The sixth annual Festival de las Aves del Lago de Chapala gets underway this weekend, with a full agenda of special activities planned to celebrate the vast number of migratory birds that find temporary refuge at Mexico’s largest lake.
Previously, the ecological event has been held in November, just as the protagonists begin flocking in for the winter. This year it has been rescheduled to coincide with World Migratory Bird Day, commemorated around the globe on the second weekend of May.
The opening program is set for Saturday, May 6, 5 to 7:30 p.m., at the Centro Cultural González Gallo, Chapala’s former railway station. Back-to-back conferences on Chapala’s bird life and the economic values of migratory birds in Mexico will precede a performance of traditional Mexican music by Chapala’s Grupo de Salterios.
Alas de Chapala, an exhibit of photographic works by Soledad Rodriguez, will be displayed in the City Hall lobby from Monday, May 8, 11 a.m., through the end of the week. Student workshops on wildlife conservation will also take place Monday through Friday.
Guided bird walks along the Alexander Humboldt nature trail will be offered to the public May 9, 11, 13 and 14, 9 a.m. to noon, at the Malecón in San Antonio Tlayacapan. Bird watching excursions by kayak arranged by prior appointment will cast off May 13 and 14, 8 to 11 a.m., at Ajijic’s waterfront,
The festival caps off Saturday, May 13, 4 to 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 14, 1 to 7 p.m., with cultural and educational activities centered at the Chapala Malecón.