WESTERN MEXICO TOUR REPORT 2023

20 / 24 March - 7 April 2023

by Pete Morris

With just the odd tweak here and there, our well-established Western Mexico tour has, over the years, become a very efficient clean-up (or nearly!) of the many regional specialities that this fantastic part of Mexico has to offer. This year, we once again recorded around 410 species of birds, and again we found a very high proportion of the special birds (or diamond birds) which is, of course, the main focus of the tour. We also added a new diamond birds to the list: the very impressive (Mexican) Spotted Owl, a species that is only rarely recorded in Mexico. Highlights were many and varied, but special mention should go to the following: the nightbirds which included a record breaking 16 species of owl – all seen brilliantly, a potoo and five species of nightjar including the stunning Eared Poorwill; the Montezuma, Banded and Elegant Quails; the stunning Long-tailed Wood-Partridges that showed so well; brilliant Greater and Lesser Roadrunners; the fabulous party of Eared Quetzals and rare Hooded Grosbeaks along the Durango Highway; the amazing variety of endemic jays including the incredible Tufted Jay; stunning Military Macaws; colourful Rosy Thrush-tanagers; numerous Aztec Thrushes; much appreciated Rufous-necked Wood Rails as well as recently split Aztec and Ridgway’s Rails; an amazing variety of North American Wood Warblers, including Olive Warbler (now in its own family); 11 smart species of wrens; a brilliant variety of sparrows including the endemic Black-chested Sparrow; the best vireos in the world, and many, many more! All of this was complemented by some great food (rather too much!), some soothing beers and margaritas, a cooler than usual but pleasant climate, and a happy and jovial group that were all well pleased with the numbers of lifers under their belts!

The tour began in Baja California, where those of us participating on the pre-tour extension met up at San José del Cabo airport. After picking up our vehicle, and finding a nice lunch, we launched straight into the action with an afternoon visit to the excellent Estero San José. It’s always a birdy spot, and although a little bright and warm, it provided an excellent introduction to our Mexican birding. Our prime target, the endangered and endemic Belding’s Yellowthroat, proved pretty easy again, with several giving extremely good views, even alongside Common Yellowthroats. The estero itself held a good selection of North American waterbirds including huge numbers of American Coots and Common Gallinules, and good numbers of wintering ducks were also present including Blue-winged Teals, American Wigeons, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck and Lesser Scaup. A trio of Lesser Snow Geese and two Aleutian Cackling Geese were excellent bonuses too. Small numbers of shorebirds included Long-billed Dowitchers, Least Sandpipers, Semipalmated and our only Snowy Plover of the tour, and we found a single Western Grebe, as well as Least, Pied-billed and Black-necked (Eared) Grebes. A good variety of herons, including a surprise American Bittern were present, and other species included Double-crested Cormorants, California Gulls, a couple of immature Heermann’s Gulls, Marsh Wren, smart Pyrrhuloxias and a confusing variety of Savanna Sparrows! After a pleasant afternoon, we made our way to our base for the next few nights, and enjoyed our first of many fine Mexican meals!

We had plenty of time to find the specialities of Southern Baja California, and set about our task with some relatively relaxing birding in some desert close to our hotel. This proved to be excellent and produced the hoped-for desert species including smart California Quails, California Scrub Jays, the localized California Gnatcatcher, the endemic Grey Thrasher, the rare Grey Vireo, American Grey Flycatcher, superb male Costa’s Hummingbirds as well as our first (female) Xantus’s Hummingbirds, more colourful Verdins, noisy Cactus Wrens, and several smart and obliging Black-throated Sparrows. Gilded Flickers and Gila and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers adorned the impressive cacti, and colour was added by Scott’s and Hooded Orioles and smart Norther Cardinals and Pyrrhuloxias. Venturing slightly further afield, we found our first California Towhees, several Phainopeplas, our first Yellow-footed Gull, and, a surprise in the form of a Pacific Loon (Diver). Good numbers of leaping Mobula Rays added to the entertainment, and we also stopped to study some groups of Brandt’s Cormorants on some rocks along the coast.

After an excellent morning we made an excursion into the lower areas of the Sierra de la Laguna in the late afternoon. After much effort, we eventually found a single San Lucan Robin (the distinctive local form of American Robin), more stunning Xantus’s Hummingbirds (some fine males), our first (San Lucan) Acorn Woodpeckers and an excellent Zone-tailed Hawk amongst others. After dark we were treated to magnificent views of some tiny and very cute Elf Owls, though sadly failed to find the calling Western Screech Owls.

We were back before dawn, and this time had the fabulous Western Screech Owls in the spotlight almost immediately! As the sky lightened from the east, we continued higher into the San Antonio de la Sierra, making our way up into the mountains to embark on a rather long hike to higher altitudes, and had a slightly longer walk than anticipated. The main purpose of the hike was to find the endemic Baird’s Junco, and this we achieved pretty easily (though the hike wasn’t all that easy!), gaining some wonderful views. During the walk, which was conducted under glorious blue skies and with stunning scenery, we found a variety of other goodies including several Baja (or Cape) Pygmy-Owls, American Grey and Ash-throated Flycatchers, tiny American (Grinda’s) Bushtits, a fabulous Canyon Wren, and colourful Lazuli Buntings and Western Tanagers. We also studied the endemic forms of Warbling and Cassin’s Vireos, the latter almost like a Blue-headed Vireo! As the sun warmed, we descended and birded some shadier areas lower down. Here we found attractive Spotted Towhees, a Merlin and several more San Lucan (American) Robins which showed very well indeed. We headed back to base, and after a break, made a short and local excursion, though didn’t really add much new! That evening we enjoyed our feast and an optional margarita or two, and we were feeling pretty good, if a little tired!

The following morning, we set off early and headed north, along empty roads and through stunning scenery. An obligatory Oxxo stop yielded hot coffee and snacks, and we then made our way to some coastal mangroves where, our main target, the shy Ridgway’s Rail soon obliged. Also here was a Green-tailed Towhee and a few waders including Semipalmated and Western Sandpipers and some smart Long-billed Curlews. We then made our way around various spots in La Paz, enjoying close up views of many smart adult Yellow-footed Gulls and a variety of other waterbirds including American White and White-faced Ibises, a large flock of American White Pelicans, American Oystercatcher, American Avocets, numerous Short-billed Dowitchers, Marbled Godwits, and a distant flock of Gull-billed, Royal and Caspian Terns and Black Skimmers, as well as Reddish Egrets and our first Brewer’s Blackbirds. After a pleasant lunch, we made one last stop in the La Paz area, where, much to our surprise, we found a roosting Great Horned Owl! The rest of the day was best forgotten, as we made the rather tedious journey to our hotel at Mexico City Airport!

The following morning, we had a relatively leisurely start, and took our flight across to Mazatlan, where we were greeted by noisy Sinaloa Crows! Having organized the vehicle, and met up with our excellent driver, Marco, we popped out for a first afternoon just on the outskirts of the city itself. We began on the seafront where we stopped to view some offshore rocks. Here, numerous (Brewster’s) Brown and Blue-footed Boobies could be scoped on the stacks, as Red-billed Tropicbirds flew about manically. Nearby we found many California, Ring-billed and Heermann’s Gulls and scavenging Brown Pelicans and Magnificent Frigatebirds. In the afternoon we tried a nearby area of thorn forest, where we were delighted to find the impressive Purplish-backed Jay as well as cracking Golden-cheeked Woodpeckers, Mexican Caciques, Sinaloa Wren, and a few more widespread thorn forest species and an unexpected Nine-banded Armadillo! We also saw our first Rufous-bellied Chachalacas.

The following morning we tried another area of thorn forest just outside Mazatlan. Hundreds of Sinaloa Crows flew from their roosts, and we soon found impressive Black-throated Magpie-Jays and more stunning Purplish-backed Jays. A pair of Black-capped Gnatcatchers showed well, Nutting’s Flycatchers were grilled, and we found a feisty Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl. After a bit of a battle, some skittish Elegant Quails gave some reasonable views, and other species included Broad-billed and Cinnamon Hummingbirds, Thick-billed Kingbirds, Plumbeous and Bell’s Vireos, Happy Wren and Yellow-breasted Chat, as well as a variety of wintering North American warblers. Colour was added by Streak-backed Orioles, and our first Varied Buntings, and we bumped into a male Cinnamon-rumped Seedeater. At a nearby estuary, we paused to check out the numerous waterbirds and see some smart Mangrove Swallows

We then headed for the famous Durango Highway, heading out of the hot lowlands and into the cool, scenic pine-oak forests of the uplands. We first made our way to an incredible bridge, where we had lunch and took time to admire the incredible architecture along the new highway which has been quite literally drilled through mountains and across huge chasms on the most incredible suspension bridges! Here a Canyon Wren sang, and we found our first Golden Vireos and American Dusky Flycatchers amongst others, but it was generally pretty quiet. We then made our way to a different side road which was very birdy indeed. Here we were quickly adding to our speciality list with a number of goodies including smart Berylline Hummingbirds, showy Arizona and Grey-crowned Woodpeckers, shy Blue Mockingbirds, more attractive Golden Vireos and a stunning male Black-capped Vireo. A fine Fan-tailed Warbler, Black-headed Siskins and some excellent Rusty-crowned Ground Sparrows were admired, and we even had some Military Macaws passing over high up!

The following day, we made our first eagerly anticipated birding excursion to the higher reaches of the Durango Highway. It was fairly slow to begin with, but gradually we accumulated more and more good birds as we made our way up to the barranca. The variety of warblers was quite amazing! Colourful gems included Red-faced, Crescent-chested, Grace’s, Hermit and Townsend’s Warblers, stunning Golden-browed Warblers, the beautiful melanuroides grey-cheeked race of Red Warbler, and Painted and Slate-throated Whitestarts. Other goodies included gaudy Mountain Trogons, the boldly marked White-striped Woodcreeper, the subtle near-endemic Pine Flycatcher, perky Northern Tufted Flycatchers, Hutton’s Vireo, Brown Creeper, musical Brown-backed Solitaires, Hermit and Russet Nightingale-Thrushes, and the endemic Rufous-capped Brushfinch. Once at the top, we finally found an amazing group of superb Tufted Jays – our most-wanted bird for the morning, and our luck continued as first we found the endemic Green-striped Brushfinch and then a pair of the rare and elusive Hooded Grosbeak. Then a little further on we were stood watching a fantastic Stygian Owl on its daytime roost. We were on a roll, so we thought we may as well carry on, and tried another spot. Here we hit the jackpot as a group of four Eared Quetzals showed supremely well. It had been quite a morning.

Later that afternoon, we headed to lower reaches on the highway. Here we found our first feisty little Colima Pygmy Owls, as well as more Rufous-bellied Chachalacas, an Elegant Trogon, and plenty of stunning Military Macaws. We stayed until after dark, and although we saw a fine Mottled Owl, no screech owls were apparent.

The following morning, we set off pre-dawn, and soon found a pair of Whiskered Screech Owls. We then went higher still, pausing to admire a couple of Stygian Owls as we went, and explored the fantastic Tufted Jay preserve. Although it’s a bumpy track to get up there, it’s worth it, as the area protects a gorgeous area of forest and flower banks. The clearing was absolutely alive with birds as big flocks of Grey Silky-Flycatchers were joined by lovely Cedar Waxwings, numerous Yellow-eyed Juncos and Chipping Sparrows foraged on the ground where they were joined by Eastern Bluebirds and even a couple of Mexican Chickadees! Also here were some much appreciated, glistening, endemic Red-headed Tanagers, an obliging (Brown-throated) House Wren (surely a good split?) and, at an attractive area of flowers, we found several smart Blue-throated Mountaingems amongst the more common White-eared Hummingbirds.

In the afternoon we ventured lower once more. At our first stop, we stumbled across a pair of seldom-seen Montezuma Quail at the roadside, and also admired a flock of huge White-naped Swifts swooping low over the forest. A little lower still we explored another area, and although it was quite tricky, we did find a fine Violet-crowned Hummingbirds, as well as another smart Black-capped Vireo, some smart Rufous-backed Thrushes, more Rusty-crowned Ground Sparrows and good numbers of chunky Blue and Black-headed Grosbeaks.

The following morning it was time to leave the Durango Highway, and we drove down to lower altitudes once more. We arrived just after a spectacular sunrise, and enjoyed a few productive hours. The Magnificent Military Macaws stole the show to some degree, but other excellent birds included gorgeous Russet-crowned Motmots, more Elegant Trogons, showy Orange-fronted Parakeets and Mexican Parrotlets, fine male Golden-crowned Emeralds, the sturdy Ivory-billed Woodcreeper, big numbers of attractive Rufous-backed Thrushes, Yellow Grosbeaks and a couple of smart Blue Buntings, as well as many of the already-seen favourites and a few more widespread species such as Plain-capped Starthroat, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Rose-throated Becard, a very showy Bright-rumped Attila and our only Virginia’s Warbler of the trip.

We then made the rather long drive to San Blas, pausing on the way for lunch, where we were again joined by a flock of foraging White-naped Swifts, a species that can on occasion be tough to find! Once at San Blas we settled into our rather special hotel. San Blas was to be our base for the next few nights, and one could not wish for a better base than our friendly, family-run hotel. With great rooms, a pool, and an incredible restaurant, losing weight here was not an option as the cuisine was absolutely superb! That first afternoon we explored an area close to town. Sadly, conversion of land to shrimp ponds is happening at pace, and areas that used to be productive were now gone! Although not especially productive, we did find more Elegant Quails, a few Purple Gallinules, a good variety of waders and herons including Stilt Sandpipers, more Mexican Parrotlets, our first Willow Flycatcher, Orchard Orioles, and plenty more Cinnamon-rumped Seedeaters. We also got an excellent introduction to the local insect populations!!

San Blas is noted for its rich bird life due to the variety of habitats present, which vary from open country and scrub to tropical forest, swamps, mangroves and shrimp ponds. We’d explored some of these, but the following morning we headed to a track which weaved in and out of forest patches and took us alongside several swampy areas. Bird activity was high and overall, we recorded a good number of species. Perhaps the highlight of the morning were the fabulous Elegant Quails which finally showed well, or perhaps the amazing pair of Collared Forest Falcons which gave brilliant views! Other goodies also included subtle Citreoline Trogons, smart Pale-billed Woodpeckers, the range-restricted White-throated Flycatcher and the endemic West Mexican Euphonia, as well as more widespread species such as Muscovy Duck, Laughing Falcon and Least Flycatcher.

After a cracking lunch and a well-earned siesta, we set off that afternoon for an enjoyable boat trip into the mangroves. Once again, it turned out to be a fantastic trip. High on the desired list was the difficult Rufous-necked Wood Rail, and after some diligent searching, we scored with some good views. An excellent variety of waterbirds included Anhingas, a bizarre-looking Boat-billed Heron, fabulous Bare-throated Tiger Herons, and Green, Ringed and Belted Kingfishers, and we also found a pair of Mangrove Cuckoos, Common Black Hawk, Mangrove Warbler and a daytime Northern Potoo. As the light began to fade, we rounded the trip off with several Lesser Nighthawks, some amazing views of Pauraque and weird-looking Northern Potoos in the spotlight, and a couple of fabulous American Barn Owls which flew around over us! We headed back to base for another fine dinner, but with the bit between our teeth, we decided to continue, and a little while later had a Middle American Screech Owl fixed in the beam. Success!!

Having only recently descended from the pine oak forests of the Durango Highway, we decided to head back up into the hills, this time to the excellent Cerro de San Juan. Here we had a narrowing target list and set about our task, soon finding some brilliant Spotted Wrens, Rufous-capped Warblers, Stripe-headed Sparrows and Flame-coloured Tanager. A little lower we were delighted to find Grey-collared Becard and the scarce Dickey’s (Audubon’s) Oriole. Lower still we found a female Mexican Woodnymph, and other species seen included Green Jays and Calliope and Rufous Hummingbirds. In the middle of the day we visited a small park in Tepic, where, the rails refused to play, though we did see Sora as well as Mexican Ducks and a confiding Fulvous Whistling Duck. We headed back to Cerro de San Juan in the late afternoon, picking up, Rusty Sparrows and Buff-breasted Flycatcher in the fading light. Soon after sunset we were watching the magnificent Eared Poorwill at point blank range, and an hour or so later had a pair of fantastic Cinereous Owls in the spotlight! The nightbirding was chugging along fine, though we were fairly tired by the time we got back to San Blas!

The following day, we visited another forested area, and had another fabulous morning. Top of the highlights were some amazing fluorescent Rosy Thrush-Tanagers that teased us at first and then showed brilliantly, and some fine male Mexican Woodnymphs! Also here were a group of Crested Guans, more Citreoline and colourful Elegant Trogons, Red-crowned Ant Tanagers, and a number of other favourites. Nearby we saw several brilliant Mexican Hermits at their lek, and a fine Black Hawk-Eagle calling overhead. The afternoon was a quieter affair, though we did have a brilliant time watching a gang of San Blas Jays and Mexican Caciques mobbing a daytime Mottled Owl, and had more brilliant views of Rufous-necked Wood Rail! This essentially completed our San Blas birding, and we made our way back to the hotel for one final lavish dinner before leaving our wonderful hospitality behind.

The following morning we embarked upon the long drive to Ciudad Guzman, but made several stops along the way. Our first stop in Tepic was again frustrating, though we did see our only Limpkin of the trip. Our next stop added some brilliant Clark’s Grebes (including some displaying birds), a fine Grey-crowned Yellowthroat and an impressive flock of American White Pelicans. We then made the long drive to the interesting wetlands of Laguna de Atotonilco. Here we were finally able to feast our eyes on the endemic Ridgway’s Rail, and a great number of other wetland bird species were present including a few new ones for our ever-growing list, including Gadwall and Buff-bellied Pipit! In the surrounding scrub, we also found Curve-billed Thrasher and Bewick’s Wren amongst others.

The main reason for our stay in Ciudad Guzman was to visit the forested slopes of Volcan de Fuego and Volcan de Nieve along three, less than smooth mountain tracks. Early starts (and the odd late finish) were the order of the day here due to the numerous nightbirds that occur, and we were richly rewarded for our not inconsiderable efforts, pushing the nightbird list on this tour to a new level! Pride of place went to the fantastic Northern Saw-whet Owl and the brilliant Mexican Spotted Owl, both of which showed superbly, but the supporting cast of Stygian Owl (interacting with the Spotted!), Whiskered Screech Owl, brilliant Buff-collared Nightjar, showy Mexican Whip-poor-wills and more Eared Poorwills at touching distance, wasn’t a bad supporting cast! In daylight on the mountains, we found nearly all of our hoped-for targets. At the highest altitudes, we were delighted that a key species, the piebald Aztec Thrush, was present in good numbers, some of which showed very well indeed. Stunning Long-tailed Wood Partridges showed very well, and the vocal Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo was another major prize. In these higher forests the flower banks attracted Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercers, and were alive with hummers, including Green Violetears, an Amethyst-throated Mountaingem, and Rivoli’s and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds. Red Warblers (here of the white-eared subspecies) showed well, a tiny Golden-crowned Kinglet and Pine Siskins hid in the giant conifers, Pygmy Nuthatches foraged, noisy Grey-barred Wrens joined mixed flocks, and Grey-breasted Wood Wrens and attractive Collared Towhees sang from the undergrowth. Sadly, the fine Colima Warbler that popped up right by us disappeared all too quickly.

In the lower and mid elevation oak forests some diligent searching revealed West Mexican Chachalacas, the recently split/re-named Transvolcanic Jay, (Black-eared) American Bushtits, and the often elusive but stunning Slaty Vireo (a few showed superbly). Here we also found a smart Mountain Pygmy Owl, and other species of interest included Bridled Titmice (mobbing the aforementioned owl) and Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, but, perhaps best of all, were the scope views of the singing Lesser Roadrunner! On the mostly agricultural lower slopes we saw White-throated Swifts and Canyon Towhee, and eventually found a couple of groups of attractive Banded Quails, another definite highlight.

In between the trips to the volcanoes, we spent a little time exploring the marshes around Ciudad Guzman. Here the water levels were high once more, and much of the habitat has been lost, though smaller number of Yellow-headed Blackbirds were present, and we found Golden-fronted Woodpecker.

Following our third morning on the volcanoes then made our way up to Colima. This allowed us to visit the nearby La Cumbre that afternoon where we soon found some stunning Black-chested Sparrows and amazing Orange-breasted Buntings as well as a smart Lesser Ground Cuckoo, vocal Sclater’s Wrens, our first (female) Red-breasted Chat and a White-throated Magpie-Jay. As the sun slipped down, we nibbled on our picnic dinners and, after dusk began searching for owls. We soon heard, and after a bit of a battle, saw the endemic Balsas Screech Owl, which showed brilliantly.

On our final day in the Colima area we still had some unfinished business to do, and hauled ourselves up the volcanoes for one final time. We were greeted by a rather annoyed Great Horned Owl which gave some great views in the early morning light. After what seemed like an age of searching, we eventually tracked down a couple of singing, and much-appreciated Dwarf Vireos. It’s amazing how often this one holds out until the end!! We also found a couple of Smoky-brown Woodpeckers, another Grey-collared Becard and a Greenish Elaenia. It had been a fantastic tour of the mountains and it was now time to move on to the final leg of our tour!

Our drive to Barra de Navidad was punctuated with a stop at Manzanillo Power Station. Here, Elegant and Least Terns entertained, as did good numbers of passing Franklin’s Gulls (including some pink-hued stunners) and a few Sabine’s Gulls. Later that afternoon and the following morning, we explored the interesting Playa de Oro Road, finding our remaining hoped-for targets. These included Lilac-crowned Amazons, more Red-breasted Chats, including some stunning males, some cute White-bellied Wrens and Olive Sparrows as well as a Crane Hawk and our only Roadside Hawk of the tour. Many of the other thorn forest goodies were present, though it took a lot of searching before we finally pinned down the scarce and unobtrusive endemic Flammulated Flycatcher. From the coast we could see plenty of boobies and good numbers of very distant storm petrels! We also popped in to a nearby area where we found a shockingly colourful pair of Spot-breasted Orioles as well as Ruddy-breasted Seedeaters.

Our base for this time was Barra de Navidad, and whilst there, we also had time to venture offshore for a few hours. This proved a little bumpy, but we did manage to see both Black and Least Storm Petrels, several Sabine’s Gulls, a few Red Phalaropes, Red-billed Tropicbird at close range, several Pink-footed Shearwaters, a single Sooty Shearwater, and a small black and white shearwater which, on examination of the photos, appears to be a Manx Shearwater unfortunately!

That evening we made our way to the excellent Ramon’s and enjoyed a final excellent Mexican meal and a few great margaritas. Wow, he puts some kick in them! All that remained was a transit to the airport the following morning, and our long flights home. Yet another very successful Western Mexico tour had come to its conclusion. It had been a great adventure through the land of ‘topes’ and margaritas! We could once again feel we had done this magnificent birding destination proud. Packed full of endemics, sunshine and great food, that’s our Western Mexico tour. Still only recommended for people not on a diet, and who can cope with high volumes of quality birds!

BIRD OF THE TOUR

1^st       AZTEC THRUSH

2^nd        EARED POORWILL

3^rd        CINEREOUS OWL

4^th=       (Mexican) Spotted Owl

4^th=       Eared Quetzal

6^th        Rosy Thrush Tanager

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED

Species marked with the diamond symbol (◊) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered ‘special’ birds for some other reason (e.g., it is only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; it is difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species).

The species names and taxonomy used in the bird list follows Gill, F., Donsker, D., & Rasmussen, P.(Eds). 2023. IOC World Bird List (v13.2) (this was the current version when the checklist for the tour report was created).

Where the subspecies seen is/are known, these are often given in parentheses at the end of the species comment.

Species only seen on the pre-tour extension to Southern Baja California are marked (B).

Black-bellied Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna autumnalis  [fulgens].

Fulvous Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna bicolor  Seen very well at the Parque Ecologico Tachii, in Tepic.

Cackling Goose ◊  Branta hutchinsii (B)  Great views of two individuals showing features of Aleutian Cackling Goose [leucopareia] at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California.

Snow Goose (Lesser S G)  Anser [caerulescens] caerulescens (B)  Three 2cy birds were very approachable at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California.

Muscovy Duck  Cairina moschata 

Cinnamon Teal  Spatula cyanoptera  Most common at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California [septentrionalium].

Blue-winged Teal  Spatula discors 

Northern Shoveler  Spatula clypeata  First see at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California.

Gadwall  Mareca strepera  Only seen at the north end of the Laguna de Atotonilco, southwest of Guadalajara [nominate].

American Wigeon  Mareca americana  A few, the first at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California.

Mexican Duck ◊  Anas diazi  A few seen with excellent looks at the Parque Ecologico Tachii, in Tepic.

Northern Pintail  Anas acuta (B)  Just one female at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California.

Green-winged Teal  Anas carolinensis  A few, the first at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California.

Redhead  Aythya americana (B)  A fine drake at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California.

Ring-necked Duck  Aythya collaris (B)  Several, the first at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California.

Lesser Scaup  Aythya affinis (B)  Biggest numbers at at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California.

Ruddy Duck  Oxyura jamaicensis 

Rufous-bellied Chachalaca ◊  Ortalis wagleri  Many seen well, the first near to Mazatlan.

West Mexican Chachalaca ◊  Ortalis poliocephala  Plenty seen well, the first at Volcan de Fuego.

Crested Guan  Penelope purpurascens  Good views at La Bajada, near to San Blas. Also heard at El Floripondio on Volcan de Nieve [nominate].

Long-tailed Wood Partridge ◊  Dendrortyx macroura  Several seen well along the road at Nevado de Colima and at Volcan de Fuego [diversus].

Elegant Quail ◊  Callipepla douglasii  A group seen along the Escopama Estuary road, but they were pretty skittish [nominate]. Skittish again birds seen at Chacalilla, then seen very well near to San Blas [impedita].

California Quail ◊  Callipepla californica (B)  Seen well along Roberto’s desert track, north of Los Barriles [achrustera].

Banded Quail ◊  Philortyx fasciatus  Great views of 8+ at Volcan de Fuego.

Montezuma Quail ◊  Cyrtonyx montezumae  A pair seen by the side of the side road along the Durango Highway [nominate].

Lesser Nighthawk  Chordeiles acutipennis  A few seen, the first on the mangrove boat trip to La Tovara.

Pauraque  Nyctidromus albicollis  Seen very well on the mangrove boat trip to La Tovara [yucatanensis].

Eared Poorwill ◊  Nyctiphrynus mcleodii  Brilliant views of a pair at Cerro de San Juan. Also seen extremely well (2 males) at Volcan de Fuego [nominate].

Buff-collared Nightjar ◊  Antrostomus ridgwayi  First seen at the bottom of the track to Nevado de Colima then a male seen brilliantly at Volcan de Fuego [nominate].

Mexican Whip-poor-will ◊  Antrostomus arizonae  A few seen well, the first near to El Palmito along the Durango Highway. Seen particularly well at Nevado de Colima [nominate].

Northern Potoo  Nyctibius jamaicensis  Great views roosting then at night (c10) on the mangrove boat trip to La Tovara [lambi].

White-naped Swift ◊  Streptoprocne semicollaris  Brilliant views of a big flock along the Durango Highway. Also seen very well on the drive from Tepic to San Blas.

White-throated Swift  Aeronautes saxatalis [nominate].

Mexican Hermit ◊  Phaethornis mexicanus  Great views of a few around the lek at Terraceria La Palma, near to La Bajada, San Blas [griseoventer].

Mexican Violetear ◊  Colibri thalassinus  A few seen at higher altitudes on the Colima Volcanoes though generally quite shy.

Rivoli’s Hummingbird ◊  Eugenes fulgens  One at Cerro de San Juan and then fairly common at higher altitudes on the Colima Volcanoes though generally quite shy.

Plain-capped Starthroat ◊  Heliomaster constantii  A few seen well [leocadiae].

Blue-throated Mountaingem ◊ (B-t Hummingbird)  Lampornis clemenciae  Great views on the Durango Highway and also seen at higher altitudes on the Colima Volcanoes [bessophilus].

Amethyst-throated Mountaingem ◊ (A-t Hummingbird)  Lampornis amethystinus  A male seen at Nevado de Colima [nominate].

Black-chinned Hummingbird  Archilochus alexandri  A few females seen, the first along the Panuco Road, Durango Highway.

Costa’s Hummingbird ◊  Calypte costae (B)  Great looks in the deserts of Baja California.

Calliope Hummingbird ◊  Selasphorus calliope  Several females seen well, the first at Cerro de San Juan.

Rufous Hummingbird  Selasphorus rufus 

Broad-tailed Hummingbird ◊  Selasphorus platycercus  Several seen well high up on the Colima Volcanoes.

Broad-billed Hummingbird ◊  Cynanthus latirostris  Fairly common in the lowland thorn forests [magicus].

Golden-crowned Emerald ◊  Cynanthus auriceps  Great views of males along the Panuco Road, Durango Highway.

White-eared Hummingbird ◊  Basilinna leucotis  Common at flowers higher altitudes [nominate].

Xantus’s Hummingbird ◊  Basilinna xantusii (B)  Many stunning views during our wanderings on Baja California.

Mexican Woodnymph ◊  Eupherusa ridgwayi  Females seen well at Cerro de San Juan and males at La Bajada.

Violet-crowned Hummingbird ◊  Ramosomyia violiceps  A few seen well, the first along the Santa Lucia upper track, Durango Highway [ellioti].

Berylline Hummingbird ◊  Saucerottia beryllina  Several seen well at mid altitudes, the first along the La Petaca Road, Durango Highway[viola].

Cinnamon Hummingbird ◊  Amazilia rutila  Fairly common in the lowland thorn forests [nominate].

Groove-billed Ani  Crotophaga sulcirostris 

Lesser Ground Cuckoo ◊  Morococcyx erythropygus  Good views of one on a rock at La Cumbre, Colima [mexicanus].

Greater Roadrunner  Geococcyx californianus (B)  A couple seen on Baja California.

Lesser Roadrunner ◊  Geococcyx velox  Excellent views of a singing bird on the lower slopes of Volcan de Fuego.

Squirrel Cuckoo ◊ (Mexico S C)  Piaya [cayana] mexicana 

Mangrove Cuckoo ◊  Coccyzus minor  A pair seen well on the mangrove boat trip to La Tovara.

Rock Dove (Feral) (introduced)  Columba livia ‘feral’ 

Band-tailed Pigeon  Patagioenas fasciata  A few seen on the track to San Antonio in the Sierra de la Laguna, Baja California [vioscae]. Also seen at higher elevations on the mainland [nominate].

Red-billed Pigeon ◊  Patagioenas flavirostris  A few seen well, with best views on the mangrove boat trip to La Tovara [restricta].

Eurasian Collared Dove (introduced)  Streptopelia decaocto  Amazingly common now!

Inca Dove  Columbina inca 

Common Ground Dove  Columbina passerina  [nominate].

Ruddy Ground Dove  Columbina talpacoti  [eluta]. 

White-tipped Dove  Leptotila verreauxi  [angelica].

Mourning Dove  Zenaida macroura  [marginella]. 

White-winged Dove  Zenaida asiatica  [mearnsi]. 

Rufous-necked Wood Rail ◊  Aramides axillaris  Good views on the mangrove boat trip to La Tovara then brilliant views of a pair at Matanchen Bay, San Blas.

Ridgway’s Rail ◊  Rallus obsoletus  Nice views in the mangroves at El Cenanario, near to La Paz [beldingi].

Aztec Rail ◊  Rallus tenuirostris  Great views of a couple of pairs at the north end of the Laguna de Atotonilco, southwest of Guadalajara.

Sora  Porzana carolina  A few seen well, the first at the Parque Ecologico Tachii, in Tepic.

Common Gallinule  Gallinula galeata  [cachinnans].

American Coot  Fulica americana  [nominate].

Purple Gallinule  Porphyrio martinica 

Limpkin  Aramus guarauna  Just one, at the Parque Ecologico Tachii, in Tepic [dolosus].

Least Grebe  Tachybaptus dominicus  Many seen well, including great views at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California [bangsi].

Pied-billed Grebe  Podilymbus podiceps  Many seen well, including great views at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California [nominate].

Black-necked Grebe (Eared G)  Podiceps nigricollis (B)  Especially good views at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California [californicus].

Western Grebe  Aechmophorus occidentalis (B)  One seen very well at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California.

Clark’s Grebe  Aechmophorus clarkii  Best were the many pairs at the Laguna de Tepeltitic, near Tepic, including some in display [nominate].

American Oystercatcher  Haematopus palliatus  A few seen [nominate].

Black-necked Stilt  Himantopus mexicanus  [nominate].

American Avocet  Recurvirostra americana 

Grey Plover  Pluvialis squatarola  [cynosurae]. 

Semipalmated Plover  Charadrius semipalmatus 

Killdeer  Charadrius vociferus  [nominate].

Snowy Plover  Charadrius nivosus (B)  A few on the beach at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California [nominate].

Northern Jacana  Jacana spinosa 

Hudsonian Whimbrel  Numenius hudsonicus 

Long-billed Curlew  Numenius americanus  A few seen at the mangroves at El Cenanario, near to La Paz.

Marbled Godwit  Limosa fedoa  Seen well at a few sites [nominate].

Stilt Sandpiper  Calidris himantopus  Good numbers at San Blas.

Sanderling  Calidris alba  A small flock seen at the beach at the Manzanillo Power Station outflow [rubida].

Least Sandpiper  Calidris minutilla 

Semipalmated Sandpiper  Calidris pusilla (B)  A couple seen on the mudflats by the mangroves at El Cenanario, near to La Paz.

Western Sandpiper  Calidris mauri  Many seen well, including some coming in to summer plumage.

Long-billed Dowitcher  Limnodromus scolopaceus  Many seen well, including a few coming in to summer plumage.

Short-billed Dowitcher  Limnodromus griseus (B)  Some distant birds on the mudflats at La Paz.

Wilson’s Snipe  Gallinago delicata (B)  Great views at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California.

Red Phalarope  Phalaropus fulicarius  A few seen on the pelagic trip south of Barra de Navidad.

Spotted Sandpiper  Actitis macularius 

Solitary Sandpiper  Tringa solitaria 

Wandering Tattler  Tringa incana  Heard only.

Lesser Yellowlegs  Tringa flavipes 

Willet (Western W)  Tringa [semipalmata] inornata 

Greater Yellowlegs  Tringa melanoleuca 

Black Skimmer  Rynchops niger  A few seen, the first on the mudflats near to La Paz [nominate].

Sabine’s Gull  Xema sabini  Good numbers passing the Manzanillo Power Station outflow, then some great looks on the pelagic trip south of Barra de Navidad..

Laughing Gull  Leucophaeus atricilla  [megalopterus]. 

Franklin’s Gull  Leucophaeus pipixcan  Some stunning breeding plumaged adults at the Manzanillo Power Station outflow.

Heermann’s Gull ◊  Larus heermanni  Many crackers seen well, the first at various sites on Baja.

Ring-billed Gull  Larus delawarensis  Common along the beach in Mazatlan.

California Gull  Larus californicus  Biggest numbers were on the beach at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California [nominate].

Yellow-footed Gull ◊  Larus livens (B)  Great views of a fair number, especially around La Paz, where several were sporting Darvic rings.

Gull-billed Tern  Gelochelidon nilotica  A few seen well, the first on the mudflats at La Paz.

Caspian Tern  Hydroprogne caspia 

Royal Tern  Thalasseus maximus 

Elegant Tern  Thalasseus elegans  Great views of several smart individuals at the Manzanillo Power Station outflow.

Least Tern  Sternula antillarum  100s off the Manzanillo Power Station outflow [browni].

Red-billed Tropicbird  Phaethon aethereus  Seen a few times distantly from land, then brilliant views on the pelagic trip south of Barra de Navidad [mesonauta].

Pacific Loon  Gavia pacifica (B)  An unexpected individual on the sea north of Los Barriles in Baja California.

Black Storm Petrel  Hydrobates melania  Some seen distantly from the beach at the end of the Playa de Oro Road, then better views of a few on the pelagic trip south of Barra de Navidad.

Least Storm Petrel  Hydrobates microsoma  A few seen on the pelagic trip south of Barra de Navidad.

Sooty Shearwater  Ardenna grisea  One seen on the pelagic trip south of Barra de Navidad.

Pink-footed Shearwater  Ardenna creatopus  Many seen well on the pelagic trip south of Barra de Navidad..

Manx Shearwater  Puffinus puffinus  A small black and white shearwater seen on the pelagic trip south of Barra de Navidad, seems, from photos, to most likely to be this species. Although rare here, it is not unknown, and the apparently white undertail coverts favour this species.

Wood Stork  Mycteria americana 

Magnificent Frigatebird  Fregata magnificens  [rothschildi].

Blue-footed Booby  Sula nebouxii  Seen through the scope on the rocks off Mazatlan [nominate].

Brown Booby ◊ (Brewster’s B B)  Sula [leucogaster] brewsteri  Plenty seen with the best views on the pelagic trip south of Barra de Navidad. Nice whitish crowns on the males.

Anhinga  Anhinga [anhinga] leucogaster 

Brandt’s Cormorant ◊  Urile penicillatus (B)  Some good views near to Los Barriles, Baja California.

Neotropic Cormorant  Nannopterum brasilianum  [mexicanum].

Double-crested Cormorant  Nannopterum auritum (B)  Several seen on Baja California [albociliatum].

American White Ibis  Eudocimus albus  [nominate].

White-faced Ibis  Plegadis chihi 

Roseate Spoonbill  Platalea ajaja 

Bare-throated Tiger Heron  Tigrisoma mexicanum  Great views of a couple on the mangrove boat trip to La Tovara.

Boat-billed Heron  Cochlearius cochlearius  Surprisingly, just one seen on the mangrove boat trip to La Tovara [zeledoni].

American Bittern  Botaurus lentiginosus (B)  One flushed and seen well on a couple of occasions at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California.

Least Bittern  Ixobrychus exilis  Single males seen at the Parque Ecologico Tachii, in Tepic, and at the Ciudad Guzman Marshes.

Black-crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax  [hoactli].

Yellow-crowned Night Heron  Nyctanassa violacea  [bancrofti].

Green Heron  Butorides virescens  [frazari]. 

Western Cattle Egret  Bubulcus ibis 

Great Blue Heron  Ardea herodias  [wardi].

Great Egret (American G E)  Ardea [alba] egretta 

Reddish Egret  Egretta rufescens (B)  A couple seen well around La Paz [dickeyi].

Tricolored Heron  Egretta tricolor  [ruficollis]. 

Little Blue Heron  Egretta caerulea 

Snowy Egret  Egretta thula  [brewsteri]. 

American White Pelican  Pelecanus erythrorhynchos  Many including an impressive flock at the Laguna de Tepeltitic, near Tepic.

Brown Pelican  Pelecanus occidentalis  [californicus]. 

Black Vulture  Coragyps atratus 

Turkey Vulture  Cathartes aura  [nominate].

Osprey (American O)  Pandion [haliaetus] carolinensis 

White-tailed Kite  Elanus leucurus  Just one seen at the Ciudad Guzman Marshes [majusculus].

Black Hawk-Eagle  Spizaetus tyrannus serus  Great views of a calling bird circling over the Terracia La Palma to Tecuitata Road, near La Bajada [serus].

Sharp-shinned Hawk  Accipiter striatus  [velox-group]. 

Cooper’s Hawk  Accipiter cooperii 

Crane Hawk  Geranospiza caerulescens nigra  One seen well along the Playa de Oro Road [nigra].

Common Black Hawk  Buteogallus anthracinus  Just one immature bird seen during the mangrove boat trip to La Tovara [nominate].

Roadside Hawk  Rupornis magnirostris  As usual, only seen along the Playa de Oro Road [griseocauda].

Harris’s Hawk  Parabuteo unicinctus  Only seen on the drive from the Durango Highway to San Blas [harrisi].

White-tailed Hawk  Geranoaetus albicaudatus  One seen as we were driving back into Colima [hypospodius].

Grey Hawk  Buteo plagiatus  Many seen well.

Short-tailed Hawk  Buteo brachyurus  Both light and dark phase birds seen well [fuliginosus].

Zone-tailed Hawk  Buteo albonotatus  A few seen, including some great looks low down in the Sierra de la Laguna.

Red-tailed Hawk  Buteo jamaicensis  A few seen well in southern Baja California [suttoni] and on the mainland [hadropus].

American Barn Owl  Tyto furcata  Brilliant views of one or two (photos appear to show two!) on the mangrove boat trip to La Tovara [pratincola].

Elf Owl ◊  Micrathene whitneyi (B)  Great views of at least one pair low down in the Sierra de la Laguna [sanfordi].

Northern Saw-whet Owl ◊  Aegolius acadicus  Fantastic views of one at Nevado de Colima [nominate].

Mountain Pygmy Owl ◊  Glaucidium gnoma  One seen at Nevado de Colima, then much better views at Volcan de Fuego.

Baja Pygmy Owl ◊  Glaucidium hoskinsii (B)  Several seen very well on the track to San Antonio in the Sierra de la Laguna.

Colima Pygmy Owl ◊  Glaucidium palmarum  A few seen well, the first along the Panuco Road, Durango Highway.

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl  Glaucidium brasilianum cactorum  First one was seen well along the Escopama Estuary road [cactorum].

Stygian Owl ◊  Asio stygius  Great views of two different roosting birds at the Chara Pinta Reserve, Durango Highway, then fabulous views of one at night at Nevado de Colima [lambi].

Great Horned Owl  Bubo virginianus  One found roosting near to La Paz, southern Baja California [elachistus], and then great views of one at Volcan de Fuego [pallescens].

Whiskered Screech Owl ◊  Megascops trichopsis  Excellent views of a pair near to the Barranca Rancho Liebre, Durango Highway. Another seen well at Volcan de Fuego [nominate].

Western Screech Owl ◊  Megascops kennicottii (B)  Great views of a pair low down in the Sierra de la Laguna [xantusi].

Balsas Screech Owl ◊  Megascops seductus  Brilliant views of one, after a bit of a struggle, at La Cumbre, Colima.

Middle American Screech Owl ◊  Megascops guatemalae  After a fair bit of effort, we eventually saw one very well in the mangroves at San Blas [hastatus].

Spotted Owl ◊ (Mexican S O)  Strix [occidentalis] lucida  Brilliant views of the female of a pair at Nevado de Colima. Superb!

Cinereous Owl ◊  Strix sartorii  Great views of a pair above La Noria at Cerro de San Juan.

Mottled Owl  Strix virgata  First seen well along the Panuco Road, Durango Highway, then fabulous views of a daytime bird at the start of the Jalcocotan Road [squamulata].

Eared Quetzal ◊  Euptilotis neoxenus  Great views of a group of four, near to El Palmito, along the Durango Highway.

Citreoline Trogon ◊  Trogon citreolus  Great views of several, the first along the Lower Singayta track, near to San Blas [nominate].

Elegant Trogon ◊ (Coppery-tailed T)  Trogon [elegans] ambiguus  Great views of several, the first along the Panuco Road, Durango Highway.

Mountain Trogon ◊  Trogon mexicanus  Several seen well, the first at the Barranca Rancho Liebre, Durango Highway [clarus].

Green Kingfisher  Chloroceryle americana  Several, especially on the mangrove boat trip to La Tovara [hachisukai].

Ringed Kingfisher  Megaceryle torquata  One or two seen on the mangrove boat trip to La Tovara [nominate].

Belted Kingfisher  Megaceryle alcyon  Plenty, especially on the mangrove boat trip to La Tovara.

Russet-crowned Motmot ◊  Momotus mexicanus  A handful seen, the first along the Panuco Road, Durango Highway [vanrossemi].

Acorn Woodpecker  Melanerpes [formicivorus] formicivorus  Plenty seen well around the Colima Volcanoes.

Acorn Woodpecker ◊ (San Lucan W)  Melanerpes [formicivorus] angustifrons (B)  This dark-eyed form was common in the Sierra de la Laguna, Baja California.

Golden-cheeked Woodpecker ◊  Melanerpes chrysogenys  Common, the first seen well at Paco’s Reserve near to Mazatlan [nominate]. Also seen further south [flavinuchus].

Gila Woodpecker ◊  Melanerpes uropygialis  Two forms: brewsteri on Baja, nominate on the mainland.

Golden-fronted Woodpecker  Melanerpes aurifrons  A few seen, with best looks at the Ciudad Guzman Marshes.

Ladder-backed Woodpecker  Dryobates scalaris  First seen in the desert near to Los Barriles [lucasanus]. Also reasonably common on the mainland [sinaloensis].

Smoky-brown Woodpecker  Leuconotopicus fumigatus  A couple seen well at Volcan de Fuego [oleagineus].

Arizona Woodpecker ◊  Leuconotopicus arizonae  A few seen well, with especially good views at Cerro de San Juan [fraterculus].

Hairy Woodpecker  Leuconotopicus villosus  Several seen well high up around the Colima Volcanoes [icastus].

Grey-crowned Woodpecker ◊  Colaptes auricularis  A few of this endemic seen well, the first along the La Petaca Road, Durango Highway.

Gilded Flicker ◊  Colaptes chrysoides (B)  Great views in the desert north of Los Barriles.

Lineated Woodpecker  Dryocopus lineatus  [scapularis].

Pale-billed Woodpecker ◊  Campephilus guatemalensis  A few seen well, and the distinctive drumming frequently heard. First seen at the Lower Singayta track, near to San Blas [nelsoni].

Crested Caracara (Northern C C)  Caracara [plancus] cheriway 

Laughing Falcon  Herpetotheres cachinnans  One seen at the Lower Singayta track, near to San Blas [cachinnans].

Collared Forest Falcon ◊  Micrastur semitorquatus  Brilliant views of a pair at the Lower Singayta track, near to San Blas. Also seen well at El Floripondio on Volcan de Nieve and along the Playa de Oro Road [naso].

American Kestrel  Falco sparverius  [sparverius-group].

Merlin  Falco columbarius  [nominate = Taiga Merlin].

Peregrine Falcon  Falco peregrinus 

Lilac-crowned Amazon ◊  Amazona finschi  A few seen along the Playa de Oro Road. Also in Colima for some.

Mexican Parrotlet ◊  Forpus cyanopygius  Great looks along the Panuco Road, Durango Highway and especially around Chacalilla at San Blas [nominate].

Orange-fronted Parakeet ◊  Eupsittula canicularis  Many seen well, the first along the Panuco Road, Durango Highway [clarae].

Military Macaw ◊  Ara militaris  Several seen along the Durango Highway including spectacular views of several along the Panuco Road, Durango Highway [mexicanus].

Ivory-billed Woodcreeper ◊  Xiphorhynchus flavigaster  Seen well along the Panuco Road, Durango Highway [tardus] and further south[mentalis].  .

White-striped Woodcreeper ◊  Lepidocolaptes leucogaster  Several seen well, the first at the Barranca Rancho Liebre, Durango Highway [umbrosus].

Greenish Elaenia  Myiopagis viridicata  Several heard; seen at Volcan de Fuego [jaliscensis].

Northern Beardless Tyrannulet  Camptostoma imberbe 

Black Phoebe  Sayornis nigricans (B)  Heard only [semiater]

Northern Tufted Flycatcher  Mitrephanes phaeocercus  [tenuirostris].

Greater Pewee  Contopus pertinax  Fairly common [nominate].

Willow Flycatcher  Empidonax traillii  Seen well near to San Blas.

White-throated Flycatcher ◊  Empidonax albigularis  Great views along the Lower Singayta track, near to San Blas [timidus].

Least Flycatcher  Empidonax minimus  One seen well along the Lower Singayta track, near to San Blas.

Hammond’s Flycatcher  Empidonax hammondii  A few seen in the highlands.

American Dusky Flycatcher  Empidonax oberholseri  A few seen in the scrub at mid and high elevations, especially along the Durango Highway.

American Grey Flycatcher  Empidonax wrightii (B)  Fairly common on southern Baja California.

Pine Flycatcher ◊  Empidonax affinis  One seen at the Barranca Rancho Liebre, Durango Highway [pulverius], and then great views at El Floripondio on Volcan de Nieve [nominate].

Western Flycatcher ◊ (Pacific-slope F)  Empidonax [difficilis] difficilis  Fairly common and widespread [cineritius]. Note that these two former species have been re-lumped by the IOC since our tour!

Western Flycatcher ◊ (Cordilleran F)  Empidonax [difficilis] occidentalis  Several seen well in the higher areas of the Durango Highway and the Colima Volcanoes.

Buff-breasted Flycatcher ◊  Empidonax fulvifrons  Just one seen at Cerro de San Juan [rubicundus].

Vermilion Flycatcher  Pyrocephalus obscurus [mexicanus-group].

Social Flycatcher  Myiozetetes similis  [hesperis].

Great Kiskadee  Pitangus sulphuratus  [derbianus].

Boat-billed Flycatcher  Megarynchus pitangua  Only seen near La Bajada [caniceps].

Tropical Kingbird  Tyrannus melancholicus  [satrapa]. 

Cassin’s Kingbird  Tyrannus vociferans  Plenty seen well, the first in the Sierra de la Laguna [nominate].

Thick-billed Kingbird  Tyrannus crassirostris  Fairly common with many great looks [pompalis].

Dusky-capped Flycatcher  Myiarchus tuberculifer  [olivascens].

Ash-throated Flycatcher  Myiarchus cinerascens  Common on Baja where the only Myiarchus [pertinax]. A few on the mainland too [nominate].

Nutting’s Flycatcher ◊  Myiarchus nuttingi  Particularly good views along the Escopama Estuary road [inquietus].

Brown-crested Flycatcher  Myiarchus tyrannulus  Several seen well, especially along the Playa de Oro Road [magister].

Flammulated Flycatcher ◊  Ramphotrigon flammulatum  Eventually, excellent views of one along the Playa de Oro Road.

Bright-rumped Attila  Attila spadiceus  Many heard, and brilliant views of one along the Panuco Road, Durango Highway

Masked Tityra  Tityra semifasciata  [griseiceps]. 

Grey-collared Becard ◊  Pachyramphus major  A pair seen well at Cerro de San Juan, and another male seen well at Volcan de Fuego[uropygialis].

Rose-throated Becard  Pachyramphus aglaiae  Several great looks, the first along the Panuco Road, Durango Highway [albiventris].

Chestnut-sided Shrike-vireo ◊  Vireolanius melitophrys  Best were the brilliant views of one at Nevado de Colima [nominate].

Golden Vireo ◊  Vireo hypochryseus  First seen well near to the Puente Baluarte, Durango Highway [nitidus]. Also seen further south at at sites such as Cerro de San Juan [nominate].

Warbling Vireo  Vireo gilvus  [swainsoni-group].

Warbling Vireo ◊ (Cape W V)  Vireo [gilvus] victoriae (B) A few seen on the track to San Antonio in the Sierra de la Laguna.

Hutton’s Vireo ◊  Vireo huttoni  A familiar sound in the highlands, first seen at the Chara Pinta Reserve, Durango Highway [stephensi].

Grey Vireo ◊  Vireo vicinior (B)  Great views of a couple near to Los Barriles.

Cassin’s Vireo ◊ (San Lucan V)  Vireo [cassinii] lucasanus (B)  Common in the Sierra de la Laguna.

Plumbeous Vireo  Vireo plumbeus  Just a couple, the first along the Escopama Estuary road [nominate].

Bell’s Vireo  Vireo bellii  A few seen well, the first along the Escopama Estuary road.

Black-capped Vireo ◊  Vireo atricapilla  Several seen well, including a few males and a female, the first along the La Petaca Road, Durango Highway.

Dwarf Vireo ◊  Vireo nelsoni  We eventually got great views of a couple of sneaky birds at Volcan de Fuego.

Slaty Vireo ◊  Vireo brevipennis  Several seen really well at Volcan de Fuego. What a stunner [nominate].

San Blas Jay ◊  Cyanocorax sanblasianus  Great views of a flock, mobbing a poor Mottled Owl,  at the start of the Jalcocotan Road near San Blas [nelsoni].

Purplish-backed Jay ◊  Cyanocorax beecheii  Great views at Paco’s Reserve near to Mazatlan and along the Escopama Estuary road.

Tufted Jay ◊  Cyanocorax dickeyi  Fantastic views  at the Barranca Rancho Liebre and at the Chara Pinta Reserve, Durango Highway.

Green Jay  Cyanocorax luxuosus  Best views were at Cerro de San Juan [speciosus].

Black-throated Magpie-Jay ◊  Calocitta colliei  Many great views, the first along the Escopama Estuary road.

White-throated Magpie-Jay  Calocitta formosa  A few seen at La Cumbre, Colima, and along the Playa de Oro Road [nominate].

Transvolcanic Jay ◊  Aphelocoma ultramarina  Great views at El Floripondio on Volcan de Nieve and at Volcan de Fuego [colimae].

California Scrub Jay ◊  Aphelocoma californica (B)  Plenty seen in southern Baja California [hypoleuca].

Sinaloa Crow  Corvus sinaloae ◊  Very common from Mazatlan to San Blas!

Northern Raven  Corvus corax  [sinuatus]. 

Cedar Waxwing  Bombycilla cedrorum  Great views of a few with Grey Silkies at the Chara Pinta Reserve, Durango Highway.

Grey Silky-flycatcher ◊ (G Silky)  Ptiliogonys cinereus  Common in some areas along the Durango Highway [otofuscus] and around the Colima Volcanoes [pallescens].

Phainopepla ◊  Phainopepla nitens (B)  A few seen well in southern Baja California.

Bridled Titmouse  Baeolophus wollweberi  Good looks at a pair mobbing a Mountain Pygmy Owl at Volcan de Fuego [caliginosus].

Mexican Chickadee ◊  Poecile sclateri  A few seen well, the first on the ground at the Chara Pinta Reserve, Durango Highway [nominate].

Verdin ◊  Auriparus flaviceps (B)  Attractive, and surprisingly common on southern Baja California [lamprocephalus].

Sand Martin  Riparia riparia  A couple of sightings including one at the Manzanillo Airport Marshes [nominate].

Violet-green Swallow  Tachycineta thalassina  A few seen well, the first in the La Paz area [brachyptera].

Mangrove Swallow  Tachycineta albilinea  Plenty seen well, the first along the Escopama Estuary road.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  Stelgidopteryx serripennis  [serripennis-group].

Barn Swallow (American B S)  Hirundo [rustica] erythrogaster 

American Bushtit ◊ (Grinda’s B)  Psaltriparus [minimus] grindae (B)  A few seen well on the track to San Antonio in the Sierra de la Laguna.

American Bushtit ◊ (Black-eared B)  Psaltriparus [minimus] melanotis  A few small flocks of this smart form seen on the Colima Volcanos [personatus].

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  Corthylio calendula  [nominate].

Golden-crowned Kinglet  Regulus satrapa  Just one male seen at El Floripondio on Volcan de Nieve [aztecus].

Grey-barred Wren ◊  Campylorhynchus megalopterus  A few seen well, especially at El Floripondio on Volcan de Nieve [nominate].

Sclater’s Wren ◊  Campylorhynchus humilis  Best views were at La Cumbre, Colima.

Spotted Wren ◊  Campylorhynchus gularis  Fantastic views of an obliging pair (and a few others) at Cerro de San Juan.

Cactus Wren  Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus (B)  Several seen well in southern Baja California [affinis].

Canyon Wren  Catherpes mexicanus  A singing bird seen well on the track to San Antonio in the Sierra de la Laguna [croizati]. Also, one seen well near to the Puente Baluarte, Durango Highway [conspersus].

Marsh Wren  Cistothorus palustris  Seen well at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California and at the north end of the Laguna de Atotonilco, southwest of Guadalajara.

Bewick’s Wren  Thryomanes bewickii  Only seen at the north end of the Laguna de Atotonilco, southwest of Guadalajara [eremophilus-group].

Happy Wren ◊  Pheugopedius felix  Plenty! First seen well along the Escopama Estuary road [sonorae]. Also seen further south [pallidus].

Sinaloa Wren ◊  Thryophilus sinaloa  Plenty! First seen well at Paco’s Reserve near to Mazatlan [cinereus]. Also seen further south [nominate].

House Wren (Northern H W)  Troglodytes [aedon] aedon  Non leader.

House Wren ◊ (Brown-throated H W) Troglodytes [aedon] brunnicollis  A few seen well, the first at the Chara Pinta Reserve, Durango Highway [cahooni].

White-bellied Wren ◊  Uropsila leucogastra  Great views of several along the Playa de Oro Road [pacifica].

Grey-breasted Wood Wren  Henicorhina leucophrys  A pair seen at Nevado de Colima [minuscula].

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher  Polioptila caerulea 

California Gnatcatcher ◊  Polioptila californica (B)  Great views of a few near to Los Barriles.

Black-capped Gnatcatcher ◊  Polioptila nigriceps  Seen very well a number of times, the first along the Escopama Estuary road [nominate].

Pygmy Nuthatch ◊  Sitta pygmaea  Nice looks at El Floripondio on Volcan de Nieve and at the Nevado de Colima [brunnescens].

Brown Creeper (B Treecreeper)  Certhia americana  A few seen, the first at the Barranca Rancho Liebre, Durango Highway [alticola].

Northern Mockingbird  Mimus polyglottos  {nominate].

Grey Thrasher ◊  Toxostoma cinereum (B)  Several seen very well in southern Baja California [nominate].

Curve-billed Thrasher  Toxostoma curvirostre  A few seen, the first at the north end of the Laguna de Atotonilco, southwest of Guadalajara [occidentale].

Blue Mockingbird ◊  Melanotis caerulescens  Fairly common and widespread, the first seen along the La Petaca Road, Durango Highway [nominate].

Common Starling (introduced)  Sturnus vulgaris  [nominate].

Eastern Bluebird  Sialia sialis  A few noted, the first at the Chara Pinta Reserve, Durango Highway [fulva].

Brown-backed Solitaire ◊  Myadestes occidentalis  First seen along the La Petaca Road, Durango Highway [nominate]. Also common on the Colima volcanoes [oberholseri].

Aztec Thrush ◊  Ridgwayia pinicola  c50 seen visiting a mulberry tree at El Floripondio on Volcan de Nieve, some of which showed extremely well. Our bird of the trip [nominate]!

Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush  Catharus aurantiirostris  Particularly common by voice at Volcan de Fuego, and a few seen well [melpomene].

Hermit Thrush  Catharus guttatus  Just one seen well at the Barranca Rancho Liebre, Durango Highway.

Russet Nightingale-Thrush ◊  Catharus occidentalis  A few seen well, the first at the Barranca Rancho Liebre, Durango Highway [olivascens].Also several seen very well on the Colima Volcanoes [lambi].

American Robin  Turdus migratorius  [migratorius-group].

American Robin ◊ (San Lucan R)  Turdus [migratorius] confinis (B)  Some great looks in the Sierra de la Laguna.

White-throated Thrush  Turdus assimilis  [lygrus]. 

Rufous-backed Thrush ◊  Turdus rufopalliatus  Many great looks at this smart robin, particularly in the fruiting trees along the Panuco Road, Durango Highway [nominate].

House Sparrow (introduced)  Passer domesticus  [nominate].

Olive Warbler ◊  Peucedramus taeniatus  A few seen with particularly great looks at Nevado de Colima [jaliscensis].

Buff-bellied Pipit  Anthus rubescens  A couple seen at the north end of the Laguna de Atotonilco, southwest of Guadalajara, including one in summer plumage.

Hooded Grosbeak ◊  Hesperiphona abeillei  Brilliant views of an immature male and female at the Barranca Rancho Liebre, Durango Highway [pallida].

House Finch  Haemorhous mexicanus   Two forms: ruberrimus on Baja; coccineus on the mainland.

Lesser Goldfinch  Spinus psaltria  [hesperophilus]. 

Pine Siskin  Spinus pinus   A few seen in the upper reaches of the Colima Volcanos. [macropterus].

Black-headed Siskin ◊  Spinus notata   Smart, and plenty seen, with best looks along the Durango Highway [forreri].

West Mexican Euphonia ◊  Euphonia godmani  Best were the obliging pair along the Lower Singayta track, near to San Blas.

Rosy Thrush-tanager ◊  Rhodinocichla rosea  Stunning views of a couple of gaudy males and a female near to San Blas [schistacea].

Stripe-headed Sparrow  Peucaea ruficauda  Plenty seen well, the first at Cerro de San Juan [acuminata].

Black-chested Sparrow ◊  Peucaea humeralis  Brilliant views of a small group at La Cumbre, Colima.

Olive Sparrow ◊  Arremonops rufivirgatus  A pair seen well along the Playa de Oro Road, and others heard there [sinaloae].

Black-throated Sparrow ◊  Amphispiza bilineata (B)  Great views of a few in the deserts of southern Baja California [bangsi].

Lark Sparrow  Chondestes grammacus (B)  Quite a few in southern Baja California.

Chipping Sparrow  Spizella passerina  Plenty seen well, particularly in the clearing at the Chara Pinta Reserve, Durango Highway.

Green-striped Brushfinch ◊  Arremon virenticeps  Particularly amazing views at the Barranca Rancho Liebre, Durango Highway.

Yellow-eyed Junco ◊  Junco phaeonotus  Plenty seen on the upper reaches of the Durango Highway and Colima Volcanos [nominate].

Baird’s Junco ◊  Junco bairdi (B)  Stunning views of a pair on the track to San Antonio in the Sierra de la Laguna.

Savannah Sparrow (Savannah S)  Passerculus sandwichensis (B)  A few nominate type birds seen at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California [sandwichensis-group].

Savannah Sparrow ◊ (Belding’s S)  Passerculus [sandwichensis] guttatus (B)  A few heavily streaked birds assumed to be this form at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California [guttatus]. Also a couple of large-billed birds thought to be the form magdalenae form at the Estero San Jose. These are also, surprisingly, included in Belding’s Sparrow.

Lincoln’s Sparrow  Melospiza lincolnii 

Rusty-crowned Ground Sparrow ◊  Melozone kieneri  Some great looks, the first along the mid-reaches of the Durango Highway [nominate].

Canyon Towhee ◊  Melozone fusca  Some great looks low down along the Nevado de Colima and Volcan de Fuego [perpallida].

California Towhee ◊  Melozone crissalis (B)  Plenty seen well in southern Baja California [albigula].

Rusty Sparrow ◊  Aimophila rufescens  A few seen well, the first at Cerro de San Juan [nominate].

Green-tailed Towhee ◊  Pipilo chlorurus  A few seen well, the first in the mangroves at El Cenanario, near to La Paz.

Spotted Towhee  Pipilo maculatus   Two forms seen: magnirostris on Baja; griseipygius first on the Durango Highway.

Collared Towhee ◊  Pipilo ocai  A few seen very well on the Colima Volcanoes [alticola].

Rufous-capped Brushfinch ◊  Atlapetes pileatus  Many great looks, the first at the Barranca Rancho Liebre, Durango Highway [dilutus].

Yellow-breasted Chat  Icteria virens  A few seen well, the first along the Escopama Estuary road [auricollis].

Yellow-headed Blackbird  Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus  100s at the Ciudad Guzman Marshes, though a fraction of what there used to be!

Mexican Cacique ◊ (Yellow-winged C)  Cassiculus melanicterus  Many great looks, the first along the Panuco Road, Durango Highway.

Scott’s Oriole ◊  Icterus parisorum (B)  Quite common in southern Baja California, especially in the Sierra de la Laguna.

Audubon’s Oriole ◊ (Dickey’s O)  Icterus [graduacauda] dickeyae  Good looks at Cerro de San Juan and again at Volcan de Fuego [nayaritensis].

Streak-backed Oriole  Icterus pustulatus  The commonest oriole. Two forms: microstictus in the north, nominate in the south.

Spot-breasted Oriole ◊  Icterus pectoralis  A fine male seen at the Manzanillo Airport Marshes [carolynae].

Hooded Oriole ◊  Icterus cucullatus  Quite a few, especially in southern Baja California [trochiloides].

Orchard Oriole  Icterus spurius  Small numbers around San Blas and particularly around our hotel in Barra de Navidad [nominate].

Red-winged Blackbird  Agelaius phoeniceus  [sonoriensis].

Bronzed Cowbird  Molothrus aeneus  [assimilis]. 

Brown-headed Cowbird  Molothrus ater 

Brewer’s Blackbird  Euphagus cyanocephalus  A few seen, the first at La Paz Sewage Works.

Great-tailed Grackle  Quiscalus mexicanus  [graysoni].

Northern Waterthrush  Parkesia noveboracensis 

Black-and-white Warbler  Mniotilta varia 

Crescent-chested Warbler ◊  Oreothlypis superciliosa  Frequently heard and several good views on the upper reaches of the Durango Highway and the Colima Volcanos [sodalis].

Orange-crowned Warbler  Leiothlypis celata  Plenty seen, including quite a few yellow birds of more western origin.

Colima Warbler ◊  Leiothlypis crissalis  One for some (seemed bright – a male?) at El Floripondio on Volcan de Nieve.

Nashville Warbler  Leiothlypis ruficapilla  [ridgwayi]. 

Virginia’s Warbler  Leiothlypis virginiae  A single along the Panuco Road, Durango Highway. Sadly it did not hang around.

Grey-crowned Yellowthroat  Geothlypis poliocephala  A male seen very well at the Laguna de Tepeltitic, near Tepic [nominate].

MacGillivray’s Warbler ◊  Geothlypis tolmiei  Many of this smart semi-skulker seen well.

Belding’s Yellowthroat ◊  Geothlypis beldingi (B)  Brilliant views of several at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California [nominate].

Common Yellowthroat  Geothlypis trichas  Seen well at several sites, including alongside the precious species at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California. Determining the exact subspecies noted is not straightforward.

American Redstart  Setophaga ruticilla 

Tropical Parula  Setophaga pitiayumi  [pulchra].

American Yellow Warbler  Setophaga aestiva 

Mangrove Warbler  Setophaga petechia  A couple seen well at San Blas [phillipsi].

Audubon’s Warbler ◊  Setophaga auduboni 

Grace’s Warbler ◊  Setophaga graciae  Several seen well in the upper reaches of the Durango Highway [yaegeri].

Black-throated Grey Warbler  Setophaga nigrescens  Widespread in small numbers.

Townsend’s Warbler ◊  Setophaga townsendi  Several in mixed flocks in the mountain regions.

Hermit Warbler ◊  Setophaga occidentalis  Just a handful in mixed flocks in the mountain regions.

Fan-tailed Warbler ◊  Basileuterus lachrymosus  More often heard than seen, our first along the La Petaca Road, Durango Highway, was the most showy [tephrus].

Rufous-capped Warbler ◊  Basileuterus rufifrons  A few seen well, the first at Cerro de San Juan [dugesi].

Golden-browed Warbler ◊  Basileuterus belli  Many of this cracker seen well, the first at the Barranca Rancho Liebre, Durango Highway [bateli].

Wilson’s Warbler  Cardellina pusilla 

Red-faced Warbler ◊  Cardellina rubrifrons  Just a few, the first noted at the Barranca Rancho Liebre, Durango Highway.

Red Warbler ◊  Cardellina rubra  We saw two quite different forms. Along the Durango Highway we saw the lovely Grey-cheeked Red Warbler[melanauris], whilst around Colima we saw the fabulous White-cheeked Red Warbler [nominate], several of which were seen well at the top of the El Floripondio Road, Volcan de Nieve.

Painted Whitestart ◊  Myioborus pictus  A male seen well at the Barranca Rancho Liebre, Durango Highway [nominate].

Slate-throated Whitestart  Myioborus miniatus  Common at higher elevations. Often in mixed flocks [nominate].

Flame-colored Tanager ◊  Piranga bidentata  A few seen well especially at Cerro de San Juan [flammea].

Hepatic Tanager (Northern H T)  Piranga hepatica  [nominate].

Summer Tanager  Piranga rubra  [cooperi]. 

Western Tanager  Piranga ludoviciana  Plenty seen well, both in southern Baja California and at Volcan de Fuego.

Red-headed Tanager ◊  Piranga erythrocephala  A real stunner, seen well a few times, the first at the Chara Pinta Reserve, Durango Highway [candida].

Red-crowned Ant Tanager  Habia rubica  Noted at Cerro de San Juan and at La Bajada [rosea].

Yellow Grosbeak (Mexican Y G)  Pheucticus chrysopeplus  A few seen well at various sites including along the Panuco Road, Durango Highway [nominate].

Rose-breasted Grosbeak  Pheucticus ludovicianus  A female seen at Volcan de Fuego.

Black-headed Grosbeak  Pheucticus melanocephalus 

Red-breasted Chat ◊  Granatellus venustus  A female seen at La Cumbre, Colima, and then some stunning males along the Playa de Oro Road [nominate].

Northern Cardinal  Cardinalis cardinalis  Plenty seen well.

Pyrrhuloxia ◊  Cardinalis sinuatus  Some cracking views of this stunner in southern Baja California, especially at the Estero San Jose and near to Los Barriles [peninsulae].

Blue Bunting ◊  Cyanocompsa parellina  A real beauty, seen well a few times. The first were along the Panuco Road, Durango Highway [indigotica].

Blue Grosbeak  Passerina caerulea  Plenty seen well, the first at the Estero San Jose in southern Baja California.

Indigo Bunting  Passerina cyanea  Some lovely males seen along the Durango Highway.

Lazuli Bunting ◊  Passerina amoena  Particularly conspicuous in the Sierra de la Laguna. Some stunning males!

Varied Bunting ◊  Passerina versicolor  Fairly common and widespread [nominate].

Painted Bunting ◊  Passerina ciris  Non leader.

Orange-breasted Bunting ◊  Passerina leclancherii  A real cracker, first seen well at La Cumbre, Colima [grandior].

Cinnamon-bellied Saltator  Saltator grandis  [plumbeiceps].

Blue-black Grassquit  Volatinia jacarina  [splendens]. 

Cinnamon-rumped Seedeater ◊  Sporophila torqueola  A few smart males noted, the first around Mazatlan [atriceps].

Ruddy-breasted Seedeater  Sporophila minuta  A few seen and more heard at the Manzanillo Airport Marshes [parva].

Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer ◊  Diglossa baritula  Several seen with the most obliging birds at El Floripondio on Volcan de Nieve [nominate].

MAMMALS

Nine-banded Armadillo (Common Long-nosed A)  Dasypus novemcinctus

Grey Fox  Urocyon cinereoargenteus

White-nosed Coati  Nasua narica

Mule Deer  Odocoileus hemionus

Humpback Whale  Megaptera novaeangliae

Bottlenose Dolphin  Tursiops truncatus

Greater Bulldog Bat (G Fishing B)  Noctilio leporinus

Black-tailed Jackrabbit  Lepus californicus

Mexican Cottontail  Sylvilagus cunicularius

Collie’s Squirrel  Sciurus colliaei

Nayarit Squirrel  Sciurus nayaritensis