Bosque del Apache FCU Rally

[Airstream25]

Bosque del Apache Nat. Wildlife Refuge
Birdwatchers RV Park - FCU Rally
Nov. 9-11, 2007

Come to south central NM to see thousands of waterfowl arrive for their winter home. Best time for viewing is the evening fly in at sunset. Here is a quote from their web site;


"Bosque del Apache is Spanish for "woods of the Apache," and is rooted in the time when the Spanish observed Apaches routinely camped in the riverside forest. Since then the name has come to mean one of the most spectacular national wildlife refuges in North America. Here, tens of thousands of birds--including sandhill cranes, Arctic geese, and many kinds of ducks--gather each autumn and stay through the winter. Feeding snow geese erupt in explosions of wings when frightened by a stalking coyote, and at dusk, flight after flight of geese and cranes return to roost in the marshes." Information video 17 minutes


The refuge has a visitors center and an automobile loop road through the refuge plus hiking trails and observation platforms. Plan to bring your camera and binoculars or spotting scope. It will be chilly at sunset that time of year. Bring warm clothes, a thermos of something hot and lawn chairs.


Make your reservations directly with;

BIRD WATCHERS RV PARK
San Antonio, NM 87832
505.835.1366
30 RV Hookups - $20/night


If you chose to stay over, you may enjoy the many structured events planned during the Festival of the Cranes. See their web site for more info.
Festival of the Cranes Nov. 13-18, 2007


Birdwatchers RV Park is the only RV park near the refuge. It will definitely get booked up. Plan to make your reservations directly with them now if you plan to stay over during the Festival of the Cranes.

Note added 10-27-07:
Due to medical and other complications, Airstream25, (Carol & I), will no longer be attending this rally. If the park fills up, I can release my reservation to whom ever needs it.

Please carry on without us. We have enjoyed it a number of times in the past and will likely revisit the refuge in the future.

Our suggestion is to go see the exhibits at the visitors center during the early afternoon then start the loop drive through the refuge about an hour or two before sunset to have time to drive slowly and see the wildlife. Look for the grain fields along the north end of the loop. Find a place to park, set up your lawn chairs and have your binoculars and cameras ready for the evening fly in. Warm clothes and a thermos of something hot will be appreciated.
Jerry

[westernviews]

I am currently at the Bird Watchers RV Park. Just got back from taking pictures at the wildlife refuge. It is just beautiful here, a real bird watchers' paradise, and really worth the trip.

[Ken J]

Western

How long are you there for? Can you join us?

Can you attach some of your pictures?

So many questions......


Ken J.

[westernviews]

Here are some pictures taken in just a few hours today.

In the first one there is a turtle on the right side of the wood with the birds. Didn't see it when taking the picture.

Just got the tail end of a wet coyote. Looked a lot healthier than the coyotes in Southern California.

[Ken J]

Great pictures!

So all you NM, TX and AZ folks - any interest in joining us?

Ken

[Boondocker]

I sure wish I was able to attend. Just my kind of thing.

[Ken J]

Just come on over! Its a great time of year to go camping down there.

[Boondocker]

Originally Posted by Ken J

Just come on over! Its a great time of year to go camping down there.

Love to, but: 500 miles each way is a loong weekend.

[Ken J]

Yea - that might be alot for a weekend.

It is a really cood area though....

Ken J.

[azflycaster]

Ken - We would love to attend this rally, but have a commitment that we are locked into. It will be an ideal time to visit and the pictures will be fantastic. Can't wait to see them!

[Airstream25]

Here is a picture at Bosque del Apache from Jan. 2002.
See if you can count the birds

[flyfshr]

I count 347 of them. Anyone care to disagree? I wish we were able to do this as well. Looks like a great place for just sitting around and watching the wildlife. No, not the ones around the margarita ball. That comes after dark.

Brad
FF

[Ken J]

They all take off at one time - its a site to see - but, I have a question - which bird in that picture decides when its time to take off?? :-)

Ken

[Boondocker]

Originally Posted by Ken J

They all take off at one time - its a site to see - but, I have a question - which bird in that picture decides when its time to take off?? :-)

Ken

Easy, the one the other birds are following

[lithoplate]

Although we would love to be there, we have prior commitments. Maybe next year. Ray & Rose Mary

[Ken J]

Ray and Rose sorry to hear that....

Gen - well yea - but I want to know who the first bird is, what he says, and when he - or she (sorry my bad) decides to take off.

Ken