What is the main importance of the Bosque del Apache National Refuge?

What is the main importance of the Bosque del Apache National Refuge?

Situated between the Chupadera Mountains to the west and the San Pascual Mountains to the east, the 57,331 acre Bosque del Apache was established in 1939 to provide a critical stopover site for migrating waterfowl. The refuge is well known for the tens of thousands of cranes, geese, and ducks who winter here each year.

Is there water at Bosque del Apache?

When thousands of migratory birds arrive at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, they find fresh water in the impoundment ponds, and acres of habitat and wetlands to gather, feed, and rest. Lowering water levels in marshes to create moist fields promotes growth of native marsh plants.

Are there birds at Bosque del Apache?

Bosque del Apache is home and rest-stop for a large variety of songbirds. Year-round residents include spotted towhee, black phoebe, greater roadrunner, and curve-billed thrasher. Winter brings song sparrow, western bluebird, and white-crowned sparrow.

Are the sandhill cranes at Bosque del Apache?

Their powerful calls and elaborate dances have captivated audiences globally, including sandhill cranes at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Sandhill cranes typically begin to arrive in central New Mexico and at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in late October and stay through mid February.

Where are the sandhill cranes in New Mexico?

In New Mexico, the principal wintering area for lesser sandhill cranes is along the Pecos Valley with the majority wintering on Bitter Lakes NWR. Other sizable populations are scattered near the city of Portales and Grulla NWR in Roosevelt County.

Are dogs allowed in Bosque del Apache?

Pets are not allowed in the Visitor Center. Hunters are allowed to use dogs when hunting, as per State of New Mexico hunting regulations. Dogs must be restrained when not hunting. Horseback riding is only allowed on the East Side of the refuge in support of legal hunting in the hunt area.

What animals are Bosque Apache?

However, Bosque del Apache isn’t just for the birds. Other residents included mule deer, coyotes, javelina, and western diamondback rattlesnakes. The refuge, is split in two by the hushed flow of the Rio Grande.

Is Bitter Lake open?

The Refuge lands are open to the public, even though our Visitor Center remains closed due to COVID-19 pandemic. The map shows our visitor trails, overlook observation areas, auto tour road, and lakes. The Refuge is open every day from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. The tour road is open daily.

Where do sandhill cranes go in the winter?

Each winter they undertake long southern journeys to wintering grounds in Florida, Texas, Utah, Mexico, and California. En route, more than three-fourths of all sandhill cranes use migratory staging areas in a single 75-mile stretch along Nebraska’s Platte River.

How many cranes are at the Bosque del Apache?

It is incredible spectacle of migration. Its a home to around 14,000 Sandhill Cranes, and over 32,000 Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese from November to February.

What do Sandhill Cranes eat in New Mexico?

Sandhill cranes feed on seeds, grains and other foods from surface land. Waste corn is a primary food source, while other important foods include sorghum, alfalfa, grasshoppers and sow bugs. Cranes probe shallow marshes for chufa tubers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8B83LRajRY