Happy Birding at Alouatta Lodge

Waking up at 4:30 a.m. and having to get out of bed no matter how exciting the day - is something I never relish doing. However, once I crawl out of bed and sip a good cup of Boquete coffee I am ready to start the new day.

I was excited about finally being able to visit an area very close to the flat-topped mesa, which we have noticed repeatedly, along the Pan-American Highway just a short distance outside of David on the way to Panama City. You know the one the flat-topped mountain when during the rainy season you can see a large waterfall flowing down from the mesa. Our destination that morning to visit the Alouatta Lodge; it sits on the side of a mountain in the midst of the plains and forests of Chorcha on La Mesa de Chorcha Panama’s only flat-topped mountain and located high on the side of Cerro del Monte, overlooking the Chiriqui lagoon and islands.

Steven and Michelle Walker the proprietors were our gracious hosts along with their two children Garret and Rebecca. They have lived here for about four years making this remote area their home, Eco Resort, and an animal rescue mission.

Alouatta comes from the Latin name alouatta palliata for the species Mantled Howler Monkey; with many living in the area. International Union for Conservation of Nature believes that, this population will decline by up to 60% over the next 30 years endangers the species. Threats to the species include habitat loss, hunting, and capture as pets.

We broke up into three groups. As we begin walking along the trail; we hear the sounds of the Mantled Howler Monkey, they are high up in the trees calling out to each other upset by our invasion onto their turf. The Mantled Howler gets the name "howler" from the calls made by the males, particularly at dawn and dusk, but also in response to disturbances. The calls consist of grunts and repeated roars that can last for four to five seconds each. The Howlers finally settle down perhaps realizing we are harmless. Our group disappointed for not being able to see many birds but then did enjoy the hiking through the dense vegetation.

At the end, of the hike we ate a scrumptious lunch the Walkers had prepared, socializing, meeting several of their rescued Mantled Howler Monkeys, and captivated by interacting with Yahoo including two other six-month-old Howlers. Steven points out the large teak fincas dotting the area, he finds this very disappointing.

Unfortunately, deforestation is taking place globally in rainforest areas, taking away much of the natural environment by creating an inhospitable living arrangement for wild life such as the Howler Monkey.

This is a great day trip; I highly recommend it - the entrance fee is five dollars per person. There are five marked trails from easy walking along the river to difficult, partly up the mountain. We left Boquete at 5:15a.m arriving at Alouatta Lodge about one and half hour later.

A four-wheel drive gets you up the road off the highway to their place. Here are directions to the Alouatta Lodge: from David, on the Pan-American Highway towards Panama City, pass the Bocas del Toro turn off. Continue until you reach the little town of La Pita, look to your left, and see the big waterfall on the side of the flat top mountain, as you pass the waterfall you will come to a long straight downhill run. On the highway, there is a bridge at the bottom about 500m. Further, on, you will pass a farm called LOS VUELTAS on the right side of the road; just past it on the left side of the road, a sign reads Prodec turn onto to this dirt road. The road to Alouatta Lodge is an all dirt and rocky drive up the mountain for 3km, the gate is located on the left side of the road, you cannot miss the gate it has many monkeys on it.

Click onto their website, http://www.alouattalodge.com/Eco_Tours.html

Happy birding and hiking.