ABA Community Weekend in Albuquerque, NM, Aug. 22–23, 2026
Join the American Birding Association for a full weekend of birding, community, and celebration in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico, Aug. 22–23, 2026!
All bird walks and talks are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Some locations may charge an access fee. Additional details, such as speakers, will be announced soon.
Mid-August in central New Mexico offers bird-rich mornings across four distinct habitats reachable within an hour of downtown. The Rio Grande bosque teems with early southbound migrants; monsoon wetlands at urban refuges bring shorebirds and hummingbirds; the Sandia foothills deliver a piñon–juniper species set unavailable at lower elevations; and the mountain mixed-conifer zone at Capulin Spring (8,740 ft.) provides hummingbird diversity and mountain woodland species.
Each morning, you’ll have the choice between two simultaneous bird walk options. In the afternoon, we’ll have a workshop, which on Saturday is followed by a social.
Join the American Birding Association for a full weekend of birding, community, and celebration in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico, Aug. 22–23, 2026!
All bird walks and talks are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Some locations may charge an access fee. Additional details, such as speakers, will be announced soon.
Mid-August in central New Mexico offers bird-rich mornings across four distinct habitats reachable within an hour of downtown. The Rio Grande bosque teems with early southbound migrants; monsoon wetlands at urban refuges bring shorebirds and hummingbirds; the Sandia foothills deliver a piñon-juniper species set unavailable at lower elevations; and the mountain mixed-conifer zone at Capulin Spring (8,740 ft.) provides hummingbird diversity and mountain woodland species
Each morning, you’ll have the choice between two simultaneous bird walk options. In the afternoon, we’ll have a workshop, which on Saturday is followed by a social.
Program
Sat., Aug. 22, 2026: Guided Bird Walks
Sat., Aug. 22, you’ll have a choice between Rio Grande Nature Center Park and Capulin Springs.
Morning Option A: Rio Grande Nature Center State Park Field Trip (7:30am)
Meeting point:
2901 Candelaria Rd NW.
Meet at the picnic shelter next to the parking lot.
Coordinates: 35.129030, -106.682693
Google map pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SnPrVwFCgQ5oXpdv5
Accessible by public transport, self-drive, or carpooling.
Wheelchair-accessible.
Resident day use fee $5, non-resident day use fee $10.
Guides: Jim Mosley, PD St.Clair, Wayne Klockner
Immerse yourself in a vibrant urban oasis! Located on the central Rio Grande flyway, this premier, fully-accessible sanctuary features lush grasslands, cottonwood bosques, and thriving wetlands. It is a haven for spectacular wildlife, making it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts. Keep your eyes peeled for birds like Virginia’s and MacGillivray’s warblers, Greater Roadrunner, Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, Western Wood-Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Calliope, and Rufous hummingbirds, Violet-Green Swallow, Western Sandpiper, Sora, and so much more. The site boasts 1.2 miles of easy trails, an indoor pond-viewing room, and accessible blinds.
Morning Option B: Capulin Springs (8:00am)
Meeting point:
Capulin Spring Picnic Site, NM-536 approx. mile 8
Meet at the picnic tables just past the vault toilet.
Coordinates: 35.216402, -106.416681
Google maps pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XQMer6ZLXJ82G9bK8
Self-drive and carpool only.
Not wheelchair-accessible.
$10 recreation amenities fee per vehicle.
Guides: Heather & Arden Anderson, Lee Hopwood, Michael Retter
Escape to the mountains and experience a birding paradise! Perched at an invigorating 8,846 ft., Capulin Springs showcases a unique mixed-conifer habitat. The site’s natural spring draws incredible wildlife year-round, offering the absolute best hummingbird diversity in the Albuquerque area. Wander the 1.5-mile loop and look for mid-elevation specialties unavailable in the valley, including Virginia’s Warbler, Band-tailed Pigeon, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Steller’s Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Red Crossbill, Western Tanager, and Pine Siskin. While the picnic area features paved pathways, the broader forest trails are unpaved, uneven, and not wheelchair accessible.
Afternoon Workshop: Hummingbirds of the Southwest (2–3:30pm)
Speakers: Dr. Bill Talbot and Shayne Halter
Venue: Valle de Oro visitors center, 7851 2nd St SW.
On-site parking. Self-drive or carpool.
ADA-compliant.
Dive into the world of hummingbirds! This fully accessible afternoon workshop covers ID, molt, migration, and local research. Perfect for nature lovers looking to deepen their knowledge before heading into the field.
Social at Tractor Brewing, Wells Park (4–6pm)
Tractor Brewing Wells Park, 1800 4th St NW.
Unwind and connect! Located a short, walkable 15 minutes from downtown hotels, this vibrant venue features a reserved outdoor patio section for our group. Enjoy ground-level access and accessible restrooms at this perfect, easy-to-reach spot for casual evening socializing.
Sun., Aug. 23, 2026: Guided Bird Walks
This morning, you get to choose between Sandia Foothills and Tingley Beach.
Morning Option A: Sandia Foothills, Elena Gallegos Open Space (7:30am)
Meeting point:
7100 Tramway Blvd NE
Coordinates: 35.162354, -106.471219.
Google maps pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jthqZhYnoX3sThpb9.
Meet at the amphitheater.
Short drive (self-drive or carpool), partially transit-accessible.
Partially wheelchair accessible.
$2 per vehicle.
Guides: Heather & Arden Anderson, Lee Hopwood, Perrianne Houghton, Wayne Klockner
Explore the striking high-desert beauty of the Sandia Foothills! This scenic landscape serves as a premier viewing ground for classic Southwestern species. Keep your binoculars ready for great birds like the Black-throated Sparrow, Juniper Titmouse, and Cactus Wren moving through the lower-elevation brush. Other species include: Canyon Towhee, Curve-billed Thrasher, Gambel’s Quail, Bewick’s Wren, Rock Wren, Ash-throated Flycatcher, and Say’s Phoebe. The main picnic area offers accessible restrooms and a short, paved 0.25-mile interpretive trail. Longer paths venturing into the open space transition to packed gravel and unpaved terrain.
Morning Option B: Tingley Beach (7:30am)
Meeting point:
1800 Tingley Dr SW
Coordinates: 35.085888, -106.674201.
Google maps pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/g8jcaDV5fUv4cjEc7.
Meet in the main parking lot, near the building.
Fully transit-accessible; self-drive or carpool possible.
Wheelchair-accessible.
No fee to visit.
Guides: Jim Mosley, PD St.Clair, Michael Retter
Discover an exceptional birding hotspot just minutes from the city center! Tingley Beach features a thriving urban wetland and edge habitat, making it a prime stopover for a variety of fascinating water birds. Stroll along the beautifully paved, fully wheelchair-accessible walkways that loop around all three scenic ponds. Keep a sharp lookout for migrant waterfowl, herons, and grebes, or you might spot a Belted Kingfisher or even a Neotropic Cormorant.
Afternoon Workshop: Restoration Means a Richer and More Abundant Home for Us All (1–2:30pm)
Speaker: Cameron Weber, Habitat Conservation Program Director at Rio Grande Return
Cameron serves as Habitat Conservation Program Director for Rio Grande Return. Her projects are primarily focused on rewilding agricultural landscapes and healthy novel ecosystems dependent on human participation, helping to restore the ecological heartbeat of the Middle Rio Grande Valley. She has long focused on ecological farming, native plant materials and native seed production, conservation planning, and habitat restoration project management. Cameron serves on the boards of the Albuquerque Wildlife Federation and the Southwest Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration, and she spends an inordinate number of weekends building one rock dams for fun.
Venue: Central and Unser Library Community Meeting Room. 8081 Central Ave NW. Central and Unser Library is located just west of the intersection of Central and Unser Blvd.
In city. Self-drive, carpool, or transit.
Fully ADA-compliant
