Uncovering Hidden Wings
A memorable discovery on the Cuixmala River
Bird education in the field isn’t always about high-tech gear. Sometimes, the most unforgettable experiences happen when you return to the basics—binoculars, a bird guide, and the wonder of nature.
Last week, on one of our monthly outings with our local Birding Club, part of the Careyes Foundation’s Environmental Education Program, we set out along the Cuixmala River with a group of eager young birders. This time, our Environmental Education Coordinator had—once again—forgotten the camera with the powerful zoom lens donated by the Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund. But as any seasoned birder will tell you, the days you leave your camera behind are often the days nature delivers her greatest surprises.
“Remember the last time you forgot the camera? We saw 50 species!” laughed Oswaldo, one of our most enthusiastic students.
The wetlands were teeming with life. Despite it being the dry season in the Costalegre, the river’s edges were alive with a rainbow of species: Roseate Spoonbills glowing pink in the morning sun, stealthy Green Herons, elegant Black-Necked Stilts, and clusters of snowy White Egrets. Among them danced one of my personal favorites, the Jacana Norteña, comical with their oversized feet—both adults and juveniles in view.
Just as we were wrapping up, we noticed something strange skulking at the edge of the river: a low, squat bird with a stiff upright tail. “That’s not in our bird guide!” I said, pulling out the Merlin Bird ID app. It wasn’t a gallinule, as I first guessed. The mystery deepened—until we found it in the virtual guide: a Sora (Porzana carolina), a migratory bird in the elusive rail family.
Oswaldo looked crestfallen. He’s been religiously checking off every bird in our quick guide, and was dissapointed that this new species didn't mean a new checkbox ticked. “You’ll have to remake this guide!” joked Isamar.
We tried to record our sighting on eBird, but a popup told us this species hadn’t been reported in the area before. We needed proof. Without the zoom lens, we did the next best thing. We aimed our phones into the binoculars and snapped a few blurry but recognizable photos. Fuzzy or not, they were enough.
A few days later, we received an email from an eBird verifier:
"Your observation has been accepted and is now an important part of the overall picture for this species… A report from an odd location (like a seasonal stream bed) benefits from the photo. Again, thanks for being an eBirder."
Moments like these are powerful reminders of why environmental education matters. Through the Careyes Foundation’s hands-on programs, young people from our local communities are becoming skilled naturalists, citizen scientists, and passionate protectors of biodiversity. They are not only learning to observe—they are contributing to global knowledge and conservation efforts.
Help Us Keep the Wings in Flight
This work is only possible thanks to the support of donors and partners like you. Your contribution helps us provide equipment, training, and transformative experiences to the next generation of environmental leaders in Costalegre.
👉 Support our Environmental Education Program today. Help young birders like Oswaldo and Isamar make more discoveries—and protect the natural wonders of our region.
