Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Aztec Thrush near Patzcuaro

Aztec Thrush.....by the side of the road.  On May 12, 2012, five of us in two cars were heading from Patzcuaro to Zihuatanejo for some fun in the sun.  Imagine my surprise when we flushed three Aztec thrush by the side of the road not far from my house.  I would have immediately pulled over; however, we were on a very curvy section of the libre without space to stop. 

There were three serious birders among us.  Two in my vehicle and one in the vehicle behind.  No doubt about it - they were Aztec thrush.


Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Hugo reported seeing them a number of years ago above Erongaricuaro, and we've kept our eyes peeled for them.  Of course, seeing them fly off from the side of the road doesn't fulfill my desire to REALLY see them, so I am hoping to visit the area soon to try to relocate them.  Until then, they are BVD birds (i.e., better view desired).

Monday, June 4, 2012

Another Canyon Wren Nest.....

Under the roof of my patio heater.  This is the second time they've used the heater as a nesting site.  I didn't realize they'd nested there until I bought a new gas tank and was going to test the recently repaired starter.  Out came one of the parents.  Surprise!


I climbed the ladder, and, lo and behold, I found three freshly, and I mean freshly, hatched chicks.  That was on May 19. 

I photographed the nest again a week later on May 27.  Only two chicks were in the nest.  One was much smaller than the other. 


My last photograph was yesterday June 3.  Only one chick remained and it was ready to fledge.  In fact, it jumped from the heater onto my grassy yard, I had a dickens of a time getting it to stay in the nest area.  Finally I put it in a plastic jar without lid so it couldn't so easily escape, and I could return it to the nest so its parents could continue to feed it. 
Today, one day later, it's gone.  I hear them chittering in my yard so I know they're around. 


Next on my to-do list is to buy some chicken wire to enclose the top of the heater.  There's got to be a better place for them to nest.