Birding and Beers

New Mexico is a must-visit destination for birders.

Each fall, thousands of Sandhill Cranes descend on the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge just outside Socorro. The cranes are soon joined by an array of migratory waterfowl and shorebirds, all coming together and congregating on the refuge’s wetlands and marshes. More than a dozen duck species overwinter here. Snow and Ross’s geese numbers rival that of the cranes. Bald Eagles and other raptors soar overhead in search of the abundant prey now available.

A true highlight of our time at Bosque is witnessing an early morning “fly-out,” when tens of thousands of geese and cranes take flight from their overnight roosts.

This trip also includes visits to birding sites around Albuquerque, including places like Sandia Peak, a haven for all three species of rosy-finch during the colder months, and Petroglyph National Monument, Embudito Canyon, and Rio Grande Nature Center.

Of course, it’s not just the birding that makes the Land of Enchantment a top destination. New Mexico’s craft beer scene is equally enticing.

After spending our mornings with birds and other wildlife, we’ll have the opportunity to unwind at one of the state’s many craft breweries, where local brewers infuse the spirit of the Southwest into every pint. Whether sipping a chile-infused ale or a citrusy IPA, the vibrant flavors of a New Mexico brew pair perfectly with a day spent immersed in nature.

Throughout our four days together, we’ll travel in a custom American safari van with a conversion pop-top and spacious seating. This is not the traditional passenger van you may have traveled in on past trips. This one-of-a-kind vehicle has been specially designed by two wildlife biologists to allow for optimal viewing and comfort.

Join us for this unforgettable getaway highlighting two of the very best reasons to travel anywhere: birding and beers.

Some people regard Nebraska as flyover country – a state to be missed as you move from one coast to the other. We wholeheartedly disagree.

Every March, Nebraska becomes home to one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in North America. More than half a million Sandhill Cranes, the world’s largest congregation of cranes, converges on the Platte River Valley in Nebraska. Joining the Sandhill Cranes are another 20 million birds - waterfowl, shorebirds, and the endangered Whooping Crane. They stop to rest and refuel in the adjacent Rainwater Basin before continuing further north to their summer breeding grounds. So many birds are here during spring migration that vast expanses of open sky are filled with sounds of flapping wings and a chorus of calls.

At the same time, male Greater Prairie-Chickens gather at ancient breeding grounds and compete for the chance to mate in Nebraska’s prairie grasslands. Their raucous displays include stomping, booming, whooping, and sparring. With exposed tail coverts and balloon-like air sacs flashing orange and yellow, few performances in the bird world are more memorable than this dawn dance of chickens.

We’ll spend three days exploring Nebraska’s wildlife hotspots. We have strategically selected areas away from crowds so that we have the time and space to truly enjoy these wildlife spectacles in true Reefs to Rockies style. We’ll travel in a custom American safari van with a conversion pop-top and spacious seating. This is not the traditional passenger van you may have traveled in on past trips. This one-of-a-kind vehicle has been specially designed by two wildlife biologists to allow for optimal viewing. It makes a perfect ‘blind’ and there’s ample room for everyone to view at the same time. Oh, and brewery stops along the way!!

Get ready for Spring Magic in Nebraska w/ Birding & Beers!