Sunrise Birding, LLC - Birding & Wildlife Tours - COSTA RICA! A Birder's Paradise - February 16 - 28, 2013 plus Arenal/Cano Negro Extension

ITINERARY - MAIN TOUR
Day 1: Arrival San Jose, Costa Rica - February 16
Plan to arrive any time today in sunny San Jose, Costa Rica (Airport code: SJO) and transfer the short distance to our hotel.

Day 2: San Jose / Sarapiqui / La Quinta – February 17
Fasciated Tiget-Heron photo by Gina Nichol.

A look around the grounds of our hotel will introduce us to a few of the more common bird species such as Clay-colored Thrush, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Hoffmann’s Woodpecker, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird and Plain Wren. We can also look for special birds such as Blue-crowned Motmot, Lineated Woodpecker and Cinnamon Hummingbird.

After breakfast we will move on, soon passing through areas of endless forest our first stop will be a small abandoned butterfly garden. Here we can hope to see the delightful Snowcap plus several other species such as Violet-headed Hummingbird, Crowned Woodnymph, or maybe Green Thorntail or Black-crested Coquette. If we are lucky we may come across Bat Falcon, a flock of colorful tanagers or a group of Collared Aracaris. Nearby a small stream which passes through a mossy forest may hold the elusive Sunbittern, Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Buff-rumped Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, White-whiskered Puffbird, Purple-crowned Fairy or Green Kingfisher.

After a traditional lunch nearby we will continue on toward our lodge first visiting another river where we could add Amazon Kingfisher, Keel-billed Toucan, Orange-chinned Parakeets, Lineated Woodpecker, Common Tody-Flycatcher and another chance for Fasciated Tiger-Heron. Further on, we will stop beside an area of wet meadows where our targets will be the localized Nicaraguan Seed-Finch, a black bird with a huge pink beak, plus Green Ibis, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Purple Gallinule, Northern Jacana, White-throated Crake, and maybe Laughing Falcon or Common Yellowthroat. Eventually we will arrive at our lovely country residence where we may just have time to check the feeders. Two nights La Quinta.

Day 3: La Selva OTS Reserve – February 18
Rufous Motmot. Photo by Steve Bird.

After an early breakfast we will spend the full day at the nearby La Selva OTS. At the confluence of two major rivers in the Caribbean lowlands of northern Costa Rica, La Selva comprises 1,600 hectares (3,900 acres) of tropical wet forests and surrounding lands. It averages 4 meters of rainfall that is spread rather evenly throughout the year. Located within the tropical and premontane wet forest, 73% 9f the reserve is primary tropical rain forest. It was purchased in 1968 by the Organization for Tropical Studies and declared a private biological reserve and station. Since then, it has become one of the most important sites in the world for research on tropical rain forest. For the birder, it is a haven for a wide range of sought after species.

Before entering the reserve we will spend time birding the approach road an area always alive with birds and often a surprise or two. Loose flocks may include Barred, Fasciated and Great Antshrikes, Broad-billed Motmot, Rufous-winged, Cinnamon and Chestnut-colored Woodpeckers, Pied Puffbird, Passerini’s Tanager, Plain Wren, White-ringed Flycatcher, Olive-backed Euphonia, Black-cowled and with luck Yellow-tailed Oriole, Black-thighed and Black-faced Grosbeaks, and occasionally on a tiny stream we have seen Agami Heron.

Within the reserve we will spend both morning and afternoon within areas of tropical rainforest and our famous picnic lunch here will by our gourmet driver! Many species will be sought throughout the day and some of our targets will include Snowy Cotinga, Great Curassow, Rufous Motmot, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Western Slaty Antshrike, Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, Red-capped Manakin, White-collared Manakin, Great Tinamou, Stripe-breasted Wren, Dusky-faced Tanager, White-whiskered Puffbird, Bright-rumped Attila, Northern Barred Woodcreeper, Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Rufous Mourner, and if we are in luck there may be Vermiculated Screech-Owl or Crested Owl on their day roosts, or Great Green Macaws flying noisily overhead. Also overhead we could see Gray-rumped, Lesser Swallow-tailed and even the rare Spot-fronted Swift. Raptors could include Short-tailed Hawk, Gray-headed Kite, Semiplumbeous Hawk and even chances for King Vulture. Night La Quinta.

Day 4: La Quinta / Braullio Carrillo / Carara, Pacific coast - February 19
Crimson-collared Tanager. Photo by Steve Bird.

Crimson-collared Tanager. Photo by Steve Bird.

Before and after breakfast we will spend some time looking around the gardens and checking the feeders after fresh bananas are put out. By the small ponds we could see Gray-necked Wood-Rails and Green Heron while other species may include Red-throated Ant-Tanager, Orange-billed Sparrow, Crimson-collared, Blue-gray, Golden-hooded, Palm and Passerini’s Tanagers, Green Honeycreeper, Bay Wren, Buff-throated and Black-headed Saltators.

We will then depart for Braullio Carrillo National Park, a verdant rainforest dripping with epiphytes, mosses and bromeliad covered trees. We will take a short circular trail through the forest in the hope of connecting with a mixed flock or two. This is one of those areas that can be hit or miss, however if we find the flocks then this can be a fantastic place to be with streams of birds passing by quicker than we can call them out. We would hope to see some of the more unusual residents such as White-throated Shrike-Tanager, Lattice-tailed Trogon, Brown-billed Scythebill, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Long-billed Gnatwren, Blue-and-Gold, Carmiol’s and Black-and-yellow Tanagers. Continuing on we head for the Pacific coast and our coastal accommodation near to Carara National Park for the next 3 nights. Nights near Carara National Park.

Day 5: Carara National Park - February 20
Scarlet Macaws. Photo by Steve Bird.

This morning we will visit Carara National Park, this is the northernmost region of Pacific rainforest remaining in Costa Rica, and is the beginning of the transition zone into the tropical dry forests of the northwest. Its 11,600 acres hold a wide range of species and includes the most important area for breeding Scarlet Macaws in the country. Our morning will be spent on a short trail where early morning birding can produce Northern Royal Flycatcher, Green Shrike-Vireo, Baird’s, Gartered, and Black-throated Trogons, Tawny-winged and Cocoa Woodcreepers, Blue-black Grosbeak, White-whiskered Puffbird, Pale-billed Woodpecker, Orange-collared Manakin, Chestnut-backed and Dusky Antbirds, Dot-winged Antwren, Black-hooded Antshrike, Blue-throated Goldentail, Band-tailed Barbthroat, Costa Rican Swift, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Rufous-and-white, Rufous-breasted, Riverside and Black-bellied Wrens, Gray-headed, and White-shouldered Tanagers, Long-billed Gnatwren, Tawny-crowned and Lesser Greenlet, White-winged Becard, Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher and Northern Bentbill.

After lunch back at the lodge we will then re-visit Carara but this time taking another trail where we hope to connect with a different variety of species including several understory specialties such as Streak-chested Antpitta, Black-faced Antthrush, Ruddy Quail-Dove and Great Tinamou. We will also check a small stream where Red-capped and Blue-crowned Manakins come in to bathe and sometimes accompanied by Thrush-like Schiffornis. Night near Carara National Park.

Day 6: Carara area and Tarcoles River boat trip - February 21
Boat-billed Heron. Photo by Steve Bird.

This morning we will visit an area that offers outstanding views over Carara National Park right down to the Pacific coastline. Here a few select species can be found that maybe hard to connect with elsewhere. Western Tanager, Painted Bunting, Ruby-throated and Charming Hummingbird, plus Philadelphia Vireo and possibly Fiery-billed Aracari will all be in our sights. An overlook will give us superb chances to see the magnificent King Vulture as well as other raptors such as White Hawk, Short-tailed Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk and Swallow-tailed Kite.

After lunch back at the lodge we will head out for our fabulous afternoon boat trip on the River Tarcoles. Setting off under the guidance of our expert boatman we will first search the estuary and river edges where we can expect to see roosting Boat-billed Herons, plus Bare-faced Tiger-Heron, Little Blue Heron, Yellow-crowned and sometimes Black-crowned Night-Herons, Green Heron, Tri-colored Heron, White Ibis, occasionally Roseate Spoonbill, Wood Stork, Anhinga, Neotropic Cormorant,Black-necked Stilt, Purple Gallinule, Northern Jacana, many shorebirds. If we are lucky both Double-striped Thick-knee and Collared Plover will be seen.

Out toward the mouth of the estuary will see Laughing Gulls and a variety of terns, plus Brown Pelicans, Magnificent Frigatebirds and the ever present Ospreys. We then move into the narrower mangrove creeks where we will look for Mangrove Black Hawk, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Prothonotary Warbler and with a lot of luck Mangrove Vireo and Mangrove Hummingbird. As we return with the sun setting we will see Cattle and Snowy Egrets going to roost and noisy Scarlet Macaws and Yellow-naped Parrots flying overhead. Our finale to this superb trip will be countless Lesser Nighthawks hawking for insects low over the water.
Night near Carara National Park.

Day 7: Carara / Chirripo - February 22
This morning we will have an early breakfast and then head to an area of mangrove and scrub where we hope to get views of the endemic Mangrove Hummingbird and Mangrove Vireo plus an assortment of other species that could include Panama and Northern Scrub Flycatchers, Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Olivaceous Piculet, Masked Tityra, Scrub Greenlet and Northern Waterthrush. We will then set off on our drive toward our next destination. A few strategic stops along the coast may find us Wandering Tattler and Brown Booby and all the time we will keep an eye out for any raptors not yet on our list. Once we have reached our lodge we will have a little time to bird the grounds where we can look for Streaked Saltator, Snowy-bellied Hummingbird, Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Blue-crowned Motmot, Scaled Pigeons and with real luck the gorgeous looking Turquoise Cotinga. At night we can even try for Pacific Screech-Owl. Night Chirripo.

Day 8: Chirripo / Paramo / Savegre Mountain Lodge - February 23
Volcano Junco. Photo by Steve Bird.

This morning further searching of the area could find us Pearl Kite, Swallow-tailed Kite, Pale-breasted Spinetail, Bran-colored Flycatcher and Speckled Tanager. Moving on we will stop at a small cafe where we could connect with Cherrie’s Tanager, Red-headed Barbet, Violet Sabrewing or even the localized White-tailed Emerald. We then continue upward to the highlands of Cerro de Muerte. At the highest point which can be shrouded in cloud we will search the Paramo, an area of short stunted bushes and trees. Here we will target the Volcano Junco and hope to get a few more high altitude species such as Mountain Thrush, Sooty Robin, Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Slaty Flowerpiercer, Volcano and Magnificent Hummingbirds, Black-cheeked Warbler, and possibly Timberline Wren. Another spot we have recently discovered gives us a good chance to see the elusive Zeledonia, plus Large-footed Finch. We then make our way toward our lodge set in a beautiful wooded valley beside a tumbling stream that holds, American Dipper, Torrent Tyrannulet and sometimes Louisiana Waterthrush. Two nights Savegre Mountain Lodge.

Day 9: Savegre Mountain Lodge - February 24
Resplendent Quetzal. Photo by Steve Bird.

Resplendent Quetzal. Photo by Steve Bird.

We have the full day to explore this wonderful area and we hope to start off with close views of Resplendent Quetzal, possibly one of the most beautiful birds in the world. Many other birds can be found around the lodge and a little further down the valley. We will take a 4x4 ride to a highland trail where we can search for difficult species such as Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl, Silvery-throated Jay, Buff-fronted Quail-Dove, Spotted Wood-Quail, Buffy Tuftedcheek, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Collared Trogon, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Yellow-winged Vireo, Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush, Yellow-thighed Finch, Black-headed and Tufted Flycatchers, Barred Becard, Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher and White-collared Swifts. After lunch the rest of the day will see us looking for the stunning Flame-colored Tanager, Brown-capped Vireo, Spangle-cheeked Tanager, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Yellowish Flycatcher, Collared Redstart, Acorn and Hairy Woodpecker, Sulphur-winged Parakeets, Green Violet-ear, White-throated Mountain-Gem, Scintillant Hummingbird, Ruddy Treerunner, Black-faced Solitaire, Emerald Toucanet, Flame-throated Warbler, Stripe-tailed Emerald and more besides. We again have more chances for the amazing Resplendent Quetzal - a highlight of any tour to Costa Rica. In the evening we will try for both Dusky Nightjar and Bare-shanked Screech-Owl. Night Savegre Mountain Lodge.

Day 10: Savegre Mountain Lodge / Tapanti National Park - February 25
We will have time to check the lodge grounds again before heading up and out of this stunning valley. Our next stop will be another small cafe where we can enjoy a cup of fresh Costa Rican coffee while watching dozens of Fiery-throated Hummingbirds coming into feeders just a few inches away. Joining these flying gems will be several other species that we should have already have seen yesterday. We will then take a walk onto the trails where we hope to find such delightful birds as Black-and-yellow Silky-Flycatcher, Ochraceous Pewee, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo and another chance for the skulking Zeledonia. We should also see Resplendent Quetzals here! After lunch we will set off down the mountain towards our next destination near the Tapanti National Park. Night near Tapanti.

Day 11: Tapanti / San Jose - February 26
Our last day will be spent mostly in Tapanti National Park. Here we will search flowering trees for Black-bellied Hummingbird and small waterfalls for Green-fronted Lancebill. A short figure of eight trail will give us chances to see Black Guan, Red-faced Spinetail, Spotted Barbtail, and with an awful lot of luck the skulky Scaled Antpitta or difficult White-winged Tanager. There are plenty of good birds to see today and always something unexpected! Migrant warblers, vireos and plenty of tanagers will see a fitting end to this fabulous tour. Later we head back to San Jose for our final night. Night San Jose.

Day 12: Depart San Jose - February 27
If you are not continuing on our extension we will transfer you to the airport in time for your international departures.

ARENAL/CANO NEGRO EXTENSION:
Days 12 - 14: San Jose – Arenal Observatory Lodge – February 27 - March 1
Arenal Volcano. Photo by Gina Nichol.

Today we will depart for the Arenal area and our accommodation at the fabulous Arenal Observatory Lodge at the base of Arenal Volcano. The feeders at the lodge are a spectacle of bird activity and no doubt we’ll be our checking the feeders at our lodge and marveling at the sounds of the volcano. We’ll spend our days birding the grounds around the lodge and some nearby tracts of forest, plus the amazing hanging bridges. The entire area is a haven for birds and we will search out rarely seen species such as Keel-billed Motmot, Lanceolated Monklet, Ocellated Antbird and Thicket Antpitta. Easy viewing on the feeders and flowers should include Emerald, Crimson-collared, Hepatic, Blue-gray, Golden-hooded, Passerini’s and Bay-headed Tanagers, while hummingbirds should include Black-crested Coquette, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Crowned Woodnymph, Purple-crowned Fairy, Stripe-throated Hermit, White-necked Jacobin and maybe Red-footed Plumeleteer. Many other birds will keep us busy such as Montezuma’s Oropendola, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Red-legged and Green Honeycreepers, Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, Orange-bellied Trogon, Spotted Antbird and Crested Guan. The shy yet vocal Nightingale Wren will be sought, and we could get to grips with Black-bellied Wren, Bare-crowned Antbird, Long-billed Gnatwren, Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush and even Great Potoo. One day we will visit Arenal's hanging bridges, a delightful canopy tour which will allow us to get close to feeding flocks all at eye level. Tanagers, toucans, flycatchers, and quite possibly White-fronted Nunbird are all possibilities and for birders this has to be one of the most exciting walkways in the country. Unprecedented views of birds in the tops of trees where you would normally strain your neck could include Long-tailed Tyrant, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Black-cowled Oriole, Yellow-billed Caciques, White-throated Shrike-Tanager, Bright-rumped Attila and Crested Guan as well countless warblers and tanagers, with possibilities of Bay-winged Tanager, Song Wren and Rufous-tailed Jacamar. Nights Arenal Observatory Lodge.

Days 15 & 16: Arenal / Cano Negro – March 2 & 3
Sungrebe. Photo by Steve Bird.

After our final morning birding this area we will head for our next destination north near the border with Nicaragua and the wonderful Cano Negro Natural Lodge. We should have time to check a few good areas along the way and with luck may connect with several of our target species such as Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture and Nicaraguan Seed-Finch. In the evening we may go on a night drive in search of Pauraque, Common and Great Potoo.

The following morning we will have an early start for our boat ride on the Cano Negro River. This excellent trip will give us chances for many birds including all five species of kingfisher and the sought after Sungrebe. This is one of the only places we can find the very localized Nicaraguan Grackle a bird associated with wetlands and reed-beds. Depending on water levels we could also find the striking Agami Heron, Boat-billed Heron, Green Ibis, Black-collared Hawk, Gray-necked Woodrail, Collared Plover, Mangrove Cuckoo, Mangrove Swallow and if luck is on our side possibly Pinnated Bittern or one of the rarer crakes such as Yellow-breasted. Spectacled Caiman are easily seen and if we are fortunate we could even see Neotropic Otter. There are many other superb species within close vicinity of the lodge and our afternoon will be spent in search of localized Spot-breasted Wrens, Gray-headed Dove, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet and Olive-throated Parakeet. Nights Cano Negro Natural Lodge.

Day 17: Cano Negro / San Jose – March 4
After breakfast and some final birding around the lodge we will set off for San Jose for our final night.

Day 18: San Jose – Departure - March 5
Today we will transfer you to the airport in time for your international departures.

Fiery-throated Hummingbird. Photo by Gina Nichol.

COSTA RICA!
A Birder's Paradise
February 16 - 28, 2013
Arenal/Cano Negro Extension:
February 27 - March 6, 2013

Registration Form>>

TOUR PRICE: TBA per person based on double occupancy from San Jose, Costa Rica (Airport Code: SJO)

Deposit: $500.00 per person

Single Supplement: TBA (subject to availability)

Included in cost: Cost is based on double occupancy and includes, group airport transfers, private transportation during the tour, all accommodations, meals from Day 2 until the morning of Day 11 during the tour, professional guide services, local guides, local park and reserve entrance fees.

Not included: International flight, airport departure tax, insurance, drinks, tips, and items of a personal nature such as: laundry, telephone, beverages, gratuities for porterage, guides, or personal services.

RESERVATIONS: To reserve your place on this tour, complete the Registration & Release Form and mail it with your deposit of $500.00 per person to Sunrise Birding, LLC. Instructions are on the form. Reservations are held with a deposit on a first-come, first-served basis. >Download & print the Registration Form.

Final payment is due by October 16, 2012 and must be paid by check.

Accommodation: All lodges are of a good standard and offer en-suite rooms, a good variety of meals and cooked breakfasts.

Tour Code: This is a standard birding tour with regular birding walks along roads and well marked trails. There are early morning options and pre-breakfast excursions, followed by morning and afternoon sessions. The weather is generally good to warm, even hot, with possibilities of rain in the afternoons. Be prepared for all eventualities.

Cancellations and Refunds: All cancellations must be made in writing. In the event that you must cancel your booking at any stage, all payments you have made to Sunrise Birding, LLC will be retained by us, except at our discretion. Please ensure that you take out adequate insurance to cover this and any other eventuality as early as possible. You may have the opportunity to transfer your booking to another tour or another person, provided you are unavoidably prevented from coming on the tour. In this case, you will bear any extra costs that such changes may incur.

There are no refunds once the trip is confirmed to go ahead and no refunds will be made for unused meals, accommodations, or other trip features.

Insurance: The purchase of trip cancellation insurance to cover any eventuality is strongly recommended. Sunrise Birding, LLC can not accept liability for airline cancellations or delays or penalties incurred by the purchase of non-refundable airline tickets or other expenses incurred by tour participants in preparing for this tour.

Questions? Contact Gina Nichol at gina@sunrisebirding .com
Phone: US 203.453.6724

TOUR OPERATED BY ZOOTHERA GLOBAL BIRDING

All photos © Gina Nichol & Steve Bird. Photo credits:(top to bottom):
Costa Rican Pygmy-owl. Photo by Steve Bird.
Fasciated Tiget-Heron. Photo by Gina Nichol.
Rufous Motmot. Photo by Steve Bird.
Crimson-collared Tanager. Photo by Steve Bird.
Scarlet Macaws. Photo by Steve Bird.
Boat-billed Heron. Photo by Steve Bird.
Volcano Junco. Photo by Steve Bird.
Resplendent Quetzal. Photo by Steve Bird.
Arenal Volcano. Photo by Gina Nichol.
Sungrebe. Photo by Steve Bird.
Fiery-throated Hummingbird. Photo by Gina Nichol.