10,000 Birds

MARCH 4, 2020

That trip was to take my wife and I to Turkey, Jordan, and southern Spain, with stopovers near Paris. So I am writing these words on Tuesday night in my home in Mexico, rather than waking up in Paris prior to flying to Istanbul. I should have been on my way to Istanbul by the time this post came out.

Species 232

Species Mexico Jordan Turkey 232

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 5, 2024

But here goes, a list of my favorite sightings for 2023: You stole my heart, you rascal you: We made a major trip to Europe, North Africa, and Turkey in late October, November and early December, combining work with some down time. This was Mexico’s absolutely hottest time of the year, but a full 30 lifers made it worth it.

Morocco 242

Morocco Turkey Mexico Birds 242

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

The Colima Warbler has a distinction shared with no other species in the world: It is fully migratory, but both its summer reproductive range and its winter range are almost entirely within Mexico. (A and Canada, and winter in Mexico, or breed in Mexico, and winter in Central and South America. So, lucky me!

Mexico 226

Mexico South America Birds Turkey 226

10,000 Birds

APRIL 11, 2023

While our compatriots seem only to want to visit Mexico’s touristy beach cities, we would rather go anywhere else in this country. Indeed, even though I just celebrated 40 years of living in Mexico, we have never been to Cabo San Lucas, and our only experience with Cancún was going though immigration in that city’s airport.

Mexico 264

Mexico Birds Turkey Sparrows 264

10,000 Birds

MARCH 5, 2023

First, we had our five-week trip to Spain, Turkey and Jordan in September and October. I often write about Lake Cuitzeo, which is near Morelia, and is Mexico’s second-largest lake. Lake Chapala is near Guadalajara, and is Mexico’s largest lake. I assured him then, and assure you now, that I am fine.

Jordan 262

Jordan Mexico Ohio Spain 262

10,000 Birds

JUNE 20, 2024

I studied music in an American college, but ended up devoting myself to church work in Mexico. While in Mexico, I made a very intentional decision to not seek any music ministry; I would only accept one if it found me through no effort of my own. People told me I had to record the songs I was composing.

Turkey 246

Turkey ALA Mexico Collecting 246

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

bicolor ), like the Red-bellied Woodpecker and Turkey Vulture , has expanded its range dramatically to penetrate northern reaches. This native of Oklahoma, Texas, and Mexico is now recognized as a separate species, but the two species will hybridize when they meet. Just don’t make fun of its name. The Tufted Titmouse ( B.

Arizona 267

Arizona Oklahoma Iowa Texas 267

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 17, 2021

I often find myself discussing this subject with my birder friends in other regions of Mexico, when they excitedly comment on seeing a bird that I could see any day, anywhere — or vice versa. Instead, I have chosen to write about an idea I’ve had percolating for a while: to tell you what the most common species are down here.

Woodpeckers 363

Woodpeckers Mexico Cattle Turkey 363

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Two other countries we visited, Morocco and Turkey, have recently experienced catastrophic earthquakes. If asked, we would answer, “We’ve come from Mexico.” and Mexico won’t allow them to be shipped here. You see, North American Mergansers do not normally reach central Mexico, and I had never seen any.

Mexico 245

Mexico Morocco Cuba Jordan 245

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 29, 2020

Most of this travel was in Mexico, but I also visited different regions of the U.S., These goods, purchased with Mexican silver, would then be transported overland through Mexico City, and shipped from Veracruz to Spain. These turkey-sized birds, named for their raucous calls, can muster an impressive level of volume.

2006 235

2006 Morocco Birds Mexico 235

10,000 Birds

JUNE 17, 2020

The Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher is one of the relatively few birds that winter in South America, but fly no further north than Mexico for the breeding season. Chachalacas are about 3/5 as long as Wild Turkeys, but much less bulky, and spend almost all their time in trees. Black-headed Siskin. They also fly a lot.

Squirrels 246

Squirrels Sparrows South America Mexico 246

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 26, 2022

I will start by telling you about encounters in Turkey with two special bird families. I really should have encountered these families in Mexico, as they both occur here. But no, I had to travel to Turkey to meet them in the wild. Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula hosts a large population of American Flamingos.

Spain 162

Spain Turkey Mexico Agenda 162

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 24, 2018

Not so with our visit to Bosque de Apache NWR in southern New Mexico. The second half of the week was spent near the town of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. The post Little Big Year – Week 36: Southern New Mexico hotspots. The House Finches were having a great time feeding on the Prickly-pear cactus blooms.

New Mexico 113

New Mexico Mexico Tucson Costa Rica 113

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 19, 2020

My area of central Mexico has a true monsoon climate. I don’t consider my little garden to be a terribly birdy patch, although years of observation have resulted in my seeing 59 species there (64, if you count the White-throated Swifts , Black and Turkey Vultures, Red-tailed Hawks and Common Ravens that may fly high overhead).

Nashville 245

Nashville Mexico Turkey 2015 245

10,000 Birds

MARCH 9, 2022

But this year, I decided to go ahead and mention mine freely, just so our readers can have an idea of what it is like to bird in Mexico. I never know quite what to think when Turkey Vultures show such a strong interest in me. It may be in bad taste to emphasize one’s own numbers too much. No lifers yet this year, unfortunately.)

Turkey 261

Turkey Falcons Mexico Sparrows 261

10,000 Birds

APRIL 30, 2019

Paul Lewis moved from California to Mexico 36 years ago. He lived first in Mexicali, and now in the historic city of Morelia–about halfway between Guadalajara and Mexico City–where he and his wife pastor a small church. Sorry, this photo is actually from the next state over (Lake Zempoala, Mexico state).

San Francisco 153

San Francisco Mexico Turkey California 153

10,000 Birds

MAY 3, 2024

To my shock, I had also never included a Wild Turkey on an eBird list before Tuesday. In theory they can be found in central Mexico, but I’ve only seen a couple there.) Both were welcome additions. Two other species also warmed my California-boy heart. At Jasper Ridge, we saw 20.

San Francisco 246

San Francisco California Woodpeckers Turkey 246

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2020

Some lucky kids who live near forested rivers, streams, or other wetlands from southern Mexico all the way to the Brazilian Pantanal might be familiar with one of the more unique members of the avian kind. Turquoise-browed Motmot- yes, this shocking bird is normal in various places ! Know where to look.

Costa Rica 264

Costa Rica Cleveland Turkey Parrots 264

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 1, 2023

Jonathan is originally from San Blas, on Mexico’s tropical west coast, and now works in the northwestern city of Ensenada. A small hawk circling overhead among some Turkey Vultures would not, in my uninformed opinion, have deserved much attention; it was clearly a common Cooper’s Hawk.

Mexico 276

Mexico Cuba Species Turkey 276

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 2, 2022

Turkey seems to be having a moment right now. And there are, amazingly enough, direct flights from Mexico City to Istanbul. As I mentioned last week, our trip to Turkey was work-related. Believe it or not, we do not see European Starlings in central Mexico. We also have no magpies in central Mexico, which is a pity.

Mexico 147

Mexico Turkey Birds Rights 147

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2012

Needless to say, it’s a great spot for watching the hawks come scooting around the mountain on both sides heading off towards Mexico. You step out on the rock and see nothing but for the lazy circles of Turkey Vulture. It’s an incredible thing to watch.

South Carolina 207

South Carolina Maryland North Carolina Tail Banding 207

10,000 Birds

MARCH 30, 2019

Some of those migrants don’t have far to go but the majority of species are winging their way in from Mexico, Central America, and South America. Wood Thrushe s are already singing in some places, although not in Costa Rica. . Swainson’s and Broad-winged Hawks making the long journey north.

Costa Rica 196

Costa Rica South America Tennessee Philadelphia 196

10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2019

I have lived most of my life in a desert of some form, be it the high desert areas of Oregon, to the more arid Southern Baja of Mexico, so I am truly amazed at the birding opportunities this area provides! Arizona, specifically the South East portion of the state, will be my “beat” for the rest of this year.

Arizona 196

Arizona Tucson Florida 2018 196

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 27, 2017

A couple of old Ponderosa Pines, killed in a recent fire, served as a gathering spot for nearly 100 Turkey Vultures. I will be heading back to Mexico now, but will get to travel over to Guadalajara next weekend! Just above the one of the western most campgrounds, was more evidence that the migration was looming.

Dogs 145

Dogs Mules Deer Oregon 145

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 31, 2011

Jean, looking left in the pointy hat, and the gull, sitting on the Lola Star sign (photo by Shai Mitra) And, finally, though Tom L traveled his BBOTY was a local: It was a good birding year, including a trip to the Pantanos de Centla ( Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture ) and Calakmul biosphere reserve ( Ocellated Turkey ) in southeastern Mexico.

2011 185

2011 Ohio North Dakota Bald Eagle 185

10,000 Birds

APRIL 12, 2017

While this description is not too far off in many parts of the world, here in Mexico, the term oasis is just bit different. The usual suspects were all present, including the Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel , and Cactus Wren. I spent 5 hours in this one small 3-4 acre area, and managed to observe 23 species of birds.

Camels 100

Camels Woodpeckers Mexico Turkey 100

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 10, 2018

Trinidad Colorado is located just a few miles north of the Colorado – New Mexico border, and home to the Trinidad Reservoir. We got to see several Bands of Wild Turkeys around the lake. Next week we will spend some time in New Mexico. It’s not Prairie Falcon , but it is a great little Rock Wren.

Colorado 113

Colorado Texas Trinidad Albuquerque 113

10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2021

9 beats from 8 countries (Australia, USA, UK, Serbia, Costa Rica, China, Trinidad and Tobago and Mexico), shared 138 checklists for 703 species. 52 Wild Turkey – Meleagris gallopavo. 210 Turkey Vulture – Cathartes aura. 52 Wild Turkey – Meleagris gallopavo. 210 Turkey Vulture – Cathartes aura.

Woodpeckers 257

Woodpeckers Sparrows Parrots Ducks 257

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2013

In addition to Pileated Woodpecker, the Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in Pennsylvania documents increases in numbers of Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Hooded Warbler, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, Alder Flycatcher, Common Raven, Wild Turkey, and, of course, Canada Goose. of New Mexico Press, 2005).

Pennsylvania 258

Pennsylvania Breeding Sparrows Birds 258

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 25, 2022

In the end, it gave me 44 lifers: 10 from Turkey and 8 from Jordan, which I had not visited before, and 26 from Spain, which I had visited previously, but in which we spent much more time. Our relatively-recent trip to Spain and the Middle East was, as expected, a great opportunity to see new birds.

Spain 147

Spain Jordan Turkey Species 147

10,000 Birds

MAY 17, 2017

Turkey Vulture. Black-throated Sparrow. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. California Scrub Jay. Phainopepla. Magnificent Frigatebird. Brown Pelicans. Eared Grebes. Yellow-footed Gull. Red-tailed Hawk. Elegant Tern. Common Ground Dove. Double-crested Cormorant. Scott’s Oriole.

California 100

California Pelicans Turkey Eggs 100

10,000 Birds

APRIL 1, 2017

I know, big deal for folks from much of Canada, the USA, and Mexico, but for local birders, this big bird with a pouch is a major twitch (it was a country tick for each of us). We also got onto fantastic raptor migration with hundreds of Turkey Vultures, Swainson’s Hawks, and Broad-winged Hawks passing overhead.

Costa Rica 100

Costa Rica Pelicans Ducks Nicaragua 100

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 3, 2019

During July, 11 beats birded 11 countries (USA, UK, Australia, Spain, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Japan, UAE, Mexico, China and Saudi Arabia) and submitted 82 checklists. Wild Turkey – Meleagris gallopavo. Turkey Vulture – Cathartes aura. They accounted for 562 species at this sluggish time of year. 05 Jul 2019.

2019 168

2019 Idaho Sparrows Woodpeckers 168

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2019

Our two newest contributors have shared from Mexico and China, bringing the countries birded this month (also including; Costa Rica, Greece, Serbia, USA, UK, India, UAE and New Zealand) to 10. Turkey Vulture – Cathartes aura. Wild Turkey – Meleagris gallopavo. Laguna Lagarto Lodge. 01 Jun 2019. Laguna Lagarto Lodge.

2019 171

2019 Jamaica Eggs Woodpeckers 171

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

Here in Mexico, I can almost always count on Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures to pad each outing’s list by two species. Occasionally I have been lucky enough to see Lesser Yellow-headed Vultures in tropical Mexico. Turkey Vultures have a wingspan and weight similar to that of Egyptian Vultures.

California Condor 246

California Condor Turkey Mexico Meat 246

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2021

I moved to Mexico in 1983 (and really should update my bio below). So when this more-favorable autumn came along, my taking up turkey duty again was a non-negotiable. Angie, now my wife, moved here in 1985, and we married here two years later. So our now-adult children have never lived in the U.S.

Laws 263

Laws Mexico Bears Turkey 263

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 12, 2020

My Laurelito trip was topped off by my discovery, when I walked back to my car, that it had been turned into a turkey perch. A group of exceedingly tame domestic turkeys had gathered near it, and two had decided it looked like a great roosting site. ” These guys would have let me pet them, had I been so inclined.

Turkey 264

Turkey Birds Elephants Eggs 264