The water of the shallow lake is very brackish, too bitter to drink, and was so named by early cattlemen. It is fed year round by small springs but often goes dry during the hot summer months. They are also fed by springs when the water table is high enough. Roswell has become known as the UFO capital of the world, but there are flying objects of another sort at Bitter Lake. Many thousands of migratory waterfowl and sandhill cranes travel south through New Mexico along the two major river corridors, the Rio Grande and Pecos River, after leaving their northern breeding grounds each fall.
Bitter Lake is a favorite roosting place.
This Eurasian bird was first seen in New Mexico at Bitter Lake. Bird watchers from every state and most of Europe have taken in the sights. Ducks numbering between 5,000 and 20,000 and geese numbering 20,000 to 40,000 can be observed during fall migrations. Large numbers terminate their migration in this area while others continue into Mexico. Food is provided on the refuge by native aquatic plants as well as cultivated crops.