Monday, March 30, 2009

El Cielo Trip - Day 5 - March 27, 2009


March 27, 2009

Driving day. We had breakfast at the cabins and started driving down the mountain. Our guides spotted Broad-winged Hawks perched in the forest. The forest echoed with the calls of thrushes and warblers. I wished we'd had time to walk down instead of riding in the truck. We were pleased to see groups of school children riding up to Alta Cima for a field trip.

We stopped to try to see a Greenish Elaenia, which I saw briefly perched before it flew off again. We stopped for a perched Hooded Grosbeak which also flew off immediately. We made it to Casa di Piedre in Gomez Farias for an early lunch, and then headed off down the mountain. We saw some birds driving, including a spectacular view of a Zone-tailed Hawk stooping and catching a rodent! We made good time and got back to the bridge at about 7 PM, for a very short 20 minute wait to get back into the USA. Thanks to Roy Rodriguez and Martin Hagne for organizing this trip!