The Zapatillas are a tempting set of beaches in Bocas del Toro. They are known for the landscape and marine life and for being the resting spot of nature's "Jewels of Spring."

These Cays comprise two islands that form part of the Bastimentos Island Marine National Park. One of these islands carries the name of "Zapatilla 2". We often visit this island to enjoy the pristine water and nature and, on some occasions, for birdwatching. It offers a different relaxing location for spotting residents and migratory birds. Here, we may encounter warblers with non-breeding plumage. If we compare these warblers with the colors in the North, it is impressive and confusing because of the change in plumage from the breeding season.

Can you imagine that an island of 84 acres connected to the higher areas in Peninsula Valiente (Mainland) and created during the last ice age would have the necessary resources for migratory seasons? Well, yes, it's possible. Zapatilla 2 is a small treasure representing a hotspot with 136 species of birds on the eBird platform, of which 20 are warblers (eBird, 2023).

The New World warblers, or wood-warblers, are a group of birds confined to the Americas. Family Parulidae is famous for their neotropical migration. These birds are popular with birders and more notable in places where they may be observed during the North American winter because they reach their diversity in northern Central America (Curson, Quinn & Beadle, 1994). Panama is one of these countries that receives a high proportion of migrants (more than 50% of warblers are northern migrants), with 53 wood-warbler species reported (Audubon Panama, 2022). So, back to the island with the warblers.

During a visit to Zaptailla 2 for birding in April, Hodge & Coleman, a pair of birders, observed nine species of warbler, among which are: Magnolia Warbler, Black and white Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Canada Warbler and one resident Yellow Warbler (Mangrove) and in general a total of 31 species [https://ebird.org/checklist/S134491195]. We saw these birds in a few hours on this island.

Birding at Zapatilla 2 is a fabulous experience. There are few locations where one can locate so many individuals of different warbler species within a 2 km trail. This island and its natural history create the conditions that permit insects and fresh water for the birds during their annual migration.