N. Red Bridge Rd., Roswell

N. Red Bridge Rd., Roswell

Roswell, New Mexico 88201

Tips for Birding

This hotspot may be used for checklists along North Red Bridge Road when traveling to and from Bitter Lake NWR. The eBird hotspot map pin is located about a mile south of Pine Lodge Road (which leads to the Refuge). North Red Bridge Road, in combination with Pine Lodge Road, serves as the unofficial truck route to bypass Roswell on its northeast between US-380 and NM-285. There is no shoulder nor center stripe, yet the route is well-traveled by semis, so gawking from your vehicle or making any sudden stops can be hazardous. There is one shallow turnout on the east side of the road, north of the map pin. The pin is north of Clearview Road (which heads west from Red Bridge). 

The hotspot is at the southwest corner of a large solar panel farm, established on flat, nearly treeless, shrubby grassland which may have at one time been farmed or grazed, similar to the vegetation seen near the entrance to Bitter Lake NWR. There are a few houses, mostly west of the road. The landscape north of Salt Lick Trail (which heads east from Red Bridge) and south of Pine Lodge Road stays pretty much the same. Observations between these two roads made from North Red Bridge Road could then appropriately be listed for this hotspot. Yet, there seems little purpose in making this your birding destination, as any species seen here would likely be observed at the Refuge in a much safer environment.

Content from John Montgomery