Merida Weblog / » Celestun National Wildlife Refuge: Flamingos & Other WaterfowlOn the coast west of Mérida is a large wetlands area that has been declared a biopreserve. It is a long, shallow estuary where freshwater mixes with Gulf saltwater, creating a habitat perfect for flamingos and many other species of waterfowl. This rÃa (estuary), unlike others that are fed by rivers or streams, receives fresh water through about 80 cenotes, most of which are underwater. It is very shallow (.3-1m/1-4 ft. deep) and thickly grown with mangrove, with an open channel .5km (1/4 mile) wide and 50km (31 miles) long, sheltered from the open sea by a narrow strip of land. Along this corridor, you can take a launch to see flamingos as they dredge the bottom of the shallows for a species of small crustacean and a particular insect that make up the bulk of their diet. In the last few years, the state agency CULTUR has come into Celestún and established order where once there was chaos. Immediately to your left after the bridge, you’ll find modern facilities with a snack bar, clean bathrooms, and a ticket window. Prices for tours are fixed. A 75-minute tour costs about $45 and can accommodate up to six people. You can join others or hire a boat by yourself. On the tour you’ll definitely see some flamingos; you’ll also get to see some mangrove close up, and one of the many underwater springs. Please do not urge the boatmen to get any closer to the flamingos than they are allowed to; if pestered too much, the birds will abandon the area for other, less fitting habitat. The ride is quite pleasant — the water is calm, and CULTUR has supplied the boatmen with wide, flat-bottom skiffs that have canopies for shade. In addition to flamingos, you will see frigate birds, pelicans, spoonbills, egrets, sandpipers, and other waterfowl feeding on shallow sandbars at any time of year. At least 15 duck species have been counted, and there are several species of birds of prey. Of the 175 bird species that are here, some 99 are permanent residents. Nonbreeding flamingos remain here year-round; the larger group of breeding flamingos takes off around April to nest on the upper Yucatán Peninsula east of RÃo Lagartos, returning to Celestún in October. You visit our section about hotels in Merida and mexico resorts. source:frommers.com Volver a HOMEPost relacionados No related posts Estas leyendo la entrada Celestun National Wildlife Refuge: Flamingos & Other Waterfowl Martes, Mayo 8th, 2007 a las 2:09 pm y esta categorizada en Ecotourism in Merida, Ecotourism in Mexico, Merida Celestun National Wildlife Refuge, Merida Yucatan. Usted puede seguir cualquier respuesta a esta entrada por el RSS 2.0 feed. ComentariosDeje una Respuesta
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