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Birding Day at Rancho Naturalista and surroundings

BIRD OF THE DAY - SUNBITTERN

Today we will spend our day birding the grounds of Rancho Naturalista and surrounding areas, starting early in the morning at the moth light that attracts several species of birds that come at first light to feed on the moths. Then we will have breakfast while we enjoy the feeder’s activity.

And from there we birded the trails and gardens of the reserve – except I didn’t. I felt the need to stay close to the buildings [Are you with me?] But despite that had a pretty cool morning in sight of the feeders.

Soon the others returned, and by then I had recovered slightly, and we went for a short drive down nearby the original owner’s residence to scope out some hummingbirds, in particular the Snowcap. While only one male showed a couple of times the females were more cooperative as was the Green Thorntail.

While there we saw a few other birds, of course, the Common Tody Flycatcher and Oropendula note worthy.

Lunch, for me, was chips. For the others stuffed tomatoes with carne con queso y ensalada y papas frittas.

 A rest until 2 pm and we were out again.

In the afternoon we visited Valle del Rio Tuis, where we found, nesting, the astonishing Sunbittern.  Common species were around as well as Torrent Tyrannulet and  Black Phoebe.




Followed by a twitch of the nocturnal Greater Pottoo at its regular roost.


 A visit to a reservoir was the final destination for the day and we saw a small variety of ducks plus herons, egrets, anhinga, Cormorant, American Coot, Wood Stork, Northern Jacana – to name a few. Variable Seedeaters and our first Ani were highlights and we had a few Yellow headed Caracara fly over. Roadside Hawk, by the roadside was our last species for the day.










 RANCHO NATURALISTA

The premier birding lodge in Costa Rica, Rancho Naturalista is one of the finest birdwatching lodges in Central America. Multiple species of hummingbirds, as well as many other birds, can be seen right from the spacious balcony where you also have a great view of the distant smoking Turrialba volcano. It’s a wonderful getaway for birders, photographers, and naturalists.

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