 | | Chapala Birders Newsletter August 2, 2020 |
84 Species sighted around the Lake in July
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The list of species seen is at the end of this newsletter.
This number of species is a bit low, which we attribute to the summertime and to less birders out in the field because of the pandemic. John and Rosemary have made a point of getting out in the country twice a week since the lock-down became optional, to enjoy the open spaces without people and to observe bird life.
Interesting observations last month:
- Several friends are reporting hearing Great Horned Owls at night. Two full-size young owls were sighted by John Keeling and Nicola Cendron on the Allen Lloyd trail.
- One Brown Pelican continues to be seen on Lake Cajititlan. These are uncommon visitors from the coast.
- For the last two months we have seen considerable numbers of Wood Storks, more than 50, at the dam on the Rosa Amarilla Loop. Years ago these were unusual, seen occasionally only at the east end of Lake Chapala.
Bird Folder
The fold-out illustrated guide to the Birds of Guadalajara and Lake Chapala is now back in stock at Diane Pearl Colecciones in the center of Ajijic.
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Featured Bird: Tropical Kingbird
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Tropical Kingbird as seen at Lake Chapala.
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The Tropical Kingbird is a very common bird in Central America and is fairly common here in Western Mexico.
- It is a resident from southern Arizona to Central Argentina. It may be found from sea-level to 10,000 feet in semi-open areas with scattered trees.
- It is often seen on a prominent branch, sallying out to catch large flying insects. In season it will eat fruits and berries.
- It is one of four species of Kingbirds that we see here at Lake Chapala. It is identified by the pale gray-blue cap, the dark line through the eye, and the wide patch of white on the throat.
- After the breeding pair inspects potential sites, the female builds the nest which is a rather untidy agglomeration of twigs in a low tree. The eggs are incubated for 16 days and the nestlings fledge in 18 days. The pair is generally monogamous and may nest more than once in the summer.
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Development Encroaches on Prime Birding Sites
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John and Rosemary have been running the local birding group for the last eleven years. During this time we have observed how each top site for group bird walks is gradually being overtaken by building developments.
First it was El Bajio on the west side of Ajijic, centered on an open field facing the lake on the west side of Ajijic. About five years ago a well-known sports figure from Guadalajara built an estate on half the field, then two years later the other half of the field was walled and built up. We still go there, but the birding is not as good as it once was.
Currently, there is a residential development opening up beside the prime birding spot on the Allen Lloyd Trail. Also, at Lake Cajititlan Marsh, local people are building a weekend picnic area and trying to sell lots on the adjacent land on which building is unlikely to be approved because it is low lying land subject to flooding.
Development on Lake Chapala started in 1888 when the railway arrived in Ocotlan, bringing material goods and vacationers. Today, the shoreline from Chapala to Jocotepec is lined with private estates, some small, some large, many belonging to wealthy families from other parts of Mexico.
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| Upcoming Trips and Bird Walks
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| Unfortunately, we will not have any announced bird walks or bird trips this month. Things are opening up, and outdoor activities are safe with social distancing, but group activities are risky for infection.
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| Bird Walk and Trip Reports
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| There were no birdwalks last month. We ourselves are going birding as a couple or with one other person or couple only.
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| Here are the 84 species sighted around Lake Chapala in July:
Ani, Groove-billed
Avocet, American
Blackbird, Red-winged (Ra)
Bobwhite, Northern (Ca)
Bushtit
Caracara, Crested
Coot, American
Cormorant, Neotropic
Cowbird, Bronzed
Cowbird, Brown-headed
Cuckoo, Squirrel (At)
Dove, Common Ground
Dove, Eurasian Collared
Dove, Inca
Dove, Mourning
Dove, White-tipped
Dove, White-winged
Duck, Black-bellied Whistling (Ca)
Duck, Fulvous Whistling (Ca)
Duck, Mexican
Duck, Ruddy
Egret, Great
Egret, Snowy
Finch, House
Flycatcher, Social
Flycatcher, Vermillion
Gallinule, Common
Goldfinch, Lesser
Grackle, Great-tailed
Grebe, Least
Grosbeak, Blue
Heron, Black-crowned Night
Heron, Great Blue
Heron, Green
Hummingbird, Berylline
Hummingbird, Broad-billed
Hummingbird, Violet-crowned
Ibis, White-faced
Jacana, Northern
Killdeer
Kingbird, Cassin's
Kingbird, Thick-billed
Kiskadee, Great
Meadowlark, Eastern (Ra)
Mockingbird, Blue
Mockingbird, Northern (Ra)
Motmot, Russet-crowned (Sa)
Oriole, Black-backed
Oriole, Black-vented
Oriole, Streak-backed
Owl, Great Horned
Parakeet, Monk
Pelican, American White (Ra)
Pelican, Brown (Ca)
Pewee, Western Wood
Pigeon, Rock
Robin, Rufous-backed
Seedeater, Cinnamon-rumped
Shrike, Loggerhead
Sparrow, Botteri's (Ra)
Sparrow, House
Sparrow, Rusty-crowned Ground
Sparrow, Stripe-headed
Spoonbill, Roseate
Stilt, Black-necked (Ra,Ca)
Stork, Wood (Ra,Ca)
Swallow, Barn
Swallow, Cliff (Ra)
Swallow, Northern Rough-winged
Thrasher, Curve-billed
Thrush, Orange-billed Nightingale
Towhee, Canyon
Tyrannulet, Northern Beardless
Vireo, Golden
Vulture, Black
Warbler, Yellow-rumped (Ac)
Woodpecker, Golden-fronted
Woodpecker, Ladder-backed
Wren, Bewick's
Wren, Canyon
Wren, Happy (Sa)
Wren, Spotted
Yellowthroat, Common (Ca)
Yellowthroat, Gray-crowned (Xt)
Location codes:
Ac - Ajijic: La Cristina/El Bajio
At - Trails above Ajijic
Av - Ajijic village
Ca - Lake Cajititlan & marsh
Ch - Chapala
Cu - Cuitzeo/Ocotlan
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
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
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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.
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. This is especially useful to newcomers - it is produced by "Defenders of Wildlife" which works to protect imperiled species throughout North America. NOTE: THIS FOLDER IS CURRENTLY BACK IN STOCK!
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