SAN BLAS BIRDING EXPEDITION. A FEAST OF BIRDS....

San Blas is located about two hours north from Puerto Vallarta. Back in the 1700's when the Spaniards still ruled Mexico San Blas was the most important port on the Mexican pacific coast. Today San Blas is a quiet fishing village best known for being the most popular destination for Birding in Mexico. And rightly so. Within a small area we can find over 300 different species with at least 25 Mexican endemics.

The wide variety of habitats here range from mangrove lagoons to palm forests and seasonal thorn forest. Located on the coast it also offers chances to bird seashore banks, river mouths, volcanic islands, and islets. Moving inland habitats change from arid scrub and thorn forest to tropical deciduous forest and caducifolia forest with tropical plantations such as shaded coffee and mangos. Higher elevation include sub-perennial forests that eventually turn into temperate cloud forest.

Several exotic neotropic bird species as well as higher-elevation specialties will be well represented in these habitats and will make for a rewarding tour.

ONE DAY TOUR SCHEDULE:

6:00-6:30 a.m. - Pickups and meeting for presentation of tour members and logistics.
6:30 a.m. - Take highway # 200 North out of Banderas Bay.
7:30-8:00 a.m.- Checklists and Field Guides are on hand to review the various species that we will likely encounter on our trip. For instance will definitely see the SINALOA CROWS that have not been documented south of Guayabitos. We may well also spot numerous LESSER and COMMON NIGHT HAWKS hovering over the roads and wet fields.
8-8:30 a.m. – Arrive at La Bajada Nayari when the jungle birds are starting off their day. Breakfast on site and then head up to the shady coffee plantations, tropical forest and temperate cloud forests.
8:30-11:00 a.m. - Spend the rest of the morning exploring various sites discovering the exciting collection of jungle species on hand.
11-11:30 p.m. - Once we’ve birded these jungle settings we will head towards the mangrove lagoons for local specialties.
11:30-12:00 p.m. - Will board a panga boat that will take us into the mangroves and estuaries to observe the amazing species that inhabit the region.
12:30-1:00 p.m. - We visit a crocodile farm that protects conservation projects and runs local monitoring programs.
1:00-1:30 p.m. - At the end of the estuaries there are natural spring pools surrounded by lush jungle which make for great birding. Guests are welcome to take a refreshing splash at this pristine site. Soft drinks and snacks will be provided and guests are welcome to order from the menu.
1:30-2:00 p.m. – Return trip on the panga. If time allows we will bird the shrimp ponds for migratory species and local specialties.
2:00-2:30 p.m. - Heading back to P.V. there will be time to review our checklist for the day and enjoy the scenic landscape. Restroom stop at La Peñita de Jaltemba gasoline station.
4.00-4:30 p.m. - Return guests to their accommodations. (southern limits for delivering will be the Puerto Vallarta SAM`S club and WALMART.)

TWO DAY TOUR SCHEDULE:

SCHEDULE FOR DAY ONE:

5:30-6:00 a.m. - Pick ups and meeting for introduction of tour members and logistics.
6:00 a.m. - Take highway # 200 north until Guayabitos to turn towards the coastline for San Blas.
7:30-8:00 a.m. - Arrive To la Bajada village and parking at the beginning point of the forest and coffee plantations.
8.00 a.m. - Breakfast in site, while the jungle species salute us and flying all over around us.
8:30 a.m. - Start birding inland up to the hillsides throughout shaded coffee plantations, tropical forests and sub-perennial.
8:30- 11-30 a.m. - Spend the best part of the morning birding at various sites in search of endemics and local specialties, ending at the top of a temperate cloud forests.
11:30-12:00 p.m. - On our way back to the Van will be in search of species not seen before.
12:00 p.m. - Back at the Van will be on board towards San Blas.
12:30 p.m. - Stop at the shrimp ponds to check for wetland and aquatic species.
12:30- 1:00 p.m. - Check in at our respective hotels and free time for lunch, siesta or explore San Blas town.
3:00- 8:00 p.m. - Meet back for going birding along the river, canals and mangrove lagoons with Chencho one of the best local bird guides in San Blas.
8:00-8:30 p.m. - Get back and time to dinner and final review of the day`s checklist in one of the many excellent choices in San Blas.
8:30-9:00 p.m. - Farewell for the day and last instructions and recommendations for the next morning.

SCHEDULE FOR DAY TWO: ( CERRO DE SAN JUAN, MIRADOR DEL AGUILA)

6:00-6:30 a.m. - An early depart will be essential for our next great destination, box lunches are included at the Garza Canela hotel, however at our meeting point coffee and continental breakfast will be on hand.
6:30-7:15 a.m. - Our first stop will be the Mirador del Aguila which is one of the best spots to observe the Military macaws in Mexico, among other interesting species.
7:30-8:00 a.m. - Keep on track in route to Cerro de San Juan which is now a State Biosphere natural reserve. The reserve includes seven different communities of agro systems and vegetation, the combination of the Sierra madres and the neo volcanic belt makes one of the best birding spots in western Mexico.
8:30-9:00 a.m. - In between 900 and 1300 mts. of elevation also lodges around 1000 different species of floristic vegetation is a small area which holds an impressive diversity of hummingbirds (17species) among many other endemic species and local specialties.
9:00- 12:00 p.m. - Spend the best time of the morning birding at various sites all over this massive area. There will be several spots for birding and bird photography.
12:30-1:00 p.m. - On our way down from the area will be in search of species not seen previously. And back towards Puerto Vallarta we can have another look at the Mirador del Aguila.
1:30-2:00 p.m. - Around Matanchen Bay there are great places to sample some Mexican sea food by the beach where will be checking and reviewing our trip´s checklist. There is also time for a last refreshing swim into the pacific ocean.
3:30-4:30 p.m. - Get back to Puerto Vallarta base camp.

Recommended Hotels: All Prices in Pesos

 

HOTEL MARINO INN Av H. Batallon y Av. Las Islitas, San Blas. Tel: (011-52-323)285-0340/284-0303 alizarraga15@hotmail.com 1 or 2 people $400.00 additional person $100.00 each plus tax		BUNGALOS ROXANNA Callejón del Rey No.1 Centro San Blas. Tel: (011-52-323)285-0573 casaroxanna@yahoo.com 1 person $600.00 2 people $700.00 plus tax
MOTEL POSADA DEL REY Campeche No. 10, San Blas posadadelrey@sanblasmail.com 2 people $350.00 3 people $400.00		HOTEL GARZA CANELA Paredes No 106 sur, San Blas Tel: (011-52-323) 285-0112/285-0480 hotel@garzacanela.com 2 people $912.00 3 people $1,152.00 Includes tax and American Breakfast
HACIENDA FLAMINGOS Calle Juarez No. 105 San Blas Tel: (011-52-323)285-0485/285-0930 flamingos@sanblas.com.mx 1 person $680.00 2 people $850.00 Additional person $212.00 Includes tax		HOTEL CASA MAÑANA Playa Los Cocos Km 5.5 Santa Cruz de Miramar, San Blas. Tel. 01(323)254-9080/254-9090 reinhard@prodigy.net.mx Ocean View Without View 1 person $450.45   $304.20 2 people $532.35   $380.25 3 people $585.00   $421.20 4 people $637.65   $456.30

Listing only a few....

BARE-THROATED TIGER HERONS, PUARQUEES, MANGROVE WARBLER and VIREO, BOAT-BILLED HERON, NORHTERN POTOOS, PURPLE GALINULES and NORHTERN JACANAS. ROFOUS-NECKED WOOD RAILS and GREEN KINGFISHERS. ELEGANT QUAILS, ROFOUS-BELLIED CHACHALACA, MEXICAN BLUE-RUMPED PARROTLETS, LILAC-CROWNED PARROTS, CITREOLINE and ELEGANT TROGONS, GOLDEN CHECKED, GREY-CROWNED, LINEATED and PALE-BILED WOODPECKERS. IVORY-BILLED WODCREEPER, SAN BLAS and PURPLISH-BACKED JAY, BLACK-THROATED MAGPIEJAY, ROFOUS-BACKED and WHITE-THROATED ROBINS. HAPPY and SINALOA WRENS, RED-CROWNED ANT TANAGERS, LONG-TAILED HERMITS, GOLDEN-CROWNED EMERALDS, MEXICAN WOODNYMPH, BERRYLINE, BROAD-BILLED and CINNAMON HUMMINGBIRDS among others. LAUGHING, COLLARED-FOREST and BAT FALCONS. GOLDEN VIREOS, FAN-TAILED and RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS, BLUE, VARIED and PAINTED BUNTINGS. RUSTY-CROWNED GROUND SPARROW, WHITE-COLLARED SEEDEATER, BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT, STRIPE-HEADED SPARROWS, BLACK VENTED, STREAK-BACK ORIOLES and YELLOW-WINGED CACIQUES among many others.

Second day Species:

RUFOUS-BELLIED CHACHALACA, ELEGANT QUAIL, LESSER ROAD RUNNER, COLIMA AND FERRUGINOUS PYGMY OWLS. BROAD-BILLED HUMMMINGBIRD, MEXICAN WOODNYMPH HUMMER, WHITE-EARED HUMMER, BERYLLIINE HUMMER, BUMBLEBEE HUMMER, RUSSET-CROWNED MOTMOT, GREY-CROWNED WOODPECKER. WHITE-STRIPED WOODCREEPER, GREENISH ELEANIA. NUTTING`S FLYCATCHER, THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD. GREY-COLLARED BECARD, BLACK-THROATED MAGPIR JAY, SPOTTED WREN, HAPPY AND SINALOA WRENS. BROWN-BACKED SOLITAIRE, RUSSET NGHTINGALE TRUSH, BLUE MOCKINGBIRD. GREY-SILKY FLYCATCHER, GOLDEN VIREO, CRESCENT-CHESTED WARBLER, FAN-TAILED WARBLER, RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER. RED-HEADED TANAGER, RUSTY-CROWNED-GROUND SPARROW, CINAMMON-RUMPED SEEDEATER, BLACK- VENTED ORIOLE, BLACK-HEADED SISKIN.

• All terrain shoes or tennis shoes
• light weight neutral color clothes (not bright)
• sun hat or cap
• insect repellent
• camera
• and birding spirit are all essential!

Besides all terrain or tennis shoes we recommend sandals or teva shoes which will be more comfortable on the boat ride. If you wish to refresh yourself at "LA TOVARA" springs you should bring your swimming suit.

Restrooms will be available periodically.

Early in the morning it can be chilly, even here in the tropics. But when the sun shows up it usually warms up quickly. You may want to bring a long-sleeved shirt or light coat or sweater. Mostly, though, the tropics demand light weight comfortable clothes. Long or detachable pants are useful, but shorts are fine. (Neutral colors please).

LEVEL OF FITNESS:

Moderate to strenuous. Most walks are not difficult but we do have to keep to a schedule especially concerning the boat.

INCLUDES:

Certified and Specialized bilingual naturalist Guide Checklists and field guides, laminated plates for quick id's Binoculars and spotting scope Continental breakfast and, throughout the tour, energetic snacks, fruit, soft drinks and purified water are provided

Throughout the tour energetic snacks, fruit, purified water and soft drinks are provided Ground transportation Boat transportation first aid kit