Day 20 Arenal to La Selva

Three Wattled Bellbird - BIRD OF THE DAY!!

From Arenal we visited a small bird feeding area; closeby to where we enjoyed lunch the previous day. This was a small family run affair that traded on the reliability of three toed sloths in their local patch. The area was good for birds too, including a few specials. 

A hide and feeder had been established and there was a little wet soak area. 

The feeders were attracting an avalanche of Chachalacas when we arrived plus a drip feed of Tanagers. The soak had a White throated Crake turn up. We were also lucky enough to score a Uniform Crake crossing the track a little further away. 

Like most visitors we also got great views of Three toed Sloth - a male in clear view! 

White throated Crake

White throated Crake

Barred Antshrike male

Three toed Sloth - male

Cocoa Woodcreeper

Our itinerary today was altered today to target a special bird - the Three wattled Bellbird. We were taken to a remnant area of forest that was surrounded by dairy farms and here we heard and then saw the Bellbirds. These birds, like other Cotingas have lekking grounds where the males assemble to perform and 'sing'. Their song is very loud and impossible to describe and as the picture below shows their bill needs to be open quite wide to allow it to happen! The males, happily for us, sit merrily exposed at the tops of trees for maximum sound and vision effect. Alas we saw no females but we hope their efforts were not in vain.

A few other good species were seen here including Tropical Parula, Tawny crowned Euphonia, Sulphur bellied Flycatcher to name a few.

Three Wattled Bellbird

Three Wattled Bellbird

Tawny capped Euphonia male

Tropical Parula

Next stop was lunch and while lunch was being perpared we enjoyed the feeders at a nearby Bungy jumping attraction. Highlights included two new Tanager spp - Crimson coloured below plus a brief view of Blue and Gold Tanager which eluded most viewers and all cameras. Diego also got an Emrald Tanager but for everyone else it was a sp that got away! A Waterthrush was seen here; which Diego considered later that it was probably / possibly a Louisiana due to elevation preference of the spp. Good views of the bird though were lacking!

Crimson collared Tanager

House Wren

Chestnut sided Warbler

Bananaquit

Later in the day we arrived at the La Selva area and as were checking in a male Great Currasow calmly walked by. 

Check-in completed we were driven to a nearby area that had nests of Great Green Macaw. Enroute we got yet another Tanager; White- lined and, roosting in a nearby tree - Bat Falcon. Great Green Macaws were seen however only in silhouette.

Bat Falcon

Great Green Macaw silhouette - our last bird of the day and a fitting species for sunset!