WINTER 2021 Volume 28, Number 1, Winter 2021. Editors: Lynn Deming & Deb Caldwell. Graphic Design: Michaela Mabry. Bosque Watch is published quarterly by Friends of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Inc., P.O. Box 340, San Antonio, NM 87832. 575-838-2120
[email protected]; www.friendsofbosquedelapache.org DROUGHT CHALLENGES STAFF, BIRDS, AND VISITORS AT BOSQUE DEL APACHE Many of you have noticed that the wetlands look quite different this year at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Drought necessitated difficult choices and refuge staff channeled all available water into the units with the highest food productivity. Drought is nothing new to New Mexico, and the refuge is dealing with the impact of several consecutive dry years. “We’ve had very little water coming into the system that feeds the wetlands where some larger concentrations of birds normally loaf,” said refuge manager Deborah Williams. “This season, birds and other wildlife are dispersed throughout refuge lands and not concentrated along Highway 1, as in more normal water years. There have still been lots of viewing opportunities along the Tour Loop, but the birds are more Drought Affects Viewing dispersed than visitors are accustomed to and the viewing Staff are using groundwater wells on the refuge to supplement areas are changing as we move available water between units some wetlands and meadows to continue to provide with the highest food concentrations.” important habitat and food for wintering birds. However, because of the limited available surface and groundwater, the refuge has not filled the traditional roosting units that have little to no food value for migrating birds.