The San Pancho Bird Observatory is dedicated to provide environmental education and training on birds and nature for local children and youth in the village of San Francisco (San Pancho), Nayarit, and surrounding area.

Luis Morales with his wife, Wendy Pasco, and their two children arrived in San Pancho in the summer of 2007 with a vision and dream to start "an open and inclusive community birdwatching project that included locals as well as foreign residents as well from all ages and paths of life."

Very soon after, their dream and idea gave birth to the San Pancho Birding Club which offers the service of bird-watching education and training to the locals and residents in San Pancho and the surrounding villages, helping to educate people about local birds and nature.

Since its conception, the Birding Club has had the opportunity to work with some local San Pancho teenagers and children educating them on birds and nature.

He has also collaborated with the elementary school in Sayulita, which has helped get the word out about the club. "I want to open the club up to anyone in San Pancho and the surrounding area so they can learn about the birds and so I can learn from them about their expertise on birds, trees, and nature in general."

One important duty the San Pancho Bird Observatory does is to provide a record of the migratory flow of birds in the area to governmental authorities for conservation and environmental services. The club is also putting together a library of bird and nature sounds with professional equipment.

The Birding Club is always looking for new members to share the joy of feeling and learning about nature together. San Pancho residents can become part of the club by participating in the tours or inquiring about a membership directly with Luis.

You can also donate books or binoculars, or even stories of your own experiences in bird watching or submit any questions to Luis directly to learn more about the birds you are hearing or seeing in your backyard.

Please contact Luis Morales to find out more about possible ways to participate and contribute to the San Pancho Bird Observatory.

As part of our commitment to the local community, Birding San Pancho promotes environmental education activities and birdwatching training with local community members; we also participate in local and regional conservation projects and other initiatives oriented to create sustainability.

Luis Morales is the director and founder of the San Pancho Birding Club and more recently of his own family owned company Birding San Pancho, now named San Pancho Bird Observatory.

During his last 5 years living in San Pancho, Nayarit, where he lives year-round with his wife and kids, Luis has become not only a frequent and avid observer of the local birds and fauna but also an educational resource for the local community and an environmental activist to help preserving and restoring natural habitats.

Luis is a Marine Biologist with over ten years of experience leading nature tours. Luis has been leading birdwatching tours in the coast of Jalisco and Nayarit for the past 8 years; during this time he has shared his love, knowledge and enthusiasm for birds and the natural world with world-class ornithologists as well as amateur and beginner birders.

Luis actively participates in local and regional conservation programs including the regional Jalisco-Nayarit Military Macaw Conservation Program and he has developed the San Pancho Bird Observatory.

The following is an overview of our current tours:

Birding in San Pancho AM Tour - "An opportunity to enjoy and learn about tropical birds in a well preserved natural habitat."

The duration is 4.5 hours beginning at 6:30 am until around 11:00 am.

List of potential birds include: Northern Jacana, Purple Gallinule, Bat Falcon, Collared Forest Falcon, Painted Bunting, Blue Bunting, Varied Bunting, Mexican Parrotlet, Elegant and Citroline Trogons, Squirrel Cuckoo, Pale-billed Woodpecker, Lineated Woodpecker, Military Macaw, Russet-cronwed Motmot, San Blas Jay, Purplish-backed Jay, White-throated Robin, Greyson-s Trush, Streak-backed Oriole, Grey Kawk, Tyrant flycatchers...

$75 USD per person  (1 - 3 people)
$65 USD per person (4 - 6 people)
$55 USD per person (7 - 9 people)

Payment can be in US dollars or its equivalent in Mexican Pesos.

Birding San Blas Tour - "A full-day tour to experience the most exotic birds and habitats at the heart of the Nayarit Riviera's cultural and birding mecca."

The duration is 9-10 hours beginning at 6:00 am and finishing around 4:00 pm.

List of potential birds include: Bara-throated Tiger-Heron, Boat-biled Heron, Limpkin, Hooked-billed Kite, Mangroove-Warbler, Colima-Pigmy Owl, Northern Potoo, Wood Storks, and Reseate Spoonbills, just to name a few.

120 USD / person (1 - 3 people)
110 USD / person (4 - 6 people)
100 USD / person (7 -  8 people)

Inquire for the overnight-tour option, if interested in having the chance to birdwatch more around this extensive area.

Birding San Pancho Sunset Tour - "A chance to experience a wonderful sunset by the beach while we enjoy jungle and wadding birds and their habitats."

The duration is 2 1/2 hours beginning at 4:00 pm and finishing at 6:30 pm.

List of potential birds include: Northern Jacana, Purple Gallinule, Bat Falcon, Mexican Parrotlet, Elegant and Citroline Trogons, Squirrel Cuckoo, Pale-billed Woodpecker, Lineated Woodpecker, Black-throated Magpie Jays, Greyson-s Trush, Streak-backed Oriole, Grey Kawk, Tyrant flycatchers, Rufous-belied Chachalacas, and Ferruginous Pigmy-Owls.

$35 USD per person  (1 - 3 people)
$30 USD per person (4 - 6 people)
$25 USD per person (7 - 9 people)

Payment can be in US dollars or its equivalent in Mexican Pesos.

San Sebastian del Oeste Birding Tour - "Experience the amazing bird diversity of this tour's unique mosaic of habitats magically blended with the legendary village of San Sebastian del Oeste."

The duration is 10-11 hours, starting at 6:00 am and finishing between 4:00 and 5:00 pm.

In this specific tour, changes to the itinerary might be suggested depending on the tides which need to be timed in order to maximize bird sightings.

List of potential birds include: White-eared Hummingbird, Mountain Trogon, Red-faced Warbler, Slate-throated Redstart, Crescent-chested Warbler, Hermit Warbler, Brown-backed Solitaire, Red-faced Tanager, Flame-colored Tanager, Grey-silky Flycatcher, Tufted Flycatcher and  Black-headed Siskin to name a few...

$100 USD per person  (1 - 3 people)
$90 USD per person (4 - 6 people)
$85 USD per person (7 - 9 people)

Marieta Islands Tour - "Experience the uniqueness of marine birds and wildlife."

The duration is 5 to 6 hours, starting at 8:30 am and finishing around 2:00 pm.

Bird specialities: Blue-footed Boobies, Brown Boobies, Elegant, Royal and Caspian Terns, Hermmanns, California and Laughingh Gulls, and Black-Storm Petrels.

$100 USD per person  (1 - 3 people)
$95 USD per person (4 - 6 people)
$90 USD per person (7 - 9 people)
 
Botanical Gardens/El Tuito Tour - "A full day tour to enjoy gorgeous landscapes and a large diversity of tropical birds and fauna."

The duration is 10 hours, starting at 6:00 am and finishing between 4:00 and 5:00 pm.

Potential bird specialities: Military Macaws, LIlac-crowned Parrots, Black-headed Siskins, Sparkling-tailed Hummingbirds, Magnificent Hummingbird, Painted Redstart, Yellow-breasted Chat, Green Jay, Black-throated Jay and San Blas Jays, to name some.

$100 USD per person  (1 - 3 people)
$95 USD per person (4 - 6 people)
$85 USD per person (7 - 9 people)

San Pancho Nature Hikes - "Stay active on your vacation while you enjoy and learn about tropical flora and fauna, local culture and history."

The duration is 5 hours, beginning at 8:00 am and finishing around 1:00 pm.

$45 USD per person  (1 - 3 people)
$40 USD per person (4 - 6 people)
$35 USD per person (7 - 9 people)

For more detailed information including itinerary, what's included, what to bring and where to meet, please click here.