Calling all bird lovers!
On October 27, 2018, Belize will hold its very first Birding Festival. Birdwatching clubs, birding enthusiasts, nature societies, and others interested in learning more about the incredible diversity and beauty of avian species in Belize are warmly encouraged to attend this year’s Birding Festival in Belmopan.
The Birding Festival is jointly organized by the Belize Tourism Industry Association, Belize Audobon Society, Belize Hotel Association, and Belize Tourism Board in an effort to raise awareness for the nearly 600 feathered species that are found in Belize.
The Birding Festival will start with a three-hour birdwatch expedition in the streets of Belmopan followed by a keynote address from Dr. Oliver Komar, the author of the Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Northern Central America. There will also be talks, video and photography presentations, and a guided bird walk in the afternoon. The Birding Festival will conclude with a cocktail party and networking event.
Attendees interested in joining the early morning urban birdwatch should assemble at the Belmopan Market Square no later than 6:00 AM. The main event will begin at 9:30 AM at the George Price Center in Belmopan with a rendition of the national anthem and opening remarks. Dr. Komar’s keynote addressed is scheduled for 11:45 AM and will include a question and answer session. Dr. Komar will also conduct a field identification workshop at 2:00 PM. The afternoon guided bird walk will begin at 3:30 PM and take place at St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park. The cocktail party will begin at 5:30 PM at Scotchies Restaurant and Bar in Belmopan.
Dr. Oliver Komar is a professor of biodiversity, ecology, and agro-ecology at Zamorano University in Honduras. An experienced naturalist, Dr. Komar has studied the birds of Central America for 27 years and has conducted several field research trips to study birds in Belize. Dr. Komar is the author of more than 200 academic papers about birds in Central America. Dr Komar was awarded his Bachelor’s degree in zoology from Ohio Wesleyan University and obtained a doctorate in avian ecology from the University of Kansas.
If you’re interested in seeing the birds of Belize for yourself, the ideal place to stay is Caves Branch Jungle Lodge. Caves Branch is located just a short drive from Belmopan in the heart of the Belizean jungle. More than 300 different bird species have been recorded on the grounds of Caves Branch, and Caves Branch offers all-inclusive birdwatching vacations as well as birding expeditions guided by expert local naturalists.
