Costa Rica Birding Holiday - February 21 to March 5, 2007
March 1
La Cusinga
In the morning, we decided to try for the turtles one last time. So, at 6am, we took the trail again (steep down, steep up). At La Cusinga Hawksbill Turtles come in from the oceam to a rocky shore very early in the morning at this time of year. Well, No turtles for us. But we finally got a photo of the elusive Fiery-billed Aracari on the trail back up.
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| Fiery-billed Aracari | Black-crowned Titrya |
Altogether, we did not see many birds on the trails on the property. And there were no bird feeders, another eco decision of the owner. So deck in front of our cabin was the place to be...
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| Blue-gray Tanager | Gray-headed Chachalaca |
En route to Wilson Botanical Gardens
We left La Cusinga for San Vito and the Wilson
Botanical Gardens (Las Cruces) close to the Panamanian border.
It started poorly with a stop at a bank where our bank
card would not work and where there was an hour wait in the
lineup (birders do not spend prime birding time in lineups). We
have enough US$ left for expenses but just learned that we each
have to pay a $26US departure tax at the airport. Although our
previous experience at the airport was negative, we are hopeful
we can get $ money there or pay by credit card. Our back-up plan
is to borrow money from Barbara#1 or Carol who are travelling
with us and have lots of $ left. The day improved greatly on a
short side trip down a local road. Dave spotted a Pearl Kite
which is not known to be in CR - it probably popped in for a
visit from Panama. Much excitement from guide Dave and dedicated
birders Susan and Barbara H . The keen birders also spotted a
Pale-vented Pigeon. This exciting birding was followed by a very
tortuous mountain drive with switchbacks which exceeded those we
found in New Zealand. Thankfully we have a very experienced
driver who could neatly handle the narrow switchbacks.
En route, we saw our only Oropendola and a surprise Eastern
Meadowlark.
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| Roadside Hawk | Eastern Meadowlark |
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| Cattle Egret |
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| Chestnut-headed Oropendola | Chestnut-headed Oropendola |
Wilson Botanical Gardens
At Wilson Botanical Gardens, they had marvelous fruit feeders which had wonderful tanagers and honeycreepers at them all the time. After a late lunch, we walked the trails around the grounds, seeing many fine birds including a White-throated Thrush and a Crested Guan. We witnessed a near fatal crash of a Toucan hitting a window - CRASH! In his dazed situation he was easy to photograph!. But the best photo opportunities were at the feeders.
Dave had warned us that food here at Wilson
Botanical Garden would be terrible. It is a research centre, not
a restaurant. Fortunately he was wrong - we have been enjoying
the fresh fruit, vegetables and local beef and chicken.
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| Cherrie's Tanager (f) | Clay-colored Robin |
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| Golden-hooded Tanager | Silver-throated Tanager |
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| Green Honeycreeper (m) | Green Honeycreeper (f) |
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| Cherrie's Tanager (m) | Red-crowned Woodpecker |
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| Golden-hooded Tanager | Golden-hooded Tanager |
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| Drab Smilisca | Boat-billed Flycatcher |
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| Roadside Hawk | Crested Guan |
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| Chestnut-mandibled Toucan | Black-striped Sparrow |
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| Silver-throated Tanager | Cherrie's Tanager (f) |