RANCHO NATURALISTA LODGE
4 - 12 August 2007
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Day |
Agenda
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1
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Welcome to Costa Rica! After arriving to the International Airport in
San Jose, you will be met by Kevin Easley for the short transfer to
the lovely Hotel Bougainvillea.
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2
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Blue-crowned Motmot, stunning, dazzling, and amazingly easy to see.
--Kim Schutsky
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An early morning walk in the gardens of the hotel provides a great
introduction to birding in this wonderful country. Common birds in the
garden include Red-billed Pigeon, Rufous-tailed
Hummingbird, Great Kiskadee, Clay-colored Robin,
Plain Wren, Blue-gray Tanager, Grayish Saltator,
and Rufous-collared Sparrow. Often you can find Ferruginous
Pygmy-Owl and Blue-crowned Motmot. Specialty birds here
include Tropical Screech-Owl, Yellow-throated (White-naped)
Brush-Finch, White-eared Ground-Sparrow, and its rare and
local cousin, the Prevost's Ground-Sparrow. After a nice
breakfast we will load up for our day trip to Irazu en route to Rancho
Naturalista. A stop on the slopes of the volcano will be our first
chance to see some of the highland specialties which may include
Green Violet-ear, Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Hairy
Woodpecker, Ruddy Treerunner, Spot-crowned
Woodcreeper, Mountain Elaenia, Black-capped
Flycatcher, both Long-tailed and Black-and-Yellow
Silky-Flycatchers, Ochraceous Wren, Gray-breasted
Wood-Wren, Black-billed and Ruddy-capped
Nightingale-Thrushes, Yellow-winged Vireo,
Black-cheeked and Flame-throated Warblers, Collared
Redstart, Yellow-thighed and Large-footed Finches,
and the local Lesser Goldfinch. We also have a good opportunity
to see Resplendent Quetzal, considered by many to be the most
beautiful bird in the New World. Maroon-chested Ground-Dove has
been seen in this area recently, but we would be very fortunate to
find this mega-rare bamboo specialist. Once we near the entrance of
Irazu National Park the terrain changes from tall oak forest to
stunted alpine brush. Here we will search for Volcano
Hummingbird, Timberline Wren, Sooty-capped
Bush-Tanager, and Slaty Flowerpiercer. The parking area
near the crater is a favored area for Volcano Junco, another
Chiriqui highland endemic. A short walk will take us to the edge of
the crater where we will marvel at the aqua-colored lake, fumaroles,
and colorful mineral deposits below us. We will descend the volcano
and continue on our way to Rancho Naturalista, no doubt with birding
stops along the way. The entrance road to Rancho makes you wonder what
could be at the top, but the last corner reveals a very nice lodge
with beautiful gardens and a spectacular view. Once we settle into our
comfortable rooms we may have time to bird from the balcony or check
out the hummingbird feeders just inside the forest. Dinner and the
checklist before we retire for the night.
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3
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We will begin today with early morning birding from the famous balcony
at Rancho. Here we will enjoy our morning coffee or tea along with an
amazing variety of birds coming to the rice and banana feeders. Groups
of Gray-headed Chachalacas, Groove-billed Anis,
Collared Aracaris, Brown Jays, Passerini's,
Palm, and Blue-gray Tanagers, Black-headed and
Buff-throated Saltators, and impressive Montezuma
Oropendolas will provide quite a show. Other likely possibilities
include Blue-crowned Motmot, Lineated,
Black-cheeked, and Hoffmann's Woodpeckers,
Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Common Tody-Flycatcher,
Mistletoe Tyrannulet, Yellow-bellied Elaenia,
Bananaquit, Golden-hooded and White-lined
Tanagers, Black-striped and Orange-billed Sparrows,
Scarlet-rumped Cacique, and Chestnut-headed Oropendola.
Hummingbird feeders just a few feet in front of you will be buzzing
with Green Thorntail, the stunning White-necked Jacobin,
Green-crowned Brilliant, Green-breasted Mango, Brown
Violet-ear, and Rufous-tailed Hummingbird. Watch the
vervain hedge for Stripe-throated (Little) Hermit, the unique
Black-crested Coquette, and the dazzling little Snowcap!
Rancho is the best place in the world to see the charming
Snowcap and we will get great views during our stay. In the
surrounding trees watch for raptors, Keel-billed Toucan,
Brown-hooded and White-crowned Parrots, and both
Masked and Black-crowned Tityras. Secretive species
like Slaty Spinetail, Black-throated Wren, and
Yellow-billed Cacique can sometimes be seen. This is all
before our 7 AM breakfast! A morning walk will take us to the forest
hummingbird feeders. Hummingbirds coming regularly to these feeders
include the electric Violet-crowned Woodnymph, Snowcap,
Green Hermit with its incredibly long, decurved bill, the large
purple Violet Sabrewing, and more White-necked Jacobins,
Brown Violet-ears, and Green Thorntails. Birds in the
surrounding forest to watch for include White-ruffed Manakin,
Stripe-breasted Wren, Tawny-capped Euphonia, and
Tawny-chested Flycatcher, another rare and very local bird in
Central America found regularly, if not daily, at Rancho. We will have
the rest of the morning and the entire afternoon to explore the
extensive trail system at Rancho. The birding on these trails will be
described later in this itinerary. Also, every day while at Rancho,
we will return to the lodge for a nice lunch and an even better
siesta, a luxury we will not have on our day trips. Another superb
dinner, a review of the checklist, and some pleasant conversation will
complete the activities for this evening.
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4
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Today we will drive to the nearby Tuis Valley. Along the river watch
for Fasciated Tiger-Heron and Torrent Tyrannulet. As the
valley narrows and becomes more vegetated, we will make a concerted
effort to locate the resident Sunbitterns that live along this
section of the Tuis River. A handsome and unique bird when perched
becomes even more spectacular in flight when it shows off the colorful
sunbursts in its wings. Birds found in this valley that are absent or
rare on Rancho's property include Great Black and Barred
Hawks, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Swallow-tailed Kite,
Black Guan, Ruddy Pigeon, Sulphur-winged
Parakeet, Vaux's Swift, Amazon Kingfisher,
Red-headed Barbet, Smoky-brown Woodpecker,
Golden-bellied Flycatcher, the local Rufous-browed
Tyrannulet, American Dipper, Band-backed and Bay
Wrens, Olive-crowned Yellowthroat, Buff-rumped
Warbler, the aptly named Elegant (Blue-hooded) Euphonia, a
host of tanagers including Emerald,
Black-and-Yellow, and Speckled, and Thick-billed
Seed-Finch. One mega-rarity we will search for is the mythical
Lanceolated Monklet, this valley being the only regular site in
Costa Rica in the past few years for this diminutive puffbird. The
hike is a little demanding in that the trail is up and down and often
muddy, but we will go slowly to accommodate everyone. Back to Rancho
for lunch and a well-deserved siesta. In the afternoon we will take a
short walk into the gorge by the lodge to visit the bathing pools
along a small stream. Discovered in 1993 by Kevin while exploring one
afternoon, these pools have delighted many a guest over the years.
Apparently hummingbirds like to take an afternoon bath after being
around sticky sugar water and nectar all day. These shallow pools
provide a perfect place for them to do this. In the late afternoon
light we will sit and watch one hummingbird after another come in,
hover over the water, and then dip several times into the pools. The
most dips ever counted for one hummingbird was a male
Violet-crowned Woodnymph with a remarkable 48 splashes before
flying to a nearby perch to preen. Snowcaps and
Violet-crowned Woodnymphs are regular bathers, along with the
stunning Purple-crowned Fairy. Non-hummingbirds that sometimes
frequent the pools include Dull-mantled Antbird,
Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush, White-throated
Spadebill, and Olive Tanager. From January to April of
2004, a pair of Tawny-throated Leaftossers delighted guests as
they came in like clockwork at 5:30 PM for a 5 to 10 minute splashing.
Back to the lodge for showers before dinner. Don't expect to lose any
weight on this tour; the cooks at Rancho will see to that! Another
pleasant evening, viewing Volcanoes Turrialba and Irazu from the
porch.
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5
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Crimson-fronted Parakeets can be seen from the balcony at Rancho Naturalista Lodge.
--Kevin Easley
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Today we will visit the lush valleys, rushing rivers, and mossy
pre-montane rainforest of Tapanti National Park. This park is a
two-hour drive from Rancho, so we will leave after an early breakfast
to make the most of our time there. Located at a higher elevation than
Rancho, Tapanti will give us an opportunity to see new birds that are
characteristic of this altitudinal belt. Birding the trails and
roadside within the park we will look for the local Black-bellied
Hummingbird, White-bellied and Purple-throated
Mountain-Gems, Green-fronted Lancebill along the streams,
Red-headed and Prong-billed Barbets, Emerald
Toucanet, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Ruddy Treerunner,
Spotted Barbtail, Buffy Tufted-cheek, Lineated
Foliage-Gleaner, Red-faced Spinetail, Immaculate
Antbird, the mouse-like Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Barred
Becard, Tufted and Yellowish Flycatchers, Dark
Pewee, Eye-ringed Flatbill, White-throated
Spadebill, Azure-hooded Jay, Slaty-backed
Nightingale-Thrush, Spangle-cheeked Tanager, and
Sooty-faced Finch. Rarities here that we would be very
fortunate to find include Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge, Tiny
Hawk, Black-banded Woodcreeper, Buff-fronted
Foliage-Gleaner, Ochre-breasted and Scaled
Antpittas, and Sharpbill! Along the rocks in the river
watch for Torrent Tyrannulet, Black Phoebe, and
American Dipper. En route to Rancho we will stop at a dam to
look for a pair of Bat Falcons that have been resident here for
several years. Amongst the water vegetation along the lake watch for
the comically long-toed Northern Jacanas and in the clear pools
for the tiny Least Grebe. A late afternoon stop at the
agricultural school CATIE should produce Purple Gallinule,
nesting Boat-billed Herons, Crimson-fronted Parakeet,
Cocoa Woodcreeper, Mangrove Swallow, and possibly
Green Ibis and Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl. We will arrive
back at Rancho in time to clean up before another delicious dinner.
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6
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Today we will spend another relaxing early morning on the balcony
getting to know these birds better. After breakfast we will walk the
trails into the primary forest. If we come across a mixed flock the
birding can be excellent. Watch for Spotted Woodcreeper,
Russet Antshrike, Checker-throated Antwren,
Buff-throated Foliage-Gleaner, Slaty-capped and
Sulphur-rumped Flycatchers, the darling Scale-crested
Pygmy-Tyrant, Cinnamon and White-winged Becards,
Long-billed Gnatwren, Lesser and Tawny-crowned
Greenlets, Golden-crowned Warbler, Slate-throated
Redstart, Olive, Bay-headed and Red-throated
Ant-Tanagers, Green Honeycreeper, and Olive-backed
Euphonia. Two splendid birds we will see are the
Broad-billed and Rufous Motmots. Collared,
Violaceous, and Black-throated Trogons are resident in
the forest along with Golden-olive and Rufous-winged
Woodpeckers. Even a small ant swarm can have accompanying
Dull-mantled, Spotted, and Immaculate Antbirds,
along with Northern Barred and Plain-brown Woodcreepers,
Whistling (Scaly-breasted) Wren, and Black-headed
Nightingale-Thrush. Walking slowly and watching the forest floor
we may find a Great Tinamou in the trail, Gray-chested
Dove, a pair of Chestnut-capped Brush-Finches in the leaf
litter, or the uncommon and local Purplish-backed Quail-Dove.
One of the more impressive birds of the forest we should see is the
Brown-billed Scythebill, a woodcreeper with an incredibly long,
decurved bill. Along the upper portion of the trail it is not uncommon
to find Crested Guan. Mixed flocks here could include Plain
Antvireo, Rufous Mourner, and the local Ashy-throated
Bush-Tanager. In secondary growth along the edge of the forest we
hope to find such jewels as Rufous-tailed Jacamar, the tiny
Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher, White-vented Euphonia, and
Scarlet-thighed Dacnis. After a lunch break and siesta, we will
continue birding the forest hoping to see a displaying
White-crowned Manakin and at least hear the unique call of the
Thrushlike Schiffornis (hey RICK ee). White-collared
Manakin is also resident and is located by the loud snaps the
displaying males give with their wings on their leks. Nocturnal
species around the lodge include Pauraque, which can be seen at
dusk, and Mottled Owl that can be called in unless we are
fortunate and find one on its day roost. After a full day of birding
we will once again gather around the dinner table, followed by our
daily checklist tally, and later relax in the comfortable atmosphere
of the lodge.
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A curious Mottled Owl
--Kevin Easley
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7
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Another special day trip, this time to the Caribbean lowlands. We will
depart after an early breakfast for the 90-minute drive to EARTH, an
acronym for an agricultural school. The habitat varies from gardens,
good secondary growth, gallery, riverine, and primary rainforest. Once
there we should begin seeing new birds such as Pale-vented
Pigeon, Gray-rumped Swift, Roadside Hawk, and
hopefully Common Black-Hawk. Birding the patches of forest
around the buildings may produce Gray-necked Wood-Rail, the
local Central American Pygmy-Owl, Red-lored Parrot,
Amazon Kingfisher, Northern Royal Flycatcher,
Red-legged Honeycreeper, Crimson-collared Tanager, and
Black-cowled Oriole, to name a few. The drive to the primary
forest reserve goes through excellent secondary growth where we will
watch for Striped and Squirrel Cuckoos, Blue-chested
Hummingbird, Chestnut-mandibled and Keel-billed
Toucans, White-necked and Pied Puffbirds,
Barred and Great Antshrikes, Dusky Antbird, the
angel-like Snowy Cotinga, and Plain-colored Tanager. We
will check carefully underneath a shelter at the primary forest
reserve for the solitary Ghost Bat, a medium-sized pure white
bat with a pink face and feet. This building is the only place I have
ever seen this remarkable mammal. As with many primary forests, it is
often quiet in the middle of the day, but with patience we should find
many good birds which may include Slaty-breasted and Great
Tinamou, Uniform Crake (rare), Semiplumbeous Hawk,
Olive-backed Quail-Dove, Mealy Parrot, Bronzy
Hermit, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Pale-billed Woodpecker,
Cocoa Woodcreeper, Chestnut-backed Antbird,
Red-capped Manakin, Bright-rumped Attila, the local
White-ringed Flycatcher, and Blue-black Grosbeak. We
will have our picnic at the shelter before birding our way back to the
main road. If we were unsuccessful in finding Sunbittern in the
Tuis Valley earlier in the tour then we will try another location en
route to Rancho. By now Rancho will feel like home and it will be good
to get back and see what the cooks have prepared for us tonight.
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8
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Today you will have the option of having a relaxing day at Rancho or
taking a rather difficult hike up nearby Silent Mountain. The relaxing
day involves coffee and crumpets served at tea time on the balcony, no
strenuous hiking, casual birding around the feeders and garden, and a
nice long siesta in the afternoon. For those wishing to go on the
hike, it will be much different. About 25 minutes by 4WD will take us
to the foot of Silent Mountain where we will begin the climb to the
forest on top. The trail is steep and muddy and quite unpleasant. The
birding, however, can be unbelievable, not so much in the numbers of
birds but in the quality. Some of the most difficult birds to see in
Costa Rica are regular in this forest. Rarities seen on most hikes
include Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl, Rufous-rumped Antwren,
Sharpbill, Rufous-browed and Zeledon's
(White-fronted) Tyrannulets. This is the only known regular site
in Costa Rica for the aptly named Lovely Cotinga. Rarities seen
occasionally here include Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Red-fronted
Parrotlet, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Strong-billed and
Black-banded Woodcreepers, Tawny-throated Leaftosser,
the tiny Ochre-breasted Antpitta, and the elusive
Rufous-breasted Antthrush. That's quite a list of rarities!
Resplendent Quetzals nest within the forest as well. Other
more widespread species to look for include Barred Hawk,
Barred Forest-Falcon, Sulphur-winged Parakeet,
Black-bellied Hummingbird, Acorn Woodpecker,
Spectacled Foliage-Gleaner, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo,
Barred and Black-and-White Becards, Azure-hooded
Jay, Zeledonia, Spangle-cheeked Tanager, and
Sooty-faced Finch! We will carry our pack lunch with us and
enjoy it as we watch for the cotingas in a favored open area well
within the forest. It is likely to rain at some point on this hike,
usually in the afternoon, making the trails even more of a chore. We
will make our way down in the afternoon, most likely wet and covered
in mud. A stop at a marsh on the way back has been productive for
White-throated Crake and the local White-throated
Flycatcher. We will be very happy to arrive back to civilization
for a hot shower and a substantial dinner, and hopefully a VERY good
checklist.
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9
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Our schedule today will depend upon departure times that afternoon at
the airport in San Jose. We may have time for a quick look around the
forest or take our last views of the birds off the balcony before
having breakfast and then loading up for the airport transfer. We'll
say our sad goodbyes at the airport after spending a wonderful week of
birding together at Rancho Naturalista.
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Leader:
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Kevin Easley has been guiding in Costa Rica for over 13 years
and has intimate knowledge of the birds, their vocalizations, and
their habits. His first position within the country was as the
resident guide at Rancho Naturalista. For many years he also served as
tour leader for birding groups traveling throughout Costa Rica through
Rancho's birding agency. It was through this association that he met
Bob Schutsky while guiding his
BIRD TREKS
group at Tarcol Lodge. Kevin liked Costa Rica so much he decided to
live there permanently and now operates a travel agency for birders
visiting Costa Rica.
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Price:
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$1995 per person based upon double occupancy. Single accommodations
are available for an extra charge of $95.
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Includes:
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Expert guide service, lodging for 8 nights, entrance fees, transfers
to and from San Jose airport, and all ground transportation within
Costa Rica. ALL meals are included, beginning with breakfast on the
morning of 5 August. You are responsible for dinner the night of your
arrival. The Bougainvillea has a fine restaurant. ALL tips are
also included in the tour fee, except for anything that you may wish
to give to your tour leader(s).
Does not include cost of airfare to and from San Jose.
BIRD TREKS
will, upon your request, help you obtain the best airfare. Also not
included are the cost of alcoholic beverages and items of a personal
nature.
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Deposit:
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A $500 deposit will assure your reservation on the tour. The balance
is payable 1 June 2007. Costa Rica is a popular and spectacular
birding destination. Send your deposit soon to insure your reservation
and to obtain the best possible airfare.
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Extra
Services:
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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:
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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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