VERACRUZ 2014: Day 10 – Selva and Laguna
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Dec 2, 2014 | by Adrian Binns
Day 10 / Oct 11: UNAM Biological Station; Laguna Sontecompan; Los Mangos
We spent the morning exploring the lush rainforest habitat of the UNAM Biological station. This expansive reserve, founded in 1967, belongs to the Institute of Biology of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). It protects an array of threatened and diverse wildlife species, while facilitating conservation policy, university level research and environmental education programs for local communities.
Red-lored Parrots
We parked and walked some of the trails around the station, delighted to see Red-lored Parrots flying off of their night-time roosts to forage, along with spectacular Keel-billed Toucans. In the forest, we found Collared Trogon, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, both Long-billed and Stripe-throated Hermits, White-bellied Emerald, Golden-olive Woodpecker, several Lesser Greenlets, and a Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet, a bird not often seen here! We then walked the upper part of the reserve with forest on one side and open skies to the other in hopes of finding soaring raptors. The Peregrine Falcons were up and moving along with the Magnificent Frigatebirds.
As we headed back down the hill a soaring pair of close Black Hawk-Eagles put on a show as they called and screamed to each other.
After lunch in a local cafe, we were joined by local guide Francisco, and embarked upon an afternoon boat trip through mangroves on a coastal lagoon at Sontecompan. It was wonderfully relaxing and exciting to be out on the water enjoying refreshing sights and sounds.
Boat captain Ismael steered our craft away from the docks, passing close by an adult Bare-throated Tiger-Heron standing on the edge of the river.
During our journey, we found the complete set of 5 kingfisher species: Ringed, Belted, Amazon, Green, and the smallest and most difficult to find American Pygmy!
Boat-billed Heron
We also found in the mangroves a small group of Boat-billed Herons, as well as Common Black-Hawk, Lineated Woodpecker, great numbers of Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, and a nice surprise, a stunning Gray-headed Kite.
Gray-headed Kite
It was a wonderful day, and we attempted to enhance it with late evening owling at a Striped Owl site. Unfortunately, rains muddied our plans, and we were unsuccessful with owls, but quite happy with the full day’s list!
– Robert Straub