Southwestern New Mexico Bird Survey

“Birding with Purpose”

Photo: W. Norris

Southwestern New Mexico is a special place for birds. Our region has some of the highest bird diversity in North America. Its variety of habitats, combined with its location between tropical ecosystems to the south and colder ecosystems to the north, attracts many bird species throughout the year and during migration and breeding.

The Southwestern New Mexico Bird Survey, nicknamed“Birding with Purpose,” is a community citizen science project to monitor bird populations long-term and track environmental changes across a variety of bird habitats across SW New Mexico. The goal is to monitor regional bird diversity and relative abundance over the long-term with a focus on conservation, community science and education of all participants. Active participation by a diverse spectrum of community members is essential for the long-term success of these science and conservation efforts.

The project was the brainchild of WNMU professor William Norris, brought to life through a collaboration with the Bird Alliance of Southwestern New Mexico.

Project Updates

  • The Silver City “Birding With a Purpose” project officially started in January, with two months of observations in the books. Early highlights include observations of a pair of Bald Eagles mating at Lake Roberts, a Vermillion Flycatcher sallying at Mangas Springs, and Townsend Solitaires singing at San Vicente.

    Silver City Bird Census observers conduct monthly bird censuses at seven local bird hotspots so that we can analyze the long-term trends in bird populations in southwestern New Mexico. Other goals of the project include engaging participation of birders of all skill levels in community science and improving participants’ auditory and visual bird ID skills.

  • Planning for the Silver City Bird Census Project (“Birding With a Purpose”), featured in our November 2025 program, is underway! The goal of this project is to conduct monthly bird censuses in local bird hotspots to facilitate analysis of annual and long-term trends in bird populations in southwestern New Mexico. At a recent meeting of the project Planning Committee, and with guidance from our chapter Board, seven significant bird areas were selected to be censused once monthly beginning in January 2026: Bear Mountain Lodge, Cherry Creek Campground, City of Rocks State Park, Iron Bridge, Lake Roberts, Mangas Springs, and San Vicente Creek. At each of two widely separated points within each of these sites, stationary observers will record every bird heard and/or seen within a 15-minute census period between dawn and mid-morning. These data will be summarized and sent to the Planning Committee for data entry into a grand spreadsheet. Planning committee members are now at work preparing maps of the above seven sites that precisely identify the two census points within each.

  • Maria Conklin, Yziah Jimenez, William “Bill” Norris, Devyn Scott and Madi Vasquez introduce the Silver City Bird Census project at a Bird Alliance of SW New Mexico program for the public. Click here to view a recording of the kick-off presentation.

Why Count Birds?

Bird populations are affected by human impact, habitat loss, avian diseases, climate change and wildfires. Long-term data provide information on species diversity, relative abundance, migration timing, and trends that help identify populations requiring conservation action. Changes in distribution and status can also serve as an early-warning system by highlighting potential environmental problems, can help refine research priorities, and can help track the success of conservation efforts.

Data and Reports

The bird survey uses a standardized protocol that will allow reliable statistical comparisons of particularly rich bird areas ("hotspots") between months and across years. Repeated estimates of relative bird abundance at the same points on a monthly basis while noting the current weather conditions and the condition of the surrounding ecosystem will provide consistent data concerning the composition and health of the avian community.

Data

Photo: W. Mora

Target Habitats

Point count bird surveys are done monthly at 7 locations: Bear Mountain Lodge, Little Cherry Creek Ranch Road, City of Rocks State Park, Iron Bridge, Lake Roberts, Mangas Springs, and San Vicente Creek. These sites were chosen because they are eBird hot spots and they represent different habitats and elevations: riparian, desert scrub, grassland, Pinyon-Juniper woodland, mixed conifers and a mountain lake. Two points at least 250 meters apart were selected at each location to represent that habitat, so a total of 14 points are being monitored.

Map courtesy of Megan Ruehmann

Click the map to view it full screen.

Click here to download Google Earth file (KMZ)

Click here to download GPS coordinates of observation points

How to Participate

Photo: J. Yeo

Each site has a site leader and multiple observers. Observers conduct bird counts once a month at two designated points at their pre-assigned site. Because songbirds are most active in the early morning, both observations must be completed before 10 am. In all, observations require a 2-3 hour commitment of time (variation based on travel time to site).

At each point, observers wait quietly for one minute before completing a 15-minute stationary count of all birds seen or heard, remaining within 15 feet of the survey location. Following each count, team members compare observations and reach consensus on species identifications and number of each seen.

For each point, site leaders enter species observations into eBird, along with recording weather conditions, participant names, and site number information. The site leader then submits and shares the checklist with participants and the SWNM Bird Survey eBird account.

Notes

To be successful, this research effort requires the contributions from diverse members of our community - - experienced birders and those just beginning, young, old and in between! - - all with an abiding fascination for birds and their natural history.

  • Birders of all skill levels are welcome.

  • One experienced birder is the team leader for each site. Other observers may be experienced birders or “birders in training”. The survey provides the opportunity for birders of different skill levels to interact and learn from each other. Volunteers choose their own sites.

  • Experienced birders can volunteer as “back-up” observers to cover for vacation, illness, or unexpected absenteeism.

Sign up!

Resources for SNBird Survey Participants

Bird ID Skill Training and Resources

Training

Websites and Apps

  • Dendroica: Interactive website to improve skills at identifying birds by sight or by sound

  • eBird quizzes: Photo and sound quizzes based on date and location of your choosing

  • Larkwire: Interactive games that simulate real birding scenarios, helping to identify birds by sound and sight.

  • Merlin Bird ID: Cornell app for identifying birds by sight and song

  • Song Sleuth: Sibley app for bird song identification

Collections of images and sounds

FAQ

  • Birders of all levels are welcome

  • Binoculars are critical! Bird Alliance of SW NM has binoculars to lend interested participants.

  • Volunteers can participate regularly for a monthly site visit or be “on call” when their calendars allow. Site visits are typically 2-3 hours (depending on travel time to site) and are always completed in early mornings when songbirds are most active.

  • Email the site leaders to find out the upcoming site count dates:

    See this document for site leader contact information

  • Merlin (and similar apps) may be used to assist with identification, but only birds personally detected (heard or seen) by observers are recorded.

  • The team in the field discusses observations and a group consensus is used to clarify what species you were hearing or seeing.

Get In Touch

If you're interested in being a part of the Southwestern New Mexico Bird Survey or have questions, please complete the form or email us at swnmbirdsurvey@gmail.com and someone on our team will get back to you.

About Us

The SWNM Bird Survey Planning Team meets periodically to discuss progress of the project and make adjustments along the way. Team members include: Maria Conklin, Yziah Jimenez, Will Mora, Linda Moore, Bill Norris, Devyn Scott, Madi Vasquez, and Jeff Yeo.

Any survey participants are welcome to attend these planning meetings. Contact the team at swnmbirdsurvey@gmail.com for date, time and location.