Veracruz 2010: The Highlands

Today, Oct 1st, was our high elevation exploration of the mountains above Xalapa; a big day for endemics. We traveled just a short distance, but climbed steeply to the pine-oak forests of La Joya, at about 6,000 feet elevation. After we and the birds warmed up, the birding was excellent, with just about everything being new for the trip. Almost immediately we found a target Mexican endemic, a Bumblebee Hummingbird (above). It was a female, and after feeding on some low flowers, she settled on her nest to feed her two (large) youngsters! We lingered for a while at a respectable distance, taking photos. Eventually one of the young birds fed his/her sibling…a very odd behavior!

We continued our walk in the sun, tracking down resident birds such as Steller’s Jay, Spot-crowned Woodcreeper, Hutton’s Vireo, “Black-eared” Nuthatch, Hepatic Tanager, Yellow-eyed Junco, and a nice look at Gray-breasted Wood-Wren. We also saw the familiar White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, and Brown Creeper. A large group of Gray Silky-Flycatchers (above) put on a great show in the sun.

At the far end of the site we found a productive patch of forest with richly vegetated understory. We had great views of the endemic Collared Towhee, followed by Russet Nightingale-Thrush, Rufous-capped Brush-Finch, and another Bumblebee Hummingbird. A wonderful array of warblers included Crescent-chested, Townsend’s, Black-throated Green, Hermit, Olive, and Slate-throated Redstart. Our final bird in this area was a beautiful male Red Crossbill, perched on top of a high pine, for good looks in our scope. Peter and Micha were glad to see this Crossbill after unsuccessfully chasing it in Canada!

After a great lunch, we moved further uphill to Las Minas (above). Our first stop in the fields produced several open country birds such as Say’s Phoebe, Vermillion Flycatcher, Western Bluebird, and a nice look at Buff-breasted Flycatcher. Farther down the road a striking Lark Sparrow sat up and posed for us. Under clear skies, we headed to the moist, forested canyon where Micha and Pete spotted another Mexican endemic, and major highlight, a Red Warbler. Amid spectacular canyon views we saw a resident Red-tailed Hawk soaring, and many Golden-browed Warblers.

For our last stop we moved across the dry Perote Valley to Los Humeros (above), a unique site in Veracruz with a habitat of Yucca and Maguey plants. Here we went to our regular hummingbird spot for great looks at White-eared, Magnificent, Blue-throated, and a female Lucifer, which is not often seen here. We also added Western Scrub Jay and Bewick’s Wren, Horned Lark in the fields, and a darling little Rock Squirrel (Spermophilus variegatus).

It was a great day, enjoyed in spectacular settings!