Surprises at La Llave

An incredible morning of birding at La Llave this morning included some real surprises.  La Llave is a large, shallow wetland between Tequisquiapan and San Juan Del Rio.  In the dry season a lot of it disappears, but for now it is in prime condition.  I'd heard some good things about it from a few others so I decided to check it out.  

Breeding Fulvous Whistling Ducks

The breeding range of Fulvous Whistling Ducks is supposed to be restricted to the two coasts in Mexico, although they are known to be nomadic in the post-breeding season.  Indeed, I had come across a flock of 12 adults a few years ago  at Centenario (http://hileybirding.blogspot.mx/2010/09/lifers-galore.html).  I was amazed today, however, to find a number of breeding Fulvous Whistlers, with large creches of ducklings in tow.  These are really interesting records.

Fulvous Whistling Ducks with ducklings at various stages of development

Considering we are in mid-October, the number of breeding birds here was quite surprising.  As well as the whistlers, I saw recently fledged Ruddy Ducks, Mexican Ducks, Eared Grebes, Least Grebes, Pied Billed Grebes, American Coots and Common Moorhens.  It was kicking off.

Mexican Duck, La Llave

Non-breeding ducks included Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintails, Blue-winged Teals, Green-winged Teals, Cinnamon Teals, Ring-necked Ducks and an American Wigeon.

Cinnamon Teal and Northern Shoveler, La Llave

The Skulkers

La Llave is a very well vegetated lake, and has plenty of covers for skulking birds.  Plenty of scanning and patience, however, worked wonders.  As well as Coots and Moorhens, I picked out a Northern Jacana and then a Sora.  Sora was a lifer, and I'd only previously seen Jacana's in coastal Mexico.  

An even bigger skulker popped his head up shortly after as well.  This American Bittern represents a first for me and a first for Queretaro.  

American Bittern, La Llave

Best of the Rest
Other great birds seen today included 6 Marsh Wrens, 1 Common Yellowthroat, 190 Long-billed Dowitchers, 10 Stilt Sandpipers, 2 Northern Harriers, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk and 6 Turkey Vultures.

Full species list to follow.