Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Mexico Birding > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Sunday, May 11 at 10:20 AM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Shoebill,©Tony Disley

11 May Baja Rare Bird Sighting [John Spencer ] 2 May RFI: Catemaco CBC data ["Stevan Hawkins" ] 26 Apr Re: Keep providing those Mexican Crow sightings [Jack Eitniear ] 25 Apr Re: Request for Mazatlan birding information [] 25 Apr Re: Request for Mazatlan birding information [Robert Straub ] 24 Apr Request for Mazatlan birding information ["Cox Family" ] 24 Apr solicitud de informacion sobre Vireo Bellii ["Rafael Brito-Aguilar" ] 7 Apr Guide near Monterrey? ["Kevin S." ] 1 Apr Sinaloa Martins back on Durango Highway ["Lethaby, Nick" ] 01 Apr Identification ["fleviez" ] 1 Apr Cerro de San Juan Goshawks [Mark Stackhouse ] 30 Mar Re: RFI Southern Chiapas [Juan-Pablo Galvan ] 30 Mar RFI Southern Chiapas ["Justyn Stahl" ] 29 Mar recent Tamps. Crow sightings ["Chris Harrison" ] 26 Mar July/August recommendations ["Kevin S." ] 26 Mar New file uploaded to Mexico-Birding [] 26 Mar Bright-rumped Attila at Alamos, Sonora ["Tom Wood/Sheri Williamson" ] 22 Mar Re: Nayarit Black Hawk-Eagle ["Adrian Ganem Sada" ] 16 Mar Re: Nayarit Black Hawk-Eagle ["Michael L. P. Retter" ] 16 Mar Nayarit Black Hawk-Eagle [Mark Stackhouse ] 16 Mar Migration in Nayarit [Mark Stackhouse ] 17 Mar Update on Gull sighting at Progreso, Yucatan: ["Bev Scott" ] 16 Mar Update on Gull sighting at Progreso, Yucatan: ["Bev Scott" ] 15 Mar Re: El Cielo questions [] 15 Mar Re: El Cielo questions ["Sonia Ortiz" ] 15 Mar Re: El Cielo questions ["Kevin S." ] 15 Mar Re: El Cielo questions ["Sonia Ortiz" ] 15 Mar Re: El Cielo questions ["Jim Sinclair" ] 15 Mar El Cielo questions ["Chris Harrison" ] 13 Mar RE: Birding San Blas & Colima: recommendations? ["Chris Harrison" ] 11 Mar Re: Birding San Blas & Colima: recommendations? [Oscar Carmona ] 11 Mar Re: Birding San Blas & Colima: recommendations? ["Kevin S." ] 10 Mar Re: Birding San Blas & Colima: recommendations? ["Bruce Webb" ] 11 Mar Re: Birding San Blas & Colima: recommendations? [Steve & Liz ] 11 Mar Re: Birding San Blas & Colima: recommendations? [] 11 Mar Laguna de Chapala CBC results ["Allen Turner" ] 10 Mar Birding San Blas & Colima: recommendations? ["tomdudones" ] 7 Mar Re: Any Advice for San Blas? [] 7 Mar RFI: Birding around Playa del Carmen [Scotty Lofland ] 07 Mar Any Advice for San Blas? ["jdtwx7r" ] 7 Mar Re: Fwd: [Ornitologica_de_Mexico] ID plisss! ["A. McAndrews" ] 7 Mar Re: Fwd: [Ornitologica_de_Mexico] ID plisss! [Robert Straub ] 7 Mar Fwd: [Ornitologica_de_Mexico] ID plisss! [Oscar Carmona ] 6 Mar Michoacan trip report [Lynette Fullerton ] 06 Mar Gray Gull at Celestun ["massewall" ] 01 Mar Re: Re: Tamaulipas Crow range [] 28 Feb Re: Sightings of Swianson's Warbler in Tamaulipas wanted [William Beaty ] 29 Feb Thanks for help ["Bob" ] 28 Feb Sightings of Swianson's Warbler in Tamaulipas wanted ["Rafael Brito-Aguilar" ] 28 Feb Re: Mas sobre cuervos [Jack Eitniear ] 28 Feb Re: Tamaulipas Crow range [Jack Eitniear ] 28 Feb Bird report from Patzcuaro, Michoacan [] Subject: Baja Rare Bird Sighting From: John Spencer <bajabirdwatcher AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 08:20:17 -0700 (PDT) Saw and photographed two (pair?) Black-bellied Whistling Ducks near La Ribera, BCS Mexico on Sat 10 May. Howell and Web lists one sighting in1991. Will sent photos if requested. --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. Subject: RFI: Catemaco CBC data From: "Stevan Hawkins" <shawkins4 AT satx.rr.com> Date: Fri, 2 May 2008 05:22:35 -0500 Mexico-Birders: When I went to the CBC web site http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/hr/ to get a reminder of when Jerry Fischer and I had worked the Catemaco CBC, I could not find any data on it when I used 1970-1990 as search criteria. As George Harrison's "The Backyard Birdwatcher", 1979, has a photo of me taken of me during a Catemaco CBC after I graduated from college in 1974, I should have been able to find just which year Jerry and I worked that CBC. Does anyone know where I can find the data on that CBC? Thanks! Steve Stevan Hawkins San Antonio TX Subject: Re: Keep providing those Mexican Crow sightings From: Jack Eitniear <jackeitniear AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:59:09 -0700 (PDT) Just a note to mention that we continue to solicit sightings of Mexican Crows. I am particularly interested in sightings near San Fernando and along the coast near La Pesca. Many thanks to all who have previously supplied information. Supplemented with our own field notes your data will hopefully give us some baseline level to measure future population change against. Jack Eitniear San Antonio/Salineno "We will be known forever by the tracks we leave" Dakota Indian Saying Editor/Texas Ornithological Society publications editor AT texasbirds.org www.texasbirds.org Director/Center for the Study of Tropical Birds, Incorporated CSTB correspondence jce AT cstbinc.org www.cstbinc.org Visiting Scientist/Texas Tech Junction campus jackeitniear AT yahoo.com Subject: Re: Request for Mazatlan birding information From: katahdinss AT comcast.net Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:55:42 +0000 Hi -- I sent (off-list) Jeff our trip report from the Mazatlan area in 2006, however he should probably also check Blake Maybank's web site www.birdingtheamericas.com for additional reports, as there may be more recent ones posted. In general we found Howell's information still reasonably accurate, although some of his areas off the Durango Hwy have been damaged by roadwork (eliminating a lot of roadside vegetation). We found Purplish-backed Jay at the Km 285 road (a dirt track off main Durango Hwy) as well as numerous other good species including Red-breasted Chat. New Rt. 40 is probably open by now, however this track intersects the old and new roads. The Tufted Jay performed well at the top of Barranca Rancho Liebre, and lots of other goodies were about such as Red warbler, Red-headed Tanager etc. but not Eared Quetzal alas. Good bgirding, Gail Mackiernan Silver Spring, MD -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: Robert Straub > Hello Jeff, > For information on the Tufted Jay Preserve, see their > website: > http://www.tufted-jay-preserve.org/ > > Regards, Robert Straub > Xalapa, Veracruz > > --- Cox Family wrote: > > > Hello, all, > > > > I have been a member of this list for a few weeks > > and until now have been > > lurking. Now I have a request for information. The > > last week of May I will > > be in Mazatlan and I hope to do some birding. (My > > son is graduating from > > high school in Oklahoma and this is the graduation > > trip. While he and his > > friends are at the beach, I have other plans.) > > > > I'm curious if there are members of this list who > > are familiar with birding > > opportunities in or near Mazatlan. I will be > > staying in a condo that I > > think is in or near the Zona Dorada. I do not plan > > to rent a car, but could > > if necessary. I have a copy of Howell's > > bird-finding guide, but it is now > > almost 10 years old. So I'm mostly looking for > > places close to town, > > accessible by bus or cab. If you can recommend > > guides in the area, or local > > birders who might like go out for all or part of a > > day, I would like to have > > contact information. I'm primarily interested in > > birds, but I enjoy all of > > nature. > > > > There are a couple of specific things I am > > interested in: > > > > 1) Ralph Raitt, J. W. Hardy, et al., conducted a > > multi-year study of the > > Purplish-backed Jay (Cyanocorax beechei) just a few > > miles northwest of > > Mazatlan in the 1970s - near a settlement known as > > Florida. Bill Hardy was > > my major professor at the University of Florida, > > although I didn't arrive on > > the scene until they had completed their fieldwork. > > Satellite photos from > > Google maps indicate that the habitat of the study > > area is still largely > > intact. (If you search for "Florida, Sinaloa, > > Mexico" on Google maps, you > > can see the study site.) That is one place I would > > like to visit. I'm > > thinking I might be able to catch a bus, or maybe > > hire a cab, to at least > > get close to the area. > > > > 2) I understand that their are tours available to > > see the Tufted Jay (C. > > dickeyi) along the Durango highway. If you are > > familiar with any of the > > tours and could provide recommendations, that would > > be great! > > > > 3) If you are following this "jay" trend, you will > > guess that I would also > > love to see magpie-jays. (I do like all birds > > besides jays, too.) > > > > Please reply directly to me unless your information > > is of general interest. > > > > Gracias por todos! > > > > Thanks very much! > > > > Jeff Cox > > Tulsa, OK > > jcdcoxok AT cox.net > > > > > > > > > > > .................................................. > Aveoptica > Tienda de binoculares, telescopios, guías de campo, y más... > Distribuidor autorizado: Eagle Optics, Vortex Optics, Audubon > Avenida R. Murillo Vidal #149 Int. 201 > Fracc. Ensueño > Xalapa, Ver. C.P. 91060 > tel. 228.818.1894 / 01.800.018.1894 > aveoptica AT yahoo.com > www.aveoptica.com Subject: Re: Request for Mazatlan birding information From: Robert Straub <straub_robert AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:30:21 -0700 (PDT) Hello Jeff, For information on the Tufted Jay Preserve, see their website: http://www.tufted-jay-preserve.org/ Regards, Robert Straub Xalapa, Veracruz --- Cox Family wrote: > Hello, all, > > I have been a member of this list for a few weeks > and until now have been > lurking. Now I have a request for information. The > last week of May I will > be in Mazatlan and I hope to do some birding. (My > son is graduating from > high school in Oklahoma and this is the graduation > trip. While he and his > friends are at the beach, I have other plans.) > > I'm curious if there are members of this list who > are familiar with birding > opportunities in or near Mazatlan. I will be > staying in a condo that I > think is in or near the Zona Dorada. I do not plan > to rent a car, but could > if necessary. I have a copy of Howell's > bird-finding guide, but it is now > almost 10 years old. So I'm mostly looking for > places close to town, > accessible by bus or cab. If you can recommend > guides in the area, or local > birders who might like go out for all or part of a > day, I would like to have > contact information. I'm primarily interested in > birds, but I enjoy all of > nature. > > There are a couple of specific things I am > interested in: > > 1) Ralph Raitt, J. W. Hardy, et al., conducted a > multi-year study of the > Purplish-backed Jay (Cyanocorax beechei) just a few > miles northwest of > Mazatlan in the 1970s - near a settlement known as > Florida. Bill Hardy was > my major professor at the University of Florida, > although I didn't arrive on > the scene until they had completed their fieldwork. > Satellite photos from > Google maps indicate that the habitat of the study > area is still largely > intact. (If you search for "Florida, Sinaloa, > Mexico" on Google maps, you > can see the study site.) That is one place I would > like to visit. I'm > thinking I might be able to catch a bus, or maybe > hire a cab, to at least > get close to the area. > > 2) I understand that their are tours available to > see the Tufted Jay (C. > dickeyi) along the Durango highway. If you are > familiar with any of the > tours and could provide recommendations, that would > be great! > > 3) If you are following this "jay" trend, you will > guess that I would also > love to see magpie-jays. (I do like all birds > besides jays, too.) > > Please reply directly to me unless your information > is of general interest. > > Gracias por todos! > > Thanks very much! > > Jeff Cox > Tulsa, OK > jcdcoxok AT cox.net > > > > .................................................. Aveoptica Tienda de binoculares, telescopios, guías de campo, y más... Distribuidor autorizado: Eagle Optics, Vortex Optics, Audubon Avenida R. Murillo Vidal #149 Int. 201 Fracc. Ensueño Xalapa, Ver. C.P. 91060 tel. 228.818.1894 / 01.800.018.1894 aveoptica AT yahoo.com www.aveoptica.com Subject: Request for Mazatlan birding information From: "Cox Family" <jcdcoxok AT cox.net> Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:13:00 -0500 Hello, all, I have been a member of this list for a few weeks and until now have been lurking. Now I have a request for information. The last week of May I will be in Mazatlan and I hope to do some birding. (My son is graduating from high school in Oklahoma and this is the graduation trip. While he and his friends are at the beach, I have other plans.) I'm curious if there are members of this list who are familiar with birding opportunities in or near Mazatlan. I will be staying in a condo that I think is in or near the Zona Dorada. I do not plan to rent a car, but could if necessary. I have a copy of Howell's bird-finding guide, but it is now almost 10 years old. So I'm mostly looking for places close to town, accessible by bus or cab. If you can recommend guides in the area, or local birders who might like go out for all or part of a day, I would like to have contact information. I'm primarily interested in birds, but I enjoy all of nature. There are a couple of specific things I am interested in: 1) Ralph Raitt, J. W. Hardy, et al., conducted a multi-year study of the Purplish-backed Jay (Cyanocorax beechei) just a few miles northwest of Mazatlan in the 1970s - near a settlement known as Florida. Bill Hardy was my major professor at the University of Florida, although I didn't arrive on the scene until they had completed their fieldwork. Satellite photos from Google maps indicate that the habitat of the study area is still largely intact. (If you search for "Florida, Sinaloa, Mexico" on Google maps, you can see the study site.) That is one place I would like to visit. I'm thinking I might be able to catch a bus, or maybe hire a cab, to at least get close to the area. 2) I understand that their are tours available to see the Tufted Jay (C. dickeyi) along the Durango highway. If you are familiar with any of the tours and could provide recommendations, that would be great! 3) If you are following this "jay" trend, you will guess that I would also love to see magpie-jays. (I do like all birds besides jays, too.) Please reply directly to me unless your information is of general interest. Gracias por todos! Thanks very much! Jeff Cox Tulsa, OK jcdcoxok AT cox.net Subject: solicitud de informacion sobre Vireo Bellii From: "Rafael Brito-Aguilar" <rbyq9 AT mizzou.edu> Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:42:26 -0500 Solicito ayuda a los miembros de esta lista sobre dónde puedo conseguir información sobre distribución de Vireo bellii en México y si existe alguien que este o haya estudiado a esta especie en Mexico. Les agradeceré cualquier información al respecto y cualquier contacto que me puedan hacer llegar. Gracias Rafael ******************* Rafael Brito-Aguilar 105 Tucker Hall University of Missouri Columbia, MO 65211 ph: 573-882-4854 fax: 573-882-012 ******************* Subject: Guide near Monterrey? From: "Kevin S." <kevmsharp AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2008 19:47:56 -0700 (PDT) I have a good friend who is going to be in Monterrey on business later this month. He is interested in extending his stay a couple of days in the hopes of visiting the Highrise and seeing Maroon-fronted Parrots. He is not familiar with the area and is interesting in enlisting the aid of a good local guide. His accommodations and transportation are already provided for -he is primarily looking to meet up with someone who can take him to the Highrise. Any recommendations with contact info? Suggestions are much appreciated. Also, I would like to thank everyone who responded to my earlier inquiry regarding suggestions for July/August. Based on everyone's input, I will be visiting Madera, Chihuahua to see the Thick-billeds. Thanks again -I'm anticipating the trip of a life time! -Kevin S. ____________________________________________________________________________________ You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost. http://tc.deals.yahoo.com/tc/blockbuster/text5.com Subject: Sinaloa Martins back on Durango Highway From: "Lethaby, Nick" <nlethaby AT ti.com> Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2008 21:52:47 -0500 All: Just wanted to get this news out asap. I visited the nest site found by Russ Namitz last year at KM211 on the Durango Highway today. Around 7.30 AM, I saw at least 4 Sinaloa Martins - 1 adult male and 3 female flying around the cliff face there and perching in a tree. The birds were present until about 8.30 AM but then disappeared. I failed to see them around 1.00 PM.. I'd appreciate if any observers visiting this site could carefully check for additional birds or adult males. I got the impression there may have been 1-2 more birds but it was hard to count accurately with all the WT Swifts flying around. Nick Subject: Identification From: "fleviez" <fleviez AT free.fr> Date: Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:18:01 -0000 Hello, I'm back from a trip in Mexico (Yucatan peninsula and Chiapas). It was not a birding trip but I took some pictures of birds and I am not sure (or I don't know) about the identification of some species. The pictures are on flickr : http://www.flickr.com/photos/10441786 AT N08/sets/72157604344822505/ Each bird has a number (#1 to #15) and the place where the photo was taken is under the picture. All were taken between 14th and 30th of march. Could you help me for the identification ? You can answer in the comment under the photo (if have an account on Flickr) or on the group. Thank you very much. Fred. France. Subject: Cerro de San Juan Goshawks From: Mark Stackhouse <mark AT westwings.com> Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2008 11:51:34 -0600 I just got back to San Blas after an over-night to La Noria on Cerro de San Juan. I had two objectives - to photograph an Eared Poorwill, and to hike to the top of the peak above La Noria. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to accomplish either, as the one Eared Poorwill we found called obligingly and gave great views - flying overhead and perched hugh in trees, but nothing that could be photographed (I'm still cursing myself for not trying to get a photo a couple of weeks ago when one perched in a bush at eye-level only 5 meters away from us). And the trail we took up the mountain went plenty high, but disappeared entirely into dense forest about 50 meters below the top. With a 6-year-old child in tow, we declined to bush-whack up the remaining steep slope. But we did have great birding over the afternoon and morning we were there - with a total of 85 species (see list below), all but a few within walking distance (a kilometer or so) of La Noria. The best find was on the hike, not too far from the summit, where we saw an adult pair of Northern Goshawks soaring just over the treetops. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get any photos, as they kept disappearing behind trees, and after a couple of minutes were chased off by a few White-naped Swifts (part of a flock of about 150 flying around the upper slopes). I didn't see anything that would suggest breeding or territorial behavior, so I can't say if they were just passing through, or actually nesting there. I plan to visit there again a few times in the coming weeks, so may be able to get further data. I don't know of any other records for this species on Cerro de San Juan. Does anyone know if Northern Goshawk has been recorded there? The flock of swifts was the second I've seen there this season, and the larger of the two. I searched and searched for a migrating Black Swift, or anything else different, but they all seemed to be the exact same shape/behavior, and all of the several dozen that I was able to see really well had white-napes. There were quite a few sparrows in the fields at La Noria, including Savannah, Vesper and Grasshopper among the regulars. With the progression of the dry season, the activity around the water sources has really picked up - I saw at least 20 species coming to some buckets at La Noria in the morning. While searching for Eared Poorwills, I saw only the third Buff-collared Nightjar that I've seen on Cerro de San Juan - all have been within a few hundred meters of one another. My San Blas area year list is now at 341 species. Here's the complete list of what we saw: Location: Cerro de San Juan - La Noria Observation date: 3/30-31/08 Notes: Almost all of these were at or near La Noria. Number of species: 85 Black Vulture 25 Turkey Vulture 15 Northern Goshawk 2 Broad-winged Hawk 1 American Kestrel 1 Red-billed Pigeon 2 Band-tailed Pigeon 2 White-winged Dove 50 White-tipped Dove 5 Eared Poorwill 1 Buff-collared Nightjar 1 Whip-poor-will 3 White-naped Swift 150 Mexican Woodnymph 1 White-eared Hummingbird 6 Berylline Hummingbird 2 Blue-throated Hummingbird 1 Magnificent Hummingbird 1 Broad-tailed Hummingbird 1 Elegant Trogon 1 Acorn Woodpecker 15 Arizona Woodpecker 2 Gray-crowned Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 2 White-striped Woodcreeper 2 Tufted Flycatcher 8 Hammond's Flycatcher 2 Pine Flycatcher 1 Cordilleran Flycatcher 2 Buff-breasted Flycatcher 1 Say's Phoebe 2 Vermilion Flycatcher 4 Bright-rumped Attila 2 Dusky-capped Flycatcher 2 Cassin's Kingbird 4 Thick-billed Kingbird 6 Masked Tityra 1 Plumbeous Vireo 2 Hutton's Vireo 1 Warbling Vireo 20 Green Jay 6 Common Raven 2 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 30 Spotted Wren 9 House Wren 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4 Eastern Bluebird 5 Brown-backed Solitaire 10 Russet Nightingale-Thrush 1 White-throated Robin 15 Blue Mockingbird 5 Gray Silky-flycatcher 40 Orange-crowned Warbler 6 Nashville Warbler 4 Crescent-chested Warbler 4 Yellow-rumped Warbler 20 Black-throated Gray Warbler 3 Townsend's Warbler 2 Grace's Warbler 10 MacGillivray's Warbler 1 Wilson's Warbler 2 Red-faced Warbler 3 Painted Redstart 1 Slate-throated Redstart 1 Fan-tailed Warbler 1 Hepatic Tanager 4 Flame-colored Tanager 2 Red-headed Tanager 5 Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow 2 Chipping Sparrow 30 Vesper Sparrow 4 Lark Sparrow 1 Savannah Sparrow 7 Grasshopper Sparrow 1 Lincoln's Sparrow 8 Yellow Grosbeak 1 Black-headed Grosbeak 4 Varied Bunting 5 Bronzed Cowbird 1 Bullock's Oriole 3 Audubon's Oriole 1 Scott's Oriole 2 Pine Siskin 20 Black-headed Siskin 30 Lesser Goldfinch 20 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Mark Stackhouse Westwings, Inc. www.westwings.com mark AT westwings.com 801-487-9453 (Salt Lake City, Utah, USA) 011-52-323-285-1243 (San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico) Subject: Re: RFI Southern Chiapas From: Juan-Pablo Galvan <devastador_0 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2008 20:38:25 -0700 (PDT) Hi Justyn, I visited the Lagunas de Montebello area this past July and saw a beautiful male Resplendent Quetzal. It had very long tail feathers, and even though I saw one, the velador (watchman) who told me about it said several males and females were stopping by every day. The exact location was the entrance to the road leading to the 5 Lagunas complex, not that far down from the main road. I had never been to the area before, but I thought there were patches of habitat in good condition. Some other birds I also saw were Swallow-tailed Kite, White-breasted Hawk, Black-throated Jay, Unicolored Jay, and Flame-colored Tanager. I was on foot for the day, I recommend having a car. Good luck, Juan Pablo Galvan Justyn Stahl wrote: Some friends and I are planning to fly into Tapachula (cheap flight from Tijuana) for a short birding trip May 2-6. Due to time constraints, we will only be able to hit a few of the spots listed in the Howell guide. I have not been able to find many trip reports for the southern part of Chiapas, as it appears many people combine the northern part of the state with a visit to Veracruz or Oaxaca. If anyone has any recent information on the birding/habitat conditions in southern Chiapas I would appreciate it, particularly the following sites from the Howell guide: 12-4 Mapastepec Microwave Valley (Giant Wren?) 12-5 Union Juarez (Pink-headed Warbler? Highland Guan? Garnet- and Amethyst-throated Hummingbird?) 12-6 Motozintla Road (Unspotted Saw-whet Owl? Mexican Antthrush?) 12-7 Lagos de Montebello (How much cloud forest remains? Resplendant Quetzal?) Also recommendations for budget lodging/camping areas would also be appreciated. Cheers, Justyn Stahl San Clemente Island, California --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. Subject: RFI Southern Chiapas From: "Justyn Stahl" <justyn.stahl AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2008 15:39:18 -0700 Some friends and I are planning to fly into Tapachula (cheap flight from Tijuana) for a short birding trip May 2-6. Due to time constraints, we will only be able to hit a few of the spots listed in the Howell guide. I have not been able to find many trip reports for the southern part of Chiapas, as it appears many people combine the northern part of the state with a visit to Veracruz or Oaxaca. If anyone has any recent information on the birding/habitat conditions in southern Chiapas I would appreciate it, particularly the following sites from the Howell guide: 12-4 Mapastepec Microwave Valley (Giant Wren?) 12-5 Union Juarez (Pink-headed Warbler? Highland Guan? Garnet- and Amethyst-throated Hummingbird?) 12-6 Motozintla Road (Unspotted Saw-whet Owl? Mexican Antthrush?) 12-7 Lagos de Montebello (How much cloud forest remains? Resplendant Quetzal?) Also recommendations for budget lodging/camping areas would also be appreciated. Cheers, Justyn Stahl San Clemente Island, California Subject: recent Tamps. Crow sightings From: "Chris Harrison" <sandboa AT satx.rr.com> Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2008 11:04:57 -0500 I don’t remember exactly what the geographic bounds of interest were, but I do remember someone posting about wanting Tamaulipas Crow sightings, so here are the few we saw on a recent trip from Reynosa to Tlanchinol (HGO) and back. We made no effort to actually look for them, and their absence was conspicuous compared to 15 years ago. All of our sightings were in Cd. Valles or just south of there on 85. - we saw a small group (2-3) flying over a plowed field north of Palmiro Nuevo (N 21°41’ W 98°57.8’). - we saw another group (~6) flying over the Rio Tampoan bridge on 85 near El Pujal (N 21°50.9’ W 98°56.4’) - we saw another pair in the Soriana parking lot on the south side of Cd. Valles The decline in these birds is rather startling. Chris Harrison San Antonio, TX Subject: July/August recommendations From: "Kevin S." <kevmsharp AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:06:32 -0700 (PDT) This is admittedly an open-ended question, and I don't know if there's necessarily a good answer, BUT I'll toss it out there anyway.... I'm thinking about a trip in late July/early August, two to two and a half weeks in duration, or there abouts. Any must-see places in Mexico that time of year? I was in the Yucatan recently. I had a wonderful time, so I wouldn't rule it out, but it might not be my first choice again in the same year. Veracruz, Chiapas, and Durango have always been on my must-see-some-day list and are places in Mexico I have yet to visit. My primary interest is in Psittacines, but its all of interest. Any reliable spots for Thick-billeds that late in the year? Yellow-headed and Brown-hooded Parrots are also species of particular interest that I have yet to see. Any suggestions? I'm also open to Central American options, and feel free to respond off-list. Thanks everyone -I appreciate any tips you can offer! -Kevin S. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs Subject: New file uploaded to Mexico-Birding From: Mexico-Birding AT yahoogroups.com Date: 26 Mar 2008 19:10:28 -0000 Hello, This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the Mexico-Birding group. File : /March 2007 Veracruz and Oaxaca.doc Uploaded by : timoutdoor Description : You can access this file at the URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Mexico-Birding/files/March%202007%20Veracruz%20and%20Oaxaca.doc To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/web/index.htmlfiles Regards, timoutdoor Subject: Bright-rumped Attila at Alamos, Sonora From: "Tom Wood/Sheri Williamson" <sabobird AT mindspring.com> Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 06:20:48 -0000 A quick post from the field about a BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA at the northwestern limit of its range in southern Sonora: This morning (3/25/2008), a tour group sponsored by the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory and led by Eduardo Gomez Limon and myself encountered a very loud individual in dense vegetation at the confluence of the Rio Cuchujaqui and Arroyo Mentidero near the town of Alamos. Though all 11 members of the group had multiple looks at the bird over the course of approximately 30 minutes, it was so elusive that none of the photographers in the group were able to document it. Hopefully other groups will be able to relocate the bird and have better luck at photography. Local birder and guide David MacKay of Solipaso Tours told us that he has never seen this species in Sonora in a decade of birding here and knows of only one other recent sighting. I believe that Birds of Sonora (Russell & Monson 1998), which I consulted earlier but don't have in front of me at the moment, noted only four records, the latest in 1987. It's both interesting and encouraging that certain species apparently absent from southern Sonora for many years are being reported along with species never before recorded here. Thanks are in order to all those whose efforts have improved protection and stewardship of this important area and developed the nature tourism infrastructure that allows us to enjoy it. Sheri Williamson Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory Bisbee, Arizona sabo AT sabo.org www.sabo.org Subject: Re: Nayarit Black Hawk-Eagle From: "Adrian Ganem Sada" <hombrepajaro AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:55:44 -0600 Very nice! Thanks for sharing. Adrian. Monterrey, Mexico. On Sun, Mar 16, 2008 at 10:53 PM, Michael L. P. Retter wrote: > I also saw this species at La Bajada in mid-February > of this year. The bird we saw was calling as if it > were on territory. How long has this species been > being seen in the area? > > Michael L. P. Retter > --------------------------------- > Tour Leader, > Tropical Birding & Birding America > 800.348.5941 > http://www.tropicalbirding.com/ > http://birding-america.com/ > > W. Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN > mlretter AT yahoo.com > home: 309.277.7136 > cell: 309.824.7317 > http://retter.xenospiza.com/ > ----------------------------------- > > __________________________________________________________ > Be a better friend, newshound, and > know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. > http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ > > > -- Saludos, Adrian Ganem Sada "The Earth has an abundance of everything, but our share in it is only what we really need." Subject: Re: Nayarit Black Hawk-Eagle From: "Michael L. P. Retter" <mlretter AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:53:42 -0700 (PDT) I also saw this species at La Bajada in mid-February of this year. The bird we saw was calling as if it were on territory. How long has this species been being seen in the area? Michael L. P. Retter --------------------------------- Tour Leader, Tropical Birding & Birding America 800.348.5941 http://www.tropicalbirding.com/ http://birding-america.com/ W. Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN mlretter AT yahoo.com home: 309.277.7136 cell: 309.824.7317 http://retter.xenospiza.com/ ----------------------------------- ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Subject: Nayarit Black Hawk-Eagle From: Mark Stackhouse <mark AT westwings.com> Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:39:48 -0600 Here's a photo I took of the Black Hawk-Eagle in Tecuitata on January 27. The bird has also been seen (and I've seen it) at La Bajada, a bit farther north. Mark Stackhouse Westwings, Inc. www.westwings.com mark AT westwings.com 801-487-9453 (Salt Lake City, Utah, USA) 011-52-323-285-1243 (San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico) Subject: Migration in Nayarit From: Mark Stackhouse <mark AT westwings.com> Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:29:22 -0600 I've noticed over the past several years that there is a good migration of raptors, particularly Swainson's Hawks in the Autumn through the hills east of San Blas. We've also had good numbers of Swainson's Hawks overwintering, including a group of about 40 hawks I saw in January in a recently-cut sugarcane field just north of Villa Hidalgo. On Friday morning, while birding in Tecuitata, in the coastal hills south of San Blas, I saw my first sizable Spring raptor migration. In about 20 minutes we saw a flight of about 400 Turkey Vultures and 100 Swainson's Hawks pass overhead, heading north. This was at about 10 a.m. Although there were quite a few local raptors in the air through the morning, including a Black hawk-Eagle that's been there for most of the season (and I managed to photograph in January), I didn't see any other obvious migratory passages the rest of the morning. We left at noon. This afternoon there was a flight of about 250 Surfbirds (with a few Ruddy Turnstones mixed in) that passed by the beach (Playa del Borrego) and stopped for a high-tide rest on one of the rocky breakwaters. No doubt just joining the rest of the horde invading us for Semana Santa. Signs of Spring, but we still have good numbers of our winter waterfowl and shorebirds - though their ranks are thinning. I still haven't seen any of our summer species here yet, like Least and Bridled Terns or Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers. But the Eared Poorwills are calling vigorously on Cerro de San Juan. Mark Stackhouse Westwings, Inc. www.westwings.com mark AT westwings.com 801-487-9453 (Salt Lake City, Utah, USA) 011-52-323-285-1243 (San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico) Subject: Update on Gull sighting at Progreso, Yucatan: From: "Bev Scott" <ttbascott AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 04:06:52 -0000 Forgot to clarify that the updated Gull pictures are located in the Mexico-Birding Photos area. Thanks again for your help. Subject: Update on Gull sighting at Progreso, Yucatan: From: "Bev Scott" <ttbascott AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 23:29:43 -0000 I have since relocated the same Gull and have replaced the photos with good quality close-ups. I pasted my previous description of the bird in this post. I believe that this Gull may very well be a third winter wymani Western (see illust. in current issue of Natl. Geographic field guide to the birds of North America), concurring with two of the people who sent comments. This would however be a first record for the Yucatan Peninsula. Your comments would be much appreciated. I'd like to thank those who sent comments from the last post. --- In Mexico-Birding AT yahoogroups.com, "Bev Scott" wrote: The week of Jan 23rd, this year, I encountered a Dark Mantled Gull on the beach where I live in Progreso, Yucatan, Mex. I have been here for more than 4 years and have seen many variations in the small populations of Herring, Lesser Black-backed and Ring-billed Gulls that are found among the 1000nds of Laughing Gulls here. There have been reports of possible Kelp Gull sightings in the area, although nothing definitive. There is positive ID of Kelp Gull for the Rio Lagartos area, some 3 hours by car from here. Here are my field notes: It is sized between a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Herring Gull, dark mantled, dark eye, adult plumage, clear white head, pinkish-gray mandibles with a black band running through the upper and lower mandibles (darker on the lower) close to the tip. The legs are pink. When it takes flight it exhibits no windows in the wings, but a hint of white at the tips of the primaries; the retrices are almost totally white with some gray near the end of the ends but not at the ends. Subject: Re: El Cielo questions From: stenmead AT aol.com Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2008 12:17:08 EDT Sonia and Chris, The confusion regarding "El Cielo" may happen because "El Cielo" is the name of the area owned/operated by the Gorgas Foundation and may indeed be the name sake for the much larger El Cielo Biosphere Preserve which we now refer to. The map Sonia refers to is the first one I've seen that depicts the El Cielo Biosphere accurately. It also has a lot of great information on it. I have been birding this area since the early 80's prior to the creation of the preserve and have compiled the CBC for the last 10 years. I highly recommend hiring the local guides, their knowledge, congeniality and enthusiasm for birding is the best, and their rates are reasonable. In the past, the Hotel Compestre has telephoned the guides in Alta Cima to make arrangements. I will be in Gomez Farias area on 3/24-27/08 with a small group. Chris, please contact me off line if your travel plans overlap with mine. This is a wonderful area, both naturally and culturally, and should be on every birder's "must see" list. Stennie Meadours San Leon **************It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms, and advice on AOL Money & Finance. (http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolprf00030000000001) Subject: Re: El Cielo questions From: "Sonia Ortiz" <sonia.mex AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2008 09:14:45 -0600 Lodging at Alta Cima is avialable at Hotel El Pino. I want to clear out a misconception. Many people (especially spanish speaking) talk about El Cielo as if it was the San Jose Valley. People stop at Alta Cima and ask "how much more till we get to El Cielo?" Alta Cima IS INSIDE EL CIELO El Cielo begins shortly before one enters Gomez Farias, as you continue on to Alta Cima YOU ARE ALREADY IN EL CIELO. This confusion might be due to the fact theat El Cielo means "The sky or the heaven" in spanish. We tend to think that the heavens are above, so we think that El Cielo IS San Jose (the higher area) It is crucial that we visualize and let people know that El Cielo is Everything, not just San Jose. Otherwise they are not aware they are in a Natural Protected area. Sonia Ortiz mexbirds AT gmail.com www.mexbirds.com Phone: 011-52(81)8378-5926 ----- Original Message ----- From: Kevin S. To: Jim Sinclair ; Chris Harrison Cc: Mexico-Birding AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2008 9:06 AM Subject: Re: [Mexico-Birding] El Cielo questions > > 3. I believe the closest lodging is in Gomez > Farias. Is that correct? During my one trip to Gomez Farias/Alta Cima a few years ago, I saw the locals had built some basic but nice cabins at Alta Cima to rent. I don't know if others have stayed there, but I remember leaving and thinking the next time I would make an effort to stay at Alta Cima. Something to consider anyway. It beautiful there, you'd be closer to El Cielo (?) and it would help to support the efforts of the locals there. Come to think of it, I DO remember one of the best meals we had was at the restaurant there in Alta Cima. -Kevin S. __________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Subject: Re: El Cielo questions From: "Kevin S." <kevmsharp AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2008 08:06:55 -0700 (PDT) > > 3. I believe the closest lodging is in Gomez > Farias. Is that correct? During my one trip to Gomez Farias/Alta Cima a few years ago, I saw the locals had built some basic but nice cabins at Alta Cima to rent. I don't know if others have stayed there, but I remember leaving and thinking the next time I would make an effort to stay at Alta Cima. Something to consider anyway. It beautiful there, you'd be closer to El Cielo (?) and it would help to support the efforts of the locals there. Come to think of it, I DO remember one of the best meals we had was at the restaurant there in Alta Cima. -Kevin S. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Subject: Re: El Cielo questions From: "Sonia Ortiz" <sonia.mex AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2008 09:06:29 -0600 Hi Chris, Here are answers to your questions: 1 and 2) You access the reserve through Gomez Farais. You do not need a permit but you will be charged a fee at Alta Cima and anotherone at San Jose, each ejido has thier fee but I do not remember the amount. 3) The first lodging you will find in the reserve is at Gomez Farias, which is sinsde the reserve. You can also find lodging options further up at San Jose, Valle del Ovni, Cnanindo, San Jose, La Gloria and Joya de Mananitales. 4) Access to the reserve through other points are avialable but not recommended. Road is too rough. I do recommend you hire a local birding guide. They always know where certain species hang around and can help you cachive your wish list. Plus, it is important to support local economy and encourage locals to care about their birds. Ricardo Jimenez can be founds in Gomez Farias at Hotel Cumbres Inn. Esteban Berrones ande Eduardo Padron can be found in Alta Cima, ask anyone at the ejido. You might want to purchase a copy of "Tamaulipas Birding and Butterfly Map" we recently edited. You can purchase it through Naturally Curious, or by following this link: http://naturallycurious.net/shopsite_sc/shopping_cart/productsearch.cgi?fromid=productsearch.cgi&storeid=*127ba9f930d40268dd10c6&search_field=tamaulipas+birding+&prevlocation=http://naturallycurious.net/shopsite_sc/store/html/index.html&testcookie=on&ip=189.152.120.165 Hope this helps, Sonia Ortiz mexbirds AT gmail.com www.mexbirds.com Phone: 011-52(81)8378-5926 ----- Original Message ----- From: Chris Harrison To: Mexico-Birding AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2008 9:18 PM Subject: [Mexico-Birding] El Cielo questions Mexbirders, As much time as we have spent in Mexico, I have never been to the El Cielo Biosphere Reserve. We are thinking of making the trip, but have a few questions.. 1. How do you gain access to the reserve? Can you simply drive up to Alta Cima and drive in? (We have a 4x4) 2. Do you have to have a permit? Do they require a guide? 3. I believe the closest lodging is in Gomez Farias. Is that correct? 4. Someone told me there was a new route to access the reserve from the west side. Is that true? If so, how accessible is it? Thanks for any replies. Chris Harrison San Antonio, TX Subject: Re: El Cielo questions From: "Jim Sinclair" <jim.sinclair AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2008 05:18:35 -0500 Chris, although You do not need a guide, I would encourage to retain one of the local guides. http://www.elcielotours.com/index.htm On Sat, Mar 15, 2008 at 10:18 PM, Chris Harrison wrote: > Mexbirders, > > > > As much time as we have spent in Mexico, I have never been to the El Cielo > Biosphere Reserve. > > We are thinking of making the trip, but have a few questions…. > > > > 1. How do you gain access to the reserve? Can you simply drive up to > Alta Cima and drive in? (We have a 4x4) > > > > 2. Do you have to have a permit? Do they require a guide? > > > > 3. I believe the closest lodging is in Gomez Farias. Is that correct? > > > > 4. Someone told me there was a new route to access the reserve from the > west side. Is that true? If so, how accessible is it? > > > > Thanks for any replies. > > > > Chris Harrison > > San Antonio, TX > > > > -- Jim Sinclair (TX-ESA) Kingsville, TX "The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." - Albert Einstein Subject: El Cielo questions From: "Chris Harrison" <sandboa AT satx.rr.com> Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2008 22:18:04 -0500 Mexbirders, As much time as we have spent in Mexico, I have never been to the El Cielo Biosphere Reserve. We are thinking of making the trip, but have a few questions.. 1. How do you gain access to the reserve? Can you simply drive up to Alta Cima and drive in? (We have a 4x4) 2. Do you have to have a permit? Do they require a guide? 3. I believe the closest lodging is in Gomez Farias. Is that correct? 4. Someone told me there was a new route to access the reserve from the west side. Is that true? If so, how accessible is it? Thanks for any replies. Chris Harrison San Antonio, TX Subject: RE: Birding San Blas & Colima: recommendations? From: "Chris Harrison" <sandboa AT satx.rr.com> Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2008 08:16:19 -0500 In the past, we were also victimized by this rental car damage scam as well. Our strategy with rental cars has been to have the rental agent come inspect the car with us and have him/her point to the damage while you photograph it. It puts them in a situation where they can’t deny the origins of any damages. Since we started doing that, there have been no issues about what damage was there prior to our rental. I would recommend using one of the US carriers if you can. We have had less trouble with them. The local carriers seem to be more inclined to add extra expenses. And double check before you sign. Even if you have a guaranteed rate from their website, you can find that it doesn’t include extra “mandatory” charges. Last tip – book online. You can save money. We actually booked online from an internet café in Playa del Carmen, then walked over to pick up the vehicle about an hour later and saved big over the walk-in price. Chris Harrison _____ From: Mexico-Birding AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:Mexico-Birding AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of burton AT colima-birds-butterflies.com Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 10:02 AM To: tomdudones; Mexico-Birding AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Mexico-Birding] Birding San Blas & Colima: recommendations? Tom, a lot of birders have rented a car. Just make sure you carefully note with the rental company any scratches/marks, etc, BEFORE you take the car out, otherwise you may be liable for a new paint job which is great business for the rental companies here. The perfect scam. PV is a great starting point and there are also excellent bus services such as Primera Plus, La Linea, and ETN. Airconditioned, video, toilets. All clean/efficient. 3 days birding in Colima is a minimum. Feel free to contact us. We have our own vehicles. Regards Andrew Burton Colima Birds & Butterflies www.colima-birds-butterflies.com tomdudones wrote: My wife and I are thinking about a trip to the Pacific coast area of Mexico, and the San Blas & Colima regions in particular. We live on the east coast and would be flying in. Several questions as to logistics though. Where would be the best city to pick as a destination for the flight? Puerta Vallarta? What about transport once in Mexico? Is the bus service reliable/safe to use in getting to birding locales? What about renting a car? Would Puerta Vallarta make a good starting point with, say, a week in San Blas and 2-3 days birding out of Colima? Any recommendations on guides? I know I have a lot of questions, but this'll be our first trip to Mexico - except for a few border towns - and there are just a lot of questions that come to mind. Thanks, Tom Subject: Re: Birding San Blas & Colima: recommendations? From: Oscar Carmona <texostoma AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:13:26 -0700 (PDT) Concerning rental vehicles in Mexico, I have had great luck getting great rates by booking through Expedia and Travelocity. I have managed to get a full size car for approximately $22.00/day. Just make sure that you look over the charges before you sign. Oscar Carmona Arlington, TX "Kevin S." wrote: --- Steve & Liz wrote: > I agree with Andrew about renting a vehicle. With a > digital camera, > you can make a record of every scrape and dirt spot, > inside and out, > in minutes. On the flip side of that, we always > have the car washed > and vacuumed (about $10) before returning it. We > use Avis because > they will accept a qualified Visa card for part of > the insurance coverage. Not to beat a dead horse, but I too am a convert to rental cars whenever possible. In general, I think the roads are in good shape in that area and the driving is relatively easy. The flexibility is well worth the expense, if at all possible. I've had only two funky experiences. In Monterrey the rental company added additional expenses on to my bill after I'd signed the form. I tried to contest it but since the contract had my signature on it I had to pay (It was for additional insurance.) I was partly to blame for not paying closer attention. I wish I could recall now which company it was. I could look back in my records. After another trip, a couple of Visa charges to a clinic in Mexico City showed up on my statement. I hadn't even visited Mexico City that trip. The only place I'd used my credit card was with the rental car company. The total of the bogus charges was not great and I was able to successfully contest those. All in all, those have been relatively minor incidents in what have otherwise been stellar trips. It just pays to be aware -especially when using a credit card. -Kevin S. __________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. Subject: Re: Birding San Blas & Colima: recommendations? From: "Kevin S." <kevmsharp AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:52:01 -0700 (PDT) --- Steve & Liz wrote: > I agree with Andrew about renting a vehicle. With a > digital camera, > you can make a record of every scrape and dirt spot, > inside and out, > in minutes. On the flip side of that, we always > have the car washed > and vacuumed (about $10) before returning it. We > use Avis because > they will accept a qualified Visa card for part of > the insurance coverage. Not to beat a dead horse, but I too am a convert to rental cars whenever possible. In general, I think the roads are in good shape in that area and the driving is relatively easy. The flexibility is well worth the expense, if at all possible. I've had only two funky experiences. In Monterrey the rental company added additional expenses on to my bill after I'd signed the form. I tried to contest it but since the contract had my signature on it I had to pay (It was for additional insurance.) I was partly to blame for not paying closer attention. I wish I could recall now which company it was. I could look back in my records. After another trip, a couple of Visa charges to a clinic in Mexico City showed up on my statement. I hadn't even visited Mexico City that trip. The only place I'd used my credit card was with the rental car company. The total of the bogus charges was not great and I was able to successfully contest those. All in all, those have been relatively minor incidents in what have otherwise been stellar trips. It just pays to be aware -especially when using a credit card. -Kevin S. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Subject: Re: Birding San Blas & Colima: recommendations? From: "Bruce Webb" <BruWebb AT surewest.net> Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:46:26 -0700 There is really only one game in town for 2-3 day trips in Colima. http://www.colima-birds-butterflies.com/ there are many flights to Manzanillo daily. Bruce Webb Granite Bay, California BruWebb AT surewest . net ----- Original Message ----- From: "tomdudones" To: Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 3:35 PM Subject: [Mexico-Birding] Birding San Blas & Colima: recommendations? > My wife and I are thinking about a trip to the Pacific coast area of > Mexico, and the San Blas & Colima regions in particular. We live on > the east coast and would be flying in. Several questions as to > logistics though. Where would be the best city to pick as a > destination for the flight? Puerta Vallarta? What about transport once > in Mexico? Is the bus service reliable/safe to use in getting to > birding locales? What about renting a car? Would Puerta Vallarta make a > good starting point with, say, a week in San Blas and 2-3 days birding > out of Colima? Any recommendations on guides? I know I have a lot of > questions, but this'll be our first trip to Mexico - except for a few > border towns - and there are just a lot of questions that come to > mind. Thanks, > Tom > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > Subject: Re: Birding San Blas & Colima: recommendations? From: Steve & Liz <hamhed AT buncombe.main.nc.us> Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:33:09 -0500 I agree with Andrew about renting a vehicle. With a digital camera, you can make a record of every scrape and dirt spot, inside and out, in minutes. On the flip side of that, we always have the car washed and vacuumed (about $10) before returning it. We use Avis because they will accept a qualified Visa card for part of the insurance coverage. Steve Semanchuk North Carolina, US At 10:02 AM 3/11/2008, burton AT colima-birds-butterflies.com wrote: >Tom, a lot of birders have rented a car. Just make sure you >carefully note with the rental company any scratches/marks, etc, >BEFORE you take the car out, otherwise you may be liable for a new >paint job which is great business for the rental companies here. The >perfect scam. PV is a great starting point and there are also >excellent bus services such as Primera Plus, La Linea, and ETN. >Airconditioned, video, toilets. All clean/efficient. 3 days birding >in Colima is a minimum. Feel free to contact us. We have our own vehicles. > >Regards > >Andrew Burton >Colima Birds & Butterflies >www.colima-birds-butterflies.com > >tomdudones wrote: >My wife and I are thinking about a trip to the Pacific coast area of >Mexico, and the San Blas & Colima regions in particu lar. We live on >the east coast and would be flying in. Several questions as to >logistics though. Where would be the best city to pick as a >destination for the flight? Puerta Vallarta? What about transport once >in Mexico? Is the bus service reliable/safe to use in getting to >birding locales? What about renting a car? Would Puerta Vallarta make a >good starting point with, say, a week in San Blas and 2-3 days birding >out of Colima? Any recommendations on guides? I know I have a lot of >questions, but this'll be our first trip to Mexico - except for a few >border towns - and there are just a lot of questions that come to >mind. Thanks, >Tom > > > Subject: Re: Birding San Blas & Colima: recommendations? From: <burton AT colima-birds-butterflies.com> Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2008 08:02:02 -0700 (PDT) Tom, a lot of birders have rented a car. Just make sure you carefully note with the rental company any scratches/marks, etc, BEFORE you take the car out, otherwise you may be liable for a new paint job which is great business for the rental companies here. The perfect scam. PV is a great starting point and there are also excellent bus services such as Primera Plus, La Linea, and ETN. Airconditioned, video, toilets. All clean/efficient. 3 days birding in Colima is a minimum. Feel free to contact us. We have our own vehicles. Regards Andrew Burton Colima Birds & Butterflies www.colima-birds-butterflies.com tomdudones wrote: My wife and I are thinking about a trip to the Pacific coast area of Mexico, and the San Blas & Colima regions in particular. We live on the east coast and would be flying in. Several questions as to logistics though. Where would be the best city to pick as a destination for the flight? Puerta Vallarta? What about transport once in Mexico? Is the bus service reliable/safe to use in getting to birding locales? What about renting a car? Would Puerta Vallarta make a good starting point with, say, a week in San Blas and 2-3 days birding out of Colima? Any recommendations on guides? I know I have a lot of questions, but this'll be our first trip to Mexico - except for a few border towns - and there are just a lot of questions that come to mind. Thanks, Tom Subject: Laguna de Chapala CBC results From: "Allen Turner" <avesajijic AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:57:08 -0000 Just want to let you all know that the Laguna de Chapala Audubon CBC results are posted at the avesajijic.com website. Also, we have a new, improved birding discussion forum that focuses on the birds of the Lake Chapala area in Jalisco. There are places to post your trip reports and you can link to photos. We'd enjoy your participation and would also value your expertise in the "what is this bird" section. Check it out at avesajijic.com/forum Best, Judy Boyd and Allen Turner Lake Chapala, Jalisco Organizers of the Laguna de Chapala Christmas Bird Count Subject: Birding San Blas & Colima: recommendations? From: "tomdudones" <tomd1969 AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2008 22:35:34 -0000 My wife and I are thinking about a trip to the Pacific coast area of Mexico, and the San Blas & Colima regions in particular. We live on the east coast and would be flying in. Several questions as to logistics though. Where would be the best city to pick as a destination for the flight? Puerta Vallarta? What about transport once in Mexico? Is the bus service reliable/safe to use in getting to birding locales? What about renting a car? Would Puerta Vallarta make a good starting point with, say, a week in San Blas and 2-3 days birding out of Colima? Any recommendations on guides? I know I have a lot of questions, but this'll be our first trip to Mexico - except for a few border towns - and there are just a lot of questions that come to mind. Thanks, Tom Subject: Re: Any Advice for San Blas? From: <burton AT colima-birds-butterflies.com> Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 20:27:58 -0800 (PST) You should try Sierra de Vallejo out of San Pancho (San Francisco) for great birding. Stop in at the Jaguar Centre a couple of blocks into San Pancho and ask for advice/guides. Regards Andrew Colima Birds & Butterflies www.colima-birds-butterflies.com jdtwx7r wrote: Going to San Blas, Nayarit, in a few days for some lagoon and low mountainside birding. I have done research on reports on net, Mr Howell's guide and so forth. This probably covers it but if anyone has personal and recent knowledge of a nearby MUST place or guide (or whatever), it would be appreciated. My usual "relaxed birding trip" in the spring is to Puerto Escondido down the coast in Oaxaca so this trip will give both previously seen species with the possibility of some new endemics. Yes, I am taking lots of DEET and long sleeves. I have a hotel lined up and one guide. Public transport will be my main limitation but that's also how I do it down in PE. John Thomas Silverton, Oregon Subject: RFI: Birding around Playa del Carmen From: Scotty Lofland <scotty76308 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 17:42:20 -0800 (PST) Hello, I am looking for some input on good birding spots within a 2hr drive from del Carmen. I will be there in the middle of July. I would prefer seeing forest birds, toucans, motmots, tanagers, etc. My 8 yr old is really jazzed to see a toucan. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Scotty Lofland Subject: Any Advice for San Blas? From: "jdtwx7r" <jdtwx7r AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:20:04 -0000 Going to San Blas, Nayarit, in a few days for some lagoon and low mountainside birding. I have done research on reports on net, Mr Howell's guide and so forth. This probably covers it but if anyone has personal and recent knowledge of a nearby MUST place or guide (or whatever), it would be appreciated. My usual "relaxed birding trip" in the spring is to Puerto Escondido down the coast in Oaxaca so this trip will give both previously seen species with the possibility of some new endemics. Yes, I am taking lots of DEET and long sleeves. I have a hotel lined up and one guide. Public transport will be my main limitation but that's also how I do it down in PE. John Thomas Silverton, Oregon Subject: Re: Fwd: [Ornitologica_de_Mexico] ID plisss! From: "A. McAndrews" <aemcandrews AT yahoo.ca> Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 13:45:56 -0500 (EST) Hello all, Antonio's picture reminded of another 'mystery' tanager photo from the NE, in a group of Flame-colored Tanagers and one immature male White-winged: http://www.martinreid.com/Misc%20website/MX2006tanagers.html Interestingly, and in contrast to Antonio's tanager, the bird in Martin Reid's photos is described as being about the same size as Flame-colored. (Confusing) Flame-colored x Western Tanager hybrids have been reported from Arizona in recent years. I wonder what a Flame-colored x White-winged Tanager hybrid would look like..... Cheers, Amy McAndrews Xalapa, Veracruz --------------------------------- Yahoo! Canada Toolbar : Search from anywhere on the web and bookmark your favourite sites. Download it now! Subject: Re: Fwd: [Ornitologica_de_Mexico] ID plisss! From: Robert Straub <straub_robert AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 08:29:24 -0800 (PST) Hello Oscar, I agree with your identification of White-winged Tanager. I am attaching one of my photos for comparison. Regards, Robert Straub .................................................. Aveoptica Tienda de binoculares, telescopios, guías de campo, y más... Distribuidor autorizado: Eagle Optics, Vortex Optics, Audubon Avenida R. Murillo Vidal #149 Int. 201 Fracc. Ensueño Xalapa, Ver. C.P. 91060 tel. 228.818.1894 / 01.800.018.1894 aveoptica AT yahoo.com www.aveoptica.com Subject: Fwd: [Ornitologica_de_Mexico] ID plisss! From: Oscar Carmona <texostoma AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 07:24:34 -0800 (PST) FYI - any input will be directed to Antonio Hidalgo. I am inclined to say White-winged Tanager. If this is correct, this would be a great record for Nuevo Leon. Oscar Carmona Note: forwarded message attached. --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. Les comparto 4 fotos de este pequeño bicho que me encontré el pasado sábado, por acá en Monterrey....en la Sierra Madre...bosque de encino...a 640 m.s.n.m. Dije pequeño porque como dato adicional, lo ví solo unos pocos cms. más grande que un Wilson Warbler que estaba a su lado. Les agradeceré enormente su ayuda en el ID y si gustan compartir las fotos con quien ustedes crean conveniente (...lease EXPERTOS FUERA DE LA LISTA) no problem. SALUDOS y estaré pendiente se sus amables y respuestas A.H. Dr.Antonio Hidalgo R. (OTORRINOLARINGOLOGO) Paseo de las Americas 1881, Contry Sol Tels.Ofic.........(81) 8317 42 00 y 01. Monterrey,N.L. Mex. http://flickr.com/photos/antoniohidalgo ____________________________________________________________________________________ ¡Capacidad ilimitada de almacenamiento en tu correo! No te preocupes más por el espacio de tu cuenta con Correo Yahoo!: http://correo.espanol.yahoo.com/ Subject: Michoacan trip report From: Lynette Fullerton <l_fullerton_1999 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 13:15:18 -0800 (PST) Hi all! From Thursday, February 21 through Monday, March 3, Dave Mozurkewich and I traveled through Michoacan, birding, butterflying and bugging along the way. The following is Dave's account of the trip, with a few comments of my own added. I think I count 56 life birds...I've never birded the west before! Enjoy! Lynette Fullerton --- Lynette F wrote: > Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 12:40:48 -0800 (PST) > From: Lynette F > Subject: Fwd: Michoacan > To: Lynette Fullerton > > > > > Michoacan Trip > This was primarily a trip to see the wintering monarch butterflies and secondarily a chance to relax. Both goals were successful. Of course, all trips are birding trips but on this one we did a fair amount of general sightseeing. We saw lots of birds but did no hardcore birding -- our earliest departure from the hotel was 7:30 and on only one day were we out after sunset. We arrived at the Morelia airport late on Thursday, February 21. On Friday, February 22, we drove to Morelia and spent the day touring the city, spending the night downtown. Saturday, February 23, we drove in circles then back and forth across Morelia until we finally found ourselves on the east side of town. We took a mid-day stop at Jose Maria Morelos National Park and arrived in Ocampo late afternoon. That evening was consumed by the wonderful Monarch festival, which included traditional dance from two local groups. On Sunday, we drove to Angangueo where we hired a local guide who drove us in her truck to El Rosario Monarch Sanctuary. [It was an absolutely breathtaking experience, both literally and figuratively, as the site cannot be reached except on foot for the last few kilometers. I [LF] had to stop several times during the climb just to catch my breath.] That evening we walked around Ocampo eventually returning to the Monarch festival. Monday, February 25 was consumed driving to Patzcuaro; first stopping at the archaeological site near San Filipe, where Lynette had her life Canyon Wren, then winding our way through Los Azufres where we decided to not go swimming in the, um, crystal-clear hot springs. Continuing north, we missed the connection to the cuota and ended up making a second pass through Morelia. This time navigation was no trouble. Finding ourselves in downtown Patzcuaro late in the afternoon, we spent the evening and the next day enjoying that city. Mid-afternoon, Tuesday, February 26 we met up with Georgia, then drove to Erongaricuaro via a wonderful marsh outside Arocutin. The rest of our visit consisted of day trips out of Erongaricuaro. Wednesday, February 27, Georgia gave us an all day birding tour of the area stopping at several places around the lake and in the mountains around Zacapu. Late in the day (and on several subsequent days) we found ourselves back at the marsh outside Arocutin. Although Thursday, February 28, was spent as tourists visiting Juanitzio, we enjoyed seeing two species of gulls around the island and once again we found ourselves late in the afternoon visiting that wonderfully birdy marsh. Friday, February 29, we went to Uruapan via the libre looking for but not finding the archeological site near Tingambato. Most of the day was consumed in the National Park, where the highlight was a singing Brown-Backed Solitaire, and stunning looks at a Malachite butterfly. Then we visited the city [stopping for a late lunch at THE vegetarian restaurant on Independencia] and took a high-speed late afternoon drive on the cuota to a spot south of Patzuaro where we watched hummingbirds and orioles visit feeders until sunset. Saturday, March 1, was our early start (7:30) we headed into the hills south of Patzcuaro. We stopped several times on the road to San Gregorio then took the side road to Cerro Burro. We dumped the car at a major [cattle] crossroads deciding that travel by foot was both safer and more enjoyable. We walked into the pine-oak forest, but not to the summit. After returning to the car, we drove through a short, mid-afternoon rainstorm to Santa Clara del Cobre where we supported the local economy as well as helped with some research by the chamber of commerce. Late afternoon found us once again at the marsh. We started Sunday, March 2, at the marsh. I don't know if it was the time of day or the lack of wind on this visit but we finally got good looks at a couple of Black-polled Yellowthroats. We headed west from Erongaricuaro stopping everywhere it looked birdy until late-morning. Then we returned to the hotel, checked out, and started our trip back to the airport. We went north past the lake, took 15 to Morelia where we made only a single wrong turn and were back to the airport by mid-afternoon. We checked in, relaxed a bit, then took a sidetrip to Zinapecuaro for dinner. We returned to the hotel, cleaned out the car and got our baggage in order. After it was fully dark, we returned our rental car, then walked back to the hotel to wait for our early-morning departure. > Annotated bird list ["L" means life-bird for Lynette] > > Pied-billed Grebe, 10+ at marsh > Great Blue Heron, 2 Marsh > Great Egret, marsh and Tzintzuntzan > Snowy Egret, marsh and Tzintzuntzan > Little Blue Heron, marsh > Tri-colored Heron, marsh > Cattle Egret, everywhere in large numbers > White-faced Ibis, marsh > Mexican Duck, marsh and Tzintzuntzan (L) > Cinnamon Teal, 2, marsh (L) > Blue-winged Teal, 2, marsh, 2/26 2/27 > American Wigeon, marsh > Black Vulture > Turkey Vulture > White-tailed Kite, 1 at marsh, 2/26 and 2/27 (L) > Northern Harrier, marsh > Cooper's Hawk, marsh > Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3/2 1 near Quiroga > White-tailed Hawk, 2, 3/2 near Zinapecuaro > Red-taled Hawk, several > American Kestrel, many along most roads the entire > trip > Peregrine 1, 3/2 at marsh, 1, near Zinapecuaro > Sora, severa in marsh, 1 at Tzintzuntzan > Common Moorhen, marsh > American Coot, marsh > Killdeer, several locations around Eronga > Black-necked Stilt, marsh > Northern Jacana, marsh (L) > Spotted Sandpiper, 2 at Tzintzuntzan > Peep (sp ?) 4 at Tzintzuntzan > Wilson's Snipe, Tzintzuntzan > Laughing Gull, 1 2/28 near Juantzio > Ring-billed Gull, ~70 2/28 near Juantzio > Rock (Feral) Pigeon, several locations > Mourning Dove, 1 near marsh 1 somewhere else > Inca Dove, many locations (L) > Nighthawk (sp?), Tzintzuntzan > > Chestnut-collared Swift, ~200 over Uruapan 2/29. > These were > Black-swift-like birds with square tails. > Presumably, this is the > expected species this time of year. (L) > > Vaux' Swift, 1 near Uruapan 2/29, ~200 just west of > Zinapecuaro 3/2 (L) > > White-throated Swift, several 2/22 over Morela, near > the cathedral (L) > Green Violet-ear, a few 2/25 at archaeolocial site > near San Filipe (L) > Broad-billed Hummingbird (L) > White-eared Hummingbird (L) > Beryline Hummingbird (L) > Blue-throated Hummingbird (L) > Magnificent Hummingbird (L) > Belted Kingfisher 2/27 marsh > Acron Woodpecker several locations (L) > Golden-fronted Woodpecker, 2/22 Morelia (L) > Red-naped Sapsucker, 3/1 near San Gregorio (L) > Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 2/27 > Tufted Flycatcher, several locations (L) > Buff-breasted Flycatcher, several locations (L) > > Empid (sp?). Lots of individuals and lots of > variety. Some were > pretty good fits for Western, at least one looked > promising for Pine. > > Black Phoebe, mostly at marsh (L) > Vermillion Flycatcher, everywhere in large numbers (L) > Cassin's Kingbird, everywhere in large numbers (L) > > Martin (sp ?) 2/26 1 female-type flew over the > bridge. Purple? > > Tree Swallow, marsh. The least numerous of the > swallows. > > Violet-green Swallow, large flocks around Lake > Pitzcuaro, Uruapan and > Zinapecuaro. > > Northern Rough-winged Swallow, mostly at marsh > > Cliff Swallow several locations > > Barn Swallow singly or in small numbers at several > locations > > Mexican Jay (L), 1 2/29 south of Pitzcuaro, several, San Gregorio 3/1 and near Zarzamora 3/2 > Raven. I called them all Northern. I neither saw > nor heard anything > that would make me think otherwise, but to be > honest, I cannot rule > out Chichihuan Raven for most of these birds. > > Bushtit (L). 2/23 in Ocampo and 3/2 near Eronga. > > White-breasted Nuthatch 2/22 Jose Morelos National > Park and 3/2 near Eronga. > > Canyon Wren (L). Daily around Eronga > Bewick's Wren (L) daily around Eronga > House Wren 2/27 near ZarZamora > Ruby-crowned Kinglet many > Blue-gray Gnatcatcher almost daily > Eastern Bluebird widespread > Western Bluebird (L) 3/1 near Cerro Burro > Brown-backed Solitaire (L) 2/29 Uruapan > > Catharus Thrush (Sp ?) 3/1 standing in road near San > Gregorio. > Oncoming traffic prevented a good view but Hermit is > presumably most > likely as well as consistent with what we saw. > White-throated Thrush (L) 2/29 several in Uruapan Rufous-Backed Thrush (L) at least 3 2/27 Tzintzuntzan American Robin many locations Blue Mockingbird (L) 1 2/27 Tzintzuntzan ~5 2/29 Uruapan Northern Mockingbird 1 flyby 3/2 East of Quiroga > > Curve-billed Thrasher (L) 1 2/27 Tzintzuntzan, 1 2/28 near Santa Ana, several 2/28 on Janitzio > > American Pipit 1 2/27 Tzintzuntzan > Grey Silky (L) in several locations incuding a park in Morelia > Loggerhead Shrike 3, 3/2 near Morelia airport > Plumbeous Vireo 1, 2/27 near Zarzamora > Warbling Vireo 1, 2/23 Jose Morelos National Park > Orange-crowned Warbler many > Nahsville Warbler many > Crescent-chested Warbler (L), 1, 3/1 near San Gregorio > Yellow Warbler, several 2/27 near Tzintzuntzan > > Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler. Widespread in > large numbers. > Although I looked, I never found a convincing > Myrtle. > > Black-throated Gray Warbler (L), 2, 2/23 Jose Morelos National Park > > Townsend's Warbler (L) 3/1 near San Gregorio > Hermit Warbler (L) small numbers 2/27 - 3/1 > Grace's Warbler (L) 1 3/1 near San Gregorio > Black and White Warbler small numbers 2/27 - 3/1 > Northern Waterthrush 1, 2/27 near Tzintzuntzan > Common Yellowthroat, many in marsh, a few elsewhere > Black-polled Yellowthroat (L), 3 3/2 in marsh > Wilson's Warbler, widepread in good numbers > Red-faced Warbler (L), 1, 2/23 Jose Morelos National > Park, 1, 3/1 near San > Gregorio > Red Warbler (L), 2 quick views 3/1 near Cerro Burro. > Painted Redstart (L), 2/23 Jose Morelos National Park and 2/27-3/2 > Slate-throated Redstart (L) 2/25 Los Azufres, 2/27-3/2 various locations > Rufous-capped Warbler (L), 1, 2/27 near Zarzamora > Western Tanager (L), a few scattered through the trip > Black-headed Grosbeak (L), a few everywhere > Blue Grosbeak, ocampo and near eronga > > Indigo Bunting, small flock, 2/27 near Eronga. Most > basic plumage with just a little blue in the wings. A few had significant blue on the belly. > > Canyon Towhee (L) everywhere in huge numbers > > White-collared Seadeater (L), 2 2/23 near Morelia > Airport, a small flock; 2/27 near Eronga. > > Cinnamon-breasted Flowerpiercer (L). 1 female, 2/27 near Zarzamora, 1 male, 3/2 along the same road, closer to Eronga. > > Stripped Sparrow (L) 2/23 -2/24 Ocampo > Chipping Sparrow flocks of 100+ along most roads > > Savannah Sparrow ~20 2/26 at marsh. One bird > appeared paler, slightly > larger and large billed, suggesting large-billed > Savannah sparrow. Do > they occur this far inland? > > Song Sparrow a few daily 2/26-3/2 > Lincoln's Sparrow widespread > Yellow-eyed Junco (L) Los Azufres, and in several > places around Eronga > Red-winged Blackbird marsh > Yellow-headed Blackbird (L) various places around > Eronga > Great-tailed Grackle everywhere > Bronzed Cowbird, 1, 2/27 at feedlot just west of > Patzcuaro > Brown-headed Cowbird many at same feedlot and at > marsh > Bullock's Oriole (L) scattered throughout our stay in Eronga > Scott's Oriole (L), a few, 2/29 south of Patzcuaro > Hooded Oriole (L), 1 3/2 east of Quiroga > House Finch, numerous > Pine Siskin, 1, 2/27 near Zarzamora, many 3/1 near > Cerro Burro > Lesser Goldfinch (L), ocampa and near eronga > House Sparrow, near all towns > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs Subject: Gray Gull at Celestun From: "massewall" <matswallin AT tele2.se> Date: Thu, 06 Mar 2008 08:55:38 -0000 Dear birders, I'm just back from one week birding-tour in Yucatan peninsula together with another Swedish birder, Haakan Oertman. We had a great time and saw 6 of 8 endemic birds and 7 of 12 near endemics in a week. But most remarkable was our observation of a second-cycle Gray gull (Larus modestus). A bird new to Mexico! The bird was standing together with Laughing Gulls at the south end of the street Calle 12, near the mouth of the harbour in Celestún, on the 23 of February at about 11.15 am. Our first reaction was Heermann´s Gull, but we soon could exclude this species. Our next thought was that is was an unusual dark coloration of Laughing Gull. When we came back to Sweden and studied the photos we change our minds to Grey Gull. According to Howell & Dunn (2007), Gulls of the Americas, the nearest observations have been made at Cocos Island, Costa Rica and in Panama. There is also an observation in Louisiana. I have posted some pictures at http://www.pbase.com/matswallin We would appreciate your comments! Best regards, Mats Wallin Sweden Subject: Re: Re: Tamaulipas Crow range From: jarvin1 AT comcast.net Date: Sat, 01 Mar 2008 20:33:20 +0000 Jack, This is not a recent report (July 2000), but on a drive to Cd. Veracruz Cliff Shackelford and I found scattered pairs and small groups of Tamaulipas Crows from Tecolutla almost to Nautla. There were no large numbers but I had not seen them so far southward down the coast. Whether that is still the case I don't know. The species is essentially a commensal of man and persists in small numbers around small agrarian villages in the Gomez Farias area in summer, but depart the area in winter, when I suppose they form flocks and wander in search of food. Since their decline coincided with the conversion of most of northern and central Tamaulipas from traditional ranching to monoculture sorghum agriculture and the conversion of many small agrarian villages to more urbanized population centers that these factors are more suspect in their decline than is disease. But when a range-limited endemic species declines so drastically in a relatively short period of time I think it deserves some attention. John Arvin Gulf Coast Bird Observatory Lake Jackson, Texas -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: Jack Eitniear > MEXBIRDERS > > Many thanks for the numerous responses to our request for sightings of this > species. Many people have indicated that their experiences in the area,over the > years, has indicated that something is happening to this species. I am reminded > of the Indian Vulture crisis where one of the most common vultures in the World > diminished to a near threat situation in nearly the blink of an eye. This all > supports the need to monitor the population status of even what is considered > common species as no population is totally safe from a sudden catastrophic > event. > > Despite the rather broad brush range painted by Howell and Webb the current > distribution of this species (as determined by the 13 contributors thusfar) puts > significant populations (more than 10 birds seen at one time within the past > year) > in an area bordering on the north by La Pesca and Sota la Marina,south to > Valles, west to El Naranjo (SLP) and east to Aldama. > I have no significant reports from the Ciudad Victoria area or north of the city > except for along the coast. No sighting from San Fernando or Montemorelos > Along the coast no sightings at Panuco or Ebano nor around Tampico. > The crow seems to be most often sighted along the coast in the north and inland > in the south. I will mark all contributions on a map and post on this list. > Anyone observing birds especially outside the area mentioned is encouraged to > report them. Note it is important to indicate where you have not seen them as > well. > We will likely concentrate our efforts in the San Fernando and Panuco area to > get a feeling what is happening at the fringes of the species range. > Thanks again to all that have contributed. > Jack Eitniear > San Antonio, Texas > > > "We will be known forever by the tracks we leave" Dakota Indian Saying > > Preferred E-mail Addresses: > TOS correspondence  editor AT texasbirds.org > CSTB correspondence jce AT cstbinc.org Personal e-mail  jackeitniear AT yahoo.com Subject: Re: Sightings of Swianson's Warbler in Tamaulipas wanted From: William Beaty <wbcolibri AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:22:16 -0800 (PST) Rafael, If it's of any use, a Swainson's Warbler was seen last spring in an urban park in Torreon, Coahuila, by Cuquis Loya, Francisco Valdes, and me. It was the first time I had seen this species in my ten years in Torreon. Not exactly a bird of the desert plateau. If you need the date, I'm sure I can find it. Regards, Bill Beaty Torreon, Coahuila ----- Original Message ---- From: Rafael Brito-Aguilar To: Mexico-Birding AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2008 4:38:00 PM Subject: [Mexico-Birding] Sightings of Swianson's Warbler in Tamaulipas wanted Dear birders, I¢d like to request your help to gather some information on any sightings of Swainson¢s Warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii) within the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Last January, during the winter bird monitoring that I did at EL Cielo Biosphere Reserve, I recorded this species in the Gomez Farias region. I would appreciate help from anyone that may have seen this species in any locality of Tamaulipas. Thank you Rafael ************ ******* Rafael Brito-Aguilar 105 Tucker Hall University of Missouri Columbia, MO 65211 ph: 573-882-4854 fax: 573-882-012 ************ ******* ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Subject: Thanks for help From: "Bob" <bobmillie AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:31:22 -0000 Thanks for helping me ID some bird pics. I now know they're an immature brown booby, brown booby and wood stork. To those wanting to know where Zihuatanejo is, it's on the Pacific Coast, about 150 miles NW of Acapulco. I'll be posting several pictures soon as I get them resized. Any corrections on my naming of birds appreciated. Mostly I went with what I could find using google and you guys for the final three. Bob Subject: Sightings of Swianson's Warbler in Tamaulipas wanted From: "Rafael Brito-Aguilar" <rbyq9 AT mizzou.edu> Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:38:00 -0600 Dear birders, I'd like to request your help to gather some information on any sightings of Swainson's Warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii) within the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Last January, during the winter bird monitoring that I did at EL Cielo Biosphere Reserve, I recorded this species in the Gomez Farias region. I would appreciate help from anyone that may have seen this species in any locality of Tamaulipas. Thank you Rafael ******************* Rafael Brito-Aguilar 105 Tucker Hall University of Missouri Columbia, MO 65211 ph: 573-882-4854 fax: 573-882-012 ******************* Subject: Re: Mas sobre cuervos From: Jack Eitniear <jackeitniear AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 08:36:58 -0800 (PST) MEXBIRDERS With a recent sighting of Mexican Crows in Tecolutla, Veracruz I would be interested in any observations near Tuxpan. Anyone bird near Tuxpan recently? Jack Eitniear San Antonio "We will be known forever by the tracks we leave" Dakota Indian Saying Preferred E-mail Addresses: TOS correspondence  editor AT texasbirds.org CSTB correspondence jce AT cstbinc.org Personal e-mail  jackeitniear AT yahoo.com Subject: Re: Tamaulipas Crow range From: Jack Eitniear <jackeitniear AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:53:24 -0800 (PST) MEXBIRDERS Many thanks for the numerous responses to our request for sightings of this species. Many people have indicated that their experiences in the area,over the years, has indicated that something is happening to this species. I am reminded of the Indian Vulture crisis where one of the most common vultures in the World diminished to a near threat situation in nearly the blink of an eye. This all supports the need to monitor the population status of even what is considered common species as no population is totally safe from a sudden catastrophic event. Despite the rather broad brush range painted by Howell and Webb the current distribution of this species (as determined by the 13 contributors thusfar) puts significant populations (more than 10 birds seen at one time within the past year) in an area bordering on the north by La Pesca and Sota la Marina,south to Valles, west to El Naranjo (SLP) and east to Aldama. I have no significant reports from the Ciudad Victoria area or north of the city except for along the coast. No sighting from San Fernando or Montemorelos Along the coast no sightings at Panuco or Ebano nor around Tampico. The crow seems to be most often sighted along the coast in the north and inland in the south. I will mark all contributions on a map and post on this list. Anyone observing birds especially outside the area mentioned is encouraged to report them. Note it is important to indicate where you have not seen them as well. We will likely concentrate our efforts in the San Fernando and Panuco area to get a feeling what is happening at the fringes of the species range. Thanks again to all that have contributed. Jack Eitniear San Antonio, Texas "We will be known forever by the tracks we leave" Dakota Indian Saying Preferred E-mail Addresses: TOS correspondence  editor AT texasbirds.org CSTB correspondence jce AT cstbinc.org Personal e-mail  jackeitniear AT yahoo.com Subject: Bird report from Patzcuaro, Michoacan From: Antep9 AT aol.com Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:51:14 -0500    I recently moved from Alaska and Seattle to the west side of Lake Patzcuaro, Michoacan.  I’ve been meaning to post my sightings over the past couple of months, but I haven’t gotten around to doing so until now.    This is a report of birds seen and/or heard during this week.  I am most appreciative of visiting birders, David and Lynette Fullerton of Maryland, who spent yesterday and today in the field with me.  They are spending four more days in the area and may have other birds to report at the conclusion of their trip.  They may also have corrections to the following list.    Please note that I and a few other Patzcuaro-Morelia birders have seen other birds in the area, and we are putting together a checklist.  I’ll share the checklist as soon as we compile our records.  Meanwhile, if anyone plans to visit the area and would like help finding places to bird, please contact me privately.    Georgia Conti Arocutin, Michoacan Antep9 AT aol.com   Pied-bill grebe American white pelican Great blue heron Great egret Tricolored heron Little blue heron Snowy egret Cattle egret White-faced ibis American wigeon Mexican duck Blue-winged teal Cinnamon teal Black vulture Turkey vulture White-tailed kite Northern harrier Cooper’s hawk – immature American kestrel Sora Common moorhen American coot Northern jacana Black-necked stilt Killdeer Wilson’s snipe Spotted sandpiper Ring-billed gull Rock dove Inca dove Barred owl Lesser nighthawk Broad-billed hummingbird Blue-throated hummingbird White-eared hummingbird Berylline hummingbird Magnificent hummingbird Belted kingfisher Acorn woodpecker Ladder-back woodpecker Black phoebe Tufted flycatcher Buff-breasted flycatcher Vermillion flycatcher *several unidentified empids! Cassin’s kingbird Purple martin Tree swallow Violet-green swallow Northern rough-winged swallow Cliff swallow Barn swallow American pipit Ruby-crowned kinglet Gray silky-flycatcher Canyon wren Bewick’s wren House wren Curved-bill thrasher Blue mockingbird Eastern bluebird Swainson’s thrush Hermit thrush Rufous-backed robin American robin Blue-gray gnatcatcher Mexican jay Common raven House sparrow Plumbeous or Cassin’s vireo Warbling vireo House finch Pine siskin Lesser goldfinch Orange-crowned warbler Nashville warbler Yellow warbler Yellow-rumped warbler – Audubon’s Townsend’s warbler Hermit warbler Black-and-white warbler Northern waterthrush Common yellowthroat Wilson’s warbler Painted redstart Slate-throated redstart Rufous-capped warbler White-collared seedeater Cinnamon-bellied flowerpiercer Canyon towhee Rufous-crowned sparrow Chipping sparrow Savannah sparrow Song sparrow Lincoln’s sparrow Yellow-eyed junco Black-headed grosbeak Blue grosbeak Red-winged blackbird Yellow-headed blackbird Great-tailed grackle Bronzed cowbird Brown-headed cowbird Bullock’s oriole Scott’s oriole             Â