Update from Mexico: San Blas

Posted Mar 6, 2025 by Steve Howell

Steve Howell

Learn more about the Mexico: San Blas tour

Steve Howell reports from his second Mexico: San Blas tour this year—and is already looking forward to returning in 2026!

Whether it was something common and conspicuous—but nonetheless stunning—like this Great Kiskadee...

Steve Howell

Or an unusually confiding Spotted Rail, there was always something to look at and appreciate on this very birdy trip.

Steve Howell

Flight times allowed for some birding on the first afternoon in Puerto Vallarta, where we found what appears to be the first state record for Jalisco of Grayson’s Thrush (on left, with a Rufous-backed Thrush)—what a great kick off!

Steve Howell

And this Citreoline Trogon only two blocks from the hotel was a nice way to start our time in San Blas itself.

Steve Howell

Boat trips produced fabulous views of the improbable Boat-billed Heron...

Steve Howell

Plus the even more bizarre Northern Potoo.

Steve Howell

An endearing family group of Spotted Wrens stole hearts on our day in the mountains, ...

Steve Howell

Which ended with spectacular sunlit Military Macaws in late afternoon light.

Steve Howell

This walk-away Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl was another highlight,

Steve Howell

While ‘rarity of the trip’ went to the poorly known and rarely encountered Masked Duck

Steve Howell

Cause for celebration from a happy group of birders!

photo by participant Jane Rodgers