By Signe Hammer
Audubon de México leads birdwalks at four different sites within a short drive from Centro. On Sunday, November 21, with leaders Luke Rich and Norman Besman, we’ll head to the bridge over the Rio Laja at Montecillo de Nieto, just past the back road into Atotonilco. To keep everyone safe and make social distancing possible, we’re limiting the number of participants to 12, with preregistration required; please email audubondemexico@gmail.com or call April Gaydos or Luke Rich. Masks are required in the cars, and we’re asking that everyone be vaccinated.
We can bird from the bridge, along the riverbank, in fields of dried grasses, and among a variety of trees. Based on past years, we are likely to spot various small, winter-visiting songbirds newly arrived: Lark, Chipping and Clay-colored Sparrows in the field grass, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and Yellow-rumped Warblers in the trees along the river.
Also along—or in—the river, we’re likely to find our resident Green Kingfisher and Green Heron, as well as a Great and/or Snowy Egret and our small Black Phoebe.
We’ll keep an eye out for a winter-visiting American Kestrel, perched high to spot prey; a resident Crested Caracara beating along the horizon, or a Turkey Vulture tilting overhead.
And, of course, we are very likely to see our beautiful resident songbirds, including both Blue and Black-headed Grosbeaks, a Northern Cardinal, a Loggerhead Shrike, and a flock of tiny Bushtits or an equally tiny, yellow-faced Verdin.
The walk is open to all birders, beginning and experienced alike. Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes and bring water and a hat. We’ll have our Audubon de México bird guide, “Birds of San Miguel”—with 81 species commonly found in the San Miguel area—for sale. Our guides carry telescopes so that everyone can see distant birds clearly, and we’ll also have a few pairs of binoculars to lend.
Carpooling is essential, so if you have a car, please bring it. Plan to arrive at 7:45am, as we leave promptly at 8am. You’ll be back by noon, with new entries for your life list and new birding friends. For more information, visit our website at www.audubonmexico.org.
