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COSTA RICA:

El Gavilan Lodge

10-14 January 1997

by Mark Lockwood

El Gavilan Lodge is located about 1 km from Puerto Viejo, Heredia, Costa Rica.  The lodge consists of a main building with a few guest rooms and three cabins with two guest rooms per cabin.  The grounds immediately surrounding the main buildings are manicured with some second growth forest around the edges of the lawn.  There is a bird feeder in the center of the yard where fruit is placed twice each day.  There is a stand of Giant Bamboo, orchards and various other plantings within the managed portion of the property.  The lodge and yard are on the upper terrace above the Rio Sarapiqui.  This terrace was about 40 feet above the level of the river during our visit.  The remainder of the 25 acres where the lodge is located consists of gallery forest on a lower terrace along the river.

We stayed in one of the cabins and found the room comfortable.  The main room had one double and one twin bed, a small bedside table, a few shelves and a cold water sink.  The windows were screened with no glass.  The walls were wood paneled.  The floor was concrete.  The bathroom had a shower and toilet.  Water for the shower was heated in the shower head.  The floor was tiled.  The roof of the cabins was made from corrugated steel over a ceiling if 1x4 lumber.  This caused the only problem we had with the accommodations.  Bats roosted between the corrugated steal and ceiling.  The bats would come and go frequently during the night or there were young bats in the ceiling.  The bats squeaked every night and as a result we didn't get a good nights sleep during our visit.  I think this problem can be avoided by requesting a room in the main building.

The staff was very friendly and many of them spoke english.  William, the lodge manager, was fluent in english and very friendly and accommodating.  Both he and Alfonso are familiar with the birds of the area.  Alfonso is much more familiar with the birdlife, but his english is not as good.  The meals were excellent.  The lodge has set times for meals (breakfast - 7:30; lunch - 12:30; dinner 6:30).  We did not find the time breakfast was being served to be too inconvenient, however if El Gavilan were being used as a base to bird the surrounding area arrangement for breakfast to be provided earlier would have to be arranged.

The gallery forest along the river consisted of a mixed forest with a canopy height of about 100 feet.  For most of the property this forest floods very regularly and therefore the understory consists almost entirely of Heleconia.  There is a small rise toward the south end of the property. This small rise surrounds the lagoon and has a more developed understory.  As a result this area provided the best birding (see map).  There are numerous trails through this 25-acre tract.  During our short visit the birding ranged from good to excellent.  The forest extends along the river in both directions from the El Gavilan property.  Our first mourning we found a very large flock of bird moving down the river (over 50 species).  At other times we would regularly find
about 30 to 40 species while birding the area.

El Gavilan also has a 250 acres primary growth rainforest preserve.  The preserve is about 2 km from the lodge.  The lodge charges $20.00 per person for a guided four hour hiking trip through this preserve.  However, we went there on our own for no charge.  The preserve has excellent forest, but the trails are also used for horseback rides and were very muddy and soft because of the damage done by the horses.

We spent on morning at La Selva Biological Research Station.  Le Selva has strict entrance requirements now.  Visitors are not allowed on the trails without a guide.  The guides are $20 per person for the morning or $30 per person for the entire day.  The guide we had was not particularly interested in birds and there were two non-birders along with us.  This was not a problem, but it would have been nice to have a little more freedom.

We stopped at the Virgen del Socorro on our return trip to San Jose.  This is one of the most fantastic places I have ever visited.  The forest is wonderful and the birding is equally fantastic. After leaving the Virgen del Socorro we stopped at a restaurant in the small village of Colonia that has hummingbird feeders in the back.  We were there only about an hour and has six species of hummingbirds, including Violet Saberwing and Coppery-headed Emerald.  Colonia is between the Virgen del Socorro and La Paz Falls.

Itinerary in Brief:

10 Jan - Traveled from San Jose to El Gavilan Lodge (EG) near Puerto Viejo, about 1 hour of birding at the lodge.
11 Jan - Birded all day on the grounds surrounding El Gavilan Lodge.
12 Jan - Birded El Gavilan's forest preserve (EGP) in the morning and lodge grounds in afternoon.
13 Jan - La Selva Biological Station (La Selva) tour in the morning and birded lodge grounds in afternoon.
14 Jan - Traveled to San Jose, birded along route at Virgen del Socorro (VS), La Paz Falls, and checked the hummingbird feeders in Colonia.

Trip List:
 
 
SPECIES WHERE OBSERVED
Great Tinamou one seen and several heard at La Selva
Anhinga one near San Miguel on the 14th
Fasciated Tiger-Heron one adult at EG on the 11th
Great Egret 4 or 5 seen daily flying over EG in the early morning and late afternoon
Little Blue Heron one adult at EG on the 11th & 13th
Cattle Egret common
Green Heron one at EG on the 13th
Green Ibis three on the "Green Ibis Trail" at EG on the 10th
Black Vulture common
Turkey Vulture common
Osprey one at EG on the morning of the 11th
Gray-headed Kite one seen soaring over La Selva
Great Black-Hawk one seen soaring over EGP on the 12th
Gray Hawk one in route on the 10th and five on the 14th
Black Hawk-Eagle an imm. see soaring over EGP on the 12th
Laughing Falcon one heard and seen early on the 11th and heard again on the 12th
Peregrine Falcon one over EG on the 11th
Crested Guan five moving through the trees at EGP
Gray-necked Wood-Rail two at La Selva on the 13th
Sunbittern excellent views at close range at EG on the afternoon of the 12th
Spotted Sandpiper two along the Rio Sarapiqui daily
Scaled Pigeon two to four daily at EG
Red-billed Pigeon two to six seen daily at EG and one at VS on the 14th
Short-billed Pigeon three observed and several others heard at La Selva
White-winged Dove one at EG on the 13th
Ruddy Ground-Dove one in route on the 10th and four on the 14th
Blue Ground-Dove uncommon at EG, at least six seen daily
Gray-chested Dove common on the lodge grounds, at least 10 seen daily
Olive-backed Quail-Dove two seen at close range walking through underbrush at La Selva
Crimson-fronted Parakeet two on the 10th & 25 on the 12th at EG
Olive-throated Parakeet ten at La Selva and about 20 at EG, all on the 13th
Orange-chinned Parakeet six at EG on the 11th and seen sporadically during the entire visit
Brown-hooded Parrot three at EG on the 13th
White-crowned Parrot two at EG on the 12th, one at La Selva, and about 30 seen in route to San Jose on the 14th
Red-lored Parrot two to 10 seen daily at EG
Mealy Parrot two at EG on the 12th & 13th; about 25 at EGP on the 12th
Squirrel Cuckoo one seen at EG on the 11th, 12th, & 13th; one at EGP on the 12th
Groove-billed Ani common around EG
Black-and-white Owl one observed at a security light across the Rio Sarapiqui from EG on the 12th
Pauraque one seen at EGP on the 12th, heard daily at EG
White-collared Swift about 100 at VS on the 14th
Gray-rumped Swift 15 to 20 at EG on the 12th & 13th
Bronzy Hermit one seen daily at EG
Long-tailed Hermit common at EGP and La Selva
Little Hermit one or two seen daily at EG
Violet Saberwing three or four males at the restaurant in Colonia on the 14th
Violet-headed Hummingbird one female at La Selva on the 13th
Green Thorntail about 15 at the restaurant in Colonia on the 14th
Violet-crowned Woodnymph one male observed bathing at VS on the 14th
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird common
Coppery-headed Emerald about 15 at the restaurant in Colonia on the 14th
Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer female at EG on the 11th and 13th; male at La Selva on 13th
White-bellied Mountain-Gem female at the restaurant in Colonia on the 14th
Purple-throated Mountain-Gem at least one male at the restaurant in Colonia on the 14th
Green-crowned Brilliant two at VS and about four at the restaurant in Colonia on the 14th
Purple-crowned Fairy one at EG on the 11th, female on nest at La Selva
Collared Trogon female at VS on 14th
Black-throated Trogon single males at EGP on 12th and La Selva on 13th
Rufous Motmot five observed at La Selva
Broad-billed Motmot two seen daily at EG
Ringed Kingfisher one male in route on the 14th near San Miguel
Amazon Kingfisher one male seen along Rio Sarapiqui on the 11th
Green Kingfisher one male seen along Rio Sarapiqui on the 13th
Rufous-tailed Jacamar a pair seen daily at EG
Red-headed Barbet a male was at VS on the 14th
Collared Aracari five were seen at La Selva on the 13th
Keel-billed Toucan two were seen flying along the Rio Sarapiqui on the 11th and two others were seen at La Selva
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan about 10 were seen at La Selva and one other was observed near San Miguel on the 14th
Black-cheeked Woodpecker two or three seen daily at EG
Smoky-brown Woodpecker one seen at EG on the 10th
Golden-olive Woodpecker two at VS on the 14th
Chestnut-colored Woodpecker two at EGP on the 12th and one at La Selva on the 13th
Lineated Woodpecker one male at EGP on the 12th
Pale-billed Woodpecker one male at EG on the 11th
Spotted Barbtail one at VS on the 14th
Plain Xenops one at EGP on the 12th and VS on the 14th
Olivaceous Woodcreeper one at VS on the 14th
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper one at EG on the 11th and 2 at EGP on the 12th
Northern Barred-Woodcreeper seen daily at EG, high count of 8 on the 11th
Cocoa Woodcreeper two to four seen daily at EG
Black-striped Woodcreeper three at EGP on the 12th
Streak-headed Woodcreeper two to five seen daily at EG
Brown-billed Scythebill one at VS on the 14th
Great Antshrike one male at EG on the 12th
Rough-legged (Zeledon's) Tyrannulet one at VS on the 14th
Paltry Tyrannulet one seen daily at EG
Torrent Tyrannulet one at VS and two at La Paz Falls on the 14th
Olive-striped Flycatcher one at VS on the 14th
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher one or two seen daily at EG
Common Tody-Flycatcher one or two seen daily at EG
Yellow-margined Flycatcher one seen at EG on the 11th
Tawny-chested Flycatcher one at EG on the 10th and 12th, two other individuals at EG on the 13th
Tufted Flycatcher two at VS on the 14th
Tropical Pewee one at EG on the 11th
Empidonax sp. one at VS on the 14th
Bright-rumped Attila one at EG on the 11th & 12th; one at EGP on the 12th
Dusky-capped Flycatcher common
Great Kiskadee common
Boat-billed Flycatcher two pairs at EG
Social Flycatcher common
Gray-headed Flycatcher common at EG, about 12 at La Selva on the 13th
Golden-bellied Flycatcher two at VS on the 14th
Tropical Kingbird common
Cinnamon Becard one or two seen daily at EG
Masked Tityra two at EG daily; four at La Selva
Black-crowned Tityra pair at EG on the 11th and a male at La Selva
Bare-necked Umbrellabird two females at EGP on the 12th
Red-capped Manakin one female at La Selva on the 13th
Gray-breasted Martin two at EG on the 12th
Mangrove Swallow common along the Rio Sarapiqui
Blue-and-white Swallow several seen in route on the 10th
Southern Rough-winged Swallow common at EG
Barn Swallow several seen in route on the 10th & 14th
Brown Jay one at EG on the 13th
Band-backed Wren six seen daily at EG
Black-throated Wren one or two seen daily, one found building its nest
Bay Wren common at EG, at least six each day
House Wren one along roadside between EG and EGP on the 12th
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren two at VS on the 14th
Tropical Gnatcatcher several seen daily at EG
Wood Thrush three at La Selva
Clay-colored Robin common
Yellow-throated Vireo one at EG on the 11th
Philadelphia Vireo one at VS on the 14th
Lesser Greenlet three at VS on the 14th
Golden-winged Warbler two at EG on the 11th and two at VS on the 14th
Tennessee Warbler two near San Miguel on the 14th
Tropical Parula one male at VS on the 14th
Yellow Warbler several seen daily around EG
Chestnut-sided Warbler abundant
Black-throated Green Warbler three at VS on the 14th
Bay-breasted Warbler one at EG on the 12th and 13th
Black-and-white Warbler two or three daily at EG; one at VS on the 14th
Prothonotary Warbler one at EG on the 11th
Northern Waterthrush one at EG on the 12th
Kentucky Warbler one at EG on the 13th
Mourning Warbler one at EG on the 11th
Olive-crowned Yellowthroat one at EGP on the 12th
Slate-throated Redstart one at VS on the 14th
Buff-rumped Warbler three to five at EG daily; one at La Selva
Bananaquit three to five daily at EG
Plain-colored Tanager six in a single mixed flock at EG on the 11th
Emerald Tanager one at VS on the 14th
Silver-throated Tanager five at VS on the 14th
Bay-headed Tanager six at VS on the 14th
Rufous-winged Tanager one female at VS on the 14th
Golden-masked Tanager one at EG on the 11th & 13th; one at La Selva on the 13th
Green Honeycreeper pair seen daily at EG
Shining Honeycreeper female at La Selva on the 13th
Red-legged Honeycreeper one male and five females in a single tree near San Miguel on the 14th
Yellow-crowned Euphonia one along roadside between EG and EGP on the 12th
Olive-backed Euphonia six to ten seen daily at EG; five at La Selva
Tawny-capped Euphonia one male at VS on the 14th
Blue-gray Tanager common at EG
Palm Tanager two or three seen daily at EG
Blue-and-gold Tanager two at VS on the 14th
Red-throated Ant-Tanager two pairs seen daily at EG
Summer Tanager two or three seen daily at EG
Crimson-collared Tanager two at EG on the 11th and one on the 13th
Scarlet-rumped Tanager abundant at EG
Dusky-faced Tanager three or four seen daily at EG
Common Bush-Tanager about 15 at VS on the 14th
Grayish Saltator two or three seen daily at EG
Buff-throated Saltator 10 to 15 seen daily at EG and elsewhere
Black-thighed Grosbeak one at VS on the 14th
Rose-breasted Grosbeak five at VS on the 14th
Blue-black Grosbeak one female at EG on the 11th
Sooty-faced Finch one at VS on the 14th
Orange-billed Sparrow one or two daily at EG
Black-striped Sparrow five to ten seen daily at EG
Blue-black Grassquit one along roadside between EG and EGP on the 12th, several in route on the 14th
Variable Seedeater common
Rufous-collared Sparrow one in route on the 10th and three on the 14th
Eastern Meadowlark two in route on the 14th
Great-tailed Grackle common
Bronzed Cowbird about 30 near San Miguel on the 14th
Orchard Oriole one along roadside between EG and EGP on the 12th
Baltimore Oriole common
Yellow-billed Cacique one or two seen daily at EG
Scarlet-rumped Cacique two at EGP on the 12th and La Selva on the 13th
Montezuma Oropendola abundant at EG and elsewhere

Total species - 181

Mark Lockwood
mwlockwood@juno.com



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