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MEXICO -- NAYARIT & JALISCO
Based in Bucerias, near Puerto Vallarta

State of Nayarit:
Bucerias
Laguna de Quelele
San Blas, including:
La Bajada
Mangrove Boat Trip on Rio San Cristóbal
Los Isletas (Matanchen Bay)
Junction Ponds
El Guamuchil
Bahia Banderas, bay and shoreline, including:
Islas Marietas (Marietas Islands)
Rio Ameca - northern river mouth
Punta de Mita

State of Jalisco:
El Tuito
San Sebastian del Oeste
Bahia Banderas, including:
Boca des Tomates
Puerto Vallarta


17 - 30 Jan 2006

by Blake Maybank

A Maritimes Nature Travel Club outing

In 2006 our club's annual trip was to the Puerto Vallarta area (hereafter PV), a wonderful destination that offered comfortable, affordable accommodations within reach of diverse, productive birding.

PV is becoming known as the most economical area in Mexico for all-inclusive resort package vacations; it is certainly a bargain compared to Cancun and the Mayan Riviera.  There remain few detailed birding resources for Puerto Vallarta and Bahia de Banderas, but we built on the initial explorations I made a year earlier, and explored a wonderful new site as well.

PHOTOS

Collectively we took many photos during the trip, and a selection of bird and other photos is available by clicking here.  Just click on the Mexico 2006 albums.  More will be added in the months ahead.

ACCOMMODATION

We stayed at the Royal Decameron Complex (RDC), at the south end of the town of Bucerias, 30 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta on Hwy 200.  I had stayed there one year earlier to attend my sister's wedding, and thought it a good location.  It is north of the long strip of hotels and resorts in Nuevo Vallarta, and there is a considerable area of forest and thorn shrub to the south of the resort.  The RDC also has reasonable access to other birding sites.  It is a large resort, and fills its rooms via package holiday suppliers, mostly based in Canada.  The resort's web site is here.   There are numerous comments (almost all favourable) on the Trip Advisor website.  Click here for the RDC evaluations.

TRANSPORTATION

Highway 200 is but 750 metres to the east of the RDC, from where there is regular bus service south to Mezcales, the airport, and Puerto Vallarta, northwest to Punta de Mita, and north to El Guamuchil and Sayulita.  We took buses and taxis for local trips, and chartered special buses for three special excursions further afield (San Blas, San Sebastian del Oeste, and El Tuito).

Our bus charters, and our sailing charter, were organised through Scott's Best Tours, in Bucerias.   Scott is well-known to foreigners staying in Bucerias.  He sells tours for virtually every reliable operator in the PV area, and his commissions are invariably much lower than those charged in the various hotels and resorts.  His unassuming roadside office is on the Lázaro Cardenas, just south of the foot bridge over the river.  Lázaro Cardenas is the main north-south road that parallels the beach.  The RDC is at the south end of Lázaro Cardenas, and the main Bucerias town square is on the north side of the foot bridge.  It is about a 15 minute walk between the RDC and the footbridge.

Scott may be reached by phone as follows:  01 322 120 1077 (cell);  295-8497 (within Bucerias); 01-329-295-8497  (outside Bucerias).  Scott's e-mail is info@vallartatraveladvisor.com  and his web site is www.vallartatraveladvisor.com/

We experienced no problems at all with the buses or drivers, and despite our requests for early departures they always arrived within 15 minutes of the scheduled time.   We used the buses for our trips to San Blas, San Sebastian del Oeste, and El Tuito.

PLANNING AND REFERENCES

We consulted a wide range of trip reports, most from my own site birdingtheamericas.com.  There was good coverage for San Blas, some for El Tuito, and a little for the PV area, including my own explorations from 2004/05. 

We used Howell’s A Bird-Finding Guide to Mexico of course, especially for his San Blas info. For the PV area he lists only one site in detail in his book, the Laguna de Quelele, which I updated in my trip report from 2004.  We have much more information on this site this time around, including maps.

I also took along “The Birds of Paradise – The Guide & Checklist of the Birds of Puerto Vallarta”, by Dennis W. Boddy, published by Alejandro Martinez Rodriguez, and endorsed by the National Audubon Society Latin America and Caribbean Program.  It is in its 2nd edition, and the ISBN is 970-92278-0-7.  The 48 page booklet has a complete regional checklist, six decent colour plates of the commoner species, and a short site guide.  If you can locate a copy, it is worth having along.  I found one last year the office of an eco-tour company in Puerto Vallarta, near the Sheraton Hotel.

For field guides we used:
A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America  by Howell and Webb

Sibely Field Guide to Birds - Western North Americas by David Sibley
ITINERARY

Mon. Jan. 16 - Arrived in PV after dark.      

Tue. Jan. 17 - Birded the RDC area

Wed. Jan. 18 - Day-trip to San Blas.  Some remained behind and birded PV and RDC.

Thu. Jan. 19 - El Guamuchil (part of the group) and the RDC area (part of the group).

Fri. Jan. 20 - Depart early for San Sebastian del Oeste.  Overnight near San Sebastian.  No observations from RDC.

Sat. Jan. 21 - San Sebastian del Oeste.  Afternoon return to Bucerias.  Some RDC birding.

Sun. Jan. 22 - Laguna de la Quelele    Leave by taxi 0745.  Low tide at 1014.   Return to Bucerias in afternoon.  RDC birding.

Mon. Jan. 23 - El Guamuchil (part of the group) and the RDC area (part of the group).

Tue. Jan. 24 - The RDC area, and the north shore of Bahia de Banderas, including Punta de Mita, Punta Las Cargadas, and  Crux de Huanacaxtle.

Wed. Jan. 25 -  El Guamuchil (part of the group) and the RDC area (part of the group).

Thu. Jan. 26 -  The group split, with some sticking to the RDC area, while others visited Laguna de la Quelele, the Boca de Tomates, Punta de Mita, and Nuevo Vallarta. 

Fri. Jan 27 -  Boat trip from Nuevo Vallarta to Islas Marietas, 0800 - 1330.   Then a quick visit to the northern mouth of the Rio Ameca.

Sat. Jan. 28 - Day-trip to El Tuito.   A few remained behind and birded PV and RDC.

Sun. Jan. 29 - El Guamuchil (part of the group) and the RDC area (part of the group).

Mon. Jan 30 - The RDC area, and Bucerias.   To the airport early evening.

Tues. Jan. 31 - Depart for home very early.   


SITES AND BIRD LISTS
Bahia area


1) Bucerias, near Royal Decameron Complex   --  birded almost daily by some or all members of the group.

The RDC is at the south end of the town of Bucerias, at the junction of Ave. Las Palmas and Lázaro Cradenas.  Lázaro Cradenas, the road immediately to the east of the resort, runs NW/SE, and parallels the shoreline.  It passes through the easternmost section of the resort, and contines NW from the RDC for 1 km to a bridge over a small river – the main shopping area for Bucerias, and the town plaza, lie on the NW side of the bridge. 

See the RDC photo below.  (Since this photo was taken, the resort has expanded to the south along the east side of Lázaro Cradenas, and the construction has consumed some amount of the scrub land that I described in my 2004 report.  There is still good birding left -- read on.)

The resort is on the beach, of course, and the sand extends NW as far as Crux de Huanacaxtle and SE to the mouth of the Nuevo Varrata marina; the Bahia de Banderas lies to the west.
The RDC area


The primary birding area was the undeveloped scrub and forest south of the RDC, at the southern end of Lázaro Cardenas, which passes SE between Blocks 4 and 5-6 of the resort complex.  Once clear of the resort there is a high concrete wall on the west side of the road, while scrub lies to the east side, with considerable disturbance close to the road due to the recent expansion of the RDC.  Within 200 metres of the end of the RDC the road reaches the “traffic circle”.  On the south side of the traffic circle there is a patch of more mature forest, very enticing. 

The road leading south from the traffic circle, past the guard hut, is divided, with trees planted on the dividing island, and a sidewalk running the length of the divider.  Someone clearly intends future development along here, but for now there is little traffic, and reasonable scrub forest adjacent the road, but fenced off.  Two hundred metres from the guard hut a ditch has been dug across the road to prevent vehicular traffic, though pedestrians and cyclists can scramble through fairly easily.  The area surrounding the ditch was the most reliable site for Elegant Quail during our stay, with sightings almost daily, usually in late afternoon.

The path running NE through the scrub forest from the "traffic circle", described in my 2004 report, is no longer obvious, as its starting point has been damaged by construction work  However, by exploring the edge of the disturbed area you should be able to relocate is, and follow it through to Hwy 200 at the junction with Ave. Las Palmas, the road that leads to the resort.   This scrub was also accessed by members of our group directly behind the RDC, behind block 6.  The main path, and various side paths, did produce some interesting bird sightings, including Green-tailed Towhee and Pyrrhuloxia. 

The dirt road leading NW of the traffic circle runs to Hwy 200.  There is decent forest to the east, behind a chain link fence, and, unlike one year ago, there is now easy access.  An area has been cleared to the south of the dirt road, blocked by a fence with an unlocked gate.   We entered this area almost daily, and at the south end of the cleared area was a large "banyan" tree, covered by a strangler fig.  This tree was in flower, and was a magnet for birds, and the surrounding forest was productive as well.  A short track leading east from the clearing at the "banyan" tree quickly led to an obvious path through the forest, which ran east to a horse paddock beside Hwy 200, and SE through the woods and surrounding scrub for 2+ kilometres towards Nuevo Vallarta.  Highlights of the clearing and adjacent woods included Gray-collared Becard, Hooded Warbler, Dusky Flycatcher, and San Blas Jay.

If you continue on the dirt road east of the new clearing, you reach Hwy 200, and a horse paddock to the south.  The paddock was typically filled with grackles and cowbirds, and several members of our group had their life Bronzed Cowbirds there.

The forest around the "traffic circle" was also productive.   Some highlights for this area included Song Sparrow, White-fronted Parrot, and Williamson's Sapsucker.

The waters of the Bahia de Banderas were fairly productive, with frequent near-shore sightings of Blue-footed and Brown Boobies, but the beach held only a few expected shorebirds.   The town of Bucerias was not very productive of birds, but we did discover some hummingbird feeders along the Lázaro Cardenas.  The Bungalow Arroyo had numerous feeders, but while most guests there encouraged our feeder vigils, one couple did not, so the manager asked us to leave.   A pity, as we sighted seven species at the feeders.  In descending order of abundance they were: Broad-billed; Cinnamon; Black-chinned; Rufous; Violet-crowned; Plain-capped Starthroat; and Lucifer.
 
You might wish to try your luck again.

The species seen by us in January 2006 in Bucerias are included in the complete bird trip list table near the end of this report. 

For a Preliminary Bucerias Bird List in PDF format click here.  This composite list is based on sightings from this year, and my own observations in 2004/2005.


2) Laguna de Quelele, Nayarit State  --  birded by part of our group on Jan. 22 (Low tide 1014h) and Jan. 26 (Low tide 1411h)

(For a link to tide times for Puerto Vallarta and the Bahia de Banderas click here.  There is surprisingly little tide time lag between the bay and the lagoon)

The Laguna de Quelele is the only site in the PV area detailed in Howell [page 110, Site 6.0], and it is still a worthy destination, but there are some changes since the book was published. 

To help you find the site, I've prepared two maps.   The first should help locate and orientate you to the Laguna.
Map of Laguan de Quelele region
Laguna de Quelele map -  © 2006 by Blake Maybank

To reach the site go first to the town of Mezcales, on Hwy 200, between the airport and Bucerias.  There is one significant intersection in the town (with traffic lights), where a secondary road runs east to San Vicente and Valle de Banderas.  Go to the SW corner of the intersection (ignore the prominent billboard sign on the west side of the highway, with "Laguna" on it), and continue S along the feeder road that parallels Hwy 200 .  The first road (dirt) to the right along this feeder road is Avenida Mexico (the sign is inconspicuous, and on a building).  Continue down Avenida Mexico 300 metres to the SE corner of the town plaza.  Follow the road around to the NW corner of the square, and continue west out of the town.  The road winds through farmland, and arrives at the entrance to the Laguna 1200 metres from the town square.  There is but a single sign over a stone archway, “Rancho de la Laguna”.  

Refer to the inset close-up map of the laguna area. 

Close up of Laguna de Quelele area
Laguna de Quelele inset map -  © 2006 by Blake Maybank

“D” marks the location of the former restaurant, on a small hillock.  The two black dots indicate small houses.  The restaurant is no longer in operation, and the property owner is rarely present, but we did encounter him on our first visit.  His name is Roberto Lopez Alvarez, and he may be contacted at 329-296-5235.  He only visits his property intermittently, but when he is present, he asks that each visitor pay $5 to use the trails.  This is a reasonable request – the trails beneath the mangroves didn’t clear themselves.  He is the one who originally built the observation towers which were damaged by the same hurricane that caused so much damage to San Blas.  Mr. Alvarez is attempting to obtain permission from the state’s environment ministry to rebuild the towers, and when I spoke to him he thought permission might be forthcoming within three months.  The environment ministry has been enforcing restrictions regarding development in the protected area that surrounds the laguna, and has even arrested one individual who began clearing land for an un-approved development (one advertised on a prominent billboard sign at the traffic intersection in Mezcales).  So there is some hope that the laguna will be saved.

To reach the trail walk past the former restaurent to the mangrove channel mentioned in Howell (a locked fence mentioned in earlier reports has been removed).  From here you may follow an obvious trail along the edge of the mangrove towards “A”, which is the only spot where you have a somewhat unobstructed view of part of the Laguna – a scope is very useful here.  East of “A” you have the option of walking on the outside edge of the mangroves, or following a trail that has been cleared under the mangroves.  The mangrove trail rejoins the outside trail in 150 metres, and before “B” you can again go into and under the mangrove.  During very high tides the mangrove trails may be flooded, but the Laguna is most productive at low tide.  “B” and “C” mark the sites of the former observation platforms, both mentioned in Howell.  They were still in disrepair in January 2006, but as mentioned earlier there is a chance they will be rebuilt.

The laguna itself is excellent at low tide, and very quiet at high tide.

For a link to tide times for Puerto Vallarta and the Bahia de Banderas click here.

Members of our group made two visits to the laguna.  We enjoyed a fine selection of species.  Some highlights:

●    Boat-billed Herons were heard along the same stretch of mangrove channel where I encountered them one year earlier. 

●    Rufous-necked Wood-Rails were encountered on both visits, once at "A", and twice on difference sections of the mangrove trail during low tide.

We did not visit the Rancho de Quelele, the entrance to which lies a few hundred metres further west on the road from the entrance to Rancho de la Laguna.  This ranch is marked by a second stone archway, with a sign.  For details on the Rancho  read my report from 2004/2005.

For those birders without a car, the bus from Bucerias to Mezcales is only 7 pesos, leaving a 1.5 km walk to the laguna.  A taxi from Bucerias was 100 pesos, a reasonable option for a group of three or four birders, and this eliminated the walk through the farmland.  We used taxis to get to the resort, and buses to get home.

Note: there is a superb small family-run tequila factory in Mezcales, the Leyva Tequila Factory, at 197 Puesta del Sol.  They make an excellent 100% organic Blue Agave Tequila, and offer a nice tour (with samples).  This is a great way to end a visit to Laguna de Quelele.

 The species seen by us in January 2006 at the Laguna de Quelele are included in the complete bird trip list table near the end of this report. 

For a provisional Laguna de Quelele Bird List in PDF format click here.  This composite list is based on sightings from this year, my own observations in 2004/2005, the species list in Howell, and other trip reports.


3) San Blas, Nayarit State  --  a single l-o-n-g day trip -- Jan. 18

On 18 January we made a long day trip to San Blas.  We left at 0730 and drove Hwy 200 from Bucerias through Sayulita to Las Veras, where we drove north to Zacualpan and San Blas.  We stopped beside the highway north of Zacualpan to stretch our legs, with the excuse being the opportunity to see a Vermillion Flycatcher, a lifer for some in the group.  It was an agricultural area, and the birds were routine, save for our only Gray-crowned Yellowthroat of the trip.

We next stopped at La Bajada, site #6-2 in Howell.   We had not read any updates regarding how to navigate through La Palma, but after a couple of false starts (and with the driver asking directions) we made it.  However, I've since learned from another trip report posted on this site (click here) that one simply keeps to the paved road through La Palma; all side roads are unpaved.   Getting through the village of La Bajada was more straight-forward -- we just followed the main road uphill through the village, and stopped the bus at the east end, at the last spot with sufficient room to turn the bus around.

We had but two hours in the plantations above La Bajada, but even so it was worthwhile.  Because it was early in our trip there were lifers for many in the group.  The best bird was a heard-only Colima Pygmy-Owl, but common birds such as Painted Bunting were enjoyed by all.  Our La Bajada list was short, just 51 species, but it was a nice start to the day.  Other good species were Plain-capped Starthroat, White-tailed Kite, Mexican Parrotlet, and San Blas Jay.

We stopped for lunch at Las Isletas, at the NW end of Mantanchen Bay, part of Site # 6.1g in Howell.  Two Reddish Egrets were the highlights.  The pre-packed lunch provided by the bus company was quite good, and we augmented the food with beers purchased in the local palapas. 

After lunch, on the way to San Blas, we stopped at the Junction Ponds, also part of Site # 6.1g in Howell.  We saw our first Mangrove Swallows and Roseate Spoonbills, and the only Ruddy Duck and Lesser Yellowlegs of the trip. 
 
After the ponds we headed into San Blas to touch base with Chencho, with whom we had arranged to go on an afternoon/evening mangrove tour on the San Cristóbal River.  The details had been arranged for us by Alfredo Herrera, who I had used as a guide one day on my 2004/2005 trip.  Alfredo has a web site, and can be reached by e-mail.

Chencho speaks only Spanish, but knows all the bird names in English.   He may be contacted at 01-323-285-0716.  He, and other members of the mangrove tour cooperative, work out of a wharf beside the bridge "el conchal" (el puente del conchal), in San Blas.  To reach the location, here are the details I've taken from another trip report on this site (click here) : "There is a large bridge over a broad river on the eastern side of the town; just west of this bridge is a crossroads (north is the Shrimp ponds road).  Turn south and then left to drive back towards the river.  After about 200 yards you'll get to the small dock on the right with all the tour boats.  This is where the river/mangrove boat trips depart from.  About 40 yards before this dock there is turning on the right that goes up a steep hill - Chencho's house (lime-green in colour) is the third or fourth house on the left up this hill - just ask someone."

Our trip was not scheduled to begin until 1600, and we had arrived at 1415 only to ensure that we could find the right place when the time came, but Chencho asked if we wanted to start right away, but still returning after dark as planned.  We unanimously decided that we were up for six hours in the boats instead of four.  There were too many people in our group for one boat, so we split between two boats, one with Chencho, and the other with another guide from the cooperative.   Both guides were very good, and the boats kept fairly close together, such that the trip list for the two boats was very similar. 

Among the 71 species we encountered were a number of hoped-for specialities, and a couple that were unexpected.  The full list is in the Bird List Table, but here are some hightlights (* = only sighting of the species on our trip): Boat-billed Heron, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron (*),  Limpkin (*), Lesser Scaup (*), Northern Potoo (*), Lesser Nighthawk (*), Pauraque (*), Ringed Kingfisher (*), Purplish-backed Jay (*), Mangrove Vireo (*), "Mangrove" Yellow Warbler (*), and Louisiana Waterthrush (*).   For many of us the highlight was the night ride through the mangroves, akin to a journey through watery tunnels, with a ceiling of interlocking mangrove branches.

We finished the mangrove trip around 2030 and had a long trip back to Bucerias, but most of us managed to nap despite the numerous speed bumps.

The species seen by us on our day-trip to San Blas are included in the complete bird trip list table near the end of this report.  The species are broken down by site, including La Bajada, Junction Ponds, San Cristobal River, .


4) El Guamuchil, Nayarit State  --  Jan. 19, 23, 25, 29

El Guamuchil is a small village in the Sierra Vallejo, accessible off Hwy 200 between Bucerias and Sayulita.  I had first noticed this village in 2004 when we drove by it on our way to San Blas.  It is the first town (and first bus stop) as you head north from Bucerias -- it is about a 15-20 minute drive from Bucerias, 25 minutes from Sayulita.  In my 2004/2005 trip report I predicted "This is a site that should reward a more intensive visit, as it is isolated, yet handy to PV, only 45 minutes away."  In an effort to prove myself correct I suggested to the group that we make several visits, and we eventually made four trips.   The results exceeded my expectatations, and many in the group declared that El Guamuchil (hereafter EG) was their favourite site on the trip.

Site Orientation:

At the bus stop on Hwy 200 you walk east into the village, first crossing a stout stone bridge over a river, containing little or no water in the dry season.  Once over the bridge the dirt road swings north with the river bed to the east, and you enter the first section of the village.  There is a small, inconspicuous restaurant near the start of the village, recommended to us by two California gals who spend their winters in Mexico, but we did not have the opportunity to eat there. The road passes through this portion of the village for a couple of hundred metres, then crosses the road at a ford, not a problem in the dry season.

Once over the first ford the road continues north, past a rustic playground to the west, when it fords the river again. 

Diversion: In the dry season you have the option of leaving the dirt road and walking along the river bed. About 100 metres along the river bed passes an obvious clay excavation site on the east bank, and immediately afterwards there is a wooded narrow valley leading east, with the valley mouth fenced and gated.  I explored this valley in 2004 (read my report), but we didn't venture up this time around, as we chose to explore new areas.  The one time we thought of hiking the valley local farmers were rounding up cattle that had been grazing there, so we headed elsewhere.  In 2004 this was where I found Red-breasted Chat, a species we missed this time around, so the valley is likely worth exploring. 

Once the road crosses the river at the second ford, it enters the main section of the village of EG.  The first dwelling to the west of the road is fenced and gated, with a large yard containing a variety of cages and enclosures.  This is Octavio's house, about which more later.  The road, now cobbled, passes through the largest portion of the village (the school is along this section), then reaches the river once more (no more cobbles), and runs west along the river bed for a short distance, before climbing out again.  Within 100 metres there is yet another ford of the river, and the dirt road passes through the last section of the village.  The property to the west is bordered by a block stone wall, three "blocks" high.  At the end of the property the road forks, with a very large tree in the centre of the fork.  The road left leads up and out of the village, towards a few private properties higher in the hills (details further on).  The road right leads eventually to a communications tower.  It is described further below as well.

Our EG Explorations:

We made four visits to EG, leaving at 0730 from Bucerias by taxi (a 12 passenger mini-bus), paying $3 per person one way.  We used the same cab each time, and the driver, Martin, was very reliable, and was extremely prompt regarding departure times, a blessing for birders.  The price was a tourist rate, perhaps 3 times that paid by locals, but was worth the convenience, and it took only 15 minutes to reach EG.  Most of us returned by taxi as well, though a few chose to linger, and return by bus.  There is a bus passing EG towards Bucerias every 30 minutes, and costs 7 pesos.  Those of us who returned by taxi did so at 1330 or 1430, depending on the day.

We met Octavio on our first visit, at the location described above.  His gate was open (the usual state of affairs), and he first introduced himself to us by appearing with a young Military Macaw perched on his arm.  He thought we were part of the daily visit by the "touristas"  on the Vallarta Adventures tour that daily makes a brief visit on their "Jeep Safari".  (The "jeeps" are modified 4WD Mercedes trucks, carrying 12+ people in the back.)  We met the tour on at least two different days, and brief conversations confirmed that the leaders knew very little regarding the birds and wildlife of the area.  The tour is priced at $75 US per person, so if you really wish to explore El Guamuchil, best to do it on your own. 

Octavio seemed to quickly realise that we weren't the typical Vallarta Adventure crowd, and soon many members of his family appeared, including his daughter Areli, who spoke English.  She is married to a Mexican physician currently practising in California, but she spends a lot of time in EG, as she prefers it.  When I asked her regarding access into the hills from the village she told us the main road continues on and up out of the north end of the village for more than 3 km, ending at a property owned by her family, and where they were starting construction of a small finca (farm), with a home for her and her husband.  When they described the beautiful surroundings, and said it was filled with birds, we just had to explore the area.  She also described the road as being quite rough, not suitable for our taxi.  Octavio, however, went there almost daily in one or other of his pick-up trucks, and we made arrangements for him to drive us up to the finca from where we could walk back down to the village.  We did a quick experimental recconoitre on our first visit, and confirmed the awkward state of the road, as well as the wonderful potential of the finca. 

Otherwise, most of our first visit was confined to areas close to the village, and we finished the day with 70 species.

On our second and third trips we went with Octavio up to the finca, with most of us stuffed into the back of a small pick-up, beneath a cap.  It was a comical sight, and Octavio laughed with every bump and lurch of the truck -- as did the people in the back.  It was worth it.  The finca was indeed a wonder in the early morning, and we spent several hours there each time.  The main part of the finca was a narrow cleared plateau, surrounded on two sides by wooded hills, and with a steep wooded ravine on the far side, opposite the narrow valley leading back down to EG.  There were many bird highlights in this area, but I particularly enjoyed a sweep of buntings, with Varied, Blue, Indigo, Painted, and Orange-breasted (a stunning male), along with Blue Grosbeaks.  Parrots were pretty common in the early morning, and we heard Military Macaws, but did not see them.  Other highlights were Lilac-crowned Parrot, Crane Hawk, Scrub Euphonia, Gray Silky-Flycatcher, Nutting's Flycatcher, Slate-throated Redstart, and Bright-rumped Attila.

Once the plateau area warmed up we began the descent along the road to EG in the shade of the valley.  The birding was rather good here as well.  As it was the dry season, a trickle of water passing by sheltering shrubs attracted a remarkable array of species:

White-winged Dove    White-tipped Dove    Swainson’s Thrush    White-throated Thrush
Rufous-backed Robin    Blue-gray Gnatcatcher    Orange-crowned Warbler    Nashville Warbler
Tropical Parula    Yellow Warbler    Chestnut-sided Warbler    Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler    Black-and-white Warbler    American Redstart    Northern Waterthrush
MacGillivray’s Warbler    Wilson’s Warbler    Grayish Saltator    Blue Bunting
Blue Grosbeak    Varied Bunting    Painted Bunting   Orange-breasted Bunting
Streak-backed Oriole.

Other highlights along this stretch included Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow, Greenish Elaenia, Fan-tailed Warbler, and Golden-crowned Emerald.  One side road, gated, led to a house recently built by an American couple who have retired to the area.  They invited us to visit their property and watch the hummingbird feeders they had just put in place.   Hummers had yet to discover the feeders, though in a year they should be very productive.

On our second and third trips we had day-lists of 90 and 91 species respectfully.

On our fourth and final trip we decided to explore the road that led to the communcations tower (see directions above), although we did not know at the time where the road led.  The road (sandy dirt) would be easily drivable by any all-wheel drive vehicle, and was in otherwise better shape than the one that led to Octavio's finca.   The road climbed steadily, but not too steeply, for nearly 2 km, before reaching a wide ridge.  We had to pass through one gate, possessing an impressive lock, but the lock was for show only, as the opposite side of the gate unhitched easily to allow local farmers pass through, as cattle are grazed on the ridge pastures.

Once on the ridge the road continued for another 1.5 km or so, ending at a communications tower.  There were two more cattle gates to go through.  The view from the communications tower was quite impressive.   Anyone with a suitable vehicle might consider driving to the tower at first light, and then working slowly downhill.

On our final day we recorded 90 species, including Yellow-headed Parrot, Rufous-bellied Chachalaca, Yellow Grosbeak, Fan-tailed Warbler, and a pair of Red-crowned Ant-Tanagers.

In our four visits to EG we managed 133 species which, given the absence of seabirds, shorebirds, herons, and waterfowl, we thought quite impressive. 

The species seen by us in January 2006 at El Guamuchil are included in the complete bird trip list table near the end of this report. 

For a provisional El Guamuchil Bird List in PDF format click here.  This composite list is based on sightings from my trips to the area in 2005 and 2006.


5) San Sebastian del Oeste, Jalisco State  --  Jan. 20-21

I had asked Scott for a recommendations regarding an overnight trip into the Sierra Madre mountains east of Puerto Vallarta, and he suggested San Sebastian del Oeste (not to be confused with at least two other settlements named San Sebastian in Mexico).  The town is a former mining settlement, its heydey long past, now home to 800 or so people.  It lies at 4500' elevation, with an extinct volcano rising higher behind it, and so seemed to offer the possibility of some higher-elevation species.  For a brief introduction to the town click here; the web page describes some access options as well

The town is not served directly by bus, but there is twice daily service between Puerto Vallarta and La Estancia, ~60 pesos one-way, and from La Estancia it is quite easy to arrange or hitch a ride to San Sebastian, which lies just a bit further east.  Another option, should you be pressed for time or flush with cash, is to fly from PV to San Sebastian.  The 15 minute flight is about $200 U.S. round-trip. 

Of course you can drive yourself, which gives you the opportunity to bird along the way.  Until recently the road to San Sebastian was narrow, winding, and treacherous, but there are considerable road works in progress, such that the one-way transit time by vehicle has already been reduced from 4 hours to 2.5 hours.  Indeed, once the road upgrades are complete, it might become too easy to reach the town, and it is hard to predict if there will be much increase in tourism.  Perhaps not, as not too many visitors stray far from the beach.

There is limited choice for accommodations in the San Sebastian area, although the El Pavilion, off the town square, has rooms for about 300 pesos a night.  A better choice for birders, by far, is the Hacienda Jalisco (click here for the web site), located 2 km before the town.


Hacienda Jalisco, photo © 2006 by Blake Maybank
Hacienda Jalisco, San Sebastian del Oeste
photo © 2006 by Blake Maybank

The Hacienda's lovely physical setting is suggested by the photo.  A small river runs past the hacienda, and a trail runs alongside the river upstream to the town, about 2.5 km along.  There is also an area of farmland on the estate, and pine-forested hills overlook everything.  A trip through the Hacienda's web site will tell you more, and give you a tour of the facilities.  Contact information is on the site, or you may send Pamela Thompson an e-mail for more information.  The rates are on the web site, and they include meals, which were wonderful.   If you are staying elsewhere, or are only in the area for a day, and wish to bird on the Hacienda's property, please contact Pamela in advance. 

With respect to the birding possibilities in the area I could find virtually no advance information.  Alfredo Herrera had been to the town in the past, but he has somewhat limited experience with the area's birds, though we did bring him along to assist us.  (This was an impossible job for him, or almost any other guide, as there were 16 of us, splitting up and wandering about willy-nilly -- there was no "group" to guide).  At the hacienda Pamela showed us a bird list that had been compiled by earlier guests, a small tour led by Peg Abbott, now owner of Naturalist Journeys, based in Arizona.  Her list, compiled over four days in January 2005, included species seen at various locations -- on the Hacienda's property; a canyon they explored before the turn-off to San Sebastian; and the extinct volcano that looms above the town, accessible via a road to a communications tower at the volcano summit. 

Our explorations, and resulting bird list, were limited by time and geography, as we had only about 24 hours in the area, consisting of an afternoon and the following morning.  We were also not able to go up the mountain road, as our bus would certainly not be able to make the climb.  Furthermore we were present during the annual week-long festival celebrating San Sebastian, and the town was full of pilgrims and partiers, with automobile traffic in and through the town restricted to residents during the festival week. 

But we had plenty to do just exploring the Hacienda's farm area, the scrub surrounding the air strip, the forested river trail to the town, and several trails up into the pine forest on the surrounding hills.   Highlights included White-eared and Bumblebee Hummingbird, Rusty Sparrow, Brown-backed Solitaire, Pine Flycatcher, Red-faced Warbler, Olive Warbler, Pygmy Nuthatch, Gray-crowned Woodpecker, Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Black-vented Oriole, Rufous-capped Brush-Finch, and lots of Gray Silky-Flycatchers, Blue Mockingbirds, and White-throated Robins.  Our site list was 108 species. 

San Sebastian del Oeste is a great overnight or weekend destination for anyone based in the Puerto Vallarta area, or travelling by on an extended vacation.  Highly recommended, and 16 thumbs up.

Tip: as you enter the town of San Sebastian del Oeste on the main road, watch on your right for the La Quinta coffee cooperative, which produces a superb organic high elevation blend.  Their phone number is 01-322-29-728-45.

Our San Sebastian species list is part of the complete bird trip list table near the end of this report. 

For a provisional San Sebastian del Oeste Bird List in PDF format click here.  This composite list is based on sightings from our trip in January 2006, and Peg Abbott's trip with Naturalist Journeys in January 2005.


6) El Tuito, Jalisco State  -- Jan 28.

We made a day-trip to El Tuito from Bucerias, and picked up Alfredo Herrera along the way to assist.  We left before breakfast was served at our resort, grabbed some indifferent coffee and snacks in Puerto Vallarta, and reached the dirt road between Km Posts 174 & 175 not long after daylight (this is site 7.1 in Howell).  We stopped and strolled at various places, but overall thought the bird activity was not overwhelming.  A Gray-crowned Woodpecker was nice, as most of the group had missed the one at San Sebastian.  Group members also caught up with Grace's Warbler and Painted Redstart.  While part of the group puzzled over an oddly-behaving Summer Tanager, Alfredo and a few others enjoyed a look at a Laughing Falcon, which the rest of us missed.  A Spotted Wren only showed itself to a few of the group, and only one lucky person saw the Rosy Thrush-Tanager.  Black-headed Siskins were more cooperative, but the Bumblebee Hummingbird was missed by a few.  Alfredo heard Military Macaws calling in the distance, but we could not locate any, either perched or in flight.

As the morning wore on we decided to cut our losses and head towards El Tuito.  We drove through the town, and headed west on the road heading to Llan Grande and Ipala, but stopped not far from the outskirts of town to bird along the roadside.  There was a pleasant variety of birds, including a Blue Mockingbird, but the excitement level rose when Ken looked up in time to see a pair of Military Macaws flying towards and over us.  This sighting made the day's trip a success. 

Afterwards we ate lunch at the Altamira Restaurant, which lies a few km south of El Tuito.  As others have noted in previous trip reports the food was fine, and the restaurant's grounds provided pleasant birding.  After lunch we started back towards PV, but stopped to try our chances again along the dirt road between Km 174 and 175.  The afternoon lassitude was expected, and the group broke into little grouplets, but there were a few discoveries, most notably a Collared Forest-Falcon, unfortunately only seen by two of us.  We were back home before dusk, having managed 92 species for the day.

Our El Tuito species list is part of the complete bird trip list table near the end of this report. 

For a provisional El Tuito Bird List in PDF format click here.  This composite list is based on sightings from our trip in January 2006, and numerous other trip reports.

7) Bahia Banderas - various locations
7-1) Between Punta de Mita & Punta Las Cargadas, Nayarit

Some of our group made two visits to this stretch of coastline.  In addition, Marcel, a.k.a. "Lawrence of Acadia", walked the entire beach between Bucerias and Punta Las Cargadas, going through La Cruz de Huanacastle, where they are beginning construction of a 400 berth marina.  Some highlights from these explorations include a Wandering Tattler along the rocky shore north of Punta de Mita, several Snowy Plovers at La Cruz, and an American Oystercatcher at Punta de Mita.  The road to Punta de Mita is currently under construction and is a dusty nightmare, but once complete will fuel the resort development in the once quaint town.  Those members of our group who investigated along the road to Punta de Mita recommend El Guamuchil instead.

7-2) Islas Marietas - Jan. 27

We had planned a boat tour to the Islas Marietas from Punta de Mita, which would give us the opportunity to continue further offshore in the hopes of seeing storm-petrels, tropicbirds, and other pelagics.  There were 16 of us, too many for the mostly smaller vessels availabe in Punta de Mita, and the one boat that Scott had organised for us was unfortunately stolen a couple of weeks before we arrived.   Accordingly, we had to find a boat out of Nuevo Vallarta, and once again our group size was too large for the smaller, faster, deep-sea charter boats.  Instead we went on the "Splish Splash", a motorised sailing vessel.  It was comfortable, and its crew attentive, but the boat could only manage 8 knots, which left little time for venturing beyond the islands. 

We debarked at 0815 and it took more than 2.5 hours to reach the islands.  En route we saw Common and Forster's Terns, 3 Least Terns, and an unexpected flock of 20+ Sandwich Terns.  Both boobies were very common.  Our boat was able to approach the islands quite closely, such that we were able to pick out three different Wandering Tattlers, and as we only closely surveyed 20% of the islands' shoreline, more were likely present, suggesting this is a regular wintering site for this species.  By early afternoon the wind had really picked up from the NW, making it hard to venture into the open ocean beyond the islands.  Instead, we shut off the engines, and enjoyed a wonderful sail back to Nuevo Vallarta, and along the way enjoyed a marvellous show of breaching and fin slaps by Humpback Whales. We arrived wharf-side at 1530.

7-3) Northern mouth of Rio Ameca

Marcel, our famous "Lawrence of Acadia", hiked the length of the beach from Bucerias to Nuevo Vallarta, then walked around the inner edge of the marina, rejoined the beach, and continued to the northern mouth of the Rio Ameca, at the edge of the grounds of the immense Mayan Palace resort.  Marcel is fanatique for shorebirds, and he wished to find Collared Plover.  And find them he did, at the river's mouth, along with Snowy Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Black-bellied Plover, and Killdeer, a veritable plover windfall. 

When we completed our sail to Islas Marietas (see the preceding entry) Marcel said he would show us where he found the Collared Plovers.  They would be lifers for most of our group, so we accepted his offer.  Marcel thought it would take only 30 minutes to walk from the marina dock to the Mayan Palace, but we thought otherwise, as Marcel's walking speed is more akin a trot or a canter for the rest of us.  Instead we located an obliging taxi driver with a mini-van, who agreeed to take us first to the Mayan Palace, and then back to Bucerias. 

Long before you reach the front desk of the 273 acre Mayan Palace resort (with its own train systen to move guests around) you have first to pass through a security point, to assist screening out non-guests.  Our cab driver gave a convincing explanation that we were important ecologists that wished to photograph a special bird, and in we went.  Once at the main resort building we hopped out of the mini-van, looking like extras from a low-budget war film.  As we started to march through the lobby to find our way to the beach a hotel employee shouted at us, and we all thought that the "gig was up".   But no, he wished merely to inform us that our cab would be waiting at the far side of the entry traffic circle, and wished us luck.  So off we marched again, double time, trying in vain to keep up with Marcel.  It was hot, the sweat was pouring down, but it was worth the odd and astonished looks that the resorts guests gave us as we rushed to the river mouth -- we had promised our driver that we'd be back in 20 minutes, but we really underestimated the size of the resort, and how long it would take to hustle through just one part of it.

And so, through the resort, out on the beach, alongside the golf course for a hundred metres, to the mouth of the river.  And the plovers were all present and accounted for.  We set up the scopes with an impressive military precision, viewed the birds, and promptly marched back through the resort to the van.  Mission Possible.

Marcel even returned a third time, finding Northern Jacana for our trip list.

7-4) Boca des Tomates, Jalisco State

Several of the group, on their second visit to the Laguna de Quelele, met a VENT leader (Brian Gibbons?) who was scouting the laguna for an upcoming trip.  He generously offered to show them the Boca des Tomates, which lies on the southern mouth of the Rio Ameca.  It was a quick visit, more for orientation than anything else, and unfortunately we didn't have time to return there as a group.  To reach Boca des Tomates, drive south on Hwy 200 from Mezcales in the direction of Las Juntas, Marina Vallara, and the Puerto Vallarta airport.  A large bridge crosses the Rio Ameca, just south of the last turn-off to Neuvo Vallarta.  The first exit to the right (west) is about 1 km after the bridge; take this exit, keep to the right, and follow the dirt road 4.2 km to the beach at the southern mouth of the Rio Ameca. The habitat along the road varies from fields to mangroves.  This beach area has not experienced tourist development, and is used mostly by Mexicans.  It is best avoided on weekends, as it is most popular with the locals at that time.  According to "The Birds of Paradise" guide to the birds of Puerto Vallarta, the seafood in some of the local palapas is quite good.

7 -5) Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco State

On one day four members of our group took a guided tour of PV, and in the course of their wanderings kept track of their sightings, which included the only Pied-billed Grebe of the trip.


Complete Bird Trip-List Table

Legend:

D = observed on each visit to the site/area, if visited more than once.
# = number of days observed at the site/area (if not daily); total number of days for each site at top of column.
(+) = usually observed in some numbers
(*) = unexpected species for the time of year or the location
[E] = species endemic to Mexico

Birding Locations:

B = Bucerias, Nayarit  --  birded nearly daily.
LQ = Laguna de Quelele, Nayarit  --  visited on two days.
SB = San Blas, Nayarit  --  visited one day only.
Column abbreviations for San Blas:
B = La Bajada
M = Mangrove Boat Trip on Rio San Cristobal
J = Junction Ponds
I = Los Istelas, Mantanchen Bay
Z = Zacualpan, en route to San Blas
A = all sites
EG = El Guamuchil, Nayarit  --  visited on four days.
SS = San Sebastian del Oeste, Nayarit  --  visited on two days.
ET = El Tuito, Jalisco  --  visited one day only. 
BB = Bahia Banderas shoreline, Nayarit & Jalisco
Column abbreviations for Bahia Banderas:
P = Between Punta de Mita & Punta Las Cargadas, Nayarit  --  two visits
R = Northern mouth of Rio Ameca & Mayan Palace resort, Nayarit  --  two quick visits
M = Islas Marietas, Bahia Banderas, Nayarit  -- one visit
T = Boca des Tomates, Jalisco  --  one quick visit
V = Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco  --  one visit

For information regarding any specific sighting, please contact me. 

MARITIMES NATURE TRAVEL CLUB --- 2006 MEXICO TRIP LIST

SPECIES

Scientific Name

Birding Location
(# days birded)

Comments

B
(12)

LQ
(2)

SB
(1)

EG
(4)

SS
(2)

ET
(1)
 BB
(na)

Least Grebe

Tachybaptus dominicus

 

 

 

 


1

 

Pied-billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

 

 

 

 



V

 

American White Pelican

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

 

 1

 

 




Flock of 12 birds. 

Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis

D

 D

M, I

 



P, M, V

 

Blue-footed Booby

Sula nebouxii

D

 

 

 



P, M, V

 

Brown Booby

Sula leucogaster

4

 

 

 



M

 

Neotropic Cormorant

Phalacrocorax brasilianus

D

D

J, M, I 

 


1
 M, V

 

Anhinga

Anhinga anhinga

 

D

J, M

 




 

Magnificent Frigatebird

Fregata magnificens

D

D

 J, M, I

2



P, M

 

Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias

 

D

J, M

 


1
 P, M

 

Great Egret

Ardea alba

1

D

J, M

2
1
 V

 

Reddish Egret

Egretta rufescens

 

D

M, I

 



R

 

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

 

D

M

 



P

 

Little Blue Heron

Egretta caerulea

 

D

J, M

 



P, M

 

Snowy Egret

Egretta thula

 

D

J, M

 


1
 P, M ,V

 

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibis

 

1

 Z

 

1

 1

 

Green Heron

Butorides virescens

 

D

M

 


1
 P, R, T

 

Black-crowned Night-Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

 

D

J, M

 



P

 

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Nyctanassa violacea

1

D

 J, M

 



P, M

 

Boat-billed Heron

Cochlearius cochlearius

 

D

 M

 




At Laguna de Quelele, heard at the same location where first discovered in 2005.

Bare-throated Tiger-Heron

Tigrisoma mexicanum

 

 

 M

 




 

Wood Stork

Mycteria americana

1

D

 J, M

 



P

 

White Ibis

Eudocimus albus

 

D

 J, M

2

P

 

White-faced Ibis

Plegadis chihi

 

D

 J, M

 


1

 

Roseate Spoonbill

Platalea ajaja

1

D

J, M

 



V

 

Fulvous Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna bicolor

 

D

 

 



V

 

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck  (+)

Dendrocygna autumnalis

 

D

 

 




 

Green-winged Teal

Anas crecca

 

D

J 

 




 

Northern Pintail

Anas acuta

 

D

 

 




 

Blue-winged Teal

Anas discors

 

D

J 

 


1

 

Cinnamon Teal

Anas cyanoptera

 

D

 

 




 

Northern Shoveler

Anas clypeata

 

D

J 

 




 

Lesser Scaup  (+)

Aythya affinis

 

 

M 

 




 

Ruddy Duck

Oxyura jamaicensis

 

 

J 

 




 

Black Vulture  (+)

Coragyps atratus

D

D

A

D

 D
 1

 

Turkey Vulture  (+)

Cathartes aura

D

D

A

D

 D
 1
 M

 

Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

1

 

J, M, I

 



T

 

White-tailed Kite

Elanus leucurus

1

 

Z, B

 




 

Northern Harrier

Circus cyaneus

1

 

 

 




 

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

4 

 

 

 1




 

Cooper’s Hawk

Accipiter cooperii

1

 

 

 




 

Crane Hawk

Geranospiza caerulescens

 

 

 

2

 1
 1

 

Common Black-Hawk

Buteogallus anthracinus

1

1

B, M

2

D
 1

 

Great Black-Hawk

Buteogallus urubitinga

 

1

 

1


 

Gray Hawk

Asturina nitida

3

2 

B, M

D

 D
 1

 

Roadside Hawk

Buteo magnirostris

 

1

 





 

Short-tailed Hawk

Buteo brachyurus

 

1


1

1

 

White-tailed Hawk

Buteo albicaudatus

 

 


 1


 

Zone-tailed Hawk

Buteo albonotatus

1

1


 1


 

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

 

1

B

 1

 D
 1

The El Tuito bird was the kriderii subspecies 

Laughing Falcon

Herpetotheres cachinnans

 

 


 


1

 

Collared Forest-Falcon

Micrastur semitorquatus

 

 


 


1

 

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

D

D

A

3

D

 1

 

Merlin

Falco columbarius

1

 


 




 

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

4

1

M

 




 

Rufous-bellied Chachalaca

Ortalis wagleri

 

 


2

D

 In EG three birds seen near village on two days.

Elegant Quail  [E]

Callipepla douglasii

7

 


 




 

Limpkin  (*)

Aramus guarauna

 

 

M

 




Not supposed to be present, according to Howell.

Rufous-necked Wood-Rail

Aramides axillaris

 

D


 




One seen the first day at site "A" .  Two seen the second day at different points on the magrove trail.

Common Moorhen

Gallinula chloropus

 

 

M

 




 

American Coot

Fulica americana

 

D


 


1
 V

 

Northern Jacana

Jacana spinosa

 

 


 



R

 

American Oystercatcher

Haematopus palliatus

 

 

M

 



P

 

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

 

D

J, M

 


1
 V

 

American Avocet

Recurvirostra americana

 

D

J, M

 




 

Black-bellied Plover

Pluvialis squatarola

 

 

M

 



T

 

Semipalmated Plover

Charadrius semipalmatus

 

D

M

 



R, T

 

Wilson’s Plover

Charadrius wilsonia

 

1

M

 



R, T

 

Killdeer

Charadrius vociferus

D

 


 



R

 

Snowy Plover

Charadrius alexandrinus

 

 


 



P, R, T

 

Collared Plover

Charadrius collaris

 

 


 



R

 

Long-billed Dowitcher  (+)

Limnodromus scolopaceus

 

D

J

 




 

Marbled Godwit

Limosa fedoa

 

D

M

 




 

Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopus

1

D

I, M

 



P

 

Long-billed Curlew

Numenius americanus

 

D


 




 

Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa melanoleuca

 

D

J, M

 



T

 

Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa flavipes

 

 

J

 




 

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularia

 

D

M

 



P, T

 

Wandering Tattler  (*)

Heterosceles incanus

 

 


 



P, M

1 bird on rocky shoreline north of Punta de Mita.   3  birds on Islas Marietas.

Willet

Catoptrophorus semipalmatus

3

D

I

 



T

 

Sanderling

Calidris alba

2

 


 



T

 

Western Sandpiper

Calidris mauri

 

D

J, M

 




 

Least Sandpiper

Calidris minutilla

 

D

J

 



T

 

Stilt Sandpiper

Calidris himantopus

 

1


 




 

Heermann’s Gull

Larus heermanni

 D

 


 



P, M

 

Ring-billed Gull

Larus delawarensis

 

 

M

 




 

American Herring Gull

Larus smithsonianus

1

 


 



P

1st winter bird

Laughing Gull

Larus atricilla

D

 

I, M

 



P, M, T

 

Franklin’s Gull

Larus pipixcan

 

 


 



P

 

Caspian Tern

Sterna caspia

D

 

M

 



P, M, T

 

Sandwich Tern  (*)

Sterna sandvicensis

 

 


 



M

Flock of 20 in the middle of the bay.

Royal Tern

Sterna maxima

 D

 


 



P, M, T

 

Common Tern

Sterna hirundo

 

 

M

 



M

 

Forster’s Tern  (*)

Sterna forsteri

 

 

M

 



M, T

 

Least Tern  (*)

Sterna antillarum

 

 


 



M

 3 individuals

Black Skimmer

Rynchops niger

 

 

M

 



P

 

Rock Pigeon

Columba livia

  D

 


1

D

 1

 

Red-billed Pigeon

Columba flavirostris

 

1


2




 

Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

4

 

B

2

1

 

White-winged Dove

Zenaida asiatica

3

D

B

D

D

 1

 

Common Ground-Dove  (+)

Columbina passerina

  D

D

B, Z

D

D

 1

 

Ruddy Ground-Dove

Columbina talpacoti

3

D

B

3

1

 1

 

Inca Dove

Columbina inca

4

D

B

D

D

 

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

 

 

B

D

D

 

Military Macaw

Ara militaris

 

 


1


1

Heard only at El Guamuchil 

Orange-fronted Parakeet

Aratinga canicularis

 

 

B

D


1

 

Mexican Parrotlet  [E]

Forpus cyanopygius

 

 

B

D




 

White-fronted Parrot

Amazona albifrons

2

 






 

Lilac-crowned Parrot  [E]

Amazona finschi

 

 


3


1

One or two pairs flying overhead each trip. 

Yellow-headed Parrot

Amazona oratrix

 

 


1




One pair overhead. 

Squirrel Cuckoo

Piaya cayana

 

1


D

D

 1

 

Groove-billed Ani

Crotophaga sulcirostris

D

D

B

D


1

 

Colima Pygmy-Owl

 		Glaucidium palmarum

B



Heard-only.

Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl

Glaucidium brasilianum

D

1

M





Pair by the resort.  Sustained look at one at Quelele.  Others all heard only.

Northern Potoo

Nyctibius jamaicensis

 

 

M





8 birds seen, some flycatching.  A highlight of the day. 

Lesser Nighthawk

Chordeiles acutipennis

 

 

M





 

Pauraque

Nyctidromus albicollis

 

 

M





 

White-naped Swift  [E]

Streptoprocne semicollaris

 

 


1




 

Vaux’s Swift

Chaetura vauxi

1

 


1




 

Golden-crowned Emerald  [E]

Chlorostilbon auriceps

 

 


3




 

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Cynanthus latirostris

D

 


3

D

 1

 

Mexican Woodnymph  [E]

Thalurania ridgwayi

 

 



1

 

White-eared Hummingbird

Hylocharis leucotis

 

 



1

 

Cinnamon Hummingbird

Amazilia rutila

D

 


3




 

Violet-crowned Hummingbird

Agyrtria violiceps

1

 






Seen at town feeders.

Berylline Hummingbird

Saucerottia beryllina

 

1


1

D

 

Plain-capped Starthroat

Heliomaster constantii

2

 

B

1




In Bucerias seen at town feeders.

Lucifer Hummingbird

Calothorax lucifer

2

 




1

Seen at town feeders.

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Archilochus alexandri

D

1

B

3

D

 

Bumblebee Hummingbird  [E]

Atthis heloisa

 

 



1

 1

 

Broad-tailed Hummingbird

Selasphorus platycercus

 

 




1

 

Rufous Hummingbird

Selasphorus rufus

2

 






Seen at town feeders.

Citreoline Trogon  [E]

Trogon citreolus

D

 

B

D


1

 

Elegant Trogon

Trogon elegans

 

 

B

D


1

 

Eared Trogon  (*)

Euptilotis neoxenus

 

 


1





Belted Kingfisher

Ceryle alcyon

 

D

M





 

Ringed Kingfisher

Ceryle torquata

 

 

M





 

Green Kingfisher

Chloroceryle americana

 

1

M





 

Russet-crowned Motmot

Momotus mexicanus

 

 


1

1

 1
 V

 

Acorn Woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorus

 

 



D

 1

 

Golden-cheeked Woodpecker  [E]

Melanerpes chrysogenys

D

D

B

D




 

Williamson’s Sapsucker  (*)

Sphyrapicus thyroideus

1

 



1

An immature bird.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

 

 



1

 1

 

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Picoides scalaris

 

 


1

1

 1

 

Gray-crowned Woodpecker  [E]

Piculus auricularis

 

 



1

 1

 

Lineated Woodpecker

Dryocopus lineatus

 

 

M

2



P

 

Pale-billed Woodpecker

Campephilus guatemalensis

 

 

M

D


1

 

Ivory-billed Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus flavigaster

 

 

B

D

   1

1

 

Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet

Camptostoma imberbe

 

 


D




 

Greenish Elaenia

Myiopagis viridicata

 

 


2


1

 

Tufted Flycatcher

Mitrephanes phaeocercus

 

 

B

1

D

 1

 

Greater Pewee

Contopus pertinax

 

 


3

D

 1

 

Willow Flycatcher

Empidonax traillii

 

 


1




 

Least Flycatcher

Empidonax minimus

 

 


3




 

Gray Flycatcher

Empidonax wrightii

 

 


1




 

Dusky Flycatcher

Empidonax oberholseri

1

 






 

Pine Flycatcher

Empidonax affinis

 

 



1

 

Pacific-slope Flycatcher

Empidonax difficilis

2 

1

B

D




All sightings should be assigned to the "Western" complex.  Cordilleran could not be ruled out.

Black Phoebe

Sayornis nigricans

 

 


2




 

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

5

 

B, Z

1

D

 1

 

Bright-rumped Attila

Attila spadiceus

 

 


1




Two separate indiiduals. 

Dusky-capped Flycatcher

Myiarchus tuberculifer

 

 


3

D

 1

 

Ash-throated Flycatcher

Myiarchus cinerascens

1

1


1




 

Nutting’s Flycatcher

Myiarchus nuttingi

 

1


2




 

Brown-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus tyrannulus

1

 


3

1

 1

 

Great Kiskadee

Pitangus sulphuratus

D

D

B, M

D

D

 1

 

Boat-billed Flycatcher

Megarynchus pitangua

 

1


D




 

Social Flycatcher

Myiozetetes similis

D

D

B, M

D

D

 1

 

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

D

D

B

D

D

 1

 

Cassin’s Kingbird

Tyrannus vociferans

D

D

M

D

D

 1

 

Thick-billed Kingbird

Tyrannus crassirostris

D

1

B

3

D

 

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

 

1






 

Gray-collared Becard

Pachyramphus major

2

 






 Male.   Seen in the same area on two seperate days.

Rose-throated Becard

Pachyramphus aglaiae

 

 

B

D

1

 1

 

Masked Tityra

Tityra semifasciata

 

 

B

D

D

 

Gray-breasted Martin  (+)

Progne chalybea

D

D

M

2




 

Mangrove Swallow

Tachycineta albilinea

 

 

M, J





 

Violet-green Swallow

Tachycineta thalassina


 



1

 

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

D 

D



1

 1

 

Cliff Swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

 

1





P

 

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

1

1

M





 

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Regulus calendula

3

 



1

 1

 

Gray Silky-flycatcher

Ptilogonys cinereus

 

 


1

D

 

Phainopepla  (*)

Phainopepla nitens

1

 






 

Spotted Wren  [E]

Campylorhynchus gularis

 

 




1

 

Happy Wren  [E]

Thryothorus felix

4

1


D

1

 1

 

Sinaloa Wren  [E]

Thryothorus sinaloa

1

1

B

D


1

 

House Wren

Troglodytes aedon

1

 


1

D

 

Northern Mockingbird

Mimus polyglottos

5

1


1


1

 

Blue Mockingbird  [E]

Melanotis caerulescens

 

 



D

 1

At least six seen daily in San Sebastian.   One in El Tuito.

Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis

 

 



D

 

Brown-backed Solitaire

Myadestes occidentalis

 

 



1

 

Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush

Catharus aurantiirostris

 

 



1

 

Swainson’s Thrush

Catharus ustulatus

 

 


D




 

Hermit Thrush  (*)

Catharus guttatus

 

 


1

1

Two different birds. 

White-throated Thrush

Turdus assimilis

 

 


3

D

 1

 

Rufous-backed Robin  [E]

Turdus rufopalliatus

4

1


D

D

 

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  (+)

Polioptila caerulea

D

D

A

D

D

 1

 

Bridled Titmouse

Baeolophus wollweberi

 

 


1




 

Pygmy Nuthatch

Sitta pygmaea

 

 



1

 

Black-throated Magpie-Jay  [E]

Calocitta colliei

1

 


D

1

 

Green Jay

Cyanocorax yncas

 

 



1

 1

 

San Blas Jay  [E]

Cyanocorax sanblasianus

3

 

B

1




 

Purplish-backed Jay  [E]

Cyanocorax beecheii

 

 

M





3 called in with Chencho's tape. 

Sinaloa Crow  [E]  (+)

Corvus sinaloae

4
(*)

 

A





Flock of >250 in Bucerias.  An evident range extension.

Common Raven

Corvus corax

 

 



1

 

Mangrove Vireo

Vireo pallens

 

 

M





 

Bell’s Vireo

Vireo bellii3

3

 


3

1

 

Black-capped Vireo

Vireo atricapillus

 

 


1

D

 

Gray Vireo  (*)

Vireo vicinior


1 






 In the scrub along the road between Mezcales and the Laguna.

Plumbeous Vireo

Vireo plumbeus

3

1


3

D

 

Cassin’s Vireo

Vireo cassinii

4

1


2

D

 1

 

Hutton’s Vireo

Vireo huttoni

1

 






 

Warbling Vireo

Vireo gilvus

2

1

M

D

D

 

Golden Vireo  [E]

Vireo hypochryseus

 

 


3

D

 

Olive Warbler

Peucedramus taeniatus

 

 



1

 

Orange-crowned Warbler  (+)

Vermivora celata

D

D

B, M

D

D

 1

 

Nashville Warbler  (+)

Vermivora ruficapilla

D

D

B

D

D

 1

ridgwayi subspecies 

Lucy’s Warbler

Vermivora luciae

D

 






One individual seen daily in the same tree near the resort

Tropical Parula

Parula pitiayumi

4

 


D




 

Yellow Warbler

Dendroica petechia

5

D

M

D


1

Mangrove subspecies seen on mangrove trip in San Blas 

Chestnut-sided Warbler  (*)

Dendroica pensylvanica

 

 


3




We were surprised to see this species.  At least two different birds. 

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Dendroica coronata

3

 


D

D

 1

auduboni (memorabilis) 

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Dendroica nigrescens

3

 


D

D

 1

 

Black-throated Green Warbler

Dendroica virens

 

 



1

 1

 

Townsend’s Warbler

Dendroica townsendi

 

 



D

 1

 

Grace’s Warbler

Dendroica graciae

 

 



D

 1

 

Black-and-white Warbler

Mniotilta varia

D

 

B

D

D

 1

 

American Redstart

Setophaga ruticilla

4

1

B

2


1

 

Ovenbird

Seiurus aurocapillus

 

 


1




 

Northern Waterthrush

Seiurus noveboracensis

 

1

M

3

1

 

Louisiana Waterthrush

Seiurus motacilla

 

 

M





 

MacGillivray’s Warbler

Oporornis tolmiei

D

D


D

D

 1

 

Common Yellowthroat

Geothlypis trichas

D

D

B

2

D

 1

 

Gray-crowned Yellowthroat

Geothlypis poliocephala

 

 

Z





 

Hooded Warbler  (*)

Wilsonia citrina

1

 






Adult male, seen well by entire group.  Vagrant for the area. 

Wilson’s Warbler

Wilsonia pusilla

D

1

B

D

D

 1

 

Red-faced Warbler

Cardellina rubrifrons

 

 



1

 

Painted Redstart

Myioborus pictus

 

 



D

 1

 

Slate-throated Redstart

Myioborus miniatus

 

 


1




 

Fan-tailed Warbler

Euthlypis lachrymosa

 

 


2




 

Rufous-capped Warbler

Basileuterus rufifrons

 

 



D

 1

 

Yellow-breasted Chat

Icteria virens

D

D


2

1

 

Rosy Thrush-Tanager

Rhodinocichla rosea

 

 




1

 

Red-crowned Ant-Tanager

Habia rubica

 

 


1




Pair. 

Hepatic Tanager

Piranga flava

 

 



D

 

Summer Tanager

Piranga rubra

 

 


D

D

 1

 

Western Tanager

Piranga ludoviciana

1

 


D




 

Flame-colored Tanager

Piranga bidentata

 

 


1

D

 

Scrub Euphonia  [E]

Euphonia affinis

 

 


3




 

Blue-black Grassquit

Volatinia jacarina

2

1

Z





 

White-collared Seedeater

Sporophila torqueola

D

1

Z

2

D

 

Rufous-capped Brush-Finch  [E]

Atlapetes pileatus

 

 



1

Small flock at Santiago de Pinos. 

Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow  [E]

Melozone kieneri

 

 


1

1

 

Green-tailed Towhee

Pipilo chlorurus

2

 






 

Stripe-headed Sparrow

Aimophila ruficauda

2

1


D

D

 1

 

Rusty Sparrow

Aimophila rufescens

 

 



1

 

Chipping Sparrow

Spizella passerina

 

 



D

 1

 

Clay-colored Sparrow

Spizella pallida

 

1






 

Lark Sparrow

Chondestes grammacus

 

D






 

Savannah Sparrow

Passerculus sandwichensis

 

D






 

Grasshopper Sparrow

Ammodramus savannarum

3

1

Z





 

Song Sparrow  (*)

Melospiza melodia

4 

 






One individual seen four times in the same area.  Vagrant to the area. 

Lincoln’s Sparrow

Melospiza lincolnii

D

D

Z

1

D

 

Grayish Saltator

Saltator coerulescens

D

D

B

D

D

 1

 

Pyrrhuloxia

Cardinalis sinuatus

2

 






One individual seen on two days. 

Yellow Grosbeak

Pheucticus chrysopeplus

 

 


3




 

Black-headed Grosbeak

Pheucticus melanocephalus

 

 


1

1

 

Blue Bunting

Cyanocompsa parellina

1

 


D




 

Blue Grosbeak

Passerina caerulea

D

D


3

D

 

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

3

1


2




 

Varied Bunting

Passerina versicolor

D

 


3

D

 1

 

Painted Bunting

Passerina ciris

D

 

B

D

1

 

Orange-breasted Bunting  [E]

Passerina leclancherii

1

 


2

1

 

Eastern Meadowlark

Sturnella magna

 

 





P

 

Great-tailed Grackle  (+)

Quiscalus mexicanus

D

D

B

2


1

 

Bronzed Cowbird

Molothrus aeneus

D

 




1

 

Streak-backed Oriole

Icterus pustulatus

D

1

B

D

D

 1

 

Hooded Oriole

Icterus cucullatus

1

 

B

1

D

 1

 

Bullock’s Oriole

Icterus bullockii

2

 


2

1

 

Orchard Oriole

Icterus spurius

D

 

B


1

 1

 

Black-vented Oriole

Icterus wagleri

 

 



1

 

Audubon’s Oriole

Icterus graduacauda

 

 

Z





Seen near the town of Las Varas. 

Yellow-winged Cacique

Cacicus melanicterus

D

1

B

D


1

 

Black-headed Siskin

Carduelis notata

 

 



1

 1

 

Lesser Goldfinch

Carduelis psaltria

3

 



D

 

House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

D

 

Z

D




 
TOTALS:
 120
 114
 128
 132
 108
 92
 53
 287 for trip


CONCLUSION

For anyone based in the Puerto Vallarta area there are lots of productive birding possibilities, as indicated in this trip report.  And further exploration will doubtless reveal even more. 

Once again, here are links for provisional bird lists in PDF format for some of the sites mentioned in this report.
San Sebastian del Oeste -- based on sightings from our trip in January 2006, and Peg Abbott's trip with Naturalist Journeys in January 2005.

El Tuito  -- based on sightings from our trip in January 2006, and numerous other trip reports.

Bucerias  -- based on sightings from this year, and my own observations in 2004/2005.

El Guamuchil  --  based on sightings from my trips to the area in 2005 and 2006.

Laguna de Quelele  --  based on sightings from this year, my own observations in 2004/2005, the species list in Howell, and other trip reports.

Blake Maybank
White’s Lake, Nova Scotia, Canada
maybank AT ns.sympatico.ca

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