The fifth annual Festival de Aves del Lago de Chapala takes flight this weekend, putting a spotlight on Lake Chapala’s abundant winged wild life with educational, cultural and recreational activities scheduled to run through Sunday, November 30.
Mexico’s largest lake is a haven for more than 300 species of native and migratory birds that inhabit its waters, shoreline, surrounding fields and mountains and residential area backyards. Scientists calculate that the region’s bird population swells to more than 20,000 during the winter months.
At this time of year, nature lovers can find clusters of snowy white pelicans and varied types of herons, egrets, ibises and ducks wading or swimming near the lake’s edge, see birds of prey such as hawks, kites and vultures gliding overhead, or catch a glimpse of eight different kinds of hummingbirds flitting around flower beds.
Festival happenings
Information about the festival program, Lake Chapala, its wildlife and conservation will be available at stands set up on the Chapala and Ajijic malecon boardwalks on Saturday and Sunday, November 22 and 23, and again on November 29 and 30, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The festival encompasses varied events going on throughout the coming week that are designed to appeal people of all ages and different walks of life.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21
Conference “Birds as a Factor in Tourism Promotion at Lakeside,” Chapala City Hall Lobby, 7 p.m.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22
Concert by University of Guadalajara Youth Orchestra, Centro Cultural González Gallo (CCGG), Chapala’s former railway station, 5 p.m.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23
Guided Bird Watching Walk, Parque La Cristiania, Chapala, 9 a.m., (100 pesos per person). Environmental Education workshops, Ajijic Malecón, 4-6 p.m.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24
Photography exhibit by various artists entitled ”Nature in Chapala,” Chapala City Hall Lobby, open daily through November 28, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26
Symposium “Conservation of Birds and their Habitat,” presentations by Mexican experts, Instituto Tecnológico de Chapala, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For enrollment information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone (33)38-25-13-61.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29
Readings of short stories on the theme “We All Dream of Flying,” by authors from the Cuento Letras Tintas writing workshop, Ajijic Cultural Center, 5 to 7 p.m.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30
Story teller Alicia Martel appears, 4 to 6 p.m.; Environmental Education workshops, 5-7 p.m.; Polynesian dance troupe O Tahi No Te Ori performing “The Lake and The Moon,” and other pieces, 6 to 8 p.m. All at the Chapala Malecón.
Additional activities will include a series of children’s workshops on environmental topics that will rotate Monday through Friday at various local schools, and a wildlife release in the mountain range set for November 29.
The Festival de Aves is put together by the environmental development institute Corazón de la Tierra, under the auspices of the Chapala municipal government, the Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Chapala, Jalisco’s Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development, the Jalisco Youth Institute and other sponsors.