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FAITHFUL MIGRANTS IN SEARCH OF SUNNIER DAYS… BIRD WATCHING IN TIKAL! On an unchanging schedule, thousands of birds and human beings flee their homes in North America and Europe seeking the pleasures of a warmer tropical climate during cold winter months. Year after year, these international citizens of the world follow an instinctive route. Birds have gone on the journey dating back 10 to 30 million years, while humans started traveling to distant locations with the advent of their own pair of wings... aviation. Migration and ecotourism can be seen as a moving feast - birds fly to find more food, humans to find adventure, see beautiful places, have new experiences and try new flavors. The tropics, where they may enjoy an extended summer, is one favorite destination with both... But there is more to this than just avoiding cold temperatures. Birds may enjoy an abundant insect prey and humans can discover the jungles, stock-up on inspiration to go back to their jobs until their next escape to the tropics and to reconnect with nature. Both species become gregarious while they travel. Birds of prey and insect hunters, usually individualistic, prefer to travel with other birds that have similar eating habits. People, too, enjoy sharing their interests with other like-minded humans who enjoy nature, wildlife, archaeology and adventure! The difference is birds know where to go... they know their way in their brain-created, multi-sensory atlas. Flying at night, they learn the sky map from observing the rotation of stars while maturing. However, humans have to choose from a wide range of offers and carefully study their options. To navigate, we can't rely on constellations rotating around the North Star and other direction markers; or by sensing the flux of magnetic fields where stars are not visible. We usually don't follow specific and well-defined routes over long distances marked by rivers, valleys, coasts, forests, plains, deserts and other geographic features. We don't know the precise route and end points of our journey, although, these too in birds are probably learned. Choosing the right tour operator is a challenge and the driving forces to choose one should not be only economic... the quality of service they provide and what they do for the environment should be equally important. Yes, faithful songbirds are, in a way, ambassadors of freedom and hope, and so are ecotourists, too. Manic development, including irresponsible management in tourism, is giving way to whole habitats' destruction, regardless of their scientific value and their vital necessity. Would you like to came birding with us?For more information on responsible tours to the natural and archaeological World of the Maya, birding adventures and other outdoor experiences contact: Ecotourism & Adventure Specialists ecoadventure@tikalpark.com or visit their website at http://www.ecotourism-adventure.com |
