Saturday, November 13

11:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Registration in lobby of Hotel El Castellaño for ALL participants in any activity associated with the Festival; pick-up of materials for those who pre-registered electronically.

5:00 P.M. Inauguration of a visual exhibit “From Ancient Times: The Birds in Chichén Itzá”; stone rubbings by the internationally renowned Maya scholar, Dr. Merle Greene Robertson, along with photographs by nationally acclaimed nature photographers of birds found in Chichén Itzá. Reception following with regional dancing hosted by the Governor of Yucatan, the Mayor of Mérida and the State Secretary of Tourism. (Location: Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY), downtown.)

Sunday, November 14

6:00 A.M.- 6:00 P.M. Bird Marathon in the reserves of Ría Celestún and Ría Lagartos organized by Pronatura Península de Yucatán and Niños y Crías, respectively. All participants are invited to simultaneous awards’ reception immediately following the competition. Event is open to local nature guides and visitors with birding experience. Pre-registration required. Donation $5.00 US.

7:00 A.M.- 12:00 noon Workshop “Introduction to Birdwatching”; open to the public. Pre-registration required. Donation: $5.00 US. Location: Chicxulub. Casa Montes Molina.(Map to be obtained when you register)

7:00 A.M.- 11:00 A.M. Workshop “Techniques and Ethics in Photographing Birds” with Dr. Antonio Hidalgo from Monterrey, N.L. Open to the public.. Pre-registration required. Donation: $5.00 US. Location: Chicxulub. Casa Montes Molina.(Map to be obtained when you register)

Monday, November 15

5:30 A.M. One-day “Birding in the Puuc Hills”; guided tour to the archeological zones of Sayil and Labná in southern Yucatan. Group size limited to 9 people each. See packages and contact information below for cost and reservations. Reserve with Ecoturismo Yucatan

7:30 A.M. Three-day guided natural and cultural history tour to the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in southern Campeche. Return Wednesday afternoon. Group size limited to 9 people each. See packages and contact information below for cost and reservations.

8:30 A.M. Three-day guided birding and archeology tour to Izamal (morning at Hacienda and lunch in 16th c. town) and Chichén Itzá east of Mérida, including visit to the nearby Balancanché cave. Group size limited to 10 people each. See packages and contact information below for cost and reservations.


4:00 P.M.- 6:00 P.M. Round Table discussions in Spanish; Auditorium of SEDEINCO.

o “Marine Birds of the Yucatan Peninsula: Threats and Solutions.”
o “Environmental and Social Impact of Ecotourism.”

Tuesday, November 16

5:30 A.M. Two-day guided birding and archeology tour to private reserve of Kiuic and the Hacienda Tabi reserve in southern, Puuc area of Yucatan. Return late Wednesday afternoon. Group size limited to 9 people. See packages and contact information below for cost and reservations. Reserve with Ecoturismo Yucatán.

5:30 A.M. Two-day hacienda birding tour to 16th c. town of Izamal; return Wednesday afternoon. Group size limited to 9 people each. See packages and contact information below for cost and reservations. Reserve with Ecoturismo Yucatán.

Wednesday, November 17

• Tour groups to Calakmul, Chichen Itza,Izamal, Kiuic and Hacienda Tabi, return late afternoon.

6:00 P.M. - 6:30 P.M. Book signing by Steve N.G. Howell.

6:30 P.M. Special showing of the international award winning video “Toh – the clock bird”; salon in the Hotel Castellaño following an introduction by Dr. Troy G. Murphy, expert researcher on the Turquoise-browed Motmot. Hosted by the Secretary of Tourism of Yucatán.

Thursday, November 18

Simultaneous workshops in adjoining salons at the Mérida Theater. Open to the public.

A. SPANISH:
9:00 A.M.- 10:20 A.M. "What should bird specialists know about the birds of the Yucatan peninsula, in particular, professional guides" by Dr. Paul Wood.Followed by a brief break
11:30 P.M.- 1:00 P.M. “Seasonal dynamics of migratory and resident montane forest birds of Western Mexico” by Dr. Eduardo Santana.
B. ENGLISH:
9:00 A.M.- 10:20 A.M. “Understanding the environmental and social context for bird conservation in Mexico” by Dr. Eduardo Santana.
10:45 A.M.- 12:30 P.M. “Introduction to neotropical bird families and difficult to distinguish species” by David Wolf, representative of Victor Emanuel Nature Tours.

C. English & Spanish (simultaneous translation):

D

o 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Multimedia CD Presentation “Flying in Western Mexico”. Images, sounds, natural history and pre-Colombian bird art. Edited by the Federal Commission of Electricity and presented by Biol. Sandra Fernando Gallo Corona and Biol. Alfonso Langle Flores.

2:45 P.M. Leave for hotel in the field to participate in the xoc ch’ich’ (Bird-a-thon). (Mérida hotel check-out; stow extra luggage; lunch prior to leaving.)

• Overnight in hotel in the field according to scheduled route.

Friday, November 19

5:30 A.M. The xoc ch’ich’ competition begins.

• Overnight in hotel in the field according to scheduled route.

Saturday, November 20

• The xoc ch’ich’ ends officially at 10:00 a.m. All bird lists must be turned in to a committee member in the lobby of the Hotel El Castellaño promptly at 1:00 p.m.

7:00 P.M. Cocktail and exhibit of winning children’s bird art contest, followed by the awards banquet. Centro Cultural del Niño Yucateco, with the presence of the Secretary of Tourism of Yucatán. (Transportation is provided for all participants between the Hotel El Castellaño and the Center.) Cost: $25.00 US per person.

Locations of events

• SEDEINCO: Calle 57No. 514 between 62 and 64.

• UADY: Calle 60 and 59

• Casa Montes Molina, Chixchulub and field location: map available for workshop participants

• Mérida Theater/Teatro Mérida: Calle 62 between 59 and 61.

• Centro Cultural del Niño Yucateco: Calle 59 No. 424-A between 48 and 50.

All transportation by chauffeur-driven Ford Club wagon with A/C; all prices are
in U.S. dollars. Paid reservations for all tours are due no later than October 22. Paid reservations for the xox ch’ich’ must be in by October 30, unless participating in an independent team, (that makes its own arrangements while in the field.).

Package 1
Birding in the Puuc Hills: One-day field trip to the less-visited Maya archeological zones of Sayil and Labná set in the heavily forested area of the Puuc region of southern Yucatán. Driving time from Mérida – hour and a half. Minimum of 7 participants: $83.00 per person. Includes a “box breakfast” of fruit, yogurt, granola, juice and rolls; entrance fees to archeological zones; drinking water, specialized bird guide and taxes. It does not include lunch and tips

Contact Ecoturismo Yucatan to reserve now!

Package 2
Kiuic Reserve and Hacienda Tabi: A two-day field outing to visit a private reserve in southern Yucatan where parts of the forest have not been cut for 200 years, and which protect the monumental Maya ruins of Kiuic. Overnight at the rustic 18th c. Hacienda Tabi set in a State nature reserve, where one can bird by ear from one’s bed! Minimum of 7 participants: $235.00 per person. Includes: Two light lunches; an American breakfast, a full dinner and overnight at Hda. Tabi, drinking water, specialized bird guide, tips at Tabi and all taxes. Driving time from Mérida to Kiuic is two hours, and 50 min. between Kiuic and Hda. Tabi, on same road headed back to Mérida.

Contact Ecoturismo Yucatan to reserve now!

Package 3
Hacienda Birding at Izamal: A two-day field trip to the 16c. town of Izamal located an hour and a half northeast of Mérida, known as the city of the three cultures – Maya, Mestiza and Spanish. Birding at three different partially restored haciendas in the outskirts. If time permits, return via the north coast for chance to observe water birds. Minimum of 7-8 participants: $221.00 US per person. Includes: Two continental breakfasts, snacks, drinking water, two lunches and one dinner, specialized bird guide, tips and taxes

Contact Ecoturismo Yucatan to reserve now!

Package 4
Calakmul – Birds and Archeology: Three-day, two night trip to southern Campeche and the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. Maximum 9 participants per van; minimum 7 participants: $391.00 per person. Includes: Two American breakfasts, two dinners (one at a very special location outside the hotel), two nights and tips at Ecovillage Chicanna; purified water, entrance fees to the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, the Calakmul and Chicanná archeological zones; a specialized bird guide and taxes. Does not include lunches.

Contact Ecoturismo Yucatan to reserve now!

Package 5

Izamal & Chichén Itzá – Birds and Archeology”: Three-day, two night trip to nearby Chichén Itzá, with a half-day in Izamal and a morning of cave exploration at Balancanché. Minimum 7-8 participants: $419.00 per person. Includes: Two American Breakfasts, three lunches, two dinners, two nights at Hotel Mayaland, specialized guide in birds, transportation with driver, entrance fees (one-day Chichén Itzá, Balankanché), drinking water, some tips and taxes. Does not include tips to guides, personal expenses, extra entrance fees.

Contact Ecoturismo Yucatan to reserve now!

Package 6
Xoc ch’ich’ (Bird-a-thon): Cost per person $400.00 for two days and nights in the field in different locations, with professional and local bird guides; transportation and driver; hotels and all meals and snacks. Routes include: 1. Celestún – Uxmal; 2. Ría Lagartos Bisophere Reserve - Chichén Itzá or Valladolid; 3. Izamal – Progreso area. Teams of 8 participants plus guide(s).

Contact Ecoturismo Yucatan to reserve now!

Package 7
Xoc ch’ich’ (Bird-a-thon) “light”: similar as above but the emphasis is on photography and viewing opportunities…winning the competition among similar-minded teams is of secondary concern. Two nights in same location makes for a more leisurely schedule: Izamal and/or Celestún, depending upon demand.

Contact Ecoturismo Yucatan to reserve now!

Hotels in Mérida collaborating with the Bird Festival with special rates for those
booking through Ecoturismo Yucatán include:

• Hotel El Castellaño: festival headquarters, a remodeled high-rise with all conveniences located three blocks from the Plaza Grande. Cost per night, single or double, taxes included, no meals $85.00 US. (Reg. $100.00).

• Hotel Casa del Balam: the beautiful old family home of Fernando Barbachano Peon now the Casa del Balam Hotel is a delight, situated on what has now become the most convenient location of the city. Cost per night, single or double, taxes included, no meals $90.00 US. (Reg. $111.00).

• Hotel Caribe: a popular gathering spot for international travelers, located within a small plaza, one block from the Plaza Grande. Cost per night, single or double, taxes included, no meals: $49.00 (Reg. $59.00).

• Hotel Fray Diego: a charming, small, colonial style hotel three blocks from the Plaza Grande. Cost per night, single or double, taxes included, no meals:$75.00 (Reg. $95.00).

• Hotel Maison Lafitte: small, well appointed hotel located three blocks from the Plaza Grande and two blocks from the Hotel El Castellaño. Cost per night, single or double, taxes included, American breakfast included: $65.00 (Reg. $70.00).

Hoteles out of Mérida:

• Hotel Eco Paraíso Xixim, 10 kms north of Celestún village on the coast. Comfortable bungalows with terraces; birding trails; excellent restaurant; Single or double $77.00 per night, including taxes; food and tips not included.

Steve Latta, Researcher, Point Reyes Bird Observatory, Stinson Beach, CA
"Congratulations on such a wonderful, wonderful event. It really was a well-organized and enriching Festival that should serve as a model for many other regions."

Chandler S. Robbins, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD
"The committee did a truly incredible job of organizing the Festival and getting so many of the local conservation organizations, researchers, exhibitors, school districts, political leaders, and birders to collaborate."

Freddie Heitmann, birdwatcher from Fort Worth, TX
"I enjoyed the Bird-a-Thon immensely and the success of the event was very much the result of all the diligent organizers! My only regret was having arranged my travel so that I had to miss the final banquet. I completely underestimated the fun and camaraderie that would develop during our birding trip, and that I would want to be with my teammates one final time."

Troy G. Murphy, Researcher, Lab. of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
"...I found the 2002 festival thoroughly entertaining and well put together. Bravo! It provided a superb opportunity to meet biologists, conservationists, and fellow bird-lovers from around Mexico and the world over."

Ted Lee Eubanks, President, Fermata, Inc., Austin TX
"...I am impressed by the potential for the Yucatan. We are always ready to assist you and the peninsula in any way that we can."

Eduardo E. Iñigo-Elias, Ph.D., Neotropical Bird Conservation Program, Lab. of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
"..Congratulations for the wonderful effort and dedication in carrying out the First Yucatan Bird Festival it was a great event."

David Andrews, Houston, Texas and Mérida, Yucatan
"I thought the event was so flawlessly organized and fun."