From the last birding tour in Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve and Xocen Birding Trail.
- fernandocast014
- 21 sept
- 3 Min. de lectura
Day 1
In August 2025, I had the pleasure of guiding my friends Rob and Virginia on a two-and-a-half-day birding adventure. Our journey took us from Cancun to the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, with several rewarding stops along the way. Just after leaving Cancun, we were greeted with an incredible sighting: a Yucatán Box Turtle. This species is considered elusive and rarely seen by humans, as it inhabits the humid tropical forests of the Yucatán Peninsula. What a fantastic way to start our birding trip!
Upon arriving in the town of Colonia Yucatán, we were greeted by a Bat Falcon perched confidently on top of an antenna. This area offers excellent opportunities to spot forest species, including several Yucatán endemics such as the Rose-throated Tanager, Yucatán Flycatcher, Black Catbird, and Yucatán Woodpecker. We enjoyed great views and managed to capture some nice photos, but for me, the highlight was the Gray-collared Becard. By the end of the day, our species list had grown to an impressive 70 birds.
We continued our adventure at the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, a sanctuary home to over 380 bird species. From vast colonies of flamingos to rare Yucatán endemics with restricted ranges, such as the Yucatán Wren and Mexican Sheartail, the reserve never ceases to amaze. We arrived in Río Lagartos two hours before sunset to take a boat tour, giving us excellent opportunities to observe wetland birds up close.
As night fell, the magic continued. With the help of our skilled boat captain, Willian Canto, we set out in search of nocturnal species. Luck was on our side—first with wonderful views of the Yucatán Nightjar, and later with a surprise encounter with the elusive Northern Potoo. It was the perfect ending to a truly unforgettable day of birding.
Day 2
This morning, after finishing our cups of coffee, we headed out for some land birding in the area. We quickly added new species to our list, including Black-throated Bobwhite, Lesser Roadrunner, and Zenaida Dove. A Mangrove Cuckoo also made a brief appearance, and as we explored further, we came across several Yucatán Wren nests. We paused to get a better look and were rewarded with excellent views of this endemic species.
Although I’ve been guiding in Río Lagartos since 2014, I had never encountered a Yucatán Gnatcatcher here. But once again, luck was on our side—we not only spotted one but had the privilege of observing a pair. Moments like these remind me why birding is always full of surprises.
At noon we wrapped up our birding session and departed for the Xocen Birding Trail, hoping to encounter some nocturnal species. Although we only managed hearing records of Mottled Owl, Middle American Screech-Owl, and Yucatán Poorwill, the experience was still rewarding. Virginia and Rob were also interested in reptiles and amphibians, and the partially flooded dirt road provided the perfect opportunity to spot several frog species along the way. It was a different but equally exciting way to connect with the region’s wildlife."
Day 3
This morning we drove to the Xocen Birding Trail, located just 13 km south of Valladolid. The main reason for visiting this site is its reputation as one of the best locations to spot Yucatán endemics, including Yellow-lored Parrot, Yucatán Jay, Yucatán Flycatcher, Orange Oriole, Black Catbird, Rose-throated Tanager, Yucatán Woodpecker, Northern Bentbill, and the striking Gray-throated Chat.
Beyond the endemics, this birding hotspot also offers excellent opportunities to see a wide variety of forest species such as wrens, woodcreepers, hummingbirds, motmots, trogons, and tanagers. We birded along the trail until noon, enjoying every moment, and closed our trip on a high note surrounded by the rich diversity of Xocen.
Comentarios