Where, When and How of the swifts of Costa Rica

Hi all,

I regret my lack of spanish. But I am on a quest to see all the species of swift in the world. I've taken a look at the Lista Oficial of Costa Rica and here are the swifts that I'd like to maximize my chances of seeing:


Cypseloides cryptus White-chinned Swift R
Cypseloides cherriei Spot-fronted Swift R
Streptoprocne rutila Chestnut-collared Swift R
Streptoprocne zonaris White-collared Swift R

Chaetura fumosa Costa Rican Swift R
Chaetura cinereiventris Gray-rumped Swift R
Panyptila cayennensis Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift R

I will be in the country for about 10 days, will have access to a car and will focus my efforts in the Central Valley and the Pacific Slope. The timeframe for my visit will be Feb 21-Mar 1. I request info on the where, when and how of searching for swifts in Costa Rica:

1) Where should I look? I have made a editable map which can be found here: Please feel free to make notes and such on the map. http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=9.748917,-83.753428&spn=3.918901,8.344116&z=8&msid=105619599557126271692.0004607670e5411890ec7
2) When should I look? For example, "in the evenings these birds roost behind the waterfall." would be a great note.
3) Identification: I understand the _Cypseloides_ are cryptic and any tips on how to ID them would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any assistance. I too will research and be making annotations to this map.

Elias Elias
Arcata CA USA
fabflockfinder@gmail.com

Zona Sur Hawk

On the 22nd of December I saw a juvenile hawk in the same rice field near Playa Zancudo where I saw an adult Savannah Hawk last April. I described it to Kevin Easley, who said it was probably a juvenile Savannah Hawk.

Jerry O'Donahoe

Lista Oficial Aves de CR Actualización 2008

Hola a todos,

El Comité Científico de la Asociación Ornitológica de Costa Rica desea informarles que ya pueden bajar información en nuestro sitio web sobre la última actualización de la Lista Oficial de Costa Rica. Entre la información disponible podrán encontrar:

Cambios para el 2008 (Zeledonia 12,2)
http://avesdecostarica.org/revista.htm

Lista Oficial 2008 (Excel)
http://avesdecostarica.org/listas.htm

Nuevos registros fotográficos aceptados para la Lista Oficial 2008
http://avesdecostarica.org/Page582.html

Les recordamos que ya esta abierta la recepción de formularios y nuevas evidencias fotográficas para la actualización 2009. Para obtener el formulario y más información pueden visitar este enlace:
http://avesdecostarica.org/Page486.html

Suerte a todos,

Gerardo Obando
Comité Científico
AOCR