Day 14: March 3. 2014

Yawn!  We were up at 3:15 am so we could start our 3.5 to 4 hour drive to Olanchito, the closest spot to observe the elusive, endemic Honduran Emerald hummingbird.

We arrived at 7:30 am and began walking the road in this dry tropical ecosystem in the Valle del Aguan.  The Honduran Emerald was swooping overhead so quickly it was hard to get a steady eye on him.  Once we walked back into the dry scrub forest with a local guide, we were able to find the hummer lit on a branch long enough to get it on a scope. Success and more success — the more we walked, the more it showed itself!  So much so, we stayed longer than expected!

Once on the road, we stopped for lunch and then made it back to the Lodge at Pico Bonito at 1:30 for much needed rest!  But it wasn’t long, as we were back out birding at 3 p.m.  This Alex is amazing and so was this group!  I was definitely in love with birding!

Birds of the Day:  Zone Tailed Hawk, Roadside Hawk, Grey Hawk, Swallow-tailed Kite, Black-necked Stilt, Pale-vented Pigeon, Groove-billed Ani, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Black and White Owl, White-bellied Emerald Hummingbird, Honduran Emerald Hummingbird, Salvin’s Emerald Hummingbird and Violet Headed Sabre Winged Hummingbird to name a few.

Day 15: March 4, 2014

After breakfast we checked out and made the short trip to Lancetilla for some morning birding at these famous botanical gardens!   Not far from Tela, this is one of the largest tropical botanical gardens in the world.  It started out as experimental gardens in 1926 by United Fruit Company and now owned by the Honduran Government is a part of the Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge.

After an hour of fruitful birding, we set out for San Pedro Sula, our last stop on a fabulous tour!

After some time to rest and re-pack, we set out to a nice Italian restaurant for our Farewell Dinner and goodbyes to Alex, our guide, and Maura, our driver!

Birds of the Day: White-bellied Emerald Hummingbird, Scarlet-rumped Tanager, Yellow-winged Tanager, Golden-Hooded Tanager, Northern Water Thrush, Black & White Warbler, American Redstart, Spot-breasted Wren, Philadelphia Vireo, Brown Jay, Masked Tityra, Rose-throated Becard, Lovely Cotinga and the White-collared Manakin to name a few!

Day 16: March 5, 2014

Adios Honduras; we all flew away!

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