Most folks bird the rain forests in the central and Caribbean regions of Costa Rica, but plenty of enjoyment may be found in the dry forests of Guanacaste. Like elsewhere in the world where one is in extremely dry habitats, find the water, but remember … sometimes the water is present even when it may not be seen! Towards the end of the dry season in the dry forest habitats of Costa Rica, there will almost never be water in the creeks. However, when heavy rains arrive during the Rainy Season, waters seep deep into the ground, and often will still be present underground even after several months of the dry season. The dry creek beds will be obvious, and if the surrounding trees have leaves … bingo! These trees may also have nuts and fruits which the birds will use for their meals! Don’t forget to check out where the dry creeks enter the ocean. Often there will be tidal pools which recharge with the changing of the tides. While we humans are not able to survive on these brackish waters, other animals and insects have amazing tolerances. Finally, if you find a “fresh water trickle”, mark the spot. It is guaranteed animals and birds also know where the actual freshwater exists … no matter how small the source.

Las Catalinas Dry Creek Bed & Small Tidal Pool

Bare-Throated Tiger Heron (immature)

Boat-Billed Flycatcher

Canivet’s Emerald Hummingbird

Chestnut-Capped Warbler

Great-Tailed Grackle

Northern Waterthrush

Painted Bunting (female or immature)

Rufous-Backed Wren

Squirrel-Tailed Cuckoo

Summer Tanager

Tropical Kingbird

Turquoise-Browed Mot Mot

Wilson’s Warbler

Orange-Chinned Parakeet

Stripe-Headed Sparrow

A Gray Hawk decided to hunt directly opposite our balcony down here in Costa Rica. It was successful, and took down a White Tipped Dove. The hawk was only 20 yards away from our balcony for almost 30 minutes as the raptor ate lunch.

Gray Hawk

Molly and I visited El Viejo for the third time yesterday, and the folks at this beautiful location never cease to impress! We had booked the 9:00 am river tour for our family, a group of eight. As always, you should arrive early and with your guide’s permission and agreement head immediately to the river for the cruise. Thus, we arrived at 8:30 am, and were the first touring boat. Our guide, Hernán Chaverri, was superb! I was the only birder in our group, but he kept everyone entranced and engaged from my youngest grandchild (age 8), the teenagers, my daughter and her husband, up through Molly and me. Thankfully, I was able to get everyone rallied early in the morning for our 90 minutes drive.

After the river cruise, Hernán asked if we would like to visit the wetlands (driving loop). He did an amazing job of moving back and forth between two cars, and keeping the non birding folks engaged. The thousands of Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks did not hurt, either! However, for me the star of the show was the Laughing Falcon. I have always waned to see this bird, and Lady Luck and Hernán’s sharp eyes came through in an amazing way!

Laughing Falcon

Other stars were …

Double Striped Thick-Kneed

Green Kingfisher

Jabiru Stork

Russet Naped Wood Rail

and finally …

Snail Kite

We finished our time a Hacienda El Viejo with a lunch in their beautiful, historic open air lodge. If interested, here are our two eBird reports:

• River Cruise
• Wetlands Tour by Car

Finally, it you are a coffee lover … purchase some Organikos Coffee! You may find this product in the El Viejo gift shop, or have the coffee shipped to the USA. While I am a Diet Coke drinker who dislikes the taste of coffee, this small company has a commitment to conservation. I had fun talking with the Organikos owner who was delivering product. Not only does this coffee grower believe in conservation, their son attended the Cornell School of Ornithology and is off now doing bird research! As always, my link to Organikos (or any company) is non sponsored.