Raptor (Bird of Prey) migrations in Veracruz Mexico 2008

There are few things that I have observed in nature that compare with the late summer migrations of birds of prey (raptors) in Veracruz Mexico. Year after year the ritual of the “hawkwatch” in Veracruz is without parallel. Imagine seeing thousands upon thousands of Broad winged or Swainson’s hawks in a single afternoon. All of this is possible in Veracruz Mexico.

In 2008 I have chosen three dates for birding / hawkwatch tours which allow for the most spectacular views of the fall migration. The dates are as follows:

September 17-26 **737,726 raptors were counted during these dates last year (2007)

These dates provide views of the best variety of migratory raptors, the following species may be seen during these dates:

TV Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
OS Osprey (Pandion haliaeetus)
SK Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)
MK Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis)
HK Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus)
NH Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
SS Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
CH Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperi)
GH Gray Hawk (Buteo nitidus)
BW Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)
SW Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
ZT Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotus)
RT Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
RH Roadside Hawk (Buteo magnirostris)
AK American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
ML Merlin (Falco columbarius)
PG Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

September 27 – October 6 **844,186 raptors were counted during these dates last year (2007)

These are the dates where traditionally the greatest numbers of Broad-winged hawks may be seen. the following species may also be seen during these dates.

TV Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
OS Osprey (Pandion haliaeetus)
SK Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)
MK Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis)
HK Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus)
NH Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
SS Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
CH Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperi)
GH Gray Hawk (Buteo nitidus)
BW Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)
SW Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
ZT Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotus)
RT Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
RH Roadside Hawk (Buteo magnirostris)
AK American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
ML Merlin (Falco columbarius)
PG Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

October 7 – 16   **1,503,108 raptors were counted during these dates last year (2007)

These are the dates where the Swainson’s hawks and Turkey vultures may be seen in the greatest numbers. The following species may also be seen during these dates.

TV Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
OS Osprey (Pandion haliaeetus)
SK Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)
MK Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis)
HK Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus)
NH Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
SS Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
CH Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperi)
GH Gray Hawk (Buteo nitidus)
BW Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)
SW Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
ZT Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotus)
RT Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
RH Roadside Hawk (Buteo magnirostris)
AK American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
ML Merlin (Falco columbarius)
PG Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

Here are the dates for my fall 2008 birding/ hawkwatch/ VERACRUZ birding tours:

September 17-26 **total raptor count for these day in 2007………………… 737,726 top three species Broad-winged H. Miss. Kites & Turkey vultures

September 27 – October 6 **total raptor count for these day in 2007.. 844,186 top three speciesBroad-winged H., Swainson’s H. & Turkey vultures

October 7 – 16 **total raptor count for these day in 2007…….. 1,503,108 top three species Swainson’s hawk, Broad-winged hawk & Turkey vulture

I would recommend the dates of Sept. 27-October 6… these dates are generally considered to be the “peak” of the fall raptor migration. The tour itinerary is as follows;

Day 1- meet arriving birders at the veracruz airport and travel to Paso de Ovejas where you will check into your hotel. Paso de Ovejas is right in the middle of the flow of migrating raptors… I have scouted out great observation locations. There is also a great shaded observation deck at the hotel…complete with a pool!

Each day in Paso de Ovejas will begin with early morning birding and after lunch we will focus on the wonders of the hawkwatch. We will spend the first three nights in Paso de Ovejas. Days 1, 2 and 3 will be spent in the area where optimum view of migrating raptors will be possible.

On day 4 we will travel south to Tlacotalpan Veracruz. Tlacotalpan is a change of habitat…savanna, tropical wetlands… species of interest include barethroated tigerhon, rufous breasted spinetail, aplomado falcon, laughing falcon, great black hawk, black collared hawk, in addition the wetlands give us a nice opportunity for aquatics. We will spend two nights in Tlacotalpan. Day 5 will also be spent in Tlacotalpan

On day 6 we will travel south to the Tuxtlas Mtns and we will stay in San Andres Tuxtla.

Near San Andres we will be able experience rainforest birding with toucans, aracari, parrots,…. if we get lucky we may see the Ornate hawk eagle. We will spend days 6 and 7 in the rainforest.

we will head back to Paso de Ovejas for two final days of hawkwatch Day 8 and day 9.

On day 10 the tour will end and I will accompany all to the airport.
During the tour it will be possible to see 180+ species in addition to the most awesome raptor migrations to be seen anywhere in the world.

tour size is limited to 8 persons. Cost $1,800 per person

price includes meeting and leaving guests at the airport, all meals, purified water, beer, soda or wine, tea, coffee. Lodging.(single or double occupancy) Ground Transportation. a combination of taxis, bus or rural taxi.

***Each tour participants should have their own emergency medical travel insurance as well as coverage for lost luggage’.

For more info: birdingveracruz@gmail.com

Below is a short videoclip I shot in the spring of 2008 in Veracruz showing movements of migratory Broad-winged hawks.

Below is a compilation of still flight profiles of Broad-winged that I took in the Spring of 2008 in Tlacotalpan Veracruz.

Explore posts in the same categories: bird watching tours, birding weblog, hawk watch, Uncategorized

Tags: birding, birding veracruz, birds of prey, broad winged hawk, hawkwatch, mississippi kites, raptor migration, river of raptors, swainson's hawk, tlacotalpan, veracruz

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