Newsletter

175 species seen in January

Chapala Birders Newsletter February 2, 2020   175 Species sighted around the Lake in January This is almost as many species as we saw in December. It helps to have good birders around! The complete list for last month is shown at the end of this newsletter. Interesting sightings last month: -  Rudy Neustaedter sent in a photo of both Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Duck on the reservoir of the Chapala Golf and Country Club. -  Jules Evens identified Brewers Blackbirds (female) on the Rosa Amarilla loop. -  Don Bell reported sighting Lesser Nighthawk on the west side of Ajijic. -  Carlo Cuevas reported a Willet near the Jocotepec malecon. -  During breakfast in Chapala after the Cajititlan Birding Trip, the group spotted an unusual Western Grebe on Lake Chapala. -  Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were seen at Ixtlahuacan and also on the Rosa Amarilla Loop. Great Backyard Bird Count this month The GBBC (Great Backyard Birdcount) runs from February 14 to February 17 - Valentine's Day weekend. Everyone from beginners to experienced birders are encouraged to dedicate a time and place to observe birds and report the sightings on eBird or the GBBC website birdcount.org. Started by the Audubon Society and Cornell Lab of Ornithology in 1998, it has expanded from just backyards to anywhere and  everywhere, and from just the USA and Canada to over 100 countries. As with the Christmas Bird Counts, the results are used to monitor the changes in bird populations. Featured Bird:   White-striped Woodcreeper White-striped Woodcreeper. Photo by Mexican birder Raul Padilla. The White-striped Woodcreeper is an endemic species to Mexico, meaning it is only found in this country. It's normal habitat is in oak and pine forests. -  We see this species in the oak forests which grow on the north-facing slopes of the mountains above Ajijic. -  It is about 22cm (8 in.) long. -  It is always seen looking for beetles, acending the bark of trees until it gets near the top then flies to the base of the next tree. Upcoming Trips and Bird Walks 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. Please note that we will try to limit car trips to four vehicles because larger convoys are less manageable 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 50-100 pesos for a half day outing, 150-200 for a day trip).   On Wednesday February 5, we will meet to carpool at 8.30 am at the Old Train Station in Chapala, leaving immediately to bird the "Chapala Lakeshore East" including the pumping station. Expect to see a good variety of shore birds in a variety of habitats. At 10.00 we will head to the Palapa de Don Juan for breakfast and complete the bird list. If you plan on joining us, please tell us if you will bring a vehicle, or if you need a ride at the Train Station, or a ride to get to the Train Station;  email John at chapalabirders@yahoo.com at least 2 days ahead of time. The train station is on the Lakeshore Road just east of Cristiania Park in Chapala. On Monday February 17, we will meet at 8.00 a.m. at the "Las Palmas" Road on the west side of Ajijic. We will see some shore birds, and some birds in the tall trees. At about 10.00 a.m. we will head to Fonda Dona Lola for breakfast and complete the bird list. How to Get There: Drive about 2 mi (4km) west from Colon, look for a bus stop in front of a vivero (plant nursery) with signs to Las Palmas on one side and Hacienda La Cristina on the other. Park between the bus stop and the vivero, leaving space for others to park there also. On Friday February 28, we will meet at 8.00 am at Donas Donuts to car pool, leaving immediately for the Rosa Amarilla Loop on the plateau above the south side of the lake (60 minutes drive). Expect to see Wood Storks, and possibly a White-tailed Hawk. Bring refreshments for the morning and sandwiches for the 12.30 lunch stop. We will be back about 3.00 pm. If you plan on going, please email John at chapalabirders@yahoo.com at least 2 days ahead of time saying whether you can bring a vehicle, to help in carpool planning. (We don't always have enough cars). "Field Notes" by Jules The Call of the Violet-crowned Hummingbird One of the common bird "songs" heard Lakeside in winter is the vocalization of the Violet-crowned Hummingbird, most often heard in early morning hours. The bird usually calls from an exposed perch several meters above the ground. They are very aggressive toward other hummers, their own kind as well as other resident species. These vocalizing birds are clearly defending foraging or nesting territories and are intolerant of intruders. In my residential neighborhood Lakeside, singing individuals tend to be spaced about 50 meters from one another. The song is a series of thin, light notes, repeated at even, unhurried intervals a half dozen to a dozen times, usually descending slightly toward the end. Steve Howell's description as a "plaintive chieu, chieu, chieu . . ." is about right.   There are two other local species with descending song series that may be mistaken for this hummer-Northern Beardless Tyrannulet and Canyon Wren-but neither are as vocal at this time of the year. The tyrannulet's call is more emphatic, louder and fuller than the Violet-crown's, a slow series of 3-9 clear, whistled notes that descends, in pitch, more distinctly. The Canyon Wren's aria is the most musical and complex of the three, aptly described as an opening staccato note followed by a "cascade of sweet liquid notes."        Violet-crowned Hummingbird                 - photo by Jules Evens Bird Walk and Trip Reports On Tuesday January 7, we had eleven participants on the trip to the Sierra de Tapalpa which is 2,000 ft above lake level. We saw a good selection of unusual species including Mexican Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Pygmy Nuthatch, Elegant Euphonia, Olive Warbler and Grace's Warbler, out of total of 58 species. On Friday January 17, there was a good crowd of 22 birders on the Allen Lloyd Trail in San Antonio Tlayacapan. We observed 44 species including Western Kingbird, Greenish Elaenia, Warbling Vireo, Greater Pewee, Varied Bunting, Cordilleran Flycatcher, and a Townsend's Warbler which is more normally seen at higher atlitude. On Thursday January 30, we were joined by 16 observers birding the Cajititlan Marsh, managing to see sixty seven species, including White-tailed Kite, Northern Harrier, Painted Bunting, Yellow-breasted Sapsucker, Common Yellowthroat, Lincoln's Sparrow and Least Flycatcher. Monthly Sightings List Here are the species sighted around Lake Chapala in January: Ani, groove-billed Avocet, American (Dp) Bittern, least (Sa) Blackbird, Brewer's (Ra) Blackbird, yellow-headed Bluebird, eastern (Ra) Bunting, indigo Bunting, lazuli Bunting, painted (Ca,Dp) Bunting, varied Bushtit Caracara, crested Chat, yellow-breasted (Jo,Dm) Coot, American Cormorant, neotropic Cowbird, bronzed Cowbird, brown-headed Cuckoo, squirrel (Sa) Dove, common ground (Dp,Ra) Dove, Eurasian collared Dove, Inca Dove, mourning (Ca,Ra) Dove, white-tipped Dove, white-winged Dowitcher, long-billed Duck, fulvous whistling (Ca) Duck, Mexican Duck, ring-necked (Sn) Duck, ruddy Egret, cattle Egret, great Egret, snowy Elaenia, greenish (Sa) Finch, house Flycatcher, ash-throated Flycatcher, cordilleran Flycatcher, dusky (Sa) Flycatcher, dusky-capped Flycatcher, gray silky Flycatcher, least (Ca) Flycatcher, Nutting's Flycatcher, social Flycatcher, vermilion Flycatcher, white-throated (Sa) Gadwall Gallinule, common Gallinule, purple (Sa,Dp) Gnatcatcher, blue-gray Goldfinch, lesser Grackle, great-tailed Grebe, least Grebe, pied-billed Grebe, western (Ch) Grosbeak, black-headed Grosbeak, blue Gull, laughing Gull, ring-billed Harrier, northern (Ca,Dp) Hawk, Cooper's (Dp) Hawk, gray (Jo) Hawk, red-tailed Heron, black-crowned night Heron, great blue Heron, green Heron, little blue (Dp) Heron, tri-colored Hummingbird, beryline (Sa) Hummingbird, broad-billed Hummingbird, rufous (Ra) Hummingbird, violet-crowned Hummingbird, white-eared (Av) Ibis, white-faced Jacana, northern Kestrel , American Killdeer Kingbird, Cassin's Kingbird, thick-billed Kingbird, tropical Kingbird, western Kingfisher, belted (Dp0 Kingfisher, green (Dp) Kinglet, ruby-crowned (Ra) Kiskadee, great Kite, white-tailed (Ca) Meadowlark, eastern (Ra) Mockingbird, blue Mockingbird, northern Nighthawk, lesser Nightjar, buff-collared (Av) Oriole, black-backed Oriole, black-vented Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, hooded Oriole, orchard Oriole, streak-backed Owl, barn (Jo) Owl, ferruginous pygmy (Sa) Parakeet, monk Pelican, American white Pewee, greater (Sa) Pigeon, rock Pintail, northern Raven, common Redstart, American (Dm,Dp) Roadrunner, greater Robin, rufous-backed Sandpiper, least Sandpiper, spotted Sapsucker, yellow-bellied (Xt,Ra) Scaup, lesser (Sn) Seedeater, cinnamon-rumped Shoveler, northern Shrike, loggerhead Solitaire, brown-backed (At) Sora Sparrow, chipping Sparrow, clay-colored Sparrow, grasshopper (Sa) Sparrow, house Sparrow, lark Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, rusty-crowned ground Sparrow, savannah (Ra,Sa) Sparrow, stripe-headed Stilt, black-necked Stork, wood (Ra) Swallow, barn Swallow, northern rough-necked Swallow, tree Swallow, violet-green Tanager, hepatic (Ra) Tanager, summer Tanager, western Teal, blue-winged Teal, cinnamon Teal, green-winged Tern, Caspian Tern, Forster's Thrasher, curve-billed Thrush, orange-billed nightingale Towhee, canyon Tyrannulet, northern beardless (Sa) Vireo, black-capped (Sa) Vireo, Cassin's (Ra,Sa) Vireo, golden (Sa) Vireo, plumbeous (Dp,Ra) Vireo, warbling Vulture, black Vulture, turkey Warbler, black and white (Sa) Warbler, black-throated gray Warbler, hermit (Sa) Warbler, Lucy's (Ac,Sa) Warbler, MacGillivray's (Jo,Sa) Warbler, Nashville Warbler, orange-crowned Warbler, rufous-capped Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Virginia's (Sa) Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, yellow Warbler, yellow-rumped Waterthrush, northern (Sa) Wigeon, American Willet (Jo) Woodpecker, golden-fronted Woodpecker, ladder-backed Wren, Bewick's Wren, canyon Wren, happy Wren, house Wren, spotted Yellowlegs, greater (Ra) Yellowlegs, lesser (dp) Yellowthroat, common (Ca) Location codes: Ac - Ajijic: La Cristina/El Bajio At - Trails above Ajijic Av - Ajijic village Ca - Lake Cajititlan & marsh Ch - Chapala Cu - Cuitzeo/Ocotlan 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 Pe - Petatan area Ps - Pumping Station/Santa Cruz Pt - San Pedro Tesistan area Pz - San Pedro Itzican area 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/Mezcala Tr  - Las Trojes/oak forest Tu - Tuxcueca/San Luis Soyatlan Xt - Ixtlahuacan/Las Campanillas Lake Chapala Birders is an informal group of bird observers led by John and Rosemary Keeling. Don't hesitate to contact us if you are seeking information about birding in the area. We also like to hear about sightings of birds or nests at: chapalabirders@yahoo.com or 376.766.1801. Check out the website: chapalabirders.org. A laminated folder "Quick Guide to the Birds of Lake Chapala" illustrating 150 local species can be purchased for $150 pesos at Diane Pearl Collecciones, Colon #1, in the center of Ajijic. This is especially useful to newcomers - it is produced by "Defenders of Wildlife" which works to protect imperiled species throughout North America.

Newsletter

177 species seen in December

Chapala Birders Newsletter January 2, 2020   177 Species sighted around the Lake in December This is an unusually high number of species. For comparison, last December we reported only 137 species. The complete list for last month is shown at the end of this newsletter. Interesting sightings last month: - John Roynon reported sighting Black-capped Vireo and Lazuli Bunting on the Allen Lloyd trail. - Nicola Cendron reported Dusky Flycatcher and Happy Wren on the International School road. - Jules Evens reported White-striped Woodcreeper and Brown-backed Solitaire on the mountain above Las Trojes during the Christmas Bird Count. - John Keeling saw two Snow Geese at the Dike near La Palma during the Christmas Bird Count. - Don Bell reported seeing Willow Flycatcher and Painted Bunting on the west side of Ajijic during the Christmas Bird Count. Christmas Bird Count Report For the Ajijic area CBC on December 16 we had twenty four participants in five teams. The final count was 135 species and 7,702 individual birds. For the second time, one team went to Las Trojes to hike the oak forest between 7,000 and 8,000 feet above sea level. That team saw 24 species not seen by the other teams, in particular Mountain Pygmy Owl, Red-faced Warbler, Hermit Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Painted Redstart, Brown-backed Solitaire, White-striped Woodcreeper and Mexican Violetear. On the 'Cienega' CBC held December 18 at the east end of the lake we formed one team in two cars. An unusual sighting was of two Snow Geese on the Dike. The total count was 83 species and 64,543 individual birds. The combined total for both areas was 149 species. Featured Bird:   Black-capped Vireo   Black-capped Vireo. Photo by Jalisco birder Julio Álvarez. The Black-capped Vireo is a very small, shy bird that hides in undergrowth. We find it on the Allen Lloyd trail and Tepalo Waterfall trail.  -  It breeds in Oklahoma and Texas in the period May to August and  spends the winter along the Pacific coast of central Mexico. -  The male has a jet-black head; the female a gray head; both having a bold white eye-ring.  -  They eat caterpillars, spiders, and berries.   -  The species almost went extinct 30 years ago. When only a few thousand birds remained it was declared an endangered species. It suffers from habitat loss, and cowbird depredation. -  It needs a particular habitat to survive, which is young-growth shrubs with undergrowth and short grass which is the result of regular prairie fires. Nests are built one to three feet above the ground. Unfortuantely, female cowbirds are very aggressive, killing vireo chicks if necessary before laying an egg. Also, Cowbird eggs hatch 4 days quicker than the vireo eggs, and the cowbird chick is bigger, able to kill the other chicks by smothering.  -  Over the last 30 years the Black-capped Vireo has been brought back from the brink of extinction, temporarily, by action in selected areas. Actions have included trapping of cowbirds close to cattle and bison; scheduling of regular burns of grassland; and reduciing the grazing areas of cattle and goats. At present this is a great success story for the Endangered Species Act. However, if these actions cease, the species will go extinct.  Upcoming Trips and Bird Walks 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. Please note that we will try to limit car trips to four vehicles because larger convoys are less manageable 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 50-100 pesos for a half day outing, 150-200 for a day trip).   On Tuesday January 7, we will carpool at Donas Donuts at 8.00 am, leaving immediately for the Sierra de Tapalpa (90 minutes away). We will bird from 9.30 till 12.30, have lunch in the town of Tapalpa and complete the bird list. We expect to see higher altitude birds such as Acorn Woodpecker and Slate-throated Redstart and if we are lucky Trans-volcanic Jay. Bring your own refreshments for the morning. We will be back about 5.00 pm. If you plan on going, please email John at chapalabirders@yahoo.com two days ahead of time; also indicate if you can bring a vehicle, to help in carpool planning. (We don't always have enough cars). On Friday January 17, we will meet at 8.00 am to walk the one-mile long Allen Lloyd Trail which has lots of underbrush in which birds love to hide. Expect to see Stripe-headed Sparrow and Groove-billed Ani and hear the Happy Wren - if we are lucky. At about 10.15 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 from the traffic light at Walmart, and park on the north side of the road across from the El Dorado Condominium tower. On Wednesday January 29, we will meet at 8.00 am to carpool behind Black Coffee, in the Laguna Mall parking area, leaving immediately for the Cajititlan Marsh (30 minutes drive). We expect to see a variety of marsh and lake birds such as Black-necked Stilt, Snowy Egret, and perhaps American Avocet. At about 10.15 we will go La Palapa de Don Juan restaurant in Chapala for breakfast and complete the bird list. If you plan on going, email John at Chapalabirders@yahoo.com at least 2 days ahead of time, also indicate whether or not you can bring a car. (We don't always have enough cars). Bird Walk and Trip Reports On December 8, we had 20 people out to bird the 'Chapala Lakedshore East' route, centering on the Pumping Station. Interesting sightings included American Wigeon, Virginia's Warbler, Wilson's Snipe, Sora, Black-vented Oriole, Black-backed Oriole, White-crowned Sparrow and 100 Lark Sparrows. The total was sixty species. On December 27, there were 19 birders viewing a total of 79 species on Lake Atotonilco at Villa Corona. Species seen included Eastern Meadowlark,  Least Bittern, Squirrel Cuckoo, Aztec Rail, Semipalmated Plover, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, 100 American White Pelicans, 340 Snow Geese and 25 Clarke's Grebes. Monthly Sightings List Here are the species sighted around Lake Chapala in December: Ani, groove-billed Avocet, American Becard, rose-throated (Tr) Blackbird, yellow-headed Bunting, indigo (Ca) Bunting, lazuli (Sa) Bunting, painted (Ac) Bunting, varied Bushtit Caracara, crested Coot, American Cormorant, neotropic Cowbird, bronzed Cowbird, brown-headed Cuckoo, squirrel (Sc,Sa) Dove, Eurasian collared Dove, Inca Dove, mourning Dove, white-tipped Dove, white-winged Dowitcher, long-billed Duck, black-bellied whistling Duck, fulvous whistling Duck, Mexican Duck, ruddy Egret, cattle Egret, great Egret, snowy Euphonia, elegant (Sa) Finch, house Flycatcher, ash-throated Flycatcher, buff-breasted (Tr) Flycatcher, cordilleran Flycatcher, dusky (Ch) Flycatcher, dusky-capped Flycatcher, gray-silky Flycatcher, least (Tr) Flycatcher, Nutting's (Sa) Flycatcher, olive-sided (Tr) Flycatcher, social Flycatcher, vermilion Flycatcher, white-throated (Dp) Flycatcher, willow (Ac) Gadwall Gallinule, common Gallinule, purple (Sa,Dp) Gnatcatcher, blue-gray Goldfinch, lesser Goose, snow (Dp) Grackle, great-tailed Grebe, eared (Ps,Dp) Grebe, pied-billed Grosbeak, black-headed Grosbeak, blue Gull, laughing Gull, ring-billed Harrier, northern (Dp) Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, gray Hawk, red-tailed Hawk, sharp-shinned Hawk, white-tailed (Ca) Hawk, zone-tailed (Ac) Heron, black-crowned night Heron, great-blue Heron, green Heron, little blue Heron, tricolored Hummingbird, beryline Hummingbird, black-chinned (Sa) Hummingbird, broad-billed Hummingbird, rufous (Ch) Hummingbird, violet-crowned Ibis, white-faced Jacana, northern Kestrel, American Killdeer Kingbird, Cassin's Kingbird, thick-billed Kingbird, tropical Kingbird, western (Sa) Kingfisher, belted Kingfisher, green Kinglet, ruby-crowned (Tr) Kiskadee, great Kite, white-tailed Mockingbird, blue Mockingbird, northern Oriole, black-backed Oriole, black-vented Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, hooded Oriole, Scott's (Ch) Oriole, streak-backed Osprey Owl, ferruginous pygmy (Sa) Owl, mountain pygmy (Tr) Parakeet, monk Parula, tropical (Ac) Pelican, American white Pewee, greater Phoebe, Say's (Tr) Pigeon, rock Pintail, northern Rail, Aztec Raven, common Redstart, painted Robin, rufous-backed Sandpiper, spotted Seedeater, cinnamon-rumped Shoveler, northern Shrike, loggerhead Snipe, Wilson's (Ps) Solitaire, brown-backed Sora Sparrow, chipping Sparrow, clay-colored Sparrow, grasshopper (Ch) Sparrow, house Sparrow, lark Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, rusty-crowned ground Sparrow, stripe-headed Sparrow, white-crowned (Ps) Stilt, black-necked Swallow, barn Swallow, cliff Swallow, northern rough-winged Swallow, tree Swallow, violet-green Tanager, hepatic Tanager, western Teal, blue-winged Teal, cinnamon Teal, green-winged Tern, black Tern, Caspian Tern, Forster's Thrasher, curve-billed Thrush, orange-billed nightingale Towhee, canyon Tyrannulet, northern beardless Violetear, Mexican Vireo, Bell's (Ch) Vireo, Black-capped (Sa) Vireo, Cassin's (Sa) Vireo, plumbeous (Tr) Vireo, warbling (Tr,Sa) Vulture, black Vulture, turkey Warbler, black and white Warbler, black-throated gray Warbler, hermit (Tr) Warbler, Lucy's warbler, MacGillivray's (Sa) Warbler, Nashville Warbler, orange-crowned Warbler, red-faced (Tr) Warbler,  rufous-capped (Tr,Sa) Warbler, Townsend's (Tr) Warbler, Virginia's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, yellow Warbler, yellow-rumped Waterthrush, northern (Sa) Wigeon, American Woodcreeper, white-striped (Tr) Woodpecker, golden-fronted Woodpecker, ladder-backed Wren, Bewick's Wren, canyon Wren, happy (Sa) Wren, house Wren, marsh (Ps) Wren, spotted Yellowlegs, lesser Yellowthroat, common Location codes: Ac - Ajijic: La Cristina/El Bajio At - Trails above Ajijic Av - Ajijic village Ca - Lake Cajititlan & marsh Ch - Chapala Cu - Cuitzeo/Ocotlan 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 Pe - Petatan area Ps - Pumping Station/Santa Cruz Pt - San Pedro Tesistan area Pz - San Pedro Itzican area 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/Mezcala Tr  - Las Trojes/oak forest Tu - Tuxcueca/San Luis Soyatlan Xt - Ixtlahuacan/Las Campanillas Lake Chapala Birders is an informal group of bird observers led by John and Rosemary Keeling. Don't hesitate to contact us if you are seeking information about birding in the area. We also like to hear about sightings of birds or nests at: chapalabirders@yahoo.com or 376.766.1801. Check out the website: chapalabirders.org. A laminated folder "Quick Guide to the Birds of Lake Chapala" illustrating 150 local species can be purchased for $150 pesos at Diane Pearl Collecciones, Colon #1, in the center of Ajijic. This is especially useful to newcomers - it is produced by "Defenders of Wildlife" which works to protect imperiled species throughout North America.