Best Birding in Belize March 18-25, 2017 With Jeff Collins & Sue MacCallum White Hawk, Black Rock Lodge, by Mark Faherty Belize is a tiny birding jewel in the globally significant Mesoamerican Biological Corridor which stretches from southern Mexico to Panama. Blessed with an abundance of habitats, Belize’s rich biodiversity means we can expect to see/hear over 225 bird species during our eight-day trip (out of the nearly 600 bird species documented in the country). We’ll admire the eight-foot wingspan of the Jabiru and the flamboyant rainbow bill of Belize’s national bird, the Keel-billed Toucan; ooh and aah over the brilliant coloration of the Vermilion Flycatcher and Red-legged Honeycreeper; and watch for the spectacular Orange-breasted Falcon soaring over the cliffs by our lodge. Past trips have also observed the Ornate Hawk-eagle and Crested Eagle. In addition to outstanding birds, Belize also supports the highest density of Jaguars in Central America and the world’s second largest barrier reef. We’ll learn about modern conservation initiatives including Mass Audubon’s own efforts to conserve land in Belize. The juxtaposition of viewing familiar US birds alongside Central American residents highlights the importance of protecting habitat all along migratory routes. Belize is a particularly instructive example as 26% of its land and sea is protected, yet conversely these areas are under constant threat and degradation. Sustainable ecotourism is a critical component to reducing habitat degradation and mustering local and international support for conservation. Finally, while this trip is birding-focused, we’ll have time to swim in lovely clear rivers, visit Maya archeological sites, hike beautiful trails, and keep an eye and ear out for the many delightful residents of Belize like Howler and Spider Monkeys, Ocelots, Nine-banded Armadillos, and Tayras. Travel with the Massachusetts Audubon Society 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 800-289-9504 Belize Birding ~ March 18 - 25, 2017 About this Tour Focus: Birds. Our days will be filled with birding, without neglecting opportunities to observe other fauna, flora, and cultural highlights. Pace and comfort: Full days of birding: transportation in vans; walks and birding are on easy-to-moderate trails (distances up to 2.5 miles). There are more extensive hiking trails for optional hikes on the last two days. There is a full-morning boat trip. There are options for free afternoons to choose to go hiking, canoeing, or just relaxing the last three days of the tour. Lodging: Very good jungle lodges with birding right on the grounds: private rooms and bathrooms, excellent local food. Pool and river swimming available at one property. Weather: Generally warm (80-90F), sometimes humid, occasional rainfall. Birds: Several rarely seen and highly sought-after birds among a list that should approach 250 species (plus good chances to see some mammals). Expected highlights include: Collared Aracari, by David Shaffer Jabiru Yellow-headed Parrot Azure-crowned King Vulture Olive-throated Parakeet Hummingbird Orange-breasted Falcon Chestnut-colored Black Catbird Sungrebe Woodpecker Rufous-browed Boat-billed Heron Keel-billed Toucan Peppershrike Agami Heron Emerald Toucanet Yellow-tailed Oriole Ornate Hawk-Eagle Yucatan Jay Black-cowled Oriole Great Curassow Green-breasted Mango Yucatan Flycatcher Pheasant Cuckoo Cinnamon Spotted Wood-Quail Hummingbird Travel with the Massachusetts Audubon Society 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 800-289-9504 Belize Birding ~ March 18 - 25, 2017 Day-to-Day Itinerary Bare-throated Tiger-Heron by Mark Faherty Day 1 – Saturday, March 18: Arrival in Belize and travel to Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary Please plan to arrive at the International Airport in Belize City (BZE) by early afternoon. You will be met there by our Mass Audubon naturalists and local guides. It is about a 30-minute drive to the Belize Audubon Society’s Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary where we will spend two nights at Bird's Eye View Lodge. Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is comprised of 16,400 acres of lagoons, creeks, logwood swamps, broadleaf forest, and pine savannah; it is a top birding destination in Belize. From the commonly seen Northern Jacana to the elusive Sungrebe, Crooked Tree offers a plethora of birds, including: Jabiru Snail Kite Black Catbird Agami Heron Black-collared Hawk Yucatan Woodpecker Bare-throated Tiger-Heron American Pygmy Yucatan Jay Boat-billed Heron Kingfisher The sanctuary protects globally-endangered species such as the Central American River Turtle (locally known as Hicatee) and Yellow-headed Parrot. Crooked Tree is recognized as a Wetland of International Importance, especially as waterfowl habitat, under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Every February, the Belize Audubon Society celebrates Travel with the Massachusetts Audubon Society 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 800-289-9504 Belize Birding ~ March 18 - 25, 2017 World Wetlands Day in the local communities. A key to the conservation success of this globally significant wetland is local community commitment and involvement. During the dry season many resident and migratory birds find refuge in the lagoons. We have timed the trip to coincide with falling water levels to maximize the viewing opportunities of waterbirds congregated in and around the remaining water spots. On and around the grounds of the Bird’s Eye View Lodge, we will expect to see the ubiquitous Tropical Kingbird, the Social Flycatcher, and the eye-popping Vermilion Flycatcher. In the nearby forests, we'll look for: Yellow-lored Parrot Yucatan Jay White-collared Seedeater Red-vented Woodpecker Barred Antshrike Groove-billed Ani Yucatan Flycatcher Yellow-bellied Elaenia In the fields and along the edge of the wetland, we will also look for one of the newest Belizean birds, Southern Lapwing. Overnight: Bird's Eye View Lodge (D) www.birdseyeviewbelize.com Day 2 – Sunday, March 19: Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary It will be an early start with a boat trip into the Northern Lagoon. Here, a wide variety of wetland birds can be found, including: White Ibis Roseate Spoonbill Northern Jacana Purple Gallinule Least Grebe Limpkin Boat-billed Heron Black-collared Hawk Wood Stork With luck, we could also find a Jabiru, the largest wader in the Western Hemisphere. After lunch, we'll walk at an easy pace along relatively flat trails through the nearby pine forest and savannah areas to look for: Yellow-headed Parrot Azure-crowned Hummingbird Grace’s Warbler Forked-tailed Flycatcher Aplomado Falcon Overnight: Bird's Eye View Lodge (B, L, D). Travel with the Massachusetts Audubon Society 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 800-289-9504 Belize Birding ~ March 18 - 25, 2017 Day 3 – Monday, March 20: Crooked Tree to Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area Ocellated Turkey, Rio Bravo Conservation Area, by Mark Faherty After breakfast this morning, we'll drive northwest to the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area. It'll be about a two-hour drive with birding stops along the way looking for: Aplomado Falcon Gray Hawk Jabiru Laughing Falcon Fork-tailed Flycatcher Masked Tityra Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area is the largest terrestrial conservation area in Belize, comprising 4 percent of the country's total land area. With the help of Mass Audubon, it was established by Programme for Belize in 1988 with the purchase of 110,044 acres of land from Gallon Jug Agro- industries. With logging encroachment imminent in 1989, The Nature Conservancy joined forces with Mass Audubon and the Programme for Belize to protect the land. Our base here will be La Milpa Ecolodge and Field Station in the northwestern portion of the reserve, only three miles from La Milpa Archaeological Site, the third largest Maya ruin in Belize. La Milpa Ecolodge and Research Center (and the Programme for Belize) is an important conservation partner for Massachusetts Audubon. Many wonderful tropical species are readily found on the lodge property, including manakins, motmots, parrots, tanagers, toucans, trogons, and woodcreepers. Mammals are also frequently encountered with Central American Spider Monkey and Mexican Black Howler Monkey likely, and even a real possibility for seldom-seen species such as Ocelot, Red Brocket, or even the nearly mythical Jaguar. Travel with the Massachusetts Audubon Society 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 800-289-9504 Belize Birding ~ March 18 - 25, 2017 We will arrive in the tropical forest in time for lunch and get an orientation to La Milpa Ecolodge and Research Center. In this protected area it is possible to find some of the fabulous big birds that have been extirpated in most of Belize, including: Ocellated Turkey Great Tinamou Crested Guan Great Curassow Overnight: La Milpa Ecolodge and Research Center (B, L, D) http://www.pfbelize.org/tourism/ Day 4 – Tuesday, March 21: La Milpa, Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area Rufous-browed Peppershrike, by Mark Faherty More than 400 species of birds have been identified in the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area. We will start birding early, looking for both resident and many Neotropical migrants, including: Ruddy Woodcreeper Bright-rumped Attila Collared Aracari Gray-headed Tanager Black-headed Trogon Rufous-browed Red-capped Manakin Gartered Trogon Peppershrike Olive-backed Euphonia Slaty-tailed Trogon Blue Bunting Keel-billed Toucan This morning we'll explore the open areas and