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© Gustavo Contreras

Observatorio de Aves Migratorias Dr. Mario Ramos

19.34360 , -96.46407

Mexico

The Dr. Mario Ramos bird observatory is a site dedicated to monitoring migratory birds of prey, it is administered by the civil association PRONATURA and is located in the town of Chichicaxtle. Due to the geographical and climatic conditions of the area, influenced by the Sierra Madre Occidental, the central coastal area of the state of Veracruz is an ideal place for bird watching, especially for raptors. Year after year millions of raptors of different migratory species converge in this point of the state and it is possible to observe groups of thousands of birds flying together to the south, due to the large number of birds that can be observed at this site it is known as Veracruz Río de Rapaces (VRR).

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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) : 19.3436/-96.4641 (2021-01-29 14:24:08 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Observatorio De Aves Migratorias Dr. Mario Ramos" (2021-01-29 14:24:08 )

Edited by Gustavo Contreras on 2021-08-15 06:49:00
The Dr. Mario Ramos bird observatory is a site dedicated to monitoring migratory birds of prey, it is administered by the civil association PRONATURA and is located in the town of Chichicaxtle. Due to the geographical and climatic conditions of the area, influenced by the Sierra Madre Occidental, the central coastal area of the state of Veracruz is an ideal place for bird watching, especially for raptors. Year after year millions of raptors of different migratory species converge in this point of the state and it is possible to observe groups of thousands of birds flying together to the south, due to the large number of birds that can be observed at this site it is known as Veracruz Río de Rapaces (VRR).

  • 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)

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus)
Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)
Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis)
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)
Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus)
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
Merlin (Falco columbarius)
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-16 13:37:13)

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-15 04:30:41)

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-15 04:30:15)

Merlin (Falco columbarius) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-15 04:20:39)

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-15 04:20:28)

Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-15 04:17:58)

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-15 04:17:46)

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-15 04:14:26)

Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-15 04:14:08)

Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-15 04:13:28)

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-15 04:13:12)

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-15 04:10:21)

Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-15 04:08:56)

Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) was added by Gustavo Contreras (2021-08-15 04:08:38)

  • Timing and strategy

There are two good times in the day to attend the observatory, the first is in the morning around 10:00 a.m.-1: 00 p.m. when the midday heat allows the birds that spent the night before in the surroundings of the observatory to be able to "take in" hot air that gives them the necessary height to continue their migratory journey. The second time of day is around 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., when the winds are stronger inland than near the coast. However, you can spend the whole day in the observatory without any problem.

Depending on the time of the season, the species of birds that you can observe are different, for example, during the month of August and September the most common species is the Mississippi Kite and in much smaller numbers it is possible to observe individuals of Swallow-tailed Kite, a mid-season the most common species is Broad-winged Hawk while at the end of the season Swainson's Hawk and Turkey Vulture are the most common species.

In addition to birds of prey, it is possible to observe the migration of other species such as White Pelican, Wood Stork, Anhinga and songbirds. There is a very short path that you can travel when migratory activity is low on this trail you can find birds such as Gray-crowned Yellowthroat, Yellow-winged Tanager, Altamira Oriole, Buff-bellied Hummingbird among other resident species.

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 2021-08-15 06:59
There are two good times in the day to attend the observatory, the first is in the morning around 10:00 a.m.-1: 00 p.m. when the midday heat allows the birds that spent the night before in the surroundings of the observatory to be able to "take in" hot air that gives them the necessary height to continue their migratory journey. The second time of day is around 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., when the winds are stronger inland than near the coast. However, you can spend the whole day in the observatory without any problem. Depending on the time of the season, the species of birds that you can observe are different, for example, during the month of August and September the most common species is the Mississippi Kite and in much smaller numbers it is possible to observe individuals of Swallow-tailed Kite, a mid-season the most common species is Broad-winged Hawk while at the end of the season Swainson's Hawk and Turkey Vulture are the most common species. In addition to birds of prey, it is possible to observe the migration of other species such as White Pelican, Wood Stork, Anhinga and songbirds. There is a very short path that you can travel when migratory activity is low on this trail you can find birds such as Gray-crowned Yellowthroat, Yellow-winged Tanager, Altamira Oriole, Buff-bellied Hummingbird among other resident species.
  • How to get there

To get to the town of Chichicaxtle, the options will depend on where you are. If you are in the city of Xalapa, you must take a bus from the Xalapa bus station (CAXA). You must buy a Xalapa-Cardel intermediate service ticket, the intermediate service crosses all the towns on the Xalapa-Cardel route including Chichicaxtle, you can ask the driver to tell you when they are in Chichicaxtle, it is important that you buy the intermediate service ticket otherwise the bus does not make stops along the entire route and goes directly to Cardel. The bus companies that offer this service are TRV and AU, the ticket from Xalapa to Chichicaxtle has a cost of around $ 3 dollars, the trip lasts around 1:30 h.

If you are in the city of Veracruz, the first thing you should do is take a bus to the city of Cardel, there are many bus companies that provide this service and prices may vary. Once in Cardel you must take a bus from the TRV or AU company, the cost of the ticket from Cardel to Chichicaxtle is less than $ 1dls and the arrival time is approximately 15 min.

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

Edited by Gustavo Contreras on 2021-08-15 06:50
To get to the town of Chichicaxtle, the options will depend on where you are. If you are in the city of Xalapa, you must take a bus from the Xalapa bus station (CAXA). You must buy a Xalapa-Cardel intermediate service ticket, the intermediate service crosses all the towns on the Xalapa-Cardel route including Chichicaxtle, you can ask the driver to tell you when they are in Chichicaxtle, it is important that you buy the intermediate service ticket otherwise the bus does not make stops along the entire route and goes directly to Cardel. The bus companies that offer this service are TRV and AU, the ticket from Xalapa to Chichicaxtle has a cost of around $ 3 dollars, the trip lasts around 1:30 h. If you are in the city of Veracruz, the first thing you should do is take a bus to the city of Cardel, there are many bus companies that provide this service and prices may vary. Once in Cardel you must take a bus from the TRV or AU company, the cost of the ticket from Cardel to Chichicaxtle is less than $ 1dls and the arrival time is approximately 15 min.

The observatory opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 6:00 p.m. The cost to enter the observatory is around $ 2 dollars and you can spend the whole day inside the observatory 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 2021-08-15 06:51
The observatory opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 6:00 p.m. The cost to enter the observatory is around $ 2 dollars and you can spend the whole day inside the observatory without any problem.
  • Other attractions

The observatory facilities have a garden for butterflies and dragonflies as well as a mural referring to migration made by VRR staff and children from the town of Chichicaxtle. Towards the end of the season, PRONATURA carries out a festival that consists of cultural activities and the sale of local products. The date of the festival changes from year to year.

The PRONATURA team has a raptor banding station, it is the only banding station for raptors in Central America, and tours are offered to get to know the place where the station is located, as well as the bird banding process. Ask the observatory staff for this service.

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 2021-08-15 06:53
The observatory facilities have a garden for butterflies and dragonflies as well as a mural referring to migration made by VRR staff and children from the town of Chichicaxtle. Towards the end of the season, PRONATURA carries out a festival that consists of cultural activities and the sale of local products. The date of the festival changes from year to year. The PRONATURA team has a raptor banding station, it is the only banding station for raptors in Central America, and tours are offered to get to know the place where the station is located, as well as the bird banding process. Ask the observatory staff for this service..service.
Edited by Gustavo Contreras on 2021-08-15 06:53
The observatory facilities have a garden for butterflies and dragonflies as well as a mural referring to migration made by VRR staff and children from the town of Chichicaxtle. Towards the end of the season, PRONATURA carries out a festival that consists of cultural activities and the sale of local products. The date of the festival changes from year to year. The PRONATURA team has a raptor banding station, it is the only banding station for raptors in Central America, and tours are offered to get to know the place where the station is located, as well as the bird banding process. Ask about the observatory staff for this service on the first level of the observatory.service..
Edited by Gustavo Contreras on 2021-08-15 06:52
The observatory facilities have a garden for butterflies and dragonflies as well as a mural referring to migration made by VRR staff and children from the town of Chichicaxtle. Towards the end of the season, PRONATURA carries out a festival that consists of cultural activities and the sale of local products. The date of the festival changes from year to year. The PRONATURA team has a raptor banding station, it is the only banding station for raptors in Central America, and tours are offered to get to know the place where the station is located, as well as the bird banding process. Ask about this service on the first level of the observatory.

The observatory has two levels, the first level is the conference room where visitors receive information about migration and how monitoring is carried out, as well as a store of shirts, caps, books related to the VRR. The second level has a terrace, with chairs, where you can observe the migration, on the terrace you can find a blackboard where the observatory staff notes the totals of birds by species that have been counted throughout the season. From the terrace you will be able to see the VRR monitoring team, however, this area is restricted to project personnel. If you don't have binoculars, the observatory can lend you. The observatory does not have its own bathrooms, but you can use the bathrooms on the soccer field that is located next to the observatory.

There are no hotels or restaurants within the town of Chichicaxtle, the closest are within the town of Cardel.

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 2021-08-15 06:54
The observatory has two levels, the first level is the conference room where visitors receive information about migration and how monitoring is carried out, as well as a store of shirts, caps, books related to the VRR. The second level has a terrace, with chairs, where you can observe the migration, on the terrace you can find a blackboard where the observatory staff notes the totals of birds by species that have been counted throughout the season. From the terrace you will be able to see the VRR monitoring team, however, this area is restricted to project personnel. If you don't have binoculars, the observatory can lend you. The observatory does not have its own bathrooms, but you can use the bathrooms on the soccer field that is located next to the observatory. There are no hotels or restaurants within the town of Chichicaxtle, the closest are within the town of Cardel.

The town of Chichicaxtle is a very safe place. It is a place where it is very hot and you can be exposed directly to the sun, we recommend the use of clothing that allows the body to breathe, as well as the use of sunscreen and mosquito repellent.

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 2021-08-15 06:54
The town of Chichicaxtle is a very safe place. It is a place where it is very hot and you can be exposed directly to the sun, we recommend the use of clothing that allows the body to breathe, as well as the use of sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
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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