See the current COVID-19 protocols (updated 09/09/21) for Thursday Birder trips described in the following link: Covid Protocols
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, contact thursdaybirders@gmail.com to reserve your spot.
If you have any questions about the Thursday Birders trips, please contact thursdaybirders@gmail.com.
Checklists from past Thursday Birder trips can be viewed on our “Thursday Birder Checklist Archive” page.
For a short history of the Thursday Birders and species seen over the years, visit our “About Thursday Birders” page.
September 2021
September 2
La Ventana Arch & The Narrows – 7:20 AM – late afternoon
https://www.blm.gov/visit/el-malpais-nca
Part of the El Malpais NCA, 80 miles west of Albuquerque.
Meet at 7:20 a.m. for a 7:30 departure from the southeast corner of the parking lot at Lowe’s Home Improvement on I-40 and 12th St NW.
GPS Coordinates – (35.107782398415935, -106.66021900720882)
After La Ventana we will drive to South Narrows Picnic area. Bring a picnic lunch.
Difficulty level – 180 miles driving plus one mile walk – on mainly level trails.
Leader – Barb Hussey
September 9
Las Huertas Canyon – 9:30AM – 1PM
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cibola/recarea/?recid=64138
Meet at Balsam Glade – $3 parking fee or federal pass.
GPS coordinates – (35.2140262232805, -106.40797531167584)
Las Huertas Canyon road is deeply rutted in places: if possible, please carpool in high clearance vehicles. Bring a picnic lunch.
Difficulty Level – one mile – slight inclines, paved roads; plus some driving.
Leaders – Pauline and Bernie Morris
September 16
Albuquerque Open Space Visitor Center – 8:30AM – 11AM
https://www.cabq.gov/parksandrecreation/open-space/open-space-visitor-center
Meet in the center’s parking lot on the east side of Coors Boulevard.
Difficulty Level – two miles on flat trails, some uneven and sandy.
GPS coordinates – (35.165042277468885, -106.67300337094375)
Leader – Sara Jayne Cole
September 23
Gutierrez-Hubbell House – 8:30AM – 11AM
http://gutierrezhubbellhouse.org/
6029 Isleta Blvd SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87105
GPS coordinates – (34.990402, -106.696091)
Meet at 8:30AM in the parking lot of Gutierrez-Hubbell House (just north of the house and museum)
We will walk around the farm trails and receive an introduction from staff to this beautiful house, museum and outdoor community space, which offers educational opportunities in gardening and farming.
Difficulty Level – one mile on flat, wood chip trails
Leaders – Glenda and Jim Morling
September 30
Cochiti Lake – 7:50AM – 3PM
https://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Cochiti-Lake/
Meet at 7:50 a.m., northwest corner of Target parking lot at I-25/ Paseo del Norte.
GPS coordinates – (35.177845578038436, -106.5821644049309)
(Park in spots facing Paseo del Norte).
Secondary meeting place 8:40AM – at Pueblo Gas Inc – NM 22, immediately west of Santo Domingo exit of I 25.
GPS coordinates – (35.47328857091141, -106.30735747111069)
The group will first walk in Pena Blanca, then drive on to Cochiti Lake for lunch.
There will only be space for six cars. Please arrange to carpool and email us at thursdaybirders@gmail.com by September 23rd to reserve your spot and to let us know at which location you intend to join the trip.
Difficulty Level – 100 mile drive, driving and stopping to bird, with short, mainly flat walks at stops.
Please bring a picnic lunch.
Leader – Judy Liddell
October 2021
October 7
Lou Feltz Cabin – 6:50AM – 3PM
Visit the Feltz family‚ Jemez Mountain cabin near La Cueva with Lou Feltz.
Meet at 6:50 a.m. for a 7:00 departure from south side of Sprouts parking lot, Far North Shopping Center at Academy and San Mateo Blvd., to carpool to the cabin.
GPS coordinates – (35.14901755778149, -106.5857622741258)
Bring a picnic lunch.
Difficulty level – 140 mile drive on some unpaved roads approaching the cabin, sitting or some optional hiking on inclines. Elevation 8,600 ft.
No Leader
October 14
Alameda Open Space – 9AM – 12 noon
http://openspacealliance.org/where-is-open-space/bosque-north-destinations/alameda-picnic-area-trail/
Meet in the parking lot south of Alameda Blvd NW.
GPS Coordinates – (35.195408570795784, -106.6391245313439)
Difficulty Level – one and a half miles – flat with some uneven trails.
Leader – Maurice Mackey
October 21
Embudito Canyon – 9AM – 12 noon
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cibola/recarea/?recid=64560
Meet in the trailhead parking lot.
To reach the canyon, drive east on Montgomery from Tramway, turn left on Glenwood Hills, continue 0.4 of a mile, turn right on Trailhead Road to parking lot.
Difficulty level – one and half miles – slight incline, some uneven ground.
GPS coordinates – (35.136202184395785, -106.4819737447456)
Leader – Linda Otterson
October 28
Belen Marsh and Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area – 8:20AM – 1PM
https://www.valenciaswcd.org/whitfield-wildlife-conservation-area/
Meet at 8:20AM for a 8:30AM departure from the parking lot of Quality Suites on Gibson Blvd, west of University Boulevard.
GPS coordinates – (35.059549613454934, -106.63263818892757)
Secondary Meeting Place – 9 a.m. at the Belen Marsh, exit 195, east one mile, park behind Taco Bell. Bird the Belen Marsh, then proceed to Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area.
Plans for lunch will be shared before the trip.
Difficulty level – 70 mile drive plus one and a half mile walk on flat trails, some uneven.
Leader – Barb Hussey
November 2021
November 4
Michael Emery Trail – 9AM – 12 noon
Sandia Foothills Open Space – east on Spain at Tramway, then south on High Desert.
GPS coordinates – (35.14619808752147, -106.482345488776)
Difficulty level – two miles on medium to fairly steep incline.
Leaders – Glenda and Jim Morling
November 11
North Corrales – Siphon Beach trail access – 9AM – 12 noon
Meet at 8:55AM in the parking lot north of Boxing Bear Brewery, 10200 Corrales Rd, Albuquerque, NM 87114.
GPS coordinates – (35.20380109844676, -106.64497521211663)
Carpool to north end of Corrales to Siphon Beach bosque access, as there is limited parking at the trailhead.
Difficulty level – one and a half miles on flat trails – some uneven. NO RESTROOMS.
Leader – Perrianne Houghton
November 18
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 November 11th 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 – (35.107782398415935, -106.66021900720882)
Secondary Meeting Place and bathroom break / snack stop – 8AM – Sky City Travel Center Express – I-40, exit 89.
GPS coordinates – (35.08611738414711, -107.7700010689793)
Bring picnic lunch or buy lunch in clubhouse.
Difficulty level – 150 mile drive plus a three mile walk on hilly, unpaved, mainly even trails.
Leader – Ken Zaslow
November 25
No Thursday Birder walk – Happy Thanksgiving!
December 2021
December 2
Los Poblanos Open Space – 9AM – 12 noon
https://www.cabq.gov/parksandrecreation/parks/prescription-trails/87107/los-poblanos-open-space
Meet in trail parking lot off Montaño Rd
GPS coordinates – (35.14289115284678, -106.66062484183799)
Difficulty level – one and a half to two miles on flat, even trail
Leader – Perrianne Houghton
December 9
Open Space, Shining River & Winter Potluck – 10AM – 1PM*
Meet at 10AM at Open Space, Shining River Parking Area, directly south of Paseo del Norte, west side of Rio Grande Boulevard.
GPS coordinates – (35.18206682677313, -106.64408854077408)
After birding, drive to Maxine and David Watkins’ home in Los Ranchos to arrive at 11:30AM.
Difficulty level – one and a half miles on flat, trails, some uneven.
*NOTE: This is a tentative plan depending on continuing health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. More details to follow closer to the time.
December 16 – No Thursday Birders
December 23 – No Thursday Birders
December 30 – No Thursday Birders
We have recently (August 2020) started a Thursday Birders Blog as a means to stimulate communication and discussion among Thursday Birders during the pandemic restrictions and may continue it in the future if there is sufficient interest. Please click the link to follow the discussion and submit your comments.
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