4 May 2008.An early start for the traditional watch from the top deck of the Canopy Tower produces a nice introduction to some Neotropical canopy bird species. Scaled Pigeon, Red-lored Parrot and Keel-billed Toucan are all seen easily on dead snags above the treetops whilst Tropical Gnatcatcher, Slaty-tailed Trogon and Blue Dacnis venture a little closer to the deck. A "kite double" in the form of Double-tooted and Grey-headed Kite sightings are notable before leaving the upper deck but is overshadowed by a splendid , if little distant, male Blue Cotinga.
Blue-chested Hummingbird near Canopy Tower, May 2008.A stroll down Semaphore Hill follows breakfast with Cocoa Woodcreeper, Brown-capped Tryrannulets, Southern Bentbill, Long-billed Gnatwren and a brief Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher. However, one of the tour high points is reached very early indeed when a Pheasant Cuckoo is found, responding to playback and allowing great views of this retiring forest-dweller. Fine views of White-whiskered Puffbird, Red-headed Manakin, Dusky Antbird, Spotted Antbird, Dot-winged Antwren, Slate-coloured Grosbeak and Crimson-crested Woodpecker complete a superb first morning's birding in Soberania NP.
Pheasant Cuckoo, Semaphore Hill (below Canopy Tower in Soberania NP), May 2008.
Pheasant Cuckoo, Semaphore Hill (below Canopy Tower in Soberania NP), May 2008.Post lunch involves a short trip out to the Amo Dump Ponds. Birds are literally everywhere and we pass our "100 in a day" target quite easily with the addition of Rufescent Tiger-Heron (on a nest), Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Variable Seedeater, Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet, Golden-hooded Tanager and nice comparisons of Rusty-margined and Social Flycatchers. Our return journey back to the tower is punctuated with Grey-headed Chachalaca, Blue-crowned Motmot and best of all a roosting Great Potoo. A marvellous first day in Panama!
