10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 8, 2018

December is a busy time in Costa Rica. Migrant species are around, rarities are waiting to be found (such as, believe it or not, Lincoln’s Sparrow ), and, most of all, we have Christmas Counts to attend to. Black Hawk Eagle from Cangreja. We saw five species, all of which at one point came to the same fruiting tree!

Costa Rica 172

Costa Rica San Jose Birds Falcons 172

10,000 Birds

MAY 11, 2019

A wonderful variety of bird species are waiting to be seen and among them are many a birder’s favorite avian group, the wood-warblers. Among the most desired bird species during May migration, brightly colored, beautiful and boldly patterned, how can a birder not get hooked on spring warblers? Great Green Macaw!

Costa Rica 180

Costa Rica Species Belize New Jersey 180

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 28, 2015

In Costa Rica, although I did spend a memorable one years ago in the Osa Peninsula where flocks of parrots flew into the mangroves while we feasted on turkey, pie, and the works, we have no actual Wild Turkeys , nor an official Thanksgiving. That last little bit is also why we call it “Turkey Day”! Ain’t I great?

Costa Rica 170

Costa Rica Turkey Ecuador Hunting 170

10,000 Birds

MARCH 4, 2017

In Costa Rica, we have more than our fair share. In keeping with high diversity in other aspects of the avian kingdom, including falcons and excluding owls, this small country has a raptor list that tops fifty species. There might be a lot of species, but competition and other factors result in fewer individuals of each species.

Costa Rica 100

Costa Rica West Virginia Eagles Monkeys 100

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 6, 2014

Thanks to fortunate foresight, a lot of land was set aside in Costa Rica as national parks and protected areas (and some of these are easily accessed) but the best forest still happens to be at the terminus of the road and en route, you will be treated to species deficit birding in plenty of pastures.

Costa Rica 244

Costa Rica San Jose Sharks Monkeys 244

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2014

Finally, the Similan Islands are perhaps one of the most beautiful islands in the world and form a stunning backdrop to this species, one of the loveliest pigeons in the world. Once endangered, they lead happy, protected lives, oblivious to the tourists who love them. Carlos’s BBOTY – the Nicobar Pigeon.

2014 187

2014 Costa Rica South Africa Birds 187

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 13, 2014

When Costa Rica becomes a topic of conversation, we don’t usually hear the word “extinction” being thrown around. But how about when the Costa Rica conversation involves a birder? It’s easy to bedazzle the bins with this one when birding in Costa Rica. Must be a joke, right?

Costa Rica 217

Costa Rica Species Panama Birds 217

10,000 Birds

JUNE 6, 2020

The potential for contagion through clicking on links has long been acknowledged and with a desire to protect our precious readers, the links have been discontinued. 7 beats contributed their sightings from 7 countries (Hong Kong, UK, China, USA, Serbia, Australia and, of course, Costa Rica). Accipiter sp. Accipiter sp.).

2020 152

2020 Sparrows Niger Woodpeckers 152

10,000 Birds

APRIL 25, 2019

21%: Costa Rica. The high position of Costa Rica comes as no surprise and yet, with more than one fifth of the total votes, I was a bit surprised how strong its 1st place is. Interestingly, the respondents felt no need to further elaborate why, presuming that everyone knows why they should bird Costa Rica.

Papua New Guinea 214

Papua New Guinea America Costa Rica Sri Lanka 214

10,000 Birds

APRIL 16, 2016

Then I wake up, eventually realize that I am back in Costa Rica, and find myself thinking about birding here and birding there. Here are some: Mega migration : We bear witness to some serious migration in Costa Rica. In tropical Costa Rica, we have our fair share of exotic, cool-looking creatures.

Costa Rica 102

Costa Rica Birds Jordan 102

10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2011

Nice. ((** all names have been changed to protect identities and have been substituted with (almost) randomly chosen substitutes suitable for a family of Alpine Accentors.)) Dale studied scarlet macaws, and worked in their conservation, for three years in southern Costa Rica, followed by a year in the Caribbean working on Whale Sharks.

2011 209

2011 Breeders Breeding Deer 209

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 12, 2015

Although this tradition started in the temperate zone, we also celebrate it in Costa Rica with counts that are more like organized events featuring vendors, talks, sponsors, and, best of all, an awesome birding tee-shirt. The Arenal forests are very good for this species. A Nightingale Wren singing in the rain.

Costa Rica 101

Costa Rica Farming Louisiana 2014 101

10,000 Birds

MARCH 1, 2011

Whilst working on Scarlet Macaws in Costa Rica , I had the pleasure of having Katherine Herbourn assist with some of the field work we were doing. Many robins, eagles and finches later, he ended up at university studying various biology things and wrote a thesis on vertebrate biogeography in southern African forests.

Cats 148

Cats 2011 Costa Rica Deer 148