Audubon presentation displays local butterflies
By Carol Wheeler August 15, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

Presentation
San Miguel’s butterflies
Tue, Aug 19, 3pm
Teatro Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
Butterfly walk
Sat, Aug 23, 10am
El Charco del Ingenio

Mexico is well known for its rich history, from the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan and Tenochtitlan to the colonial cities and churches of San Miguel and Atotonilco.

But Mexico is also a land with a rich natural history and a biodiversity of flora and fauna equaled by few other countries in the world. Of the 17,000 butterfly species worldwide, 1,063 are found in Mexico, most in the hot and humid lowlands of Chiapas, Yucatan and the Pacific and Gulf coasts. But lepidopterists—scientists who specialize in the study of butterflies and moths— also have found a surprising number of species in the cool, dry highlands such as the state of Guanajuato. And although visitors to San Miguel rarely notice them, we have many beautiful, fascinating species right in our own gardens and parks. A great upcoming opportunity to see San Miguel’s butterflies on display is the presentation by Wayne Colony, this month’s Sociedad Audubon de México offering.

For the past two years, Wayne Colony and his wife Susan have recorded and photographed hundreds of species of butterflies (and their “little brothers,” the skippers) in the municipality of San Miguel and especially within the boundaries of the botanical garden El Charco del Ingenio. Some, like the magnificent Mexican Kite-Swallowtail, were easy to find (once they learned the surprising place to look for them!) while others, like the astoundingly patterned Bumblebee Metalmark, were tracked down with a lot of patience and some luck. Wayne’s photographs of these beauties and many more can be enjoyed in comfort at his upcoming presentation. His lecture will cover many aspects of the world of butterflies—their life cycle, host plants, migrations—and tips on how to find and photograph them.

As a special Part Two for those who want to see living, flying butterflies up-close, Wayne will lead a real live Butterfly Walk in El Charco on August 23.

The retired geologist didn’t plan to become a nature photographer when he and his wife moved to San Miguel five years ago, but after helping botanical expert Walter Meagher with an inventory of the vascular plants of El Charco, it was only natural to continue their association and they have recently published a book titled Wild and Wonderful: Nature Up Close in the Botanical Garden El Charco del Ingenio, San Miguel de Allende with text by Meagher and photos by Colony. Copies of the book will be available at the lecture for purchase and, of course, Wayne will sign them.

Audubon’s monthly presentations are free to members. Admission to nonmembers is 50 pesos. Membership will be available at the door on August 19 for 300 pesos for an entire year, and that membership opens myriad other activities to those who join.

Carol Wheeler is a member of the board for Sociedad Audubon de México.

Audubon Sightings
By Walter L. Meagher

The Vermilion Flycatcher

He has thrown caution to the wind. Concealment is not part of his nature, as it is of hers. But then, among birds, the female accepts a modest wardrobe so as not to be seen sitting on her eggs; the male is often better dressed, an advertisement for himself.

What pleases anyone who sees the Vermilion Flycatcher is that he darts and perches in open scrubland, and is reliably seen tomorrow where he was seen today. Most flycatchers share a way of hunting, called sally-gathering. A male perches on a twig, as far to the end as it can safely sit. From his lookout he darts, fast as a flick of the tail. If his quarry is airborne, we witness the Vermilion’s maneuverability in flight, as at an air show. If the insect or spider is on the ground, he goes to it as a pea from a slingshot. We shall never see what he has seen until he has seen it; and then, even then, before we can see the prey, beetle, ant, or orb-weaver, it is gone, and the bird returns to his perch. 

Note: Adapted from Wild & Wonderful: Nature Up Close in the Botanical Garden El Charco del Ingenio by Walter L. Meagher, photographs by Wayne Colony.

Enjoy a birdwalk with Fen Taylor

Audubon conducts a birdwalk on the third Sunday of every month (August 17) for the pleasure of its members. Nonmembers are welcome with a donation of 100 pesos. We venture to special locations for birding in the San Miguel area. The walks start at 8am and are 3–4 hours long. The two principal sites visited are El Charco del Ingenio and a bridge over the Río Laja in Montecillo de Nieto. This month’s walk will be to the beautiful countryside on the outskirts of town. Participants should meet at the entrance to the Instituto Allende. Cars are available but more are welcome; it is an easy drive.

Bring water and binoculars. The beautiful new Audubon birding booklets are available for 50 pesos.

Audubon is always looking for guest birders to lead walks, as well. Visit our website at http://www.audubonmex.org.