Tropical Birding with Dr. Matthew Binns

About three million years ago, the formation of the volcanic Isthmus of Panama joined the long separated continents of North and South America. This precipitated the Great American Interchange—the migration of fauna from one continent to another. The astounding diversity of species to be found in Central America and northern South America is partially the result of this connection. Another cause is the wide array of habitats, which include Pacific mangrove swamps, Caribbean coastal plains, lowland rain forests, mountain chains, and over 450 cays and islands.

April’s presentation will focus on the birds of three areas within this Neotropic region: Costa Rica, Belize, and the north Atlantic forests of Brazil. Costa Rica alone has recorded over 900 species, more than all sighted in the United States and Canada. Tiny Belize boasts nearly 600 species and the dwindling coastal forests of Brazil include 200 bird species found nowhere else.

Our tour guide for the evening will be Dr. Matthew Binns. A molecular geneticist, he works in the Thoroughbred horseracing world and was previously Professor of Genetics at the Royal Veterinary College in London. In recent years, he has made the transition from birder to bird photographer and in 2016 made bird photography trips to Central and South America. Join us as Dr. Binns shares the colorful highlights of this magical place.

Social: 6:30; Program: 7:00