WHAT IS AN IBA? It is part of a global network of places deemed important to breeding birds, either because they are rare or habitat-sensitive, or they congregate there in large numbers, especially during migration. Otero was selected as an IBA in 2001 and subsequently featured on Audubon's national web page, as well as an article in the Albuquerque Tribune by Ollie Reed on May 9, 2002. The deciding factor in bestowing IBA status on Otero was the abundance of the Black-throated Gray Warbler, which is the most common bird on this transect with a density probably unequaled elsewhere in NM. This beautiful neotropical warbler is a "priority" species, based on its vulnerability quotient.

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WHERE IS OTERO & THE BREEDING BIRD SURVEY AREA? It is located in the Manzanita Mountains about four miles south of the sole traffic light in Tijeras, NM. My bird survey route extends along the western ridge of Otero for two miles and can be accessed from the Otero parking lot by walking south into the canyon for about half a mile and then turning west onto the Tunnel Spring Trail, which switchbacks up the ridge. At the junction with the Fire Break trail, turn west until you gain the ridge-top and then turn south, looking for the first transect marker on a pinyon to the left of the trail. After two pleasant miles through mature pinyon/juniper woodland, you should have encountered eleven marked "stops" where birds are counted during official surveys. All along this two-mile route, you will hear the buzzy song of the Black-throated Gray Warbler, almost without ceasing from late April through the end of June. Another priority bird on this trail is the little Gray Flycatcher, whose "syrup, syrup, sweet syrup" can be heard on the way up to the ridge and especially along the second mile of the transect. Shortly after reaching Number 11, turn left and follow a shallow wash down the slope to the bottom of Otero and then follow the canyon back to the parking lot for a round trip total of about six miles. Since the canyon bottom has copses of Ponderosa Pine and patches of Gambel Oak on the slopes, additional species will be encountered on the way out-- birds such as Grace's Warbler, Pygmy Nuthatch and Virginia's Warbler, the latter primarily associated with the oak.

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CEDRO CANYON: Although Otero has the high priority birds, it is extremely dry, but that is not the case with Cedro Canyon, which is also a part of the IBA. Cedro is an attractive riparian area, with running water, quiet pools, willows and cottonwoods-all the ingredients that make for a highly diverse group of birds, which in summer includes Cordilleran Flycatcher, Western Wood-Pewee, Hepatic Tanager and Blue Grosbeak. Some years Indigo and Lazuli Buntings make a good showing. Access is the same as for Otero, except that the trail goes east and virtually runs parallel to Highway 337. The first mile or so is actually a Nature Trail with numbered locations that are explained in a brochure available at the nearby Tijeras Ranger Station.

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CONSERVATION ISSUES: IBAs have become an important conservation tool since it is easier to manage a particular area identified as strategic for a particular suite of birds, rather than trying to manage everything in general. Once threats have been identified in an IBA, specific measures can be taken to assure the continued health of the target species and thereby the well-being of many associated species.  The Otero IBA seems relatively secure, but Audubon on its web site has this to say: "Currently managed by the Cibola National Forest on the Sandia Ranger District, there are no current major conservation concerns. Minor threats include the presence of some cowbirds and rock climbing on one cliff face within the area. Potential threats include increased firebreak activity, which may reduce the canopy in pinon-juniper woodland creating unsuitable conditions for Black-throated Gray Warbler, and an increase in outdoor enthusiast use, especially mountain bikers and hikers going off trail. The site is relatively secure from encroaching development and concurrent habitat fragmentation."

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