SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2018 7:45 AM – 12:30 PM
AUTHOR: SIGNE HAMMER
Join Audubon de México on Sunday, November 18, for a birdwalk along the Rio Laja with leaders Luke Rich, Michael Burns and Bob Graham. The water is high for this time of year, so, as in past years, we might find such waterfowl as a wintering Gadwall, or a resident Least Grebe or Mexican Duck. We’ll almost certainly find our resident waders—Great and Snowy Egrets, and maybe a Black-crowned Night Heron—as well as a wintering Spotted Sandpiper. There is usually a resident Green Kingfisher or two along the river, and we might also find a wintering Belted Kingfisher.
Our snowbirds are mostly in place by now. Among the smaller ones are a good variety of sparrows and warblers. In past years, we’ve seen Clay-colored, Lark, Chipping, Lincoln’s and Savannah Sparrows; and Nashville, Wilson’s and Yellow-rumped Warblers (the last almost always the Western, “Audubon’s” subspecies, with a yellow throat as well as rump). 
We’ve seen a good variety of raptors at this site, including both a resident Crested Caracara and a wintering Northern Harrier beating their way along the horizon, swooping (or bathing!) Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks, and a soaring Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk and White-tailed Kite—not to mention Turkey Vultures, an American Kestrel and a Common Raven.
We’ll look for our resident songbirds, too, from a Mexican or Woodhouse’s Jay to a colorful Blue Grosbeak. We’re bound to see—and perhaps hear—such familiar friends as Cassin’s Kingbird, Vermilion Flycatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Cactus Wren, Loggerhead Shrike and Golden-fronted Woodpecker. At this site we’ve seen Bullock’s, Hooded, Black-backed and Black-vented Orioles, as well as our tiny Bushtits, including a variant called Black-eared, which has a black mask.
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 around 12:30pm after a great day in the countryside. For more information, visit our website.
Audubon Birdwalk
Sun, November 18 7:45 am-12:30 PM
Meets in front of Instituto Allende Ancha de San Antonio 20
Michael Burns, 152-1141
Members free, non-members 200 pesos or US $10
Steady rain cancels.