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Field Trips

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MVAS Cherry Creek Field Trip
April 25 – 26, 2024
 
Take advantage of spring migration and explore some exciting birding hotspots near
Silver City. Add to your life list with potential sightings of red-faced warblers, western
and hepatic tanagers, painted redstarts, and many more! Holly Thomas, co-host of
the Mindful Birding podcast and MVAS member, will lead a field trip for MVAS
members with both day birding and night owling adventures.
 
If you would like to be part of this field trip, reserve your spot by
emailing mesillavalleyaudubon@gmail.com by Friday, April 19. There is no fee to
participate, however all expenses are on your own, as are making lodging
reservations. Everyone will need to sign a liability waiver to participate.
 
Timeline:
 
Early arrivals: For anyone wanting to arrive early for scouting, you can join Holly for
the same activities listed below on Wednesday night/Thursday morning. Contact
Holly directly for details at 510-301-2814 or htbern1@sbcglobal.net.
 
Thursday, April 25: Arrive and check in at lodging, optional afternoon birding TBD.
 
Dinner at the Buckhorn Saloon (possible venue) from 6 – 8 p.m. 
 
Optional after-dinner night prowl up NM-15: (By ear only — no playback or
spotlighting for owls) — possible Flammulated Owl, Mexican Whip-poor-will,
Western Screech Owl — with stops along NM-15 (roughly 30 minutes north of Pinos

Altos) and stop back at Bear Creek Motel — to listen — then folks can retire for the
night.  Return roughly 10 p.m.
 
Friday, April 26: Cherry Creek Campground, 8 a.m.
Meet at the campground (carpooling encouraged) and spend the better part of the
morning — up to three plus hours exploring the area — possibly walk up the road,
and then along the trail nearby that parallels the creek.
 
Picnic lunch at the campground, then head home. Unless . . . 
 
Stay later: For anyone wanting to stay longer, there may be some more local birding
Thursday afternoon and a possible trip to explore Gila Cliff Dwellings National
Monument on Friday with Holly. She is also interested in exploring more of NM-15 —
McMillan Campground or possibly going up to Lake Roberts — on Saturday morning.
 
Lodging Options
 
Cherry Creek campground: Non-reservation, very basic, nice location
 
Near Pinos Altos:
Bear Creek Motel and Cabins: Holly will be staying here, but they have a three-night
minimum. 
 
In Silver City:
Lulu

 

There are many other name brand hotels in Silver City, for example— Best Western,
Comfort Inn, Quality Inn — plus other campgrounds like KOA.

Possible species at Cherry Creek - for April

Gila NF--Cherry Creek Campground,

GrantCounty, NM, US - eBird Hotspot

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See attached flyer: MVAS Cherry Cherry Creek Field Trip

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Ideas welcome.

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Most field trips are excursions outside of the local Dona Ana County environs and usually require planning for transportation, meals, and meeting people in other locations.  They are educational and a lot of fun as well.  As new plans develop, they will be described in detail in this "Field Trip" section of the MVAS webpage, as well as documented in the calendar and with emails to everyone on our mailing list.  If you have ideas of your own, or would like to help with planning of MVAS field trips fill out the contact form at the bottom of this page.

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