Forsters Terns and Ring-billed Gulls in Tequis

Presa Centenario contined its unbelievable recent form by throwing up some more great birds last night.  Without doubt the highlights were a group of 4 Forster's Terns hawking the reservoir (albeit probably unsuccessfully).  Views weren't great, and after one fly by I didn't see them again.  They could potentially currently be at one of Queretaro's other reservoirs, such as Constitucion or La Llave.  Managed a few record shots - another great bird for Tequis. 

Forster's Terns (top left and bottom right of picture)

30 minutes prior to the Terns, I had another fly by of 4 Ring-billed Gulls (inc. 1 adult).  This is my first gull species in Tequisquiapan, having previously seen Ring-billed and Laughing at Constitucion.

Ring-billed Gull

Ring-billed Gull with Eared Grebes

Duck numbers and variety were still impressive.  Huge numbers of Shovelers and Ruddy Ducks were the most obvious, but the Ring-necked Duck flock remains, and yesterday harboured 3 Redheads (1 drake, 2 ducks), 1 Canvasback and 3 Lesser Scaup.  Also, 2 Buffleheads (1 drake, 1 duck) were still present as well as some American Wigeons and Gadwalls at the 'business end' of the reservoir.  Blue-winged and Green-winged Teals were again present in large numbers all the way around the edge, and there was a scattering of Pintails and Mexican Ducks.  Again, 13 species of Duck.  

Northern Shovelers taking off

Record shot of Canvasback (far left), Redheads (back centre) and Ring-necked Ducks (front)

I gave a bit more attention to waders and was pleased to notch up a good variety of species.  Most were at the 'business end' of the reservoir (furthest from the dam).  2 Wilson's Phalaropes were unusual this far into winter.  The Black-necked Stilts and Killdeers are regular, and were accompanied by 1 American Avocet.  At least 100 Long-billed Dowitchers fed in the shallows with a flock of over 300 Least Sandpipers, and Spotted Sandpipers are common all along the shoreline.  The pick of the lot, however, was a beautiful winter plumaged Snowy Plover.  This record is only the second one for Queretaro after an individual I had back here in May 2011.  This one posed for some nice close photos.

Snowy Plover (2nd for Queretaro)

Long-billed Dowitchers

Walking back along the desert scrub route at sunset resulted in me picking up the typical common birds of this type of habitat - Loggerhead Shrike, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Curve-billed Thrasher and Cactus Wren, for example.  I also saw my first Gray Flycatcher of the winter, which is normally the only Empidomax flycatcher to be found in these parts..