Just as huge flocks of white pelicans are flying in from the north to touch down at their winter home, the Festival de las Aves del Lago de Chapala welcomes them with the third annual celebration of the region’s rich and diverse winged wild life.
The bird fest kicks off on Saturday, November 10, running through the following weekend with an array of educational activities, nature outings and cultural events aimed at raising public awareness and appreciation for the preservation of Lake Chapala’s ecosystem. The lakeshore region is recognized as a haven for around 200 different endemic and migrating bird species, including ducks, geese, herons, egrets, spoonbills, eagles, hawks, falcons, coots, swallows, hummingbirds, to name a few. According to experts, the bird population normally hovers around 50,000.
The festival program is organized by the pro-environment non-profit group Corazon de la Tierra in cooperation with state and local government agencies.
Art lovers won’t want to miss the art auction scheduled for Friday, November 16, with works by distinguished artists such as Jose Luis Cuevas, Jose Fors, Alejandro Colunga and Lewis Kant included in the collection of oil paintings, watercolors, engravings and prints going up for grabs. Here is a list of all the activities on the bill.
Saturday, November 10
Festival opening at the Mezcala waterfront Malecon, 4 to 6 p.m. Workshops for children and adults, hawk and falcon flying exhibition and performance by Ajijic’s Ballet Folklorico Xikantzy.
Sunday, November 11
Festival activities continue at the Mezcala waterfront Malecon, 4 to 7 p.m. Workshops,demonstration of wild bird tagging and performances by Chapala ballet folklorico, La Cucaracha Puppet Theater.
Monday, November 12
Opening of “Aves del Lago,” exhibit of works by nature photographer Jesus Moreno, Chapala City Hall lobby, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., continuing through November 18.
Tuesday through Friday, November 13-16
Educational workshops for children scheduled at public schools in Chapala, Ajijic and Mezcala.
Friday, November 16
Conference “Bird Migration in a Changing World” by Francisco Abarca, International and Bordeland Projects Manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, presented at Centro de Estudios Tecnologicos en Aguas Continentales CETAC, Jocotepec, noon-2 p.m.
Art auction, works by 35 artists on the block, Centro Cultural Gonzalez Gallo (Chapala’s former railway station), 7-10 p.m.
Saturday, November 17
Bird Observation Nature Walk, Parque La Cristiania, Chapala, starting from main gate, 7:45 a.m.
Jocotepec-Ajijic Bicycle Excursion, leaving Pemex station at east end of Jocotepec, 9 a.m.
Exhibition of hawk and falcon flying, Chapala Malecon, Noon.
Da Vinci Chamber Orchestra performs at Centro Cultural Ajijic, 3 p.m.
Chapala-Ajijic Bicycle Excursion, leaving Fishermen’s Fountain, Avenida Madero at Ramon Corona, 3:30 p.m.
La Cucaracha Puppet Theater show, Ajijic Malecon, 4:30 p.m., followed by live performance by students of the Fermatta Music School, 6 p.m.
Sunday, November 18
Family activities at Ajijic Malecon, 4 to 7:30 p.m. Workshops, live performances by the Chuyiñho Sierra Wixarika Music Group and Guadalajara Autnomous University Polynesian Dance troupe.
Exhibition of hawk and falcon flying, Chapala Malecon, 4:30 p.m.