Day 21 - La Selva Area

BIRD OF THE DAY [FINALLY] - SUNBITTERN - this was the second time that we recorded this species. The first day, much earlier in the trip it was outvoted in favor of one of the flashy tanagers. Today it was [rightly] voted bird of the trip!

La Selva Biological Station is a protected area encompassing 1,536 ha of low-land tropical rain forest in northeastern Costa Rica. It is owned and operated by the Organization for Tropical Studies, a consortium of universities and research institutions from the United States, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico. Recognized internationally as one of the most productive field stations in the world for tropical forest research and peer-reviewed publications, La Selva hosts approximately 300 scientists and 100 university courses every year. The primary goal of La Selva Biological Station is to preserve and protect an intact forest, as well as providing laboratory facilities for tropical research and education. The research potential of the area is not only vital to tropical ecology, but it is also an important location in the effort to study relations between local communities and protected areas. In addition, its high diversity and ease of access to the Puerto Viejo-Horquetas highway makes La Selva an important ecotourism destination and environmental education center for tourists and the local community.

Collared Aracari

Our day in La Selva began with a brief bird in the carpark followed by a brief drive to breakfast.

Rufous Motmot

Rufous Motmot - destroying a snake

Rufous Motmot - [still] destroying a snake

Post breakfast we walked a trail which ultimately led to our cabins.

Rufous tailed Jacamar

Rufous tailed Jacamar

Bright rumped Attila

White collared Manakin

An Anole sp

An Anole spp

Fasciated Antshrike

Another Anole spp - this one shedding

Lunch was held about 40 minutes drive away at a lodge / T-shirt printing business. Here, as is almost customary, they had bird feeders but better birds were seen on the adjacent river.

Great Crested Flycatcher

Ruddy Ground Doves

Lifer- Fasciated Tiger Heron

Enroute to lunch we enjoyed a tropical fruit tasting session.

Nest of a Lesser Swallow tailed Swift

White collared Manakin male at Lekking site

Great Pottoo roosting - always their backs to us - quite rude!

Emerald Basalisk

After lunch we visited a nearby birder / bird artist who led us into the field for a few local specials.
And then back to his feeders.

Articially created feeding area. Wetland is a small dammed area plus all plants planted and branches placed. We are sitting in a darkened shed with coffee service...

White necked Jacobin male

Wood Thrush