March is for Macaws

There aren’t very many things that make getting up at 5am sound appealing, but heading out to see the Scarlet Macaws is definitely one of the few exceptions. It is estimated that there are fewer than 250 Scarlet Macaws in the country of Belize, with less than an approximated 5,000 worldwide. One of the larger members of the parrot family, these beautiful birds are most notable for their striking red plumage. Their wings have a variety of bright blue and yellow feathers and their faces boast white cheeks and yellow eyes. Every December, they migrate from the mountains in Chabiquil National park in the west of the country and fly down to the south of the country for better feeding along the riverbanks. They head back by the end of March, making this month your last chance to see them this year (it also happens to be the best month for spotting them). Where do we go, you ask? How do we get there? Call Doyle.

Doyle Gardiner, the owner of DTOUZ, is our resident expert on these birds. He’ll pick you up in his van at 5am and drive you just over an hour to Red Bank, just south of the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. The ride itself is a highlight. You’ll drive through Red Bank Village, which is made up of perfectly thatched homes all along the roadside. The Maya people that inhabit them are early risers and they’ll wave or smile as you pass by. Their colorful laundry is all neatly hung on their lines and their chickens run wild in their yards. The van may have to stop and wait for an Agouti family to cross the road (the Agouti is a close relative and smaller version of Gibnut). It’s a picturesque scene and very representative of the way of life in this part of the country.

You’ll come to an opening where you’ll disembark from the van and start your climb, not more than a 10-minute hike, but also not for the faint of heart, as it’s mostly uphill. You’ll come to a clearing nestled amongst the trees and be treated to what can only be described as one of the best views in Belize. The sun will start its ascent over the rolling green hills turning the sky to the light pink and blue hues of dawn. The yellow of the Quamwood trees will stand out amongst the valley of green and as you sit with your loved ones, you’ll be struck by the serenity of the moment. And then you’ll hear it- the grovely squawk that will echo off the rock walls all around you, so much louder than you ever could have expected. A bird that flies in pairs or packs, the sun will catch the red of their wings as the Scarlet Macaws start to fly overhead. They’ll all come to perch in a tree across the way and they’ll disappear from the naked eye which is hard to believe given how colorful they are. Doyle will have set up a telescope for you and you’ll get to watch them as they climb the branches and feed on the small nuts they’ve come for.

Once you’ve had your fill of that awe-inspiring moment in nature, you’ll get back in the van and head to the river bank. Beautiful large boulders and rushing water all around, you’ll peel off your long pants and slip into the cool river water. As you bathe, Doyle will start a fire. You’ll hear the Avidbill woodcreepers descending whistle, watch cattle egrets fly gracefully close to the waterline and see a Tiger-heron on its perch. Doyle’s partner will let you know when the coffee is ready and you’ll sit on a rock as you drink it marvelling at how different nature is here from the beach you were at yesterday. A delicious breakfast of sweet bread, bananas, huevos rancheros and bacon is served just as you hear that unmistakable screech again. You’ll marvel at their size and beauty. Endangered by the pet trade, watching Macaws in the wild like this will instil in you the feeling that it’s a privilege and a rarity to see them in their beautiful habitat here in southern Belize.

For Tour information, contact Doyle Gardiner
+501-600-2318
http://www.placenciadtourz.com/
https://www.facebook.com/dtourz