NORTHERN MEXICO & THE YUCATAN – Off the beaten track for Mexican endemics and specialities

PRICE INFORMATION

Birdquest Inclusions: Our tour prices include transportation, accommodations, meals and entrance fees.

We also include all tipping for local guides, drivers and accommodation/restaurant staff.

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This tour is priced in US Dollars. Amounts shown in other currencies are indicative.

NORTHERN MEXICO & THE YUCATAN BIRDING TOUR: DETAILED ITINERARY

Northern Mexico: Day 1  Our tour begins this morning at Chihuahua airport in the state of Chihuahua in northern Mexico.

[There are frequent internal flights from Mexico City and less frequent services from Monterrey and other hubs. We can provide your internal ticket on request even if you are obtaining your international flight tickets yourself.]

From Ciudad Chihuahua, we will make our way through the mostly very wild, open landscapes of the Mexican State of Chihuahua, which seems the epitome of the landscapes made famous by ‘Westerns’ set in Mexico. High plains covered in grasslands are punctuated by rugged, crumpled ranges or flat-topped mesas. Eventually, the outer parts of the Sierra Madre Occidental appear, with extensive pine forests stretching into the distance.

Eventually, we will reach the small town of Ciudad Madera, where we will stay for two nights. This sleepy place honours the memory of Francisco Madero, the father of the Mexican Revolution that brought down the dictator Porfirio Diáz in 1910. After becoming president of the newly democratic state, Madero was assassinated three years later by the man who was to become the next dictator, Victoriano Huerta! This afternoon we will begin our explorations.

Northern Mexico: Day 2  The tall and beautiful temperate pine forests of the Sierra Madre Occidental in the Ciudad Madera region are the last stronghold of the Endangered Thick-billed Parrot. This large, noisy and rather macaw-like parrot (with a macaw-like silhouette owing to its unusually long tail) requires large, mature trees for nesting; usually Arizona Pine, Mexican White Pine, Douglas Fir or Quaking Aspen. The problem has been that forestry ‘extraction’ has destroyed much of the climax forest in the Sierra Madre Occidental, forcing the huge Imperial Woodpecker into extinction and now threatening the existence of this wonderful parrot.

We shall be exploring an area that is protected, at least for now, and we are sure to see plenty of these charismatic and very raucous birds. We can expect to see them inspecting their nest holes and interacting with each other as this will be the beginning of the breeding period.

The other ‘mega-speciality of this fine area is the uncommon and sparsely distributed Eared Quetzal. We sometimes encounter this lovely species on our Western Mexico tours, but it is always hit or miss. Here, on the other hand, it is a certainty and we can expect to see a number during our stay.

If we find a suitable fruiting tree we should be able to watch these special creatures hovering and plucking the more outlying fruits, aided and abetted by American Robins and Townsend’s Solitaires.

Other species of particular interest in these forests include Mountain Trogon, Greater Pewee, Mexican Chickadee, Bridled Titmouse, the pretty Red-faced Warbler, the monotypic Olive Warbler (sole member of its own bird family) and Yellow-eyed Junco.

Widespread species that we are likely to encounter include Turkey and Black Vultures, Red-tailed and Swainson’s Hawks, American Kestrel, White-winged Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove (now all over Mexico following the likely colonization of North America by introduced birds from the Bahamas), Groove-billed Ani, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Black Phoebe, Hutton’s Vireo, Barn Swallow, Steller’s Jay, Common Raven, Brown Creeper, Eastern Meadowlark and Great-tailed Grackle.

Mammals are not conspicuous but are likely to include Cliff Chipmunk, Western Grey Squirrel and Black-tailed Jackrabbit.

Northern Mexico: Day 3  After some final birding around Ciudad Madera we will return to Ciudad Chihuahua for an overnight stay.

Northern Mexico: Day 4  This is mostly a travel day as we head for the Saltilloi area in Coahuila state in Northeast Mexico for a two-night stay.

In the late afternoon, we will have our first opportunity to see the Saltillo area birds.

Northern Mexico: Day 5  We are going to enjoy exploring two areas in eastern Coahuila that are very different in character and which hold some fascinating but totally contrasting avifaunas.

This morning we will explore some tracts of desert habitats, complete with a variety of cacti and scrub, where our prime target will be our last Northeast Mexican endemic, the increasingly rare Worthen’s Sparrow.

A number of other species of interest occur in this area including Scaled Quail, Chihuahuan Raven, Cassin’s Kingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Black-vented Oriole, Canyon Towee and a surprisingly large population of the shy Botteri’s Sparrow.

More widespread birds include Northern Harrier, Greater Roadrunner, the cute Burrowing Owl (nesting in the holes made by endemic Mexican Prairie-dogs!), Say’s Phoebe, Tree and Cave Swallows, Horned Lark, Loggerhead Shrike, Lark and Clay-colored Sparrows and the handsome Blue Grosbeak.

During the afternoon, in contrast, we will explore some mixed pine and deciduous forest at the western edge of the Sierra Madre Oriental and then some more scrubby, drier habitat not that far away.

Our prime targets here are such Mexican near-endemics as Colima Warbler (unlike in West Texas, here you can drive to the breeding habitat!), Lucifer Sheartail, Broad-billed Hummingbird and Hooded Yellowthroat, all of which we can expect to see.

More widespread but welcome extras include Black-chinned Hummingbird, Woodhouse’s Scrub Jay, Bushtit, Bewick’s Wren, Spotted Towhee and Black-headed Grosbeak.

Northern Mexico: Day 6  We will have the opportunity today to look for anything we might have missed in eastern Coahuila before we drive to the city of Monterrey for a three-night stay.

Northern Mexico: Days 7-8  As with the entire State of Chihuahua, Monterrey, the spectacularly situated capital of the State of Nuevo Leon, lies outside the tropics. This morning we will explore an attractive area of subtropical woodland, mainly comprising evergreen oaks, not far from the city and nestled below the tall ranges of the Sierra Madre Oriental.

We will set out early as a prime target this morning is Tawny-collared Nightjar, a species endemic to Northeast Mexico. We have a good chance of having one come close in the pre-dawn period.

Another important Northeast-Mexican endemic in this area is the attractive Crimson-collared Grosbeak and we should have little trouble locating this interesting species. The same applies to the lovely Blue-capped Motmot and Bronze-winged Woodpecker, two other species endemic to the northeast of Mexico.

Two near-endemics that we are likely to encounter this morning are Long-billed Thrasher and Black-crested Titmouse (both just get over the border into South Texas). Other species of particular interest are Audubon’s Oriole (a Mexican near-endemic), Altamira Oriole and Olive Sparrow.

Widespread species regularly recorded at this site include Cooper’s Hawk, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, White-eyed Vireo, CarolinaWren, Brown Jay, Clay-colored Thrush, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, Bronzed Cowbird and Rufous-capped Warbler.

During the afternoon we will visit an area in Monterrey that attracts the near-endemic Green Parakeet.

Our second full day in the Monterrey area is surely going to be a major highlight of the tour as we explore the spectacular Cumbres de Monterrey National Park. The city itself, which is situated in a broad valley flanked by two impressive mountain ranges, is spectacular enough, but the scenery in Cumbres de Monterrey is even more dramatic.

Our prime target today, which we will have no difficulty finding, is the wonderful Maroon-fronted Parrot, another species endemic to Northeast Mexico. This second member of the genus Rhynchopsitta, so just as macaw-like as the Thick-billed Parrot, has declined until it now ranks as Endangered by Birdlife International. We will visit an area where we should get wonderful views of some of the birds as they rest or socialize in the pines or fly along the spectacular cliff faces where they nest. All in all, with the wheeling birds, the raucous calls and the acrobatics it is going to be a wonderful experience.

Among the other specialities in this beautiful area are the Mexican-endemic Rufous-capped Brushfinch and near-endemic Blue-throated Mountaingem, while restricted-range species include Mexican Jay, Crescent-chested Warbler and the stunning Painted Redstart.

Widespread species include Peregrine Falcon, Acorn Woodpecker, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Tropical Parula, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

Mammals are few in number but could well include Rock Squirrel.

Northern Mexico: Day 9  This morning, we will travel southwards to the small town of Gomez Farias in western Tamaulipas State for a three-night stay.

During the afternoon we will commence our exploration of the Gomez Farias area.

Northern Mexico: Days 10-11  Gomez Farias is situated in the midst of the extensive El Cielo Biosphere Reserve, which protects habitats ranging upwards from the subtropical foothill forests through temperate mixed forest to the temperate pine forests of higher altitudes on the eastern flanks of the Sierra Madre Oriental.

The key birds that have brought us to the reserve are two Northeast Mexican endemics; the delightfully fierce little Tamaulipas Pygmy Owl and the large but sombre Curve-winged Sabrewing

Also of great interest are the restricted-range Thicket Tinamou (this is a very reliable area for seeing this shy bird, rather than just hearing it) and such additional restricted-range specialities as Plain Chachalaca, Buff-bellied and Azure-crowned Hummingbirds, Elegant Trogon, Ivory-billed Woodcreeper, Grey-collared Becard, Blue Mockingbird, Brown-backed Solitaire, Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush, Spot-breasted Wren, Golden-browed Warbler, Yellow-throated Euphonia, Hooded Grosbeak and Black-headed Siskin.

More widespread birds regularly observed in the reserve include Short-tailed and Grey Hawks, Crested Guan, Red-billed Pigeon, White-tipped and Mourning Doves, Blue Ground Dove, Bat Falcon, White-crowned Parrot, Spot-crowned and Olivaceous Woodcreepers, Barred Antshrike, Greenish Elaenia, Northern Beardless Tyrannulet, Western Wood Pewee, Dusky-capped and Social Flycatchers, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, the smart Green Jay, White-throated Thrush, Melodious Blackbird, Golden-crowned and Fan-tailed Warblers, Flame0-colored Tanager, Red-throated Ant Tanager, Yellow-faced Grassquit and Black-headed and Greyish Saltators,

After dark, we will go out in search of Northern Potoo as well as Eastern Screech Owl, Mottled Owl and Pauraque.

We will also explore the lowlands below Gomez Farias. The key birds here are two Northeast-Mexico endemics: the smart Altamira Yellowthroat and the increasingly rare Tamaulipas Crow, a bird that recalls the Fish Crow of the eastern United States, but which has declined markedly in recent decades (and no longer wanders across the border to Brownsville, Texas). This may be owing to the destruction of its palm grove nesting sites or result from other causes.

Ruddy Crake occurs in this area but tends to be hard to see as opposed to hear, while other birds of interest include the restricted-range Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Couch’s Kingbird and Morelet’s Seedeater.

Other birds in this patchwork of agricultural habitats, irrigation channels and fragments of natural habitats include Great Egret, Common Ground Dove, Inca Dove, Crested Caracara, Red-lored Parrot, Great Kiskadee and Northern Rough-winged Swallow.

One afternoon we will take a short boat trip on a beautiful, crystal-clear river fringed by tall trees. This must surely be one of the best venues in the Neotropics for seeing Sungrebes! We are sure to see a number of these fascinating birds, perhaps watching one clamber up onto the branches of a tree that overhangs the river in an effort to hide from our presence. Green Kingfisher and Mangrove Cuckoo are also regular here.

Mammals regularly observed in the Gomez Farias area include Allen’s Squirrel and Eastern Cottontail.

Northern Mexico: Day 12  Today we will head for Monterrey airport where our tour will end in the afternoon. 

[There are frequent internal flights to Mexico City and some flights into the United States. We can provide your internal ticket on request even if you are obtaining your international flight tickets yourself.]

VERACRUZ EXTENSION

Veracruz: Day 1: The extension begins early today at our hotel at Mexico City airport, From there we travel to Xalapa in Veracruz state for an overnight stay.

The very localized endemic Bearded Wood Partridge occurs in the Xalapa area and we have a realistic chance of seeing (as opposed to only hearing) this tricky-to-see bird.  Another range-restricted endemic we can expect in this area is Veracruz Wren.

Veracruz: Day 2  After spending much of the day around Xalapa we will return to Mexico City for an overnight stay.

Veracruz: Day 3. Morning flight to Ciudad Chihuahua where we meet up with those arriving for the main tour.

YUCATAN PENINSULA EXTENSION

Yucatan: Day 1

The extension begins this evening on the island of Cozumel, situated just off the northeast coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, where we will spend two nights.

(You can fly in today from Mexico City. Airport transfers will be provided as long as you arrive between late morning and afternoon.)

Yucatan: Day 2

Although well known to the Mayas, who called it ‘Island of Swallows’, little remains of their influence on Cozumel now. A low-lying island surrounded by emerald seas and covered in dense scrub and woodland, this was Hernando Cortés’s choice of a base from which to launch his conquest of this region of Mexico. Nowadays, Cozumel is very much a tourist resort, although fortunately, it lacks the tackiness of the much larger Cancun across the water and remains a pleasant backwater favoured by scuba divers (for its reefs are some of the finest in the Caribbean) and more discerning sun-seekers.

For birders, Cozumel is a very easy and productive spot, with a mixture of habitats ranging from coastal beaches, lagoons and mangroves to low woodland and large, overgrown pastures. No fewer than four endemic species inhabit the island, and from about September to April, many winter visitors from North America are present.

During the autumn months, Cozumel has occasionally been struck by hurricanes, as have so many coastal areas in the region. Severe hurricanes in the 1980s and early 21st century appear to have wiped out the endemic Cozumel Thrasher, which was formerly a common species on the island. The other endemic birds on the island fared better: Cozumel Emerald, Cozumel Wren and Cozumel Vireo are not uncommon in the shrubby woodlands that cover much of the island.

We will also explore the woodland and weedy pastures for such Yucatan endemics or regional endemics as Yucatan Amazon, Yucatan Nightjar, Yucatan Flycatcher, Black Catbird, Yucatan Vireo and Rose-throated Tanager, and species largely restricted to Caribbean islands such as White-crowned Pigeon, Caribbean Dove, Smooth-billed Ani (uncommon), Caribbean Elaenia and the Cozumel form of the Western Spindalis, a potential split.

In a marshy area, we will make a special effort to get good views of the endearing Ruddy Crake (another regional endemic), as well as Grey-crowned Yellowthroat.

We should also encounter Magnificent Frigatebird, Royal Tern, Mangrove Cuckoo, Pauraque, Green-breasted Mango, Bright-rumped Attila, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Tropical Mockingbird, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, Northern Parula, Yellow, Magnolia, Yellow-throated and Palm Warblers, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, Bananaquit, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting and Yellow-faced Grassquit.

Yucatan: Day 3

After some final birding on Cozumel, we will cross to the mainland of Mexico and then drive to the small town of Río Lagartos on the north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula for a two-night stay.

As we head north, the vegetation becomes drier and more stunted, which is characteristic of the very arid and often windswept northern coast of this huge peninsula.

Yucatan: Day 4

The extensive, mangrove-lined estuary and lagoons at Río Lagartos are known as the Ría Lagartos, and this area, combined with the extensive saltpans at nearby Las Coloradas, forms a paradise for waterbirds. Now well-protected, this is one of the most impressive wetland areas in all of Mexico and has become famous for its large flocks of flamingos in particular. The small town of Río Lagartos fronts onto the estuary, and some of the local fishermen have turned to guiding visiting birders. At dusk, there is a spectacular roost of cormorants, herons, egrets, ibises and spoonbills in the mangroves right opposite the town.

Before we enjoy the waterbird spectacle, we will track down two endemic species, which are restricted to the low scrub and woodland along the north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, the attractive Mexican Sheartail and the noisy Yucatan Wren. Both are fairly easy to find in this area, as are the more widespread endemic Yucatan Bobwhite and Yucatan Woodpecker.

As we explore the farmland with its expanses of native scrub or wander through some relict forest patches amongst the mangroves, we should also come across Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Crane Hawk, Common Black Hawk, Northern Crested Caracara, Killdeer, Common Ground Dove, Olive-throated Parakeet, the wonderful Lesser Roadrunner, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Turquoise-browed Motmot, Least and Vermilion Flycatchers, Tree Swallow, Mangrove Vireo, Scrub Euphonia, Northern Cardinal, Blue-black Grassquit, Red-winged and Melodious Blackbirds and Altamira Oriole.

The huge saltpans at Las Coloradas offer great birding. Several thousand American Flamingoes can be found here, and if we come across a big gathering, the shimmering pink mass and regular lines of new arrivals flying in will create quite an impression. Along the sandy shoreline, we will come across many Brown Pelicans, joining the gulls to see if there are titbits to pick up as the local fishermen bring their catches ashore. Laughing Gulls are numerous, and there are often one or two Kelp Gulls, American Herring Gulls and Lesser Black-backed Gulls present in the area, while Cabot’s Terns patrol just off the beach. Rather surprisingly, Zenaida Doves seem to love the beach area. This Caribbean island speciality only reaches the mainland in this part of Mexico. As we wander around the saltpans, flocks of Double-crested and Neotropic Cormorants will fly past and we will come across a splendid variety of shorebirds, including Snowy and Semipalmated Plovers, American Oystercatcher, Black-necked Stilt, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Spotted, Semipalmated, Western, Least and Stilt Sandpipers, and Short-billed Dowitcher. Ospreys, Caspian Terns and Forster’s Terns fish in the lagoons, Gull-billed Terns hunt for large insects and from time to time, a wintering Peregrine Falcon puts the shorebird flocks to flight.

The Río Lagartos itself attracts American White Pelicans that fish in the wider reaches of the estuary, bizarre Black Skimmers resting on sandbars and Mangrove Swallows hawking insects over the waters. The main attractions of the mangrove-lined waterways are the large but secretive Bare-throated Tiger Heron and the strange, prehistoric-looking Boat-billed Heron (often considered a monotypic family). The former is impressive enough, but the latter, as it stares at us with those enormous black eyes positioned over that incredible bill, is one of those birds that one remembers forever! Here too we can expect to see Great Blue, Little Blue, Tricoloured and Green Herons, Great, Snowy and Reddish Egrets, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, White Ibis and the lovely Roseate Spoonbill. The localised Rufous-necked Wood Rail and Clapper Rail occur in these mangroves, and with a bit of luck, we will see both.

Yucatan: Day 5

After some final birding at Río Lagartos,  we will travel westwards to the Dzilam de Bravo area, which is a good area for the perky endemic Yucatan Gnatcatcher.

Afterwards, we head for the town of Valladolid, where we will spend the night.

Yucatan: Day 6

Today, we will set off early so that we can visit the famous archaeological site of Chichén Itzá before it gets hot and crowded. Chichén Itzá is the most famous, best preserved and most visited Mayan site in Central America, and for good reason: this is one of those world-class archaeological sites that even the most focused birders are impressed by! Chichén Itzá reached the zenith of its power and wealth between 800 and 1000 AD before being abandoned in the 14th century. Dominating the huge plaza is the impressive Pyramid of Kukulcán (also known as El Castillo), which is built with 91 steps on each side, and a single step at the main entrance to the temple on its summit platform, making a total of 365, exactly the same as the number of days in a year.

We will have time to see some of the other buildings as well, notably the strange ‘Ball-Court’. The rules of the game and its purpose remain obscure, but at some period in the city’s history, they seemed to involve the human sacrifice of either the losing or the winning team, or at least their captain!

The site is also a good place to find the albinucha form of the Carolina Wren, sometimes split as White-browed Wren.

After our visit to this wonderful place, we will travel southwards to Calakmul for a three-night stay.

Yucatan: Days 7-8

The famous Mayan site of Calakmul was discovered by biologist Cyrus Lundell in 1931 and is situated in the 2800 square mile (7200 square km) Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in the Mexican state of Campeche, deep in the jungles of the greater Petén Basin region, about 18 miles (30km) from the Guatemalan border. Calakmul, the ‘City of the Two Adjacent Pyramids’, was a major Maya superpower within the northern Petén region. An amazing 6,750 ancient structures have been identified, the largest of which is the Great Pyramid. It is estimated to have had a population of 50,000 people in its halcyon days.

The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, the largest tropical forest reserve in Mexico, is a treasure trove of Mayan history in the heart of the Maya Forest, and our visit will be one of the highlights of the tour. The remarkable Ocellated Turkey is commonly encountered, and single birds or even parties often almost block the entrance road! This close relative of the better-known North American Wild Turkey only occurs in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico and adjacent Guatemala and Belize. In most of its range, this species has become very wary due to hunting, but here these spectacular birds have become completely fearless.

Another major target is the delightful Great Curassow, widely hunted elsewhere but still fairly tame here. The males display their unique curly hairdo, and two different morphs of the females could be encountered.

As dawn breaks and the forest awakens, one of the first birds to become active is the impressive Ivory-billed Woodcreeper, whose calls permeate the gloom of first light. Lesson’s Motmots follow close behind, and flocks of Yucatan Amazons vocalise from the huge trees surrounding the plaza. Bat Falcons hunt from exposed perches, and sometimes, the elusive Collared Forest Falcon splits the air with its early morning calls.

Fruiting trees around the ruins often attract huge Crested Guans, colourful Emerald Toucanets, Collared Aracaris, Keel-billed Toucans, Masked Tityras, Ochre-bellied Flycatchers, and gorgeous Black-cowled and Baltimore Orioles. The large red flowers of exotic African Tulip Trees host a variety of hummingbirds, including Rufous-tailed and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Canivet’s Emerald and the regionally endemic White-bellied Emerald.

The entrance road to the ruins passes through untouched primary forest, providing some very productive early morning birding. Overhead, the huge forest trees are inhabited by Gartered and Collared Trogons, Smoky-brown, Golden-olive and Chestnut-colored Woodpeckers, as well as the huge Pale-billed Woodpecker (whose ‘double knock’ drum will soon become a familiar sound). Unobtrusive Red-billed Pigeons feed on ripening Cecropia fruit. Above the canopy, Vaux’s Swifts wheel around. The Yucatan peninsula form may represent a distinct species. As the sun warms the air, raptors make an appearance, sometimes including Bicoloured and Zone-tailed Hawks. Tiny regionally endemic White-bellied Wrens and White-breasted Wood Wrens skulk around the roots of fallen trees, uttering their beautiful song, while other forest inhabitants include Squirrel Cuckoo, the uncommon Blue-black Grosbeak and the secretive Green-backed Sparrow. Shy Mayan Antthrushes (a regional endemic) creep around on the forest floor, while regional-endemic Yellow-winged Tanagers usually keep to the treetops. The mixed-species flocks often contain Olivaceous Woodcreepers, Long-billed Gnatwrens and Tawny-crowned Greenlets.

If we are fortunate, we will find an army ant swarm with its attendant followers. The birds are often so engrossed in taking insects flushed by the marauding ants that they are oblivious to observers and allow a close approach. The most usual species found at these events include Ivory-billed, Tawny-winged, Ruddy and Northern Barred Woodcreepers, striking Grey-headed Tanagers and both Red-crowned and Red-throated Ant Tanagers, and Yellow-billed Cacique.

The forest also holds a wide array of tyrant flycatchers, which include Northern Bentbill, Yellow-olive and Eye-ringed Flatbills, Greenish Elaenia, Tropical Royal Flycatcher and Tropical Pewee.

At this season, there are also good numbers of winter visitors to southern Mexico from further north, including Great Crested Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Yellow-throated and Red-eyed Vireos, Blue-winged, Worm-eating, Kentucky and Hooded Warblers, and possibly Louisiana Waterthrush.

After dark, we will go looking for Northern Potoo, Middle American Screech Owl and Mottled Owl.

Groups of Yucatan Black Howler and agile Geoffroy’s Spider Monkeys are regular visitors to the fruiting trees near the plaza, while along the entrance road, we could encounter Central American Agouti. White-nosed Coati, Collared Peccary, White-tailed Deer or even Mexican Red Brocket Deer.

We will also visit the famous Volcán de los Murciélagos (the Volcano of the Bats), a sinkhole from which, at dusk, emerge hundreds of thousands of bats. Swirling clouds of Broad-eared (or Broad-tailed) Bats fly high away to distant feeding areas while smaller species of the genus Pteronotus remain low within the woodland. Short-tailed and White-tailed Hawks, Bat Falcons and Barn Owls often hang around to try and pick off their dinners as the stream of bats literally darkens the sky.

Yucatan: Day 9

After some early morning birding at Calakmul, we will return northwards to Felipe Carillo Puerto for an overnight stay. We will spend the afternoon birding the surrounding area.

Felipe Carrillo Puerto is situated not far from the huge Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, and we shall bird along the excellent access road to the reserve, which passes through a large tract of primary and secondary forest with varying levels of human disturbance.

Here, we should come across Plain Chachalacas calling from high in the trees while White-fronted Amazons and big Black-headed Saltators create a cacophony. As we wander along the road, enjoying the easy birding conditions it provides, we will be looking out in particular for the endemic Yucatan Jay and Orange Oriole and regional endemics such as Wedge-tailed Sabrewing and the stunning little Grey-throated Chat.

Other birds likely to be seen in this rewarding area include Roadside Hawk, Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Black-headed Trogon, Lineated Woodpecker, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Northern Tropical Pewee, Great Kiskadee, Couch’s Kingbird, Rose-throated Becard, Brown Jay, Spot-breasted Wren, Grey Catbird, White-eyed Vireo, Lesser Greenlet, the handsome Blue Bunting, Morelet’s Seedeater, Orchard and Hooded Orioles, and the striking Yellow-backed Oriole.

After dark, we will look for the rather elusive endemic Yucatan Poorwill and have another chance for the cute Middle American Screech Owl.

Yucatan: Day 10

After some final birding in the Felipe Carillo Puerto area, we will drive to Cancún airport, where our tour ends late this afternoon.