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New Mexico

Migratory birds are moving through New Mexico. Here’s what you can do to help them thrive.

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Migratory birds are moving through New Mexico. Here’s what you can do to help them thrive.


Birds of different sizes, colors and species flock through New Mexico as they migrate for the season. New Mexicans may catch a glimpse of some in their backyard without being aware of the impact these feathered aviators have on our ecosystem, and in turn, our impact on their ability to survive and thrive.

Migrating birds can travel for up to six months, from spring through fall. During this time, they nest, eat and rest in New Mexico’s wildlands, rural and urban cities and riparian areas.

Bird conservationist and Ph.D. candidate for New Mexico State University Dylan Osterhaus said people often fail to appreciate their impact on a bird’s ability to successfully migrate. For example, birds that migrate at night find light pollution challenging, Osterhaus said.

“80% of our migratory birds here in North America are actually migrating at night,” he said. “A large impact that humans actually have on birds during migration is with the light that we produce at night; so being conscientious about the light that we produce at night or the building you work in ― it’s making sure we need it and it’s useful and keep our night lighting to a minimum.”

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Light can disturb a migration pattern, imperiling migratory birds that are attracted to any luminescent to feed on insects.

“Any sort of wasted energy can be detrimental to them. Any time they spend time around these lighted infrastructures they can collide with these buildings that they don’t normally have in their environment,” he said.

“It’s important to know how our activities are impacting our environment as well.”

Light pollution in New Mexico: Check out this light pollution map.

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Bird watching in New Mexico

Bird watchers prioritize wildlife protection, specifically birds, and educate the public through their camera lenses and binoculars. Among them, is the Mesilla Valley Audubon Society, a nonprofit organization that “aims to promote the appreciation and conservation of birds and other wildlife.”

The bird enthusiasts who are members of the Mesilla Valley Audubon Society gather at least once a month, sometimes more, to snap photos of birds in their temporary habitats. The group will next meet May 11 at Ice Canyon in Dripping Springs in Las Cruces to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day.

“Mesilla Valley Audubon Society hosts at least four bird walks each month, a monthly program on Zoom and in person, a nature journaling club, birding field trips and other activities,” Cheryl Fallstead, Mesilla Valley Audubon Society president said.

Osterhaus is also a member of the Mesilla Valley Audubon Society, and teaches on many of the bird walks and field trips.

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He said bird watching is one of the largest hobbies in the United States, but over time the bird population has declined, causing difficulties for both birds and people.

“Birds play a really important role in controlling insect populations, so when they pass and living here, they play an important role. We also think about pollination benefits that birds have like hummingbirds that pollenate flowers as they go,” Osterhaus said.

“In general, bird populations are not doing well, they are experiencing these widespread declines in numbers and the areas they inhabit. Of course, with that large loss to birds we lose out on important ecosystem benefits they provide to us.”

A report by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) published in 2019 pointed to a decline ― an estimated 2.9 billion ― in the number of breeding migratory birds in 529 species since 1970 across North American regions. The report points to long-term changes in “nocturnal migratory passage” between 2007 and 2017 in songbird populations across the Eastern U.S.

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New Mexico considers revision of its migratory bird hunting rules

As work is being done to conserve the remaining bird populations, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish proposed revisions to the The Migratory Game Bird Rule (19.31.6 NMAC), the statue that defines which migratory birds can be hunted in the state.

The proposal included changes to the regular hunting season dates, and an increase in the number of sandhill crane permits but a decrease in permits for certain other species. According to a summary of proposed changes, population survey data was considered in increasing permits for sandhill crane, while bag limits for Central Flyway Scaup and northern pintail would decrease, inline with recommendations by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Department of Game and Fish scheduled a public meeting on the proposal for 6:30 p.m. April 18 at 7816 Alamo Road in Albuquerque.

Changes to the rules governing hunting of fowl are not unusual, according to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish website, pointing to a 2023 change to the hunting season by six days – starting six days later, but also lasted six days longer.

“The Department revises rules for hunting game every four years and migratory game birds (waterfowl) each year.  Involving hunters and other wildlife enthusiasts is invaluable during the review to ensure that their perspectives help influence hunting seasons and license numbers for the next four years,” read the N.M. Department of Game and Fish website.

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Bird flu ‘ruffles feathers’ of cattle in Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico

Migratory birds can have an outsized impact on the human world as well. In March, it was reported by the United States Department of Agriculture that H5N1 had been contracted by dairy cattle in Kansas, Texas, Michigan and New Mexico. The source of what is commonly called bird flu was migratory birds, according to a USDA news release.

Read more on migratory birds and the bird flu found in dairy cattle: USDA: Bird flu detected in dairy cattle in New Mexico, Texas and Kansas.

Farmers in Texas reported the infection of chicken populations, according to the USDA, with animals in several flocks being found dead. A few weeks later, a human case of bird flu was also reported in Texas, detected in a person who had close contact with the infected cattle.

Juan Corral can be reached at JCorral@gannett.com or on twitter at @Juan36Corr.

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New Mexico

Preliminary ideas released for potential New Mexico State Fairgrounds redevelopment

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Preliminary ideas released for potential New Mexico State Fairgrounds redevelopment


ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Potential redevelopment of the New Mexico State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque is moving fast, and KRQE News 13 is getting our first look at some of the big ideas being offered up to redesign one of the main corners of the property. The 49-acre corner is located on San Pedro and Central. Planners are emphasizing they’re only in the idea phase, but so far, that includes a lot of new potential housing and a possible, massive new park.  

“Today, we’re looking at things like traffic calming on San Pedro, pedestrian safety on Central, which is one of the most dangerous roadways in the United States of America. Ten acres of green space that can open up and be available to the public,” said Martin Chavez, New Mexico State Fairgrounds Initiative. 

Planners emphasize their concepts are not final, but they include ideas of adding a bunch a different types of housing, better bus stops, space for food trucks, and the flea market in what would be a big, open park and promenade. An initial estimate outlines a $64 million cost.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said the neighborhood is overdue for an update. “It just never got what it deserves to be a meaningful community that reflects the people who live there who have always deserved this level of prioritization and support,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-New Mexico). 

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Redevelopment could also include buying up neighboring land, like the closed CVS near Louisiana Blvd. and Central Ave. “So, it’s a balance of as things happen inside the fairgrounds, we also want to see good things happening outside the fairgrounds, and it’s a good first step,” said Roger Valdez, Director, the Center for Housing Economics. 

Reacting to the ideas, Albuquerque City Councilor Nicole Rogers said it’s a great start, going in the right direction for her district. “This is stuff that we can do right away, regardless of what happens with the fair, if it stays or goes. Community wants green space, the community wants better pedestrian safety around the fair, and we need to lower the heat index,” said Nichole Rogers, Albuquerque City Councilor for District 6. 

The Tax District Board overseeing the plan effort passed a resolution on Thursday to move the ideas forward to the next design stage. It will have to go to the State Board of Finance for approval next. The Fairgrounds District will host a second public meeting to get community input on the potential drafts on November 18. 



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New Mexico

Obituary for Carlos Pineda Montoya at West Funeral Home

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Obituary for Carlos Pineda Montoya at West Funeral Home


Carlos Pineda Montoya passed away on October 22, 2025 in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Surrounded by the love of his family. A visitation will take place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, followed by a rosary at 6p.m. at West Funeral Home Chapel. Cremation will take



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New Mexico

City seeks developer for property next to Smith’s in SE Albuquerque

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City seeks developer for property next to Smith’s in SE Albuquerque


According to the city, they’re looking to turn the property into housing and businesses and will even donate the half-acre lot to the winning developer.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The city is seeking a developer to transform a vacant, city-owned lot next to the Smith’s grocery store near the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

The lot is on Yale Boulevard, near Coal Avenue, just north of the Smith’s grocery store in that area. They want to turn that lot into housing and businesses.

The city will even donate the lot to the winning developer.

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The property is zoned for housing and businesses, like convenience stores.

You can learn more about it during a webinar Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. Then, developers have until Dec. 5 to submit proposals.



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