WhenToBird

Birding spots

Best Birding Spots in New Mexico

By species reported, the top birding spots in New Mexico are Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Percha Dam State Park, and Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (southeast 2). Carlsbad Caverns National Park has the longest list (262 species), and its best season is spring.

Species counts are birds reported at least three times in that season at that spot, 2016–2025. Busy spots list more species simply because more people look, so compare the checklist counts. Spot names come from public map data and hotspot listings.

SpotCountySpeciesChecklistsWinterSpringSummerFall
Carlsbad Caverns National ParkEddy County2622,740131223135200
Percha Dam State ParkSierra County2561,881160202105199
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (southeast 2)Socorro County245965130197120163
Montano Southwest BosqueBernalillo County2426,997127194151205
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (east)Socorro County2401,98410621473127
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (southwest)Socorro County2232,11399151128184
Valle de Oro National Wildlife RefugeBernalillo County2223,55194171148164
Elephant Butte Lake State ParkSierra County2191,15812216867157
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (south)Socorro County2171,760118179107160
BosqueBernalillo County2153,973103172115171
La Llorona ParkDona Ana County2151,183106168103177
Ute Lake State ParkQuay County2134159813076169
Mesilla Valley Bosque ParkDona Ana County2091,607102164116166
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (southeast)Socorro County2071,30511117367114
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife RefugeSocorro County2063,73610216274133
Leasburg Dam State ParkDona Ana County2061,01711416286164
Bosque Redondo LakeDe Baca County2056057515775146
City of Albuquerque 1Bernalillo County2031,80688168126150
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (east)Socorro County2005863418210878
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (northeast)Socorro County19891010516274102
AlamedaBernalillo County1942,959116148100127
Bosque (Los Padillas)Bernalillo County1901,04785159116137
Lake RobertsGrant County19066988158109133
Los Poblanos FieldsBernalillo County1892,4947614897131
Montano Southwest Bosque (2)Bernalillo County1861,79493143105144
Bosque (San Antonio Arroyo)Bernalillo County1861,3859113396130
Lake AvalonEddy County18646471144117121
Bosque (north)Bernalillo County1851,8468713487138
Sumner Lake State ParkDe Baca County1854738410865144
Las Cruces Dam Open SpaceDona Ana County18497610512595150

By county