Field trips are free and open to the general public. Entry fees to some areas may be required and driving costs are shared. On all field trips wear appropriate clothing and bring water and binoculars. Locations subject to change due to weather, lack of birds and other factors.

Scheduled Field Trips:

March 7, 2010: Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park

If you miss the regular MVAS trips or you just want another opportunity to go birding close to home, be sure and check out the MVBSP Sunday Morning Bird Walks. Some are guided by MVAS members; meet at the MVBSP Visitor Center (west of the Rio Grande and south of Calle del Norte). Walks start at 8:15am.


March 20, 2010: Holloman Lakes Important Bird Area and White Sands National Monument

We will make our annual spring visit to the wetland complex at Holloman Air Force Base to look for waterfowl, shorebirds, waterbirds, gulls and raptors. If time allows we will make a stop at White Sands National Monument to explore a small, little-visited and rarely birded area. To register for this trip or for further information, contact David Griffin by March 18 at 575-382-2080 or GriffinBio@gmail.com. Trip is limited to 15 participants.


April 24 & 25, 2010: All Audubon Meeting/Milnesand Lesser Prairie Chicken Area

Join us for a multi-day trip to the eastern plains south of Portales, New Mexico during the height of the Lesser Prairie Chicken mating season. Witness the increasingly rare Lesser Prairie Chicken fantastic courtship where birds gather to display and choose mates. All are invited: This will be a joint trip between Audubon New Mexico, New Mexico Audubon Council, all NM Audubon chapters and other bird clubs. There will be a meeting to hear updates from chapters, the state office and the NM Audubon Council, as well as to discuss planning and strategies. MVAS members will meet other Audubon members from around the state and learn of their projects. We will also volunteer on a work project related to Lesser Prairie Chicken conservation, which will provide a connection between you and the future survival of this declining species. The best part of the trip will be an early pre-dawn visit to one of the leks in the area to witness first-hand the booming calls of a courting male and marvel at his inflated burnt-orange air sacs, erect neck feathers and cocked tail, all while he struts and jumps and tries to win the heart of some nearby female! More specific information about this trip is forthcoming and will be announced at the MVAS March and April monthly chapter meetings; check the Audubon NM website at: http://nm.audubon.org/ and our website for updates. To register contact David Griffin at 575-382-2080 or GriffinBio@gmail.com.


Birding Las Cruces!
Starting March 11th, MVAS will offer local birding trips on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of March and April (3/11, 3/25, 4/8 and 4/22).
Trips start at 8:00 am and last 2 to 2.5 hours. Meet at the north end of the Loretto Town Center parking lot (south of the downtown mall at Lohman Ave and Main St). The trips will be geared to the Beginning Birder. Destinations will be determined the day of the trip based on weather and recent sightings. All trips will be within 15 - 20 minutes of Las Cruces. For further information and reservations, please contact John Douglas at 575-541-0133 or jlddouglas@zianet.com.


Birding Hotspots

Southern New Mexico is lucky to have so many excellent places to bird. These are reproduced below for you. Enjoy!
Dona Ana County

*MVAS has compiled a preliminary bird list for Leasburg Dam State Park. This list is available as a printable .pdf document. It is designed as a double sided, three fold brochure. Click here to get your Preliminary Bird List for Leasburg Dam State Park.

 Other Hotspots within driving distance