Birding in Belize
Where to go, when to go, where to stay!
Lagoons, swamps and wetlands
Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary
Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary is an unmissable trip if you are birding in Belize.
The sanctuary is located in the heart of Toledo district and comprises 5,492 acres (2,223 hectares). Waters from Blue Creek, Piedra Creek and Mafredi Creek flow through the sanctuary and its three major lagoons on their way to the sea via the Moho River. Several hot springs, which give the area its name, also drain into the lagoons. There is a geological fault running roughly north to south through the district which has created these and other nearby hotsprings. The Aguacaliente lagoons occupy a very shallow basin and the surface area of the water changes enormously between wet and dry seasons. Most wading birds visit to feed in the months from November to mid-June during the dry season as the water level drops.
The main entrance to the sanctury is in Laguna Village just off the Soutern Highway. The first part of the trail runs between two fields until it reaches the start of the raised boardwalk. The boarwalk runs for almost a mile and is an excellent place for spotting the White-necked Puffbird, Long-billed Hermit, Spot-breasted Wren as well as other animals and insects.
During research for the Rapid Environmental Assessment carried out in 2006, 146 bird species were recorded within the sanctury including the Roseate Spoonbill, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Muscovy Duck, Jabiru, Woodstork, Black-crowned Night Heron and Gray-necked Woodrail. The bird monitoring for the assessment was led by Steven Choco of Big Falls village, one of the ten buffer villages surrounding the sanctuary all of which have an interest in the sustainable development of the sanctuary.
A further half mile beyond the new visitor centre the boardwalk ends at Piedra Creek where visitors and their guide can take a dug out anoe onto the lagoon. All five species of kingfisher were recorded during a visit in March 2007 as well as large flocks of Woodstork and Blue-winged Teal.
Best time to visit: November to mid-June
Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary is an unmissable trip if you are birding in Belize.
The sanctuary is located in the heart of Toledo district and comprises 5,492 acres (2,223 hectares). Waters from Blue Creek, Piedra Creek and Mafredi Creek flow through the sanctuary and its three major lagoons on their way to the sea via the Moho River. Several hot springs, which give the area its name, also drain into the lagoons. There is a geological fault running roughly north to south through the district which has created these and other nearby hotsprings. The Aguacaliente lagoons occupy a very shallow basin and the surface area of the water changes enormously between wet and dry seasons. Most wading birds visit to feed in the months from November to mid-June during the dry season as the water level drops.
The main entrance to the sanctury is in Laguna Village just off the Soutern Highway. The first part of the trail runs between two fields until it reaches the start of the raised boardwalk. The boarwalk runs for almost a mile and is an excellent place for spotting the White-necked Puffbird, Long-billed Hermit, Spot-breasted Wren as well as other animals and insects.
During research for the Rapid Environmental Assessment carried out in 2006, 146 bird species were recorded within the sanctury including the Roseate Spoonbill, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Muscovy Duck, Jabiru, Woodstork, Black-crowned Night Heron and Gray-necked Woodrail. The bird monitoring for the assessment was led by Steven Choco of Big Falls village, one of the ten buffer villages surrounding the sanctuary all of which have an interest in the sustainable development of the sanctuary.
A further half mile beyond the new visitor centre the boardwalk ends at Piedra Creek where visitors and their guide can take a dug out anoe onto the lagoon. All five species of kingfisher were recorded during a visit in March 2007 as well as large flocks of Woodstork and Blue-winged Teal.
Best time to visit: November to mid-June
Great Egret Ardea alba
Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus
American Woodstork Mycteria americana
Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata American Woodstorks and Blue-winged Teal in flight
