Hey hey USA - 20th October - a service station and some birds

February 05, 2023

Stopping at a service station on the way north, Michael thought it would be a good idea to investigate beyond the parking lot behind the station. We were towards the northern end of the Tularosa Basin and the missile range, about 35 miles south of Socorro. On passing through a gate in the fence we came upon a dirt road with a notice advertising the El Camino Real Heritage Centre which was naturally shut. It was a way down the road but there was a memorial to the Camino Real, the old trade road, on a mound close to us. On further investigation I found out that the museum had been shut since 2016. It had opened in 2005 in smart architect designed buildings, but visitor levels were so low due to its isolated location that it was not worthwhile keeping it open.

In front of the service station was parked a rather interesting trailer carrying a group of plastic animals.

Alan is a bit of a birder so the wildlife refuge of the Basque del Apache was a natural stopping off place. Unfortunately we were rather between seasons so it was quiet. In the winter thousands of birds such as sandhill cranes and snow geese congregate here for the winter, where they spend their time in the lakes safe from predators.

We saw some sandhill cranes flying in, some smaller birds and a roadrunner, a great little bird just like its cartoon counterpart. It certainly runs but not at 90mph, more like up to 27 which is still pretty fast! It is actually a type of cuckoo but does rear its own offspring.