Country: Costa Rica
Categories
Reserva el Copal Foothill Birding
Spend much of the day birding Reserva el Copal, a community-run project between Turrialba and Tapanti with habitat described as similar to Rancho Naturalista but more forested. Green Thorntail is the most common hummingbird in the source's account, an unexpected contrast with unusually scarce Rufous-tailed Hummingbird; flowering bushes and Heliconias also attract a broad hummingbird range. The foothill forest is particularly good for tanagers, including Flame-colored, White-winged, Red-throated Ant-, Tawny-crested, Crimson-collared, Scarlet-rumped, Speckled, Golden-hooded, Spangle-cheeked, Rufous-winged, Bay-headed, Emerald, and Silver-throated Tanagers.
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Savegre Private Reserve and River-Corridor Birding
Bird the private reserve owned by Savegre Mountain Hotel, above the lodge and along the river through the valley. The tour plans to arrange access even if the group sleeps at another valley lodge, preserving a mix of mountain and river-corridor habitat before the afternoon downhill trail.
Read MoreParaiso Quetzal Local-Finca Quetzal Program
Depart very early for Paraiso Quetzal's local-finca program, which is designed to provide good views of Resplendent Quetzals. Spend a couple of hours in the highland setting before returning to the lodge for breakfast and feeder viewing.
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San Gerardo de Dota Valley Lodge Feeders
After arriving in San Gerardo de Dota, spend time with the hummingbird feeders at the selected valley lodge. The source lists Lesser Violetear, Green-crowned Brilliant, Talamanca Hummingbird, Purple-throated Mountain-gem, White-throated Mountain-gem, Scintillant Hummingbird, Crowned Woodnymph, and Rufous-tailed Hummingbird as feeder possibilities.
Read MoreCerro de la Muerte Antenna-Road Birding
Continue north on the winding road toward Cerro de la Muerte and work the high road to the antenna area for Timberline Wren, Peg-billed Finch, Sooty-capped Chlorospingus, Volcano Junco, and Large-footed Finch. The route also carries the history of the name: before the highland road was built in the 1950s, travelers crossed these mountains on horseback or on foot, and some ill-prepared travelers died there.
Read MoreLa Georgina High-Elevation Feeders
Stop at La Georgina Restaurant at about 10,000 feet, where hummingbird feeders and habitat below the balcony attract Fiery-throated Hummingbird and Volcano Hummingbird. Seed feeders and alpine scrub add Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush, Sooty Finch, Elegant Euphonia, and Large-footed Finch, giving the long travel day a focused high-elevation field session.
Read MoreCoastal Drive Birding Stops via Quepos and Dominical
Follow the coast south through the Manuel Antonio, Quepos, and Dominical area before turning inland toward the Talamanca Mountains. Manuel Antonio National Park is passed without stopping, while short coastal pauses look for Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Brown Booby, Northern Jacana, wintering shorebirds, gulls, and terns. Quepos is a named search area for the little-known Spot-fronted Swift.
Read MoreCerro Lodge Access-Road Owling
After dinner or the late-afternoon lodge session, walk or drive the access road to listen for Pacific Screech-Owl, Spectacled Owl, and Black-and-white Owl. The activity keeps the evening flexible and follows the source's field practice of working the lodge road rather than promising a fixed sighting.
Read MoreCerro Lodge Observation Tower
Climb the recently added observation tower on the hill above Cerro Lodge for late-afternoon canopy views. The uncommon Crane Hawk is possible, along with Hook-billed Kite, Gray-headed Kite, Gray Hawk, Gray-lined Hawk, Short-tailed Hawk, and Bat Falcon.
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