Mexico | Post-trip Extension: Birds and Monarchs

About this trip

Continue your Mexico excursion with this optional post-trip extension to search for more bird species and witness the annual migration of Monarch butterflies. Begin in Angangueo, located in the high, forested mountains of eastern Michoacán to visit El Rosario, the largest overwintering site for Monarchs. Then, continue to Jungapeo, and search for a variety of birdlife in the transition zone between temperate forest and tropical lowland. 

Highlights

• Search for bird species including the White-eared Hummingbird, Gray Silky-Flycatcher and Vermilion Flycatcher as you explore the Hotel Don Bruno property.
• Hike and bird on your way up to El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, where you will find clusters of monarchs on the fir-covered slopes and at a nearby stream.
• Bird an exceptional diversity of wildlife around the lush, tropical surroundings of Agua Blanca, looking for a variety of species including Canyon and Happy Wrens, Blue Mockingbird, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Cinnamon-rumped Seedeater, and many more.

Meet your leader

Margie Menzies

Margie joined the Hawk Ridge staff as a Naturalist in 2011 and currently is the Education Program Director for Hawk Ridge. She loves birds, learning, and sharing the natural world with people of all ages. She works extensively with passerine banding at Hawk Ridge during migration and with three MAPS stations studying summer breeding birds at Hawk Ridge, Wolf Ridge, and Sugarloaf Cove. She loves the opportunity to visit the northern summer birds in their winter habitats and learn even more about their amazing lives.

Activity Level 4: Moderate-Strenuous

This journey is for fit and active nature enthusiasts. The challenging excursion to El Rosario may require walking for approximately 2 miles at altitudes of up to 10,660 feet on trails that are narrow and rugged. These may involve both steep uphill and downhill hikes of 30 minutes or more (hiking at your own pace). Restrooms are only available at the base of the mountain. Weather in the Central Highlands during the migration is typically cool and dry with average temperatures in the 50s. Though days are typically sunny, there can be some windy conditions, and nights occasionally drop below 30°F.

Additional Notes

During the El Rosario visit, the day entails walking around the butterfly site on your own and photographing and watching butterflies. Please be prepared to be independent during butterfly watching.

Please also see the information about Safety & Risk Management under the Travel Info tab.