Including a Wonderful Variety of Birds & Habitats
and SPECTACULAR ARENAL VOLCANO
| Dates: | Sunday, 25 February through Saturday, 10 March 2007: 14 days and 13 nights. Several nights at most locations will give this tour a wonderfully relaxed pace, with many new birds every day. Or you may choose to stay at only two or three locations for a shorter tour of 7-10 days. |
| We'll visit: | The beautiful Orquideas Inn, an easy drive from the San Jose Airport and a wonderful way to begin our tour. |
| Rancho Naturalista Lodge on the Caribbean slope, famous for its beauty, incredible diversity of birds and wildlife, and the hummingbird ponds that you have to see to believe. We'll visit the Rio Tuis Valley for a change of habitats and birds. Rancho has one of the best porches in the world from which to bird. | |
| Savegre Mountain Lodge, in a beautiful setting along the Savegre River high on the Pacific slope, with Resplendent Quetzals sometimes seen from our front door. | |
| Punta Leona Beach Resort, located within easy driving distance of Carara Biological Reserve in Pacific lowland forest, the easiest location in Costa Rica to see Scarlet Macaws. | |
| Arenal Volcano, the most active volcano in Central America, is likely to put on a very nice show. We have found the rare and elusive Bare-necked Umbrellabird twice on nearby trails. Our boat ride on the Rio Frio will be a day to remember. | |
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Arenal Volcano, the most active volcano in Central America, is likely to put on a very nice show.
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| Species that we may observe include . . . | ||
| Boat-billed Heron | Dusky Antbird | |
| Roseate Spoonbill | Chestnut-backed Antbird | |
| King Vulture | Cinnamon Becard | |
| Gray-headed Kite | Yellow-billed Cotinga | |
| Double-toothed Kite | Three-wattled Bellbird | |
| Mangrove Black-Hawk | Blue-crowned Manakin | |
| Collared Forest-Falcon | White-ruffed Manakin | |
| White Hawk | Bright-rumped Attila | |
| Bat Falcon | Streaked Flycatcher | |
| Ruddy Quail-Dove | Northern Royal Flycatcher | |
| Scarlet Macaw | Black-capped Flycatcher | |
| White-fronted Parrot | White-throated Spadebill | |
| Red=lored Parrot | Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant | |
| Mottled Owl | Northern Bentbill | |
| Spectacled Owl | Keel-billed Toucan | |
| Pacific Screech-Owl | Bay Wren | |
| White-necked Jacobin | Rufous-naped Wren | |
| Snowcap | Nightingale Wren | |
| Black-crested Coquette | Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush | |
| Purple-crowned Fairy | Mangrove Vireo | |
| Violaceous Trogon | Brown-capped Vireo | |
| Collared Trogon | Rufous-browed Peppershrike | |
| Rufous-tailed Jacamar | Green Shrike-Vireo | |
| Blue-crowned Motmot | Rufous-capped Warbler | |
| Turquoise-browed Motmot | Mangrove Warbler | |
| White-whiskered Puffbird | Olive-backed Euphonia | |
| Golden-olive Woodpecker | Green Honeycreeper | |
| Pale-billed Woodpecker | Crimson-collared Tanager | |
| Long-billed Gnatwren | Bay-headed Tanager | |
| Wedge-billed Woodcreeper | Red-crowned Ant-Tanager | |
| N. Barred-Woodcreeper | Scarlet-thighed Dacnis | |
| Barred Antshrike | Blue-black Grosbeak | |
| Russet Antshrike | Yellow-faced Grassquit | |
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Other animals that we are likely to encounter include: Mantled Howler, White-faced Capuchin, and Spider Monkeys Three-toed Sloth and Central American Coati Tree Iguana, Basilisk, and Amaiva Lizards Leaf Cutter and Army Ants |
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| Day | Agenda | ||||
| 1 |
We will arrive at San Jose International Airport in the
afternoon or evening, then spend our first night at a fine hotel 30
minutes from the airport. We could easily find our first few exciting
species on the spacious grounds of the hotel, including
Crimson-fronted Parakeet, Rufous-collared Sparrow,
Blue-crowned Motmot, and Gray-necked Wood-Rail.
Overnight at the Orquideas Inn.
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| 2 |
We will travel by van to Rancho Naturalista Lodge, which is
situated at about 3000 feet on the Caribbean slope. Rancho has the
reputation of being one of the finest birding lodges in the entire
country. We'll explore a trail or two and find several life birds,
perhaps a Keel-billed Toucan, Black-headed Saltator, or
Yellow-billed Cacique. Our first Snowcap and
Violet-crowned Woodnymph are likely at the hummingbird ponds
and feeders. After a nice dinner we'll settle down to the sounds of
Great Tinamou and Pauraque, and our first of three
nights at Rancho.
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| 3-4 |
We have two entire days to explore the trails, forests, gardens, and
ponds at Rancho Naturalista. There is the possibility of many
different walks and the option of birding from the Upper Porch. More
than 130 different birds have been seen from the Porch,
including Black-crested Coquette, Blue-crowned Motmot,
and Chestnut-headed Oropendola. Recently I met a couple that
had stayed at Rancho for three days. During that time they found a
total of 120 species, 70 of which were seen from the Porch! The
hummingbird ponds were discovered 14 years ago and have become one of
Rancho's biggest attractions. The ponds regularly attract six or more
different hummingbird species for their daily baths: Snowcap,
Violet-headed Hummingbird, and Violet Crowned Woodnymph
are a few of the regulars. It has also produced rarities such as
Tawny-throated Leaftosser and the endemic Coppery-headed
Emerald. Woodland walks are likely to yield great birds such as
Broad-billed Motmot, Brown-billed Scythebill,
Ashy-throated Bush-Tanager, Black-and-yellow Tanager,
White-crowned Manakin, and Black-headed Antthrush. Much
of our birding will be with the help of a resident guide, an expert
who birds the grounds daily. A few excursions after dark may yield
Short-tailed Nighthawk, Mottled or Spectacled
Owl, and a nocturnal mammal or two.
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| 6 |
This is probably the easiest place in the country to see
Resplendent Quetzal: we've found them feeding and nesting
less than 100 feet from our cabins! We will have a wonderful
time exploring the woodland trails and birding along the Rio Savegre.
This area may yield Sulphur-winged and Barred Parakeets,
Collared Trogon, Ruddy Treerunner, Dark Pewee,
and Golden-browed Chlorophonia. We were once treated to a
nesting Mountain Pygmy-Owl. We'll search for Ochraceous
Pewee and Streaked-breasted Treehunter, two very unusual
forest species. The feeders at the lodge abound with hummers
such as Green Violet-ear, Gray-tailed Mountain-gem, and
Fiery-throated, Magnificent, Scintillant, and
Volcano Hummingbirds. Walks along the Rio Savegre may yield
Yellow-bellied Siskin, Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager,
American Dipper, Torrent Tyrannulet, and
Rufous-browed Peppershrike. In the orchard we can usually find
Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher and Acorn Woodpecker. We
have seen Ornate Hawk-Eagle here by day and Bare-shanked
Screech-Owl at night. A second night at Savegre Mountain Lodge.
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| 7 |
After breakfast we'll begin the next leg of our adventure. We will
leave the mountains and drive to Punta Leona, strategically situated
along the coast in the Pacific Lowlands. Some of birds that we may see
on the grounds of the lodge include White-whiskered Puffbird,
Turquoise-browed Motmot, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, and
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl. These can all be seen while we take our
breaks between the REALLY good birding walks! On at least one evening
we'll go to the Tarcol River Bridge for the flight of Scarlet
Macaws and Red-lored and Yellow-naped Parrots. The
Crocodiles are always a big favorite, as was the Spotted
Rail we found there on one of our tours, the first record for the
entire Carara region. Last year a Yellow-billed Cotinga put on an
excellent show. Our next four nights are all at Punta Leona
Beach Resort, possibly drifting off to the sound of a
Northern Potoo…….zzzzz.
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| 8-10 |
Birding excursions will be planned for the entire day, with a nice
siesta after lunch. I remember one such day here several years ago:
three sit-down meals, a 2-hour mid-day break, nice, relaxed pace, and
174 species of birds, the most I have ever seen in one day
anywhere! The River Trail at Carara is famous for its incredible
birding walks which may include Yellow-billed Cotinga,
White-whiskered Puffbird, Boat-billed Heron, Northern
Royal Flycatcher, King Vulture, Orange-collared
Manakin, and Three-wattled Bellbird. You'll get many views
of FOUR different species of trogons. The habitat at the Figure
Eight Trail is good for Crested Guan, Great Tinamou,
Ruddy Quail-Dove, Black-tailed Flycatcher, and
Spectacled Antpitta. A whole new group of birds is likely on
our Tarcol River/Mangrove boat ride, including the endemic Mangrove
Hummingbird, Mangrove Vireo, Turquoise-browed
Motmot, and perhaps Double-striped Thick-knee. After dark
a few possibilities include Pacific Screech-Owl, Striped
Owl, and Pauraque. Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl is more
readily found during the day.
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| 11-12 |
Our final destination is Arenal Volcano. Arenal is considered
the most active volcano in Central America; we will see and hear it
many times during our stay. We may also see Olive Tanager,
Rufous Motmot, Pale-billed Woodpecker, Tropical
Parula, and Green Honeycreeper as we walk the Waterfall
Trail and watch the feeders from the dining room. We'll spend our days
exploring these and other trails near Arenal. You can expect flocks of
tanagers mixed with migrant warblers and vireos.
There are always a lot of forest birds including Great
Currasow, Crested Guan, Little Tinamou, and a
variety of antbirds. On two different occasions our tour groups
have had the privilege of finding a male Bare-necked
Umbrellabird, one only 50 feet away for a prolonged scope view!
We'll search for Slaty-tailed Trogon, Muscovy Duck,
Double-toothed Kite, and Bay Wren near Lake Arenal. We
will spend three nights at the Hotel San Bosco in Fortuna, with a
beautiful and safe view of the volcano.
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| 13 |
This morning we will drive to the town of Los Chiles and spend the day
aboard a comfortable, shaded boat exploring the Cano Negro Wildlife
Preserve on the Rio Frio, where birdlife abounds. Expect great looks
at Sungrebe, Boat-billed Heron, Bare-throated
Tiger-Heron, American Pygmy Kingfisher, and Great
Potoo. Other possibilities include Green Ibis, Lesser
Yellow-headed Vulture, and Northern Potoo. The photographic
opportunities are excellent and the boat captain is very
knowledgeable. This is my favorite boat ride in all of Costa Rica.
This will be the grand finale to a wonderful tour. We will spend one
more night at the Hotel San Bosco in Fortuna with a great dinner at La
Cascada Restaurant.
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| 14 |
This morning we'll drive to San Jose to arrive at the International
Airport in time for our mid-day flights home, the end of two weeks of
incredible birding adventure in Costa Rica.
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PLEASE REMEMBER that if two weeks if too long for you to be away, we
will adjust the length of your tour to your specific needs. Contact
the
BIRD TREKS
office for details.
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| Leader: |
The Costa Rica Special will be led by Bob Schutsky who
has led more than 30 previous tours to this beautiful, friendly
country. Bob knows the birds and the habitats and how to be in the
right place at the right time. He will do his best to give you a
bird-filled, worry-free tour.
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| Price: |
$4195 per person based upon double occupancy. Single accommodations
are available at an extra charge of $795. If single accommodations
are unavailable at a particular location, as sometimes occurs, you
will be refunded that portion of your extra charge.
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| Includes: |
Expert guide service with both Bob and the resident guides, transfers
to and from the airport and transportation between lodges, entrance
fees, ALL meals, and lodging for 13 nights. ALL tips are
also included in the tour fee, except for anything that you may wish
to give to your driver, boat captains, and tour leader(s). Does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages, items of a personal nature, airport departure tax, or international airfare to and from San Jose. Upon request BIRD TREKS will help you obtain the best possible airfare. |
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| Deposit: |
A $1000 deposit will assure your reservation on the tour. The balance
is due 15 December 2006. Send your deposit SOON so that we can secure
the least expensive airfare to San Jose and reserve your spot on this
great tour.
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Extra Services: |
We offer the services of our exclusive
BIRD TREKS travel agent,
Lori Heathcote, in arranging your air travel. Lori has 21 years
of experience in the travel industry and is a veteran birder. Contact
her through Bailey Travel at 1-800-224-5399, or you can e-mail
lori@baileytravel.com.
By dealing with Lori you have the security of a 24-hour toll-free
telephone number in case of any travel emergency. She can also assist
you with all pre- and post-tour travel plans.
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Refund & Cancellation Policy: |
With written notice more than 90 days prior to the first day of the
tour, 100% of your deposit will be refunded, minus a $100 service fee.
With 30-90 days notice, you will receive a 50% refund of the full cost
of the tour. No refund can be made with less than 30 days notice.
You will receive a full refund if you provide a replacement for your
spot on the tour.
No partial refund can be given once a tour begins.
We strongly recommend that you purchase trip
cancellation insurance to protect your investment in case of injury or
illness to you or your family prior to or during a tour. Click on the
following link to Access America or contact
BIRD TREKS for information
on obtaining this coverage.
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Robert M. Schutsky 216 Spring Lane Peach Bottom, PA 17563 Phone: 717-548-3303 Fax: 717-548-3327 e-mail: info@birdtreks.com |
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