Panama, November 2024

I was fortunate to take a 1 week trip to Panama, with “Wings“, going east to the Darien region. The guide, Gavin Bieber, was amazing, the accommodation, in fancy tents, was excellent, and the birding was exceptional.

The first night was an extra, staying in a hotel right next to the canal, although the flight was delayed, and I arrived at the start of rush hour, so it took nearly 2 hours of taxi to the hotel, traffic in Panama city is horrendous.

The next morning started well with several new birds before breakfast, including great views of the Yellow-headed Caracara

Also these other birds

I then walked down toward the Biomuseo, with many other avian encounters

There were many thousands of Black Vultures around, including this one

The Biomuseo was designed by Gehry, and is fascinating, with the geologic history of Panama well explained. The isthmus formed about 20 million years ago, followed by the Great Interamerican Biotic Interchange (apparently), with south american bids and animals heading north, and vice versa, which is what gives Panama its amazing biodiversity.

Right on the grounds of the Biomuseo were these 2 birds, one from a family originally south american, the second northern.

I then hired a bike to cycle down the Amador peninsula, constructed from rock that was excavated to build the canal, to a group of 3, what used to be, islands. On the first of which there is a Smithsonian research institute. On the way down there is a view of the city, and this sunken boat with a Brown Pelican perched.

At the research centre, just near the gate, a Hoffman’s two-toed Sloth was hanging out.

I then took a trip to Panama city old town, which was interesting, but marked by a tropical downpour, so I got soaked cycling back to the hotel area. An amazing first day.