ECOTEC Natural History Adventures Bocas del Toro, Panama

ACTIVITIES

Nature Photography (no time limit). It goes without saying that you will want to document your experiences in Bocas del Toro. If nature photography is on your list of things to do while at the Bocas del Toro Biological Station, you are in luck. ITEC regularly teaches courses in photography and these professors and students are generally on hand and willing to help you improve your skills. Moreover, virtually every student of ecology knows a great deal about photography because these images are so important to their research. You can see from the photos on this site, photography is important to us and we know a great deal about it. If you wish to improve your photographic skills, your various tour leaders will be happy to provide all sorts of useful information whether you are deep in the rainforest, climbing to the forest canopy, or diving on area coral reefs. We can even offer advise as to what sort of camera to buy before you come to Bocas. Just let us know!

Birding (1-4 hrs). Bocas del Toro Biological Station is great place for birding. Scarlet-rumped tanagers, greater kiskidees, masked tityras, banaquits, red-cheeked woodpeckers, Montezuma’s oropendolas, wrens, and clay-colored robins are abundant at the field station. Overhead near the sea one commonly encounter magnificent frigatebirds, brown pelicans, brown boobies, and several tern and swallow species. Raptors are particularly abundant with 15 species identified in our area. These include the crab-eating common black hawk, white hawk, abundant roadside hawk, plumbeous kite, laughing falcon and the occasional hawk eagle. During the Spring and Fall migrations, thousands of migrating raptors in huge multi-species “kettles” can be viewed from the Changuinola River. Forest birds include a myriad of hummingbirds, antbirds and unique subspecies of the golden-collared manakin. These manakins are particularly abundant in our area and their leks are easily located and observed. Other birds include coppery-tailed trogans, keel-billed toucan, collared aricari and red-capped manakin. Five species of Amazona parrots occur in Boca del Drago including red-lored, yellow headed, mealy, and blue headed. Isla Colon is an important parrot roosting location. Hoards of parrots traveling in pairs can be seen flying to and from the mainland and each morning and evening. The Bocas del Toro archipelago has several unique species as well, including the three-wattled bell bird, normally a high-elevation species, and the red-billed tropic birds which nest on Bird Island (Cayo Parjaros). This small island, only 15 min from the field station, is also home to nesting colonies of brown boobies, pale-vented pigeons and swallows. Many species of wading and shore birds, such as, herons (green-back, great grey, little blue, reddish), egrets (cattle, snowy, white), are also present throughout the year particularly along the Soropta Canal and island marshes. Northern jacanas, white-throated crakes and green ibis are also found in these marshes. This list represents only a fragment of the rich avifauna found in the region.

Interpretive Rainforest Hikes (2-4 hrs). These hikes will take you through a variety of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems located in our area, including primary lowland rainforests with its extremely high plant diversity, huge buttressed trees and lianas as thick as your thigh. We will also explore secondary lowland rain forest, swamp forest, Raphia palm forest, mangrove forests, pastures and forest edges, marshes, creeks, lakes and ponds. Along the way one of our naturalists, professor or researcher guide will point out and provide ecological and behavioral information about interesting fauna and flora encountered. Animals routinely observed include four species of poison dart frogs, two and three-toed sloths, howler and whiteface monkeys, ant-eaters and a tremendous variety of birds, lizards and snakes. Leafcutter ants are seen carrying their booty along trails in the forests to their huge nests that can measure 30 feet across. We will search for tent-making bats (Uroderma) as we move along forest edges. Interesting plants will be pointed out including the Panama hat palm, stilt palm (Socratea), bird of paradise plant (Heliconia) and gigantic emergent trees such as the ceiba or “Bongo” locally (Ceiba pentrandra), almendro (Dipteryx panamensis) and prioria (Prioria). Neotropical forests, and those of Central America in particular, are structurally the most complex and luxuriant of all tropical forests. This is primarily due the great number of epiphytes (plants the grow on other plants) found in the Neotropical Realm. Certain epiphytic families, such as bromeliads and cacti, are only found in the New World. Orchids, ferns and woody epiphytes abound in the canopy while lianas and creepers snake their way down along tree trunks to the forest floor. The forest floor contains a wealth of herbaceous plants such as wild ginger, monsteras and ferns, and you will discover a variety of “house plant” species, like dieffenbachia and philodendrons. Between the forest floor and the canopy lies a continuous array of small to moderate-sized trees known as the subcanopy containing a myriad of palms and lianas. Colorful heliconius and blue morpho butterflies abound in the forest along with foot-long stick insects, noisy cicadas, mimetic preying mantises and a myriad of other arthropods. In the evening it is possible to spot agouties and pacas as they forage along forest trails and streams.

Forest Night Hikes (2-3 hrs). In some ways, the forest doesn’t come alive until the sun sets. Many more animals are nocturnal than diurnal in activity pattern, especially insects, amphibians and mammals. For night hikes, we will depart the station after dinner and walk one of several trails into area forests. The forest looks very different at night, trees look larger than during the day, distances seem greater. But the animals you find here are those that you would never see during the day. As we walk slowly along the trail we allow our lights to fall on every surface, the ground, branches and leaves, the canopy. Typically we encounter a myriad of insects such as katydids, leaf bugs, stick insects, etc., and spiders like the ogre spider and tarantula. Insects are producing a cacophony of strange sounds and so are the frogs. Several rain frog species (Eluetherodactylus) will be encountered as we walk along the trail, as well as toads (Bufo) and tree frogs like the red-eyed tree frog (Agalychnis callidryas). A few snakes may be found as well, such as the tropical rat snake (Mastigodryas) and several species of nocturnal vine snake (Immantodes, Sibon). While most bird species are diurnal, several are active only at night such as the Paraci (type of nightjar), Greater Potoo, and owls. Many, indeed most mammals become active towards evening and night. These include anteaters (Tamandua), agoutis (Dasyprocta) and pacas (Paca) (large guinea pig-like rodents), four opossum species, various rat-like rodents (Echimyidae), two-toed sloths and of course, many species of bats. Finally, nocturnal monkeys, are also common in the Bocas del Drago area and can sometimes be located. Night monkeys (Aotus trivirgatus) are the only truly nocturnal monkey in the world.

Interpretive Dives and Snorkeling (½ day). A great variety of marine ecosystems may be accessed from the biological station. These include hard and soft coral reefs, sea grass beds, small estuaries and extensive mangrove forests located at the field station. Coral reefs have the highest biodiversity of any marine ecosystem. Reefs in our area reef contain 30 species of corals, including rare species such as elkhorn and staghorn coral, many species of sponges and a large variety of echinoderms and crustaceans. Brittle stars abound on area reefs, as well as long-spine sea urchins and sea biscuits. Among the corals, sponges and sea fans, one encounters sea anemones, sea cucumbers, sea slugs, tube worms, jellyfish and a myriad of other marine invertebrates. Octopus, moray eels and spiny lobster can be found lurking in reef holes and crevices, while spotted leopard rays swim gracefully by. Fish are abundant and include all of the species normally found in the Caribbean region, such as several species of parrot fish, angel fish, damsel fish, snappers, gobies, wrasses, and blennies. In Bocas one often finds that coral reefs merge with mangroves. Mangroves are vitally important for energy input to coral reefs and are essential nursery locations for many species of fish. As you approaches the mangrove roots you pass through clouds of sardines and discover a unique world among the red mangroves. Young fish of many species seek protection here and the prop roots are home to sea squirts, colorful sponges, mussels and clams. Sea turtles and bottle-nosed dolphins have also been spotted on our reefs directly in front of the station, but you have to be very lucky to glimpse these creatures from the water. At night, a whole new world opens up as nocturnal creatures emerge from their day-time retreats. A host of fascinating invertebrates can be found at night like basket stars, spiny lobsters, crabs, corals, and mollusks.

Tree Climbing (½ day). Ever since the discovery that two thirds of all biodiversity occurs in the rain forest canopy, there has been a building interest in canopy access. There are many ways to experience the canopy of forest trees, such as by canopy crane, ski lifts or walkways, but serious research is done only by rope. The reason is simple - you can climb any tree, anytime, anywhere. Our certified canopy access instructor will take you to the tops of emergent forest trees. There are several emergent species in the region, including ceiba, prioria and almendro which grow to 200 feet in height. Following lectures on climbing procedures and safety, this activity will take place in three steps. First you will learn double-rope technique and climb the “training” tree, a 90 foot spondias tree located on Drago Beach. The view of the Caribbean is spectacular from 60 feet up in this tree! Your next climb will be to the canopy platform located in a large prioria the primary forest. The climb will allow you to sit in comfort on the platform 85 feet above the ground and observe birds, frogs, lizards and occasionally monkeys eye-to-eye in their world. If you are still not satiated you can choose to climb either a ceiba (Ceiba pentandra) or almendro (Dipteryx panamensis), the giants of Central America. These climbs top out around 150-200 feet and are literally festooned with a diversity of orchids, bromeliads, lianas and other epiphytes. Tree climbing certification is available for those who wish to continue to tree climb on their own.



	ACTIVITIES Nature Photography (no time limit). It goes without saying that you will want to document your experiences in Bocas del Toro. If nature photography is on your list of things to do while at the Bocas del Toro Biological Station, you are in luck. ITEC regularly teaches courses in photography and these professors and students are generally on hand and willing to help you improve your skills. Moreover, virtually every student of ecology knows a great deal about photography because these images are so important to their research. You can see from the photos on this site, photography is important to us and we know a great deal about it. If you wish to improve your photographic skills, your various tour leaders will be happy to provide all sorts of useful information whether you are deep in the rainforest, climbing to the forest canopy, or diving on area coral reefs. We can even offer advise as to what sort of camera to buy before you come to Bocas. Just let us know! Birding (1-4 hrs). Bocas del Toro Biological Station is great place for birding. Scarlet-rumped tanagers, greater kiskidees, masked tityras, banaquits, red-cheeked woodpeckers, Montezuma’s oropendolas, wrens, and clay-colored robins are abundant at the field station. Overhead near the sea one commonly encounter magnificent frigatebirds, brown pelicans, brown boobies, and several tern and swallow species. Raptors are particularly abundant with 15 species identified in our area. These include the crab-eating common black hawk, white hawk, abundant roadside hawk, plumbeous kite, laughing falcon and the occasional hawk eagle. During the Spring and Fall migrations, thousands of migrating raptors in huge multi-species “kettles” can be viewed from the Changuinola River. Forest birds include a myriad of hummingbirds, antbirds and unique subspecies of the golden-collared manakin. These manakins are particularly abundant in our area and their leks are easily located and observed. Other birds include coppery-tailed trogans, keel-billed toucan, collared aricari and red-capped manakin. Five species of Amazona parrots occur in Boca del Drago including red-lored, yellow headed, mealy, and blue headed. Isla Colon is an important parrot roosting location. Hoards of parrots traveling in pairs can be seen flying to and from the mainland and each morning and evening. The Bocas del Toro archipelago has several unique species as well, including the three-wattled bell bird, normally a high-elevation species, and the red-billed tropic birds which nest on Bird Island (Cayo Parjaros). This small island, only 15 min from the field station, is also home to nesting colonies of brown boobies, pale-vented pigeons and swallows. Many species of wading and shore birds, such as, herons (green-back, great grey, little blue, reddish), egrets (cattle, snowy, white), are also present throughout the year particularly along the Soropta Canal and island marshes. Northern jacanas, white-throated crakes and green ibis are also found in these marshes. This list represents only a fragment of the rich avifauna found in the region. Interpretive Rainforest Hikes (2-4 hrs). These hikes will take you through a variety of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems located in our area, including primary lowland rainforests with its extremely high plant diversity, huge buttressed trees and lianas as thick as your thigh. We will also explore secondary lowland rain forest, swamp forest, Raphia palm forest, mangrove forests, pastures and forest edges, marshes, creeks, lakes and ponds. Along the way one of our naturalists, professor or researcher guide will point out and provide ecological and behavioral information about interesting fauna and flora encountered. Animals routinely observed include four species of poison dart frogs, two and three-toed sloths, howler and whiteface monkeys, ant-eaters and a tremendous variety of birds, lizards and snakes. Leafcutter ants are seen carrying their booty along trails in the forests to their huge nests that can measure 30 feet across. We will search for tent-making bats (Uroderma) as we move along forest edges. Interesting plants will be pointed out including the Panama hat palm, stilt palm (Socratea), bird of paradise plant (Heliconia) and gigantic emergent trees such as the ceiba or “Bongo” locally (Ceiba pentrandra), almendro (Dipteryx panamensis) and prioria (Prioria). Neotropical forests, and those of Central America in particular, are structurally the most complex and luxuriant of all tropical forests. This is primarily due the great number of epiphytes (plants the grow on other plants) found in the Neotropical Realm. Certain epiphytic families, such as bromeliads and cacti, are only found in the New World. Orchids, ferns and woody epiphytes abound in the canopy while lianas and creepers snake their way down along tree trunks to the forest floor. The forest floor contains a wealth of herbaceous plants such as wild ginger, monsteras and ferns, and you will discover a variety of “house plant” species, like dieffenbachia and philodendrons. Between the forest floor and the canopy lies a continuous array of small to moderate-sized trees known as the subcanopy containing a myriad of palms and lianas. Colorful heliconius and blue morpho butterflies abound in the forest along with foot-long stick insects, noisy cicadas, mimetic preying mantises and a myriad of other arthropods. In the evening it is possible to spot agouties and pacas as they forage along forest trails and streams. Forest Night Hikes (2-3 hrs). In some ways, the forest doesn’t come alive until the sun sets. Many more animals are nocturnal than diurnal in activity pattern, especially insects, amphibians and mammals. For night hikes, we will depart the station after dinner and walk one of several trails into area forests. The forest looks very different at night, trees look larger than during the day, distances seem greater. But the animals you find here are those that you would never see during the day. As we walk slowly along the trail we allow our lights to fall on every surface, the ground, branches and leaves, the canopy. Typically we encounter a myriad of insects such as katydids, leaf bugs, stick insects, etc., and spiders like the ogre spider and tarantula. Insects are producing a cacophony of strange sounds and so are the frogs. Several rain frog species (Eluetherodactylus) will be encountered as we walk along the trail, as well as toads (Bufo) and tree frogs like the red-eyed tree frog (Agalychnis callidryas). A few snakes may be found as well, such as the tropical rat snake (Mastigodryas) and several species of nocturnal vine snake (Immantodes, Sibon). While most bird species are diurnal, several are active only at night such as the Paraci (type of nightjar), Greater Potoo, and owls. Many, indeed most mammals become active towards evening and night. These include anteaters (Tamandua), agoutis (Dasyprocta) and pacas (Paca) (large guinea pig-like rodents), four opossum species, various rat-like rodents (Echimyidae), two-toed sloths and of course, many species of bats. Finally, nocturnal monkeys, are also common in the Bocas del Drago area and can sometimes be located. Night monkeys (Aotus trivirgatus) are the only truly nocturnal monkey in the world. Interpretive Dives and Snorkeling (½ day). A great variety of marine ecosystems may be accessed from the biological station. These include hard and soft coral reefs, sea grass beds, small estuaries and extensive mangrove forests located at the field station. Coral reefs have the highest biodiversity of any marine ecosystem. Reefs in our area reef contain 30 species of corals, including rare species such as elkhorn and staghorn coral, many species of sponges and a large variety of echinoderms and crustaceans. Brittle stars abound on area reefs, as well as long-spine sea urchins and sea biscuits. Among the corals, sponges and sea fans, one encounters sea anemones, sea cucumbers, sea slugs, tube worms, jellyfish and a myriad of other marine invertebrates. Octopus, moray eels and spiny lobster can be found lurking in reef holes and crevices, while spotted leopard rays swim gracefully by. Fish are abundant and include all of the species normally found in the Caribbean region, such as several species of parrot fish, angel fish, damsel fish, snappers, gobies, wrasses, and blennies. In Bocas one often finds that coral reefs merge with mangroves. Mangroves are vitally important for energy input to coral reefs and are essential nursery locations for many species of fish. As you approaches the mangrove roots you pass through clouds of sardines and discover a unique world among the red mangroves. Young fish of many species seek protection here and the prop roots are home to sea squirts, colorful sponges, mussels and clams. Sea turtles and bottle-nosed dolphins have also been spotted on our reefs directly in front of the station, but you have to be very lucky to glimpse these creatures from the water. At night, a whole new world opens up as nocturnal creatures emerge from their day-time retreats. A host of fascinating invertebrates can be found at night like basket stars, spiny lobsters, crabs, corals, and mollusks. Tree Climbing (½ day). Ever since the discovery that two thirds of all biodiversity occurs in the rain forest canopy, there has been a building interest in canopy access. There are many ways to experience the canopy of forest trees, such as by canopy crane, ski lifts or walkways, but serious research is done only by rope. The reason is simple - you can climb any tree, anytime, anywhere. Our certified canopy access instructor will take you to the tops of emergent forest trees. There are several emergent species in the region, including ceiba, prioria and almendro which grow to 200 feet in height. Following lectures on climbing procedures and safety, this activity will take place in three steps. First you will learn double-rope technique and climb the “training” tree, a 90 foot spondias tree located on Drago Beach. The view of the Caribbean is spectacular from 60 feet up in this tree! Your next climb will be to the canopy platform located in a large prioria the primary forest. The climb will allow you to sit in comfort on the platform 85 feet above the ground and observe birds, frogs, lizards and occasionally monkeys eye-to-eye in their world. If you are still not satiated you can choose to climb either a ceiba (Ceiba pentandra) or almendro (Dipteryx panamensis), the giants of Central America. These climbs top out around 150-200 feet and are literally festooned with a diversity of orchids, bromeliads, lianas and other epiphytes. Tree climbing certification is available for those who wish to continue to tree climb on their own.