Panamá’s Pacific coast is a mix of seashores and dense mangroves, a harmonious assembly of land and sea that helps an unbelievable variety of life. The mangroves, with their intricate root programs, function a pure barrier in opposition to erosion and supply shelter for numerous species. But it surely’s when the tide recedes that the true magic is revealed.
Because the ocean retreats, in my native space, it unveils a hidden world of rocky mudflats on one finish of the seashore. The wealthy silt, carried by the ebbing tide from the mangroves, spreads throughout the flats, making a fertile feeding floor for shorebirds. The world turns into a haven, teeming with life as small crabs and different invertebrates emerge from the mud. For the birds that decision this space house or these simply passing by these mudflats are a banquet, providing a feast of alternatives.
On this specific night, the skies had been a bit overcast with the standard excessive humidity of the Panamanian climate, however nonetheless, I set out from my house for the quick stroll to the seashore and hopefully, newly uncovered flats of the low tide, desirous to witness the spectacle of shorebirds drawn to the feast.
Ten minutes into the stroll I arrived on the shoreline, I stood dealing with the ocean observing the numerous ships, giant and small, anchored out at sea awaiting their flip to enter the Miraflores Lochs and cross the well-known Panama Canal.
Diverting my consideration again to the “rason d’etre” , I shortly noticed a Little Blue Heron. Its slate-blue feathers distinction superbly in opposition to the muted tones of the mudflats.
The heron strikes with deliberate grace, every step rigorously calculated because it searches for small fish and crustaceans hidden within the silt. This chicken is a year-round resident, a well-known sight alongside the shoreline. I can’t for the lifetime of me perceive why its referred to as a Little Blue Heron when it’s clearly a big birds.
Close by, a Nice Egret stands tall, its elegant, lengthy neck curving because it watches the water intently.
The Nice Egret, with its putting white plumage and yellow invoice, is a resident on this space. Its swish actions are mesmerizing. As I watch, it strikes shortly, pulling a small fish from the shallow water with a swift jab of its invoice. Nice Egrets are frequent on this space, they are often seen in small flocks or alone standing fully nonetheless as they stalk their prey.
Not removed from the Nice Egret, a Snowy Egret wades by the shallows.
Its vibrant white feathers are virtually glowing within the fading gentle, and its ft appear to bop because it stirs the water, flushing out prey. The Snowy Egret is one other resident species, and its energetic foraging type by no means fails to entertain.
The White Ibis are a typical sight on these mudflats, most days they are often seen feeding right here when the tide goes out and they aren’t too bothered by the presence of people who additionally search the flats for oysters and different shellfish.
Slightly additional alongside, a Brown Pelican glides considerably effortlessly above the water.
Pelicans are a everlasting fixtures alongside Panama’s coast, their aerial acrobatics a typical and thrilling sight. They are often seen in giant numbers both within the sea or roosting on timber alongside the costal roadways.
The Yellow -Topped Night time Herons are a typical sight right here within the mud flats.
This heron is a grasp of persistence, typically seen standing nonetheless or slowly stalking its prey, which primarily consists of crustaceans like crabs and shrimp.
As I proceed my stroll, a Willet quietly search the flats for its meal, and its in luck because it catches a shrimp .
This migratory shorebird spends its winters right here, its gray-brown plumage mixing in with the environment because it forages for meals. The Willet’s presence is a reminder of the seasonal rhythms that play out on this shoreline, with birds arriving and departing in tune with the altering tides and climate.
The Whimbrel is a notable sight alongside the coasts of Panama West, significantly throughout migration seasons.
Recognizable by its lengthy, decurved invoice and distinctive brown and grey streaked plumage. In Panama, these birds are usually noticed throughout their migratory stopovers as they journey between their breeding grounds within the Arctic and their wintering areas in South America.
As I close to the top of my stroll, I spot two birds which might be new sightings for me on this space. The primary is a Semipalmated Plover, a small migratory chicken with a particular neckband.
Its presence is a pleasant shock, a reminder of the numerous species that discover short-term refuge on these shores throughout their migrations.
The second, new to me customer, is a Ruddy Turnstone, a busy little chicken recognized for its behavior of flipping over stones to uncover meals.
Its colourful plumage stands out in opposition to the duller tones of the mudflats, making it a simple to identify.
Immediately, I didn’t see the Seaguls, Terns, Magnificent Frigatebirds or the American Oystercatchers that typically feed within the space, however thats okay, as a result of it makes a superb excuse for a return go to.
