What began in March 2024 as a hobby among friends has now become a well-established group dedicated to birdwatching and recording in Hermosillo, under the name Mujeres Entre Aves (Women Among Birds).
In an interview with El Sol de Hermosillo, Selene Margarita Terán de la Cruz, an ecologist and founding member of the group, explained that there are currently more than 40 women and children interested in learning about and documenting the birds that inhabit the region.
“At the same time, we carry out environmental education so that more people can learn about the region’s biodiversity and join in its conservation,” she explained regarding their work.
The activist detailed that in addition to birdwatching outings, they hold workshops and environmental fairs, all open to the general public and free of charge.
She indicated that Hermosillo has a wide diversity of birds, with approximately 365 species recorded, both resident and migratory, according to specialized platforms.
“Many birds pass through here during their migration season, using places like the dam, La Sauceda, the metropolitan park, and the oxidation ponds as refuges or resting places,” he noted.
Among the species that generate the most admiration in the community, he said, are the white pelicans, migratory birds of freshwater that tend to congregate at the dam.
“They come from the north and pass through here, usually arriving at the dam, where more than 500 individuals gather, before heading towards the tropics,” he explained.
Terán de la Cruz explained that the birdwatching tours, known as “birding trips,” allow them to record the species and individuals observed on the eBird platform, an international database specializing in bird monitoring.
“During the activities, we explain what birdwatching is, why it’s important, what birds are, how to use the equipment, the ethics to follow when birdwatching, how to identify species by their appearance or sound, and how to use guides and digital platforms, so that more people are encouraged to practice it as a hobby,” she said.
The bird lover warned that the lack of bodies of water, pollution, and the loss of vegetation, especially native vegetation, directly affect the birds that pass through the city.
Therefore, to support them, she recommended placing containers of clean water in safe locations, which should be kept in good condition and away from domestic animals such as dogs or cats.
If you want to learn more about Mujeres Entre Aves (Women Among Birds), you can find them under that name on Facebook and Instagram, or contact them at [email protected].
Source: oem
