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Step 1
Bird watch at Rattlesnake Springs, which the National Audubon Society has designated an Important Bird Area. Over 300 different species of birds have been recorded in this rare desert wooded riparian habitat. Bring your field guide, binoculars or spotting scope and see what species you can locate.
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Step 2
Look for cave swallows by the entrance to Carlsbad Cavern. This site has also been designated an "Important Bird Area" because of the many cave swallows that live and breed here. Look for the birds between February and October as they nest just inside and watch them dive for insects as they feed.
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Step 3
Gather with other visitors to the park to view the bats' outflights each evening from the entrance to Carlsbad Cavern. From April through October, this event happens just after sunset each night, or you can catch the reentry just before dawn. As the over 400,000 bats fly overhead, you'll be able to hear their wings and smell the odor of the Brazilian free-tail bats. Rangers give programs before the outflight each night.
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Step 4
Watch for lizards sunning themselves on rocks or chasing insects during the day. Many visitors will see some lizards during their visit as they are common in the park. Look for spiny lizards, whiptail lizards and horned lizards.
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Step 5
Keep an eye out for the park's interesting array of insects. Within the last decade, several previously undocumented species have been found in the park. You can also find cave crickets living in the caverns, particularly near the entrance so they can forage outside for food if needed.
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Step 6
Pick a spot near a natural spring or other water source, and you may spot Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, javelina or Barbary sheep. Your best chances may be early morning and late evening when they come to drink.
