Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a United States National Wildlife Refuge located in two separate sections in central Chaves County, New Mexico, United States, a few miles northeast of the city of Roswell. Both sections lie on the banks of the Pecos River. The refuge was established in 1937 to provide habitat for migratory birds such as the sandhill crane and the snow goose, but it is also notable for rare native fish and the over 90 species of dragonflies and damselflies that inhabit the refuge.

For other uses of the names Bitter Lake, see Bitter Lake (disambiguation).
Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
LocationChaves County, New Mexico, United States
Nearest cityRoswell, NM
Coordinates33°31′00″N 104°24′30″W
Area24,536 acres (99.29 km2)
Established1937
Governing bodyU.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
WebsiteBitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Official nameRoswell Artesian Wetlands
Designated20 January 2010
Reference no.1917[1]

Where the Chihuahuan Desert meets the Southern Plains, Bitter Lake is one of the most biologically significant wetland areas of the Pecos River basin.

Aquatic habitats

Bitter Lake includes various unique aquatic habitats. The Pecos River flows across the refuge and forms oxbow lakes. Additionally, the Roswell aquifer underlies the area. Erosion of gypsum by this underground water has caused many sinkholes, some of which have become very deep lakes that are home to unique species. Underground water also feeds springs that are the source of water for the lakes on the refuge. The water level in these lakes is managed by park personnel and is adjusted throughout the year to accommodate the different species of birds that migrate to the refuge.

Dragonflies

Bitter Lake hosts a diverse population of over 90 species of dragonflies and damselfiles.[2] There is a special viewing area along the auto tour route, however, dragonflies can be seen throughout the refuge. The peak dragonfly population occurs in July and August. The park hosts an annual dragonfly festival in September.

A dragonfly at Bitter Lake
A dragonfly in the fall

Birds

Bitter Lake is especially known as a refuge for birds. There are at least 350 species of birds that have been recorded on the refuge.[3] Bird activity varies year-round with Bitter Lake serving as a refuge for migrating species. Songbirds can be seen in the spring, especially May. In the summer months the refuge is home to many marsh and shorebirds. In the fall there are raptor migrations. Waterfowl concentrations rise in the winter. While some species such as the sandhill crane can number in the thousands, others have been spotted only on rare occasions.

View from the visitor center
Swarm of birds in the summer
Resident sandhill cranes flying in formation

Notes
  1. "Roswell Artesian Wetlands". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  2. Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge. US Fish and Wildlife Service. pamphlet, February 2007
  3. Watchable Wildlife: Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pamphlet August 1997
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