Birding
Approximately 339 bird
species have been sighted
in the Gila National Forest
and in the area of the Trail
of the Mountain Spirits
Scenic Byway. For more
birding information:
www.swnmaudubon.org
Montezuma Quail By: S. Rucker
Lesser Goldfinch
Painted Redstart
Lazuli Bunting
American Widgeon By: Alan Wilson
Male Ruby Throated Hummer
Broad Tailed Hummer
Coopers Hawk By: James Phelps
Birding Sites Along the Byway:
Cherry Creek / McMillan Campgrounds
At 6,800 feet elevation in the Gila National Forest, Cherry Creek is one of the best spots in the state to find Painted Redstart while McMillan Campground is a reliable spot for Greater Pewee. You can also find unique species such as the Olive and Red-faced Warblers. Common are three species of nuthatches, vireos, and a variety of woodpeckers. Spotted and Flammulated Owl, Poorwill and Whip-poor-will can sometimes be heard on summer evenings.
Directions: Cherry Creek or McMillan campgrounds are about 12 miles north of Silver City on Hwy 15. Info: 575-388-8201
Signal Peak Road
This fire lookout access road climbs to 9,000 feet. The summit, Signal Peak, offers dramatic views of the Gila National Forest and Gila Wilder- ness. At the junction with NM 15, Greater Pewee, Grace's Warbler, Hutton's Vireo, and Hepatic Tanager are possible. Up the road a short distance, Olive Warbler may be foraging in the ponderosa pine as early as March. At the higher elevations, Northern Goshawk is possible. Broad- tailed Hummingbirds are regular and Magnificent Hummingbird is possible.
Directions: From Silver City take NM 15 north. Turn right on to Forest Road 154, 3 miles past Cherry Creek Campground. At its upper range, Forest Road 154 may require a high-clearance vehicle. The summit is a short walk beyond the locked gate. Restrooms are at the summit. Info: 575-388-8201
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument (533 acres) is located in the Gila National Forest. Birding can be productive in the area around the Visitor Center, in the campgrounds, along the trail by the stream, and on the trail leading to the cliff dwellings. Birds include: Warbling Vireo, Painted Redstart, Western Scrub-Jay, Piņon Jay, Steller's Jay, Blue and Black-headed Grosbeaks, Indigo and Lazuli Buntings, Yellow-headed and Red-winged Blackbirds, Pine Siskin, Western Tanager, American and Lesser Goldfinches, and Canyon Wren.
Directions: From US 180 in Silver City take NM 15 north through Piņos Altos. After 45 miles the road ends at the Cliff Dwellings. Info: 575-536-9461
Lake Roberts Area
Lake Roberts is the best waterbird location in southwest NM and is located along the Byway in the Gila National Forest. Birds on or near the lake include Pied-billed Grebe; Gadwall; American Widgeon; Lesser Scaup; Bufflehead; Common Merganser; Northern Shoveler; Northern Pintail; Ruddy Duck; Ring-necked Duck; Spotted Sandpiper; Common Black Hawk; Bald Eagle; Common Loon (winter); Say's Phoebe; Killdeer; Violet-green Swallow; Cliff Swallow; Townsend's Solitaire; Bridled Titmouse; Bushtit; Purple Martin; Ruby-crowned Kinglet; WesternBluebird; Yellow and Yellow-rumped Warblers; Western Tanager; CedarWaxwing; Swamp (uncommon), Song, Lincoln's, White-crowned Sparrows, and Lesser Goldfinch. The following hummingbird species are usually present: Broad-tailed and Black-chinned (both April-August), Rufous (July-early September), and Calliope (mid-July-August). The Magnificent Hummingbird is possible and Blue-throated is rare to see.
Directions: From Silver City, take US 180 east to Santa Clara. Turn left on NM 152 and after reaching the Mimbres Valley turn left on to NM 35. After approximately 32 miles you will reach the Lake Roberts area. Alternately, take NM 15 north to its junction with NM 35 and take NM 35 a few miles to Lake Roberts. Info: 575-536-2250
The Nature Conservancy Mimbres Preserve
The Mimbres Preserve features old farmed fields and a section of the Mimbres River. Resident birds include Montezuma Quail and Bridled Titmouse. In summer look for Common Black-Hawk; Blue Grosbeak; Indigo Bunting; and Yellow-billed Cuckoo.
Directions: From Silver City take US 180 east for about 10 miles and turn left (east) onto NM 152. Take NM 152 east to NM 35 north. Drive north 8.4 miles on Hwy 35 through the Mimbres Valley. Shortly after the mile marker 8 sign, turn into a dirt driveway and parking area. You will see a historic barn surrounded by a field. A path leads from the parking area east to the Mimbres River. Info: 575-538-2538
Fort Bayard Historical District
Fort Bayard has two national recreation hiking trails as well as roadways around the fort from which to look for birds. In April-September you may see Montezuma Quail (uncommon), Red-tailed and Cooper's Hawks, Band-tailed Pigeon, Great-horned and Long-eared Owls (rare), Western and Cassin's Kingbirds, Western Bluebird, and Black-headed and Blue Grosbeaks. Eastern Meadowlarks nest here and Mountain Bluebirds winter.
Directions: Drive 6.5 miles east of Silver City on US 180. Turn left at the Fort Bayard intersection (Calle De Las Palomas) and continue a half mile to the main gate of the facility. As you enter the grounds, look for brown Forest Road 536 signs posted on the fort's old buildings. Continue on the dirt road for 3 miles, passing the Forest Service Administrative Area and Recreation site on your right. Turn left at National Recreation Trails Road and proceed to the parking lot. Info: 575-388-8201
Cherry Creek / McMillan Campgrounds
At 6,800 feet elevation in the Gila National Forest, Cherry Creek is one of the best spots in the state to find Painted Redstart while McMillan Campground is a reliable spot for Greater Pewee. You can also find unique species such as the Olive and Red-faced Warblers. Common are three species of nuthatches, vireos, and a variety of woodpeckers. Spotted and Flammulated Owl, Poorwill and Whip-poor-will can sometimes be heard on summer evenings.
Directions: Cherry Creek or McMillan campgrounds are about 12 miles north of Silver City on Hwy 15. Info: 575-388-8201
Signal Peak Road
This fire lookout access road climbs to 9,000 feet. The summit, Signal Peak, offers dramatic views of the Gila National Forest and Gila Wilder- ness. At the junction with NM 15, Greater Pewee, Grace's Warbler, Hutton's Vireo, and Hepatic Tanager are possible. Up the road a short distance, Olive Warbler may be foraging in the ponderosa pine as early as March. At the higher elevations, Northern Goshawk is possible. Broad- tailed Hummingbirds are regular and Magnificent Hummingbird is possible.
Directions: From Silver City take NM 15 north. Turn right on to Forest Road 154, 3 miles past Cherry Creek Campground. At its upper range, Forest Road 154 may require a high-clearance vehicle. The summit is a short walk beyond the locked gate. Restrooms are at the summit. Info: 575-388-8201
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument (533 acres) is located in the Gila National Forest. Birding can be productive in the area around the Visitor Center, in the campgrounds, along the trail by the stream, and on the trail leading to the cliff dwellings. Birds include: Warbling Vireo, Painted Redstart, Western Scrub-Jay, Piņon Jay, Steller's Jay, Blue and Black-headed Grosbeaks, Indigo and Lazuli Buntings, Yellow-headed and Red-winged Blackbirds, Pine Siskin, Western Tanager, American and Lesser Goldfinches, and Canyon Wren.
Directions: From US 180 in Silver City take NM 15 north through Piņos Altos. After 45 miles the road ends at the Cliff Dwellings. Info: 575-536-9461
Lake Roberts Area
Lake Roberts is the best waterbird location in southwest NM and is located along the Byway in the Gila National Forest. Birds on or near the lake include Pied-billed Grebe; Gadwall; American Widgeon; Lesser Scaup; Bufflehead; Common Merganser; Northern Shoveler; Northern Pintail; Ruddy Duck; Ring-necked Duck; Spotted Sandpiper; Common Black Hawk; Bald Eagle; Common Loon (winter); Say's Phoebe; Killdeer; Violet-green Swallow; Cliff Swallow; Townsend's Solitaire; Bridled Titmouse; Bushtit; Purple Martin; Ruby-crowned Kinglet; WesternBluebird; Yellow and Yellow-rumped Warblers; Western Tanager; CedarWaxwing; Swamp (uncommon), Song, Lincoln's, White-crowned Sparrows, and Lesser Goldfinch. The following hummingbird species are usually present: Broad-tailed and Black-chinned (both April-August), Rufous (July-early September), and Calliope (mid-July-August). The Magnificent Hummingbird is possible and Blue-throated is rare to see.
Directions: From Silver City, take US 180 east to Santa Clara. Turn left on NM 152 and after reaching the Mimbres Valley turn left on to NM 35. After approximately 32 miles you will reach the Lake Roberts area. Alternately, take NM 15 north to its junction with NM 35 and take NM 35 a few miles to Lake Roberts. Info: 575-536-2250
The Nature Conservancy Mimbres Preserve
The Mimbres Preserve features old farmed fields and a section of the Mimbres River. Resident birds include Montezuma Quail and Bridled Titmouse. In summer look for Common Black-Hawk; Blue Grosbeak; Indigo Bunting; and Yellow-billed Cuckoo.
Directions: From Silver City take US 180 east for about 10 miles and turn left (east) onto NM 152. Take NM 152 east to NM 35 north. Drive north 8.4 miles on Hwy 35 through the Mimbres Valley. Shortly after the mile marker 8 sign, turn into a dirt driveway and parking area. You will see a historic barn surrounded by a field. A path leads from the parking area east to the Mimbres River. Info: 575-538-2538
Fort Bayard Historical District
Fort Bayard has two national recreation hiking trails as well as roadways around the fort from which to look for birds. In April-September you may see Montezuma Quail (uncommon), Red-tailed and Cooper's Hawks, Band-tailed Pigeon, Great-horned and Long-eared Owls (rare), Western and Cassin's Kingbirds, Western Bluebird, and Black-headed and Blue Grosbeaks. Eastern Meadowlarks nest here and Mountain Bluebirds winter.
Directions: Drive 6.5 miles east of Silver City on US 180. Turn left at the Fort Bayard intersection (Calle De Las Palomas) and continue a half mile to the main gate of the facility. As you enter the grounds, look for brown Forest Road 536 signs posted on the fort's old buildings. Continue on the dirt road for 3 miles, passing the Forest Service Administrative Area and Recreation site on your right. Turn left at National Recreation Trails Road and proceed to the parking lot. Info: 575-388-8201