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Bird-Watching in Belize
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Bird-watching is spectacular throughout Belize, drawing novice and experienced twitchers from all over the world. Many Belizean guides possess a truly amazing wealth of knowledge to supplement the bird-spotting skills they learned while growing up. Most lodges offer casual bird-watching in their backyards, and some areas really cater to the pro bird-watcher. Birders with a serious agenda often sign up with bird-watching tour operators who handle the logistics of a countrywide tour so you can keep your eyes glued to those binocs. Check with individual resorts in the areas listed below, or look into specific operators like www.birdinginbelize.com. One of many respected independent Belizean birding guides is Nathan Forbes (forbes.nathan [at] gmail [dot] com).
Bring binoculars and wear boots, lightweight long-sleeved shirts, and lightweight trousers if you plan to go birding in jungle areas. If you forget your bird guide, several good ones can be purchased in Belize, as can local and national species lists.
The Belize Audubon Society (BAS, www.belizeaudubon.org) co-manages many of Belize’s reserves and has a number of bird lists and field guides available in the central office in Belize City and on their website; they also operate various visitors centers throughout the country.
Hidden Valley Inn (www.hiddenvalleyinn.com), whose 7,200 acres encompass several bird habitats, maintains a downloadable and updated bird checklist on their website. Of course, seeing the most number of birds means visiting the most number of habitats—from marsh to forest to river to jungle.
Day 1
Arrive at Philip Goldson International Airport and transfer to one of three accommodations in Crooked Tree, a quick drive north.
Day 2
Spend the day on a guided boat tour of the wetlands (much of which dry up in April and May), with a spectacular variety of water fowl and migratory birds.
Day 3
Transfer to the Lamanai Archaeological Zone and on-site lodge in Orange Walk District or Chan Chich Lodge to the west, both considered cornerstones of any Belizean bird-watching tour.
Day 4
Plan on early morning guided hikes, exploration of the nearby ruins, and some wonderful meals as your checklist grows longer by the day.
Days 5 and 6
Make your way up to the Mountain Pine Ridge—a rented 4WD will come in handy here. Any of the fine resorts along these highlands offer hundreds of bird species; the grounds of the Hidden Valley Inn and Thousand Foot Falls are home to the rare orange breasted falcon, king vulture, and stygian owl. Spend at least two days hiking or biking the many miles of trails and private swimming holes. Pook's Hill and DuPlooy’s are two more of the many area lodges specializing in bird tours, famed guides, and great facilities.
Day 7
Head to the Southern Coast: Spend the entire day park-hopping down the length of the Hummingbird Highway, ending up at Sittee River, where a private cabin and a night paddle up Boom Creek await.
Day 8
Tour the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, where you’ll undoubtedly see more birds than cats.
Day 9
Celebrate the week with a final two nights on the beach—treat yourself to a bungalow somewhere on the The Placencia Peninsula and be content with pelicans and frigates, seen from your hammock. Alternately, go to Caye Caulker for unique species like the Black Catbird. Or catch a boat to see the blue-footed booby colony on Half Moon Caye.
Day 10
Transfer to Philip Goldson International Airport for your flight home. Show off your checklist to your fellow passengers.
© Joshua Berman and Avalon Travel from Moon Belize, 7th Edition
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