QUICK VISIT TO SC

RETURN TO MEXICO

Went quickly out to Santa Caterina today. Water flows after recant rain blocked my normal route over the far side of the lake which is where best birds always to be found. But from village side the only notable things were 3 laughing gulls and approx 50 american wigeons. Not a regular in such numbers here but the low water level explains that away as improves feeding for this duck.  On way back home to house in Puerta Real, Queretaro saw Northern Harrier in fields behind house.  Will get out and do some proper birding soon.

IN UK

I am in the UK at the moment  working and do not get back to Mexico until 13-2-2012.

LAKE ZIRAHUEN - TRIP REPORT.

LEFT QUERETARO 1ST JANUARY - RETURNED 6TH JANUARY.

QUERETARO - LAKE CUITZEO - LAKE ZIRAHUEN ( MICHOACAN STATE, MEXICO )

Lifers : Bumblebee Hummingbird, Allans Hummingbird, Black Eared Hummingbird, Swainsons Hawk, Swainsons Thrush, Black Polled Yellowthroat, Red Faced Warbler, Northern Flicker ( Grey Headed Race), Clarks Grebe, Spotted Wren, Eastern Bluebird, Mexican Chickadee, White Striped Woodcreeper, Brown Creeper ( Mexican version UK Tree Creeper), Rufous Capped Brushfinch, Golden Vireo, Mexican Jay.   17 lifers in 5 days.

Other noteable records included Western Sandpiper, Wilsons Phalaropes,  Forsters Tern and Caspian Tern on Lake Cuitzeo.

Perrigrine Falcon just outside of Queretaro on way out to Holiday. 

And a host of excellent woodland birds in the forest around Lake Zirahuen where we were based. Including > Slate Throated Whitestart, Painted Whitestart, Cinnemon Bellied Flowerpiercer, Brown Basked Solitaire, Altamira Oriole, Crescent Chested Warbler, Rufous Capped Warbler, Black Capped Siskin, Sharp Shinned Hawk, Norther Harrier, Social Flycatcher, Blue Mockingbird, Tufted Flycatcher, Buff Breasted Flycatcher, Hermit Thrush, Scarlet, Hepetatic and Summer Tanagers and many others. 

HOME !

Just back from Michoacan.  List for trip was 137 types bird seen in 5 days.  Will post details tomorrow.

SANTA CATARINA 30-12-2011

Raining today at SC, only had 2 hours there and here is what I saw - Canvasback 1 female. Semipalmated Plover 1 not a bad bird for SC. White Tailed Kite 2,  Raven 2, American Wigeon 5, nothing unusual and all the usual suspects with good number of Great Blue Heron approx 40 and American Avocets and Long Billed Dowitchers numbering at between 300-400 each. Smaller number of Stilt Sandpiper approx 15 and Least Sandpiper approx 50. Off to Michoacan in 2 days so expect better things there.

DAMN ! 26-12-2011

I was driving to a party 2 nights ago accross farm fields on a dark road, between where I live in Puerta Real and Gardenas De Hacienda.  When a large broad winged owl ghosted past me - flying over the road all i caught was its form and wide wings and its brownish colour, as soon as I saw it it was away - damn ! Only natalia and I saw it. I had no way of turning back and we were late for the party damn !  But now I know its here I can come out again and search.  The only owl ive seen in Mexico after all is a Barn Owl In Tequis. Last time I went looking for Owls I ended up finding a skunk instead !

BOXING DAY TRIP TO TEQUISQUIAPAN

So after two weeks of parties and eating too much we got out of town and over to Tequisquiapan a small town about 35 miles east from Queretaro. On the road we saw 7 Red Tailed Hawks, 5 American Kestrals and 1 Crested Caracara.  We had a nice lunch and day out in central Tequis. and was really hot so we headed to the park.  Not much around there and I wasnt really birding, apart from American Robins wintering (5) and feeding alongside a small smelly river. On way back we stopped off at a lake ( Queretaro-Mexico City Motorway) I always wondered about it as had seen it many times before but never stopped as it is in an industrial area, horrible place to be honest and really nasty - but birds dont care for aesthetics and there was loads of them there nothing spectacular but 5 Gadwall  was a good record for Queretaro as they are a somewhat uncommon duck here. Also on water were Pintail and Shoveler.  Along the muddy edges were approx 100 Long Billed Dowitchers, approx. 5 least sandpipers and approx. 20 Back Winged Stilts. Okay it is not much but the place showed good signs for spring or autumn and I reckon that it is worth a check when passing in future.  All in all a quiet family day with no serious birds.