At Bandelier we are getting excited for the return of spring, and the return of many of our summer resident birds. If you would like to encourage birds to your own yard, Audubon has provided a couple quick, simple guides to get you in the right direction. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/its-true-a-yard-full-of-native-plants-is-a-yard-full-of-well-fed-birds/ https://www.audubon.org/native-plants

Speaking of "Year of the Bird", the White Throated Swift has been spotted in Frijoles Canyon, or more specifically, along the cliff edges of the canyon. This is March's bird of the month, and they can be seen flying, well, swiftly along the edges of the canyons searching for insects to eat. Their distinctive trilly laughing call and quick flight makes them easy to spot. Photo: Wikimedia

Roy Michelotti, local butterfly expert, will be here on Saturday, March 24 to discuss local butterflies. The talk will be in the Visitor Center theater at 1pm followed by a demonstration behind the VC.

Join us tomorrow, Thursday March 22, for a talk by Chuck Hathcock, Wildlife Biologist at LANL to discuss how to properly cover open pipes around your home to prevent wildlife entrapment. Please join us at 1pm in the Visitor Center theater.

One of Frijoles canyon’s regulars does not let the sudden snow deter his rounds. Ravens live throughout the park, and will wait in picnic areas looking for dropped treats. However, human food is bad for these scavengers, and dropped food should be quickly picked up.

Due to electrical issues, the Juniper campground comfort station in loop C, Coyote loop, will be closed until the problem is corrected. We are sorry for any inconvenience.

Ranger Chris Judson has retired after 47 years of Service to the NPS and Bandelier. Thank you Chris for your years of service and dedication to the NPS mission.

The day is warming quickly, and the ½ inch of snow we got overnight is nearly gone. Today’s high is predicted to be 54, and it’s a great day to visit Bandelier.

It's the weekend - get outdoors! "There is nothing so beautiful as the free forest." Edmonia Lewis

After two weeks of hard and careful work, the crew replacing the ladders at Alcove House is wrapping up today (Friday) and the plan is to open it tomorrow (Saturday). Thanks to all our visitors for their patience during this project, and all the crew members for carrying it through despite all the difficulties. Now, y'all be careful out there - remember to hang on tight when climbing! (photo by volunteer Regnier - thank you!)

Wednesday, 3/7 - The crew working on replacing the ladders at Alcove House has really had challenges to face, working with heavy materials on a cliff face, without machinery, but they're getting there. There's a good chance that it will reopen for the weekend, but they may have to go back up at some point to complete some parts of the project. (Thanks to volunteer James Regnier for the photo, taken this morning - thank you !!)

It's not officially spring yet, but the sunshine arrives earlier now in the bottom of Frijoles Canyon, lighting the grasses and this mule deer doe.