Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | Chaves County, New Mexico, United States |
| Nearest city | Roswell, NM |
| Area | 24,536 acres (99.29 km2) |
| Established | 1937 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |
| Website | Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge |
| Official name: Roswell Artesian Wetlands | |
| Designated: | 20 January 2010 |
| Reference #: | 1917 |
The Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a special place in New Mexico. It's a protected area for wildlife. You can find it near the city of Roswell. The refuge was created in 1937. Its main job is to provide a safe home for birds that travel long distances, like the sandhill crane and snow goose.
Bitter Lake is also famous for its unique fish. Plus, over 90 different kinds of dragonflies and damselflies live here! This area is a very important wetland. It sits where the Chihuahuan Desert meets the Southern Plains. This makes it a unique spot for many plants and animals.
Water Homes for Wildlife
Bitter Lake has many special water areas. The Pecos River flows right through the refuge. It creates curved lakes called oxbow lakes.
Underneath the refuge is the Roswell aquifer. This is a huge underground water supply. Over time, this water has worn away soft rock called gypsum. This created many deep holes called sinkholes. Some of these sinkholes have filled with water. They are now very deep lakes. Unique kinds of fish live only in these special lakes.
Underground springs also feed water into the refuge's lakes. Park staff carefully manage the water levels. They change the levels throughout the year. This helps different kinds of birds that visit the refuge.
Amazing Dragonflies
Bitter Lake is home to over 90 different kinds of dragonflies and damselflies. You can see them all over the refuge. There's even a special viewing spot along the driving tour route.
The best time to see lots of dragonflies is in July and August. The park even has an annual dragonfly festival in September. It's a great chance to learn about these cool insects!
Bird Paradise
Bitter Lake is especially known as a safe place for birds. More than 350 different kinds of birds have been seen here. Bird activity changes throughout the year. Bitter Lake is a stopover for many birds that are migrating.
In the spring, especially May, you can see many songbirds. During the summer, the refuge is home to marsh and shorebirds. In the fall, many raptors, or birds of prey, fly through. In winter, lots of waterfowl gather here. Some birds, like the sandhill crane, can be seen by the thousands. Others are spotted only rarely.
Images for kids
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A dragonfly at Bitter Lake
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A dragonfly in the fall
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View from the visitor center
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Swarm of birds in the summer
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Resident sandhill cranes flying in formation
