Vera Cruz, Mexico--Butterfly Survey Report

[Dameron, Wanda]

Hi,
 
Returned recently from 2 terrific weeks of butterflying in Vera Cruz
from the Xalisco area south to Catemaco area then east around the UNAM
Bio Station.   We were able to ID 303 species and have a number of
skippers & Calephelis Metalmark pix yet to work on, plus possibly a few
distribution records that need confirming.
 
 Most days were pleasantly warm, with only one really humid day and
small parts of a few others.  We had light rain one day that only
allowed birding (only around 130 sp. for the trip but mainly just fill
time as butterflies were our main goal & usually didn't get in the field
til around 9 tho stopped for something neat like the huge # of nearby
 Red-billed Pigeons near Catemaco one day; some spiffy dragonflies
 too!).   We only had one lost day due to rain so went to the marvelous
 Museum in Xalisco, had a special lunch in town then looked for books
and good Mexican maps, for future trips further south.   De la Maza's
 "Mariposas de Chiapas" was found at the Jardin Botanical Garden shop in
 Xalisco, however we understand the good detailed book maps are easiest
 found near major border crossings where gas stations & retail shops
 abound.
 
 Xalisco is not the easiest city to maneuver and highly recommend going
 with Charlie Vieh.  He also brought a local naturalist, Manuel Fuentes,
that contributed considerably to the enjoyment of the trip.  Charlie
really prefers doing Tamaulipas which we did with him last year and is
another GREAT trip that highly recommend,  especially the pass near
Tule, but he knows lots of great spots!  It's easy to fly into so. Texas
airport, he picks you up, stay at his & Lana's B&B and take off from
there the next day, butterflying your way south in his comfy large van
with lunches in the field.  (prices reasonable, especially if have 4 to
6 participants)  I wouldn't mind doing that again!
 
 Like the Suttons, we ran into the filming of the A. Schwarzeneggar
 picture at one of the waterfalls, but more 88's than we'd ever seen in
our life and our first really good looks at a Peleides Morpho, with it's
split Hyacinth Morpho a few days later.  Memnon Giant-Owls were abundant
late one afternoon on the spur to hotel Playa Escondido near the Bio
Station and our best place for Cattlehearts and Swallowtails when
walking the same road the following day.   

The citrus orchard on a spur road to the right shortly after going left
at the "Y" just beyond Catemaco, kept us occupied a full day with a wide
variety of goodies from Giant Swallowtails to Flashers, Longtails and
even a few hairstreaks plus any common roadside type species of yellows,
white & banded peacocks, etc. The owners treated us to a big sack of
mandarin oranges that we enjoyed for the remainder of the trip.   Our
highest species count day (100) was on a road that ran parallel to the
Xalisco Golf Course road in the vicinity of a fair sized stream.   They
charged a few pesos but was well worth the small investment.  (not
recommended for birding only)
 
 We stopped at the Pronatura hawkwatch in Cardel a couple of times, but
 not much happening just then, tho got a few birds for the list.  
Delighted to run into Jorge going through and Ernesto returning. 
Understand Larry is married and living in Colorado.  Left my old copy of
the Vera Cruz Butterflies with Ernesto, since their copy evidently got
lost in the mail...            
 
	I would be glad to share our list by email when/if my computer
 friend figures out what is wrong with my attachment capability next
 month or if you want a hard copy, for printing/mailing cost.
 	
					Cheers, Wanda

PS   Mary Shepherd has kindly been working on a website to place our
unidentified species.   A few are on already and more will replace them
later as have limited space.     http://home.earthlink.net/~mhs46
Any help would be most gratefully appreciated.

PPS  Bob Stewart is planning to lead a birding  & BF trip next fall
w/Charlie & include the incredible Hawk migration too.   When the
weather is right, it can also be marvelous!!!   (no email but
520-394-9073 or PO Box 191, Patagonia, Az. 85624 to get on his mailing
list)
 
-- 
Wanda Dameron
Flutterby Press
ATL, LepSoc, LA-NABA, Lorquin, Xerces
23424 Jonathan St., Los Angeles, Ca. 91304
818-340-0365     be496 at lafn.org

 
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