This is a list of all bird species that I know to have been identified within the Audubon NMDI (New Mexico Dixon) Christmas Bird Count Circle. That count circle is centered near Dixon, NM and has a radius of 7.5 miles. Nearby sites such as Orilla Verde Recreation Area near Pilar, the Los Luceros property near Alcalde and the Okay Owingeh fishing lakes host a larger array of species. They are not included as they are outside the NMDI count area. Two additional Audubon CBC circles document wintertime birdlife in those areas: NMOV (NM Orilla Verde) and NMES (NM Española. See Map of the three count areas.

The formulation of this list was derived by consulting eBird records, Audubon Christmas Bird Count data, lists from many years of local bird walks in the area and my own lists of observations. Various local birdwatchers have been recording sightings in this area since as early as 1969. (If anyone knows of earlier or other records, please contact the me.) Jack Whetstone, a resident of Dixon from 1969 until 1976 kept detailed records of his bird sightings during that time. He also kept records on Summer trips he made to Dixon in 1977, 1978, 1981 and 1987. He also spent the winter of 1987-88 here. In 1997, Bob Weber, a Taos resident, began an Audubon Christmas Bird Count in the area. In 2001, I took over the management of that count. I have kept detailed records of bird activity along the Río Embudo since 1999.

Robert Templeton, March 2023

• Seasonal classes:

• Present All Year: Species are present in all seasons. Some species are also migratory: Winter and summer birds may be different individuals.
• Winter Visitors: These species generally breed further north and/or at higher elevations in New Mexico. Arrive early to late Fall and leave in early to late Spring.
• Spring-Fall Transients: Most species transit the area during both Spring and Fall migrations. Most species are moving between more southern wintering ranges and more northern breeding ranges. Individuals of a few species may stay and breed, but "transient" best describes the majority of individuals.
• Migrant Summer Breeders: Species that winter further south, but migrate to breed in this area.
• Vagrant: Seeing these birds is highly unusual and irregular. They are generally outside of or near the edge of their usual range. Many of these species are regular on the east slope of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains or on the plains east of the mountains. Sightings are usually during non-breeding periods.

• Abundance classes:

• Common: Almost always seen in suitable habitat and proper season.
• Less Common: Present and seen regularly in suitable habitat and proper season.
• Uncommon: Present, but not often seen even in suitable habitat and proper season.
• Rare: Known to be present, but not seen every year