Date: 12/7/24 6:44 am From: Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> Subject: Re: Belize tropical biology nature tour for the AAST
On Sat, Dec 7, 2024 at 7:18 AM Sandy Berger <sndbrgr...> wrote:
> I was blessed to accompany Kannan and his students on the 2024 Belize
> trip. It was a grand adventure in my book. There were I think seven other
> non-students from all over the US who also went. Us “older” birders had our
> own guide who did an incredible job driving us to incredible sites for
> birds. We saw Mayan ruins in numerous places. Some still half buried in the
> forests.
> Our guide, Andy, was always prepared for us with extra cold water. It was
> very hot so drinking lots of water was a must. But the birds are apparently
> used to the heat and it didn’t stop them from being out and about early, so
> we saw everything we went out to see.
> Go if you can. I don’t believe you’d regret it.
>
> Sandy Berger
> Fort Smith
>
> On Fri, Dec 6, 2024 at 2:24 PM Ragupathy Kannan <
> <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
>> Folks, for several years, we have had successful fund raising nature and
>> birding tours for the Arkansas Audubon Society Trust. We have raised nearly
>> $20,000 for the trust doing these tours. Many AR-birders have enjoyed these
>> tours. So, please consider joining us for some great food and fun in a
>> tropical paradise.
>>
>> I hereby announce this year's family-friendly and relaxing tour to
>> Belize. Itinerary below. Price will be $2,000 plus air, including a
>> donation to the AAST. Participants must be avid birders or naturalists and
>> must be in good health for field trips in hot and humid conditions. Travel
>> insurance is strongly recommended. If interested, please contact me offline
>> at <ragupathy.kannan...>
>>
>> *BELIZE NATURE TOUR FUNDRAISER FOR THE ARKANSAS AUDUBON SOCIETY TRUST
>> (12-20 May 2025—dates tentative)*
>>
>> *Itinerary*
>>
>> *12 MAY*. We meet our local guides at Belize City airport and travel up
>> the Northern Highway to Crooked Tree village, right by the famous water
>> bird sanctuary named after the village. There will be birding stops on the
>> way as we pass by the lush tropical countryside. Evening outing into the
>> savannahs will target the cooperatively breeding Yucatan Jays, Ani Cuckoos,
>> and Acorn Woodpeckers. A short night walk will focus on reptiles and
>> amphibians. Dinner and overnight at Bird’s Eye View Lodge at Crooked Tree.
>> Dinner included.
>>
>> *13 MAY*. Early morning nature walks at Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.
>> Water birds will be our main target, with special emphasis on Jabiru
>> Storks, Wood Storks, Roseate Spoonbills, Jacanas, and Snail Kites. After
>> late breakfast we leave for the Community Baboon Sanctuary in the village
>> of Bermudian Landing to see the rare Black Howler monkeys. This village is
>> the site of a world-famous grassroots monkey conservation project which
>> involves cooperation from dozens of local villages. Pack lunch will be
>> catered by local villagers. Tonight, we check into our cabanas at Crystal
>> Paradise Resort near the village of Cristo Rey south of the town of San
>> Ignacio near the Guatemalan border. Overnight at Crystal Paradise Resort.
>> All meals included.
>>
>> *14 MAY*. After breakfast and an early morning nature walk, we will
>> canoe 8 kms down the Macal River for a thorough census and inventory of all
>> wildlife. We will view sunning Iguanas or an array of birds including
>> kingfishers and wood-rails. Proboscis bats and Howler monkeys may be among
>> the mammal fauna encountered. See https://ebird.org/checklist/S57578318 >> for birds seen and photographed during one of our previous river trips.
>> This afternoon we will visit the local Cristo Rey school to interact with
>> the children and donate school supplies. Overnight at Crystal Paradise
>> Resort. All meals included.
>>
>> *15 MAY*. After nature walk and breakfast, we drive 45 minutes to the
>> famous 2000-year-old Mayan ruins of Xunantunich. The partially excavated,
>> largest pyramid, El Castillo, stands 130 feet above the main plaza floor,
>> offering commanding views of the tropical forests and nearby Guatemala.
>> Hiking up to the top is an option, and the view from there makes the effort
>> worthwhile. El Castillo is famous for its friezes, which are banded stucco
>> decorations. An impressive museum displays a three-dimensional model of the
>> entire site and traces the evolution of the Maya civilization. Those opting
>> out of the ruin hike will go on a birding walk in the woods surrounding the
>> area. Before lunch at the resort, we have the option to stop for an hour at
>> a local roadside tortileria to learn how to make your own tortilla.
>> Overnight at Crystal Paradise Resort. All meals included.
>>
>> *16 MAY*. Free day for doing optional birding trips at your expense.
>> Possibilities include Blue Hole National Park
>> <https://ebird.org/hotspot/L332365> or El Pilar
>> <https://ebird.org/hotspot/L499342>, either of which can add dozens of
>> birds to your list. Cost expected around $100, payable directly to the
>> resort. Those who opt out can stay at the resort and enjoy the wildlife in
>> the area. Overnight at Crystal Paradise Resort. Breakfast and dinner
>> included. Lunch on your own.
>>
>> *17 May*. After the daily early morning nature walk and breakfast, we
>> board vans and do a daytrip to the Mountain Pine Ridge. This pine
>> tree-dominated forest is more than just a vast wooded area: we will explore
>> deep ravines, traverse dramatic granite expanses atop the Maya Mountains,
>> and observe meandering rivers, streams, waterfalls, and pools amid the
>> sweet fragrance of the evergreens. We will focus on conservation efforts
>> aimed at the rare Orange-breasted Falcons which nest on cliffs in the
>> 1600-ft Falls. We will also learn about the devastation caused by
>> pine-borer beetles to this ecosystem. You may get a chance for a refreshing
>> dip by the waterfalls. Overnight at Crystal Paradise Resort. All meals
>> included, including a picnic lunch by the rapids.
>>
>> *18 May*. After nature walk and breakfast, we pack up all our belongings
>> and check out of Crystal Paradise Resort. We head toward Belize City and on
>> the way, spend a few hours at the world-famous Belize Zoo, which houses
>> only native animals of Belize. Near the zoo, we briefly inspect the
>> tropical pine savanna habitat (where Prof. Kannan studied birds and their
>> habitat extensively in the past). Those opting out of the zoo trip will go
>> birding to the nearby Sibun River, where we can possibly see endemics like
>> Blue Seedeater. We lunch at a picnic spot next to the zoo, after which we
>> head to Belize City to catch the water taxi (a powerful ferry) for the 1-hr
>> ride to Caye Caulker. Overnight at a hotel in Caye Caulker. Breakfast and
>> Lunch included. Dinner on your own.
>>
>> *19 MAY*. Pre-breakfast birding and nature walk to the sand spits and
>> mangrove forests where we look for birds such as willets, plovers,
>> sandpipers and other shorebirds and water birds. Also, this is an excellent
>> chance to see the endemic Black Catbird and the rare Rufous-necked
>> Wood-rail amongst the mangrove vegetation. We will also find Frigate Birds
>> (Man o’ War birds) and Brown Pelicans flying over the sea. Anoles lizards,
>> Boa constrictors, and other herps are a possibility. After breakfast we
>> will be taken by boat for snorkeling at the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve,
>> where we will be treated to spectacular sights of marine life. Fish fauna
>> may include large groupers, nurse sharks, sting rays, moray eels, and
>> flounders, dominated by a spectacular array (17 species last year) of
>> colorful coral reef fish. Depth is between 5-30 feet and visibility is
>> usually excellent. Floatation devices (mandatory even if you know
>> swimming!) and all snorkeling gear will be provided. Sunscreen usage a
>> must. Overnight at a hotel in Caye Caulker. Breakfast and lunch included.
>> Dinner on your own.
>>
>> *20 MAY*. After breakfast we catch the water taxi to Belize City and
>> then the van to the airport for the journey back home. Breakfast included.
>> *For a full photographic report of birds seen in May 2023, please
>> see: https://ebird.org/tripreport/137044 >> <https://ebird.org/tripreport/137044>* >> *May 2024: https://ebird.org/tripreport/246075 >> <https://ebird.org/tripreport/246075>* >>
>>
>>
>>
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