A Bird Watching Retreat for “Spoiled, Savvy Birders”

Catherwood Travels has planned this short expedition for time-limited birdwatchers who demand expertise along with comfort. An experienced bilingual bird guide will find you your birds while the luxury of a restored hacienda may tempt you to stay even longer!

Day 1, Tuesday, November 3
You will be picked-up at 5:30 a.m. at your Mérida Hotel and driven to a private coastal ranch an hour’s ride east. A box breakfast is provided. Here amid the thorny scrub behind the coast we will look for the endemic Yucatan Wren, Mexican Sheartail, Black-throated Bobwhite as well as the specialty species of White-lored Gnatcatcher and Zenaida Dove. From the ranch we will drive to the nearby coast in order to see the abundant wading and other water birds in the coastal lagoon and waters of the Gulf of Mexico. After a short boat ride through mangrove canals to see more birds (no motor is used), there will be plenty of time for a leisurely swim at a secluded beach. Lunch will be served in full view of the water under the protection of a palapa set back on private property. Afterwards, we will head inland for the hour and a half trip to the charming Hacienda San Jose Cholul. Dinner and overnight: Hacienda San Jose Cholul.

Day 2, Wednesday, November 4
We depart at 6:15 a.m. after a European breakfast for a 45 minute drive to look for birds that abound on the private property of two ex-haciendas near the historic town of Izamal. There is a good chance of finding the endemic Yucatan Woodpecker, Yucatan Flycatcher, Black Catbird and Orange Oriole here, as well as hearing the calls of Thicket Tinamou all around you.
From the haciendas we will return to town for a walking tour of its cobbled-stone streets and 16th c. Basilica and monastery. Cave Swallows and the endemic Ridgeway’s Rough-winged Swallow abound, and at this time of year, Blue-gray Tanagers and Yellow-winged Tanagers are often found feeding on the fruits of the sibul (Sideroxylon foetidissimum) and chaka (Bursera simaraba) trees atop the Maya pyramid in the middle of town. After a lunch of the best of yucatecan cuisine served with handmade tortillas, and a visit with some of the craftspeople who make their home in Izamal, we will travel 15 minutes east of town for a walk around the beautiful private cenote (sinkhole) of Xcolak for a little more birding before heading back to the hacienda for a swim, dinner and overnight at Hacienda San Jose Cholul.

Day 3, Thursday, November 5
This morning we leave at 6:00 a.m. after our European breakfast, and head for a private ranch southeast of the town of Izamal. On the way into the ranch, we will make a couple of stops to look for seedeaters, warblers and Singing Quail, among other surprises in the open areas before entering the ranch. One can either ride or walk, or do a little of both, while birding along the 2 km dirt road leading to an enormous aguada (water-filled depression) set deep amid the surrounding forest. The waterhole provides habitat for several Morelet’s endangered crocodiles that can be viewed from a safe distance. We can then walk the trail that leads around the aguada through the broken forest where Yucatan Jay, Turquoise-browed and Blue-crowned Motmots abound along with screeching parrots. Or, one can simply sit in the shade high above the aguada and contemplate the scenery while listening to the birds.
From here, we will drive an hour further east via a toll road to another private property, Rancho Xocempich, containing three magnificent cenotes (sinkholes), one of which is conditioned for easy access for swimming. Lunch will be served in the shade of an enormous tree, surrounded by the ruins of 19thc structures and singing birds! And you may even find an Ocellated Turkey feeding along the dirt road that connects the cenotes. Bath and dressing rooms are available, as are towels. The tour ends with return to Mérida hotel.

Includes:
• Air conditioned van with chauffeur
• Expert Bird Guide
• 2 nights accommodation at Hacienda San Jose Cholul
• 3 Breakfasts
• 3 Lunches
• 2 Dinners
• Entrance to Ranches Chabihau, Chacmultun, and Xocempich
• Boat ride
• Bottled water and soft drinks during tour route
• Taxes & Tips

Not Included:
• Air fares
• Meals and beverages except the ones mentioned
• Personal expenses