Lake Chapala Birders
Observadores de Aves del Lago de Chapala
Your hosts
John and Rosemary Keeling
If you have reports of interesting bird sightings near Lake Chapala, or need information about birding around the lake, email us at:
ChapalaBirders@yahoo.com
or phone 376-766-1801
Website:
ChapalaBirders.org
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126 Species Seen in February
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The species observed around the Lake last month are listed at the end of this newsletter.
Unusual Species Seen
Unusual species seen in February included a second sighting of the White-throated Flycatcher by John Roynon in the reed-beds at the San Antonio Tlayacapan malecon. This species was first recorded in the Lake Chapala area in December at the far end of the lake. Carol Bradley and Ian Lind observed two White-tailed Kites mating and nest building on the south side of the lake (see photo below). John and Rosemary Keeling sighted no less than seven Lesser Roadrunners along a stretch of the Rosa Amarilla loop.
Pelicans with Plastic Tags
We have not yet seen any pelicans here with red or black plastic tags on their wings, but we want people to be aware that if they see one they should attempt to read the number on the tag and report it. Young white pelicans are being tagged each year at their breeding grounds up north in order to study their migratory range.
The Great Backyard Bird Count
This year the 'GBBC' was opened up to the whole world. It took place February 14-17, gathering sightings of over 4,000 species out of the more than 10,000 species in the world. Sightings from Ajijic were uploaded by Don Bell, John Keeling and Darlene Dehlin.
Next year's event will be held February 13-16, 2015. Sightings are not limited to backyards. Any sightings can be reported with the location and the date.
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White-tailed Kite
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White-tailed Kite as seen on the south side of the lake in February - photo by Ian Lind
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Colima Volcano & Patzcuaro
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We are consdering possible trips to the Colima Volcanos (2 days, one night) and to the Patzcuaro area (3 days, 2 nights) in March or April.
If there is enough demand we will attempt to organize the trips. If you are interested in one of these, please email chapalabirders@yahoo.com indicating which trip and your date preferences. The Colima trip would be 'pay-as-you-go', with very simple basic accomadation for the night beside the mountain. The last time we did Patzcuaro, the trip cost was $2,500 pesos per person including 2 nights in a comfortable B&B, not including shared gas costs.
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Upcoming Bird Walks
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Our birdwalks are open to all those interested in birds, both beginners and experienced birders. Just bring binoculars and show up. We always have knowledgable birders on hand to identify the species.
On Monday March 10 at 8.00 a.m. we will meet at Donas Donuts to carpool, leaving immediately for Cajititlan marsh, 30 minutes away. At about 10.30 we will head back to Sunrise Restaurant for breakfast and complete the bird list. If you plan to go please email chapalabirders@yahoo.com saying if you can provide a vehicle (to help us balance the passengers.)
On Wednesday March 19 we will meet at 8.00 a.m. at El Bajio. Expect to see a variety of shore and field birds.
To Get There: Drive west from Ajijic about 2 miles, look for the sign for El Bajio, exit towards the lake and park immediately on the lateral road. At about 10.30 we will go to Fonda Doña Lola for breakfast.
On Friday March 28 we will meet at Donas Donuts to carpool, leaving immediately for the Rosa Amarilla loop, about one hour away. We will see an interesting variety of birds on the plateau above the south side of the lake. Bring refreshments. At about 12.30 we leave the plateau and arrive back in Ajijic about 2.00 p.m. If you plan to go please email chapalabirders@yahoo.com saying if you can provide a vehicle (to help us balance the passengers.)
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Bird Walk and Trip Reports
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This month our birding trips were very productive.
On February 6 we had nine keen observers out at La Cristina. Searching both the shore and inland, we reported 50 species including greater pewee, Lucy's warbler, greater yellowlegs, blue mockingbird and our endemic black-backed oriole.
On February 12 three fully-loaded vehicles headed for the Sierra de Tapalpa looking for higher-altitude birds. We saw 54 species which included orange-billed nightingale thrush, striped sparrow, zone-tailed hawk, eastern bluebird, olive warbler and acorn woodpecker.
On February 19 we had two well-loaded vehicles descending into the canyon of the Rio Verde looking for lower elevation birds. We managed to record 47 species including elegant trogon, rose-throated becard, gila woodpecker, berylline hummingbird and Say's phoebe.
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The February List
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Here are the 126 species observed in February around Lake Chapala:
Ani, groove-billed
Avocet, American
Blackbird, red-winged (Ra)
Blackbird, yellow-headed (Ca)
Bunting, indigo
Bunting, lazuli
Bunting, varied
Bushtit
Caracara, crested
Coot, American
Cormorant, neotropic
Cowbird, bronzed
Cowbird, brown-headed
Cuckoo, squirrel
Dove, Eurasian collared
Dove, Inca
Dove, white-tipped
Dove, white-winged
Duck, fulvous whistling
Duck, Mexican
Duck, Ruddy
Egret, cattle
Egret, great
Egret, snow
Euphonia, elegant (At)
Finch, house
Flycatcher, ash-throated (At)
Flycatcher, cordilleran (At)
Flycatcher, dusky-capped (At)
Flycatcher, gray silky
Flycatcher, least
Flycatcher, social
Flycatcher, vermillion
Flycatcher, white-throated (Sa)
Gadwall
Gallinule, common
Gallinule, purple
Gnatcatcher, blue-gray
Goldfinch, lesser
Grackle, great-tailed
Grebe, least (Ca)
Grosbeak, black-headed
Grosbeak, blue
Gull, laughing (Ac)
Gull, ring-billed
Hawk, Cooper's
Hawk, gray (Pz)
Hawk, red-tailed
Heron, black-crowned night
Heron, great blue
Heron, green
Heron, tricolored
Hummingbird, berylline (Ac)
Hummingbird, broad-billed
Hummingbird, violet-crowned
Ibis, white-faced
Jacana, northern
Kestrel, American
Killdeer
Kingbird, Cassin's
Kingbird, thick-billed
Kingbird, tropical
Kiskadee, great
Kite, white-tailed (Pz)
Meadowlark, eastern (Ra)
Mockingbird, blue
Nighthawk, lesser (Ac)
Nightjar, buff-collared
Oriole, black-backed (Ac)
Oriole, black-vented
Oriole, Bullock's
Oriole, hooded
Oriole, streak-backed
Pelican, American white
Pewee, greater (Ch,Ac)
Pewee, western wood
Pigeon, rock
Pintail, northern
Raven, common
Roadrunner, lesser (Ra)
Robin, rufous-backed
Sandpiper, least
Sandpiper, spotted
Seedeater, white-collared
Shoveler, northern
Shrike, loggerhead
Sora
Sparrow, clay-colored (Ra)
Sparrow, house
Sparrow, lark
Sparrow, rusty-crowned ground
Sparrow, stripe-headed
Stilt, black-necked
Swallow, barn
Swallow, northern rough-winged
Swallow, tree
Tanager, summer
Tanager, western
Teal, blue-winged
Teal, cinnamon
Teal, green-winged
Tern, Caspian
Tern, Forster's
Thrasher, curve-billed
Towhee, canyon
Vireo, plumbeous (Ra)
Vireo, warbling
Vulture, black
Vulture, turkey
Warbler, black and white
Warbler, black-throated gray
Warbler, Lucy's (Ac)
Warbler, Macgillivray's (Ac)
Warbler, Nashville
Warbler, rufous-capped
Warbler, Wilson's
Warbler, yellow
Warbler, yellow-rumped
Woodpecker, golden-fronted
Woodpecker, ladder-backed
Wren, Bewick's
Wren, canyon
Wren, marsh
Wren, spotted
Yellowlegs, greater (Ac,Ra)
Yellowthroat, common (Ca,Sa)
Location codes:
Ac - Ajijic: La Cristina/El Bajio
At - Trails above Ajijic
Av - Ajijic village
Ca - Lake Cajititlan
Ch - Chapala
Cs - Santa Cruz/pumping station
Dm - Dike near Malteraña
Dp - Dike near La Palma
Hv - Hidden Valley oak forest
Ja - Jamay
Jo - Jocotepec
Ld - Lerma & Duero rivers
Pe - Petatan area
Po - Poncitlan
Pt - San Pedro Tesistan
Pz - San Pedro Itzican
Ra - Rosa Amarilla loop
Rc - Santa Rosa/Carnero dam
Rp - Riberas del Pilar & canyon
Sa - San Antonio/Chula Vista
Sc - San Juan Cosala
Sn - San Nicholas/Golf Club
Tz - Tizapan canyon
Te - San Juan Tecomatlan/Mezcala
Tr - Las Trojes/oak forest
Tu - Tuxcueca canyon
Xt - Ixtlahuacan/Las Campanillas
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