Camino Cruz Blanca-Las Minas

19.66727 , -97.16628

Mexico

The road that connects the towns of Cruz Blanca and Las Minas is a very good place for birding. Along the road you can find vegetation of cloud forest mainly and some patches of pines. Like many other ecosystems the cloud forest is under threatened by deforestation but here in Cruz Blanca - Las Minas road some parts of the vegetation are still in good conditions to harbor many amazing bird species like Red Warbler, Northern Emerald Toucanet, Gray-barred Wren, Garnet-throated Hummingbird and more. To have a good day in this place it depends of the weather sunny days are the best, not recommend visit the place in windy or rainy days because the activity is really poor. 

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 19.6673/-97.1663 (2021-01-29 13:50:02 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Camino Cruz Blanca-Las Minas" (2021-01-29 13:50:02 )

Edited by Gustavo Contreras on 2021-10-18 20:05:11
The road that connects the towns of Cruz Blanca and Las Minas is a very good place for birding. Along the road you can find vegetation of cloud forest mainly and some patches of pines. Like many other ecosystems the cloud forest is under threatened by deforestation but here in Cruz Blanca - Las Minas road some parts of the vegetation are still in good conditions to harbor many amazing bird species like Red Warbler, Northern Emerald Toucanet, Gray-barred Wren, Garnet-throated Hummingbird and more. To have a good day in this place it depends of the weather sunny days are the best, not recommend visit the place in windy or rainy days because the activity is really poor. 

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Bearded Wood-Partridge (Dendrortyx barbatus)
Mexican Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus arizonae)
Bumblebee Hummingbird (Selasphorus heloisa)
Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo (Vireolanius melitophrys)
Mexican Chickadee (Poecile sclateri)
Gray-barred Wren (Campylorhynchus megalopterus)
Black Thrush (Turdus infuscatus)
Hooded Grosbeak (Coccothraustes abeillei)
Black-headed Siskin (Spinus notatus)
Rufous-capped Brushfinch (Atlapetes pileatus)
Red Warbler (Cardellina rubra)

Bearded Wood-Partridge (Dendrortyx barbatus) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-24 07:00:16)

Hooded Grosbeak (Coccothraustes abeillei) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-22 07:42:51)

Mexican Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus arizonae) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-22 07:42:27)

Black Thrush (Turdus infuscatus) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-22 07:39:25)

Mexican Chickadee (Poecile sclateri) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-22 07:38:05)

Rufous-capped Brushfinch (Atlapetes pileatus) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-22 07:37:45)

Gray-barred Wren (Campylorhynchus megalopterus) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-22 07:36:47)

Bumblebee Hummingbird (Selasphorus heloisa) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-20 16:22:48)

Black-headed Siskin (Spinus notatus) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-20 16:22:38)

Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo (Vireolanius melitophrys) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-20 16:22:26)

Red Warbler (Cardellina rubra) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-20 16:21:49)

  • Timing and strategy

The best thing for this place is to arrive a couple of minutes before sunrise (so you can listen to the Mexican Whip-poor-will). The road is really calm and the best strategy to observe birds is to stop in different parts of the road looking for the flocks of Warblers, Vireos, Flycatchersde eating or resting. The first hours of the morning are always the most productive. Look for flower patches so you can see hummingbirds. Along the transect you will find views that will allow you to see the other side of the mountain, pay special attention to see some Swifts. There are very interesting in this place like the Red Warbler, Chesnut-sided Shrike Vireo, Gray-barred Wren, Northern Emerald Toucanet and others, pay attention to the treetops and the trees with fruits.

Rainy and windy days are not the best idea to visit this site.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Gustavo Contreras on 2021-12-31 16:27
The best thing for this place is to arrive a couple of minutes before sunrise (so you can listen to the Mexican Whip-poor-will). The road is really calm and the best strategy to observe birds is to stop in different parts of the road looking for the flocks of Warblers, Vireos, Flycatchersde eating or resting. The first hours of the morning are always the most productive. Look for flower patches so you can see hummingbirds. Along the transect you will find views that will allow you to see the other side of the mountain, pay special attention to see some Swifts. There are very interesting in this place like the Red Warbler, Chesnut-sided Shrike Vireo, Gray-barred Wren, Northern Emerald Toucanet and others, pay attention to the treetops and the trees with fruits. Rainy and windy days are not the best idea to visit this site.
  • How to get there

From the city of Perote you must take the Perote-Xalapa federal highway, not the highway. Just a couple of kilometers after leaving the city of Perote you will find a deviation to the left that you must take (marked on the map). Once past the train tracks, pay attention to the birds.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Gustavo Contreras on 2021-12-31 16:52
From the city of Perote you must take the Perote-Xalapa federal highway, not the highway. Just a couple of kilometers after leaving the city of Perote you will find a deviation to the left that you must take (marked on the map). Once past the train tracks, pay attention to the birds.

Because it is a rural road there is no problem with access to the place you can walk it without any problem.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Gustavo Contreras on 2021-12-31 16:33
Because it is a rural road there is no problem with access to the place you can walk it without any problem.
  • Other attractions

In the city of Perote is the fortress of San Carlos, a place that formerly functioned as a prison but now functions as a museum. Also near Las Minas you can find other places to observe birds such as Cofre de Perote or San Juan del Monte Protected Natural Area.

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Gustavo Contreras on 2021-12-31 16:31
In the city of Perote is the fortress of San Carlos, a place that formerly functioned as a prison but now functions as a museum. Also near Las Minas you can find other places to observe birds such as Cofre de Perote or San Juan del Monte Protected Natural Area.

Because it is a rural road you will not be able to find many things once on the site but you can find all kinds of services (food, lodging, gas station, super market, bank) in the city of Perote, which is really close (20 min about).

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Gustavo Contreras on 2021-12-31 16:15
Because it is a rural road you will not be able to find many things once on the site but you can find all kinds of services (food, lodging, gas station, super market, bank) in the city of Perote, which is really close (20 min about).

The site is very safe and quiet. Keep in mind that it is a cold place so wear clothes that protect you from the cold.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Gustavo Contreras on 2021-12-31 16:28
The site is very safe and quiet. Keep in mind that it is a cold place so wear clothes that protect you from the cold.
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

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2023-10-12 to 2023-10-16 Four days in Veracruz mountains Gustavo Contreras
Camino Cruz Blanca-Las Minas - Orniverse
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