DEPARTURE:
Timing is Critical Our departure each morning is as early as possible in order to be on the lagoon when bird activity is best. All wildlife activity in the tropics diminishes quickly as the midday heat intensifies. We attempt to make a quick pick-up and getaway from town each morning. Passengers should be in front of their hotels or in the lobby at 6:40am.

Buy your brunch / breakfast items the night before so as not to delay fellow passengers. The dock restaurant sells beverages to go but not food for your trip. There are good restroom facilities at the dock restaurant, and “rustico’ facilities on the beach.

YOUR GUIDES

Michael Malone is a naturalist and birder from Canada, formerly employed by the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS). I have spent the past 28 years in Puerto Escondido each winter for 4 months, and return north to operate a Nature Store for 8 months beside Canada’s premier birding destination – Point Pelee National Park.

After starting-up Hidden Voyages Ecotours in Puerto Escondido in 1981 I saw the need for detailed research on Manialtepec Lagoon and applied for $20,000 funding from the CWS to put 5 Mexican University students (UAM) to work here to complete their honors thesis’s. This was the first ever research on Manialtepec lagoon and now provides base-line data for current protection efforts on this lagoon. Two of those initial students went on to become biology professors at UAM and they continue field research on the lagoon today while bringing hundreds of Mexican university students here for biology field courses twice each year. A second university – UNAM was invited to carry on research of lagoon water quality and various marine organisms here. Such research on Manialtepec has established international interest and study of the lagoon, with the end result being Oaxaca’s recognition of the lagoon ecosystem as a biological treasure worth protecting for the long term.

Slowly, local costenos are beginning to understand the fish, wildlife and economic wealth the lagoon provides for their well-being. As ecotourism service providers we work with local people to instill pride in this natural resource, and look for ways to help their conservation efforts on the lagoon. Our explorations also include the Oaxaca coast foothills and mountains above Puerto Escondido, and it is my pleasure to guide you there in search of endemic and rare tropical birds.

Our boatman / guide is always a local fisherman from the coast. For 24 years these boatmen have worked for and learned from us, and vice versa, to the point that some of them now operate their own ecotourism businesses. Our boatman operates the boat and motor leaving me free to speak in depth about lagoon and tropical ecology, answer your myriad questions about this coast, all the while spotting wildlife for you.

Our current boatman/guide - Lalo Escamilla is a local fisherman who has lived his life on Manialtepec lagoon and has plenty of knowledge of the region to share with us. Actively involved in conservation efforts, currently he is president of the Manialtepec Watershed Committee. He operates our outboard and new electric motor leaving your guide free to answer questions regarding tropical ecology, identify birds, and ensure your safety and comfort. When interesting bird life or plants are encountered the motor is stopped to ensure respect for the wildlife and allow for good quality photos. We believe we have the perfect mix of a northern naturalist guide and a local fishermen guide to interpret Oaxaca's tropical ecology for you.

MANIALTEPEC LAGOON
Aquatic Ecosystems Converge The biodiversity of Manialtepec Lagoon is so rich due to the convergence of 3 very different aquatic ecosystems:

1) the Brackish (partly salty) Deepwater Lagoon itself.
2) the Manialtepec River descending from the Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains, pouring into the lagoon and
3) the Pacific Ocean Coast.

All 3 ecosystems host unique flora and fauna. Manialtepec is a dynamic lagoon ecosystem with the freshwater river entering its northwest end. Lagoon salinity is highly variable throughout the year depending on the barrier beach containing the lagoon being open or closed. For 6 months during the rainy season beginning in June a huge volume of fresh water blasts down the mountain side and pours into the ocean via the lagoon. The strong river flow keeps the barrier beach open for approx 6 months and the lagoon rises and falls with the ocean tides. Fish, shrimp, and shellfish enter from the ocean to spawn in the lagoon. With the end of the rainy season in November the pounding surf of the Oaxaca coast overcomes the diminishing river flow and tosses up a barrier beach of sand. The lagoon now becomes separated from the ocean for 6 months. The slower flowing river is redirected by this dam of sand and slowly begins to fill the lagoon basin, with the lagoon rising approximately 5 feet vertically. The 5 foot vertical rise translates into a horizontal flood of up to1 kilometer around parts of the lagoon. It is this ever-changing flood zone where a rich mangrove forest develops - mangrove being a unique group of tree species that can tolerate salt water. Mangrove forest lagoons accumulate nutrients delivered by both mountain rivers and the sea, and thus they can support a wealth of fish and shellfish, that in turn attract birds, wildlife and mankind. Because mangrove forests are one of the most productive habitats on our planet they are highly biodiverse and fascinating. We invite you to explore this incredible ecosystem, up close and personal, with a professional guide.

BIRD CHECKLIST
View, or print-out, a copy of the Checklist of the Birds of Manialtepec Lagoon & of the Puerto Escondido Region, Oaxaca, Mexico, 2009" Bird checklist

WILDLIFE
Rich Tropical Biodiversity Each passenger will receive a checklist of the 285 species of birds found in the region. We usually view 50 to 70 species of birds on each trip, depending on your skills. Few mammals are observed as they are primarily nocturnal. However, on previous trips we have observed tropical otter and jaguarundi (both endangered species), anteater, opossum, coatimundi, crocodiles, boas, and iguana species. On our beach break we have observed dolphins, whales, sharks, manta rays, sea turtles and their nests. We often pull up alongside fishing boats to watch them hauling in their nets and see the fish and seafood they are catching. While biting insects are rarely a problem, bring along your insect repellent if you have some. We’ll also have some onboard just in case it’s needed.

TRANSPORTATION
Our lagoon explorer motorboats have evolved into efficient 23’ fiberglass, comfortable 10 passenger (carpeted, with individual seats and backrests) , 4 stroke engine (much less oil pollution) models without an overhead canopy. Without a roof we can enter mangrove tunnels with low overhanging vegetation to access the best areas, as well we have much better views of wildlife. Your boatman and guide are quick to cut the motor and paddle these boats to position you for best views and photo opportunities. We don’t operate in the heat of midday, but do bring a sunhat.

LAGOON CONSERVATION PROJECTS
Hidden Voyages Ecotours actively supports and designs conservation projects on Manialtepec Lagoon. Have sponsored university research programs, assisted with bird banding studies, children’s school programs, have sponsored birding courses for and donated books and binoculars to local birding guides, donated to a sewage treatment project at our dock restaurant, and have assisted with trash collection on the lagoon. We will continue to support lagoon dwellers with lagoon conservation and education programs. Your help to protect this threatened lagoon is very much appreciated