BIRDING B0SQUE DEL APACHE NWR
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge lies between the Chupadera and San Pascual Mountains in south-central New Mexico. During the winter, tens of thousands of snow geese seek refuge here and an estimated 18,000 sandhill cranes descend on the refuge's cornfields The Bosque del Apache Festival of the Cranes, held each year in November, celebrates the cranes return with guided tours, exhibits and workshops.
Cottonwood and willow trees line the nine miles of Rio Grande River running through the refuge, and Bosque's riparian habitat, meadows and man-made impoundments attract 377 species of birds - making Bosque one of the premier birding hotspots in North America. You can tour Bosque by car on a twelve mile loop tour (with optional shorter loops available) and can stop at optional handicap viewing platforms. Refuge staff also maintain butterfly gardens and hummingbird feeders at the visitor center and park store. WHERE TO STAY AND EAT: Lodging is available in Socorro or San Antonio, New Mexico: Socorro Chamber of Commerce Lodging Guide. The Birdwatcher's RV Park offers camping near the refuge. For beef-eaters, the Owl Bar and Cafe in San Antonio specializes in green chili cheese burgers. DIRECTIONS: From Socorro, New Mexico, drive south on I-25 to exit 139 at San Antonio. Take route 380 east for 1/2 mile and then follow State Highway 1 south for 8 miles to the refuge entrance. REFUGE INFORMATION: Refuge Bird List 
Splashing Ross's Goose at Bosque del Apache. Copyright Steven Holt/soaringseal.com. Click on image to order print.
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