Birdwatching in Southern New Mexico
Come visit the Damsite Resort, where you can relax and enjoy the birds.
The Damsite Marina is your headquarters for a variety of FUN birdwatching activities including boat tours, field trips and classes. Field trip locations include Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge, Percha Dam State Park, Elephant Butte Lake and Paseo del Rio Campground. The Rio Grande Valley in southern New Mexico offers the opportunity to see a wide variety of species that migrate through and winter in the area. For more info contact: 575-894-2041, joe@lagorico.com.
Most field trips are on weekend mornings. Custom tours can also be arranged for other times and locations.
Book any event and receive a 15% discount on lodging at our historic lodge and cabins. For lodging details, go to www.thedamsite.com.
Monticello Point Boat Tour- Scenic tour on a pontoon boat to the remote north end of Elephant Butte Lake, where shallow bays, shrubs and trees provide shelter for birds. Highlight species include water birds and raptors.
Meet at Marina del Sur.
3.0 hours, $30 per person.
Click here to see our Boat Tour flyer.
Paseo del Rio Campground- Habitats include riparian shrubs and woodland, river, ponds and desert shrubland. Highlight species include songbirds and waterfowl. Meet at Campground entrance, 5 minutes from the Lake.
1.5 hours, $15 per person.
Percha Dam State Park- Features mature riparian woodland, a rarity along the developed Rio Grande corridor. The large trees attract a variety of migrants, especially songbirds. Meet at Park entrance, 30 minutes from the Lake.
2.0 hours, $30 per person.
Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge- Nationally known wildlife refuge features extensive wetlands that attract many birds, namely huge flocks of wintering cranes and waterfowl. A scenic 15-mile auto tour provides refuge access. Meet at Visitor Center, 60 minutes from the Lake.
3.0 hours, $50 per person.
Classes- The classes provide video and sounds of wild birds to help you learn to identify local birds by sight and sound. Ideal for beginners. Classes are held at the Historic Lodge meeting room at Damsite Marina.
1.0 hour, $10 per person.
Joe LaFleur is your expert guide and teacher. Joe has a B.S. in Wildlife Biology & an M.S. in Communications from Colorado State University. He has been birdwatching for over 15 years and is the author of Better Birdwatching DVDs about birds of the North America. For more details visit www.betterbirdwatching.com.
Photo Gallery from Field Trips
Lists of highlight species that can be seen on Boat Tours and Field Trips
Damsite Marina also has a restaurant and store to serve your needs. Please note that field trips can be cancelled at any time due to inclement weather.
BIRD LISTS
Elephant Butte Lake
State Park Bird List
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Bird List