Cruise Birds/Tampa, Mexico. (1 Viewer)

Cruise Birds/Tampa Florida & Mexico.

Our cruise was more fun and better than expected. Because of all the things to see and do, I didn't really focus on birding. We spent half a day trying to bird at the ruins of Tulum, near Cozumel Mexico, but I was just blow-en away by the ruins! Anyway, here's what we saw! I still have 5 more to ID. I'll probably be asking for your help here today.

Mexico
12/8/04
Location: Mexico
Observers: Lisa, me
Notes: Tulum and Cozumel
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6 species.

Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis)
Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major)
Melodious Blackbird (Dives dives)
Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus)
Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus)
White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi)

Tampa bay
12/6/04
Location: Tampa bay
Observers: Lisa, me
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10 species.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
White Ibis (Eudocimus albus)
Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla)
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)
Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)
Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)
Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus griseus)

I wish I could say "It's good to be back", but I really want to be back in Mexico! It was 80F - 90F all the time, and here in Cleveland, it's snowing and cold!

Mike

Mike,
Glad to hear you had a great trip. I know what you mean about enjoying the warm weather in Mexico, this is the best time of year there. Your bird list is pretty good being from a boat and of all the ruins to bird, Tulum is probably the least productive for birding (though an incredible ruin / location). One bird you might double check the ID on is the Boat-tailed Grackle, in the Yucatan this would probably be the Great-tailed Grackle, a very similar bird.