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ABA DONOR TRIP

Belize, Central America

with Dennis Lacoss and Fr. Tom Pincelli
6-12 April 2005

Bird list [PDF: 90k]

On the afternoon of April 6, 2005 we met in the small Belize City Airport. We boarded our tiny plane for the short, but noisy flight to Gallon Jug. We were met by a van from Chan Chich Lodge. After some quick birding stops along the way, we arrived at the lodge. We settled into our comfortable accommodations where we found such rare luxuries for the tropics as potable cold water in all of the rooms. We soon gathered for our first meal and discovered not only a wide variety of excellent food, but also the most friendly and courteous service that many of us had ever encountered.

We went to sleep to the sounds of oropendolas and howler monkeys. The next morning our pre-breakfast walk with Gilberto was a steep climb up and down one of the unexcavated ruins in search of the elusive Tody Motmot. We were unsuccessful this morning, but had better luck the following morning.

Over the next few days we fell into a schedule of a pre-breakfast walk, a longer morning walk after breakfast and a late afternoon exploration. The early afternoon was free for a siesta, some independent birding, or a swim, which Esther and Nila enjoyed. Twice we had an early buffet breakfast and took van trips. Once we drove to the Escarpment where the view stretched for many miles. We saw White Hawks and King Vultures there. Another morning we went to Laguna Seca, which furnished virtually all of our waders as well as fantastic numbers of Indigo Buntings and Blue Grosbeaks along the way.

One evening we did a night drive in an open-backed truck. While we did not find many mammals, we found a Barn Owl and it was a "boat-billed" kind of an evening with good looks at a Boat-billed Heron and a Boat-billed Flycatcher. A Paraque was also a good find.

The guides and drivers were as good at their jobs as the waitresses were at theirs. Gilberto particularly stood out. For instance, he scouted locations for birds we had not already seen while we were at the Laguna Seca. This led to a superb final day. In the morning he led us to many forest birds he had staked out. This was impressive, but that afternoon we left the trail to go to his viewing point near the water where the becards, tanagers, grosbeaks and orioles were upstaged by the late arrival of an adult Ornate Hawk-Eagle, which stayed perched for spectacular looks as long as we remained. That afternoon, by itself, will probably stick in most of our memories for a long time.

Unfortunately, the following morning, April 12, we had to leave this tropical haven and wind our way back to our homes. Fr. Tom and Dennis thoroughly enjoyed their time with all of you, and they greatly appreciate your support of the American Birding Association.

For more information about ABA Donor Trips, please call (800) 850-2473 ext 233 or email .