Wet Meadows in New Mexico generally consist of high-elevation grasslands and sedge (Carex sp.) meadows at elevations of roughly 7500 feet to treeline. They are characterized by dense grasses and sedges growing in wet soils with the water table at or just below the soil surface. Varying amounts of forbs may be interspersed throughout. Depressions in the ground are often occupied by plants typical of standing shallow water, such as cattails (Typha sp.) and rushes (Juncus sp.).

Wet meadows are few and far between in New Mexico and have generally been heavily impacted by man's activities. They are primarily found in the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan mountains, with lesser amounts also present in the Jemez, Zuni, and Sacramento mountains, and mountains of the Mogollon Highlands. Many of the meadows have been drained and converted to agriculture or are extensively grazed during the summer months, and a few are threatened by development of residential/resort areas near some of the state's more popular ski resorts.

Although limited in extent, wet meadows support several species of birds that nest in no other habitat in New Mexico (see Table 1). New Mexico tends to be at the periphery of the breeding ranges for these species due to the limited and unpredictable availability of this habitat within the state. As such, the future of these species as breeders in the state depends upon conservation of the existing meadow ecosystems and restoration of those that have been drained (where possible), aided by years of higher than average rainfall that produce temporary wet meadows within grasslands that are dry more often than not.

Physiographic Areas Covered: Colorado Plateau, Southern Rocky Mountains, Mesas and Plains, Mogollon Rim

Bird Habitat Requirements, Population and/or Habitat Objectives:
(in taxonomic order)

• Prefers grasslands with moist to saturated soils, low vegetation with shallow pools and permanent water
• in Colorado, seasonal wetlands dominated by sedges (Carex spp.) that receive water from irrigation flow or near permanent water
• nests placed in grasses or sedges on wet ground near water
• diet includes insect larvae, snails, and earthworms found by probing into wet ground
• in Colorado, densities ranged from 25-85 pair /100 ha
• probably arrives on breeding grounds in early to mid-May. Departs by late August (B. Howe pers. comm.).

• uses marshes, salt playas, flooded meadows and less often upland habitats along beaches as well as open water
• nests located within 328ft (100m) of wetlands in taller, denser and more heterogeneous vegetation than surrounding vegetation
• this may be an erratic breeder in the state, possibly breeding only in wetter years

• in the West, T = -0.3%, p = 0.77, N = 147, RA = 1.01 (Sauer et al. 1997)
• maintain or enhance wet breeding habitat to encourage continual occupation, especially on the Zuni Reservation, at Wagon Mound, on the Salmon Ranch and the Black Lake area
• maintain wet grassy areas within 300ft (91m) of open water
• reduce or eliminate draining wet meadow areas, especially near open ponds or lakes above 6200 ft
• limit breeding-season grazing in historic breeding areas
• in dry years, fence off habitat in areas of known nesting

• found in open, moist, grassy meadows
• usually meadows contain some herbaceous plants or weeds but avoids areas with tree cover
• in more arid areas restricted to irrigated areas or grassy margins of ponds
• main food items in breeding season consist of insects with smaller amounts of seeds
• nests placed on ground, beneath small shrubs or in grass clumps, often hidden by overhanging grasses or a constructed "tunnel"
• uncommon cowbird host (Erlich et al. 1988)
• Egg-laying runs from mid-June through July. Time from egg-laying to fledging:22-27 days (Erlich et al. 1988)