Bosque del Apache, Sandia Crest, Valles Caldera Events

February

2nd-3rd PEEC Trip to Bosque del Apache and Sandia Crest for Rosy Finches
PEEC is organizing a trip to the Bosque del Apache for Saturday, Feb. 2, with an overnight in Socorro, followed by going to the Sandia Crest to observe the banding of rosy finches on Sunday.
Details will be confirmed later, so be sure to contact Becky Shankland (shankland@cybermesa.com or 672-9106) to organize meeting places, carpooling, and possible van tour of the Bosque.

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Saturday, February 2: meet outside the Bosque del Apache Visitor Center for a picnic lunch at noon. Afternoon will be bird-watching at the Bosque, ending at the Flight Deck for the fly-in at dusk. Dinner and overnight in Socorro.

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Sunday, February 3: meet at the Sandia Crest 10:30 a.m. to observe banding of all three species of rosy finches, indoors. Possible talk by Raymond Vanbuskirk, an 18-year-old high school student who began this project. Stay through lunch (cafe at the banding site) and then pursue choice of activities such as snowshoeing, visiting Rio Grande Nature Center, or home.

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2nd Orienteering in the Valles Caldera
The New Mexico Orienteers will be holding a ski and snowshoe orienteering meet on Saturday, February 2nd, 2008 from 11 AM to 3 PM, with starts from 11 AM to 1 PM. Short, medium, and long ski O' courses and short and medium snow shoe O' courses will be offered. The start and finish will be at the Valles staging area about 2 miles from the main entrance, which also has a warming hut, porta-potties and hot drinks.
Orienteering is a sport of finding a series of markers scattered over the landscape using a map and a compass. Each person chooses the course he/she wants to do, gets the appropriate map and gets a particular start time. Participants may go out as individuals, families or in small groups. Newcomers to orienteering are welcome, and instruction will be provided. Since this is a national preserve, all participants will pay the preserve entry fee ($10/adult, $8 for seniors, and $5 for children 6-18), plus there will be a $5 fee/map. Compasses can be rented for a $1. You may pre-register on the Valles Caldera Preserve website (www.vallescaldera.gov). Registration on arrival at the meet site will also be accepted. Note: all vehicles entering the Valles in snowy weather are required to have four-wheel drive.

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http://www.pajaritoeec.org/2a_programs_events/calendar.htm