Young Birders Hit 98 Species in Southern Quintana Roo

Cancun, Mexico — Members of the Osprey Eagles group from Punta Allen, Quintana Roo, part of the Go Birdwatching Yucatan program, recorded 98 bird species during an observation event held October 17 and 18 at various locations in southern Quintana Roo.

Sites and Wildlife

The activity included tours of the archaeological sites of Kohunlich and Dzibanché-Kinichná, as well as Xul-Há and the Bacalar Ecopark. During the visits, participants observed various bird species and listened to spider and howler monkeys in their natural habitat, while also taking in the jungle landscapes.

Throughout the experience, the group produced four bird lists, identifying a total of 98 species, several of them new to their personal records.

Notable Sightings

Among the outstanding specimens were the red siskin, the red-headed manakin, the black-crowned motmot, the red-throated tanager, the barred woodcreeper, and the lined woodpecker. Participants also reported sightings of the Northern Stalk-Tyrant, a Limpkin with chicks, a Snail Kite, a Gray Hawk, and a White-winged Blackbird, among other species. The tours allowed participants to experience the region’s biodiversity firsthand and learn about the importance of preserving the ecosystems that serve as refuges for wildlife.

Cultural Visit and Acknowledgments

As part of the visit, the group went to San Felipe Fort in Bacalar, where members learned about the history and culture of the area. The organizers thanked guide Luis Fernando Rosado for his invitation and accompaniment, as well as the communal landowners for providing free access to the areas visited on Saturday. They also acknowledged the support of Luciano’s Tours and the mothers and other individuals who collaborated to make the activity possible.

Conservation Context

The event was part of a project supported by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and implemented by Friends of Sian Ka’an, which aims to contribute to the conservation of Mesoamerican forests. The experience sought to strengthen children’s and adults’ knowledge of nature and the relationship between different life forms.