Sapphire-throated Hummingbird and Veraguan Mango at La Gamba

This is news that Kevin Easley asked me to pass on:

Dec.23 - Kevin saw both a male Sapphire-throated Hummingbird, and several females and one male Veraguan Mango visiting Poro flowers of a living fence along the road into Esquinas Lodge. This is along the road past Gamboa taking the first right towards Esquinas instead of continuing along the road to Golfito. Go over the old log bridge (recently fixed - it had been pretty bad) and continue on to the pasture or rice field on the right and look for the Poros in flower along the fence row.

Kevin was more than a little excited with his find and left his clients to look after the birds while he rushed to find a phone to get the word out so that those who may be heading that way in the near future will be on the lookout. He said he was going back to get photos. (Kevin said he got some OK photos of the ST Hummer but not the V Mango. Steven Easley and Magda Sánchez visited the site a few days later, and Steven took some nice photos of both species, two of which are posted here. The mango photo isn't the best, aesthetically speaking, but it clearly shows that there is no black on the center of the blue throat or breast, key to the identification. To see more of Steven's great bird images visit the photo gallery at www.costaricagateway.com).

He also mentioned another good bird seen during this same trip on Dec.21 in the savannas above Buenos Aires along the road up to Dúrika - a Grasshopper Sparrow.

thanks Kevin (and Steven)!

First Ever Gray-bellied Hawk (Accipiter poliogaster) for Costa Rica

This amazing photo, taken by Cristian Gamboa, documents the first ever Gray-bellied Hawk (Accipiter poliogaster) recorded in Costa Rica. It is also a first for Central America. On June 26, 2008 Octavio Ruiz spotted the bird in a tree next to the suspension bridge over the Puerto Viejo River at the Orgnaization for Tropical Studies La Selva Biological Station in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí. He was accompanied by Yahaira Rojas, Kenneth Alfaro and Cristian Gamboa. All four of these lucky birders work as guides at La Selva.

Gray-bellied Hawk is a forest raptor native to South America. The closest previously known records were from northern Colombia (although see the comments in the e-mail correspondence quoted below). It is a poorly known species and is apparently rare throughout its range. The La Selva bird is a juvenile, and looks almost exactly like a mini-Ornate Hawk-Eagle. The adult is very similar to Bicolored Hawk, the biggest difference being that it has gray thighs rather than rufous thighs. In some older references authors have speculated that birds from the southern end of the species' range (Paraguay, and southern Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina) maybe migratory. As this bird turned up in Costa Rica during the austral winter, it may have been a migrant that overshot its normal wintering grounds. However, there has been some recent discussion on this point and many experts from areas in the southern cone where Gray-bellied Hawk is found consider the species to be a year round resident there. So, migrant?, vargrant?, overlooked resident? we can only ponder the true nature of this exceptional bird.

From: sergio seipke <seipke@yahoo.com.ar> (note: Sergio is writing a guide to S.Am. raptors)
To: Bill Clark <raptours@earthlink.net> (note: Bill is a raptor expert who has authored several guides to N.Am. birds of prey)

Hi Bill! Yes, I agree, undboubtedly a Gray-bellied Hawk. Look how the dark mallar stripe touches the black cap behind the eye - you don't seed this in Ornate Hawk-eagle, where the rufous clearly separates the cap and the mallar stripe.Look for comparison at:http://farm1.static.flickr.com/34/72062929_f61e76f379.jpg?v=0Also the 'barring' on the median portion of the belly is more 'spotty' (unlike in OHE).Great news! Thanks for sharing them!!!I saw one older imature (thighs still barred, but rest like adult) in Darien, Panama in 2005, but since I took no photos and the bird was 'out of range' I usually don't mention it.
Thank you again.

Cheers!Sergio

Ps: Please make sure you encourage the observers/photographers to publish this record. You can tell them they can quote my diagnosis if the'd like to -- no problem.---

El lun 15-dic-08, Bill Clark <raptours@earthlink.net>
De: Bill Clark <raptours@earthlink.net>
Asunto: [Fwd: Fwd: fotos ave en la selva]
Para: "sergio seipke" <seipke@yahoo.com.ar>
Fecha: lunes, 15 de diciembre de 2008, 3:26 pm

Hi Sergio,I think this is a juvenile A. poliogastor.
If so, it is way out of range in Costa Rica.

Cheers, Bill

From: Jim Zook <ebirdcr@gmail.com>
To: Bill Clark <raptours@earthlink.net>
Hey Bill,
this funky little raptor was photographed here at La Selva not too long ago and its identification has stumped everyone, myself included. I'm leaning towards some transition juvenile-to-adult plumaged accipiter, but....? I've never seen anything like it before. I didn't see the bird, but those who did said it was not very big, they estimated about Double-toothed Kite sized. I've seen the branches where the bird was photographed (it was right next to the big suspension bridge on the way over to the lab clearing) and it surely must have been a fairly small bird. Anyway, hope all is well with you, and I´ll look forward to hearing your impressions.
bye for now, Jim

Eurasian Collared-Dove and other Guanacaste news

Just got back from a trip to Guanacaste and wanted to pass on a few things of note.

While Brian Sullivan was here on his honeymoon, a supposed non-birding trip, not only did he manage to get a country first in the Black-vented Shearwater, he also saw a Eurasian Collared-Dove on Nov.14 while sitting in his car at the parking lot of the Jumbo supermarket mall in Liberia (this is on the SE corner of the main highway intersection in Liberia of the interamerican highway and the road to Santa Cruz). He was unable to get photos, but still not bad for having one hand tied behind your back. I was there last week and looked around on several occasions but was unable to find the bird. So, familiarize yourselves with this species, so you can separate it from the similar and ubiquitous White-winged Doves, and be on the lookout next time you're in Liberia.

Visited Pelon de La Bajura on Nov. 28, with Carlos Jimenez and Fito Downs. Things were well on their way to drying out but in the La Cutacha sector we found a huge group of Blue-winged Teal (2300) and were able to sort out 5 Fulvous Whistling-Ducks, 4 Northern Pintails, 2 Northern Shovelers, a male Lesser Scaup, and 6 American Coots. Shorebirds were much more limited, being mostly Greater (24) and Lesser (13) Yellowlegs, Least (450) and Spotted (17) Sandpipers and Black-necked Stilts (30). In there were also Stilt (3), Solitary (2), Western (1), and Baird's (1) Sandpipers, Long-billed Dowitchers (6) and Killdeer (4), and one Laughing Gull. On Nov. 23 I had made a very brief scouting visit to the area and at that time had 10 Black-bellied and 45 Semipalmated Plovers, but these were nowhere to be seen on our later visit. Five Jabirus were crammed in with hundreds of Great and Snowy Egrets and Little Blue Herons in the corners of fields that had all but dried up. Over at the Tilapia farm (part of Pelon's diverse offering of habitats) we spotted a big meandering flock of Franklin's Gulls (170) kiting in the wind and making occasional dips into the ponds. Raptors were great, as usual. Not counting vultures we had fourteen species (Osprey, White-tailed and Snail Kite, Crane, Roadside, Gray, Short-tailed, Swainson's, White-tailed and Zone-tailed Hawks, Crested Caracara, Am. Kestrel, Laughing and Peregrine Falcon). Total list for the visit was 119 species, which is not bad for lowland Guanacaste. Carlos and Fito were also jazzed about the Western Kingbirds they had seen in the morning along the road to Lomas Barbudal before we headed over to Pelon.

On Dec.2 dropped by the Lagunas Catfish Farm ponds. Numbers of birds were fairly low (only 140 Blue-winged Teal so far) but there were some nice species: 3 female Lesser Scaup, 1 female American Wigeon, 3 Common Moorhen, 13 Am.Coot, 9 Least and 2 Pied-billed Grebe, 2 S.Lapwing, 55 Long-billed Dowitcher and a flock of 30 Tricolored Munias, only 4 adults, the rest juveniles. Visitors should note that there are some people now living in a shack in the very center of the pond complex and they have three mean dogs, so beware if you try to cross the complex going W-E along the center dike. I was able to fend them off with my tripod but it was a bit dicey. Probably better in the future to skirt the perimeter.

that's all for now, JZ

Costa Rica's First Black-vented Shearwater

Hi All,

Brian Sullivan obtained amazing photographs of a shearwater on Nov. 17 while off Drakes Bay en route to a diving trip at Isla del Caño that is apparently Costa Rica's first BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATER (Puffinus opisthomelas). Photos of this bird can be seen on his website at http://briansullivanphotography.com/Galleries/shearwaterspCR/.

You can see addtional examples of Brian's photography at this gallery, but be forwarned that it is slow to upload without a fast connection: http://briansullivanphotography.com/Galleries/CostaRicaBirds11-08/. Note added by Jim Zook - There is a nice photo of an adult brown morph Red-footed Booby in there, one of the other good birds Brian had on his Caño Island trip (he also had Least Storm-Petrel, Sabine's Gull, and Bridled Tern).

Good Birding and Happy Thanksgiving,

Rich

Jim Zook reports Uniform Crake and Baird's Sandpiper October 19th

Hola amigos,

vengo de muchos días en el campo pero con solo dos cositas interesantes para contar.

Primero fue un Amaurolimnas concolor (Uniform Crake) el 19 de Oct. que escuché y después logré ver en Los Cusingos, finca de Alexander Skutch en Pérez Zeledón. Fue en el primer luz del día sobre un sendero inundado cerca del Río Peñas Blancas (es un sendero que sale del Sendero Petroglifo y que fue abandonado después de los daños causados por el tornado del 2006). La especie está en la lista que llevó Don Alexander para la finca, pero creo que hace mucho tiempo que no está reportado por allí (alguién más lo ha visto?). Fue mi primer registro para la especie en el Pacífico.

La segunda cosita fue dos individuos de Calidris bairdii (Baird's Sandpiper) el 20 de Oct. en el Cerro de la Muerte, km 76, entrada a La Providencia frente al puesto de MINAE, otro lado de la carretera de Chesperitos. Estaban en un charquito de agua a la par de la carretera. ¿Qué sorpresa?

Gracias Daniel por el articulo sobre los daños de la expansión piñera. Espero que controlan eso y pronto. En mis trabajos en PZ he visto muy bién como va esta locura. Dos de los 9 sitios agrícolas donde hemos estado llevando acabo conteos de monitoreo de aves desde 1999 han sido reciemtamente convertidos a piña (hay otro sitio que siempre ha estado en piña). Un sitio era un cafetal con sombra de Eucalyptus y el otro era un cañal de azucar. En este estudio, que tiene 36 sitios agricolas en cuatro diferentes regiones del país, los únicos sitios donde hemos realizados conteos (media hora en 2 hectarias) y no encontrado ningún ave son los tres piñales en PZ. A veces se ve uno o otro ave, pero muchas veces no hay nada. Desierto completo. ¿Qué tal la paz con la naturaleza?

hasta pronto, JZ

White-vented Euphonia Song?

I'm 95% I heard white-vented euphonias near my house in Santa Ana. Are there any other birds that sound similiar to assorted warbler notes and chips of this Euphonia?

thanks for any help,

Lance

Yellow-headed Carara at Forum, Santa Aana October 21

I saw a Yellow-headed Caracara at the Forum in Santa Ana on Tuesday October 21. Milvago chimachima is becoming more and more common.

Lance

Roy May Reports Blue-headed Vireo en Cedros Montes de Oca on October 22

Ave migratoria interesante: Vireo solitarius. Lo vi ayer (22oct) a las 7:20 am brincando en un árbol de mandarina agria que tengo en el patio/jardin de mi casa en Cedros Montes de Oca.

Roy May

Migratory Report from Paco Madrigal, October 23

Hola todos y todas,

18 de octubre Casa Turire, Turrialba;

Oporornis Philadelphia (Mourning Warbler 3 individuos, un macho Adulto)
Dendroica pensylvanica ( Chestnut-sided Warbler 1)
Piranga rubra (Summer Tanager 1)
Falco columbarius (Merlin 1, Lo vimos cazar y devorar un Barn Swallow asi que es un 2 x 1)
Buteo platypterus (Broad-winged Hawk 2)

Saludos,

Paco Madrigal

Daniel Martinez Reports Jabiru for 4th Year in a Row @ Kekoldi

Hola amigos y amigas,

Muy interesantes todos los reportes de aves migratorias y residentes...y bueno para seguir con lo de las sorpresas y avistamientos inusuales: Por cuarto año consecutivo y esta vez con registro fotgráfico (Foto: Noel Ureña), el pasado domingo 12 de Octubre en Kéköldi con la agradable compañía de Noel Ureña y Luis Sánchez que por primera vez nos visitan por ahí, Sebastián Hernández (Director del Centro Científico Kéköldi) y David Sherwood (Periodista del Miami Herald y pajarero) pudimos observar 1 Jabiru mycteria el que aparentemente es el único individuo migratorio y con registros desde el 2005 por estos lados, ahora no tengo las fechas exactas de las 3 observaciones durante la migración de otoño, pero si puedo decirles que siempre fue en la última semana de Setiembre y esta es la primera vez que me toca estar ahí y que pasó más tarde este año probablemente por tanta lluvia, huracanes y demás...lo vimos a eso de las 9:15 de la mañana en lo que fue un excelente día de migración de rapaces (no tengo números a mano) pero gracias a Noel y Luis pues tomaron excelentes fotos ese día y pronto estarán enviando la lista de otras aves migratorias que observamos sábado y domingo. Ahora la pregunta es de donde viene este individuo y hacia donde va en estos 4 años? Gran registro para el Caribe Sur y Kéköldi!
Y de nuevo gracias a Noel por tomar la foto!

Es todo por ahora y pronto les envío más noticias desde aquí....llueve mucho lo cual es muy inusual en esta época del año.

Saludos,

DM.

Kevin Easily Report from Caribean, Gray Kingbird and Brown Noddy, 10-18-2008

Just in from a 2 night trip to the Caribbean with my parents, Steven and Magda. Migrants were slow...in Puerto Viejo de Limon while passing through town I noticed what I thought was a Brown Noddy at shores edge - got out and sure enough...it was quite tame, seemed to be in fine condition. It was on the other side of the basketball court at the edge of sea...didn't expect that.

This morning while birding a side road just inland and between the 2 entrances to Cahuita NP...(opposite side of the road - biggest dirt road, go over the first hill then down to the first bridge crossing) I thought a particular Kingbird looked a bit odd - oddly enough it was a very nice adult Gray Kingbird - watched it for about an hour, sometimes at close range in good light - didn't expect that either.

Had about 100 Mississippi Kites this morning, Veery, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Mourning Warbler, Canada Warbler...numbers were not real high however with Eastern Wood Pewee topping the charts!

Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Valle del Sol 10-2008

I saw a Yellow-billed Cuckoo while jogging this morning with my son Nolan at Valled del Sol, 7:00 am 10-18-2008. First one I have seen in Costa Rica.

With the gorge around Valle del Sol and the water on the golf course, Valle del Sol in Santa Ana provides great habitat for birds. I have documented 104 species, listed below:

Valle Del Sol 10-2008 - Upload a Document to Scribd

Report from Max Vindas from Caribean Aerial Tram, October 16th

Hola amigos
Hoy estuve en el Teleférico, también pasado por agua y con pocos migratorios.

Contopus cooperi 1
Contopus virens 3
Empidonax flaviventris 1
Hylocinchla mustelina 1
Dendroica pensylvanica 10

Además de esto no se si se acuerdan cuando mandé unas fotos de unos uñasos muy grandes aparentemente de un Oso Caballo, bueno el oso caballo ya fue visto. Lo vió el chofer del transporte interno el cual no tenía idea de que animal había visto y su descripción era exantamente la del animal, el pensó que era algo común. dice que cuando el carro llegó a unos 30 mts de animal, el mismo levantó su cola y la irizó todabía más y salió caminando bosque adentro.

Saludos a todos.

William Granados posts migrant from Monteverde, Bahia de Potrero, 15th of October

Hola Colegas
El día de ayer realice un viaje para 2 personas, de Monteverde a Bahía Potrero con una visita a Palo Verde.
El viaje estuvo pasado por agua, de principio a fin, solo con unas pocas oportunidades para poder pajarear. Sin embargo sacamos algunos pajaritos, a saber:
En Liberia contigua a Souvenir Kaltrate un grupo de 18 Burhinus bistriatus (Double-striped Thick-knees
Un Jabirú mycteria (Jabirú) cerca del puente del rio Tenorio sobre la Interamericana
En los canales nuevos cerca de Palo verde un grupo de 15 Platalea ajaja (Roseate Spoonbill)

Entre Bagaces y Palo Verde:
Hirundo rustica (Barn Swallow)
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota (Cliff Swallow)
Progne subis (Purple Martin)
Tyrannus forficatus (Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher)
Empidonax minimus (Least Flycatcher)
Vireo flavoviridis (Yellow-green Vireo)
Dendroica petechia (Yellow Warbler)
Wilsonia citrina (Hooded Warbler)!!

Bajando Monteverde cerca de Sarmiento:

Wilsonia Canadensis (Canada Warbler)
Icterus galbula (Baltimore Oriole)
Contopus virens (Eastern Wood-Pewee)
Vermivora peregrine (Tennessee Warbler)
Piranga rubra (Summer Tanager)

Migrants Reported from Rincon de la Vieja by Alfredo Scott

Saludos a todos.

Unos pocos màs, en Rincòn de la Vieja, 13 octubre. 1 Wilsonia canadensis (Canada Warbler)1 Seiurus aurocapilla (ovenbird)1 Oporornis formosus (Kentucky Warbler)

A. Scott

Ruddy Quail Dove in Richard Garrigues Backyard!!, October 15th in San Antonio Belen

Los días atemporalados suelen traer sorpresas en estos tiempos de migración. Ayer, por ahí de las 11:00, volví a ver por la ventana de mi cuarto a un pedazo de patio que está muy sombreado y, por las últimas lluvias, muy húmedo (para no decir ya convertido en un humedal). Observé un ave brincando por el suelo y pensé, "Ha! Ya llegó el primer Catharus ustulatus (Swainson's Thrush) de la temporada." Pero, algo pareció un poquito diferente. Fui por mis binoculares y al verlo bien, mi dí cuenta que era un
Catharus fuscescens (Veery). Fue la primera vez que lo hemos observado aquí en casa y, aunque ustedes no lo crean, la primera vez que lo veo en CR! Qué bonito que un pájaro nuevo le llega a uno, en vez de tener que ir en busqueda de ello.

Pero mi regocijo fue superado por una sorpresa más grande unas horas más tarde. Por ahí de las 15:00, desde la ventana de la cocina, ví una paloma desaparecer entre unas matas. Por lo oscuro de la tarde gris, no la ví bien, pero no pareció ser un Leptotila verreaux (White-tipped Dove). Salí a buscarla y no pude creer lo que ví cuando logré encontrarla. ¡Se trataba de una hembra (o inmaduro) de Geotrygon montana (Ruddy Quail-Dove)! No tengo la menor idea de cómo llegó a mi patio en San Antonio de Belén, ¡pero ahí estaba!

Y como si fuera poco, nos visitó una tercera especie que no habíamos notado en el jardín anteriormente: Seiurus motacilla (Louisiana Waterthrush).

Los demás migratorios observados ayer eran:
Riparia riparia (Bank Swallow) – 1
Hirundo rustica (Barn Swallow) – 4
Dendroica petechia (Yellow Warbler) – 2
Seiurus noveboracensis (Northern Waterthrush) – 1
(¿Cuántas veces han visto estas dos especies de Seiurus en el mismo sitio, el mismo día?)

Hoy, el Catharus fuscescens aún anda por acá (no le culpo por no haber querido volar anoche con el mal tiempo), y aparecieron:

Oporornis formosus (Kentucky Warbler) – 1 (qué por cierto anda renco, pero anda)
Piranga rubra (Summer Tanager) – 2 (macho y hembra, los primeros de la temporada acá)

Saludos,
Richard

P.D.: Las imágenes adjuntas son sacadas del video que tomé, así que la calidad no es muy buena, pero espero que sirva.

Date Set for La Selva CBC, December 19 to 21st

Es para nosotros un placer invitarle a nuestro Vigésimo Cuarto Conteo de Aves Navideño. Este se celebrará del viernes 19 al domingo 21 de diciembre. El conteo inicia el día 19 a las 12:00 media noche y termina a las 12:00 media noche del día 20. Ofreceremos hospedaje y alimentación las noches del 19 y 20 de diciembre.

Al igual que en los conteos anteriores les queremos solicitar muy respetuosamente una cuota voluntaria de ¢5,000 para sufragar parte de los gastos de este evento. Así mismo todos los extranjeros (con o sin residencia) deben cancelar el monto de $5 como apoyo al programa CBC (Christmas Bird Count) de Audubon Society, este pago servirá para actualizar las bases de datos, la página web y la publicación del resumen de los resultados de los conteos.

Les agradeceríamos confirmar su participación e indicar si requiere alimentación y hospedaje e informar sobre día y hora de llegada ANTES DEL 28 de noviembre al teléfono 766-6565; ext. 110 o 111, con el Depto de Recepción, o las direcciones electrónicas: ralva@sloth.ots.ac.cr y/o ovargas@sloth.ots.ac.cr

Morning Report Sept. 3rd, Chomes from Kevin Easley & Group

Kevin Easley
Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Hello Friends,
I wanted to send you a quick note on a morning of birding at Chomes on the Central coast here in Costa Rica.

Yesterday morning, Sept 3, a group of Costa Rican birders got together to see what we could turn up at the Chomes shrimp farms located on the eastern edge of the Gulf of Nicoya. I awoke at 3:45 AM, coffee, and out the door and soon picked up Jim Zook en-route to the coast. Steven Easley and his wife Magda picked up Vernon Campos around the same time while Ernesto Carman and Elaida left even earlier from Platanillo near Rancho Naturalista - all with the same goal - to look for rare migrants that might be coming through this time of year. Jim and I stopped along the entrance road to Chomes to look over swallows perched on the wire, our best bird there were two Purple Martins, a transient migrant and not common to say the least. We also stopped and scanned a ploughed field which had many shorebirds since it was high tide but we decided to put that off till later in order to take advantage of the high tide at the shrimp ponds. We met up with Steven, Magda, and Vernon at the first ponds - Jim and I caught up with the Least Terns and one winter plumage Black Tern they had located and noticed both Bank and Cliff Swallows migrating through as well. There were lots of shorebirds present - the usual suspects - and the largest collection of Semipalmated Sandpipers I have ever seen in this country. After going through this group carefully we continued to the ponds closest to the gulf. Here we found Franklin's Gull, Caspian Tern, Marbled Godwit, and Collared Plover along with the other more typical shorebirds present. Ernesto and Elaida drove up at this point and I went with them back to the front ponds (they came in a different route) as Ernesto needed Least Tern as a life bird. We nailed that for him and joined the rest of the group at a viewing point over the gulf. The others had located an American Oystercatcher so we caught up with that, Yellow (Mangrove) Warblers were present as well which is always nice to see, but no sign of the Parasitic Jaeger Steven photographed just 4 days prior with Magda and Bart Brown. We drove around more ponds which were full of water thus no shorebirds but did see a Zone-tailed Hawk fly over. Back at the ploughed fields now and we could see shorebirds flying about at times along with MANY Whimbrels but they seemed to disappear in the rows of the fields, out of sight. We decided to try and enter the farm and after Jim talked to the administrator we were able to drive around (aimlessly at times) to bird the fields proper. It was frustrating to still have distanct views of groups of shorebirds irratically flying over the fields but not get definitive looks at them. Possible Baird's, possible this, possible that was becoming the theme. A Pearl Kite flew over which took our eyes momentarily off the fields to the sky above. The habitat looked great and I felt like a rarity had to be in the next field, now the next, another, another...and this went on for a couple of hours. After making it back out to the main road we decided to give the original ploughed field one more try. With patience we watched as shorebirds would occasionally take flight only to disappear again except for the numerous Whimbrel which did not hide as affectably. We could see size difference in the Whimbrel flocks but were still not able to make out the species at they were quite distant. Steven spotted something of potential, gave me directions and I quickly had my scope on it. My announcement of "BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER!!!" was first met with a sense of shock or disbelief (as it would me as well), but my insistence gave everyone cause for hope and soon we had 4 scopes on this mythical transient migrant through Costa Rica. A new Costa Rican bird for everyone in the group and a life bird for Jim, Ernesto, Elaida, and Vernon. Our determination had paid off in a big way - this is a bird that I thought I would perhaps never see in Costa Rica. There are very few records of this species in Costa Rica - perhaps overlooked but also because there is only a narrow window of opportunity, late Aug and early Sept being what we thought would be the best time to find one here. Soon Baird's Sandpipers made an appearance - another life bird for several in the group. Steven decided to try and photograph the Buff-breasted and set off across the field. Jim and Ernesto noticed a number of shorebirds on the back field and they headed out that way while the others watched from the road. Both were successful - Steven was able to get excellent photos of the Buff-breasted and Jim and Ernesto found a lone Upland Sandpiper which didn't stick around long enough for the others. We joined Jim and Ernesto and although we missed the Upland, we did have exceptional views of two Buff-breasted and several Baird's Sandpipers which were much enjoyed. A pause at the aqueduct to get rid of extra pounds of mud on our shoes and we were out of there. Steven and Magda headed off to Miravalles, Ernesto and Elaida to Arenal, and Jim, Vernon, and myself back to the homesteads. In the end we were all delighted with the day of birding, everyone had something to celebrate.

Hasta pronto amigos!
Kevin

Jim Zook
Fri, Sep 5, 2008 at 11:06 AM

Hi Richard,still riding the high from those Buff-breasted Sandpipers! What a thrill. Kevin forgot to mention a Harris's Hawk and a Blue-and-white Swallow, both of which I thought were interesting.
Jim Zook

Fri, Sep 5, 2008 at 12:11 PM
To: Richard Garrigues
Hey,the field where all the good stuff was is on the left side as you drive in, after the second bridge. You'll see it easy enough. It is a big open muddy field that has been plowed, There are a few scattered little cotton plants coming up and in the SW corner there is a knee high stand of dry stems where the Double-striped Thick-Knees hang out. The next field on your left is in pineapple and there is a road with many tall trees that separates the two fields. You can get a glimpse of the field from the road but better to go in. We had to ask for permission to enter but the administrator gave us a free reign. The offices are back about 200 m towards the bridge on the E side, white gate with sprockets on the gate posts.Google maps coordinates 10.'5645, -84.88089.

Birding at Alberto Brenes 10-5-2008

Tom Deligiannis and I birded (7:00 am to 1 pm) middle elevation at 550 to 800 meters approximately 1 hour from San Ramon towards Fortuna. At lake, turn left towards UCR Research station. Birding is great all the way to reserve entrance.

Highlights included:
Violet-crowned Woodnymph
Purple-crowned Fairy
Orange-bellied Trogon
Lattice-tailed Trogon
Spotted Woodcreeper
Brown-billed Scythebill
Three-wattled Bellbird
Eye-ringed Flatbill
Nightingale Wren
Philadelphia Vireo
Tennessee Warbler
Tropical Parula
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Slate-throated Redstart
Black-and-yellow Tanager
Olive Tanager
Blue-and-gold Tanager
Emerald Tanager
Bay-headed Tanager
Blue Dacnis
Green Honeycreeper
Blue-black Grosbeak

Good Morning Birding at Carrara

I birded the Quebrada Bonita trail at Carrara on September 27 early morning. Highlight was 6 gray-headed tanagers, 5 black-throated anthrushs, 2 northern barred woodcreepers, and a large group of chestnut-backed antbirds on an army ant swarm. I also saw a scaly-throated leaftosser tossing leaves, streak-chested antpitta, a group of stub-tailed spadebills at the park entrance, and a spot-crowned euphonia. Overall saw 47 species in several hours of birding.

migrants

Tennessee Warb and Yellow Warb in my yard in San Isidro de Heredia this am. If I can't go where they are they are going to have to come to me.

Elanoides forficatus en Golfo Dulce

Estimados pajareros.

Ayer tuve la gran oportunidad de realizar una gira por el Golfo Dulce. Cerca del PN Piedras Blancas (no exactamente en el parque) vimos un grupo de aproximadamente 25-30 Elanoides forficatus. No presentaban comportamiento migratorio. Desgraciadamente no pude observarles el dorso con cuidado (estaba en el bote!) para ver el tornasol. Se encontraban volando al nivel del dosel y seguían la linea de la costa. Muy tuanis!

Pablo Porras

Trip Report from Adolfo Mendez to Quetzales NP, Aug. 16th

Trip on Aug-16th.

As I told you earlier, the idea was to take my boss and his family in search of the resplendent quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala, where they are originally from. I read that the quetzal is somewhat rare up there, and very few Guatemalans have seen one. Given its name, we initially visited the recently opened Quetzales NP. Its main entrance is located on kilometer 76 of the Panamerican HW, just in front of the Chespiritos Restaurant. Infrastructure is good and park rangers are very friendly. Because of its high altitude, the quetzal can not be seen on the surroundings of the rangers station. So we took one of the trails and hiked (2 km) towards lower elevations, following instructions from a guide we hired at the station (very friendly also, but not a great birder though). However, no quetzals were to be seen or heard. We returned to the station, jumped inside the car and drove 7 kms towards the village of Providencia, as the guide knew of a specific aguacatillo (Laureacea) tree which was full of fruit. After crossing a river and driving down some steep, scary slopes (4x4 vehicle, experienced driver needed), we got to the aguacatillo which was next to the road and with lots of fruit. And of course, there were plenty of quetzals there (at least 3 individuals taking turns on the tree). After the tough ride and mission accomplished, we decided to have lunch in San Gerardo (some 9 kms from the park entrance), and chose the Trogon Lodge. Ironically, just in front of the restaurant and in full view of the patrons, there was a lauracea tree with abundant fruit...and birds. There was not a moment, while we stayed there, when a quetzal was not there (to the delight of my boss). Emerald toucanets and other species also visited the tree.Conclusion: the park is not a good spot for quetzals, at least this time of year. It is better just to head down to San Gerardo and look in the usual places, just like you recommended. Below, a small list of other species I saw at the park:Black GuanBand-tailed PigeonMagnificent HummingbirdFiery-throated HummingbirdVolcano HummingbirdGray-breasted Wood-WrenBlack-billed Nightingale-ThrushMountain RobinBlack-and-yellow Silky-flycatcherThree-striped WarblerFlame-throated WarblerSooty-capped Bush Tanager

Saludos,
Adolfo

Un Neomorphito

El Miércoles 20, estaba en el teleférico cuando el fotógrafo Juan Carlos Gamboa me llamo para identificar un ave que había fotografiado, me mostró una foto de un pájaro totalmente negro y con una cresta, poseía un anillo ocular azul y ahí empezaron mis sospechas, le pregunté el tamaño y me dijo que era un ave grande y que hacia un sonido con el pico y que estaba a 4 metros en una rama y que se cayo al piso. con esta información pude corroborar mis sospechas y me di cuenta que era un pichón de Neomorphus geoffroyi. Se le tomo un video con un celular a escasos centímetros de distancia y hace un interesante sonido con su pico, el nido de esta especie no esta registrado para nuestro país el nido debe de estar muy cerca de donde fue visto sin embargo no he tenido tiempo para buscarlos, si alguien desea puede comunicarse con Allan Rodriguez del teleférico que estoy seguro los llevará al sitio.

White-winged Becard at El Rodeo

Went birding with Adolfo Mendez on Aug. 9th early morning around el Rodeo. Saw a group of white-winged Becards and Russet Antshrike. I have not see both species in the area before.
Below is list of birds I have seen around the University of Peace in the past several years.

U of Peace List - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: U of Peace List

Help with Bird Call Recording

click on the attached link and then download and listen to the attached wav file I recorded at Rancho at 700 m at 8 am in the morning. I believe this is a white-collared manakin call. It also sounds like an Occelated Antbird call. Can anyone listen and then help me distiguish between the two. Thanks....Lance

http://sites.google.com/site/bucksspot/files

Great Weekend at Rancho Naturalista

I had a fabulous weekend (August 1,2, and 3) of birding at Rancho Naturalista near Turialba. I saw 113 bird over the weekend just in the trails near the lodge. Highlights include seeing a Tawny-throated Leaftosser (Sclerurus mexicanus) at dawn at the hummingbird pools below lodge, a Thrush-like Schiffornis (Schiffornis turdina) on the trails around from hummingbird feeders, White-crowned manakin (Pipra pipra) on upper mountain trail on leks at around 1000 meters altitude, and Garden Emeralds (Chlorostilbon assimilis) feeding on verbinas around lodge. Snowcaps (Microchera albocoronata) and Tawny-chested Flycatchers (Aphanotriccus capitalis) are common at Rancho. The hummingbirds come into the pools at around 3:30 - 4 pm.

An adult pair and juvenile Bi-colored Hawks had been reported by the guide Herman Vemegas and some of the guest recently. In addition, Black-crested Coquettes and a stray White-crested Coquette had been reported by the guests.

Kathy Erb runs an amazing place dedicated to birding and protecting and guarding the environment. The food is great and the staff are friendly and focused on service. Visit her website at www.ranchonaturalista.net or give her a call at 2-433-8278

Great Tinamou
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
White Hawk
Roadside Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Gray-headed Chachalaca
Short-billed Pigeon
Ruddy Pigeon
White-tipped Dove
Gray-chested Dove
Crimson-fronted Parakeet
White-crowned Parrot
Squirrel Cuckoo
Mottled Owl
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
Pauraque
Green Hermit
Stripe-throated Hermit
White-necked Jacobin
Brown Violet-ear
Green-breasted Mango
Violet-headed Hummingbird
Green Thorntail
Garden Emerald
Coppery-headed Emerald
Black-bellied Hummingbird
Violet-crowned Woodnymph
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
Snowcap
Green-crowned Brilliant
Purple-crowned Fairy
Violaceous Trogon
Collared Trogon
Blue-crowned Motmot
Rufous Motmot
Broad-billed Motmot
Collared Aracari
Keel-billed Toucan
Black-cheeked Woodpecker
Hoffmann's Woodpecker
Golden-olive Woodpecker
Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner
Tawny-throated Leaftosser
Plain-brown Woodcreeper
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper
Northern Barred-Woodcreeper
Spotted Woodcreeper
Streak-headed Woodcreeper
Plain Antvireo
Checker-throated Antwren
Dot-winged Antwren
Dusky Antbird
Immaculate Antbird
Black-faced Antthrush
Fulvous-bellied Antpitta
White-collared Manakin
White-ruffed Manakin
White-crowned Manakin
Yellow-bellied Elaenia
Mountain Elaenia
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher
Northern Bentbill
Yellow-olive Flycatcher
Tawny-chested Flycatcher
Bright-rumped Attila
Rufous Mourner
Dusky-capped Flycatcher
Great Kiskadee
Boat-billed Flycatcher
Social Flycatcher
Gray-capped Flycatcher
Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher
Tropical Kingbird
Thrush-like Schiffornis
Cinnamon Becard
White-winged Becard
Masked Tityra
Black-throated Wren
Bay Wren
Stripe-breasted Wren
House Wren
White-breasted Wood-Wren
Scaly-breasted Wren
Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush
Clay-colored Robin
Long-billed Gnatwren
Tropical Gnatcatcher
Brown Jay
Lesser Greenlet
Tropical Parula
Bananaquit
Red-throated Ant-Tanager
Crimson-collared Tanager
Passerini's Tanager
Blue-gray Tanager
Palm Tanager
Yellow-crowned Euphonia
Olive-backed Euphonia
Golden-hooded Tanager
Scarlet-thighed Dacnis
Variable Seedeater
Yellow-faced Grassquit
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch
Orange-billed Sparrow
Black-striped Sparrow
Buff-throated Saltator
Black-headed Saltator
Melodious Blackbird
Yellow-billed Cacique
Scarlet-rumped Cacique
Chestnut-headed Oropendola
Montezuma Oropendola

Slaty-backed Forest Falcon at Pizote Lodge, Puerto Viejo

I walked the trail above the Pizote Lodge in Puerto Viejo on July 19. I observed a Slaty-backed Forest Falcon (Micrastur mirandollei) at 4 pm at approx. 440 ft. elevation after trail turn up hill. In addition at end of trail on other side of fallen fense, I happened on an army ant swarm with spotted antbirds (Hylophylaw naevioides, observed 1 male) and Ocellated Antbirds (Pahenostictus mcleannani). On way back down trail at approx. 360 ft. elevation at trail intersection to return to lodge and to overlook, I observed group of 6 Black-chested Jays (Cyanocorax affinis).

On July 20th, I birded Kekoldi with guide Alex Paez (great birder). Observed some early raptor migrants (Swallow-tailed Kites and Double-toothed Kites) and 100s of swifts. I recommend him as a guide (8-838-0179, manakinguia@hotmail.com).

Pizote Lodge: http://www.pizotelodge.com/

Has anyone seen a sulphur-rumped Tananger (Heterospingus rubrifrons) in S. Caribean recently?

Unknown all-dark Pacific shearwater

First four photos are of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters for comparison. The first photo is by Juan Pablo Elizondo taken on April 2 on a Golfito, Costa Rica trip. The other three photos (with water background) were taken by Bruce MacTavish during his March 20 to April 16, 2008 trip off Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

The final five photos are of the mystery shearwater originally thought to be a Short-tailed Shearwater. Identification presently not known. All photos are of the same individual taken on March 29, 2008. The following are data for the sightings of similar birds. Photos and observations by Bruce MacTavish.

• 1 on 21 March at about 25 km south of southern tip of Nicoya Peninsula.
• 2 on 29 March. The attached photos were taken about 60 km offshore at N 8°59.95’, W 84°44.24’.
• 4 on 30 March atN 8°46.121’, W 84°23.943’ about 50 km west of Osa Peninsula with 75 Wedge-tailed Shearwaters feeding around a group of 75 Common Dolphins.
• 1 on 1 April at about 100 km SE of Osa Peninsula.

We are seeking comments from seabird experts (there is some discussion at http://groups.google.com/group/Seabird-News/browse_thread/thread/b34a6413fd338523?hl=en ) and will update when a decision is made about the identification of this bird.

Sharpbill and Nest at Tampanti NP

I had the priviledge to observe a Sharpbill (Oxyruncus cristatus) nest, mother, and 2 chicks (perhaps 3) in Tampanti National Park on June 21, 2008 with Elidier Vargas. Julio Sanchez and 6 others were also there taking pictures and field observations. Randal Ortega discovered the nest. It is the second known nest and the first to be documented in Central America.

The nest locations is up the road from the ranger station at N 09-44.931, W 083-47.119 (elevation approx. 1230 m).

Lance

Steely-vented Hummingbird (Amazilia saucerrottei) cerca de Guapiles

Tomando derecha a la restaurante Troucha en la pista cerca de Guapiles hacia la montañia unos 5-7 kilometros (450 metros sobre mar), observé un colibri Amazilia saucerrottei. El ave no tenia color rufous en la ala ni cola para eliminar el cyanura (blue-tailed HB) y el tzacatl (Rufous-tailed).

No veo mencionado en libro Skutch ni en libro Garrigues en esta area. Alguien lo ha visto alli?

saludos,

Lance

Southern Lapwing in Santa Ana

I saw the 2 Southern Lapwings on Valle del Sol Golf Course on the 25th of May. I frequently see them on hole 16.

Lance

Black-Crowned Tityra at el Rodeo

Friday, May16th at 8:00 am, I spotted a male Black-crowned Tityra at La Universidad de la Paz (Tityra inquisitor) near the park entrance. I was not aware of this species in the Central Valley. Does anyone have a record of this species in Central Valley.

I also had a Pacific Screech Owl in my backyard on May 15th in Santa Ana.

saludos,

Lance

Golfito Pelagic Birding Trip

Costa Rica Gateway organized a full day pelagic birding trip for 5 people (Kevin and Steven Easley, Magdalena Sánchez, Bart Browne and Jim Zook) out of Golfito on May 5, 2008. We went on the 28 ft. "Rosa Maria V" captained by Jay Belseski. The boat reached a point in open ocean about 45 km SW of Punta Matapalo (tip of the Osa Peninsula) before we turned back to port. Weather was fine with mild seas and no rain. The total number of birds was rather low but there was an excellent selection of species. The wonderful images shown above were taken by steady handed Steven Easley.

Puffinus pacificus Wedge-tailed Shearwater 1
Puffinus lherminieri Audubon's Shearwater 19
Shearwater sp. 1
Oceanodroma leucorhoa Leach's Storm-Petrel (dark-rump) 1
Storm-Petrel sp. 1
Phaethon aethereus Red-billed Tropicbird 1
Sula leucogaster Brown Booby 18
Pelecanus occidentalis Brown Pelican 4
Fregata magnificens Magnificent Frigatebird 3
Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret 6
Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel 1
Calidris melanotos Pectoral Sandpiper 17
Larus atricilla Laughing Gull 18
Xema sabini Sabine's Gull 1
Anous stolidus Brown Noddy 3
Onychoprion anaethetus Bridled Tern 4
Chlidonias niger Black Tern 71
Sterna hirundo Common Tern 6
Thalasseus maximus Royal Tern 18

Reporte de San Geraldo de Dota

Este fin de semana 2 de mayo hasta 4 de mayo, fui a un observar aves en el bosque del Dantica Lodge (bosque en frente del lodge y una finca y bosque primeria al otro lado del camino (2400 a 2550 mts)) y el Savegre Lodge en las Talamancas. Observé los siguientes:

Highland Tinamou (alredor de 2450 mts)
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Barred Forest-Falcon (2 falcones, uno a 50 metros norte de N 09-35.110 W 83-48.159 y el otro a N09-34.895 W083-47.720)
Spotted Wood-Quail
Band-tailed Pigeon
Sulphur-winged Parakeet
Dusky Nightjar
Vaux's Swift
Green Violet-ear
White-throated Mountain-gem
Green-crowned Brilliant
Magnificent Hummingbird
Volcano Hummingbird
Collared Trogon
Resplendent Quetzal (macho y hembra 20 metros desde el puente en frente de la oficina de Savegre)
Emerald Toucanet
Acorn Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Spotted Barbtail
Ruddy Treerunner
Streak-breasted Treehunter
Spot-crowned Woodcreeper
Mountain Elaenia
Tufted Flycatcher
Western Wood-Pewee
Tropical Kingbird
Barred Becard
Blue-and-white Swallow
Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher
Ochraceous Wren
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren
Black-faced Solitaire
Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush
Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush
Sooty Robin
Mountain Robin
Clay-colored Robin
Yellow-winged Vireo
Brown-capped Vireo
Yellow-bellied Siskin (en la jardin en frente del restaurante de Savegre)
Flame-throated Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Collared Redstart
Black-cheeked Warbler
Wrenthrush
Common Bush-Tanager
Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager
Flame-colored Tanager
Silver-throated Tanager
Yellow-faced Grassquit
Slaty Flowerpiercer
Yellow-thighed Finch
Large-footed Finch
Rufous-collared Sparrow
Yellow-billed Cacique

Lesser Nighthawks en Santa Ana

He visto en la ultima semana unos Lesser Nighthawks en Santa Ana. Todavia no visto un Common Nighthawk. Los vi desde el 18 de agosto hasta el 19 de septiembre y ahora esta semana, 26 de abril hasta aller el 1 de mayo.

Royal Flycatchers en Parque Nacional Cararra

Los 13 y 14 de abril durante las mananas (6 a 9 am), caminé los senderos de Cararra NP. Vi un Royal Flycatcher cerca el rio en el sendero quebrada bonita y otra que tiene nido sobre el sendero de meandrica lagoon.

Great Tinamou
Little Tinamou
Anhinga
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Green Heron
Boat-billed Heron
Bare-throated Tiger-Heron
Muscovy Duck
Gray Hawk
Laughing Falcon
Purple Gallinule
Northern Jacana
Black-necked Stilt
Short-billed Pigeon
White-tipped Dove
Gray-chested Dove
Scarlet Macaw
Orange-chinned Parakeet
Brown-hooded Parrot
Mealy Parrot
Squirrel Cuckoo
Western Long-tailed Hermit
Stripe-throated Hermit
Scaly-breasted Hummingbird
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
Black-headed Trogon
Baird's Trogon
Violaceous Trogon
Slaty-tailed Trogon
Amazon Kingfisher
Green Kingfisher
Rufous-tailed Jacamar
White-whiskered Puffbird
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan
Hoffmann's Woodpecker
Pale-billed Woodpecker
Plain Xenops
Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner
Cocoa Woodcreeper
Black-striped Woodcreeper
Streak-headed Woodcreeper
Black-hooded Antshrike
Slaty Antwren
Dot-winged Antwren
Dusky Antbird
Bare-crowned Antbird
Chestnut-backed Antbird
Black-faced Antthrush
Orange-collared Manakin
Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher
Paltry Tyrannulet
Northern Bentbill
Common Tody-Flycatcher
Yellow-olive Flycatcher
Golden-crowned Spadebill
Northern Royal-Flycatcher
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Bright-rumped Attila
Great Crested Flycatcher
Gray-capped Flycatcher
Piratic Flycatcher
Rose-throated Becard
Masked Tityra
Rufous-naped Wren
Riverside Wren
Rufous-and-white Wren
Swainson's Thrush
Long-billed Gnatwren
Red-eyed Vireo
Yellow-green Vireo
Lesser Greenlet
Green Shrike-Vireo
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Northern Waterthrush
Cherrie's Tanager
Yellow-crowned Euphonia
Golden-hooded Tanager
Red-legged Honeycreeper
Variable Seedeater
Orange-billed Sparrow
Buff-throated Saltator
Blue-black Grosbeak
Bronzed Cowbird

Savannah Hawk en Golfo Dulce

Jerry O'Donahoe reportó un Savannah Hawk en los lowlands de Golfo Dulce martes el 15 de april.

Alertas por Email

Añadir su email en los settings y email para receibir los postings directos a su buzon de correo. Favor avisarme con cualquier pregunta.

saludos,

Lance

Hook-billed Kite en Punta Uva

Vi un macho Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus) cerca el hotel Almendras y Corales en Punta Uva el 8 de abril en el boque a las 3 pm. Tambien, observe estos otros bichos durante el breve caminata.

Hook-billed Kite
Short-billed Pigeon
Blue-headed Parrot
Red-lored Parrot
Squirrel Cuckoo
(Green Hermit) **Correccion**Long-billed Hermit (error de digitacion)
Collared Aracari
Pale-billed Woodpecker
Northern Barred-Woodcreeper
Cocoa Woodcreeper
Black-striped Woodcreeper
Black-faced Antthrush
Gray-capped Flycatcher
Stripe-breasted Wren
Scaly-breasted Wren
Red-throated Ant-Tanager
Yellow-crowned Euphonia
Blue-black Grosbeak
Scarlet-rumped Cacique

Leptodon cayanensis ?

Alguien alguna opinión sobre este bicho ?

Lo vimos camino a el vanal La Palma en Tortuguero, el día 12 de marzo 2008.

Estaba pensando juvenil de Leptodon cayanensis, pero no estoy seguro...

Gracias, saludos

Pieter Westra

Pasos para Ser Autor de esta Blog

1) Mandame su direccion de coreo electronico (email) a lbarnett@earthlink.net
Send me your email direction (send to lbarnett@earthlink.net)

2) Yo mandaré una invitación al Costa Rica Bird Forum
I will send you an invitation to the Costa Rica Bird Forum

3) Acepeta la invitacion.
Accept invitation.

4) Si no lo tiene user id y codigo al Google, crear id y codigo. La instruccion para crear Google id aparece cuando se acepta la invitacion y se intenta de entrar el sitio.
If you do not have a google user id and password, you will need to creat one. The instructions to create a user id and password will show when you accept invitation and try to enter blog site.

5) Cuando tiene el user id y codigo, entra el sitio y se puede hacer posting, etc. Cada vez que se sale el blog, tiene que entrar con su user id y codigo.
Once you have your user id and password, you are ready to enter site and begin posting. Each time you leave site, you may need to re-enter your user id and password.

6) Favor de mandarme cualquier pregunta o aydua que necesita.
Please let me know if you need help or have questions.

Saludos,

Lance A. Barnett
Santa Ana, Costa Rica
Lbarnett@earthlink.net

Cocoa Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus susrrans) en valle central

Hoy, 30 de marzo, observé un Cocoa Woodcreeper en el camino de Universidad de la paz. Alguien hay reportado este bicho en el valle central antes?

Tambien vi un plain-capped Starthroat, scrub euphonia, y Barred antshrike (que lindos parajos).

saludos,

Lance

Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera)

El 24 de Febrero en Lagunas Catfish Farm, camino a Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Dennis Rogers, y Rick y Debbie Anderson vieron un macho de Anas cyanoptera (Cinnamon Teal). Otro buen pato desde el mismo lugar donde salieron los dos A.creca (Green-winged Teal) una semana antes. No vieron el A.creca.

Rapaces en el puente del Rio Sucio

Ayer domingo 22 en la mañana me fuí con una amiga para el Braulio Carrillo, e hicimos una parada sobre el puente del Río Sucio para buscar los Falco rufigularis y tomar fotos del río.
Justo llegando al puente (a eso de las 8:30) pasó volando una bandada de unos 25-30 Touit costaricensis. Unos 1o minutos despues, vi una rapaz blanca, y grande acercandose mientras planeaba, al empezar a planear sobre la línea de árboles me di cuenta que no era un Leucopternis albicollis, sino un Spizaetus melanoleucus (Black and White Hawk-Eagle).
El individuo empezó a tomar altura y volar sobre las montañas al lado de SJ del puente, entonces llamé a Kevin Eisley quien estaba con un grupo de pajareros frente a la percha del Falco rufigularis, para cuando llegó otro individuo de Spizaetus también estaba planeando. Gracias a Kevin pudimos verlos con telescopio!!
Ambas aves estuvieron planeando mas de 5 minutos junto a un grupo grande de vencejos, hasta que se fueron alejando nuevamente. Era una pareja de macho y hembra, era fácil ver la diferencia de tamaño entre ambos. Esta era mi primer vez viendo este bicho en CR.
Posteriormente, desde el mismo sitio vimos : Leucopternis albicollis, L. princeps, Sarcoramphus papa, Buteo platypterus y Falco rufigularis. Nada mal para una mañana dominguera, y tras esto nos dirijimos a Quebrada Gonzales donde la actividad estaba tranquila.
César Sánchez

Scissor-tail and Orange-fronted Parakeet, Santa Ana

Sitting on my back porch this morning in Pozos Santa Ana, spotted a scissor-tail flycatcher, Gray-crowned Yellowthroat, Orange-fronted Parakeets (8), Ruby-throated Humingbirds, and Broad-winged Hawk. Also in the evening, a Yellow-naped Parrot roosted in trees behind house. This happens irregulary but at least every other month. I have no idea if it is an escaped cage bird or not (probalby). I saw another yellow-naped fly overhead near HSBC bank in Santa Ana just 20 minutes earlier.

Also I had a fun several hours of birding at the Nogal Private Reserve (Chiquita) in Sarapaqui this Thursday. Next time I'm there I will get a GPS reading. Nothing rare but saw 77 species and enjoyed seeing Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Blue-Black Grosbecks, and group of 6 Green Ibises.

Green-winged Teal

Two male Green-winged Teal (Anas creca) were seen at the Lagunas Catfish Farm ponds along the highway to Playas del Coco, Guanacaste on Feb.15. They were in amongst some 1500 Blue-winged Teal (A.discors). Also of note and seen there during the same visit were 5 female N.Shoveler (A.clypeata), 1 female N.Pintail (A.acuta), 31 Am.Coot (Fulica americana) and 5 S.Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis). Most of the ducks were in the inner ponds that can't be seen from the highway. However, you can ask for permission to enter if you stop in at the restaurant and talk to the owner Rob Willis. He has been very hospitable to birders and so far asks only that you patronize the restaurant. I had the catfish fish and chips and they really hit the spot.

Killdeer en Santa Ana de Pozos

17 Feb, 2008, pasaron 2 Killdeers (Charadrius vociferus) cerca mi casa en Santa Ana de Pozos. Fuera la primera pimera vez que verlos en esta area.

Hoy en la manaña por 3 horas, visité el Teleferico del Pacifico cerca Jaco. Vi 66 especies desde la pista 9.64203, 84.61348 y los senderos del parque , nada especial aparte de el Turquoise-browed Motmot, Eumomota superciliosa (afuera de su range?) y Marbled Wood-Quail, (comun pero me encanta su canción). Los guias y staff del teleferico son muy amables. Voy a volver cuando tengo mas tiempo.

saluods,

Lance

Blue-headed Vireo

El 16 Feb, Carlos Jimenez y Jim Zook vieron un Vireo solitarius (Blue-headed Vireo) en los Cerros Diria (900m) detras de Santa Cruz, Guanacaste. Fue en el bosque alto siguiendo el camino despues de la pulperia en Vista del Mar.

Official List of the Birds of Costa Rica 2007

The Scientific Committee of the Ornithological Association of Costa Rica informs that the Official List for Costa Rica update 2007 it is now available on-line on our web www.avesdecostarica.org

We have also opened the period for reception of Forms for the update 2008. For more information please visit the Scientific Committee website www.avesdecostarica.org/comite.htm

Cordially,
Gerardo Obando

Lista Oficial Aves de Costa Rica 2007

El Comité Científico de la Asociación Ornitológica de Costa Rica desea comunicarles que en el sitioweb de la asociación www.avesdecostarica.org ya se encuentra disponible en-línea la última actualización del Listado Oficial para CR.

No olviden que ya estamos recibiendo formularios para la actualización 2008. Para más información pueden visitar el sitioweb del Comité Científico www.avesdecostarica.org/comite.htm

Cordiales saludos,
Gerardo Obando

Crested Caracara in Santa Ana

I saw the crested caracara this morning while running. They have become common in this area (Pozos de Santa Ana). Addtionally, there are several pairs of resident Yellow-headed Caracaras. I've seen them off and on for over a year. I have commonly seen both birds near el Rodeo area for over 3 years now.

Wood Storks in Santa Ana

This morning while running I saw 15-20 wood storks circling. Most I have seen in Santa Ana at one time. I usually see 1-3.

Spotted Rail and Curlew Sandpiper

Here are some notes on the Spotted Rail (Nov.18, 07) and the Curlew Sandpiper (Nov.21, 07).

The coordinates for the Spotted Rail are 10.441, -85.3603. The Google Maps satellite images have great resolution but were taken in the dry season and so show dry looking rice fields. If you pan out a bit you can see that the Rio Tempisque is not far away. When I was there in November the fields closest to the river were fallow and mostly covered with water and overgrown with aquatic vegetation and the roads were just drying out enough to drive on without getting struck. The areas further away from the river were mostly in mature rice that was just being harvested. There were many ducks and shorebirds here and this is an area that you can reach via public roads without having to go through any gates. I found the rail by pure luck. I was driving slowly with the window down and heard the distress call of a frog, the one they make while being eaten by a snake. I stopped and walked over towards where the noise was coming from and as I came to the edge of a water filled ditch the rail scurried out of it and up onto the berm at the edge of a rice field. It stopped and looked at me from about five feet away and I froze not daring to raise my binos. This staring match didn't last long, but what a glorious few seconds that was. The afternoon sun was at my back and there was hardly any wind. It finally shot off into the flooded rice and out of sight. Never did find out what was making that frog cry, but it wasn't the rail.

The Curlew Sandpiper was in flooded rice fields at the La Cutacha sector of Pelón de La Bajura ( 10.4118, -85.3825 ). The roads were just starting to dry out and the mucking tractors were making their first passes through fallow muddy fields that still had a fair amount of standing water (see attached Jabiru photo to get an idea of conditions, the Golden and Black-bellied Plovers were in this same field) This is inside the Hacienda and behind a locked gate (at the good time of year). You need to get permission and enter from the Interamerican highway just W of Pijije (entrance to Lomas Barbudal is at Pijije). It is a U shaped area surrounded on three sides by the Río Tempisque, and if there is a big flood, it fills in with water during the wet season. If you were to go there now in verano the area is much as the satellite photo shows it except that it is super dry and dusty and a main thoroughfare for trucks hauling sugar cane across the Rio Tempisque. They build a temporary crossing in the dry season so cane from the N side of the river can get over to the El Viejo mill at La Guinea.

Almost got a photo of the sandpiper but just as I was setting up to digiscope it a Peregrine blew through and chased up the 3000 or so other shorebirds and ducks that were with it (G. and L. Yellowlegs, BN Stilts, Stilt Sandpipers, Dowitchers, BB Plovers, Am.Golden Plovers, and assorted peeps). I spent the next 1.5 hours trying to find it again but had to finally give up as the sun got bad (only view available was looking W) and the birds started to doze with bills under wings. In the search also picked up a Ruddy Turnstone, some Collared Plovers and a Wilson's Phalarope. Also a few Franklin's Gulls and both Caspian and Gull-billed Terns. An amazing shorebird show so far from the coast. The ducks were also great there too, mostly BW Teal but also both Whistling-Ducks, 4 N.Pintails, 9 N.Shovelers, 11 L.Scaup and 1 Am.Wigeon. Throw in 9 Jabirus and a ton of the other Palo Verde type marsh regulars and it was not to be beat.

JZ