One of the most relaxing activities besides fishing is bird watching. The Land of Enchantment is home to nearly 550 species of birds, and nearly 200 of them can be found at one Audubon center in New Mexico alone. If you enjoy bird watching, grab your binoculars and head to the Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary in Santa Fe.

The Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary provides an exceptional habitat for approximately 190 species of birds. During your visit, you may not see all of the species due to the season or migration, but you are sure to spot some.

Its location adjacent to the National Forest and Santa Fe Watershed land makes it a true sanctuary for all native wildlife, especially birds. The center is designated as an Important Bird Area, meaning it is an ideal habitat for migration, breeding, etc.

Although many common birds have been spotted here, some rare species have also been sighted.

Birds you may be able to spot include the Black-billed Magpie, Western Bluebird, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-eyed Vireo, and Mountain Chickadee.

Every Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m., Audubon hosts a free, expert-led bird walk. This is a fantastic program to learn more about the sanctuary and the birds that live here, and to connect with other birders.

One more thing: If you bring kids to the Randall Davey Audubon Center, they’ll love the Nature Discovery Center. This building not only offers play areas, but also an ADA-accessible observation deck where kids can watch wildlife and birds. It’s a wonderful attraction for future birders!

The Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary is located at 1800 Upper Canyon Rd. in Santa Fe. Plan your visit today!

Have you ever visited the Randall Davey Audubon Center in New Mexico? If so, how many species of birds did you see? Let us know! For location, hours, and more, visit the Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary website. You can also follow Audubon Southwest’s Facebook page for updates.

If you are new to birding, I highly recommend getting a guidebook like Birding for Beginners: Southwest by Stan Tekiela. Happy birding!