Panama: Cerro Azul and Departure

Too soon! After a final breakfast at Hostal Casa de Campo, Yenia and Luis took us on a valedictory walk on Cerro Azul. The morning started out clear and calm, but within the hour the clouds rolled in, justifying all too well the name of the area: Las Nubes. It was a great stroll all the same, a chance to solidify our acquaintance with some birds and to get cripplingly good views of others, like the Streaked Flycatchers nesting under the neighbors’ eaves and the Barred Antshrikes singing and posturing in the brushy edges.

We did a little birding on the way to the airport (which is quite close to the Cerro, making Casa de Campo an outstanding layover destination for international travelers). Unfortunately, the rain began just as we approached the area Luis said was most reliable for Savanna Hawk, but we did find a nice assembly of Neotropic Cormorants and Snowy Egrets in a ditch.

And then began the wait, and with it the tense question: Which will be my last Panama bird? By carefully positioning myself at the correct window, and shutting my eyes for long periods, I managed to make it a good one.

Farewell, Gray-breasted Martins!