Adventures begin in Silver City, New Mexico -
Birding in the Gila National Forest
(pronounced Heela).
Article and illustrations by Jackie Blurton

We stood at the end of a rocky, hogback ridge in the Black Range of the Gila National Forest near Silver City, New Mexico. Before us was a deep canyon we couldn’t see the bottom of a couple thousand feet below. We’d worked our way here following a trail that wasn’t a trail after all and took it as far as bush-whacking would allow. Now in this high place of thin air, turquoise sky, and craggy canyons, a Peregrine Falcon comes cruising by. He soars back and forth just above our heads looking down on us, than out and away into his airy domain. Suddenly he folds his wings to stoop and, like a rocket, dives out of sight into the canyon below. Well, that was worth all the locust scratches on this ridiculous hike to the end of nowhere. Illustration: The Bridled Titmouse lives in the pine forests around Silver City, by Jackie Blurton.

Your memorable birding experience doesn’t have to be quite so hard to come by. Just an hour drive from Silver City, the Gila River Bird Habitat, a special management unit of the Gila National Forest, offers great birding with easy access and easy walking among river willows and cottonwoods along the Gila River. This is a very special place where spring migrations and the combination of riparian habitat and desert foothills bring a great variety of birds together. Common Black-hawks patrol the Gila River or perch high in treetops. Yellow Warblers, Cardinals, and Vermillion Flycatchers draw your eye like magnets. Towhees and thrashers rustle in the thickets, and Black Phoebes and Phainopeplas have their favorite, conspicuous perches. Look for warblers including Lucy’s and Olive. There are so many species here that you can spend many great birding days in the cool shade of the cottonwoods.

Just a half hour drive north of Silver City, in the Gila National Forest, the silver melody of the Hermit Thrush mingles with the distinctive calls of Painted Redstarts and Red-faced Warblers. The mix of oak and pine are a favorite place for Acorn Woodpeckers and the Bridled Titmouse. The lucky birder may find a Montezuma Quail. You’ll also find Hepatic, Summer, and Western Tanagers.

The Silver City – Grant County Chamber of Commerce has birding maps available for visitors. There is also a “Birds of the Gila National Forest Check List”, available at the Gila National Forest Supervisors office, district ranger stations, the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, and other locations such as the Chamber office.

Spring migrations begin in late April but birding can be rewarding all through the year. Over 339 species have been seen in Grant County. You’ll find intriguing desert canyons, cool riparian habitat, Pinon/Juniper woodlands, and Ponderosa and Spruce/Fir forests. All are within an easy drive from Silver City and our surrounding Grant County communities. We invite you come see our special birds and enjoy our communities on the boarders of the Gila National Forest. Go to www.silvercity.org for more information on birding.

For more about Silver City, click here.

Jackie Blurton has been hiking, birding, and bicycling in the Gila National Forest near Silver City with her husband, Jim, since 1993. She is a former graphic artist and does pen & ink bird illustrations for “From Our Place to Yours”, a nature column in the Silver City Daily Press. She and Jim have owned and operated the Silver City KOA Campground, in Silver City, New Mexico since 1993. Visit their website www.campsilvercity.com.