Spotted Owl

Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis mexicanus) is sparse but wide-spread in the mountain ranges of western NM. Recent reports are from the Zuni Mts., San Mateo Mts., Magdalena Mts., Pinos Altos Mts., Black Range, and Animas Mts.   There are two late 60's reports from the Los Alamos area.  Lack of records from other southwestern ranges are probably due to a lack of coverage.

Some reasonably good locations to hear birds (much tougher to see) are:

Along NM-15 north of Silver City  in the Pinos Altos Mts of Grant County.  Best location is above (north) of McMillen Campground to the Signal Peak turnoff.

A reliable pair or group (have heard up to 3) is located at Emory Pass in the Black Range on the Sierra/Grant county border about 10 miles west of Kingston on NM-152.  Mostly heard from the Sierra Co. side of the pass, also on occasion on the Grant side.  Best experience has been spring or summer just before sunrise as the birds reestablish contact while heading for their roost, though I'm sure the birds are permanent residents and probably call throughout the year.  Birds have also been reported from the vicinity of Iron Creek Campground, about 2 miles down the west side of the pass.

This Spotted Owl was one of a pair, photographed
near Julian, CA, August 31, 1985

Unless otherwise noted, all original material in this page copyright 1998,1999 by Jerry R. Oldenettel, All Rights Reserved