>Any hot tips for good birding spots in and around Panama City? Is it safe on
>the streets during the day? Are Panamanians friendly toward USA tourists?
>Thanks, Stan Ray

There is plenty of remnant second growth and savanna-like country all
around Panama City, and even patches of forest in the city. Plenty of
birds in the area. Out around Tocumen airport is great for open-country
birds of many kinds. Even better if you can find any sort of wetlands.
And of course the coast is right there, with lots of wintering water birds
and some residents. I thought the area was excellent for birding when I
was there in January 1985. Sorry I don't remember details for exact
localities.

I don't know how things are nowadays for tourists. Nature-tour companies
cut back on Panama tours because of some anti-American sentiment, surely a
consequence of the US "invasion" a few years back. I wouldn't put too high
a profile on my Americanness (I always try to blend in, but not so easy
when you're laden down with optical equipment), but maybe it's not a
problem now. Ask travel agents.

Dennis Paulson phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416