This is the report of a successful trip to Mexico by Richard Fairbank, Brian Foster, Rod Martins and Jon Hornbuckle, guided and driven by Eric Antonio Martinez for the best part of three weeks.
ITINERARY
Feb 17: Fly Mexico City – Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, drive to San Cristobal, visit Sumidero Canyon. OVN Hotel Villa Real 2, San Cristobal, Chiapas.
Feb 18: Los Lagunas, Huitepec, brunch, San Jose Park, owling. OVN Hotel Villa Real 2.
Feb 19: Sumidero Canyon, brunch at Tuxtla, to Arriaga, bird old Tuxtla road. OVN Hotel Casa Blanca.
Feb 20: Puerto Arista for Giant Wren, Arriaga, Tuxtla, Sumidero Canyon. OVN Hotel San Carlos.
Feb 21: El Ocote Reserve NW of Tuxtla for Nava’s Wren all day. OVN Hotel San Carlos, Tuxtla.
Feb 22: Tuxtla to El Triunfo by truck and foot.
Feb 23: Trails on El Triunfo.
Feb 24: Day trek down the Pacific slope to Canada Honda and back.
Feb 25: Trails on El Triunfo.
Feb 26: Walk down to road, truck to Tuxtla, arriving 18.00. OVN Hotel San Carlos.
Feb 27: 06.00-15.30 Tuxtla – Catemaco with stop at Malpaso Lake. Pm birded up hill near Catemaco. OVN Hotel Cacemaco.
Feb 28: 05.30 Sierra de los Tuxelas for Tuxtla Quail-Dove, bird marshes south of Cosamaloapon, drive to Tuxtepec, Oaxaca. OVN Hotel Maria de Loures.
Feb 29: Beptanya for Sumichrast’s Wren, drive to Valle Nacional, pm at local site, owling. OVN Valle Real Hotel.
March 1: Owling, Oaxaca road for Curve-winged Sabrewing. Dry valley near Oaxaca. OVN Hostal Paulina (single room), Oaxaca.
March 2: La Cumbre (3000m) all day except 1 hour in dry scrubland. OVN Hostal Paulina.
March 3: Drive to Teotitelam, bird dry scrub, 12.00 lunch, drive to San Jose. OVN San Jose del Pacifico cabins.
March 4: San Jose del Pacifico.
March 5: San Jose del Pacifico till 10.00. Drive to Huatulco with many stops in the mountains. OVN Hotel Michel, Huatulco.
March 6: Day in the Pacific slope hills to 1000m, 16.00-18.00 Huatulco National Park dry forest. OVN Hotel Michel.
March 7: Dry forest Huatulco National Park, pools at Huatulco golf-course 11.00-11.30, harbour and lighthouse, to airport at 15.00 for flights to Mexico City and Heathrow.
DIARY:
Richard Fairbank’s Blog, edited by JH, http://birdingneversleeps.blogspot.co.uk/
Which includes many photos.
Southern Caiaphas (17-21 February)
This blog recounts our very enjoyable trip to Southern Mexico. Jon had contacted Eric Antonio Martinez of Mexico-Birding Tours (http://mexico-birding.com) with his southern Mexico targets and due to a cancelled booking Eric was able to guide us around at relatively short notice in his Jeep Compass. Something he did very expertly if I may say so and with great humour.
16 February.
Megan dropped me at Shoreham Station and my train was on time (many were not). I arrived at Victoria at 17:00 and the tube to Heathrow was very crowded. I was at Terminal 4 by 18:00, an hour and a half before I needed to check in for our AeroMexico flight. At the appointed time I dropped off my bags and after an hour of waiting for the others headed through security to the departure gate. Rod eventually arrived having been stuck in the coach from Norwich for 2 hours on the M25. Somewhat stressful. Jon and Brian appeared soon after having experienced similar delays on their drive down from Sheffield. Steve Webb and Keith Betton were also on the flight, joining a Birdquest Northwestern Mexico trip. The 10.5 hour flight was excellent, helped by us having three seats each so we could lie down and sleep. The food was good too.
17 February
Coming in over Mexico City at 03:30 local time (6 hours behind GMT) the lights showed how vast the city was. As Rod later said, awesome is a much overused word but it was appropriate here. We collected our bags and took them to a transit belt fairly confident that we would see them again. Our flight, an AeroMexico Connect Embraer 190, left at 07:15, soon after dawn, and we arrived in Tuxtla Gutierrez just before 09:00, exited the airport quickly and our guide for the next three weeks, Eric Antonio Martinez, appeared before we started to worry where he was. An accident on the road from the city had caused delays, although nothing like those a few days earlier when the Pope had visited. We loaded our bags into the back of his Jeep Compass, they just about fitted and it was a comfortable squeeze inside, and drove through town. The roads were still very busy with a heavy police presence including a line of officers with riot shields but we were soon clear of the city and driving to the top viewpoint of El Sumidero, an impressive canyon surrounded by dry forest. We arrived at 10:45 and it was already becoming hot with little bird activity, although we saw the target hummingbird (Slender Sheartail) and some nice wintering warblers. We walked down the road for half a mile or so without seeing very much (a Yellow-throated Vireo was best) and tried another viewpoint and a side track with similar results. We left Sumidero and Eric drove us to San Cristobal de Las Casas, a touristy town at an elevation of 2100m making it a very pleasant temperature. We checked into Hotel Villa Real II, visited an ATM/Cambio and I made use of the hotel's communal PC to email home. After dark we headed into the surrounding hills, meeting a local guide and another birding group and in poor weather (low cloud and drizzle) heard briefly a distant Bearded Screech Owl.
18 February.
We left the hotel at 06:00 with the local guide in the back, stopped at a local Oxxo for breakfast snacks and coffee (for those who wanted it) and drove to Las Lagunas. It was an area of pine and oak forest shrouded in low cloud and rather cold and unappealing. The same could not be said of our main target here, Pink-headed Warbler. Our local guide heard one but it moved through so quickly we were not able to get onto it. We then had a brief view of another and finally a much better view of a third, an impressive bird but sadly it did not linger for photos. We also saw Black & White, Townsend's, Hermit and Crescent-chested Warblers and Brian a Red-faced. We returned to San Cristobal, dropped off our local guide who had to go to work, and continued on to a dryer, not so high forest area at Huitepec. Here we had good views of Singing Quail and some more warblers (Wilson's, Magnolia, Golden-browed and Louisiana Waterthrush). We then visited San Jose National Park/zoo, seeing Olive Warbler and Mountain Trogon before it closed at the ridiculously early 15:30. We returned to our hotel for two hours before heading out at 18:00 to look for owls. We met the same guide, the other group had moved on, and tried a different area for owls. Again the weather was fine in town but deteriorated rapidly as we headed into the mountains. This time we went down a steep path in the forest and found some shelter from the rain. Here, after some time, a Bearded Screech Owl responded and Eric picked it out using his head-torch. He saw its throat moving as it called - amazing eyesight! It gave good views, although I had left my camera in the car. Back in the car we soon warmed up - a brilliant end to an excellent day.
19 February.
We left our hotel in San Cristobal de Las Casas at 05:15, had a brief Oxxo stop for coffee and arrived at the entrance gate to Sumidero Canyon as it was getting light at 06:45. A Russet-crowned Motmot nearby was a nice start and an hour and a half walking up the road produced a good selection of birds including pairs of Varied and Indigo Buntings and female Painted Bunting (the first and last new for me). Eric returned to collect the car and we continued to the turning to the second lookout where we birded a section of the road seeing Berylline Hummingbird, Red-breasted Chat and Belted Flycatcher. By 10:45 it was hotting up and activity had dropped off so we started back, stopping for an hour for brunch on the outskirts of Tuxtla Gutierrez. We left at 13:00 and drove for 90 minutes, partly on a rather empty toll road, to Arriaga where we checked into Hotel Casa Blanca. We left the hotel at 15:00 and headed back into the foothills along the old Tuxtla road. The dry scrub was excellent and in quick succession I saw two more new buntings - Rosita's and Orange-breasted - both out of this world. We birded to dusk then returned to Arriaga.
20 February.
We left the hotel at 05:00, made an obligatory coffee stop and drove to the Puerto Arista area in under an hour, the last part on a dirt road past what appeared to be some mangroves. We were standing under a tree by the track, me thinking we had left it a bit late as dawn was breaking. Eric's timing was impeccable however as we had an almost immediate response from a Pacific Screech Owl which gave superb views. We moved onto another area seeing Giant Wren and Velasquez Woodpecker on the way. We tried driving then walking sections of a nearby dirt road looking and listening for chachalacas but were rather distracted by a superb roadside pool by a bridge where a Bare-throated Tiger-Heron and a flock of Painted Buntings were the main attraction. Eric heard a White-bellied Chachalaca calling from further down the road and we located four. We returned to Arista at 09:45 although I would have happily stayed watching the pool all morning. The hotel served a buffet style brunch, although choice was rather limited, and we headed back to Tuxtla Gutierrez on the old road stopping again a couple of times in the dry forest of the foothills. We saw Green-fronted Hummingbird and more Rosita's and Orange-breasted Buntings. We checked into Hotel San Carlos in TGZ, dumped our bags and returned to Sumidero at 16:30 for a third and final time. We tried a dry track off the main road and in quick succession in a brilliant 2 or 3 minutes I saw Green Jay, Blue & White Mockingbird, Fan-tailed Warbler and Orange-billed Nightingale Thrush - a brilliant day!
21 February.
We left our hotel at 05:30, had a quick coffee stop and drove NW for 40 minutes to El Ocote, a forest area of limestone hills. We drove down a dirt road through the forest and birded along it for most of the day. Nava's Wren and Long-tailed Sabrewing were our main targets with the former proving somewhat difficult to obtain decent views of. I had a couple of brief views from the track before we decided it was best to enter the forest. The karst topography made it difficult to venture far and fortunately locating ourselves a short distance from the track was enough. The Sabrewing was more straightforward once we located a tree it was visiting to feed in, even managing some photos on one of its visits. We left El Ocote at 17:20 and returned to Tuxtla Gutierrez where we later ate again in our nearby taco restaurant.
El Triunfo (22-26 February)
El Triunfo permits to visit were limited (and expensive) but Eric had the contacts and despite the short notice managed to get us on a trip there. The downside was that the guides Jorge and Amy were also taking 5 other people, most were pleasant enough but few could be deemed birders.
22 February.
We were picked up by a small bus at our hotel (San Carlos) at 05:15 before going on to collect our guides Jorge and Amy and the rest of the group at the posher Tuxtla Best Western. The bus took us to Jaltenango where the decent road finished, a journey of three or so hours. Birding from a moving vehicle is often very frustrating with potentially interesting, half glimpsed sightings although 3 Russet-crowned Motmots on telephone wires were seen well enough to be sure of. At Jaltenango we loaded into an old cattle truck and set off along the dirt road to Finca Prusia, the trailhead for El Triunfo. We had only been going about 20 minutes and hardly cleared the town when the truck's engine died as we crossed a small ford. It wouldn't restart but the driver was confident it would so we set off walking. A male MacGillivray's Warbler and a Rusty Sparrow, both new for me, made it a very fortuitous breakdown although it did not feel that way an hour later when the truck still hadn't reappeared. We saw both Yellow-throated and Grace's Warblers and then heard the truck was going again and only a few minutes away. We climbed back on board and continued to Finca Prusia. Here horses were waiting to take up our bags and food for our stay. We started to climb at 13:20 and made steady progress up a series of zig-zags to a ridge which we then continued along to a saddle, arriving at 2100m at 16:50, an ascent of about 700m (2300 ft). It was an easier climb than I had anticipated, being not slippery or exceptionally steep. It was also more frustrating as I heard several new birds we did not have time to stop for, although we did make an effort to see Emerald-throated Hummingbird. The group soon split into two on the climb with Jorge, us and a couple of the others going ahead of Amy and the rest. This seemed fine as our main target, Horned Guan, occurred from the saddle to the clearing at El Triunfo and we were keen to get into habitat while the light lasted. It didn't work out that way as Jorge insisted that we wait for three others who were apparently not that far behind. They caught up about 20 minutes later, time we could have better spent looking for birds on the way up. We continued and after 15 minutes Jorge heard the low booming call of a Horned Guan. We approached but could not locate it. I hung back still looking when Rod called to say they'd found one. I dashed over but there were too many people on the trail for me to readily get to a position to view it and by the time I did I only saw it drop out of the bottom of the tree. Very very frustrating. As we dropped down to the clearing another guan was seen. I had not heard properly and thought it was Horned, seeing its red legs but couldn't see the horn or yellow bill. It was a Highland Guan, a new bird but not the one I wanted. We then heard but did not follow up a Fulvous Owl Jorge had heard before arriving at the clearing at dusk. We were allocated a room in the dormitory block and given a decent meal. It was a very nice set-up and looked to be excellent forest but 12 on a trail was far too many for enjoyable (or successful) birding.
23 February.
We were up just before dawn and spent an hour birding in the clearing. It was dull, cold and breezy but seeing Brown-backed Solitaires, which I had previously only heard, was excellent. We had a decent breakfast at 07:15 then at 08:00 Jorge took our group back along the main trail, after first seeing displaying Wine-throated Hummingbird behind the kitchen. Jorge heard a Horned Guan calling further along the trail and we approached cautiously. I then saw a movement in a tree directly above us and had a rather obscured view of it. It flew a short distance and we retraced our steps to a small clearing by a gulley and saw it in a tree opposite. It really was superb and much better than I had expected. We birded along the trail all morning, returning for lunch at 13:00. We stayed around the clearing until 15:30 when we went back along the main trail until dusk, unfortunately with a slightly enlarged group. We tried for Fulvous Owl and Mexican Whip-poor-will at dusk in deteriorating conditions without success. Despite this it had been an excellent day, especially compared to the previous one! I had seen 2 Horned Guans, 2 Highland Guans, White-faced Quail Dove, Violet Sabrewing, Blue-throated Motmot, female Resplendent Quetzal, Emerald Toucanet, Spotted and Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrushes and Elegant Euphonias.
24 February.
We were on call for an early night bird session but overnight rain persisted until after dawn. The cloud was low and threatening and the wind had picked up, making a pre-breakfast look around the clearing hard work. It was not ideal weather for a long day’s walk down to Canada Honda and back but we would, hopefully, be sheltered. We had breakfast at 07:00 and at 07:40 Jorge, Eric, us and two others set off for Canada Honda. We climbed up to a ridge at 2200m and then dropped down steeply to a lookout with views to the Pacific, and much better, a resident Garnet-throated Hummingbird. The resident Paltry Tyrannulet, apparently Birdquest's 10,000th species, wasn't so obliging and did a bunk just as I got my binoculars onto it. We continued to descend, seeing a male Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird in a clearing and then a small flock of Cabanis's Tanagers before dropping down to Canada Honda at 1420m where we arrived at 11:50. We had lunch in the clearing at Canada Honda but only Rod was aware enough to look for a hummingbird that had been seen briefly on some nearby heliconias. I joined him as he saw it again, a Rufous Sabrewing, but I looked at the wrong red flowers and it had gone before I could get onto it. We continued a short way along the trail and flushed a motmot,a Blue-throated rather than the hoped for Tody. Jorge heard Rufous Sabrewings lekking some way below the path but sadly we didn't leave the trail to investigate. A pair of Rufous-and-White Wrens somewhat salvaged our visit to Canada Honda and at 13:00 we left for the long walk back. The Sparkling-tailed Woodstar was still singing in his clearing and we reached the pass at 16:45. The weather had deteriorated with heavy clouds and drizzle putting paid to any hopes of owling. The wind had picked up too although we had been sheltered for most of the day. We were back in our room after having eaten, me fresh from a shower, when Amy banged on the door to say there was a Baird's Tapir at the salt-lick by the kitchen. We piled out, forgetting to take a camera, and had superb views before it slowly walked away. It was a juvenile but much bigger than I was expecting. We were very fortunate as it only visited once every week or two. Disappointments of Canada Honda were soon forgotten ...
25 February.
We were up at 06:00 to find a clear sky, in the clearing to 07:00 then after breakfast walked the main trail and the quetzal loop until lunchtime. A Horned Guan on the track early on and later a male resplendent Quetzal made for an enjoyable morning. While we were eating, a Hog-nosed Skunk visited the compost pit and seemed unconcerned by our presence. Afterwards we had a bit of free time and I walked most of the loop again, bumping into Eric as a Horned Guan appeared and then Jon who had seen 6 Quail-Doves. I followed Jon's directions and thought I had missed them but flushed one into a tree on the way back. From mid-afternoon Jorge took us up to the ridge on the Canada Honda trail, hoping to see a roosting Fulvous Owl. No luck but a Collared Peccary was some compensation. Fortunately the weather was holding and we tried the main trail where Jorge had heard an owl when we arrived. Before the light started to fade we saw Rufous-browed Wren and a singing Black Thrush (both new for me) and then a Fulvous Owl silently flew in, responding to some judicious taping. It gave good but brief views before slipping away - an excellent end to our final day at El Triunfo.
26 February.
We birded around the clearing to 08:00 (Magnificent Hummingbird, Brown-backed Solitaire, Wood Thrush) when we reluctantly left El Triunfo. We were at the saddle at 09:00, Jorge and Eric, leading the way, having seen a Scaled Antpitta briefly on the trail before it disappeared. Fortunately I had seen one before but still annoying and not something all of a large group would be likely to see. We reached the trailhead at 12:00 where the truck was waiting. We were in Jaltenango by 14:00 where an extended lunch was laid on, sadly no nearby alternative birding options were available. It was then three hours by bus into Tuxtla Gutierrez and Hotel San Carlos, the day turning out to be almost entirely a travel day, with a male Flame-coloured Tanager on the walk keeping going my run of at least one new bird seen each day - a run I was pleased to continue throughout the trip.
Los Tuxtlas to La Cumbre (27 Febuary-2 March)
We had been at El Triunfo for several relaxing days and were now on a whistle-stop tour travelling to the Los Tuxtlas area of southern Veracruz then back south to Oaxaca.
27 February.
Mainly another travel day, with Rod ill for most of it. It seemed likely to have been something he had eaten although he’d not had anything different from the rest of us. We left our hotel in Tuxtla Gutierrez soon after 06:00 and soon made a coffee stop. I stayed outside hoping a Green Parakeet might fly over as it was getting light. One did, flying low along the street, but it was a poor view. We drove to El Ocote, not the Nava’s Wren track but to another turning where we checked roadside scrub for Rufous-breasted Spinetails. None responded but we did entice a smart Spot-breasted Wren into view. It was then a long drive to Catemaco. We had a short stop at Malpaso Lake, a big reservoir, before leaving Chiapas and a quick look at Laughing Gulls and mainly Royal Terns on Catemaco Lake, shortly before arriving at 15:00. It was another touristy area and a hotel we tried on the lakefront was more expensive than we wanted. Another hotel inland was surprisingly a similar price but we found a third, a new hotel unimaginatively called Hotel Catemaco that was much more reasonable. We left Rod in the hotel still not fully recovered and birded around the lakeside and in some wooded foothills nearby. The few birds seen included a superb Hooded Warbler, much better than I remembered it being, albeit 36 years ago.
28 February.
We left the hotel at 05:30 and drove up to Sierra do los Tuxtlas seeing 7 Pauraques on the road before dawn and 2 Hermit Thrushes and Ovenbirds soon after. Soon we were in decent habitat and took a narrow trail further into the forest that Eric knew. After some rather more than speculative playing of Tuxtla Quail-Dove recordings, one responded distantly. Eric continued playing but with no further response I was beginning to worry it wasn’t interested. Eric kept playing and suddenly picked out the Quail-Dove as it unobtrusively circled us. It showed briefly four times in total. I missed the first two sightings and concentrated on watching the trail which it fortunately crossed and re-crossed. The forest was otherwise quiet and we decided to try the road. This was better lower down where it was more open and a Rufous-breasted Spinetail was enticed into view. We also saw Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Violet Sabrewing, Yellow-breasted Chat and Northern Cardinal. We returned to the hotel, checked out and drove to Tuxtapec. We stopped at a roadside marsh on the way, seeing a good selection of common waterbirds including Gull-billed Tern. We arrived in Tuxtapec at 17:00 and checked into Marie de Lourdes.
29 February.
We left at 05:30 and drove to a good patch of forest at Beptanya. We were trying for Sumichrast’s Wren but were soon distracted by two calling Mayan Antthrushes. One showed briefly twice but both times I was unsighted or too slow onto it. The wren then started calling, presenting me with a dilemma. It wasn’t showing so I concentrated on the Antthrush and was soon joined by the others. With Eric’s help we had good views of two and continued further down the trail trying for the wren. This took a while but eventually we found a more responsive bird and obtained decent if somewhat distant views around the base of some boulders. We also saw an excellent White-bellied Wren and a Worm-eating Warbler – only my second, the first at Point Peele in 1980! We returned to Tuxtapec and only just avoided being gridlocked by protesting lorry drivers who were in the process of blocking the road in. We collected our bags and quickly left, managing to exit town before it completely shut down. We drove to Valle National arriving at Hotel Villa Real at 14:00 for a late but decent lunch. We drove further along the road (highway 175) looking for Curve-winged Sabrewing without success. We finished along a track near town where we saw Northern Bentbill and a vocal Stub-tailed Spadebill flew across in front of us. We stayed after dark trying for Middle American (Variegated) Screech-Owl. One responded briefly and sounded close but we failed to spot it. A Mottled Owl calling from further along the track might have been the reason the Screech-Owl shut up but we were happy to try for it instead (it was new for me). It soon came in giving excellent views.
1 March.
We left at 05:35 and returned to the nearest forest where we had heard the Screech-Owl. It responded, the Mottled Owl was quiet, and Eric spotted its throat moving as it called – amazing. We had brilliant views and immediately returned to Valle National to collect our bags. We continued on highway 175, spending most of the morning looking for Curve-winged Sabrewing. We all had flight views with two or three birds involved but none settled in view, making it a very frustrating experience. Another frustration for me for much of the morning was Slate-coloured Solitaire of which several were singing in the forest beside the road. I saw the shape of one flying out of a tree before Eric eventually found one in a more isolated tree. It gave good but brief views before dropping out. Shy birds. Highlight of the area though was definitely Bumblebee Hummingbird of which we saw several. It flew just like a large bee and sounded like one too. Amazing. We continued to a high pass at Mirador del Cerro Pelan for a brief stop. A track to a large woodshed near the pass was very productive with Russet Nightingale-Thrush, White-eared Hummingbird and White-throated Towhee. On the other side of the pass it was much less verdant and we finished along a dry valley at Puente de Ferro (Iron Bridge). Here we saw Violet-crowned and Dusky Hummingbirds and Black-vented Oriole, and heard Blue Mockingbird. We left at 17:45 for the 90 minute drive to Oacaxa. Eric drove home, leaving us at Hostel Paulina where we had a room for 4. We were only a few blocks from the centre of town but were content to eat in a restaurant opposite. A very good day.
2 March.
Eric picked us up from the hostal at 05:45 and we arrived at La Cumbre at dawn. It was here that Eric had seen a flock of 40 Aztec Thrushes the previous month. Encouraging news, as was it being the biggest flock he had ever seen. Less encouraging was that he had returned a few days later, also at dawn, and failed to see any. They were highly nomadic in search of fruiting Madrone trees, an event which itself was very irregular. Learning this rather dented my hopes but we still had a sense of anticipation driving the contouring dirt road at first light with mainly coniferous forest on either side. A corner or two before where Eric’s flock had been we saw a couple of thrushes at the side of the road. Eric immediately stopped, not that we were going very fast. They were Aztecs, about 5 in total. Brilliant, although getting out of the vehicle to approach was probably not a good idea as they soon flew away up the hillside. The road gently declined at this point and we continued walking towards the corner hoping to see more. Brian and I became distracted by a fast moving flock of mainly Hermit Warblers in the tops of conifers below us, very smart, but when we rounded the corner we could see the others watching more thrushes beside the road where a small stream crossed in a gulley. They were coming to the stream briefly, to wash or drink and soon flying off up into the woods. Up to 15 had been present although I probably saw 10, some hanging around long enough for photographs although the light was poor and the distance against us. We continued birding down the road leaving Jon to return to the gulley. He walked up it some way hoping for more thrush views but they appeared to have moved on. We soon saw the first of several Red Warblers, very smart but rather active. Eric collected Jon and we drove on a bit further and walked another section of road. It was an area where Eric had seen Dwarf Jays and he eventually heard some. A quick moving flock of about 15 jays came through giving mainly fleeting glimpses - I saw 2 well and those were brief views. We also saw Rose-throated Becard, Steller’s Jay, Grey-barred Wren, Mexican Chickadee, Russet Nightingale-Thrush, Collared Towhee, Rufous-capped Brush-Finch and more Red Warblers. We returned to a café on the main road for lunch but nothing on the menu was very appetizing so rather than join the others heading a bit further down the road for trout, I decided to walk back into the forest for an hour. I saw Brown-throated Wren and MacGillivray’s, Crescent-chested and Golden-browed Warblers. I was almost back at the road when the others appeared. The trout had been good but I was happier birding. We had some discussion about what to do next and as a compromise decided to revisit the Aztec Thrush gully before returning to Oaxaca. There was no sign of any thrushes, sadly, but while we waited in the area Eric heard a distant Mountain Pygmy-Owl and started whistling it in. Rod had wandered off around the bend of a trail, and thinking it was likely a new bird for him (it was for me) I followed. There was no sign of him around the bend so I blew the whistle he had given me for such eventualities. He replied and I returned but was somewhat perturbed to find the others looking up into the tree directly above them. The owl had flown into it but had not been located. Fortunately a change of angle allowed it to be seen and we had rather neck-breaking views mainly of its belly. Views were a little better from further back or along the road and a couple of times it looked down at us. We left La Cumbre at 16:00, a very enjoyable and successful day, and drove back down to Oaxaca. We stopped three times in areas of scrub on our return, finding West Mexican Chachalaca, Spotted Towhee and Chipping and the restricted-range Oaxaca Sparrow. Sadly our only Lesser Roadrunner sighting was of a roadside corpse. It was to be my only encounter. Eric dropped us back at Hostal Paulina at 18:15 and we dumped our stuff and rushed to the main square, for photography, just making it before dark.
MEXICO 2016: Southern Oaxaca (3-7 March)
Our last five days were spent from Oaxaca to the coast at Huatulco mostly along Highway 175.
3 March.
Eric was outside the hostel at 06:00, as arranged, and we drove into the foothills behind Teotitlan. It was Eric’s home town and it had been an hour’s round trip for him to come into Oaxaca to collect us. We started birding by a small reservoir on the edge of town seeing Reddish Egret, Killdeer, Wilson’s Snipe, Say’s Phoebe and Curve-billed Thrasher. We continued up into the dry hills and soon found some superb Bridled Sparrows as well as Rufous-crowned and another Oaxaca feeding along the edge of the track. In the scrub we saw West Mexican Chachalacas, Grey-breasted Woodpecker, the Sumichrast race of Woodhouse’s Scrub Jay, Bridled Titmouse, Virginia’s and Black-throated Grey Warblers and Painted Redstart, but two singing Blue Mockingbirds remained in cover. At 10:45 we returned to Teotitlan and birded an open area on the edge of town where we saw a confiding Rufous-backed Thrush and some superb Boucard’s Wrens as well as more sparrows - Lark, Vespers, Clay-coloured and a secretive (and for me flight views only) Grasshopper. We had brunch nearby –a superbly located restaurant with rear windows that overlooked a wild garden providing excellent photo opportunities. I woofed down an omelette and spent most of my time at the window. We left at 12:15 and drove along highway 175 climbing up to San Jose del Pacifico. It was pleasantly cool although rather cloudy. We birded along the road seeing Rufous and White-eared Hummingbirds, Green Violetear, Grey Silky-Flycatcher, American Robin, Audubon’s Oriole and for me male Hooded Yellowthroat. The low clouds over nearby hillsides had looked threatening for some time and at 17:30 they rolled in and it started raining heavily putting paid to our hopes of looking for night birds. The weather convinced me it was not worth venturing out for an evening meal but having a wood fire lit in our room was most welcome.
4 March.
It rained hard for most of the night but cleared up just before dawn enabling us to try for nightbirds. We gathered on our veranda and a Whiskered Screech-Owl called once but could not be enticed to do more while a more vocal Mexican Whip–poor-will responded but failed to come in. We followed a track towards it but were not close enough to tempt it to show. Disappointed, we spent all day in the area, mostly birding along the road which was not too busy. We saw good numbers of birds but of rather limited species. Highlights were Bumblebee, Rufous and White-eared Hummingbirds, Brown-backed Solitaire, Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush, White-throated and Aztec Thrush (although I missed the latter), Scott’s Oriole and Blue Mockingbird (good for me to see at last). Warblers were well represented with a couple of flowering trees by the road full of mainly Audubon's, Nashville and Townsend's. The Hooded Yellowthroat showed briefly again and we saw another Red Warbler, 2 MacGillivray’s and a Golden-browed. The weather had been better and it stayed that way until dusk when we had more success with Mexican Whip-poor-will, seeing one perched in torchlight. The Whiskered Screech-Owl, if it was still around, remained silent.
5 March.
We heard the Mexican Whip-poor-will and a distant Mottled Owl from our veranda at dawn and birded the road and a short trail above it until 09:45. We disturbed three Aztec Thrushes from beside the road early on and mostly saw similar birds to the previous day. We had breakfast and left at 10:25, continuing on Highway 175, making a few stops and taking a short diversion in the pine forest which produced a superb Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo. We continued descending towards the coast, stopping every so often and briefly encountered another British birding group by the roadside. Brian knew them and had been invited on their trip but had already committed to Jon’s more budget-oriented one. One difference was immediately obvious – we were manageably crammed into Eric’s Jeep while four of them appeared to be rattling around in a large minibus. I knew where I’d rather be and at that particular point in time we looked more cheerful too. Following the main road through the centre of one of the larger towns we found the road ahead blocked. A Circus was in town and many of the roads around the centre had been closed. Eric eventually found his way around along a succession of back-streets, a diversion not appearing to be sign-posted at all. We finished the day birding in dry forest on the edge of Huatulco Golf Course for the last hour of light and then drove into town where we stayed a short distance from the main square at the Posada Michelle. We had covered a range of habitats during the day, starting in damp montane pine forest and ending in very dry habitat near the coast. I had seen about 80 species of which 11 were new. Highlights not mentioned above were Magnificent, White-eared, Berylline, Cinnamon and Bumblebee Hummingbirds, Golden-crowned Emerald, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Citreoline Trogon, Golden-cheeked Woodpecker, Pine Flycatcher, Steller’s and very brief and unsatisfactory White-throated Jays, Blue Mockingbird, Slaty and Golden Vireos, Ruddy-capped Nightingale Thrush, 2 more Red and a Hermit Warbler, and Black-headed Siskin. We saw 6 species of oriole including Spot-breasted but I found most of them rather confusing.
6 March.
We left the posada at 05:15, made a coffee stop and headed inland into the foothills. We were back on Highway 175 revisiting some of the lower elevation sites we had been to the previous day. We negotiated the circus road closures without difficulty and birded various areas along the roadside to about 11:30 by which time it was quite hot. We had a brunch stop and remained in the area to mid-afternoon, keeping in the shade as much as possible. Along the highway we saw Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Oaxaca (Blue-headed) Hummingbird, Long-billed Startthroat, Wagler’s Toucanet, Grey-crowned Woodpecker, Bat Falcon, Flammulated Atilla, Golden Vireo, Happy Wren Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Fan-tailed and MacGillivray’s Warblers, Northern Hepatic and Flame-coloured Tanagers and a male Orange-breasted Bunting. We were targeting three hummingbirds that Jon needed (all were new for me too). Eric had seen two of them, Cinnamon-sided and Mexican Hermit, infrequently in the areas where we were looking but try as we might, including a rather hopeful call on my part, we were unsuccessful. The third hummingbird Jon was after was Doubleday’s which was common on the coast, although we had failed to find it the previous evening. We returned to Huatulco to try for it again, stopping briefly by a roadside pond, where we had superb views of a flock of 40 Vaux’s Swifts as they skimmed low over the water to drink, and on a narrow bridge over a small river. We parked in a rather posh neighbourhood of Huatulco that backed onto the National Park and followed a track into the dry forest. It was rather quiet, with more birds around the houses at the start. We saw West Mexican Chachalaca, Russet-crowned Motmot, Sclater’s Wren, Olive Sparrow and more Orange-breasted Buntings before returning to our posada at 18:30 as the light was going. Doubleday’s Hummingbirds were most noticeable by their absence. Looking for hummingbirds was proving very frustrating. They are so much easier to see when coming to feeders although Eric pointed out some big drawbacks that I hadn't really considered– a sugar-rich diet can lead to diabetes while plants go unpollenated if hummingbirds don’t need to visit them.
7 March.
We left the posada at 05:45, made a coffee stop and drove to a higher entrance to the National Park for dawn. It was a good area for Buff-collared Nightjar at the right season but we were a bit early and none responded. We had a good vantage point and saw a pair of Pale-billed Woodpeckers and an Ivory-billed Woodcreeper, being careful not to mix up their names! A few parrots were flying over but all those we saw were White-fronted. We soon saw the first of several Doubleday’s Hummingbirds and wondered how we had missed them the previous evening. We slowly walked along a narrow dry track into the National Park and were passed by a few locals heading for a secluded beach. We headed that way too seeing a reasonable selection of birds including Colima and Ferruginous Owls, Thick-billed Kingbird, Banded and Happy Wrens, Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, 3 Red-breasted Chats and more Orange-breasted Buntings. We ran out of time and turned back before reaching the beach, leaving the park at 11:30.
Eric was staying another night before the long drive back to Oaxaca where he was meeting other clients so once back at the posada we put our bags in his room and checked out of ours. We had brunch in a restaurant opposite then drove to a lighthouse on the coast where Magnificent Frigatebirds were cruising by at head-height. Our final birding site was a wet area on the edge of a golf course and after an ice cream stop we picked up our bags. Eric dropped us at the airport just before 16:00, he had been a brilliant guide making it a very successful and enjoyable trip and we were sad to say goodbye. Hopefully it would be hasta la vista. Our flight was at 18:25 and left on time. A spectacular sunset over the clouds about Huatulco was almost matched by the lights of Mexico City as we came in to land. We arrived at 19:45 and were bused to the main terminal. Our international flight departed on time just before midnight. As it had been on the way out we each had three seats to stretch out on. It seemed strange the flights had been so under-subscribed considering they were reasonably priced and we found AeroMexico a good airline. Not that I was complaining as I spent much of the night flight sleeping horizontally, a rare luxury and better than an upgrade!. We arrived at Heathrow a bit early, were quickly through immigration and my bag was waiting for me, as was the tube. I arrived at Victoria two hours before my train home to Shoreham, and probably caught a cold waiting on the platform. Megan was waiting for me at the station and I was home at 20:45.
It had been a very enjoyable trip due in no small part to Eric’s expert guiding and the companionship of Brian, Jon and Rod. Many thanks to them all, and also Jorge and Amy for making us so welcome at El Triunfo.
Little Tinamou, Crypturellus soui, 1 heard at Valle Nacional
Slaty-breasted Tinamou, Crypturellus boucardi, 3 heard at Valle Nacional
Blue-winged Teal, Anas discors, 6 at marshes south of Cosamaloapon, a few at 2 other sites
Northern Shoveler, Anas clypeata, 4 at Teotitlan, 6 on pools at Huatulco golf-course
Redhead, Aythya Americana, 6 at Huatulco golf-course
Lesser Scaup, Aythya affinis, numerous at Catemaco Lake, marshes south of Cosamaloapo & Huatulco harbour
Ruddy Duck, Oxyura jamaicensis, 1 at Catemaco Lake, 6 at Teotitlan
Plain Chachalaca, Ortalis vetula, up to 4 at 3 sites in Chiapas, 3 on the way to Tuxtepec
West Mexican Chachalaca, Ortalis poliocephala, a few at 5 sites in Oaxaca with a max of 6 at Huatulco
White-bellied Chachalaca, Ortalis leucogastra, 4 at Pto Ariana
Crested Guan, Penelope purpurascens, Heard at Sierra de los Tuxelas and Tuxtepec
Highland Guan, Penelopina nigra, 2 - 4 daily at El Triunfo, heard at La Cumbre
Horned Guan, Oreophasis derbianus, 1 or 2 daily at El Triunfo
Long-tailed Wood Partridge, Dendrortyx macroura, 2 heard at San Jose del Pacifico
Spotted Wood Quail, Odontophorus guttatus, 1 heard at Tuxtepec
Singing Quail, Dactylortyx thoracicus, 1 or 2 at Huitepec
Least Grebe, Tachybaptus dominicus, 6 at Catemaco Lake, 25 at Teotitelam pond, 8 at Huatulco golf-course lake
Pied-billed Grebe, Podilymbus podiceps, singles at Catemaco Lake and Huatulco golf-course lake
Wood Stork, Mycteria americana, 4+ at marshes south of Cosamaloapon
Magnificent Frigatebird, Fregata magnificens, 6 at Pto Arista, 10+ at Huatulco lighthouse
Brown Booby, Sula leucogaster, a few from at Huatulco lighthouse
Neotropic Cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus, 50+ at lakes, reservoirs and harbours
Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga, 1 at marshes south of Cosamaloapon
American White Pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos, 15 at marshes south of Cosamaloapon
Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, 10 at Malpaso Lake on Tuxtla - Catemarco road
Bare-throated Tiger Heron, Tigrisoma mexicanum, 1 at Pto Arista
Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias, 1at Pto Arista, Catemarco Lake and 5 at marshes south of Cosamaloapon
Great Egret, Ardea alba, widespread in small numbers
Snowy Egret, Egretta thula, widespread in small numbers
Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea, 1 or 2 at 4 sites
Tricolored Heron, Egretta tricolor, 1 at Pto Arista and Huatulco Golf Course, 5 at marshes south of Cosamaloapon
Reddish Egret, Egretta rufescens, 1 at Teotitelam pond
Western Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis, widespread in small numbers
Green Heron, Butorides virescens, 4 at Catemaco Lake, 1 or 2 at 2 other sites
Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Nyctanassa violacea, 3 at marshes south of Cosamaloapon
American White Ibis, Eudocimus albus, 30 at marshes south of Cosamaloapon, 20 at Catemarco Lake, 2 at Huatulco
White-faced Ibis, Plegadis chibi, 2 at marshes south of Cosamaloapon (BF)
Glossy Ibis, Plegadis falcinellus, 2 at marshes south of Cosamaloapon
Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea ajaja, 1 at Pto Arista
Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus, common throughout except El Triunfo
Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura, common throughout except El Triunfo
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Cathartes burrovianus, 1 at marshes south of Cosamaloapon
Western Osprey, Pandion haliaetus, 2 at Malpaso Lake on Tuxtla - Catemarco road & marshes south of Cosamaloapon
White-tailed Kite, Elanus leucurus, 1 on Tuxtla - Catemarco road, 2 at marshes south of Cosamaloapon
Snail Kite, Rostrhamus sociabilis, 1 at marshes south of Cosamaloapon*
Sharp-shinned Hawk, Accipiter striatus, 1 or 2 at Malpaso Lake, Beptanya, La Cumbre & San Jose del Pacifico
Cooper's Hawk, Accipiter cooperii, 1 near Oaxaca
White Hawk, Pseudastur albicollis, 1 at El Ocote
Common Black Hawk, Buteogallus anthracinus, 1 flew low over the forest at Huatulco NP*
Great Black Hawk, Buteogallus urubitinga, 1 at marshes south of Cosamaloapon
Roadside Hawk, Rupornis magnirostris, singles at 4 sites, 6 on 28th in Sierra do los Tuxtlas forest & on way to Tuxtapec.
Broad-winged Hawk, Buteo platypterus, 1 over Valle Nacional, 2 in the hills above Huatulco
Grey Hawk, Buteo plagiatus, 1 at Valle Nacional, 2 or 3 on the 3 days in the Huatulco area
Short-tailed Hawk, Buteo brachyurus, 1 over Oaxaca road, 4 in the hills above Huatulco
Swainson's Hawk, Buteo swainsoni, 1 at El Ocote Reserve
White-tailed Hawk, Geranoaetus albicaudatus, 1 at Pto Arista
Zone-tailed Hawk, Buteo albonotatus, singles at Pto Arista and in the hills above Huatulco *
Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis, 1 at El Triunfo * and near Teotitelam
Barred Forest Falcon, Micrastur ruficollis, 2 heard at El Triunfo on 24th
Collared Forest Falcon, Micrastur semitorquatus, 1 heard at Sumidero Canyon
Northern Crested Caracara, Caracara cheriway, seen at 6 sites including 20 on 20th, mainly in the Pto Arista area
Laughing Falcon, Herpetotheres cachinnans, 1 at Pto Arista
American Kestrel, Falco sparverius, only 4 singles noted
Bat Falcon, Falco rufigularis, 1 eating a small bird on a tree stump in the hills above Huatulco
Ruddy Crake, Laterallus ruber, 2 heard in long grass at Malpaso Lake
American Coot, Fulica americana, Common in wetlands
Semipalmated Plover, Charadrius semipalmatus, 1 at marshes south of Cosamaloapon*
Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus, 2 at Teotitelam pond
Black-necked Stilt, Himantopus mexicanus, 10 at marshes south of Cosamaloapon, 6 at Pto Arista and Huatulco
Northern Jacana, Jacana spinosa, 2 at Pto Arista & marshes south of Cosamaloapon, 1 at Huatulco Golf Course
Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularius, 1 or 2 at all wetlands
Solitary Sandpiper, Tringa solitaria, 1 at Malpaso Lake
Greater Yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca, 2 at marshes south of Cosamaloapo
Willet, Tringa semipalmata, 4 at Pto Arista
Lesser Yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes, 1 at marshes south of Cosamaloapo
Least Sandpiper, Calidris minutilla, 7 at marshes south of Cosamaloapo , 6 at Teotitlam pond
Wilson's Snipe, Gallinago delicata, 1 at Teotitlam pond
Laughing Gull, Leucophaeus atricilla, numerous at Catemaco Lake, marshes south of Cosamaloapo & Huatulco harbour
Gull-billed Tern, Gelochelidon nilotica, 1 or 2 at marshes south of Cosamaloapo
Common Tern, Sterna , 4 at Catemaco Lake
Royal Tern, Thalasseus maximus, 10 at Catemaco Lake, a few at marshes south of Cosamaloapo
Red-billed Pigeon, Patagioenas flavirostris, 2 at Pto Arista, several at Catemaco & Huatulco
Band-tailed Pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata, 2 at El Triunfo, La Cumbre and Teotitlam
Eurasian Collared Dove, Streptopelia decaocto, 3 at marshes south of Cosamaloapo*, 1 at Tuxtla
White-winged Dove, Zenaida asiatica, locally common
Inca Dove, Columbina inca, locally common
Ruddy Ground Dove, Columbina talpacoti, up to 8 seen during travel on 4 days from 20th to 28th
White-tipped Dove, Leptotila verreauxi, singles at Pto Arista and Huatulco *
Grey-headed Dove, Leptotila plumbeiceps, 1 heard at Beptanya
White-faced Quail-Dove, Zentrygon albifacies, 2 at El Triunfo on 23rd, 7 on 25th
Tuxtla Quail-Dove, Zentrygon carrikeri, 1 or 2 at Sierra de los Tuxelas
Green Parakeet, Psittacara holochlorus, 6 at Sumidero Canyon, 1 at Tuxtla (RF)
Pacific Parakeet, Psittacara strenuus, 50+ at Pto Arista, 1 on 28th
Olive-throated Parakeet, Eupsittula nana, 2+ on Oaxaca road
Orange-fronted Parakeet, Eupsittula canicularis, Common at Pto Arista, a few around Huatulco
Orange-chinned Parakeet, Brotogeris jugularis, 1 at Pto Arista
Brown-hooded Parrot, Pyrilia haematotis, Heard at Valle Nacional
White-crowned Parrot, Pionus senilis, 2 at Huatulco NP
White-fronted Amazon, Amazona albifrons, several at base of El Triunfo, 2 at Huatulco NP
Red-lored Amazon, Amazona autumnalis, 4 at El Ocote, 2 near El Triunfo and on 28th
Northern Mealy Amazon, Amazona guatemalae, 20+ at Beptanya
Squirrel Cuckoo, Piaya cayana, up to 3 on 8 days
Striped Cuckoo, Tapera naevia, 1 heard on the way to El Triunfo
Lesser Ground Cuckoo, Morococcyx erythropygus, 1 heard at Arriaga
[Lesser Roadrunner, Geococcyx velox], 1 dead on the road at La Cumbre
Groove-billed Ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris, widespread in small numbers
Western Barn Owl, Tyto alba, 1 road casualty on 20th
Pacific Screech Owl, Megascops cooperi, 2 at Puerto Arista at dawn
Whiskered Screech Owl, Megascops trichopsis, 1 female heard at San Jose del Pacifico
Bearded Screech Owl, Megascops barbarus, 1 at San Cristobal, Chiapas
Middle American(Vermiculated) Screech Owl, Megascops guatemalae (vermiculatus), 1 seen and 2 heard at Valle Nacional
Mountain Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium californicum, 1 at La Cumbre
Colima Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium palmarum, 1 at Huatulco dry forest
Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium brasilianum, 1 at Pto Arista, 2 in the hills above Huatulco, 2 singles around Huatulco
Mottled Owl, Strix virgata, 1 at Valle Nacional, heard at Sumidero Canyon & San Jose del Pacifico
Fulvous Owl, Strix fulvescens, 1 seen at El Triunfo, heard on 2 other dates
Lesser Nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis, 1 thought to be this at dawn at Pto Arista
Pauraque, Nyctidromus albicollis, 4 at Sierra de los Tuxelas & Valle Nacional
Mexican Whip-poor-will, Antrostomus arizonae, 1 seen, 2 heard at San Jose del Pacifico, 1 heard at El Triunfo
Chestnut-collared Swift, Streptoprocne rutila, 10+ on the way to El Triunfo
White-collared Swift, Streptoprocne zonaris, Flocks seen on 6 dates
Vaux's Swift, Chaetura vauxi, Numerous on the way to El Triunfo and 40 near Huatulco, a few elsewhere
Stripe-throated (split from Little) Hermit, Phaethornis striigularis, 2 at Pto Arista at dawn
Green Violetear, Colibri thalassinus, 5+ at San Jose del Pacifico
Magnificent Hummingbird, Eugenes fulgens, 1 at El Triunfo on 24th, 1 or 2 daily at San Jose del Pacifico
Long-billed Starthroat, Heliomaster longirostris, 1 in the hills above Huatulc
Plain-capped Starthroat, Heliomaster constantii, 1 at Sumidero Canyon
Green-throated Mountaingem, Phaethornis striigularis, Up to 3 daily at El Triunfo, 1 at Huitepec
Blue-throated Hummingbird, Lampornis clemenciae, 2 in the hills above Arriga
Garnet-throated Hummingbird, Lamprolaima rhami, 1 at El Triunfo on 24th
Slender Sheartail, Doricha enicura, 1 at Sumidero Canyon
Sparkling-tailed Woodstar, Tilmatura dupontii, 3 at El Triunfo on 24th
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris, locally common
Bumblebee Hummingbird, Atthis heloisa, 3 on Oaxaca road, 2 at San Jose del Pacifico
Wine-throated Hummingbird, Atthis ellioti, 2 at El Triunfo on 23rd
Rufous Hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus, 1 at San Jose del Pacifico on 2 days
Golden-crowned Emerald, Chlorostilbon auriceps, 2 in the hills above Huatulco on 2 days
Canivet's Emerald, Chlorostilbon canivetii, singles at old Tuxtla road & Pto Arista, 2 on the trek up El Triunfo
Dusky Hummingbird, Cynanthus sordidus, 1 at Valle Nacional, 2+ at Teotitlam
Emerald-chinned Hummingbird, Abeillia abeillei, 3 on the trek up El Triunfo, 1 on 2 days at El T
Curve-winged Sabrewing, Campylopterus , 2+ on Oaxaca road. Split from Wedge-tailed Sabrewing
Long-tailed Sabrewing, Campylopterus excellens, singles at El Ocote & Sierra de los Tuxelas
Rufous Sabrewing, Campylopterus rufus, 1 on the Pacific slope at El Triunfo (RM)
Violet Sabrewing, Campylopterus hemileucurus, 1 or 2 at El Triunfo, 1 near Catemaco
Blue-capped/Oaxaca Hummingbird, Eupherusa poliocerca: , 2 in the hills above Huatulco
Stripe-tailed Hummingbird, Eupherusa eximia, 2 at El Ocote
White-bellied Emerald, Amazilia candida, 2 at Sumidero Canyon, El Ocote & Oaxaca road with 1 at Valle Nacional
Azure-crowned Hummingbird, Amazilia cyanocephala, 4 at Sumidero Canyon, singles near Lake Catemaco, Sierra de los Tuxelas, Beptanya & Oaxaca road
Berylline Hummingbird, Amazilia beryllina, singles in Chiapas on 3 days, common at San Jose del Pacifico
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Amazilia tzacatl, singles on 6 days
Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Amazilia yucatanensis, 2 at Sierra de los Tuxelas
Doubleday's Hummingbird, Amazilia doubledayi, 6 near Huatulco on 7th
Cinnamon Hummingbird, Amazilia rutila, 1 at Pto Arista, 2 in the hills above Huatulco, 5 around Huatulco
Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Amazilia violiceps, 2 in a dry valley near Oaxaca
Green-fronted Hummingbird, Amazilia viridifrons, 1 on old Tuxtla road. Cinnamon-sided, that we failed to find in the hills, is split from this
White-eared Hummingbird, Basilinna leucotis, 1 on Feb 18, daily from March 1st with a max of 7+ at San Jose del Pacifico
Resplendent Quetzal, Pharomachrus mocinno, 1 or 2 seen or heard daily at El Triunfo
Citreoline Trogon, Trogon citreolus, 2 in the hills above Huatulco, & at Huatulco NP
Gartered (Violaceous)Trogon, Trogon caligatus, 3 at Sumidero Canyon, 1 on the way to El Triunfo*
Mountain Trogon, Trogon mexicanus, 1 at Los Lagunas, 2 at San Jose NP
Collared Trogon, Trogon collaris, singles at El Ocote, El Triunfo, Sierra de los Tuxelas & Oaxaca road
Blue-throated Motmot, Aspatha gularis, 3 on 23rd at El Triunfo, 1 on 24th, 2 at Huatulco NP
Russet-crowned Motmot, Momotus mexicanus, up to 3 on 6 days
Blue-diademed(crowned) Motmot, Momotus coeruliceps, 1 at Arista
Ringed Kingfisher, Megaceryle torquata, 1 at the base of El Triunfo on the trek down
Amazon Kingfisher, Chloroceryle amazona, 1 in marshes south of Cosamaloapon, Chiapas
Green Kingfisher, Chloroceryle americana, 1 near Huatulco
Emerald Toucanet, Aulacorhynchus prasinus, 1 or 2 seen at El Triunfo on 3 days
Wagler’s Toucanet, Aulacorhynchus wagleri, 4 seen and 2 heard in the hills above Huatulco
Collared Aracari, Pteroglossus torquatus, 4 above Catemaco
Keel-billed Toucan, Ramphastos sulfuratus, singles at El Ocote & near Oaxaca
Acorn Woodpecker, Melanerpes formicivorus, 1 at Huitepec, Chiapas and up to 5 at El Triunfo
Golden-cheeked Woodpecker, Melanerpes chrysogenys, 1 or 2 near Huatulco
Grey-breasted Woodpecker, Melanerpes hypopolius, 3 in the dry scrub at Teotitlam
Velasquez's(Golden-fronted) Woodpecker, Melanerpes santacruzi (aurifrons), up to 3 on 4 days in Chiapas, 6 at Pto Arista
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius, 1 near Oaxaca and San Jose del Pacifico
Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Picoides scalaris, 1 at Teotitlam, Oaxaca
Hairy Woodpecker, Picoides villosus, 2 at El Triunfo, 1 at La Cumbre and San Jose del Pacifico
Golden-olive Woodpecker, Colaptes rubiginosus, 1 at El Ocote Reserve and El Triunfo
Grey-crowned Woodpecker, Colaptes auricularis, 2+ in the hills above Huatulco
Northern Flicker, Colaptes auratus mexicanoides, 1 at Los Lagunas
Lineated Woodpecker, Dryocopus lineatus, 1 at Huatulco NP
Pale-billed Woodpecker, Campephilus guatemalensis, 2 at Huatulco NP
Tawny-throated Leaftosser, Sclerurus mexicanus, 1 at El Ocote Reserve
Rufous-breasted Spinetail, Synallaxis erythrothorax, 2 at Beptanya and 1 on Oaxaca road, others heard
Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner, Anabacerthia variegaticeps: , Singles on 3 days at El Triunfo
Ruddy Foliage-gleaner, Automolus rubiginosus , Heard at El Triunfo
Ivory-billed Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus flavigaster, singles on 6 days
Spotted Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus erythropygius, 1 at El Triunfo
Spot-crowned Woodcreeper, Lepidocolaptes affinis, 2 at Huitepec, 1 on 2 days at El Triunfo and 1 at La Cumbre
Barred Antshrike, Thamnophilus doliatus, 1 female at El Ocote Reserve, heard at Beptanya
Mayan Antthrush, Formicarius monilger, 2 seen and 1 heard at Beptanya
Scaled Antpitta, Grallaria guatimalensis, 1 at El Triunfo (Eric)
Northern Beardless Tyrannulet, Camptostoma imberbe, 2 at Huatulco NP
Greenish Elaenia, Myiopagis viridicata, 1 at La Cumbre & Teotiteam, 2 in the hills above Huatulco
Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Elaenia flavogaster, 1 near Oaxaca
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Mionectes oleagineus, 1 at Beptanya*
Paltry Tyrannulet, Zimmerius vilissimus, 1 at El Triunfo*
Northern Bentbill, Oncostoma cinereigulare, 1 at Beptanya
Yellow-olive Flatbill, Tolmomyias sulphurescens, singles at Sumidero Canyon, El Ocote & hill near Catemaco Lake
Stub-tailed Spadebill, Platyrinchus cancrominus, 1 at Beptanya
Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher, Myiobius sulphureipygius, 1 at Valle Nacional
Belted Flycatcher, Xenotriccus callizonus, 1 seen and 2 heard at Sumidero Canyon
Northern Tufted Flycatcher, Mitrephanes phaeocercus, 2 singles at El Triunfo
Greater Pewee, Contopus pertinax, 1 in the dry scrub at Teotitlam*
Willow Flycatcher, Empidonax traillii, 1 on the way to El Triunfo
Least Flycatcher, Empidonax minimus, 1 at El Ocote
Hammond's Flycatcher, Empidonax hammondii, up to 4 daily at El Triunfo
Pine Flycatcher, Empidonax affinis, 1 at San Jose del Pacifico
Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Empidonax difficilis, 2 in the hills above Huatulco and 2 at Huatulco NP
Cordilleran Flycatcher, Empidonax occidentalis, 1 or 2 in the hills above Huatulco
Yellowish Flycatcher, Empidonax flavescens, 2 at El Triunfo
Black Phoebe, Sayornis nigricans, 1 at Teotitelam pond
Say's Phoebe, Sayornis saya, 1 at Teotitelam pond
Vermilion Flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus, singles on the way to El Triunfo, & dry valleys near Oaxaca & Teotitelam
Bright-rumped/Flammulated Attila, Attila spadiceus, 1 in the hills above Huatulco
Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Myiarchus tuberculifer, singles at Pto Arista, El Ocote & near Catemaco Lake, 2 at Huatulco NP
Nutting's Flycatcher, Myiarchus nuttingi, 1 at Pto Arista
Brown-crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus tyrannulus, 2 at Sumidero Canyon & Huatulco NP, 1+ at Pto Arista
Great Kiskadee, Pitangus sulphuratus, widespread in small numbers
Boat-billed Flycatcher, Megarynchus pitangua, 2 at Sumidero Canyon & near Huatulco
Social Flycatcher, Myiozetetes similis, widespread in small numbers
Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus, widespread in small numbers
Cassin's Kingbird, Tyrannus vociferans, 1 at Teotitelam dry scrub
Thick-billed Kingbird, Tyrannus crassirostris, A few on the way to El Triunfo, 1 at Huatulco NP
Western Kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis, 1 on the way to El Triunfo
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus, c.50 at Pto Arista, an extraordinary sight
Masked Tityra, Tityra semifasciata, a few scattered records
Rose-throated Becard, Pachyramphus aglaiae, Singles at Puerto Arrista, El Triunfo and La Cumbre
Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus, 4 at La Cumbre, up to 6 in transit
Slaty Vireo, Vireo brevipennis, 1 in the hills above Huatulco
White-eyed Vireo, Vireo griseus, singles at Malpaso Lake, Sierra de los Tuxelas, Beptanya & near Huatulco
Bell's Vireo, Vireo bellii, 1 at Pto Arista, in the hills above Huatulco, 2 at Huatulco NP
Yellow-throated Vireo, Vireo flavifrons, singles at Sumidero Canyon & old Tuxtla road
Plumbeous Vireo, Vireo plumbeus, 1 at old Tuxtla road
Cassin's Vireo, Vireo cassinii, 2 singles in the hills above Huatulco
Blue-headed (Solitary) Vireo, Vireo solitarius, 1 or 2 on 6 days
Hutton's Vireo, Vireo huttoni, 2 at Huitepec, 4 at La Cumbre*, 1 at San Jose del Pacifico
Golden Vireo, Vireo hypochryseus, 2 in the hills above Huatulco
Warbling Vireo, Vireo gilvus, 4 singles on Feb 19-24, 10 in the hills above Huatulco
Lesser Greenlet, Hylophilus decurtatus, 1 at Sumidero Canyon
Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo, Vireolanius melitophrys, a male in the hills above Huatulco
Green Shrike-Vireo, Vireolanius pulchellus, 1 at El Ocote
Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Cyclarhis gujanensis, commonly heard but only seen at Sumidero Canyon & on the way to El Triunfo
White-throated Jay, Cyanolyca mirabilis, 2 at San Jose del Pacifico
Dwarf Jay, Cyanolyca nanus, 15 at La Cumbre
Black-throated Jay, Cyanolyca pumilo, 13 on the Pacific slope at El Triunfo and 2 on the trek down
White-throated Magpie-Jay, Calocitta formosa, locally common
Brown Jay, Psilorhinus morio, 3 at El Ocote, up to 10 daily on March 1-4
Green Jay, Cyanocorax luxuosus, recorded on 8 days but heard more often than seen
Steller's Jay, Cyanocitta stelleri, 10 at La Cumbre, 6 at San Jose del Pacifico & 20 in the hills above Huatulco
Unicolored Jay, Aphelocoma unicolor, up to 4 on 2 days at El Triunfo
Sumicrast's Scub Jay, Aphelocoma coerulescens sumicrasti, 2 in dry scrub at Teotitelam. BQ listed Woodhouse's Scrub Jay for this site
Northern/Common Raven, Corvus crax, 2 at La Cumbre*
Black-capped Swallow, Notiochelidon pileata, several at El Triunfo on 24th and 3 at San Jose Park
Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis, widespread in small parties
[Sinaloa Martin, Progne sinaloae], a large martin with other hirundines at Malpaso Lake could have been this rare species
Grey-breasted Martin, Progne chalybea, only a few were noted but probably overlooked
Tree Swallow, Tachycineta bicolor, 10 at marshes south of Cosamaloapon
Violet-green Swallow, Tachycineta thalassina, variable numbers at 5 sites
Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica, several at Pto Arista, a few at El Ocote
Cave Swallow, Petrochelidon fulva, 2 at Pto Arista*
Mexican Chickadee, Poecile sclateri, 2+ at La Cumbre
Bridled Titmouse, Baeolophus wollweberi, 1+ in the Teotitelam dry scrub
Bushtit, Psaltriparus minimus, 1 at La Cumbre*
Brown Creeper, Certhia americana, 1 at Los Lagunas, & La Cumbre*
Band-backed Wren, Campylorhynchus zonatus, 1 at El Ocote
Grey-barred Wren, Campylorhynchus megalopterus, 6 at La Cumbre
Giant Wren, Campylorhynchus chiapensis, 4 at Puerto Arista
Sclater’s/Rufous-naped Wren, Campylorhynchus rufinucha, 2 at old Tuxtla road, 3 in the hills above Huatulco, 5 in Huatulco NP
Boucard's Wren, Campylorhynchus jocosus, 2 at Teotitlam
Sumichrast's Wren, Hylorchilus sumichrasti, 2 at Beptanya
Nava's Wren, Hylorchilus navai, 2 seen and 3 heard at El Ocote reserve
Spot-breasted Wren, Pheugopedius maculipectus, 1 near Catemaco Lake, at Sierra de los Tuxelas & near Oaxaca with 2 more heard
Happy Wren, Pheugopedius felix, 2+ at Huatulco dry forest
Banded Wren, Thryophilus pleurostictus, 2+ at Sumidero Canyon, 1 at Pto Arista & Huatulco dry forest, 2 heard at Valle Nacional
Rufous-and-white Wren, Thryophilus rufalbus, 3 at El Triunfo
Plain Wren, Cantorchilus modestus, 1 at Pto Arista
Bewick's Wren, Thryomanes bewickii, 1 at Teotitelam dry scrub
Northern House/Brown-throated Wren, Troglodytes aedon brunneicollis, 1 at La Cumbre, Teotitelam dry scrub, San Jose del Pacifico & Huatulco, heard elsewhere
Rufous-browed Wren, Troglodytes rufociliatus, 2 at El Triunfo, heard at San Jose NP
White-bellied Wren, Uropsila leucogastra, 1 at Beptanya
White-breasted Wood-Wren, Henicorhina leucosticta, 2 at El Triunfo, heard elsewhere
Grey-breasted Wood-Wren, Henicorhina leucophrys, often heard in the mts, 3 seen at El Triunfo, 1 at Sierra de los Tuxelas & La Cumbre
Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea, widely distributed in small numbers
White-lored Gnatcatcher, Polioptila albiloris, 1 at Pto Arista, 1 or 2 in the hills above Huatulco, 2 in Huatulco NP
Tropical Gnatcatcher, Polioptila plumbea, 1 at Beptanya
American Dipper, Cinclus mexicanus, 1 at El Triunfo
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Regulus calendula, 4 at San Jose del Pacifico
Brown-backed Solitaire, Myadestes occidentalis, heard frequently, only seen on 4 days, 3 in the hills above Huatulco being the max
Slate-colored Solitaire, Myadestes unicolor, 2 on the Oaxaca road, heard at El Ocote
Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Catharus aurantiirostris, singles at Sumidero Canyon & in the hills above Huatulco
Russet Nightingale-Thrush, Catharus occidentalis, 2 on the Oaxaca road, 1 at La Cumbre
Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush, Catharus frantzii, 4 at El Triunfo & 3 at San Jose del Pacifico
Spotted Nightingale-Thrush, Catharus dryas, 3 at El Triunfo
Swainson's Thrush, Catharus ustulatus, 1+ at La Cumbre
Hermit Thrush, Catharus guttatus, 1 at El Triunfo & Huatulco, 2 at Sierra de los Tuxelas, 3 at La Cumbre
Wood Thrush, Hylocichla mustelina, up to 3 daily at El Triunfo
Black Thrush, Turdus infuscatus, 1 at El Triunfo, others heard there
Mountain Thrush, Turdus plebejus, 1 at El Triunfo*
Clay-coloured Thrush, Turdus grayi, widespread in small numbers
White-throated Thrush, Turdus assimilis, 2 on the trek up El Triunfo*, 1 at San Jose del Pacifico
Rufous-backed Thrush, Turdus rufopalliatus, 1 in the dry scrub at Teotitlam, 6 in the hills above Huatulco, 2 at Huatulco NP
Rufous-collared Thrush, Turdus rufitorques, 1 at Cerro Huitepec
American Robin, Turdus migratorius, common in Oaxaca state
Aztec Thrush, Ridgwayia pinicola, 15 at La Cumbre, 3 at San Jose del Pacifico
Grey Catbird, Dumetella carolinensis, 1 or 2 widespread
Curve-billed Thrasher, Toxostoma curvirostre, 3 at Teotitlam dry scrub
Blue Mockingbird, Melanotis caerulescens, 1 near Oaxaca*, 3 at San Jose del Pacifico
Blue-and-white Mockingbird, Melanotis hypoleucus, 2 at Sumidero Canyon
Buff-bellied Pipit, Anthus , 2 at Teotitlam lake
Grey Silky-flycatcher, Ptiliogonys cinereus, common in the Pacific mountains, 3 at Valle Nacional and 1 at El Triunfo
Olive Warbler, Peucedramus taeniatus, 1 at San Jose NP
Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapilla, 1 at Sumidero Canyon & Sierra de los Tuxelas , 2 at El Triunfo
Worm-eating Warbler, Helmitheros vermivorum, 1 at Beptanya
Louisiana Waterthrush, Parkesia motacilla, singles at Huitepec & Sierra de los Tuxelas
Black-and-white Warbler, Mniotilta varia, widespread with 1 or 2 almost daily
Crescent-chested Warbler, Oreothlypis superciliosa, 2+ at Las Lagunas, 12 at La Cumbre, 1 at San Jose del Pacifico
Tennessee Warbler, Leiothlypis peregrina, 1 at El Triunfo, 3 at Teotitlam, common at San Jose del Pacifico & a few above Huatulco
Orange-crowned Warbler, Leiothlypis celata, 3 at La Cumbre, 1 at Teotitlam & San Jose del Pacifico
Nashville Warbler, Leiothlypis ruficapilla, widespread and locally common
Virginia's Warbler, Leiothlypis virginiae, 1 at Teotitlam
Grey-crowned Yellowthroat, Geothlypis poliocephala, singles near Catemaco Lake & marshes south of Cosamaloapon
MacGillivray's Warbler, Geothlypis tolmiei, 2 on way to El Triunfo, 1 at La Cumbre & above Huatulco, 3 at San Jose del Pacifico
Common Yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas, 1 at Pto Arista
Hooded Yellowthroat, Geothlypis nelsoni, 1 at San Jose del Pacifico
Hooded Warbler, Setophaga citrina, 1 in the hills above Catemaco
American Redstart, Setophaga ruticilla, up to 4 at 6 sites
Northern Parula, Setophaga americana, 1 at Sierra de los Tuxelas
Magnolia Warbler, Setophaga magnolia, 1 or 2 on the first 6 days, scarce after that
American Yellow Warbler, Setophaga aestiva, 1 or 2 on 5 days
Black-throated Blue Warbler, Setophaga caerulescens, 1 male at El Triunfo*, rare on the mainland, winters on the Caribbean coast & islands
Audubon’s (Yellow-rumped) Warbler, Setophaga auduboni, 2+ near Oaxaca, a few at La Cumbre & San Jose del Pacifico
Yellow-throated Warbler, Setophaga dominica, 1 on the way to El Triunfo
Grace's Warbler, Setophaga graciae, 3 in pines on the way to El Triunfo,2 in the hills above Huatulco
Black-throated Grey Warbler, Setophaga nigrescens, 2 at Teotitlan dry scrub
Townsend's Warbler, Setophaga townsendi, up to 10 on 8 days
Hermit Warbler, Setophaga occidentalis, 20 at La Cumbre, 1 or 2 elsewhere
Black-throated Green Warbler, Setophaga virens, up to 4 on 9 days
Fan-tailed Warbler, Basileuterus lachrymosus, 2 at Sumidero Canyon, 1 in the hills above Huatulco
Rufous-capped Warbler, Basileuterus rufifrons, up to 4 on 6 days
Golden-browed Warbler, Basileuterus belli, 5 El Triunfo, 3 La Cumbre, 1 at Huitepec, Teotitlam & San Jose del Pacifico, 2 at Catemaco
Golden-crowned Warbler, Basileuterus culicivorus, up to 4 on 6 days
Wilson's Warbler, Cardellina pusilla, the most common warbler seen daily
Red-faced Warbler, Cardellina rubrifrons, singles at Las Lagunas & La Cumbre
Red Warbler, Cardellina rubra, 8 at La Cumbre, 1 or 2 at San Jose del Pacifico
Pink-headed Warbler, Cardellina versicolor, 3 at Los Lagunas
Painted Whitestart, Myioborus pictus, 1 at Teotitlam dry scrub
Slate-throated Whitestart, Myioborus miniatus, fairly widespread in small numbers
Yellow-breasted Chat, Icteria virens, 1 at Pto Arista, the start of the El Triunfo trek & 3 in marshes S of Cosamaloapon
Bananaquit, Coereba flaveola, 2 at El Ocote & 1 at Oaxaca road
Blue-grey Tanager, Thraupis episcopus, 3 at Pto Arista
Yellow-winged Tanager, Thraupis abbas, 2 at El Ocote, 1 on the way to El Triunfo, 4 on Oaxaca road
Cabanis's Tanager, Tangara cabanisi, 4 on the Pacific slope at El Triunfo
Red-legged Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes cyaneus, 2 singles at6 El Triunfo
Black-headed Saltator, Saltator atriceps, 1 or 2 at 4 sites in Oaxaca state
Blue-black Grassquit, Volatinia jacarina, up to 4 at 3 sites
White-collared Seedeater, Sporophila torqueola, 2+ at Pto Arista & El Ocote , 4 at Tuxtla – Catemaco reservoir
Yellow-faced Grassquit, Tiaris olivaceus, singles at El Ocote, Beptanya & Oaxaca road
Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer, Diglossa baritula, 1 at El Triunfo, 3 on Oaxaca road, 2 at San Jose del Pacifico
Chestnut-capped Brush Finch, Arremon brunneinucha apertus, 3 at El Triunfo, 2 at San Jose del Pacifico
Olive Sparrow, Arremonops rufivirgatus, 1+ at Sumidero Canyon, 2 at Huatulco NP
White-naped Brush Finch, Atlapetes albinucha, 1 at Valle Nacional
Rufous-capped Brush Finch, Atlapetes pileatus, 4 at San Jose del Pacifico, 2 at La Cumbre & 1 at Teotitlam
Collared Towhee, Pipilo ocai, 3 at La Cumbre, 1 at San Jose del Pacifico
Spotted Towhee, Pipilo maculatus, up to 6 at San Jose del Pacifico, 1 at La Cumbre & Teotitlam
Rusty Sparrow, Aimophila rufescens, 1 or 2 on the way to El Triunfo, Sierra de los Tuxelas, near Oaxaca & Huatulca
Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Aimophila ruficeps, 1 at Teotitlam
Oaxaca Sparrow, Aimophila notosticta, 2 to 4 at La Cumbre, 1 at Teotitlam
White-throated Towhee, Melozone albicollis, up to 10 at Oaxaca, La Cumbre, Teotitlam & San Jose del Pacifico
Stripe-headed Sparrow, Peucaea ruficauda, 3 at Sumidero Canyon
Bridled Sparrow, Peucaea mystacalis, 20 at Teotitlam
Chipping Sparrow, Spizella passerina, 4 near La Cumbre, common at Teotitlam
Clay-coloured Sparrow, Spizella pallida, 5 at Teotitlam
Vesper Sparrow, Poocetes gramineus, 1 at Teotitlam
Lark Sparrow, Chondestes grammacus, 6 at Teotitlam
Grasshopper Sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum, 1 at Teotitlam
Lincoln's Sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii, 6 La Cumbre, 4 in dry valley near Oaxaca & Teotitlam, 3 at San Jose del Pacifico
Rufous-collared Sparrow, Zonotrichia capensis, a few at El Triunfo
Yellow-eyed Junco, Junco phaeonotus, 4 La Cumbre, 2 in dry valley near Oaxaca & 3 at Teotitlam, 6+ San Jose del Pacifico
Common Bush Tanager, Chlorospingus flavopectus, daily El Triunfo, 4 on Oaxaca road, 2 albifrons at San Jose del Pacifico & Huatulca
Northern Hepatic Tanager, Piranga hepatica, singles at La Cumbre, San Jose del Pacifico & Huatulco
Summer Tanager, Piranga rubra, 2 at Sumidero Canyon, singles at El Ocote, near Oaxaca & San Jose del Pacifico
Western Tanager, Piranga ludoviciana, common at Sumidero Canyon, Pto Arista, San Jose del Pacifico & above Huatulca
Flame-coloured Tanager, Piranga bidentata, 1 when leaving El Triunfo, 2 in the hills above Huatulco
White-winged Tanager, Piranga leucoptera, 2 at El Ocote, 1 at El Triunfo, 6 at Valle Nacional & 5 on Oaxaca road
Red-crowned Ant Tanager, Habia rubica, 10 at Beptanya, 2 in the hills above Huatulca & 1 at Huatulca NP
Red-throated Ant Tanager, Habia fuscicauda, 5 on the Oaxaca road
Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis, 1 near Tuxtepec, Oaxaca
Mexican Yellow Grosbeak, Pheucticus chrysopeplus aurantiacus, 2 at Sumidero Canyon, singles at El Triunfo
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus, small numbers widely scattered with a max of 6 at Huatulco
Black-headed Grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus, singles near Oaxaca, & at La Cumbre
Red-breasted Chat, Granatellus venustus, 1 female at Sumidero Canyon, 3 at Huatulco NP
Blue-black Grosbeak, Cyanocompsa cyanoides, 1 at Sumidero Canyon
Blue Bunting, Cyanocompsa parellina, 1 at El Ocote and Huatulco
Blue Grosbeak, Passerina caerulea, singles at Pto Arista and Huatulco *
Indigo Bunting, Passerina cyanea, 4 at Sumidero Canyon, 1 at Pto Ariasta and El Triunfo, 2 at Huatulco
Rose-bellied/Rosita's Bunting, Passerina rositae, 1 female on old Tuxtla road near Arriaga, a male on return to the road late pm
Orange-breasted Bunting, Passerina leclancherii, 2 on old Tuxtla road near Arriaga, common around Huatulco
Varied Bunting, Passerina versicolor, 2 at Sumidero Canyon
Painted Bunting, Passerina ciris, 1 female at Sumidero Canyon , common at Pto Arista, 1 near Oaxaca
Melodious Blackbird, Dives dives, up to 3 at El Triunfo, 1 near Oaxaca
Great-tailed Grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus, common throughout
Bronzed Cowbird, Molothrus aeneus, large flock on the way to El Triunfo, 1+ in dry scrub at Teotitlam
Giant Cowbird, Molothrus oryzivorus, singles near Tuxtepec and on the old Oaxaca road near Arriago
Black-vented Oriole, Icterus wagleri, up to 5 at 4 sites in Oaxaca
Black-cowled Oriole, Icterus prosthemelas, 2 at El Ocote
Orchard Oriole, Icterus spurius, 2 at 0ld Tuxtla road, 4 at Pto Arista, 1 at Huatulco.
Streak-backed Oriole, Icterus pustulatus, common at Sumidero Canyon, 2 on 3 days near Huatulco
Bullock's Oriole, Icterus bullockii, 4 at San Jose del Pacifico, 2 on the Pacific slope above Huatulco
Spot-breasted Oriole, Icterus pectoralis, 2 near Huatulco
Altamira Oriole, Icterus gularis, 2 at Pto Arista, up to 4 around Huatulco
Dickey's (Audubon's) Oriole, Icterus dickeyae (graduacauda), up to 4 on 4 days in Pacific Oaxaca
Scott's Oriole, Icterus parisorum, 4 at San Jose del Pacifico
Mexican/Yellow-winged Cacique, Cassiculus melanicterus, up to 20 around Huatulco
Chestnut-headed Oropendola, Psarocolius wagleri, 30 at to Valle Nacional
Montezuma Oropendola, Psarocolius montezuma, a few on 3 days
Scrub Euphonia, Euphonia affinis, 1 or 2 on 3 days
Yellow-throated Euphonia, Euphonia hirundinacea, 2 at Sumitero Canyon, 1 at Sierra de los Tuxelas
Elegant Euphonia, Euphonia elegantissima, 3 at El Triunfo, 2 on Oaxaca road
Blue-crowned Chlorophonia, Chlorophonia occipitalis, 2 at El Triunfo
House Finch, Haemorhous mexicanus, 1 at Los Lagunas, 6 at Teotitlam dry scrub*
Red Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra, heard by RM
Black-headed Siskin, Spinus notatus, 1 on the Pacific slope above Huatulco
Hooded Grosbeak, Hesperiphona abeillei, 2 at El Triufo
House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, Fairly common in towns
Mammals
Mexican Grey Squirrel (Red-bellied S), Sciurus aureogaster, fairly common, more squirrels seen in highland forests
White-nosed Coati, Nasua narica, 3 at Sumidero Canyon
Central American Spider Monkey, Ateles geoffroyi , a group of 10 at El Triunfo
Howler Monkey, a female with youngster was seen in forest above Catemaco
Collared Peccary (Javelina) Pecari tajacu, only 1 seen at El TriunfoBaird's Tapir, 1 outside El Triunfo restaurant
American Hog-nosed Skunk, Conepatus leuconotus, 1near El Triunfo restaurant
White-tailed Deer, 1 in nthe hills above Arriaga
Brown Rat (Norway Rat), Rattus norvegicus , 1 at Teotitlam.