Friends of Bosque del Apache recently hosted our 4th annual Spring Migration Celebration from April 30 – May 3. The long weekend was filled with discovery, beauty, learning, and the shared joy of experiencing spring at the refuge.
Over the course of the four-day celebration, we welcomed 141 attendees who joined us for a total of twenty-six talks, seminars, guided birding tours, workshops, and special events highlighting the incredible diversity of wildlife and habitats found at Bosque del Apache during migration season.
We were honored to welcome back the talented and beloved birding guides Holly Merker and Alex Harper, whose field tours once again inspired participants with their knowledge, enthusiasm, and deep appreciation for the natural world.
Guide Alex Harper leads a birding workshop and tour during Spring Migration Celebration.
This year’s celebration also expanded beyond birding with several new workshops exploring nature journaling, poetry in nature, lizards and turtles, the fascinating history of Bosque del Apache and the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Bolson tortoise, and more. Many attendees shared how much they enjoyed this broader mix of experiences, and several of these workshops may become part of future Spring Migration Celebrations.
Left to Right: Bolson tortoise photo by Joan Kopietz; Nature Journaling demonstration at Bosque del Apache; Sample of a Native American pottery shard, shown during the Archeology presentation.
The timing of the event could not have been better. Early May brought an exciting variety of migratory species through the refuge, and participants identified an impressive 178 species of birds over the course of the weekend, along with many mammals and reptiles.
The Desert Arboretum was alive with color as spring blooms painted the landscape in vibrant hues. Adding to the magic, a gentle spring storm passed through the area, bringing cooler temperatures and calmer winds that made spending time outdoors especially enjoyable.
Birding guide Holly Merker and several intrepid Spring Migration Celebration attendees revel in a light spring shower during the Forest Bathing workshop. (How fitting, right?!) Present among the group (third from the left) was Maggie Taylor, wife of late Bosque del Apache Biologist John Taylor, for whom the John P. Taylor Jr. Memorial Trail was named.
Attendees enthusiastically shared how excited they were to learn so much, discover new species, and spend meaningful time immersed in nature alongside fellow wildlife and birding enthusiasts.
Saturday’s events offered even more opportunities for connection and discovery, including the annual Desert Arboretum Stroll and Animal Art on the Bosque plaza with sculptor Sharon Fullingim.
Artist Sharon Fullingim gives a demonstration on the BdA Plaza during Spring Migration Celebration. In addition to being such a lovely piece of art, this hand-crafted sculpture is also a functional watering feature for bees!
Saturday evening the festivities moved over to the Socorro Convention Center, where guests attended the Friends Annual Meeting and enjoyed a keynote presentation by acclaimed writer, photographer, and naturalist Mark Seth Lender.
This year’s winner of the Martha Hatch Volunteer of the Year and past Friends of BdA Board President, Mary Ruff, was announced during the Friends Annual Meeting.
Our Keynote presenter Mark Seth Lender, who is also a producer and explorer-in-residence for Living on Earth, Public Radio’s environmental news magazine, actually flew in early to spend nearly two weeks scouring the Middle Rio Grande Valley, including three of New Mexico’s National Wildlife Refuges, to learn more about the state, take photos of our unusual and unique plant and animal species and gather material for future publication. (He works fast, for upon his arrival back home, he immediately published the article, I Know Where the Wild Crane Goes. We look forward to more to come, and will share them with you as they become available.)
During his visit, our Keynote presenter and author Mark Seth Lender presented his children’s book, Smeagull the Seagull to local kindergarten and first grade students. Assisting in the presentation was Mark’s wife Valerie Pettis, who illustrated the book.
One especially memorable surprise during the weekend was the appearance of a long-tailed weasel, believed to be making its home in the Desert Arboretum. Several participants and staff were thrilled to catch glimpses of the energetic little hunter weaving through the habitat — a reminder that Bosque del Apache always holds the possibility of unexpected wonder.
As we continue gathering survey responses and reflections from attendees, one thing is already clear: this year’s Spring Migration Celebration created meaningful experiences, joyful discoveries, and lasting memories for all who attended. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us in celebrating the beauty and wonder of spring migration at Bosque del Apache.