As you know, Audubon de Mexico, offers small group eco-travel programs within Mexico. We now have partnered with Perfect Journeys, voted San Miguel's number 1 travel company in 2011, to share with you two incredible, luxury travel adventure packages that focus on the amazing and exotic birds and wildlife of Africa and South America. As someone who is interested in birds and nature, we thought you would like to know about these 2012 trips.

For each person who signs up for one of these trips, and mentions Audubon at the time of booking, Judy Newell, owner of Perfect Journeys, will make a contribution to Audubon's environmental grant program. Audubon will invest these contributions in local environmental projects here in San Miguel.

Please note that booking deadlines are in May, the attached flyers include all the details!

THE GREAT MIGRATION SAFARI
Kenya & Tanzania - 16 days
July 22 – August 6, 2012

DISCOVER GALÁPAGOS, ECUADOR & PERU
November 15 – December 1, 2012 - 17 days

April 15 Audubon Birdwalk at Tree-lined Rio Laja Site
By Signe Hammer

With leaders Luke Rich and Mike Wheatcroft, we’ll walk along a tree-shaded trail by the Rio Laja, near the bridge on the new road to Guanajuato. We’ll look for Green Kingfishers, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Green Herons, Blue-winged Teal and Egrets...

A unique Central Mexican treasure
By Michael Wheatcroft

San Miguel´s biological preserve, El Charco del Ingenio, is one of its most beautiful and important resources. It provides walking trails, bird habitat, a botanical garden and greenhouses with rare species of cactus and succulents as well as educational programs, bird walks and musical concerts.
On Tuesday, April 10, the Audubon Society of Mexico will present a talk by Mario Hernandez, El Charco’s Director, addressing current activities and future plans for the preserve.
Over the past few years, under Mario´s direction, there have been many vital improvements, including the creation and maintenance of bird islands in La Presa del Ingenio for protecting breedingwildfowl, viewing stations, additional hiking paths, plantings of local cactus and succulents, and new space for concerts and events. The staff and volunteers have also had to deal with the effects of a devastating fire which swept a large area of the preserve early in 2011.

It is Audubon´s pleasure to have one of San Miguel´s leading ecologists to speak on these accomplishments, events and more.

Come and learn how vital El Charco is to San Miguel and the local environment.

Teatro Santa Ana
La Biblioteca
Insurgentes 25
Donations 60 pesos (Audubon members free)

Audubon third bird walk, Sun, Mar 18.

With Bob, Signe, Luke, Michael and Norman
Bridge over Rio Laja near Montecillo de Nieto (rio laja #1)

Millions of missing birds
By Luke Rich

Luke Rich, an Audubon Society bird walk leader, will present the highlights of the first ever tri-national assessment of the bird populations of North America, with an emphasis on Mexico.
Canada, Mexico and the continental US are home to 882 native landbird species, more than one third of which depend on habitats in more than one country. They enrich the cultures of all three countries and serve as a sensitive barometer of change to the environment.

With leaders Bob Graham, Norman Besman, Signe Hammer and Luke Rich, we’ll head to Peña Blanca, a few miles past the Presa Allende. Open farmland, trees and a stream provide habitat for a good mix of raptors and songbirds, including Crested Caracaras and Red-tailed Hawks, such familiar friends as the Golden-fronted Woodpecker and less common local birds like the tiny Black-eared Bushtit, plus wintering Lark Sparrows and Black-throated Gray Warblers.

The walk is open to beginning and experienced birders alike. Wear sturdy walking shoes and bring water and a hat. Carpooling is essential, so if you have a car, please bring it. Plan to arrive at 7:45, as we leave promptly at 8. Questions? Call Bob at 154-9856 or Norman at 152-3644.

Birding 101: Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Birds

Do you ever wonder about those colorful red or yellow birds in your patio? Want to know the difference between a warbler and a wren, a Kiskadee and a kingbird?