Newsletter

103 species seen in July

Chapala Birders Newsletter August 2, 2019     103 Species sighted last month around the Lake The complete list of species for last month is shown at the end of this newsletter. The summer is the period when John and Rosemary feel a greater pressure to go birding to maintain a good-looking monthly list, as compared with the winter when they we joined by more birders from up north and there are fifty percent more species. There are three areas we try to visit every month because the birding is so good - the Cajititlan Marsh, the Rosa Amarilla Loop, and the Dike at the east end of the lake.   Interesting sightings last month: Lesser Roadrunners were sighted by the group on the Rosa Amarilla Loop. John saw an unusual Sulphur-bellied Fycatcher at his condominium. Uncommon Blue-Black Grassquits were seen at Concepcion and at the Dike. John and Rosemary sighted some early migrants - Wilson's Phalaropes at Villa Corona, and Forster's Tern at the Lake Chapala Dike. A group visiting Concepcion de Buenos Aires in the center of Sierra del Tigre saw a Red-headed Tanager which is rare this far from the Jalisco coast. Remember mid-July to mid-September is 'chigger season' - be sure to use insect repellent on your lower legs. These tiny insects jump from tall wet grass to your legs and travel upwards under your pant legs. The bites leave welts which you will feel the following day. Blue-black Grassquit   Blue-black Grassquit photo by Mexican bird photographer Raul Padilla Blue Black Grassquits are very small finches that are found from central Mexico all the way down to Brazil: -   Though the DNA shows a close relationship with tanagers, these birds are similar to Indigo Buntings in their feather coloring - the males are only blue in the summer breeding season and spend the winter looking as if they are moulting, with mixed brown and blue patches; while the females are chestnut brown year-round, with obvious breast streaking similar to the larger female House Finches.  -  This species is renowned for the male display routine. In the spring and summer breeding season a small black bird may be seen perching on a twig, suddenly jumping up two feet in the air and coming straight back down to the same perch, repeating this several times a minute.   -  They tend to fly in flocks in the winter time.  -  They are not long distance migrants, but may move to lower altitudes for the winter. -  Like finches and buntings, they eat seeds and occasionally berries, but feed insects to their young. 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 day trip sizes 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 Monday August 12, we will meet at 8.00 am at El Bajio, on the west side of Ajijic. We will walk down the lane to the lake, expecting to see a good variety of birds in the tall trees and fields. At about 10.00 we will head to Fonda Dona Lola's for breakfast and complete the bird list. How to Get There: From Ajijic go about 2 mi. (3 km) west from the light at Colon, turn downhill at the sign for El Bajio next to the multiple speed bumps. Park immediately on the lateral. On Wednesday August 28, we will meet at 8.00 am to carpool at Donas Donuts 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 a Wood Stork. At about 10.15 we will go Las Delicias restaurant in Chapala for breakfast and complete the bird list. If you plan on going, email John: Chapalabirders@yahoo.com at least 48 hours ahead of time indicating whether or not you will have a car. (We don't always have enough cars). Bird Walk and Trip Reports On July 10, thirteen people turned out to explore the lakeshore road east of the Old Train Station as far as the Pumping Station. We sighted 55 species including Pied-billed Grebe, Blue Mockingbird, Caspian Tern, Fulvous Whistling Duck, Loggerhead Shrike, and a Crested Caracara being actively pestered by a Northern Mockingbird. On July 22, we had two carloads of birders at the Rosa Amarilla Loop on the plateau above the south side of the lake. We saw Botteri's Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Raven, Lesser Roadrunner, and Gray-crowned Yellowthroat for a total of 41 species. Monthly Sightings List Here are the species sighted around Lake Chapala in July: Ani, groove-billed Avocet, American (Ch) Blackbird, red-winged (Ca,Ra) Blackbird, yellow-headed (Dp) Bobwhite, northern (Ca,Ch) Cara, crested (Ca,Ch) Coot, American Cormorant, neotropic Cowbird, bronzed (At) Cowbird, brown-headed (Dp) Cuckoo, squirrel (At,Sa) Dove, common ground Dove, Eurasian  collared Dove, Inca Dove, mourning (Dp) Dove, white-tipped Dove, white-winged Duck, black-bellied whistling (Ca,Dm) Duck, fulvous whistling (Ca,Dm) Duck, Mexican Egret, cattle Egret, great Egret, snowy Elaenia, greenish Finch, house Flycatcher, cordilleran (Sa) Flycatcher, dusky-capped Flycatcher, gray silky Flycatcher, social Flycatcher, sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, vermilion Gallinule, common Goldfinch, lesser Grackle, great-tailed Grassquit, blue-black Grebe, Clark's (Sa) Grebe, least (Dp) Grebe, pied-billed (Dp,Ra) Grosbeak, blue Gull, laughing (Dp) Gull, ring-billed (Dp) Hawk, Cooper's (Ra) Heron, black-crowned night Heron, great blue Heron, green Heron, little blue Heron, tricolored Hummingbird, beryline Hummingbird, broad-billed Hummingbird, violet-crowned Ibis, white-faced Jacana, northern Killdeer Kingbird, Cassin's Kingbird, thick-billed Kingbird, tropical Kiskadee, great Kite, white-tailed (Dp,Ca) Meadowlark, eastern Mockingbird, blue Mockingbird, northern Motmot, russet-crowned Oriole, black-backed Oriole, black-vented Oriole, streak-backed Osprey (Ca) Parakeet, monk Pelican, American white Pewee, western wood Pigeon, rock Raven, common Roadrunner, lesser (Ra) Robin, rufous-backed Sandpiper, spotted (Dp) Seedeater, cinnamon-rumped Shrike, loggerhead (Dp) Sparrow, Botteri's (Ra) Sparrow, house Sparrow, rusty-crowned ground Sparrow, stripe-headed Spoonbill, roseate (Dp,Ca) Stilt, black-necked Stork, wood (Dp,Ca) Swallow, barn Swallow, cliff (Dp) Swallow, northern rough-winged Tern, Caspian (Dp) Tern, Forster's (Dp) Thrasher, curve-billed Thrush, orange-billed nightingale Towhee, canyon Tyrannulet, northern beardless (Sa,At) Vireo, golden (Sa,At) Vulture, black Vulture, turkey Woodpecker, golden-fronted Woodpecker, ladder-backed Wren, Bewick's Wren, canyon Wren, happy (Sa) Wren, spotted Yellowthroat, common (Ca) Yellowthroat, gray-crowned (Ra) 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

115 species seen in June

Chapala Birders Newsletter July 2, 2019     115 Species sighted last month around the Lake The Complete list of species seen around Lake Chapala last month is shown at the end of this newsletter.   Interesting sightings last month: - Jules Evens reported a Black-tailed Gnatcather in the Allen Lloyd arroyo. - Laura Dangerfield reported Least Grebes at the San Antonio malecon. - Brian Lewis reported a Brown-crested Flycatcher above Jan Juan Cosala. - A Blue-black Grasquit was seen by several people near Rosa Amarilla. - The biggest surprises last month were seen at the east end of the lake which currently has several square miles of very shallow water attracting no only hundreds of the commonest water birds, but also a few species not expected at this time of the year - Wilson's Phalarope, Solitary Sandpiper, Marbled Godwit, Cinnamon Teal and Northern Shoveler. Hummingbird Moths Examples of two different families of Hummingbird Moth, the Hawk Moth (above) and the Clearwing Moth (below. Hummingbird Moths These moths are confusing to birders and non-birders alike, and are frequently mis-identified as hummingbirds. They fly rapidly, their wings make the same humming sound, they hover and fly backwards, and they drink nectar from the same flowers as hummingbirds. Though less likely to fly away from a human, given their speed and need for nectar they do not stick around for long. With hundreds of species, they come in many sizes and colors. Here are the two commonest family types:  Hummingbird Hawk Moth -  Usually a bit smaller than a hummingbird, but quite solidly built. Hummingbird Clearwing Moth -  Smaller than the Hawk Moth, and longer and narrower than a bumble-bee. - Except for the edges, the wings are transparent.  - The body (abdomen) is typically dark but often has a broad band around the middle in yellowish, reddish or greenish shades. - You are more likely to see a Clearwing Moth since it operates in the day time, while Hawk moths have a greater tendency to fly at night. 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 day trip sizes 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 July 10, we will meet at 8.30am 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 need a ride to Chapala please email John at chapalabirders@yahoo.com at least 48 hours ahead of time. The train station is on the Lakeshore road just east of Cristiania Park. On Monday July 22, 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 48 hours ahead of time saying whether you can bring a vehicle, to help in carpool planning. (We don't always have enough cars). Bird Walk and Trip Reports On June 10, we had eight birders walking up the Allen Lloyd Arroyo in San Antonio Tlayacapan. We identified Russet-crowned Motmot, Blue Mockingbird, Rusty-crowned Ground Sparrow, Happy Wren, Western Wood Pewee and Beryline Hummingbird among the list of twenty nine species for the morning. On June 21, fourteen people joined us on the trip to the Sierra de Tapalpa which goes as high as seven thousand eight hundred feet. We managed to see forty two species including Painted Redstart, Striped Sparrow, Elegant Euphonia, Brown Creeper, Acorn Woodpecker and a special treat - a Red Crossbill. Monthly Sightings List Here are the 115 species sighted around Lake Chapala in June: Ani, groove-billed Avocet, American (Dp) Bittern, least (Sa) Blackbird, red-winged (Ra,Dp) Blackbird, yellow-headed Bobwhite, northern (Ra) Bunting, varied Bushtit Caracara, crested (Ra) Coot, American Cormorant, neotropic Cowbird, bronzed Cowbird , brown-headed (Dp) Cuckoo, squirrel Dove, common ground (Dp,Ra) Dove, Eurasian collared Dove, Inca Dove, white-tipped Dove, white-winged Duck, black-bellied whistling (Dp) Duck, fulvous whistling (Dp) Duck, Mexican Duck, Ruddy (Ds,Ra) Egret, cattle Egret, great Egret, snowy Elaenia, greenish Finch, house Flycatcher, brown-crested (Sc) Flycatcher, cordilleran Flycatcher, dusky-capped Flycatcher, Nutting's Flycatcher, social Flycatcher, vermilion Gallinule, common Gallinule, purple (Dp) Gnatcatcher, black-tailed (Sa) Godwit, marbled (Dp) Goldfinch, lesser Grackle, great-tailed Grassquit, blue-black (Ra) Grebe, pied-billed Grosbeak, black-headed Grosbeak, blue Gull, laughing (Dp) Gull, ring-billed (Dp) Hawk, red-tailed Heron, black-crowned night Heron, great glue Heron, green Heron, little blue (Dp) Heron, tricolored Hummingbird, beryline Hummingbird, broad-billed Hummingbird, sparkling-tailed Hummingbird, violet-crowned Ibis, white-faced Jacana, northern Killdeer Kingbird, Cassin's Kingbird, thick-billed Kingbird, tropical Kingfisher, green (Dp) Kiskadee, great Kite, white-tailed (Dp) Meadowlark, eastern (Rs,Dp) Mockingbird, blue Mockingbird, northern (Ra) Motmot, russet-crowned Nightjar, buff-collared Oriole, black-backed Oriole, black-vented Oriole, streak-backed Owl, ferruginous pygmy Parakeet, monk Pelican, American white Pewee, greater Pewee, western wood Phalarope, Wilson's (Dp) Pigeon, rock Roadrunner, lesser Robin, rufous-backed Sandpiper, solitary (Dp) Seedeater, cinnamon-rumped Shoveler, northern (Dp) Shrike, loggerhead Sparrow, Botteri's (Ra) Sparrow, rusty-crowned ground Sparrow, stripe-headed Spoonbill, roseate (Dp) Stilt, black-necked Stork, wood (Ra,Dp) Swallow, barn Swallow, cliff (Ra,Dp) Swallow, northern rough-winged Teal, cinnamon (Dp) Tern, Caspian Tern, Forster's (Dp) Thrasher, curve-billed Thrush, orange-billed nightingale Towhee, canyon Tyrannulet, northern beardless Vireo, golden Vireo, warbling Vulture, black Vulture, turkey (Ra) Warbler, yellow Woodpecker, golden-fronted Woodpecker, ladder-backed Wren, Bewick's Wren, canyon Wren, happy (Sa) Wren, spotted Yellowlegs, greater (Dp) Yellowthroat, common (Ra,Dp) Location codes: Ac - Ajijic: La Cristina/El Bajio At - Trails above Ajijic Av - Ajijic village Ca - Lake Cajititlan 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.