Saturday, May 21, 7:45am-Noon
Meets in front of Instituto Allende, Ancha de San Antonio 20
Members free, non-members 200 pesos or US $10
Preregistration required: audubondemexico@gmail.com

Audubon Birdwalk along the Rio Laja

By Signe Hammer

Each walk heads to one of four different sites within an easy drive from Centro. On Saturday, with leaders Luke Rich, Bob Graham and Signe Hammer, we'll bird along the Rio Laja.

To keep everyone safe and make social distancing possible, we're limiting the number of participants, with preregistration required; please email audubondemexico@gmail.com. Carpooling is essential, so let us know if you are driving and can transport others. Masks are required in the cars, and we're asking that everyone be vaccinated.

The Rio Laja, its banks and nearby fields and trees attract a rich variety of birds. At this site we have seen a rare beauty, a Blue Mockingbird, along with a slim, crested Phainopepla, a Northern Cardinal, ad colorful Blue and Black-headed Grosbeaks, as well as both Bronzed and Brown-headed Cowbirds.

We will likely see our resident Green Kingfisher and all three egret species—Snowy, Great and Cattle—as well as our Black Phoebe, a small flycatcher usually found near water. Our other resident flycatchers include the small, brilliantly colored Vermilion Flycatcher and the big, flashy Great Kiskadee, loudly proclaiming its own name.

The tiny birds we may see include warblers—the black-masked Common Yellowthroat and Audubon's Yellow-rump—Cinnamon-rumped Seedeaters, with their buffy breasts; and a flock of Black-eared Bushtits. At the other end of the size scale are raptors—the Crested Caracara and White-tailed Kite, along with Turkey or Black Vultures.

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. 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.

For more information, visit our website at:
www.audubonmexico.org