El Valle de Antón, or simply El Valle, is a small city constructed proper contained in the crater of an extinct volcano, one of many few locations prefer it on this planet. It’s a couple of two and a half-hour drive from Panama Metropolis, and as you head up into the hills, the air will get cooler and every part begins to decelerate. The city feels quiet and relaxed, with slim streets, small outlets, flower gardens, and tree-shaded houses. Throughout, the steep volcano partitions stand up like an enormous circle, giving the valley a peaceable, tucked-away feeling.
This birding journey wasn’t deliberate, extra of a last-minute escape from the warmth and humidity of town. Full of pleasure, we departed from town round 9am, pleased to be heading to considered one of Panamá’s birding hotspot. That pleasure quickly pale, as about twenty minutes into the drive, the sunshine disappeared. Darkish thunderous clouds rolled in, and shortly we had been driving by way of heavy rain that didn’t let up for the remainder of the drive to El Valle.
We pushed on although, stuffed with optimism. We arrived at our lodging in El Valle, at round 12 midday, the place employees with umbrellas met us within the automobile park and rushed us inside, attempting to maintain us dry. We checked in chatted with the employees in regards to the climate and obtained solely smiles after we requested what they anticipated the climate to be like subsequent day.
The rain didn’t cease. It poured all day and effectively into the night time, conserving us confined to our room. The forecast for the subsequent day appeared simply as bleak, and we started to simply accept that this journey may be spent completely indoors or sitting on the open veranda in entrance our condo having fun with the sound of the rain.
The next morning although, regardless of the forecasted climate and the telling smiles of the employees, we awoke to clearer skies with the solar doing its greatest to interrupt freed from the clouds, and to our delight it did simply that, what a pleasing morning it was and it appeared good to get in some birding.
Our rapidly organized native information turned up on time (he lived 3 minutes from our lodge he stated) and collectively we left the lodge round 6:30am with no rain in sight. On this put up I’ll share with you a couple of of the numerous birds we had been in a position to {photograph}.
We drove to an space often known as La Mesa, not removed from the centre of city and alongside the mountain slopes of the outdated volcano partitions.
Parking the automobile in conjunction with the street we set out on foot alongside the principle street. It was not lengthy earlier than the motion began and we had been engulfed within the chatter of the Tawny Crested Tanager (lifer #1 on this journey)
As if not eager to miss out on the commotion, a flock of Lemon Flame-rumped Tanagers (lifer #2) joined the get together. I had seen the Scarlet Flame-rumped Tanagers earlier than however this was a primary for the Lemon Flame-rumped Tanagers. They had been as noisy because the Tawny-crested and left simply as rapidly.
A lone Silver-throated Tanager made an look.
The attractive Emerald Tanager made a quick however dignified look as effectively. What a phenomenal little chook. (lifer #3)
Plain-colored Tanagers had been throughout. Generally the quietest birds have probably the most to say.
This Plain-colored Tanager could not shout with color like different Tanagers, however tilt the sunshine good, and also you’ll catch a shimmer of sky blue on the wing.
A Golden-hooded Tanager sat excessive up on a department observing us beneath. I had photographed these birds on many events however I’m nonetheless to get {a photograph} that I’m pleased with, sadly I have to wait a bit longer as this mannequin determined to not get decrease down and shortly flew away.
The Dusky-faced Tanager (lifer #4) isn’t flashy, however its fixed chatter and social nature make it straightforward to identify, typically in small, noisy teams close to the forest edge
Wrens could not have flashy colors like a few of their tropical neighbours, however what they lack in bling, they greater than make up for with character. There’s simply one thing about the best way they bounce round, filled with curiosity and confidence, inspecting each department and mossy crevice like they’re operating a decent little operation. I can’t assist however really feel a cheerful elevate in my temper each time I spot these tiny chook with massive vibes.
The Bay Wren (lifer #5) was positively my chook of the day, with a lot sass and magnificence, its wealthy chestnut physique, daring black-and-white face stripes, bouncing round like Wrens do, was a pleasure to look at and {photograph}.
The Barred Antshrike is sort of a moody little ninja in stripes. The male’s received a spiky crest and daring black-and-white bars. You’ll hear their bizarre little engine-rev name earlier than they sneak out of the bushes, offer you a side-eye, and disappear once more. Complete angle.
Excessive up on a seemingly useless department, this Keel-billed Toucan, perched quietly for some time observing its environment earlier than flying off.
Positively breeding season for the Thick-billed Euphonias . They had been out in full pressure doing their factor.
The Tawny-capped Euphonia was not going to be outdone and likewise put in an look, sadly the male was nowhere to be seen.
Just a few Yellow-bellied Elaenias, joined the present.
This Chestnut-backed Antbird (lifer #6) insisted on staying undercover, deep within the shadowy undergrowth. I might love to have the ability to {photograph} this chook in higher gentle.
The Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, I’ve photographed this chook a number of occasions, nonetheless I’m but to see these well-known scarlet thighs. They’re often hidden underneath feathers and solely present up for a break up second throughout a fast flight or show. Nonetheless, even with out the pink on show, that is nonetheless a phenomenal chook.
The Northern Schiffornis (lifer #7) are usually not uncommon however they’re professionals at hanging out in dense undercover. You may stroll proper previous one and by no means comprehend it’s there, until it decides to sing you a couple of bars of its rainforest ballad. Till just lately, the Northern Schiffornis was lumped along with a couple of lookalike cousins within the “Thrush-like Schiffornis” group. Scientists break up them up, and now this chook lastly will get its solo profession.
Simply as we had been about to go to a brand new spot, our information paused, he’d heard a distant name and stated it may be a trogon. He requested us to attend by the roadside whereas he slipped quietly into the thick undergrowth. About ten minutes later, he got here again, smiling, and waved for us to comply with. We walked rigorously into the forest, perhaps 200 meters in, and there it was, excessive up within the bushes, the beautiful Orange-bellied Collared Trogon.
After that incredible and completely surprising sighting of the Trogon, we set off seeking the Toddy Motmot. Our information, clearly excited, talked about he knew a secret spot the place they often hang around. However as we climbed greater, the climate turned. By the point we reached the spot, the rain had already began. We waited within the automobile for about quarter-hour, nonetheless hopeful, however ultimately needed to admit defeat. With the rain getting heavier, we headed again to the lodge, ending what was nonetheless a really satisfying morning of birding. Though we saved to the principle street on the journey, not venturing onto the paths, we had a really profitable and satisfying morning of birding.
