ALL
DAY AT RANCHO NATURALISTA
A very
early start saw the group assembling on the upper veranda at the main lodge at
5:30am. The cloud had cleared and it was just getting light. A number of bird feeders
hung close the balcony and several bird tables were laden with goodies for the
early morning birdies.
By
6am the place was literally buzzing with hummingbirds, it like Piccadilly Circus
during rush hour. We quickly noted the most species: White-necked Jacobin and
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird and then we identified, Green thorntail,
Green-breasted Mango and Violet Sabrewing. In the followers on the edge of the
garden we had a treat with the appearance of a male Snowcap, what a stunning
little hummer. Then a Black-crested Coquette appeared in the same flower bed
whilst back at the feeders we found a Brown Violetear and a Green Hermit. No a
bad start for the day!
Meanwhile
the bird tables were hosting a whole series of new species for our list: the
Tanagers in particular were well applauded especially the Passerini’s, White-lined
and Crimson Collared varieties. We also
found the beautiful Orange-billed Sparrow, Band-backed Wren and so many others
it is impossible to list. At 7am we adjourned for breakfast which was eaten on
the lower terrace where we could still watch the bird tables, an amazing
experience.
At
8am we set for our first walk into the surrounding forest, as with all forest
trails there are few birding opportunities so you have to be quick to pick up
the species when they are called.
The
trail wound its way higher up and came out into an open area, along the way we
had found Plain Xenops, Rose-breasted
Grosbeak, Chestnut-sided and Tennessee Warblers. We stood and watched the trees
from a clearing and found Brown-hooded Parrrot and we heard a Thicket Antpitta
but it failed to be lured out into the open.
At
lunchtime we ate on the terrace again and found even more species even though
the feeders were a lot more quiet.
Our
second walk also produced a wealth of species with as good variety of tanagers
on show. There were also a good selection of North American
Warblers flitting about and we particularly enjoyed Black & White Warbler,
Golden-winged Warbler and a White-collared Manakin all in the same bushes. Back
at the feeders during the Late afternoon we had a relaxing time and we still
managed to list several new birds.
All
in all we found over sixty species and took our tally for the trip to 100, only
another 300 hundred to find!
ADDITIONS TO THE COSTA RICA LIST AND MY 1000-IN-A-YEAR LIST
211. Crested Guan
212. White-necked Jacobin
213. Green hermit
214. Brown Violetear
215. Green breasted mango
216. Green thorntail
217. Black-crested Coquette
218. Snowcap
219. Blue-crowned Motmot
220. Rufous Motmot
221. Collared Aracari
222. Black-cheeked Woodpecker
223. Brown-hooded parrot
224. White-fronted parrot
225. Immaculate Antbird
226. Streak-headed Woodcreeper
227. Plain Xenops
228. Ochre Bellied flycatcher
229. Slaty-capped Flycatcher
230. Paltry Tyrannulet
231. Black-crowned Tityra
232. White-collared manakin
233. House Wren
234. Band-backed Wren
235. Golden-winged Warbler
236. Black and White Warbler
237. Mourning Warbler
238. Wilson’s Warbler
239. Bananaquit
240. Passerini’s tanager
241. Golden-hooded Tanager
242. Bay-headed Tanager
243. Scarlet-thighed Dacnis
244. Green Honeycreeper
245. Buff-throated Saltator
246. Black-headed Saltator
247. Orange-billed Sparrow
248. Black-striped Sparrow
249. Rose-breasted Grosbeak
250. Scarlet-rumped cacique
251. Rufous-winged Tanager
252. Common Potoo
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