Chapala Birders Newsletter, June 2, 2021 | | Five New Species Seen in May | | New species for the Lake Chapala Area were:
- Fan-tailed Warbler sighted by Carlo Cuevas and Ingrid Tello on the main trail up Cerro Viejo. This is an uncommon bird occurring from Mexico to Nicaragua.
- Spotted Towhee seen by Carlo and Ingrid on the same trail. This is a common bird of the western US and northern Mexico, not normally seen this far south..
- Masked Tityra seen by Nicola Cendron and two visiting birders from Guadalajara on the Allen Lloyd Trail. This is a common bird in coastal regions of Mexico, but not normally seen at our altitude.
- Slaty Vireo seen by Nicola and visitors on the Caracol Trail to the Oak Forest. This is a rare endemic bird - see the feature section below.
- Western Screech Owl identified by Carlo Cuevas after it flew into a house in Jocotepec. This is a tiny owl, strictly nocturnal, common in western US and and Mexico.
This is incredible. How is it possible to suddenly add five new species to a list of 335 species accumulated over a fifty-year period of observations by resident and visiting birders and ornithologists? The answer is that now we have some younger, sharp-eyed birders who are willing to spend more time exploring the hiking trails going up our mountains.
Other interesting sightings last month included:
- A Spotted Owl photographed by Nicola Cendron on the Caracol Trail. This is only the second sighting of this large night-hunting owl in our mountains.
- An unusual Boat-billed Flycatcher seen in Chapala by visiting birder John Bruin.
Note that our definition of the "Lake Chapala Area" is all land and water within 15km of the shores of the lake. | | Featured Bird: Slaty Vireo | | A Slaty Vireo as seen in Chapala in May. | | - The Slaty Vireo is a rare bird found only in Mexico, occurring on the west coast from Jalisco to Oaxaca. We are at the upper edge of its range.
- It inhabits scrubby pine-oak forests and low dense brush, at higher altitudes above sea level.
- It forages close to the ground and is known to be skulking - very clever at remaining hidden.
- It makes a tiny nest of plant materials at low to mid levels in a bush or tree.
- Food is primarily insects gleaned from leaves or from the ground, supplemented by fruit in season.
| | Notes on Migration - Part Two | | Where do birds get the energy to fly so far?
Last month we noted that some birds migrate locally to lower altitudes, some migrate a few thousand miles to nest in regions in the north that are covered with snow in the winter, and some are super flyers summering in the arctic and wintering in the general area of New Zealand.
Physiological research has been conducted on medium-distance migrators such as Swainson's Thrushes (3,000 miles), super migrators such as Bar-tailed Godwits (7,000 miles) and Hummingbirds (2,000 miles) for whom migration is most stressful because normally they carry no reserves and cannot survive more than a few hours without food.
Now let's look at the physiological adaptations:
- Fat build up. At least two weeks before migration birds bulk-up by eating as much food as they can. This food is converted into fat which is deposited in different body cavities. Fat is known to be light-weght and efficient, containing much more energy per gram than carbohydrate or protein. Hummingbirds typically double their weight before starting migration.
- Shrinking organs. In order to make room for fat in many parts of the body, Bar-tailed Godwits are able to reduce the size of their liver, kidneys and digestive tract by a quarter.
- Emergency muscle reduction. If it becomes necessary with adverse winds or longer than expected flying time to a good feeding stop, birds will consume muscle tissue (but not the flying muscles of course). After migrating, birds will rebuild their muscles and organs back to regular size.
- Reduced sleep. Birds normally sleep at night, but in migration most birds will fly all night. Swainson's Thrushes are able to shut down one half of the brain for nine seconds at a time to rest while the other half manages the flying tasks.
While the fall migration is a slower more casual exercise, the spring migration is more stressful for two important reasons. First is the pressure to arrive on time. It is vital that birds arrive at their breeding grounds (usually where they were born) within a two week window. Arriving too early means it's too cold and risks snow and ice and less insects to eat. Too late means other birds will have reserved the best nesting spots. Second, is the combined necessity of eating a a great deal of food to rebuild the internal organs, at the same time as finding a mate and a good nesting spot. | | We are proposing to gradually get back to normal with larger groups, but masks will be worn in public in compliance with regulations.
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.You must reserve a place by email ( chapalabirders@yahoo.com) at least 2 days ahead of each bird-walk or bird trip. Please note that we will try to limit car trips to four vehicles 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 $50-100 pesos for a half day outing, $150-200 pesos for a day trip).
On Wednesday June 9, we will leave at 8.15 for the Rosa Amarilla Loop (60 minutes drive) from Donas Donuts. 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 3.00 pm. You must reserve - email John at chapalabirders@yahoo.com at least 2 days ahead saying if you can bring a vehicle or whether you are looking for a ride.
On Tuesday June 15, we will meet at 8.15 at the trail head to hike a mile or more up the Allen Lloyd Trail which has lots of underbrush in which birds love to hide. Expect to see Western Wood-Pewee and hear the Happy Wren - if we are lucky. How to get to the trail head: Drive up the Libramiento a half mile from the traffic light at Walmart, and park on the north side of the road next to the new hospital.across from the Radisson Blu / El Dorado Condominium towers.
On Thursday June 24, we will leave at 8.15 for the Lake Cajititlan Marsh (30 minutes drive) from the gas station on the Chapala-Guadalajara highway at the intersection of the Ajijic Libramiento. We expect to see a variety of marsh and lake birds such as Black-necked Stilt, Snowy Egret, and perhaps American Avocet. You must reserve - email John at chapalabirders@yahoo.com at least 2 days ahead saying if you can bring a vehicle or whether you are looking for a ride. | | On May 6, a group of six of us went to Villa Corona to see birds at Lake Atotonilco. We saw American Avocet, Red-winged Blackbird, American Pipit, Wood Stork, as well as Black-bellied, Collared and Snowy Plovers, and 120 Roseate Spoonbills scared up by a low-flying ultra-light. The day's total was 70 species.
On May 16 we had eight keen birders out to explore the Lakeshore east of Chapala including the Pumping Station. We saw 42 species including White-tailed Kite, Western Wood Pewee, Lesser Yellowlegs, Black-necked Stilt and Black-bellied Whistling Duck.
On May 26 we went further afield to Tapalpa with just three birders. The road across the Sierra goes up to 8,000 feet. We identified 30 species including Loggerhead Shrike, Striped Sparrow, Mountain Trogon, Acorn Woodpecker, Red-tailed Hawk, Eastern Bluebird and Buff-breasted Flycatcher. | | Here are the 132 species sighted around Lake Chapala in May:
Ani, groove-billed Becard, rose-throated (Ac) Bobwhite, northern (Ch) Brushfinch, rufous-capped (Ch) Bunting, lazuli (Sa) Bunting, painted (Sa) Bunting, varied Bushtit Caracara, crested Coot, American Cormorant, neotropic Cowbird, bronzed Cowbird, brown-headed Cuckoo, squirrel Dove, common ground Dove, Eurasian collared Dove, Inca Dove, mourning Dove, white-tipped Dove, white-winged Duck, black-bellied whistling (Ps) Duck, Mexican Egret, cattle Egret, great Egret, snowy Elaenia, greenish Euphonia, elegant (Sa) Finch, house Flycatcher, ash-throated Flycatcher, boat-billed (Ch) Flycatcher, buff-breasted (Ch) Flycatcher, cordilleran Flycatcher, dusky-capped Flycatcher, gray silky Flycatcher, social Flycatcher, vermilion Gallinule, common Goldfinch, lesser Grackle, great-tailed Grebe, pied-billed Grosbeak, black-headed Grosbeak, blue Gull, ring-billed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, red-tailed Heron, black-crowned night Heron, little blue Heron, tri-colored Hummingbird, berylline Hummingbird, broad-billed Hummingbird, Rivoli's (Sc) Hummingbird, sparkling-tailed Hummingbird, violet-crowned Hummingbird, white-eared (Ch) Ibis, white-faced Jacana, northern Killdeer Kingbird, Cassin's Kingbird, thick-billed Kingbird, tropical Kiskadee, great Kite, white-tailed (Ps) Mockingbird, blue Mockingbird, northern (Pz) Motmot, russet-crowned Nighthawk, lesser Nightjar, buff-collared (Pz) Oriole, black-backed Oriole, black-vented Oriole, streak-backed Osprey Owl, ferruginous pygmy Owl, great horned Owl, spotted (Ch) Owl, western screech (Jo) Parakeet, monk parrow, rusty-crowned ground Pelican, American white Pewee, greater Pewee, western wood Phoebe, black Pigeon, rock Raven, common Robin, American (Ch) Robin, rufous-backed Sandpiper, spotted (Av) Seedeater, cinnamon-rumped Shrike, loggerhead Siskin, pine (Ch) Solitaire, brown-backed Sparrow, chipping Sparrow, house Sparrow, rufous-crowned (Sa) Sparrow, rusty (Ch) Sparrow, stripe-headed Stilt, black-necked Swallow, barn Swallow, cliff Swallow, northern rough-winged Tanager, flame-colored Tanager, hepatic Tanager, western Teal, cinnamon Tern, Forster's Thrasher, curve-billed Thrush, orange-billed nightingale Tityra, masked (Sa) Towhee, canyon Towhee, spotted (Ch) Tyrannulet, northern beardless Vireo, golden Vireo, plumbeous (Ch) Vireo, slaty (Ch) Vireo, warbling Vulture, black Vulture, turkey Warbler, fan-tailed (Cv) Warbler, rufous-capped Warbler, Wilson's (Ch) Warbler, yellow Waxwing, cedar (Sa) Woodcreeper, white striped (Ch) Woodpecker, acorn Woodpecker, golden-fronted Woodpecker, ladder-backed Wren, Bewick's Wren, canyon Wren, happy Wren, spotted Yellowlegs, lesser Yellowthroat, common Yellowthroat, gray-crowned (Sa) | | 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 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 Oc - Ocotlan 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 | | | Lake Chapala Birders is an informal group of bird observers led by John and Rosemary Keeling.
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