Recent Birds at Rio Bosque
Water deliveries to the park from the Roberto Bustamante Wastewater Treatment Plant resumed 5 May. These flows are are starting to reflood the upstream part of the old river channel. The wetland cells continue to be largely dry.
The park's first spring arrival was a Black-chinned Hummingbird on 28 March, followed by Swainson's Hawk on 5 April, Bell's Vireo on 13 April, Western Kingbird on 14 April and Yellow-breasted Chat on 16 April.
The park's pair of White-tailed Kites has not been seen since 7 October 2025. A Cooper's Hawk pair currently has an active nest.
Burrowing Owls are currently using 2 sites in the northern portion of the park.
Northern Cardinals continue to be seen along the old river channel within the park.
You can download the current field checklist for the park here.
You can view recent Rio Bosque bird observations posted to eBird here.
| Species | Date | Number |
| Mississippi Kite | 12 May | 1 |
| Yellow-breasted Chat | 12 May | 3 |
| Western Tanager | 12 May | 1 |
| Blue Grosbeak | 12 May | 1 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 11 May | 1 |
| Burrowing Owl | 11 May | 1 |
| Bell's Vireo | 11 May | 2 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 10 May | 3 |
| Crissal Thrasher | 10 May | 1 |
| Black-necked Stilt | 9 May | 1 |
| Northern Cardinal | 9 May | 2 |
| Lesser Nighthawk | 8 May | 1 |
| Common Yellowthroat | 8 May | 1 |
| Green Heron | 5 May | 1 |
| N. Rough-winged Swallow | 5 May | 1 |
| Black-crowned Night Heron | 30 Apr | 1 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 28 Apr | 1 |
| Lark Sparrow | 28 Apr | 6-8 |
| Monk Parakeet | 27 Apr | 1 |
| White-faced Ibis | 26 Apr | 100 |
| Western Screech-Owl | 19 Apr | 1 |
| Merlin | 16 Apr | 1 |
