Birding in Costa Rica - Part 1

     You have already met the members of our group, so I'll get right into the details of our trip.

04 January, 2025

Waterloo - Pearson International Airport - San José, Costa Rica

     We had received a fairly substantial snowfall, with the promise of more, so I was out at 05h:00 to shovel the driveway.

     Our Airways Transit vehicle arrived a little ahead of schedule, but we were ready, and proceeded to pick up the others, and set off to the airport. As always, having dutifully arrived three hours before departure, we settled in for the long wait. 

     Miriam and I both had a noodle bowl, which was very good, and greatly preferable to the dross served on the flight at exorbitant prices. We were slightly delayed by the necessity to deice the plane, but were soon in the air for our nonstop flight to San José.

     We were greeted on arrival by Ernesto and Tania from Cuba, and our Costa Rican guide, Carlos, and our driver John. We were whisked off to the Bougainvillea to spend the night, happy to be reunited with this outstanding hotel.

     We were in bed by 00h:40 and I got about four hours sleep.

05 January, 2025

Bougainvillea Hotel - Las Vueltas Reserve - San Gerardo de Dota (Savegre Hotel)

     I was up early and went down to the gardens to get an early start on birding. I was joined by Victoria a little later and the others drifted in at various times until we were all together.

     As usual, the birding was excellent.

     Our most exciting discovery was a Mottled Owl (Strix virgata) located by Tania, roosting deep in a stand of bamboo.

     Variegated Squirrel (Sciurus variegatoides) is very attractive, and every bit as mischievous and rambunctious as the squirrels at home.

     We were delighted to discover a Monarch (Danaus plexippus) caterpillar - the form found here is resident and not migratory - feeding on Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica).

     A Golden Silk Spider (Trichonephila clavipes) is exquisitely handsome.

     In close proximity there was an interesting spider in the genus Micrathena.

     Red-billed Pigeon (Patagioenas flavirostris) is a common resident, often favouring the highest point on a tree.

     Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus) is so common that it barely merits a second glance in Costa Rica - but oh to see one today!

     A trio of Great Kiskadees (Pitangus sulphuratus) might well be interpreted as a welcoming committee.

     The fungi were very appealing but I have been unable to identify them.

     If you ask a birder heading for Costa Rica about a species high on his/her wish list, especially a first time visitor, it is likely to be Lesson's Motmot (Motmotus lessoni), a spectacular bird.

     What a beauty!

     This huge Green Iguana (Iguana iguana), basking in a treetop, is probably a grandfather many times over.

     An Aurucarian tree is always spectacular and it was a pleasure to encounter this one.

     A couple of Grey-headed Chachalacas (Ortalis cinereiceps) bounded through the trees, chattering exuberantly.

     The familiar gestalt of a skipper led us to a Yellow-tipped Flasher (Telegonus anausis).

     Several other butterflies were fluttering around and given more time we could have probably photographed many of them.

     Before going in for breakfast a Hoffmann's Woodpecker (Melanerpes hoffmannii) was a feast for the eyes.

     The buffet breakfast was, as always first class. I had rice and beans, plantain and fruit, and good Costa Rican coffee.

     Shortly afterwards we piled into the vehicle to head south. Onwards to Las Vueltas Reserve, a private nature sanctuary run by a family whose parents emigrated from Michigan and settled in this part of Costa Rica. It was a delight to make the acquaintance of the children of the original settlers and their children - proud Ticos all.

      As we walked up the road towards the lodge there was much to occupy our attention.

     I believe that in the following picture there is Haircap Moss (family Polytrichaceae) and Ground Cedars (genus Diphasiastrum).

     Lichens are always captivating.

     It is a long time since I last saw Poor Man's Umbrella (Gunnera insignis) and it was a distinct pleasure to come across it again.

     In fact, it was quite prolific along the roadside.

     There are around 7,500 species of Blister Beetle around the world, including this pair of Meloe tropicus, clearly distracted and unmoved by our presence.

    Old tree stumps harbour so much life and are visually appealing without even knowing much about the miniature ecosystem.

     A Sooty-capped Chlorospingus (Chlorospingus pileatus) kept company with us for a while.

     Bromeliads are such a vital part of tropical forests; this Beautiful Large Bromeliad (Werauhia ororiensis) is a sparkling example.

     Water droplets dance in the sunlight, shimmering and beautiful, renewable, predictable - and free.

     This plant is found in the genus Glossoloma.

     We ambled up the hill, observant to everything around us, following our intrepid leader, Carlos.

     A Black-capped Flycatcher (Empidonax atriceps) was a thoroughly delightful jaunty companion.

     We arrived at the lodge for lunch, warmly welcomed by friendly humans and friendly canines.

     The views were breathtaking.

     Yet another Black-capped Flycatcher chirruped cheerfully to us. 

     And a duo of my all-time favourite birds disported close at hand. I give you the ever-engaging Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis).

     A Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush (Catharus gracilirostris), like all members of the genus, is an accomplished chorister, shimmying and fluttering its wings in bursts of ecstatic arpeggio.

     A Black-and-Yellow Phainoptila (Phainoptila melanoxantha) played hide-and-seek for a while and then agreed to a picture or two.

     This is the nest of Long-waisted Honey Wasps (genus Polybia).

     Based on the nest architecture, it may well be in the subgenus Formicicola, indicating a proclivity to live in the close proximity of ants.

     In any event they seemed not to be especially threatening, but perhaps they were sluggish in the rainy, cool conditions. We chose not to tempt fate, and when I got too close Tina shrieked, "Get away from there, David!" Kudos to Miriam for the picture.

     In the genus Monnina.

     Kuldip bellissimus.

     A magnificent Podocarp (family Podocarpaceae).

     Attempting to identify ferns can cause sane men to go off the deep end, and the best I can tell you about this superlative specimen is that it is in the class Polypodiopsida - and that doesn't tell you much at all!

     Here is perhaps another kind of wasp or hornet nest, or is it the seed of the tree? I am not sure! 

     I have narrowed this gorgeous little flower down to the genus Monochaetum.

     Scaly Tree Ferns family (family Cyatheaceae) always remind me of deep antiquity; in fact fossils have been found in the late Jurassic.

     Time was slipping through our fingers and we needed to climb aboard the bus to travel onwards to San Gerardo de Dota. 

     We arrived at the Savegre Hotel, our home for the next three nights, at around 16h:00, time to relax, shower, watch the feeders, stroll - whatever took one's fancy.

     Our room was lovely, the bed inviting.

     We knew we would be happy here.