| Ownership |
City of Ft. Sumner |
| Habitats |
Oxbow lakes, Cottonwood bosque, Grass/shrubland |
| Land-use |
Recreation |
| Threats |
Introduced plants, Recreation |
| Site Criteria |
State conservation species (D1),
State outstanding landbird stopover (D4vii) |
| Site Description |
The Bosque Redondo contains oxbow lakes and riparian areas that are
part of the Pecos River flood plain and sits in a heavily farmed area.
Vegetation is cottonwood with the understory being primarily
salt cedar and Russian Olive. Area is managed by the town of Ft. Sumner for
recreation with camping and picnic sites available. Of historic significance is
that this was the forced home of the Navajo nation during the years 1864 to
1868. Under military escort, over 8000 Navajos marched 350 miles from
their homes in northwest New Mexico and northeast Arizona to Ft. Sumner for
resettlement. The Navajo People remember the hardships and death many met
on that journey as the "Long Walk." |
| Birds |
Contains nesting Red-headed Woodpecker. Brown Thrasher may
also nest in the area. Other birds of interest in season include Mississippi
Kite, Eurasian Collared Dove, White-winged Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo,
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Northern Bobwhite, and Blue Jay. This is a
migrant trap noted for its rarities including Piratic Flycatcher and Long-billed
Thrasher. |
| Conservation Issues |
Heavy infestation of salt cedar. |
| Conservation Plan |
|
| Monitor(s) |
None assigned. |
| Nominator |
Christopher Rustay, 1824 Stanford Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM,
87106 |
| Sources |
Personal observations (PO) |
| Links |
Bosque Redondo — destination of the long walk
eBird
New Mexico Hot Spot |
| Directions |
The Bosque Redondo is
reached by taking NM 272 in Ft. Sumner, on the right 1.6 miles east
of the intersection of US84 and US60. The road goes through alfalfa and hay
fields to Bosque Lakes Park. [There will be a number of jogs in the road in
getting there.] |
