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It seems like almost everyone goes to Bosque in November or early December at the latest. I'm about out of vacation for this year, and my daughter really wants to go to Bosque this upcoming winter season.

How is the first week of January? Will the numbers / species be much different then than end of November / early December?

Thanks!

It will be just as good up until mid-late January. It used to be good up until late February, but things have warmed up a lot in recent years. There are always birds moving up from points south even up until late February. You will also find that the crowds are much thinner then. Here’s a link for you:

https://www.naturescapes.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=257497

And another:

https://www.naturescapes.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=267133

Joe

November has seen dropping numbers of birds over the past 6 years and really isn't recommended for most photographers anymore unless it is part of a trip to attend the Crane Festival.

I used to go every year the week after Thanksgiving, but have slipped further into December to maximize the presence of Cranes and Geese.  This year I will be going across the weekend of the 13th..........Last year it seemed that everybody that does a workshop had finally decided that the first week of December was "the time" to go, and for several days you almost couldn't find a parking place along the access road (which does not have improved shoulders) or in the parking lots along the North ponds each morning/evening.  You could still get a good photo position along the berms along the ponds but a lot of the photography was of the geese, as they actually outnumbered the cranes.  I got good images (as usual) and the refuge staff is back to planting new cornfields which holds a lot of birds on the refuge (as opposed to the previous 4-5 years).  Also lots of deer, coyote, javalina and a fair number of ducks (though the numbers were seriously down as compared to 5-6 years ago).  Other birds and raptors were also present and pretty easy to find.

I have friends who live in the area and they are reporting that the birds have begun major northward movement by early February and are almost gone by the last week of the month.

So I would say that if you went the first or second week of January you should find the birds at or near the same level as in December.

FYI, the mornings will generally be COLD, in the teens and 20s at best, even if it warms up to the 50s/60s during the day.  If you are lucky enough to get snow or a winter front coming through, bundle up and get to work - it will be beautiful, but slick on the roads.

Gene

Here's a quick reference for temperatures at San Antonio, just north of the Bosque:

https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/san-a ... r=1/1/2018

Here's a reference to the current farming done on the refuge, as compared to prior years:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=279150

Joe

Thanks everyone! Sounds like the first week in January is a good time to visit.

Here’s a link to the latest bird counts. It is updated frequently.

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L127945

Joe

My daughter and I will be there January 1-4th in case any of you all are in the area then.

You might want to keep checking here:

https://m.facebook.com/BosquedelApacheNWR/

https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/2018-12-fws-contingency-plan.pdf

I think the tour route is still open from what I gather. If I hear anything, I'll keep you posted.

We’re in the middle of a very cold spell right now and there is snow forecast for Jan.1. Here’s a link to current conditions and weather forecasts:

https://www.krqe.com/weather/map-center

If you come, I would highly recommend hand and toe warmers and good gloves. There is a Walmart in Socorro where you can probably find some. Again, it is very cold right now and for the next week!
Here is a link to recent temps. As you will see, temps dropped dramatically from just recently.

https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/san-antonio-nm/87832/month/2235835?monyr=12/01/2018

Joe

SantaFeJoe wrote:You might want to keep checking here:

https://m.facebook.com/BosquedelApacheNWR/

https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/2018-12-fws-contingency-plan.pdf

I think the tour route is still open from what I gather. If I hear anything, I'll keep you posted.

We’re in the middle of a very cold spell right now and there is snow forecast for Jan.1. Here’s a link to current conditions and weather forecasts:

https://www.krqe.com/weather/map-center

If you come, I would highly recommend hand and toe warmers and good gloves. There is a Walmart in Socorro where you can probably find some. Again, it is very cold right now and for the next week!
Here is a link to recent temps. As you will see, temps dropped dramatically from just recently.

https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/san-antonio-nm/87832/month/2235835?monyr=12/01/2018

Joe

Yeah, we ended up getting snowed out of Bosque.