The first monarch butterflies of the annual winter migration from the United States and Canada have arrived in the forest sanctuaries of central Mexico.

The Birdwatching Season in San Blas began last September 14, 2017 and came to a close with some excellent numbers: 454 registered bird species and the arrival of 113 watchers from nine different countries, among them the United Kingdom, one of the top destinations in the world for this type of activity.

“World Migratory Bird Day” will be celebrated for the first time next October 13th with the slogan “Uniting our voices for bird conservation.

I woke up at dawn in my hotel room in San Blas, Mexico a little bleary-eyed  and made my way to the lobby, where I was met by one of the most expert bird guides in the country, Francisco Garcia.

Over one million sea turtles are liberated every year in the Riviera Nayarit, which has become a sanctuary for these tiny chelonians thanks to the many turtle camps that dot its more than 307 km (190 mi) of coastline, all dedicated to their conservation and protection.

Every year they arrive in Banderas Bay after an impressive 16-thousand-kilometer trip from the Arctic in search of warmer waters to give birth to their calves.

The Riviera Nayarit keeps its beaches clean and safe for recreational use, working closely with the different state departments and local service provider associations to continue improving and offering visitors the best experience.

Mexico’s government has created the largest ocean reserve in North America around a Pacific archipelago regarded as its crown jewel.

The number of Blue Flag-certified beaches in Mexico has surged from 35 to 53 following this year’s round of certifications.

Greater environmental awareness and thousands of volunteers have led to the discovery that monarch butterflies migrate south into Mexico by more routes than previously thought.