It is always a pleasure to visit the
San Ignacio Resort Hotel. As a kid, we would always visit San Ignacio Resort Hotel for great food and an amazing time in their pool and swing sets. Since then, there have been many renovations and upgrades done to the establishment – marvelous nontheless!
Derrick, Pablo and I were escorted to the terrace where freshly brewed coffee, milk, sugar and bakery-fresh chocolate chip cookies, along with some binoculars awaited us. We were told that Ms. Jasmine and our birding guide for the day, Nigel, would be joining us in a few. In the meantime, we helped ourselves to a warm cup of coffee to wash away any remnants of sleepiness. For the past couple of weeks we had been waking up early to go bird watching and it had definitely caught up to us. But, there’s nothing a nice cup of coffee couldn't fix!
Before we were able to get through with our dark elixirs, Ms. Jasmine came and greeted us with the time of day. Soon after, Nigel arrived and from there, we started the birding adventure. What I loved about bird watching at San Ignacio Resort Hotel was not having to go far or having to hike a whole terrain before seeing some birds. We just walked out to the sky deck and immediately, we saw Collared Aracari Toucans resting on a balcony railing!
This was the closest we had ever been to one of these beautiful birds. It wasn’t as colorful as the Keel-billed Toucan, but its unique colors painted on the beak and its fuzzy-looking feathers makes it just as beautiful. To my surprise, these birds were smaller than I had expected. The other times I had seen this bird, they were either from a distance or in photographs. Getting to see these birds up close was a great experience.
The birds didn’t stay long on the balcony before flying to a large palm tree that was right in front of the deck to pick at the ripe fruits that had budded out of the plant. I watched in awe as they used their beaks to loosen the little fruits before throwing them up in the air, only for it to fall in their throats. On that same tree, there were also other birds that enjoyed the fruits.
Our guide, Nigel, mentioned that the Keel-billed Toucans usually come and rest at one of the larger trees in the area. On that same tree, there was a HUGE iguana resting on a branch. It was one of the green iguanas released from the hotel's Green Iguana Conservation Program. Above that iguana, were two Collared Aracaris as well – looked like they enjoyed staying at San Ignacio Resort Hotel as much as the guests!
We stayed at the deck for a little longer before we headed for the trails – I was determined to see the Keel-billed Toucan up close before we left. Like clockwork, this massive bird flew into the area. Nigel identified it from the croaking sounds that these birds made. I listened clearly, trying to hear the call that they made.
After being able to capture our beautiful National Bird of Belize, we continued to the trails to spot more birds. On the trail, Nigel used a short twig to collect sap from a copal tree. Smelling the sap was therapeutic for me – but don’t touch it! It was super sticky to get off my fingers.
Some of the other birds that we were able to spot on our bird watching tour with San Ignacio Resort Hotel were the Olive-throated Parakeets, Social Flycatchers, Blue-gray Tanagers, Tody Motmots and a Red-eyed Vireo. Birding with Nigel and Ms. Jasmine was a pleasure! They had great stories to tell about previous birding sessions and about some of the birds that regularly visit the location.
After coming to the end of the trail, we headed back to the terrace where we got to enjoy a delectable plate of a classic Belizean breakfast. On our plates were scrambled eggs, ham, sausage links, cheese and, of course, fried jacks – it’s a must! We enjoyed our lovely breakfast before bidding everyone good bye and calling it an end to a successful birding trip, and another day in a birder’s life.
Thank you to
San Ignacio Resort Hotel for hosting us! It was a pleasure to be bird watching at such a historic establishment in San Ignacio Town. For anyone visiting San Ignacio Town, you must visit the only jungle in town to see beautiful birds like the Keel-billed and Collared Aracari Toucans, Clay-colored Thrushes, and the Tody Motmot.
Until the next episode of A Day In A Birder’s Life, we encourage you to #birdliketheresnotomorrow with Belizing.com. Our site offers the largest selection of birding tours and birding packages all in one site. Check it out and #letsgobelizing!