When do ospreys leave New Mexico?

Most Ospreys have left New Mexico by early June, when reports fall below half their usual rate.

When is the best time to see ospreys in New Mexico?

The Osprey is reported most often in the second week of April, on about 4.0% of New Mexico checklists.

Osprey · Pandion haliaetus

When Do Ospreys Arrive in New Mexico?

Photo: Bill Levine, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Ospreys arrive in New Mexico in mid March, peak in the second week of April (4.0% of checklists), and most are gone by early June.

When to look

First arrivalsMar 15-21mid March

Common byMar 15-21mid March

PeakApr 8-14the second week of April

Most gone byJun 1-7early June

Best: the second week of April. First arrivals mid March; most are gone by early June. Peak: on about 4.0% of New Mexico checklists.

Janrare
Febrare
Marcommon
Aprpeak season
Maycommon
Jununcommon
Juluncommon
Augcommon
Seppeak season
Octcommon
Novuncommon
Decrare

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Ospreys in New Mexico, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
Osprey	Mar 15-21	Mar 15-21	Apr 8-14	Jun 1-7	4.0%

Osprey

Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in New Mexico that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in New Mexico

Best counties for Osprey

Share of checklists at the peak

De Baca CountyBest mid September · 98 checklists that week, 2,203 in all34%
Quay CountyBest mid September · 44 checklists that week, 2,220 in all28%
Union CountyBest late September · 55 checklists that week, 2,373 in all18%
Eddy CountyBest early October · 144 checklists that week, 11,011 in all17%
San Juan CountyBest the second week of April · 110 checklists that week, 5,542 in all16%
Sierra CountyBest the second week of October · 222 checklists that week, 13,458 in all16%

Common questions

When do ospreys arrive in New Mexico?: Ospreys arrive in New Mexico in mid March, peak in the second week of April (4.0% of checklists), and most are gone by early June.
When do ospreys leave New Mexico?: Most Ospreys have left New Mexico by early June, when reports fall below half their usual rate.
When is the best time to see ospreys in New Mexico?: The Osprey is reported most often in the second week of April, on about 4.0% of New Mexico checklists.