Location: Costa Rica, 2021

Reported by: Joe Giunta

The Happy Warbler Birding group had its tenth annual trip to Costa Rica. The trip was highly successful with a total of 229 species of birds being seen by most members of the group. Members of our flock were: Joe, Nancy, Janet, Joyce, Mary Jane, Elyse and Dorothy. With us were our guide Noel and our driver Juan Carlos. Even though Costa Rica is a small country the diversity is tremendous. This year's trip concentrated on the southern part of Costa Rica visiting Savegre, Talamanca and Esquinas.

An ebird listing (19 files) of our trip was made by Joe and can be found on the ebird website

Dec. 3: Our United/Continental Airways flight, out of Newark/Liberty Airport, took off right on schedule. We were greeted at the airport by our guide Noel and our driver Juan Carlos. They would remain with us for the next nine days. We stayed the first night at the Hotel Bougainvillea, which was fairly close to the airport.

Dec. 4 We were up early and did some birding on the hotel grounds. First bird seen on our trip was the Baltimore Oriole. It is always nice to see some familiar North American birds in a foreign country. The Baltimore Oriole would become the most common North American bird we saw as we recorded a total of 17 of them throughout the entire trip. Also on the grounds of the hotel we saw: Rufous-naped Wren, Lesson's Motmot, Ruffous-browed Peppershrike and the very common and national bird of Costa Rica the Clay-colored Thrush. We also saw two species of owls. We had excellent views of two Mottled Owls and one Ferruginous Pygmy-owl. It was an excellent start to our trip.

We left the hotel and headed towards Paraiso Quetzal Lodge. We were not going to stay there but have lunch and bird their grounds and especially their hummingbird feeders. We saw many species of hummingbirds including the Fiery-throated, White-throated Mountain Gem and the Talamanca Hummingbird. Other birds on the grounds were the Large-footed Finch and the Yellow-thighed Brushfinch. We left their grounds and drove to the communication towers area in search of the Volcano Junco. We dipped on the junco but picked up the Mountain Thrush and the Sooty Thrush. Next we were off to the Savegre Mountain Lodge for dinner and our cabins for the night. We did the bird list for the day and prepared for our next day of birding.

Dec. 5: We were up early, again, about 5:30, did some birding on the grounds and then breakfast at their cafeteria. Some of the special birds we saw in the morning were: Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher and Flame-colored Tanager. After breakfast we went on a van ride to the top of a hill. We would walk down birding all the way. Some of the birds we saw were: Collared Trogon, Ruddy Treerunner, Tufted Flycatcher, Black-faced Solitaire and Collared Redstart. For North American migrants over wintering we saw: Summer Tanager, Philadelphia Vireo and Wilson's Warbler. Summer Tanager and Wilson's Warbler would become two of the most common birds during our entire trip.

After lunch and a short siesta we were out again. We headed towards Miriam's Restaurant for their feeders and then for dinner. At the feeders were: Spot-crowned Woodcreeper, Acorn Woodpecker, Sooty-capped Chlorospingus and from North America, the Tennessee Warbler. After dinner and as it started to get dark we did some night time birding. We had views of both the Bare-shanked Screech-Owl and the Dusky Nightjar. Noel knew exactly where they were and he called them in for excellent looks.

Dec. 6: It was to be a special day for us. It was the day we chased the Resplendent Quetzal. We were up early again, 5:30. Before breakfast Noel got us into the van and headed us towards a spot where some avocado trees were and a known spot for the quetzal to come to in the early morning. Already there were about 50 people waiting for the quetzal to arrive. Within minutes two quetzals came in. They feed from the avocados and everyone got excellent looks. We stayed on the birds for about a half hour. In total 5 quetzals came in. Some were adult males, some young males and some females. It could not have been better. They were joined by a Northern Emerald-Toucanet for more color. We went back to our lodge had breakfast and then did some birding on the grounds of the lodge. We were right next to the Savegre River and picked up the Torrent Tyrannulet. But we "dipped" on the American Dipper.

We went back to the communication tower area for another shot at the Junco. This time we were lucky and saw the Junco and also picked up a Slaty Flowerpiercer. Next was a ride to the city of San Isidro. Noel wanted to find the Turquoise Cotinga. We dipped on the cotinga but picked up: Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Ringed Kingfisher, Golden-hooded Tanager, Red-legged Honeycreeper and Yellow-bellied Seedeater. We left San Isidro and headed towards the Talamanca Nature Reserve. Dinner was at their restaurant and I will say that they had the best food of any of the lodges we stayed at. As a matter of fact it is worth just going to Talamanca for the food.

Dec. 7: The Talamanca Nature Reserve, not only the best food, but the best feeders. We were up early and the feeders were well stocked especially with bananas, which the birds seem to love. The tanagers just came right in. We saw: Silver-throated, Spangled-cheeked, Golden-hooded, Speckled, Palm, Blue-gray, Scarlet-Rumped and Summer Tanagers. Other birds at the feeders were: Green Honeycreeper, Buff-throated Saltator, Bananaquit, Chestnut-headed Oropendola and Red-faced Spinetail. For the morning alone we recorded 59 species! Again we were driven to the top of a hill and then we walked back to the lodge. Other birds seen were: Red-headed Barbet, Gray-cowled Wood-Rail, Brown Jay and Bay-headed Tanager. We had both lunch and dinner at their lodge and at the end of the day, like all the other days we did the bird list.

Dec. 8: We spent the morning at the lodge looking at their feeders. New for today were the Fiery-billed Aracari and Tropical Mockingbird. For our day trip we went to Los Cusingos, the home of Dr. Alexander Skutch. The whole place has been turned into a park with a great trail through the woods. Special birds seen at Los Cusingos were: Red-capped Manakin, White-shouldered Tanager, Golden-crowned Spadebill and Dusky-capped Flycatcher. Lunch was at a pizza parlor in San Isidro followed by a visit to the San Isidro sewage ponds. Sewage ponds are always a great spot for finding birds. We saw: Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Blue-winged Teal, Least Grebe, Spotted Sandpiper and Solitary Sandpiper. Without moving we recorded 16 species most not seen at other venues.

Dec. 9: Breakfast was at the Talamanca Nature Reserve. We had breakfast we looked at their feeders. All the tanagers were there again plus a good assortment of Euphonias. We saw: Thick-billed, Yellow-crowned and Spot-crowned Euphonias. We finally left Talamanca and headed towards Esquinas. We made a stop at any spot called "Whales Tail" overlook. It was our first view of the Pacific Ocean and a spot to pick up some more bird species. We saw: Peregrine Falcon, Bat Falcon and one of the most attractive birds in Costa Rica, the Scarlet Macaw. Dinner was at Esquinas Lodge and we prepared for our next day.

Dec. 10: We were up early again for birding on the grounds of the Esquinas Lodge grounds. We did the forest trail and saw many new species. Some of the highlights were: Baird's Trogon, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Yellow-throated Toucan, Lineated Woodpecker, Black-faced Antthrush and Eye-ring Flatbill. While on the trail we came across an army ant swarm. That always brings out good birds as they follow the ants hoping to pick off insects stirred up by the ants. We saw: Bicolored Antbird, Chestnut-backed Antbird and Northern Barred-woodcreeper. These species are all followers of the army ants.

Our late afternoon walk into night consisted of driving the road looking through the swamp and grasslands for different species. We saw many new species for our trip. We added: Purple Gallinule, White-throated Crake, Southern Lapwing, White Ibis. As it got later and started to get dark it also began to rain. We headed back to the lodge but by luck and skill Noel picked out a Striped Owl. We all had great looks.

Dec. 11: It was our last full day of birding and we were up very early. Noel had info about a very special bird but we had to be on location just after 5am while it was still dark. So there we were at 5:15 in the correct location and just as it was suppose to happen we heard a Spectacled Owl. Then we heard a second one. Then we saw them, two Spectacled Owls. They put on a great show as they flew over us and then around us. We stayed on them for almost an hour. It was well worth it. We stayed out for picking up more birds. We saw: Golden-naped Woodpecker, Great Curassow and Orange-collared Manakin. We left Esquinas and started our journey back to San Jose. We stopped near the "Whales Tail" and had lunch at a restaurant overlooking the Pacific. Here we saw our first and only monkeys of the trip.

Dec. 12: It was our last day. We had a packed breakfast from the Hotel Bougainvillea. At about 6am we gathered our stuff and left for the airport. Our United flight took off right on time and landed a few minutes early in a Newark airport. It was a great trip, we saw great birds, made new friends and are already looking forward to do it again next year.




SPECIES SEEN

Least Grebe
Brown Pelican
Neotropic Cormorant
Magnificent Frigatebird
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Little Blue Heron
Snowy Egret
Cattle Egret
Boat-billed Heron
Fasciated Tiger-Heron
White Ibis
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Lesser Scaup
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Roadside Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Short-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Crested Caracara
Yellow-headed Caracara
Merlin
Bat Falcon
Peregrine Falcon
Gray-headed Chachalaca
Great Curassow
Spotted Wood-Quail
White-throated Crake
Russet-naped Wood-Rail
Purple Gallinule
Northern Jacana
Southern Lapwing
Lesser Yellowlegs
Solitary Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper
Rock Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon
Ruddy Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Ruddy Ground-Dov
e White-tipped Dove
Scarlet Macaw
Crimson-fronted Parakeet
Sulphur-winged Parakeet
Brown-hooded Parrot
Blue-headed Parrot
White-crowned Parrot
Red-lored Parrot
Mealy Parrot
Squirrel Cuckoo
Smooth-billed Ani
Bare-shanked Screech-Owl
Mottled Owl
Spectacled Owl
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
Striped Owl
Pauraque
Dusky Nightjar
Costa Rican Swift
White-collared Swift
Vaux's Swift
Green Hermit
Long Billed Hermit
Stripe-throated Hermit
Scaly-breasted Hummingbird
Violet Sabrewing
Green Violet-ear
Green-breasted Mango
Violet-headed Hummingbird
Fiery-throated Hummingbird
White-tailed Emerald
Stripe-tailed Hummingbird
Blue-throated Goldentail
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
Charming Hummingbird
Snowy-bellied Hummingbird
White-bellied Mountain-gem
Gray-tailed Mountain-gem (aka White-throated Mountain-gem)
Magnificent Hummingbird (aka Talamanca Hummingbird)
Purple-crowned Fairy
Long-billed Starthroat
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Scintillant Hummingbird
Volcano Hummingbird
Baird's Trogon
Collared Trogon
Resplendent Quetzal
Ringed Kingfisher
Lesson's Motmot
Rufous-tailed Jacamar
Red-headed Barbet
Emerald Toucanet
Fiery-billed Aracari
Black-mandibled Toucan
Olivaceous Piculet
Acorn Woodpecker
Golden-naped Woodpecker
Red-crowned Woodpecker
Hoffmann's Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Lineated Woodpecker
Pale-billed Woodpecker
Red-faced Spinetail
Spotted Barbtail
Ruddy Treerunner
Tawny-winged Woodcreeper
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper
Northern Barred-Woodcreeper
Spot-crowned Woodcreeper
Black-hooded Antshrike
Dot-winged Antwren
Chestnut-backed Antbird
Bicolored Antbird
Black-faced Antthrush
Rufous Piha
Orange-collared Manakin
White-ruffed Manakin
Red-capped Manakin
Yellow-bellied Elaenia
Mountain Elaenia
Torrent Tyrannulet
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher
Slaty-capped Flycatcher
Paltry Tyrannulet (aka Mistletoe Tyrannulet)
Common Tody-Flycatcher
Eye-ringed Flatbill
Golden-crowned Spadebill
Tufted Flycatcher
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Dark Pewee
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Yellowish Flycatcher
Black Phoebe
Bright-rumped Attila
Dusky-capped Flycatcher
Great Kiskadee
Boat-billed Flycatcher
Rusty-margined Flycatcher
Social Flycatcher
Gray-capped Flycatcher
Tropical Kingbird
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
Barred Becard
Rose-throated Becard
Masked Tityra
Mangrove Swallow
Blue-and-white Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Southern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-and-yellow Silky-flycatcher
Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher
Rufous-naped Wren
Riverside Wren
Plain Wren (aka Isthmian Wren)
House Wren
Ochraceous Wren
Timberline Wren
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren
Tropical Mockingbird
Black-faced Solitaire
Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush
Sooty Robin
Mountain Robin
Clay-colored Thrush
Tropical Gnatcatcher
Brown Jay
Yellow-winged Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Tawny-crowned Greenlet
Rufous-browed Peppershrike
Tennessee Warbler
Tropical Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Slate-throated Redstart
Collared Redstart
Black-cheeked Warbler
Bananaquit
Common Chlorospingus
Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager
White-shouldered Tanager
Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager
Summer Tanager
Flame-colored Tanager
Scarlet-rumped Tanager
Blue-gray Tanager
Palm Tanager
Yellow-crowned Euphonia
Thick-billed Euphonia
Spot-crowned Euphonia
Golden-browed Chlorophonia
Silver-throated Tanager
Speckled Tanager
Bay-headed Tanager
Golden-hooded Tanager
Spangle-cheeked Tanager
Scarlet-thighed Dacnis
Green Honeycreeper
Shining Honeycreeper
Red-legged Honeycreeper
Variable Seedeater
Yellow-bellied Seedeater
Yellow-faced Grassquit
Peg-billed Finch
Slaty Flowerpiercer
Yellow-thighed Finch
Large-footed Finch
Orange-billed Sparrow
Black-striped Sparrow
Rufous-collared Sparrow
Volcano Junco
Grayish Saltator (aka Cinnamon-bellied Saltator)
Buff-throated Saltator
Melodious Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Bronzed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole
Scarlet-rumped Cacique
Chestnut-headed Oropendola
Lesser Goldfinch



Species seen - 229