Intermountain Bird Observatory - Alvaro´s Adventure Tours and San Pancho Bird Observatory
Jan 5th-15th 2015
Jan 5th-15th 2015
Article by retreat participant Shannon Rio
Sixteen bird lovers and two guides met in early January in Mexico to journey on this first-of-a-kind birding retreat. We began in the hometown of guide, Luis Morales, who is the director of Mexico's first birding observatory (San Pancho Bird Observatory SPBO). He was to be joined by Jay Carliste, Research Scientist for the Intermountain Bird Observatory. So I knew this was to be a unique experience, not just for learning the birds of Mexico and the culture of this beautiful country but also for a focus on conservation, meaning a deep desire for protection of all we would see.
Our first destination was thus San Pancho. After enjoying a grand first meal and a comfortable night at our hotel, we ventured out to areas designated by SPBO as significant birding sites. And we were not disappointed. That first day we enjoyed watching the Crane Hawk, Elegant and Citreoline Trogon, Squirrel Cuckoo, Orange-breasted Bunting and many other species. Given that we saw over 260 species in the 10 days, I won't be listing everything we saw.
Our second day took us boating out to the Marietas Islas to watch mating Blue Footed Boobies. On the way to the island, a humpback whale breached just next to the boat. After seeing other seabirds and having lunch on the beach, we enjoyed birding and swimming. The new species brought a constant stream of pleasure for all of us as. My favorites were the Pale-billed Woodpecker, Vermillion Flycatcher and the Ferruginous-Pgymy Owl
It was time to head to San Blas, known as one of the top 100 places to bird in the world. Our 2 vans headed north birding along the way. After checking into our beautiful hotel and having lunch and a swim in the pool, the highlight of the day was late afternoon and night birding at La Tovara where boats took us up the mangrove filled river to the spring site that provides water to the town of San Blas. Memorable birds include the Rufous-necked Wood Rail, the Northern Potoo (13 of them!!!!), Snail Kite and Boat-billed Heron. Crocodiles lounged on the muddy banks. To explain how magical it was to be under a star filled sky watching Wood Storks silhouetted on palm trees and hearing wild nocturnal sounds is indescribable. We were accompanied by local guide Johnathan Bargas and Chencho, our expert boat driver and guide of many years.
After two bird rich days in San Blas, we headed into the mountains where the old town of San Sebastián resides. At more than 5000 feet, the air was coolish and the birds were plentiful. For many the favorite bird of those 2 days was the Aztec Thrush, still the Transvolcanic Jay, Mountain Trogon, Red Warbler and Flame Colored Tanager were all close seconds. Again, food and accomodations were superb.
We headed into Puerta Vallarta for an evening of coastal birds and a beach front dinner. The following day we went to the Botanical Gardens which are south of PV and on the way to our final destination of Primavera Ranch near El Tuito. The Red-Crowned Ant Tanager was a favorite of the Gardens along with glimpses of the Blue Mockingbird.
Arriving at Primavera Ranch as a grand finale gave every person on the trip a sense of great pleasure. Not only is it run by a mother/daughter team of Bonnie and Pat who serve healthy amazing meals. Not only is it bird rich as the feeders have easy access to viewing Yellow Grosbeaks, Russet-browed Motmots, Blue Mockingbirds and various tanagers, orioles and rescued Orange-fronted Parrots and Military Macaws but to top it all off, it is deeply dedicated to conservation.
Grand Finale Statement: the guides were over the top great not only in their dedication to helping us see the birds but also in conveying information about the culture of Mexico, about conservation and they were expert at taking care of each and every person on the journey.
Sixteen bird lovers and two guides met in early January in Mexico to journey on this first-of-a-kind birding retreat. We began in the hometown of guide, Luis Morales, who is the director of Mexico's first birding observatory (San Pancho Bird Observatory SPBO). He was to be joined by Jay Carliste, Research Scientist for the Intermountain Bird Observatory. So I knew this was to be a unique experience, not just for learning the birds of Mexico and the culture of this beautiful country but also for a focus on conservation, meaning a deep desire for protection of all we would see.
Our first destination was thus San Pancho. After enjoying a grand first meal and a comfortable night at our hotel, we ventured out to areas designated by SPBO as significant birding sites. And we were not disappointed. That first day we enjoyed watching the Crane Hawk, Elegant and Citreoline Trogon, Squirrel Cuckoo, Orange-breasted Bunting and many other species. Given that we saw over 260 species in the 10 days, I won't be listing everything we saw.
Our second day took us boating out to the Marietas Islas to watch mating Blue Footed Boobies. On the way to the island, a humpback whale breached just next to the boat. After seeing other seabirds and having lunch on the beach, we enjoyed birding and swimming. The new species brought a constant stream of pleasure for all of us as. My favorites were the Pale-billed Woodpecker, Vermillion Flycatcher and the Ferruginous-Pgymy Owl
It was time to head to San Blas, known as one of the top 100 places to bird in the world. Our 2 vans headed north birding along the way. After checking into our beautiful hotel and having lunch and a swim in the pool, the highlight of the day was late afternoon and night birding at La Tovara where boats took us up the mangrove filled river to the spring site that provides water to the town of San Blas. Memorable birds include the Rufous-necked Wood Rail, the Northern Potoo (13 of them!!!!), Snail Kite and Boat-billed Heron. Crocodiles lounged on the muddy banks. To explain how magical it was to be under a star filled sky watching Wood Storks silhouetted on palm trees and hearing wild nocturnal sounds is indescribable. We were accompanied by local guide Johnathan Bargas and Chencho, our expert boat driver and guide of many years.
After two bird rich days in San Blas, we headed into the mountains where the old town of San Sebastián resides. At more than 5000 feet, the air was coolish and the birds were plentiful. For many the favorite bird of those 2 days was the Aztec Thrush, still the Transvolcanic Jay, Mountain Trogon, Red Warbler and Flame Colored Tanager were all close seconds. Again, food and accomodations were superb.
We headed into Puerta Vallarta for an evening of coastal birds and a beach front dinner. The following day we went to the Botanical Gardens which are south of PV and on the way to our final destination of Primavera Ranch near El Tuito. The Red-Crowned Ant Tanager was a favorite of the Gardens along with glimpses of the Blue Mockingbird.
Arriving at Primavera Ranch as a grand finale gave every person on the trip a sense of great pleasure. Not only is it run by a mother/daughter team of Bonnie and Pat who serve healthy amazing meals. Not only is it bird rich as the feeders have easy access to viewing Yellow Grosbeaks, Russet-browed Motmots, Blue Mockingbirds and various tanagers, orioles and rescued Orange-fronted Parrots and Military Macaws but to top it all off, it is deeply dedicated to conservation.
Grand Finale Statement: the guides were over the top great not only in their dedication to helping us see the birds but also in conveying information about the culture of Mexico, about conservation and they were expert at taking care of each and every person on the journey.
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