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Victoria Peak
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
Ecoregion and habitats:
Appendix A, Checklist 12, Stann Creek eastern foothills. Habitats
include: on the eastern slope of Maya Mountains, primary and secondary
tropical moist broadleaf forest in the lower foothills (BFF2) to pine
forests (PFM) and elfin scrub at the higher elevations (BFM3),
culminating in the second highest point in Belize, Victoria Peak, at
3675 feet (1120 meters).
Description: Hiking to Victoria Peak takes three days for
those in good condition: day 1 from headquarters to 19-km camp (6-9
hours at slow pace), day 2 from 19-km camp to summit at 27 km by noon
and return to camp, day 3 from 19-km camp to headquarters by mid
afternoon. A more leisurely hike can stop at the 12-km camp, making it
a 5-day round-trip. Still easier would be to a 2-day trip, camping one
night at 19-km camp before returning. In Belize, this is one of the
easier ways to see high elevation species, including those listed
below. Hiking requires a permit (US$5) and licensed guide; a Victoria
Peak Guidelines booklet is for sale at headquarters. The trail to the peak is open 1
February to 31 May. For additional details contact the Protected Areas
Manager at
comanagedparks@belizeaudubon.org.
Key species of Victoria Peak: Scarlet Macaw,
Chestnut-collared Swift [R], Brown Violetear, Stripe-tailed
Hummingbird, Keel-billed Motmot, Plain Antvireo, Plumbeous Vireo,
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren [R], Slate-colored Solitaire, Rufous-capped
Warbler, Common Bush-Tanager, Shining Honeycreeper, White-winged
Tanager, White-vented Euphonia.
Return to "A Birder's Guide
to Belize"
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