VERACRUZ 2014: Day 5 – The Highlands

Day 5 / Oct 6: Las Minas; Los Humeros; La Joya

Today we explored the higher regions around Xalapa, finding many new species and some Mexican endemics in lovely conifer and mixed-wood forests above 6,000 feet elevation.

Birding the highlands

Only about 30 minutes drive from Xalapa we arrived at our first site, La Joya. This impressive pine-oak forest featured nice walking tracks and a good variety of target bird species. As Gray Silky Flycatchers flew overhead, we found several mixed flocks providing stellar views of the stunning Mexican endemic Red Warbler, Golden-browed Warblers, and Crescent-chested Warblers. Townsend’s and Hermit Warblers were present, along with a male Olive Warbler and a colorful pair of Hepatic Tanagers. Brown Creeper and American Robin were common in this temperate forest, much to the group’s surprise.

Striped Sparrow

We moved higher up the mountains, passing through the small town of Perote, and entered the desert-like Perote Valley. Here we found several Striped Sparrows (above), a Mexican endemic of the highlands, in its favored bunch grass habitat, along with several Canyon Towhees (below). At the far end of the valley we arrived at Los Humeros, a site reminiscent of Joshua Tree National Monument. Although a bit slow at mid-day, we managed to find White-eared Hummingbird, Western (Sumichrast’s) Scrub-Jay, Curve-billed Thrasher, and nice looks at a flock of Black-chinned Sparrows.

Canyon Towhee

We retraced our steps, then dropped down a bit into the spectacular Las Minas canyon. Our first stop at a patch of scrubby habitat produced two more Mexican endemics: Hooded Yellowthroat and Rufous-capped Brush-Finch, as well as Brown-throated House Wren. Further into the canyon, we watched resident White-collared Swifts, Chestnut-collared Swifts and Red-tailed Hawk swooping and soaring at eye-level. Looking down into the canyon we spotted a pair of Band-tailed Pigeons. Walking the terrain we enjoyed excellent close views of Gray-breasted Wood-Wren, often very hard to see. The wonderful song of Brown-backed Solitaire echoed through the canyon and we were delighted to find the singer on his perch!

Wildflowers

On the descent back to Xalapa, we decided to stop again at La Joya, this time at an area of more scrubby forest on the other side of the road. In a lovely flower patch beside a small house we spotted a stunning male Cinnamon-bellied Flower-piercer! Further down and into the forest we found a huge group of “Black-eared” Bushtits, thus ending a great day in the highlands.

– Robert Straub