Veracruz Fall Migration
And the Wild Forests of Los Tuxtlas
A birding and nature expedition to witness one of the most spectacular migration phenomena in the Americas.
Every fall, the Sierra Madre Oriental, the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, and the Gulf Coast of Mexico converge in central Veracruz to create one of the most important migratory corridors in the world. Thousands of raptors, butterflies, and dragonflies move through this region, following wind currents, rivers, mountains, and the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico.
This journey has been designed to experience the fall migration during one of its most exciting stages. Throughout the expedition, we will search for large flights of Mississippi Kites, possible groups of Swallow-tailed Kites, the first waves of Broad-winged Hawks, and a wide range of resident, endemic, and regional bird specialties of Veracruz and eastern Mexico.
The main route combines beaches, coastal dunes, wetlands, raptor observatories, cloud forest, coffee landscapes, ravines, highland dry habitats, and volcanic scenery. In its extended version, the journey continues south to Los Tuxtlas, one of Mexico’s most important tropical regions, where we will explore rainforests, lakes, mangroves, volcanoes, and community conservation areas in search of the iconic Tuxtla Quail-Dove.
Duration:
10 days / 9 nights.
Extended option: 13 days / 12 nights with Los Tuxtlas.
Suggested Dates:
September 8–17.
Los Tuxtlas extension: September 8–20.
Trip Start:
Reception at Veracruz International Airport / General Heriberto Jara International Airport.
Trip End:
Departure from Veracruz International Airport / General Heriberto Jara International
Airport.
Type of Experience:
Specialized birding, raptor migration, insect migration, nature photography, cloud forest
exploration, community conservation, tropical rainforest birding, and endemic birds of
Mexico.
Target Species Grand Slam:
Mississippi Kite, Swallow-tailed Kite, Broad-winged Hawk, Aplomado Falcon, Veracruz
Wren, Mexican Sheartail, Bearded Wood-Partridge, Sumichrast’s Wren, Transvolcanic Jay,
Montezuma Quail, Slaty Vireo, Crimson-collared Grosbeak, Golden-cheeked Warbler,
Tuxtla Quail-Dove, Great Curassow, Long-billed Hermit, Lesson’s Motmot, Red-capped
Manakin, Black Hawk-Eagle, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, White Hawk, and Black-collared Hawk.
Natural Phenomena:
– Fall raptor migration in Veracruz.
– Mass migration of dragonflies and butterflies along the central coast.
– Observation of the famous River of Raptors from strategic viewpoints.
– A remarkable elevational gradient from sea level to high mountain habitats.
– Searches for endemic and microendemic birds of Mexico.
– Optional extension to Los Tuxtlas, one of the country’s most important tropical refuges.
Main Ecosystems:
Coastal dunes, beaches, wetlands, rivers, cloud forest, shade-grown coffee landscapes, ravines, lowland tropical rainforest, pine-oak forest, highland xerophytic scrub, tropical lakes, mangroves, and tropical rainforest.
Trip Highlights:
– Observation of migration in Chachalacas, Cardel, and Chichicaxtle.
– Visit to the Dr. Mario A. Ramos Raptor Observatory.
– Searches for Veracruz Wren and Mexican Sheartail along the central coast of Veracruz.
– Stay in the Sierra de Zongolica, surrounded by cloud forest, mist, rivers, and views of Pico de Orizaba.
– Exploration of karstic tropical forest in search of Sumichrast’s Wren.
– Birding in coffee landscapes, ravines, and community conservation areas near Xalapa.
– Visit to the Perote Valley and Cofre de Perote for highland species such as Transvolcanic Jay.
– Optional extension to Los Tuxtlas to search for Tuxtla Quail-Dove, tropical raptors, and rainforest birds.
Arrival at Veracruz International Airport and transfer to Chachalacas. Welcome dinner and general introduction to the journey.
Exploration of the Chachalacas dunes to observe the migration of butterflies and dragonflies. Visit to Quiahuiztlán, Cardel, and Chichicaxtle for the first raptor migration sessions.
Raptor watching from Miramar and return to the migration observatories in Cardel and Chichicaxtle. Search for coastal bird specialties and the Veracruz Wren.
Visit to wetlands and coastal habitats to search for aquatic birds, migrants, and Mexican Sheartail. Afternoon transfer to the Sierra de Zongolica.
Exploration of the cloud forests of Zongolica, with searches for Bearded Wood-Partridge, mountain hummingbirds, Mountain Trogon, Middle American Leaftosser, and other humid forest species.
Descent to the karstic tropical forests of Amatlán de los Reyes to search for Sumichrast’s Wren and other lowland species. Later transfer to Xalapa.
Birding in Chavarrillo and nearby community conservation areas to search for Mexican Sheartail, Veracruz Wren, and Crimson-collared Grosbeak. Afternoon visit to Macuiltépetl Ecological Park in Xalapa.
Highland birding in the Perote Valley and Cofre de Perote, with searches for Montezuma Quail, Greater Roadrunner, Lucifer Hummingbird, Strickland’s Woodpecker, Transvolcanic Jay, and Red Warbler.
Final opportunity to witness a major migratory flight at the raptor observatories. For participants ending the main route, transfer to a hotel near Veracruz International Airport. For those joining the extension, departure toward Los Tuxtlas with a stop at Las Barrancas
to search for Aplomado Falcon and grassland birds.
Departure from Veracruz International Airport for the main route.
Exploration of Los Tuxtlas, a tropical region of rainforests, lakes, mangroves, volcanoes, and community landscapes. Searches for Tuxtla Quail-Dove, Great Curassow, tinamous, trogons, motmots, manakins, toucans, forest falcons, and tropical hawk-eagles.
Final transfer to Veracruz International Airport and return home.
Veracruz Fall Migration
Activity Level:
Moderate. This journey includes early morning departures, natural trails, extended observation periods at strategic viewpoints, road transfers, and significant changes in elevation. The Los Tuxtlas extension may include humid trails, tropical weather, and rainforest walking.
Ideal For:
Birdwatchers, nature photographers, naturalists, travelers interested in migration, birding clubs, private groups, and visitors seeking to experience one of Mexico’s greatest natural spectacles.
Included:
Lodging throughout the journey, meals according to the program, ground transportation, specialized guides, entrance fees to sites and reserves, interpretive activities, operational logistics, local field support, and gratuities for included services.
Not Included:
Domestic or international flights. Services not specified or special activities must be confirmed according to the final version of the program.
Conservation Focus:
This journey supports responsible birding tourism and highlights conservation initiatives linked to migratory birds, resident species, community reserves, raptor observatories, Indigenous ecotourism projects, and ecological restoration processes in Veracruz and Los Tuxtlas.