Peña Alta is the northernmost of Guanajuato state's natural protected areas, located close to the border with San Luis Potosi state. This preserve extends 32,800 acres (13,270 hectares) and has an elevation range of 2160 mts to 2840 mts above sea level. Despite being a little birded site (like most of Guanajuato), eBird has a record of 205 species observed, and local birders report new sightings every year.

The vegetation types present in this Natural Area are Pine Nut Forest (Pinus cembroides), Oak Forest (Quercus spp.), Thorn scrub Forest, and Crasicaule Scrub Forest.

The vegetation types present in this Natural Area are Pine Nut Forest (Pinus cembroides), Oak Forest (Quercus spp.), Thorn scrub Forest, and Crasicaule Scrub Forest.

This tour is part of a series called Birding in Natural Protected Areas of Guanajuato. We've organized this series of excursions in alliance with our friends at Sociedad Audubon de México, A.C., to share more about Guanajuato's natural heritage with the community of San Miguel de Allende and support Audubon de México's conservation programs.

Peña Alta is the northernmost of Guanajuato state's natural protected areas, located close to the border with San Luis Potosi state. This preserve extends 32,800 acres (13,270 hectares) and has an elevation range of 2160 mts to 2840 mts above sea level. Despite being a little birded site (like most of Guanajuato), eBird has a record of 205 species observed, and local birders report new sightings every year.

It is also home to 10 amphibian species, 32 reptiles, and 48 mammals. To learn about the complete inventory of species of Peña Alta, please visit the following link: Fauna Inventory Peña Alta.

Visiting Peña Alta can be very interesting for birders because of its variety of ecotones; on the east side, at the lowest elevation (2160 mts.), lies the village of San Franco, an urban settlement whose gardens are often visited by Black-backed Orioles, Violet-crowned Hummingbirds, and Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercers.  

As we continue west and leave the town behind, we find the first of two dams, the San Franco Dam. Here, we often find Mexican Ducks, Least Grebes, Belted Kingfishers, and migrant species like Ring-necked Ducks, Buffleheads, and Northern Shovelers. The vegetation surrounding the dam is a Thorn scrub Forest with species such as the Vermilion Flycatcher, Greater Roadrunner, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Mexican Jay, and Black-vented Orioles.

Once we pass San Franco Dam, we find a riparian area and a creek crossing an old broken dam, which is visually engaging. Here, species such as the Blue-throated Mountain Gem, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Hepatic Tanagers, and Lesser Goldfinches can be found.

Immediately before the core of nature preserves is an area with open agricultural fields and fenced cattle fields; here, it is relatively common to spot Red-tailed Hawks, White-tailed Kites, and Great Kiskadees.

Once we reach the gate leading to the central polygon of the natural protected area, we can witness an almost immediate change in habitat. Here, we reach the semi-arid Pine Nut Forest, which, combined with Oak Forests, allows for Acorn Woodpeckers, Buff-breasted Flycatchers, Painted Redstarts, White-eared Hummingbirds, and Bridled Titmice.