CEDAR WAXWING - CORNELL LAB OF ORNITHOLOGY

ABQ Winter Magic

Juncos, Sandhill Cranes, and Snow Geese, oh my! December in New Mexico is pure magic for bird lovers. While we bundle up, the birds are just getting started. It’s the perfect month to plug into the birding community. Join the annual Christmas Bird Count, swap sightings with fellow bird nerds, or swing by one of our upcoming ZEISS events to test-drive some seriously awesome optics. December is for birds and for all of us who adore them!

The Birds Are Hungry

Winter birding feels a little like hosting the coolest backyard party. Everyone’s invited! Feeders burst with Dark-eyed Juncos, White-crowned Sparrows, and other chilly-season visitors looking for a snack and a safe spot. Keep an eye out for pot bellied flocks of American Robins crowding around water sources and ground-foraging stars like Spotted Towhees kicking up leaves beneath your feeders. A seed blend with plenty of millet is basically rolling out the red carpet for these winter guests.

Water is a Lifesaver

Don’t forget the water! Fresh, open water is a winter lifesaver helping birds stay hydrated and keeping their feathers clean so they stay warm and fluffy. Adding a bird-bath heater is a tiny upgrade that turns your yard into a winter oasis. You might even attract birds that usually skip the feeders altogether. Plus, keep watching the skies and treetops. Cedar Waxwings may sweep through in search of berries and New Mexico’s ducks and geese are at their seasonal peak. Winter birding has never been more fun!

ZEISS In-Store & In The Field

Join us Friday, December 5, from 2 - 5 pm AND Saturday 1 - 4 pm for a special demo with ZEISS optics expert Rich Moncrief. Come check out these top-tier binoculars in person and get all your questions answered. No registration required, just come on into the store!

Bird Outing - Los Poblanos Open Space!

Saturday, December 6, 8:30 -10:30 am. This is a fantastic chance to try out all tiers of ZEISS binoculars in the field and discover more about our local winter birds with guidance from Rich Moncrief and Field Naturalist PD StClair. This outing includes traveling ~1.5 miles on a packed dirt trail. Accessible parking and restrooms are available. This outing requires registration:

Email: [email protected]
Or call the store: 505-883-0324
Meet at Los Poblanos Open Space (Parking Area) North side of Montano Rd. NW, between 4th St. NW & the Rio Grande. Google Maps.

Our Holiday Party | You Are Invited

Swing by the store anytime on Saturday, December 13 for tasty treats, festive refreshments, and jolly in-store discounts! It’s the perfect excuse to escape the holiday hustle, chat birds with fellow ABQ nature lovers, and snag a few fun gifts for your backyard flock. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Albuquerque Christmas Bird Count | Date To Be Announced

December marks the annual Christmas Bird Count, a beloved tradition since 1900 when Frank M. Chapman proposed counting birds instead of hunting them. Now the world’s longest-running community science project, the count invites thousands of volunteers each year to document winter bird populations across the Americas. It’s a meaningful way to contribute to conservation while enjoying the season’s birdlife. Counting birds at your feeders helps too! Learn more or sign up here.

As winter settles in, it’s the perfect time to soak up the bird joy. Whether you’re watching cranes in various fields around town or the fluttery drama happening under your feeders, December is packed with good times! Thanks for being part of our bird-loving flock! All of us at WBU East wish you a cozy season filled with connection, cheer, and plenty of feathered guests. Stay warm and bird curious!

Share Your Sightings

Found an exciting critter in your yard or a cool bird photographed on a hike? Send photos to [email protected] and we may feature your photos on our website or in social media. Connect with us on social media for more tips and happenings: WBUABQ on Instagram, Wild Birds Unlimited (Albuquerque, NM East) on Facebook and on our YouTube Channel - WildBirdsUnlimited ABQEast.

Good birding!
PD StClair is a team member at WBU East and WBU Santa Fe