 Birding in Suriname - by Otte Ottema |
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Hello, dear Bird Watchers of the World!
The STINASU is a non-profit semi-governmental organization. The way nature protection works in this country is that we provide work for the local people in the nature reserves. In this way they are motivated to help with the protection. In Raleighfalls we have the Kwinti maroons working for us, in Brownsberg the Saramacca maroons and in Galibi the Caraib Amer-indians. Therefore when you visit us, you help protect our nature and your own. Our website address is : http://www.stinasu.com/. Other websites with information about bird watching : http://www.mytropicalgemtours.com/ and http://www.metsresorts.com/.  We have a lot to offer. Just to mention a few Surinamese specialties, which you will not easily find anywhere else: Blood-colored Woodpecker, Arrow-head Piculet, Rufous Crab-Hawk, Green-throated Mango, Saffron-crested Tyrant-manakin, Band-tailed Antshrike, Gray-winged Trumpeter, Red-fan Parrot, Guianan Toucanet, Finsch's Euphonia and White-fronted manakin. These you almost cannot miss. With a bit of luck, you may also see the rare Boat-billed Tody-Tyrant, or the magnificent Red-and-black Grosbeak, Chapman Swift, Bronzy Jacamar, Crimson Topaz, White-throated Pewee, Capuchinbird, White Bellbird, Guianan Red-Cotinga, Rose-breasted Chat and Blue-backed Tanager. And there is always a chance, albeit a small one, to spot the Crimson Fruitcrow.
Our most spectacular attraction is the lek of the Cock-of-the-Rock, where more than 50 males are courting. From the point where you are allowed to watch, about 20 can be seen. The males can be seen the whole year round. Dieter Schonlau made this photo. If you want to know more about Surinamese birds, visit the website of Jan Hein Ribot: http://www1.nhl.nl/~ribot/english or http://www1.nhl.nl/~ribot/php4/verspreiding.htm if you want to go directly to his distribution maps. If you are interested, contact me at research@stinasu.sr or otteottema@yahoo.com. We offer all-in bird watching trips for between 4 and 12 persons as well as day trips around Paramaribo. We also can make special arrangements for you. The next organized all-in bird watching trips are planned for Spring 2008. The details of these trips are available here (12-days trip), here (16-days trip). or here (16-days with tropical gem tours). |
Ever thought of coming to Suriname? It’s one of the last countries on earth which is almost completely covered with pristine rainforest. My name is Otte Ottema, and I know where the birds are which you want to see. I am the only professional ornithologist in Suriname. I work for the STINASU (Foundation for Nature Conservation in Suriname).
If you come at the right time, you will see a young Harpy on or near its nest. The one in this photo is Willy, who fledged in 2002. The photo was made by Steven Schets from the monkey research team of professor Boinsky. Our Harpy couple is very productive, with one young every two years. |
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| (c)2004-2008, by Otte Ottema - back to home | contact : otteottema@yahoo.com |