Winter in New Mexico Birding Tour with Kim Score
An 8-day winter New Mexico birding route for rosy-finches, cranes, geese, desert birds, raptors and Rio Grande winter specialties.
About this tour
This winter New Mexico itinerary follows the Middle Rio Grande from Albuquerque to Socorro, Bosque del Apache, Elephant Butte Lake, Estancia Valley, Santa Fe and the Sandia/Sangre de Cristo high country.
The route is designed around winter birding highlights: the mass movement of geese and Sandhill Cranes at Bosque del Apache, all three rosy-finches at Sandia Crest, Rio Grande bosque birds, winter waterfowl, raptors and desert specialties.
Published details list Kim Score as the tour leader and describe the tour as a 7-night/8-day winter route. This is a review listing prepared from approved public source material; current dates and availability should be confirmed by Kim.
Birds you can spot
Picoides dorsalis
target
Leucosticte atrata
target
Leucosticte australis
target
Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
target
Corvus cryptoleucus
target
Loxia curvirostra
target
Buteo regalis
target
Callipepla gambelii
target
Leucosticte tephrocotis
target
Carduelis caniceps
target
Geococcyx californianus
target
Dryobates scalaris
target
Sturnella lilianae
target
Sialia currucoides
target
Falco mexicanus
target
Sitta pygmaea
target
Anser rossii
target
Antigone canadensis
target
Callipepla squamata
target
Anser caerulescens
target
Sphyrapicus thyroideus
target
Guides
Itinerary ▼
Arrive at Albuquerque International Sunport and meet the group for an evening orientation dinner.
Begin in the Sandia Mountain foothills for desert species such as Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Cactus Wren and quail, then visit Rio Grande bosque sites and Valle de Oro for waterfowl, songbirds and Greater Roadrunner.
Drive to Sandia Crest through pinyon-juniper, conifer and alpine spruce-fir habitats, targeting nuthatches, sapsuckers, finches and the three rosy-finches before continuing toward Socorro.
Spend a full day at Bosque del Apache, including dawn and field-loop birding for Snow Geese, Ross's Geese, Sandhill Cranes, winter waterfowl, raptors and Rio Grande refuge birds.
Follow the Rio Grande south to Percha Dam, Caballo Lake and Elephant Butte Lake for desert riparian birds, loons, grebes, mergansers, cormorants, pelicans and winter gulls.
Bird north from Socorro through Middle Rio Grande sites and Estancia Valley for winter raptors, longspurs, Chihuahuan Raven and meadowlarks before reaching Santa Fe.
Explore Santa Fe Canyon Preserve and the Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway/Ski Basin for riparian and high-elevation species, then return to Albuquerque for the final evening.
Breakfast and departure flights from Albuquerque International Sunport.
Locations & map
- Albuquerque - New Mexico United States (Arrival city and access point for Sandia foothills and Rio Grande bosque birding.)
- Sandia Crest - New Mexico United States (High-elevation rosy-finch and conifer forest birding.)
- Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge - New Mexico United States (Rio Grande floodplain refuge famous for wintering geese, cranes and waterfowl.)
- Elephant Butte Lake - New Mexico United States (Large reservoir for wintering grebes, gulls and waterbirds.)
- Estancia Valley - New Mexico United States (Grassland and agricultural valley for winter raptors, longspurs and Chihuahuan Raven.)
- Santa Fe Ski Basin - New Mexico United States (High-elevation Sangre de Cristo birding for northern Rocky Mountain species.)
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: Winter season, with December to February noted as best for mild weather and maximum winter bird activity.
Included
- In-country accommodations - Included according to the source page.
- Meals and soft drinks - Included according to the source page.
- Ground transportation and guiding - Included according to the source page.
- Entrance fees - Included according to the source page.
Not included
- Alcoholic beverages, gift shop purchases, laundry and personal expenses - Excluded according to the source page.
Transport & stays
- Group road transport Ground transportation is included according to the source page. | Meet: Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) | Pickup: Arrival details confirmed after inquiry.
Accommodations
- Route lodging (days 1-8) To be confirmed
Policies & FAQ
Cancellation Policy
Payment Terms
Insurance & Safety
How are inquiries handled?
Use the BirdWatch inquiry form. BirdWatch will route the inquiry to Kim Score / Natural Selections Tours for current availability and booking details.
Are prices and availability final?
Published source pricing is included for review, but current availability, deposit terms and final inclusions should be confirmed after inquiry.
Are bird sightings guaranteed?
No. These itineraries visit productive habitats for the listed target birds, but sightings depend on season, weather and daily bird activity.