13 October to 13 November 1994
by David B. Collinge
Arrived late 31/10 via Madrid and Miami (Boat-tailed grackles between the runways). Stayed privately 31/10 to 6/11-94, and 12-13/11-94 at the edge of Guadalupe at 1100 m, on the NE outskirts of San Jose. Suburban, with a rapid and slightly polluted, wooded stream running through. All travel during the first week was by private car.
31/10. Through San Jose, past the airport, through Alajuela to Volcán Poás (2704 m) with several brief stops. A couple of hours at the top in cloud, ate lunch at Poásito, and then drove, via Alajuela and Aténas to the bridge over Río Tárcoles at Carara (ca. 50 m). Drove back to Guadalupe after dark, and in rain.
1/11. Early morning tour at Guadalupe, otherwise mainly at University of Costa Rica (UCR), San Jose. This includes a large patch of secondary forest.
2/11. Early morning tour to Tapanti (a primary forest reserve at the edge of Cordillera de Talamanca) to about 1700m. Remainder of day at UCR.
3/11. Trip to CATIE (Centre for Tropical Agriculture at 500 m on Caribbean slope, 70 Km, 2h east of San Jose), with stops between Cervantes and Juan Viñas (ca. 1500 m). Visited the lake, jungle on the way down to the Rio Reventazón and extensive cacao, coffee and banana plantations. Drove back to Guadalupe after dark, mainly in torrential and thick cloud rain. Severe flooding at Tres Ríos.
4/11. Early morning tour to Braulio Carrillo National park, with stops at 1500 (unproductive) and 500 m. Remainder of day at UCR.
5/11. Mid morning to Volcán Barva, walked from 2000 m (below Sacramento) to summit lake. Mainly in cloud above Sacramento. My wife arrived in the evening.
6/11. Tour with Cotur to Tortuguero. We took the 2 day tour, which was rather rushed, not giving opportunities for walks in the rain forest. None of the Cotur guides I have met are particularly good birders (I have experienced much better bird guides elsewhere - the guide turnover is rapid - they only do it for a couple years - we also took Cotur for our 1996 trip). However, their tours seem to be the cheapest available. Early start from San Jose. Coach brief stops in Braulio Carrillo, at 1500 and 500 m, Suerre (300 m, near Guápiles), Siguerres (100m), a Del Monte banana packaging plant to Hamburgo on Rio Reventazón. Three hour boat trip via Río Reventazón, Río Río Parismina and canals to Tortuguero village via Tortuguero national park. (1996 trip was less interesting since embarkation is now near Matina, entailing much more canal travel at therefore much less river travel which was much more fun).
7/11. Two hour jungle boat trip at Tortuguero starting 6am, followed by 2h boat return trip, and coach to San Jose, arriving 16:00 to pick up car from airport. (We used Hertz in 1994, Elegante in 1996. The latter also gave first class service, better insurance cover and a better price - we had a Suzuki Samurai in 1994 and a sidekick in 1996 (when we were 4). You need a 4 wheel drive to negotiate the potholes.
8/11. Early morning tour at Guadalupe. Finally acquired car and moving by 11:30. Lunch stop in rain and winds near Varablanca (at 1900 m on Volcán Poás). Brief stops at Río Ángel (900 m), above San Miguel (700 m), Venecia (400 m) and near Vacablaca (ca. 150 m) before arriving Tanque, 10 Km east of Fortuna (Volcán Arenal) at 15:30. volcano watching at night. Took roughly 5h to drive 135 Km. Stayed at Hotel Rancho Corcovada, Tanque. Good birding from the restaurant which overlooks a backwater. Resident black-and-white owls (had moved roosting tree in 1996). Swimming pool meant a lot of noise at weekends (1996) fax 479 9090, tel 506 479 9188. Speak English.
9/11. Left Tanque 8:00, drove slowly (no choice) to Arenal, along Laguna de Arenal down to Cañas, detour via Bebedero (near Palo Verde) via extensive rice paddies, lunch at Cañas. Drove, mainly in torrential rain, to Playa Grande, Tamarindo. Admired mangrove swamps and estuary, enjoyed pacific rollers, fireflies and leatherback turtles. The Arenal road is currently being renovated. Still not recommended for a sedan. Main roads in Nicoya and Guanacaste are excellent best in the country, but the minor roads...... Stayed at Villa Baula, Playa Grande, north of the estuary. We drove all the way to Tamarindo before we worked this out. Recommended during the leatherback season, but we didn't July return 1996. This is a fantasic experience.
10/11. Left Playa Grande 9:00, driving across Nicoya peninsula to Puerto Moreno, on Rio Tempisque estuary. Ferry to Guanacaste side, lunch at Sardinal (200 m) then 3 h climb 40 Km to Monteverde Cloud forest at 1400 m, arriving about 16:00. One hours birding in the gloom before dark. Stayed at Hotel Vela Fonda. Rather up market. (used cheaper Hotel El Bosque in 1996)
11/11. 2 h at Monteverde (including 15 minutes at the humingbird terrace - marvellous experience, also for non-birders) before descending to Sardinal. Found a beach hotel at Tarcoles. Very basic, very noisy. Weekend. Strolled on beach then back to the Río Tarcoles bridge, Carara until dusk (scarlet macaws and crocodiles). Had our evening meal at Punta Leona, which is really rather nice. (Stayed at Villas Lapas in 1996).
12/11. Breakfast at the Río Tarcoles bridge, discovered Carara reserve was closed, and drove via Orotina to Río Carara Iguana Farm where we absailed through the canopy. Recommended, but I can't find the card. (not for young children)
Returned to San Jose (Guadalupe) via Santiago Piguares.
13/11. Unenthusiastic early morning tour at Guadalupe. Checked in at 9am, then butterfly farm near Arahuela. (Monteverde butterfly farm visited in 1996 is better). Then followed 20h via Miami (more Boat-tailed grackles) and Madrid.
Note on nomenclature and literature.
Order and nomenclature (largely) follow Stiles and Skutch (deviations in name largely follow Howard and Moore 2nd Edition). Place names follow Costa Rica 1:200.000, Instituto Geográfico Nacional, San Jose, 1988 edition (which is now available as a bound guide). See also Systematic lists of birds, mammals and other wildlife
Common species
(not listed in the site accounts)
Cattle Egret (except Cloud forest areas) seen most days in flocks of up to 20 flying over early morning. Seen country in numbers wide where cattle.
Turkey Vulture Virtually ubiquitous, especially over 500m.
Black Vulture Commoner at lower altitudes than Turkey Vulture. Flocks of over 50 at Tortuguero.
Grove-billed Ani Arajuela 31/10. Common especially lowlands, rural.
White-collared Swift The commonest (and most easily identified) swift, seen most sites.
Tropical Kingbird Virtually ubiquitous. Only a few positively identified as this species. Most assumed
Boat-billed Flycatcher UCR, San Jose 1/11, Sigueres 6/11, Río Reventazón 6/11. Probably under-recorded.
Great Kiskadee Guadalupe 31/10, This (or its relatives) virtually ubiquitous. Most assumed to be this.
Great-tailed Grackle. Virtually ubiquitous near habitation.
Rock Dove (6-7/11), Crimson-fronted Parakeet (UCR 1, 2, & 4/11), TROPICAL SCREECH-OWL (UCR, San Jose 2/11), Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (5/11), Boat-billed Flycatcher (UCR 1/11), WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE (1/11 UCR), Yellow-bellied Elania (1 & 5/11), Grey-breasted Martin (6 & 8/11), Cliff Swallow (6 /11), Swallow (8/11), Blue-and-White Swallow (5/11), Brown Jay (UCR 2/11), Clay-coloured Robin (1, 2, & 6/11), Yellow Warbler (1 and 5/11), Wilson's Warbler (5/11), Bronzed (red-eyed) Cowbird (5/11), Blue-Grey Tanager UCR, (1, 2, 5 & 6/11), House Sparrow (2/11) Blue-Grey Tanager
Suburban, with a rapid and slightly polluted, wooded stream running through.
Rock Dove (2/11, 4/11, 8/11), BAND-TAILED PIGEON (31/10), Red-billed Pigeon Guadalupe (13/11), Crimson-fronted Parakeet (3-400 in noisy flocks at 6:30-7:00 am every morning), also at UCR 1, 2, & 4/11, STEELY-VENTED HUMMINGBIRD (13/11), Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Guadalupe (8/11), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (31/10, 1 & 8/11), Blue-and-White Swallow 31/10, 1, 5 & 8/11, San Jose 5/11, House Wren (1 & 13/11), Clay-coloured Robin (1, 2, 8 & 13/11), Black-and-White Warbler (1/11), Golden-winged Warbler (1/11), Tennessee Warbler (1/11), Yellow Warbler (31/10), Wilson's Warbler (1/11), Montezuma Oropendola (31/10 & 8/11, 30), ORCHARD ORIOLE (1/11), Northern Oriole (1, 4 & 8/11), Eastern Meadowlark (1 & 12/11), Blue-Grey Tanager (31/10, 4 & 8/11), HEPATIC TANAGER (8/11), Common Bush-Tanager (6/11), GREYISH SALTATOR (1/11), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1/11 and 8/11), YELLOW-THROATED BRUSH FINCH (1/11), Rufous-collared Sparrow
31/10, Black-shouldered Kite (Arajuela 8/11), Broad-winged Hawk (Poasito 8/11), Short-billed Pigeon (Arajuela 31/10), WHITE-FRONTED DOVE (Arajuela 31/10), Orange-chinned Parakeet (Atanas), CINNAMON HUMMINGBIRD (Arajuela 13/11), Magnificent Hummingbird, Cliff Swallow (Poasito), Brown Jay (8/11), Clay-coloured Robin (Arajuela), Sooty Robin, Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush, PROTHONOTARY WARBLER (Arajuela), Tennessee Warbler (Arajuela), Wilson's Warbler (Poasito), Bronzed (red-eyed) Cowbird (Arajuela), Eastern Meadowlark (Poasito), Blue-Grey Tanager (San Mateo), Slaty Flowerpiercer
Great Blue Heron (3 Cartago), Ruddy Ground Dove, SULPHUR-WINGED PARAKEET, Violet-headed Hummingbird, PURPLE-CROWNED FAIRY, Red-faced Spinetail, MOUNTAIN ELAENIA, American Dipper (2), Black-faced Solitaire, Tennessee Warbler (Cartago), Slate-throated Redstart, Montezuma Oropendola (Purisil 2/11), Silver-throated Tanager, Spangle-cheeked Tanager, Blue-Grey Tanager (Orosi), Scarlet-rumped Tanager, Common Bush-Tanager, Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager, Yellow-faced Grassquit, YELLOW-THROATED BRUSH FINCH,
Green-backed Heron 6 CATIE 3/11, Snowy Egret CATIE 3/11, Great Blue Heron 2 CATIE 3/11, Swainson's Hawk CATIE 3/11, GREY-HEADED CHACHALACA (at least 3 CATIE), American Purple Gallinule CATIE 3/11, Northern Jacana (CATIE 3/11), Short-billed Pigeon (CATIE), WHITE-WINGED DOVE (CATIE), Crimson-fronted Parakeet (CATIE), Red-lored Parrot (CATIE), Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (CATIE), Golden-bellied Flycatcher (Juan Viños), Brown Jay (CATIE), House Wren (Paraiso), YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Juan Viños), Montezuma Oropendola (Paraiso and CATIE), Bronzed (red-eyed) Cowbird (Cervantes), Blue-Grey Tanager (Paraiso), Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager (Cervantes), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Cervantes)
. PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER, Red-faced Spinetail, RUSSET ANT-SHRIKE, BAY WREN, GREY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN, Clay-coloured Robin, Black-faced Solitaire, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, Golden-winged Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Montezuma Oropendola Tawny-capped Euphonia, Silver-throated Tanager, Spangle-cheeked Tanager, WHITE-THROATED SHRIKE-TANAGER, WHITE-SHOUIDERED TANAGER, CHESTNUT CAPPED BRUSH FINCH
Broad-winged Hawk (Sacramento), Green Violetear (Sacramento), Violet-headed Hummingbird (Sacramento), Scintillant Hummingbird (Sacramento, 5/11), RESPLENDENT QUETZAL (Volcán Barva 5/11), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Sacramento 5/11), Brown Jay (Sacramento), Clay-coloured Robin (Sacramento), Mountain Robin (Volcán Barva), Sooty Robin (Volcán Barva), Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush (Volcán Barva), LONG-TAILED SILKY-FLYCATCHER (Sacramento), BLACK-AND-YELLOW SILKY-FLYCATCHER (Volcán Barva), BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (Sacramento), Wilson's Warbler (Sacramento), Tawny-capped Euphonia (Sacramento), Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager (Sacramento), LARGE-FOOTED FINCH (Volcán Barva), Slaty Flowerpiercer (Sacramento)
Trip to Tortuguero via Suerre, Río Reventazón, Parismina
Olivaceous Cormorant (10-15 Río Parismina estuary 6-7/11), Little Blue Heron (more than 40 Río Reventazón, Río Parismina), Tricoloured Heron Río Parismina 6/11, Snowy Egret common Río Reventazón 6-7/11 to Tortuguero Great Egret Guapiles to Tortuguero 6/11, LESSER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Suerre 6/11. Found by Lone. Her first vulture of the trip, Siguerres, 7/11. Presumably overlooked), CRESTED EAGLE (Río Parismina 7/11. Dark individual. Lone: "No, it's not a vulture, look at it."), COLLARED FOREST-FALCON Río Parismina 6/11. American Purple Gallinule (Río Parismina 6/11), Northern Jacana (Río Parismina 6/11), BLACK-NECKED STILT (Río Parismina 6/11), Collared Plover (Río Parismina 7/11), GREATER YELLOWLEGSSpotted Sandpiper (Río Parismina 6/11), Grey-fronted Dove (Siguerres 6/11), Pale-vented Pigeon (Guapiles 7/11), Short-billed Pigeon Guapiles (7/11), OLIVE-THROATED PARAKEET (Río Parismina 6 & 7/11), Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Suerre 6/11), Amazon Kingfisher (Río Reventazón 6/11), BROAD-BILLED MOTMOT (Siguerro 6/11), Common Tody-Flycatcher Suerre 6/11, Swallow (Río Parismina 6 & 7/11), Southern Rough-winged Swallow (numerous Río Reventazón 6/11, Río Parismina 6 & 7/11), Sand Martin (Suerre 6/11, Río Reventazón 6/11), Mangrove Swallow (Río Parismina 6 & 7/11), Tennessee Warbler (Hamburgo 6/11), Montezuma Oropendola (Siguerres & Río Parismina 6/11), SCARLET TANAGER (Río Parismina 6/11), Blue-Grey Tanager (Suerre 6/11), Blue-Grey Tanager (Suerre 6/11), OLIVE TANAGER, Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager (Suerre 6/11), Thick-billed (Lesser) Seedfinch (Suerre 6/11), House Sparrow (Siguerres 6 & 7/11).
Olivaceous Cormorant (6 & 7/11), ANHINGA (5 Tortuguero 6 & 7/11), BARE-THROATED TIGER HERON (Juvenile, 6/11, adult 7/11), Green-backed Heron Tortuguero 7/11, Little Blue Heron Tortuguero 6-7/11, Snowy Egret common Tortuguero 6-7/11, Great Egret (Tortuguero 6/11. Not as numerous as snowy or cattle egret), Great Blue Heron (Many Tortuguero 6-7/11), Osprey 3-4 Tortuguero 6-7/11, BAT FALCON (3 Tortuguero 7/11), Northern Jacana Tortuguero 7/11, Whimbrel (6/11), Spotted Sandpiper (Tortuguero 7/11), GREY-CHESTED DOVE Tortuguero 7/11 Scarlet Macaw 2 Tortuguero 7/11, GREAT GREEN MACAW Tortuguero 7/11, GREY-RUMPED SWIFT (6/11), Slaty-tailed Trogon (7/11), Ringed Kingfisher (several 6 & 7/11), Amazon Kingfisher (6 & 7/11), GREEN KINGFISHER (7/11), RUFOUS-TAILED JACAMAR (7/11), COLLARED ARAÇARI (7/11), Keel-billed Toucan (7/11), CHESTNUT-MANDIBLED TOUCAN (5 of this and preceeding sp. in one tree 7/11), PURPLE-NECKED FRUITCROW Tortuguero (7/11, Family of three.), EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE (6/11), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (6/11), Mangrove Swallow (common 6 - 7/11), Clay-coloured Robin (6/11), Tennessee Warbler (6/11), Yellow Warbler (6/11), NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (6/11), Montezuma Oropendola ( 6 & 7/11), PALM TANAGER (6/11).
Grey Hawk (2 Tanque 9/11; Broad-winged Hawk Tanque 9/11, American Purple Gallinule Tanque 9/11. Northern Jacana Tanque 9/11), Red-billed Pigeon (9/11), Ruddy Ground Dove Tanque (9/11), Orange-chinned Parakeet (8/11), Red-lored Parrot (8/11), BLACK-AND-WHITE OWL (Tanque 8-9/11. Roosted in tree growing from uncovered terrace by creek near disused aviaries by restaurant at Hotel Rancho Corcovado),Ringed Kingfisher (9/11), WHITE-RINGED FLYCATCHER (near Venecia 8/11), BLACK-CHEEKED WOODPECKER (9/11), BLACK-CROWNED TITYRA (9/11), SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (9/11), Golden-bellied Flycatcher (8/11), Common Tody-Flycatcher Tanque (9/11), Yellow-bellied Elania Tanque (8/11), Swallow (8/1), Southern Rough-winged Swallow (9/11), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (9/11), Sand Martin (9/11), Plain Wren (8/11), House Wren (8/11), WHISTLING (SCALY-BREASTED) WREN, Clay-coloured Robin (9/11), Yellow Warbler (9/11), Bronzed (red-eyed) Cowbird (9/11), Eastern Meadowlark, WHITE-VENTED EUPHONIA (8/11), Blue-Grey Tanager (8 & 9/11), Scarlet-rumped Tanager (8/11), Variable Seedeater (9/11), Thick-billed (Lesser) Seedfinch (8/11)
Pied-billed Grebe (San Miguel 8/11. Two on small lake), Olivaceous Cormorant (~10 Laguna Arenal 10/11), Wood Stork (Venecia 8/11), Green-backed Heron Laguna Arenal 9/11, Little Blue Heron Arenal 8-9/11, Great Blue Heron singles Arenal 9/11, Grey Hawk (Arenal 9/11), Red-billed Pigeon Sta. Clara 8/11, PLAIN-BREASTED GROUND DOVE (Arenal 9/11), Ruddy Ground Dove (Aguas Zarcas 8/11), Orange-chinned Parakeet (Arenal 9/11), White-fronted Parrot (San Miguel 8/11), Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (9/11), Ringed Kingfisher (9/11), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Cañas, 9/11), Montezuma Oropendola (9/11), Yellow-faced Grassquit (9/11),
Brown Pelican (About 20, resident Tamarindo 10/11), Magnificent Frigatebird 3 Tamarindo 10/11, Olivaceous Cormorant 1 Río Tempisque estuary 10/11), Green-backed Heron Río Tempisque 10/11, Little Blue Heron Río Tempisque 10/11, Snowy Egret Guanacaste 10/11, Great Egret Cañas 9/11, Great Blue Heron Bebedro, Wood Stork (ca. 30 Cañas - Bebedro 9/11), Río Tempisque 10/11), Roseate Spoonbill (Cañas 9/11), White Ibis (3 Río Tamarindo swamps 9/11, 3 Puerto Moreno 10/11), Osprey (Puerto Moreno& Isla Toro, Río Tempisque 10/11), Black-shouldered Kite Bebedro 9/11. Grey Hawk (Belén 9/11), Roadside Hawk (Liberia 9/11; Huacos 10/11), Broad-winged Hawk (Pueblo Nuevo 10/11), Swainson's Hawk (Bebedro 9/11; Limonal 10/11), CRESTED CARACARA (2 Río Bebedero 9/11), AMERICAN KESTREL Puebla Nuevo 10/11), SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (Tamarindo 9/11), Wilson's Plover (Tamarindo 9/11; Puerto Moreno 10/11), SNOWY PLOVER (Tamarindo 10/11), Collared Plover (Tamarindo 9/11), Whimbrel (Puerto Moreno 10/11), Willet (Tamarindo 9/11, 10/11; Puerto Moreno 10/11), Spotted Sandpiper Arenal, nr. Bebedro 9/11, RUDDY TURNSTONE (Tamarindo 9/11), SANDERLING (Tamarindo 9/11), GULL-BILLED TERN (3 Río Tempisque 10/11), Rock Dove (Cañas 9/11), Common Ground Dove (Bebedro 9/11; Puebla Nuevo 10/11), Ruddy Ground Dove (Nicoya 10/11), Inca Dove (Guadalajara; Cañas; Guanacaste 9/11), BLUE GROUND DOVE (Pueblo Nuevo, Guanacaste 10/11), Scarlet Macaw (2 Tres Esquinas, Nicoya 10/11), ORANGE-FRONTED PARAKEET (Tilarán, Guanacaste 9/11), MANGROVE HUMMINGBIRD (Tamarindo 10/11), Amazon Kingfisher (Bebedro 9/11), Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Cañas, 9/11; Common and conspicuous in Nicoya 9 & 10/11), BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Tamarindo 10/11), Swallow (Nicoya 9 & 10/11),Mangrove Swallow (Tamarindo 9/11), WHITE-THROATED MAGPIE JAY (1 near Tamarindo & 2 Huacas 10/11), Brown Jay (Belén 10/11), Clay-coloured Robin (Guacimal 10/11), Montezuma Oropendola (Chinon 8/11), Buff-throated Saltator (San Miguel 8/11), WHITE-LORED GNATCATCHER (Tamarindo 9/11), Yellow Warbler (Tamarindo 9/11), Wilson's Warbler (Tamarindo 9/11), Northern Oriole (Tamarindo 9/11), STREAK-BACKED ORIOLE (near Cañas 9/11)
Broad-winged Hawk (near Monteverde 11/11), WHITE-TAILED HAWK Sardinal nr. Puntarenas 11/11, GREAT CURASSOW Monteverde 11/11, SUNBITTERN Monteverde 11/11. Ruddy Pigeon ( 11/11), Inca Dove Guadalajara; Sardinal to Monteverde 10-11/11, Crimson-fronted Parakeet (11/11), White-fronted Parrot (11/11), VIOLET SABREWING (11/11), Green Violetear (Sacramento, 11/11), FORK-TAILED EMERALD (11/11) White-tailed Emerald (11/11), COPPERY-HEADED EMERALD (11/11), PURPLE-THROATED MOUNTAIN-GEM (11/11), Magnificent Hummingbird (11/11), GREEN-CROWNED BRILLIANT Monteverde (11/11), MAGENTA-THROATED WOODSTAR, Scintillant Hummingbird Monteverde (11/11), Blue-crowned Motmot (10/11), EMERALD TOUCANET (Monteverde 10 & 11/11), Keel-billed Toucan (11/11), MASKED TITRA (11/11), Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (11/11), BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA (11/11), Blue-and-White Swallow (Guacimal 10/11, Monteverde 11/11), Brown Jay (Guacimal 10/11, Monteverde 11/11), Plain Wren (11/11), Clay-coloured Robin (Monteverde & Puntarenas 11/11), Mountain Robin (11/11), Black-faced Solitaire, RUDDY-CAPPED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH (11/11), Yellow Warbler (11/11), Wilson's Warbler (11/11), Slate-throated Redstart (10 & 11/11), Northern Oriole (11/11), YELLOW-THROATED EUPHONIA (11/11), Blue-Grey Tanager (Huacos 10/11), Blue-Grey Tanager (11/11), WHITE-WINGED TANAGER (10/11), Common Bush-Tanager (11/11).
Brown Pelican (Tarcoles 15-20 resident and fishing 11-12/1; 1 along coast near Puntarenas 11/11), Olivaceous Cormorant (Tarcoles 11-12/11), Magnificent Frigatebird (Common along coast near Puntarenas, Tarcoles 11-12/11), YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON (Río Tarcoles, 31/10 & 11-12/11), Little Blue Heron 4-5 Río Tarcoles, Carara 31/10, Tricoloured Heron Río Tarcoles 11/11. Snowy Egret Río Tarcoles, Carara 31/10, & 11-12/11, Great Egret Río Tarcoles 11-12/11, Great Blue Heron Río Tarcoles & Tarcoles 31/10, 11-12/11, Mainly immatures, though several adults too), Wood Stork (singles Río Tarcoles, Carara 31/10; 11-12/11), White Ibis (3 Río Tarcoles 11/11), Roseate Spoonbill (2 Río Tarcoles, Carara 31/10 & 11-12/11), BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK (4 Río Tarcoles, Carara 31/10 & 11-12/1), BLUE-WINGED TEAL (1 flock of ca. 20 Río Tarcoles, Carara 31/10), Osprey (Tarcoles 11/11; 2 Carara 12/11), Black-shouldered Kite (Río Tarcoles, Carara 31/10), Grey Hawk Río Carara 12/11. Broad-winged Hawk (Carara 12/11), YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA Río Tarcoles 12/11), LIMPKIN (2 Río Tarcoles, Carara 31/10; 1 ditto 11/11), Willet (Puntarenas, 11/11), Spotted Sandpiper (Río Tarcoles, Carara 31/10; Río Carara 12/11), AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER (Tárcoles 12/11), GREY PLOVER (Tárcoles 11/11), Common Ground Dove Río Tarcoles, Carara 31/10, MOURNING DOVE (Tárcoles 11/11), Ruddy Ground Dove (Río Tarcoles, Carara 31/10; Carara 12/11), Grey-fronted Dove (Tárcoles 12/11), Scarlet Macaw (ca. 40 Río Tarcoles, Carara 31/10; 54 incl. 2x3 ditto 11/11; 2 Río Carara 12/11), Red-lored Parrot (Río Tarcoles, Carara 31/10), SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Iguana, Río Carara 12/11), Lesser Nighthawk (20-30 Río Tarcoles, Carara 31/10), Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Carara 12/11) Slaty-tailed Trogon (Iguana, Río Carara 12/11), BAIRD'S TROGON (Iguana, Río Carara 12/11), Ringed Kingfisher (Río Tarcoles, Carara 31/10 & 12/11), Blue-crowned Motmot (Río Carara 12/11), FIERY-BILLED ARAÇARI (Carara 12/11), OLIVACEOUS PICULET (Carara 12/11), Pale-billed Woodpecker (Río Carara 12/11), DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Carara 12/11), Common Tody-Flycatcher (Carara 12/11), Swallow (Common Río Tarcoles, Carara 31/10, 11 & 12/11), TREE SWALLOW (Río Tarcoles, Carara 11 & 12/11), Mangrove Swallow (Río Tarcoles, Carara 31/10, 11 & 12/11), VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW (Río Tarcoles, Carara 11 & 12/11),Clay-coloured Robin (Carara 11 & 12/11), RED-EYED VIREO (Río Tarcoles 12/11), Black-and-White Warbler (12/11 Río Carara), Wilson's Warbler (Carara 12/11), Bronzed (red-eyed) Cowbird (Carara 31/10), Northern Oriole (Carara 12/11), Blue-Grey Tanager (Carara 31/10 & 12/11), Scarlet-rumped Tanager (Carara 12/11), SUMMER TANAGER (Tarcoles, 12/11), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Carara 12/11), Variable Seedeater (Carara 12/11), BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (12/11), STRIPE-HEADED SPARROW (12/11).
Rock Dove Puntarenas (11/11), Pale-vented Pigeon (Orotina 12/11), Inca Dove (Puntarenas 11/11; San Pablo to Santiago 12/11), LINEATED WOODPECKER Palamar 12/11, Pale-billed Woodpecker (Pueblo Veijo 10/11), Hoffmann's Woodpecker Tamarindo (9 & 10/11), FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Singles near Liberia 9/11, Nicoya 9 & 10/11), Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Orotina 12/11), Brown Jay (6 Santiago 12/11), Blue-and-White Swallow (Santiago 12/11), Wilson's Warbler (Santiago 12/11), Eastern Meadowlark (Orotina 12/11)
Common Iguana Carara 12/11.
Green Iguana Tortuguero 7/11, Bebedro, 9/11.
Crested Basilica Lizard* Tortuguero 7/11.
"Jesus Christ" Lizard* (Basilica), Tortuguero 7/11.
Small green Lizard* Carara 12/11.
American Crocodile Río Tarcoles, Carara 31/10 (3), 11 & 12/11 (4).
Cayman Tortuguero 6 - 7/11.
Large Pond Turtle* Tortuguero 6 - 7/11.
Leatherback Turtle Tamarindo 9/11.
Carribean Green Turtle Eggshells, Tortuguero 6/11.
Three-toed Sloth Suerre 6/11.
Bat, swift sized* UCR, San Jose 2/11.
Bat, tiny* Tortuguero 7/11.
Grey Squirrel* Volcan Poas 31/10.
Masked Squirrel* Volcan Poas 31/10.
White-faced Squirrel* Monteverde 11/11.
Brown Squirrel* Tanque 9/11.
Agouti Monteverde 11/11.
Stoat* Volcan Poas 31/10.
Coatimundi Monteverde 10/11, Carara 12/11.
Crab eating racoon? footprints, Tamarindo 9/11.
Howler Monkey Carara 31/10, calling at dusk, Parties of 3 to 4. Tortuguero 6 & 7/11, Nicoya and Guanacaste 10/11.
Capuchin Monkey Carara 12/11, Braulio Carrillo 4/11.
* These names descibe the animals appearance rather than their real name, as I do not have approppriate books!
Email: dbc@kvl.dk