Costa Rica Birding Holiday - February 21 to March 5, 2007

March 4

Savegre Mountain Hotel

This location was known for its quetzals, so we were on the prowl first thing in the morning. We did spot a couple high in the trees, but it was too dim for decent photographs.

Purple-throated Mountain Gem	Magnificent Hummingbird

Dave arranged for an excellent local guide, who got us onto lots of new birds. Another Quetzal was spotted, but it took off before decent photos could be made. Nevertheless, we had an excellent morning. Highlights were a Flame-throated Warbler, a Collared Redstart, a pair of Spangle-cheeked Tanagers, a Black-faced Solitaire, several Long-tailed Silky-flycatchers, a pair of Torrent Tyrannulets and a Dusky-capped Flycatcher

Black-thighed Grosbeak	Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Casque-headed Lizard	Black-billed Nightingale-thrush

Acorn Woodpecker	Black-faced Solitaire

Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher	Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher

Dusky-capped Flycatcher	Yellowish Flycatcher

Mountain Robin	Slaty Flowerpiercer

Collared Redstart	Slaty Flowerpiercer

Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager	Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager

Ruddy-capped Nightengale-Thrush	Purple-throated Mountain Gem

We had the same guide after lunch, but he took us by bus all the way out to the highway. Poor Alvaro had to negotiate all those switchbacks and hills two times more! It was pretty quiet out there, but we had good views of a Large-footed Finch. And Dave spotted a female quetzal from the bus.

Sooty Robin

At dusk, some of us headed up the trail behind the hotel grounds in search of the Dusky Nightjar. Dave played the call on his tape recorder at the suggested spot. Sure enough, we had a response. We tried several times, and moved slightly closer. At one point, one came very close, but we did not get a glimpse of it.

This was our last dinner together, and also Frank & Susan’s anniversary, so we had quite a party. Frank ordered champagne, and we had several other bottles of wine and Asti Spumante. We took the opportunity to thank Alvaro for his excellent driving and bird-finding ability. Everyone was having a good time.