Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park (MVBSP) is an Audubon-designated important birding area and is a stop on the state birding trail.
And, thanks to the Mesilla Valley Audubon Society (MVAS), the park is now the home of a brand-new bird blind, which was officially opened in a in a New Mexico State Parks Division (NMSP) ceremony Saturday morning, Jan. 14, at the park.
A bird blind is a windowed structure that allows people to get closer to birds for viewing and photography in their natural habitat without disturbing the birds.
“Our ability to build this ADA accessible bird blind is thanks to a National Audubon Western Waters grant and a generous anonymous donor who funded a significant portion of this project,” said MVAS Board President Elaine Stachera Simon. “Our goal with this bird blind was to create the potential to provide those of differing abilities with an opportunity to learn about the importance of avian ecology and conservation to people and animals along the major river in New Mexico.”
“MVAS has always been a valued partner for NMSP,” said NMSP Regional Manager Jared Langenegger, of Tucumcari. “They were one of the original stakeholders that pushed for the development of this park. Their work in developing the Southwest New Mexico Birding trail, providing monthly bird walks and supporting special events has enriched the lives of visitors to the parks.”
“Definitely, it’s a partnership,” said Mesilla Mayor Nora Barraza. “It’s all working together; it’s collaborating.”
The 305-acre MVBSP is located along the Rio Grande, about two miles southwest of Mesilla Plaza.
A bosque, Spanish for woodlands, is essentially a riverside forest.
The Jan. 14 event also included a live raptors presentation by New Mexico Raptors Director Laura McCann, a performance by the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Cultural Center dance group and a silent auction.
New Mexico is home to more than 550 bird species.
Visit www.emnrd.nm.gov, click on “STATE PARKS,” “Find a Park” and “Mesilla Valley Bosque.” Also visit
www.mvasaudubon.org and https://nm.audubon.org/birds/birding-trails-new-mexico.
