Cheepers!  Birding on a Budget  LLC

ITINERARY
Day 1, Jan. 7: 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.
Overnight Soberania Field Station and Lodge (no meals)

Day 2, Jan 8: Soberania National Park/Gamboa             
After breakfast this morning, we will visit birding sites near the field station in Gamboa. Over 170 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, Palm, and Flame-rumped 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 and 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 9:  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 Antshrike, 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. 10: 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 5, Jan. 11: Madden Dry Forest/ Panama City and Wetlands
Following an early breakfast, we will visit the lowland tropical forests of the Chagres National Park. In the dry forests near the Madden Dam we will be on the lookout for such specialties as Lance-tailed Manakin, Rosy Thrush-Tanager, Orange-billed Sparrow, Rufous-and-white Wren, White-bellied Antbird, and with some luck, the endemic Yellow-green Tyrannulet. 

Later today we will enjoy a historical tour of the French Quarter and Old Panama City, located near the world famous mud flats.  Here, as we keep our eyes on the sky for seabirds like Magnificent Frigatebirds, Neotropical Cormorants and Brown Pelicans, we will watch the mudflats for shorebirds including White Ibis, Yellow-crowned Night-herons, Collared Plovers, Gull-billed Terns, Marbled Godwit, Ruddy Turnstones, and many more. This area has 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. 

We will make a few strategic stops for specific species before returning to the lodge for dinner.
Overnight Soberania Field Station and Lodge (BLD)

Day 6, Jan. 12:  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)

Day 7, Jan 13: 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-Finche, 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 rather to some of the most gaudy birds in the World, like the Spangle-cheeked Tanager, Collared Redstart, and the Flame-throated Warbler. Here we may also find the breathtakingly gorgeous Resplendent Quetzal.  We will enjoy a delicious lunch inside the park and continue birding there 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 8, Jan 14: 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, the 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 9, Jan. 15: 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 to 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.  We will enjoy a buffet dinner in the Miraflores Locks Restaurant overlooking the Panama 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. 16: 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)


Includes: Lodging in comfortable hotel/lodges, all meals as indicated, all local terrestrial, aquatic and air transportation within Panama, transfers, entrance fees, bilingual birding guide, as well as a donation to the conservation efforts of thePanama Audubon Society.

Does not Include: International airfare to Panama City, alcoholic drinks, travel insurance, gratuities, and expenses of a personal nature (laundry, phone calls, extra drinks and snacks, etc.).

PAYMENT INFORMATION:
Deposit of $400 with registration (link for registration form is at the bottom of this page).  Balance due on or before  October 7, 2011.

Checks should be made payable to Cheepers! Birding on a Budget and mailed with the registration form to
Cheepers! Birding on a Budget
Post Office Box 385
Spring Valley, OH 45370

Cancellation policy:
Cancellation should be made in writing (email or snail mail)
More than 6 months prior to departure – full refund of deposit
Between 4 and 6 months prior to departure – 50% refund of deposit
Less than 4 months prior to departure – No refund of deposit
If cancellation occurs after full payment is made, a refund will be given only if the vacant spot is filled. 
                    Trip insurance is recommended.
You can compare prices offered by various trip insurance companies at this website:
http://www.quotewright.com/?sub_id=6056


Cheepers! Birding on a Budget LLC reserves the right to make changes in the itinerary if the need should arise due to unforeseeable circumstances such as weather, landslides, and other natural phenomena, as well as suggestions by local guides in order to take advantage of an unusual birding opportunity.   

Contact us
email:  cheepers@sbcglobal.net
Home phone: 937-862-4505
Cell phone: 937-974-0803
Snail mail:  PO Box 385
                  Spring Valley, OH 45370