Final week, David Tomlinson wrote concerning the pleasure of that first birding outing for the 12 months, when each fowl is new once more. One at all times desires to see as many species as attainable in a single day, whether or not on an ocean island with few species, or in Suffolk, England. It was on this latter area that he studies seeing 60 species on his first outing of this 12 months.
However what number of species can one see over a couple of hours within the highlands of central Mexico? It received’t shock you that our totals are larger. Again when birding was nonetheless a solitary exercise for me, my data present that my first outings yielded 75-85 species. These days, I’m a bit extra skilled now, and nearly at all times accompanied by a number of biologist buddies. Which results in totals at or simply above 100 species.
A 7-hour outing final 12 months, alongside the shores of Lake Cuitzeo, gave my one biologist companion and I precisely 100 fowl species. This 12 months, nevertheless, Lake Cuitzeo is only a dry lakebed, not enticing in any respect for many birds. So three biologist companions and I headed to the realm across the city of Las Mesas, with its reservoir surrounded by thorn forest, adopted by pine/oak forest with meadows, and at last, mature pine forest. It was a sensible selection, leading to a one-day whole of 104 species for the 4 of us.
After all, for even the largest listers amongst us, it’s not simply the variety of species, but in addition their magnificence and character. Amongst our highlights had been 5 doves species, a full 9 hummingbirds, 6 herons/egrets, 3 hawks and a couple of falcons, 4 woodpeckers, all of 12 Tyrant Flycatchers, 3 vireos, 6 New World Sparrows, 4 New World Orioles in numerous shades of orange, 16 New World Warblers, 2 tanagers, and 6 grosbeaks and buntings. A Belted Kingfisher placed on a present by the reservoir, as did the Widespread Ravens flying overhead. Blue Mockingbirds, Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrushes, and Brown-backed Solitaires serenedad us with their persistent songs. You’ll be able to spherical out the listing with 1 duck, 2 grebes, American Coot, Killdeer and Noticed Sandpiper, 2 vultures, 2 swallows, Bushtits, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, 2 wrens, 1 thrasher, Grey Silky-Flycatchers, Olive Warblers (which aren’t actually warblers), 2 finches, and Brown-headed Cowbirds. And I hope I didn’t depart anybody out. Birds being simply offended, and all that.
I ought to point out, in passing, that this variety of species can be significantly bigger in Mexico’s tropics. It might even be a lot bigger if one did a real dawn-to-dusk (and a bit extra on every finish) Large Day.
As for the day we had, it was not a banner day for photographs, for me. That’s as a result of I managed to knock my ISO (lighting) marker from Automated to 100 ISO, and for some cause didn’t take a look at any photographs as I took them. So I made a beautiful assortment of completely black photographs throughout the center a part of the day. However the birds did their half; this was all on me. Listed here are a couple of good pictures of these early — and late — birds:
Each time I’m going to the Las Mesas reservoir, I hope for and anticipate some good photographs of the attractive Black-chinned Sparrow.
Male Indigo Buntings look slightly blotchy within the winter. However nonetheless lovely.
For some cause, I’m much more keen on the Lazuli Bunting.
We additionally noticed a male Painted Bunting, however didn’t handle photographs.
New World Tanagers don’t have any downside competing with our Buntings.
Too many branches, however hey, it’s a Purple-faced Warbler!
We spent loads of time with this feminine Furry Woodpecker, a lifer for one among my buddies.
Then we observed a male Furry Woodpecker close by.
Our greatest hummingbird for the day was a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird, as males hardly ever winter within the highlands, and the females of that migratory species are basically similar to these of their closest relative, which additionally winters right here. However this resident Broad-tailed Hummingbird was the one which gave me good photographs.
There have been a lot of Hammond’s Flycatchers round… together with 11 different members of the Tyrant Flycatcher household.
After all, you go birding, and also you see different lovely issues. Imagine it or not, these two butterflies are from the identical species.
