Linda Vorhis writes:
> Greetings, Birders. I am looking for a species list (or anything
> grander than that) for birds in and around the southern tip of Baha
> California. I have Peterson's Mexican Birds field guide. I'll be
> travelling there the end of April/beginning of May. Any tips? Hot
> spots? Suggestions? Thanks! Linda

I've just returned from a World Wildlife Fund sponsored cruise in the Sea of
Cortez starting at La Paz on 24 Feb. with stops at several Islands in the Sea,
Cabo San lucas and ending at Bahia Magdelena, cavorting with the Grey Whales.
The weather throughout was cool (60's), breezy & partly cloudy. At the first
stop, Isla San Jose, we saw: Brown Pelican, Magnificent Frigate Bird,
Peregrine Falcon, Brown Booby, Crevari's Murrelet, Royal Tern, Black Phoebe,
Costa's Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Northern Mockingbird, Verdin
and Yellow-footed Gull. Whales seen in abundance were: Fin, Blue, Sperm Pilot
& Byrd's. On Isla Espiritu Santu we saw, in addition: Gila Woodpecker,
Ash-throated Flycatcher, Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Canyon Wren and
Cactus Wren. Headed for Cabo we saw several Black-vented Shearwaters, hundreds
of small rays engaged in synchronized leaping and Humpback Whales, some
breeching. There were Cattle Egrets roosting on a boat in the harbor,
Double-crested Cormorants and a Peregrine plus Frigate Birds and Pelicans at
Cabo San Lucas. At the entrance to Bahia Magdelena there were Masked Booby,
Pink-footed Shearwater, Crevari's Murrelet, Xantus' Murrelet and Common Loon.
On 28 February we started north up Hull Canal passing mangroves and mud flats
on both sides. Seen were: Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron (both color
phases), Reddish Egret, Tri-colored Heron, DC Cormorant, Brant, Red-breasted
Mergansers Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, Brown Pelican, Scrub Jay,
Whimbrel, Marbled Godwit, Willet, Royal Tern, Forster's Tern. Adult Grey
Whales and calves were abundant north and south of the Canal.

We returned from Port San Carlos by bus to La Paz and on the following morning
visited the sewage lagoons south of town. The weather was clear and quite
chilly. We saw: Eared Grebe (basic plumage), Peregrine Falcon (1), Common
Black Hawk (1), Crested Caracara, Turkey Vulture, Spotted Sandpiper, Avocet,
White-faced Ibis, Northern Pintail (1), Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Cinnamon
Teal, Muscovy Duck (1), Vermillion Flycatcher (1), Black Phoebe, Water Pipit,
Red-winged Blackbird, Killdeer, Hooded Oriole, Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Everything we saw, or were likely to see, was covered by the National
Geographic "Birds of North America." Peterson's "Birds of Mexico" (English
edition) leaves out nearly all the birds we saw, so it needs to be supplemented
with either Peterson's Western Birds or the NGS Field Guide. On our trip the
two "hot spots" were Bahia Magedelena, where a whale watching outboard motor
boat (with guide) can be rented for birding and the La Paz sewage lagoons, but
there was something interesting everywhere we went. Even though it was cool,
water, sun screen and a hat are very advisable. Most landings from Zodiacs
were "wet" and although some people landed in bare feet and changed to hiking
shoes, "Tevas" and the like were adequate forlandings and short walks.
However, you've got to be aware of where you place your feet, especially near
cactus plants.

--------Herb Curl


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