Presa de la Soledad - Colon, Queretaro

I birded this reservoir near Colon last week whilst a friend did some sailing.  In truth, there wasn't a lot of birds about - the sides are too rocky for waders, and there isn't great cover or vegetation.  

There was an abundance of Great, Snowy and Cattle Egrets, as well as Great Blue Herons and Black-crowned Night Herons, and a small group of Neotropic Cormorants.

Also on the water were a few American Coots, a group of Shovelers and a Pied-billed Grebe.  In the scrub, I had a raucous group of Great Kiskadees, which are unusual for the area.  There were plenty of Turkey Vultures, and I had a nice Osprey over.  The other highlight was a Greater Roadrunner doing as its names suggests.

Birds and Butterflies of the Sierra Gorda - Rio Ayutla

Here's some shots of birds and butterflies from Rio Ayutla in the Sierra Gorda last weekend.  We camped here for a night - what a superb place!  A great little restaurant, superb swimming in the river, and really good wildlife nearby.

Butterflies basking in the sun along the river at Rio Ayutla

Black Vulture - Rio Ayutla, Sierra Gorda

Turkey Vulture

Green Kingfisher

 As well as the Green Kingfisher, there was also a Belted Kingfisher feeding in the river, and Spotted Sandpipers and Blue-winged Teals dashing back and forth.  A few American warblers had just arrived - Wilson's, Black-and-White, Yellow, and there were some interesting mixed flocks of passerines including Blue-grey Gnatcatchers, Tufted Titmouse,Varied Bunting, Altamira Oriole, Yellow-winged Tanagers and Social Flycatchers.

The Two Presas

I showed two representatives of DUMAC (http://www.dumac.org/dumac/habitat/esp/index.htm), a wetland conservation body, around Presas Centenario and Constitucion on Saturday and we had a bumper day, clocking up some huge flocks of ducks, waders and herons, and some really unexpected birds along the way.

The highlights were as follows:

1. Hooded Merganser - This duck is an accidental visitor to Northern Mexico, so we were very excited to find a female at Presa de la Constitucion.  Unfortunately, it stayed in cover for most of the time, so we couldn't photograph it.  However, this is a superb record for Queretaro.

2. Black-bellied Whistling Duck - Considered common and widespread across both slopes in Mexico, Queretaro is our of range for this duck according to the map in Howell and Webb.  Nevertheless, both species of Whistling Duck are renowned for being nomadic.  We found a nice pair at Constitucion.

3. Tricolored Heron - A winter visitor across parts of Central Mexico and recorded once by Pineda-Lopez and Arrelaon-Sannaphre (2010).  The individual we saw at Constitucion, however, represented my first sighting of this elegant heron in Queretaro.

4. Black Tern - We had three American Black Terns passing high over Constitucion.  Following my sighting at Centenario (Hiley 2012), this is apparently only the second documented record of this migratory marsh tern.

5. Long-billed Curlew - This juvenile Long-billed Curlew was at the far end of Presa Centenario, associating with American Avocets and Black-necked Stilts.  This is the first documented record of this species for the state of Queretaro.

6. Green Kingfisher - A fly by Green Kingfisher at Constitucion was an interesting record in as far as it confirmed (along with the presence of Cormorants and Pelicans) that Constitucion is a clean, fish-filled reservoir.  Also, my first sighting of any Kingfisher away from the Sierra Gorda in Queretaro.

Full list to follow.

Two Presas - Species List

Full list of species from Presas Centenario and Constitucion 16/09/12

Scoping waders with David from DUMAC at Presa Centenario

Trying to relocate the Hooded Merganser with Oscar from DUMAC

Killdeer,
Semipalmated Plover - 4 at Centenario
Baird's, Least, Western, Stilt, Spotted Sandpiper,
Lesser Yellowlegs, Greater Yellowlegs, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet
Long-billed Curlew - juvenile at Centenario
Wilson's Phalarope

Wilson's Phalarope ball at Presa Centenario

 American Coot, Eared Grebe,
Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall - 2 at Constituction, Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal,
Mexican Duck, Ruddy Duck, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Hooded Merganser
Black Tern
Snowy, Great, Cattle Egrets,
Great Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, White-faced Ibis,
American White Pelican, Neotropic Cormorant,
Peregrine Falcon, Crested Caracara, Turkey Vulture

Peregrine - the hunter

Northern Raven,
Northern Bobwhite - 2 at Constitucion,
Eastern Meadowlark, Horned Lark,
House, Lark, Savannah Sparrow,
House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Cactus Wren,
Phainopepla, Northern Mockingbird, Canyon Towhee, Abeille's Oriole,
Broad-billed and Violet-crowned Hummingbirds,
Green Kingfisher,
Brown-headed Cowbird, Great-tailed Grackle,
Cassin's Kingbird, Loggerhead Shrike, Starling,
Barn, Tree, Bank, Cliff Swallows

Tree Swallow

Inca, Mourning, White-winged, Common Ground Dove, Feral Pigeon,
Varied Bunting, Vermilion Flycatcher, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Ladderback.

La Laja, Fuentesuelas

I checked out Fuentesuelas on Thursday night, primarily to see if there were any waders around ahead of the visit from DUMAC.  I found, however, that the water level here was very high, thus making it difficult to access, and meaning that there were few exposed banks for waders to feed on.  Nevertheless, there were a good array of impressive birds here.  

Female Ruddy Duck and duckling

Of particular note were late breeding waterbirds.  Recently fledged Ruddy Ducks, American Coots, Moorhens and Eared Grebes were unexpected.  There is, however, a lot of cover and vegetation here which does suit these species.  There were also approximately 1,000 non-breeding ducks present as well, including Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal, Mexican Duck and Northern Shoveler.  This spot is also fairly reliable for Cinnamon Teal and might attract one or two as the winter wears on.

On the wader front, there were approximately 500 Wilson's Phalaropes feeding in very tight groups in each corner of the lake.  Also, the ever-present Killdeers, and a handful of Yellowlegs sp., and Black-necked Stilts on the far shore.

Raptors included Crested Caracara and Northern Harrier, and passerines included Vermilion Flycatchers, Blue Grosbeaks and Lesser Goldfinch.

Male Vermilion Flycatcher, Fuentesuelas

Presa de la Constitucion - San Gil

I had an absolute MEGA morning at this reservoir near San Juan del Rio today.  Presa de la Constitucion has the advantage of being up river from the factories of industrial San Juan, and so its waters are significantly cleaner and full of fish than many others  in Queretaro.  Furthermore, it has a good combination of deep water, muddy exposed shores and well-vegetated marshland.  This myriad of habitats allows a greater variety of bird-life to thrive compared to Presa Centenario in Tequisquiapan, for example.

Where to start? After a day in which I photographed 4 species new for the state of Queretaro?  Best to split the birds of Constitucion into categories....

1.  HERONS et al.

A group of 50 Black-crowned Night Herons on a feeding flight early in the morning pointed to local breeding.  Also present in extremely large numbers were the '3 white egrets'.  There were huge numbers of Cattle (200+), scattered Snowy Egrets (20+) and over 50 Great Egrets..

Great Egret

 More surprising was just how many Great Blue Herons were present.  At least 40 were present, including a group of 11 feeding together in the shallows and a couple more in nearby fields.

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

Three American White Pelicans loafing in the shallows were a pleasant bonus, as were the masses of Neotropic Cormorants.  The presence of pescivores such as these two indicated that the Presa was full of fish..

American White Pelicans and Neotropic Cormorant

There were a few groups of White-faced Ibis present as well, but best of all was this 1st year ROSEATE SPOONBILL seen here with a large group of Cormorants.  Roseates are strictly coastal birds in Mexico, with very few inland records.  This young bird is a long way from where it should be.  

Neotropic Cormorants and ROSEATE SPOONBILL

Roseate Spoonbill close up

To follow...Swallow Spectacle, Ducks and Waders and Passerines!

Constitucion cont.

2. SWALLOWS

The current Queretaro state bird-list only has 3 swallows on it - Barn, Northern Rough-winged and Violet-green.  Over Presa de la Constitucion yesterday morning, however, were 4 different species, of which 3 are new to that list.  Barn Swallows are extremely common throughout Queretaro.  The others are obviously less easy to find!  

Cliff Swallows are a summer visitor and transient in Mexico.  I've seen a few individuals before, but hadn't realised they were new for the state, and hadn't previously managed any photos.  They are identified by their chunky shape and pale rump in comparison to Barn Swallows.

Cliff Swallow

Cliff Swallow

Bank Swallows should be familiar to European readers - they're known over the pond as Sand Martins.  They're transients through most of Mexico and can be recognised by the distinct band across the otherwise white underparts.

Bank Swallow

Finally Tree Swallow, which is a winter visitor in Mexico.  They are similar to Bank Swallows, but have a shorter tail, lack the distinct band across the chest, and have small white crescents on the side of the rump, as seen on this individual here.

Tree Swallow

2. DUCKS AND WADERS

There weren't huge numbers of Ducks here, but it is still early in the season, and more can be expected as winter hits.  There were still, however, some decent flocks.  The picture below, for example, shows a mixed flock containing Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintails, Blue-winged Teals and Green-winged Teals.  There were small numbers of Mexican Ducks present, as well as a scattering of American Coots.

Mixed Duck Flock, Presa de la Constitucion

 There were some great waders present, including this extremely elegant American Avocet and the mouse-like Least Sandpiper.

American Avocet

Least Sandpiper

Also present - Baird's Sandpiper (c. 200), Spotted Sandpiper (10), Pectoral Sandpiper (4), Western Sandpiper (50), Wilson's Phalarope (30), Killdeer (6), Greater Yellowlegs (1), Semipalmated Plover (1).  Not having made it around the whole reservoir, though, I undoubtedly missed a lot..

Constitucion - Other Highlights

The best of the rest at Presa de la Constitucion came in the form of a large flock (over 100) of flighty  Horned Larks foraging in the fields by the edge of the reservoir.  There were also lots of Savannah Sparrows around and individuals of Loggerhead Shrike, Eastern Meadowlark, Yellow-headed Blackbird and Red-winged Blackbird.

Horned Lark

6 Laughing Gulls present were the first Gulls I've seen in Queretaro as well, although Laughing, Franklin's and Ring-billed have all previously been reported.

Laughing Gull

Species List Presa de la Constitucion 10/11/12:
Cattle, Snowy, Great Egret
Great Blue Heron, Black-crowned Nigh Heron, White-faced Ibis
Neotropic Cormorant, Roseate Spoonbill,
Crested Caracara, Turkey Vulture,
American Coot,
Mexican Duck, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail,
Baird's, Spotted, Pectoral, Least, Western Sandpiper,
Killdeer, Semipalmated Plover,
American Avocet, Greater Yellowlegs, Wilson's Phalarope,
Laughing Gull,
Mourning Dove, Inca Dove,
Barn Swallow, Bank Swallow, Tree Swallow, Cliff Swallow,
House Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow,
Horned Lark, Eastern Meadowlark,
Loggerhead Shrike,
Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Red-winged Blackbird,
House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch.

Focus on: The Watering Hole

There's a reasonable little spot just east of Tequisquiapan which will from now on be referred to as 'The Watering Hole'.  I've previously called it the 'Bordo', but there are enough Bordos around to invite confusion, hence the name change.  Anyway, it's a small little pond/lake in a semi-desert area frequented regularly by thirsty horses, cattle and birds.  Unfortunately, it is liable to dry up at some points during the year (February/March time probably).  While it still holds water, though, it attracts some decent stuff.   Its easily accessible location makes it  a good option for a relaxing morning/evening stroll.

 Photo and map (GoogleMaps) of the Watering Hole

In the past, I've had a decent selection of birds here - waders (Long-billed Dowitchers, Least Sandpipers, Spotted Sandpipers, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs), ducks (Mexican, Ruddy, Shoveler), egrets (great, snowy, cattle). 

Last night, I was straight away into good numbers of Egret.  Mostly Cattle (50+), but also Snowy (10) and Great (1).  They're attracted here not just by the water, but also by the cattle and horses.

A couple of Blue-winged Teals took off from under my feet in the shallows before settling down a bit further away.

They eventually settled down on a muddy spit, consorting with a single Black-necked Stilt and 5 Spotted Sandpipers                          

         

Blue-winged Teal and Black-necked Stilt

Continuing around the Watering Hole, I clocked on to a Greater Yellowlegs and 5 Killdeers.  Even better, a migrating flock of Cliff Swallows hawked briefly over the surface.  It's rare to see any hirundines other than Barn Swallows around Tequisquiapan.

The scrub around the Watering Hole is particularly good for many of typical Queretaro birds.  It's an easy place, for example, to see Cactus Wren, Canyon Towhee, Abeille's Oriole, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lark Sparrow (winter), Blue Grosbeak, Loggerhead Shrike and more.  Yesterday, I had a close encounter at sunset with Cactus Jack.

This noisy individual was part of a family group of 3 which seemed  oblivious to my presence.

Finally, the obligatory sunset shot of White-faced Ibis heading off to roost.  I'm not sure where these birds head to, but it must be a spectacular gathering.

What will turn up next at the Watering Hole?

Bird Soup - Presa Centenario

Plenty going on at the Presa this evening as I cycled on rough tracks down to its south-east corner.  It was immediately obvious that the Ducks have started to return for the winter.  A huge flock of approximately 3000 Northern Shovelers fed away in the shallows, interspersed with 30+ Pintail, 20+ Green-winged Teal, a few Blue-winged Teal and numerous Mexican Ducks.  They made a pretty impressive site, particularly when put up by predators.

Count the ducks?

Soon enough the guilty party showed itself - an absolutely huge female Peregrine trying to snatch one of the  thousands of Wilson's Phalaropes...

Dinner Time

There was plenty of good stuff going on on the shore as well.  Baird's Sandpipers, Spotted Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, Killdeers and Wilson's Phals have been regular since I arrived, but this evening they were joined by a supporting cast including 49 Black-necked Stilts, 4 American Avocets, 1 Western Sandpiper (not common here), 1 Pectoral Sandpiper (my first record here), Lesser Yellowlegs, and masses of Greater Yellowlegs.

Baird's Sandpiper

Western Sandpiper

Wilson's Phalarope

The spectacular birding ended with a groups of White-faced Ibis and Cattle Egrets flying off to roost against a beautiful sunset.

White-faced Ibis at sunset.

Full species list:
Peregrine, Turkey Vulture,
Mexican Duck, Pintail, Shoveler, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal,
American Coot, White-faced Ibis, Cattle Egret,
Spotted, Baird's, Least, Pectoral, Western Sandpipers
Killdeer, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, Lesser Legs, Greater Legs, Wilson's Phalarope
Barn Swallow,
Verm Flycatcher, Cas Kingbird,
Curve-billed Thrasher, Cactus Wren
Lark, Chipping and House Sparrows,
Inca, Common Ground and Mourning Doves,
Violet-crowned Hummingbird,
Great-tailed Grackle, Abeille's Oriole, Northern Cardinal,
House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch.