Birding at Capulin Springs in the Sandia Mountains

As any birder in the US knows, the summer months are the doldrums of birding. In New Mexico we have hummingbirds and some year-round residents, but many birds are farther north during the summer breeding season. Capulin Springs in the Sandia Mountains is a place that is almost always a good place to see a variety of birds in the summer. The reason is water. At Capulin Springs the spring water has been directed through a hollowed-out log to create a lovely oasis for bird drinking and bathing.

The setting is really lovely.

The Magic Birding Log at Capulin Springs

Birders in the Albuquerque area have been excited to see the unusual numbers of Red Crossbills in the Sandias this summer. They flocked to the water in the hollowed-out log.

Red Crossbills bathing and drinking in the hollow log.

The Crossbills were in many different plumage phases. This male was really pretty.

Male Red Crossbill

Several people reported that they had seen White-winged Crossbills among the Red Crossbills. I believe that this is a female White-winged Crossbill. Note the white wing bar.

Note the white wing bar.

 The crossbills enjoyed bathing in the spring.

Red Crossbill enjoys a nice bath, ignoring a pair of Cassin's Finches photobombing my shot.

 A male Cassin's finch landed on one edge of the log ...

Cassin's Finch

... and watched as the female bathed in the spring.

Cassin's Finches

Yellow-rumped Warblers came by for a drink and a bath.

Yellow-rumped Warbler gets a drink ...

... and another Yellow-rumped Warbler takes a bath.

Another bathing bird.

 Shy Virginia's Warblers came down for a drink too.

A pretty Virginia's Warbler

Virginia's Warbler enjoying a bath

 A Plumbeous Vireo watched from nearby trees, waiting for an opportunity to drink and bathe.

Plumbeous Vireo watching from the trees.

I heard this Hairy Woodpecker hammering on trees long before I saw him.

A Hairy Woodpecker approaches the log ...

... and stays for a drink.

There were many Dark-eyed Juncos that came by to drink and bathe.

Dark-eyed Junco

Enjoying a lovely bath.

Small flocks of Pine Siskins came by from time to time.

Pine Siskins

During the time that I sat quietly watching the birds I could hear Red-breasted Nuthatches all around me. Occasionally one would dart down into the water.

Red-breasted Nuthatch

I had been hearing Northern Flickers throughout the day, and I was pleased to see this pretty female appear at the spring. You can see the red shafts in her tail.

Red-shafted Northern Flicker

The flicker enjoyed a drink and a bath too.

It was not only the birds that were enjoying the spring.

A Chipmunk comes in for a drink.

The wildflowers were in bloom, and I was interested to see a great many Tachinid Flies on the flowers.

Tachinid Fly

Capulin Springs is a lovely place to observe birds. These photos and the video were taken over the course of two one-hour visits to the springs. Although I did not see any rare or exotic birds, it is a lovely place to observe a nice variety of birds in a short time.

All photos © Linda Rockwell. Contact corralena@gmail.com for permission.