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Francisco Garcia, Safaris San Blas

Francisco García is known as one of the most experienced birding guides in all of Mexico. He is a distinguished birding guide based in San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico, with extensive experience leading birdwatching tours in the region. He operates under the name “Safaris San Blas,” offering specialized birding excursions that showcase the rich avian diversity of the area. And apart from all that is a very likable guy, always ready with a smile and happy to accommodate in any way he can.

Over the years, Francisco has guided numerous bird watching tours, including leading ten tours for Finnish birders during a particular season, highlighting his international reach and reputation. His clientele often includes well-informed bird enthusiasts, reflecting his ability to cater to both novice and experienced birders.

In addition to his guiding services, Francisco has been featured on platforms such as the Bird Banter Podcast, where he shared insights into birding in the San Blas area, further establishing his expertise in the field.

His dedication to showcasing the natural beauty of San Blas and his extensive knowledge of local bird species make him a sought-after guide for bird watching enthusiasts visiting the region and we are honored to be partnered with him to ensure a truly wonderful experience for our guests.

Mark Stackhouse

Anyone in the birding world in Mexico knows the name Mark Stackhouse. He is a distinguished ornithologist and birding guide with over four decades of experience in the field. His passion for birding ignited at the tender age of five, and by sixteen, he was already leading birding tours, starting with a trip to Crane Creek, Ohio, for the Dayton Museum of Natural History. Over the years, Mark has guided tours across the Americas, with a significant focus on Mexico, where he has been operating for more than 20 years. In 2007, he relocated from Salt Lake City to San Blas, Nayarit, recognizing the region’s rich avian diversity and potential for birding activities.

Mark offers professional birding and nature adventures, specializing in the western United States, Mexico, and other Latin American countries. His deep knowledge of the avifauna in western Mexico has earned him high praise, with many considering him the most knowledgeable person on the subject in the region. Clients often commend his ability to locate and identify a wide array of bird species, enhancing their birding experiences.

Beyond guiding, Mark has contributed to ornithological research and conservation efforts. He has coordinated the San Blas Christmas Bird Count since 1973, an event that has become a significant activity in the area. Under his leadership, the 2019 count was particularly noteworthy, recording the highest number of certain species, including 31 Colima pygmy owls, an endemic Mexican species.

Mark’s dedication to birding is further exemplified by his personal achievements, such as holding the record for the most bird species counted in a 24-hour period in Mexico, with a total of 273 species. His enthusiasm for sharing the beauty of birds and nature with others has made him a respected figure in the birding community, inspiring both novice and experienced birders alike.