Newsletter

Chapala Birders Newsletter, October 2, 2024 Sightings last Month There were 153 species reported for the lake area in September. The complete list is shown at the end of this newsletter. Interesting sightings include: Dickcissels migrating north at Fisherman's Point near the old Train Station. Mississippi Kite at Mezcala Mountain (see article below). October Big Day eBird is promoting 'October Big Day' on Saturday October 12. To take part you should go birding as many hours as you can, and report your sightings to eBird. Traditionally a 'Big Day' is a serious team effort to find and report as many species as possible between midnight and midnight. For the rest of the world, October 12 is being celebrated as 'World Migratory Bird Day', whose theme this year is "Protect Insects, Protect Birds." Mississipi Kite - New for Lake Chapala This bird is only 13 inches long, pale gray, with black wing-tips and tail (different from the White-tailed Kite that we have here which has a white head and large black patch on the shoulder.) It summers in the Great Plains and winters in northern Argentina. It's migration route follows the east coast of Mexico and it is very unusual here. Hawk Watch at Mezcala Mountain Hawk Watch in Full Swing In September we have seen the following species (with date first seen): Cooper's Hawk (Sep. 2) White-tailed Kite (Sep. 5) Osprey (Sep. 5) Turkey Vulture (Sep. 8) Zone-tailed Hawk (Sep. 8) Peregrine Falcon (Sep. 8) American Kestrel (Sep. 8) Sharp-shinned Hawk (Sep. 22) Broad-winged Hawk (Sep. 29) Northern Harrier (Sep. 29) Mississippi Kite (Sep. 30) Text Link Featured Bird: Broad-winged Hawk A Broad-winged Hawk as seen on migration. The primary field marks are the conspicuous white band on the tail, and the black line on the trailing edge of the wing. Like most hawks, they do not fly over water. The Broad-winged Hawk is small. Its body is only 14 inches long. Most of the population summers in the north-eastern U.S. and migrates to Colombia and western Brazil for the winter. They are the most common hawk at eastern U.S. Hawk Watch sites. Traveling in flocks, they pass through central Mexico in the first two weeks of October. While migrating they depend on thermals to provide lift so they can glide most of the way, at an average rate of 50 miles per day. Usually, they hide in the forest canopy, hunting from perches, chasing after small animals such as mice, lizards and also small birds. They are the prey of larger hawks such as Red-tailed Hawks, Bald Eagles and Great Horned Owls. Upcoming Bird Walks and Trips 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. Note that we will try to limit most car trips to three vehicles and 14 people because larger convoys are hard to manage 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 $150 pesos for a half day outing, $300 pesos for a day trip). HAWK WATCH: On Tuesday October 8, we will meet at 8.00 am at the 'Sculpture' at the only traffic light in La Floresta (south-east corner, opposite Restaurant Pranzo) leaving immediately for Mezcala Mountain (60 minutes drive). We will park and then walk the one-mile (1.5 km) trail to the observation point. Bring snacks and sandwiches for lunch. We will return to Ajijic by 3.00 pm. Other pick-up points can be arranged between Ajijic and Mezcala. If you plan on going, you must email John at chapalabirders@yahoo.com at least 2 days ahead indicating if you can bring a vehicle and can take passengers, or you would like to be a passenger. High-clearance, all wheel drive vehicles with off-road tires are recommended for the ascent. HAWK WATCH: On Thursday October 17, we will meet at 8.00 am at the 'Sculpture' at the only traffic light in La Floresta, leaving immediately for Mezcala Mountain (60 minutes drive). We will walk the one-mile (1.5 km) trail to the observation point. Bring snacks and sandwiches for lunch. We will return to Ajijic by 3.00 pm. If you plan on going, you must email John at chapalabirders@yahoo.com at least 2 days ahead indicating if you can bring a vehicle and can take passengers, or you would like to be a passenger. On Monday October 21, we will meet at 8.00 am at the 'Sculpture' (at the only traffic light in La Floresta, (south-east corner), leaving immediately for the Rosa Amarilla Loop (60 minutes drive). Expect to see a variety of grassland birds and possibly a White-tailed Hawk. Bring refreshments for the morning and sandwiches for the 12.30 lunch stop. We will be back about 4.00 pm. You must reserve - email John at chapalabirders@yahoo.com at least 2 days ahead indicating if you can bring a vehicle and can take others, or you would like to be a passenger. On Thursday October 31, we will meet at 8.00 am at the 'Sculpture (at the only traffic light in La Floresta, south-east corner, opposite Restaurant Pranzo), departing immediately for Villa Corona on Lake Atotonilco (60 minutes drive). We expect to see various shore birds such as White-faced Ibis and Roseate Spoonbill. Bring your own mid-morning refreshments. There will be a break for snacking at 11.00 am. We will be back in Ajijic by about 1.30 pm. You must reserve - email John at least 2 days ahead of time, saying if you can bring a vehicle and can take passengers, or you would like to be a passenger. Bird Walk & Trip Reports On September 6, a group of ten of us hiked the Allen LLoyd Triail. We identified 32 species including Golden Vireo, Lesser Roadrunner, Squirrel Cuckoo, Sinaloa Wren and Rusty-crowned Ground Sparrow. On September 12, eleven people took part in the trip to the mountain town of Tapalpa. We saw Painted Redstart, Slate-throated Redstart, Transvolcanic Jay, Eastern Bluebird, Elegant Euphonia and Yellow-eyed Junco, out of 45 species. On September 24, we took a car-load of keen birders to the Mezcala Mountain look-out point as part of our Hawk Watch. We got 42 species including warblers on migration, such as Red-faced Warbler and Hermit Warbler, also Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk and Osprey. On September 26, six observers went back to Mezcala Mountain on a more cloudy day, managing to count 26 species including American Kestrel, Zone-tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Graces's Warbler, Rufous Hummingbird and Black-chinned Hummingbird. Monthly Sightings List Here are the 153 species observed around Lake Chapala in September: Ani, groove-billed Avocet, American Bittern, least Blackbird, red-winged Blackbird, yellow-headed Bunting, varied Bushtit Caracara, crested Coot, American Cormorant, neotropic Cowbird, bronzed Cowbird, brown-headed Cuckoo, squirrel Cuckoo, yellow-billed Dickcissel (Ch) Dove, Eurasian collared Dove, Inca Dove, mourning Dove, white-tipped Dove, white-winged Duck, black-bellied whistling Duck, fulvous whistling Duck, Mexican Duck, Muscovy Egret, great Egret, snowy Egret, western cattle Elaenia, greenish Euphonia, elegant Falcon, peregrine Finch, house Flycatcher, ash-throated Flycatcher, buff-breasted Flycatcher, dusky-capped Flycatcher, gray silky Flycatcher, Hammond's (Mz) Flycatcher, least Flycatcher, Nutting's (Mz) Flycatcher, olive-sided Flycatcher, social Flycatcher, vermilion Flycatcher, western Gallinule, common Gnatcatcher, blue-gray Goldfinch, lesser Grackle, great-tailed Grassquit, blue-black Grosbeak, blue Gull, laughing Gull, ring-billed Harrier, northern Hawk, broad-winged Hawk, common black Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, red-tailed Hawk, sharp-shinned Hawk, short-tailed Hawk, zone-tailed Heron, black-crowned night Heron, great blue Heron, little blue Heron, tri-colored Hummingbird, berylline Hummingbird, black-chinned Hummingbird, broad-billed Hummingbird, broad-tailed (Mz) Hummingbird, ruby-throated Hummingbird, rufous Ibis, white-faced Jacana, northern Kestrel, American Killdeer Kingbird, Cassin's Kingbird, thick-billed Kingbird, tropical Kiskadee, great Kite, Mississippi Kite, white-tailed Mockingbird, blue Mockingbird, northern Motmot, russet-crowned Nightjar, buff-collared Oriole, black-backed Oriole, black-vented Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, orchard Oriole, streak-backed Osprey Owl, ferruginous pygmy Owl, great horned Parakeet, monk Pelican, American white Pelican, brown (Ch) Pewee, greater Pewee, western wood Pigeon, rock Raven, common Redstart, painted Roadrunner, greater (Mz) Roadrunner, lesser (Sa) Seedeater, cinnamon-rumped Shrike, loggerhead Sora Sparrow, Botteri's (Mz) Sparrow, house Sparrow, lark Sparrow, rufous-crowned (Mz) Sparrow, rusty (Sa) Sparrow, rusty-crowned ground Sparrow, stripe-headed Stilt, black-necked Stork, wood Swallow, bank (Ch) Swallow, cliff Swallow, northern rough-winged Swallow, violet-green Swift, Vaux's (Mz) Tanager, hepatic Tanager, western Tern, Forster's Thrasher, curve-billed Thrush, orange-billed nightingale Towhee, canyon Tyrannulet, northern beardless Vireo, Bell's (Ch) Vireo, Cassin's Vireo, golden Vireo, warbling Vulture, black Vulture, turkey Warbler, black and white Warbler, black-throated gray Warbler, Grace's Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Nashville Warbler, orange-crowned Warbler, red-faced Warbler, rufous-capped Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, yellow Willet Woodpecker, acorn Woodpecker, golden-fronted Woodpecker, ladder-backed Wren, Bewick's Wren, canyon Wren, happy Wren, house Wren, Sinaloa Wren, spotted Yellowlegs, greater Yellowthroat, common Sighting Location codes:  Ac - Ajijic: La Cristina & El Bajio At - Trails above Ajijic Av - Ajijic village Ca - Lake Cajititlan & marsh Ch - Chapala Ct - Caracol Trail & Int'l School Cs - Chapala Haciendas & Las Brisas Cv - Cerro Viejo 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 Mz - Mezcala Oc - Ocotlan Pe - Petatan area Ps - Pumping Station & Santa Cruz Pt - San Pedro Tesistan Pz - San Pedro Itzican/Poncitlan 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 Tr - Las Trojes & Chupinaya Tu - Tuxcueca & San Luis Soyatlan Xt - Ixtlahuacan & Las Campanillas What is the "Lake Chapala Area"?  We define it as the whole area of the lake plus all land within 15km (or 7 miles) from the edge of the lake. Lake Chapala Birders is an informal group of bird observers led by John and Rosemary Keeling. Illustrated color folders showing our common birds are available for $200 pesos at Diane Pearl's Gallery, 11 am to 4 pm, Santa Margarita #23, at the east end of Riberas del Pilar. Also available from John Keeling on bird walks. We like to hear of bird sightings at: chapalabirders@yahoo.com. Check our website: ChapalaBirders.org There you will find our newsletters, illustrations of our birds and advice on buying binoculars, books and birding apps.

Newsletter

Another new species for Lake Chapala

Chapala Birders Newsletter, September 2, 2024 Sightings last Month There were 118 species reported for the lake area in August. The complete list is shown at the end of this newsletter. The first returning migrants were reported in the last 7 days: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was reported by Robert Cowan. Wilson's Warbler reported by Tom Bravo and Kate and Carl Anderson. Rufous Hummingbird was photographed by James Hatfield above Ajijjc. Ruby-throated Hummingbird was photographed by Jeff Morrow at the Raquet Club. Earlier in the month: David Stores photographed an American Dipper in the hills above Ajijic - see article below. Kate and Carl Anderson sighted Long-billed Curlew in Riberas del Pilar. American Dipper - another first for our area We hardly expect a Dipper in the intermittent streams above Ajijic, but David Stores found one. The range map shows that this species is resident here, in both the Western Sierra Madre and in the Trans-Volcanic Belt. National Geographic 'Birds of North America' also says: "casual vagrant well outside mapped range." The American Dipper is a small dark gray bird with short wings designed for swimming. It feeds on aquatic insects on the bottom of fast-flowing streams and pools. 2nd Annual Lake Chapala Hawk Watch on Mezcala Mountain Last year our birding friends from Guadalajara discovered a Hawk Migration Route along the mountains on the north side of the lake. We checked out different observation locations and confirmed that Mezcala Mountain provided the best viewing spot. We intend to visit Mezcala Mountain frequently in September and October (see Trips below.) We hope our Guadalajara birders will visit on weekends. To whet your appetite, here is a summary of last year's sightings: Featured Bird: Mexican Duck A female Mexican Duck showing the Field Marks: dark brown body, blue speculum (wing patch), brown tail; also orange legs, dark crown and eyeline. The female has a yellow-orange bill, while the male has a yellow-green bill. This duck is generally vegetarian, preferring young shoots of aquatic plants, grasses and seeds. The Mexican Duck occurs primarily in central and northern Mexico, with small populations in New Mexico and Colorado. Sexes are similar, both appearing like a female Mallard. It is genetically related to the American Black Duck and the Mallard. Because Mallards hybridize with many other ducks, and Mallard x Mexican hybrids are fertile, this has created disagreement among taxonomists as to whether this should be a species or a sub-species. The Mexican Duck breeds in the rainy season, making a well-hidden nest in dense grass some 200m (500 ft) from water. 2 to 10 eggs are incubated for 26 days, all hatching together, so that the ducklings can be taken to water within a day or so. Upcoming Bird Walks and Trips 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. Note that we will try to limit most car trips to three vehicles and 14 people because larger convoys are hard to manage 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 $150 pesos for a half day outing, $300 pesos for a day trip). On Friday September 6, we will meet at 8.00 am at the trail head to hike a mile up the Allen Lloyd Trail which has lots of underbrush in which birds love to hide. Expect to see Blue Mockingbird and hear the Happy Wren. At about 10.00 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 (1km) from the traffic light at Walmart, then turn left (carefully) as you would for the new 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. On Thursday September 12, we will meet at 8.00 am at the "Sculpture" at the only traffic light in La Floresta, (south-east corner), leaving immediately for the Sierra de Tapalpa (90 minutes away). We will bird from 9.30 till 12.30. 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. At 1.00 pm we will end up in Tapalpa to have lunch at a restaurant overlooking the square. Expect to be back about 4.00 pm. You must reserve - email John at chapalabirders@yahoo.com at least 2 days ahead indicating if you can bring a vehicle and can take others, or you would like to be a passenger. (We don't always have enough cars). HAWK WATCH: On Tuesday September 24, we will meet at 8.00 am at the Sculpture at the only traffic light in La Floresta (south-east corner, opposite Restaurant Pranzo) leaving immediately for Mezcala Mountain (60 minutes drive). We will park and then walk the one-mile (1.5 km) trail to the observation point. Bring snacks and sandwiches for lunch. We will return to Ajijic by 3.00 pm. Other pick-up points can be arranged between Ajijic and Mezcala. If you plan on going, you must email John at chapalabirders@yahoo.com at least 2 days ahead indicating if you can bring a vehicle and can take passengers, or you would like to be a passenger. High-clearance, all wheel drive vehicles with off-road tires are recommended for the ascent. HAWK WATCH: On Thursday September 26, we will meet at 8.00 am at the Sculpture at the only traffic light in La Floresta (south-east corner, opposite Restaurant Pranzo) leaving immediately for Mezcala Mountain (60 minutes drive). We will park and then walk the one-mile (1.5 km) trail to the observation point. Bring snacks and sandwiches for lunch. We will return to Ajijic by 3.00 pm. If you plan on going, you must email John at chapalabirders@yahoo.com at least 2 days ahead indicating if you can bring a vehicle and can take passengers, or you would like to be a passenger. Bird Walk & Trip Reports On August 7, we had seven birders out at Cristiania Park in Chapala. We were surprised at the number of different heron and egret species that were feeding young on nests in the trees. Typically the foliage hides some of the species. We saw 45 species including Rufous-backed Robin, Black-backed Oriole, Little Blue Heron, Fulvous Wistling Duck, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Caspian Tern and Forster's Tern. On August 16, we had ten keen birders out for the Rosa Amarilla Loop on the plateau above the south side of the lake. We observed Wilson's Phalarope, Chihuahuan Meadowlark, Ruddy Duck, White-tailed Hawk, Sinaloa Wren and Black Phoebe out of a total of 53 species. Monthly Sightings List Here are the 118 species observed around Lake Chapala in August: Ani, groove-billed Avocet, American Becard, rose-throated (Xt) Bittern, least Blackbird, red-winged (Ra) Blackbird, yellow-headed Bluebird, eastern Bunting, lazuli (Ps) Bunting, varied Bushtit Caracara, crested Coot, American Cormorant, neotropic Cowbird, bronzed Cowbird, brown-headed Cuckoo, squirrel (At) Curlew, long-billed (Rp) Dipper, American (At) Dove, common ground Dove, Eurasian collared Dove, Inca Dove, mourning Dove, white-tipped Duck, black-bellied whistling Duck, fulvous whistling Duck, Mexican Duck, Ruddy (Ra) Egret, great Egret, snowy Egret, western cattle Elaenia, greenish (At) Finch, house Flycatcher, social Flycatcher, sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, vermilion Flycatcher, western Gallinule, common Gnatcatcher, blue-gray (Sn) Goldfinch, lesser Grackle, great-tailed Grassquit, blue-black (Ps) Grosbeak, black-headed Grosbeak, blue Gull, laughing Gull, ring-billed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, gray (Sc) Hawk, red-tailed Hawk, white-tailed Heron, black-crowned night Heron, great blue Heron, green Heron, little blue Heron, tri-colored Hummingbird, berylline Hummingbird, broad-billed Hummingbird, ruby-throated (Sc) Hummingbird, rufous (Av) Hummingbird, violet-crowned Ibis, white-faced Jacana, northern Killdeer Kingbird, Cassin's Kingbird, thick-billed Kingbird, tropical Kiskadee, great Kite, white-tailed Meadowlark, Chihuahuan (Ra) Mockingbird, blue Motmot, russet-crowned Oriole, black-backed Oriole, black-vented Oriole, orchard (Ps) Oriole, streak-backed Osprey (Rp) Owl, ferruginous pygmy Parakeet, monk Phalarope, Wilson's (Ra) Sparrow, rusty-crowned ground Pelican, American white Pewee, greater Pewee, western wood Pigeon, rock (Dove/Feral) Raven, common Robin, rufous-backed Sandpiper, least Sandpiper, spotted Seedeater, cinnamon-rumped Shrike, loggerhead Sparrow, Botteri's Sparrow, house Sparrow, stripe-headed Stilt, black-necked Swallow, barn Swallow, northern rough-winged Tanager, western Tern, Caspian Tern, Forster's Thrasher, curve-billed Thrush, orange-billed nightingale Towhee, canyon Tyrannulet, northern beardless Vireo, golden Vulture, black Vulture, turkey Warbler, rufous-capped (Sa) Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, yellow (Sa) Willet (Ch) Woodpecker, golden-fronted Woodpecker, ladder-backed Wren, Bewick's Wren, canyon Wren, Happy (Sa) Wren, Sinaloa (At) Wren, spotted Yellowlegs, greater Yellowthroat, common Sighting Location codes:  Ac - Ajijic: La Cristina & El Bajio At - Trails above Ajijic Av - Ajijic village Ca - Lake Cajititlan & marsh Ch - Chapala Ct - Caracol Trail & Int'l School Cs - Chapala Haciendas & Las Brisas Cv - Cerro Viejo 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 Mz - Mezcala Oc - Ocotlan Pe - Petatan area Ps - Pumping Station & Santa Cruz Pt - San Pedro Tesistan Pz - San Pedro Itzican/Poncitlan 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 Tr - Las Trojes & Chupinaya Tu - Tuxcueca & San Luis Soyatlan Xt - Ixtlahuacan & Las Campanillas What is the "Lake Chapala Area"? We define it as the whole area of the lake plus all land within 15km (or 7 miles) from the edge of the lake. Lake Chapala Birders is an informal group of bird observers led by John and Rosemary Keeling. Illustrated color folders showing our common birds are available for $200 pesos at Diane Pearl's Gallery, 11 am to 4 pm, Santa Margarita #23, at the east end of Riberas del Pilar. Also available from John Keeling on bird walks. We like to hear of bird sightings at: chapalabirders@yahoo.com. Check our website: ChapalaBirders.org There you will find our newsletters, illustrations of our birds and advice on buying binoculars, books and birding apps.