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Federal Government

National Park Service

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Sunset Photography Workshop with 2025 Artist-in-Residence Joyce Geier

Date: Thursday, June 26, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Abó Unit, 69 Ruins Road, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, in partnership with 2025 Artist-in-Residence Joyce Geier, is hosting a hands-on sunset photography workshop at the Abó Unit. Visitors of all ages are invited to learn sunset photography techniques through a 30-minute lecture by Joyce followed by a 90-minute guided walk and photo shoot. Participants will have the opportunity to print and take home a favorite photo. Bring a camera, comfortable shoes, water, and snacks. The Artist-in-Residence Program is a partnership between the park and the Friends of Salinas Pueblo Missions.

Weekly Ranger-Guided Hike — Quarai Unit

Date: Every Friday through October 30, 2026 (upcoming: June 27, July 11, July 18)
Time: 11:00 AM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Quarai Unit, 122 Manzano Quarai Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Park rangers lead a free 45-minute guided hike at the Quarai Unit every Friday. No reservation is required. Bring water, a snack, sturdy shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Weekly Ranger-Guided Hike — Gran Quivira Unit

Date: Every Saturday through October 24, 2026 (upcoming: June 28, July 5, July 12, July 19)
Time: 11:00 AM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Gran Quivira Unit, 4030 Quivera Flats Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Park rangers lead a free 45-minute guided hike at the Gran Quivira Unit every Saturday. No reservation is required. Bring water, a snack, sturdy shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Weekly Ranger-Guided Hike — Abó Unit

Date: Every Sunday through October 25, 2026 (upcoming: June 29, July 6, July 13, July 20)
Time: 11:00 AM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Abó Unit, 69 Ruins Road, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Park rangers lead a free 45-minute guided hike at the Abó Unit every Sunday. No reservation is required. Bring water, a snack, sturdy shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing.

BARK in the Park

Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Quarai Unit, 122 Manzano Quarai Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument and the Friends of the Mountainair Animal Shelter (FOMAS) invite visitors to bring their dogs for a group hike and earn BARK Ranger status. The program encourages participants to follow the B.A.R.K. principles: Bag waste, Always leash, Respect wildlife, and Know where to go. Educational presentations on dog adoption will be offered by FOMAS partners. For more information, contact Mountainair Headquarters Visitor Center at (505) 847-2585.

Dark Skies, Bright Stars

Date: Friday, July 17, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Abó Unit, 69 Ruins Road, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Continuing the 2026 Dark Sky Program series at the Abó Unit. The program features ranger-led tours, telescope viewing, a dark sky photography workshop, and guided pueblo and mission programs. The Estancia Valley is one of the darkest sky corridors in New Mexico, making this a standout stargazing opportunity for all ages.

State Government

Department of Veterans Services

SBA Veteran Small Business Lenders Expo

Date: Friday, June 26, 2026
Time: No time listed in DVS or SBA materials. Verify with VBOC Advisor Christina Stover at christina.stover@dvs.nm.gov or (505) 469-8501.
Location: WESST Enterprise Center, Albuquerque, NM (Bernalillo County)
Details: The New Mexico Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC), a program of the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services, is hosting an SBA Veteran Small Business Lenders Expo in Albuquerque. The event is open to veterans, military spouses, National Guard and Reserve members, and aspiring veteran entrepreneurs. Attendees can connect with small business lenders and explore financing options for starting or growing a business. For more information, contact VBOC Advisor Christina Stover at christina.stover@dvs.nm.gov or (505) 469-8501.

NMDVS Veterans' Benefits Outreach — Socorro/Belen

Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM MDT
Location: Forget Me Not Veteran Center, 705 N. California St., Socorro, NM 87801
Details: The New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services (NMDVS) will hold a veterans' benefits outreach visit serving the Socorro and Belen areas, including Valencia County residents. Veterans and eligible dependents can meet one-on-one with an accredited Veteran Service Officer (VSO) for assistance with VA disability ratings, VA medical and mental health care, retiree pensions, military burials, and other federal VA benefits. Staff can also assist with state veterans' benefits including discounted hunting and fishing licenses, veterans' license plates, property tax exemptions, and state park passes. Bring a copy of your DD-214, VA award letter, and a valid NM ID. Additional outreach dates at this location are scheduled for August 11, 2026. For more information, contact the NMDVS Belen/Central NM office at (505) 537-9339 or rob.miller@dvs.nm.gov.

Torrance County

Torrance County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Regular Meeting

Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM MDT
Location: Via Zoom — check torrancecountynm.org for the meeting link.
Details: Regular meeting of the Torrance County Local Emergency Planning Committee. The LEPC coordinates regional hazardous materials emergency planning and community preparedness. Meetings are open to the public.

Torrance County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM MDT
Location: Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Regularly scheduled administrative meeting of the Torrance County Board of County Commissioners. The commission meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. For questions, contact the County Manager's Office at (505) 544-4700.

Torrance County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM MDT
Location: Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Regularly scheduled administrative meeting of the Torrance County Board of County Commissioners. The commission meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. For questions, contact the County Manager's Office at (505) 544-4700.

Torrance County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM MDT
Location: Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Regularly scheduled administrative meeting of the Torrance County Board of County Commissioners. The commission meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. For questions, contact the County Manager's Office at (505) 544-4700.

Encino

Encino Village Council

Monthly Council Meeting

Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM MDT
Location: Encino Government Offices, 527 North Main St., Encino, NM 88321
Details: The council meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. For more information on Encino events, contact the Village Hall at (575) 584-2980.

Estancia

Town of Estancia Public Meeting

Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026 Time: 5:45 PM MDT Location: Torrance County Administrative Building Board Room, 205 S Ninth Street, Estancia, NM 87016 Details: The Town of Estancia will hold a public meeting at the Torrance County Administrative Building Board Room. Note that this meeting is not being held at the usual Estancia Town Hall location. The agenda is available at townofestancia.com.

Estancia Board of Trustees Special Meeting

Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026 Time: 6:15 PM MDT Location: Torrance County Administrative Building Board Room, 205 S Ninth Street, Estancia, NM 87016 Details: The Estancia Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting at the Torrance County Administrative Building Board Room, immediately following the public meeting. The agenda is available at townofestancia.com.

Update June 23, 2026 10:47 AM - The June 25, 2026, meetings of the Estancia Board of Trustees have been canceled.

Book Club at the Estancia Public Library

Date: Friday, June 26, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM MDT
Location: Estancia Public Library, 601 S Tenth St, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Monthly book club meeting at the Estancia Public Library. This is a recurring monthly event. For more information, contact the library at (505) 384-9655.

Estancia Independence Day Flea Market

Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM MDT
Location: 204 S Fifth St, Estancia, NM 87016 (former Wells Fargo building)
Details: A free outdoor flea market held on Independence Day morning. Vendor space is free. To reserve a space, call (505) 475-0001.

Estancia Fourth of July Park Celebration

Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM MDT (fireworks at dusk)
Location: Arthur Park, 814 W Highland Ave, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: The Town of Estancia's annual Independence Day celebration at Arthur Park features live music, a horseshoe tournament, a mushball tournament, a bike parade, and fireworks at dusk.

Estancia Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Time: 6:15 PM MDT
Location: Estancia Town Hall, 513 Williams Ave, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Regular meeting of the Estancia Board of Trustees. The agenda will be posted at townofestancia.com prior to the meeting.

Tween Event at the Estancia Public Library

Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM MDT
Location: Estancia Public Library, 601 S Tenth St, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: A special event for tweens ages 11 to 14 featuring the WOW Bus at the library. Call or visit the library to register your child. For more information, call (505) 384-9655.

Old Timers Day

Date: July 25, 2026
Time: Parade Line-up at 9:00 AM; Parade starts at 10:00 AM
Location: Arthur Park, 814 W Highland Ave, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Music by the Jonathon Chavez Band, along with a car show, vendors, food trucks, and a horseshoe tournament.

Moriarty

Summer Meals for Kids

Date: Ongoing through Friday, August 28, 2026 (Monday through Friday)
Time: Varies by location (see below)
Location: Multiple sites in Moriarty, NM
Details: Free breakfast and lunch for children ages 1 through 18, sponsored by the Moriarty-Edgewood School District. Meal service runs Monday through Friday at four locations: Moriarty Middle School (breakfast 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM, lunch 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM); Echo Ridge Water Tower (lunch 11:00 AM – 11:20 AM); Depot Apartments (lunch 11:30 AM – 11:50 AM); and Moriarty City Park (lunch 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM). For more information, call (505) 832-5838.

Dig Into Summer Reading

Date: Ongoing through Monday, August 31, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM MDT
Location: Moriarty Community Library, 202 Broadway Street South, Moriarty, NM 87035
Details: The Moriarty Community Library's summer reading program, sponsored by Da' People's Choice (1204 US Route 66, Moriarty). Children who turn in a completed reading log earn two free scoops of ice cream. For more information, contact the library.

Moriarty City Council Meeting

Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM MDT
Location: Moriarty City Council Chambers, 202 Broadway Street South, Moriarty, NM 87035
Details: Regular meeting of the Moriarty City Council. The agenda for this meeting has been posted at moriartynm.org. The council meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.

Movies Under the Stars: Lilo and Stitch

Date: Friday, June 26, 2026
Time: Dusk
Location: Crossley Park, 501 Lindberg Ave, Moriarty, NM 87035
Details: An outdoor movie screening hosted by the City of Moriarty at Crossley Park. Additional details were not available on the city website at time of publication.

Moriarty 4th of July Explosion

Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: Parade at 10:00 AM MDT; live entertainment 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM MDT; fireworks time not specified
Location: Location not specified on city website — verify with the City of Moriarty at (505) 832-4406. Likely Moriarty Civic Center or Heritage Rodeo grounds based on past years.
Details: The City of Moriarty's annual Independence Day celebration features a parade at 10:00 AM, a beer garden, live entertainment from 8:00 PM to midnight, fireworks, a bouncy house, and family activities throughout the day. Vendor and parade entry forms are available at moriartynm.org.

Moriarty City Council Meeting

Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM MDT
Location: Moriarty City Council Chambers, 202 Broadway Street South, Moriarty, NM 87035
Details: Regular meeting of the Moriarty City Council. The council meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Agendas are posted at moriartynm.org prior to each meeting.

New Mexico Office of Archaeological Studies — Hands-On Adventure at the Library

Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM MDT
Location: Moriarty Library, 202 Broadway Street South, Moriarty, NM 87035
Details: A New Mexico Office of Archaeological Studies (NMOAS) archaeologist will visit the Moriarty Community Library for a hands-on presentation about Ice Age America. The event is free and open to the public.

Wonder on Wheels — Museum on the Move

Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM MDT
Location: No location listed on Moriarty website, but likely the Moriarty Library, 202 Broadway Street South, Moriarty, NM 87035
Details: The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs brings its Wonder on Wheels traveling museum exhibit to Moriarty. Wonder on Wheels is a mobile museum that brings hands-on cultural and historical experiences to communities across New Mexico. The event is free and open to the public.

Moriarty City Council Meeting

Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM MDT
Location: Moriarty City Council Chambers, 202 Broadway Street South, Moriarty, NM 87035
Details: Regular meeting of the Moriarty City Council. The council meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Agendas are posted at moriartynm.org prior to each meeting.

Mountainair

Town Council Meeting

Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM MDT
Location: Mountainair Town Council Building, 107 1/2 North Roosevelt Avenue, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Regular meeting of the Mountainair Town Council. To attend by phone, call (346) 248-7799, Meeting ID: 856-052-5813, Passcode: 888-888.

Town Council Meeting

Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM MDT
Location: Mountainair Town Council Building, 107 1/2 North Roosevelt Avenue, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Regular meeting of the Mountainair Town Council. To attend by phone, call (346) 248-7799, Meeting ID: 856-052-5813, Passcode: 888-888.

Willard

Willard Village Council Monthly Meeting

Date: Monday, July 13, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM MDT
Location: Willard Village Hall, 720 Dunlavy Ave, Willard, NM 87063
Details: The council meets on the 2nd Monday of each month. For more information on Willard events, contact the Village Hall at (505) 384-2874.

Soil and Water Conservation Districts

Central Tri-County Soil and Water Conservation District Board Meeting

Date: Thursday, July 2, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM MDT
Location: 2506 NM-333, Moriarty, NM 87035 (also known as 2506 Old Route 66)
Details: Regular monthly meeting of the Central Tri-County SWCD board, held on the 1st Thursday of each month.

Claunch-Pinto Soil and Water Conservation District Regular Board Meeting

Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM MDT
Location: Claunch-Pinto SWCD Conservation Center, 1206 NM-55, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Monthly meeting held on the 1st Friday of the month. Meetings are open to the public and currently available via Zoom. For Zoom access information, visit http://www.claunchpinto.org.

East Torrance Soil and Water Conservation District Board Meeting

Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM MDT
Location: 715 S 5th St, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Regular monthly meeting of the board of supervisors. The board meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.

Other Organizations

Mountainair Rotary Club Weekly Lunch Meeting

Date: Every Thursday
Time: 12:00 PM MDT
Location: Claunch-Pinto SWCD Conservation Center, 1206 NM-55, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Weekly meeting for community service planning and networking. Visitors are welcome and should bring their own lunch.

Estancia Valley Little League Game

Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM MDT
Location: Roadrunner Little League Field, Estancia, NM
Details: The Estancia Valley Little League continues its season with a home game. Families and community members are encouraged to attend and support the team. For more information, follow the Estancia Valley Little League on Facebook.

2026 Young Arts Club Exhibition

Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026, through Thursday, July 9, 2026
Time: Regular gallery hours
Location: Manzano Mountain Arts Council, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Exhibition showcasing work by members of the MMAC Young Arts Club, the 2026 Artists-in-Residence cohort at Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument.

Mountainair Spay and Neuter Clinic

Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026, and Sunday, June 28, 2026
Time: Determined by Pre-Paid Reservation
Location: Dr. Saul Community Center, 109 N Roosevelt Ave, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: A two-day community spay and neuter clinic hosted by the Friends of the Mountainair Animal Shelter. Registration details will be posted at fomas.org/events as the date approaches.

"Free Range" Art Exhibition (MMAC)

Date: Ongoing through Saturday, July 11, 2026
Time: Regular gallery hours
Location: Manzano Mountain Arts Council, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Exhibition featuring local artwork inspired by the landscapes and agricultural heritage of the Estancia Valley.

"Threads — The Art of Fiber" Exhibition Opening (MMAC)

Date: Sunday, July 12, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM MDT
Location: Manzano Mountain Arts Council, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Opening reception for Threads, an exhibition celebrating handmade paper, weaving, felting, and fabric arts.

Moriarty Mini Comic Con — Vol. 8: Vendor Applications Sought

Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
Time: To Be Provided
Location: Moriarty Civic Center, 202 Broadway Street South, Moriarty, NM 87035
Details: The Friends of the Moriarty Community Library present the eighth annual Moriarty Mini Comic Con, a community celebration of comics, art, gaming, and pop culture. Vendor applications are currently being accepted. For more information, contact the Friends of the Moriarty Community Library.

Forest Stewards Youth Corps — Fall Fire and Fuels Program (Now Recruiting)

Date: August 19, 2026, through Friday, November 13, 2026
Time: Full-time (40 hours per week)
Location: Mountainair, NM (also Pueblo of Jemez and Santa Fe)
Details: The Forest Stewards Youth Corps (FSYC), in partnership with the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps and the US Forest Service, is now recruiting crew members and crew leaders ages 18 to 25 for its 13-week Fall Fire and Fuels Program. Positions pay $18 to $20 per hour with overtime pay eligibility. The program is based in Mountainair, among other locations. To apply as a crew member or crew leader, visit foreststewardsguild.org/fsyc. For more information, contact Andrew Pearson at apearson@forestguild.org or (505) 795-2551.

2026 Mountainair Sunflower Festival

Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM MDT
Location: Manzano Mountain Arts Council, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036 (corner of US Highway 60 and NM Highway 55) and throughout Monte Alto Plaza, 122 W Main St, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: A free, family-friendly arts festival featuring more than 50 fine artists, 20-plus local vendors, live music, a beer and wine garden, a children's activities area, a sunflower hat and costume contest, a treasure sale, and an art raffle and silent auction. More information will be available as the date approaches.

Astronomy and Nature

The Estancia Valley offers some of the darkest skies in New Mexico, making this area an excellent base for stargazing. Readers who want real-time sky guidance can use NASA's Skywatching. The Estancia Valley is also part of a remarkable ecosystem with a wide variety of migratory and year-round bird species that can be viewed throughout the valley.

Venus: The Brightest Thing in the Evening Sky

Right now, Venus is putting on one of its best summer shows. As soon as the sky gets dark after sunset, look low in the western sky and you will find a brilliant white point of light that is far brighter than any star — that is Venus, sometimes called the "Evening Star," even though it is a planet. In July, Venus is so bright it can even cast faint shadows on a clear, dark night. It will be visible for about two hours after sunset throughout the month, drifting slowly through the constellation Leo (the Lion). If you look on the evenings of July 8 and 9, Venus will sit very close to Regulus, the brightest star in Leo — a beautiful and easy-to-spot pairing in the western sky.

The Moon and Venus — A Close Pair (July 17)

On the evening of Friday, July 17, look toward the western sky after sunset for a crescent Moon hanging less than 2° away from dazzling Venus in Leo. That is close enough to cover with your outstretched pinky finger. Even with the naked eye, it is a beautiful sight. Binoculars make it even better.

Mars Meets Uranus Before Dawn (July 4)

Here is something special for early risers on Independence Day morning: Mars and the distant planet Uranus will be so close together in the sky that they will nearly touch — just 6.3 arcminutes apart, or about one-fifth the width of the full Moon. Mars is easy to find with the naked eye as a dim, rusty-orange "star" rising in the east a couple of hours before sunrise in the constellation Taurus. Uranus, however, is far too faint to see without binoculars — but here is the good news: if you point your binoculars at Mars that morning, Uranus will be sitting right next to it as a tiny, faint, blue-gray dot. This is one of the easiest chances all year to spot the seventh planet with binoculars.

Moon and Saturn (July 7) and Moon and Mars (July 11)

If you are an early riser, the morning sky has some great treats this month. On July 7, the crescent Moon will appear very close to Saturn, the ringed planet, in the constellation Pisces. Saturn looks like a steady, golden-yellow "star" and is a spectacular sight through even a small telescope. Four days later, on July 11, the crescent Moon will visit Mars in the pre-dawn sky. These kinds of Moon pairings make great subjects for phone photography — just set your phone against something steady and take a photo of the scene low on the eastern horizon before sunrise.

The Full Strawberry Moon (June 29)

The June full Moon rises on the evening of Sunday, June 29. It is traditionally called the Strawberry Moon, named after the wild strawberries that ripen in early summer. This year it is also what astronomers call a Micromoon — meaning the Moon is near the farthest point in its orbit from Earth, so it appears slightly smaller and dimmer than average. It still makes a beautiful sight rising over the Estancia Valley. Watch for it climbing above the eastern mountains shortly after sunset.

The Summer Triangle: Your Guide to the Summer Night Sky

One of the best things about summer in the Estancia Valley is the sky. With very little light pollution, the area is one of the best places in New Mexico to see the Milky Way and deep-sky objects. Once it is fully dark, look overhead and find three bright stars forming a large triangle: Vega (the brightest), Deneb, and Altair. Together they form the Summer Triangle, and they will be a fixture of the night sky all summer long. Inside and around this triangle are some of the most beautiful deep-sky objects visible with a telescope or binoculars — including the Dumbbell Nebula (the first planetary nebula ever discovered), the Ring Nebula, the North America Nebula, and the Veil Nebula. These are clouds of glowing gas left behind by dying stars, millions of light-years away. You can use a free app like Star Walk 2 or SkySafari to help you find them.

Nature Notes: Birds and Wildlife (June 22 – July 22, 2026)

Summer Breeding Season in the Manzano Mountains

Right now, the Manzano Mountains — just west of Mountainair along the Estancia Valley — are alive with breeding birds. This is the time of year when songbirds are busy raising their young. Hikers on the mountain trails may hear the flute-like song of the Hermit Thrush echoing through the ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forests above 7,000 feet. Cordilleran Flycatchers, tiny birds that dart out to catch insects mid-air, can be found near streams and canyon bottoms. Higher up, near the spruce-fir zone approaching Capilla Peak, Blue Grouse sometimes boom from the shadows of the trees. If you go early in the morning and keep quiet, you may also hear Plumbeous Vireos, Virginia's Warblers, and Western Tanagers singing from the treetops. Bring water, sturdy shoes, and be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms.

Hummingbirds on the Move

By the second week of July, Rufous and Calliope Hummingbirds begin appearing across New Mexico — and this is sooner than most people expect. These tiny birds are already heading south from their breeding grounds in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Rufous Hummingbirds in particular are one of the longest-distance migrants of any bird their size, flying thousands of miles each year. In the Estancia Valley, your backyard hummingbird feeders — especially if you have red or orange flowers like salvia or trumpet vine nearby — may attract them as they pass through. Keep your feeders clean and full throughout July and into August.

Early Shorebird Migration Has Quietly Begun

It may feel like the middle of summer, but bird migration has already started again. By early July, the first southbound shorebirds — sandpipers and their relatives — begin appearing at wetlands and ponds across New Mexico. Solitary Sandpipers and Stilt Sandpipers are among the first to pass through. These birds bred in the Arctic tundra just weeks ago and are already making their way south. Keep an eye on any pond or flooded field in the valley — they do not need a lake, just a muddy edge.

The Manzano HawkWatch: Mark Your Calendar for August

The famous Manzano Mountains HawkWatch, operated by HawkWatch International near Capilla Peak, does not open for organized raptor counting until late August. But it is worth knowing about now so you can plan for the fall. Each year from late August through early November, thousands of hawks, eagles, and falcons ride the updrafts along the western ridge of the Manzanos on their way south. Species like Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, Swainson's Hawks, and Golden Eagles funnel through this site in large numbers. The public is welcome to visit and watch alongside HawkWatch staff and volunteers. The site is reached via a 0.7-mile hike from the trailhead off Forest Road 245 above the town of Manzano. More information is available at hawkwatch.org.

The Mountainair Dispatch covers public affairs, community life, and local news across Torrance County, New Mexico. To submit an event for a future post, email todd@mountainairdispatch.com. There is no charge to list events.