Ornithology Excursions

on Passages & Exchanges

Clarkson earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia. Clarkson graduated magna cum laude from the Department of Environmental Science at Mary Washington College and received his Masters from the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Biology, graduating summa cum laude. Clarkson has received numerous awards for his research in the field of ornithology, including the Thomas Jefferson Conservation Award in 2010 and the Virginia Society of Ornithology Research Grant in 2008. Clarkson is currently conducting a comparative study of bird populations on Virginia’s Eastern Shore and the New York Harbor. He collects vomit and bird feathers from nestlings as a way to compare the diets of birds from each location and to see how the local environments affect nutritional

intake, and ultimately, the overall health of bird populations. The samples also serve as a means for assessing the quality of the environments in which the birds live.

Dr. Clarkson will be leading excursions at the ports of Puntarenas, Costa Rica, Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Destinations will be private reserves, botanical gardens, mangrove swamps and local hotspots of bird diversity and will include a guided walk by Dr. Clarkson. The rich birdlife will not disappoint and you will likely see multiple species of rare and hard to find birds.

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Dr. Clarkson’s

Ornithology Excursions

Ornithology Excursions 3

08:00-16:00DURATION - 8 hrsMINIMUM PARTICIPANTS - 20TYPE - Wilderness/Wildlife

DESCRIPTIONBoard your air conditioned coach for a ride through the sugar cane fields in the low lands to the beautiful landscape of the Guatemalan mountains, climbing up to 4,500 feet above sea level where the weather changes to a delicious 60-70 degrees; the eternal spring weather in Guatemala highlands. Arrive at the Tarrales estate situated at the skirt of a volcano habitat to more than 310 species. The estate has trails of different difficulties, in one morning you may be able to see 80 species of birds, among a variety of hummingbirds, parrots, marmots, with bellied Chachalacas, highland Guan, long-tailed Manakaw, Rufus sabrewing, and provosts ground-sparrow.

07:30-15:30DURATION - 6 hrsMINIMUM PARTICIPANTS - 15TYPE - Natural

DESCRIPTIONA visit to Carara National Park offers insight to the complex world of the tropical rainforest. It is ideal for those who wish to become acquainted with the exotic flora and fauna that thrives in the region. Over ten thousand species of plants, three hundred species of birds and some two hundred species of butterflies are present in this transitional zone, where the less dense undergrowth makes spotting easier than in the deeper forest. Scarlet Macaws, howler monkeys, white-collared monkeys, peccaries, crocodiles and toucans are a few of the animals which call this area their home and, although not guaranteed, may be spotted. The key to your learning adventure is an experienced naturalist guide who is able to interpret all the messages and signs the jungle puts forth. On your way back to the ship there will be a brief stop at Mola’s for coffee, fruits and natural juices.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:• Carara National Park• 2 hour guided walk

Birding at Carara National Park

Birding at Los Tarrales

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:• Birding at Los Tarrales Natural

Reserve

PLEASE NOTE: Bring bottled water from the ship. Please never leave the group, stay together with your naturalist guide and do not touch any plants or any wild animal.

PLEASE NOTE: This tour is not appropriate for guests with limited mobility.Women more than 2 months pregnant are not allowed.

4 Enrichment Voyages: Passages & Exchanges

07:45-13:30DURATION - 5.5 hrsMINIMUM PARTICIPANTS - 25TYPE - Bird Watching

DESCRIPTIONThe Vallarta Botanical Gardens started in 2004 with a vision of building Mexico’s greatest botanical garden. The twenty acres that are now the Gardens were once ranch property, nearly half of which was overgrazed cattle pasture and deciduous forest. The Gardens are dedicated to native habitats, especially the plants endemic to tropical western Mexico. The goals of the plant research, propagation, conservation and education programs is to work toward a sustainable, bio diverse future for the planet. Join us and enjoy a day on the Garden, have great photo opportunities and learn more about the birds and endemic plants of the region.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:• Botanical Gardens in Vallarta • Great Photo opportunities• Endemic plants and birds species

Birding Class: Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens