Today was our last day in Mexico. However, our shuttle didn't come until after noon! Hence, one last chance at new birds! Nathan and I headed 20 minutes north in a taxi until we stopped at a coastal lagoon.
The early morning was rather dampened by RAIN of all things. It was the first rain I had seen the entire week and it happened to fall while we were out birding. Alas, it didn't last all that long and we were still able to bird a bit.
The actual lagoon had hundreds of shorebirds and a good variety of gulls, terns, waterfowl, etc. I must admit, I feel a tad obligated to post a picture of a Long-billed Curlew!! Although I don't work with them on the wintering grounds, it'll be a matter of weeks before I see them on the breeding grounds in Nebraska. Here is a female:
We heard a curious bunch of scolding birds and after tracing it all down, we found the source, a Colima Pygmy-Owl! It was obscured by brush but I managed this quick photo before it flew on:
We came upon a tree with several Black-throated Magpie-Jays, a northwest Mexican endemic. These jays with their incredibly long tails were a treat to both see and photograph:
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Last but not least, the Sinaloa Crow was a common species during our stay in Mexico. Flocks were constantly beeing seen along the road. I snapped a quick shot in flight:
Overall, we had great luck, even picking up a flock of Elegant Quail along one of the roads! Unfortunately, I had to quickly return to pack and get ready for the shuttle to arrive.
The day yielded the following new trip birds:
(*) = Mexican endemic
Beardless-Tyrannulet, Northern
The day yielded the following new trip birds:
(*) = Mexican endemic
Beardless-Tyrannulet, Northern
Bunting, Varied
Cardinal, Northern
Cardinal, Northern
* Chachalaca, Rufous-bellied
Curlew, Long-billed
Dove, Mourning
Egret, Reddish
Flycatcher, Brown-crested
Flycatcher, Pacific-slope
Gadwall Godwit, Marbled
Grassquit, Blue-black
Grebe, Eared
Hawk, Gray
Heron, Little Blue
Kingfisher, Belted
Night-Heron, Yellow-crowned
Osprey
Pintail, Northern
Plover, Black-bellied
Plover, Semipalmated
* Pygmy-Owl, Colima
* Quail, Elegant
Sandpiper, Western
Sparrow, Lincoln's
Tern, Royal
Titmouse, Bridled
* Trogon, Citreoline
Vireo, Warbling
Warbler, Virginia's
* Woodpecker, Golden-cheeked
Woodpecker, Ladder-backed
* Wren, Happy
