Last weekend I visited the famed Pipeline Road (central Panama) with my friend Osvaldo and the visiting birders from British Columbia: Gary, Mary, Paul and Lucille... I guess the warm weather and the promise of tropical lifers are a good excuse to escape the winter! Our walk started at the first bridge, the Juan Grande creek. We were not after specific rarities... just enjoying the exuberant forest and its inhabitants.
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| Male Black-throated Trogon (file photo) |
Of course, Pipeline Road did not disappoint us... toucans, aracaris, caciques, puffbirds, fruitcrows, four different trogon species (of 5 possible), including a Black-throated Trogon calling just above our heads, and lots of antbirds kept us entertained... a single mixed flock had three antwrens species, plus antshrikes, flycatchers and so on... We also were quite lucky with some hard-to-see species; however, one species in particular stole the show. One guide friend of us (Pipeline was crowded, for Panamanian standards) told us that a Streak-chested Antpitta was displaying in the "open" some meters ahead. The clear and characteristic song was louder and louder... and eventually, the cute ball of feathers materialized in front of us.
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| Streak-chested Antpitta |
What a show! No matter how many times I see it, it is always amazing. My photos doesn't do it justice... you need to see it yourself! After all the excitement, we decided to left the place (reluctantly); however, Osvaldo had a surprise for us. He had booked lunch at the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center... and what a lunch!
What a great way to end a day at Pipeline Road. I have to say that it was weird to enjoy a fresh fried sea bass while hearing Black-striped Woodcreepers and Black-breasted Puffbirds... but I can get used.
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| Lunch in the rainforest! |
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