The archaeological site of Guaytan is a good place to watch birds like the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum), the Altamira Oriole (Icterus gularis), jays, hummingbirds and many wrens. They are found at a slightly higher altitude with a very impressive view. The access to this site is easy and there is a small space for parking. Unfortunately, most of this site has been sacked, so there are few archaeological pieces left to be seen.

Fundacion Defensores de la Naturaleza

Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl / Andrea Najera, FDN

TOPOGRAPHY
The maximum altitude is 560 m.a.s.l. and the minimum altitude is 140 m.a.s.l. The region includes a valley which is about 75 Km long, which is crossed by the Motagua River. On the banks of this river there are a series of stone deposits where aquatic birds complement the landscape.

CLIMATE
This semi-arid region has an annual rainfall which varies between 500 and 650 mm and a relative humidity of between 60 and 72%. The average temperature is between 22 and 28º C and in March and April temperatures rise to above 30º C. The climatic changes make the leaves fall in October and sprout again in June. As it does not rain much here, bird watching can be done throughout most of the year.

VEGETATION
The vegetation in the Guaytan area is representative of the Motagua Valley. The pools formed by the rivers of the region, such as the Hato River, form an oasis not only for the fauna, but also for travelers. These are very suitable places for bird watching, mainly during the dry season.

CULTURAL SPOTS
ARCHAEOLOGY
This site was an important place for the lithic industry, particulary jade and obsidian. It flourished betwwen 400 b.C. and 1500 a.C. It has been assumed that the Middle Motagua Culture developed at the same time as the Maya Culture.

Fundacion Defensores de la Naturaleza

CONTACTS
You can visit both places on your own, renting a car or else take a guided tour by contacting a tour operator.

GETTING THERE
To get to the Guaytán archaeological site, take the Atlantic Highway (CA-9). It is recommended that the vehicle be high off the ground and have 4-wheel drive. El Rancho is at Km 85 and at Km 90 there is a sign saying “Hacia Guaytán.” Take a left turn and drive along an all weather road for 5 minutes and you will see some houses along the roadside. One of them has a sign saying “Sitio Arqueológico Guaytán, Instituto de Antropología e Historia”.
In front of the archaeological site there are irrigated fields you can go into at no cost and the same applies to the archaeological site. Before going into the irrigated fields, you have to request that the person in charge accompany you. You may request a representative of the Anthropology and History Institute. See Site Map.

BIRDING SPOTS
The Motagua River basin contains a diversity of birds, such as the Lesser Ground-Cuckoo (Morococcyx erythropygus), of which the male has a song which resembles the whistle of a soccer referee. The woodpeckers, such as the Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus) and three species of motmots, among which we can mention the Russet-crowned Motmot (Momotus mexicanus), which is the rarest and is only found in this country in the Motagua Valley (Najera, 2007).
At Guaytán you will find birds typical of plantations and river-side forests. Among the most attractive and frequently spotted is the Altamira Oriole (Icterus gularis). During the breeding season you may see their nests, woven from plant fibers, hanging from the ends of branches similar to those of the oropendolas. Furthermore, they are very noisy, so it is easy to find their location. It is relatively common to see Nightjars; but classifying them is a challenge, even when you have them in your hand. Fruit trees, become bird feeders when the fruit is in season. Also, cacti are good spots to see hummingbirds, which serve as pollinators. Look down on the ground to see the Ruddy Ground Dove (Columbina talpacoti) and the Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina).
All day long you will be able to hear the song of the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum). The Cinnamon Hummingbird (Amazilia rutila) is very common in this region, as is the Grey Hawk (Buteo nitidus). During the time of migrations, you can see the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) and the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius). This is also the best place to watch the Turquoise-browed Motmot (Eumomota superciliosa), which is usually seen in June and July when they are nesting. You can even see them on electrical power lines and in gardens. If you go into the irrigated area, you can see a number of crops accompanied by many of the birds mentioned above.

The Irrigated Lands of San Agustin Acasaguastlán
These lands contain a series of fruit trees such as the lime, mango, sapodilla, banana, and papaya trees, as well as some types of palms. They also have large crops of corn, beans and egg plant. The name is derived from the fact that these lands are under constant irrigation from the nearby rivers, such as in the case of El Hato. The permanent irrigation cools the environment and the temperature there is always lower than in the surrounding area.
In the dry season, when everything looks barren, these irrigation ditches provide an adequate refuge for the birds, not only because of the lower temperature, but also because they are a source of food due to the fruit growing at that time of the year.

Altamira Oriole / Andrea Najera, FDN	Rufous-naped Wren / Andrea Najera, FDN
Buff-collared Nightjar / Andrea Najera, FDN

SERVICES
Guaytan Archaeological Site
• Toilet Room (not in good contidions)
• A person from Idaeh "Instituto de Antropologia e Historia" may give you some information about the history and archaeology of the site.


Santa Cruz, Rio Hondo, Zacapa:

HOTEL	TELEPHONE	RATES (SINGLE)	FACILITIES
Pasabien Km. 126 Atlantic Highway www.hotelpasabien.com	7933-0606	US$30	P, R, Pa, AC
Longarone Km. 126.5 Atlantic Highway www.hotel-longarone.com	7933-0488	Q329 (US$43)	P, R, Pa, AC, Internet (additional cost) Acuatic park (adults Q50, children Q35)
Valle Dorado Km. 149 Atlantic Highway www.hotelvalledorado.com	2385-2880	Q426 (US$ 56)	P, R, Pa, AC, Internet (15 minutes free) Acuatic park (adults Q55, children Q45)
El Atlántico Km. 126.5 Atlantic Highway hotel-atlantico@hotmail.com	7933-0598	Q140 (US$18)	P, R, Pa, AC, Internet

* P = pool; R = restaurant; Pa = parking; AC = air conditioning

Vermiculated Screech-Owl / Andrea Najera, FDN

Varied Bunting / Andrea Najera, FDN

ATTRACTIONS ALONG THE WAY:
Nature Along the road you can observe different doves of the genus Columbina, among which there are many Inca Doves (Columbina inca). Frequently a Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox) crosses your path at great speed. There are parts of the highway where the Motagua River is quite close, and there you can watch the flocks of Great Egret (Egretta alba), perched on the high parts of the river-bank forests which still exist along some sections of the river.
A very good time to watch birds is at 5:00 PM along with the sunsets. During the dry season, mainly from February through May, all the trees and shrubs are flowering, which makes for a very colorful show set against the dry landscape. Among the most colorful plants there is the Guayacan (Guiacum sanctum), with its lilac colored flowers, the Mother of Cacao (Gliricidia sepium) and the “Cabeza de Viejo” (Cephalocereus maxonii), a cactus with a white flower at its upper tips.

Fundacion Defensores de la Naturaleza

FDN

ALTERNATIVES
The more pristine wildlife habitats are found within municipal parks and private reserves, the birds found here are indicative of the well-preserved forests: the Varied Bunting (Passerina versicolor), a bird found only in this valley, the Vermiculated Screech-Owl (Megascops guateamalae) and flycatchers from the genus Empidonax.

El Jicaro Municipal Park
Features an interpretative path with several stops. There are labels along the way identifying representative plants of the area and endangered species such as the Heloderma, a reptile found only in this region of Guatemala. The entire walk is about 45 min. A lovely stream provides a good spot for bird watching. There is also a natural lookout point from which you can get a good view of the valley. Access: From Guatemala City take the Atlantic Highway CA-9, to Km. 98. Drive another 400 mts and turn right at El Palmo. Continue 300 mts along a rough road and cross the bridge over the Motagua River. Ask directions to the El Jicaro town hall, located on the main road. Here you pay admission to the park (Q5), and someone will show you how to get there. The park is open from 6:00am to 4:00pm.

El Jicaro Municipal Park

SUGGESTIONS

• The best time of the year to see birds begins with the start of the rainy season (April-May). During this time, as the birds prepare for breeding, there is an explosion in insect populations, providing the birds with food to feed their offspring. During the rainy season the climate is cooler and the trees are flowering.

• During the dry season, the pools formed by the Hato and other rivers form an oasis for birds.

• Take enough drinking water with you.

• Take sun blockout and hat.

• Wear light weight trousers to protect yourself against thorns.

• Do not touch thorny plants, such as nettles.