Birding The Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve
The Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve is one of Mexico’s top natural treasures, known for its diversity of habitats, breathtaking landscapes, friendly people, delicious regional food and safety. Scott Weidensaul makes an accurate description in his article “Meet Me at the Oasis” published by Audubon Magazine:
“Sprawling across the state of Querétaro, the Sierra Gorda is one of the most unusual reserves in Latin America and a biological melting pot unmatched on the North American continent—a place where temperate mountains, semi-desert hills, and lowland jungle mix to spectacular effect; where you find species typical of the Rockies, like black bears and Douglas-firs, mingling with tropical specialties, like jaguars and macaws; a place where, in just a few miles, you can venture from a foggy cloud forest of firs and sweetgums draped in exotic orchids, to arid hills of columnar cactus and agave.”
Last December Merilyn Simonds, Wayne Grady, Juan Manuel García, Alvaro Rivera and I went on an amazing birding tour throughout this UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserve; for me, the highlights of the tour were: The Singing Quails in Pinal de Amoles, the Golden-crowned Warblers at Chuveje, the Laughing Falcon in Huichihuayan, and the Collared-forest Falcon at Sotano de Las Golondrinas, I was also impressed by the beauty of El Nacimiento (a water spring in Huichihuayan), the clear and crisp skies over the Sotano de Las Golondrinas and the impressive view of the huge waning moon over Xilitla from Tapasoli ecolodge.
Photo gallery:
Bird checklists:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S62196820
https://ebird.org/checklist/S62201129
https://ebird.org/checklist/S62210420
https://ebird.org/checklist/S62210405
https://ebird.org/checklist/S62221085
https://ebird.org/checklist/S62233843
https://ebird.org/checklist/S62233850
https://ebird.org/checklist/S62233875
https://ebird.org/checklist/S62233882
https://ebird.org/checklist/S62258411
https://ebird.org/checklist/S62258394
https://ebird.org/checklist/S62258327
https://ebird.org/checklist/S62258224
https://ebird.org/checklist/S62276363
https://ebird.org/checklist/S62276382
https://ebird.org/checklist/S62278461
https://ebird.org/checklist/S62292998
https://ebird.org/checklist/S62313139
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If you happen to be interested in visiting the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve with a small group of like-minded birders, take a look at Travelian Tours’ upcoming birding adventure which will take place from March 22nd to 30rd, 2020.
More information here:
https://www.travelian.com.mx/birding-sierragorda.html
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