Christmas Bird Count Tour 2007

The NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY coordinates Christmas Bird Counts since 1900, first in North America and later farther south throughout the continent. Currently more than 50,000 volunteers participate. Objective of the Christmas Bird Count is to monitor the status and distribution of bird populations in the Western Hemisphere, conducted each year from December 14th to January 5th. For more information on AUDUBON’s Christmas Bird Count, please visit: www.audubon.org/bird/cbc

Included meals (indicated in parenthesis next to date): B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner

December 12th

Arrival in Guatemala City and transfer to Antigua Guatemala. Overnight in a colonial style hotel in Antigua Guatemala.

December 13th (B/D)

After breakfast in Antigua Guatemala drive to Tecpán. Birding in high-altitude mixed forest (Pink-headed Warbler, Black-capped Siskin, Red-faced Warbler). After lunch in Tecpán drive to Los Tarrales Reserve. On the way you can enjoy beautiful views at some of Guatemala’s volcanoes. Late afternoon birding in the surroundings of the Los Tarrales Lodge (Orange-chinned Parakeet, Pacific Parakeet, Cinnamon Hummingbird). In the evening meeting to coordinate the Christmas Bird Count on the next day. Dinner and overnight at Los Tarrales Lodge.

December 14th (B/L/D)

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT. 24 hours of recording bird species in the Los Tarrales Reserve and surroundings of Volcano Atitlán (Humid broadleaf forest, cloud forest, shade coffee plantation, secondary growth).
Expected species include 20 endemics of northern Central America, including: Horned Guan, Azure-rumped Tanager, Blue-tailed Hummingbird, Emerald-chinned Hummingbird, Rufous Sabrewing, Fulvous Owl, and Black-throated Jay. Data compilation during dinner at Los Tarrales Lodge.


December 15th (B/L)

Another morning for birding in secondary growth and shade coffee plantation at Los Tarrales (taking breakfast with us), and for extending the species list. After lunch we will drive to Antigua Guatemala. Dinner and overnight in a colonial hotel in Antigua Guatemala.

December 16th (B)
In the morning birding in pine-oak forest looking for highland species, like the Bushy-crested Jay, Rufous-collared Thrush and Grey Silky. After lunch we will drive to the airport in Guatemala City for taking the evening flight to Santa Elena, Petén.

Flight Guatemala City – Santa Elena, Petén. From Santa Elena we will drive to Tikal (1 hour). Dinner and overnight in the Jaguar Inn at Tikal.

December 17th (B/D)

Full day birding at Tikal and recognizing the trails to be used for the Christmas Bird Count. For sunrise we will be on top of one of the ancient buildings, watching the birds passing by and enjoying the beautiful early morning light (Mealy and Red-lored Parrot, Orange-breasted Falcon). For lunch we will be back at the hotel. Optional visit to the archeological museums (ceramics and stelae) at Tikal. Sunset excursion to one of the ancient buildings in the park. Dinner at the hotel. Organizational meeting with all participants of the TIKAL CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT.

December 18th (B/D)

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT. 24 hours of recording bird species in Tikal. Dinner with all participants of the Christmas Bird Count to announce results of the count.

December 19th (B)

We will have another morning to observe birds and wildlife in Tikal.
After lunch our microbus will bring us to the Santa Elena airport. Flight to Guatemala City. Farewell dinner and overnight in a hotel in Guatemala City, close to the airport.

December 20th (B)

Departure.