THE BIRDS OF ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO
This page has been updated with new stories and photos January 15, 2008.
Sandhill cranes soar above the Sandia mountains
This page has been updated with new stories and photos January 15, 2008.
Sandhill cranes soar above the Sandia mountains
Albuquerque, located along the Central Flyway with the majestic Rio Grande flowing through it, has served as a migratory bird highway for millions of years. Tens of thousands of light geese, sandhill cranes and ducks use this corridor to make their way further south to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge and beyond.
Hundreds of sandhill cranes and Canada geese graze at Candelaria Farm, Los Poblanos Farm and Open Space Visitor Center right in the heart of the city. Both farms are citizen funded initiatives created to grow crops to feed migrating birds during the winter.
Canada geese head toward the Sandia mountains while sandhill cranes graze peacefully at the Open Space Visitor Center.
MEET OUR NEW FRIENDS
Our favorite playground is Tingley Beach, home to about a hundred ducks, geese, wigeons and coots. Tingley Beach is made up of four large man-made ponds, a favorite fishing hole for many ABQ residents. Sadly, fishing lines and hooks have had their tragic effects on waterfowl at the beach.
Peggy is missing her left foot, a sad and terrible consequence of human carelessness with fishing lines. We always look out for Peggy when we visit. Her missing foot slows down her swimming so she is almost always the last duck to show up when we're there. She uses her left stump as her foot.
Canada geese mingle with the domestic ducks, geese and wild mallards, wigeons, coots, ring-billed ducks, and wood ducks at Tingley. Canada geese began showing up around Christmas and now number about 40 or more everyday.
Choo and Kim, a Chinese goose. Kim vanished about a month ago. From discussions with locals and Albuquerque biopark workers, we have learned about the presence of coyotes around Tingley Beach. Tingley is located along the Rio Grande river with dense woods in between, prime habitat for urban coyotes. We fear that Kim and other missing ducks may have been victims of coyotes.
King Kong and Faye Wray, two charming and friendly muscovy ducks at Tingley. There were four muscovies a month ago but two vanished before Christmas. Muscovy ducks are also known as quack-less ducks although the females whimper softly. They are affectionate and sweet.
A pair of Embden geese spread their wings. These two are the leaders of the greeting party.
A pair of friendly wood ducks always joins the flock during feed. The male woodie is feeding on the foreground and his mate is feeding third from top left.
CHOO MAKES NEWS IN THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL
Choo and Edward Aragon, a Tingley beach security officer, rescues a duck who had swallowed a fishing hook and line. A couple of Tingley beach visitors helped with the rescue. January 5, 2008
WE WILL TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY DUCK PONDS IN OUR NEXT UPDATE.
Hundreds of sandhill cranes and Canada geese graze at Candelaria Farm, Los Poblanos Farm and Open Space Visitor Center right in the heart of the city. Both farms are citizen funded initiatives created to grow crops to feed migrating birds during the winter.
Canada geese head toward the Sandia mountains while sandhill cranes graze peacefully at the Open Space Visitor Center.
MEET OUR NEW FRIENDS
Our favorite playground is Tingley Beach, home to about a hundred ducks, geese, wigeons and coots. Tingley Beach is made up of four large man-made ponds, a favorite fishing hole for many ABQ residents. Sadly, fishing lines and hooks have had their tragic effects on waterfowl at the beach.
Peggy is missing her left foot, a sad and terrible consequence of human carelessness with fishing lines. We always look out for Peggy when we visit. Her missing foot slows down her swimming so she is almost always the last duck to show up when we're there. She uses her left stump as her foot.
Canada geese mingle with the domestic ducks, geese and wild mallards, wigeons, coots, ring-billed ducks, and wood ducks at Tingley. Canada geese began showing up around Christmas and now number about 40 or more everyday.
Choo and Kim, a Chinese goose. Kim vanished about a month ago. From discussions with locals and Albuquerque biopark workers, we have learned about the presence of coyotes around Tingley Beach. Tingley is located along the Rio Grande river with dense woods in between, prime habitat for urban coyotes. We fear that Kim and other missing ducks may have been victims of coyotes.
King Kong and Faye Wray, two charming and friendly muscovy ducks at Tingley. There were four muscovies a month ago but two vanished before Christmas. Muscovy ducks are also known as quack-less ducks although the females whimper softly. They are affectionate and sweet.
A pair of Embden geese spread their wings. These two are the leaders of the greeting party.
A pair of friendly wood ducks always joins the flock during feed. The male woodie is feeding on the foreground and his mate is feeding third from top left.
CHOO MAKES NEWS IN THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL
Choo and Edward Aragon, a Tingley beach security officer, rescues a duck who had swallowed a fishing hook and line. A couple of Tingley beach visitors helped with the rescue. January 5, 2008
WE WILL TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY DUCK PONDS IN OUR NEXT UPDATE.
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