A Week of Specialty Birding

in the 
Dominican Republic

April 7-14, 2006

(tour: FON/WI-4)

During this tour in March 2003, we saw 3 rare Ridgway's Hawks!
 

This is the 10th year for our tours on Hispaniola, a very interesting island for birds, with over 20 endemic species. Also a number of rarities, with about 20 species classified by Birdlife International as threatened or nearly so. Both endemic and rare are: the Chat-Tanager (actually now 2 species), LaSelle Thrush, White-necked Crow, White-winged Warbler, Bay-breasted Cuckoo, and Hispaniolan Parakeet. Even the more common birds of the island are interesting: the Palmchat not only is an endemic species, but is the only species in its family.

The fascinating area for most of our birding is the southwestern Dominican Republic. We spend most of our nights in Barahona. Nearby, with areas with seacoast, desert, scrub, and forests of various sorts. A lake, lower than the sea, and mountains with pine forests at their tops. In those Bahoruco Mountains, particularly along one road passing through various habitats ascending from the lake to the pines, we've found sought-after birds during our previous tours. Such as: the Hispaniolan Trogon, Hispaniolan Parrot, 2 species of todies, Golden Swallow, and Key West Quail-Dove. At dusk, the Least Poorwill and Hispaniolan Nightjar. After dark, the Northern Potoo and Ashy-faced Owl. In the pines, the crossbill with white on its wings, that's recently been determined to be endemic.

Among other endemics: a siskin, piculet, vireo, pewee, 2 tanagers, and a woodpecker. Two endemic species of crows occur, both rare: the White-necked and the Hispaniolan Palm Crow. At times, there's the largest concentration of flamingos in the Caribbean. Other waterbirds include the White-cheeked Pintail and Reddish Egret. 

  

 


Hispaniolan Trogon

 

 


a large Palmchat nest

DR Bird List    Photo Gallery

Caribbean Rare Birds

Previous Dominican Republic Tour Highlights

Itinerary  (price follows):
Fri: Apr 7: Arrival in the Dominican Republic. Our birding begins in Santo Domingo, where we'll see the interesting and unique bird, the Palmchat. And some other endemics and specialties as well, such as the Hispaniolan Parakeet and Hispaniolan Woodpecker. Overnight in Santo Domingo.

Sat: Apr 8: Travel westward, from Santo Domingo, along the southern coast of the Dominican Republic, to the particularly fascinating and enjoyable area that will be the locale for most of our birding. An area with seacoast, desert, scrub, and forests of various sorts. With a lake, lower than the sea, and mountains with pine forests at their tops. From the lake to the pines, one particular road that passes through one habitat after another, along which many of our sought-after birds will be found, as they have been during our tours in the past. Overnight, this night, and through Mar 17  at Barahona, by the sea.

Sun: Apr 9 thru Wed: Apr 12:  Birding from Barahona, particularly in the Sierra de Bahoruco (or the Bahoruco Mountains), where at higher elevations, Black-capped Petrels nest. Late in the day, in the rocky, forested hillsides, flocks of Hispaniolan Parrots can be seen, as they have been during our previous tours. Also, the beautiful Hispaniolan Trogon. The rare La Selle Thrush, White-winged Warbler, and Chat-Tanager will be sought. Golden Swallows in the sky overhead. At dusk, the Least Poorwill and Hispaniolan Nightjar. The crossbill in the pines, with white on its wings, now considered endemic. Two species of todies: at higher elevations, the Narrow-billed; at lower elevations, the Broad-billed. Also at lower elevations: Key West Quail-Dove, Black-crowned Palm-Tanager, the Antillean or Hispaniolan Piculet, and the Flat-billed Vireo, the latter thought at one time to be a flycatcher. Flycatchers, themselves, include an elaenia and a pewee. At our lowest elevation, by Lago Enriquillo, a large lake below sea-level, both of the species of crows on the island are possible: the Hispaniolan Palm Crow and the White-necked Crow. The largest concentration of flamingos in the Caribbean occurs, on occasion, at Lago Enriquillo, a saline lake about 200 feet below sea-level. Nearby, there should be Snowy and Wilson's Plovers. At a fresh-water lake, not far away we'll try for the West Indian Whistling-Duck and a rail or crake.  At another lake, near the ocean, numerous birds should include: White-cheeked Pintail and various waders including the Reddish Egret. After dark at least one night, we'll aim for Jamaican Potoo and Ashy-faced Barn-Owl. Also during this tour, another night we'll make an effort for the Caribbean form of the Stygian Owl. Early the following morning, we'll position ourselves for the recently-split Hispaniolan Quail-Dove (which has been conspecific with the Gray-headed Quail-Dove of Cuba). We'll also visit the area in the hills where during our March 2003 tour, we were fortunate to see soaring together 3 very rare Ridgway's Hawks. In all, lots of good birding, and an enjoyable time, in an area surprisingly wild and remote.


Snowy Plover

Thu: Apr 13: After final morning birding in the area of Barahona, travel back to Santo Domingo. Our last overnight there.

Fri: Apr 14: Flights home from the Dominican Republic.

Tour starts and ends at the Santo Domingo airport in the Dominican Republic.

Price: US $1,450 per person, based upon double-occupancy. 
 Single-supplement $275.
Includes: All accommodations, meals (except dinners on Apr 7 & 13 transportation on the island, and services of the guides.

Does not include: Dinners on Apr 7  & 13. Drinks & any other items of a personal nature. Gratuities. Air transportation: flights to/from and between various islands.

Tour to be led by Armas Hill, and local birding guides.

A deposit of US $400 is required to reserve a place on the tour.

Endemic Birds of the Island of Hispaniola

Codes:

(t): classified as a globally threatened or rare species by Birdlife International.
(t1): critical    (t2): endangered    (t3): vulnerable
(nt): a near-threatened species.

Birds:

 Ridgway's Hawk (t1)
Hispaniolan Parakeet (t3)
Hispaniolan Parrot (t3)
Hispaniolan Lizard-Cuckoo
Bay-breasted Cuckoo (t2)
Ashy-faced Owl
Least Poorwill (nt)
Hispaniolan Emerald
Hispaniolan Trogon (nt)
Broad-billed Tody
Narrow-billed Tody 
Antillean Piculet 
Hispaniolan Woodpecker
Hispaniolan Pewee
Golden Swallow (t3) (as perhaps it no longer exists on Jamaica)
Hispaniolan Palm Crow  (nt)
White-necked Crow (t3) (was formerly also on Puerto Rico)
La Selle Thrush (t2)
Palmchat
Flat-billed Vireo
Ground Warbler
White-winged Warbler (t3)
Black-crowned Palm-Tanager
Gray-crowned Palm-Tanager (nt) (Haiti only)
Chat Tanager (t3)
Antillean Siskin
Hispaniolan Crossbill (t2) (has been considered as part of White-winged Crossbill)