Belize & Tikal

Naturetrek Tour Report 20 February - 6 March 2010

Hooded Warbler – duPlooys Tody Motmot - duPlooys (Photo: Adrian Fisher)

Dawn at Dawson’s Creek, Lamanai Collared Aracari - Tikal

Report and images compiled by Peter Dunn

Naturetrek Cheriton Mill Cheriton Alresford Hampshire SO24 0NG England T: +44 (0)1962 733051 F: +44 (0)1962 736426 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report Belize & Tikal

Caribbean Stingray - Hol Chan (photo: Monica Fisher) Green Turtle - Hol Chan (Photo: Monica Fisher)

Orange-breasted Falcon - Tikal (photo: Adrian Fisher) Naturetrek Group at Tikal (photo: Adrian Fisher)

Naturetrek Group at duPlooys (photo: Mike Williams) Macal River, duPlooys (photo: Mike Williams)

2 © Naturetrek March 10

Tour Report Belize & Tikal

Tour leader: Peter Dunn (Naturetrek Leader) Peter (RePete) Herrera (Main local guide)

Other local guides: Freddy (duPlooys garden) Benedicto (Tikal) Reuben & Maurizio (Lamanai)

Participants: Michael Williams Joan Williams Cherie Wilcox Adrian Fisher Monica Fisher Yvonne Rissone

Introduction

Belize, once a British dependency, still has strong British links, and its thick tropical rain forest is still used for jungle warfare training by the British military. Together with neighbouring Guatemala it is one of the densest forests in Central America. During this visit we took advantage of local transport and expertise to see this and other habitats.

Day 1 Saturday 20th February

In flight to Newark The entire group were bright and early at Terminal 4 to catch our Continental flight into Newark, New Jersey. Peter managed to meet all at check in and we then sat back to enjoy the entertainment on the eight hour flight to the states. The customs and immigration were exceptionally smooth and in no time we were reunited with our bags and caught the hotel shuttle to the Ramada Hotel where we spent the night.

Day 2 Sunday 21st February

Newark to Belize. Burrell Boom Baboon Sanctuary. Sunny and fresh in Newark, hot & sunny in Belize We met bright and early at 5.45 to catch the 6am shuttle back to Newark airport. On the drive the sun was just staring to rise and the familiar shape of New York City could be seen on the horizon.

We checked in and went through security to find we had adequate time to sit together and have a leisurely breakfast before boarding our empty flight (only 31 passengers) for the four hour journey to Belize. Passing over the US heartlands we crossed the Gulf of Mexico and followed the Yucatan Peninsula down to Belize, landing around 12.45 pm Central American time (6 hours behind the UK).

Our local guide, also called Peter (and nick-named RePete!!) met us outside the terminal and with bags packed onto the coach we set off for the Black Orchid resort at Burrell Boom – a new venue for Naturetrek.

Belize & Tikal Tour Report

The accommodation was clean and new and we had new birds in the car park (American Redstart and Yellow Warbler) before unpacking and freshening up and a light lunch of BLT sandwiches, huge chunky chips and some trying the traditional red Fanta!! After lunch we boarded the bus to head to the baboon sanctuary.

The sanctuary is land that the locals had volunteered to put aside to help protect the habitat for the Yucatan Black Howler Monkey, but the journey to there was broken with sightings of Wood Storks, Black-collared Hawk and best a Bare-throated Tiger Heron. On arrival at the sanctuary we were given a small introduction to the project started back in the 80’s and gaining some support from WWF before going out for a short walk to the forest edge. We started notching up birds fast and thick, with a King Vulture flying over, a pair of brilliant Vermillion Flycatchers, two Acorn Woodpeckers and a dark example of the American Peregrine Falcon. Our local guide Robert said he 99.9% guaranteed howler monkeys and he was not wrong as a small party (two adults with two young) were found close to the forest edge and were watched at close range. When Robert brought out some bananas it was closer still and some group members offered bananas by hand which were gently taken by the adults while holding onto the trees with their prehensile tails. A big thrill for all!

Returning to the Black Orchid we stooped for a few birds with Pale-vented Pigeon, Orchard Oriole, Common Tody Flycatcher and Common Yellowthroat added. We arrived back at the hotel just before dusk and met up for dinner at 7.30pm, completing the log afterwards. A good start to the trip and everyone retired, looking forward to our visit to Crooked Tree the next day

Day 3 Monday 22nd February

Crooked Tree Reserve. Hot and sunny, temperature up to 40C Some of the group met up at 6.30am and we wondered around the hotel garden and to the river bank. A southern House Wren put on a good show and we had Aztec Parakeet in a tree and two ‘amazonia’ parrots (probably Red-lored) fly over. Down by the river was a photogenic Green Heron, a Northern Waterthrush and brief views of Yellow-throated Warbler. Breakfast was served at 7am and we met RePete at 8am for our day out in Crooked Tree, not before seeing a Golden-fronted Woodpecker attacking some coconuts.

The road to Crooked Tree (The Northern Highway) was punctuated with stops for Lineated Woodpecker, Lesser Yellow-headed (Savannah) Vultures, Roadside Hawks, Spiny-tailed (Black) Iguanas and a nice little pull off to see a pair of magnificent Jabiru Storks on a nest. It also became apparent then and throughout the day that Vermillion Flycatcher was now an extremely common breeding bird, seen almost around every bend.

We arrived at the Crooked Tree Reserve centre at 9:30am and stopped on the causeway to check the open water. New species included Snail Kites, American Coot, Pied-billed Grebes and Blue-winged Teal on the water and Blue-winged, Black and White, and Hooded Warblers on the land. We continued down to the visitors' centre to sign in then took a trail along the lagoon to Birds Eye View where we had our lunch of chicken burgers or bacon sandwiches with salad and oat biscuits. With the heat at its highest we opted to rest in the shade of the restaurant seeing Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Gull-billed Terns and Ringed-necked Duck from comfortable chairs. After lunch we drove to the pine savannah to check for other species but with the heat still quite overpowering and only finding Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Black-throated Green Warblers we opted for a journey back to the hotel for some to use the pool – pausing at the Jabiru nest in better light.

2 © Naturetrek March 10

Belize & Tikal Tour Report

An excellent first full day, we met at 7pm to do the day's log followed by dinner and a discussion on tomorrow’s journey to the western rainforests at duPlooys.

Day 4 Tuesday 23rd February

Guanacaste and duPlooys via Burrell Boom-Hattieville Road. Overcast, clearing to hot. Early morning wander in the grounds produced Tropical Peewee and a Roadside Hawk capturing a Clay- coloured Thrush. We had breakfast at 7am and settled our bills before leaving Black Orchid to start our stay in the rainforest of Belize. We headed west on the Western Highway heading for Hattieville. The sky was overcast but it was humid and we travelled the road checking out birds on trees, most of which were Roadside Hawks or Black Vultures.

We arrived at the Guanacaste National Park, just outside the capital Belmopan and spent a fruitful two hours walking the short trail. Even in the car park there were interesting sightings; Olive-backed Euphonia and male Summer Tanagers. At the birders desk we found a female Chestnut-sided Warbler and our first Collared Aracari. Further along on the ‘swimming deck’ where Roaring Creek meets the Belize River, a female Summer Tanager was acting like a flycatcher and a Southern Rough Winged Swallows fed over the river. Back at the car park we then headed into Belmopan.

As we were a little early RePete took us on a tour of the capital city pointing out some of the prominent buildings such as embassies and ‘capital hill’, the Country’s governmental buildings designed like a Mayan temple. We lunched at the Bullfrog Inn in Belmopan (our regular stop) and after a short rest we headed west again, pausing to check an area for Crested Caracara (not there) and to look at the ponds on the entrance road to duPlooys (mostly dried up).

Arriving at duPlooys around 2.30pm we were shown to our rooms before meeting up on the deck for drinks at four. Some opted to relax on the deck whilst others explored the area around the car park. The Kinkajous arrived at the bird table at dusk before we went to the restaurant where we tried to do our log and had our evening meal but the generator broke down and the meal was finished by the light of oil lamps. We retired to our rooms for an early night because of the lack of light, thankfully the power was restored a couple of hours later to power up the ceiling fans.

Day 5 Wednesday 24th February duPlooys Jungle Lodge. Cloudy start, burning off to hot sunshine We met at the deck around 6am to coffee and tea and waited for the wildlife to visit the freshly filled bird table. First to arrive were the Plain Chachalacas, followed by Brown Jays and then one or two Collared Aracaris. Red- throated Ant-tanagers added a splash of colour and ‘spotty’ Wood Thrushes hunted in the leaf litter.

Following breakfast we took the river side trail. At the bottom of the steps Peter succeeded in calling out a Tody Motmot which Adrian succeeded in photographing, and around the river were Black Phoebes and Northern Rough Winged Swallows. Walking the trail along the river we had fleeting, though distant views of Bat Falcon Green Iguana and Keel-billed Toucan.

Belize & Tikal Tour Report

Continuing to the garden exit we came across a lot of activity in one area and a short stay here produced species such as Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Northern Bentbill, Stub-tailed Spadebill, Yellow-olive Flycatcher and Worm- eating Warbler.

Exiting the forest near to the pond we surprised a nice Amazon Kingfisher and had both Black-headed and Violaceous Trogons, scope views. A very successful morning, we returned to the lodges to freshen up before lunch on the deck and relax before a trip to Chaa Creek Blue Morpho farm.

We gathered at 2pm and travelled back along the entrance road to Chaa Creek, another ‘Jungle Lodge’ complex that had a small museum and butterfly breeding project. After checking the museum we were given a tour of the Blue Morpho breeding project which is now just for education but was once commercial. We spent a little time in the enclosure with the gaudy adults, some of which were actively laying eggs and then shown the various stages of its lifecycle. At the latter site we were interrupted by an Ovenbird feeding under the trees.

After the butterflies we had a brief look around the hill but it was starting to get very windy and it was decided to head back and walk a trail near to the entrance of duPlooys. Unfortunately this proved to be very quiet with brief views of Black and White Warbler and a Masked Tityra and as the light was closing in with heavy clouds and the wind increasing we opted to head back to the lodges for some free time before dinner.

Day 6 Thursday 25th February duPlooys Jungle Lodge. Early cloud clearing to hot sunshine Back on the deck with a good coffee and a parade of birds coming to the bird table. First to arrive were the Red-crowned Ant-tanagers, Collared Aracaris and Deppe Squirrel.

After breakfast we me our guide Freddy, who was to show us around the Botanical Garden. He told us about the history of the place and the medicinal properties of many of the plants we passed, while the Peters pointed out various birds such as Golden-olive Woodpecker, Ovenbird and Red-legged Honeycreepers. We headed uphill to the ‘fire tower’ which gave a panoramic view across the gardens and over the tree tops. From here we had good views of Keel-billed Toucans, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher and a Yellow-bellied Elaenia. Wandering back through the gardens we passed trough the orchid house and came across a fruiting tree enabling good views of Greyish Saltater and Yellow-winged Tanagers.

Lunch was arranged for 12:30 and then some free time during the early afternoon, some relaxing in their hammocks, other trying the canoeing on the river.

Both Peters and Yvonne met at 4pm for a walk down the entrance road as others caught up with their photos around the site. Red-lored and White-fronted Parrots flew around and a small group of Groove-billed Ani fed on the road side. Peter tried a Pygmy Owl call and soon we heard one replying and it came and landed in the tree above us. Finding it was another problem and a good five minutes later RePete located it and we had great ‘scope views as it called and bounced on a branch. We continued a little further and were met by Monica and Adrian arriving back from their canoe trip. Fortunately the owl had followed us down the road and was still in view for them. A nice end to the day and we returned to freshen up before our last evening meal at duPlooys jungle heaven!

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Belize & Tikal Tour Report

Day 7 Friday 26th February

Transfer duPlooys to Tikal. Sunny and pleasantly warm After a cooler night we met on the deck for the last morning at duPlooys to be greeted by the news that there was a strike in Guatemala and the border was closed. During breakfast the Peters were making hasty phone calls and looking at alternative plans but eventually our Guatemalan ground agent told us that we could walk across and remain at his hotel until passports were stamped. We therefore set off at the agreed time (9am) stopping en route to photograph a Roadside Hawk eating prey and also a Solitary Sandpiper.

At the border we could hear all sorts of partying music and shouting and the Guatemalans were having a party as part of their strike. We were told that we could walk across to the border hotel owned by Marco, the ground agent, where we waited for the immigration officer to deal with the passports. At first it did not seem too good as apparently the immigration stamp had gone missing and there was talk of taking us to Tikal with no stamp in the passport but this was definitely a no no. As we ate our lunch, we started to make plans for a return into Belize but by some miracle the ground agent took the passports into the immigration post and they came back with the required stamp and we were on our way!

Leaving the border town there were plenty of road works on the limestone covered surface but then suddenly we were on smooth tarmac, something we had not seen in this area before and we were soon arriving at on the shore of Lake Peten where we saw Snail Kite, Royal Terns and some nice Scrub Euphonia.

We then continued onto Tikal arriving about the right time to book into our hotel for the next two nights, The Jungle Lodge. We met up at 4.30 to do a short walk around the grounds and the nearby pond. The grounds were very productive with Bright-rumped Attila and Brown-crested Flycatcher in the same tree, whilst a troop of Spider Monkeys took our attention with a Crested Guan fed on date palm. The lake held the usual Morelet’s Crocodile and a Ringed Kingfisher and a flowering tree was like a magnet to hummers and tanagers, with a While-bellied Emerald competing for nectar with a Purple-crowned Fairy and both Orchard and Baltimore Orioles feeding on the flowers. Last but not least we got to grips with the ID features of Ridgeway’s Rough- winged Swallow and Red-lored Parrots. After a great start to our Tikal visit we headed back to the hotel to shower and change for dinner and the log.

Day 8 Saturday 27th February

Tikal. Cloudy first and pleasantly warm. Sunny later and getting warmer We met in the darkness of the dining room for ‘warm’ coffee at 6am, then started to walk down the old runway which is now the car park. Montezuma Oropendola was the first species we saw as it got light with noisy Brown Jays following. Close to the wood we could see a White-tailed Deer browsing and both Red-lored and White- fronted Parrots squabbled in the trees. Feeding under the trees, were Hooded and Kentucky Warblers and Mangrove and White-eyed Vireos moved about the canopy. Walking back for breakfast we met Benedicto (Ben) who was to be our guide for Tikal itself and he arranged the tickets as we had our breakfast.

After breakfast we headed off with Ben to visit the Tikal Mayan complex. We tried to keep away from the main tourist routes as we visited Temple 4, the Lost World and through to the Main Plaza.

Belize & Tikal Tour Report

While Ben explained all about the Maya, people, culture and the significance of the buildings we walked around, both Peters pointed out various birds such as Eye-ringed Flatbill, Black-faced Ant-thrush, Wedge-billed Woodcreeper and the splendid Orange-breasted Falcon at Temple 4, which was seen even better by those who climbed to the top. A good find was a migrant Olive-sided Flycatcher (a migrant from as far as Canada) and Adrian found a Strong-billed Woodcreeper, new for the trip. After a good morning in the complex we made our way back to the hotel for lunch, thanking Ben for his wealth of knowledge.

During the afternoon, free time was used by some to revisit some of the temples whilst other relaxed or used the hotel's pool. There were new sightings by various members of the group, including Ruddy Quail Dove and Grey-headed Tanager by Adrian and Monica and Northern Barred Woodcreeper by Mike and Joan.

We did our last Guatemalan log before dinner and then to bed for an early start back to Belize in the morning.

Day 9 Sunday 28th February

Leave Tikal and journey overland to Lamanai. Sunny and cool start, warming up Breakfast was at 6.30am and Juan Carlos our Guatemalan driver arrived at 7am and we were packed and boarded the coach by 7.30 for our overland trip to Belize. After a short stop at a gift shop in a local village (where a flowering tree had half a dozen Green-breasted Mangos feeding) we settled back for the trip to the border, stopping for a White-tailed Kite in a tree. Crossing back into Belize was a doddle compared to the other day when there was a strike and we were processed quickly and back on the road within 30 minutes. We made haste to our lunch stop at a pleasant roadside restaurant called ‘Cheers’ for rice and beans or sandwiches and the garden here had Yellow-faced Grassquit as a new species for the list.

We continued towards our rendezvous with the Lamanai bus, opting to meet it at Burrell Boom instead of the airport to save time. We were first to arrive and while we waited for our transfer we were entertained by a soaring Jabiru. A swift transfer and we were heading north towards Orange Walk where our boat was waiting to whisk us down the New River to Lamanai. Our captain, George, knew we were wildlife watchers so took every opportunity to stop and show us sightings, some of which were new to us. There seemed to be something to watch around every bend. Ringed Kingfishers and a couple of Snail Kites entertained whilst a basking Morelet’s Crocodile allowed a close approach to be photographed. Secretive Yellow-crowned Night-herons and a Boat- billed Heron were found and a charming group of Fork-tailed Flycatchers looked like oversized Long-tailed Tits.

We eventually arrived at the Lamanai dock to be greeted by Reuben and were quickly shown to our cabins. We met in the bar after freshening up and completed our log before an excellent meal and retiring to bed, ready for an early start in the morning.

Day 10 Monday 1st March

Lamanai – temples and night spotting. We met at 5.45am for coffee and blueberry muffins, after which Peter & RePete took the group out along the village road to see the dawn activities. Amongst the early morning calls of Melodious Blackbirds and Great- tailed Grackles were the staccato calls of Barred Antshrike, parrots and parakeets.

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Belize & Tikal Tour Report

Common Yellowthroats teased but were not clearly seen however Black-headed Trogon and Blue-crowned Motmot were. A Bright-rumped Attila seemed anxious at our presence and a colourful Black-cowled Oriole fed on palm flowers. We returned along the same road ready for Breakfast at 7.30

After breakfast we took a short boat ride to Lamanai pier to start our tour of the Mayan site. Peter H explained the history and structure of the temples and plazas as we did a circular tour of the site. It appeared quiet for wildlife when we set off but as we got to the mask temple we found a ‘pocket’ of birds including Chestnut- coloured Woodpecker, Plain Xenops, Yellow-olive Flycatcher and a Black-throated Shrike-tanager. From here we looped through the forest calling at a huge fig tree and finding three Smokey-brown Woodpeckers feeding together before continuing on towards the high temple. Another ‘pocket’ of birds produced Red-crowned Ant- tanager and a Royal Flycatcher and at the High Temple we were side tracked from the history by a nice perched Bat Falcon, seen through the telescope. Passing through the ball court we arrived at the jaguar temple where we also saw a few howler monkeys and then on to the dock for the boat ride back to the lodge for lunch.

By 3pm the heat of the day was subsiding (almost) and a few met up to walk to the sugar mill. It was relatively quiet down the main track past the Spanish church and only Summer Tanagers were of note. We arrived at the sugar mill to look at the structure and history but few birds again so we headed towards the Lamanai site, where Peter D managed to call out a shy Thrush-like Schiffornis. Walking on we found a troop of Howler Monkeys which started to ‘howl’ before we left. We eventually got to the dock and Peter H radioed for a boat.

The boat took us back to the outpost in time to freshen up for dinner after which we were going out with Reuben for a spotlight safari. Kitted out in warm coats and insect repellent we boarded the boat and headed back up river towards Shipyard, seeing eyes of kinkajou and crocodiles on the way. Both American Pygmy and Green Kingfishers were found asleep as was a diminutive Wilson’s Warbler. The first of three Northern Potoos was sitting on a dead tree, looking like an extension of the wood and the rufous necks of Yucatan Nightjars were seen. Reuben explained about the night-flowering Provision Tree flower (with some fine examples) and finally ended the night with a superb roosting adult Agami Heron before heading back to the lodge.

Day 11 Tuesday 2nd March

Lamanai – savannah and evening cruise. Hot and sunny all day We gathered at the restaurant at 5.30am for coffee/tea and blueberry muffins before heading down to the dock at 6am to join Maurizio for a walk on the savannah. We took the boat into Dawson’s Creek where we saw some of the birds we spotlighted such as Snail Kite, Green Kingfishers and a Yellow-crowned Night-heron. We made our landing and walked onto the savannah. The sun was just starting to rise when we heard the first Botteri’s Sparrows and they were eventually seen. Red-lored and White-fronted Parrots were noisily awakening and we tracked down a pair of Grey-crowned Yellowthroats which were seen through the telescopes. Amongst the pines we found Acorn Woodpeckers and their ‘pock-marked’ trees where they stored the acorns and a small group of Chipping Sparrows were flushed from the grass. Maurizio spotted a distant Yellow-headed Parrot which was seen through the ‘scopes before it flew off and an obliging Aplomado Falcon gave great views. As we returned to the boat, Peter D managed to call out a pair of Yucatan Woodpeckers which clearly showed their smaller size and bill and the yellow above the beak, but a calling Yucatan Flycatcher was not found.

Belize & Tikal Tour Report

The boat journey back was productive with Bare-throated Tiger Heron, Snail Kite, Green Kingfisher and a Savannah Vulture but none of us saw the Sun Grebe which disappeared into the vegetation that Maurizio saw. . Following breakfast we walked through the village allotments taking a circular route back to the centre. This was very productive when we found small groups of Indigo Buntings and White-collared Seedeaters. Amongst them we managed to see Green-backed Sparrow, Blue Black Grassquit, Blue Bunting and Blue Grosbeaks and a pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. A number of oriole species fed on flowering trees, including Black-cowled, Orchard, Yellow-tailed and Yellow-backed and another Savannah Vulture soared close overheard. Walking back to the lodge we found a pair of large flycatchers which would not call and after all our deliberations we opted for ‘possible’ Brown-crested.

Following lunch, the group spent time relaxing and we met up at the dock at 4 pm for the ‘sunset cruise’ again with Maurizio. This cruise is on the flat platform boat with tables and chairs and a small ‘bar’ and nibbles. Setting off across the lagoon we headed for ‘Nico’s Creek’ where we spent a comfortable two hours, watching the birdlife, over a few drinks. Notable birds here were Black-crowned Night-heron, Bare-throated Tiger-heron and three wild Muscovy Ducks. We had our last dinner at Lamanai after completing the day’s log, before retiring for another early start in the morning.

Day 12 Wednesday 3rd March

Lamanai to Ambergris Caye. Sunny and warm with a refreshing breeze, cloudy on the Caye We started our last morning at Lamanai with a shuttle car journey at 6 am to the airstrip to watch the sun rising then we walked slowly back towards the village. White-fronted Parrots were active and a pair of Keel-billed Toucans crossed the runway, whilst an Altamira Oriole was later identified from photos. Some howlers starting roaring in the distance and soon we were surrounded by what sounded like three troops along the airfield. As we headed back along the road a shy Olive Sparrow was only seen by a few and a pair of Couch’s Kingbirds gave their distinctive call. We turned onto the track that led down through the allotments where again we had a good scattering of grosbeaks and finches. A fine male Blue Grosbeak was the first and a flock of Black-headed Saltater followed, then a pair of Plain-breasted Ground-doves. As we neared the end of the track there was more bird activity with Blue and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Blue Black Grassquits, Orchard, Yellow-tailed and Black- cowled Orioles and Collared Aracari. Arriving back into the Lodge grounds Adrian spotted a nice male White- collared Mannikin feeding on berries.

Following breakfast the rest of the morning was spent catching up on photo opportunites, settling bills before lunch then our Tropic Air flight to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye from the jungle airstrip. We said our goodbyes to Maurizio whose farewell presents were three nice White-collared Puffbirds close to the restaurant. Soon we were crossing Belize, over Crooked Tree and across the sea to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye.

After settling in at the Banana Beach we had a walk to a small bird sanctuary alongside the Xanadu Hotel and the feeders at Caribbean Villas. We were soon finding birds; White-winged Dove, more Black Catbirds and a Yucatan Vireo at the former and the latter had two Tennessee Warblers, two Northern Parula, a Cinnamon Hummingbird and a hawk that we decided to be a juvenile Broad-wing but warrants further investigation. Walking back along the coast produced Brown Pelican, Laughing Gulls and Royal Terns and Magnificent

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Belize & Tikal Tour Report

Frigatebirds patrolling the coast. We completed our log at the hotel before a short taxi ride to Celi’s Restaurant for dinner where we experienced a beach barbeque, before returning to Banana Beach for a nightcap.

Day 13 Thursday 4th March

Ambergris Caye. Hot and sunny The day dawned overcast and there was a threat of rain (only a few drops occurred) but this did not deter three of the group joining the Peters for a walk down towards the water treatment plant. After an early morning coffee and tea we set off at 6.30am along the road. At first it appeared quiet and a big disappointment was the development of the old water treatment pools and no access. However walking a little further we manage to check the first big pool which had Willet, Black-necked Stilt and a nice Clapper Rail. The first of a number of ‘orange-headed’ Mangrove Warblers were tempted out of the trees and the next small pool had a number of stilts and nice Sora Rail. We could hear a Yucatan Woodpecker calling and with a little persuasion it came into view so we could appreciate the smaller bill and yellow forehead.

A small group of waders were found on the last pool including Lesser Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper and both Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers. Walking back we saw a number of Black Catbirds and Hooded Orioles, arriving at the hotel at 8.30 for breakfast. The rest of the group had opted to go on an extra snorkelling trip during the morning and we agreed to meet up for lunch around midday before our scheduled snorkelling trip in the afternoon. The snorkelling is always a popular trip and this year it was enjoyed by all, although the water was a bit cooler so most wore the supplied wetsuits. Visiting two sites on the reef, including the famous shark-ray alley, a good variety of marine life was seen including; Caribbean Sting Rays, Nurse Sharks, Green Moray Eel and a Green Turtle

We had our final log call in Mike and Joan’s room where our local guide Peter Herrera was thanked by the group for his amazing knowledge of his country’s flora, fauna and history which made the trip so successful and the final total for this year was 244 species which included three species that were heard only.

Day 14 Friday 5th March

Ambergris Caye departure home via Houston We had an early departure from Ambergris Caye this morning so there was no time for an organised walk, although one or two had a quick look out before breakfast. We departed the island on the 10am Maya Airways flight (waved off by a Eurasian Collared Dove!!!) to catch our 13.20 connection at Belize International Airport to Houston. From here it was a short wait for the transatlantic flight back to London

Day 15 Saturday 6th March

Arrival in London After an uneventful and speedy flight we arrived at Heathrow at 9.40am and progressed through immigration to meet up for the final time in the baggage reclaim where we said our goodbyes after another successful and enjoyable trip to Central America.

Belize & Tikal Tour Report

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Tour Report Belize & Tikal

Species Lists

Birds (H = heard only,  = recorded, C = common, VC = very common) February/March Common name Scientific name 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 5 1 Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps C 2 2 1 1 2 Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis   3 Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus     4 Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus 6 C       5 Anhinga Anhinga anhinga 1 4 5 6 Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens  1  7 Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias 2  5 1  1 1 8 Great White Egret Ardea alba  C  1 1 1      9 Tricoloured Heron Egretta tricolor 1 1 1 1 1 5 10 Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea 1 3 1 1 3 3 1  2 6 11 Snowy Egret Egretta thula   2 1  12 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis     VC     13 Green Heron Butorides virescens 1 3 1 4 2  4 14 Agami Heron Agamia agami 1 15 Yellow-crowned Night Heron Nyctanassa violacea 5 1 16 Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 3 1 17 Boat-billed Heron Cochlearius cochlearius 7 1 18 Bare-throated Tiger Heron Tigrisoma mexicanum 1 2 19 Wood Stork Mycteria americana 15 C   3 1 3 20 Jabiru Jabiru mycteria 2 1 21 White Ibis Eudocimus albus 5 1  22 Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja 2 23 Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura C C C VC 1 VC  1    1 24 Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes burrovianus 4  4 25 Black Vulture Coragyps atratus C C C VC  VC      26 King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa 1 27 Fulvous Whistling-duck Dendrocygna bicolor 6 28 Black-bellied Whistling-duck Dendrocygna autumnalis 5 29 Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata 4

Belize & Tikal Tour Report

February/March Common name Scientific name 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 5 30 Blue-winged Teal Anas discors 10 31 Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris 8 32 Osprey Pandion haliaetus 2 1 2 33 White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus 1 34 Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis 3 1 2 4 2 35 Common Black Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus 1 1 36 Black-collared Hawk Busarellus nigricollis 1 37 Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris C  1 1 3 3 38 Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus 1 39 American Kestrel Falco sparverius 1 40 Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis 1 41 Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis 3 1 1 2 1 42 Orange-breasted Falcon Falco deiroleucus 1 43 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1 44 Plain Chachalaca Ortalis vetula 1 4     4 H 45 Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens 2 1 1 46 Ocellated Turkey Meleagris ocellata 10 1 47 Limpkin Aramus guarauna  1 2  1 48 Clapper Rail Rallus longirostris 1 49 Grey-necked Wood-rail Aramides cajanea 3  2  1 50 Sora Porzana carolina 1 51 American Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinica 1 1 52 Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 2 2 4 53 American Coot Fulica americana C 54 Northern Jacana Jacana spinosa 2   3   55 Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus 12 56 Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius 3 1 1 1 2 57 Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria 1 1 58 Willet Tringa semipalmata 1 59 Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes 3 60 Sanderling Calidris alba 5 61 Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla 20

Belize & Tikal Tour Report

February/March Common name Scientific name 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 5 62 Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla 1 4 2    63 Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 20 64 Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia 2 65 Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus 3  1 66 Feral Pigeon Columba livia 'feral'       67 Pale-vented Pigeon Patagioenas cayennensis 1       1 68 Red-billed Pigeon Patagioenas flavirostris 2  2   69 Short-billed Pigeon Patagioenas nigrirostris 1 1 70 White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica 5   71 Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 1 72 Common Ground Dove Columbina passerina 2 73 Plain-breasted Ground Dove Columbina minuta 2 74 Ruddy Ground Dove Columbina talpacoti  C  2 2 2    75 White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi 1 2  76 Grey-headed Dove Leptotila plumbeiceps 1 77 Ruddy Quail-dove Geotrygon montana 1 78 Olive-throated Parakeet Aratinga nana 4 12         79 White-crowned Parrot Pionus senilis 6 4   80 White-fronted Parrot Amazona albifrons 2 4      81 Red-lored Parrot Amazona autumnalis 2  5      82 Yellow-headed Parrot Amazona oratrix 1 83 Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris   84 Ferruginous Pygmy Owl Glaucidium brasilianum 1 85 Northern Potoo Nyctibius jamaicensis 3 86 Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor 1 87 Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis H 1 88 Yucatan Nightjar Caprimulgus badius 2 89 Whip-poor-will Caprimulgus vociferus H 90 Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi 4   91 Western Long-tailed Hermit Phaethornis longirostris 1 1 1 1 92 Stripe-throated Hermit Phaethornis striigularis 1 1 1 93 Wedge-tailed Sabrewing Campylopterus curvipennis 1 1 1

Belize & Tikal Tour Report

February/March Common name Scientific name 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 5 94 White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora 1 95 Green-breasted Mango Anthracothorax prevostii 1 6 1 1 96 Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl 3 5 3 4   2 2   97 Cinnamon Hummingbird Amazilia rutila 2 1 2 98 White-bellied Emerald Amazilia candida 2 1 2 1 1 99 Purple-crowned Fairy Heliothryx barroti 3 2 1 100 Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris 1 2 1 2 101 Black-headed Trogon Trogon melanocephalus 1 1 1 2 1 1 102 Violaceous Trogon Trogon violaceus 2 1 1 103 American Pygmy Kingfisher Chloroceryle aenea 1 104 Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana 1 1 2 2 1 2 105 Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona 1 1 106 Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata 1 2 1 1 2  107 Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon 1 3 1 5 2 108 Tody Motmot Hylomanes momotula 1 109 Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota 1 2 2 2 4 1 110 White-necked Puffbird Notharchus hyperrhynchus 3 111 Collared Aracari Pteroglossus torquatus 1 5 7 VC 2  2 112 Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 113 Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus 2 6 2 114 Yucatan Woodpecker Melanerpes pygmaeus 2 1 115 Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons 4 5 3    2 1 3  3 116 Smoky-brown Woodpecker Picoides fumigatus 3 117 Golden-olive Woodpecker Colaptes rubiginosus 1 1 118 Chestnut-coloured Woodpecker Celeus castaneus 2 1 119 Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus 2 1 2 120 Pale-billed Woodpecker Campephilus guatemalensis 2 1 1 121 Plain Xenops Xenops minutus 2 122 Tawny-winged Woodcreeper Dendrocincla anabatina 1 123 Ruddy Woodcreeper Dendrocincla homochroa 1 124 Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus 1 2 2 125 Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus 1 1 1

Belize & Tikal Tour Report

February/March Common name Scientific name 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 5 126 Strong-billed Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus 1 127 Northern Barred Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae 1 128 Ivory-billed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus flavigaster 2 1 1 1 1 129 Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus 1 1 H 1 130 Black-faced Antthrush Formicarius analis 1 1 131 Red-capped Manakin Pipra mentalis 1 132 White-collared Manakin Manacus candei 1 133 Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata 6 2 4 2 4 2 1 134 Thrush-like Schiffornis Schiffornis turdinus 1 135 Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae 1 2 1 136 Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster 1 137 Northern Beardless-tyrannulet Camptostoma imberbe H 1 138 Sepia-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon amaurocephalus 1 2 139 Northern Bentbill Oncostoma cinereigulare 1 140 Common Tody-flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum 1 141 Eye-ringed Flatbill Rhynchocyclus brevirostris 1 1 142 Yellow-olive Flycatcher Tolmomyias sulphurescens 1 2 1 1 1 143 Stub-tailed Spadebill Platyrinchus cancrominus 1 H H 144 Royal Flycatcher Onychorhynchus coronatus 1 145 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris 1 2 1 146 Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus 1 1 147 Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus 1 1 2 148 Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans 2 149 Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus 4  150 Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis     VC 1  1   151 Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus 1   1 VC      152 Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua 1 1 1 1 153 Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus C C   VC      154 Couch's Kingbird Tyrannus couchii 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 155 Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana 3 15 2 156 Yucatan Flycatcher Myiarchus yucatanensis H 157 Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer 1 1 2 1 1 1 2

Belize & Tikal Tour Report

February/March Common name Scientific name 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 5 158 Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus 1 1 1 2 159 Bright-rumped Attila Attila spadiceus 1 1 1 2 1 160 Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor   3 161 Mangrove Swallow Tachycineta albilinea 2  5         162 Purple Martin Progne subis 5 1 2 4 163 Grey-breasted Martin Progne chalybea 4 2 8 1 164 Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis 2 1  1   165 Ridgway's Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis burleighi   166 Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus 2 1 167 Spot-breasted Wren Thryothorus maculipectus 1 1 1 2 2 1  168 Northern House Wren Troglodytes aedon 3 2 1 169 White-breasted Wood-wren Henicorhina leucosticta 1 1 1 170 Grey Catbird Dumetella carolinensis 5 2     VC 1 171 Black Catbird Melanoptila glabrirostris 1 4 4 172 Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus C  VC     173 Clay-coloured Thrush Turdus grayi 1 C    VC   1  1 174 Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina 1 6 C VC     1 175 Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus 1 1 176 Blue-grey Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea 2 1 1 1 2 177 Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea 1 178 Brown Jay Cyanocorax morio 2  75 VC  VC  C  C C 179 White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus 3 2 1 2 1 1 3 180 Mangrove Vireo Vireo pallens 2 1 1 1 181 Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons 1 182 Yucatan Vireo Vireo magister 1 183 Tawny-crowned Greenlet Hylophilus ochraceiceps H 1 1 184 Lesser Greenlet Hylophilus decurtatus 4 2 2 3 2 2 185 Scrub Euphonia Euphonia affinis 1 186 Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea 2 1 4  187 Olive-backed Euphonia Euphonia gouldi 2 2 188 Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora pinus 2 1 189 Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina 2 2 1

Belize & Tikal Tour Report

February/March Common name Scientific name 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 5 190 Northern Parula Parula americana 2 1 2 191 Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi 1 192 Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia 1 2 2 2 1 2 3  1 193 Mangrove Warbler Dendroica petechia [erithachorides-group] 5 194 Chestnut-sided Warbler Dendroica pensylvanica 2 1 1 195 Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia 2  VC VC  VC     C 196 Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata 1 197 Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens 2 2 1 1 198 Yellow-throated Warbler Dendroica dominica 3 1 1 2 2 2 1 199 Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia 3 1 3   1 1 1 3 1 200 American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla 1 C  2 2  1 1  5 4 2 201 Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorum 1 1 202 Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla 1 2 1 203 Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis 3 1 1 1 1 1 3 2 1 204 Kentucky Warbler Oporornis formosus 1 205 Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas 1 1 2 1 2 206 Grey-crowned Yellowthroat Geothlypis poliocephala 2 207 Hooded Warbler Wilsonia citrina 2 1 1 1 2 1 208 Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla 1 209 Grey-headed Tanager Eucometis penicillata 1 1 1 210 Black-throated Shrike-tanager Lanio aurantius 1 211 Blue-grey Tanager Thraupis episcopus 6 1 3 2 212 Yellow-winged Tanager Thraupis abbas 2 2 4  213 Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus 1 4 C   214 Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivaceus 2 215 Greyish Saltator Saltator coerulescens 1 2 216 Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps 4 3 2 2 2   217 Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina   218 Variable Seedeater Sporophila corvina 1 219 White-collared Seedeater Sporophila torqueola  C VC 1 2  C   220 Olive Sparrow Arremonops rufivirgatus 1 221 Green-backed Sparrow Arremonops chloronotus 1 H

Belize & Tikal Tour Report

February/March Common name Scientific name 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 5 222 Botteri's Sparrow Aimophila botterii 3 223 Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina 6 224 Summer Tanager Piranga rubra 1 5 2 4 1 1 1 2 3 225 Red-crowned Ant-tanager Habia rubica 2 226 Red-throated Ant-tanager Habia fuscicauda 7   1 227 Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus 2 1 228 Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis 2 1 229 Blue Bunting Cyanocompsa parellina 1 1 3  230 Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea 4 6 231 Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea 1 1   232 Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus 1 1 30  233 Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna 1 234 Melodious Blackbird Dives dives C C C C C C   C 1  235 Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus VC C VC   VC 1     C  236 Yellow-backed Oriole Icterus chrysater 1 1 237 Yellow-tailed Oriole Icterus mesomelas 2 1 2 2 238 Altamira Oriole Icterus gularis 1 239 Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus 2 2 6 6 240 Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula 1 2 3 6   241 Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius 6 1   1 2 2 4 1 242 Black-cowled Oriole Icterus prosthemelas 1 2 1 3 4 243 Yellow-billed Cacique Amblycercus holosericeus H H H H 244 Montezuma Oropendola Psarocolius montezuma 3 3 2  

Mammals

Yucatan Black Howler Central American Spider Monkey Kinkajou Bottle-nosed Dolphin Central American Agouti Rat sp. Yucatan Squirrel Deppe Squirrel White-tailed Deer Proboscis Bat White-lined Sac-wing Bat Fruit-eating Bat species Bulldog Fishing Bat

Belize & Tikal Tour Report

Reptiles & Amphibians

Morelet’s Crocodile Rose-bellied Lizard Spine-tailed Iguana Green Iguana Striped Basilisk Ghost Anole American Slider Fer de Lance Green Turtle Gecko sp. Marine Toad

Fish

Barracuda Blue Tang Nurse Shark Caribbean Stingray Yellow Stingray Atlantic Tarpon Horse-eyed Jack Parrotfish Nassa Grouper Green Moray Eel Puffa Fish Needlefish sp. Angelfish sp Corals (Brain, Fan etc) Sgt Major Grey Angel Bluehead Damselfish sp. Mutton Snapper Wrasse Zebra Fish Blue Stripe Grunt Yellow-tailed Snapper Blue Chromis Long-spine Sea Urchin Conch Octopus sp.

Butterflies

Sulphur Long-tailed Skipper Tiger Monarch Postman Cattleheart White Emerald Zebra Tiger sp. Patch sp. White Cracker Blue Morpho Monarch

Other Taxa

Peanut-headed Moth Golden Orb Spider