. A short Some waterfowl visit the impound- be found in summer, Bald Eagle in ment behind Bear boardwalk enables one to skirt the Canyon Dam, winter. Both Peregrine Falcon and about ten miles south of Lake marsh and view the water for sum- Roberts Northern Goshawk are possible at and a short distance in along a side mering species such as Pied-billed any season, and Montezuma Quail road, but the deep water is only mar- Grebe, Ruddy Duck, American Coot, are infrequently seen in the hills and ginally attractive to birds. A pair of Sora, Virginia Rail, and Marsh Wren. side canyons, typically in oak or Common Black-Hawks often nest open pine/oak woodland; their ap- Broad-tailed and Black-chinned Hum- nearby in the cottonwoods along the pearance is impossible to predict. mingbirds, Black Phoebe, Steller' s Mimbres River (on private land, but The same is true of the Pinyon Jay Jay, Plumbeous Vireo, White- sometimes they can be viewed from flocks, which roam the countryside at breasted and Pygmy Nuthatches, Can- the road). New Mexico Route 152 most seasons (least commonly during yon Wren, Grace's Warbler, Chipping will return you toward Silver City. early summer, when they are usually Sparrow, and Blue Grosbeak breed Forest Service facilities at the Lake in pairs). Facilities at Gila Cliff around the campground. During mi- Roberts picnic area include camping, Dwellings National Monument in- gration, Common Loon, Eared and picnic tables, restrooms (handicap ac- clude restrooms (handicap accessi- Western Grebes, Double-crested Cor- cessible), and drinking water. ble) at the Visitor's Center. morant, various ducks, Osprey, Ring- billed Gull, and a few shorebirds are Little Walnut Picnic Area Lake Roherts not unlikely. A few Bald Eagles win- A bout four miles north of U.S. f rom the monument, follow the ter here. ARout. 180 West in Silver Ciry. I road back to its iunction with on Little Walnut Road, is a small pic- From Lake Roberts, continue south New Mexico Route 35. Turn left, pro- nic area maintained by the U.S. For- on New Mexico Route 35. The trip ceeding east toward Lake Roberts, an est Service. It is a good destination through the upper Mimbres Valley artificial impoundment popular with for a short trip from town, especially can be rewarding, particularly if one fisherman and birders. Near this junc- on less crowded weekdays. Park in explores some of the primitive side tion, on the left side of the road, is any of the designated spaces and in- roads, although parts of the area are Grey Feathers Lodge. Here, at feed- Yestigate the ponderosa pine groves, privately owned: please respect ers, one can observe Magnificent the peripheral oak and juniper posted property. Many of the land wood- (fairly regular), Rufous, Calliope, land, and nearby shallow birds found around Lake Roberts are anoyos (usually-dry Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, and widespread in the valley, along with creek beds), where low (rarely) B lue-throated Humming- willows, oaks, cottonwoods" and Gambel's Quail, Ladder-backed and birds. Seed feeders also attract other Acorn Woodpeckers, Western Blue- conifers provide diversity. A marked local birds throughout the year. Pro- bird, Violet-green Swallow, Rock

Winging It, June 2003 trail leads from the north edge of the Red-breasted Nuthatches, Ruby- accesses a ponderosa pine/Gambel' s picnic area through varied habitats. crowned and (rarely) Golden- oak community interspersed with pin- crowned Kinglets, Townsend's yon/juniper and oak woodlands. The An hour here in late spring or early Solitaire, and Dark-eyed Junco. bird species are much the same as summer typically reveals Broad- Among the many transient species those at Little Walnut, including tailed Hummingbird, Hairy and Gray are various warblers, Cassin's Finch, Flycatcher (sometimes) Acorn Woodpeckers, Ash-throated and Hutton's Pine Siskin. and Green-tailed Tow- Vireo. Rufous-crowned Flycatcher, Plumbeous and Hutton's Sparrow is hee. Forest Service facilities at the Vireos, Common Raven, Mexican uncommon on the more open, rocky Little Walnut picnic area include pic- slopes. and Scrub Jays, Bushtit, Bridled and Western Screech Owl is resi- nic tables, restrooms (handicap acces- Juniper Titmice, Bewick's Wren, dent in oak and pine-oak woods. sible), and drinking water. Western Bluebird, Hepatic and West- There are several potential mud holes ern tanagers, Virginia's, Black- Bear Mountain and often deep ruts on this road, so throated Gray, and (sometimes) drive carefully during the summer nother profitable short trip north Red-faced Warblers, Lesser Gold- /\ rainy season or after winter storms. /aof Silver City is to the vicinity o[ finch, and Bullock's Oriole. Violet- There are no Forest Service facilities Bear Mountain. From U.S. Route 180 green Swallows nest in cavities in the on Bear Mountain. West, turn north on Alabama Street cottonwoods near the road. Gray Fly- (0.3 mile west of Little Walnut An annotated checklist of the birds of catchers regularly breed in and near Road), which becomes Cottage San Gila National Forest, published in the picnic ground. Red Crossbill Road and finally Forest Road 853 (un- July 1997, is available at the Silver nests sporadically and may be pre- paved). Five miles City Ranger District office, 3005 E. sent in winter, when one may expect from U.S. Route 180, turn onto poorly maintained Camino del Bosque, Silver City, NM Red-naped and Williamson's Sap- For- est Road 858, the 88061, (505) 388 8201, as well as at suckers, Steller's Jay, Pygmy and first mile of which the Gila Cliff Dwellings visitor cen- ter.

A noted author (Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania and Birds of New Guinea), artist, photo grapher, bota- nist, ornithologist, lepidopterist, and naturalist, Dale Zimmerman holds the title of Professor Emeritus of Biol- oqy at Western New Mexico Univer- sity. Both he and his wife, Marian, hqv e birde d ext ensiv e ly thr o u gho ut the world. They have lived in Silver City since the late 1950s. Roland Shook is a Professor of Biology in the Department of Natural Sciences at Western New Mexico University. He is currently involved in a long- term study involving bird populations along the Gila River near Silver City. Roland and his family have lived in Silver City since 1992.

Montezuma Quail by Dale Zimmerman

Winging It, June 2003