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Back in March, back when the world realized that a pandemic was happening and that it was spreading with tenacious unconscious determination, CostaRica closed its borders. Nevertheless, given the vital role that tourism plays in the local economy, CostaRica stuck with plans to slowly reopen. This is no longer required!
I strained to see them, could only see an occasional booby escape our bow, watch some of the hundreds of Wedge-tailed and Pink-footed Shearwaters zip by and hold on as our boat tested its speed. As we approached and drew nearly alongside the small seabirds, we also tested the limits of our optics, our balance, and our focus.
I recently became aware of this after an erstwhile interview with one of those wild, bearded purists while looking for mixed flocks in an anonymous, well known site in CostaRica. Yep, same thing in CostaRica except that you see things like White-necked Jacobin , Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Violet Sabrewing, and Green Thorntail.
Looking for Northern Shrikes and redpolls was a test for winter gear and wind chill factors but the birds weren’t going to be there in the hot days of summer. I actually really hope to see this bird in 2019 in CostaRica. Find more sites for Ochre-breasted Antpitta and other uncommon species. Promote birding.
The tenth month of the year isn’t one that is commonly associated with birding in CostaRica but no matter, it should be. There are, after all, a heck of a lot of birds over there including juicy targets like Bare-necked Umbrellabird , Snowy Cotinga , Semiplumbeous Hawk , and a few hundred other species.
Those would be species like the Keel-billed, White-throated, and Toco Toucans , the latter of which has become such an iconic rep. for its kind that even in CostaRica, images of the Brazilian species have been used for marketing (much to the chagrin and dismay of local birders). It’s hefty!
How many of us have heard that open-ended question while birding in the USA, Canada, and CostaRica? Getting pictures of these naturally cloaked, shy, hyperactive birds is always a feat that tests the limits of both optics and frustration but one or two sometimes stop long enough for the shot. “Seen anything good”?
.” This little ditty should be sung using the melody for “Deck the Halls”, and now would be the time to intone it, at least in CostaRica. Yes, that would be Golden-winged Warbler , a species seen more easily during a Costa Rican winter than anywhere during migration up north.
CostaRica led the charge long ago to define what ecotourism could really look like. What then does it take for an ecolodge to bring something fresh and new to the current array of Costa Rican destinations? You’ll find multiple species of each on the property. Destinations CostaRica eco-lodge Finca Luna Nueva'
This Yellow Warbler was looking fresh before it left CostaRica. When we scuff our knees and test the resiliency of our joints to peer into a bush at a Swainson’s Warbler in an urban park? It will be birding on the sly at its best and if the birds are singing, I might even break 100 species.
This is what we have to remember: - Many species are easier to observe at close range from a vehicle than on foot. - This impossible-looking Turqouise-browed Motmot is not only something that actually exists, but was shot out of a car window near Tarcoles, CostaRica. The weight of my argument crushes all others.
However, the species sometimes referred to as the Barbary Duck appears very much out of place just about everywhere else. Sandy Hook Sightings About the Author Mike Mike is a leading authority in the field of standardized test preparation, but what he really aspires to be is a naturalist. These Blasts From The Past Birding 1.1.11
On Sunday at Kissena Park I saw five species of sparrows. A mixed species flock of sparrows (american tree, field and chipping) was by the bike track parking lot. Pat ODonnell Mar 9th, 2011 at 10:09 am My Bbest bird for the weekend was a Long-tailed Woodcreeper seen at Carara National Park in CostaRica.
The guide presents 69 species and 1 subspecies, from “NEW WORLD VULTURES: Cathartiformes” to “OSPREY: Pandioninae” to “FAMILY: Accipitridae” (Kites, Hawks, Eagles, Hawk-Eagles), to “FALONIDS: Falconidae” (Falcons, Forest-Falcons, Caracaras, Kestrels, Merlin). The order is roughly taxonomic, with the priority showing similar species together.
If you haven’t read the 10 Best lists of my 10,000 Birds compadres, you may also want to read about Corey’s birding achievements , Pat’s envy-inducing CostaRica list , Tom’s Ten Best , featuring his beautiful photographs, and Clare’s wonderful British Top Ten. 1) Dusky Eagle-Owl. 7) Piping Plover.
Even more than warbler, shorebird, and sparrow identification, this is a field that tests our endurance (gull watching is too often done in bitter cold, windy conditions), patience (even getting one good photo can take hours as you try to separate the ‘interesting gull’ from the flock), observational skills (so many plumages!)
About the Author Mike Mike is a leading authority in the field of standardized test preparation, but what he really aspires to be is a naturalist. Turkeys, 3 or 4 species of woodpeckers, all kinds of song birds grace our view constantly. 24 Responses to “Where Are You Birding This Third Weekend of March 2011? Happy Masemas!
In CostaRica, our July birding news usually consists of interesting sightings during the mid-summer tours. No tours means much less birding, especially on my part and with further restrictions to movement having been recently declared in CostaRica, birding outside of the neighborhood has come to a full stop.
Most of all, I love showing people birds, species both common and mysteriously evasive. Whether a birder is eager for eyefulls of common species or needs to test the birding Zen and. It’s all good in the birding hood no matter where one raises the bins but in CostaRica, it’s easy to get spoiled by diversity.
I bought a new rucksack yesterday and the first thing I checked when I brought it home was, how easily my spotting scope with a mounted window clamp fits in – test passed with flying colours. Knowing that there are reserves with long lists of 600 or more species, I set my threshold at more than 600 birds… and found only a few such hotspots.
are up next, with a wonderful Australian species: It is very hard to choose a Best Bird of the Year any year. The male of this species has a royal blue throat, a white chest and rump, and a long v-shaped tail with intermittent white patches that makes it looks like part of it are floating in space. Clare (and Grant!) How cool is that?
Whilst working on Scarlet Macaws in CostaRica , I had the pleasure of having Katherine Herbourn assist with some of the field work we were doing. Dale studied scarlet macaws, and worked in their conservation, for three years in southern CostaRica, followed by a year in the Caribbean working on Whale Sharks.
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