The Society of Ornithology of Hispaniola has been guiding bird walks in the Santo Domingo Botanical Garden for the past 5 years. The walks, which are free and open to the public, are held the first Sunday of every month and start at 7 am.
This is an excellent opportunity to become familiar with the common birds of the island, such as the Palm Chat,(the national bird), the Hispaniolan Woodpecker, the Hispaniolan Lizard Cuckoo, and both the Antillean Mangoa Hummingbird and the Vervain Hummingbird. The Vervain, with the charming local name, Zumbadorcito, is the second smallest bird in the world. A check list prepared by the Society is available. Some binoculars are available.
In May, the walk will change date and place. On 10 May, the Society of Ornithology of Hispaniola has organized a visit to one of the newest of the National Parks, the Wetlands of the Rio Ozama. The meeting place is the parking lot of the Botanical Garden at 6:30am. The bird watchers group will drive thru Villa Mella and La Victoria to enter a landscape of river, small lagoons and water birds.