Arrive To: Hotel Check-in 3 - 5 p.m. Orientation 5 p.m. followed by dinner

Dinner: Dinner will be in a locally owned restaurant with several entree choices.

Evening: Orientation and Introductions. Lecture on birding etiquette and target species we hope to observe.

Lodging: Best Western Socorro Hotel and Suites

Meals Included: Dinner

Daybreak mass ascension of Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes with full day of bird watching in Bosque del Apache.

Breakfast: Hotel expanded continental breakfast with hot and cold items.

Morning: Predawn departure to the Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge to be in place for mass ascension of snow geese and sandhill cranes. Based in Socorro about 20 miles away, we will arise early, have a quick breakfast and be there in time to observe the dramatic early morning “mass ascensions” of birds. We will then spend several hours driving the loop roads and watching for birds in several locations. During the day, large flocks of Snow Geese may take off suddenly from adjoining fields. The sight and sound of thousands of birds rising up in unison is a breathtaking experience you will never forget. We may also experience the sandhill cranes leaving their roost; afternoon observation of geese and cranes feeding in the fields; porcupine, coyote, wild turkey, deer, and birds of prey; and watching amazing fly-ins at last light.

Lunch: Lunch will be in a local cafe with choices off of the menu.

Afternoon: Late afternoon bird viewing along Rio Grande River (prime roosting areas) or locations in Bosque del Apache Preserve, evening bird fly-in. Instructor will use best judgement as to location selected depending upon location of the masses of birds that frequently move.

Dinner: Dinner will be in a locally owned restaurant with several entree choices.

Evening: Free for relaxation and tallying bird list.

Lodging: Best Western Socorro Hotel and Suites

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Daybreak mass ascension of Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes with full day of bird watching along Rio Grande River Refuges. Evening descent of Sandhill Cranes.

Breakfast: Hotel expanded continental breakfast with hot and cold items

Morning: Predawn departure to the Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge to be in place for mass ascension of snow geese and sandhill cranes. Early morning flyout locations will vary each day. Bosque del Apache translates as "Woods of the Apache". Native Americans often camped at this river-side forest, and the area was occupied by Pueblo Peoples for centuries before the Spanish explorers established the Camino Real (the Royal Road from Mexico City to Santa Fe) in the sixteenth century. The Camino Real ran right through the present-day Refuge.

Lunch: Lunch will be in a local cafe with choices off of the menu.

Afternoon: After lunch we will travel to the State of New Mexico's impressive Camino Real Museum to learn about this amazing Road that traveled from Mexico City to Santa Fe in the 16-1800's. Our afternoon birding will include viewing along the Rio Grande River or locations in Bosque del Apache, including the evening crane and snowgeese fly-in. The Refuge is an important wintering home for Sandhill Cranes, and will host as many as 14,000 during the winter months. Cranes will begin arriving in November, and will leave as late as the end of February, heading for Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge and Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge for a month or two before migrating onwards to Greys' Lake, Idaho, their breeding grounds.

Dinner: Dinner will be in a locally owned restaurant with several entree choices.

Evening: Wrap up for day and planning session for next day

Lodging: Best Western Socorro Hotel and Suites

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Daybreak mass ascension of Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes with full day of bird watching in Bosque del Apache. and other wildlife refuges.

Breakfast: Hotel expanded continental breakfast with hot and cold items

Morning: Predawn departure to the Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge to be in place for mass ascension of snow geese and sandhill cranes. As well as Sandhill Cranes, the Bosque is also home to over 32,000 Snow Geese and Ross Geese, dozens of Bald Eagles and Golden, Great Blue Herons, Occasional Pelicans, Avocets, and many, many other birds. Small herds of Mule Deer and families of Coyotes are also at home on this beautiful refuge.

Lunch: Lunch will be in a local cafe with choices off of the menu.

Afternoon: After lunch we will travel to Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge and the Ladd Gordon State Waterfowl Protection Area for many bird viewing opportunities including cranes feeding. Our late afternoon birding will include viewing along the Rio Grande River or locations in Bosque del Apache, including the evening crane and snowgeese fly-in. Seeing the sunset "Fly In" and the dawn "Fly Out" is an experience you will never forget! If you are lucky you can also see what we call "Puffs" of Snow Geese, thousands rising into the air, sometimes within 10- 20 feet of you. The sound of wings and the sound of geese talking is a fantastic, primordial experience, guaranteed to "wow" you out of your worries and "wow" you out of your own body, and guaranteed to lift your soul to join them.

Dinner: Dinner will be in a locally owned restaurant with several entree choices.

Evening: Wrap up for day and week, compile bird list

Lodging: Best Western Socorro Hotel and Suites

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart From: Check-out after Breakfast

Breakfast: Hotel expanded continental breakfast with hot and cold items

Meals Included: Breakfast