Cardel and the River of Raptors

A late report from our trip to Cardel, Veracruz, in mid-September to observe the River of Raptors - one of the great spectacles of migration.  

Although conditions weren't great with Hurricanes battering both coasts of Mexico, we had a spell of an hour or two, when the river was in full flow.  Mid-September is the best time to see migrating Mississippi Kites (the massive movements of Turkey Vultures, Broad-winged and Swainson's Hawks come later).  In a short period, 4000 of these graceful raptors passed the famous roof of Cardel's tallest hotel.

Mississippi Kites

Ospreys were also on the move, passing by at a rate of one every 5 or so minutes.  We also got lucky by catching a gorgeous Swallow-tailed Kite shooting over the hotel..

Swallow-tailed Kite

As well as raptors, there were large migrating flocks of Dickcissel, Eastern Kingbird, Purple Martin, Barn Swallow, Bank Swallow, Cliff Swallow and many hundreds of Dragonflies.

In the afternoons, we spent some time around the beach and took a boat ride from La Antigua.  I photoed the Green Kingfisher and Neotropic Cormorant from the boat, and the Black Skimmers from our restaurant!

Green Kingfisher

Skimmers

Neotropic Cormorant

Proper birding around this part would yield many more species, but on a relaxed weekend we still managed the following: Brown Pelican, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Royal Tern, Black Tern, Sandwich Tern, Forster's Tern, Willet, Black-necked Stilt, Semipalmated Plover, Turnstone, Sanderling, Magnificent Frigatebird, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, Jacana, BB Whistling Duck, Social Flycatcher, Yellow-winged Tanager, Blue-grey Tanager, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Groove-billed Ani, Roadside Hawk, White-tailed Hawk, Crested Caracara, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture....

Nashville Warbler - Los Sabinos

Just a quick update from the garden in Los Sabinios, Tequisquiapan, where a beautiful Nashville Warbler came to visit yesterday.  It is the latest of a string of nice birds that have been popping down in front of the bungalow, including Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Wilson's Warblers, Bewick's Wrens, House Wrens, Blue-grey Gnatcatchers, Audubon's Warblers, and Clay-colored Robins.

Nashville Warbler

Claustros, Tequisquiapan

Sadly a long time since the last post, but plenty of birding done in the meanwhile, and I'll try and catch up over the next few weeks.  To start, though, a little report from an evening walk around Los Claustros in Tequisquiapan.

The highlight undoubtedly this gorgeous Cassin's Vireo, pished in very close, and perching obligingly on some barbed wire.  I've only seen one before, so was pleased to catch up with this bird so close to Tequis. centre.

Now in the middle of winter, all of the warblers are in and here in good numbers.  Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) are everywhere and this year there seem to be plenty of Wilson's Warblers in Tequis.  Less common are Orange-crowned Warblers and Black-throated Grey Warblers, but we got all 4 pretty easily.

Black-throated Grey Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Also of interest on the walk was a huge American White Pelican circling around.  Many other common birds were found, including Ruby-crowned Kinglets, House Finches, Lesser Goldfinches, Inca and White-winged Doves, several Clay-colored Robins, and House, Bewicks and Cactus Wrens.

More news to follow.