Birding Bandelier

Only a few hours from Mesa Verde National Park in northern New Mexico lies another Rocky Mountains Southwest gem, Bandelier National Monument, an unexpected birding hotspot. At the heart of Bandelier, tucked into the Frijoles Canyon, are impressive carved dwellings overlooking a forested creek. This riparian habitat is an oasis in a dry landscape, and on its borders, you can find a blend of desert birds and herptiles (reptiles and amphibians) alongside Rocky Mountain residents and migrants.

In the summer, a stroll around the Pueblo Loop Trail takes you up to the cave dwellings, where you can expect to see Canyon Towhees chirping and going about their business at the foot of the cliffs. You will hear the lovely descending call of the Canyon Wren, and if you're lucky enough, you may get to witness one probing cracks and holes in the canyon walls. Depending on the month, a combination of Broad-tailed, Rufous, Calliope, and Black-chinned Hummingbirds rush around the shrubs. You're more likely to make an ID by sound than by sight, though, as there is no slowing down for these birds. Turkey Vultures and, if you're really lucky, a Zone-tailed Hawk float overhead.

A Canyon Towhee keeps tabs on the visitors in his teritory among the cliff dwellings

After Long House, on the way to the Alcove House, the trail descends into the trees and follows the creek. Here you can expect to see Western Tanagers, an icon of Rocky Mountain summers, Black-headed Grosbeaks, and Lazuli Buntings. These are some of the most vibrant birds of the Rockies and highly vocal participants in the song chorus. A real treat to the ear are the occasional Yellow-breasted Chats. They are surprisingly hard to see despite their bright yellow chests but unmistakable when heard. Some of my other favorite sightings included Hepatic Tanagers, Western Wood-pewees, and Hermit Thrushes. A handful of warbler species make their appearances, and several flycatchers seem to be posted along the trail for the sole purpose of giving me an identification challenge.

My guess is that this is a Dusky Flycatcher (a white eyering is more visible in other photos) but I haven't completely ruled out other flycatchers or the Western Wood-peewee

(Let me know your thoughts in the comments)

In the winter, when the migrants return south and the Rocky Mountain residents descend from their peaks, it's much more like birding in a Colorado ski town. The skittering lizards are replaced with skittish deer, and both bird and human activity slow down, but we always find a high density of the predictable cast: Dark-eyed Juncos, Mountain Chickadees, Downy Woodpeckers, and Hairy Woodpeckers. Some days they are joined by flocks of Red Crossbills, Cassin's Finches, and a Bald Eagle. The Canyon Wrens and Canyon Towhees are still around, but they seem to lay low until it's time again to run the warm-weather tours.