Panama: Fall at El Valle`s Canopy Lodge

PANAMA: FALL AT EL VALLE’S
CANOPY LODGE
November 1–8, 2015
Crimson-backed Tanager, Canopy Lodge, Panama, November 3, 2015, Barry Zimmer
LEADERS: BARRY ZIMMER & MOYO RODRIGUEZ
COMPILED BY: BARRY ZIMMER
VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS
2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746
WWW.VENTBIRD.COM
PANAMA: FALL AT EL VALLE’S CANOPY LODGE
November 1–8, 2015
By Barry Zimmer
Once again, our Canopy Lodge tour provided a memorable and exciting birding
adventure to Panama. The cool foothill habitats surrounding El Valle, combined with a
visit to the Pacific lowlands, yielded nearly 240 species of birds with countless
highlights.
We began our trip with brief birding around our Panama City hotel. A stunning Squirrel
Cuckoo topped the list, but close, perched Blue-headed Parrots, Pale-vented Pigeon,
Yellow-headed Caracara, a stunning Crimson-backed Tanager (eating a mango in the
parking lot!), and numbers of Yellow-bellied Seedeaters were also noteworthy. A short
two-and-a-half-hour drive westward landed us at the Canopy Lodge. Freshly stocked
feeders were abuzz with activity upon our arrival. Blue-gray, Palm, Crimson-backed, and
Flame-rumped tanagers, Gray-headed Chachalaca, Collared Aracari, Red-crowned
Woodpecker, Chestnut-headed Oropendola, Buff-throated Saltator, swarms of Thickbilled Euphonias and more were swirling about in a dizzying array of colors. The feeders
would subsequently produce such gems as Rufous Motmot (daily), Spot-crowned Barbet,
and Dusky-faced Tanager as well. Keel-billed Toucan, Snowy-bellied and Rufous-tailed
hummingbirds, Long-billed Starthroat, Purple-crowned Fairy, and Green Kingfisher were
all tallied in short order from the dining room viewing area. It was, frankly, hard to tear
ourselves away from the spectacular birding on the lodge grounds.
Over the next five days we ventured out on short drives to surrounding areas. The
Cariguana Trail provided a perched White Hawk, a fabulous Tody Motmot (ten feet
away!), Blue-crowned Motmot, roosting Spectacled Owls, a crowd-pleasing pair of
Barred Antshrikes, Garden Emerald, and Rosy Thrush-Tanager among others. The La
Mesa area yielded Blue-throated (Emerald) Toucanet (a pair 20 feet away), Orangebellied Trogon, over 200 migrating Swainson’s Hawks, a very rare Blue-winged Warbler
(new to the Canopy Lodge area list!), Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, and Silver-throated and
Bay-headed tanagers, while the Canopy Adventure had roosting Mottled Owl, Broadbilled Motmot, and Tawny-crested Tanager. In the higher foothills of Altos del Maria, we
found Snowcap, the rare Brown-billed Scythebill, Red-faced Spinetail, Smoky-brown
Woodpecker, Tufted Flycatcher, White-ruffed Manakin, Ochraceous Wren, Common
Chlorospingus, and the incomparable Black-and-yellow Tanager. Another day we
ventured down the Caribbean slope to Rio Indio. A very rare Black-and-white HawkEagle, a pair of Barred Puffbirds, a male Shining Honeycreeper, Golden-collared
Manakin, and Lineated Woodpecker were among the highlights.
Finally, we visited the Pacific lowlands near Anton and Santa Clara. In one day we added
45 species to our list! Seven Savanna Hawks, numerous Southern Lapwings, Wattled
Jacana, Pale-breasted Spinetail, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Sapphire-throated
Hummingbird, Brown-throated Parakeet, and Lance-tailed Manakin were among the
most memorable. A Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch from 30 feet the last morning was the
icing on the cake!
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Fall at El Valle’s Canopy Lodge 2015
In addition to all the amazing birds, we also saw some interesting mammals: (two species
of sloth, Central American Agouti, and Orange Nectar Bat), a rarely seen Eyelash Viper,
and over 30 species of spectacular butterflies. Simply put, it was another amazing week
in Panama!
ITINERARY:
November 1 – arrival in Panama City
November 2 – birding on hotel grounds pre-breakfast, arrival in El Valle around 10:45
AM; birding on grounds of Canopy Lodge and up road towards the Canopy Adventure
(86 species)
November 3 – lodge feeders, La Mesa (including Las Minas Road), Cara Iguana
(Cariguana) Trail in afternoon (107 species; 134 total)
November 4 – much of the day on Altos del Maria (shortened by rain), late afternoon to
Mercado, return to Cara Iguana trail and lodge feeders (82 species; 153 total)
November 5 – La Mesa, Rio Indio, Jordanal (Caribbean slope); lodge feeders in late
afternoon (102 species; 185 total)
November 6 – Anton Road, Santa Clara, Juan Hombron; late afternoon feeder watching
(91 species; 230 total)
November 7 – Canopy Lodge feeders, Canopy Adventure, La Cruz, La Mesa, drive to
Panama City (62 species; 238 total)
November 8 – departures for home (238 total species)
KEY:
Underlined species represent birds of very uncommon occurrence or species that occur
regularly but in such low densities as to be easily missed
Bold-faced species indicate birds of rare, casual, or accidental occurrence
BIRDS:
Little Tinamou (Crypturellus soui) heard only along the Cara Iguana trail
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) Anton Road
Gray-headed Chachalaca (Ortalis cinereiceps)
about ten around the lodge each day
Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) twelve over Juan Hombron
Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) well over a hundred around Santa
Clara, plus a few elsewhere
Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii) about a dozen or so off beaches of Santa Clara
(most distant but one close fly by)
Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) one in the canal entrance behind our motel by Bob
& Lorna
Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) Anton Road
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
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Fall at El Valle’s Canopy Lodge 2015
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
Green Heron (Butorides virescens)
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) daily in numbers
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) ditto
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes burrovianus) three total
Osprey (Pandion haliatus) pair over Juan Hombron
White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) good views at Anton & Juan Hombron
Common Black-Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) adult on outskirts of Coronado and
immature bird at Anton Road
Savanna Hawk (Buteogallus meridionalis) nice studies of adult & immature birds at
Anton Road & Juan Hombron of this handsome raptor; seven total
Barred Hawk (Morphnarcus princeps) basically heard only, although we did have a
very distant visual on Altos del Maria
White Hawk (Leucopternis albicollis) three different perched birds, plus four more in
flight; stunning
Roadside Hawk (Buteo magnirostris)
Gray-lined Hawk (Buteo nitidus) near Jordanal
Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) several nice views of perched birds
Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus) five total, including one dark morph at La
Cruz
Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) nice flight over the La Mesa the last day of an
estimated 200 individuals!
Black Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus tyrannus) flight views over La Mesa
Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus melanoleucus) one high over Rio Indio
was a real rarity!
Gray-necked Wood-Rail (Aramides cajanea) great views of one on a near daily basis
at the Lodge feeders
Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio matinicus) one along Anton Road
Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) distant flock of about 30 near Juan
Hombron
Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) over 25 in one day
Wattled Jacana (Jacana jacana)
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)
Willet (Tringa semipalmata)
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
Sanderling (Calidris alba) flock of seven on the Santa Clara beach
Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) large flock of several hundred peeps in the Juan
Hombron rice fields appeared to all be of this species
Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla)
Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis) one at Santa Clara
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) one the last afternoon coming back into Panama City
Pale-vented Pigeon (Patagioenas cayennensis) great views at Panama City hotel
Plain-breasted Ground-Dove (Columbina minuta) five on the Anton Road
Ruddy Ground-Dove (Columbina talpacoti) common
White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi)
daily
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Fall at El Valle’s Canopy Lodge 2015
Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana) several nice views of this striking species; one at our
Panama city hotel was especially nice
Striped Cuckoo (Tapera naevia) heard only on three occasions
Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani)
three near Jordanal
Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris) common around Anton & Juan Hombron
Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata) prolonged scope views of roosting pair along
Cara Iguana Trail; WOW!; tied for the second favorite bird of the tour!
Spectacled Owl, El Valle, Panama, November 4, 2015, Barry Zimmer
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilanum) fantastic views at Santa Clara
Mottled Owl (Ciccaba virgata) roosting bird the final morning at the Canopy
adventure was a near religious experience; tied for third favorite bird of the tour!
White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris) high flying flock over Altos del Maria;
uncommon
Green Hermit (Phaethornis guy)
several good views; nine total
Stripe-throated Hermit (Phaethornis striigularis)
four total
Purple-crowned Fairy (Heliothryx barroti) one feeding in flowers right off dining
room on three days
Green Thorntail (Discosura conversii) four females at flowering trees in the
Jordanal area; very uncommon to rare
Long-billed Starthroat (Heliomaster longirostris) one guarding Erythrina flowers at
the Lodge; generally uncommon
Garden Emerald (Chlorostilbon assimilis) brilliant males along Cara Iguana trail &
Anton; three total
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Fall at El Valle’s Canopy Lodge 2015
Snowcap (Microchera albocoronata)
two females seen very well, two males chasing
each other seen only briefly in flight; certainly one of the most awesome hummingbirds
Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer (Chalybura urochrysia) good views of the pink feet!
Crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania colombica)
six total
Snowy-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia edward) regular on the lodge grounds
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl) common
Sapphire-throated Hummingbird (Lepidopyga coeruleogularis) nice studies of two
males
Orange-bellied Trogon (Trogon aurantiiventris)
only two this year, but superb views
of the first
Tody Motmot (Hylomanes momotula) one along the Cara Iguana Trail from ten feet
away!
Tody Motmot, El Valle, Panama, November 4, 2015, Barry Zimmer
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Fall at El Valle’s Canopy Lodge 2015
Blue-crowned Motmot (Momotus momota) spotted by Becky on the Cara Iguana
Trail
Rufous Motmot (Baryphthengus martii) a regular (and spectacular) visitor to the
lodge feeders!
Broad-billed Motmot (Electron platyrhynchum)
one at the Canopy Adventure;
uncommon
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)
Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana)
Barred Puffbird (Nystalus radiatus)
pair near Jordanal allowed superb scope views
Barred Puffbird, Jordanal, Panama, November 5, 2015, Barry Zimmer
Spot-crowned Barbet
three at lodge feeders one morning and another pair at Rio Indio;
generally very uncommon
Emerald (Blue-throated) Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus) a pair on the Las
Minas Road was exceptionally cooperative; we were able to watch them right overhead
for several minutes; a likely future split to be called Blue-throated Toucanet (would
become A. caeruleogularis)
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Fall at El Valle’s Canopy Lodge 2015
Emerald Toucanet, La Mesa, Panama, November 3, 2015, Barry Zimmer
Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus) a group of nine were regular visitors to the
lodge feeders
Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) up to ten in a day!; the essence of the
tropics
Black-cheeked Woodpecker (Melanerpes pucherani) one near Jordanal
Red-crowned Woodpecker (Melanerpes rubricapillus) seen daily; a regular feeder
visitor at the lodge
Smoky-brown Woodpecker (Picoides fumigatus) rare for Cocle was a female we
saw on Altos del Maria
Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus)
three great views of this “exotic”
woodpecker; first spotted by Patricia; tied for second favorite bird of the tour
Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway)
Yellow-headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima)
up to ten a day
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
Merlin (Falco columbarius)
Anton Road; uncommon
Bat Falcon (Falco rufigularis)
distant views of three
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
one soaring with Wood Storks at Juan Hombron
Brown-throated Parakeet (Aratinga pertinax)
good scope views for some, others
saw this species only in flight
Orange-chinned Parakeet (Brotogeris jugularis)
several nice vies of this species
Blue-headed Parrot (Pionus menstruus) scope studies of perched birds (best at Panama
City hotel)
Yellow-crowned Parrot (Amazona ochrocephala) very distant scope views at Anton
Road; uncommon
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Fall at El Valle’s Canopy Lodge 2015
Fasciated Antshrike (Cymbilaimus lineatus) one at Jordanal and another at the lodge
parking lot; uncommon
Barred Antshrike (Thamnophilus doliatus) excellent looks of this crowd-pleasisng
species at Cara Iguana & Anton
Russet Antshrike (Thamnistes anabatinus) heard only
White-bellied Antbird (Myrmeciza longipes) heard only; a real skulker
Chestnut-backed Antbird (Myrmeciza exsul) after much effort most people had a
good view of this species
Black-faced Antthrush (Formicarius analis) heard only, painfully close
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper (Glyphorhynchus spirurus) very close views at the
Jordanal lunch spot; uncommon
Cocoa Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus susurrans) oddly, this usually fairly common
species was heard only
Spotted Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus erythropygius) three total; our first spotted by
Lorna
Straight-billed Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus picus) very cooperative bird at Anton
Road; uncommon & local
Brown-billed Scythebill (Campylorhamphus pusillus) we had great views of this
rarely seen species; my personal favorite bird of the tour!
Plain Xenops (Xenops minutus) scope views
Red-faced Spinetail (Cranioleuca erythrops) great scope views on Altos del Maria
Pale-breasted Spinetail (Synallaxis albescens) an unbelievably cooperative bird along
Anton Road; very uncommon
Mouse-colored Tyrannulet (Phaeomyias murina)
best views ever at Anton Road
Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet (Tyrannulus elatus) heard only at Panama City hotel
Yellow-bellied Elaenia (Elaenia flavogaster)
Olive-striped Flycatcher (Mionectes olivaceus)
four total
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher (Mionectes oleaginous) two total
Sepia-capped Flycatcher (Leptopogon amaurocephalus) heard only
Paltry Tyrannulet (Zimmerius vilissimus)
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant (Lophotriccus pileatus) good views of two
Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher (Poecilotriccus sylvia) heard only (seen by me) very
close
Common Tody-Flycatcher (Todirostrum cinereum) seen best at Jordanal
Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher (Todirostrum nigriceps) one for some on road to
canopy adventure the first afternoon; uncommon & difficult to see
Yellow-margined Flycatcher (Tolmomyias assimilis) one on Cara Iguana trail
Bran-colored Flycatcher (Myiophobus fasciatus) a rather elusive individual along the
road to Rio Indio; uncommon
Tufted Flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus)
several good views
Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) three total
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) abundant
Tropical Pewee (Contopus cinereus) one in Jordanal
Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) three total
Long-tailed Tyrant (Colonia colonus) Lorna spotted one in Jordanal, but only those in
Moyo’s vehicle got to see it
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Fall at El Valle’s Canopy Lodge 2015
Bright-rumped Attila (Attila spadiceus) heard only in Rio Indio
Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
Panama Flycatcher (Myiarchus panamensis)
nice views of three
Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus)
Boat-billed Flycatcher (Megarhynchus pitangua)
pair along Juan Hombron
Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similes) widespread & common
Gray-capped Flycatcher (Myiozetetes granadensis) heard only
Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus) abundant in open country
Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savanna)
along Anton Road & Juan Hombron;
always spectacular
Cinnamon Becard (Pachyramphus cinnamomeus) uncommon; two pairs in Jordanal
White-winged Becard (Pachyramphus polychopterus) three total; uncommon
Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata) pair at the end of the road in Jordanal
Lance-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia lanceolata) five total; finally, good scope views
White-ruffed Manakin (Corapipo altera) female only
Golden-collared Manakin (Manacus vitellinus) stunning male near Rio Indio
Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons)
Red-eyed Vireo (vireo olivaceus)
Scrub Greenlet (Hylophilus flavipes) Anton Road
Golden-fronted Greenlet (Hylophilus aurantiifrons) Anton Road
Lesser Greenlet (Hylophilus decurtatus)
Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Cyclarhis gujanensis) heard only on Anton Road
Black-chested Jay (Cyanocorax affinis)
almost daily; many great views
Gray-breasted Martin (Progne subis)
Southern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryxruficollis)
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Scaly-breasted Wren (Microcerculus marginatus) heard only; a skulker (like many of
the wrens here)
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) seen daily; this is the “Southern House Wren”, T.
musculus, of some authors
Ochraceous Wren (Troglodytes ochraceus) one on Altos del Maria
Rufous-breasted Wren (Thryothorus rutilus) scope views on Cara Iguana trail
Rufous-and-white Wren (Thryothorus rufalbus) heard only; an uber-skulker
Plain Wren (Thryothorus modestus) nice views on Anton Road
Bay Wren (Thryothorus nigricapillus) good views after some effort; often heard right
around the rooms
White-breasted Wood-Wren (Henichorhina leucosticta) one on Las Minas Road
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren (Henicorhina leucophrys) quick views for some of this
skulker
Long-billed Gnatwren (Ramphocaenus melanurus) heard by all, seen by some
Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus)
Pale-vented Thrush (Turdus obsoletus) one juvenile on Altos del Maria spotted by
Ellen; very uncommon
Clay-colored Thrush (Turdus grayi) abundant
Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus) our first bird of the tour at the Panama City
hotel
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Fall at El Valle’s Canopy Lodge 2015
Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) one at Jordanal was not seen by all
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)
Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) three total
Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera)
very rare (in fact a new bird for the
Canopy Lodge list) was a female we found on La Mesa the last morning; a new bird for
me in Panama!
Blue-winged Warbler, La Mesa, Panama, November 7, 2015, Barry Zimmer
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) three total
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria ctrea) Juan Hombron; uncommon
Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina) almost daily
Mourning Warbler (Oporornis philadelphia)
four total
Bay-breasted Warbler (Setopahaga castanea) sixteen total
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) four total
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) in the lowlands
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) nine total
Buff-rumped Warbler (Phaeothlypis fulvicauda) pair around the Lodge daily; also
seen at Jordanal; usually uncommon
Rufous-capped Warbler (Basileuterus rufifrons) many good views; almost daily
Canada Warbler (Cardelina canadensis) five total
Blue-gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus) abundant, especially at the feeders
Palm Tanager (Thraupis palmarum) regular at feeders
Golden-hooded Tanager (Tangara larvata) gorgeous!
Plain-colored Tanager (Tangara inornata) three on Caribbean slope
Bay-headed Tanager (Tangara gyrola) many good views of this beauty
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Fall at El Valle’s Canopy Lodge 2015
Silver-throated Tanager (Tangara icterocephala) fairly common in upper elevations
Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola) scope views of four at Panama City hotel
Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza)
stunning!; nine total
Black-and-yellow Tanager (Chryothlypis chrysomelas) five on Altos del Maria;
stunning
Blue-black Grassquit (Volatinia jacarina)
“Johnny Jump-Up”
White-shouldered Tanager (Tachyphonus luctuosus) three on Caribbean slope
Tawny-crested Tanager (Tachyphonus delatrii) seen on three days with a high count
of 10 birds on one day!; love the orange mohawk!
White-lined Tanager (Tachyphonus rufus) pair at Jordanal; uncommon
Flame-rumped Tanager (Ramphocelus flammigerus) common at the lodge feeders
and truly stunning
Crimson-backed Tanager (Ramphocelus dimidiatus) in numbers daily, especially at
the feeders; spectacular!; voted the favorite bird of the tour!
Shining Honeycreeper Cyanerpes lucidus) male at Rio Indio; tied for second favorite
bird of the tour!
Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus) one sub-adult male
Scarlet-thighed Dacnis (Dacnis cayana) male at first stop on Altos del Maria; wow!
Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola)
common around lodge garden and elsewhere
Yellow-faced Grassquit (Tiaris olivaceus)
Variable Seedeater (Sporophila americana)
Yellow-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila nigricollis) only at Panama City hotel
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater (Sporophila minuta) three striking males on Anton Road
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater, Anton, Panama, November 6, 2015, Barry Zimmer
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Fall at El Valle’s Canopy Lodge 2015
Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch (Emberizoides herbicola)
above El Valle; uncommon
unprecedented scope views
Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch, La Cruz, Panama, November 7, 2015, Barry Zimmer
Black-headed Saltator (Saltator atriceps) by some on Las Minas Road; generally
uncommon
Buff-throated Saltator (Saltator maximus) regular at lodge feeders
Streaked Saltator (Saltator striatipectus) one on Las Minas Road
Rosy Thrush-Tanager (Rhodinocichla rosea) one above the lodge was largely elusive,
three on Cara Iguana trail were slightly more cooperative
Dusky-faced Tanager (Mitrospingus cassinii) group of four were regular visitors to
the feeders
Orange-billed Sparrow (Arremon aurantilrostris)
a couple of early morning
appearances near the dining area; another stunner
Black-striped Sparrow (Arremonops conirostris) scope views on La Mesa
Common Chlorospingus (Chlorospingus flavopectus) Altos de Maria; the distinctive
subspecies punctulatus
Hepatic Tanager (Piranga flava) the Panamanian race testacea which is almost
certainly a different species than the one found in the United States
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra)
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager (Habia rubica) seemed less numerous than usual
Red-throated Ant-Tanager (Habia fuscicauda)
heard only near Rio Indio
Black-faced Grosbeak (Caryothraustes poliogaster) flock of ten on La Mesa the last
day; uncommon
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) four total
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Fall at El Valle’s Canopy Lodge 2015
Blue-black Grosbeak (Cyanocompsa cyanoides) pair on Cara Iguana Trail
Red-breasted Blackbird (Sturnella militaris) nice males on Anton Road
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) abundant in open country
Giant Cowbird (Molothrus oryzivorus) one near Juan Hombron; very uncommon here
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurious)
Yellow-backed Oriole (Icterus chrysater) Cara Iguana; spotted by Win
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)
a striking male at lodge feeders regularly
Yellow-billed Cacique (Amblycercus holosericeus) heard only
Scarlet-rumped Cacique (Cacicus uropygialis) briefly near Rio Indio
Crested Oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus) two flyovers on La Mesa
Chestnut-headed Oropendola (Psarocolius wagleri) regular at lodge feeders
Yellow-crowned Euphonia (Euphonia luteicapilla) best at Anton Road
Thick-billed Euphonia (Euphonia laniirostris) abundant at lodge feeders
Fulvous-vented Euphonia (Euphonia fulvicrissa) three on the Caribbean Slope
Tawny-capped Euphonia (Euphonia anneae) several in the foothills; seen on four
days
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) one at Panama city hotel and another on Anton
Road
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) thanks to Doug’s spotting in Anton
Total species – 238
NEW SPECIES SEEN BY JOHN, MARIAN, AND ME ON THE WAY TO THE
AIRPORT THE LAST MORNING:
Ringed Kingfisher
Red-lored Parrot
Bronzed Cowbird
LEADER ONLY BIRDS:
Black-crowned Night-Heron
White Ibis
Common Tern
Violet-bellied Hummingbird---Moyo
Southern Bentbill---Moyo
Gray Kingbird---Moyo
MAMMALS:
Common Opossum---regular evening feeder visitors
Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth---three total
Hoffman’s Two-toed Sloth---one the last morning from the dining area
Dwarf squirrel species (Microsciurus species)---scope views
Red-tailed Squirrel---banana thief!
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Fall at El Valle’s Canopy Lodge 2015
Variegated Squirrel----Anton
Central American Agouti---common around the Lodge
Forest Rabbit---only by me before dawn below the feeders
Orange Nectar Bat---nightly visitors to the hummingbird feeders!
Jaguarundi---black morph crossed the road at above the lodge the first afternoon, but
was seen only by Win
Kinkajou----sleeping individual near Jordanal
Total species – 11
REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS:
Striped Basilisk
Ameiva species---sometimes called Central American Whiptail
Green Iguana
Mediterranean Gecko
Unidentified frog at dinner (on John’s hand)
Cane Toad (Bufo marinus)
Eyelash Viper---amazing spotting by Moyo; nice scope views
Fer-de-lance---dead on road
Snake species---possibly Green Vine Snake
Total species – 9
BUTTERFLIES:
Green-celled Cattleheart (Parides childrenae)
Thoas Swallowtail (Papilio thoas)
Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
Brilliant Greenmark (Caria mantinea)
White-patched Tanmark (Emesis aurimna)
Orange-striped Tanmark (Emesis cypria)
Juno Heliconian (Dione juno)
Dot-bordered (Doris) Heliconian (Laparus doris)
Erato Heliconian (Heliconius erato)
Sara Heliconian (Heliconius sara)
Cydno Heliconian (Heliconius cydno)
Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonia)
Bordered Patch (Chlosyne lacinia)
Three-banded Crescent (Eresia alsina)
Orange-patched Crescent ( Phyciodes drusilla)
Variable Prestonian (Tithoria tarricina)
Banded Peacock (Anartia fatima)
White Peacock (Anartia jatrophae)
Rusty-tipped Page (Siptoeta epaphus)
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours
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Fall at El Valle’s Canopy Lodge 2015
Malachite (Siproeta stelenes)---scope views
Sister species (Adelpha species)
Variable Cracker (Hamadryas feronia)
Common Morpho (Morpho helenor)
Menelaus Morpho (Morpho Menelaus)
Stub-tailed Morpho (morpho theseus)
Yellow-bordered Owl Butterfly (Caligo uranus)
White Satyr Pareuptychia ocirrhoe)
Queen or Soldier (Danaus species)
Diasia Clearwing (Ithomia diasia)
Confusa Tigerwing (Methona confusa)
Two-barred Flasher (Astraptes fulgerator)
Longtail species (Plain or Brown) (Urbanus species)
Total species –33 (plus many, many others left completely unidentified)
SIGNIFICANT OTHERS:
Leafcutter ants
Walking stick
Large katydid
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours
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Fall at El Valle’s Canopy Lodge 2015