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Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge
Last updated on Sunday, January 05, 2003
In 1937, some very farsighted conservationists realized the need to protect the nation's remaining wetlands. The Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge was one of those acquired during that period under the Department of the Interior and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Bitter Lake. Photo by Bruce Gaucher. Strategically located on the Great Plains of the Southwest, it is near the Pecos River east of Roswell. The water of the shallow lake is very brackish, too bitter to drink, and was so named by early cattlemen. It is fed year round by small springs but often goes dry during the hot summer months.
There are six man-made lakes formed within the ancient river bed of the Pecos River, no doubt the reason people refer to it as Lakes rather than Lake (the latter being correct.) They are also fed by springs when the water table is high enough.
Roswell has become known as the UFO capital of the world, but there are flying objects of another sort at Bitter Lake. Many thousands of migratory waterfowl and sandhill cranes travel south through New Mexico along the two major river corridors, the Rio Grande and Pecos River, after leaving their northern breeding grounds each fall. Bitter Lake is a favorite roosting place. A premier shore bird, one which breeds in Alaska and winters in Mexico, does not ordinarily stop here, but Bitter Lake has "the right stuff" for the curlew sandpiper. This Eurasian bird was first seen in New Mexico at Bitter Lake. Bird watchers from every state and most of Europe have taken in the sights.
Ducks numbering between 5,000 and 20,000 and geese numbering 20,000 to 40,000 can be observed during fall migrations. Large numbers terminate their migration in this area while others continue into Mexico. Food is provided on the refuge by native aquatic plants as well as cultivated crops. Many of the birds leave the refuge daily to forage in grain fields throughout the Pecos Valley.
Some thirty species of waterfowl have been recorded. Canada Geese historically make Bitter Lake their winter home. Snow geese made their first appearance here in the early 1960s. The major portion of the world's population of lesser sandhill cranes winter in West Texas and Southeast New Mexico. During peak periods of use as many as 10,000 have been reported at Bitter Lake. Heaviest use occurs in mid-November. By late February, most of the migratory birds have begun their return flight to nesting grounds in the north.
The Refuge provides an outstanding place to observe and photograph wildlife, especially during the "landing" and "take-off" times in the fall and spring. It is also a place to enjoy the solitude of open country. There are shaded picnic areas at several sites overlooking the lakes. Located nine miles east of Roswell's Main Street at the end of Pine Lodge Road, visiting hours are from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
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