Looking for Info on Oaxaca (1 Viewer)

[wood_thrush]

Going with my mother to Oaxaca in early February. Giving ourselves a week. We have Monte Alban, Benito Juarez, and Hualteco on the list so far. What else can't we miss? Any bird-friendly lodges? Tell me everything you know. We are going unguided, but might do a guided day trip.

 

[njlarsen]

Twenty five years ago, the area around the little reservoir near Teotitlan del Valle was definitely worth a stop. Have not been to this area since.
Niels

 

[pbjosh]

Is your goal to try to see some of the special (eg endemic or range restricted) birds (of which there are plenty around Oaxaca), or just generally pleasant birding?

 

[wood_thrush]

Is your goal to try to see some of the special (eg endemic or range restricted) birds (of which there are plenty around Oaxaca), or just generally pleasant birding?

Some endemics, for sure. Red warbler, dwarf jay, etc. Any bird that doesn't come to New England will hold my interest, though--so it doesn't have to be endemic to Oaxaca or even Mexico!

 

[AveryBartels]

You could look into hiring Cornelio for a day around Huatulco, especially for foothill stuff like Red-headed Tanager, Blue-capped Hummingbird, Mexican Hermit etc.

My partner and I spent a couple days around San Jose del Pacifico and birding the trails through the pine forest there was fun and productive. There was a flowering tree along the road at 16°10'34.3"N 96°30'22.9"W that had up to 3 Bumblebee Hummingbirds.

 

[AveryBartels]

Another nice birding area around San Jose del Pacifico was starting around here (White-throated Flycatcher in this wet, shrubby area) 16°10'05.3"N 96°30'08.5"W

Walking down along the cement water pipe leads to a lovely trail and then down onto the quiet road to San Mateo Rio Hondo. The trail and road are very nice for hiking and birding, you can take a taxi back from San Mateo.

Trails up into the Pine forest start around here 16°10'13.3"N 96°30'06.9"W , the first 20-min or so is underwhelming but once it levels out a bit and you are on top of the hill it is very nice, with mixed flocks.

 

[pbjosh]

Some endemics, for sure. Red warbler, dwarf jay, etc. Any bird that doesn't come to New England will hold my interest, though--so it doesn't have to be endemic to Oaxaca or even Mexico!

Dwarf Jay requires some targeting usually, it's not an easy bird. Red Warbler and most of the pine forest / mountain birds would be in the roughly same area. The classic spot and I believe still the best spot near to the city of Oaxaca is La Cumbre. You can do it yourself with a rented car or you could probably get a taxi up into the woods then walk back to the main road to return, or hire a local guide. For a local guide I would recommend Eric Antonio Martinez (findable on FB) though he might be slow to respond, he's just had an awful personal tragedy in his life.

Beautiful Hummingbird can be targeted around the city of Oaxaca (I'd look at eBird) but is in my experience a pain in the butt. I don't know of any better place to look for it though, if it matters to you. I've tried quite a bit and still not had a good experience with a sharp male.

Ocellated Thrasher is a great bird that you can find on the entrance road to Monte Alban.

Avery's suggestion of a stop in San Jose del Pacifico on the way to the coast is a good one, there are some nice cabins to stay in there and it's a great place to do a bit of birding and drink some hot cocoa or the like.

Going over the last set of mountains down towards the coast the climate changes and roadside birding is great in the wetter more tropical forest, similar species to what you'd see above Huatulco.