1st SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH: On October 4th there will be an informal birding walk along the Allen Lloyd Trail. Meet up at 8am with local and visiting birders in this very accessible location. Expect to see Blue Mockingbird, Happy Wren, and sometimes a Russet-crowned Motmot or Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo. Need binoculars? Tom has an extra pair.
How to get to the trail head: Drive up the Libramiento a half mile (1 km) from the traffic light at Walmart, then turn left (carefully) as you would for the Hospital Joya Group (previously Ribera Medical Center). Double back and drive up the left side of the hospital. Keep going uphill another half mile, and park on the only street to your left. Here is a pindrop. (Note: after parking, we'll walk up the road past the construction. The trail is more a dirt road now - the birding is still good).
On Friday Oct 9th, HAWK WATCH! Meet team leader Thomas Bravo along with John Keeling at 8:00am at the “Sculpture” (see pindrop - It’s at the only traffic light in La Floresta, opposite restaurant Pranzo). We will depart immediately for Mezcala Mountain (MM), in search of migratory birds, especially raptors - hawks. It is a 30 minute drive to the base of the mountain and another 30 minutes up a rough and slippery mountain road to the top. We will walk up the knoll trail, about a mile round trip. It is also possible to count hawks from the parking area. We will have a snack break at 11.00 and start the return trip at 12.30am, depending on the number of birds. Recommend: bring a snack, drink, insect repellent, sunscreen and a SMALL folding chair.
You must reserve at least 2 days ahead with John at [email protected] indicating if you can bring a high-clearance all-wheel drive vehicle and can take others, or if you would like to be a passenger. There will be a maximum 3 vehicles and 12 people. If you are a passenger we ask that you make a contribution to your driver to cover gas and tolls.
On Thursday Oct 15th, meet team leader Cheshta Buckley at 8:00am at the “Sculpture” (see pindrop - It’s at the only traffic light in La Floresta, opposite restaurant Pranzo). We will depart immediately for the short drive to the International School Road off the Libramiento. Potentially we will see the Lesser Roadrunner and a good variety of birds including hummingbirds, warblers and sparrows. Bring coffee and snacks for mid-morning break. Prize for the best cookies.
You must reserve at least 3 days ahead with Cheshta at [email protected] indicating if you will drive a vehicle and can take others, or if you would like to be a passenger. There will be a maximum 3 vehicles and 12 people. If you are a passenger we ask that you make a contribution to your driver to cover gas and tolls.
On Wednesday, Oct 28th, meet team leader John Keeling at 8.00 am at the "Sculpture" (see pindrop - its at the only traffic light in La Floresta, opposite Restaurant Pranzo). We will depart immediately for the Sierra de Tapalpa (90 minutes away). We will bird from 9.30 till 12:30. We expect to see higher altitude birds such as Acorn Woodpecker and Slate-throated Redstart, and if we are lucky Trans-volcanic Jay. Bring your own snacks and refreshments for the morning. At 1:00 pm we will have lunch in Tapalpa at a restaurant overlooking the square. Expect to be back about 4:00 pm.
Please confirm your attendance at least 2 days in advance with John at [email protected], indicating if you can bring a vehicle and can take others, or you would like to be a passenger. If you are a passenger we ask that you make a contribution to your driver to cover gas and tolls.
