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Chapala Birders Newsletter October 2, 2017
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| 98 Species Sighted Last Month |
The complete list of September sightings is shown at the end of this newsletter.
Though we made an effort to push the September listing significantly above the August level (98 species compared to 97) the returning fall migrants seemed happier to stay in the north rather than boost our numbers!
Interesting sightings this month:
- On the Cajititlan Marsh bird trip we were pleasantly surprised to see in the big tree not only an Osprey but a pair of Peregrine Falcons - both of these species are seen year-round here, but are not common.
- Paul Hart sighted a Yellow-throated Warbler from his house on the west side of Ajijic. This is a pretty bird, somewhat similar to Grace's Warbler which also has a yellow throat. The reference books show that both Yellow-throated and Graces are not really expected here, but we do see both on occasion.
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Peregrine Falcon as seen at Lake Cajititlan in September.
Species details:
- Peregrine falcons are so successful, they are found in most parts of the world. They are year-round residents in our area and in northern Mexico, but are winter visitors to southern Mexico.
- They are heavily-built birds with a wingspan of 40 in (100cm) and, as with many falcons and hawks, the females are noticeably larger than the males.
- They are renowned for the speed achieved in vertical dives. They go up to a great height, and having chosen their prey (usually a medium sized bird) they close their wings and dive. Their aim is to hit the wing of the target bird with a leg to disable the target, then they turn in mid-air to catch the falling prey to take it away and eat it.
- Their primary food is pigeons and ducks, but if they are hungry and something smaller or bigger comes by they will catch it and eat it.
- Pairs mate for life. In the spring, a primitive nesting spot is selected on a ledge on a cliff or tall building where four eggs are laid. Incubation takes 30 days, fledging takes 40 days, and the fledglings need looking after for another 40 days.
- Their major predator is the Great Horned Owl which is larger and more powerful. |
Upcoming Trips and Bird Walks
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Our bird walks are open to all those interested in birds, both beginners and experienced birders. Just bring binoculars and show up. We always have knowledgeable birders on hand to identify the species. If you are being given a ride, please make a contribution to gas and tolls (perhaps 50-100 pesos for a half day outing, 100-200 for a day trip).
On Friday October 13 we will meet at 8.00 am at the Allen Lloyd Trail which follows a mile-long arroyo with lots of underbrush in which birds love to hide. It remains our most interesting local bird walk. Expect to see Golden-fronted Woodpecker, stripe-headed Sparrow and Blue Mockingbird. At 10.15 we will head to Sunrise restaurant for breakfast and complete the birdlist.
How to Get There: Drive up the Libramiento a half mile and park on the north side of the road opposite El Dorado Condominium.
On Wednesday October 18 we will meet a 8.00 am at Donas Donuts to carpool, leaving immediately for Las Trojes (one hour away), to hike the Horizontal Oak Forest Trail. We hike to the edge of the hidden valley (3-hours hiking uphill, 2-hours back). Don't expect very many birds, but the hike is very pleasant and we may see the Red-faced Warbler. We will be back about 4.00 pm. Bring refreshments and sandwiches for lunch at noon at the top. If you plan on going, please email John at chapalabirders@yahoo.com ahead of time saying whether you can bring a vehicle, to help in carpool planning.
On Friday October 27 we will meet at 8.00 am at Donas Donuts to carpool, 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 ahead of time saying whether you can bring a vehicle.
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| Local Boy's Birding Research Paper Published |
| For the last two years we have been following the progress of university student Carlo Cuevas from Jocotepec. He is in his final year of Environmental Studies at the Autlan campus of the University of Guadalajara. His first major research paper has just been published in Huitzil, the Mexican Journal for bird research. His paper is a report on the birds seen at the Jocotepec malecon. This is quite a coup for an undergraduate student. We congratulate him for his work. |
On September 9 five keen birders set out for Villa Corona on Lago Atotonilco. We observed 46 species including 50 beautiful Clark's Grebes, as well as both Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Eastern Meadowlark, Greater Roadrunner, and 40 Roseate Spoonbills.
On September 19 five people got the the Malecon in Jocotepec, but not all at the same time unfortunately! Thirty one species were sighted including Northern Jacana, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-headed Blackbird and Social Flycatcher.
On September 25 we had seven birders at Lake Cajititlan Marsh where we saw Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Osprey, Peregine Falcon, Crested Caracara, and both Western Wood Pewee and Greater Pewee for a total of 44 species.
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Here are the 98 species sighted around Lake Chapala in September:
Ani, groove-billed
Blackbird, yellow-headed
Bluebird, eastern (Ra)
Bobwhite, northern (Ca)
Bushtit
Caracara, crested
Coot, American
Cormorant, neotropic
Cowbird, brown-headed
Dove, Eurasian collared
Dove, Inca
Dove, white-tipped
Dove, white-winged
Duck, black-bellied whistling (Ca)
Duck, Mexican
Egret, cattle
Egret, great
Egret, snowy
Elaenia, greenish (At)
Euphonia, elegant (Ac)
Falcon, peregrine (Ca)
Finch, house
Flycatcher, dusky-capped
Flycatcher, gray-silky (Ra,Sa,Av)
Flycatcher, social
Flycatcher, vermilion
Gallinule, common
Gnatcatcher, blue-gray
Goldfinch, lesser
Grackle, great-tailed
Grebe, pied-billed
Grosbeak, black-headed
Grosbeak, blue
Gull, laughing
Heron, black-crowned night
Heron, great, blue
Heron, green
Hummingbird, beryline (At)
Hummingbird, broad-billed
Hummingbird, ruby-throated (Ca)
Hummingbird, rufous
Hummingbird, violet-crowned
Ibis, white-faced
Jacana, northern
Kestrel, American
Killdeer
Kingbird, Cassin's
Kingbird, tropical
Kingbird, western (Sa)
Kingfisher, belted (Jo)
Kiskadee, great
Kite, white-tailed
Mockingbird, blue
Mockingbird, northern
Nightjar, buff-collared (Av,Sc)
Oriole, black-vented
Oriole, hooded
Oriole, orchard (Jo,Ca)
Oriole, streak-backed
Osprey (Ca)
Owl, great-horned (Av,Sc)
Parakeet, monk
Pelican, American white
Pewee, greater
Pewee, western wood
Phoebe, black (Ra)
Pigeon, rock
Raven, common
Redstart, slate-throated (Ac)
Robin, rufous-backed
Sandpiper, solitary (Ac)
Sandpiper, spotted (Ca)
Seedeater, white-collared
Shrike, loggerhead
Sparrow, Botteri's (Ra)
Sparrow, house
Sparrow, rusty-crowned ground
Sparrow, stripe-headed
Stork, wood (Ra,Ca)
Swallow, barn
Tanager, western (Sa)
Thrasher, curve-billed
Thrush, orange-billed nightingale
Towhee, canyon
Tyrannulet, northern beardless (Av)
Vireo, Hutton's (Ac)
Vulture, black
Vulture, turkey
Warbler, black and white
Warbler, Wilson's
Warbler, yellow (Jo)
Warbler, yellow-throated (Ac)
Woodpecker, golden-fronted
Woodpecker, ladder-backed
Wren, Bewick's
Wren, canyon
Wren, spotted
Yellowthroat, gray-crowned (Ra)
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
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/Chula Vista
Sc - San Juan Cosala
Sn - San Nicholas/Golf Club
Tz - Tizapan canyon/Rio la Pasion
Te - San Juan Tecomatlan/Mezcala
Tr - Las Trojes/oak forest
Tu - Tuxcueca/South Shore area
Xt - Ixtlahuacan/Las Campanillas
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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
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