HOW A GROUP OF YOUNG MEXICAN SCIENTISTS IS CHANGING THE FATE OF THESE NOCTURNAL BIRDS
WORDS BY TAMARA BLAZQUEZ HAIK
IMAGES BY TAMARA BLAZQUEZ HAIK AND MIGUEL SAN MARTÍN
EDITED BY CHRISTINE PICKERING
Every year during the late summer and early fall, hundreds of different bird species embark on their lengthy migratory journey. From herons, egrets and warblers, to hawks, eagles and owls, these birds fly thousands of miles from Canada and the United States all the way south to Argentina, crossing the entire American continent to escape the winter cold.
This yearly migration draws ornithologists, bird watchers and wildlife photographers to Mexico in hopes of witnessing this wondrous event. Of the four different migratory routes that these species take to cross the continent, all but one cross over Mexican territory—over the state of Veracruz.
Veracruz, located along the coast of the Gulf, is key to both researchers and bird enthusiasts that wish to further understand this migration. Here they can witness a phenomenon known as the River of Raptors, where hundreds of thousands of birds of prey like hawks, falcons, eagles and owls can be observed flying over cities and towns during their travels south.
The “River of Raptors”, along the migration route of birds of prey, can be observed every year from Veracruz, Mexico. Thousands of birds of prey flying south from the USA and Canada adorn the skies of Mexico, making it an irresistible phenomenon to watch for scientists, bird watchers and photographers alike. Tamara Blazquez Haik.
The capital city of Veracruz, Xalapa, is one of the cities along these raptors’ migratory route. It is surrounded by rich and diverse ecosystems and thanks to its neotropical climate, it offers the perfect resting spot for winged travellers flying south. However, it is also a home and haven for more than 390 resident bird species, like the Mottled Owl (Strix virgata).
“In many parts of Mexico, owls are believed to be evil creatures associated with witchcraft, a belief that has compelled people to hurt these birds, poison them, or even burn them alive.”
The Mottled Owl (Strix virgata), photographed at INECOL’s Cloud Forest Sanctuary in Xalapa, Veracruz, during the owl monitoring session. This owl came near the scientific team for a closer look at the intruders walking through its territory. Tamara Blazquez Haik.
Xalapa is considered one of the most important cultural and educational centres in Mexico. Sadly, though, throughout the last century, it has continued to grow and expand without much regard for its nature or urban wildlife. As of recently, deforestation has been making the headlines of local and national media stories, as it threatens the survival of urban wildlife, both resident and migratory alike.
City dwellers are rarely aware that wildlife can usually survive in urban centres, as many believe that wild animals can only be found in distant ecosystems away from cities or at their local zoo. This disconnection from nature and from wildlife has led people to believe that any wild animal they come across in their cities is a threat that should be eliminated. They may not understand the important roles these animals play in maintaining the balance of ecosystems. They are integral to the health of the environment through managing the populations of other animals, like rats and insects. As well, in many parts of Mexico, owls are believed to be evil creatures associated with witchcraft, a belief that has compelled people to hurt these birds, poison them, or even burn them alive.
The city of Xalapa, still surrounded by mountains and rich, natural ecosystems like cloud forests. Tamara Blazquez Haik.
“Miguel San Martín has one goal in mind: educating the public and thus aiding in the protection of the Mottled Owl.”
This belief stems both from a general ignorance and from the fact that scientific information on these animals is not readily accessible for the regular population. In order to change this reality, a group of local scientists has taken action to protect the Mottled Owls and other urban raptors that reside in the beautiful city of Xalapa.
Miguel San Martín is a young biologist and Ph.D student at the Instituto de Ecología, A.C. (INECOL). He has been researching and monitoring the Mottled Owls with one goal in mind: educating the public and thus aiding in the protection of this species. His wife Sandy Enriquez, who is also a biologist, and his brother Carlos San Martín, have also been helping Miguel with the owl monitoring for the last two years.
Biologist Miguel San Martín, biologist Sandy Enriquez, and Carlos San Martín collecting data during the Mottled Owl monitoring. Tamara Blazquez Haik.
Miguel and his team have established different sites for monitoring these nocturnal raptors. One of them is the INECOL’s Cloud Forest Sanctuary, consisting of 30 hectares of cloud forest remnants that have become an important habitat to 100 different bird species, 19 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 19 mammal species. However, the growing urbanization is a constant threat to both the sanctuary and the wildlife.
The Mottled Owl has adapted very well to urban environments, where they take advantage of human structures to survey their territories and look for possible prey. Coatepec, Veracruz. Miguel San Martín.
The owl monitoring takes place well into the night. After arriving at an area that seems auspicious for finding these birds, Sandy and Carlos help Miguel by collecting data on different parameters that allow for a deeper understanding of the owls’ behaviour and ecology. “We measure the amount of light in a given area that could alter the owls’ behaviour and prevent them from coming close, as well as how much noise can be perceived. Noise going above 60 decibels drastically diminishes the chance of finding them. The direction and intensity of the wind, whether or not there’s moonlight illuminating the forest, and several other factors help us to understand the way these birds have adapted to the city, so we take all that into account when monitoring the owls.”
The other spots where Miguel has been monitoring the birds are located in more heavily urbanized areas of the city, with a lot more artificial lighting, noise, and pollution. But here many other wildlife species still thrive, and some of them, like toads and other small animals, can be spotted.
“Despite constant urbanization, the removal of large trees from the city, the noise, and mistaken beliefs and myths that surround these birds, the Mottled Owls resist and survive along with other raptor species”
A toad photographed on the road during the owl monitoring. Urbanization is one of the biggest threats to wildlife. For example, cars endanger the lives of animals that are forced to cross roads that have fragmented their habitats. Tamara Blazquez Haik.
“My research has shown that the survival of these Xalapan owls depends mostly on the amount of trees in a given area. Heavily forested zones, especially those containing Mexican Beeches (Fagus mexicana) provide these owls with homes and a place to nest, and areas with lots of vegetation provide the birds with more food rather than those that have been deforested and completely urbanized.”
Biologist Diana Juanz Aguirre working in La Coruja’s lab. The centre also takes part in different scientific research initiatives in the region. Tamara Blazquez Haik.
Miguel further explains, “During the nesting season, we have been able to register more than 70 Mottled Owls in Xalapa. Despite constant urbanization, the removal of large trees from the city, the noise, and mistaken beliefs and myths that surround these birds, the Mottled Owls resist and survive along with other raptor species”.
In Mexico, young scientists like Miguel are met with many challenges, one of them being the lack of support, especially from local authorities who are not interested in these issues. This forces these scientists, who are all working tirelessly to rescue and rehabilitate birds of prey in need, to turn to donations or other kinds of fundraising activities to support their conservation projects financially.
La Coruja is a wildlife centre run by biologists Alberto Hernández Lozano and Diana Juanz Aguirre. Alberto and Diana aid and rehabilitate nocturnal birds of prey that have been met with misfortune to later release them back into the wild whenever possible.
Environmental education activities for adults and children to raise awareness about the importance of the owls in the region are also part of the centre’s projects, but one of their most admirable initiatives is the box nest program.
“We have developed a box nest program to help the urban owls survive urbanization and deforestation within Xalapa and nearby towns”, says Alberto. Sadly, the program has not received the expected support from the Xalapan authorities”. Alberto and Diana have been forced to fund this project on their own, building the boxes with donated and recycled materials, and making earrings and jewelry using the birds’ molted feathers to sell and fund the centre’s activities.
“The survival of these Xalapan owls depends mostly on the amount of trees in a given area... Areas with lots of vegetation provide the birds with more food rather than those that have been deforested and completely urbanized.”
Some of the owls being cared for and rehabilitated at La Coruja wildlife centre. Some of the injuries sustained by these birds will not allow for them to be returned back into the wild, and as such, La Coruja has become their forever home. These non-releasable birds act as ambassadors during the centre’s educational activities to raise awareness about these species and why it’s important to protect them. Tamara Blazquez Haik.
The authorities’ apathy towards biodiversity is another threat that endangers the survival of wildlife species not only in Xalapa, but in all of Mexico. The lack of support and funding for scientists and conservationists has made it difficult for many to continue researching and pursuing alternatives that can allow species to thrive and survive in both natural and urban ecosystems.
However, due to projects and actions like those of Miguel and his team, as well as centres like La Coruja, enigmatic species like the Mottled Owl have been able to survive in many of Mexico’s big cities. The valuable work being done by these scientists is creating solutions for urban dwellers to coexist with wildlife, raising awareness and debunking myths about feared species, and helping to create a better future not only for wildlife and nature, but also for humanity.
To learn more about the work being done by Miguel San Martín and La Coruja wildlife centre, visit their websites.
Xalapa’s urban landscape at night. Natural areas that still remain in our cities are of utmost importance both for wildlife survival and for our own. Tamara Blazquez Haik.
