We made it to El Paso the first day’s drive. I have been wanting to bird there for a long time, so we stopped at the Franklin Mountains State Park that morning. The Franklin Mountains are surrounded by the city of El Paso and I think the entire park is within the city limits. Before the park was created, developers were eyeing the land for residential development. A group formed to “Save the Franklin Mountains.” They were successful in getting a state park created and saving a special habit and beautiful area. We saw joggers running in the cool of the desert morning.
The park has a bird blind and feeding station. I spent maybe an hour at the feeding station.
I loved getting close looks at Scaled Quail coming in both to the feeders and the water feature.
There were White-winged Doves
and Mourning Doves.
There were LOTS of House Finches - with several of the color variations.
Black-chinned hummingbirds visited the feeder that was close to the blind.
I had a Northern Mockingbird
and a Western Kingbird visit.
At the Visitor Center there was a bird nesting in the eaves of the porch, a closer look and photographs showed it to be Say’s Phoebe.
And then there were the small mammals:
Rock squirrels, adults and juveniles
I look forward to returning to the Franklin Mountains during different seasons.
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