Introduction to Accipiters Birding and the Sierra de Guadalupe
Accipiters Birding, a dedicated citizen science group in Mexico City’s Sierra de Guadalupe, invites birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts to explore the area’s rich biodiversity. This urban oasis, crucial for Mexico City’s ecosystem, has become a hub for observing and recording various plant and animal species.
About Accipiters Birding
Founded in May 2019 by Alfredo Fuentes and Eduardo Gomez, Accipiters Birding started as an avian observation and photography group in the Sierra de Guadalupe. Over time, their mission expanded to include wildlife rescue and educational talks on species protection and care. Though not professionals in biology or geoscience, their passion for the local ecosystem has led them to share knowledge with academic professionals and inspire curiosity in the community.
Sierra de Guadalupe: A Biodiversity Hotspot
The Sierra de Guadalupe, a vital green lung for Mexico City, has been the focus of Accipiters Birding’s efforts. Through their participation in the City Nature Challenge (CNC), they have successfully documented 483 species across four consecutive editions, placing them eighth nationally in flora and fauna records without government support.
City Nature Challenge 2025: Activities and Speakers
The City Nature Challenge 2025 is approaching, and Accipiters Birding is organizing various activities from April 25-28. Key locations include the Sierra de Guadalupe Natural Protected Area, Armella, Calle del Árbol, Cerro de Zacatenco, and Parque Nacional Tepeyac.
Scheduled Talks
- “Scavenger Beetles” by bióloga Itzel Rodríguez Castillo
- “Mice and Voles” by bióloga Stephanye Mata González
- “Squirrels in Mexico City” by bióloga Viridiana Marcos Zamora
- “What are fireflies and how can we protect them?” by Daniel Edwin Domínguez León
- “Birding in Sudamérica. Always Birds” by Estrella Posada
Citizen Science: Breaking Stereotypes
Accipiters Birding promotes citizen science, proving that anyone can contribute to scientific research. By meticulously recording observations and engaging the community, they’ve demonstrated the Sierra de Guadalupe’s significance as a biodiversity refuge, despite limited government support.
How the City Nature Challenge Works
The City Nature Challenge began as an annual, four-day photographic marathon in 2010, encouraging participants worldwide to document local flora and fauna using the iNaturalist platform. Initiated as a friendly competition between Los Angeles and San Francisco, it has grown into an international event promoting collaboration among cities to discover the most plant, fungi, and wildlife species observations.
Join the Sierra de Guadalupe Event
Dates: April 25-28
- Follow: Accipiters Birding CDMX on Facebook and Instagram for event details.
- Background: Since 2017, the Reto has been iNaturalist’s largest annual citizen participation event.
- Impact: Over 364,000 people have contributed to more than 7.13 million urban nature observations.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the City Nature Challenge? An international event promoting urban biodiversity documentation through iNaturalist.
- Who are Accipiters Birding? A Mexico City-based citizen science group dedicated to observing and protecting the Sierra de Guadalupe’s biodiversity.
- When and where is the event? April 25-28 in the Sierra de Guadalupe, Mexico City. Follow Accipiters Birding CDMX on Facebook and Instagram for details.
- Why is citizen science important? It empowers individuals to contribute to scientific research, fostering community engagement and raising awareness about local ecosystems.
