If you are heading north particularly if you are birding Leasburg Dam, an excellent addition to the trip is a stop at “Swan Po

Ponds & Lakes

by Storm Sermay, Bill Jacobson, and Nancy Stotz

Historically, the riparian corridor of the Rio Grande teemed with birds and other wildlife, attracted to both the waters of the river and the numerous ponds, oxbows, and marshes that occurred within its floodplain. Since the vast majority of these native habitats have been destroyed in the past century and a half, the scattered aquatic habitats that exist today are concentration points for remaining wildlife. Even the smallest man-made ponds, such as the pond in Young Park (off of Walnut Avenue, southwest of Smith’s Grocery) and the “Aggie Pond” (just west of the Educational Services Building on the NMSU campus) can have interesting birds on them; both these ponds regularly support divers such as Canvasbacks and Ring-necked Ducks in winter, and during migration, the Aggie Pond has even merited a quick visit from wandering Osprey and Peregrine Falcons. This installment of “Birding Hot Spots” details three larger bodies of water that represent important aquatic habitats in our region.

Swan Pond

If you are heading north (particularly if you are birding Leasburg Dam, an excellent addition to the trip is a stop at Swan Pond. The pond, about 20 miles north of Las Cruces, is on private land but is visible from the highway. Although it is close to the Rio Grande it attracts many species that like its calm water more than the rapid river currents. The pond covers several acres, but its size and water level depend on the water level in the Rio Grande.

In a brief stop at the pond to check mileages for this article, I saw Cinnamon and Green-winged Teal, Mallards, Northern Pintails, Northern Shovelers, Gadwalls, Great Blue Herons, Greater Yellowlegs, Killdeer, Least Sandpipers, Red-winged Blackbirds, a Say’s Phoebe, Dark-eyed Juncos, and Long-billed Dowitchers. Many interesting birds have been seen at the pond over the years, including Vermilion Flycatcher, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Cardinal, both Neotropic and Double-crested Cormorants, Buffleheads and Western, Pied-billed, and Eared Grebes. This is also a great place to see Black-crowned Night-Herons, both adults and juveniles. Bring a spotting scope, as the pond is large and birds tend to congregate on the far shore.

Directions

To reach the pond from Las Cruces, go north on I-25 to exit 19 (Radium Springs). Turn west on NM 157 and drive 1.7 miles to the intersection with NM 185 (North Valley Dr.). This will be just after the road to Leasburg Dam. Turn north on NM 185. At about 2.1 miles from the interstate, as you cross the Rio Grande, look for an irrigation ditch at an RV park on the right. This can sometimes be good for winter ducks. Swan Pond will be on your left at 6.7 miles from the interstate exit at mile marker 19. Since you do not have access to the private land, park in the large highway pullout at the south end of the pond and walk back along the shoulder looking for the best views. Since this is a main highway, please be careful of the traffic, which often travels at high speed.

After you have birded the pond, you may want to return to Las Cruces on Highway 185 and bird the pecan orchards and agricultural fields on your way home. (Thanks to Sue and Wally Hill for their list of birds seen at the pond.)

Burn Lake

A City of Las Cruces storm water control facility/park, Burn Lake is unique as the only deep water site in the area. As such, it hosts a variety of birds not always seen elsewhere in the area. This variety is constantly changing (depending on both the season and the water level in the lake) and birds uncommon in southern New Mexico are sometimes seen here. Birds to look for are grebes, Neotropic and Double-crested Cormorants, Common Loons (November), gulls, and a variety of geese and ducks (including many diving species). Unusual birds that have been spotted include Lewis’s Woodpecker, Brown Pelican, Bonaparte’s Gull and others. A flock of Common Grackles is fairly regular in the winter months. (The City has begun developing a Master Plan for future developments at this site; see City Meetings on page 3).

Directions

Burn Lake is situated just to the south of Amador Avenue between Main Street and Motel Boulevard. From Main Street go west on Amador 0.5 miles and turn left (south) at the Burn Lake sign. Proceed approximately 0.3 miles and you are there. From Motel Boulevard go 0.8 miles east on Amador to the Burn Lake turnoff. Go right. In addition to birding the lake, the fields adjacent to the entrance road are worth a look, as are the trees on the west edge of the lake.

Feather Lake

Located in southern El Paso, Feather Lake is another storm water control facility which the El Paso/Trans-Pecos Audubon Society manages as a wildlife refuge. The site includes a 40-acre wetland, which can host numerous ducks, shorebirds, and other water-associated species. On a field trip there last spring, MVAS members observed American Avocet, Black-necked Stilts, Greater Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitchers, White-faced Ibis, Black-crowned Night-Herons, and Cinnamon and Green-winged Teal. Feather Lake is open to the public on weekends, October through April; hours are 8 AM to noon on Saturdays and 2 PM to dusk on Sundays.

Directions

Take I-10 to Exit 34 (Americas Avenue), then turn right (south) and go just over a mile to North Loop. Turn right (north) onto North Loop and go 0.4 miles to Bordeaux Street. Turn left to enter Feather Lake.