Cinnamon Hummingbird (Amazilia rutila) Sierra El Tuito, Jalisco, Mexico 21/01/2008 © Glen Tepke

The Chan Chich team was recently host to Christmas Bird Count participants from the Belize Audubon Society. Assisted by the Chan Chich guides, the team of ten birders tallied a total of 185 species over a 2-day period.  Among the most notable species, was the addition of the Cinnamon Hummingbird, which is the furthest inland record in the country.  This tiny coastal hummingbird has been steadily expanding its range inland, but this time it reached Laguna Verde, the natural, spring-fed lake within the Chan Chich conservation area.

They also recorded the Ladder-backed Woodpecker, which might be only the second record for this area!  All in all it was a great count and we are already looking forward to another count for next year.

Stay tuned as in March the group has their annual “Birdathon”, which is a friendly competition among birding lodges in Belize, to see who gets the most birds in 24 hours, while raising funds for conservation.