 |
||
 |
||
|
15-day Costa Rica Birding Tour ITINERARY Costa Rica – the Rich Coast! Over 870 species of birds have been recorded from this small country, renowned for its relatively easy birding, good accommodation, comfortable and pleasurable infrastructure and peaceful policies. Costa Rica with neighbouring western Panama is a major centre of avian endemism, with nearly 70 species found nowhere else! This small country hosts tremendous diversity and we visit all major habitats to sample its amazing variety of birds. We bird the amazing Carara and Rio Tarcoles, and the incredibly bird-rich foothills of Braulio Carillo and lowlands of La Selva which has some of the best Caribbean lowland forest remaining in Costa Rica with many unique birds. We spend time birding the lush Caribbean foothill forests around Rancho Naturalista, a very special place with an impressive list of birds and other forms of wildlife, and we visit cloud forests at the Tapanti Reserve and the high elevation forests and paramo of Cerro de la Muerte in search of Resplendent Quetzal, Silvery-throated Jay and many others. Finally, we explore the dry forest regions of the Pacific Northwest, which hold a whole new suite of birds. As many participants comment, each day just keeps getting better and better! Day 1 - Arrival in San José Days 2 to 4 - Caribbean Lowlands We make the lodge our central point for birding several diverse locations in some of the richest areas in Costa Rica. During our stay, we spend a whole day at La Selva, a wonderful tract of wet lowland rainforest where some 400 species of birds have been reported. We’ll see a fine array of neotropical fauna— tinamous, motmots, cotingas, trogons, toucans, chachalacas, maybe ant-followers at an ant swarm, lots of tanagers, as well as monkeys and who knows what else. At Selva Verde, we may be lucky enough to find Spectacled Owl or Sunbittern! O/N at Selva Verde. Days 5 and 6 – Braulio Carillo and Rancho Naturalista We spend the rest of the morning viewing birds from the balcony of the lodge at leisure, and then explore the rich forests of the ranch, searching for such local species as Snowcap, Black-crested Coquette, Dull-mantled Antbird, Tawny-throated Leaftosser and Whistling Wren (an amazing singer!) and many other goodies. Day 5, O/N at Rancho Naturalista; Day 6, O/N at Orosi. Days 7 & 8 - Tapanti and the Cordillera de Talamanca Day 9 - San Isidro Days 10 to 12 - Cordillera de Talamanca Carara is an amazing place and birding can be marvelous. The site offers a wonderful array of woodcreepers, trogons and manakins, including the stunning Orange-collared, which will likely be displaying when we are there. We will see woodpeckers, flycatchers, antbirds, antwrens and antpittas— the possibilities seem endless! We may find American Pygmy Kingfisher by a woodland pool, or a Bare-throated Tiger-heron perched in a tree along the lagoon, or a Long-billed Gnatwren busily hunting insects—or a troop of coatimundis seemingly oblivious to our presence. We also visit the mangroves along the Rio Tárcoles to look for Mangrove Hummingbird, Panama Flycatcher, Mangrove Black Hawk, and shorebirds and waders such as Roseate Spoonbill. O/N at Carara. Day 13 - Dry Forest Birding Day 14 – Palo Verde and return to San Jose Day 15 - Departure What to Expect Our daily travel schedule will vary to account for weather, bird species and habitat. Expect some early morning, before-breakfast walks, as well as late evening viewing. It is best to begin birding at daybreak in the tropics, when bird activity and song are at their peak. In forest regions, we concentrate on “edge” birding until light is sufficient to enter forest trails. Often bird activity slacks off by noon and we may retreat to our hotel for lunch and a short siesta. On occasion, we have picnic lunches prepared for us so that we can eat in the field. This approach maximizes our time in the field and allows us a more flexible schedule. We bird again in the coolness of the late afternoon, occasionally staying out after dusk to search for nightbirds. Weather conditions on the trip range from hot to cool at higher altitudes; mostly, it will be warm with a mixture of sun and cloud. Walking conditions range from easy to moderate; if there has been rain, then trails could be muddy. Strong, waterproof footwear is advised and a light rain-jacket and waterproof hat are often essential. There are opportunities for photography, as many of the birds and other wildlife allow close approach. In the evening we eat at a favored restaurant or at the hotel where we are staying. At this time we review the list of birds and other wildlife that we have seen and heard, and prepare for the next day. Featured birds:
Trip Summary:
|
Itinerary: Duration: 15 days Limit: 4 - 12 Date: by request Start: San Jose, Costa Rica End: San Jose, Costa Rica Price: by request Price_Includes: Meals Accommodation Entrance fees Guiding fees & local guide All transport while on tour Price_Excludes: International flight to South Africa Personal Insurance Alcoholic Beverages Gratuities Laundry Personal expenses such as gifts
|
|
© 2008-2011 Birding Ecotours · www.birdingecotours.co.za · info@birdingecotours.co.za |
||