Belizean Barrier Reef

December 4

Yesterday was a travel day, leaving pre-dawn to fly to Atlanta and then on to Belize City. In the afternoon (after a nap) we wandered a little bit in the vicinity of the hotel. We rewarded with a new warbler species and some old familiar birds from prior trips to Central America. Dinner was at a local resultant right on the water, where the conch fritters were amazing. We learned that the conch harvest is very tightly monitored to ensure sustainability.

This morning was also filled with travel but it a very different sort—- a short drive to a small airstrip, then a 30 minute flight to Dangriga, another short drive and then a 90 minute boat ride out to the Glovers Reef Marine Reserve and the Manta Island resort, our base for the next several days. Glovers Reef Marine Reserve covers the Glovers Atoll, one of three underwater coral reef atolls in the Belizean barrier reef. The reef itself, and its seven reserves, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  We paused briefly on our way out at South Water Caye, another of the reserves and the location of a Smithsonian research station. The boat captain did a good job of minimizing the roughness of the ride. Earlier in the week there were small craft warnings posted. Today the winds were gusting to 25 mph, a challenge not only to the crossing (Manta Island is 35 miles offshore on the east side of the main reef) but to our first snorkeling outing this afternoon. 

Initially we had a tiring snorkeling session in an area of sea grass, trying to keep from being swept away by the current and the waves. We moved around the edge of the island to a less windy location and had much better luck — many fish of different species, and a resting nurse shark. The water is quite pleasant; we wore rashers to minimize sunburn and were plenty warm in the water for over an hour.  After dinner, the two of us went exploring to see hermit crabs as they emerge for the night. 

Several of the local WCS Belize team have joined us. Both the local team and our trip leaders have impressive resumes;  their past experiences with the Nature Conservancy, local conservation groups, the Peace Corps and work in Africa means that we learn a great deal from them just in casual conversations. Tomorrow we will visit the WCS research center on Middle Caye. 

Pictured: nurse shark, yellow-throated warbler,  Princess parrotfish, female magnolia warbler and a hermit crab