Events
Bird Alliance Board Meeting
The Bird Alliance of SWNM invites members to our Board of Directors meetings. If you are interested in attending board meetings, please email us at birdallianceswnm@gmail.com. We will add you to the list to receive the agenda and location a few days in advance of the meeting. (*Note that our April meeting is scheduled for the second Monday of the month).
Save the Date! Give Grandly Silver City
Give grandly to Bird Alliance of SW NM to support our work to inspire the love of and protection of birds and their habitats!
Spotlight on Birds at Continental Trail Days
Find out about birds that hikers and enthusiasts might see along the Continental Divide Trail in Southern New Mexico!
City Nature Challenge: Gila Valley Pollinator Gardens
Part of the Silver City “City Nature Challenge.” Free and open to the public.
This kid-friendly event is a part of the Gila Valley Library's Friday lecture series. Pollinator gardens aren't just good for bees. They feed a wonderful diversity of insects and birds, as well as provide friendly habitat for other wild plants, fungi, and animals. We'll tour the pollinator garden and community orchard at the library, play fun biodiversity-themed games, and document the amazing biodiversity focused on in the library's garden. Kids are encouraged to bring a phone or tablet with the iNaturalist app already downloaded!
Hosted by Silver City Watershed Keepers and the Gila Valley Public Library
City Nature Challenge: Dragonfly Trail Hike
City Nature Challenge kick-off at the Dragonfly Trail and Open Space Brewery!
City Nature Challenge: Bootheel Bioblitz
Part of the Silver City “City Nature Challenge.” Free and open to the public.
The New Mexico Bootheel is one of the most biodiverse regions of the entire United States. Join the Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy (ARC) as we take part in an outing along a portion of the Continental Divide Trail that crosses through the Bootheel of Grant County. If we're lucky, we'll see horned lizards, rattlesnakes, coral snakes, raptors, and signs of other animals walking the trails! We will also have ample opportunity to see different desert vegetation, desert invertebrates, and plenty more in this beautiful habitat!
The outing will take place at 5:00 p.m. For folks who are traveling from Silver City and would like to caravan to the location, we will meet in the ACE Hardware parking lot, located at 3025 US-180, Silver City. The outing leader Mayteana (Maya) Morales will be there at 3:15 p.m. to meet caravaners, and can be identified by having an ARC logo on the driver side of her vehicle, and Maya will also have a yellow flag to help guide participants over to the outing group. For folks choosing not to caravan, we will be arriving at the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) trailhead at 5:00 p.m, and the outing will end around 7:00 p.m. (Travel time from Silver City to CDT Trailhead is about 1 hour and 30 minutes).
Accessibility: We will be both on and off the trail, covering 2+ miles of open, lowland desert scrubland. Uneven and loose, rocky surfaces will be present along with some slight changes in slope. Close-toed shoes are required and hats are highly recommended. Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen. We will plan to end before it gets dark, but it is recommended to bring a flashlight or a similar source of light just in case the outing runs long.
Brought to you by Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy
Directions: The trailhead is located at 31.967335578145956, -108.4381850227626
Click here for Google map driving directions.
City Nature Challenge Open Space Welcome
City Nature Challenge kick-off at Open Space Brewery!
City Nature Challenge: San Vicente Trail Bird Outing
Bird outing on the San Vicente Trail. Part of the City Nature Challenge!
Continental Trail Days Adventure Fest
Find out about birds that hikers and enthusiasts might see along the Continental Divide Trail in Southern New Mexico!
City Nature Challenge: Cherry Creek Campground
Part of the Silver City “City Nature Challenge.” Free and open to the public.
Travel upland to the iconic forests and streams of the Gila National Forest. We'll take a hike along the Little Cherry Creek Trail to view aquatic insects, towering trees, and rare wildlife like mountain kingsnakes and the highly camouflaged canyon tree frog. We found nearly 30 canyon tree frogs during our last outing for the City Nature Challenge 2025, let’s see if we can match that number and maybe even find something new! The hike will take place at 11:00 a.m.
For folks traveling from Silver City and would like to caravan to the location, we will meet in the ACE Hardware parking lot, located at 3025 US-180, Silver City. The outing leader Mayteana (Maya) Morales will be there at 10:15 a.m. to meet caravaners, and can be identified by having an ARC logo on the driver side of her vehicle, and Maya will also have a yellow flag to help guide participants over to the outing group. For folks choosing not to caravan, we will arrive at the Cherry Creek Campground at 11:00 a.m. and begin our hike there (Cherry Creek Campground is about 30 minutes from Silver City).
Brought to you by Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy
Directions: 14 miles north of Silver City, NM, along NM Highway 15. The site is on the east side of the highway. Coordinates: 32.91473457527352, -108.22469019936132
City Nature Challenge: Explore Silva Creek Botanical Garden and Waterworks
Birds and bees and more!
City Nature Challenge: iNaturalist for Photographers
Learn to upload photos from your camera to INaturalist
Program: A Guide to Waterfowl Identification for Beginning and Intermediate Birders
Get your ducks in a row!
Bird Alliance Board Meeting
The Bird Alliance of SWNM invites members to our Board of Directors meetings. We meet every other month, on the first Monday of the month, at 5 PM. If you are interested in attending board meetings, please email us at birdallianceswnm@gmail.com. We will add you to the list to receive the agenda and location a few days in advance of the meeting.
Bird Alliance Board Meeting
The Bird Alliance of SWNM invites members to our Board of Directors meetings. We meet every other month, on the first Monday of the month, at 5 PM. If you are interested in attending board meetings, please email us at birdallianceswnm@gmail.com. We will add you to the list to receive the agenda and location a few days in advance of the meeting.
Bird Outing: San Vicente Cienega Trail
Join us for birding along the San Vicente Cienega Trail
PROGRAM - A Proposal: Long-Term Monitoring of Significant Local Bird Conservation Areas
Learn how to be a part of a citizen science effort to help birds in the Gila region.
Bird Alliance Board Meeting
The Bird Alliance of SWNM invites members to our Board of Directors meetings. We meet every other month, on the first Monday of the month, at 5 PM. If you are interested in attending board meetings, please email us at birdallianceswnm@gmail.com. We will add you to the list to receive the agenda and location a few days in advance of the meeting.
Rapid warming of the Earth: Challenges for desert bird communities
Learn about the challenges for desert birds attributed to climate change.
Wildlife Photography: Birds of Columbia
Wildlife and travel guide Jeff Parker will present his photography of birds of Columbia.
Bird Alliance Board Meeting
The Bird Alliance of SWNM invites members to our Board of Directors meetings. We meet every other month, on the first Monday of the month, at 5 PM. If you are interested in attending board meetings, please email us at birdallianceswnm@gmail.com. We will add you to the list to receive the agenda and location a few days in advance of the meeting.
Bird Alliance Board Meeting
The Bird Alliance of SWNM invites members to our Board of Directors meetings. We meet every other month, on the first Monday of the month, at 5 PM. If you are interested in attending board meetings, please email us at birdallianceswnm@gmail.com. We will add you to the list to receive the agenda and location a few days in advance of the meeting.
Joint Potluck Picnic with Gila Native Plant Society
A chance to get together to talk about the birds and bees… and trees and plants…
Highlights from Past Events
Photos P. Granome
Clockwise from left: Green-winged Teal, Hooded Merganser, Ruddy Duck
Feb 7, 2026
Lake Roberts outing
Brr! It was a cold and gray morning, but that didn’t stop 20 Bird Alliance members and friends from putting our newfound identification skills to work at Lake Roberts, following a fabulous waterfowl identification presentation by Karen Beckenbach and Professor Bill Norris the previous evening. Though there was both wind and rain on our adventure, we enjoyed beautiful Green-winged teals, a few striking Hooded Mergansers, dozens of Ruddy Ducks, a majestic Bald Eagle, and three skulking Wilson’s Snipes. We even had a flock of 40 turkeys alight overhead!
In total, we identified 30 species, not bad for a cold winter morning. Check out the full list here.
Photo: H. Erstad
Feb 6, 2026
Program: Waterfowl Identification
Over 20 BA and community members attended Karen Beckenbach and Bill Norris’ overview of waterfowl identification based on general appearance, behavior and habitat. These tips were sure useful on our Lake Roberts outing the next day!
Photo: E. Pollom
Dec 14, 2025
Silver City Christmas Bird Count
Silver City CBC participants enjoyed a weather-perfect day of bird counting and pot-lucking!
Watch for the full report on our Community Science page!
Photo: H Erstad
Dec 13, 2025
Silver City Museum Tapestry of Traditions
Thanks to all who stopped by our table to talk birds! And to the kids who made bird seed ornaments: Thank you for feeding our feathered friends :) And a special thank you to Board member Jackie Blurton for preparing the craft activity and bird coloring sheets!
Photo: W. Mora
Nov 8, 2025
Bird Outing: San Vicente Cienaga Trail
Will Mora led a bird outing on a beautiful and sunny November morning along the San Vicente trail. Our fall outing was timed perfectly to enjoy the fall colors of the towering cottonwoods. While we didn't spot any Lawrence's Goldfinches, we enjoyed great views of species that definitely signal winter is on the way: dozens of Cedar Waxwings, a feisty Ruby-crowned Kinglet flashing its bright crown, a solitary Townsend's Solitaire and six Steller's Jays down from the mountains. The latter are being seen in greater numbers at lower elevations this year, wandering further out of the mountains and likely driven by changes in food availability. Check out the 27 species spotted along the way.
Photo: M. Ruehmann
Nov 7, 2025
Program: A Proposal: Long-Term Monitoring of Significant Local Bird Conservation Areas
Maria Conklin, Alesia Hallmark, Yziah Jimenez, Bill Norris, Devyn Scott, and Madi Vasquez are organizing a new community science program to support birds in the SW region of New Mexico.
This proposal includes conducting monthly bird surveys of a small number of significant local bird conservation areas (e.g., Bear Mountain Lodge, Cherry Creek, City of Rocks State Park, Mangas Springs, San Vicente Creek) using standard bird census protocol. These data will contribute to our knowledge of long-term trends in bird populations.
Please watch this video of the presentation to learn more about this citizen science effort and stay tuned to find out how to sign up.
Photo: L. Moore
Oct 3, 2025
Program: Rapid warming of the Earth: Challenges for desert bird communities
Dr. Blair Wolf shared his research with 25 participants. View the recording on our YouTube channel.
Photo: L. Moore
Sep 26, 2025
Program: Birds of Colombia
Photographer Jeff Parker presented a slide show of the colorful and gorgeous birds of Colombia to a group of over 20 grateful participants. View the recording of his presentation on our YouTube channel.
Photo: M. Ruehmann
Sep 13, 2025
BASWNM Annual Meeting
25 Bird Alliance of SWNM members attended the annual meeting at the incredible Silva Creek Botanical Gardens and Waterworks facility in Silver City. Highlights of the meeting included election of President, Treasurer, and Secretary, a lifetime recognition of Bill Norris’ contributions to all things birding, and a Zone-tailed Hawk sighting!
Photo: M. Ruehmann
June 9, 2025
Owls of the Gila Region
Bird Alliance SWNM President Linda Moore and member extraordinaire Jackie Blurton taught kids and adults all about the many owls that we are lucky to share a space with here in the Gila region.
Creative and adventurous participants stuck around for some owl-igami, led by Jackie.
Photo: H. Erstad
June 6, 2025
Bird-Friendly Windows Workshop
Bird Alliance SWNM Conservation Chair Dawn Smith led a workshop at the Silver City Library on ways to make windows safer for birds. Participants had a chance to experiment with many ways to make glass more visible for birds.
To find out more, please visit our Habitats at Home page.
Photo: Megan Ruehmann
May 3, 2025
River Ranch Outing
May is for migration! Susan Mittelstadt led a group at the River Ranch Wildlife Management Area, where we were astounded by the number of individual birds busying about foraging in the lush riparian vegetation. Highlights included a soaring Gray Hawk with long enough views to study key features, a MacGillivray's Warbler foraging just feet away, and the less frequently seen Hermit Warbler and Eastern Phoebe! We worked together to identify 64 species in a couple of hours.
The bird list can be viewed here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S233249337
Photo: Megan Ruehmann
May 2, 2025
Hummingbird Program
We welcomed UNM's Shayne Halter to teach us about hummingbird physiology, including their ability to use torpor to conserve energy during nighttime. His fascinating study took place along the Mimbres River. We will post his publications once available.
Photo: Megan Ruehmann
April 12, 2025
Little Cherry Creek Outing
Devyn Scott led a group to look for woodpeckers (and everyone else!) along Little Cherry Creek Trail and Road. What a great weekend of learning and exploring! The highlight for the group was getting to see a pair of Olive Warblers up close.
List of species seen: https://ebird.org/checklist/S225291476
Photo: Heidi Erstad
April 19, 2025
Continental Trail Days
Brrrrrrrrr!!!! T’was a chilly and blustery day in Silver City!!
But that didn’t stop 60+ people from stopping by our booth to spin our amazing Wheel of Bird Fortune!
Photo: Linda Moore
April 11, 2025
Woodpecker Program
Did you know that woodpecker tongues are so long they coil inside the skull, wrapping around the back and attach near their nasal passages?! We packed the classroom and learned this and many more fascinating details at our Apr 11th program on "Woodpeckers of the Gila", presented by Bill Norris and WNMU students Devyn Scott and Madison Vasquez.
Click here for the recording of the presentation on our YouTube channel.
Photo: Megan Ruehmann
April 5, 2025
Gila Cliff Dwellings Outing
Its a fantastic time to visit the Gila Cliff Dwellings! Despite the overnight lows squashing plans for camping, a couple of us joined Ranger Jonah for a beautiful morning exploring the area. We admired a couple recent spring arrivals such as Black-throated Gray Warbler and Painted Redstart, checked out a beaver pond along the West Fork, and also hiked the Cliff Dwellings loop to learn about the cultural history of this special place. The tables under the cottonwoods made for a perfect spot for enjoying a picnic together afterwards. Thank you for having us, Jonah!
See our list of birds!
Photo: Heidi Erstad
Feb 8, 2025
Outing to the Gila River Area
Seven Bird Alliance members (several with quite large camera lenses!) spent the morning observing and photographing birds at a few spots along the Gila River. It started out as a chilly morning, but quickly warmed up to a bright and sunny day in the upper 60's. Thanks to Megan for setting up and leading the outing and to Paul for all of his photography insights.
Check out the 31 species we observed on our eBird Trip Report.
Photo: Heidi Erstad
Feb 7, 2025
Program: Introduction to Bird Photography
Local photographer and Bird Alliance member Paul Granone provided an overview of why the 18 birders in attendance may want to use photography as a tool and how to get started.
He also presented affordable and current equipment options, essential photography concepts, and tips on how to get good bird photos. Thanks Paul for sharing your expertise!
Photo: Heidi Erstad
Dec 21 & 28, 2025
Area Christmas Bird Counts
Teams of local birders - - new and experienced, young and old - - were out and about in the Silver City and Gila River areas conducting bird counts for Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count. Visit our Community Science page to read more about this tradition that benefits science and makes for an enjoyable winter day in the field!
Photo: Linda Moore
Dec 14, 2024
Victorian Christmas
On a beautiful Saturday in December, we greeted Silver City Museum visitors to their Victorian Christmas with a spin of our colorful ‘What Bird Are You?’ wheel. Activity sheets for kids of all ages were distributed, with an area for coloring them provided. It was fun for all who attended!
Photo: Megan Ruehmann
Nov 9, 2024
Lake Roberts Bird Outing
Devyn Scott led the group of 10 WNMU students, a couple visitors, a Silver City Daily Press reporter, and a handful of Bird Alliance members. Besides our Kid's Bird Walk a couple years ago, this was the youngest and most beginner group we've seen, which is precisely what we've been trying to achieve with Programs/Events. We heard several exclamations when folks looked through the scope at a bald eagle, osprey, and western grebe to name a few, and we’re sure these will go down as memorable first sightings. Thank you, Devyn, for encouraging your peers to join us for enjoying birds and being in nature!
Check out the eBird count here and read about the outing in the Silver City Daily Press.
Photo: Megan Ruehmann
Nov 2, 2024
River Ranch Bird Outing
Susan Mittelstadt, Bill Norris, Karen Beckenbach, and Megan Ruehmann guided 15 birders on the beautiful River Ranch property along the Mimbres River. Though it was a pretty quiet birding day, it’s always great to be out and about and birding in the Fall! Check out the eBird list from this outing here.
Nov 1, 2024
Raptor ID Program
Bill Norris, Karen Beckenbach, and Megan Ruehmann helped 35 beginning and intermediate birders learn characteristics of the raptors in the area. Many attendees found these pointers useful for the upcoming Winter Raptor Survey in mid-January.
Photo: Emily Pollom
Oct 12, 2024
The Big Sit @ Iron Bridge
There was just the slightest fall nip to the air when we arrived at Iron Bridge for The Big Sit 2024. What’s The Big Sit, you ask? It’s a unique opportunity for birders of all ages, skill levels and abilities to bird together, in one 17-foot diameter circle, documenting all the birds you can see and hear. And on Sunday, October 13, for four hours, 11 area birders gathered to document 36 species along the Gila River.
We worked on our sparrow identification skills with White-crowned, Song, Chipping and Lincoln’s Sparrow in attendance, enjoyed a few secretive shows by Common Yellowthroat, admired a flyover by three Sandhill Cranes, and witnessed the predator/prey relationship in action as a Great Blue Heron caught and devoured a large frog and a Belted Kingfisher snared a tiny fish. Some of us sat, while others darted from one side of the bridge to the other as people called out different species they'd spotted or requested some ID assistance.
The eBird list from our adventure will be combined with dozens of other lists around the US (and possibly a few international locales) by the New Haven Bird Club in Connecticut. You can check out the results from 2023 now and the 2024 results soon at www.thebigsit.org
Oct 11, 2024
Raptor ID Program
Heidi Erstad facilitated a workshop for 14 beginning and casual birders on using Merlin, a free smart phone app from Cornell. Slides from this workshop can be accessed here.
Sep 15, 2024
Pancho Canyon Pop-up Outing
Devyn Scott led birders on an outing at Pancho Canyon in the Gila Bird Area.