Birding Yucatán

Continuing on our birding adventure to see 1,000 species of birds in one trip through Central and South America we have moved on to the Yucatán Peninsula, more specifically the area around Merida. A 23 hour bus ride took us here from Mexico City so the distance should ensure plenty of new birds.

We enlisted some help in the form of Joel Ortega another excellent Mexican Guide (WhatApp +52 9993905059) who runs birding tours in Yucatan but also elsewhere in Mexico. Highly recommend Joel, he is hard-working and very skilled and professional.

For the first day we went to Celestún, famous for its mangroves and accompanying flamingos. We made an early start (5am) and before arriving at the coast we stopped in a forest area and walked along the road. Perhaps the first bird we saw as the car pulled up was the endemic Yucatán Jay and before long we had added some great birds including Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Lineated Woodpecker and Russet-Naped Wood-rail

Moving on at the coast we stopped at the bridge entering Celestún and added 10 species in 5 minutes. Hundreds of American Flamingo, many Roseate Spoonbill, an Anhinga, several Double Crested Cormorants and a single Common Black Hawk to name a few. Stopping where the boat trips set out we also added a Northern Waterthrush.

We moved on to the Mangrove and Dune areas to look for three specific endemic species which are only found in this habitat. The Yucatán Wren was found quite quickly and gave excellent views. Much larger than a wren at home this was about the size of a Blackbird. After a while we found the Yucatán Gnatcatcher giving peak-a-boo views through foliage before allowing a more confiding view. Another lovely bird. The third endemic did not give itself up easily the Mexican Sheartail (a small Hummingbird) was impossible to find partly because the small red flowers on which it feeds was in very short supply. After perhaps an hour we gave up to go and get the boat trip.

However as it so often happens one setback can actually be a step forward in another way. When we went to get a boat trip we were disappointed to see that prices had increased so much to hire a boat (about £150). For us travelling for 8 months we really need to watch the pennies so decided this was too much. Our guide pointed out that in a few weeks we would have a similar option which was about half the price so we skipped the boat. Whilst we were there Joel met another guide who had info on where the Mexican Sheartail was feeding and before long we had our bird. The other guide took time out to lead us to the exact place which was very kind.

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The next day we headed down to a forest near Labná Archeological site about 90 minutes south of Merida. The light was poor so I didn’t use my camera early on but there were plenty of good birds about including Ivory-Billed and Olivaceous Woodcreepers and three hummingbirds; White-bellied and Canivet’s Emerald and the Buff-bellied Hummingbird. We then took a couple of hours out to explore Uxmal Myan Ruins (stunning by the way) before heading back to Merida via a small lake park. Here we added more birds including Least Grebe, Blue-winged Teal and Snail Kite.

Two great days birding on Yucatán had added 85 species to my Mexico list, taking me to 197. Even more satisfying was the fact that 82 of these 85 were life ticks. You can find a full list of birds on my eBird trip report for Mexico.