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| Acorn Woodpeckers |
From our base at Miriam’s Quetzals, high in the Costa Rican
hills, we had a little of an explore at the National Park that shares its name
with Quetzals.
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| Resplendent Quetzal |
First though, we had a little birding in and around the down
hill cabins. The chief target was a Pygmy Owl however it remained unseen.
Before we got there we had a brief but successful stake out for the Buffy
Tuftedcheek – this is a passerine closely related to the woodcreepers. The day
before we had seen it visit its nest which it had created in a road side
cutting. The nest had been apparently bored up under an overhang.
Around the cabins the normal suspects were sighted; many of
the same species as the previous day however we finally all got good views of a
specie that Vince had photographed on our first full day in the gardens at the
Hotel Bouganvillea – a Rufous browed Peppershrike.
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Breakfast followed before a short drive to the National
Park. Here we managed to see a few more Quetzals. And a few Silky Flycatchers
of both species; Long tailed and Black and Yellow – the latter a lifer for all.
There was a few skulkers; Wrenthrush; which I realised I had seen in Tapanti NP
and Timberline Wren. Another lifer was the Barred Becard. Sooty capped
Chlorospingus, Black cheeked, Flame throated, Black throated Green and Wilsons
Warblers were seen. A family, at least six, Ruddy Treerunners were found. Both
Band tailed and Ruddy Doves did Fly-bys but to mind they were not tickable
views. Flycatchers included Mountain Elanea and Black capped F’catcher. A nice
line of Broad winged Hawks migrated on by. Black billed Nightingale Thrush were also
common on the road sides.
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** Clay coloured Thrush and Rufous collared Sparros
remain ubiquitous!
Lunch was hosted at a nearby Lodge where the main attraction
were Hummingbird feeders. Here four species were in constant activity;
Talamanca, Lesser Violet eared, the minute Volcano and a new specie for us
Fiery throated Hummingbird. They all put on a dizzying show. Flowerpiercers
were seen well as were the ridiculously named Big footed Finch.
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| Flowerpiercers |
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Post lunch it was agreed to have a lazy afternoon; so a
little birding by the feeders at Miriams while some visited a nearby Art
Gallery. Birds at the feeders included Big footed Finch, Yellow thighed Finch,
Acorn Woodpeckers, Flame coloured Tanagers, CC Thrush, RC Sparrow, Talamanca
and Volcano Hummingbirds, Wilson’s Warbler and Sooty capped Chlorospingus. LT
Silky Flycatchers and a couple of Band tailed Pigeons were seen roosting in
nearby trees.
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| Acorn Woodpecker |
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| Acorn Woodpecker |
Awesome birds & pictures! Thanks for sharing Ken.
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