A Marine Safari with World-Class Birding: Islas Secas

A Marine Safari with World-Class Birding: Islas Secas

I slas Secas Offers Exceptional Birding Opportunities – Here’s Why

written by Islas Secas
  • Marine Safari

Did you know that the Isthmus of Panama was formed around 3 million years ago? You may wonder what that has to do with birds – but this geological happening, believed by scientists to be one of the most important geologic events of the last 60 million years, is the reason we’re blessed with such a huge variety and quantity of birds at Islas Secas.

Drawing species from both the northern and southern hemispheres, Islas Secas acts as a natural meeting point for a cornucopia of birdlife. The result: an extraordinary mix of endemic and migratory birds which you will be hard-pressed to see together elsewhere, from blue-footed boobies and soaring frigatebirds, to Yellow-headed Caracaras and Galápagos shearwaters.

With 125 identified species (and counting), any time of year offers fantastic birding experiences, but the highlights of the calendar are March to April and September to November, when huge colonies of migratory birds journey through the Gulf of Chiriquí.

It helps, of course, that our driving force is the conservation of our beautiful archipelago, with a number of scientific programs in place to help monitor and protect the area’s birdlife – some of which guests can even get involved in. And you’ll be guaranteed expert guidance from our team, whether it’s in our gardens, on one of our groomed trails, on a special family excursion or a trip further afield.

Beny Wilson

“Once people start birdwatching, they rethink their whole environment," explains Beny Wilson, director of Conservation at Islas Secas. "We are exposed to these spectacles of nature, but it takes someone to guide us and light that flame to appreciate them.“

You don’t need to go far to see fabulous species, either. As one valued guest puts it, “I’m a bird lover, and there was great bird watching from the pool”.  Beny says that to see fantastic birds at Islas Secas, you don’t even need to leave your Casita’s private terrace: “The nectar-feeding birds that frequent the wildflowers around the resort include the bananaquit, various hummingbirds, and honeycreepers. They all showcase the vibrant, glittering colors typically associated with tropical birds.”

Here are three Islas Secas birding experiences we are delighted to offer as a unique part of our marine safari offering. All trips include an on-the-go breakfast, a box lunch, snacks and drinks, and the services of our expert guide and experienced captain – inquire for rates.

1. Birdwatching in Coiba National Park

Explore the pristine primary rainforests of this world-famous national park, and spend a full day in the company of our birding experts. Here’s what you might see:

  • Brown-backed dove
  • Coiba spinetail
  • Scarlet macaw
  • King vulture
  • White-throated thrush
  • Three-wattled bellbird
  • Red-rumped woodpecker

2. Deep-sea Pelagic Birding

Head out on our fully-fitted boat for an adventurous day on the high seas, visiting the deserted Ladrones and Paridas islands and seeing the fascinating variety of migratory and endemic birds of the Gulf of Chiriquí. Bird species you might see include:

  • Blue-footed booby
  • White ibis
  • Galápagos shearwater
  • Wedge-tailed shearwater
  • Nazca booby
  • Wedge-rumped storm petrel

3. Magnificent Frigate Bird Monitoring

Our archipelago is home to the second largest colony of magnificent frigate birds in Panama, offering fantastic bird-watching from our private boat. You can join our experts and help with some citizen science, on our annual nesting bird count – contributing to valuable ornithological research. 

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