Birding in Peña Alta

Acorn Woodpecker flying above us at Peña Alta Natural Protected Area.

Birding in Natural Protected Areas of Guanajuato Series with Sociedad Audubon de Mexico.
June 22, 2024

A group of seven birders from San Miguel de Allende and I had the most incredible birding excursion at Peña Alta Natural Protected Area on June 22, 2024.

Although the day started with some light rain in the early hours, the weather was perfect the rest of the day; the cloud cover and cooler temperatures allowed for sustained bird activity, enabling us to score 53 species on 5 checklists. Overall, the weather and birding were exceptional. 

As soon as we arrived, Aurora and Yolanda Hernández greeted us. They are the San Franco community members and conservation and eco-tourism leaders for the preserve. We had great views of Acorn Woodpeckers and even three majestic juvenile Peregrine Falcons feeding on flight and displaying overhead. We found four species of hummingbirds: the Blue-throated Mountain gem, the White-eared Hummingbird, the Rivoli’s Hummingbird, and the Broad-billed Hummingbird. We missed the Broad-tailed Hummingbird, which was nowhere to be seen.

Blue-throated Mountain Gem feeding from an Agave inflorescence in Peña Alta.

We had moments of great excitement, especially when the participants would find new birds for their life-list. Good examples of this were Scott’s Oriole, Hepatic Tanager, White-eared Hummingbird, Buff-breasted Flycatcher, Black-backed Oriole, Yellow-eyed Junco, and White-throated Swift. 

Couple of Acorn Woodpeckers
Couple of Acorn Woodpeckers

Walking along the trails, it was evident that the area had endured a longstanding drought during the last months. Despite the day’s dampness and wetness of the forests, it still felt dry, and the vegetation in sheer recovery had not yet reached its rich green hues. Yet, the easy-to-walk trails offered stunning views of the natural surroundings, and the camaraderie of the group enhanced the peaceful atmosphere, making the experience truly unforgettable. 

Pecan nut tree plantation and Peña Alta in the background

After a few hours of birding, we headed to the picnic area for lunch, prepared by the local women’s coop, Las Wamishas. The food was delicious, and it was such a treat to enjoy a meal made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. It was an excellent opportunity to connect with our guest community and share stories from our birding adventure. That afternoon, before heading back to San Miguel, we had the chance to visit the Las Wamishas workshop, where different herbal remedies, marmalades, and liquors were available to purchase—a great way to wrap up by supporting the local economy.

Las Wamishas member Yolanda Hernández (Extreme right) and her family.

Overall, our trip to Peña Alta Natural Protected Area was everything I had hoped for and more—the combination of superb birding opportunities and a delightful lunch made for a perfect day in nature. I can’t wait to visit again and continue sharing the natural beauty of our Guanajuato Natural Protected Areas with the San Miguel de Allende community and visitors.

Happy birders!

We invite you to stay informed about the following excursion of this series: Birding in Natural Protected Areas of Guanajuato with Audubon de México.

To learn more, please visit any of the following websites:

https://travelian.com.mx

https://tours.travelian.com.mx/itinerary/?planId=b7471264-fd23-44d1-a039-19285895b1eb


¡Hasta La Próxima!


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Birding in Natural Protected Areas of Guanajuato

This tour is part of the Birding in Natural Protected Areas of Guanajuato series with Audubon de México. We’ve organized this series of excursions in alliance with our friends at Sociedad Audubon de México, A.C., to share more about Guanajuato’s natural heritage with the community of San Miguel de Allende and support Audubon de México’s conservation programs.

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