Birding the Chagres River: The Chagres River in Panamá is a crucial waterway, winding via the plush forests of the Chagres Nationwide Park, it’s not solely a lifeline for the Panamá Canal however a reservoir for the cities ingesting water in addition to a haven for wildlife fans. For birders like me, it’s a paradise teeming with vibrant avian life. Lately, my spouse and I had the pleasure of spending a couple of days exploring the Chagres River, and it was nothing wanting spectacular.
Our journey started on the Chagres River Lodge, nestled on the riverbanks at Santa Rosa, Colón and run by the pleasant Alba and Erik. From the second we arrived, the lodge’s backyard greeted us with a stunning array of birds. Crimson-backed Tanagers flitted among the many bushes like rubies within the daylight.
Crimson-legged Honeycreepers, Cocoa Thrush, Thick-billed Euphonias, Blue-gray Tanagers and Summer season Tanagers appeared to compete for our consideration.
If this was the welcome celebration, I couldn’t wait to see what lay forward.
Later that afternoon, Erik took us on a kayaking tour. Though I had kayaked on the mighty Zambezi River in Africa a few years in the past, this was my first time again in a kayak in virtually 20 years. Let’s simply say, it confirmed.
The breeze was relentless, pushing in opposition to us, and I initially struggled to maintain the kayak transferring and even pointing in the suitable route. After a couple of comical zigzags and a good quantity of splashing, I lastly received the hold of it once more.
Gliding alongside the waters of the Chagres River, we encountered elegant Egrets, Wattled Jacana striding delicately over floating vegetation, and Little Blue Herons in the hunt for a meal.
A Kiskadee’s vibrant name echoed via the air, whereas a Snail Kite perched patiently, scanning for its subsequent feast. Paddling the Chagres felt like getting into one other world, virtually jurassic in nature, and a world the place the birds reigned supreme.
Day two was a cultural and birding delight. Alba and Erik had organized a visit for us to one of many bigger indigenous Emberá village on the banks of the Chagres, After a brief drive, we met with our Emberá information, who welcomed us aboard a conventional canoe for a 30 minutes journey upstream. Alongside the best way, we noticed towering Nice Blue Herons, placing Cocoi Herons, and charismatic Amazon and Inexperienced Kingfishers.
Our Emberá information was fast to level out an Osprey hovering not removed from us.
Sandpipers darted alongside the shoreline whereas Cormorants have been both sunning themselves or making an attempt to catch a meal .
As our canoe docked in entrance the village, a refrain of singing Emberá ladies welcomed us with conventional music and dance.
After the welcome and a fast stroll across the craft store, our “boat captain/information” took us on a stroll via the village the place that they had constructed climbing trails. We noticed Motmots with their pendulum-like tails, Aracari Toucans, Northern Waterthrush. Cinnamon Becard and Velvety Manakins added splashes of coloration to the forest.
A Variable Seedeater chirped melodiously, and a small Emberá boy proudly confirmed off an Orange Chinned Parakeet perched on his fingers. Unusually, the hen didn’t appear to appreciate it may fly, it stayed put, a lot to everybody’s amusement.
After a scrumptious meal ready by the Emberá ladies, we returned to the Chagres River lodge. That night, the bushes across the lodge got here alive with parrots chattering animatedly, including a ultimate flourish to a very immersive day.
On our final morning, the lodge didn’t disappoint. We noticed extra songbirds, a Buff-breasted Wren
in addition to a Tennessee Warbler, Ringed Kingfisher, a Cocoa Woodcreeper, Swifts, and Sparrows.
Simply once I thought issues couldn’t get any higher, a Lesser Scaup Duck made an sudden look, calmly swimming in entrance of the lodge as if bidding us farewell for a protected journey house.
We noticed many various species of birds on this journey together with seven lifers for me ( Snail Kite, Cinnamon Becaud, Lesser Scuap, Barn Swallow, Northern Waterthrush, Tennessee Warbler and Buff-breasted Wren). Our taxi arrived and as we mentioned goodbye to our hosts on the Chagres River Lodge, we already knew we’d be again quickly.
Notice: Images prefixed with “**” captured by Sue Rampersad
