OTERO RIDGE (05-F) Breeding Bird Survey  IN THE MANZANITA MOUNTAINS

Conducted by Hart Schwarz on 6-8-2002. Also surveyed in June 1994 (Bill Maynard) & 6-5-1997 (Schwarz)

KEY: Status refers to seasonal occurrence, i.e., birds are either neotropical (N), year-round resident (R), or short-distance/altitudinal migrants (S). Relative Abundance is the average or mean derived from the three survey years.

General Remarks: Melvin Shibuya, also of the Forest Service, accompanied me on this survey. Since there is no water in the Manzanitas and no apparent climatic mechanism to mitigate the full brunt of the drought, the birds suffered a dramatic decline in species and numbers, with Mourning Doves and Black-headed Grosbeaks especially hard hit in this particular area. Even stalwarts such as the Black-throated Gray Warbler and the Gray Flycatcher had their number sliced in half, but other typical P/J species, i.e, Juniper Titmouse, Bewicks Wren and Chipping Sparrow, seemed unaffected. Surprisingly, the Spotted Towhee bucked the general downward trend and showed an increase.

NOTE ON THE BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER: As in 1994 & 1997, this beautiful warbler still is the most common bird on the transect, apparently at home in the mature P/J woodlands that grace the ridges and slopes of the Manzanitas. Under less ideal conditions, their numbers would be far fewer. In 1997 one nest was found near Point 11. It was located 15 feet up in a very old, partially dead juniper that was 20 feet high. This nest, resembling that of the Gray Flycatcher with juniper bark strips on the outside, was nearly hidden in the only clump of green on an otherwise barren branch. Both parents, looking almost exactly alike, were engaged in feeding their young within the nest. These birds began nesting about a month after their arrival at Otero. The chronology would be as follows: 5-19-97 (start of incubation); 5-31-97 (hatch date); 6-10-97 (fledge date).

IMPORTANT BIRD AREA: On the strength of two PIF High Priority Species---the Black-throated Gray Warbler and the Gray Flycatcher---Otero Canyon and adjoining Cedro Canyon were declared an IBA in 2001.

Quarai Bird List:

INTERNATIONAL MIGRATORY BIRD DAY: MAY 08, 2004

Compiled by Hart R. Schwarz

The composite list below represents all the birds seen on one day in mid-May during seven successive years at Quarai, the site of the IMBD celebration sponsored by the Cibola National Forest & Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument.

INTERNATIONAL MIGRATORY BIRD DAY: MAY 10, 2003

By Hart R. Schwarz, Neotropical Bird Specialist for the Cibola National Forest

BACKGROUND: This special day for celebrating the birds was inaugurated by Partners in Flight in 1992 as a way to highlight its mission and that of its nearly 200 Partners, i.e., THE CONSERVATION OF BIRDS AND THEIR HABITAT. The second Saturday in May was chosen because peak migration offers the best opportunities to bring people and birds together—to sow the seeds of wonder and caring. IMBD is also the day of the Spring Migration Count, but the two events are not at all synonymous, the latter being just one activity option for that day.

ORGANIZERS AND PARTICPANTS: For the sixth consecutive year, the Cibola National Forest and Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument (National Park Service) have cooperated in staging this day-long event, replete with a three-hour morning bird walk led by Hart Schwarz and Nick Vaughn, an afternoon lecture on the theme of the day by Hart Schwarz, and shade-grown coffee and cookie refreshments all day long for the approximately eighty celebrants.

BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF IMBD, 2003: While we did not experience being swept up in a dizzying maelstrom of migrants as last year, we, nevertheless enjoyed a wide variety of birds—56 species in all. Most of what we did see were the expected species and not the rarities that sometimes drop in on a good migration day. But what passes for normal at Quarai, would be extraordinary in most other places—like the nine species of warblers we saw, or the dozens of Violet-green Swallows gliding gracefully above our heads or attending to their nests within the church walls. One of the few surprises was a Black-chinned Sparrow found by Nick Vaughn, who had been birding indefatigably since dawn, and even during my lecture, so that no species would be left behind, or uncounted. This beautiful little sparrow is not unusual in its preferred habitat in desert canyons, but is not often seen in migration outside its normal haunts.

DIRECTIONS TO AREAS DESCRIBED ABOVE

Otero and Cedro Canyons

Otero and Cedro Canyons are adjacent to each other, in the Manzanita Mountains.  There is enough territory here to warrant a couple of trips.  We especially like a leisurely walk to and through Cedro Canyon, which is particulary rich in birds and other wildlife.  Any season can be productive, but spring and fall are best.  There are many shady places to just sit and enjoy the breeding birds of summer.  It is not wheelchair-accessible. Kirtland Air Force Base controls the territory deep into Cedro Canyon and is constructing security fences along the perimeter of its "military withdrawal."  This does not appreciably affect Cedro Canyon and should not disrupt any of the birding areas within 1-2 miles of NM-337.  However, the eight foot tall fence topped with barbed wire will present a formidable barrier to the movement of wildlife and is cause for concern.  For latest information on the military closure, link here to SAVE OTERO CANYON http://www.saveotero.org/index.php

From Albuquerque:  Drive east on I-40 to Exit 175 (Tijeras).  Stay right on exit ramp and continue south to the traffic light.  You will pass the Sandia Ranger District Office on the left, where we reccomend that you stop and obtain a map of the Cibola National Forest (Sandia Ranger District).  Continue south on NM-337 approximately 4.5 miles to the parking lot at the Otero Canyon trailhead (Trail #56), on the right side of the road.  Before you get to the Otero Canyon parking area you will pass the Tunnel Canyon parking area, also on the right,  approximately 3 miles from the traffic light.  NM-337 then passes through a deep cut and the Otero Canyon parking area will appear just after a fairly sharp curve to the left (east).  The trails in Cedro and Tunnel Canyons are very popular with mountain bikers, who proclaim it a world class biking area, so be on the lookout for them.  Park in the lot (do not leave valuables in the car).

Walk directly down the hill, at which point you have three choices.  

(1) We like to first take a brief walk to the right (west), on the abandoned road surface of the highway that wound through before the present roadway was cut. In good years there is a small wetland on the left of the road.  This spot can be good for migrating and resident flycatchers , warblers, tanagers, vireos (notably Plumbeous Vireo) and orioles.  A Cooper's Hawk may nest in this area.

or (2) The second choice is to veer down the next hill to the left, and bird the immediate area, which usually has a stream and even a small marsh.  This area is good for Black-throated Gray Warbler.  Then, either continue following Trail #56 straight south into Otero Canyon (the trail follows the arroyo which is usually dry).  To find the Gray Flycatcher, continue into Otero Canyon about 1/4 mile and turn to the right (northwest) on the trail that leads to Tunnel Canyon.  Go upslope only until you see a trail that veers to the left along Otero Ridge (the Gray Flycatcher may be found in this area in late spring and early summer) -- it will connect with Trail #56 in about 1 1/2 miles to make a loop.

or (3) take an immediate sharp left and follow the unmarked trail to Cedro Canyon.  This trail goes back north up the hill, descends and courses south east, roughly parallel to NM-337.  For  about a mile the trail follows a creek and enters a lovely marsh.  

National Audubon Society Description of Otero and Cedro Canyons

Quarai Ruins, a unit of the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Quarai, one of the three ruins on the Salt Mission Trail is a great attraction and worth the trip if only to visit the beautiful ruins.  There is a visitors center and handicap-accessible trails.  It boasts a very reliable creek and wetland area with surrounding mature cottonwoods.  Heavy pruning necessitated by an ice storm a couple of years ago has removed many of the dead stubs that attracted hordes of cavity-nesting birds and most of the mistletoe that enticed Phainopepla to stay and possibly nest.   While the latter birds seem not to have returned, there is a richness that is associated with the availability of water in an arid region.  The ruins themselves attract breeding Rock Wrens, Violet-green Swallows. Say's Phoebes and a resident pair of Great Horned Owls.  Spring and fall migration can be very productive-- water-thrushes and sometimes eastern specialties may appear.  Orioles, warblers, tanagers and Lazuli Buntings nest there.  It is the site of an annual International Migratory Bird Day gathering, in early May.  

To reach Quarai, you follow NM-337 south past Otero Canyon (above) to join NM-55 south, about 29 miles south of I-40 at Tijeras.  Follow NM-55 about 18 miles, past the entrance to the trail to Capilla Peak, the Manzano Mountain autumn Hawkwatch site, at the town of Manzano (about 2 miles before Quarai, also site of Manzano Mountains State Park & Campground, worth a visit as well).  The entrance to Quarai road will be on the right (west) towards the Manzano Mountains.   The distance from Exit 175 to Quarai is about 53 miles on paved two lane secondary roads, but may take about an hour and a half to drive as it passes through several quaint villages.