Birding Belize 2006
Journal 24 Jan 06
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The rain had damaged the roads. Our route took us past the turn for Laguna Seca, and the road was in far worse shape than even the day before. After a surprisingly long drive, we reached the gate that is the edge of the Rio Bravo Conservation Area. Less than half a mile past the gate, you could see why the gate was necessary. Throughout what I guess was the Mennonite District, there was slash and burn for extended areas on the northerly side of the road, extending well up into the hills. We had a short break in the village of Tres Leguas, and then motored over worse road to Orange Walk. There we connected to the Northern Highway, quite good road. After a stop at New River, with pretty good birding, we headed down the Northern Highway to Ladyville and the junction for the airport.
From about Biscayne south, roughly beginning at the Belize River, there was flooding everywhere. I saw schools and houses with two to three feet of water in the yards. It is very sad to see clean laundry draped in muddy flood water. It's hard to imagine what it must be like here in a real rainy season.
At the airport, Ron, Mary and Wendy met a van for their ride to Hidden Valley. We said a hasty goodbye to them, and to Jeff and Dave, and headed to American Airlines for the flight to Miami.
Customs went smoothly, but the shuttle to the Sheraton was 45 minutes, and included a drive-by refusal to stop and a world-class surly driver. The already occupied room to which we were assigned was just icing on the cake. And the desk clerk didn't even apologize. The contrast to Chan Chich couldn't be stronger. Strike the Sheraton from your preferred hotel list.
Despite bug bites, illness, the rainiest weather ever and sometimes surly support, this was a very good birding trip. About 193 species in Belize, and over 240 if you count Florida. And I'd love to do Cockscomb and Laguna Seca in good weather...
Click on the thumbnails below for a larger photo
) Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Photo Ron Teel) |
) Collared Puffbird |
) Mangrove Swallows |
) Wendy, Ron and Mary Teel (Photo Ron Teel) |
) Washout repairs, road to Orange Walk (Photo Ron Teel) |
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