The guides at both facilities are excellent. At the Lodge we had (at different times) Danilo Rodriguez and Tino Sanchez, while at the Tower we went out with Carlos Bethancourt – the latter excursion specifically targeting the Rufous-vented Ground-cuckoo.

With our miserable cold Maryland winter extending well into March, we decided to on a getaway to some place warm. where we could see lots of birds. Having had a very enjoyable experience at the Panama Canopy Tower in 2002 we decided this time to visit the new Canopy Lodge for seven days, with a single day at the Canopy Tower. (The latter would be to target some species being seen along the Pipeline Road, specifically Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo.)

Both lodges are owned by Raul Arias de Para. The Canopy Lodge is a new, very luxurious facility on the outskirts of El Valle deAncon, and has habitat nearby (highland forest and lowland dry forest) not found near the Tower. We, along with friend Sally Wechsler, arrived in the morning at Panama City International Airport, and were met by a van from the Lodge. It is about a 1 1/2 to two-hour drive from the city to the rural and beautiful Ancon Valley. The small town is a favored vacation and outing spot for Panamanians and, increasingly, visitors from the USA.

Our accommodations at the Lodge, with king-sized beds, decorations of local handicrafts, and balconies overlooking the river, were wonderful. It should be mentioned that we missed Brad and Angelina (really!) by a couple of days, a tribute to the secluded ambiance of this lovely hotel. The grounds contain many flowering trees and shrubs, numerous hummingbird feeders, and fruits feeders in front of the main dining area that attracted a wide variety of species. As we left, Raul had started construction of a small wetland to further enhance the lodge’s natural environment.

The guides at both facilities are excellent. At the Lodge we had (at different times) Danilo Rodriguez and Tino Sanchez, while at the Tower we went out with Carlos Bethancourt – the latter excursion specifically targeting the Rufous-vented Ground-cuckoo.

From the Lodge, we made day visits to a number of good local sites, including La Mesa (fragmented but still productive forest), Altos de Maria (highland forest), and El Chiru (lowland dry forest and scrub). One unexpected downside was the weather, as March appears to be a very windy month and we struggled with wind (and some rain) most days. A January visit, which had been our original plan (postponed by a family emergency) might be better. Also, some species were not as vocal in March as earlier in the year – unfortunately this included the Black-crownedAntpitta.

Another downer was that Altos de Maria, THE premier spot for the Antpitta and many other top birds, is being slowly and methodically degraded for an upscale housing development. Raul told us that 60% of the buyers are from North America. I wonder how many of them would like it that virgin cloud forest is being cut up to build their little vacation homes? The worst thing is that there is absolutely no attempt to use environmentally sensitive construction means. There is a total lack of basic sediment control and so whole hillsides, stripped of their forest cover, are washing away, and slash and dirt is being bulldozed into streams which (used to) be home for the endangered Golden Frog. The future of birding at Altos appears bleak unless these sorts of construction practices can be halted. However, at the time of our visit there was still a good selection of quality birds including Black-crowned Antpitta [seen by a bird group the same week as our visit].

Itinerary:

March 14th Departed Baltimore Washington International Airport at 6.00 a.m. and arrived Panama International Airport at 1.30 p.m.[via a connecting flight in Houston]. We were picked-up at the airport by and driven the approximately 2 1/2 hours to the Canopy Lodge. This allowed us some late afternoon birding on the Lodge’s grounds including time watching the numerous hummingbirds, tanagers and other species at the feeders.

March 15th Morning hike along the Waterfall Trail, which starts across the bridge from the Lodge’s restaurant.. In the afternoon we drove a short distance to some dry forest just outside the local town of El Valle. Good birds seen were Striped Cuckoo which was whistled-in by our guide a gave brilliant views. Also brief views of the Tody Motmot at its stakeout site.

March 16th In morning a short drive to some productive forest fragments at La Mesa. Afternoon we birded the lower portion of the Cerro de Gaital Trail. The top birds seen today were the White-tipped Sicklebill and Blue-throated Toucanet.

March 17th Drove about one hour to Altos de Maria and spent the day at this site. A slow day with the only real standout species being a superb pair of Barred Hawks..

March 18th Visited the La Mesa area, driving down to Rio Indio. In the afternoon birded the La Zamia Trail, which was exceptionally quiet. Good birds today included Black Hawk-Eagle, a second White-tipped Sicklebill and our only White-throated Thrush of the trip.

March 19th BC and SW visited the dry forests and cattle pastures at El Chiru and GM birded the Waterfall Trail and La Mesa. Good birds seen today were Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, great views of eight Crested Bobwhites, two Sapphire-throated Hummingbirds and our only Panama Flycatchers and Black-faced Grosbeaks of the trip.

March 20th Two-thirds of the day at Altos de Maria, which was far livelier than before, followed by birding the trail behind the Canopy Adventure. Good birds seen included a group of displaying Yellow-eared Toucanets, two Sunbitterns, Tody Motmot, and Brown-billed Scythebill.

March 21st Morning spent along the Cerro de Gaital Trail, doing the entire loop in intermittant rain. This was followed by the two hour drive to the Canopy Tower with late afternoon birding around the Tower and partway down the Semaphore Hill Road. Great looks at Spotted Antbird was today’s highlight.

March 22nd Almost the whole day spent along the Pipeline Road followed by late afternoon visit to the Summit Ponds and to the stakeout roosting site of a Great Potoo. A very memorable day with tremendous birding at a large army antswarm along the Pipeline Road. The swarm covered a large area on either side of the first stream crossing. Easily the top bird of he trip was an obliging Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo. Other great birds at this antswarm were two Ocellated Antbirds, large numbers of Spotted and Bicolored Antbirds plus Chestnut-backed Antbird. Large numbers of Ruddy Woodcreepers and Gray-headed Tanagers were also in attendance. In addition to this we had mind-blowing views of Streaked-chested[Spectacled] Antpitta, an adult King Vulture, our fourth White Hawk of the trip, Black Hawk-Eagle and Great Potoo. This brilliant day’s birding made up for the sometimes difficult experience at El Valle where we struggled at times with strong gusty winds.

Bird List:

We saw 233 species with a rather high 14 species heard-only.

The following species were relatively common and widespread and see virtually every day in appropriate habitat:

Cattle Egret, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Ruddy Ground Dove, White-tipped Dove, Rock Pigeon, Orange-chinned Parakeet, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Social Flycatcher, Dusky-capped Flycatcher,, Tropical Kingbird, Southern Rough-winged Swallow, House Wren, Clay-colored Thrush, Thick-billed Euphonia, Blue-gray Tanager, Variable Seedeater, Yellow-faced Grassquit.

Little Blue Heron. Two birds seen at the Summit Ponds was the sole record.

Green Heron. Two birds at the Summit Ponds.

Boat-billed Heron. We saw this species five years ago at the Summit Hill Ponds, and this is still a reliable site with four birds seen there on 22nd March.

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck. Rather surprisingly, just a single bird seen.

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture. A single bird seen at El Chiru.

King Vulture. Brief views were obtained of an adult of this striking vulture as it soared over the Pipeline Road.

Gray-headed Kite. Single birds seen at La Mesa and Altos de Maria.

Swallow-tailed Kite. Recorded on five dates with the daily maximum of twenty birds on March 17th -- no doubt early northbound migrants.

Barred Hawk. A pair of this large, impressive hawk was seen at Altos de Maria. They were calling noisily and appeared agitated suggesting a nest nearby.

White Hawk. Single birds recorded on four dates including birds recorded on both of our visits to Altos de Marie.

Black Hawk-Eagle. Extended views of a single bird on the drive to Rio Indio and a second bird seen soaring above the Pipeline Road.

Crested Caracara. Surprisingly scarce with just two birds seen at El Chiru.

Yellow-headed Caracara. Single birds recorded on three days.

Broadwinged Hawk. Northbound migrants were seen in small numbers on most days with the maximum count of 100 birds on March 16th.

Swainson’s Hawk. A single bird was seen from the Canopy Lodge onMarch 20thh was no doubt a migrant.

Gray-headed Chachalaca. Recorded on four dates including ten birds in dryforest near the Canopy Lodge.

Black-breasted Wood-Quail. We heard several birds calling noisily at Altosde Maria. Unfortunately they did not respond to the tape.

Crested Bobwhite. Extended good views of a party of eight birds seen at ElChiru. The birds were resting from the hot sun under the shade of some treesand allowed a close approach. Excellent value.

Gray-necked Wood-Rail. A single bird watched feeding at the SummitPonds.

Sunbittern. Two birds of this impressive species were seen along thestream above the Canopy Lodge; the birds sometimes foraged in the stream onthe Lodge grounds.

Southern Lapwing. Our sole sighting was a single bird feeding in a pastureat La Mesa.

Scaled Pigeon. Five birds recorded over three days in forested patches inLa Mesa and around the Canopy Lodge.

Pale-vented Pigeon. Five birds seen along the Pipeline Road was our solerecord.

Short-billed Pigeon. Surprisingly, just a single bird seen along thePipeline Road although others were heard.

Mourning Dove. A single bird seen at El Chiru.

Plain-Breasted Ground–Dove. Just a single bird seen at El Chiru.

Grey-breasted Dove. This dove was recorded in very small numbers on mostdays, usually flushed from forest trails. The daily maximum was threebirds.

Purplish-backed Quail Dove. A single bird heard calling at Altos DeMaria

Brown-hooded Parrot. Parties of five birds at Altos de Maria and six birdsseen along the Cerro de Gaital trail.

Blue-headed Parrot. Recorded on three dates including six birds at La Mesaand six more along the Cerro de Gaital Trail.

Squirrel Cuckoo. Up to two birds recorded in forest patches on fivedates.

Striped Cuckoo. Brilliant, prolonged views of a single bird in dry forestjust outside El Valle was an early highlight of the trip.

Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo. Without doubt this was the top bird of thetrip. This individual was seen in the forest interior along the Pipeline Roadand was associating with a large ant swarm, which had attracted many antbirds, woodcreepers and tanagers. Watched for several minutes before itfinally stalked off through the undergrowth. (There may have been two birdsas later we heard bill-clapping from a thicket behind us and not in thedirection the first bird had disappeared.) Absolutely superb.

Smooth-billed Ani. Recorded on two dates with a maximum of four birds atLa Mesa.

Groove-billed Ani. Four birds seen at El Chiru.

Mottled Owl. A single bird at a roost site in a vine thicket off of theWaterfall Trail near the Canopy Lodge.

Great Potoo. A single individual seen at its roosting site in a tall treeabove a fairly busy road near the Canopy Tower.

Band-rumped Swift. Recorded on four dates with a daily maximum of tenbirds.

Short-tailed Swift. Four birds seen along the Pipeline Road was our onlyrecord.

White-tipped Sicklebill. Recorded on two dates at La Mesa. We had closealbeit brief views of a single individual that visited a stand ofLobster-claw Heliconia . This unique-looking hummingbird was one of our toptargets and did not disappoint us.

Green Hermit. One-two birds seen or heard most days in forest patcheswhile staying at the Canopy Lodge.

Little Hermit. Recorded in small numbers on most days with the dailymaximum of three birds seen at Altos de Maria.

White-necked Jacobin. Common at the feeders at the Canopy Tower with anestimated eight birds seen during a thirty-minute feeder watch.

Green-breasted Mango. Nice views of a single bird at El Chiru.

Violet-headed Hummingbird. Two birds of this attractive hummer were seenfeeding on flowering bushes on the grounds of the Canopy Lodge.

Garden Emerald. Recorded daily in small numbers both at the Canopy Lodgefeeders and around the adjacent trails.

Snowcap. Two birds seen briefly at Altos de Maria.

Violet-crowned Woodnymph. Easy to see at the feeders at the Canopy Towerwith up to four birds seen daily.

Violet-bellied Hummingbird. Common at the Canopy Tower feeders with atleast six birds seen on both days we were staying at this lodge.

Sapphire-throated Hummingbird. Two birds seen by BEC at El Chiru.

Blue-chested Hummingbird. Three birds seen including a male at the CanopyTowers’ feeders.

Snowy-bellied Hummingbird. This attractive hummer was quite common in theforest patches around the Canopy Lodge. Up to five birds recorded daily.

White-vented Plumeleteer. Another fairly common hummer with up to fourbirds recorded virtually daily at both the Canopy Lodge feeders and adjacentforest patches.

Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer. Recorded on three dates with an estimated sixbirds visiting the Canopy Tower feeders during a thirty minute feederwatch.

Purple-crowned Fairy. Single birds of this striking hummer were recordedon three dates, with birds seen on two occasions along the Waterfall Trailjust outside the Canopy Lodge.

Long-billed Starthoat. Three birds seen over two days at the Canopy Lodgefeeders.

Orange-bellied Trogon. Up to two birds recorded on four dates at varioussites around the Canopy Lodge. Probably the most reliable spot was the forestfragments at La Mesa.

Black-throated Trogon. Single birds seen along the Waterfall Trail and LaZamia trail.

Black-tailed Trogon. Two birds recorded along the Pipeline Road.

Slaty-tailed Trogon. Our only sighting was a female seen at Altos deMarie.

Ringed Kingfisher. A single bird seen at the Summit Ponds was our onlysighting.

Amazon Kingfisher. Two birds seen at the Summit Ponds.

Green Kingfisher. Single birds seen along the Waterfall Trail and SummitPonds.

Tody Motmot. Single birds seen on two dates at the stakeout site behindthe Canopy Adventure. This much desired species proved extremely difficult tosee, sitting still in dense forest while calling continuously.

Blue-crowned Motmot. Three birds seen including two at La Mesa on March18th.

Broad-billed Motmot. Fairly easy to see while at the Canopy Tower with twobirds seen at Semaphore Hill and the Pipeline Road. Distinctly more difficultat the Canopy Lodge, with only a single sighting over eight days.

Rufous Motmot. The most numerous motmot, being recorded on eight days witha daily maximum of four birds.

Black-breasted Puffbird. Two birds seen along the Pipeline Road includingone excavating a nest hole in a sandy bank.

White-whiskered Puffbird. A single bird along the Pipeline Road was ouronly record.

Pied Puffbird. A single bird heard calling along the Pipeline Road.

Spot-crowned Barbet. A single individual of this handsome barbet was seenin a forest patch at La Mesa.

Blue-throated Toucanet. Fairly easy to see at La Mesa with five birds seenover two visits. Also a single bird at Altos de Marie.

Collared Aracari. Fairly widespread with up to three birds seen over fivedates.

Yellow-eared Toucanet. Another high priority species which proved quiteelusive. We eventually saw a total of four birds on our two visits to LaMesa. This attractive charismatic species proved to be one of the top birdsof the trip.

Keel-billed Toucan. The most numerous toucan species being recorded almostdaily. It was particularly widespread around the Canopy Tower with ten birdsseen. Easy to see from the observation deck and along the Pipeline Road.

Chestnut-mandibled Toucan. Less numerous than the previous species beingseen on just two days with the maximum of four birds seen along the PipelineRoad.

Red-crowned Woodpecker. A fairly common & widespread species beingrecorded daily with the daily maximum of eight birds.

Cinnamon Woodpecker. A single bird of this attractive woodpecker was seenalong the Pipeline Road.

Lineated Woodpecker. Surprisingly scarce with just one sighting [plus twoheard birds].

Plain Xenops. Single birds seen along the Waterfall Trail and at Altos deMaria.

Plain-brown Woodcreeper. Large numbers seen at the antswarm along thePipeline Road. We conservatively estimated fifteen birds. As we did not coverthe full extent of the antswarm [so as not to disturb the birds], we probablyunderestimated the numbers of this and other ant-followers.

Olivaceous Woodcreeper. Just a single bird recorded along the WaterfallTrail [Canopy Lodge].

Wedge-billed Woodcreeper. A single bird at La Mesa was our sole record.

Barred Woodcreeper. This uncommon woodcreeper was recorded twice with asingle bird at La Mesa and three birds associated with the antswarm along thePipeline Road.

Brown-billed Scythebill. A single bird of this very distinctivewoodcreeper was seen well at Altos de Marie.

Spotted Woodcreeper. A single birds seen at La Mesa and the PipelineRoad.

Fasciated Antshrike. A total of six individuals recorded over three dateswith the daily maximum of three birds at Altos de Maria.

Great Antshrike. A single bird heard calling at La Mesa was the onlyrecord.

Barred Antshrike. Surprisingly scarce with just three birds seen over twodates including two birds seen along the Waterfall Trail.

Western Slaty-Antshrike. A single bird seen along the Pipeline Road.

Russet Antshrike. Single individual seen along the Pipeline Road.

Plain Antvireo. Five birds recorded over three dates including two birdseach at Altos de Maria and Cerro de Gaital Trail.

Checker-throated Antwren. Single birds seen along both the Pipeline Roadand the Waterfall Trail.

Dot-winged Antwren. Two birds seen along the Semaphore Hill Road followedby two the next day along the Pipeline Road.

Chestnut-backed Antbird. Two birds seen along the Pipeline Road with oneassociating with the antswarm.

Bicolored Antbird. At least fifteen birds associating with the largeantswarm along the Pipeline Road.

Spotted Antbird. This very attractive antbird was also well represented atthe antswarm with a minimum estimate of eight birds. In addition two morewere seen along the Semaphore Hill Road.

Ocellated Antbird. Two individuals of this superb antbird were seenfeeding actively just a few feet from us at the antswarm along the PipelineRoad. One of the highlights of the trip.

Black-faced Antthrush. Heard calling on four days and two birds seen withsingles on the Waterfall Trail and at La Mesa.

Streak-chested Antpitta. Several heard calling and mind-blowing viewsobtained of a single bird along the Pipeline Road, just a few feet away fromus calling continually.

Black-crowned Antpitta. Regrettably, heard calling only at Altos de Mariadespite a major effort over two days to see this spectacular species. Thetape recording we had (from the “All the Antbirds” CD) isapparently not the same “dialect” as that of the Panamanian birdsand consequently did not seem to attract much interest.

Purple-throated Fruitcrow. Two birds seen along the Pipeline Road.

Thrush-like Schiffornis. Single birds recorded on both our visits to Altosde Maria plus another bird seen on the Pipeline Road.

Golden-collared Manakin. Heard on four days at various sites around theCanopy Lodge and two birds seen at La Mesa.

White-ruffed Manakin. A total of seven birds recorded over five daysincluding three on March 19th.

Lance-tailed Manakin. Two males and a female seen in dry forest above ElValle.

Red-capped Manakin. Two birds seen along the Semaphore Hill Road and twomore the following day along the Pipeline Road.

Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet. A total of four birds seen between theWaterfall Trail and La Mesa.

Gray Elaenia. A single bird of this uncommon species was seen along thePipeline Road.

Yellow-bellied Elaenia. Very common in the dry woodlands and pastures of El Chiru with an estimated twenty birds seen during our morning’sbirding.

Lesser Elaenia. Also numerous at El Chiru with an estimated ten birdsseen.

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher. This rather attractive flycatcher was recordedjust twice with singles on two dates along the Waterfall Trail.

Olive-striped Flycatcher. Six birds recorded over four days at varioussites around the Canopy Lodge including two birds along the WaterfallTrail.

Sepia-capped Flycatcher. Single birds seen on three dates at sites aroundthe Canopy Lodge including La Mesa.

Paltry Tyrannulet. Widespread in small numbers with up to two birdsrecorded daily.

Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant. Recorded on four dates with two birds seen atAltos de Maria [but usually heard much more frequently than seen].

Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher. A single bird well seen at El Chiru.

Common Tody-Flycatcher. Single bird recorded on three dates on the groundsof the Canopy Lodge [where it was nest building].

Yellow-olive Flycatcher. Just a single bird seen along the La Zamia Trail[about the only bird seen on this very unproductive trail].

Yellow-margined Flycatcher. Two birds seen along the Waterfall Trail onour first day turned out to be our only sightings.

Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher. Our only sighting of this very attractiveflycatcher was of a single bird along the Pipeline Road.

Tropical Pewee. Just a single bird seen on the Pipeline Road was our onlyrecord.

Acadian Flycatcher. One bird seen and others heard calling along thePipeline Road.

Bright-rumped Attila. Single birds recorded at Le Mesa and Altos deMaria.

Rufous Mourner. One seen along the Pipeline Road.

Panama Flycatcher. Three birds seen in dry forest and scrub habitat at ElChiru.

Several of the following large tyrant flycatchers were underecorded by usas we chose not to spend a lot of time looking for many of the more common& widespread species.

Great Kiskadee. Just single birds seen on three dates no doubt areflection on the above comments.

Boat-billed Flycatcher. Just a single bird recorded.

Rusty-margined Flycatcher. A single bird seen along the Pipeline Road.

Fork-tailed Flycatcher. A total of eight birds seen over three days, manyalong the road from Panama City to El Valle.

Masked Tityra. Recorded on two dates including two birds seen at LaMesa.

Gray-breasted Martin. A total of five birds seen over two visits to LaMesa.

Blue-and-white Swallow. Two birds seen at La Mesa was, surprisngly thesole record.

Black-chested Jay. This colorful and charismatic species was seen almostdaily, including on the grounds of the Canopy Lodge. The daily maximum wastwenty birds seen at various sites around El Valle.

Bay Wren. Quite common at sites around the Canopy Lodge being seen orheard daily. The daily maximum was four birds seen and others heard.

Rufous-Breasted Wren. This attractive species was recorded on five datesaround El Valle with the daily maximum of five birds.

Rufous-and-white Wren. Recorded on three days with the daily maximum ofthree birds seen in dry open forest just outside of El Valle..

Plain Wren. Recorded only once with a single bird in dry open forest justoutside of El Valle.

White-breasted Wood-Wren. A bird heard singing at La Mesa was our onlyrecord.

Gray-breasted Wood-Wren. Recorded on four dates with the maximum being twobirds at Altos de Maria.

Song Wren. A single individual of this interesting wren was seen along thePipeline Road. The bare blue facial skin is quite reminiscence of someantbirds.

Tropical Mockingbird. Five birds seen on the drive from the Canopy Lodgeto the Canopy Tower.

Gray-cheeked Thrush. Single bird seen along the Waterfall Trail.

Swainson's Thrush. Single birds seen at Altos de Maria and along theWaterfall Trail.

Pale-vented Thrush. Single individuals seen at both La Mesa and Altos deMaria.

White-throated Thrush. Just a single individual of this attractive thrushwas seen along the La Zamia Trail.

Tawny-faced Gnatwren. This quite striking species was seen along thePipeline Road with two individuals seen.

Long-billed Gnatwren. Even more bizarre than the prior species, two birdswere seen at Altos de Maria followed by a a single individual seen from theSemaphore Hill Road.

Tropical Gnatcatcher. Our sole sighting was of a single bird seen alongthe Pipeline Road.

Yellow-throated Vireo. Five birds seen over four days at sites from theCanopy Lodge including two birds in the dry woodlands of El Chiru

Yellow-green Vireo. Common in the dry woodlands at El Chiru with anestimated ten birds seen. Otherwise recorded on three dates including fourbirds along the Pipeline Road.

Lesser Greenlet. Five birds recorded over three days.

Green Shrike-Vireo. This is always a very impressive bird to see. On thistrip seen only on the final day with individuals seen from the Canopy Towerplatform and along the Pipeline Road.

Golden-winged Warbler. Single birds seen on four separate days at varioussites around El Valle including two individuals on the grounds of the CanopyLodge.

Tennessee Warbler. The most widespread and numerous of the winteringneo-tropical warblers. In all recorded on seven days with the daily maximumof ten birds.

Yellow Warbler. Just a single individual seen on the grounds of the CanopyLodge.

Chestnut-sided Warbler. Six birds seen over four days at various sitesaround El Valle.

Black-throated Green Warbler. Three birds seen at Altos de Maria.

Blackburnian Warbler. Two birds seen at Altos de Maria.

Bay-breasted Warbler. Fairly widespread in small numbers with a total ofeight birds recorded over six days at various sites around El Valle.

Black-and-white Warbler. Five birds seen over three dates at various sitesaround El Valle including two birds at La Mesa.

Prothonotary Warbler. A single bird along the Pipeline Road was the solerecord.

Northern Waterthrush. Widespread in small numbers with 1-2 birds beingseen almost daily. A good spot for this species was along the river right bythe bridge at the Canopy Lodge.

Mourning Warbler. Another neo-tropical migrant seen in surprisingly goodnumbers. In all seven birds seen at various sites around El Valle includingthree males at La Mesa.

Canada Warbler. Another surprisingly well represented warbler with a totalof eight birds seen over four dates. The Waterfall and Cerro de Gaital Trailswere particular good sites for this species.

Rufous-capped Warbler. Common & widespread in suitable habitat aroundEl Valle. The Waterfall Trail was particularly good with this species beingseen there on every visit. In all, recorded on six dates with the dailymaximum of twelve birds.

Buff-rumped Warbler. A single bird along the Waterfall Trail was our solerecord.

Bananaquit. Common & widespread in suitable habitat around El Valle.Recorded virtually daily with the daily maximum of twelve birds.

Common Bush-Tanager. A party of ten birds seen at Altos de Maria weresupposedly outside of the range shown in A Guide to the Birds of Panama, butthis highland area supports species which previously were thought to berestricted to areas in the west or east of Panama (fide Raul Arias).

Plain-colored Tanager. This species is a lot more attractive that theillustration in Birds of Panama. Fairly common along the Waterfall Trail andin the vicinity of the Canopy Lodge. In all recorded on four dates with thedaily maximum of four birds.

Dusky-faced Tanager. Parties of this noisy species were seen regularlyalong the Waterfall and Cerro de Gaital Trails. In all recorded on five dateswith a daily maximum of ten birds.

Olive Tanager. Two birds seen along the Pipeline Road was our onlysighting.

Gray-headed Tanager. We had great views of this handsome tanager that wasa common species at the large ant-swarm along the Pipeline Road. Our estimateof ten birds is probably on the low side.

Sulphur-rumped Tanager. Two sizeable parties seen including fifteen birdsseen along the Waterfall Trail.

White-shouldered Tanager. Six birds recorded over four dates at widelyscattered locations around El Valle and two birds along the Pipeline Road.

Tawny-crested Tanager. Usually seen in fairly large groups particularlyalong the Waterfall Trail and along the road outside of the Canopy Lodge.Daily maximum was an estimated thirty birds.

White-lined Tanager. Another tanager that was seen most often along theWaterfall Trail and Canopy Lodge Road. The daily maximum was twelve birds.

Red-crowned Ant-Tanager. Fairly common and widespread around El Vallebeing recorded virtually daily. The daily maximum was ten birds. Good siteswere the Waterfall and Cerro de Gaital Trails.

Red-throated Ant-Tanager. Three birds seen along the Pipeline Road [notassociating with the antswarm].

Hepatic Tanager. A total of five birds seen over our two visits to Altosde Maria.

Summer Tanager. One or two birds seen almost daily during our stay at theCanopy Lodge.

Crimson-backed Tanager. Very common and widespread species around ElValle. A frequent and noisy visitor to the feeders at the Canopy Lodge.

Lemon-rumped Tanager. Common at the feeders at the Canopy Lodge with up tofifteen birds daily.

Palm Tanager. Fairly common around El Valle being seen on most days with adaily maximum of six birds.

Yellow-crowned Euphonia. A party of six birds seen in dry forest justoutside of El Valle.

Fulvous Vented Euphonia. Rather surprisingly, just a single bird seenalong the Pipeline Road.

White-vented Euphonia. Two birds seen in a mixed bird flock at Altos deMaria.

Tawny-capped Euphonia. Common & widespread being seen at most sitesaround El Valle including the feeders at the Canopy Lodge. The daily maximumwas eight birds.

We encountered several very colorful mixed flocks of Tangara tanagersaround El Valle. The Waterfall Trail and the tree-lined road outside of theCanopy Lodge were particularly favored.

Silver-throated Tanager. This beautiful tanager was also one of the mostnumerous. We saw this species at most sites visited around El Valle. In allrecorded on seven dates with the daily maximum of ten plus birds. Thisspecies was the most numerous bird in the mixed tanager flocks.

Bay-headed Tanager. Another very attractive and quite common Tangaraspecies around El Valle. Recorded on five dates with a daily maximum of sixbirds.

Golden-hooded Tanager. Another very striking tanager, this species was aless numerous flock participant. In all a total of six birds recorded overfour dates at El Valle.

Scarlet-thighed Dacnis. A total of six birds over three days withsightings from La Mesa [four birds] and Altos de Maria [two birds].

Blue Dacnis. Just a single female seen along the Pipeline Road.

Green Honeycreeper. A total of ten birds recorded over four days at sitesaround El Vale. The daily maximum was four birds seen along the Cerro deGaital Trail & the trail behind Canopy Adventure.

Shining Honeycreeper. Our sole record was a single bird seen along theWaterfall Trail.

Red-legged Honeycreeper. A total of six birds recorded over three days inand around the Canopy Lodge including the Waterfall and Cerro de GaitalTrails.

Blue-black Grassquit. Fairly common at El Chiru with at least six birdsseen.

Ruddy-breasted Seedeater. Two birds including a very attractive male wereseen at El Chiru..

Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch. Recorded on four dates including two birds atLa Mesa and four in the forest along the Semaphore Hill Road.

Orange-billed Sparrow. This attractive sparrow would come to crumbs leftout for it at the Canopy Lodge. It was also seen in small numbers at sitesaround the Lodge. In all recorded on five dates with the daily maximum offour birds.

Black-striped Sparrow. A total of five birds were recorded on three dayson the trails around the Canopy Lodge including the Waterfall and Cerro deGaital Trails.

Streaked Saltator. Recorded almost daily in small numbers at various sitesaround El Valle.

Buff-throated Saltator. This attractive saltator was seen in disturbed andopen woodland and at slightly higher elevation than the prior species. Seenregularly particularly on the drive up to and at La Mesa. Daily maximum wassix birds.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Just a single bird seen at Altos de Maria.

Blue-black Grosbeak. Two males and a female along the Cerro de GaitalTrail, plus a single bird seen on the Waterfall Trail.

Black-faced Grosbeak. A party of six birds seen along the Cerro de GaitalTrail.

Red-breasted Blackbird. Just a single bird seen at El Chiru.

Eastern Meadowlark. Fairly common in the pastures at El Chiru with atleast eight birds seen.

Great-tailed Grackle. Seen in good numbers on the drive to the CanopyLodge and on the drive from the Lodge to the Tower.

Shiny Cowbird. Recorded on four dates including at least six birds at ElChiru and seen in good numbers on the drive from the Lodge to the Tower.

Baltimore Oriole. Two birds seen at El Chiru.

Scarlet-rumped Cacique. Six birds seen at La Mesa.

Chestnut-headed Oropendola. Recorded in small numbers on eight days withthe daily maximum being eight birds seen along the Pipeline Road.

Lesser Goldfinch. A daily maximum of five birds seen on the grounds of theCanopy Lodge.