Rincon de Guayabitos Mexico

Jan 2-9 2017 Rincon de Guaybitos, Riviera Nayarit

 Mexico

 First thoughts

It's obviously going to take me a few days to find the best birding spots. Before I left home I checked ebird for suggestions on where to bird around Rincon de Guayabitos and sister town La Penita. There were a number of hotspots to choose from. I printed out a checklist something I suggest everyone do for all the different locations that might be visited. At least it narrows down the species that could be encountered. I also brought an extra camera body and plenty of batteries just in case of a malfunction.

That said the beach at Guayabitos has its fair share of brown pelicans, magnificent frigate birds, Heerman's gull, willet, whimbrel and great-tailed grackles. All year birds of course but not exactly the exotics I am hoping see on during my stay. I shot a few frames (see below) from my deckchair with my P900 point and shoot.

Heerman's gull,
Nikon P900

Below is an overview of the area from above Guayabitos looking toward a small headland and estuary which separates La Penita from Rincon de Guaybitos in the foreground. By far the best birding was in that area where a small creek enters the bay.

Rincon de Guayabitos.

On my second day I asked around about birding locations and the consensus was I would have to go into Gringoland, a norteamericano stronghold with its gated mansions and walled gardens.
I walked from Rincon de Guayabitos past the church and into Gringoland. I passed people going to work. The first rays of sunlight were yet to peak over the mountains.
It seems Mexican birds are late risers, even a sleepy green heron could only manage to open one eye as I passed over a small bridge. Even though it was too dark to photograph I could hear the Nashville Warblers everywhere, the blue-gray gnatcatchers too, then the tropical kingbirds joined morning chorus. From lofty perches the turkey vultures were beginning to spend their wings. The sun was up before I began photographing.

Social flyctcher

Right the middle of the enclave is a small ecological zone or park. It has been left to go wild and unfortunately as can be the norm here, the only trail through the park was strewn with bottles and waste. Despite the less than pristine conditions most of the birds I encountered were migratory warblers including a black and white, black-throated gray, numerous Nashville and yellow. The only endemics were the golden-cheeked woodpecker and the rufous-backed robin.

Black-throated gray warbler.

Originally the park was set aside with the idea of having a few park benches and a few trails. Sadly the signs are weathered and the original jungle that was there before development is now so over grown it's to the point of being impenetrable. It does however provides shelter to a number of species of birds, butterflies and furry critters plus I am told the odd homo sapien.

NAB (Not a bird)

Golden-cheeked woodpecker.

The golden-cheeked is the most common woodpecker and an endemic. Here it drilling a hole in a telephone pole.

Nashville warbler

Tomorrow i'll venture down to the local estuary where I am told I might be lucky enough to see egrets, herons and ibis.

"It's never too late to start birding"

John Gordon

Langley/Cloverdsle 

BC Canada