Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Reserve

Why You Must Visit the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Reserve!

Part of Albuquerque's appeal is what surrounds it, a diverse collection of stunning natural attractions. As the winter season begins, one of the area's finest attractions truly comes into its own: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Reserve, only a 90 minute drive from Albuquerque, in Socorro, New Mexico.

The 57,000 plus acre wildlife refuge comprises arid grasslands and artificially maintained wetlands that straddle the Rio Grande. The wetlands are the stars of this attraction come winter, as they attract the huge flocks of wintering cranes and geese that are the refuge's most interesting feature. Many other species, notably waterfowl, shorebirds, and birds of prey, also winter in the refuge. Every fall, some 15,000 cranes, Arctic geese, and ducks winter at the bosque.

To celebrate their arrival, the bosque presents a six-day celebration called The Festival of the Cranes. The 19th Annual Festival of the Cranes is November 14-19, 2006. This festival provides an entertaining education that includes tours and classes on the varied species of birds that return to the bosque each fall.

Of course, the finest events of the bosque are put on by the birds themselves. The early morning fly-outs and evening fly-ins of thousands of snow geese and sandhill cranes are an incredible show not to be missed!

To learn more at the Bosque del Apache and the Festival of the Cranes, visit the following websites:

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/newmex/bosque/
http://www.friendsofthebosque.org/