Iflyfish - 11-23-2010 at 08:42 PM
Mrsfish wants to tour islands off La Paz for birding. Anyone have a suggestion where to go, who to contact, how to arrange this? Will be here till Dec
1.
Thanks,
Iflyfish
Skipjack Joe - 11-23-2010 at 08:48 PM
Wear a hat.
Iflyfish - 11-23-2010 at 08:52 PM
skipjack, that is funny.
Mrsfish was photographing a Xantu's Hummer, very territorial, made numerous passes at her and eventually shat on her forehead. True story.
She tells me there is some sort of bird sanctuary on an island and good birding in Comitan.
Iflyfish
Diver - 11-23-2010 at 09:18 PM
Doing a Google search I found this one on the mainland.
Maybe for later in your trip ?
"Isla Isabela is a small island 20 miles off shore about halfway between Mazatlan and PV. It is a Mexican National Park and Bird Sanctuary. This was a
remarkable stop. As we approached the island in the morning we were greeted by a pair of Humpback whales that were wandering in the vicinity of the
island. The island is volcanic in origin which makes for a dramatic landscape. Along with this, there are always thousands of birds flying around the
island giving you the feeling you have landed in Jurassic Park. We anchored in a small cove lined with high, vertical cliffs.
Going ashore, the island is very tropical in nature. Very lush trees, and very green. And of course, being a bird sanctuary there are thousands of
birds nesting. In the trees are nesting Frigate birds. While we were there, most nests had young birds covered with white downy feathers. Nesting
along the cliffs are yellow and blue-footed boobies. The feeling of hiking through the trees, and many times within feet of nesting birds was that of
being in a National Geographic Episode. (Note: We were very careful in walking around the island, following marked paths, and making sure we did not
disturb the birds.)"
gnukid - 11-23-2010 at 10:45 PM
I have noticed there are many unique habitats and migration routes in La Paz that defy conventions likely because it's a port, the islands are more
about sea birds. I have been photo documenting and noting to see if these birds habitat and migration movements are predictable and I think they are.
Here are a few observations:
There are the old palm beaches of Posada near the Grande baja hotel, of course the palm beaches of Posada are full of ugly palm that are topped by
hurricanes and now dead and dry, which is sad, but these palms make great homes for a large variety of birds and the living palm are full of dates
now. I watch a huge variety of birds living there and also migratory birds passing from North to South. They fight. You can get to know them by
observing though they seem active only at times, the early-late morning and early afternoon. The Posada, or Colonia Manglito us in line with Comitan
across the narrowest portion of the Bay.
The neighborhood area on the water has a community center there at Sinaloa where it meets the water called tierre de mexico which has many birds, near
by is the Serpentario which may be of interest.
To visit islands you can choose any panga touring company, including those on the malecon which would therefore pass the pensinsula, I will gather the
contact info, and those from Tecolote. Normally people arrive and then schedule since things change. Simply describe your group (two) and your desire
to visit the islands for bird watching. I would guess the price is higher for only two in a panga but could be as low as $65 per person for a trip of
a few hours, often less for more than four.
I am enjoying using a terrestial scope and binoculars for observing from rooftops but many these birds fly so fast that you need the naked eye to see
them, it's spectacular.
[Edited on 11-24-2010 by gnukid]
Mulegena - 11-23-2010 at 11:02 PM
Gnu shared some Hot Gnus...
and birds, too. Thanx
gnukid - 11-23-2010 at 11:29 PM
There is a line from the Pacific coast which is a narrow point of Baja, over Comitan, across the narrow portion of the Bay, over the mountains to the
SOC, this region/route has birds migrating in huge numbers as well local birds and foreign birds that have stayed. If you can get into this spot you
will see many birds. It's very strange, almost unbelievable. I will try to edit a map, but I think a car or taxi and of course cafes and rooftops and
beaches are an excellent place to start.
While on the subject, imagine the cormorant, it can swim the ocean and fly the skies and probably walks the beaches too, is there a species with more
power, adaptabilty and mobility with an environment more broad and diverse? Crazy cormorants-master of the sea, sky and land!
Iflyfish - 11-24-2010 at 07:04 AM
Wow, ya gotta love the Nomads. When you ask a question here you are going to get some fascinating responses.
Gnu- Love the images, that parrot is stunning. See your U2U.
Diver- Thanks for the link to the mainland. There is some amazing birding on the mainland too! This looks like a great site.
Lencho- GPS locations, incredible! Thanks for the info. We will check it out.
Iflyfishincompanyofbuennomads!