05 Jun Panama, Among The Best Countries For Bird Watching
Panama is rich in bird’s species and diversity, which allowed the country to become the Central American champion during the Global Big Day by identifying 731 species in a single day. This result even surpassed countries such as Costa Rica with 684 species and Guatemala with 540 species, among others, who have more species and land extension. In Panama, it is not necessary to go far or wake up early to observe birds, as tourists and locals have the opportunity to appreciate the beautiful migration spectacle right in the heart of the city.
Of the 170 countries that participated in the Global Big Day on Saturday, May 4, Panama remains among the 10 best countries in the world with more species of birds observed in a single day. The Global Big Day is an initiative that emerged at the Lab of Ornithology of the University of Cornell in the United States that allows to promote the conservation of birds while creating a database of the world’s largest ornithology, and it is also a great promoter of nature tourism.
Following the season of migratory birds, from October 1st starts the Migrating Raptors Count from ocean to ocean, which will run until November. This would be the sixteenth count since bird watchers began counting from Ancon Hill. For Benicio Wilson, a guide specialized in birdwatching, the first groups of raptors have already begun to arrive, such as fisherman hawks, but the great majority will arrive from October 1st during the next 47 days. “The best time is between the last two weeks of October when is possible to observe in abundance different species such as Broad-winged hawk, Swainson’s hawk and Turkey vulture” he said.
The best spot for raptors observation in Panama City is at the top of Ancon Hill, between 8 and 11 in the morning. Tourists also have the opportunity to observe birds in areas near the city without having to go far. Among these places, the Metropolitan Natural Park and the Pipeline Road in the Soberania National Park stand out. To participate in this counting, interested persons can send an email to: info@audubonpanama.org or visit the social networks of Audubon Panama.