Laguna Makax, and more particularly its surrounding mangroves, is the most interesting birding area on the island. During my visit the birds were dominated by migrants, particularly wood warblers which are obviously transient. The area should be productive at any time of year however, and is definitely worth visiting several times. Early mornings are particularly good, with the rattling calls of
Mangrove Vireos coming from every direction.
Yucatan Vireos were harder to catch up with, I didn't get a decent view until my last day. I was delighted to bump into a gorgeous
Mangrove Cuckoo on my first visit, and then again three times thereafter!
Cinnamon Hummingbirds seem fairly common here, with birds seen on every visit, as were
Northern Roughwing Swallows.
Black Catbird is also fairly common, though tricky to see. A very nice find was
Mangrove Yellow Warbler,
D. e. bryanti.
The most interesting birds though were the migrants, of which there were many. I particularly enjoyed the large variety of wood warblers;
Worm-eating Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Black-and-white Warbler,
Prothonotary Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Hooded Warbler, American
Redstart, Cape May Warbler, Northern Parula, Magnolia Warbler, Yellow
Warbler, Palm Warbler and
Prairie Warbler. Other migrants included a very skulky
Indigo Bunting, Orchard Oriole,
Brown-chested Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Eastern Kingbird and
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.
A very smart
Mangrove Cuckoo
Cinnamon Hummingbird
Mangrove Vireo
A poor shot of a
Yucatan Vireo
Prairie Warbler
Northern Waterthrush
female
American Redstart
Western
Palm Warbler, easily the commonest passerine on the island.
Black-and-white Warbler
'Mangrove' Yellow Warbler,
D. e. bryanti.
Prothonotary Warbler. What a cracking little bird, at least two seen on 27th.
Indigo Bunting hiding in deep cover.
Brown-crested Flycatcher. Very vocal, it responded immediately to a recording.
Orchard Oriole
Northern Roughwing Swallow
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
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