Huasca, Hidalgo

During a wet weekend in the Pueblo Magico of Huasca in Hidalgo, there was lots of spectacular scenery, but not many birds.  The Prismas Basalticos (see pics below) provided perfect habitat for several Canyon Wrens.  

Other than that, there were a few Great Egrets and American Coots and a Neotropic Cormorant on the Presa there.  Lots of Grackles and Cowbirds in the fields, and brief views of a feeding flock which included Black-headed Grosbeaks.  Also: White-throated Swift, Barn Swallow, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Black-shouldered Kite, Black Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatchers.

Wilson's Wonderland

The build up of the migrating flock of Wilson's Phalaropes at Presa Centenario is a real treat to behold.  Yesterday, the surface of the lake was covered with dynamic specks of white and grey, as over 2000 of these birds actively fed to restore body fat before continuing their journey to their South American wintering range.  

Most of the Phalaropes feed out on the lake, often by swimming round in tight circles to create a 'whirlpool' effect, which results in food rising from the bottom to the surface.

Many birds also feed in the shallows in the manner of other waders.

Although all of the Phalaropes have by now lost their breeding plumage and are in drabber non-breeding/first winter attire, they still make for a fine sight, particularly in the dying light of the day.

Bits and Pieces

A Northern Beardless Tyrannulet and Clay-coloured Robin in the garden today at Los Cedros added to a growing list.  A quick look in the NE corner of Presa Centenario revealed good wader numbers.  Large numbers again of Baird's and Least Sandpipers, a dozen Killdeers, 1 Wilson's Phalarope (with a large raft in the middle) and best of all, a Semipalmated Plover.

Plenty of butterflies around at the moment as well.  

Tequisquiapan out and about

A few shots of garden birds from this morning.  Firstly this colourful male House Finch.

Also this Cactus Wren, which has been using dog hair to pad it's nest.  These guys are real characters.

Had a run in the mountains this morning and saw Phainopeplas, Northern Ravens, a Canyon Wren and a Red-tailed Hawk amongst other good birds.  Things are also starting to kick off at the reservoir, with at least 500 Baird's Sandpipers and 200 Wilson's Phalaropes present, with handfuls of American Coots, Ruddy Ducks and Mexican Ducks.  Also a big female Peregrine doing its best to hunt the thousands of Barn Swallows present in the area at the moment.

Nighthawk

A nice moment yesterday whist out walking the dogs by the tracks yesterday - we flushed a Lesser Nighthawk from the ground.  The bird flew around for a bit flashing it's white wing patches, before settling down on the ground nearby.

Nighthawks often roost on the ground.  Their camouflage prevents detection from predators.  If I hadn't seen this one land, I wouldn't have had a chance of finding it!

Return to Tequis

Birding Queretaro Blog is back after an absence of 12 months.  Expect plenty of reports and pictures of birds and other wildlife both from Queretaro and the rest of Mexico.

Near the railway tracks towards the east of Tequisquiapan yesterday were a lot of familiar birds - plenty of Cactus Wrens, Curve-billed Thrashers, Canyon Towhees, Inca Doves, White-winged Doves, Great-tailed Grackles, Cassins Kingbirds, Barn Swallows and Cattle Egrets.  Also near the tracks were a few Northern Cardinals, a species I haven't encountered before in QRO.

I had a quick visit to the Presa Centenario in the evening.  This is a good time for return wader migration, and things seemed to be hotting up at the reservoir.  Feeding around the edges near the dam were at least 200 Least Sandpipers, 80 Baird's Sandpipers, 10 Wilson's Phalaropes, 10 Killdeers, 1 Lesser Yellowlegs and a few Spotted Sandpipers.  Not a bad collection, and likely to increase as the month goes on.

Baird's Sandpiper, Presa Centenario

Wilson's Phalaropes, Presa Centenario

A hurricane in the gulf is expected to bring lots of rain over the next few days, and there's a fair chance that a few good birds might be brought inland as well..