Panamá’s Pacific coast is a mix of seashores and dense mangroves, a harmonious assembly of land and sea that helps an unbelievable range of life. The mangroves, with their intricate root techniques, function a pure barrier towards erosion and supply shelter for numerous species. Nevertheless it’s when the tide recedes that the true magic is revealed.
Because the ocean retreats, in my native space, it unveils a hidden world of rocky mudflats on one finish of the seaside. The wealthy silt, carried by the ebbing tide from the mangroves, spreads throughout the flats, making a fertile feeding floor for shorebirds. The realm turns into a haven, teeming with life as small crabs and different invertebrates emerge from the mud. For the birds that decision this space dwelling or these simply passing by means of these mudflats are a banquet, providing a feast of alternatives.
On this explicit night, the skies had been a bit overcast with the standard excessive humidity of the Panamanian climate, however nonetheless, I set out from my dwelling for the brief stroll to the seashore and hopefully, newly uncovered flats of the low tide, desperate to witness the spectacle of shorebirds drawn to the feast.
Ten minutes into the stroll I arrived on the shoreline, I stood dealing with the ocean observing the numerous ships, massive and small, anchored out at sea awaiting their flip to enter the Miraflores Lochs and cross the well-known Panama Canal.
Diverting my consideration again to the “rason d’etre” , I rapidly noticed a Little Blue Heron. Its slate-blue feathers distinction superbly towards the muted tones of the mudflats.
The heron strikes with deliberate grace, every step fastidiously calculated because it searches for small fish and crustaceans hidden within the silt. This hen is a year-round resident, a well-known sight alongside the shoreline. I can’t for the lifetime of me perceive why its known as a Little Blue Heron when it’s clearly a big birds.
Close by, a Nice Egret stands tall, its elegant, lengthy neck curving because it watches the water intently.
The Nice Egret, with its hanging white plumage and yellow invoice, is a resident on this space. Its sleek actions are mesmerizing. As I watch, it strikes rapidly, pulling a small fish from the shallow water with a swift jab of its invoice. Nice Egrets are widespread on this space, they are often seen in small flocks or alone standing fully nonetheless as they stalk their prey.
Not removed from the Nice Egret, a Snowy Egret wades by means of the shallows.
Its vibrant white feathers are nearly glowing within the fading mild, and its ft appear to bounce because it stirs the water, flushing out prey. The Snowy Egret is one other resident species, and its energetic foraging type by no means fails to entertain.
The White Ibis are a typical sight on these mudflats, most days they are often seen feeding right here when the tide goes out and they don’t seem to be too bothered by the presence of people who additionally search the flats for oysters and different shellfish.
A bit of additional alongside, a Brown Pelican glides considerably effortlessly above the water.
Pelicans are a everlasting fixtures alongside Panama’s coast, their aerial acrobatics a typical and thrilling sight. They are often seen in massive numbers both within the sea or roosting on bushes alongside the costal roadways.
The Yellow -Topped Evening Herons are a typical sight right here within the mud flats.
This heron is a grasp of persistence, typically seen standing nonetheless or slowly stalking its prey, which primarily consists of crustaceans like crabs and shrimp.
As I proceed my stroll, a Willet quietly search the flats for its meal, and its in luck because it catches a shrimp .
This migratory shorebird spends its winters right here, its gray-brown plumage mixing in with the environment because it forages for meals. The Willet’s presence is a reminder of the seasonal rhythms that play out on this shoreline, with birds arriving and departing in tune with the altering tides and climate.
The Whimbrel is a notable sight alongside the coasts of Panama West, notably throughout migration seasons.
Recognizable by its lengthy, decurved invoice and distinctive brown and grey streaked plumage. In Panama, these birds are sometimes noticed throughout their migratory stopovers as they journey between their breeding grounds within the Arctic and their wintering areas in South America.
As I close to the tip of my stroll, I spot two birds which might be new sightings for me on this space. The primary is a Semipalmated Plover, a small migratory hen with a particular neckband.
Its presence is a pleasant shock, a reminder of the numerous species that discover short-term refuge on these shores throughout their migrations.
The second, new to me customer, is a Ruddy Turnstone, a busy little hen recognized for its behavior of flipping over stones to uncover meals.
Its colourful plumage stands out towards the duller tones of the mudflats, making it a straightforward to identify.
As we speak, I didn’t see the Seaguls, Terns, Magnificent Frigatebirds or the American Oystercatchers that generally feed within the space, however thats okay, as a result of it makes an excellent excuse for a return go to.