| | Chapala Birders Newsletter October, 2025 |
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| | eBird News & Sightings Last Month |
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| eBird Community News
3rd Annual Lake Chapala Hawk Watch on Mezcala Mountain Each year we visit Mezcala Mountain frequently in September and October, with an open invitation to our Guadalajara birders to visit on weekends. To inspire you to join us, last September we saw Coopers Hawk, White-tailed Kite, Osprey, Turkey Vulture, Zone-tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, American Kestrel, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Northern Harrier, and Mississippi Kite. It gets even better in October! For the 2024 hawk migration we counted over 3600 hawks!
October Big Day October 11th is October Big Day! Wherever you are, take a few minutes to participate and share your sightings on ebird. By taking part in October Big Day you're also celebrating Global Bird Weekend and World Migratory Bird Day. Be a part of the global team and help set a new record for October birding! More info here.
Birding Ethics Are you familiar with the ethics of birding? If not, now is a great time to learn! Be sure to read our monthly Birding Ethics Tips in this newsletter.
Sightings This Past September submitted by Duncan Poole
There were 110 species reported for the lake area in September. The complete list is shown at the end of this newsletter.
Interesting sightings included the following: Calliope Hummingbird, sighted by Thomas Bravo, Escuela International Rd Townsend Solitaire, sighted by Cheshta Buckley, Escuela International Rd
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| | The Hawk Watch Has Begun submitted by Duncan Poole.
During September we have seen the following species:
Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Osprey Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper's Hawk Common Black Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Great Horned Owl American Kestrel
October promises to have a lot more species migrating overhead as they head south for the winter. |
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| The History of our Local Hawk Watch submitted by Nicola Cedren.
The 2nd October 2022, I went up the Sierra de Mezcala with the family and noticed a few raptors flying eastbound.... interesting!! A week later I went back with a few other birders from Guadalajara and noticed the same eastbound pattern. With camera and pictures we started to identify them - surprisingly there were 12 different raptors species!! So it was not a coincidence. There was a migratory route right above our mountains, right above our heads!! We spread the word. We returned there the 30th of October with John Keeling and Jules Evens, and we saw less species but a big group of Swainson's Hawks. This confirmed there was a migratory route over Mezcala Mtn!!
In 2023 we monitored the migratory season with good results: 2554 raptors of 16 different species in 44 hours of watching. In 2024: 3263 raptors of 18 species in 77 hours. Let's see if this year we can improve the count and watching hours! |
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| | Feature Bird: Spotted Wren (Campylorhynchus gularis) [SPWR] submitted by Jules Evens. Photo credit: Cheshta Buckley |
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| | The wren family, Troglodytidae, is a diverse group in the New World, comprising about 90 species (divided into 19 genera) occupying myriad habitats from cloud forests to deserts, absent only from tundra. Interestingly, the Old World has only one woodland species, the Eurasian Wren, more closely related in shape and behavior to the Winter and Pacific wrens of North America.
Spotted Wren (Campylorhynchus gularis) is endemic to western and central Mexico (see map). Like many other wrens, this is a sassy bird, innately curious and quite vocal, though not as musical as some of the other local wrens—Bewick's, Happy, and Sinaloa wrens.
Identification is fairly straight forward—deep brown back, buffy and barred flanks, a distinct white eye stripe (supecilium), and a long, barred tail often cocked up. Throat and belly white, sparsely speckled. Often encountered in pairs or family groups. Nests are domed and sometimes placed in the base of a palm frond or the crotch of a cactus. |
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| The bill is rather strong for a wren, slightly downturned. Sexes are similar. The most similar wren in size and shape is the Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) which has a blackish wash on the throat, more specked underparts, and is much less common here. All species of this genera are cooperative breeders, some with a polygynous mating system, but this species is apparently more monogamous.
Apparently non-migratory, the Spotted Wren occupies its territory year-round. It tends to prefer fairly dry habitats, from pine-oak woodlands, thorn scrub, cacti, and rocky slopes. Altitudinal distribution - 800 to 2500 - meters.
Spotted Wrens are not common in our neighborhoods, not reliably encountered daily, so any sightings cause for delight.
The clutch size of the Spotted Wren is unknown, but up to four fledglings have been observed at a single nest. Occasionally, a "brood parasite," one of our local Molothrus cowbirds - Brown-headed (Molothrus ater) or Bronzed (Molothrus aeneus) - may lay an egg in the wren's nest. As shown here, the dutiful "host" wren, will incubate the egg and feed the hatchling. Over 200 bird species have been identified as host "victims" of the cowbirds.
To view the distribution of the Spotted Wren, click here.
To hear the call or song of the Spotted Wren, go to ebird and click the "Listen" button on the right. Maybe you'll hear them in your area! Let us know if you do! |
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| | Tip #2 for Birding Ethics - Drive slowly and park responsibly. |
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Collisions with cars kill tens of millions of birds in North America every year! When driving around bird refuges and destinations, drive slowly and with extra caution. Take your time. When pulling off the road to view birds, consider how much space is needed on the roadside for all the cars with you so you don't block other traffic. Wait until you are safely parked to use the eBird Mobile app or texting other members of your party.
For more ethics of birding, visit the e-bird site here. Birding Ethics. |
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| | Upcoming Bird Walks & Trips |
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| Our bird-walks are open to all those interested in birds, both beginners & experienced birders. We always have knowledgeable birders on hand to identify the species. Note that we will try to limit most car trips to 3-4 vehicles and 12-16 people. Larger convoys are hard to manage. If you are being given a ride, you are expected make a contribution to your driver for gas and tolls ($200 pesos for shorter trips, $400 pesos for a day longer trips). |
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| 1st SUNDAY OF THE MONTH: October 5th there will be a birding outing along the Allen Lloyd Trail. Meet up with team leader John Keeling at 8am. Expect to see Blue Mockingbird, Happy Wren, and maybe a Russet-crowned Motmot. Please confirm your attendance at least 2 days in advance by sending an email to chapalabirders@yahoo.com How to get to the trail head: Drive up the Libramiento a half mil (1 km) from the traffic light at Walmart, then turn left (carefully) as you would for the hospital (Ribera Medical Center). Double back and drive up the left side of the hospital. Keep going uphill another half mile, and park on the only street to your left. Here is a pindrop.
HAWK WATCH: On Tuesday October 7th, meet team leaders Cheshta Buckley and John Keeling at 8:00am at the "Sculpture" (see pindrop - its at the only traffic light in La Floresta). We will depart immediately for Mezcala Mountain, in search of migratory birds, especially raptors - hawks. It is about a 30 minute drive to the base of the mountain and another 30 minutes up a rough mountain road to the parking area. Optional bird walk up the knoll trail, about a mile round trip, or a more stationary hawk watch can be done from the parking area and surroundings. We will begin the return between 11am -12 noon (hawk dependent). Bring a snack, drink, repellent, sunscreen and possibly a SMALL collapsible chair. You must reserve at least 2 days in advance. Email Cheshta at cheshta@mac.com and indicate if you wish to be a passenger or if you have a high clearance 4WD-AWD vehicle and will drive. Trip is limited to 10 people due to lack of 4WD or AWD vehicles. Each passenger pays the driver $200 pesos to cover gas and tolls.
Tuesday October 14th, join team leader Robert McConnell for a morning trip to Lake Cajititlan, with a few stops before we reach the lake. Expect to see various waterfowl including Wood Storks, White-faced Ibis, White Pelicans and ducks. Also along the journey we may see American Kestrels, Hawks, Grassquits and song birds. You must reserve: If you are interested in coming please email Robert McConnell at least 5 days in advance at bob.mcconnell58@gmail.com and state whether you need a ride or can provide a car. For each passenger the cost is $200 pesos payable to the driver. Meet at the sculpture in La Floresta near Pranzo Restaurant (see pindrop). We will leave promptly at 8:00 so please arrive early and expect to be back around 12:00. Pack snacks and refreshments for our coffee break. I hope that you can come!
Wednesday October 22nd, meet team leader Cheshta Buckley at 8.00 am at El Bajio on the west side of Ajijic. Park across from the recycle centre on the lakeside. Expect to see a variety of wrens, Groove-billed Ani, and possibly the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl and Russet-crowned Motmot. good variety of birds in the tall trees, fields and lakeshore. At about 10.00 am we will review the bird list. You must reserve - email Cheshta Buckley at: cheshta@mac.com at least 2 days ahead of time. Cheshta's US cell 808 854 1594. (Location pindrop) |
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| | Bird Trip Summaries for September submitted by each Trip Leader |
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| On Sunday, September 7th with overnight rains clearing right at 8am, a small group of 3 birders explored the Allen Lloyd sendero with Cheshta Buckley to see 33 species. Highlights were seeing 5 species of Wrens, seeing and hearing the local Russet Crowned Motmots calling back and forth across the canyon and newly arrived migrants such as Wilson's warbler and Golden Vireos located higher up on the trail. See attached link for the complete list. https://ebird.org/checklist/S272045601
On Tuesday, September 9th, 5 birders made the long drive to the higher elevations surrounding Tapalpa with team leader Cheshta Buckley. The trip proved very worthwhile producing great views of those species only seen at those elevations. Highlights included Yellow Eyed Juncos, Tufted and Buff-Breasted Flycatchers, Mexican Chickadee, and Rufous-Capped Brushfinch. Returning migrant warblers included Black-throated Gray Warblers and Slate-Throated redstarts. See attached link for the complete list of 38 species and some great photos. https://ebird.org/checklist/S272501578
On Friday, September 19th, 4 birders went to Mezcala Mountain with team leader Thomas Bravo for a Hawk Watch. While only a few hawks were present, many good birds were seen including Squirrel Cuckoo, Osprey, Common Black Hawk, Grace's, Hermit and Townsend's Warblers, and Olive-sided Flycatcher. This trip requires all-wheel drive or 4x4, so participation was limited by only having one vehicle available. See the full list and images. |
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| | Monthly Sightings List submitted by Duncan Poole |
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| Here are the 110 species observed around Lake Chapala in August (in Taxonomic order):
1 Northern Bobwhite 2 Inca Dove 3 Common Ground Dove 4 White-tipped Dove 5 Mourning Dove 6 Groove-billed Ani 7 Lesser Roadrunner 8 Greater Road Runner 9 Squirrel Cuckoo 10 Buff-collared Nightjar 11 Vaux's Swift 12 Calliope Hummingbird 13 Rufous Hummingbird 14 Broad-billed Hummingbird 15 Violet-crowned Hummingbird 16 Berylline Hummingbird 17 Common Gallinule 18 Pied-billed Grebe 19 Wood Stork 20 Neotropic Cormorant 21 White-faced Ibis 22 Black-crowned Night Heron 23 Snowy Egret 24 Western Cattle-Egret 25 Great Egret 26 Great Blue Heron 27 American White Pelican 28 Black Vulture 29 Turkey Vulture 30 Osprey 31 White-tailed Kite 32 Sharp-shinned Hawk 33 Cooper's Hawk 34 Common Black Hawk 35 Red-tailed Hawk 36 Great Horned Owl 37 Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl 38 Russet-crowned Motmot 39 Golden-fronted Woodpecker 40 Ladder-backed Woodpecker 41 American Kestrel 42 Monk Parakeet 43 Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet 44 Greenish Elaenia 45 Olive-sided Flycatcher 46 Greater Pewee 47 Western Wood-Pewee 48 Dusky Flycatcher 49 Western Flycatcher 50 Buff-breasted Flycatcher 51 Vermilion Flycatcher 52 Dusky-capped Flycatcher 53 Ash-throated Flycatcher |
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| 54 Brown-crested Flycatcher 55 Great Kiskadee 56 Social Flycatcher 57 Tropical Kingbird 58 Thick-billed Kingbird 59 Western Kingbird 60 Golden Vireo 61 Loggerhead Shrike 62 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 63 Barn Swallow 64 Bushtit 65 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 66 Canyon Wren 67 Northern House Wren 68 Bewick's Wren 69 Spotted Wren 70 Happy Wren 71 Sinaloa Wren 72 Blue Mockingbird 73 Curve-billed Thrasher 74 Townsend's Solitaire 75 Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush 76 Rufous-backed Robin 77 Gray Silky-flycatcher 78 House Sparrow 79 Elegant Euphonia 80 House Finch 81 Lesser Goldfinch 82 Stripe-headed Sparrow 83 Lark Sparrow 84 Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow 85 Canyon Towhee 86 Rusty Sparrow 87 Black-vented Oriole 88 Orchard Oriole 89 Hooded Oriole 90 Streak-backed Oriole 91 Bronzed Cowbird 92 Great-tailed Grackle 93 Black-and-white Warbler 94 Gray-crowned Yellowthroat 95 MacGillivray's Warbler 96 Yellow Warbler 97 Grace's Warbler 98 Black-throated Gray Warbler 99 Hermit Warbler 100 Rufous-capped Warbler 101 Wilson's Warbler 102 Red-faced Warbler 103 Painted Redstart 104 Hepatic Tanager 105 Western Tanager 106 Black-headed Grosbeak 107 Blue Grosbeak 108 Lazuli Bunting 109 Varied Bunting 110 Cinnamon-rumped Seedeater |
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| What is the "Lake Chapala Area" for bird sightings? We define it as the whole area of the lake plus all land within 15 km (7 miles) from the edge of the lake. We combine sightings for the month from Chapala, Jocotopec, Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos, Poncitlán, Ocotlán, Jamay, & La Manzanilla de la Paz. |
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| | | John and Rosemary Keeling |
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| Lake Chapala Birders is an informal group of bird observers led by a team of Chapala Birders on behalf of John & Rosemary Keeling. Overall Coordinator: Cheshta Buckley Newsletter: Mugs McConnell Website: Robert McConnell Feature Bird: Jules Evens Monthly Sightings List: Duncan Poole Bird Trip Leaders & Reports: Cheshta Buckley, Thomas Bravo, Kate & Carl Anderson, Jules Evens, Duncan Poole, John Roynon, Robert Taylor, Robert McConnell. |
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| | Illustrated color folders showing our common birds are available for $200 pesos from your birding group leaders on bird walks. Also available at Diane Pearl's Gallery, 11am to 4pm, Santa Margarita #23, Riberas del Pilar.
You can sign up for this newsletter or send us your exciting bird sightings at birderschapala@gmail.com.
Check our website: ChapalaBirders.org . There you will find our newsletters, illustrations of our birds and advice on buying binoculars, books & birding apps. |
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