Epilogue

March 19 - Pharr, Texas

(Bert) Now back in the USA, parked in a full-hookups campsite, I spend time using my computer software to calculate statistics. Our trip took us through three countries - seven states in Mexico, five districts of Belize, and a corner of Guatemala - driving 3240 mi. by RV to campsites, plus another 2436 mi. by car to reach birding sites and side trips. Our group recorded 409 bird species, plus 18 additional subspecies. Of these, my personal count is 398 species, plus 18 additional subspecies. Cindy did almost as well with 379 species, plus 14 additional subspecies. I added 18 to my World Life List, a number I'm quite pleased with since I've traveled this area extensively several times before. I added 19 to my Mexico list, which now stands at 639 species (the AOU list is 1076 species, including accidentals, giving me 59% of the list). Coincidentally, I'm also at 59% of the Belize list, having added 31 to the list, which now stands at 333 species (the AOU list is 561 species). Compared to north of the border, mammals are harder to find in Mexico; we had 61 encounters with 12 species. I suspect they are heavily hunted, but they can still be found in preserved areas. The most common are Yucatan Black Howlers (more often heard than seen), Yucatan Squirrels and Mexican Gray Squirrels. In Belize, mammals are more common than Mexico. In the much shorter time we were in that country, we identified 10 species in 35 encounters, Yucatan Black Howlers and Central American Agoutis being the most common. The combined list is 19 mammal species. We did particularly well at finding reptiles and amphibians, ending with a list of twelve species. By far the most common of these are Spiny-tailed Iguana and the Basilisk lizard. Photographing wildlife has been a special bonus this trip. Given enough hours in the field, I eventually get close to many birds and I managed to photograph 173 species. Some are poor views, but good enough to help me with difficult ID's. Others are remarkably good, especially when a bird allows me to get within 15 or 20 feet of it. I also photographed seven reptiles, a Rain Forest Toad, and 12 mammals. I haven't identified all the butterflies as yet, but I photographed dozens. I also identified many trees and flowers and photographed them. Each year I try to learn more about the wildlife of Mexico and Belize, but there is so much in these countries that I feel I've only scratched the surface. I have a lot more to learn and explore.

Appendix A  Table of Contents