Touring Yucatan (2 Viewers)

[Maroon Jay]

Sorry to take so long in answering. I saw 70 new species in Yucatan, 73 in Belize and 14 in Tikal Guatemala for a total of 157.. This is counting only new lifers and not total birds seen. Still have not decided where to go for my next trip. Thinking of Galapagos and Cuba. Tom

 

[njlarsen]

Thanks Tom,
I would probably do Galapagos if I was you, in part because that can and should be combined with mainland Ecuador which is high on my wish list. The problem is that I only am aware of one way to do Galapagos, as passenger on some type of cruise, and one has to research pretty thoroughly to find one that goes enough places to get all of the endemics as far as I know. Let me know if you find a different way, I am also contemplating Galapagos sometime in 2013-14.

Cuba has about 28 endemics and a bunch of regional specialties, but I do not think you will get nearly the number of new species there that you did in Yucatan. Guy Kirwan et al.'s book is well worth getting if you want to go that way.

Niels

 

[Maroon Jay]

Thanks Niels, I will let you know when I have definate plans about Galapogas. I also considereed island hopping from Aruba to Cuba but at about $150 and up per island, the airfare came to about $3000 besides the cost of getting to Aruba and hotels. What is the name of the book on birds of Cuba? Perhaps we could meet in Galapogos this wnter. Tom

 

[njlarsen]

http://www.amazon.com/Birdwatchers-...F8&qid=1341853289&sr=8-1&keywords=kirwan+cuba

I think it is possible to find better prices elsewhere, but this was a quick way to give you a link

LIAT sometimes have offers on their website (they fly in the eastern Caribbean), but usually only shortly before the flight.

Re Galapagos, the winter 13-14 i more likely for me (don't think I will have enough vacation left this time).

Niels

 

[Maroon Jay]

Thanks Niels. I did check Liat. I know I would not find as many birds in Cuba as Belize or Mexico but I sure would like to see the Bee Hummingbird. Tom

 

[njlarsen]

A better price for the book (and if you ask nicely you might even get it signed): http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=225103&highlight=kirwan+cuba

I thought there was another thread with a review of this book, but I cannot find it right now.

Bee Hummingbird is on my wish list too, and I suppose I will get an excuse to go one of these years. But Ecuador (and Peru and Colombia) has so many hummers that it is difficult to think about just this one ...

Niels

 

[Maroon Jay]

Thanks Niels, I sent Guy a message. Still not sure if I will go to Cuba this winter or not but will get there eventually so the book would be good to have. Tom