Lifers Galore

Headed back to the Presa Centenario reservoir after school yesterday to see what else it had to offer. From the dam (at the busy end), things were initially a bit quiet - the Phalarope raft was absent, and, in the persistent rain, there wasn't a lot of other activity. As I made my way around the West side, though, things started to pick up. Flocks of Baird's Sandpipers whizzed through,

and Eared Grebes, American Coots and Ruddy Ducks drifted out from the vegetation.

The further I got away from town, the more bird activity there was. Big rafts of Mexican Ducks fed in the centre of the lake, and, in the shallows, huge numbers of Blue-winged Teal became apparent. I reached one point on the lake and launched a huge scan grenade. One raft of waterfowl included Ruddys, Coots, B.W. Teals, Mexican Ducks, 4 Northern Pintails, 150+ Shovelers, 40 Eared Grebes, and my first Pied-billed Grebe. 5 skulking Least Grebes joined the party.

Stalking the edge were a dozen White-faced Ibises, and a countless supply of Snowy and Cattle Egrets.

A flock of oddly shaped Ducks took to the sky, whistling with each wing beat. When they landed, I could confidently i.d. them as 12 Fulvous Whistling Ducks, way outside their range according to Howell and Green.

As I reached the far end of the reservoir, I realised it was incredibly even better than the rest. There was less open water, and more muddy patches, perfect for waders. I immediately picked up a flock of 105 Black-necked Stilts, and in amongst them was a male American Avocet still in its fine breeding plumage. The place was littered with Wilsons Phalaropes, and in amongst the Baird's Sandpipers were 20 smaller Least Sandpipers.

Species challenge?

A final scan landed a final highlight - a Crested Caracara stumbling around the edge of the reservoir, perhaps after a tasty dinner of American Coot. 7 lifers in total, huge effort!