This week Playa Blanca was visited by Professor Alejandro from UAM, Xochilmilco campus, and 22 of his budding biology students. The Professor brings students once a trimester to study the flora and fauna of our area. They concentrate on birds. Working in teams, they visit the selva corta (the short forest), the coco huertas, and the mangles (the mangroves). They set up mist nets to catch birds for banding, take a census and ultimately compare the data they have collected with the data collected in the past.  One team reported 70 species of birds collected yesterday. El Professor told me they have identified over 150 species and I am hoping to get the census results from this trip after they have been compiled.

Another team encountered a crocodile and everyone reported lots and lots of spiders! One student who came in the past with the study group was so inspired by the area that she applied to do her thesis on the butterflies of Playa Blanca.  Ana Lusia is working here with the support of El Refugio and releases her butterflies into the mariposarium (butterfly house) here. This week she was joined by her good friend, biologist Marisela and is assisted by Marbe from Los Farallones.  They actually captured a Malachite butterfly yesterday – a very rare find, along with several Monarchs, a group of Orange Banded and even a Buckeye. You can visit Ana Luisa’s latest finds at El Refugio.

Did you know that Mexico is home to hundreds of butterfly species? Come and learn more about them at El Refugio.

Professor Alejandro and his students were originally invited to come to Barra by Adrianna Luna (we know her as the owner of Casa LunaBed and Breakfast) in order to establish a record of the incredible biodiversity of this area. The study has been taking place for several years and a good case can be made for the need to protect the environment of this area.