Historically, July has not been the most exciting time for birding. At least that way birding rumors often roll into the temperate zone. No migration, birds ending up nesting on lazy summer days, not much to see… Those mid-summer times always seem better for studying your guides field, going to ball games and taking advantage of the sweet summer days.
Rumors can have some basis of truth and summer birding sayings are no exception. Anyway, maybe we just don’t see each other much because we don’t go birding? Birds do not disappear in July, not even in the north and especially in Costa Rica. Some stay in their breeding grounds and some raise secondary broods. Other birds are heading south, some shorebirds are here!
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There are also birds that migrate north, and, in Costa Rica, it’s a good time to look for seabirds in the Gulf of Nicoya (a few Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrels were seen today). If you’re heading to Costa Rica soon, you can bet the birding will be exciting. Wondering what to expect? Check out these birding tips and news items:
heavy rain
Not to diminish any birding expectations but yes, you need to be prepared for rain. Like some other places around the world, Costa Rica experiences heavy rainfall. Not surprisingly, the atmosphere is warmer than we know and therefore holds more water.
Eventually it comes back, and with a vengeance. In Costa Rica, we have had flooding here and there, especially in the northern foothills and part of the Pacific slope. Several roads were also affected, especially the main road between San Ramon and La Fortuna. If you’re driving yourself, be sure to check Waze to see which roads are open. Some birding spots may also be flooded, especially sites near Ciudad Neily and Guanacaste.
Most of the roads are fine but with these rains, that situation can change from one day to the next.
Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo Sightings
With more active birders in the field, we are seeing more of this mega bird regularly than ever before. Recently, a pair with a juvenile attended an antswarm near Turrialba, and one or two were seen again in the San Luis Canopy.
These basic birds can also show up at various sites but, away from the hovering Army Ants, can be very difficult. Some of the other regular sites are Rincon de la Vieja and the road to Manuel Brenes but they also occur in any large tracts of mature foothill rainforest on the Caribbean slope. There are also small populations in the hills of Carara and Cangreja National Park, and perhaps elsewhere but those birds are less accessible.
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Sooty Tern Seen in Half Cheese!
Looks like Hurricane Beryl gave us a lost bird! While visiting Medio Queso during the Wings birding tour, Scott Olmstead photographed a distant tern. Upon checking the photos after the tour, it turned out to be a juvenile Sooty Tern!
As far as I know, this is the only domestic record for this pelagic species in Costa Rica. You can watch these beautiful birds flock and forage over tuna in offshore waters but we don’t usually see them from shore.
Beware of Illegal Tours to Poas Volcano and Turrialba
Recently, the authorities have conducted tours visiting the restricted areas in the Turrialba and Poas Volcanoes. They are not birding tours and the tourists are locals but I thought I would mention it anyway.
Apparently, some locals offer hiking trips in closed areas to these volcanoes. I’m looking for adventure and like to see new places but there are some good reasons why some parts of an active volcano are off limits.
I seriously doubt any visiting birders will sign up for these tours but I thought I’d mention it anyway!
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As for the other birding opportunities, there’s not much else to say other than all the birds here. They are in their expected habitat and, as always, the birding in Costa Rica is incredible! For more tips, check out this blog, get my guide to birding in Costa Rica, study your Garrigues and Dean field guide and mark the target species in your birding app for Costa Rica.
There is so much to see and the birds are waiting. Hope to see you here!