San Ignacio, October 19-20: The Belize Tourism Industry Association in partnership with the Belize Audubon Society and the Belize Hotel Association hosted its 2nd Annual Belize Birding Festival at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel this October 19 and 20. The Festival provided an opportunity for international and local birders to participate in birding tours, sit on presentations from renowned guest speakers, engage in bird identification workshops, and attend exhibition booths displayed by hoteliers, tour operators, birding clubs, and non-profit organizations.

This year’s Belize Birding Festival was a two-day activity-filled event which took advantage of the bird migration taking place in Belize during this peak season. Day 1 of the event started at 6:00 a.m. with an early morning “Birding at Dawn” tour on-site of the San Ignacio Resort Hotel’s private estate, this included the presence of birders and photographers– from beginners and amateurs to serious birders and pros. After the tour, participants were greeted with light breakfast and refreshments.

The official ceremony began at 10:00 a.m. with the Keynote Address given by Dr. John Fitzpatrick, American Ornithologist primarily known for his research work on the South American Avifauna and Director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, as he spoke on How Can Birds Save the World which followed by a panel discussion on Birding & Tourism- E-birds as a Marketing Tool in the Growing Niche Market Belize with Dr. John Fitzpatrick, Roni Martinez (an experienced Belizean birder) and Serge Arias.

Throughout the day, birders enjoyed the day strolling through vendor booths, shared photos and experiences about their birding adventures as lucky winners took home amazing prizes from the raffle giveaways provided by industry stakeholders. The day ended with an evening cocktail hour at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel and a recognition ceremony for the Sponsors who assisted in making the event a reality.

On Day 2 of the event, birders had the option of a free ‘Birding at Dawn Tour’ at Cahal Pech Archaeological Site or, an Exclusive Bird Tour at Black Rock Lodge with Serge Arias, Crested Caracara with Dr. John Fitzpatrick or, Rio Maya Bird Sanctuary with Dr. Lee Jones. After the adventure, a workshop was held by Dr. Lee Jones (author of the renowned Birds of Belize book) on ‘The identification of Shorebirds’ and the afternoon presentation was held by Serge Arias, CEO and Founder of Bird Watching Central America, who spoke on the Development and Sustainability of Bird-Based Tourist Destinations Regarding International Markets and Opportunities for Belize and Central America.

The Belize Birding Festival welcomes local and international birders and wildlife enthusiasts to enhance their appreciation of the spectacular beauty of the natural habitat, throughout the length and breadth of the country that the almost 590 residents and migratory birds of Belize live in.

Save the Date: As the 3rd Annual, Belize Birding Festival will be held on October 24-25, 2020. www.belizebirdingfestival.bz

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR 2019 SPONSORS

• Atlantic Bank Ltd
• Audubon Society
• Belikin
• Crystal
• Coca-Cola
• Belize Tourism Board
• My Beautiful Belize
• Muy’Ono Adventures
• PACT
• Travellers Liquor Ltd.
• The CornellLab of Ornithology
• Tropic Air
• San Ignacio Resort Hotel
• Barb’s Belize

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL PRIZE SPONSORS!