Briding in Costa Rica

[cabz]

My husband and I are heading to Costa Rica last 2 weeks of January.  Was there several years ago, so have abit of idea of the lay of the land.  Any recommendations for birding guides, we are doing the usual searching the internet etc, but does not hurt to ask.  We are headed for the town of Montezuma (not his revenge) on the Nicoyo Pen. for a few days, the onto ?  Maybe Monteverde (want to go  back to sit by the hummingbird feeders!!!!!!!!!!!).  Any advice, suggestions?

Thank you in advance for any help.

Merry Christmas and all the best for 2012 and Great Birding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once the Xmas rush is over, get out locally to see some of the Snowies etc!!!!!!!!!!!

Cynthia

[mr.sharp-photo]

hope this isn't too late.

I love Monteverde.  My suggestion is this: 2 days in Monteverde, at a minimum. we would go for 6:30 AM, leave for lunch, go back after lunch. I suggest a guide for your first morning (you can get one at the park's office). depending how good you are, you may not need a guide for day 2. but for day 1? most certainly.

be patient with the quetzal. we would check back frequently to see if it would come close. one time, we watched it eat and regurgitate an avocado. it actually flew out of the back of the forest (usually its 150 ft away) and into a tree above us!

hummingbirds: yes, you can see them at the coffee shop and get right on in there. but any place in CR that has flowers will have swarms of hummingbirds.

we spent a night at the Arenal Observatory lodge. in the morning, they put fruit on a platform and that attracts some beautiful birds.

[cabz]

Had a great trip.  I got 113 species for the whole trip, not many considering the number there, but 50 lifers, so I am happy.  Best birds were Orange-bellied Trogon, the guide said that was almost as good as Quetzal, tried for one, but no luck ,  Scarlet Macaws and Great Green Macaws.  My husband saw a King Vulture, but I had gone horseback riding, so missed it.  He got a pic of it soaring.   We spent about 2 hours at the Hummingbird garden at Monteverde, my husband took alot of pics.  Highlight was this place: www.lagarto-lodge-costa-rica.com.   2 kinds of Toucans, parrots, Acari etc.  It is the road to get there, took almost 2 hours to go about 35 Km.  Hummingbirds everywhere, as you say, any where there is flowers.  Spent 5 days kicking back in Montezuma, went to Cabo Blanco reserve, then 2 days at Monteverde and 2 nites at Arenal, but the top of the volcano was always covered in clouds.

Now back to the real world and to think about the next vacation, maybe get out soon to look for snowies.

Good birding everyone

Cynthia