Birding Locations & Regional Ecosystems
Highland Oak-Juniper Canyons/Hillsides of Gila
National Forest are home to 4 jay species, thrashers, sparrows, vireos, warblers, Wild Turkey.
✔ Silver City, Arenas Valley, Pinos Altos, Gallinas Cyn/Hwy 152
Riparian Valleys with Cottonwood and Willow
Flycatchers, kingbirds, orioles, waterfowl, warblers, swallows, owls, and woodpeckers.
✔ Mimbres River Valley (15 miles E of SC)
✔ Gila River Valley Hwy 180 (25 mi W) [ INFO PDF ]
✔ Iron Bridge Conservation Area Hwy 180 (25 mi W) [ INFO PDF ]
Rolling grassland with mountains and scrub
To our south, large flocks of sparrow in the winter. Twelve or more species are possible in a morning drive along Separ Road.
✔ Separ Road (15 miles SW of SC off Hwy 180)
Chihuahuan desert
Terrain appears quickly southeast of SC. City of Rocks State Park area holds species of wren, thrasher, Long-eared Owls, and Roadrunners.
✔ City of Rocks (10 miles east of SC off Hwy 180)
✔ Floridas, Spring Cyn, Rock Hound St Park (15 miles SE of Deming) [ INFO PDF ]
Above 7000 feet in the Gila Forest
Habitat of mountain spruce and pine, home to unique species such as the Olive and Red-faced Warblers, Painted Redstart. Expect to find three species of nuthatches, vireos, and a variety of woodpeckers.
✔ Cherry Creek/McMillan campgrounds (12 miles N of SC on Hwy 15)
Sonoran desert
Plant communities to the West near the Arizona border hold Gray Vireo, Bell's Vireo, Montezuma Quail, and possibly Abert's Towhee.
✔ Red Rock (25 miles W of SC near the Gila River)
List & Map Links
- Regional Forest Service Map (PDF)
- NM Birding Trail (Website)
- Important Bird Area (NM IBA Website)
- Forest Service Bird Checklist
You Need A Permit!!
Did you know that you are required to have a permit to use certain wildlife management areas for hiking, biking and bird watching? WHERE and the Online Permit Purchase system is at wildlife.state.nm.us.
SILVER CITY GREENWAYS BROCHURE MAP
Big Ditch Park, San Vicente Creek, Boston Hill, La Capilla Wetlands.