Panama-2009-1

Panama: February 28 to March 14, 2009
      Plus Extension to March 20

Norm Erthal, as Host, to a Covey of Adults
        Excellent Local Bird Guides

This adult only trip will be hosted by Norm Erthal who has lead 10 international
birding trips to 8 different countries. Norm excels at pulling together small
groups of birders on trips focused on bird watching.   Great local bird guides
will assure seeing a number of endemic, other key species and from 325 to
360 total species of birds.

When not birding at short stops, hiking will range from easy to moderate.
Some hiking trips will be up to 4 hours at a time.

The Darien, Fantastic Panama Bird Watching: The Darien Peninsula is home
to 30 endemics and other species that can only be seen in adjoining
Colombia. These include Russet-crowned Quail-Dove, Azuero Parakeet,
Rufous-cheeked Hummingbird, Greenish Puffleg, Dusky-backed Jacamar,
Double-banded Greytail, Varied Solitaire, Pirre Warbler, Green-naped Tanager,
Viridian Dacnis, and Yellow-green Finch. It is one of the most magnificent and
remote wild areas in the world. Darien National Park and Biosphere Reserve
encompasses 1.3 million acres.

El Valle, Cocle, Altos de Campana National Park: This region is in the
Caribbean foothills with cloud forest. El Valle is in the crater of an extinct
volcano with numerous waterfalls and jagged peaks. We will expectedly see
Green Hermit, White-tailed Emerald, Scale-crested Pygmy-tyrant, and
Black-and-yellow Tanager. We will likely see Yellow-eared Toucanet and
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch. Rare possibilities include Barred
Forest-Falcon, Rufous-crested Coquette, White-tipped Sicklebill, Black-headed
Antthrush, and Tody Motmot.

Nusagandi: This portion of the trip will visit tropical rainforest at 40,000 hectare
Nusagandi National Park on the summit of the San Blas range dividing the
Caribbean and Pacific slopes. The area at Burbayar has been designated an
Important Bird Area. Some species that we could encounter here are
Plumbeous Hawk, Red-throated Caracara, Tawny-faced Quail, Sungrebe,
Olive-backed Quail-Dove, Black-breasted Puffbird, several species of
woodcreeper, Speckled Antshrike, Ocellated Antbird, Streak-chested Antpitta,
Black-crowned Antpitta, Broad-billed Sapayoa, Brownish Flycatcher,
Scaly-breasted Wren, Sulphur-rumped and Rufous-winged Tanager, and
Scarlet-rumped Cacique. We hope to find Great Curassow, Rufous-vented
Ground-Cuckoo, and Purplish-backed Quail-Dove.

Extension: Canal Zone and Chiriqui Highlands:

In the Canal Zone, we will bird a full day along the Pipeline Road in spectacular
old growth humid forest in Soberania National Park, stopping at the ammo
dump for Crimson-backed Tanager, Rufescent Tiger Heron, and
White-throated Crake. We should also see several species of tanagers and
greenlets new to the trip. We will then visit the Limbo Camp Trail for
White-bellied Antbird, Semiplumbeous Hawk, Black-breasted Puffbird,
Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Blue Cotinga, Pheasant Cuckoo, Boat-billed Heron,
and Rosy Thrush-Tanager. Hopefully, we will encounter an ant swarm and its
attendant species, like Bicolored Antbird, Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo, and
Black-crowned Antpitta. We will consider ourselves fortunate to find an Agami
Heron along with Sunbittern, and Buff-rumped Warbler.

The Chiriqui Highlands are an extension of the highlands of southern Costa
Rica. We will spend most of the time in the area of Volcan Baru National Park.
Volcan Baru is the highest point in Panama at 11,398 feet. Specialties of the
area include Black-breasted Wood-Quail, Spotted Wood-Quail, Chiriqui
Quail-Dove, Crimson-fronted Parakeet, Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl, Dusky
Nightjar, Charming Hummingbird, Veraguas Mango, White-crested Coquette,
and many other hummingbirds, Resplendent Quetzal, Scaly-throated
Foliage-gleaner, Streak-breasted Treehunter, Grey-throated Leaftosser,
Black-banded Woodcreeper, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, White-throated
Flycatcher, Barred Becard, Black-and-white Becard, Yellow-billed Cotinga,
Turquoise Cotinga, Bare-necked Umbrellabird, Silvery-throated Jay, Riverside
Wren, Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush, Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher,
Collared Redstart, Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager, Spot-crowned Euphonia,
Large-footed Finch, and Slaty Flower-piercer.

Nestling Tour's Itinerary for Panama in 2009

Note: Plan firm, but dates tentative. Should all be final by February, 2008!!!

The Darien, Fantastic Panama Bird Watching: The Darien Peninsula is home to 30 endemics and other
species that can only be seen in adjoining Colombia. These include Russet-crowned Quail-Dove, Azuero
Parakeet, Rufous-cheeked Hummingbird, Greenish Puffleg, Dusky-backed Jacamar, Double-banded Greytail,
Varied Solitaire, Pirre Warbler, Green-naped Tanager, Viridian Dacnis, and Yellow-green Finch. It is one of the
most magnificent and remote wild areas in the world. Darien National Park and Biosphere Reserve
encompasses 1.3 million acres.

Saturday, February 28, 2009: Fly from Panama City to Cana in the foothills of Cerro Pirre in the Darien. We
may see King Vulture during the flight. We will spend the afternoon birding the airstrip and around the
lodge.
Sunday and Monday, March 1 and 2: The next two days will be spent bird watching along the Boca del
Cupe Trail and the Holy Ghost/Old Mine Loop. We will take a brief look at the British Gold Mine Ventures
and continue birding up the Rio Cana and Rio Seteganti Trail.
Tuesday, March 3: We will begin at dawn for the hike to Mountain Camp on Cerro Pirre. We will hope to
see Beautiful Treerunner, Tooth-billed Hummingbird, Slaty Antwren, Tody Motmot, Rufous-breasted
Antthrush, Immaculate Antbird, Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo, Pirre Warbler, Pirre Hummingbird, Pirre
Bush-Tanager, Greenish Puffleg, and Orange-bellied Euphonia. Wednesday, March 4: We will start early
as we the hike to elfin cloud forest to the crest of Cerro Pirre to search for Golden-headed Quetzal, Gray-
and-gold Tanager, Sharpbill, and hopefully Yellow-collared Chlorophonia. We will return to camp by late
afternoon. Pack horses will be available to carry our gear.
Thursday, March 5: After an early breakfast we will descend to Cana. Possibilities on the way are Gray-
cheeked Nunlet, Spotted Barbtail, Barred Puffbird, Yellow-green Tyrannulet, Jet Antbird, Black-crowned,
Fulvous-bellied, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Scaled Antpitta, White-fronted Nunbird, and Cinereous Becard.
Friday, March 6: Next, we travel to Mogue. The indigenous Embéra population has established a reserve
for protection of the Harpy Eagle. This is one of the best chances to see the stunning Harpy Eagle in the
world. Upon arrival, we will hike to an active Harpy Eagle nest site. The locals have adopted this bird and
monitor nest locations. The hike might take four hours one way.
Saturday, March 7: Today, we will take a motorized dugout ride through mangroves to the 65,000 acre
National Association for the Conservation of Nature or ANCON reserve at Punta Patiño. The dry tropical
forest present has a different avifanua than the rest of the trip with Darién specialties such as Black
Antshrike and Black Oropendola. Orange-crowned Oriole and Spectacled Parrotlet (irregular) are also
more likely to be found here than in the foothills.

El Valle, Cocle, Altos de Campana National Park: This region is in the Caribbean foothills with cloud forest. El
Valle is in the crater of an extinct volcano with numerous waterfalls and jagged peaks. We will expectedly see
Green Hermit, White-tailed Emerald, Scale-crested Pygmy-tyrant, and Black-and-yellow Tanager. We will likely
see Yellow-eared Toucanet and Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch. Rare possibilities include Barred Forest-Falcon,
Rufous-crested Coquette, White-tipped Sicklebill, Black-headed Antthrush, and Tody Motmot.

Sunday, March 8: We will return to Panama City by flying over the coastline of the Bay of Panama. We will
then take a two-hour drive to El Valle.
Monday and Tuesday, March 9 and 10: The next three days will be spent covering numerous trails
including El Campestre, Zamia, Cerro Gaital, Cariguana, and the Chorro Macho waterfall, the ridge of
Altos de Maria, the forest of El Chiru, and La Mesa. We will spend evenings looking for owls and other
nightbirds and mammals.
Wednesday, March 11: During the late afternoon, we will return to Panama City and leave for Nusagandi.

Nusagandi: This portion of the trip will visit tropical rainforest at 40,000 hectare Nusagandi National Park on the
summit of the San Blas range dividing the Caribbean and Pacific slopes. The area at Burbayar has been
designated an Important Bird Area. Some species that we could encounter here are Plumbeous Hawk, Red-
throated Caracara, Tawny-faced Quail, Sungrebe, Olive-backed Quail-Dove, Black-breasted Puffbird, several
species of woodcreeper, Speckled Antshrike, Ocellated Antbird, Streak-chested Antpitta, Black-crowned Antpitta,
Broad-billed Sapayoa, Brownish Flycatcher, Scaly-breasted Wren, Sulphur-rumped and Rufous-winged Tanager,
and Scarlet-rumped Cacique. We hope to find Great Curassow, Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo, and Purplish-
backed Quail-Dove.

Thursday, March 12: We will drive to Bayano Lake with a stop at Tocumen marsh for morning birding.
Birds to be on the lookout for are Cocoi Heron, White-fronted Nunbird, Red-billed Scythebill, Black
Antshrike, Rufous-winged Antwren, One-colored Becard, Golden-headed Manakin, and White-eared
Conebill. After lunch we will travel to our lodge where we will spend the next two nights. The feeders at the
lodge attract Little Hermit, Garden Emerald, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Black Throated Mango, Brown-
hooded Parrot, Blue-headed Parrot, Keel-billed Toucan, Collared Aracari, and Golden-hooded Tanager,
Sulphur-rumped Tanager, and Flame-rumped Tanager.
Friday, March 13: We will spend the entire day birding forest trails and the road at Burbayar and
Nusagandi.
Saturday, March 14: Another full day of birding along road at Burbayar and Nargana Forest Reserve will
be worthwhile as we search for any species we may have missed the previous day. Following productive
bird watching, we will start by late afternoon to drive to Panama City where we will spend the night.

Return Home??: Sunday, March 15: Return home in morning for those not staying for the the Canal Zone and
Chiriqui Highlands portion of the trip.

Extension Start: Canal Zone:

Sunday, March 15: We will bird a full day along the Pipeline Road in spectacular old growth humid forest
in Soberania National Park, stopping at the ammo dump for Crimson-backed Tanager, Rufescent Tiger
Heron, and White-throated Crake. We should also see several species of tanagers and greenlets new to
the trip. We will then visit the Limbo Camp Trail for White-bellied Antbird, Semiplumbeous Hawk, Black-
breasted Puffbird, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Blue Cotinga, Pheasant Cuckoo, Boat-billed Heron, and
Rosy Thrush-Tanager. Hopefully, we will encounter an ant swarm and its attendant species, like Bicolored
Antbird, Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo, and Black-crowned Antpitta. We will consider ourselves fortunate
to find an Agami Heron along with Sunbittern, and Buff-rumped Warbler.

Continue Extension: Chiriqui Highlands: The Chiriqui Highlands are an extension of the highlands of southern
Costa Rica. We will spend most of the time in the area of Volcan Baru National Park. Volcan Baru is the highest
point in Panama at 11,398 feet. Specialties of the area include Black-breasted Wood-Quail, Spotted Wood-Quail,
Chiriqui Quail-Dove, Crimson-fronted Parakeet, Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl, Dusky Nightjar, Charming
Hummingbird, Veraguas Mango, White-crested Coquette, and many other hummingbirds, Resplendent Quetzal,
Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner, Streak-breasted Treehunter, Grey-throated Leaftosser, Black-banded
Woodcreeper, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, White-throated Flycatcher, Barred Becard, Black-and-white Becard,
Yellow-billed Cotinga, Turquoise Cotinga, Bare-necked Umbrellabird, Silvery-throated Jay, Riverside Wren, Ruddy-
capped Nightingale-Thrush, Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher, Collared Redstart, Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager, Spot-
crowned Euphonia, Large-footed Finch, and Slaty Flower-piercer.

Monday, March 16: We will make a dawn visit to Canopy Tower followed by a hike down Semaphore Hill.
Next, we will catch our flight to David airport in western Panama. We will spend some time birding around
David Airport before heading towards the Volcan area and our night’s lodging.
Tuesday to Thursday, March 17 to 19: Over the next three days, we will bird at numerous locations
including the El Respingo station and trails at Volcan Baru, the Finca Hartman shade coffee plantation in
Santa Clara, the dramatic Canon Macho de Monte with numerous waterfalls, Bajo Frio, and Volcán Lakes.
A side trip into Costa Rica could be possible to a try for the endemic Mangrove Hummingbird and Black-
cheeked Ant-Tanager.
Friday, March 20: We will again bird some of the sites listed in the morning before returning to Panama
City.

Home after the Extension: Saturday, March 21: We can all fly back home. Most flights will require arriving at the
airport by 7 AM.

Brief Itinerary

Note: Please call us to discuss flight plans so
that we can assure your arrival and departure
plans can be well accommodated.

Note: More detailed itinerary below.

8 Days of Fantastic Birding in the Darien

Saturday, February 28, 2009: Fly from
Panama City to Cana in the foothills of
Cerro Pirre in the Darien to start birding
at the airstrip and then the lodge.
Sunday and Monday, March 1 and 2:
Boca del Cupe Trail and the Holy
Ghost/Old Mine Loop, Rio Cana, and
Rio Seteganti Trail.
Tuesday, March 3: Hiking and
birdwatching up to Mountain Camp on
Cerro Pirre.
Wednesday, March 4: Hike and bird
through Elfin cloud forest to the crest of
Cerro Pirre.
Thursday, March 5: Descend to Cana
and bird along the way.
Friday, March 6: To Mogue in search of
Harpy Eagle.
Saturday, March 7: Motorized dugout
ride through mangroves to the 65,000
acre National Association for the
Conservation of Nature at Punta Patiño.

El Valle, Cocle, Altos de Campana National
Park: This region is in the Caribbean foothills
with cloud forest.

Sunday, March 8: We will return to
Panama City and on to El Valle.
Monday to Wednesday\, March 9 to 11:
El Campestre, Zamia, Cerro Gaital,
Cariguana, the Chorro Macho waterfall,
the ridge of Altos de Maria, the forest of
El Chiru, and La Mesa.
Note: Wednesday, March 11: During the
late afternoon, we will return to Panama
City and leave for Nusagandi.

Nusagandi: This portion of the trip will visit
tropical rainforest at 40,000 hectare Nusagandi
National Park on the summit of the San Blas
range dividing the Caribbean and Pacific
slopes.

Thursday, March 12: Bayano Lake with
a stop at Tocumen marsh.
Friday, March 13: Burbayar and
Nusagandi.
Saturday, March 14: More great birding
at Burbayar and Nargana Forest
Reserve. Late afternoon, return to
Panama City.

Sunday, March 15: Return home??? Better
yet, extend the trip.

1 Day Extension in Canal Zone on Sunday,
March 15: Bird the Pipeline Road in
spectacular old growth humid forest in
Soberania National Park.

Continue Extension: Chiriqui Highlands:
March 16 to 20: The Chiriqui Highlands are
an extension of the highlands of southern
Costa Rica. We will spend most of the time in
the area of Volcan Baru National Park.

Monday, March 16: Canopy Tower and
hike down Semaphore Hill. Next, flight to
David airport in western Panama.
Tuesday to Thursday, March 17 to 19:
Numerous locations including the El
Respingo station and trails at Volcan
Baru, the Finca Hartman shade coffee
plantation in Santa Clara, the dramatic
Canon Macho de Monte with numerous
waterfalls, Bajo Frio, and Volcán Lakes.
Friday, March 20: Morning birding and
return to Panama City.

Saturday, March 21: We can all fly back
home.