Newsletter

Chapala Birders Newsletter, March 2, 2025 Sightings last Month There were 210 species reported for the lake area in February. The complete list is shown at the end of this newsletter. Interesting sightings included the following: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was seen by Duncan Poole at the San Antonio malecon. Tom Bravo reported a Gray Flycatcher at the same location. Jules Evens and a group of others heard Mexican Whip-poor-will and six owl species in the early morning on the Caracol Trail. When do our Migrants Fly North? In our part of Mexico, the migratory song birds start getting itchy feet in the middle of March and have all disappeared by mid-April. Their departures are carefully timed to arrive on their breeding grounds in the U.S., Canada and the Arctic exactly when the ice is out and the first flowers and insects are appearing so that they can compete for the best mates and best nesting sites. Featured Bird: White-throated Thrush A White-throated Thrush. Observe the black and white stripes on the neck and a white crescent beneath the neck. Sexes are similar. South of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (the narrowest part of Mexico) this species has a black back and yellow eyering. The White-throated Thrush occurs from Mexico to Colombia. There are many subspecies, each inhabiting its own mountain range and each exhibiting different color tones. It is seen only occasionally in our hills, though it is more common closer to the coast. It does not migrate, but it exhibits altitude migration, meaning that it tends to move to lower altitudes in colder weather. It feeds on insects and worms, as well as fruits and berries in the non-breeding season. The nest is made of grasses and moss held together by mud, either in the fork of a tree or on the ground. The female lays 2-4 eggs, incubating them for two weeks. Both parents feed the young for another two weeks until they fledge. Upcoming Bird Walks and Trips Our bird-walks are open to all those interested in birds, both beginners and experienced birders. Just bring binoculars. We always have knowledgeable birders on hand to identify the species. Note that we will try to limit most car trips to three vehicles and 14 people because larger convoys are hard to manage when trying to stop on country roads to look at the birds. If you are being given a ride, we suggest you make a contribution to your driver for gas and tolls (perhaps $150 pesos for a half day outing, $300 pesos for a day trip). On Monday March 10, we will meet at 8.00 am at the 'Sculpture (at the only traffic light in La Floresta, south-east corner, opposite Restaurant Pranzo), departing immediately for Villa Corona on Lake Atotonilco (60 minutes drive). We expect to see various shore birds such as White-faced Ibis and Roseate Spoonbill. Bring your own mid-morning refreshments. There will be a break for snacking at 11.00 am. We will be back in Ajijic by about 1.30 pm. You must reserve - email John at least 2 days ahead of time, saying if you can bring a vehicle and can take passengers, or you would like to be a passenger. On Monday March 17, we will meet at 8.00 a.m. at La Cristina on the west side of Ajijic. We will see some shore birds and birds in the tall trees along the street. At about 10.00 am we will head to Fonda Doña Lola restaurant for breakfast and complete the bird list. How to Get There: Drive about 2 mi (4km) west from Colon, look for signs for Hacienda La Cristina (near a bus stop and signs for Las Palmas), turn down to the lake, and park close to the lake. On Thursday March 27, we will meet at 8.00 am at the 'Sculpture' (at the only traffic light in La Floresta, south-east corner, opposite Restaurant Pranzo) and leave immediately for Mezcala Mountain (60 minutes drive). We will park and then walk the one-mile (1.5 km) trail along the top. Bring refreshments for the 11.00 am snack break. Expect to get back to Ajijic by 1.00 pm. Other pick-up points can be arranged between Ajijic and Mezcala. If you plan on going, you must email John Keeling at chapalabirders@yahoo.com at least 2 days ahead indicating if you can bring a vehicle and can take passengers, or you would like to be a passenger. High-clearance, all wheel drive vehicles with off-road tires are recommended for the ascent. Bird Walk & Trip Reports On February 6, we had 12 birders on the Allen Lloyd Trail, managing to spot 34 species including Greenish Elaenia, Virginia's Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Blue Mockingbird, Warbling Vireo and Squirrel Cuckoo. On February 20, we had a group of 10 people on the Rosa Amarrilla Loop. We observed Osprey, White-tailed Hawk, Black Phoebe, Canvasback, Ruddy Duck, Brewer's Blackbird, Chihuahan Meadowlark, and Stripe-headed Sparrow. On February 26, with fifteen observers, we recorded 55 species at Cristiania Park in Chapala, including Rufous-backed Robin, Cassin's Kingbird, Cinnamon-rumped Seedeater, White-faced Ibis, Monk Parakeet and Groove-billed Ani. Monthly Sightings List Here are the 210 species observed around Lake Chapala in February: Ani, groove-billed Avocet, American Becard, gray-collared Becard, rose-throated Bittern, American Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, red-winged Blackbird, yellow-headed Bunting, indigo Bunting, lazuli Bunting, painted Bunting, varied Bushtit Canvasback Caracara, crested Chat, yellow-breasted Coot, American Cormorant, neotropic Cowbird, bronzed Cowbird, brown-headed Cuckoo, squirrel Dove, common ground Dove, Eurasian collared Dove, Inca Dove, mourning Dove, white-tipped Dowitcher, long-billed Duck, black-bellied whistling Duck, fulvous whistling Duck, Mexican Duck, ruddy Egret, great Egret, snowy Egret, western cattle Elaenia, greenish (Sa) Euphonia, elegant Finch, house Flycatcher, ash-throated Flycatcher, brown-crested Flycatcher, dusky Flycatcher, dusky-capped Flycatcher, gray Flycatcher, Hammond's Flycatcher, least Flycatcher, Nutting's (Sa) Flycatcher, social Flycatcher, tufted (Sa) Flycatcher, vermilion Flycatcher, western Gadwall Gallinule, common Gnatcatcher, black-capped Gnatcatcher, blue-gray Goldfinch, lesser Grackle, great-tailed Grebe, pied-billed Grosbeak, black-headed Grosbeak, blue Gull, laughing Gull, ring-billed Harrier, northern Hawk, Cooper's (Sa) Hawk, gray Hawk, red-tailed Hawk, sharp-shinned (Sa) Hawk, short-tailed Hawk, white-tailed Hawk, zone-tailed Heron, black-crowned night Heron, great blue Heron, green Heron, little blue Heron, tri-colored Hummingbird, berylline Hummingbird, black-chinned Hummingbird, broad-billed Hummingbird, broad-tailed Hummingbird, Rivoli's Hummingbird, ruby-throated Hummingbird, violet-crowned Hummingbird, white-eared Ibis, white-faced Jacana, northern Kestrel, American Killdeer Kingbird, Cassin's Kingbird, thick-billed Kingbird, tropical Kingbird, western Kingfisher, belted Kinglet, ruby-crowned Kiskadee, great Kite, white-tailed Meadowlark, Chihuahuan (Ra) Mockingbird, blue Mockingbird, northern Mountain-gem, blue-throated Nighthawk, lesser Nightjar, buff-collared Oriole, black-backed Oriole, black-vented Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, hooded Oriole, orchard Oriole, streak-backed Osprey Owl, elf (Ct) Owl, ferruginous pygmy (Ct) Owl, great horned (Ct) Owl, mottled (Ct) Owl, mountain pygmy (Ct) Owl, western screech (Ct) Parakeet, monk (Ch) Parrotlet, Mexican Pelican, American white Pewee, greater Phoebe, black (Ra) Phoebe, Say's Pigeon, rock Pintail, northern Raven, common Redstart, American Redstart, painted Redstart, slate-throated (Sa) Robin, American Robin, rufous-backed Sandpiper, least Sandpiper, spotted Sapsucker, yellow-bellied (Sa) Scaup, lesser Seedeater, cinnamon-rumped Shoveler, northern Shrike, loggerhead Snipe, Wilson's Solitaire, brown-backed (Ct) Sora Sparrow, chipping Sparrow, clay-colored Sparrow, grasshopper (Sa) Sparrow, house Sparrow, lark Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, rusty-crowned ground Sparrow, savannah Sparrow, stripe-headed Stilt, black-necked Stork, wood Swallow, barn Swallow, northern rough-winged Swallow, tree Swallow, violet-green Swift, Vaux's (Sa) Tanager, flame-colored Tanager, hepatic Tanager, summer Tanager, western Teal, blue-winged Teal, cinnamon Teal, green-winged Tern, black Tern, Caspian Tern, Forster's Thrasher, curve-billed Thrush, hermit Thrush, orange-billed nightingale Towhee, canyon Towhee, green-tailed (Sc) Towhee, spotted (Ct) Tyrannulet, northern beardless Violetear, Mexican (Ct) Vireo, Bell's Vireo, black capped Vireo, Cassin's Vireo, golden Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, plumbeous Vireo, warbling Vulture, black Vulture, turkey Warbler, black and white Warbler, black-throated gray Warbler, hermit Warbler, Lucy's Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Nashville Warbler, orange-crowned Warbler, red-faced Warbler, rufous-capped Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Virginia's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, yellow Warbler, yellow-rumped Waterthrush, Louisiana (Sa) Waterthrush, northern (Sa) Whip-poor-will, Mexican (Ct) Wigeon, American (Ct) Willet Woodpecker, golden-fronted Woodpecker, ladder-backed Wren, Bewick's Wren, canyon Wren, happy Wren, marsh Wren, northern house Wren, Sinaloa Wren, spotted Yellowlegs, greater Yellowthroat, common Yellowthroat, gray-crowned Sighting Location codes:  Ac - Ajijic: La Cristina & El Bajio At - Trails above Ajijic Av - Ajijic village Ca - Lake Cajititlan & marsh Ch - Chapala Ct - Caracol Trail & Int'l School Cs - Chapala Haciendas & Las Brisas Cv - Cerro Viejo Dm - Dike: Jamay to Malteraña Dp - Dike: Maltaraña to La Palma Hv - Hidden Valley oak forest Ja - Jamay La - La Cañada & Hidden Valley Jo - Jocotepec Ld - Lerma & Duero rivers Mz - Mezcala Oc - Ocotlan Pe - Petatan area Ps - Pumping Station & Santa Cruz Pt - San Pedro Tesistan Pz - San Pedro Itzican/Poncitlan Ra - Rosa Amarilla loop Rc - Santa Rosa & Carnero dam Rp - Riberas del Pilar & Canyon Sa - San Antonio & Allen Lloyd Trail Sc - San Juan Cosala Sn - San Nicholas & Golf Club Tz - Tizapan canyon Te - San Juan Tecomatlan Tr - Las Trojes & Chupinaya Tu - Tuxcueca & San Luis Soyatlan Xt - Ixtlahuacan & Las Campanillas What is the "Lake Chapala Area"?  We define it as the whole area of the lake plus all land within 15km (or 7 miles) from the edge of the lake. Lake Chapala Birders is an informal group of bird observers led by John and Rosemary Keeling. Illustrated color folders showing our common birds are available for $200 pesos at Diane Pearl's Gallery, 11 am to 4 pm, Santa Margarita #23, at the east end of Riberas del Pilar. Also available from John Keeling on bird walks. We like to hear of bird sightings at: chapalabirders@yahoo.com. Check our website: ChapalaBirders.org There you will find our newsletters, illustrations of our birds and advice on buying binoculars, books and birding apps.

Newsletter

Great Backyard Bird Count coming up

Chapala Birders Newsletter, January 2, 2025 Sightings last Month There were 191 species reported for the lake area in December. The complete list is shown at the end of this newsletter. Interesting sightings included the following: A Brown-Crested Flycatcher was photographed on the Caracol Trail by visiting birder Detlef Buetner. Tufted Flycatcher was seen on our January 9 birdwalk on the El Bajio road. Rose-throated Becard was seen by Tom Bravo on the lakeshore and by Nicola Cendron on the Allen Lloyd Trail. Great Backyard Bird Count - Feb 14 to17 The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) wasLaunched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. It was the first online participatory-science project to collect data on wild birds and to display results in near real time. This year, over the four day period February 14 to 17, everyone is invited to spend time in their favorite places watching and counting as many birds as they can find and reporting them on eBird. These observations help scientists better understand global bird populations before their annual migrations. If you already use the eBird or Merlin Apps, your submissions over the 4-day period will automatically count toward GBBC. Featured Bird: Grasshopper Sparrow Grasshopper Sparrow photo by Chapala Birder Duncan Poole taken on the International School Road. Note the eye-ring, the rufous or yellow lore, white median stripe on the head, largish bill, flattish head, dark spot below the side of the face, short tail and relatively unstreaked breast. The Grasshopper Sparrow is a shy bird, very particular about its habitat. It hides its nest on the ground in tall grass. However, it forages for food on the ground in shorter more open grass. In the summer it eats mainly insects (grasshoppers, beetles, ants, centipedes, carefully taking off the limbs before swallowing) and in the winter mainly seeds (grass and weed seeds.) It prefers to walk or run rather than fly. There are twelve subspecies occurring from Canada to Colombia. Mexico has its own subspecies which is resident, but these birds are joined in the winter by the subspecies from Canada and the U.S. which are migratory. Those that migrate, do so at night in mixed species flocks. Upcoming Bird Walks and Trips Our bird-walks are open to all those interested in birds, both beginners and experienced birders. Just bring binoculars. We always have knowledgeable birders on hand to identify the species. Note that we will try to limit most car trips to three vehicles and 14 people because larger convoys are hard to manage when trying to stop on country roads to look at the birds. If you are being given a ride, we suggest you make a contribution to your driver for gas and tolls (perhaps $150 pesos for a half day outing, $300 pesos for a day trip). On Thursday February 6, we will meet at 8.00 am at the trail head to hike a mile up the Allen Lloyd Trail which has lots of underbrush in which birds love to hide. Expect to see Blue Mockingbird and hear the Happy Wren. At about 10.00 we will head to Cafe Negro restaurant for breakfast and complete the bird list. How to get to the trail head: Drive up the Libramiento a half mile (1km) from the traffic light at Walmart, then turn left (carefully) as you would for the new hospital (Ribera Medical Center), double back and drive up the left side of the hospital, keep going uphill another half mile, and park on the only street to your left. On Thursday February 20, we will meet at 8.00 am at the 'Sculpture' (at the only traffic light in La Floresta, south-east corner), leaving immediately for the Rosa Amarilla Loop on the south side of the lake (60 minutes drive). Expect to see a variety of grassland birds and possibly a White-tailed Hawk. Bring refreshments for the morning and sandwiches for the 12.30 lunch stop. We will be back about 4.00 pm. You must reserve - email John at chapalabirders@yahoo.com at least 2 days ahead indicating if you can bring a vehicle and can take others, or you would like to be a passenger. On Wednesday February 26, we will meet at 8.15 am at the entrance to Cristiania Park in Chapala. We should see an interesting selection of species in the park and on the shore of the lake. At about 10.00 we will go to 'La Palapa de Don Juan' for breakfast and complete the bird list. How to Get There: From Ajijic go to the traffic light at the main street of Chapala (Av. Madero), Cross straight over and keep going straight for five blocks, turn left at the T intersection and park on the right, near the Park entrance. Bird Walk & Trip Reports On January 9, there were 18 birders out for the birdwalk on the 'El Bajio' road. A good list of 69 species was obtained including Lucy's Warbler, American Redstart, Stripe-headed Sparrow, Blue Mockingbird, Loggerhead Shrike and an unusual Tufted Flycatcher. On January 17, we had 19 keen observers at the Pumping Station. Sightings included Bushtit, Groove-billed Ani, Cooper's Hawk, Crested Caracara, Clay-colored Sparrow, Yellow Warbler and Painted Bunting. On January 27, we had two carloads of observers at the top of Mezcala Mountain. The list of 43 species included Northern House Wren, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Dusky-capped Flycatcher and Ash-throated Flycatcher. Monthly Sightings List Here are the 191 species observed around Lake Chapala in November: Ani, groove-billed Avocet, American Becard, rose-throated Blackbird, yellow-headed Brushfinch, rufous-capped Bunting, indigo Bunting, lazuli Bunting, painted Bunting, varied Bushtit Canvasback Caracara, crested Chat, yellow-breasted Coot, American Cormorant, neotropic Cowbird, bronzed Cowbird, brown-headed Crossbill, red Cuckoo, squirrel Dove, Eurasian collared Dove, Inca Dove, mourning Dove, white-tipped Dove, white-winged Dowitcher, long-billed Duck, fulvous whistling Duck, Mexican Duck, ruddy Egret, great Egret, snowy Egret, western cattle Elaenia, greenish Euphonia, elegant Finch, house Flycatcher, ash-throated Flycatcher, brown-crested Flycatcher, dusky Flycatcher, gray silky Flycatcher, Hammond's Flycatcher, least Flycatcher, Nutting's Flycatcher, social Flycatcher, tufted Flycatcher, vermilion Flycatcher, western Gadwall Gallinule, common Gnatcatcher, black-tailed Gnatcatcher, blue-gray Goldfinch, lesser Grackle, great-tailed Grebe, least Grebe, western Grosbeak, black-headed Grosbeak, blue Gull, laughing Gull, ring-billed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, gray Hawk, red-tailed Hawk, sharp-shinned Hawk, zone-tailed Heron, black-crowned night Heron, great blue Heron, green Heron, little blue Heron, tri-colored Hummingbird, berylline Hummingbird, black-chinned Hummingbird, broad-billed Hummingbird, broad-tailed Hummingbird, ruby-throated Hummingbird, rufous Hummingbird, violet-crowned Hummingbird, white-eared Ibis, white-faced Jacana, northern Kestrel, American Killdeer Kingbird, Cassin's Kingbird, thick-billed Kingbird, tropical Kingbird, western Kingfisher, belted Kinglet, ruby-crowned Kiskadee, great Kite, hook-billed Merlin Mockingbird, blue Mockingbird, northern Nightjar, buff-collared Oriole, black-backed Oriole, black-vented Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, hooded Oriole, orchard Oriole, streak-backed Osprey Owl, ferruginous pygmy Parakeet, monk Pelican, American white Pelican, brown Pewee, greater Phoebe, Say's Pigeon, rock Pintail, northern Raven, common Redstart, American Redstart, slate-throated Roadrunner, lesser Robin, American Robin, rufous-backed Sandpiper, least Sandpiper, spotted Sapsucker, yellow-bellied Seedeater, cinnamon-rumped Shoveler, northern Shrike, loggerhead Snipe, Wilson's Solitaire, brown-backed Sora Sparrow, chipping Sparrow, clay-colored Sparrow, grasshopper Sparrow, house Sparrow, lark Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, rufous-crowned Sparrow, rusty Sparrow, rusty-crowned ground Sparrow, savannah Sparrow, stripe-headed Sparrow, vesper Stilt, black-necked Stork, wood Swallow, northern rough-winged Swallow, tree Swallow, violet-green Tanager, flame-colored Tanager, hepatic Tanager, summer Tanager, western Teal, blue-winged Teal, cinnamon Teal, green-winged Tern, Caspian Tern, Forster's Thrasher, curve-billed Thrush, hermit Thrush, orange-billed nightingale Towhee, canyon Towhee, green-tailed Tyrannulet, northern beardless Vireo, Bell's Vireo, black capped Vireo, Cassin's Vireo, golden Vireo, plumbeous Vireo, warbling Vulture, black Vulture, turkey Warbler, black and white Warbler, black-throated gray Warbler, Grace's Warbler, hermit Warbler, Lucy's Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Nashville Warbler, orange-crowned Warbler, rufous-capped Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Virginia's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, yellow Warbler, yellow-rumped Waterthrush, northern Wigeon, American Willet Woodpecker, golden-fronted Woodpecker, ladder-backed Wren, Bewick's Wren, canyon Wren, happy Wren, marsh Wren, northern house Wren, Sinaloa Wren, spotted Yellowlegs, greater Yellowthroat, common Yellowthroat, gray-crowned Sighting Location codes:  Ac - Ajijic: La Cristina & El Bajio At - Trails above Ajijic Av - Ajijic village Ca - Lake Cajititlan & marsh Ch - Chapala Ct - Caracol Trail & Int'l School Cs - Chapala Haciendas & Las Brisas Cv - Cerro Viejo Dm - Dike: Jamay to Malteraña Dp - Dike: Maltaraña to La Palma Hv - Hidden Valley oak forest Ja - Jamay La - La Cañada & Hidden Valley Jo - Jocotepec Ld - Lerma & Duero rivers Mz - Mezcala Oc - Ocotlan Pe - Petatan area Ps - Pumping Station & Santa Cruz Pt - San Pedro Tesistan Pz - San Pedro Itzican/Poncitlan Ra - Rosa Amarilla loop Rc - Santa Rosa & Carnero dam Rp - Riberas del Pilar & Canyon Sa - San Antonio & Allen Lloyd Trail Sc - San Juan Cosala Sn - San Nicholas & Golf Club Tz - Tizapan canyon Te - San Juan Tecomatlan Tr - Las Trojes & Chupinaya Tu - Tuxcueca & San Luis Soyatlan Xt - Ixtlahuacan & Las Campanillas What is the "Lake Chapala Area"?  We define it as the whole area of the lake plus all land within 15km (or 7 miles) from the edge of the lake. Lake Chapala Birders is an informal group of bird observers led by John and Rosemary Keeling. Illustrated color folders showing our common birds are available for $200 pesos at Diane Pearl's Gallery, 11 am to 4 pm, Santa Margarita #23, at the east end of Riberas del Pilar. Also available from John Keeling on bird walks. We like to hear of bird sightings at: chapalabirders@yahoo.com. Check our website: ChapalaBirders.org There you will find our newsletters, illustrations of our birds and advice on buying binoculars, books and birding apps.