Bitter Lake NWR--Visitor Center

Tips for Birding

This is the hotspot at which to report observations around or near the Refuge’s Visitor Center. Observations along the Butterfly (Garden) Trail, between the old visitor center (currently the Biology Building) and the existing Visitor Center (completed in 2006) are likely reported as occurring at the Visitor Center hotspot. Because the eastern side of the Visitor Center looks across a wetlands unit some 40 feet below, eBird species-frequency bar charts probably include spotting-scope sightings of birds there. eBirders are encouraged to provide descriptive details of their birded area, such as “includes distant wetlands sightings from observation deck” or “includes Butterfly Trail”, in their list’s “Checklist Comments”.

The USFWS attempts to keep the Visitor Center open every day except Sunday, closing as well on Saturday during summer; exact hours are dependent on staff and volunteer availability. Along with interesting exhibits, the Visitor Center has the only potable water and flush toilets at the Refuge, though vault toilets are located at the Desert Upland Trail on the southwest corner of the auto tour loop. The gate across the road leading into the Refuge is open each day from sunrise to sunset, so not only the tour loop but also trails and the Visitor Center’s outside observation deck are accessible even if the Center is closed. The road from the entrance gate to the Visitor Center winds a little over a mile through treeless, flat, dry terrain vegetated primarily by shrubby mesquite, four-wing saltbush, alkali sacaton, grama, and dropseed; meadowlarks, or in fall/winter, Northern Harrier, are commonly encountered on the drive in, but would be more properly reported for the general Bitter Lake NWR hotspot than for the Visitor Center hotspot. 

A small bulletin board and brochure kiosk are found in the Visitor Center parking area. If you’re lucky, the kiosk is stocked with copies of the general Bitter Lake NWR brochure, which contains a map of the Refuge middle tract, showing trails, overlooks, and the tour loop route. A copy of this map may be posted on the bulletin board just outside the Center entrance doors. When the Visitor Center is open, you can obtain the brochure and other information from staff or volunteers, who in addition take care of the shared-space Friends of Bitter Lake Nature Store. A high-quality video overview of the Refuge may be viewed on request in the Center’s auditorium. Background noise elsewhere throughout the Visitor Center is recorded bird calls: test your knowledge! There are no garbage cans outside the Center or available anywhere on the tour loop. Cell phone signal strength is strong at the Visitor Center, but there is no public WiFi.

Benches and picnic tables are provided on the rear outdoor patio of the Visitor Center. Over 120 linear feet of window form the Center’s eastern wall, with a spotting scope and Adirondack loungers set up inside to look across the patio down to the vast panorama of wetlands below. 

A seed feeder is usually hung from the pinyon pine southwest of the front entrance to the Visitor Center, attracting mostly House Sparrow, Scaled Quail, and Mourning Dove. There is sometimes a feeder hung from the cottonwood near the small concrete pond group on the Visitor Center’s south side; Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) and Lesser Goldfinch frequently drink at the pond during fall and winter. The Visitor Center hangs no hummingbird feeders. Birders should not forget to examine the cottonwoods and brush growing from the middle of the Visitor Center parking lot roundabout.

The western (wheelchair-accessible) arc of the Butterfly Trail takes you north to the Bike Trail’s southeast trailhead. Staff residences and offices lie directly north of the Bike Trail parking lot, including the original visitor center building, built in the 1930s. Mature trees in this area are definitely worth examining from the parking lot; however, public entry into the residence or office area is prohibited. A map of the Butterfly Trail displaying each section’s length can be seen on the Refuge website, updated in early 2022, by selecting “Visit Us”, then “Trails”, and finally clicking on the “View Trail” button under “Butterfly Trail”. The eastern arc of that trail goes down to the spring run which flows north to south directly below the Visitor Center. There is a small observation deck right on the run, where patience may reward you with a Marsh Wren observation, though unless the weather is very cold, you will pay in blood if you’re not wearing mosquito repellent.

During fall and winter, results of a recent Biology staff waterfowl survey are often available at the Visitor Center, and at all times there is a guest birder book where visitors can record their notable sightings. A list of about 75 common species, in incomprehensible order but occasionally with photos, is available on the Refuge website. The Watchable Wildlife brochure, also available at the Visitor Center, contains a more traditional checklist, including seasonal frequency, again of about 75 more common species; the data period from which this list was compiled is not apparent. eBird data is more complete and transparent.

About this Location

The Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center and refuge headquarters is located at the north end of the refuge.

About Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge

See all hotspots at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Bittle Lake National Wildlife Refuge has been designated as an Important Bird Area.

Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge protects and provides habitat for some of New Mexico’s most rare and unusual creatures such as the least shrew, Noel’s amphipod, least tern, Pecos sunflower, and Roswell spring snail.

Located where the Chihuahuan Desert meets the Southern Plains, Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge is one of the more biologically significant wetland areas of the Pecos River watershed system. Established in 1937 to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds, the refuge plays a crucial role in the conservation of wetlands in the desert Southwest.

Bitter Lake is an ecological crossroad where the Chihuahuan Desert meets short grass prairie, the Pecos River, and the Roswell artesian basin. The blending of these different ecological conditions has created some unusual biological conditions. Here you will find wetland-dependent species interacting with desert creatures.

The abundant water supply draws a documented 357 species of birds to the refuge. In addition 59 species of mammals, more than 50 species of reptiles and amphibians, 24 types of fish, and more than 100 species of dragonflies and damselflies are found in this oasis.

Notable Trails

Butterfly Trail
Near the Headquarters, this 0.25-mile trail provides interpretive information about butterflies and landscaping to attract these beautiful insects. This is a perfect location to view native vegetation.

The AllTrails website has a description and map of a hike on the Butterfly Trail.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Entrance fee

  • Roadside viewing

Content from Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge Official Website and John Montgomery

Last updated March 12, 2023