BIRDING SITES - Guyana Birding News Vol 1
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Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development
In 1989, the Government of Guyana gifted one million acres of pristine rainforest to the world—a nature preserve to be used as a living laboratory for scientific research, eco-tourism, and tropical forest management. The Iwokrama International Centre, dubbed "The Greenheart of Guyana," is the lifeblood to a dizzying number of flora and fauna: 1,500 species of flora, 200 mammals, 500 birds, 420 fish, and 150 species of amphibians and reptiles.
While Iwokrama also boasts of being home to some of the world's largest species—Black Caiman (alligator); Capybara (rodent); Arapaima (freshwater fish); Green Anaconda (snake); Giant Anteater; Giant River Otter; Giant River Turtle; and Jaguar (largest cat in Western Hemisphere)—birders are often drawn by the more than 500 bird species found within Iwokrama's boundaries.
Accommodations in North Iwokrama are located at the Field Station on the west bank of the Essequibo River, surrounded by rainforest. There are five comfortable and spacious guest cabins all with their own bathroom facilities as well as wireless Internet access. The epicenter of the Field Station is the Fred Allicock Training Centre (a.k.a. Round House). The 9,000-square-foot octagonal building houses a shop, scientific labs, computer labs, library, offices, and an upper-level open-air dining hall that offers spectacular views of the river and a perfect perch for birdwatching.
Accommodations in South Iwokrama are located at the Atta Rainforest Camp, situated approximately 500 metres from the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. The Atta Camp (atta means hammock in the local Macushi dialect) is completely surrounded by tropical rainforest and offers a total immersion experience. Sleeping in a hammock is a fun and comfortable way to spend the night, and the two accommodation buildings are open-sided, allowing the breeze to provide natural cooling. Meals are freshly prepared local delicacies of free-range beef, chicken, fish or vegetarian choices.
The Canopy Walkway is a prime birding location within Iwokrama. It features a series of suspension bridges and decks up to 30 meters above the rainforest floor and 154 meters in length. Some favorite species spotted by birders at the Canopy include Todd's Antwren, Sooty-headed Tyrannulet, Waved Woodpecker, Long-billed Starthroat, Dusky Purple Tuft, Rufous Throated Sapphire and Black Throated Hummingbirds, Guyana Toucanet, Spot-tailed Antwren, Guianan Red Cotinga, Pompadour Cotinga, and Guianan Puffbird.
There are plenty of other ideal birdwatching locations within Iwokrama, and a crew of local Amerindian guides to lead visitors. While boating down the impressive Essequibo River, birders often see such notable species as Black Curassow, Spotted Green-and-Rufous Kingfisher, Semipalmated and Collared Plover, Black Skimmer, and Large Billed Tern. There are large numbers of Red and Green Macaws and many parrots, including Hawk-headed, Blue-headed, Festive and Orange-winged.
Along the forested trails, including one that leads to the top of 900-foot Turtle Mountain for spectacular canopy views, birders are often rewarded with sightings of Great Jacamar, Golden-sided Euphonia, Violaceous Trogon, Spotted Antpitta, White Plumed and Rufous-throated Antbirds, and Buff-throated Woodcreeper.
In Iwokrama, even the birdwatching along the main road is spectacular. Highlight species include Black Aracari, Guianan Red Cotinga, Gray-winged Trumpeter, Copper-tailed Hummingbird, Spangled Cotinga, White-crowned Manakin, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Purple Honeycreeper, Marail Guan, Black Curassow, King Vulture, Green Oropendola, Painted Parakeet, Black-headed Parrot, Paradise Jacamar, Great Black Hawk, Double Tooth Kite, and Rufous-crowned Elanea. Those birders who are lucky enough may also see prized species, such as Harpy Eagle, Crimson Topaz Hummingbird, Hoatzin, the elusive Rufous-winged Ground Cuckoo, and Crimson Fruitcrow.
One of Iwokrama's bird highlights is a Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock lek accessed by an easy twenty-minute trail walk from the main road. There are also several leks around Woweta, a nearby Amerindian community that has launched a community tourism venture offering Cock-of-the-Rock tours.
Indeed, for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike, Iwokrama is a rare and special place in today's world. As Steve Hilty, the author of Birds of Venezuela, said after a recent visit, "I see Iwokrama Forest Reserve as being a particular advantage [to Guyana]. You have access to undisturbed rainforest there, and that's harder and harder to get to, especially with tour groups...[Iwokrama] is world class, a national treasure."
For more information, visit www.iwokrama.org and http://www.iwokramacanopywalkway.com/.
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