The birdlife of the Caribbean Coast of Guatemala is the richest and most varied in the country. In the studies made of Cerro San Gil, 62 families, with 407 species of resident and migratory birds have been identified, which represent more than 58% of the total of Guatemala’s bird species.

The combination of physical factors such as humidity, temperature and altitude with biological factors, have made the Cerro San Gil a zone which is unique and of enormous biological value. Proof of this is the high degree of endemism, as in the case of three endemic frogs, two salamanders, four trees and three palms been reported for this site (Anonymous, 1990).

This hill is traditionally identified as a water producer. The humidity transported by the winds from the Caribbean is retained by the plant cover and over the hill there is a considerable displacement of currents of rain water which in turn contributes to the formation of 21 rivers (Anonymous, 1990). Two rivers originate at the Cerro San Gil, the Tamejá and the Las Escobas. The generation of sweet water, without doubt, is the most valuable resource this forest provides to the people of northwestern Izabal, including the cities of Puerto Barrios and Santo Tomás de Castilla.

Location: In the northeast of the Department of Izabal
Area: 47,433 hectares (Conap, 2006)

Fundaeco

Kentucky Warbler / Fundaeco

TOPOGRAPHY
At Cerro San Gil there are two regions with different climatic and geographic characteristics. The first 900 m.a.s.l. have the conditions of a tropical rain forest, while between 900 and 1200 m.a.s.l., the characteristics are those of a cloud forest. Its highest point is a place in the cloud forest called Samaria.
The geological history of this place, in particular the succession of periods when the ocean advanced and receded, played a fundamental role in the definition of present habitats and ecosystems and, in particular, in the distribution and evolution of the local species of flora and fauna (Anonymous, 1990).

CLIMATE
The climate is hot and humid, with temperatures varying between 14º and 36º C. It rains during 212 days of the year and the absolute relative humidity is between 33.8 and 100%. Rainfall is 1800 mm per year on the southern slopes and up to 4000 mm per year on the Caribbean side (Weber & Bucklin, 1995).

NATURAL SPOTS
• LAS ESCOBAS RIVER: This river with pools and falls is very attractive and will make you want to take a dip in it.

Royal Flycatcher / Fundaeco

Red-capped Manakin / Fundaeco

CONTACTS
To visit the Cerro San Gil Reserve, contact the Fundación para el Ecodesarrollo y la Conservación (FUNDAECO) Tel: (502) 7948-4404/94. You may call or write Estuardo Moya cel. 53186433, e.moya@fundaeco.org.gt, aventuranahual@gmail.com

GETTING THERE
Take the Atlantic Highway (CA-9) from Guatemala City to the Rio Dulce. At Km 247 turn left towards the Rio Dulce at a place called La Ruidosa. After the turn, drive some 15 Kms to the village of San Marcos, where there is a turnoff to the right onto a 9-Km long all weather road, where there is a turnoff from this road to the village of Los Angeles, where the guide from FUNDAECO will be waiting for you to take you to the village of Carboneras and then to the Cerro San Gil Scientific Station. This part of the trip requires a four-wheel drive vehicle. See Site Map(use the zoom).

BIRDING SPOTS
One of the greatest attractions of this place is the sounds of the birds. At dawn, you will awaken to their song and one of the most frequently heard is that of the Collared Forest-Falcon (Micrastur semitorquatus). From you cabin you can see the motmots and oropendolas, to mention only a couple.
It is very easy to see and/or hear special birds, such as the Melodious Blackbird (Dives dives) and the Ivory-billed Woodcreeper (Xyphorhynchus flavigaster), as well as to watch all the other species from anywhere in the Reserve. There are also species such as the Scaled Antpitta (Grallaria guatimalensis), which would be restricted to the cloud forest elsewhere, whereas at the Cerro San Gil you can find it almost from sea level to its maximum altitude of 1267 m.a.s.l.
At the Cerro San Gil there are two types of birds you can watch very well, one of them of the motmot group of which less than 4 species can be seen, and the other one is that of the birds of prey. According to some observers, Cerro San Gil is the best place to see them and among their species we can mention the Grey-headed Kite (Leptodon cayanensis), the Ornate Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus ornatus), the Crested Eagle (Morphnus guianensis), with the Solitary Eagle (Harpyhaliaetus solitarius) being one of the most difficult to observe.
Among the more colorful birds of the Reserve are the Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastus sulphuratus), the White-whiskered Puffbird (Malacoptila panamensis) and the Tody Motmot (Hylomanes momotula).
The best time of the year for bird watching is February through April, a time when you can find species of saltators or hummingbirds, such as the Long-tailed Hermit (Phaeothornis superciliosus), doing their nuptial show or “leks.”

The Telephone Towers of Cerro San Gil
An interesting part of the Cerro San Gil which lends itself particularly to bird watching are the telephone transmission towers. To get to them you have to enter through the Port of Santo Tomás de Castilla, just as you do to get to Fundaeco. Take the Atlantic Highway (CA-9) to Santo Tomás de Castilla, where you have to turn left at the sign of the Hotel Green Bay, to Las Escobas. This is an all weather road and reaches one of the highest parts of the Cerro San Gil, known as “Las Torres” (The Towers), because there are a number of telephone transmission towers there. You can spend the night at a hotel in Sto. Tomas or Puerto Barrios. You must bring your own food. Admission: $5.

Grey-breasted Wood-Wren / Fundaeco	Ochre-bellied Flycatcher / Fundaeco
Stub-tailed Spadebill / Fundaeco

SERVICES
Cerro San Gil Scientific Station

Fundaeco

Fundaeco

ATTRACTIONS ALONG THE WAY:
Nature:
• After the village of Carboneras, going towards the Reserve, it is very easy to see the Bat Falcon (Falco rufigularis).
• Within the Reserve there are some natural attractions that are also excellent for bird watching: The Towers, Las Escobas, Las Pavas and the Private Ecological Reserve.
• The Motagua Valley region is a must. See Thorn Scrub

ALTERNATIVES

Rio Dulce

Quiriguá
This is a very important archaeological site, which was declared to be a Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 1979. It represents Maya culture of the Classical Era and contains some of the tallest stele of that civilization. The central plaza contains stele and zoomorphs (structures representing the figure of some animal, sculpted by the Maya), a ball court, and an acropolis (a palace used by the governing elite). A short distance from the turnoff to the Rio Dulce, this is an excellent bird watching site, particularly of warblers and oropendolas.

Chocón Machacas Biotope
This Flora and Fauna Reserve lies on the northern shore of the Golfete (small gulf) formed by the Rio Dulce and is a protected area, with discovery walks, camping areas and docks to tie up boats. It is important because of its flooded forests, mangrove swamps, canals and estuarine lagoons, and because of the presence of crocodiles and manatees, as well as for being a refuge for water fowl.
Access: To reach the Biotope, take a boat at the public docks of the Rio Dulce, which are under the bridge, or make your arrangements through your hotel.
Admission fee:
• Guatemalans Q.5
• Foreigners Q.20 (US$3)
Visiting hours: 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM every day.

SUGGESTIONS

• Check your fuel at the crossing to Rio Dulce.

• Take insect repellent and sun block. If it is raining, rubber boots are advisable.

• For emergencies, the closest hospitals are to be found at Rio Dulce or in the town of Morales, both an hour’s drive away.

VISITORS REVIEWS

Beautiful forests, much habitat variety and many species of birds. A great place to visit.

Barbara A. Dowell