Back from a trip to Costa Rica plus a few birds around here

Three toed Sloth, Rio Magnolia Lodge, Costa Rica, Jan 17, 2018

Spotted Wood Quail, Savegre Lodge, San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica, Jan 16, 2018

Morning view toward ocean, Rio Magnolia Lodge, Costa Rica, Jan 17, 2018

Returned from another trip down to Costa Rica yesterday and had a fantastic time.  I'll have a full post about that soon with tons of photos but figured I would include a few for now.

Snowy Owl, Jan 26, 2018

Northern Pintails, Lower Mill Pond, Easthampton, MA, Jan 26, 2018

Meanwhile back in the cold of winter here I turned up a few decent birds on Friday morning including a Snowy Owl and a group of five Northern Pintails.

Black Vultures, Easthampton, MA, Jan 28, 2017

I once again tried (and failed) to find the Redhead that has been seen on and off for a couple weeks at Lower Mill Pond in Easthampton.  My consolation prize was four Black Vultures at the top of a smokestack nearby.

Costa Rica -April 9, 10, 11 and 12

Spot-crowned Euphonia, Rio Magnolia Lodge, April 9, 2013

 

Bare throated Tiger Heron, Hatillo Mangroves, April 9, 2013

 

On our third full day we made a midday trip down to the coast to take a kayak tour through the mangroves north of Dominical. Although quite hot in the sun the mangroves provided a nice cool down. I didn’t bring the regular camera along for the day but a point and shoot filled in to get a few photos. Nothing new but some great looks at Bare-throated Tiger Heron (including one on nest), American Pygmy Kingfisher and Mangrove Cuckoo among others. Before leaving for the kayak tour I added one life bird when a Tiny Hawk came over the lodge and landed briefly allowing some photographs before disappearing once again. The remainder of the day was spent at the lodge.

Common Tody-Flycatcher, Los Cusingos, Apr 10, 2013

White-tipped Sicklebill, Rio Magnolia Lodge, Apr 10, 2013

April 10 found me heading off the mountain to Los Cusingos to see what I could find on the trails at the old home of Alexander Skutch.  Sadly the fruit feeders there were almost empty due to some thieving monkeys but I still managed to find some decent birds.  Nothing too unusual but still a nice morning to be outside checking out the grounds there.

Three-toed Sloth, Hacienda Baru, Apr 11, 2013

Our last day trip away from the lodge was down to Hacienda Baru on the Pacific coast.  The very warm, sunny weather made for some tough hiking but was tolerable if you stayed within the forest.  Although we didn’t arrive until mid morning I still manged to find a couple life birds over the course of the several hours we were there including Yellow-green Vireo and Red-rumped Woodpecker.  Oddly no monkeys for the day but did manage to find a Three-toed Sloth with a baby which was just a few feet off the trail and low in the trees,

Cherrie's Tanager, Rio Magnolia Lodge, Apr 12, 2013

Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Rio Magnolia Lodge, Apr 12, 2013

I spent the last full day in the area around the lodge and it was once again a great day of birding.  Overall for the trip I ended up with 204 species total with 14 of them life birds and 26 of them new to me in Costa Rica.  The lodge once again proved to be a great base to explore from and I would highly recommend the place to anyone- http://www.riomagnolia.com/


Many more photos from the trip can be found at the following links to my Flickr site:

Birds: http://www.flickr.com/photos/54277284@N05/sets/72157633255364904/

Around Rio Magnolia Lodge: http://www.flickr.com/photos/54277284@N05/sets/72157633255364892/

Insects, butterflies, mammals, landscapes,etc: http://www.flickr.com/photos/54277284@N05/sets/72157633267573507/

Hacienda Baru Dec 17th

Orange chinned Parakeets, Hacienda Baru, Dec 17, 2012

Green Kingfisher, Hacienda Baru, Dec 17, 2012

Three-toed Sloth, Hacienda Baru, Dec 17, 2012

White-faced Capuchin Monkey, Hacienda Baru, Dec 17, 2012

Great Kiskadee carrying nest material, Hacienda Baru, Dec 17, 2012

On the 17^th of December we headed to the coast just north of Dominical to spend some time at Hacienda Baru.  A very warm and productive day exploring the various areas and trails adding a multitude of species, both avian and mammalian.  A few pictures from the day above....enjoy.