Blue Eyed Birder: Costa Rica for Bird's Wildlife & Nature - Day 10

It was a slightly less damp start at Tarcoles but the full suite of yesterday’s Hummers joined us for breakfast and across the misty forest a steady wave of Kingbirds were heading inland from the coast. Western were suspected and some small groups landed close enough to see the pale sided black tail. The rain soon returned!

Some moth trap visitors

The plan had been to head down the Pacific coast to look for rocky waders and such like before swinging in to climb up to Savegre but the road was closed in several places due it no longer being there due to severe landslides. This meant that we had to retrace our stepsback through San Jose and up onto the Pan American highway over the top. It was a drive to catch up with zzzz but as we climbed we noted very little traffic coming the other way and within 10 miles of the Savegre turn off we found a road block. Ramon drove to the front and Jose spoke to the Police. No one was allowed through unless they had proof of a hotel reservation. Thankfully we did and were allowed to pass. Phew.

roadside native Dahlias - they grow over 3m high

As we dropped down into the valley the rain increased but Miriam’s awaited us. I told the crew to once again take a deep breath before going through. Despite the weather the feeders were super busy and I think that everyone picked up about 13 new species in the first three minutes.

Happy with hot chocolate - Toucanet on Neil's elbow

Gangs of chattering Acorn Woodpeckers came and went and were only really out competed by the Blue-throated Emerald Toucanets. One of the very dark local race Hairy Woodpeckers tried to sneak a few bits of banana before being pushed off. There were orange and yellow Flame-coloured Tanagers, Summers and Blue-greys and our first Sooty-capped Chlorospingus while dusky Mountain Thrushes were bolder than they white eyed Sooty Thrushes.

Hairy Woodpecker

Acorn Woodpecker

Umbrellabirds

Blue-throated Emerald Toucanets

Sooty-capped Chlorospingus

Flame-coloured Tanager

Summer Tanager

Flame-coloured Tanager

Blue Grey Tanager

Blue Grey Tanagers - Neil Colgate

Blue Grey Tanager

Sooty Thrush

Mountain Thrush

Great Tailed Grackle - another of those common birds that get ignored

She was the only we saw up here

Baltimore Oriole

Down below there was a crowd of Rufous-collared Sparrows and amongst them were Yellow-thighed (Legwarmers) and Large-footed Finches (Bigfoot). Tennessee and Wilson’s Warblers popped in and a couple of Slaty Flowerpiercers were showing us how they get their name on the cannas. A Spot-crowned Woodcreeper came in and paused long enough for good views. Seeing Woodcreepers this time has been tricky.

Tennessee Warbler

Slaty Flowerpiercer

Yellow-thighed Brushfinch (Legwarmers)

Large-footed Finch (Bigfoot).

Yellow-thighed Brushfinch (Legwarmers)

Rufous-collared Sparrow

Large-footed Finch (Bigfoot).

Large-footed Finch (Bigfoot) - Neil Colgate

Spot-crowned Woodcreeper

The Hummer feeders were very busy and most species were new with White-throated Mountain Gems, Heliotrope Volcano, Fiery-throated, Talamanca, Lesser Violetear and hefty Talamancas. Lunch of local trout was excellent although everyone did abandon when the Acorn Woodies came in for the first time!

Lesser Violetear

Heliotrope Volcano HB - part of the three way Volcano split

Heliotrope Volcano HB on wild Fuschia

Heliotrope Volcano HB

Heliotrope Volcano HB - lilac throat albeit a bit damp!

Heliotrope Volcano HB - green central tail

Heliotrope Volcano HB - Neil Colgate

White-throated Mountain Gem - Neil Colgate

White-throated Mountain Gem

White-throated Mountain Gem - the female

White-throated Mountain Gem

White-throated Mountain Gem - the birds in CR as sometimes called Grey-tailed MG with Blue-tailed down into eastern Panama. Work is need to see if two species may be
involved

Talamanca HB

Talamanca HB - you will see this shelter seeking male in the video too

Fiery-throated HB - 'ready for the dazzle?'

Fiery-throated HB - 'look at me!'

Fiery-throated HB - 'a bit more puff'

Fiery-throated HB - ' and perfecto!'

A couple of Red-tailed Mountain Squirrels came in to feed and one was using his tail as an umbrella giving him and interesting wiggy appearance – not that anyone suggested who he might resemble – cough cough.

Red-tailed Mountain Squirrel

Red-tailed Mountain Squirrel - 'I had my hair done this morning!'

Red-tailed Mountain Squirrel

Once down at the Savegre Lodge we had time for a short but damp walk around the gardens where Stripe-tailed Hummers were following the Slaty Flowerpiercers around the cannas and the other Miriam’s species (bar Fiery-throated) were all seen. Philadelphia Vireo showed well by the river and we found Tennessee and a smart male Black-throated Green Warbler but the river itself was an absolutely raging torrent with barely a boulder visible and strangely enough there were no Torrent Tyrannulets and American Dippers to be found.