YUCUTAN April 2011 - Calakmul

Calakmul ruins rising from the rainforest

Before reaching the spectacular ruins of Calakmul, a brief stop for lunch at Laguna Silvitica threw up some Black-bellied Whistling Ducks. On the return journey, I had Northern Jacana, American Purple Gallinule and Glossy Ibis here.

American Purple Gallinule, a skulker

Visited the ruins in the afternoon before spending the night camping at Yaax'che site (surrounded by Howler and Spider Monkeys...well worth a visit). The Calakmul access road was very birdy...Tropical Peewee, Magnolia and Hooded Warblers, Boat-billed Flycatcher and Roadside Hawk were new birds for the trip list.

In the ruins themselves, highlights included finding White-bellied Wren and White-tipped Doves.

White-bellied Wren, skulker number 2

Next up, I discovered why there was a 30km/h speed limit on the access road..

This fantastic Ocellated Turkey strutted without fear whilst I snapped away from the car.

I birded around the campsite the following morning, notching up such beauties as Crested Caracara, Blue Bunting, Varied bunting, White-winged Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, Wood Thrush and Pale-billed Woodpecker. From a fire tower, I scored views of Keel-billed Toucans and White-fronted Parrots whilst watching American Redstarts and Magnolia Warblers in the nearby canopy.

Back at the site, and a clicking sound alerted me to this nesting White-bellied Emerald hummingbird.