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.
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 to assemble pre-arranged carpools of people in your ‘bubble’.
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 – 7:50AM – 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. [11/11/21 Note: This trip is now full; contact us at thursdaybirders@gmail.com to be added to the waiting list in case of any cancellations.]
Meet at 7:50AM for a 8:00AM departure from the southeast corner of the parking lot at Lowe’s Home Improvement on I-40 and 12th St NW to assemble pre-arranged carpools of people in your ‘bubble’.
GPS Coordinates – (35.107782398415935, -106.66021900720882)
Secondary Meeting Place and bathroom break / snack stop – 9AM – 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
Rio Grande Nature Center State Park – 8:55am – 10:30 AM
https://www.rgnc.org/
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 and a half mile on flat, even trails.
Following a guided walk behind the Nature Center, we will hold our holiday get-together at the picnic tables outside the RGNC Education Building. Please bring a donation of $2 towards cookies and a hot drink.
Leaders – Karen Herzenberg and Leah Henzler
December 16 – No Thursday Birders
December 23 – No Thursday Birders
December 30 – No Thursday Birders
December 16 – No Thursday Birders
December 23 – No Thursday Birders
December 30 – No Thursday Birders
JANUARY 2022
January 6
Tingley Ponds and Bosque – 9:03 AM – 12 Noon
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 – Lefty Arnold
January 13
Bernardo Waterfowl Management Area – 8:15 AM – 3 PM
https://www.audubon.org/important-bird-areas/ladd-s-gordon-waterfowl-complex
Meet at the South Valley Railrunner parking lot, Camino del Tren Ave.
GPS coordinates – (35.030140, -106.6568077)
Bring a picnic lunch.
Difficulty Level – 50 miles drive each way, plus driving and viewing at the location.
Leader – Ken Zaslow
January 20
Eastern plains of Torrance County – 8:20 AM – 3 PM
There will be space for eight cars. If you’d like to go, please arrange to carpool with someone in your carpooling bubble and email us at thursdaybirders@gmail.com by January 6th to reserve your spot.
Meet at Tijeras Senior Center parking area (on NM 333/ Rt. 66)
GPS coordinates – (35.07924, -106.3909)
Secondary meeting place, 9AM at Pilot Travel Center on north NM 41 after the second Moriarty exit from I-40
GPS coordinates – (35.0111, -106.0436)
Plans for lunch will be shared before the trip.
Difficulty Level – 100 mile driving tour – focus on raptors
Leader – Bonnie Long
January 27
Rio Grande Nature Center State Park and Bosque – 8:55 AM – 12 Noon
https://www.rgnc.org/
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 and a half mile on flat, even trails.
Leader – Leah and Joe Cairns
FEBRUARY 2022
February 3
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge – 7:50 AM – 3 PM
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/bosque_del_apache/visit/plan_your_visit.html
There will be space for eight cars. If you’d like to go, please arrange to carpool with someone in your carpooling bubble and email us at thursdaybirders@gmail.com by January 27th 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 the Refuge.
Bring a picnic lunch.
Leader – Judy Liddell
February 10
Willow Creek Bosque Open Space – 8:55 AM – 12 Noon
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.
Note there are no restrooms at this site.
Leader – Ginny Davis
February 17
Durand Open Space – 8:55 AM – 12 Noon
https://www.bernco.gov/community-services/open-space/open-space-hidden-pages/properties/durand-open-space/
Meet in Open Space parking lot.
GPS coordinates – (35.003503, -106.689796)
Difficulty Level – one and a half miles on flat, sandy trails.
Optional lunch gathering place after the walk is Abuelita’s (details will be shared at the walk).
Note there are no restrooms at this site.
Leader – Susan Hunter
February 24
Albuquerque Open Space Visitor Center – 8:55 AM – 12 Noon
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.
GPS coordinates – (35.1656, -106.6734)
Difficulty Level – two miles on flat trails, some uneven and sandy
Leader – Sara Jayne Cole