As the fifth-largest state and with incredible biodiversity, it should come as no surprise that New Mexico attracts birders from around the world who come to enjoy some of our favorite birding spots. This summer is a perfect time to visit - or revisit - an area renowned for its impressive bird habitat: the Upper Rio Grande Gorge in Taos County.
Beginning at the Colorado border, the Upper Rio Grande Gorge extends to below Taos and includes approximately 25 miles of the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River. Its dominant features are the 200- to 2,600-foot width and 300- to 800-foot-deep gorges carved into the basalt lava flows.
Because the Upper Rio Grande Gorge and nearby areas are essential to birds for breeding, wintering and migrating, the National Audubon Society's New Mexico State Office, in partnership with Bird Life International, has designated this area as an Important Bird Area (IBA). The Upper Rio Grande Gorge meets the IBA criteria because the area regularly supports significant densities of one or more of the species listed as endangered or threatened in New Mexico, and has exceptional habitat where a full complement of bird species make their homes. This area has also been identified as a priority habitat area in New Mexico's State Wildlife Action Plan through the Department of Game & Fish and is one of Audubon New Mexico's critical priority areas for habitat protection.
This part of the gorge hosts a great diversity of passerine birds, including the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher. Canyon walls provide habitat and essential nesting areas for hawks and eagles. Mixed habitats attract different species; depending on if you are closer to the river or up on the mesa, you may find American Dipper year-round; Bullock's Oriole in the spring and summer; plentiful Canyon and Rock Wrens; Rufous-crowned, Black-chinned, Black-throated and Brewer's Sparrows; Piñon Jay and Bushtit all year; and breeding Golden Eagle and Peregrine Falcon.
One rare find Audubon has identified in the area are the breeding pairs of Virginia's Warbler - a neotropical migrant whose breeding range is restricted to the Intermountain West and southern Rocky Mountains. Its relatively small range and population size make it a species of concern. The collaborative public-private bird conservation organization, Partners in Flight, estimates there may only be about 410,000 Virginia's Warblers in existence today, and during breeding season, about a third of them make their home in our state. Thus, New Mexico has a vital stewardship responsibility for this species.
Audubon encourages additional monitoring to better understand species trends. And it's not just an amazing assembly of birds that can be found in the Rio Grande Gorge region. Animals big and small - including chipmunk, squirrel, beaver, porcupine, mule deer, elk, gray fox, coyote, badger, bear, bobcat and mountain lion - live in the riparian areas or sage and forests of the high mesas.
We are fortunate to be able to visit this special wild place for birdwatching, wildlife watching, fishing, camping, climbing and more. But today there is no guarantee that years from now it will be the same. No guarantee that future generations will know the thrill of seeing a Virginia's Warbler or Golden Eagle or any of the amazing birds in flight.
That's why Audubon New Mexico applauds the proposal by Senator Jeff Bingaman to protect this public land as a National Conservation Area. His bill will ensure that no further development or mineral extraction will occur here, but traditional uses such as hunting and collecting piñon nuts and firewood will still be allowed.
As the state office of the National Audubon Society, Audubon New Mexico's mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds and other wildlife and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. More detail on the Audubon Society's birding trail for northern New Mexico and additional information about our work to conserve and restore Important Bird Areas under "Birds in New Mexico" may be found online at nm.audubon.org/Birds.html.
Partners in Flight is a cooperative effort involving partnerships among federal, state and local government agencies, philanthropic foundations, professional organizations, conservation groups, industry, the academic community and private individuals.
Stockdale is the vice president and executive director of Audubon New Mexico, the state office of the National Audubon Society.