Chihuahua:  Treasures of the Sierra Madre  

May 14 - 18, 2012  

The largest of the 31 Mexican states, Chihuahua, due to its interior location and altitude, offers nature enthusiasts a glimpse into yet another aspect of Mexico's great biological diversity.  Our journey begins in Sierra Vista, AZ from from where we'll travel southeast through Chihuahuan Desert grassland and desert scrub and eventually into the high Sierra Madre and the town of Madera which will serve as our home base.  From Madera, a small logging and agricultural town at 6500 ft., we'll explore the vast pine, oak, and mixed conifer forests of the area.  In addition to many of the Madrean bird species also found in southeast Arizona - including elegant trogon, buff-breasted flycatcher, Mexican chickadee, painted redstart, hepatic tanager, and greater pewee - we've also found brown-backed solitaire, sulphur-bellied flycatcher, rufous-capped warbler, white-striped woodcreeper, slate-throated redstart, russet nightingale-thrush, mountain trogon, and some of the most memorable prizes of the area, eared quetzal, striped sparrow, and thick-billed parrot.  Thick-billed parrots, one of only two parrot species in the genus Rhynchopsitta, are spectacular pine-nut and acorn eating birds, which, in the Madera area, nest primarily in large cavities of quaking aspen at about 9000 ft.  We'll have excellent views of these amazing birds.

We'll also travel west towards the Rio Sirupa through the lower elevation pine forests and oak woodlands.  In addition to birds we may see up to four species of squirrel, white-sided and black-tailed jackrabbits, eastern cottontail, various butterflies (we've seen about 50 species in the area so far) and reptiles including striped plateau, Yarrow's and Clark's spiny, bunchgrass, short-horned and Mexican plateau horned lizards, and black-necked garter snake.  

On our return to Arizona, we'll stop in Casas Grandes where we'll visit the excellent museum at the Paquime ruins to learn about the rich human history of the region and also the town of Mata Ortiz, made famous by local artist Juan Quezada who, inspired by the pottery of the people who inhabited Paquime, resurrected the art which has flourished in his home town.  

Cost will be $975 per person, double occupancy, all inclusive from Sierra Vista, AZ.  Limited to 5 participants.  

Detailed itinerary and references available upon request.

Photo:  Thick-billed parrots by John Dicus

Last updated: February 21, 2012.