Sunday, September 19, 2010
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Silver City, New Mexico

Explore the mid-elevation biotic diversity of the Gila River’s Bird Conservation Area (BCA) with HWI Research Biologist Mike Neal.  The focus of this exploration will be on the lifeblood that the Gila River lends to America’s most unique and diverse ecosystem.  Foundational topics will include movement ecology and how keystone species of this ecosystem provide important insight into the relative health of the entire system (with a spotlight on Common Black Hawks and other raptor species of interest).  The walk and talk session will cover about four miles of the river corridor over a four hour period.  Participants should bring a pack-able lunch, a small day or hydration pack, at least 2 liters of water, binoculars, sandals or wading shoes (as we will cross the river multiple times), hat and/or sunscreen, and appropriate clothing layers for the anticipated weather conditions that day.  The Bird Conservation Area is located about an hour northwest of Silver City and participants will rendezvous with Mike at the junction of Hwy 180 and Bill Evans Road at 10 am.