Punta Gorda, Belize: Lee Jones, author of Birds of Belize, and Cotton Tree Lodge, an ecolodge in the Toledo District of Belize, have partnered to offer a special eight-day /seven-night intensive birding week from January 2nd – 9th, 2010.
The itinerary will include excursions to the San Felipe hills, Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary, Blue Creek village, Pueblo Viejo, Red Bank village, the Bladen Nature Reserve, and a voyage along the Moho River by boat. Sightings should include most of the following: Slaty-breasted Tinamou, Boat-billed Heron, Jabiru, White Hawk, Aplomado Falcon, Scarlet Macaw, Stygian Owl, Striped Owl, Band-tailed Barbthroat, Black-crested Coquette, Purple-crowned Fairy, Collared Trogon, Tody Motmot, White-whiskered Puffbird, Scaly-throated Leaftosser, Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner, Bare-crowned Antbird, Paltry Tyrannulet, Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Nightingale Wren, Black-throated Shrike-Tanager, Yellow-backed Oriole, Chestnut-headed Oropendola, White-vented Euphonia, and distinctive subspecies of Yellow-headed Parrot and Sedge Wren that are endemic to Belize.
Those registered for the birding week will also have the opportunity to participate in the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count on January 3rd. This annual event occurs at sites all over North and South America and collects important data on bird species and populations. This data is then used to assess long-term trends in each research area. A pre-count orientation meeting and post-count dinner will teach Bird Count participants more about the project. Both the orientation on January 2nd and the dinner on January 3rd will take place at Cotton Tree Lodge.
While this is the 10th Annual Punta Gorda Bird Count, which averages about 250 recorded species each year, this is the first time a special itinerary has been organized around the event. Birders from across North America are expected to sign up for the week-long trip. A few dozen local volunteers generally participate in the count. By working together on this birding week, both Dr. Jones and Cotton Tree Lodge hope to promote the Toledo District of Belize as a world class birding destination.
Reservations for the week can be made through Cotton Tree Lodge. Rates start at $1,365 per person including accommodation, meals, and excursions. The trip is appropriate for novice to expert birders. Non-birding partners and children are welcome to attend and enjoy other activities offered by Cotton Tree Lodge.
About H. Lee Jones and Cotton Tree Lodge: H. Lee Jones is an experienced environmental consultant and research biologist based in Punta Gorda, Toledo. He is the author of Birds of Belize, the definitive guide to birds in Belize, and the Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Belize. Cotton Tree Lodge is an all-inclusive resort near San Felipe village with a focus on sustainable tourism. The lodge opened in January 2007.
