Mesilla State Park in Fall

Migration is strong this autumn along Rio Grande valley in New Mexico USA.

September proved to be quite stormy pushing down delightful flocks of White-throated Swifts

The humming birds left quite suddenly as the nights became longer and mornings became cold on

the 26th of  September our  summer companions Black-chinned and Broad-tailed, became conspicuous by their absence. Leaving the feeders empty and forlorn. The back yards seem empty now, although other passage migrants replace them. In October an influx of American Robins take centre stage, while autumn moult hormones trigger the singing mode of the Curve-billed Thrasher and the wonderful fall morning serenade.  

Autumn 2015 would seem to be the season for juvenile raptors. Obviously the influx of small passerines and the numerous Quail are major contributing factors. A Juvenile Peregrine falcon was present or two weeks from early October. It was a real pleasure to watch this bird practice and develop its hunting skills on the flocks of dove.  

Cooper and Sharp-shinned Hawk could be observed daily 
In the middle of October the first Northern Harriers arrive.  

A peak in small passerine numbers generated raptor activities

Juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk                                                                                                        © Richard Anderton

American Kestrel                              © Richard Anderton

Cooper's Hawk        © Richard Anderton




Northern Harrier                                                            © Richard Anderton

Warm pacific currents known as El Nino have influenced New Mexican weather. This summer was blessed with much rain. Producing lush vegetation and in turn an abundance of pond life. Even large fish have found their way from the Rio Grande through the waterways to the ponds inside the Mesilla state park. Many passage migrants and resident birds benefit from this availability and abundance of food. Making the fall species list, quite impressive. A peak in small passerine number generated spectacular raptor activities   

 

Loggerhead Shrike                             © Richard Anderton

 

White-crowned Sparrow                       © Richard Anderton

Western Scrub-Jay                               © Richard Anderton

Gadwall                                             © Richard Anderton










 



American Wigeon   © Richard Anderton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Autumn Bird Species

Pied-billed Grebe

 

Great Blue Heron  Snowy Egret

White-faced Ibis

Wood Duck

Mallard

Gadwall

American Wigeon

Green-winged Teal

Cinnamon Teal

Blue-winged Teal

Northern Harrier

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Copper's Hawk

Swainson's Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

American Kestrel

Peregrine Falcon

Gambel's Quail

Sora

Common Moorhen

American Coot

Sandhill Crane

Killdeer

White-winged Dove

Mourning Dove

Inca Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

Greater Roadrunner

Lesser Nighthawk

White-throated Swift

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Black Phoebe

Say's Phoebe

Loggerhead Shrike

Western Scrub Jay

American Crow

Chihuahaun Raven

Barn Swallow

Cliff Swallow

Verdin

Bewick's Wren

House Wren

Marsh Wren

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

American Robin

Green-tailed Towhee

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Pyrrhuloxia

House Finch