Rosy Finches – Sandia Crest, New Mexico

On the drive I just made to San Diego I stopped by Sandia Crest, New Mexico to see the Rosy Finches that winter there. This is the best place to see all three species of North American Rosy Finches.


BLACK ROSY-FINCH

Sandia Crest is a short drive from Albuquerque, New Mexico; so it's convenient if you're driving by on I-40 or I-25. East of Albuquerque, take exit 175 off of I-40 and then go north on Hwy 14 for about 6 miles to Sandia Crest Rd (Hwy 536). Go west on Sandia Crest Rd for about 13 miles, and at the end of the road turn left into the middle of three parking lots. The bird feeder will be up the hill on the right by the building. (at least in the winter of 2012/2013).

Get there really early in the morning or you may miss them. The light was bad for pictures, but I walked up a path above the feeders to get close and OK results. The birds are rather tame.


SANDIA CREST IS PAST THE SKI AREA AND IS AT OVER 10,000 FT IN ELEVATION


TURN LEFT BEFORE BROWN SIGNS AT MIDDLE PARKING LOT AND FEEDER WILL BE ON RIGHT TOWARD END OF LOT.


GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH


BROWN-CAPPED ROSY-FINCH


BLACK ROSY-FINCH


ABERT'S SQUIRREL