Birding 16 Mar, 2010

Today we were up at 5:45am and on the road by 6:15am and heading toward Pipeline Road in Soberania National Park. Upon arrival I decided to head directly to the Rainforest Discovery Center, where, based on advice from Mae of Panama Birding tours, the Blue Cotinga was most likely to be seen in the early morning, from the top of the 30-m tall canopy tower. After the tower we walked about 2 kms of the Pipeline Road, and then made our way back to Ammo Dump ponds, followed by Gamboa Park. After a long day of birding we arrived back at the hotel by 3:15pm, got cleaned up, and went for an early dinner.

Mike's highlights: Four lifers including Blue Cotinga (a brilliant male), Moustached Antwren (formerly Pygmy Antwren), Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant, and Yellow-green Vireo (a pair building a nest). Other noteworthy sightings include Chestnut-backed Antbird, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Black-chested Jay, Black-striped Woodcreeper, Crane Hawk, Great Tinamou, Green Shrike-Vireo, Hook-billed Kite, Limpkin, and Rufescent Tiger-Heron.

Dad's highlights: Black-chested Jay, Blue Dacnis, Blue Cotinga, hummingbirds at the feeders, Black-striped Woodcreeper, White-faced Capuchin, Western Slaty Antshrike pair building a nest, Yellow-tailed Oriole.

Complete story to follow...

Total species seen today = 84
Total lifers today = 4
Total lifers for trip = 14
Total species seen at Ammo Dump Ponds = 19
Total species seen at Pipeline Road = 49
Total species for trip = 155