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Description
Maricao State Forest, also known as Monte del Estado, is one of the island's primary birding locations and an excellent area to find many of the island's endemic species. At 4,371 hectares, it is the largest forest reserve in Puerto Rico. There are several separate sites that can be visited along Rte. 120 or the Ruta Panorámica. The relatively high-elevation, stunted forest at several sites along this route, is the best area on the island to see the endemic Elfin-woods Warbler. Despite only being described to science in 1974, this species is relatively common in the island's high elevation forests around Maricao. Most of the island's other endemic species are common at this site, including Puerto Rican Tanager, Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo, Puerto Rican Tody, Puerto Rican Vireo, Puerto Rican Spindalis, Green Mango, Puerto Rican Emerald, Puerto Rican Oriole, Puerto Rican Woodpecker and Puerto Rican Bullfinch. The uncommon and nomadic Antillean Euphonia can sometimes be found in the area, while the distinctive subspecies of Lesser Antillean Pewee is regular. Puerto Rican Screech-Owl can be heard from dusk to dawn.
The forest is also the last refuge of the critically endangered, island endemic subspecies of Puerto Rican Sharp-shinned Hawk, whose population reached a low of 19 individuals following Hurricane María in 2017, but through concerted conservation efforts is showing signs of recovery.
Three areas are of particular interest for birding. The first is a short, unpaved forest trail immediately off of Rt. 120 at km 16.8 (18.15675,-66.9977222) that goes gently downhill for about 1 km through intact elfin forest. This trail is the island's most reliable site for Elfin-woods Warbler, and Puerto Rican Tanager is also very common here.
Approximately 700m east on Rt. 120 is a small park complex for park rangers and outdoor activites. Several trails can be explored in this park complex, which is at a slightly lower elevation than the previous site and is good habitat for many endemic species, as well as other widespread Caribbean birds and overwintering Nearctic warblers including Northern Parula, Black-throated Blue Warbler, American Redstart and Black-and-white Warbler - care should be taken to avoid confusion of the latter with the endemic Elfin-woods! Adelaide's Warbler is occasionally seen here, though they become more common at low elevations.
The third site, 1-2km east from the park complex (depending on which exit is used), is the Torre de Piedra, a stone tower with views of several nearby peaks. During courtship season in late winter and early spring, the dramatic display flight of male Puerto Rican Sharp-shinned Hawk can occasionally be seen shortly after sunrise. The surrounding forest is filled with Caribbean species and several island endemics.
Details
Access
The Bosque Estatal de Maricao, also known as the Maricao State Forest, is located in the western region of the Cordillera Central mountains of Puerto Rico. A car is required to access these sites, as public transit is not available to the site, and walking on the narrow Rt. 120 is prohibited and very dangerous.
A very small parking area is available at the 16.8km trailhead, and care should be taken when arriving and departing, since the pullout is near a gentle curve, and residents often drive quite fast on the road. The path is unpaved but well-maintained near the trailhead, but becomes increasingly overgrown during the descent. As cloud forest, the habitat is quite wet, and the trail can become slippery, so caution and appropriate hiking footwear is advised.
Parking is available at the main complex and the trails are gentler and better-maintained. A small parking area is available at the Torre de Piedra, which is itself relatively short, with a 2-storey staircase to the viewing area at the top.