Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya

Naturetrek Tour Report 10 - 25 November 2016

Horned Guan Orange-breasted Falcon

Central American Spider Monkey The group at Cerro Alux

Report and images by Byron Palacios

Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya

Tour participants: Byron Palacios with seven Naturetrek participants

Summary

The Mesoamerican Region, cradle of unique and self-developed ancient cultures, breaks the point of the mystic and natural. And the great experience of exploring the wildlife and culture while birding one of the most picturesque countries of this region, brought to our minds that universe built by one of the world’s most influential societies: The Maya. Their intimate relationship with the natural world made them create the most wonderful kingdom based on a worship of the most representative wildlife; most of this wildlife was sacred for them! And we could very much appreciate most of these magical creatures that they worshipped as we explored Guatemala’s great forest, mountains, lakes and pristine and perfectly built pyramids and temples, still kept in great condition to treat our eyes and fulfil our minds. Lots of Mesoamerican endemics were seen, as well as lovely mammals, fantastic archaeological complexes, all of course, in the right company of fellow travellers: a great party with which to share fantastic experiences in a spectacular country!

Day 1 Thursday 10th November

London Heathrow – Guatemala (via Madrid) – La Antigua We set off on our early flight from London Heathrow to Guatemala, via Madrid where we changed planes. We arriving in Guatemala City in the late afternoon and transferred to Antigua where we arrived in the early evening, just in time for a quick dinner. We then retired to our bedrooms for a good and restful night.

Day 2 Friday 11th November

Finca El Pilar – Finca Filadelfia We woke to a beautiful sunny morning with blue skies, the views adorned by impressive volcanoes around the beautiful Antigua. Some fresh local coffee alongside a traditional breakfast fuelled our spirits to start our very first day in this beautiful country. We then set off on a short drive to Finca El Pilar, a very nice shady coffee farm which offers great birding along its 1.5km track which covered a good altitudinal range.

Despite the jetlag, we were still full of energy to hit the trail right from the top, and started our birding with Black-capped Swallows, Black-headed Siskin, Bushy-crested Jays, Townsend’s Warbler, Baltimore Oriole, Great- tailed Grackles and Black Vultures, amongst others. The track itself produced a few interesting species such as Slate-throated Whitestart, Golden-browed Warbler, Band-backed Wren, Spot-crowned Woodcreeper, Tennessee Warbler and Rufous-browed Wren. Down at the finca’s swimming pools, the hummingbird feeders offered fantastic views of a good number of species of these colourful and fast feathered gems, such as Berylline Hummingbird, Green-throated Mountaingem, Azure-crowned Hummingbird, Green Violetear, Violet Sabrewing, Rivoli’s (Magnificent) Hummingbird, Rufous Sabrewing, and White-eared Hummingbird.

After mid day, we drove a short distance from El Pilar to the lovely Finca Filadelfia where we enjoyed of a delicious lunch while birding in their gardens. After lunch, we jumped into their funny 4x4 massive trucks and headed to the top of the finca from where we took a walk which produced Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Black- vented Oriole, Greater Pewee, Vaux’s Swift, and the elegant Grey Silky-flycatcher, amongst others. We

Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya Tour Report

continued walking down the track and caught up with our 4x4 truck which took us back to the farm’s restaurant in order to get on our bus and drive to our hotel to take a short break and get ready for dinner.

Day 3 Saturday 12th November

Antigua – Tecpan Ridge – Los Tarrales Reserve Today we left Antigua in order to drive towards our next destination, Finca Los Tarrales. After an early, tasty, local breakfast, we hit the road onto the Panamerican Highway, heading west and diverting southwards to Cerro Tecpan where we made a stop. We took a walk over this interesting ridge where a flock of beautiful birds such as Northern Flicker, Steller’s Jay, Rufous-collared Thrush, Clay-coloured Thrush, Spotted Towhee, Band-backed Wren, and the endemic Blue-and-white Mockingbird welcomed us. Further afield, Yellow-eyed Junco, Eastern Bluebirds, Rufous-collared Sparrows and White-eared Hummingbird were seen.

We continued walking along the track and, after a quiet time, we heard one of our target birds of this tour, Pink- headed Warbler. We had terrific views of this beautiful bird after working quite hard to find it. More birds were found while walking back along the track such as Tufted Flycatcher, Greater Pewee and Steller’s Jays. We also found a small flock with Brown Creeper (American Treecreeper), Spot-crowned Woodcreeper, and another pair of the beautiful Pink-headed Warbler.

Very happy with the productive birding morning, we jumped in our minibus and drove a short distance to a lovely traditional restaurant where we enjoyed more of the traditional Guatemalan food. After lunch, we went to a different spot of the Tecpan Ridge where a few interesting birds such as Rose-throated Becard, Wilson’s Warbler, Hairy Woodpecker and the elusive Blue-throated Motmot were seen very well. After this, we continued our picturesque journey to Finca Los Tarrales where we arrived just before dinner.

Day 4 Sunday 13th November

Los Tarrales Reserve We had an early breakfast in order to get the most out of the morning birding around the reserve; a truly promising and exciting day was ahead of us! The first garden birds started to wake up, very noisily vocalizing their first dawn songs and calls, so off we went with our resident guide Josué. It was very hard to keep our eyes focused on one bird as they were lots to look up for: Orange-fronted, Pacific and Orange-chinned Parakeets were active on the most obvious trees, alongside Spot-breasted and Baltimore Orioles, White-bellied Chachalaca, Velasquez’s Woodpecker (a split from Golden-fronted Woodpecker), Yellow-winged Tanager, Tropical Pewee, and the elegant White-throated Magpie-Jays. We managed to walk another good hundred metres and onto a narrower track where a patch of fresh-flowered Inga trees produced an amazing number of species such as Clay- coloured Thrush, Spot-breasted, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, Red-legged Honeycreepers, Tennessee Warblers, Blue-crowned Motmot, Greyish and Black-headed Saltators, Yellow Warbler, White-bellied Chachalacas, Rufous-backed Wren (a recent split from Rufous-naped Wren), Cinnamon Hummingbird and Magnolia Warbler, amongst others.

Walking along a big patch of giant bamboo, we found two roosting Mottled Owls which we enjoyed watching.

2 © Naturetrek January 17

Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya Tour Report

Following the track we found a massive Ficus tree where a lek of Long-tailed Manakin was quite active, bringing up some individuals of this beautiful little cotinga; the majority were females which we saw very well. The male was also seen but it was very active, moving around. Other birds spotted here were Rufous-and-white Wren, Berylline and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, and a dark form of Short-tailed Hawk soaring together with a Broad-winged and Grey Hawks, and Turkey and Black Vultures.

We continued our trek heading towards La Rinconada track where other interesting species where seen such as White-collared, Vaux’s and White-throated Swifts, Long-billed Starthroat and Black-and-white Warbler, amongst others. As the track narrowed up, a Prevost’s Ground Sparrow and a Rufous-breasted Spinetail were spotted in the area, and we saw them fantastically well, especially the spinetail: what a treat to see this very rare and endangered bird right in the open!! Another highlight along this trail was a Blue-throated Sapphire (a.k.a. Blue- throated Goldentail) perfectly perched while lekking from a tree-like bush and a beautiful Tody Motmot which showed himself off really well in our scopes and posed for us for a good while! But our very productive birding morning didn’t finish then! Our local guide Josué treated us with a roosting Mottled Owl which was spotted amongst a giant bamboo patch in the upper portion of the trail.

Full of joy and willing to take a break, we walked back to our lodge in order to have a delicious lunch followed by a little break before going out again. The early afternoon, sunny and very warm, didn’t offer the quality of activity as during the morning, but it managed to delivered very interesting birds such as Black-headed Saltator, Least Flycatcher, Magnolia, Black-and-white, Chestnut-sided and Yellow Warblers, and Orchard, Baltimore, Altamira and Spot-breasted Orioles, amongst others. Many other birds seen along this track included Masked Tityra, Yellow-naped Amazon, Velasquez’s Woodpecker, Eastern Wood Pewee, and Prevost’s Ground Sparrow which pulled our legs for a while.

The day was coming to an end as we were running out with good birding light so we returned to our lodge in order to get the local lager, an unbeatable drink after a long birding day, followed by a delicious dinner!

Day 5 Monday 14th November

Los Andes Reserve A very early start was lined up for us today in order to drive a good couple of hours to the upper subtropical forest reserve of Los Andes. The journey involved main roads till we diverted onto serious unmetalled and rock- cobbled tracks which took us through uniform latex plantations and coffee “fincas” (farms) until we arrived in time for breakfast at the beautiful community of Finca Los Andes and its pristine reserve. The delicious full-of- bouquet coffee of its grounds – certainly the most- preferred coffee by the majority of us! – was there freshly ground and ready to be enjoyed several times! The gorgeous gardens of the main house were full of beautiful native flowers and blossom trees which attracted great species of birds such as Baltimore, Orchard and Spot- breasted Orioles, Blue-grey Tanager, Melodious Blackbirds and Red-billed Pigeons. Hummingbirds were also very numerous on both feeders and flowers, such as Violet and Rufous Sabrewings, and Blue-tailed and Ruby- throated Hummingbirds.

After enjoying this welcoming feast in this new area – alongside our take-away breakfast and local fresh coffee and tea – we jumped on two pickup trucks and drove up to the forest area in order to walk on a nice and wide trail within the forest. Jesús, the resident birder, suggested that we made a quick stop before leaving the last

Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya Tour Report

coffee plantation area as he knew the tree where a roosting Stygian Owl spent the day, so we couldn’t deny ourselves the pleasure of seeing this lovely rare owl. And we all enjoyed watching it a lot! We continued our drive to the edge of the main plantation where the subtropical cloud forest trail started, taking a nice trail which led in a loop to the other end of the farm’s plantations through a pristine woodland habitat. Our walk began with a very productive flock of birds where Collared Trogon and Emerald Toucanet were the main attraction; other flocks were loaded with Tennessee, Magnolia, Golden-crowned and Townsend’s Warblers. We were treated to a bunch of the critically endangered Cabanis’s (also known as Azure-rumped) Tanager feeding on the tree-top fruits and fly-catching actively; there were at least eight of them flitting around the tree tops: certainly a very unexpected and pleasant surprise for us that to see this rare tanager in such an easy way! We continued with the trail downhill, looking for the elusive Resplendent Quetzal but although we heard it, we did not see this shy bird; we had, instead, great views of Emerald-chinned Hummingbird lekking.

We finally got to the end of the forest and back to the finca’s coffee plantations, where our pickup trucks were already there waiting for us, to take us to back to the house where a delicious local lunch waited for us alongside some cool refreshments and, of course, great Los Andes coffee! A bit of birding was done after lunch right at the finca. The gardens of the main house produced a bunch of great birds such as Blue-tailed Hummingbird, Long- billed Starthroat, Black-headed Saltator, Orchard Orioles, and soaring Black and Ornate Hawk-Eagles, amongst others. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was also seen, alongside American Kestrel, Tropical Kingbird, and others. As soon as the rained eased a bit we jumped in our minibus and started our journey back to Los Tarrales where we enjoyed another delicious dinner and drinks!

Day 6 Tuesday 15th November

Los Tarrales Reserve Today we enjoyed another day birding around Los Tarrales Reserve. We woke up this morning listening to the lively village within the reserve and with the unique aroma of freshly ground coffee dominating the air! We enjoyed our delicious early breakfast in order to get the most out of the morning birding around the reserve. Resident birder at Los Tarrales, Josué, greeted us by the main house and we soon got on with the birding, walking along the farm’s main track which already offered an array of great birds lit by the first fresh sunbeams of the morning while moving actively across the tree tops. And it was hard to move on when flocks of Orange- fronted, Pacific and Orange-chinned Parakeets were active on the most obvious trees, alongside Altamira, Spot- breasted and Baltimore Orioles, Red-billed Pigeons, White-bellied Chachalaca, Velasquez’s and Lineated Woodpeckers, Blue-grey and Yellow-winged Tanagers, Lesson’s (Blue-crowned) Motmot, Tropical Pewee, and White-throated Magpie-Jays. We managed to walk another good hundred metres and onto a narrower track where a patch of fresh-flowered Inga trees produced an amazing amount of species such as Clay-coloured Thrush, Altamira, Spot-breasted, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, Red-legged Honeycreepers, Tennessee Warblers, Common Tody-Flycatcher, Black-headed Saltators, Yellow Warbler, Rufous-backed Wren, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Inca Dove, Magnolia Warbler, and a very handsome Ferruginous Pygmy Owl.

It was hard to leave this spot due to the bird good activity, but we moved on, following the trail leading to the hilly woodland where other good birds were going to be spotted. Other birds spotted here were Rufous-and- white Wren, Violet Sabrewing, Grey Hawk, and Turkey and Black Vultures.

4 © Naturetrek January 17

Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya Tour Report

We continued our trek heading towards La Rinconada track where other interesting species were seen such as White-collared, Vaux’s and White-throated Swifts, and Black-and-white Warbler, amongst others. As the track narrowed up, a Prevost’s Ground Sparrow was jumping from side to side, and we heard a Rufous-breasted Spinetail which was well spotted by all of us as it was very cooperative. Another highlight along this trail was a Blue-throated Sapphire (Goldentail) perfectly perched while lekking from a tree-like bush; other birds such as Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Northern Bentbill, Common Tody-Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Masked Tityra, Yellow-throated Vireo, Spot-breasted Wren, and others, were spotted along this trail.

Full of joy and willing to take a break, we walked back to our lodge in order to have a delicious lunch followed by a little break before going out again. The early afternoon was suddenly wet with stormy rain which threatened our afternoon exploration, so we waited for a few hours in the main house. Some of us were birding in the lodge gardens from the edge of the main house; this produced a few interesting birds such as Black-headed Saltator, Baltimore, Altamira, Orchard and Spot-breasted Orioles, Summer and Flame-coloured Tanagers, and Scrub Euphonia, amongst others. The rain eased off a little bit so we decided to go for a short walk along the river trail which produced other birds such as Masked Tityra, Yellow-naped Amazon, Velasquez’s Woodpecker, Eastern Wood Pewee, and Prevost’s Ground Sparrow.

The day was coming to an end as we were running out with good birding light so we returned to our lodge for drinks, followed by a delicious dinner!

Day 7 Wednesday 16th November

Los Tarrales Reserve – Atitlan Lake Our last morning in the wonderful Los Tarrales Reserve was spent birding along the lower areas of the finca, catching up with important species we missed in the area on previous days. Our resident guide Josué was ready as usual to help us with this task so we set off for a good birding walk after our delicious local-style breakfast. We spent some of the first hours birding by riparian areas which produced a wealth of important species such as Louisiana and Northern Waterthrushes, Pacific and Orange-fronted Parakeets, Collared Aracaris, White-bellied Chachalaca, Vaux’s Swifts, Masked Tityras, Yellow-winged Tanagers, Rufous-backed Wren and a very nice Rufous-browed Peppershrike which was beautifully perched on an open branch right next to us! We continued with our walk, making another but a shorter stop which produced a very fast Long-billed Gnatwren, Ruby- throated Hummingbird, Tennessee, Yellow and Magnolia Warblers, and a nesting Northern Beardless Tyrannulet which showed himself off very well!

After an adventurous river crossing, we moved onto the tracks round some macadamia plantations which produced gorgeous and important birds such as Barred Antshrike, White-eared Ground Sparrow, an elusive Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, and an unexpected Rufous-breasted Spinetail. Other birds moved along and we all had great views of them, such as Painted Bunting, Brown-crested, Social and Boat-billed Flycatchers, and White-collared Seedeater, amongst others. Another stop just by the end of the bridge which overlooks the Atitlan Volcano produced some Black-headed Saltators, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Vireo, and a Ferruginous Pygmy Owl which was calling very close to us but rather concealed than visible. Lunch time was coming and the sun started to hit hard Los Tarrales area, so we walked back to the lodge in order to enjoy our last delicious meal in this fantastic place we all enjoyed a lot! We gave a warm farewell to our host and set off towards our next lodge located at the shore of the mighty Lake Atitlan where we arrived in the late afternoon.

Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya Tour Report

Our lovely and spacious rooms were given to us and we all retired to them for a good shower and to settle in, gathering together again to go through our checklist over beer and nibbles, followed by a very local delicious supper!

Day 8 Thursday 17th November

Volcan San Pedro Today it was an unusual day and very challenging for the ones who were ready to climb part of San Pedro Volcano. The rest of the group continued exploring a few villages located along the shore of the lake.

The trekkers set off to from Panajachel hotel on a boat journey to the village of San Pedro La Laguna, from where we drove a short distance to the entrance of the reserve, right at the foothills of the San Pedro volcano. We had a very nice time climbing up through coffee-shaded plantations and then through the highland forest which took us over 2,400 metres above sea level and from where we had terrific views of the lake and the villages surrounding them. We saw fantastic birds including the target, Horned Guan, getting terrific views of this mega rare bird!

The rest of the party continued to explore other villages along the lake’s shore and also exploring the Mirador del Rey Tepeul reserve, a good place to bird and to catch some new birds for the tour. The reserve is located on the higher slopes between Atitlan Volcano and Toliman Volcano (1900 metres), an amazing place to get a mix of highland and lowland birds as the reserve is in the foothills. We saw Common Bush Tanager (Chlorospingus), Brown-backed Solitaire, White-naped Brushfinch and dozens of Grey Silky-flycatchers. We followed a trail for about three hours, encountering a beautiful couple of Emerald Toucanets feeding on a fruiting tree; we saw them so close and for so long that we all enjoyed the birds a lot. Also we had great views of a male Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer, Mountain Elanias, Brown-capped Vireo, Philadelphia Vireo, Crescent-chested Warblers and our migrant friends that were never out of the flocks: the Wilson`s Warblers and Townsend`s Warbler.

It was time to return to Panajachel by boat, having a female Slender Sheartail along the way on some flowers, so we decided that we should stay for at least 15 minutes enjoying this lovely endemic hummingbird. The group reassembled later on in order to take a break followed by drinks and dinner at our Atitlan Lake lodge.

Day 9 Friday 18th November

Atitlan Lake (Laguna Lodge) – Guatemala City - flight to Flores. Tikal. We enjoyed another relaxing morning on the shore of the lake and in the gardens of our lovely hotel, which produced a beautiful Sparkling-tailed Woodstar, Orchard and Baltimore Orioles, and Velasquez’s Woodpecker, amongst others. After breakfast, we jumped on our boat on a short ride to Laguna Lodge reserve, where we walked the steep trails but the activity was very poor, so we decided to do some birding from the boat and along the shores of the lake which was more productive birding-wise.

We got back to the lodge with plenty of time to pack our belongings and enjoy of a lovely lunch overlooking the lake, setting off to Guatemala City right afterwards. Once in the city, we negotiated the heavy traffic into the airport and boarded our flight to the city of Flores. Here we sorted out our luggage, leaving some and taking

6 © Naturetrek January 17

Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya Tour Report

whatever we would need to explore the north, Tikal and the rest of the county of Peten. Our local guide was already there to welcome us and to transfer us to our comfortable hotel in Tikal National Park. Once checked in, we enjoyed of a delicious supper and a well-deserved rest!

Day 10 Saturday 19th November

Tikal National Park A heavy mist covered the whole area of the mystic Tikal and the early morning looked quite overcast and very humid due to the heavy rain of the previous days. After breakfast, we started to explore the main trails inside the park, heading to the main Tikal complex under a great sunny morning!

It was literally nearly impossible to advance at a normal pace once in the wide trails as the bird flocks were constant and the birding pretty much great. Rufous Piha, Collared Aracari and Bright-rumped Attilas were the very first birds that were very obliging by the trail, alongside Chestnut-coloured Woodpecker, Blue-crowned Motmot, Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Northern Bentbill, Eye-ringed Flatbill, Masked Tityra, Couch’s Kingbird and Plain Xenops. Colourful tanagers and warblers were also seen along the trails here, including flocks full of Magnolia Warblers and Olive-backed and Yellow-throated Euphonias, Red-throated Ant Tanagers, Black-and- white and Kentucky Warblers, Summer Tanager and a group of Montezuma Oropendolas.

We arrived to the main plaza of the Tikal Temples where we enjoyed the majestic Mayan archaeological site and walking and climbing the different temples whilst Miguel was telling us some history of these wonderful buildings. Ridgway’s and Northern Rough-winged Swallows were spotted flying in and out the temples, and we also spotted Yucatan Black Howler Monkeys resting during the hours of hot sun, and a group of Central American Spider Monkeys just by the hat where we had our lunch. The sun was shining more than ever and the high humidity started to affect our bodies so our delicious lunch and some refreshing beers were spot on! After lunch, we headed back to our hotel for a quick break but some of us continued birding along the old airstrip where birds such as Ocellated Turkey, Brown Jay, Olive-throated Parakeet, Roadside Hawk, Social Flycatcher, Great Kiskadee, Blue Bunting, Montezuma Oropendola, Yellow Warbler, American Redstart, White-collared Seedeater, and Barred Antshrike were seen. We also had terrific views of a beautiful Boat-billed Heron. As the light was fading away, we eventually retired to our rooms in order to take a break and get ready for dinner.

Day 11 Sunday 20th November

Tikal National Park We had a beautiful early morning in Tikal. After an early breakfast, we walked on another of the many trials this wonderful national park has, finding more beautiful birds such as Collared Aracaris by the main trail. Other flocks of birds gave us great views of Eastern Warbling, White-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireos, Wood Thrush, Brown Jays, Red-throated Ant Tanager, Worm-eating Warbler, and stunning views of the rare Black-throated Shrike-Tanager. Taking a little path adjacent to a spider web of trails, we found a large group of beautiful and very obliging White-nosed Coatis meandering along and in search for food, amazing! We encountered a great flock of birds that kept us busy a good hour; by the time we were leaving the temples the temperature was raising and the day was quite hot towards lunch time, just in time to enjoy of some refreshments and good local

Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya Tour Report

food; despite the repetitive menu, it was delicious! After lunch, once again, some of us retired to the hotel and a few of us continued birding along the main entrance road, air strip and marshes, finding interesting and also beautiful species such as Purple-crowned Fairy, Bare-throated Tiger Heron, Rufous-naped Wood Rail (a recent split from Grey-necked Wood Rail), Wood Thrush, American Redstart, Plain Chachalacas, and Magnolia and Chestnut-sided Warblers, amongst others.

We then retired to our rooms for a good shower before a delicious dinner!

Day 12 Monday 21st November

Yaxhá Archaeological Site – Villa Maya Lodge We left the lovely area of Tikal to continue with our journey heading south, in order to explore the archaeological complex of Yaxhá. This complex extends to the south of the Yaxhá River and has more than thirty pyramids, all well restored and some of them with easy access to the top. From here we could enjoy of spectacular views of the whole forest and, as it was a nice and sunny, a few raptors such as Bat Falcon, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, King Vulture and very nosy troops of Yucatan Black Howler Monkeys and Central American Spider Monkeys, all feeding along and very close to us! We had more Collared Aracari, Keel-billed Toucan, Hooded Warblers, Pale-billed Woodpecker and many more.

The day was getting a bit hot so we decided to move on and stop for lunch on the shore of Lake Yaxhá, enjoying a nice meal overlooking the lake and its surroundings. After lunch, a short stroll followed by a thirty-minute drive were taken in order to get to our hotel Villa Maya where we retired to our rooms and had a good time enjoying the surroundings of this beautiful lodge. We reassembled again for dinner and checklist as usual.

Day 13 Tuesday 22nd November

Ixpanpajul Natural Park – El Remate (Peten Itzá Lake) We started early today, birding from the lodge’s deck and enjoying the views of the lake where our lodge was set up. The weather was fairly good and, after a delicious breakfast, we drove in our minibus to Ixpanpajul, a private natural reserve. Here we had pleasant walks that produced good birds, such as Vermillion Flycatcher, White- bellied Emerald, Slaty-tailed, Black-headed and Gartered Trogons, and Golden-olive, Lineated and Pale-billed Woodpeckers, amongst others. The open areas and very obvious tree tops produced a great array of conspicuous birds such as Boat-billed Flycatcher, Couch’s and Tropical Kingbirds, Black-crowned Tityra, Brown Jay and Baltimore Oriole. The forest edges were good for some flocks of many American warblers such as Black- throated Green, Blue-winged, Black-and-white and Hooded, plus American Redstart, and the elusive Grey- headed Tanager. This tanager was working at an ant swarm where we found more interesting birds such as Northern Barred, Ivory-billed, Ruddy and Tawny-winged Woodcreepers and Red-throated Ant Tanager, amongst many others.

After this good birding walk, we found ourselves in an open dining area where we enjoyed our lunch and refreshments; then, we drove a good half hour east to the village of El Remate, located on the eastern shore of Lake Peten Itzá where we had a great time birding along a small but fairly good track.

8 © Naturetrek January 17

Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya Tour Report

Once back in the lodge we retired to our cabins in order to get ready for a delicious dinner. We had a stormy evening and night as well.

Day 14 Wednesday 23rd November

Villa Maya – Flores Island (Tayasal) – flight to Guatemala City After a nice breakfast, the unsettled weather didn’t stop us going for a good birding walk along some of the tracks of Villa Maya resort where great birds were seen such as Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Ivory-billed Woodcreeper, and Black-headed Saltator, amongst others. We then returned to our rooms to pack our belongings and have lunch together. We then took a short bus journey to the island of Flores, from where we took a boat that took us to the southern portion of the island known as Tayasal. Here we took a nice walk which produced interesting birds such as White-collared Manakin, Striped-throated Hermit, and Northern Bentbill, amongst others. Heavy rain made us come back a bit wet to Flores, where some refreshments and dinner was waiting for us before we headed to the airport in order to catch our domestic flight to Guatemala City, getting to our Guatemala City hotel an hour later than the original schedule.

Day 15 Thursday 24th November

Cerro Alux – Guatemala airport (fly to the London UK via San Salvador – Madrid) There was a leisurely start for everyone in order to enjoy a delicious breakfast. We then jumped in the bus and drove a good 30 minutes to the outskirts of the city where the lovely Cerro Alux reserve is located. It was sunny but very windy, and views from the top of the reserve were superb! We started our birding walk getting great views of Tropical Pewee, Band-backed Wren, Steller’s Jay, Red-faced Warbler, and a very nice Central American Dwarf Squirrel. Down in the trails we had great views of Greater Pewee, White-eared Hummingbird, and Spot- crowned Woodcreeper, amongst others.

After a more than two hours of great birding here, we returned to our hotel in order to get ready for our long flight to the UK and our final lunch at the hotel’s restaurant. After lunch, we headed to the international airport and checked in our flight going via San Salvador and Madrid, all in time.

Day 16 Friday 25th November

Madrid to London After a confusing change of gates in Madrid, we said goodbye to one of our fellow travellers who headed to the Netherlands, and the rest of us finally arrived in London Heathrow with no setbacks. We collected our luggage and headed off to the exit gate where we all said goodbye to each other, wishing the best to each other and hoping to catch up in another birding trip soon! We all recalled our best experiences during this tour and we were looking forward to sharing our photos and other anecdotes lived in the magical Land of the Mayas.....!!

Receive our e-newsletter

Join the Naturetrek e-mailing list and be the first to hear about new tours, additional departures and new dates, tour reports and special offers. Visit www.naturetrek.co.uk to sign up.

Tour Report Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya

Species Lists

Birds (=recorded but not counted; h = heard only) November Common name Scientific name 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 2 Great Tinamou Tinamus major h 3 Thicket Tinamou Crypturellus cinnamomeus h 6 Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis  9 Highland Guan Penelopina nigra h h 10 Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens  h h 11 Plain Chachalaca Ortalis vetula h  12 White-bellied Chachalaca Ortalis leucogastra     13 Horned Guan Oreophasis derbianus  14 Great Curassow Crax rubra  17 Spotted Wood Quail Odontophorus guttatus h 18 Singing Quail Dactylortyx thoracicus h 21 Ocellated Turkey Meleagris ocellata   24 Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps    27 Rock Dove Columba livia      28 Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata   29 Pale-vented Pigeon Patagioenas cayennensis   30 Red-billed Pigeon Patagioenas flavirostris    31 White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi h         32 White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica    33 Inca Dove Columbina inca     34 Common Ground Dove Columbina passerina  35 Ruddy Ground Dove Columbina talpacoti   38 Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis   39 (Common) Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis   42 Chestnut-collared Swift Streptoprocne rutila   43 White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris       44 Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi            45 White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis 

Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya Tour Report

November Common name Scientific name 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 46 Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennensis   49 Stripe-throated Hermit Phaethornis striigularis    50 Mexican (Green) Violetear Colibri thalassinus  h   51 Purple-crowned Fairy Heliothryx barroti  52 Green-breasted Mango Anthracothorax prevostii  53 Canivet's Emerald Chlorostilbon canivetii   54 Emerald-chinned Hummingbird Abeillia abeillei  55 Wedge-tailed Sabrewing Campylopterus pampa  56 Rufous Sabrewing Campylopterus rufus  57 Violet Sabrewing Campylopterus hemileucurus   58 Crowned Woodnymph Thalurania colombica  59 Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl    60 Blue-chested Hummingbird Amazilia amabilis  61 Cinnamon Hummingbird Amazilia rutila    62 White-bellied Emerald Amazilia candida   63 Azure-crowned Hummingbird Amazilia cyanocephala    64 Berylline Hummingbird Amazilia beryllina    65 Blue-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia cyanura     66 Blue-throated Sapphire (Goldentail) Hylocharis eliciae  67 White-eared Hummingbird Basilinna leucotis     68 Rivoli's (Magnificent) Hummingbird Eugenes fulgens    69 Long-billed Starthroat Heliomaster longirostris      70 Green-throated Mountaingem Lampornis viridipallens    71 Amethyst-throated Mountaingem Lampornis amethystinus  72 Garnet-throated Hummingbird Lamprolaima rhami  73 Slender Sheartail Doricha enicura  74 Sparkling-tailed Woodstar Tilmatura dupontii  75 Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris      78 Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris    79 Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana      h  82 Ruddy Crake Laterallus ruber h 83 Rufous-naped Wood Rail (split fr Grey-necked) Aramides albiventris   

Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya Tour Report

November Common name Scientific name 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 84 Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinicus  85 Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata    86 American Coot Fulica americana       89 Limpkin Aramus guarauna   92 Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis  95 Bare-throated Tiger Heron Tigrisoma mexicanum    96 Boat-billed Heron Cochlearius cochlearius   97 Green Heron Butorides virescens          98 Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis          99 Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias     100 Great Egret Ardea alba         101 Tricoloured Heron Egretta tricolor  102 Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea      103 Snowy Egret Egretta thula     106 Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus   109 Anhinga Anhinga anhinga    112 Killdeer Charadrius vociferus  115 Northern Jacana Jacana spinosa     118 Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius    121 Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla     122 Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus    125 Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura              126 Black Vulture Coragyps atratus               127 King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa  130 Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus  133 Black Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus tyrannus  h 134 Ornate Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus ornatus   135 Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus  136 Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii  137 Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis   138 Roadside Hawk Rupornis magnirostris    139 Common Black Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus 

Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya Tour Report

November Common name Scientific name 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 140 Great Black Hawk Buteogallus urubitinga  141 Grey Hawk Buteo plagiatus     142 Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus     143 Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus  144 Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis  147 Northern Pygmy Owl Glaucidium gnoma h 148 Ferruginous Pygmy Owl Glaucidium brasilianum  h h 149 Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus  150 Stygian Owl Asio styrgius  151 Mottled Owl Strix virgata  h  152 Black-and-white Owl Strix nigrolineata h 155 Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno h h 156 Slaty-tailed Trogon Trogon massena   157 Black-headed Trogon Trogon melanocephalus      158 Gartered Trogon Trogon caligatus      159 Mountain Trogon Trogon mexicanus h  160 Collared Trogon Trogon collaris h  163 Rufous-tailed Jacamar Galbula ruficauda h  166 White-whiskered Puffbird Malacoptila panamensis  169 Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus h   h    170 Chestnut-coloured Woodpecker Celeus castaneus  171 Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus h   172 Golden-olive Woodpecker Colaptes rubiginosus        173 Pale-billed Woodpecker Campephilus guatemalensis     174 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius  175 Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus     176 Velasquez's Woodpecker (split fr Golden-fronted) Melanerpes santacruzi h          177 Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus   178 Smoky-brown Woodpecker Picoides fumigatus  181 Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus    182 Emerald Toucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus h   183 Collared Aracari Pteroglossus torquatus      

Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya Tour Report

November Common name Scientific name 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 186 Tody Motmot Hylomanes momotula  h 187 Blue-throated Motmot Aspatha gularis  h 188 Lesson's Motmot (Blue-diademed) Momotus lessonii    189 Turquoise-browed Motmot Eumomota superciliosa    192 Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata    193 Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon    194 Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana    197 Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans  h 198 Barred Forest Falcon Micrastur ruficollis h 199 Collared Forest Falcon Micrastur semitorquatus h 200 Northern Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway  201 American Kestrel Falco sparverius    202 Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis    203 Orange-breasted Falcon Falco deiroleucus   204 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus  207 Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis     208 Brown-hooded Parrot Pyrilia haematotis  209 White-crowned Parrot Pionus senilis    210 Yucatan Amazon (Yellow-lored Parrot) Amazona xantholora  211 Yellow-naped Amazon (Parrot) Amazona auropalliata    212 Olive-throated Parakeet Eupsittula nana      213 Orange-fronted Parakeet Eupsittula canicularis   214 Pacific Parakeet Psittacara strenuus      217 Whire-bearded Manakin Manacus manacus  218 Red-capped Manakin Ceratopipra mentalis  h 219 Long-tailed Manakin Chiroxiphia linearis   222 Rufous Piha Lipaugus unirufus  225 Northern Royal Flycatcher Onychorhynchus mexicanus h 226 Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher Terenotriccus erythrurus h 227 Black-crowned Tityra Tityra inquisitor  228 Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata          229 Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae     

Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya Tour Report

November Common name Scientific name 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 232 Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes oleagineus   233 Sepia-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon amaurocephalus  234 Eye-ringed Flatbill Rhynchocyclus brevirostris    235 Yellow-olive Flycatcher Tolmomyias sulphurescens   236 Northern Bentbill Oncostoma cinereigulare   h h h 237 Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum     238 Stub-tailed Spadebill Platyrinchus cancrominus  239 Paltry Tyrannulet Zimmerius vilissimus  240 Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet Ornithion semiflavum   241 Northern Beardless Tyrannulet Camptostoma imberbe  242 Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster  243 Mountain Elaenia Elaenia frantzii  244 Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis viridicata  245 Bright-rumped Attila Attila spadiceus  h   246 Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius h 247 Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus      248 Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua      249 Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis            250 Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus           251 Couch's Kingbird Tyrannus couchii  252 Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis  253 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus  254 Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer h    255 Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus   256 Yucatan Flycatcher Myiarchus yucatanensis   257 Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus        258 Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus  259 Northern Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus  260 Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans  261 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris       262 Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus h     263 Hammond's Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii  

Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya Tour Report

November Common name Scientific name 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 264 Pine Flycatcher Empidonax affinis   265 Buff-breasted Flycatcher Empidonax fulvifrons  266 Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi  267 Greater Pewee Contopus pertinax     268 Western Wood Pewee Contopus sordidulus  269 Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus    270 Belted Flycatcher Xenotriccus callizonus h 273 Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus   h  276 Mayan Antthrush Formicarius moniliger h 279 Tawny-throated Leaftosser Sclerurus mexicanus h 280 Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus   281 Ruddy Woodcreeper Dendrocincla homochroa  282 Tawny-winged Woodcreeper Dendrocincla anabatina  283 Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus   284 Northern Barred Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae  285 Ivory-billed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus flavigaster      286 Spot-crowned Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes affinis      287 Plain Xenops Xenops minutus   288 Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner Anabacerthia variegaticeps  289 Rufous-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis erythrothorax    292 Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis h h 293 Green Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius pulchellus  294 White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus      295 Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons        296 Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius     297 Hutton's Vireo Vireo huttoni    298 Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus    299 Brown-capped Vireo Vireo leucophrys  300 Philadelphia Vireo Vireo philadelphicus  301 Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus  302 Tawny-crowned Greenlet Hylophilus ochraceiceps   303 Lesser Greenlet Hylophilus decurtatus        

Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya Tour Report

November Common name Scientific name 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 306 Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri h   307 Brown Jay Psilorhinus morio      308 White-throated Magpie-Jay Cyanocorax formosa     309 Bushy-crested Jay Cyanocorax melanocyaneus     h 312 House Sparrow Passer domesticus      315 Blue-crowned Chlorophonia Chlorophonia occipitalis  316 Scrub Euphonia Euphonia affinis    317 Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea      318 Olive-backed Euphonia Euphonia gouldi    319 Hooded Grosbeak Hesperiphona abeillei  320 Lesser Goldfinch Spinus psaltria    321 Black-headed Siskin Spinus notatus   324 Common Bush Tanager Chlorospingus flavopectus   325 Chestnut-capped Brushfinch Arremon brunneinucha  326 Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus  327 White-naped Brushfinch Atlapetes albinucha h 328 Prevost's Ground Sparrow Melozone biarcuata   329 White-eared Ground Sparrow Melozone leucotis h  330 Rusty Sparrow Aimophila rufescens  331 Yellow-eyed Junco Junco phaeonotus  332 Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis    335 Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla h    336 Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorum       337 Louisiana Waterthrush Parkesia motacilla  338 Northern Waterthrush Parkesia noveboracensis h   339 Golden-winged Warbler Vermivora chrysoptera   340 Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora cyanoptera   341 Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia              342 Crescent-chested Warbler Oreothlypis superciliosa   343 Tennessee Warbler Leiothlypis peregrina             344 Nashville Warbler Leiothlypis ruficapilla    345 MacGillivray's Warbler Geothlypis tolmiei   

Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya Tour Report

November Common name Scientific name 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 346 Kentucky Warbler Geothlypis formosa   347 Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas  348 Hooded Warbler Setophaga citrina       349 American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla      350 Northern Parula Setophaga americana  351 Magnolia Warbler Setophaga magnolia           352 Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia      353 Yellow-throated Warbler Setophaga dominica  354 Townsend's Warbler Setophaga townsendi        355 Black-throated Green Warbler Setophaga virens         356 Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons    357 Golden-browed Warbler Basileuterus belli   358 Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus        359 Wilson's Warbler Cardellina pusilla              360 Red-faced Warbler Cardellina rubrifrons  361 Pink-headed Warbler Cardellina versicolor  362 Slate-throated Whitestart Myioborus miniatus          365 Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens   366 Yellow-billed Cacique Amblycercus holosericeus h  h 367 Montezuma Oropendola Psarocolius montezuma    368 Altamira Oriole Icterus gularis   369 Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula          370 Spot-breasted Oriole Icterus pectoralis   371 Black-vented Oriole Icterus wagleri    372 Black-cowled Oriole Icterus prosthemelas  373 Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius      374 Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus    375 Giant Cowbird Molothrus oryzivorus  376 Melodious Blackbird Dives dives             377 Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus               380 Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus       381 Painted Bunting Passerina ciris 

Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya Tour Report

November Common name Scientific name 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 382 Blue Bunting Cyanocompsa parellina  383 Blue Seedeater Amaurospiza concolor  384 Red-throated Ant Tanager Habia fuscicauda   h  385 Rose-throated Tanager Piranga roseogularis   386 White-winged Tanager Piranga leucoptera       387 Summer Tanager Piranga rubra h           388 Flame-coloured Tanager Piranga bidentata  389 Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana       h 390 Black-faced Grosbeak Caryothraustes poliogaster  393 Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer Diglossa baritula    394 Grey-headed Tanager Eucometis penicillata  395 Black-throated Shrike-Tanager Lanio aurantius   396 Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus     397 White-collared Seedeater Sporophila torqueola          398 Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps    399 Greyish Saltator Saltator coerulescens     400 Blue-grey Tanager Tangara episcopus         401 Yellow-winged Tanager Tangara abbas     402 Cabanis's (Azure-rumped) Tanager Tangara cabanisi  405 American Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota  406 Mangrove Swallow Tachycineta albilinea    407 Grey-breasted Martin Progne chalybea        408 Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis          409 Ridgway's Rough-winged Swallow S. serripennis ridgwayi   410 Black-capped Swallow Notiochelidon pileata     414 Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa  417 Grey Silky-flycatcher Ptiliogonys cinereus   420 Brown Creeper (American Treecreeper) Certhia americana  423 House Wren Troglodytes aedon h        424 Rufous-browed Wren Troglodytes rufociliatus  h 425 Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus    426 Rufous-backed Wren (split fr Rufous-naped) Campylorhynchus capistratus   

Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya Tour Report

November Common name Scientific name 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 427 Spot-breasted Wren Pheugopedius maculipectus h  h     428 Rufous-and-white Wren Thryophilus rufalbus h h h 429 Cabanis's (Plain) Wren Cantorchilus modestus h  h 430 White-breasted Wood Wren Henicorhina leucosticta h h h   431 Grey-breasted Wood Wren Henicorhina leucophrys  h  434 Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus    435 Blue-grey Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea    h   438 Blue-and-white Mockingbird Melanotis hypoleucus  h  439 Grey Catbird Dumetella carolinensis    440 Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus    443 Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis   444 Brown-backed Solitaire Myadestes occidentalis h h  445 Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina      446 Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus      447 Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush Catharus frantzii h h 448 Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus aurantiirostris h  449 Mountain Thrush Turdus plebejus  450 White-throated Thrush Turdus assimilis   451 Clay-coloured Thrush Turdus grayi           452 Black Thrush Turdus infuscatus  453 Rufous-collared Thrush Turdus rufitorques    

Mammals 1 Yucatan Black Howler Monkey Alouatta pigra    h h 2 Central American Spider Monkey Ateles geoffroyi    3 White-nosed Coati Nasua narica     4 Central American Agouti Dasyprocta punctata        5 Yucatan Squirrel Sciurus yucatanensis     6 Variegated Squirrel Sciurus variegatoides        7 Central American Dwarf Squirrel Microsciurus alfari  8 White-tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus    9 Grey Fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus  

Guatemala – Birding in the Realm of the Maya Tour Report

November Common name Scientific name 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 10 Greater Fishing Bat Noctilio leporinus  11 Neotroprical Fruit Bat Artibeus sp. 

Other wildlife 1 Morelet's Crocodile Crocodylus moreletii     2 Anolis Lizard sp. Anolis sp.   3 Fence Lizard Sceloporus smaragdinus  4 Rainbow Ameiva Holcosus (Ameiva) undulata  5 Helm Basilisk Basiliscus basiliscus 6 Striped Basilisk Basiliscus vittatus   7 Dwarf Toad Anaxyrus sp.  8 Cane Toad Rhinella marina  9 Red-eared Slider turtle Trachemis scripta  10 Common Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina  A green shieldbug Palomena sp. 

Naturetrek Facebook

We are delighted to launch the Naturetrek Facebook page so that participants of Naturetrek tours can remain in touch after the holiday and share photos, comments and future travel plans.

Setting up a personal profile at www.facebook.com is quick, free and easy. The Naturetrek Facebook page is now live; do please pay us a visit!