cheepers! news · cheepers! news [email protected] 937-862-4505 august 31, 2012 page 4 brazil...

1 What’s New!

2013 Panama Canopy Family

2013 South Africa Update

2012 Panama Canal Zone & Chiriqui

Highlands

Working on 2014 Calendar

2 2013 and 2014 Schedule

3 Cheepers! Escorted Trip Schedule

Cheepers! Custom Tours

2013 and 2014 Birding Festival Schedule

Do You Need a Guest Speaker?

4 – 5 Brazil Highlights

6 - 7 Spotlight Tour 1 – Panama Canal Zone &

Chiriqui Highlands

8 - 9 Spotlight Tour 2 – Honduras: Pico Bonito &

More

10 - 11 One of Our Favorite Lodges: Cristalino

Lodge

Welcome to Volume 3, Issue 3 of Cheepers! News issued by Jim Beckman with review, critique and photos provided by

Cindy Beckman. If you are interested in reading previous newsletters, click here.

As a reminder, the Cheepers! mission is to bird the best birding locations using comfortable lodging and expert local bilingual

birding guides while maintaining a lower per-day cost than comparable tours offered by the major birding tour companies.

Cheepers! News www.cheepersbirding.com

[email protected] 937-862-4505

August 31, 2012

WHAT’S IN THIS NEWSLETTER What’s New!

2013 SOUTH AFRICA

As reported in the last newsletter, we had an overwhelming response to our 2013

South Africa trips. To accommodate our lengthy list of interested birders, we

originally scheduled two 17-day Subtropical Trips with an 8-day Western Cape

Trip in between. We have received so many requests for the Western Cape Tour

that we have added a 2nd simultaneous Cape Tour.

Our current registration status for these trips is:

• Subtropical Tour 1 (Oct 6 – 22, 2013) has two openings

• Western Cape Tour 1 (Oct 22 – 29, 2013) is filled

• Western Cape Tour 2 (Oct 22 – 29, 2013) is filled

• Subtropical Tour 2 (Oct 29 – Nov 14, 2013) is filled

Each Subtropical Tour has a limit of 12 customers plus Cindy, Jim and 2 guide/

drivers. We will travel in two 14-passenger vans with 6 customers plus Jim or

Cindy plus 1 guide/driver in each van. This arrangement provides each customer

with a window seat.

For the Western Cape Tours, Cindy will lead one tour and Jim will lead the other.

If you are interested in one or both of the Subtropical Tour 1 open slots or if you

would like to be wait-listed for any of the trips that are full in case we get a

cancellation, please contact us as soon as possible.

WORKING ON 2014 CALENDAR

We have confirmed two simultaneous 2014 trips to

the world famous Panama Canopy Family

properties where we will visit the Canopy Camp,

Canopy Tower and Canopy Lodge. Cindy will

lead one trip and Jim will lead the other.

Canopy Tour 1 is April 7 through April 23, 2014,

(17 days / 16 nights) with the following schedule

for lodging:

Night 1: Aeropuerto Riande Hotel

Nights 2 – 5: Canopy Camp

Nights 6 – 10: Canopy Tower

Nights 11 – 15: Canopy Lodge


Canopy Tour 2 is April 7 through April 18, 2014,

(12 days / 11 nights) with an optional April 19

through 23, 2014, extension to the Canopy Camp.

The lodging schedule is:

Nights 1 – 5: Canopy Tower

Nights 6 – 10: Canopy Lodge


Nights 12 – 15: Extension to Canopy Camp


Each tour will include a visit to the Panama Canal

Miraflores Locks and a buffet dinner at the

Miraflores Locks restaurant, rated as one of the

top dining experiences in Panama.

2013 PANAMA CANOPY FAMILY

Join Cheepers and Kenn and Kim Kaufman as we make a summer 2013 visit to

the Canopy Family of properties in Panama. We will be staying at the new

Canopy Camp in the Darien Province for 3 nights followed by 4 nights at the

Canopy Tower in the Canal Zone and 4 nights at the Canopy Lodge in El Valle de

Anton. To better accommodate travel arrival and departure schedules, we will

stay the first night and the last night at the recently renovated Aeropuerto Riande

Hotel near the Panama City Airport.

Tour dates are June 26 through July 9, 2013 (14 days/13 nights). The cost for this

land package is $3195 per person which includes a tour of the Miraflores Locks

Museum and a scrumptious buffet dinner at the Miraflores Locks Restaurant.

The Canopy Camp in the Darien Province will be opening soon and will offer

African-style luxury tents on platforms with comfortable beds, fans, and private

bathrooms with showers and flush toilets.

Please visit the Cheepers! website for detailed itinerary and registration materials.

2013 PANAMA CANAL ZONE & CHIRIQUI HIGHLANDS

We recently added our popular Panama Canal Zone & Chiriqui Highlands tour to

the 2013 schedule. The itinerary for this tour includes eight full days of birding and

has produced checklists of between 340 and 350 species on each of our last four

trips, including an impressive single-day count of 139 in April 2012. This trip is

scheduled for January 12 through 21, 2013, at a cost of $2098. During this trip,

we bird in and around the Canal Zone, have a day trip to the Bayano lowland

forests and Torti for some Darien specialties, fly to the Chiriqui Highlands for a

couple days of highland birding, and visit the Panama Canal Miraflores Locks and

have a buffet dinner at the Miraflores Locks restaurant.

http://www.cheepersbirding.com/newsletters.html

http://www.cheepersbirding.com/

mailto:[email protected]

2013

Jan 12 –Jan 21 PANAMA Canal Zone & Chiriqui Highlands - $2098 Accepting registrations

Feb 2 – Feb 9 HONDURAS Pico Bonito and More - $2250 SOLD OUT

Mar 9 – Mar 16 HONDURAS Pico Bonito and More - $2250 Accepting registrations - 6 spots available

Apr 20 – May 1 PANAMA Canopy Tower & Canopy Lodge – $2795 1 single occupancy spot available

Jun 26 – Jul 9 PANAMA Canopy Camp, Tower & Lodge - $3195 With special guests Kenn and Kim Kaufman

Accepting registrations - 3 spots available

Aug 12 – 31 BRAZIL Amazon, Pantanal & Atlantic Forests (Prices TBA)

Oct 6 – Oct 22 SOUTH AFRICA Subtropical Tour #1 – 46,500 ZAR


Oct 22 – Oct 29 SOUTH AFRICA Western Cape Tour #1 – 21,000 ZAR SOLD OUT

Oct 22 – Oct 29 SOUTH AFRICA Western Cape Tour #2 – 21,000 ZAR SOLD OUT

Oct 29 – Nov 14 SOUTH AFRICA Subtropical Tour #2 – 46,500 ZAR SOLD OUT

Nov 30 – Dec 13 COLOMBIA Colombian Andes & Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta - $3985


2014

Jan ECUADOR Northern Ecuador with Napo Wildlife Center Extension (Dates & Prices TBA)

Feb THAILAND (Dates & Prices TBA)

Mar HONDURAS Pico Bonito and More (Dates & Prices TBA)

Mar 28 – Apr 6 PANAMA Canal Zone & Chiriqui Highlands - $2098 Accepting registrations

Apr 7 – Apr 23 PANAMA Canopy 1 (Camp/Tower/Lodge) - $3485 Accepting registrations

Apr 7 – Apr 19 PANAMA Canopy 2 (Tower/Lodge) - $2795 Accepting registrations

Apr 19 – Apr 23 PANAMA Canopy 2 Extension (Camp) - $690 Accepting registrations

Aug BRAZIL Amazon, Pantanal & Atlantic Forests (Dates & Prices TBA)

Oct AUSTRALIA (Dates & Prices TBA)

Dec JAMAICA Island Endemics (Dates & Prices TBA)

We continue to work our 2013 schedule and expect to finalize the following within the next 30 to 45 days:

• Apr Panama – Canopy Camp Extension to the existing Canopy Tower/Canopy Lodge trip (finalize availability)

• Aug Brazil – Amazon, Pantanal & Atlantic Forests (finalize pricing)

If you are interested in being wait-listed for one of our sold out trips in case we get a cancellation, please call or email us.

Cheepers! is accepting registrations for the following escorted tours:

Visit the Cheepers! website www.cheepersbirding.com for prices, detailed itineraries & registration forms.

If you have questions or need more information regarding our trips, please email us at [email protected]

or call us at 937-862-4505.



August 31, 2012

Cheepers! - Escorted Tour Schedule





Cheepers! - Custom Tours

Cheepers! custom tours are normally led by Jim and/or

Cindy, depending on the preferences of the group

arranging the tour. When the tour is led by the Beckmans,

all of the services provided in escorted tours are available

to the group. If the group opts to schedule an unescorted

tour, we do all we can to ensure that their needs will be

met by carefully planning every facet of the tour and

arranging for a highly qualified local guide. The trip

coordinator would then assume the duties as tour leader, in

which case Cheepers! would not be able to provide a final

list of sightings, a DVD of photos, or a trip report at the end

of the tour.

Our next scheduled custom tour is Colombia (Nov 30 –

Dec 13, 2013) and we have 2 spots available.

If you have a group or organization interested in a

birding destination, please allow us an opportunity to

present a proposal. To develop a proposal, we need

the following information: Where do you want to go (country or state)?

Any specific sites?

Any specific birds you want to see?

When do you want to go?

How many days should the trip be?

What is your expected group size?

If you are a non-profit organization, would you like

like this trip to be used as a fund-raiser?

Do you want Cheepers! representatives to lead

this trip? Email or call for more information. [email protected] 937-862-4505 or 937-974-0802

Itineraries are available for the following destinations:

Alaska Florida

Argentina Guyana

Arizona (Southeast) Honduras

Belize Maine

Bolivia Namibia

Brazil North Dakota

California (CA Specialties) Panama

Colombia Peru

Costa Rica South Africa

Ecuador (Northern) Texas (Gulf Coast)

Ecuador Photographer’s Tour Texas (High Country)

Ecuador (Southwest) Texas (Rio Grande Valley)



August 31, 2012

Birding Festival Schedule

Cheepers! is currently planning to participate in the

following birding festivals:

Nov 2012 – Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival

Jan 2013 – Space Coast Birding Festival

Mar 2013 – San Diego Birding Festival

May 2013 – Biggest Week In American Birding

If you attend one of these festivals, please look for us at

our vendor’s booth or say hello to us on the boardwalk at Magee Marsh.

Do you need a guest speaker for a local

chapter/club meeting?

Depending on our schedule and the proximity of your

group to one of the birding festivals we plan to attend or if

you are in Ohio or in a state bordering Ohio, we are

available as guest speakers for your local group. We

have the following presentations available:

• 2009 Harpy Eagle Trip to Panama

• Birding in Brazil Plus Jaguars Too

• Birding in Costa Rica (covers 3 trips)

• Birding in Ecuador (covers 5 trips)

• Birding in Peru (Macchu Pichu & Manu Road)

• South Africa Flora and Fauna

Guest Speaker Schedule

Jim has the following presentations tentatively scheduled

(dates are being finalized):

Dec 2012 - South Africa Flora and Fauna

Glen Helen Nature Reserve, Yellow Springs OH

Jan 2013 - South Africa Flora and Fauna

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Photography Club, Merritt Island FL

Jan 2013 - South Africa Flora and Fauna

Space Coast Birding Festival, Titusville FL

Apr 2013 - Birding in Brazil Plus Jaguars Too

Bruckner Nature Center, Troy OH

May 2013 - South Africa Flora and Fauna

Biggest Week In American Birding, Oak Harbor OH

May 2013 - Birding in Ecuador

Glen Helen Nature Reserve, Yellow Springs OH

A vulture boards an airplane, carrying two dead raccoons. The flight attendant looks at him and says, 'I'm sorry, sir, only one carrion allowed per passenger.’ What do you call "road kill"? A TV dinner!






August 31, 2012

BRAZIL HIGHLIGHTS – July 2013

Cheepers! birded Brazil from July 9 through July 27, 2013, and saw a total of 461 species, heard but did not see 48

species, our guides saw 8 species that no one in the group saw, plus we had 3 fly-bys which we don’t count as no

one saw any identifiable field marks. Altogether, we were exposed to 520 species. While in the Pantanal, we saw

over 100 species each day for 5 consecutive days (the best day was 134 species seen). From a personal life list

perspective, Cindy and I each added over 200 species while almost everyone in the group added over 300 each to

their life lists.

During this trip we visited Cristalino Lodge in the Amazon Basin, stayed at three lodges in the Pantanal, 2 lodges in

the Cerrado, and finished up with 2 lodges in the Atlantic Forests.

We saw the following endemic and at-risk species:

Greater Rhea – Near-threatened

Chestnut-bellied Guan – Endemic Vulnerable

Harpy Eagle – Near-threatened

Hyacinth Macaw – Endangered

Blue-winged Macaw – Near-threatened

Amazonian Swift – Endemic (Guide only)

Saw-billed hermit - Endemic Near-threatened

Frilled Coquette – Endemic

Brazilian Ruby – Endemic

Sombre Hummingbird – Endemic

Blue-necked Jacamar – Endemic

Saffron Toucanet - Endemic Near-threatened

White-browed Woodpecker – Near-threatened

White-banded Hornero – Endemic

Pallid Spinetail – Endemic

Italiaia Spinetail – Endemic

Orange-eyed Thornbird – Endemic

Pale-browed Treehunter – Endemic

Scaled Woodpecker – Endemic

Glossy Antshrike – Endemic

Spot-breasted Antvireo - Endemic Near-threatened

Ferruginous Antbird – Endemic

Rufous-tailed Antbird - Endemic Near-threatened

Scaled Antbird – Endemic

Spix’s Warbling-Antbird – Endemic (Guide only)

Slaty Bristlefront - Endemic Near-threatened

Fork-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant – Endemic Vulnerable

Gray-headed Tody-Flycatcher – Endemic

Velvety Black-Tyrant – Endemic

Pin-tailed Manakin – Endemic

Snow-capped Manakin – Endemic

Long-billed Wren - Endemic

Olive-green Tanager – Endemic

Brazilian Tanager – Endemic

Brassy-breasted Tanager – Endemic

Gilt-edged Tanager – Endemic

Black-legged Dacnis - Endemic Near-threatened

Bay-chested Warbling-Finch – Endemic

Red-rumped Warbling-Finch – Endemic

Buffy-fronted Seedeater – Vulnerable

Jaguar – Seen on the riverbank near Porto Jofre

Red-and-green Macaws

White-throated Hummingbird

(head covered with pollen)



http://www.cheepersbirding.com/uploads/1/9/6/8/1968261/1983659_orig.jpg





August 31, 2012

BRAZIL HIGHLIGHTS – July 2013 (Continued)

Hyacinth Macaws

(at least 40-50 Hyacinths were seen)

Harpy Eagle

(one of three that were seen)

Toco Toucan

(seen on 6 days)

Bare-faced Curassows

(common at Cristalino Lodge)

Greater Rhea

(seen on 4 consecutive days)

Chestnut-eared Aracari


Campo Flicker

(multiple sightings)

Jabiru


Swallow-tailed (Blue) Manakin

(common in the Atlantic Forests)

Red-necked Tanager

(multiple sightings) Green-headed Tanager


White-tufted-ear Marmoset

(Brazil endemic)

Click here to visit the Cheepers! website for more Brazil photos and photos from other trips














http://www.cheepersbirding.com/photos-from-our-tours-with-links-to-trip-checklists.html

http://www.cheepersbirding.com/photos-from-our-tours-with-links-to-trip-checklists.html

Spotlight Tour 1: Panama – Canal Zone & Chiriqui Highlands January 12 - 21, 2013

$2098 double occupancy or $2458 single occupancy

Panama possesses incredible biodiversity sheltered in thousands of acres of protected forest, easily accessible due to

excellent infrastructure. Panama has MORE BIRD SPECIES than all of the United States and Canada combined and MORE

BIRD SPECIES than its neighbor to the west, Costa Rica! Come with us and see why Panama is a birder's dream

destination! We have seen between 340 and 350 species on each of our last 4 trips following this itinerary.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1, Jan. 12: Arrive in Panama City, Panama Upon our arrival at the Tocumen International Airport, we will be transferred to

Soberania Field Station and Lodge in Gamboa. Most flights arrive in the evening, but if you arrive earlier in the day, you will have time to

relax in the open-air dining area of our lodge where you can become acquainted with the many species of birds that frequent the feeders.

Overnight Soberania Field Station and Lodge (D)

Day 2, Jan. 13: Soberania National Park/Gamboa After breakfast this morning, we will visit birding sites near the field station in

Gamboa. Over 190 species have been seen just in the yard of the field station! Other nearby sites we will visit include the Ammo Dump

Ponds (where we might see White-throated Crake), the banks of the Chagres River, and the entrance to the famous Pipeline Road. Some

of the bird species we expect to see in the gardens of the lodge include Red-legged and Green Honeycreepers; Blue-crowned Motmot;

Crimson-backed, Blue-gray, and Palm Tanagers; Gray-headed Chachalaca; White-necked Jacobin and Rufous-tailed Hummingbird.

Expect to see Agoutis beneath the feeders, and watch for Geoffrey's Tamarin in the trees near the patio where we have our meals. Near

the lodge, we usually see Keel-billed and Chestnut-mandibled Toucans, and often sight a Bat Falcon near a nest tree. At the Ammo Dump

Ponds, in addition to the elusive White-throated Crake, which is almost always heard but rarely seen, we might find Rufescent Tiger-

Heron and other wading birds. Along the Chagres River, we will look for passerines as well as wading birds, shore birds, and raptors. We

might find Capybara foraging among the lily pads with Purple Gallinule and Common Moorhen. Expect your first day's list to be chock-full

of lifers! Overnight Soberania Field Station and Lodge (BLD)

Day 3, Jan. 14: Pipeline Road Today we will have the opportunity to hike along the world famous Pipeline Road at the Soberanía

National Park. With just over 48,287 acres, this park boasts outstanding biodiversity, including most of the 500 species of birds recorded

for the Panama Canal area. Frequently you can come across a mixed-species foraging flock containing literally dozens of different birds

like Dot-winged and White-flanked Antwrens, Fasciated and Western-slaty Antshrikes, Plain Xenops, Olivaceous Flatbill, Black-tailed

Flycatcher, Cocoa Woodcreeper, and many more. This area is also famous for the occurrence of Army Ant swarms who, by raiding the

forest floor, flush out many insects that in turn attract a series of properly named Antbirds. Possible are Spotted, Bicolored, and Ocellated

Antbirds, along with many Woodcreepers including Northern-barred, Plain-brown, and Black-striped. In addition, you may come across a

Gray-headed Tanager, or an opportunistic White-whiskered Puffbird, or even an elusive Streak-chested Antpitta.

After lunch and a break at the lodge, we will return to explore further on Pipeline Road, including some of the trails around the Rainforest

Discovery Center. We will be on the lookout for interesting inhabitants of the lowland rainforests including Black-chested Jays, Black-

breasted Puffbirds, Purple-throated Fruitcrows, among many others. In addition, we will also search the skies above for raptors like White

Hawk, Bat Falcon, Black Hawk-Eagle, and perhaps even a majestic King Vulture. Some rarities are possible here, including the elusive

Pheasant Cuckoo. Overnight Soberania Field Station and Lodge (BLD)

Day 4, Jan. 15: Fly to David / Cuestra Piedra / Volcan Lakes This morning we will leave the lodge very early to catch a flight to

the western highlands. We will see first-hand why Panama harbors such high biodiversity as the landscape changes dramatically during

our short 50-minute flight to the Chiriqui Province (airfare included). Upon arrival in David, we will spend some time birding near the

airport, where a wide variety of species can be seen. Brown-throated Parakeet, Pearl Kite, Yellow-crowned and Red-lored Parrots, Black-

hooded Antshrike, Mouse-colored Tyrannulet, Veraguan Mango, Mangrove Warbler, and Fork-tailed Flycatcher are but a few of the

possibilities. Our next stop will be in a moist valley near Cuestra de Piedra. Cherrie's Tanagers are abundant here, along with White-

collared Swifts and Lesser Goldfinches. Snowy-bellied and Charming Hummingbirds feed on some of the plentiful flowers in the area,

often joined by Brown Violet-ear. Near the stream, we might find Buff-rumped Warbler and Louisiana Waterthrush in the undergrowth

while the nearby shrubs and trees host other migrating warblers (we saw Golden-winged in 2011). Wrens, Tyrannulets, Furnarids,

Manakins, and other bird families are all well represented in this lovely area.

After lunch at our hotel, we will explore nearby forests in search of foothill bird species. We will start by visiting the Volcan Lakes where we

may discover some waders like Northern Jacana, Green Heron, and Great Egret. Least and Pied-billed Grebes are usually seen on the

water, and if we're lucky, we might find Masked Duck in the brushy areas along the banks. In addition, the lush forest around the lakes

may yield Olivaceous Piculet, Slaty Spinetail, and possibly the nearly endemic Fiery-billed Aracari. As we return to our hotel in the

evening, we will witness a small rookery as it fills with various egrets and herons as they return to roost for the night. We might even be

able to locate a Tropical Screech-Owl that is resident near the hotel. Overnight Dos Rios Hotel (BLD)



August 31, 2012



Spotlight Tour 1: Panama – Canal Zone & Chiriqui Highlands (Continued)

January 12 - 21, 2013

Day 5 Jan. 16: La Amistad International Park Early in the morning we will travel into La Amistad International Park (jointly protected

by Panama and Costa Rica). Upon our arrival, we will be served an authentic Panamanian breakfast in a charming little restaurant just

inside the park boundaries. As we enjoy our morning meal, some of the more common and obvious species of the park, such as Yellow-

thighed Finch, Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush, Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch, and Magnificent Hummingbird will entertain us.

Endemism is high in this Important Bird Area (IBA) and we will make special efforts to see many birds restricted to the Chiriqui/Talamanca

Range. We are not only referring to the well-camouflaged "LBJ"s like Zeledonia or the skulking Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, but also to some

of the most gaudy birds in the World, like the Spangle-cheeked Tanager, Collared Redstart, and the Flame-throated Warbler. La Amistad

is our best chance for finding the breathtakingly gorgeous Resplendent Quetzal. We will enjoy a delicious lunch inside the park and

continue birding in the afternoon, taking full advantage of our day here. As we drive back to Volcan in the afternoon, we will stop at a Bed

& Breakfast to observe the activity at their bird feeders and in the gardens. Violet Sabrewing, Stripe-throated Hummingbird, Green Violet-

ear, and White-throated Mountain-gem are among several species of hummingbird that frequent the well-stocked feeders. A myriad of

species visit the fruiting trees in the gardens, including Silver-throated and Flame-colored Tanagers, among others. Our final stop for the

day will be a brief one to find a specific target species, Torrent Tyrannulet. These diminutive and active birds have been resident on the

grounds of a local hotel for several years. Overnight Dos Rios Hotel, Volcan (BLD)

Day 6, Jan. 17: Baru Volcano National Park Today we will explore the forests of the Los Quetzales Trail at the Baru Volcano National

Park. Because of its importance in preserving unique elements of the flora and fauna, UNESCO has declared this area a Biosphere

Reserve. Amidst the moss-covered, epiphyte-laden trees of the cloudforest we may spot Buffy Tufted-cheek, Sooty-capped Bush-tanager,

Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher, and Large-footed Finch. Flowering bushes by the trail may yield White-throated Mountain-gem, Stripe-tailed,

Scintillant, and Volcano Hummingbirds. Later today, if time permits, we will visit the Dracula Orchid Farm where we will enjoy seeing

hundreds of these enchanting flowers, all the while staying on the lookout for Silver-throated Tanager, Black-faced Solitaire, Ruddy-

capped Nightingale-thrush, Magnificent Hummingbird, and others. In the evening, we will catch a late flight back to Panama City. We will

drive back to the Soberania Field Station and Lodge upon our arrival. Overnight Soberania Field Station and Lodge (BLD)

Day 7, Jan 18: Metropolitan Park, Panama City Wetlands Today we will travel to Panama City to visit the famous Metropolitan Park,

perhaps the only rainforest within a major capital city in Latin America. Despite its proximity to cosmopolitan Panama City, it boasts a

great variety of fauna, especially birds. We will be on the lookout for such specialties as Lance-tailed Manakin, Rosy Thrush-tanager,

Orange-billed Sparrow, Rufous-and-white Wren, Whooping Motmot, White-bellied Antbird, and with some luck, the endemic Yellow-green

Tyrannulet. Later today you will enjoy a historical tour of the French Quarter and Old Panama City. We will of course keep our eyes in

the sky and on the mudflats for seabirds like Magnificent Frigatebirds, Neotropical Cormorants, Brown Pelicans, as well as shorebirds

including White Ibis, Yellow-crowned Night-herons, Collared Plovers, Gull-billed Terns, Marbled Godwit, Ruddy Turnstones, and many

more. This place has even been declared a site of Hemispheric Importance by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network as

well as a Wetland of International Importance by the RAMSAR Convention. Overnight Soberania Field Station and Lodge (BLD)

Day 8, Jan. 19: Bayano Forest Today we will drive about two hours east of Gamboa to an area called Bayano Forest. Bayano Valley is

an important birding locale because it represents the western-most limit of the range of many Darien endemic and specialty birds. The

habitat in the valley consists of forests that protect the Bayano River watershed, riverine woodlands, scrub, and open savanna. Birding

can be done by road and along several trails within the valley. A reservoir within the valley provides habitat for a variety of aquatic birds

and is nearly the northern-most limit of the range for Cocoi Heron. The most notable target species is the Black Antshrike, whose range is

limited to Darien Province of eastern Panama and adjoining northern Columbia. Other species of special interest that can be seen in the

valley include Gray-cheeked Nunlet, Rufous-winged Antwren, Green Manakin, White-eared Conebill, Golden-Green Woodpecker,

Rufous-winged Antwren, One-colored Becard, and Orange-crowned Oriole. Overnight Soberania Field Station and Lodge (BLD)

Day 9, Jan. 20: Summit Ponds and Old Gamboa Road Today we will visit Summit Ponds and walk along Old Gamboa Road. At

Summit Ponds, we should see multiple species of Kingfisher and Boat-billed Heron. If we're exceptionally lucky, we may catch a glimpse

of a Capped Heron. Along Old Gamboa Road, we hope to find a pair of Spectacled Owls that have been present in this area for many

years. Other difficult species that are possible include Rufous Nightjar, Rosy Thrush-Tanager, and Black Hawk-Eagle. After lunch, we will

drive to the Miraflores Locks near Panama City. Following a quick tour of the museum, we'll spend some time watching ships move

through this wonder of the modern world followed by a buffet dinner in the Miraflores Locks Restaurant overlooking the canal, and then be

transported back to our lodge to prepare for our departure the following day. Overnight Soberania Field Station and Lodge (BLD)

Day 10, Jan. 21: Departure In the morning we will be transported to the Tocumen International Airport for our international flights.

(Breakfast will be provided if departure for the airport is after 7:00 AM)

Price of the trip includes comfortable lodging, all meals as indicated, all land and air transportation within Panama, transfers, entrance fees,

two bilingual birding guides, Cheepers! tour leaders, pre-trip gift package, post-trip electronic group checklist, photo disk and trip report, and a

donation to the conservation efforts of the Panama Audubon Society. International airfare to Panama City Panama, alcoholic drinks, travel insurance, gratuities, and expenses of a personal nature are not included in the trip price.



August 31, 2012





August 31, 2012

Spotlight Tour 2: Honduras - Pico Bonito and More

March 9 – 16, 2013 DAY 1- Arrival:

After meeting our guide at San Pedro Sula International Airport, we’ll transfer to the lovely Panacam Lodge, a naturalist’s

paradise nestled in the high mountains of 300 square kilometer Cerro Azul National Park. We’ll enjoy an afternoon / evening

of birding along one of the Park’s many birding routes. Trails here lead from mid elevation rainforest through pine-oak habitat

and eventually into cloud forest. Along the way we will look for Keel-billed Motmot, Highland Guan, Green Jay, Bushy-

Crested Jay, Elegant Trogon, Black-crested Coquette, Wine-throated Hummingbird, and a myriad of other species that

inhabit this pristine highland preserve. (D)

DAY 2- Resplendent Quetzals

Early morning coffee/light breakfast before a 4:30 AM departure for Santa Barbara National Park. Santa Barbara Park

encompasses nearly 125 sq. kilometers of broadleaf rain and cloud forest. Up to 300 pairs of Resplendent Quetzals are

estimated to thrive in this cool and cloudy montane reserve. Our trail will take us to nearly 6,000 feet in elevation, and the

open nature of the forest along the way provides great views not only of Resplendent Quetzals, but also other species found

in this habitat, such as Highland Guan, Emerald Toucanet, Blue-crowned Chlorophonia, Slate-colored Solitaire, Flame-

colored Tanager, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Green Violet-ear, Red-throated Parakeet, Blue and White Mockingbird and others. We

will enjoy lunch at Lake Yojoa before an afternoon and evening of birding the shorelines and marshes of Honduras’ largest

lake. We will bird along the trails and elevated boardwalks of “Los Naranjos”, an archaeological park protecting a huge, pre-

Colombian Lenca settlement on the lake’s bird-rich north shore. Here we’ll look for stunning, scope-filling views of waterfowl

such as Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Fulvous Whistling Duck, Blue-winged Teal, as well as Common Moorhen, Rudy Crake,

Swallow-tailed Kite, Snail Kite, Black-necked Stilt, Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer, Banded Wren and others. (BLD)

DAY 3: Transfer to Lodge at Pico Bonito

After early morning birding of the Panacam Lodge entrance road and grounds, we will enjoy a hearty breakfast before

departing for Honduras’ North Coast and The Lodge at Pico Bonito, the highly acclaimed birding/rain forest resort within

270,000 acre Pico Bonito National Park. We’ll stop for lunch along the way, and a late afternoon arrival at The Lodge will

afford us time to unpack, refresh and enjoy some light birding of the Lodge grounds before dinner. (BLD)

DAY 4: The Lodge at Pico Bonito - Lovely Cotingas

Our first day at The Lodge at Pico Bonito will begin at 6:00 AM, with an early breakfast/orientation on the spacious front deck

of The Lodge’s Itzama Restaurant. For the next several hours our guide will lead us throughout the Lodge grounds, spotting

numerous bird species that are common in the early hours. A climb to the top of the “Toucan Tower” observation platform

offers a bird’s eye view of the forest canopy that can include heart-stopping views of the coveted Lovely Cotinga. Throughout

the morning we will bird areas of tropical, secondary and gallery forest and plantations along the Rio Coloradito. Along this

route, diversity is the rule, and examples of sightings include Lovely Cotinga, Masked and Black-crowned Tityras, Blue-

crowned and Turquoise-browed Motmots, Tody Motmot, Keel-billed Toucan, Collared Aracari, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl,

Black-cowled Oriole, Black-headed and Violaceous Trogons, Collared and Slaty-tailed Trogons, Royal Flycatcher, Green,

Shining and Red-Legged Honeycreepers, and 16 species of Hummingbirds including Crowned Woodnymph, Blue-throated

Sapphire, Violet Sabrewing, Purple-crowned Fairy, Stripe-tailed Hummingbird, Brown Violet-ear, Green Violet-ear and White-

necked Jacobin. In the afternoon, after lunch at the Lodge and a light siesta, we’ll ascend with our guide along The Lodge’s

loop trail system in search of species that inhabit the more interior parts of the forest. In addition to the Toucan Tower at the

trail’s beginning, this route offers an elevated ridge platform which overlooks the Rio Coloradito and surrounding forested

slopes. We'll also visit observation Tower #3 along the way, set amidst an area of bird-rich secondary forest and overgrown

plantation. White-collared and Red-capped Manakins occur at various locations here and the Grey-headed Piprites may be

seen as well. Both Keel-billed and Tody Motmots are frequently encountered along this route. Other species here include the

Great Curassow, Crested Guan, Slaty-breasted Tinamou, Little Tinamou, Scaly-throated Leaftosser, Keel-billed, Emerald

and Yellow-eared Toucanets, Collared Aracari, a host of Flycatcher species (including the Royal Flycatcher), and many of

the Trogon, Woodpecker, Woodcreeper, Tanager and Oriole species on The Lodge’s 420+ bird list. In addition to superb

viewing from The Lodge’s towers, this route passes several overlooks along the Rio Coloradito, and sightings of many

Raptor species can be made here. Great and Northern Potoo are common here as well. (BLD)





August 31, 2012

Spotlight Tour 2: Honduras - Pico Bonito and More (Continued)

March 9 – 16, 2013

DAY 5: Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge

Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge is named for the Cuero and Salado Rivers which meet the ocean here. The Refuge

comprises over 35,000 acres of rivers, lagoons, mangroves, and forests that are home to diverse wildlife and a variety of

birds exceeding 350 species. We’ll meet our guide early for breakfast, and depart for the refuge by 6:30 AM. Access into this

wilderness is via a small motorized train which takes us along a century-old track through bird-rich ranchlands, marshlands

and plantation areas, ultimately arriving at the mouth of the Salado River and the refuge itself. Birding from the train is always

exciting, as even the conductor is eager to stop and point out species of interest along the way. Depending on season, a

variety of raptors, wading birds and edge-habitat species abound along the railway. Once at the refuge, we will explore the

various aquatic and forest habitats from a small, motorized skiff. Our guides and boat handlers are superbly trained spotters

and, when needed, prefer to silence our boat’s motor and quietly paddle in for a better look. Agami Heron, Boat-billed Heron,

Bare-throated Tiger Heron, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Tri-colored Heron, Jabiru Stork, Pygmy Kingfisher, Gray-necked

Wood Rail, Sungrebe, Laughing Falcon, Bat Falcon, and Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture are but a few potential highlights of a

visit to Cuero y Salado. During the right season (February – March), we may also have the opportunity to visit an established

Boat-billed Heron rookery, consisting of several hundred pairs of these broad-billed, wide-eyed, bill-clapping mangrove

inhabitants. After lunch back at The Lodge, we will have an afternoon to relax, visit The Lodge’s butterfly farm, or bird from

the Lodge’s decks or gardens. (BLD)

DAY 6: Lancetilla Botanical Gardens

We’ll meet our guide for breakfast and depart for The Lancetilla Botanical Gardens by 5:30 AM. Set amidst a coastal valley

flanked by low, rain-forested hills, The United Fruit Company founded Lancetilla as a station where tropical fruit and wood

trees were studied for commercial value. The Gardens were founded in 1925, and some of that work continues, but this

diverse tropical treasure, composed of a mosaic of forest and edge habitats, is today best known for its superb birding.

Honduras' annual Christmas Bird Count is held at Lancetilla. Every December, birders flock to confirm (and add to) the

Garden’s growing list of colorful, tropical species. The current bird list reads like a who’s who of tropical birds, and includes

Motmots and Manakins, Woodcreepers and Warblers, Woodpeckers, Toucans, Tanagers, and scores of others. Thanks to

this diversity, a typical day of birding here could yield Little Tinamou, Common Black Hawk, Ornate Hawk-eagle, Ruddy

Crake, White-fronted Parrot, Red-lored Parrot, Squirrel Cuckoo, Black-headed Trogon, Violaceous Trogon, Collared Trogon,

Turquoise-browed Motmot, Blue-crowned Motmot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Great Antshrike, Barred Antshrike, Long-billed

Gnatwren, and a host of other resident and migrant species. We’ll complete our morning at Lancetilla with lunch in the beach

town of Tela, and return to The Lodge by late afternoon. (BLD)

DAY 7: Rio Aguan Valley and The Endemic Honduran Emerald We’ll begin this full day of birding Honduras’ unique dry

forest habitat with an early breakfast at The Lodge with departure by 4:30 AM. The target of our search, the beautiful but

critically endangered Honduran Emerald, survives only in remaining pockets of tropical dry forest to the south of Pico Bonito

National Park. Descending the “rain shadow”, or southern side of the Park, cloud forested peaks and pine studded slopes

give way to an arid, almost desert-like plain, once dominated by tropical thorn or dry forest. Although endangered, the

Honduran Emerald is considered common within its habitat. As such, regardless of season, our chances of seeing the

Honduran Emerald are very good. Our ride into “Emerald Country” can be equally exciting, as a surprising number of bird

species inhabit dry forest. Along the way, we’ll also visit localized wet areas within this arid region. These sites can be

magnets for wading birds and other species. We’ll go after species such as Double-striped Thick-knee, Lesser Roadrunner,

Lesser Ground-cuckoo, Beardless Tyrannulet, White-lored Gnatcatcher, White-throated Magpie-Jay, Banded Wren, White-

bellied Wren, Stripe-headed Sparrow, and Salvin’s Emerald, among others. We’ll enjoy lunch in the nearby ranching town of

Olanchito, and return to The Lodge by 4:00 - 5:00 PM. (BLD)

Day 8: Depart The Lodge at Pico Bonito for San Pedro Sula International Airport (B)

The price for this trip is $2250 double occupancy ($530 single supplement) and includes lodging, all meals during tour

(dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 8), all entry fees to reserves in itinerary, expert local birding guide, private

transportation during the tour, and transfers to and from the San Pedro Sula airport

The price does NOT include international airfare, tips, and items of a personal nature, such as extra drinks, snacks,

alcoholic beverages, laundry, souvenirs, etc.



Cheepers! News

Reducing tourism impact on the area

THE CRISTALINO LODGE

Alta Floresta, Brazil

One of our Favorite Lodges

The Cristalino Lodge is a premier destination for nature lovers.

Located in the middle of a private reserve with 29,652 acres,

the lodge offers unique outdoor experiences. Built in harmony

with the surrounding forest, the eco-friendly bungalows

provide a memorable stay in the Amazon.

The lodge has a Private Reserve with more than 29,652 acres

(46 square miles), an area two times larger than Manhattan

island. This pristine forest reserve is home to a large variety

of habitats and natural communities, allowing our guests to

see wildlife in its natural state of being.

The lodge has a serious management plan with the following

goals:

- Conservation of natural resources and biodiversity

- Environmental education activities with the local community

- which is part of a series of efforts to promote environmental

awareness and people empowerment in the region

- Responsible Ecotourism Activities at the lodge - with small

group sizes and several efforts to promote sustainable tourism

-Support research of natural resources through the Cristalino

Ecological Foundation

The private reserve is divided in geographical zones with

different purposes such as tourism, conservation, research

and monitoring. This area is managed by the Cristalino

Ecological Foundation in partnership with Flora & Fauna

International.

August 31, 2012

Articles and photo courtesy of the Cristalino Lodge Website

CRISTALINO FOUNDATION

The lodge, together with other organizations such as Botanic Kew

Gardens and Fauna and Flora International, supports the

Cristalino Foundation, which is a Non-Profit-Organization located

in the municipality of Alta Floresta, Brazil.

The main projects are focused in the buffer zones of the Cristalino

State Park and are dedicated to the promotion of environmental

awareness and sustainable use of Amazon’s natural resources.

The main projects are:

SCHOOL OF THE AMAZON

This is a program with two main divisions - one destined to

students from all over the world and the other to the local

community. The latter is centered on teenagers from local schools

and aim to increase their ecological awareness. This program

received the Whitley Award in 2007 from the Whitley Awards

Foundation, United Kingdom, as a recognition for its valuable

work.

A DAY IN THE FOREST

This project brings local children to spend a whole day learning

about the rainforest and its importance to their daily lives.

FLORA CRISTALINO

This is a research project focused on studying the forests in the

Cristalino Region, being the first large program gathering

information on this issue. It has already identified more than 700

species - three of them were new to science.

PEOPLE AND JAGUARS

This project was conceived by Silvio Marchinni and is destined to

prevent the killing of jaguars, especially in the buffer zone of the

Cristalino State Park.

FLAG SPECIES

This program uses the White-Whiskered-Spider-Monkey as an

icon to raise ecological responsiveness with the children.

For more information, please contact the foundation.

CRISTALINO ECOLOGICAL FOUNDATION

Contact Information

Director: Renato Farias

Av. Teles Pires, 2001 – Alta Floresta – MT – Brazil

Phone and Fax: +55 66 3521 – 8513

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.fundacaocristalino.org.br

• Solar water heating for all rooms

• Effluent grey-water treatment with organic systems

• Effluent black-water treatment with filters and evapo-transpiration system

• Hydrokinetic energy generator which provides a small amount of power from the river

• Smart architecture buildings with wide windows and roof air-escapes, providing better

air circulation inside the rooms

• Use of regional plants in the landscape design to prevent disturbance in the flora

• Composting of all organic disposal

• Recycling of all non-organic material – aluminum, plastic, metal and paper – which is

separated and brought back to the local community to be recycled

How The Cristalino

Lodge is reducing

tourism impact on

the environment!

http://www.fauna-flora.org/

http://www.fauna-flora.org/


http://www.fundacaocristalino.org.br/



August 31, 2012

New Conference Center New Deck Bar

Aerial View

New Restaurant

CRISTALINO LODGE RENOVATIONS

The Cristalino Lodge is undergoing a major construction project to replace their existing early-1990’s somewhat rustic

restaurant/bar, kitchen and library with a new restaurant, living room, library, conference center, kitchen, and offices which

expect to open in early 2013. The new buildings, designed by prominent Sao Paulo architect Adriana Da Riva, will greatly

enhance and upgrade the Cristalino experience.

Current Restaurant

Current Living Room/Library/

Conference Center New Living Room/Library

RECOGNITION

Condé Nast Traveler has named the Cristalino Jungle Lodge a winner in the magazine‘s 2008 World Savers Awards. The lodge

is one of 38 companies selected worldwide as a leader in social responsibility in the magazine’s September issue.

National Geographic Traveler editors named Cristalino Jungle Lodge as one of the Best Hotels in Brazil in the magazine's 2011

Stay List. The lodge is one of the 19 properties chosen in Brazil.

Photos courtesy of the Cristalino Lodge Website. New construction artwork courtesy of Adriana Da Riva, Architect.



http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/hotels/2011/best-hotels-brazil

cheepers! news · cheepers! news [email protected] 937-862-4505 august 31, 2012 page 4 brazil...

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