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Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge was officially established in 1939. While the southern reaches of New Mexico are dominated by the Chihuahuan Desert, this sprawling state plays host to a wealth of different landscapes, with vast forests and snow-capped peaks both found within its borders—and when it comes to showcasing native biodiversity, few destinations can compare to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Brimming with lush wetlands, this site acts as a crucial refuge for hundreds of New Mexican species, with both migratory and resident fauna found in abundance during a visit. When it comes to ecotourism, Bosque del Apache is best known for its excellent birdwatching opportunities, with over 400 different species recorded on eBird over the years. While waterfowl are a particular focus for winter birders, the preserve is most commonly associated with one species in particular—namely, the sandhill crane. From roughly November to February, these striking creatures arrive in droves to the Bosque del Apache wetlands, with tens of thousands of individuals congregating all at once. This high concentration of cranes has given rise to the Festival of the Cranes, an event that seeks to celebrate the refuge’s most famous winter visitors—but of course, the surrounding region has far more to offer than just one species. The snow goose's native range spans from the Arctic Circle to central Mexico. Amidst the many sandhill cranes that appear during the winter, birders are also drawn to several different goose species, with the snow goose and Ross’s goose being two particularly sought-after sights. Beyond that, other waterfowl span from the bufflehead to the green-winged teal to the Mexican duck, while springtime visitors can look forward to a diverse array of waders including the lesser yellowlegs, Wilson’s phalarope and snowy plover. Hummingbirds abound as well, with species like the broad-tailed, black-chinned and calliope all thriving throughout the area—and while each aforementioned species uses the Bosque del Apache area as a crucial roosting site around migration season, the region is rife with resident birds as well. During a visit, birders can scope out year-round New Mexico locals like the Gambel's quail and greater roadrunner, the latter of which serves as the official state bird. Of course, birds aren’t the only form of fauna that call the wetlands of New Mexico home. On the larger side, native mammals include species like the elk and American black bear, while collared peccaries—a pig-like animal that thrives across the Southwestern United States—can also be found roaming the surrounding grasslands in small herds. Northern grasshopper mice, white-throated woodrats and black-tailed prairie dogs are just a few of the refuge’s native rodent species, and beyond mammals, herpetology buffs can also look forward to famed desert reptiles like the western diamondback rattlesnake and Texas horned lizard. MORE FOR YOU The greater roadrunner was designated the state bird of New Mexico in 1949. Though not particularly well-known for its ecotourism opportunities, those who venture to New Mexico will be richly rewarded with a diverse range of biomes, each one playing host to its own unique collection of native birds. As you plan your next foray into the Land of Enchantment, be sure to save some room on the itinerary for an early morning trip to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, a crucial biodiversity hotspot that allows New Mexico’s avifauna to flourish as they have for millennia across the arid reaches of North America. Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions
