Bird watching is an extremely popular recreation in the Yucatan that made many travelers and bird lovers to see birds in their natural habitat. You will not need to be an expert to experience bird watching – this activity is ideal of people of any age.
No matter whether you are going to rest in your hammock with a fantastic book and binoculars or join one of several tours of which take you to spots where numerous birds nest, spending time to go birding can be an experience of a lifetime.
Birding in Yucatan
In regards to Bird watching, Yucatan is surely a destination to be. Throughout the migration periods, there are countless bird species which flock to the jungles and wetlands. The top bird reserve, Sian Ka’an, is claimed to host numerous migratory birds alone.
Nevertheless, it’s not simply the migrating birds that make up the diversity. You will find over 546 bird species who live in the areas in the Yucatan throughout the year, eleven of which are native to the island (living only in Yucatan and no place else on the planet). A few of these uncommon local species also bring the name of the region: the Yucatan night-jar, the Yucatan wren, the Bright Red Yucatan parrot.
Bird Watching Destinations In Yucatan
In terms of birding, the top destinations are Celestun, Rio Lagartos, Sian Ka’an Reserve and Isla Contoy.
Sian Ka’an Biosphere
Located a few miles south of Tulum Mexico, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere reserve is found 40 miles south of Playa Del Carmen. You will find a lot of small hotels within the shoreline, therefore hotels are simple to find throughout the year.
This mentioned reserve covers over 1.3 million acres of land, mangrove swamps, tropical forests, wetlands, lagoons and cenotes. It was created to provide protection to not only the native bird species, but also more than 1200 several other animal species like reptiles, insects and mammals.
There are actually about 360 bird species that dwell in in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, and then for nature lovers there are certainly non-profit community birding tours. The groups may be big or small, with the smallest group being established when at least 2 people desire to take the tour. In the area, vultures, ibises, orioles and herons are several of the birds which can be found easily.
Celestun
Celestun can be reach through 45 miniutes drive from Merida. It is a small fishing village, yet there are actually a couple of basic hotels to remain in. Moreover, Eco Paraiso Xixim, a lovely 280-room Eco-resort is merely six miles north of Celestun.
One of several bird species that could be encountered in this place is the pink flamingo, they are in great numbers from March to August. Many other birds, just like snowy egrets and herons can also be seen, specially when you take a tour with one of the fishing boats.
The Rio Lagartos Biosphere reserve
Five miles north of Valladolid, plus an hour away from Chichen Itza and on the Yucatan’s northern Caribbean coast you can find the Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve. Here you will discover pink flamingos in large colony – roughly 40,000 flamingos call this their haven. Together with the flamingos that dwell in the areas around Celestun, the reserve is home to around 90% of the world’s population of pink flamingos while in the winter time.
Isla Contoy
Isla Contoy is actually a national park which sits north of Isla Mujeres . It happens to be a bird sanctuary and one of several major sites for birding in Yucatan. There is certainly a limit on the number of visitors which are permitted to visit Isla Contoy in one day, hence if you’re eager about travelling to this place, always make sure you join an organized trip where all preparations are made for you.
The avian species you can see on Isla Contoy are generally marine birds, including the the frigate, double-crested cormorant, and brown pelican. You could also find birds which are nesting on this tropical isle.
If you like traveling the Yucatan Peninsula and enjoy adventure trips be sure to go to Onejungle.com for info on touring Guatemala, Mexico and Belize. You can also see the Birding Tours.