New Mexico Gathering 2022

restaurant substitution

I spoke with the general manager of the Bar Castaneda & Kin, two eating areas of the Hotel Castandeda, an historic renovated site dating back to the Santa Fe Trail and early railroad days built in 1898. Renovated to its current state 2018-2019. There is enough room to accomodate our group, price of meal anywhere between $18 for signature burgers and such to $44 for top of the line steak. We can eat comprably to the $20-$25 we were expecting at Pendaries. Plus, it is on the way to the Las Vegas Wildlife Refuge. I would appreciate a head count of who is planning to join us for dinner July 20 and 21st, and will publish the menu when I get the copy so that we can pre-order our meals and assure that what we are hankering for is available to us. More to come on that in coming days. https://castanedahotel.org/

… Marcia Morris, 17 June, 2022 - 11:06am

dinners

Please add Dee and Ken Himes for the dinners.
I also sent a comment not in this reply chain, so please ignore the other comment. We are new to this conference.
Thanks,
Dee

… Dee Shea Himes, 26 June, 2022 - 12:44pm

counted!

Thanks for responding, twice! :) Looking forward to meeting you both. I notice that you mention the word conference, the Gathering of BugGuide supporters is not an actual conference. It is an opportunity to observe our natural surroundings, particularly insects, as a group or individually if that is what one prefers. We have no formal speakers or strict schedules, but we do have a large area this time in which to explore. The San Miguel, NM area is under-reported at Bug Guide, particularly Lepidoptera. I hope that you will both join us at the lighted moth sheets at night and perhaps take the opportunity to explore the widely unexplored Sabinoso Wilderness, weather permitting.

… Marcia Morris, 26 June, 2022 - 1:04pm

Counted!

Thanks Marcia! Noted as a gathering. Very excited z We are friends of Aaron Schusteff.
Dee

… Dee Shea Himes, 26 June, 2022 - 7:46pm

dinner

Vicki LeFevers and I plan on joining you for dinner.

… Rosemary Seidler, 23 June, 2022 - 1:43pm

Re: dinner

Count me in for both nights.

… John Schneider, 21 June, 2022 - 7:08pm

Dinner

Wow, not too long till the meet-up (swarm!)

Please count me in for the dinner

… Stephen_WV, 21 June, 2022 - 6:47am

Restaurant

I would like to join in dinner on those nights.

Thanks for all your hard work on all of this!

Anne Burton

… Anne Burton, 18 June, 2022 - 6:52pm

I would like to

join dinners if it blends in with collection activities?

… margarethe brummermann, 18 June, 2022 - 8:00pm

love to see everyone there ...

in Gatherings past, these meal times give everyone an opportunity to meet, share sightings, discuss plans for the following days activities and refresh before heading out to nighttime mothing.

… Marcia Morris, 18 June, 2022 - 8:09pm

dress?

for those not familiar with the local climate(s), can someone recommend how to pack? And I'd like to be somewhat active (collecting) during the day (at least until the heat becomes unbearable)

Thanks,
Tim

… Tim R. Moyer, 16 June, 2022 - 5:57pm

Mosquitos and other pests

Long pants and sleeves and DEET will be especially important at night if there are water sources nearby that breed mosquitos. We have our share of other invertebrates to be aware of both day and night: scorpions, black widows, ticks, fleas, chiggers, tarantulas, and (my favorite) giant desert centipedes. The latter was recorded on INaturalist from the Sabinoso Wilderness. That picture shows one investigating a shoe on the ground. They are famous for seeking shade during the heat of the day inside things like loose shoes, tents, and sleeping bags. So, protect your belongings and don't reach into dark places. They even like to climb up people's legs inside their pants. Their bite and sting are on the short list of the most painful insect bites and stings. Every leg has a stinger on the tip. All these issues can be adequately addressed with situational awareness.

… Edward L. Ruden, 18 June, 2022 - 3:40pm

Pack cotton

and cover your skin. It's never unbearable. I wear long sleeves, long pants, good hiking boots, a wide-rim hat. water. Some have extra legg covers for snakes, but I've never used those. Knee pads for ground work are helpful.

… margarethe brummermann, 16 June, 2022 - 6:34pm

Thanks!

… Marcia Morris, 16 June, 2022 - 6:53pm

updates to Gathering venue

BG Gathering has permission to set up in a couple of places at the Las Vegas Wildlife Refuge. The restaurant, lodge and other buildings at Pendaries was burned in the fire-they are closed for the remainder of the season, so that venue is not an option. However, I am looking for a suitable restaurant for us to meet in Las Vegas prior to heading to the Wildlife Refuge where we can discuss everything from sightings to car pooling and plans and will share that info in coming days. The Allens are staying at a ranch north of Las Vegas in Sapello and erecting moth lights there and has invited anyone to join them. I suggest that we can plan to meet there for a night of mothing, but the moth lights will be burning every night. I also hope to have permission from the Days Inn and neighboring property to set up a small moth station for the event-available for anyone who just needs an evening to rest, but still interested in taking a peek at nocturnal insects. Sabinoso Wilderness has completely escaped the enferno, the environment remains pristine, however, the weather will determine its suitability. With the wilderness, we must understand that we are very remote, no amenities are there, and we will be wholly dependent on one another for safety. Driving to the site does not require 4WD unless rains sweep through, and I will not set up mothing equipment in that remote locality unless we can safely navigate our return in the dark on dry, dirt track. I was unable to find outside transportation to the wilderness. Also, there is some discussion of a family owned ranch in the Pecos range, some fire damage, but some untouched terrain, which should prove to be an interesting study on the fire's effect on insecta-Edward will provide more details in the coming days. Finally, Eric has made contact with the United World College, a small campus in Montezuma that escaped fire damage and they are interested in our Gathering. More details on that locality in coming days. I do not have recent information about the BioBlitz in Santa Rosa that was mentioned early on in this discussion thread, but that coincides with our closing days of the Gathering and may be of interest to participants after our Gathering. I will be arriving (I estimate since driving from VA) in Las Vegas at the Days Inn on Wednesday July 20, 2022 departing the morning of July 24th.

… Marcia Morris, 16 June, 2022 - 2:39pm

Sabinoso

Thank you for all your work! It appears we now have more sites to choose from than we have time for, unless we split up into groups. This will maximize representation of different areas. There are going to be at least two complete lighting setups.

The Sabinoso Wilderness is of special significance since
it only opened to the public in 2017, and is therefore represented poorly on both BG and INat. I can get there under any conditions short of the road being washed out, and can stay overnight to drive out in daylight. This is something I routinely do. I sleep in the truck and get up every 1-3 hours and see what shows up. Some things (like saturniids) are more active in the predawn hours. Those interested should be prepared for such a contingency.

… Edward L. Ruden, 17 June, 2022 - 10:44am

Mercury vapor light

I have a 250 watt mercury vapor bulb, that screws into a tripod. Don't have means to power it, unless someone has generator (or other plug) availability.

Marcia or others - shall I bring this, or do you think we are covered as to lighting sources?

Thanks!

… Anne Burton, 19 June, 2022 - 5:41pm

REMOTE POWER

I am bringing a 2000 W honda gas generator for two 250 W HgV and 3 blacklights. I am also bringing a 500 W Jackery silent generator for remote deployment of blacklights.

… Jeffrey A Back, 19 June, 2022 - 8:08pm

nice!

I will be bringing 2 generators. If you bring a light and an extension cord, there will be plenty of power. We can always drape a sheet over a boulder ... ha-ha-ha, I've done that before.

… Marcia Morris, 19 June, 2022 - 7:25pm

Sure

Bring a long outdoor rated extension cord if you have one.

I will be bringing a 2200 W generator to power a 400 W mercury area light plus maybe 100 W of directional LED lights to shine on the sheet itself. Yours can be used to illuminate your own sheet, or the other side of mine. That will attract more bugs and allow folks to spread out. During prior gatherings, crowding around one has been a minor issue. There will be enough power left over for 10 minutes to run my 1100 W tea kettle to boil water. The generator should only be run for short periods near the limit.

… Edward L. Ruden, 19 June, 2022 - 6:16pm

good idea

Tearing down of equipment is better handled in morning light rather than dark of night - has anyone checked the moon phase for that period? a quick internet check reveals that it will be on the way from third quarter to new moon during that week-low interference.

… Marcia Morris, 17 June, 2022 - 10:57am

4th quarter moon

Starting Wednesday 20 July, Sunset is about 8:15 (+ about 90 min to max darkness). The 4th quarter moon rises after midnight, about 0045, and is about 45% illuminated. Each day after it rises about 30 min later, and about 10% less illuminated.

… Tim R. Moyer, 17 June, 2022 - 4:00pm

Thanks for the update Marcia

Much appreciated.

… Jeffrey A Back, 16 June, 2022 - 5:40pm

Options

Marcia asked me to suggest some sites which do not necessarily require high clearance vehicles to access. We have friends with a ranch near Pedaries Village I contacted about setting up there. That did not work out. Having lost two structures, they are preoccupied with their own recovery efforts. In case Pecos Cyn. opens in time, there are two places that should be reachable without high clearance:

Any vehicle can reach Winsor Creek Trailhead (Forest Service info). The road to it is paved, and there are no campers nearby to disturb. It's just a trailhead with a small parking lot to set up in. It would be a good idea to spend a few hours before dark and explore the forest.

Davis-Willow Dispersed Campground is another option. It is about a mile up a dirt road, so I'd say maybe no big RV's or sports cars. "dispersed camping" means there are well-separated pull-outs all along the road that do not require reservations. We'd only go up as far as our vehicles permit. It also means there should be places remote from campers. It is the road on the way to what I called "FR 645 Low" and "FR 645 high" in an early post. The roads are less-well maintained the further you go in.

Here is a recent article on how NM's monsoon season is shaping up. It is promising in terms of parks reopenning, but be aware that burned areas are particularly vulnerable to flash flood. This means if the road gets washed out do not try to cross, and we must set up far from arroyos.

… Edward L. Ruden, 16 June, 2022 - 5:40pm

NM Gathering

I am considering whether to cancel my plan to attend. Like Tim Moyer, I am interested in group observing with someone familiar with this part of the country and it’s arthropods. I will not have a high clearance 4 wheel drive to access any wilderness. I will need to make a final decision by June 17. To help me decide:
1) Since the Pendaries Lodge is in the burn area, are there arrangements at restaurants elsewhere for 7-20 and 7-21 ?
2) Since there won’t be moth setups at the Pendaries Lodge due to the burn, are there other spots that Marcia and Edward Ruden will be able to set up their mothing lights over 4 nights ? If so, where ?
3) Have arrangements been made for transportation for a Sabinoso Wilderness excursion ? If so, what arrangements when, and will there be only one excursion ?
4) What is the timeframe for finding out whether Eric is able to get a special use collecting permit at the Las Vegas Wildlife Refuge? If he can’t get a permit can a moth light still be set up for just photodocumenting, and if so will either Marcia or Edward be interested in doing so ?
Thanks again Marcia for all your work.

… Schnerre, 11 June, 2022 - 8:26pm

Attendees with high clearance vehicles?

It would be a good idea at this time if attendees with high clearance vehicles post here how many passengers they can transport. I will be limited by the lighting equipment in my Nissan Xterra, so can only take two. I don't know if the Sabinoso Wilderness requires 4WD or even high clearance, though. I will visit it and other proposed localities a couple weeks before the event to assess conditions then, take pictures of the sites and road conditions, and bury pitfall traps. I can make the page for the event under BugGuide gatherings and events to post them.

I can set up my lighting station anywhere consistent with Marcia's plans. The ability to collect is desirable, but photos only is perfectly acceptable to me. I have made my own site suggestions, but Marcia is hosting the event, and hasn't let me know if any of them fit her schedule. The Pecos River valley as of 10JUN2022 is unaffected by the fire.

… Edward L. Ruden, 11 June, 2022 - 9:15pm

FYI Pecos River Valley

The National Forests are closed to visitors at this time.

… Marcia Morris, 11 June, 2022 - 9:31pm

Probably be open in time

Fallout from hurricanes on the gulf coast are called monsoons by the time they get here to NM. The monsoon season officially started on June 1, and the Pecos area has already had flash flood warnings. Nothing much came of that, but the forests will probably open again by early July. The forest service often likes to get past July 4 fireworks displays for that, unless there is a lot of rain before then.

Another issue is what the road conditions will be like if there is recent rain. The Sabrinoso website warns about that. The issue then is mud puddles to get stuck in and ruts to cross. That is why a list of available vehicles for that is helpful. In many ways, this is still the Wild West.

… Edward L. Ruden, 12 June, 2022 - 10:06am

Please give us again the planned dates

and which location is now seriously concidered?

… margarethe brummermann, 3 June, 2022 - 11:50am

July 20-24

The dates of the event remain July 20-24, 2022. There is yet a bit of uncertainty about conditions, but at this time, Sabinoso Wilderness remains one of the areas of exploration. I am waiting on confirmation of permission for a special use permit at the Las Vegas Wildlife Refuge. I will post more as information is relayed to me from my "eyes in NM" on the changing conditions.

… Marcia Morris, 3 June, 2022 - 12:10pm

FYI info on moth and other insect viewing July 25-31, Louisiana

The Allens will be in New Mexico for the Bugguide Gathering 2022 but plan to return home and turn on our 15 250 watt mercury vapor lights and sheets so if we are on your way home after this event, we invite you to stop in for a night or two between July 25 and 31, National Moth Week.

… Charles Allen, 31 May, 2022 - 9:50am

Yes, If you haven't been to Allen Acres,

it is a delight!. The B&B is excellent. The food and the company is even better! And fifteen moth sheets scattered around 30 acres or so will keep you up and photographing all night. Thanks for hosting us in the past. Can't do both New Mexico and Louisiana this year but we'll be thinking about you. :)

… john and jane balaban, 31 May, 2022 - 10:24pm

Can't Miss This

Having been unable to participate in previous BG gatherings, I won't be passing up the opportunity to join this one.

There should be a ton of insect subjects to photograph, and hopefully lots of spiders too.

Count me in!

… Zack Saavedra, 22 May, 2022 - 6:34pm

Days Inn in Las Vegas Update

Just FYI, I called to make reservation a few days ago, and asked for Jasmine. They said she no longer works there.

The new manager - very pleasant and up to date on the arrangements for Bugguide - is Kayla.

… Anne Burton, 19 May, 2022 - 8:05am

Gathering after fire

Hi to everyone who has made plans to attend the BugGuide Gathering in Las Vegas New Mexico this summer. I have been watching the progress of the fires and the battle to contain them. I resist to make definitive changes to the venue until we see the fire extinguished, but I am not unaware that Pendaries may not be host to many species in the wake of the fire. With that said, Sabinoso Wilderness remains a remarkable habitat aside from some logistic considerations with its remoteness, all surmountable. In addition, Eric is planning to speak with personnel of the Las Vegas Wildlife Refuge, just southeast of Las Vegas in coming weeks to inquire about a special use permit. As I have communicated with Eric, while we are all shocked and dismayed by the raging wildfires, I think that our small interactions with the community post fire is important to those who live through the unbridled natural fury and work to restore those communities.

… Marcia Morris, 9 May, 2022 - 11:54am

still game

Thanks Marcia, I'm still game! New Mexico's a very large state (and one of only 4 I've never visited), and I'm sure most any insects we find will be new to me. Looking forward to meeting everyone and sharing the experience!

… Tim R. Moyer, 11 May, 2022 - 7:15pm

Fires

My family and I are on the fence about the gathering and wonder if organizers are monitoring the news regarding the wildfires raging north and west of Las Vegas. https://nmfireinfo.com/2022/05/04/hermits-peak-and-calf-canyon-fires/

… JonDHoekstra, 4 May, 2022 - 12:34pm

Let's be flexible

We'll want to monitor the situation. The map you link to does look ominous, but I would not let it affect your decision to attend. It may affect the desirability to collect at the Pendaries Lodge in Rociada, NM as planned if everything is just scorched earth by then, but Sabinso Wilderness east of Las Vegas and sites I've suggested in the Pecos river valley west of the fire (Rt. 63 on west edge of fire map) are separated by desert and a mountain ridge, respectively, so should be unaffected.

… Edward L. Ruden, 4 May, 2022 - 2:34pm

I agree completely Edward

The fires are terrible but the areas mentioned are escaping the fires as of now.

… Jeffrey A Back, 6 May, 2022 - 12:45am

New Mexico

You guys don't know me, but I am attending the NM event. Is this definitely taking place? I am a long time friend of Charles Allen in Louisiana who has hosted this event on his property. I'm about to register. I'm also from Louisiana. I have a friend in Nevada who is attending also. Thanks. Annette Parker

parkerdaffodil@gmail.com

… Annieliveoak, 30 April, 2022 - 8:51am

Deadline to reserve room at Days Inn

Hi All,

Just want to remind everyone who is interested in booking a room at the Days Inn Las Vegas with the BugGuide Gathering rate must do so before June 29, 2022. Looking forward to seeing you there!

… Marcia Morris, 26 April, 2022 - 12:35pm

confusion

We tried to make a reservation and the woman found the group of set aside rooms, but said there was already a credit card on file for those rooms. She was surprised that we wanted to use our credit card for one of those rooms. Is there a special procedure set up?

… john and jane balaban, 24 March, 2022 - 9:04am

nothing special

I was asked to provide my credit card to hold the room rate, but it was my understanding that as each person reserves one of that block with that rate, the participant substitutes their own credit card for guarantee of the room. The person who took your call may not understand what the manager and I discussed. I just spoke with Jasmine at the Days Inn and she is on the same page now.

… Marcia Morris, 24 March, 2022 - 9:38am

ROOM RESEVATIONS

I called last week and no one that was on site could help. They said to call back before 3 pm NM time and ask for Jasemine. I just did this and booked my room @ 72.99 per night.

… Jeffrey A Back, 28 March, 2022 - 12:12pm

While in NM

Join the BioBlitz in Santa Rosa, NM anytime from the afternoon of Friday, July 22nd to Monday morning July 25th. Explore the accessible Karst lakes, springs, spring brooks, marshes and fens, and even a disjunct patch of tallgrass prairie. If you are traveling thru on I-40, please stop in to add your observations and expertise. These are unique habitats that need entomological attention. Contact me for details.

… Robert Sivinski, 22 March, 2022 - 3:01pm

Contact information

Hi Robert. No email associated with your bugguide profile. I am definitely interested in stopping by on the 23-24.

… Jeffrey A Back, 28 March, 2022 - 12:15pm

We need

contact information.

… Mark S. Romero, 22 March, 2022 - 6:01pm

Contact info

My email is bsivinski@cybermesa.com

… Robert Sivinski, 15 April, 2022 - 10:06am

Lycosidae?

I hope you don’t mind a spider guy! I will talk it out with my parent due to the fact I am not n adult yet... I am interested in collecting H. Carolinensis (Carolina wolf spider)
Cool plan!

… Max Wilde, 9 March, 2022 - 10:01am

Max Wilde

Master Wilde, please don't give up your love of entomology or in your case the Wolf Spider. I was a budding entomologist as a child- and I mean "child"! At seven I was collecting grasshoppers in my hand and wasn't afraid of any bug- even stinging insects and it cost me almost my life (bee stings). Back then it was not cool to be nerdy and smart. School kids are cruel, and instead of nurturing my brain I instead dulled it and pretended I was as dumb as my schoolmates just to "fit in". Now I am far into adulthood and regret sorely letting my love of insects "go", and not furthering my education, just because I was too embarrassed to admit I liked books and science and I let slide my goal to become an entomologist. I hope you don't have the same kind of culture in your school, where the smart kids are beaten up and the cool kids grew up to be on social welfare. I do hope to attend the bug event wherever they put it- and I DO hope to meet YOU at that event if your parents can bring you. I think it would be an exciting event, and Ive no doubt you, Max, would be a star at these things! Just show your family the comments and they can't let you NOT go.. We all here would be thrilled to meet you and talk to you. Good luck!

… analogue, 14 March, 2022 - 9:41pm