Sunday, July 16, 7:45am-Noon
Meets in front of Instuto Allende, Ancha de San Antonio 20
Members free, non-members 200 pesos or US $10

Audubon Birdwalk at Peña Blanca

By Signe Hammer
Join Audubon de México the day after tomorrow, July 16, for its monthly Sunday birdwalk. We'll head to Peña Blanca, a few miles past the Presa Allende, with leaders Mike Wheatcroft and April Gaydos. Expect to find both open farmland with big trees and a tree-lined stream—habitat that attracts a wide range of songbirds and raptors.

In July, our local birds are still nesting and fledging their young. We've seen Golden-fronted Woodpeckers flying into nest holes in trees, bearing food for their nestlings. We've also seen Vermilion Flycatchers, Lesser Goldfinches and Common Ravens feeding their fledglings in or atop trees.

Last year, we found both of our gorgeous resident grosbeak species, Blue and Black-headed (easy to confuse with an oriole, with its bright orange body), as well as both Bronzed and Brown-headed Cowbirds, a plump Rufous-backed Robin (orange all around the middle) and a tiny White-collared Seedeater. We also had great looks at all three of our resident egret species: Great and Snowy in or along the stream, and Cattle in the fields.

We'll look for Barn and Northern Rough-winged Swallows darting over field and stream. Higher in the sky, we may spot a resident Crested Caracara or White-tailed Kite, as well as ravens in flight.

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 revised 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 about noon, with new entries for your life list and new birding friends. Steady rain cancels.

For more information, visit our website at: http://www.audubonmex.org.