General Information
Thursday Birders meet almost every Thursday in Albuquerque. You don’t need to let the leader know you will be attending – just show up at the meeting spot no later than the specified time. Although rare, any changes to the schedule will be posted here as needed. You are therefore encouraged to check this page before heading out in case of recent changes. For trips with limited numbers of vehicles or people, or for any other questions you have, contact thursdaybirders@gmail.com to reserve your spot.
Click here – Checklist Archive – for eBird Checklists from past Thursday Birder trips
Click here – About Us – for a history and more information on Thursday Birders
Click here – Recent Trips – to learn more about some of our recent trips
DECEMBER 2022
December 1
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge – 7:50AM – 3PM
Special Festival of Cranes trip: https://friendsofbosquedelapache.org/festival/
There will be space for eight cars. If you’d like to go, please arrange to carpool and email us at thursdaybirders@gmail.com by February 15 to reserve your spot.
Meet at the South Valley Railrunner parking lot, Camino del Tren Ave.
GPS coordinates – (35.030140, -106.6568077)
Difficulty Level – 90 mile drive each way, plus driving and some short walks at Refuge.
Bring a picnic lunch.
Leader – Bob Wilcox
December 8
Rio Grande Nature Center State Park – 8:55AM – 12 Noon
GPS coordinates – (35.1295, -106.6820)
Meet at the wetland blind in the northeast corner of the Nature Center parking lot.
Note that a $3 parking fee, State Parks Pass, or Friends of the RGNC pass is required per car, and that the Visitor Center and restrooms open at 10AM.
Difficulty Level – one mile on flat, even trails.
Following a guided walk behind the Nature Center, we will hold our holiday get-together inside the RGNC Education Building. Please bring a donation of $3 towards cookies and a hot drink.
Leaders – Leah Henzler and Karen Herzenberg
December 15
Holiday Season – No trip scheduled.
December 22
Holiday Season – No trip scheduled.
December29
Holiday Season – No trip scheduled.
JANUARY 2023
January 5
Albuquerque Open Space Bosque Trails – 8:25AM – 11AM
Meet in the east end of the parking lot of Sagebrush Church near the trail bridge: from Coors Boulevard NW turn east on La Orilla Rd. Proceed to the end of La Orilla and turn left into the parking lot.
GPS coordinates (35.161965, -106.675091)
Difficulty Level – two miles on flat trails, some uneven and sandy.
NO RESTROOMS
Leader – Sara Jayne Cole
January 12
Tingley Ponds and Bosque – 8:25AM – 11AM
https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/biopark/tingley
Meet at the north end of the Tingley Beach parking lot
GPS coordinates – (35.088596, -106.677003).
Difficulty Level – one and a half miles – flat with sandy trails.
Leader – Mary Raje
January 19
Tijeras Arroyo Bosque Trails – 8:25AM – 11AM
Directions: From Rio Bravo, turn left onto 2nd street. Turn right onto Sunnyslope, (second left past Joy Junction). Take Sunnyslope until it turns to the left at the arroyo. This street comes to a dead end shortly after the turn, and parking is along the right side of the road by the arroyo.
GPS Coordinates (35.007746, -106.671892)
Distance is approximately 2 miles.
Difficulty Level – two miles, mostly flat with sandy trails with one short descent.
NO RESTROOMS
Leaders – Darlene Benedict and Deanna Nichols
January 26
Willow Creek Bosque Open Space – 8:25AM – 11AM
https://rrnm.gov/1956/Willow-Creek-Bosque
Meet in trailhead parking lot. Directions: go east on Willow Creek Rd NE from 528, 1.8 miles south of 550 in Bernalillo. After 0.1 mile, turn left after Spruce Mountain Rd NE. (gravel road marked Bosque Trail leading to trailhead parking lot).
Difficulty Level – one and a half miles – flat with some uneven trails.
NO RESTROOMS
Leader – Ginny Davis
FEBRUARY 2023
February 2
Pueblo Montaño Trailhead – 8:25AM – 11AM
https://www.cabq.gov/parksandrecreation/open-space/lands/rio-grande-valley-state-park
GPS coordinates – (35.147886, – 106.684174)
Meet in the trail head parking lot on the south side of Montaño Rd NW, just east of Coors Blvd NW.
Difficulty level – two miles, flat with some uneven, sandy trails.
Leaders – Glenda Morling, Maxine Schmidt, David Watkins
February 9
Mariposa Basin Park – 8:25AM – 11AM
https://www.cabq.gov/parksandrecreation/parks/prescription-trails/87120/marisposa-basin-park
Meet at south end the parking lot of Mariposa Park, off Taylor Ranch Rd NW just north of Kachina St NW. The park has a pond and a natural, swampy area, in addition to trees and lawns.
GPS Coordinates (35.1557479, -106.694350)
Difficulty level – one mile on flat, even ground, with one short incline.
Leaders – Susan and Jim Hunter
February 16
North Corrales – Siphon Beach trail access – 8:25AM – 12 noon
Meet at 8:25AM in the parking lot north of Boxing Bear Brewery, 10200 Corrales Rd, Albuquerque, NM 87114.
GPS coordinates – (35.203801, -106.644975)
Carpool to north end of Corrales to Siphon Beach bosque access, as there is limited parking at the trailhead. Those going directly to Siphon Beach, meet there at 8:45AM
Difficulty level – one and a half miles on flat trails – some uneven, one short incline.
NO RESTROOMS.
Leader – Perrianne Houghton
February 23
Coyote del Malpais Golf Course, Grants – 6:50AM – 2PM
https://www.cityofgrants.net/coyote-del-malpais-golf-course
There will only be space for 15 people. Please email us at thursdaybirders@gmail.com by February 15th to reserve your spot and to let us know at which location you intend to join the trip.
Meet at 6:50AM for a 7:00AM departure from the southeast corner of the parking lot at Lowe’s Home Improvement on I-40 and 12th St NW.
GPS Coordinates – (35.111292, -106.647267)
Secondary Meeting Place and break / snack stop – 8AM – Sky City Travel Center Express – I-40, exit 89
GPS coordinates – (35.086117, -107.770001)
Bring picnic lunch or buy lunch in clubhouse.
Difficulty level – a 75 mile drive then three mile walk on mainly even turf.
Leaders – Peter Neils and Sue Chavez