New Mexicowinter wildlife
When does migrating and wintering wildlife peak in New Mexico?
Migrating and wintering wildlife usually peaks from September to March.
Updated Sep 28.
Places by state
New Mexico
- Bitter Lake RefugeStarts in 3 days
Local timing: Oct 1–Dec 31
- Bosque del Apache RefugeStarts in ~3 weeks
Local timing: Oct 20–Jan 31
- Maxwell RefugeStarts in ~3 weeks
Local timing: Oct 20–Feb 28
Official reports
- Sep 28Park ServiceCranes October–December, peak around Thanksgiving; 6.5-mile Wildlife Drive; Pajáro Bird Blind; locationSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bitter Lake NWR: Visit us in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceDucks October–March; snow geese November–March; sandhill cranes mid-September–DecemberSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bitter Lake NWR: Species in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceSandhill cranes typically late October through late January; greatest bird numbers early November to late January; seasons of wildlifeSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) in a new tab)
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- Sep 28Park ServiceIntermittent Tour Loop road closures from about September 29, 2026; fees, hours, Scenic Drive, what to bringSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceThe refuge's twelve nature trails, including the Observation Blind Trail on the North LoopSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge: Trails in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceSeasons of wildlife: wintering bald eagles, fall cranes, geese and ducksSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maxwell NWR: Species in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceFall migration peak, Lake 13, Cottonwood Nature Trail, hours, fees, restrooms and rulesSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maxwell NWR: Visit Us in a new tab)
Questions people ask
Where can I see winter wildlife in New Mexico?
We track 3 places: Bitter Lake Refuge (its season: Oct 1–Dec 31), Bosque del Apache Refuge (its season: Oct 20–Jan 31) and Maxwell Refuge (its season: Oct 20–Feb 28).
When is peak winter wildlife in New Mexico in 2026?
It depends on the place and the animal. Of the places we track in New Mexico, the earliest season starts at Bitter Lake Refuge (Oct 1–Dec 31) and the latest runs at Maxwell Refuge (Oct 20–Feb 28). Each place page gives its own season and the animals behind it.
Where can I see sandhill cranes in New Mexico?
At Bitter Lake Refuge (October–December), Bosque del Apache Refuge (October–January) and Maxwell Refuge (October), by each refuge's own calendar. Numbers vary from year to year and day to day.
Where can I see snow geese in New Mexico?
At Bitter Lake Refuge (November–March) and Bosque del Apache Refuge (November–January), by each refuge's own calendar. Numbers vary from year to year and day to day.
How do you track winter wildlife?
Each place moves through 4 stages: Birds arriving, Numbers building, Peak numbers and Birds departing. Every stage we show comes from a dated report with its source, and every forecast lists its sources.