Belize Bird Count 2016: Numbers Are Soaring High

May 6, 2016

Photo courtesy of Cayo Birder Club, Dave Hernandez

This month, the San Ignacio Resort Hotel hosted another amazing bird count inspired by our Thanksgiving Bird Count back in 2012. Abdon Tzib, care taker at our Belize Iguana Project and Managing Director Mrs. Mariam Roberson invited some of San Ignacio’s avid birders to discover the aerial friends that reside within our 17-acre private estate.

Photo courtesy of Cayo Birder Club, Dave Hernandez

The guides (9 in total) started their journey at the crack of dawn around the Running W Steakhouse & Restaurant, where visitors often enjoy a ‘dining with the birds’ experience. They then headed down to the Medicinal Trails, Green Iguana Conservation Project and nearby Macal River banks to spot countless colorful feathered friends.

Photo courtesy of Cayo Birder Club, Dave Hernandez

After a 5-hour Belize birding experience, we’re EXTREMELY excited to announce that numbers went up from 83 to 99 bird species! Highlights of this experience included the Yellow Billed Cuckoo, Tody Mot Mot, Black Headed Trogon, Blue-Crowned Mot Mot, Yellow Throated Euphonia, Slate Headed Tody Flycatcher, Long Billed Hermit, Green Breasted Mango, and the Belize National Bird, the Keel-Billed Toucan. However, the most exciting encounter for the birders was the sighting of the beautiful Long-Billed Star Throat, a lifer for the participants!

Photo courtesy of Cayo Birder Club, Dave Hernandez

We would like to thank David Hernandez, Fermin Tzib, Fidelio Montes Jr., Victor Gamez, Emil Gamez, Israel Canto, and our guides Abdon Tzib, Ted Howe, and Nigel Velasquez for participating in this exhilarating Bird Count 2016!