Friends of the Bosque del Apache keep the census of waterfowl at one of America’s great wildlife refuges. Click to see the lovely photos, which rotate every few seconds.
And this photo is a must! Read the caption and listen to the recording. Isn’t nature awesome?
In the 1930s, the Rocky Mountain population of greater sandhill cranes was severely declining. Habitat loss in wintering and breeding areas, land use changes and other factors had taken their toll on the population. In 1941, fewer than 20 sandhills wintered on Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).
Since 1939, refuge staff, volunteers, cooperators, and other agencies have worked to restore wintering habitat along the Rio Grande for the cranes. Intensive management on the refuge, including moist soil management (growing natural wetland foods), cooperative agriculture, and crop manipulation have helped the population recover dramatically. Bosque del Apache NWR hosts about three-quarters of the Rocky Mountain sandhill crane population each winter, totaling up to 15,000 birds.
In addition to the sandhill cranes, the refuge is also a wintering stopover or home for snow geese, Ross’ geese, pintails, shovelers, mallards, and a host of other waterfowl. The spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities contribute to the fact that Bosque del Apache NWR is consistently recognized as one of the top birding areas in the country. Enjoy our trails, observation decks, and tour loop during your Festival visit.
Thanks to Pika at Duke City Fix for the reminder.
When I was a kid I used to swim in a lake where there was a pair of great blue herons. Every summer, people from the state would come out to visit the herons, to make sure they were OK because great blues were so rare.
The other night, driving home from work, I passed a man-made lake in a McMansion subdivision, and there on the side of the lake were two great blue herons. Apparently, the birds have made quite a comeback.