The village of Corrales, New Mexico, is a wonderful place to experience nature, especially the wildlife that thrives along the Rio Grande Bosque. This area is home to a rich variety of birds, coyotes, and many other animals that make the bosque their home. Exploring this natural space offers a chance to see some of the Southwest’s most interesting wildlife up close.
Birds of the Corrales Bosque
The Corrales Bosque Preserve is a special place for birds. More than 250 bird species have been seen here, making it one of the most important bird habitats in the region. The bosque provides food, shelter, and nesting areas for birds all year round. Some birds live here permanently, while others stop during migration or spend the winter in the bosque.
In the summer, you might spot breeding birds like the Black-chinned Hummingbird, Summer Tanager, Gray Catbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Black-headed Grosbeak. The preserve is known for having the highest number of nesting Cooper’s Hawks in North America, which is quite a sight for bird watchers.
During migration seasons in spring and fall, the bosque fills with colorful warblers, vireos, tanagers, and flycatchers. Waterfowl and shorebirds can often be seen on the river itself. In winter, the bosque becomes a refuge for birds like Sandhill Cranes, Canada Geese, and various winter sparrows. You might also see cedar waxwings, American robins, and hermit thrushes feeding on berries from native and non-native plants.
The bosque’s dense shrubs and trees provide excellent cover for birds, making it a lively place for birdwatching throughout the year. The variety and abundance of birds make the Corrales Bosque a key spot for bird conservation and enjoyment.
Birds, Coyotes, and Bosque Life: Discovering Corrales’ Wild Side – Source: albuquerque.com
Coyotes and Other Mammals
Coyotes are one of the most common mammals in the Corrales bosque. These adaptable animals are part of the local ecosystem and play an important role in keeping the balance by controlling populations of smaller animals. Coyotes are usually shy and avoid humans, but they can often be heard howling at night or seen trotting through the area during early morning or late evening hours.
Besides coyotes, the bosque is home to other mammals like gray foxes, bobcats, beavers, raccoons, desert cottontails, rock squirrels, porcupines, and striped skunks. Beavers, once nearly wiped out by trapping, have made a comeback thanks to restocking efforts and now live in the riverbanks and drains of the bosque. These animals depend on the water and plants found in the riparian habitat to survive.
Bats also live in the bosque, with at least eleven species documented in the area. Some of these bats use the bosque’s aquatic and riparian zones extensively, and maternity roosts for species like the pallid bat and Brazilian free-tailed bat have been found in Corrales.
The Rio Grande Bosque Habitat
The bosque is a narrow strip of forest and wetlands along the Rio Grande River. Though it covers less than 1% of the landscape in the Southwest, it supports more bird species than all other nearby vegetation combined. This makes it a vital habitat for wildlife in an otherwise dry region.
The bosque’s trees, shrubs, and water provide food and shelter for many animals. It is especially important for birds during breeding, migration, and wintering seasons. The Village of Corrales and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District work together to manage and protect the Corrales Bosque Preserve, ensuring this habitat remains healthy and vibrant.
The preserve includes levees, ditches, and drains that help maintain water flow and habitat quality. A local advisory commission helps guide habitat management to support the diverse wildlife that depends on the bosque.
Why Visit the Corrales Bosque?
Visiting the Corrales Bosque is a chance to enjoy nature in a peaceful setting. Whether you are a birdwatcher, a photographer, or just someone who loves the outdoors, the bosque offers plenty to see and learn. Walking along the trails, you might hear the calls of hawks overhead, spot a coyote moving quietly through the brush, or watch a group of Sandhill Cranes feeding in the fields.
The bosque is accessible and welcoming to visitors, making it a great place for families and people of all ages to connect with wildlife. It also serves as an outdoor classroom, helping people understand the importance of protecting natural habitats and the creatures that live there.
The wildlife in Corrales, New Mexico, especially in the Rio Grande Bosque, is rich and varied. Birds like hummingbirds, tanagers, and hawks fill the skies, while coyotes and other mammals roam the land. The bosque’s unique environment supports this diversity, making it a special place to explore and appreciate nature. By visiting and supporting conservation efforts, we can help keep the Corrales Bosque a thriving home for wildlife for years to come.
Source: corrales-nm.org
Header Image Source: corrales-nm.org
