audubon monthly birdwalk

Join the Audubon bird guides on Sunday, August 18, 7:45 am-noon, for a great morning outdoors

Audubon Birdwalk at Monticello de Nieto

By Signe Hammer

On the 19th of January, with leaders Luke Rich, Norman Besman, Bob Graham and Signe Hammer, we’ll head to the bridge over the Rio Laja at Montecillo de Nieto, just past the back road into Atontonilco and about a 20 minute drive from Centro.

We’ll start birding from the bridge and then walk down along the riverbank. Last year at this site we found two rare visiting buntings, an Indigo and a Varied. We also found a variety other small, visiting songbirds: Chipping and Clay-colored Sparrows, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, plus Wilson’s, Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped Warblers.

Attracted by the river were two different kingfishers, our resident Green and a wintering Belted; a Neotropic Cormorant, a Great Egret and a small Black Phoebe.

Wintering raptors included a Cooper’s Hawk and an American Kestrel, our smallest falcon. In addition, we had great views of a resident Crested Caracara beating along the horizon and a Turkey Vulture tilting overhead.

And, of course, we saw our beautiful resident songbirds, including both Blue and Black-headed Grosbeaks, a Northern Cardinal, a Loggerhead Shrike and a flock of tiny Bushtits.

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 7:45, as we leave promptly at 8. You’ll be back by noon, with new entries for your life list and new birding friends.

Steady rain cancels.

                      Green Heron, Butorides virescens