| Chapala Birders Newsletter September, 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 In 2023 birding friends from Guadalajara discovered a Hawk Migration Route along the mountains on the north side of Lake Chapala. Mezcala Mountain provides the best viewing spot to see this.
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!
Birding Ethics Are you familiar with the ethics of birding? If not, now is a great time to learn! Birding Ethics from eBird.
Sightings This Past August submitted by Duncan Poole
There were 120 species reported for the lake area in Aug. The complete list is shown at the end of this newsletter.
Interesting sightings included the following: 2 Red Warblers, sighted by Affonso Lange, Aug 2, on Cerro Viejo 1 Black Headed Siskin, sighted by Affonso Lange, Aug 2, on Cerro Viejo
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| | Feature Bird: Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum) [FEPO] submitted by Jules Evens. Photo credit: Mugs McConnell |
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| | This tiny owl with its fierce gaze is always a treat to see, but more often heard lakeside. The call is a repetitive series of "toots" with each bout usually of10-20 notes in rapid succession, sounding somewhat like a loud dripping faucet. Each series is repeated after a short pause. There are other vocalizations, but the tooting is the most common, by far. Volume varies and is somewhat ventriloqual proving difficult to locate.
It's most active in the twilight hours, but we've seen them out-and-about even at midday, so visual sightings are possible. It's quite common at lower elevations around Lake Chapala, but rarely encountered above 1800-meters (5900 ft) elevation. In fact, it is the most common small owl in the "lowland" American tropics. At higher elevations, in the oak forests, Northern "Mountain" Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium gnoma) [NOPO] tends to replace its smaller cousin. Although similar in size and proportion, the FEPO differs from the NOPO with a rufous cast to its plumage, reddish tail evenly barred with black, and narrow streaks on the crown rather than spots. Both species |
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| have yellow eyes, a characteristic of owls that hunt in daylight. Each has distinctive "eye spots" on the back of the head. The diet is diverse—insects, reptiles, small birds, mammals—mostly by perch-to-prey strikes. Insects are probably the primary food source, but hummingbirds may also be a favored prey item.
Usually seen perched at mid-elevation in trees with tail down, although flicked upward when calling or cocked up when agitated. When flushed, the flight is "woodpecker-like," often diving down then flapping-and-gliding away. Roosting owls, perceived as predators, are often "mobbed" by smaller birds especially hummingbirds, kinglets, vireos, and warblers. The owl may then swivel its head displaying the large "eyespots" and appear larger and more threatening.
It is considered a permanent, non-migratory resident throughout most of its range(southern US to southern South America), although more northerly birds may be partially migratory in winter. Presumed monogamous as is often the case with relatively sedentary birds. Pygmy-Owls are cavity nesters laying 3-4 eggs (range 2-7). Only the female broods (23-28 days); the male provisions the nest. Checks fledge at 21-29 days, remain dependent on adults for 6-8 weeks, then abruptly disperse, moving less than 1 km the first day.
To hear the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl calls, click here and 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 #1 for Birding Ethics - If you want to see birds, you've got to hear them. |
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| As we walk down a road or trail in search of birds, we will usually hear them long before we see them. Too much conversation within the group will often scare the birds away before you see them. Try to limit unrelated conversations for the snack breaks.
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: September 7th there will be a birding outing along the Allen Lloyd Trail. Meet up with team leader Thomas Bravo 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 thmsbrv@gmail.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.
On Tuesday September 9th, meet team leader Cheshta Buckley at 8.00 am at the "Sculpture" (see pindrop - its at the only traffic light in La Floresta). We will depart 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 snacks and refreshments for the morning. At 1:00 pm we will have lunch in Tapalpa at a restaurant overlooking the square. Expect to be back about 4:00 pm. You must reserve with Cheshta at cheshta@mac.com at least 2 days in advance, 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.) Each passenger pays the driver $400 pesos to cover gas /tolls.
HAWK WATCH: On Friday September 19th, meet team leader Thomas Bravo at 8:00am at the "Sculpture" (see pindrop - its at the only traffic light in La Floresta). We will depart immediately for Mezcala Mountain (MM), 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). Recommend you bring a snack, drink, repellent, sunscreen and possibly a SMALL! collapsible chair. You must reserve at least 2 days in advance. We have room for 1-2 more high clearance 4/4WD vehicles for a maximum of 3. 12 total participants. Email Thomas at thmsbrv@gmail.com and indicate whether you can bring a car or you would like to be a passenger. Each passenger pays the driver $200 pesos to cover gas and tolls. |
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| | Bird Trip Summaries for August submitted by August Trip Leaders |
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| On Sunday, August 3rd, 11 keen birders had a cloudy morning on the Allen Lloyd trail with team leaders Kate and Carl Anderson. They saw 39 species in all. There was a cacaphony of song going up the trail, including the Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush and Sinaloa Wren. This had to be one of the best Russet-crowned Motmot mornings there. It started with a perched Motmot and ended with one at what appeared to be a nest site. Other sightings included the Social Flycatcher, Groove-billed Ani, Streak-backed Oriole with an active nest, and Squirrel Cuckoo. Here is the full checklist of birds observed.
On Wednesday, August 13th, 11 birders joined team leader Cheshta Buckley at El Bajio in West Aijic. They had great views of the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl and fleeting views of Russet-crowned Motmots. Both of these species could be heard at different locations but it took some effort to actually get eyes on them. The first returning White Pelicans were also sighted today. For a full list of species seen, go here.
On Tuesday, August 26th, 11 enthusiastic birders enjoyed a beautiful day with team leader Robert McConnell at the Rosa Amarilla loop on the other side of Lake Chapala. They saw a total of 46 species. Rosa Amarilla Loop offers a variety of habitat making for a wide range of birds to enjoy. The highlights included 4 White-tailed hawks, Cooper's Hawk, Meadowlarks, many Blue Grosbeaks, plus a Rufous Hummingbird. Down along the water were Wood Storks, Pied-Billed Grebes, a variety of Herons and many Egrets. A good day was had by all. See the full list and images. |
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| | Monthly Sightings List submitted by Duncan Poole |
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| Here are the 120 species observed around Lake Chapala in August (in Taxonomic order):
1 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2 Fulvous Whistling-Duck 3 Mexican Duck 4 Northern Bobwhite 5 Rock Pigeon 6 Eurasian Collared-Dove 7 Inca Dove 8 White-tipped Dove 9 White-winged Dove 10 Mourning Dove 11 Groove-billed Ani 12 Lesser Roadrunner 13 Squirrel Cuckoo 14 Lucifer Hummingbird 15 Rufous Hummingbird 16 Broad-billed Hummingbird 17 Violet-crowned Hummingbird 18 Berylline Hummingbird 19 Common Gallinule 20 American Coot 21 Black-necked Stilt 22 Killdeer 23 Northern Jacana 24 Laughing Gull 25 Ring-billed Gull 26 Caspian Tern 27 Clark's Grebe 28 Wood Stork 29 Neotropic Cormorant 30 White-faced Ibis 31 Least Bittern 32 Black-crowned Night Heron 33 Little Blue Heron 34 Tricolored Heron 35 Snowy Egret 36 Green Heron 37 Western Cattle-Egret 38 Great Egret 39 Great Blue Heron 40 American White Pelican 41 Black Vulture 42 Turkey Vulture 43 White-tailed Kite 44 Sharp-shinned Hawk 45 Cooper's Hawk 46 White-tailed Hawk 47 Zone-tailed Hawk 48 Red-tailed Hawk 49 Great Horned Owl 50 Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl 51 Russet-crowned Motmot 52 Golden-fronted Woodpecker 53 Ladder-backed Woodpecker 54 Crested Caracara 55 Monk Parakeet 56 Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet 57 Greenish Elaenia 58 Greater Pewee 59 Western Wood-Pewee |
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60 Western Flycatcher 61 Vermilion Flycatcher 62 Dusky-capped Flycatcher 63 Great Kiskadee 64 Social Flycatcher 65 Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher 66 Tropical Kingbird 67 Cassin's Kingbird 68 Thick-billed Kingbird 69 Golden Vireo 70 Loggerhead Shrike 71 Common Raven 72 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 73 Barn Swallow 74 Cliff Swallow 75 Bushtit 76 Canyon Wren 77 Bewick's Wren 78 Spotted Wren 79 Happy Wren 80 Sinaloa Wren 81 Blue Mockingbird 82 Curve-billed Thrasher 83 Northern Mockingbird 84 Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush 85 Rufous-backed Robin 86 Gray Silky-flycatcher 87 House Sparrow 88 Elegant Euphonia 89 House Finch 90 Lesser Goldfinch 91 Black-headed Siskin 92 Stripe-headed Sparrow 93 Chipping Sparrow 94 Yellow-eyed Junco 95 Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow 96 Canyon Towhee 97 Rufous-crowned Sparrow 98 Spotted Towhee 99 Collared Towhee 100 Chihuahuan Meadowlark 101 Black-vented Oriole 102 Orchard Oriole 103 Streak-backed Oriole 104 Black-backed Oriole 105 Red-winged Blackbird 106 Bronzed Cowbird 107 Brown-headed Cowbird 108 Great-tailed Grackle 109 Gray-crowned Yellowthroat 110 Common Yellowthroat 111 Yellow Warbler 112 Rufous-capped Warbler 113 Red Warbler 114 Red-headed Tanager 115 Black-headed Grosbeak 116 Blue Grosbeak 117 Indigo Bunting 118 Varied Bunting 119 Blue-black Grassquit 120 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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