Posted by Dennis Plank on November 26, 2017 at 11:59 AM
I'm headed down that way December 11th and I'm wondering how conditions are this year. I can't seem to find counts available on either the Refuge or the Friends websites. All they seem to do is point one to ebird.
Thanks for any up to date information.
Posted by Keith Bauer on November 26, 2017 at 12:20 PM
Hi Dennis:
I was there for the Festival of the Cranes (November 14-19). The bird counts were quite good then and it is my understanding they continue to grow. I leave tomorrow morning (11/27) to lead a workshop there. Kurt Bowman is, or was there in the past few days and reported a large number of birds.
I don't know if the bird counts are still up on the Friends website or not.
Happy to report back at the end of the week after our workshop.
Posted by Richard Ditch on November 26, 2017 at 1:11 PM
I plan to be there on 12/11 and 12/12 as well, so I hope we get a chance to meet at some point.
Posted by Dennis Plank on November 26, 2017 at 5:38 PM
Thanks, Keith.
Richard: I sent you a pm. I'd love to get together.
Posted by Kurt Bowman on November 26, 2017 at 10:03 PM
Hi Dennis,
I am in Bosque right now (leaving tomorrow after the morning shoot. I don't know any official counts, but just off past experience, I think this is the best bird count I have seen here in a few years. They are doing a couple of things differently with the setup. Some of it might only be over the holidays, but not sure. For example, the outer ponds, only one has water (south pond). At first I was not happy about it, but when I saw the results, I was thrilled. All the birds have been forced into one pond and it is super packed in the morning for lots of opportunities. They opened the Tour Loop (north loop), but this time they closed Farm Loop so they force you down it. The numbers of birds on it are awesome, but most of the birds seem to congregate on the south side of the road making the light really rough for either a morning or afternoon shoot. I am coming back out on 11/30-12/3, so looks like I will miss you and Richard, but good luck to you two!
Posted by Keith Bauer on December 3, 2017 at 9:11 AM
I spent last week at Bosque. The number of birds is excellent. It's been many years since I've seen this many cranes and geese. Mornings are usually very good if the sun / clouds cooperate. After the morning flyout, things get a little tougher, but there are still plenty of opportunities. You just have to have a bit of luck to be at the right place at the right time.
The north loop has a lot of activity and a lot of corn. The biggest issue is light angle. Still fun to watch and if the sun / clouds cooperate, again some great opportunties.
Posted by Dennis Plank on December 10, 2017 at 12:27 PM
Discussion
6 repliesThanks for any up to date information.
I was there for the Festival of the Cranes (November 14-19). The bird counts were quite good then and it is my understanding they continue to grow. I leave tomorrow morning (11/27) to lead a workshop there. Kurt Bowman is, or was there in the past few days and reported a large number of birds.
I don't know if the bird counts are still up on the Friends website or not.
Happy to report back at the end of the week after our workshop.
Richard: I sent you a pm. I'd love to get together.
I am in Bosque right now (leaving tomorrow after the morning shoot. I don't know any official counts, but just off past experience, I think this is the best bird count I have seen here in a few years. They are doing a couple of things differently with the setup. Some of it might only be over the holidays, but not sure. For example, the outer ponds, only one has water (south pond). At first I was not happy about it, but when I saw the results, I was thrilled. All the birds have been forced into one pond and it is super packed in the morning for lots of opportunities. They opened the Tour Loop (north loop), but this time they closed Farm Loop so they force you down it. The numbers of birds on it are awesome, but most of the birds seem to congregate on the south side of the road making the light really rough for either a morning or afternoon shoot. I am coming back out on 11/30-12/3, so looks like I will miss you and Richard, but good luck to you two!
The north loop has a lot of activity and a lot of corn. The biggest issue is light angle. Still fun to watch and if the sun / clouds cooperate, again some great opportunties.