Recent Birds at Rio Bosque

Water deliveries to Rio Bosque from the adjacent Roberto Bustamante Wastewater Treatment Plant resumed 1 May.  Water is flowing the length of the old river channel within the park.  Portions of the wetland cells are flooded, but the water in the wetland cells is largely hidden by extensive emergent plant growth. 

Since 16 June, at least two and likely more Yellow-billed Cuckoos have been consistently present. 

Soras have been calling in recent days from the dense vegetation in Wetland Cell 1.  A Least Bittern along the old river channel 30 June represented a first record of this species for the park; the bird was still present 10 July. 

White-tailed Kites have not been seen since 28 Mar.  Mississippi Kites were hunting consistently over the park in May and early June but have been seen only sporadically since.  Harris's Hawks are being seen consistently. 

Western Screech-Owls and Burrowing Owls are present but hard to find.  For Burrowing Owls, check the artificial burrow structures located on earthen mounds in the northwest and southwest corners of the park. 

Prominent summer residents right now include Bell's Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat, Northern Cardinal, Blue Grosbeak and Painted Bunting.  Two Western Tanagers on 23 July provided a first sign of southbound migration. 

You can download the current field checklist for the park here.

You can view recent Rio Bosque bird observations posted to eBird here.

Noteworthy birds seen at the park during the past month: