Birding at Ghost Ranch with Raymond VanBuskirk – G24050201
Join field ornithologist and professional birding tour leader Raymond VanBuskirk for an action packed and fun-filled workshop dedicated to all things birding.
New Mexico is one of the most biologically diverse states in the country and boasts an impressive bird list of over 550 species, ranking it as one of the best places to go birding in the USA. This is due in part to its incredible diversity of habitats across a steep elevational gradient, in combination with significant seasonal change over the course of a year.
New Mexico also boasts a rich and varied history of bird appreciation: from prominence in early indigenous traditions, to the formal scientific categorization of new species, to modern art, ornithology, photography, writing, and birdwatching. Today people appreciate birds in more ways than ever before, and during this workshop we will spend time experiencing the many different ways to enjoy and observe birds including a presentation on the birds of NM and how to identify them, field workshops, silent observation time, and lots and lots of birding, with over 200 species possible, including an evening of searching for owls.
Instructor
-
Raymond VanBuskirk
Raymond L. VanBuskirk’s love for the natural world was born in the pine forests of the Land of Enchantment. He is a New Mexico native and has spent the first 30 years of his life following his dream of creating a career based around birding. Raymond is a Senior Leader with WINGS Birding Tours, leading trips all over this magnificent planet. His career experience includes multiple ornithological field research positions, including two summers as seabird research technician on the Arctic Ocean, head Rosy-Finch researcher with Rio Grande Bird Research Inc., past president of the Central New Mexico Audubon Society, board member of Western Field Ornithologists, and birding specialist for Leica Sport Optics. He has authored many papers and articles on birds and is currently writing a field guide to the birds of New Mexico.
Raymond is a proud member of QBNA, the continent’s informal birding club for the LGBTQIA+ community.