Newsletter

New Species for the Lake - Limpkin

Chapala Birders Newsletter June 2, 2019     116 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.   High points last month: -  The Sparkling-tailed Hummingbirds were reported in the Racket Club (they breed here in May and June only.) -  Blue-throated Hummingbirds were reported in Tlachichilco. -  Two Limpkins at the Dike (see report below.) Another New Species for Lake Chapala - Limpkin Last month, during their monthly visit to the Dike at the East end of the lake, John and Rosemary observed two Limpkins near the village of La Palma. They were feeding in shallow water on flooded corn fields. This species has never been reported at Lake Chapala before. They are larger than Ibises, generally brown, with characteristic white spots. The range of this species is slowly expanding northwards. In his 1995 reference book, Steve Howell shows the traditional range in Mexico as being the coastal regions of Southern Mexico. Since then the bird has been increasingly reported along the coasts of Colima, Jalisco and Nayarit. In 2006, a University of Guadalajara paper reported sightings in the interior of Jalisco in the area of Autlan. This year Limpkins have been sighted at Presa la Vega just 50 kilometers west of Lake Chapala. They inhabit shallow, fresh water areas. They prefer to eat snails, but will also eat frogs, small crustacians and seeds. Stilt Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper in winter plumage as seen at Lake Chapala in April on migration. The Stilt Sandpiper - is a long-distance migrant, breeding in the high Arctic and wintering mainly in South America, also in central Mexico and Central America. It is generally seen in shallow, muddy, fresh water pools and marshes. - Eggs are laid on the tundra at the time of the Arctic spring in early June. The female sits the eggs at night, and the male during the day. After three weeks the eggs hatch. The chicks leave the nest almost immediately, finding all their own food. The female leaves after a week, and the male after two weeks as the chicks are starting to fly. The adults fly south in August making a mad dash for South America, and the juveniles leave in September taking their time on the route. - While the breeding plumage is much darker, heavily marked with black and brown spots, the winter plumage is quite plain. - In winter the Stilt Sandpiper is easily mistaken for the Long-billed Dowitcher when feeding, and is easly confused with the Lesser Yellowlegs when walking. Look for the curvature of the bill, and the white supercilium. 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. We will try to limit day trips to four vehicles, as larger convoys are less manageable. If you are being given a ride, please make a contribution to gas and tolls (perhaps 50-100 pesos for a half day outing, 150-200 for a day trip).   On Monday June 12, 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 and Orange-billed Nightingale Thrush. 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 Friday June 21, we will meet at 8.00 am at Donas Donuts to car pool, leaving immediately for the Sierra de Tapalpa (90 minutes away). We will bird from 9.30 till 12.30 and 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 at least 48 hours ahead of time saying whether you can bring a vehicle. Bird Walk and Trip Reports On May 6 we had a small group to bird the lakshore road from the Old Train Station to the Pumping Station. We saw uncommon birds such as Marbled Godwit and Semipalmated Plover, as well as American Avocet, Mourning Dove, Black-backed Oriole and Tri-colored Heron out of a total of 53 species. On May 17 we travelled to the Rosa Amarilla Loop on the plateau above the south shore. We saw an impressive 64 species including Western Wood Pewee, Say's Phoebe, four Wren species - Spotted, Happy, Bewick's and Canyon, as well as Eastern Bluebird, and Botteri's Sparrow which comes to the grass fields of this area every summer. Monthly Sightings List Here are the 116 species sighted around Lake Chapala in May: Ani, groove-billed Avocet, American (Ps) Becard, rose-throated Blackbird, red-winged (Ra,Dp) Bluebird, eastern (Ra) Bunting, varied (Pt) Bushtit Caracara, crested Coot, American Cormorant, neotropic Cowbird, bronzed Cowbird, brown-headed Cuckoo, squirrel Dove, common ground (Ca,Ra) Dove, Eurasian collared Dove, Inca Dove, mourning (Ps) Dove, white-winged Dowitcher, long-billed (Ps) Duck, black-bellied whistling (Ca) Duck, fulvous whistling (Ps,Ca) Duck, Mexican Duck, ruddy (Ca,Ra) Egret, cattle Egret, great Egret, snowy Elaenia, greenish Euphonia, elegant (Sa,Av) Finch, house Flycatcher, dusky-capped Flycatcher, gray (Sa) Flycatcher, social Flycatcher, vermillion Gallinule, common Godwit, marbled (Ps) Goldfinch, lesser Grackle, great-tailed Grebe, least Grebe, pied-billed Grosbeak, black-headed Grosbeak, blue Gull, laughing Gull, ring-billed Hawk, red-tailed Hawk, sharp-shinned Hawk, white-tailed (Ra) Heron, black-crowned night Heron, great blue Heron, green (Dm) Heron, little blue (Dm) Heron, tri-colored (Ps) Hummingbird, beryline Hummingbird, blue-throated (Pt) Hummingbird, broad-billed Hummingbird, sparkling-tailed (Sc) Hummingbird, violet-crowned Hummingbird, white-eared (Av) Ibis, white-faced Jacana, northern Killdeer Kingbird, Cassin's Kingbird, tropical Kiskadee, great Kite, white-tailed Limpkin (Dp) Meadowlark, eastern (Ra) Mockingbird, blue Mockingbird, northern (Ca) Motmot, russet-crowned (Sa) Oriole, black-backed Oriole, streak-backed Parakeet, monk Pelican, American white Pewee, western wood Phoebe, Say's (Ra) Pigeon, rock Plover, semipalmated Raven, common Robin, rufous-backed Sandpiper, stilt (Ps) Seedeater, cinnamon-rumped Shrike, loggerhead Solitaire, brown-backed Sparrow, Botteri's (Ra) Sparrow, house Sparrow, rusty-crowned ground Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, stripe-headed Spoonbill, roseate (Dp) Stilt, black-necked Stork, wood (Ra,Dp) Swallow, barn Swallow, cliff (Ra,Dm) Swallow, northern rough-winged Tanager, western Teal, blue-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 Widgeon, American (Dp) Woodpecker, golden-fronted Woodpecker, ladder-backed Wren, Bewick's Wren, canyon Wren, happy (Ra,Sa) Wren, Sinaloa (Sa) Wren, spotted Yellowlegs, lesser (Ps) 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 near Malteraña Dp - Dike near 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.

Newsletter

143 Species in April

Chapala Birders Newsletter May 2, 2019     143 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. -  The American White Pelicans left for their northern breeding grounds in the middle of April. The first year males have stayed behind. -  Wilson's Phalaropes were seen in considerable numbers on Lake Cajititlan. They are making their way north on migration. -  The hills above Ajijic are now full of the calls of Greenish Elaenia, Lesser Beardless Tyrannulets (residents) and the just-arrived Wetern Wood Pewees. Among the interesting sightings last month were: -  Lesser Roadrunners on the International School Road. -  Northern Bobwhites at Cajititlan marsh. -  Least Bittern at the San Antonio malecon. -  Purple Gallinule at the Dike. Rufous-crowned Motmot Rufous-crowned Motmot. Photo by our friend Vince at BirdsofMexico.com. The Rufous-Crowned Motmot - Occurs from nothern Mexico to southern Guatemala. There are many other motmot species in Central and South America - all part of the same family as Kingfishers and European Bee-eaters. - They have a characteristic "krrok" call which can be heard at this time of the in the hills above Ajijic.  - They are known for sitting still on a branch for long periods of time, sometimes wagging the tail slowly from side to side when something catches their attenion. - They eat large insects and small vertebrates including lizards and snakes. - Both parents excavate a meter-long horizontal tunnel in an earth bank. The tunnel may be straight or have a bend, ending in a larger cavity, where four eggs are laid on the ground. Incubation is 20 days and it is another month before the chicks fly.They tend to return to the same nesting area every year. - Here at lakeside they nest in the four-inch plastic drainage pipes employed in walls and gardens, particularly in the Chula Vista and Vista del Lago fraccionamientos. Global Big Day Once again eBird is promoting "Global Big Day" on Saturday May 4. Everyone around the world is encouraged to go birding on that day and report their sightings on eBird. Very keen birders will get up early to count owls, spend the day going from hotspot to hotspot, and look for nightjars in the evening. A year ago almost 70 percent of the world's species were sighted on that one day. Please consider being part of the fun. 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. We will try to limit day trips to four vehicles, as larger convoys are less manageable. If you are being given a ride, please make a contribution to gas and tolls (perhaps 50-100 pesos for a half day outing, 150-200 for a day trip).   On Monday May 6, we will meet at the Old Train Station in Chapala at 8.30 am leaving immediately to bird the Chapala Lakeshore Road East to the the pumping station and San Nicolas. 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 Friday May 17, 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, Osprey 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 The April 5 trip to Rio Verde was cancelled due to car problems. On April 15 we birded the 'La Cristina' area, as well as the 'Las Palmas' area, with eight people. We saw 52 species including Blue Mockingbird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Least Flycatcher, Painted Bunting, Rusty-crowned Ground Sparrow and Spotted Wren. On Arpril 29 we had nineteen keen birders out for the trip to the Cajititlan marsh. There had just been a significant brush fire (still smoking!) but this allowed us to see very clearly a group of Northern Bobwhite and several bright yellow male Common Yelowthroat. Also sighted were Eastern Meadowlark, White-throated Flycatcher, both Black-bellied and Fulvous Whistling Ducks, American Pipit and more than a hundred Wilson's Phalarope stopping briefly on their northern migration. Monthly Sightings List Here are the 143 species sighted around Lake Chapala in April: Ani, groove-billed Avocet, American (Ds,Ca) Becard, Rose-throated Sa) Bittern, least (Sa) Blackbird, yellow-headed Bobwhite, northern (Ca) Bunting, indigo Bunting, painted Bunting, varied Bushtit Caracara, crested Coot, American Cormorant, neotropic Cowbird, bronzed Cowbird, brown-headed Cuckoo, squirrel Dove, common ground Dove, Eurasian collared Dove, Inca Dove, mourning Dove, white-tipped Dove, white-winged Dowitcher, long-billed (Ds,Ca) Duck, black-bellied whistling (Ds,Ca) Duck, fulvous whistling (Dn,Ds,Ca) Duck, Mexican Egret, cattle Egret, great Egret, snowy Elaenia, greenish (At,Sa,Pz) Euphonia, elegant (Av,Sa) Finch, house Flycatcher, ash-throated Flycatcher, cordilleran Flycatcher, dusky-capped Flycatcher, gray Flycatcher, gray silky Flycatcher, least Flycatcher, Nutting's Flycatcher, social Flycatcher, vermilion Flycatcher, white-throated (Ca) Gallinule, common Gallinule, purple (Ds) Goldfinch, lesser Grackle, great-tailed Grebe, least Grebe, pied-billed Grosbeak, black-headed Grosbeak, blue Grosbeak, yellow (Pz) Gull, laughing Gull, ring-billed Hawk, red-tailed Heron, black-crowned night Heron, great blue (Ds,Ca) Heron, green (Ds,Ra) Heron, little blue (Ds) Heron, tri-colored (Av) 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 (Ca) Meadowlark, eastern (Ra) Mockingbird, blue Mockingbird, northern Motmot, russet-crowned (Av) Nightjar, buff-collared Oriole, black-vented Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, Orchard Oriole, streak-backed Owl, great-horned Parakeet, monk Parula, tropical (Sa) Pelican, American white Pewee, greater Pewee, western wood Phalarope, Wilson's (Ds,Ca) Phoebe, black (Dn) Pigeon, rock Pipit, American (Ca) Raven, common Redstart, American (Ac,Dn) Roadrunner, lesser (Ch) Robin, rufous-backed Sandpiper, spotted Seedeater, cinnamon-rumped Shoveler, northern (Ra,Ca) Shrike, loggerhead Sora (Dn) Sparrow, chipping Sparrow, house Sparrow, lark Sparrow, Lincoln's (Ra) Sparrow, rusty-crowned ground Sparrow, savannah (Ra) Sparrow, stripe-headed Stilt, black-necked Stork, wood (Ra) Swallow, barn Swallow, cliff (Ra) Swallow, northern rough-winged Tanager, hepatic (Sa) Tanager, western Teal, blue-winged Tern, Caspian Tern, Forster's (Ds) Thrasher, curve-billed Thrush, orange-billed nightingale Towhee, canyon Tyrannulet, northern beardless (Av) Vireo, golden (At) Vireo, warbling Vulture, black Vulture, turkey Warbler, black and white Warbler, Colima (Sa) Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Nashville Warbler, orange-crowned Warbler, rufous-capped Warbler, Virginia's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, yellow (Dn,Sa) Warbler, yellow-rumped Wigeon, American Woodpecker, golden-fronted Woodpecker, ladder-backed Wren, Bewick's Wren, canyon Wren, happy Wren, marsh (Sa) Wren, Sinaloa (Pz) Wren, spotted Yellowlegs, lesser (Ds) Yellowthroat, common (Dn,Ds,Ca) 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 near Malteraña Dp - Dike near 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.