Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

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The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in southern Socorro County, New Mexico, is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It sits near the Rio Grande astride New Mexico Route 1, formerly U.S. Highway 85.

The refuge comprises arid grasslands and artificially maintained wetlands. The latter attract the huge flocks of wintering cranes and geese that are the refuge's most interesting feature. Many other species—notably waterfowl, shorebirds, and birds of prey—also winter in the refuge. Striking vagrants such as a Groove-billed Ani have been found there. A loop road allows automobile drivers excellent views of the wetlands. The road affords good views of the fields where crops are grown for the benefit of the birds under cooperative agreements with farmers. Adjacent to the Visitor's Center, a native plant garden is maintained. In the Chihuahuan desert terrain outside of the Rio Grande riparian zone, the refuge also hosts three federally designated Wilderness areas (Chupadera, Little San Pascual, and Indian Well).

Snow Geese at the Bosque del Apache

The diversity of birds is also high in spring, particularly the last week of April and first week of May, and in fall. In summer the area is hot but many water birds can be found, including such New Mexico rarities as the Least Bittern and occasionally the Little Blue Heron. Late November to late February is the best time for large numbers of birds, typically over 10,000 Sandhill Cranes and over 20,000 Ross's and Snow Geese. Winter visitors generally plan to be in the refuge at sunrise (having typically stayed in the nearby recreational vehicle park or in Socorro, New Mexico or San Antonio, New Mexico), or at sunset, when the flocks of cranes and geese that roost in the refuge "commute" to or from local fields where they feed. Though winter sunsets and especially sunrises are chilly, the daily low temperature is seldom far below freezing.

The name of the refuge means "woods of the Apache" in Spanish, referring to a former campsite there. In English it is pronounced /ˈbɒski dɛl əˈpætʃi/ "BOSkee del aPATCHee".