El Centenario in the summertime

The Summer survey at the Presa came right at the end of the dry season.  As a result of the long period of dry weather, there was very little water in the reservoir, and very few birds as well.  In fact, apart from a couple of adult Mexican Ducks, all that was present were about 6 breeding pairs of Killdeers.

A few weeks later, after some very heavy storms, though, and things were brightening up.  A lot of fresh water in the reservoir had attracted some decent birds.  Perhaps the best was this distant Roseate Spoonbill bombing over the water.  The same one that has been knocking around all winter, or perhaps a different individual?

On the water was a surprisingly good variety of ducks.  12 Northern Shoveler (non-breeders), as many Ruddy Ducks and Mexican Ducks and best of all, 2 adult Fulvous-Whistling Ducks.  On the wader front, there were 5 adult American Avocets in prime summer plumage and some Black-necked Stilts and Killdeers.

A Peregrine oversaw proceedings.

San Joaquin, Sierra Gorda

Been a bit slow on the blog posts recently - here's some photos from San Joaquin, a town in the south of the Sierra Gorda range, and just 90 minutes from Tequisquiapan.  As you climb into the mountains here, the habitat becomes more forested, and the bird life changes accordingly.

Below - American Robin, Crescent-Chested Warbler and juvenile Mexican Jay.

One good spot at San Joaquin is Aventura Park, where you can stay in cabanas, and walk around some of the tracks in the forest.  As well as the above, we saw Painted Redstarts, Audubon's Orioles, Yellow-eyed Juncos, White-eared hummers, Blue-throated Hummers, Canyon Towhees, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and many more..

We had a day at Grutas las Herrera.  Here, there were Rufous-crowned Sparrows, nesting House Wrens, nesting Pine Flycatcher, Eastern Wood-Pewees, Curve-billed Thrashers..