Altos de Campana birding tour in Panama!

Also known as Altos de Campana was establish in 1966 as Panama first National Park. A park noted for its remarkable steep rock formations with great view to the Pacific, with evergreen lowland and submontane forest. Includes Cerro Campana reaches 1,007m (3,300 ft), Cerro Trinidad (988m), Peña Blanca (907)m and Los Monos (893m), and the headwaters of the Capira and Chame Rivers on the Pacific slope, and the Trinidad River, part of the Panama Canal watershed on the Caribbean slope.

LOCATION
Marks the easternmost extension of the Talamanca Range of Costa Rica and western Panama, on the Pacific, located 50 km west of Panama City. At 1.15 hour drive from Panama City, you will be able to find many foothills species in the moist submontane and cloud forest on its slopes.

TOUR DIFFICULTY
■ Easy... to ■ Moderate... to ■ Hard

FITNESS
Easy to moderate walking is required.
■ Easy... to ■ Moderate... to ■ Hard

WHAT TO EXPECT
     With an early morning start expect to see by noon 40 to 60 species. And by the end of the day a final count of 87+ is common. We will search for foothill species (see part of the list below). Total bird species inventory 302 .

AREA DESCRIPTION
     Birding is done primarily along a set of easy walkable trails ( Panama Trail, La Cruz, Podocarpus) but on the way up, stops along the road is recommended to look in grassy areas and bordered forest.    There is traffic along the road. Awareness is advised all the time.

WEATHER
     Expect foggy mornings and some windy moments with scatter showers along the day.
The climate in Central Panama /Canal Zone is usually warm, with mornings in the 70s and afternoons in the 80s. Conditions at midday can be humid and very warm, with temperatures reaching into the lower 90s. Rainstorms may occur at any time of year, but are more likely during the rainy season, which runs from the summer months into early December. Generally, the weather in Central Panama is mild and pleasant, with our activities corresponding to the cooler parts of the day and heightened bird activity.

ACCOMODATIONS                                                                                                  Cerro Campana is easily done as a complete day trip, or as a complement going to Panama City from El Valle or from other Panama interior places. Lodging in the area is available.

EATING FACILITIES
     No place near the park it self. Lunch will be pack or we may drive 15 minutes to the nearest eating facility in Capira.

CLOTHING
     Light clothing is recommended: cotton shirts or t-shirts - earth colors preferable- long and short pants, poncho, hiking shoes, hat, insect repellent and sun block. Dress for tropical hot humid weather and be ready for rain.

GEAR
     Binoculars, scope (optional), field guide, notebook and camera (optional ).

GUIDE BOOK RECOMMENDED                                                                                 Go Back
      These two books are an example of hard work put into, and for the benefit, of conserving Panama’s birds:
     “A Guide to the Birds of Panama” by Robert S. Ridgely and John A. Gwynne, Jr. Can be described as the “bible” for Panama birds and some Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras. The latest edition (1989).This excellent field guide is highly recommended as your primary reference book on the birds.
     “An Illustrated Field Guide to the Birds of Panama” by Ernesto Ponce and Giselle Muschett, 2006, 1st Edition. It can be described as “a descriptive fieldwork tool” for fast information .

BIRDS TO LOOK FOR
     This is a list of birds - by memory - seen at Campana National Park and environs during different tours, and some additions from friends, guess and people who have collaborated sharing with us their sightings. The list is continuously on the move. Feel free to send your findings and comments to gonzalohorna@hotmail.com Check here for the complete list of Central Panama Birds.

or ' call +(507) 6728-3501 and personally
answer your questions on the birds of Panama
gonzalohorna@hotmail.com