Sites visited


1. Finca Hartman, Santa Clara       23rd February, 2005
2. Volcan Laguna, Volcan       24th February
3. Sendero Tucanes, Palo Seco Protection Forest, Fortuna Area       26-27th February
4. Hato Chami, Cerro Colorado Area       2nd-5th March
5. Reserva Forestal El Montuoso, Chepo, near Chitre Area       7-8th March
6. Playa Aguilito, near Chitre       10th March
7. Parque Nacional Omar Torrijos, near El Cope       11-12th March
8. Camino del Oleoducto (Pipeline Road) PN Soberania, near Gamboa       15-16th March
9. Tocumen Marsh, near Tocumen Intenational Airport       18th, 20-21st March
10. Rancho La Rinconada, near Buenos Aires, Chilibre       19 & 23rd March
11. Cerro Azul & Cerro Jefe, Tocumen       20th & 22nd March
12. Rancho Frio Station, Darien National Park, near El Real       24-28th March





1. Finca Hartman, Santa Clara       23rd February, 2005

   This a shade coffee plantation just an hour by regular buses from Volcan. There are several places to stay and eat in Volcan. We stayed at Oasis Place ($15 for a double). The first bus towards Rio Sereno (at the Panamanian border) leaves at 6.30am. The Hartman Family are very firendly towards birdwatchers. They charge a $10 fee for birding the finca and provide some drinks. They also have a small museum and shop selling coffee. There is a trail that leads through the coffee plantations and also through a small area of woodland. I didn't see my target species, the Turquoise Cotinga although it is readily seen here and was apparently seen the previous day by a group of American birders. grrr... I saw 60 species including 3 lifers

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus
Sharp-shinned Hawk ? Accipiter striatus
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
Barred Forest-Falcon h? Micrastur ruficollis
Spotted Wood-Quail Odontophorus guttatus
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Crimson-fronted Parakeet ? Aratinga finschi
Vaux's Swift ? Chaetura vauxi
Green Hermit Phaethornis guy
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
Long-billed Starthroat Heliomaster longirostris
Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota
Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus
Streak-headed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
White-ruffed Manakin Corapipo altera
Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis viridicata
Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster
Paltry Tyrannulet Zimmerius vilissimus
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Gray-capped Flycatcher Myiozetetes granadensis
Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae
Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata
Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
Rufous-breasted Wren h Thryothorus rutilus
Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi
White-throated Thrush Turdus assimilis
Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons
Philadelphia Vireo Vireo philadelphicus
Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
Chestnut-sided Warbler Dendroica pensylvanica
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra
Flame-colored Tanager Piranga bidentata
Passerini's Tanager Ramphocelus passerinii
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
Thick-billed Euphonia Euphonia laniirostris
Silver-throated Tanager Tangara icterocephala
Speckled Tanager Tangara guttata
Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola
Golden-hooded Tanager Tangara larvata
Scarlet-thighed Dacnis Dacnis venusta
Variable Seedeater Sporophila corvina
Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivacea
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Buff-throated Saltator ? Saltator maximus
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus

2. Volcan Laguna, Volcan       24th February, 2005

   A series of lakes surrounded by nice woodland are found about 4km from the centre of Volcan. From the main junction in town, head towards Rio Sereno and take the 3rd turning on the left. The 4th and 5th streets will also take you there. Go straight and turn left at the Elsa Supermarket. Then follow the road along. There is a left curve after a while. The road eventually meets the airport runway. Cross over this and continue until you reach the forest. Go right where the road forks. Several trails go down to the waters edge. Masked Duck can occasionall be seen on the lake, although I didn't find it. I saw 69 species including 4 lifers

Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Great Egret Ardea alba
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Green Heron Butorides virescens
Blue-winged Teal Anas discors
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima
Spotted Wood-Quail ? Odontophorus guttatus
Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinica
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
American Coot Fulica americana
Northern Jacana Jacana spinosa
Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
Scaled Pigeon Patagioenas speciosa
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Vaux's Swift ? Chaetura vauxi
White-tailed Emerald Elvira chionura
Snowy-bellied Hummingbird Saucerottia edward
Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon
Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata
Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota
Olivaceous Piculet Picumnus olivaceus
Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus
Pale-billed Woodpecker Campephilus guatemalensis
Slaty Spinetail Synallaxis brachyura
Red-faced Spinetail Cranioleuca erythrops
Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus
Streak-headed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
Dusky Antbird ? Cercomacra tyrannina
Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster
Lesser Elaenia Elaenia chiriquensis
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes oleagineus
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi
Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis
Golden-winged Warbler Vermivora chrysoptera
Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
Chestnut-sided Warbler Dendroica pensylvanica
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
Mourning Warbler Oporornis philadelphia
Gray-crowned Yellowthroat Geothlypis poliocephala
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus
Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus
Flame-colored Tanager Piranga bidentata
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Golden-hooded Tanager Tangara larvata
Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivacea
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula

3. Sendero Tucanes, Palo Seco Protection Forest, Fortuna Area       26-27th February, 2005

   This is an excellent area on the road from Chiriqui on the Pacific coast to Chiriqui Grande on the Carribean side. Chiriqui is about 14km East of David along the Interamericana. Turn left at the petrol station coming from David. The road is in good condition apparently thanks to the oil pipeline that runs along it. About 40km along is a hotel called Finca Suiza which has many trails leading from it (we did not go here). It was a little over our budget though so we did the day trip from David taking the bus towards Changuinola. These leave half-hourly starting at 4am. The ride takes an hour and a half and we took the 5am bus which got us there nice and early. After Finca Suiza the road goes further up and then down and accross the dam over the reservoir. About 8km after this there is a gravel road leading left from the crest of a hill. There is a large sign here reading 'Sendero Tucanes, Bosque Protector Palo Seco'. This road has excellent birding as do some of the trails leading from it. The Continental Divide Trail was especially good and we saw Black Guan and Orange-bellied Trogon among many others. This starts at the highest point along the gravel road. We heard Bare-necked Umbrellabirds and Three-wattled Bellbirds and saw Black Guans but did not manage to find the Blue-and-gold Tanager. I saw 83 species including 9 lifers

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus
Great Black-Hawk Buteogallus urubitinga
Red-tailed Hawk ? Buteo jamaicensis
Black Guan Chamaepetes unicolor Near-threatened
Black-breasted Wood-Quail h Odontophorus leucolaemus
Gray-breasted Crake ? Laterallus exilis
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata
Ruddy Pigeon Patagioenas subvinacea
Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris
Short-tailed Swift ? Chaetura brachyura
Green Hermit Phaethornis guy
Little Hermit Phaethornis longuemareus
Green-fronted Lancebill Doryfera ludovicae
Green Thorntail Discosura conversii
Fiery-throated Hummingbird ? Panterpe insignis
Violet-crowned Woodnymph Thalurania colombica
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
Snowcap Microchera albocoronata
White-bellied Mountain-gem Lampornis hemileucus
Purple-throated Mountain-gem Lampornis calolaema
Orange-bellied Trogon Trogon aurantiiventris
Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata
Prong-billed Barbet h Semnornis frantzii
Black-mandibled Toucan h Ramphastos ambiguus
Blue-throated Toucanet Aulacorhynchus caeruleogularis
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius
Red-faced Spinetail Cranioleuca erythrops
Spotted Barbtail Premnoplex brunnescens
Lineated Foliage-gleaner Syndactyla subalaris
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus
Spotted Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus erythropygius
Rufous-breasted Antthrush h Formicarius rufipectus
Black-crowned Antpitta h Pittasoma michleri
Bare-necked Umbrellabird h Cephalopterus glabricollis Vulnerable
Three-wattled Bellbird h Procnias tricarunculata Vulnerable
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant Lophotriccus pileatus
Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum
Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus
Long-tailed Tyrant Colonia colonus
Bright-rumped Attila h Attila spadiceus
Golden-bellied Flycatcher Myiodynastes hemichrysus
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
Black-and-yellow Silky-flycatcher Phainoptila melanoxantha
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys
Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush ? Catharus mexicanus
Pale-vented Thrush Turdus obsoletus
Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi
Golden-winged Warbler Vermivora chrysoptera
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca
Masked Yellowthroat Geothlypis aequinoctialis
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus
Three-striped Warbler Basileuterus tristriatus
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
Black-and-yellow Tanager Chrysothlypis chrysomelaena
Hepatic Tanager Piranga flava
Passerini's Tanager Ramphocelus passerinii
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Tawny-capped Euphonia Euphonia anneae
Golden-browed Chlorophonia Chlorophonia callophrys
Emerald Tanager Tangara florida
Silver-throated Tanager Tangara icterocephala
Golden-hooded Tanager Tangara larvata
Spangle-cheeked Tanager Tangara dowii
Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza
Thick-billed Seed-Finch Oryzoborus funereus
Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivacea
White-naped Brush-Finch Atlapetes albinucha
Black-striped Sparrow Arremonops conirostris
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Scarlet-rumped Cacique Cacicus uropygialis
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species Seen in David

4. Hato Chami, Cerro Colorado Area       2nd-5th March, 2005

   The small town of Hato Chami is reached by a 2 hour truck ride on a truly awful road from the town of San Felix just off the Pan-American Highway. San Felix is easily reached by regular buses from David. There are basic rooms available in San Felix and super basic accomodation in Hato Chami. The rooms in San Felix cost $10 for a double ($15 with AC) and are round the corner from the Super Centro San Felix supermarket. Go down the hill and it's the 4th house on the left. Trucks leave from Supermercado Kevin which is a further 3km from the highway. They tend to leave when they fill up but usually go about 5:30, 7:00 and 10:30. Accross from where the trucks stop in Chami is a restaurant on a hill called 'Vision 2000'. They have cheap ($2) rooms and serve cheap food. The site for the Yellow-green finch is about 9km further up than Chami towards the town of Hacha. Most trucks to Chami continue onto Hacha. Asked to be dropped at 'La Torre', a radio mast. About 100m before this is a bend with good forest on both side where we saw Yellow-green finches easily. From Chami it is a 3 hour hike with good birding along the way. Glow-throated hummingbirds can be seen fairly easily between about 4 and 6km from Chami. I saw 60 species including 9 lifers

Little Tinamou h Crypturellus soui
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus
Gray Hawk Asturina nitida
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus
Black Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus tyrannus Seen between San Felix and Hato Chami
Black-breasted Wood-Quail h Odontophorus leucolaemus
Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata
Ruddy Pigeon ? Patagioenas subvinacea
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Striped Cuckoo h Tapera naevia
Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis
White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris
Green Violet-ear Colibri thalassinus
Violet-headed Hummingbird ? Klais guimeti
Garden Emerald Chlorostilbon assimilis
White-tailed Emerald Elvira chionura
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
Snowy-bellied Hummingbird Saucerottia edward
Purple-throated Mountain-gem Lampornis calolaema
Magenta-throated Woodstar Calliphlox bryantae
Scintillant Hummingbird Selasphorus scintilla
Glow-throated Hummingbird Selasphorus ardens Endemic Vulnerable
Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota
Prong-billed Barbet h Semnornis frantzii
Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus
Barred Antshrike h Thamnophilus doliatus
Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster
Lesser Elaenia ? Elaenia chiriquensis
Mountain Elaenia Elaenia frantzii
Yellowish Flycatcher Empidonax flavescens
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus Seen between San Felix and Hato Chami
Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor Rare/Accidental Seen in San Felix
Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
Rufous-and-white Wren Thryothorus rufalbus
Plain Wren ? Thryothorus modestus
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys
Black-faced Solitaire Myadestes melanops
Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus aurantiirostris
Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi
White-throated Thrush Turdus assimilis
Black-chested Jay Cyanocorax affinis
Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons
Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina
Collared Redstart Myioborus torquatus
Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons
Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus pileatus
Rosy Thrush-Tanager Rhodinocichla rosea
Flame-colored Tanager Piranga bidentata
Crimson-backed Tanager Ramphocelus dimidiatus
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
Thick-billed Euphonia Euphonia laniirostris
Elegant Euphonia Euphonia elegantissima
Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola
Scarlet-thighed Dacnis Dacnis venusta
Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus
Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivacea
Slaty Flowerpiercer Diglossa plumbea
Yellow-green Finch Pselliophorus luteoviridis Endemic Vulnerable
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus

5. Reserva Forestal El Montuoso, Chepo, near Chitre Area       7-8th March, 2005

   This site is easily reached by walking from the small town of Chepo (with very friendly people). Chepo has a hotel ($5 per person) and also possibly a caba�a for rent. Ask at a shop after the church on the left with a sign (Ab. Jose y Joel). There are several shops and a restaurant in town. Chepo is 17km from the larger town of Las Minas where there are also apparently rooms for rent (ask locally). Las Minas is reached easily by hourly minibuses ($2) from Chitre bus terminal. The journey takes 1 hour. The first bus leaves at 6am and the las bus back from Las Minas leaves at 6pm. Transport from Las Minas to Chepo is more troublesome. There are several 'transportes' (pick-up trucks) every day but the times vary and they can be so crowded as to refuse to pick up further passengers. We got stuck in Chepo for the night despite waiting from 2:30pm. Trucks usually leave Las Minas at about 6, 7, 8 and 10am and the last one returns from Chepo at about 4. It is difficult to bird Montuoso on a day trip from Chitre and is better to stay. From the centre of Chepo follow the road along past a tiny church on the left and after a while take a left turn down the hill where the road splits. Follow this road along to a school and turn left down to a stream. Cross this and follow the road up right and into the forest. Brown-backed Dove is easily heard sounding very similar to the call of White-tipped Dove. I also got a good view of it. The forest has good birding and is definately worth spending at least a couple of days birding here. I saw 55 species including 7 lifers

Little Tinamou h Crypturellus soui
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus
Gray Hawk Asturina nitida
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus
Black Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus tyrannus
Black-breasted Wood-Quail h Odontophorus leucolaemus
Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata
Ruddy Pigeon ? Patagioenas subvinacea
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Striped Cuckoo h Tapera naevia
Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis
White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris
Green Violet-ear Colibri thalassinus
Violet-headed Hummingbird ? Klais guimeti
Garden Emerald Chlorostilbon assimilis
White-tailed Emerald Elvira chionura
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
Snowy-bellied Hummingbird Saucerottia edward
Purple-throated Mountain-gem Lampornis calolaema
Magenta-throated Woodstar Calliphlox bryantae
Scintillant Hummingbird Selasphorus scintilla
Glow-throated Hummingbird Selasphorus ardens Endemic Vulnerable
Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota
Prong-billed Barbet h Semnornis frantzii
Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus
Barred Antshrike h Thamnophilus doliatus
Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster
Lesser Elaenia ? Elaenia chiriquensis
Mountain Elaenia Elaenia frantzii
Yellowish Flycatcher Empidonax flavescens
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus Seen between San Felix and Hato Chami
Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor Rare/Accidental
Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
Rufous-and-white Wren Thryothorus rufalbus
Plain Wren ? Thryothorus modestus
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys
Black-faced Solitaire Myadestes melanops
Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus aurantiirostris
Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi
White-throated Thrush Turdus assimilis
Black-chested Jay Cyanocorax affinis
Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons
Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina
Collared Redstart Myioborus torquatus
Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons
Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus pileatus
Rosy Thrush-Tanager Rhodinocichla rosea
Flame-colored Tanager Piranga bidentata
Crimson-backed Tanager Ramphocelus dimidiatus
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
Thick-billed Euphonia Euphonia laniirostris
Elegant Euphonia Euphonia elegantissima
Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola
Scarlet-thighed Dacnis Dacnis venusta
Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus
Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivacea
Slaty Flowerpiercer Diglossa plumbea
Yellow-green Finch Pselliophorus luteoviridis Endemic Vulnerable
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus

6. Playa Aguilito, near Chitre       10th March, 2005

   This site is about 7km from Chitre and accessed very easily by regular buses. The bus has Aguilito in big letters on the front and should leave from the terminal but also should pass through the town. It passes the airport where Yellow Pipit has been seen but I couldn't find it. When I went to Aguilito it was low tide and the sea was very distant. I still managed to see a good varety of waders and other water birds. There are also some mangroves north from the beach and also supposedly salt pans which I didn't manage to find. I actually walked to the beach and saw some sood birds like Yellow-crowned Parrot, Spotted Bobwhite and Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl in the fields and scrub west of town. I saw 45 species including 3 lifers

Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens
Great Egret Ardea alba
Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Wood Stork Mycteria americana
White Ibis Eudocimus albus
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Mangrove Black-Hawk Buteogallus subtilis
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima
Crested Bobwhite Colinus cristatus
American Golden-Plover Pluvialis dominica
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus
Wilson's Plover Charadrius wilsonia
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Brown-throated Parakeet Aratinga pertinax
Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis
Red-lored Parrot Amazona autumnalis
Yellow-crowned Parrot Amazona ochrocephala
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium
Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus
Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus
Yellow-bellied Elaenia ? Elaenia flavogaster
Panama Flycatcher Myiarchus panamensis
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi
Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus

7. Parque Nacional Omar Torrijos, near El Cope       11-12th March, 2005

   This national park has excellent forest but very bad weather. Our first day there was OK but the second we had heavy rainand saw very little. Access is a little difficult. There are hourly minibuses to Escuela de Barrigon from 5:30am. These leave from in front of the supermarket in town to Barrigon 4km away. From there it is a further 4 or so kms up a steep hill. This walk was qiute birdy. After you pass the gate of the park there is a building on the left where you can buy your entrance tickets ($3.50). The best spot for birding is further along past 2 buildings on the right (one a new visitors centre where it may be possible to stay). Just as the road starts to climb there is a trail leading down to the left. 500m down this trail I saw Blue-and-gold Tanager and a little before that, Black Guan. I didn't find my other target species, the Red-fronted Parotlet. I saw 65 species including 6 lifers

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus
Broad-winged Hawk ? Buteo platypterus
Black Guan Chamaepetes unicolor Near-threatened
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
Ruddy Pigeon Patagioenas subvinacea
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Little Hermit
Fiery-throated Hummingbird ? Panterpe insignis
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
Orange-bellied Trogon Trogon aurantiiventris
Black-cheeked Woodpecker Melanerpes pucherani
Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus
Plain Antvireo h Dysithamnus mentalis
White-ruffed Manakin Corapipo altera
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes oleagineus
Paltry Tyrannulet Zimmerius vilissimus
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant h Lophotriccus pileatus
Yellow-olive Flycatcher ? Tolmomyias sulphurescens
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher Terenotriccus erythrurus
Social Flycatcher ? Myiozetetes similis
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Black-crowned Tityra Tityra inquisitor
Plain Wren Thryothorus modestus
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
White-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucosticta
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys
Scaly-breasted Wren h? Microcerculus marginatus
Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis
Pale-vented Thrush Turdus obsoletus
Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi
Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus
Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea
Yellow-green Vireo Vireo flavoviridis
Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
Black-and-yellow Tanager ? Chrysothlypis chrysomelaena
Olive Tanager Chlorothraupis carmioli
Tawny-crested Tanager Tachyphonus delatrii
Red-throated Ant-Tanager Habia fuscicauda
Crimson-backed Tanager Ramphocelus dimidiatus
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Blue-and-gold Tanager Bangsia arcaei Near-threatened
Yellow-crowned Euphonia Euphonia luteicapilla
Tawny-capped Euphonia Euphonia anneae
Plain-colored Tanager Tangara inornata
Emerald Tanager Tangara florida
Silver-throated Tanager Tangara icterocephala
Speckled Tanager Tangara guttata
Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza
Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus
Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivacea
Black-striped Sparrow Arremonops conirostris
Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps
Slate-colored Grosbeak Saltator grossus
Black-thighed Grosbeak Pheucticus tibialis
Blue-black Grosbeak ? Cyanocompsa cyanoides
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Giant Cowbird Molothrus oryzivorus

8. Camino del Oleoducto (Pipeline Road) Parque Nacional Soberania, near Gamboa       15-16th March, 2005

   This site is easily reached by public transport from Panama City. Orange buses leave hourly (?) from next to the Legislative Palace from 5:30 am. It takes 30 mins to an hour depending on traffic. The first bus is quite quick. From Gamboa. Keep walking straight along the road for a few hundred metres. Bear right at a bend in the road and then turn left onto a gravel track. The road only carries on for a short while after that anyway and ends in a barb-wire gate an security guards with guns. Turning left you will see a sign reading 'Camino del Oleoducto'. Follow the road around and you will come to the gate where someone may sell you a ticket ($3). I birded the pipeline road twice and only paid once. The road has great birding but the better forest is further along. I walked 6 kms along the first day and 10km the next seeing a few different species further along. I failed to see all my target species: Plumbeus Hawk, Great Curassow or Harpy Eagle. Another birder I met had seen a juvenile Harpy recently that had been reintroduced. I did however see an antswarm with Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo, Spotted, Ocellated & Bicolored Antbirds. I saw 114 species including 25 lifers

Great Tinamou h Tinamus major
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Double-toothed Kite Harpagus bidentatus
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima
Gray-headed Chachalaca Ortalis cinereiceps
White-throated Crake h Laterallus albigularis
Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinica
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana
Laughing Gull Larus atricilla
Pale-vented Pigeon Patagioenas cayennensis
Short-billed Pigeon Patagioenas nigrirostris
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
Blue Ground-Dove ? Claravis pretiosa
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Gray-chested Dove Leptotila cassini
Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis
Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus
Mealy Parrot Amazona farinosa
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo Neomorphus geoffroyi
Band-rumped Swift ? Chaetura spinicaudus
Short-tailed Swift Chaetura brachyura
Western Long-tailed Hermit Phaethornis longirostris
Little Hermit
Violet-crowned Woodnymph Thalurania colombica
Violet-bellied Hummingbird Damophila julie
Black-throated Trogon Trogon rufus
Slaty-tailed Trogon Trogon massena
Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata
Rufous Motmot Baryphthengus martii
Broad-billed Motmot Electron platyrhynchum
Great Jacamar Jacamerops aureus
White-whiskered Puffbird Malacoptila panamensis
Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus
Black-mandibled Toucan Ramphastos ambiguus
Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus
Cinnamon Woodpecker Celeus loricatus
Crimson-crested Woodpecker Campephilus melanoleucos
Plain-brown Woodcreeper Dendrocincla fuliginosa
Long-tailed Woodcreeper Deconychura longicauda
Northern Barred-Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae
Buff-throated Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus guttatus
Black-striped Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus
Fasciated Antshrike Cymbilaimus lineatus
Western Slaty-Antshrike Thamnophilus atrinucha
Spot-crowned Antvireo Dysithamnus puncticeps
Pygmy Antwren Myrmotherula brachyura
Checker-throated Antwren Myrmotherula fulviventris
White-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula axillaris
Dot-winged Antwren Microrhopias quixensis
Dusky Antbird Cercomacra tyrannina
White-bellied Antbird Myrmeciza longipes
Chestnut-backed Antbird Myrmeciza exsul
Bicolored Antbird Gymnopithys leucaspis
Spotted Antbird Hylophylax naevioides
Ocellated Antbird Phaenostictus mcleannani
Black-faced Antthrush Formicarius analis
Streak-chested Antpitta h Hylopezus perspicillatus
Purple-throated Fruitcrow Querula purpurata
Golden-collared Manakin Manacus vitellinus
Southern Bentbill Oncostoma olivaceum
Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum
Olivaceous Flatbill Rhynchocyclus olivaceus
Yellow-olive Flycatcher ? Tolmomyias sulphurescens
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher Terenotriccus erythrurus
Bright-rumped Attila Attila spadiceus
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus
Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana
Sapayoa Sapayoa aenigma
Masked Tityra h Tityra semifasciata
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
Mangrove Swallow Tachycineta albilinea
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Barn Swallow ? Hirundo rustica
Bay Wren Thryothorus nigricapillus
White-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucosticta
Scaly-breasted Wren Microcerculus marginatus
Song Wren Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus
Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus Introduced species
Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi
Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus
Lesser Greenlet Hylophilus decurtatus
Golden-winged Warbler Vermivora chrysoptera
Yellow Warbler ? Dendroica petechia
Chestnut-sided Warbler Dendroica pensylvanica
Bay-breasted Warbler Dendroica castanea
Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis
Kentucky Warbler Oporornis formosus
Gray-headed Tanager Eucometis penicillata
White-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus luctuosus
Red-throated Ant-Tanager Habia fuscicauda
Crimson-backed Tanager Ramphocelus dimidiatus
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
Yellow-crowned Euphonia Euphonia luteicapilla
Thick-billed Euphonia Euphonia laniirostris
Plain-colored Tanager Tangara inornata
Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana
Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus
Variable Seedeater Sporophila corvina
Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Scarlet-rumped Cacique Cacicus uropygialis
Chestnut-headed Oropendola Psarocolius wagleri

9. Tocumen Marsh, near Tocumen Intenational Airport       18th, 20-21st March, 2005

   This was a frustrating place to visit but with forward planning and a little knowledge it is very easy to get there by public transport and quite rewarding. Take any bus headig to Tocumen from Calle 50 in Panama city. These go past the airport and to a terminal near the town of Tocumen. Just before the last stop, you'll pass a Texaco gas station on a raised bank on the left. Get off here and turn left and walk down the hill on the paved road. This passes a supermarket very soon on the left hand side and there is a right turn. This gravel road leads to the 'Finca'. I had trouble with the petty guy on the gate. Basically, if you go Mon-Sat after 6am you'll be fine. He'll let you past and you go to a small office where you pay $5 and get given a receipt. You can then walk around the rice farm. As you go down the hill there is a pond on your left where I saw Southern Lapwing. Further down on the right is a small stream lined with a few trees with Striated Heron. The best area though is when you follow the long, striaght road through the rice fields (dry when I was there). Here is a wooded area. Turning right leads to the side of a big lake with many interesting birds. I failed to see Colombian Crakes which have been seen here before. I saw 74 species including 8 lifers

Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
Cocoi Heron Ardea cocoi
Great Egret Ardea alba
Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Striated Heron Butorides striata
Green Heron Butorides virescens
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus
Savanna Hawk Buteogallus meridionalis
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni
Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Gray-headed Chachalaca Ortalis cinereiceps
White-throated Crake h Laterallus albigularis
Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinica
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana
Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes
Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis
Yellow-crowned Parrot Amazona ochrocephala
Greater Ani Crotophaga major
Garden Emerald ? Chlorostilbon assimilis
Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata
Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona
American Pygmy Kingfisher Chloroceryle aenea
Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus
Buff-throated Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus guttatus
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma obsoletum
Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum
Pied Water-Tyrant Fluvicola pica
Panama Flycatcher Myiarchus panamensis
Lesser Kiskadee Philohydor lictor
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Plain Wren Thryothorus modestus
Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus Introduced species
Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi
Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia
Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas Rare/Accidental
Crimson-backed Tanager Ramphocelus dimidiatus
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina
Variable Seedeater Sporophila corvina
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater Sporophila minuta
Thick-billed Seed-Finch Oryzoborus funereus
Black-striped Sparrow Arremonops conirostris
Streaked Saltator Saltator striatipectus
Red-breasted Blackbird Sturnella militaris
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Yellow-billed Cacique Amblycercus holosericeus
Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria

10. Rancho La Rinconada, near Buenos Aires, Chilibre       19 & 23rd March, 2005

   This ranch belongs to a family friend who let us stay there for a few days. Chilibre can be reached from Panama by direct bus from the terminal. Get off at a stop called Buenos Aires from where a minibus or taxi can be taken to the ranch. There was a small patch of forest on the ranch with some good birds and also tamarins were seen. The field with scattered trees also had a good selection of open country birds I saw 58 species including 8 lifers

Little Tinamou h Crypturellus soui
Great Egret Ardea alba
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus
Broad-winged Hawk ? Buteo platypterus
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis
Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus
Red-lored Parrot Amazona autumnalis
Mangrove Cuckoo ? Coccyzus minor
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Greater Ani Crotophaga major
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Striped Cuckoo h Tapera naevia
Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus
Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus
Buff-throated Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus guttatus
Western Slaty-Antshrike Thamnophilus atrinucha
White-bellied Antbird Myrmeciza longipes
Golden-collared Manakin ? Manacus vitellinus
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma obsoletum
Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant Lophotriccus pilaris
Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum
Panama Flycatcher Myiarchus panamensis
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
White-winged Becard Pachyramphus polychopterus
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi
Tawny-faced Gnatwren Microbates cinereiventris
Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus
Yellow-green Vireo Vireo flavoviridis
Scrub Greenlet ? Hylophilus flavipes
Golden-fronted Greenlet Hylophilus aurantiifrons
Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia
Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons
Rosy Thrush-Tanager Rhodinocichla rosea
White-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus luctuosus
Red-throated Ant-Tanager Habia fuscicauda
Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra
Crimson-backed Tanager Ramphocelus dimidiatus
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Yellow-backed Oriole ? Icterus chrysater

11. Cerro Azul & Cerro Jefe, Tocumen       20th & 22nd March, 2005

   This area was also easily reached by public transport from Panama City. Take any Tocumen bus (25c) and get off at the Riande Airport Hotel a couple of kms before the International Airport. Cross the road and walk through the car park exiting onto the Interamericana heading north towards Chepo. Take any bus along here (25c). After about 7km you get to a junction with a traffic police station just past a gas station. Get off here and wait at the left turn for a minibus with Cerro Azul written on the front. It takes about 45 minutes to the last stop from where it is about a further 6km to the radio antenna at the top of Cerro Jefe. There was good birding between Tocumen and Cerro Azul and from the last stop upwards. The top of Cerro Jefe was very quiet though. Another good birding area I didn't visit was before the last stop along a road called Nubes. Russet-crowned Quail-Dove has been recorded from Cerro Jefe but I failed to see it. I also failed to see the endemic Tacarcuna Bush-Tanager which is found on Cerro Azul/Jefe. I saw 62 species including 6 lifers

Little Tinamou Crypturellus soui
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus
Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus Seen between Tocumen and Cerro Jefe
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni Seen between Tocumen and Cerro Jefe
Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway Seen between Tocumen and Cerro Jefe
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima Seen between Tocumen and Cerro Jefe
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Scaled Pigeon Patagioenas speciosa
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti Seen between Tocumen and Cerro Jefe
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi Seen between Tocumen and Cerro Jefe
Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis Seen between Tocumen and Cerro Jefe
Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus
Yellow-crowned Parrot Amazona ochrocephala Seen between Tocumen and Cerro Jefe
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora
Violet-headed Hummingbird Klais guimeti
Violet-crowned Woodnymph Thalurania colombica
Violet-bellied Hummingbird Damophila julie
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
Snowy-bellied Hummingbird Saucerottia edward
Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus
Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus
Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster
Lesser Elaenia Elaenia chiriquensis
Paltry Tyrannulet Zimmerius vilissimus
Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum
Bran-colored Flycatcher Myiophobus fasciatus
Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana Seen between Tocumen and Cerro Jefe
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis Seen between Tocumen and Cerro Jefe
Plain Wren Thryothorus modestus
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi
Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus
Scrub Greenlet Hylophilus flavipes
Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata
Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons
Crimson-backed Tanager Ramphocelus dimidiatus
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
Thick-billed Euphonia Euphonia laniirostris
Fulvous-vented Euphonia Euphonia fulvicrissa
Plain-colored Tanager Tangara inornata
Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola
Golden-hooded Tanager Tangara larvata
Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana
Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina Seen between Tocumen and Cerro Jefe
Variable Seedeater Sporophila corvina Seen between Tocumen and Cerro Jefe
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater Sporophila minuta Seen between Tocumen and Cerro Jefe
Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivacea Seen between Tocumen and Cerro Jefe
Black-striped Sparrow Arremonops conirostris
Streaked Saltator Saltator striatipectus Seen between Tocumen and Cerro Jefe
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria Seen between Tocumen and Cerro Jefe

12. Rancho Frio Station, Darien National Park, near El Real      24-28th March, 2005

   This was an excellent but difficult site for us to access cheaply. Although there are flights ($50 one-way) we took a bus from the main terminal in Panama City to Meteti ($9, 6 hours) and from there a pick-up to Yaviza ($5, 2 and a half hours). There were many police check points along the way where we had to show passports and were asked questions. There are some direct buses from Panama City to Yaviza. From Yaviza we took a small boat to El Real ($3, 1 hour) which had quite good birding on the way (I saw Viridian Dacnis ?). There is a hotel ($7 for a double) and restaurant ($2 a meal) in town and a lady called Jessica living next to the hotel will organize guides, park entrance and accomodation fees. A guide in costs $10 in and $10 out. Entrance to the park $3 per person and accomodation $10 per person per night. All food needs to be taken in although the river water in the park is drinkable. El real only has a limited food shopping and it would be better bought in Yaviza which is cheaper anyway. There is a fire where cooking can be done and a few pots, pans and dishes that can be used. We also received some free cooked food. It is a 4 hour hike to the Rancho Frio (Pirre) station in the park. This passes through open, secondary and good forest and the birding is excellent. There are bunks at Rancho Frio but no sheets. A mosquito net is also a good idea although mosquitos were few when we were there and the guide in residence claimed there was no malaria in the area. The guide (Henry) is knowledgeable about birds and very keen but speaks no English. There are several trails from the camp. One carries on to an Antenna where there is a police post, 3 and a half hours from the camp. I didn't walk this far but higher elevation endemics may be found here and Harpy Eagle has also been seen. I did see Great Currasow along the first part of this trail. Great Green Macaws can be seen flying over the camp in the mornings and evenings. Grey fox can be seen scavenging at the garbage dump nearby and agoutis are common in the forest. I saw 150 species including 28 lifers

Great Tinamou Tinamus major
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Capped Heron Pilherodius pileatus
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
Cocoi Heron Ardea cocoi
Great Egret Ardea alba
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Striated Heron Butorides striata
Rufescent Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma lineatum
White Ibis Eudocimus albus
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus
Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea
Crane Hawk Geranospiza caerulescens
White Hawk Leucopternis albicollis
Mangrove Black-Hawk Buteogallus subtilis
Great Black-Hawk Buteogallus urubitinga
Black-collared Hawk Busarellus nigricollis
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
Black Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus tyrannus
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Gray-headed Chachalaca Ortalis cinereiceps
Great Curassow Crax rubra Near-threatened
Marbled Wood-Quail h Odontophorus gujanensis
White-throated Crake h Laterallus albigularis
Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinica
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
Pale-vented Pigeon Patagioenas cayennensis
Short-billed Pigeon h Patagioenas nigrirostris
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Ruddy Quail-Dove h? Geotrygon montana
Great Green Macaw Ara ambigua Vulnerable
Spectacled Parrotlet Forpus conspicillatus
Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis
Brown-hooded Parrot Pionopsitta haematotis
Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus
Red-lored Parrot Amazona autumnalis
Mealy Parrot Amazona farinosa
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Greater Ani Crotophaga major
Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani
Crested Owl h Lophostrix cristata
Short-tailed Nighthawk Lurocalis semitorquatus
White-collared Swift ? Streptoprocne zonaris
Rufous-breasted Hermit Glaucis hirsuta
Western Long-tailed Hermit Phaethornis longirostris
Little Hermit
Pale-bellied Hermit Phaethornis anthophilus
White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora
Black-throated Mango Anthracothorax nigricollis
Green-crowned Woodnymph Thalurania fannyi
Sapphire-throated Hummingbird Lepidopyga coeruleogularis
Blue-throated Goldentail Hylocharis eliciae
White-tailed Trogon Trogon viridis
Black-throated Trogon Trogon rufus
Black-tailed Trogon Trogon melanurus
Slaty-tailed Trogon Trogon massena
Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata
Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana
Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota
Rufous Motmot h Baryphthengus martii
Broad-billed Motmot h Electron platyrhynchum
White-whiskered Puffbird Malacoptila panamensis
White-fronted Nunbird Monasa morphoeus
Fiery-billed Aracari Pteroglossus frantzii
Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus
Black-mandibled Toucan Ramphastos ambiguus
Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus
Cinnamon Woodpecker Celeus loricatus
Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus
Crimson-crested Woodpecker Campephilus melanoleucos
Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner Automolus ochrolaemus
Ruddy Woodcreeper Dendrocincla homochroa
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus
Northern Barred-Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae
Buff-throated Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus guttatus
Black-striped Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus
Western Slaty-Antshrike Thamnophilus atrinucha
Checker-throated Antwren Myrmotherula fulviventris
White-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula axillaris
Chestnut-backed Antbird Myrmeciza exsul
Dull-mantled Antbird ? Myrmeciza laemosticta
Wing-banded Antbird Myrmornis torquata
Spotted Antbird Hylophylax naevioides
Black-faced Antthrush h Formicarius analis
Streak-chested Antpitta h Hylopezus perspicillatus
Purple-throated Fruitcrow Querula purpurata
Green Manakin ? Chloropipo holochlora
Golden-collared Manakin Manacus vitellinus
Blue-crowned Manakin Pipra coronata
Golden-headed Manakin Pipra erythrocephala
Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet ? Tyrannulus elatus
Forest Elaenia ? Myiopagis gaimardii
Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum nigriceps
Golden-crowned Spadebill Platyrinchus coronatus
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher Terenotriccus erythrurus
Black-tailed Flycatcher Myiobius atricaudus
Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus
Pied Water-Tyrant Fluvicola pica
Bright-rumped Attila Attila spadiceus
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
Great Crested Flycatcher ? Myiarchus crinitus
Lesser Kiskadee ? Philohydor lictor
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua
Rusty-margined Flycatcher ? Myiozetetes cayanensis
Gray-capped Flycatcher Myiozetetes granadensis
Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus
Piratic Flycatcher h Legatus leucophaius
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Cinnamon Becard Pachyramphus cinnamomeus
Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata
Black-crowned Tityra Tityra inquisitor
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
Mangrove Swallow Tachycineta albilinea
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
White-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucosticta
Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea
Northern Waterthrush h Seiurus noveboracensis
Gray-headed Tanager Eucometis penicillata
Scarlet-browed Tanager Heterospingus xanthopygius
White-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus luctuosus
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra
Crimson-backed Tanager Ramphocelus dimidiatus
Flame-rumped Tanager Ramphocelus flammigerus
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
Golden-hooded Tanager Tangara larvata
Viridian Dacnis ? Dacnis viguieri Near-threatened
Purple Honeycreeper Cyanerpes caeruleus
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina
Variable Seedeater Sporophila corvina
Yellow-bellied Seedeater ? Sporophila nigricollis
Thick-billed Seed-Finch Oryzoborus funereus
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus
Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea
Giant Cowbird Molothrus oryzivorus
Orange-crowned Oriole Icterus auricapillus
Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula
Yellow-rumped Cacique Cacicus cela
Crested Oropendola Psarocolius decumanus
Black Oropendola Psarocolius guatimozinus
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