Programs : Brochure

Spring Break in Guyana:
Tropical Field Studies

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Program Overview

This is a tropical field course that will focus on studying tropical birds (tropical field Ornithology) of Guyana.  We will use a combination of time spent in the field during mornings and afternoons, and midday lectures to explore the diversity of bird families and species found in Guyana.  While field time will focus on learning how to identify birds in the field by sight and sound, we will also spend time observing behavior and will learn about aspects of the ecology, evolution, and behavior of the birds that we observe.  At the same time, we will also learn about the broader ecosystems in which these birds live, including plants, insects, and other animals as time and opportunities allow.  Teaching methods will include field walks led by faculty and local rangers, lectures by faculty and local experts, field and photo quizzes, field notebook assignments, and discussions, field notebook development, and team power hour field activities to test learned skills.

There are approximately 800 species of birds known to inhabit Guyana, which is roughly 8% of the bird species diversity in the world.  Many species in Guyana are endemics to the broader region, called the Guiana Shield region.  We can expect to see and/or hear approximately 300 species of birds during the course.  The following link includes an eBird report from a similar itinerary for a birding tourism course co-taught by the instructor (https://ebird.org/tripreport/456779).  Guyana also has a rich and diverse culture including a strong indigenous population, and houses some of the largest tracts of intact tropical forest outside central Amazonia. We will be hosted by the Iwokrama station, located on the Essequibo River with access to old-growth tropical forest, sustainable logging operations, wildlife research, ecotourism development, and indigenous communities engaged in biological conservation.  Thus, there will also be opportunities to learn about the broader implications of reserves such as Iwokrama.  We will also spend time at Surama Ecolodge, in the northern reaches of the Rupununi Savannah, and will spend time at a handful of field sites near Georgetown.

By completing this Intensive Course Abroad, students will:

1.) Gain a first-hand experiential understanding of the tropical bird diversity of Guyana.
2.) Learn how to identify the bird families and species of Guyana using both visual and audio identification of these tropical birds found in several major habitats in Guyana including upland Mora Forest, Laterite Mixed Forest, Savannah, Muri Scrub (sandy soil forest), and seasonally flooded River Edge Forest, etc. and the microhabitats within these major habitats.
3.) Develop an understanding of the biology, ecology, and evolution of tropical birds.
4.) Learn how to use resources such as merlin, eBird, and field guides to identify and document birds and to contribute to community science databases.

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Academics

Credit/Registration: Students will be registered for Tropical Field Studies ENVS 323 / ENVS 523 for 3 credits as part of their spring term course load. Students must leave room for the 3 credits in their credit load when registering. Graduate students will be billed for 3 Drexel credits at their normal rate.

Instructor: Dr. Jason Weckstein, Professor in Drexel's Department of Biodiversity, Earth & Environmental Science
 

Program Calendar

Arrival Date:      March 14, 2027
Departure Date: March 27, 2027
*Students must request early departure from winter term professors / co-op employers and are encouraged to do so during the application process. 

Itinerary Overview:  Daytime and night time field trips and observation periods     
    

Day	Date	Lodging at:	Activity
Sun	14-Mar	Georgetown	Fly to Georgetown, Guyana. Lodging at Georgetown Hotel TBA.
Mon	15-Mar	Iwokrama	Travel to Iwokrama by bus arranged by Iwokrama staff, Intro to staff and Iwokrama facilities. Safety guidelines & rules.  Short presentation on Iwokrama and the course
Tue	16-Mar	Iwokrama	Morning and Evening birding around Iwokrama Lodge, walks on station trail system (Mora Forests, Clearings, and Edge), Afternoon lecture on bird ecology and ID, after dinner night birding
Wed	17-Mar	Surama	Early Morning  Breakfast,  Boat trip and birding on way to Turtle Mtn Camp, and hike to Turtle Mountain (Mora Forest) and River Edge Birding on Return, after lunch drive to Surama, sunset birding at lodge
Thu	18-Mar	Surama	At Surama, early morning bird walk in Savannah, midday lecture on diversity of birds in Guyana (Bird Families), Afternoon bird walk in Savannah and other habitats near Surama, post dinner team bird quiz night
Fri	19-Mar	Surama	Early morning Surama walk for the Potoo and other walks then later return to lodge for afternoon lecture and then afternoon walk in Savanna, post dinner nocturnal bird walk in Savannah
Sat	20-Mar	Iwokrama	Early morning breakfast and drive to Guianan Cock of the Rock Lek; then to Canopy Walkway Tour: Lunch at Atta Lodge - After Lunch: Muri Scrub on way back to Iwokrama, afternoon walk on road, trails, and clearing  (birds of the: Mora Forest and clearings/edge), post dinner Owls and Nightjars walk
Sun	21-Mar	Iwokrama	Early morning Indian House Island Birding River tour; Breakfast;  After Breakfast; bird walk on trails near Iwokrama Lodge (birds of Mora Forest Interior), afternoon lecture, afternoon: Airstrip  to see Blue and Gold Macaw and other birds (via vehicle)
Mon	22-Mar	Iwokrama	Early Breakfast- Early morning bird walk down main road and across river in Muri scrub (Boats needed), back for lunch and lecture and then afternoon walk along entrance road/trails, Tour:  Kurupukari Rapids Tour (lil swim) Evening Wildlife Spotting
Tue	23-Mar	Georgetown	Travel Back to Georgetown (stopping along the way if anything interesting is spotted)
Wed	24-Mar	Georgetown	Morning: Mahaica Birding Tour - Bfast at Mahaica then NARI Mangrove Centre; Afternoon:  Botanic Gardens Birding (Tour Leader Kevin to Organise)
Thu	25-Mar	USA	Fly to USA

                            

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Program Fee - TBD 

Due Nov. 16th: $500 Advance Payment + $25 application fee
Due Jan. 15th: TBD Final Payment
*All payments are non-refundable unless declined admission or program cancels for unforeseen reasons.

Included in Program Fee:

• Lodging
• Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Ground transportation, including Guyana airport transfer
• Park entrance fees
• Field supplies
• Cultural activity
• On Call Health & Emergency Insurance

Not Included in Program Fee (Estimates):

• R/T airfare $1,000
• Passport $165
• Meals not included $30
• Yellow Fever Vaccine $400
• Spending money $100
• Airport transfer $50
• Graduate students billed for 3 Drexel credits

ICA Financial Aid: Students may request an Adjusted Cost of Attendance by submitting the ICA program fee and estimated out of pocket expenses listed above to Drexel Central (via askdrexel). Doing so could make students eligible for additional financial aid.  Students may also be eligible to apply for Drexel's ICA Scholarships.

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More Information

• US Citizens are not required to obtain a visa for entry to Guyana. Students of other nationalities should confirm visa requirements on the Guyanese Embassy website.
• Students will be responsible for making their own flight arrangements. A suggested flight itinerary will be provided. Students should arrive as early as possible on Day 1 of the program, as the scheduled activities begin that day.