Whitehawk’s first ornitherapy tour is set in the tranquil forests and white sand beaches of Belize. Now we are excited to introduce our second tour in this style, in our home-base country of Panama.
Imagine waking up to a spectacular view of Pacific dry forest from the front porch of your private cabin. Imagine being just a five-minute walk away from the soothing waves of the Pacific Ocean. Maybe you hear the familiar “whoop” of the Whooping Motmot outside your cabin. Or the comical buzzy notes of the Lance-tailed Manakins lekking in the forest nearby. Maybe a Yellow-headed Caracara screeches as it flies above. Take a deep breath and fill your lungs with the fresh, salty air. The morning bird activity will no doubt attract your attention. Take a moment to watch the movements of the motmot as it flicks its tail like a pendulum from side to side. Observe it waiting for the perfect moment to dart to the ground to snatch up an insect.
Connecting with birds
An ornitherapy tour is all about indulging in a connection with birds and nature. The first five nights of the tour are set in the dry forest of the Pacific lowlands. Our friends at Istmo Yoga and Adventure Retreat will graciously host us. Their boutique hotel is a beautiful oasis just a couple hundred meters away from the sandy beach and warm Pacific waters. The birds of the Pacific lowlands and lower foothills of El Valle de Anton nearby will charm us with their charismatic behaviors. Sapphire-throated Hummingbirds, Lance-tailed Manakins, Flame-rumped Tanagers, Crested Bobwhites, Collared Aracaris, Red-legged Honeycreepers, Tody Motmots, Lesser Yellow-headed Vultures, Gray-headed Chachalacas and so many more will inspire us.
The final two nights take us to the banks of the Panama Canal. Here, over 500 species of birds have been recorded. Toucans, trogons, manakins, antbirds, cotingas – all will dazzle and stimulate our minds and souls. From the forest understory to the canopy above, we will celebrate Panama’s great bird life. We will also take in some of the local sights, including the famous Panama Canal.
Connection with yourself
This tour also gives us the opportunity to relax, reflect and perhaps try out something new! While at Istmo, join us for a daily Yoga class and/or meditation session. Or get out on the calm waters of the Pacific and try Stand-Up Paddleboarding through the calm mangroves. You may even see a Straight-billed Woodcreeper or Mangrove Cuckoo, two mangrove specialties, while on the board! At any time, feel free to pull out some pencils and give sketching a hummingbird a go, or spend a few minutes coloring a mandala for some sweet relaxation in nature. Share these moments with others in the group or keep them to yourself to enjoy. Let ornitherapy and birds help you find this great connection!
Nature prescriptions and Ornitherapy
Birds and nature have the incredible ability to greatly aid a wide variety of conditions, or at least put our minds at ease and sooth us. So much so, GPs are starting to prescribe birdwatching and beach walks to people suffering from chronic and debilitating illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, stress and mental illness. We recently came across this article and couldn’t help but see the connection to the benefits of our ornitherapy tours – it’s worth a read.
“There’s no wi-fi out here, but we promise you will find a better connection”
For those looking for a birding and nature getaway that embraces relaxation, join us in December 2019 for Whitehawk’s Panama Ornitherapy: Intro to Birding and Yoga. Perhaps this is a great way to get away from all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, and truly enjoy a gift of nature. Contact us for more information and to reserve your spot now!
