Hot Springs Landing
Located within Elephant Butte Lake State Park, Hot Springs Landing offers birders access to shoreline habitat, desert uplands, and expansive views of New Mexico's largest reservoir. The area serves as a transition zone between open water and the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert, creating opportunities to observe waterbirds, shorebirds, raptors, and desert songbirds throughout the year. Its proximity to both the lake and nearby hiking trails makes Hot Springs Landing an attractive destination for visitors interested in combining birding with outdoor recreation.
What to Expect
Visitors will encounter a mix of shoreline habitat, open water, sandy beaches, desert scrub, and low hills overlooking the reservoir. Water levels fluctuate throughout the year, periodically exposing mudflats and shallow shoreline areas that may attract migrating shorebirds and feeding waterfowl.
The area's open landscape provides excellent visibility for scanning the lake and surrounding terrain. Birding can be productive from shoreline access points, trails, campgrounds, and elevated viewpoints overlooking the reservoir. Nearby coves and sheltered shoreline areas may attract concentrations of birds depending on seasonal conditions.
Birds You May See
Species vary with water levels and seasonal migration, but commonly observed or expected birds include:
American White Pelican
Double-crested Cormorant
Neotropic Cormorant
Western Grebe
Clark's Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Canada Goose
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
American Wigeon
Cinnamon Teal
Killdeer
American Avocet
Ring-billed Gull
Red-tailed Hawk
Turkey Vulture
American Kestrel
Say's Phoebe
Common Raven
Bell's Vireo
Bewick's Wren
Yellow-breasted Chat
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Yellow Warbler
Blue Grosbeak
Seasonal migrants may significantly increase species diversity during spring and fall. Open-water species are often most visible from shoreline viewpoints, while songbirds can be found around vegetation near coves and drainages.
Best Time to Visit
Spring (March-May)
Spring migration brings increased numbers of waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds. Changing water levels may create productive feeding areas along the shoreline.
Summer (June-August)
Breeding birds remain active throughout the area, especially during the cooler morning hours. Waterbirds and swallows are commonly observed around the lake.
Fall (September-November)
Southbound migrants move through the Rio Grande corridor and reservoir system, often increasing the variety of birds present.
Winter (December-February)
Winter can provide excellent opportunities to observe ducks, grebes, gulls, cormorants, and raptors using the reservoir.
Best Time of Day
Early morning typically offers the best birding opportunities, with calmer conditions and increased bird activity. Late afternoon can also be productive, particularly for observing waterbirds and raptors. During summer, morning visits provide the most comfortable temperatures.
Getting There
Hot Springs Landing is located within Elephant Butte Lake State Park near Elephant Butte and Truth or Consequences. Access is available via park roads leading to the Hot Springs Landing recreation and camping area. Visitors should follow all New Mexico State Park regulations and remain on designated roads, trails, and public access areas. Entrance fees may apply.
Birding Tip
Bring binoculars or a spotting scope and spend time scanning both the shoreline and open water. Reservoir conditions can change significantly throughout the year, and a location that appears quiet during one season may host large numbers of waterbirds during migration or winter months.