Estuary Birds - Turtle Camp

Departs at low tide - - - - - - 3 Hrs

        This excursion begins right at the bottom of our stairway, where we board a shallow draft panga and begin a slow exploration of the mangrove channels that labyrinth their way behind Custodio Beach. We always wait for a low tide, as this provides us with the best opportunity to see the most birds feeding in the shallow mudflats that make up the water areas between the mangroves.

        Regardless of the season we will see a wide variety of interesting water birds, often gathering by the thousands to feed on the creatures that inhabit the tidal flats.

        The importance of the mangrove ecosystem as the beginning of the oceanic food chain will be explained, as well as the steps that are being taken locally to preserve these sensitive areas.

        Either before or after our trip into the estuary, we will visit the Turtle Protection Camp, established 9 years ago with help form the World Bank, and currently staffed by volunteers from the local communities. Here will be explained the nesting habits of the ancient sea turtles, which once nested on Custodio Beach in vast numbers, and whose populations have declined precipitously.

        We will see the methods that are used to counter this decline, and depending on the season we might see the hatching procedures.

        The camp is also currently undertaking a restoration program for the American Crocodile, which was hunted to near extinction from these estuaries. 

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