Military Macaws at Sotano del Barro

A trip to Sotano del barro in the Sierra Gorda is not to be missed.  To access this birding hotspot, you need to take a dirt track for 25km to the small village of Santa Mario de Cocos.  From here, you are up at 4a.m. to climb the 5km track up to the Sotano before dawn.  I recommend horseback on the way up, and walking on the way down.

Despite the pain of the never-ending night hike, all is worth it as you arrive at the lip of the Sotano, which at over 500m deep, is the second largest sink-hole in the World.  As the sky begins to get lighter, the excitement and mystery grows.  Then,  suddenly at about 6.45, a crescendo of raucous screeching fills the Sotano.  You look down into the abyss and pairs of huge, colourful Military Macaws are waking up.

Military Macaws

For the next hour, the Macaws fly round in pairs, giving great views, especially as the sun lights up proceedings.  Other birds in the Sotano include Canyon Wren, Brown-backed Solitaire, White-throated Swifts and Magnificent Hummingbird.   Bat Falcon keep an eye on proceedings.

Bat Falcon

The Sotano is a great place to visit.  It houses the only colony of Macaws in Queretaro - and is of great importance to this species which is in danger of extinction.   The views are worth going for as well, and any visit helps the locals in the Sierra Gorda.