MaxwellFact Sheet |
Fact Sheet of Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in New Mexico. Published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Maxwell
National Wildlife Refuge
Public Recreational Uses and Regulations
Welcome to Maxwell NWR!
Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge
provides a unique opportunity to view
wildlife in a variety of habitats. Located
in northeastern New Mexico at an elevation of 6050', the refuge encompasses
3,700 acres of short grass prairie, playa
lakes, wetlands, woodlots and agricultural
lands. It is surrounded by high mesas
and extinct volcanoes to the east and
northeast and to the west by the Sangre
de Cristo Mountains. The refuge, located
along the Central Flyway, provides
feeding and resting areas for wintering
waterfowl as well as migratory birds that
depend on shortgrass prairie habitats.
Season, weather, and water levels will
influence what species of wildlife you
will encounter on your visit. Over 278
species of birds have been recorded—70
of which nest and raise their young here.
Spring and fall are the best times to see
unusual migrants. Exposed shorelines
attract many shorebirds such as Wilson’s
phalarope, American avocet, yellowlegs,
long-billed dowitcher, and spotted sandpiper. Several thousand ducks, geese,
and cranes occupy the refuge in late fall
and winter. In the summer, grasshopper, savannah, vesper, lark and Cassin’s
sparrows are numerous. The colorful
plumage and call of western meadowlarks can be enjoyed year round. Raptors
soaring overhead are plentiful. Watch
for bald and golden eagles, ferruginous
hawks, red-tailed hawks, Swainson’s
hawks, prairie and peregrine falcons.
Mule deer and white-tailed deer can
often be seen browsing in the fields.
History
The high-plains landscape of the Maxwell refuge has a long history of human
use. For thousands of years, these plains
were a source of food and an area of
trade for Native American tribes such as
the Apache, Kiowa, Ute, and Comanche.
Later, the Santa Fe Trail, a 900-mile
trade route linking the United States
with the Mexican colonial town of Santa
Fe, crossed near the refuge’s western
border. The refuge gets its name from
its 19th-century owner, Lucien Maxwell.
To this day, no other person has ever
surpassed his record for individual land
holdings in the United States—almost 2
million acres.
Climate
The climate of the Maxwell NWR and the
surrounding region is semi-arid. Much
of the precipitation occurs from May to
September in the form of brief but intense
thunderstorms. Temperatures range from
below freezing in the winter to over 90
degrees F in the summer.
Wildlife Habitats
Maxwell’s mixture of short-grass prairie,
lakes, playa wetlands, and woodlots offer
habitat for hundreds of species of birds,
mammals, amphibians and reptiles.
Short Grass Prairie
Grasslands dominated by blue grama,
buffalo grass, alkali sacaton, and galleta
comprise more than 50% of the refuge.
Prairie grasses are able to thrive with no
additional water or fertilizer beyond what
nature provides. Many species of birds,
including songbirds, birds of prey, and
mammals, both large and small, rely upon
the prairie for their survival. The refuge
supports some of the highest densities of
Grasshopper sparrows found in the state.
Prairie dogs play an important part in
the ecology of the short-grass prairie.
They provide a food source for a variety of
predators and are also beneficial to other
species, particularly burrowing owls,
which use vacant burrows to nest and
raise their young.
Lakes and Playa Wetlands
Of benefit to waterfowl and other waterdependent birds are over 900 acres of
wetlands, lakes, and playas (seasonal,
shallow ponds). Blue-winged teal, cinnamon teal, gadwall, pied-billed grebe,
eared grebe, western grebe and mallards are some of the birds that nest in or
near these wetlands.
Lakes 12, 13 and 14, pre-date establishment of the refuge and serve as
impoundments for irrigation water for
local farmers and ranchers. As a result,
water levels (and shorelines) vary annually
with precipitation and irrigation demands.
Woodlots
As remnants of old homesteads, the
cottonwood and elm woodlots provide
unique habitats for wildlife. These areas
support nesting Swainson’s hawks,
red-tailed hawks, great horned owls,
ravens, mourning doves, wild turkey,
and migrant songbirds. The woodlots
also provide cover for resident mule deer,
white-tailed deer and occasional visitors
such as elk, mountain lion and black bear.
Lending a Hand For Wildlife
Farming for Wildlife
The crops on Maxwell NWR are grown
exclusively for migratory waterfowl.
Typically planted in early May and
late August, the Refuge plants up to
400 acres of wheat, barley, clover, oats,
peas and triticale. These crops provide
feed for thousands of birds in their fall
and spring migration to and from their
breeding grounds. Two challenges of
farming are seasonal drought and a
short growing season—100 days or less.
To conserve water, irrigation ditches are
being replaced with underground pipeline. Refuge croplands also helps out our
neighbors by enticing the geese to stay
away from private land crops.
Prairie Grassland Restoration
Many of the Refuge’s wildlife species
depend on native short-grass prairie for
nesting and feeding. Remaining prairie
landscapes on the Refuge are small
and isolated. The Refuge is restoring
native grasslands by selectively removing non-native invasive weeds, through
a combination of mowing, controlled
burning, and herbicides. As non-native
species are eliminated, native grasses
are re-seeded in their place.
Things to do at the Refuge
Whether you drive, walk or just sit and
relax, Maxwell NWR will not disappoint
you. Several activities are available on
the refuge.
Wildlife Observation
Nature observation, photography, and
hiking are encouraged. Wildlife observation, particularly birding, is popular
around Lakes 13 and 14. Areas open to
Volunteering
Managing the Refuge is a big job, and we
welcome your help. As a volunteer, you can
assist with waterbird counts, nest inventories, and maintenance or visitor services
activities. Contact the Refuge or check
www.volunteer.gov for opportunities.
Refuge Regulations
Help Us Protect the Refuge
Please remember to “take only photographs and leave only footprints.”
All plants, animals and artifacts are
protected on the refuge. Please use trash
receptacles provided or pack your litter
out. Please, no campfires or fires anywhere on the refuge.
The refuge is open year-round. Hours of
operation are from sunrise to sunset.
Vehicles
Motor vehicles and horses are permitted
only on designated roads. All-terrain
vehicles are prohibited. Please use caution; wildlife and people may be on or
near roads. The refuge-wide speed limit
is 25 mph.
Fishing
The Refuge is a popular fishing site for
rainbow trout and channel catfish. State
records for yellow perch and rainbow
trout were caught in Lake 13. Anglers are
welcome from March 1 through October
31 at Lakes 13. All sport fishing is permitted in accordance with New Mexico
Department of Game and Fish regulations. Check their web site www.wildlife.
state.nm.us/ for further information.
For more information
Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 276
Maxwell, NM 87728
575/375-2331
April 2017
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When the Visitor Center is closed, a welcome kiosk next to the driveway provides
maps, bird checklists, and other helpful
information.
Please inquire at the Visitor Center
or consult an information kiosk as to
whether specific recreational activities
not listed are permitted.
Colfax County,New Mexico
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Visitor Center
Restrooms, exhibits, maps, brochures,
and current information including weekly
bird counts can be found at the Visitor Center. It is open Monday through
Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Pets
Dogs are allowed, but must be kept on a
leash at all times while on the refuge.
Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge
Boating
Boating—at trolling speed only—is
allowed on Lake 13. There is a concrete
boat ramp available on the west shore
of Lake 13. All U.S. Coast Guard (www.
uscg.mil/USCG.shtm), State (NM
Statutes Section 66-12), and Refuge
regulations apply.
Camping
A primitive camping area is available for
use on the west shore of Lake 13 (3 day
limit) from March 1st through October
31st. Restrooms are available at the
entrance road leading into Lake 13. No
electric service or pump-out facilities
are available. There are no campfires
permitted at anytime.
Firearms and Hunting
Firearms or weapons for the purposes
of hunting are prohibited on the refuge.
Hunting is not permitted on the Refuge.
Firearms of any type are prohibited in
any Federal Building.
Highline Road
Interpretive Programs
The Refuge provides a unique opportunity for the observation and study of birds
and other species in their native habitats.
Interpretive and environmental education programs are available by request.
Food, Fuel & Lodging
The nearest facilities are in Cimarron, Springer, and Raton, all within a
30-minute drive of the refuge.
Two Mile Road
public access include the south and west
shores of Lake 13 and the east shore of
Lake 14. Eleven miles of county roads
either bisect or parallel refuge woodlots
providing good viewing sites for wildlife
at dawn and dusk. Don’t overlook the
smaller, less obvious species: listen for the
distinctive call of aWoodhouse toad after
a storm or watch for the secretive movements of a thirteen-lined ground squirrel.
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