Going birding in Costa Rica? If your answer is “yes” but any time from January to March, you are not alone. After all, sunny days are when most people visit Costa Rica, including birders.
However, if you’re heading to Costa Rica soon, the following birding tidbits and tidbits may be helpful. You can also gather some useful information if you happen to be birding in Costa Rica during the high and dry season.
Rain, Local Flooding, and More Rain
These past few days, we have been experiencing heavy rain. For a Costa Rican September, that’s pretty par for the course but lately, it seems more intense than usual. Nearby tropical storm systems and hurricanes have thrown massive amounts of moisture our way and water is lashing parts of the country.
It’s not always like that; some years, September and October are relatively dry. However, this year, the forests get more than a lot of life-supporting water. This is a wonderful and important aspect of rainforests but roads and flood prone areas could use a break.
Yes, there has been some localized flooding, mostly on the Nicoya Peninsula, the Coto 47 area near Ciudad Neily (one of the hundreds of sites covered in my birding guide for Costa Rica), and the part of the Pacific Coast. Last week, different parts of the small city of Canas were also submerged. With more rain in the forecast, we can expect more localized flooding and road closures. Stay informed about road situations with the Waze app. That will tell you which roads are closed immediately including one of the most commonly affected major highways; Route 32.
Just a reminder, if you’re driving and you see flooded streets and swollen rivers, resist the temptation to try a rental! Just wait or find another route because cars do get lost, even trucks.
Migration Ticked up a Notch
On another, more birdy note, the bird migration to Costa Rica has really begun. After checking the local neighborhood habitat for the past week or so, it wasn’t until this morning that I noticed a significant increase in the number of birds.
As I listened for early morning flight calls, I heard Dickcissels, a couple of Swainson’s Thrushes and an expected Veery through the normal soundscreen accidentally placed by Rufous-collared Sparrows and Great Kiskadees (the kiskadees that really screams their names!).
As the light grew stronger I saw a dozen Baltimore Orioles feeding and flying in the trees, several Yellow Warblers, a Blackburnian, a smart looking Golden-winged Warbler (my first for the fall), several swallows, and several others migrant. Two of the more interesting birds were a pair of Great Egrets that flew right over the houses of my very urban neighborhood.
That morning, visiting Lankester Gardens, we had several more warblers (including Canada and Mourning) and migrants, especially Swainson’s Thrushes and Red-eyed Vireos.
A Good Time for Centro Manu
Centro Manu is always worth a visit, no matter the time of year. However, fall can be one of the best times to bird this accessible lowland/foothill hotspot.
Recent highlights include the usually roosting Great Potoo, Bare-necked Umbrellabird, a female Lovely Cotinga (!), and Red-fronted Parrotlets!
Ditto for the Veragua Rainforest
The same goes for another great site, the Veragua Rainforest. The most notable recent highlights were a reliable Great Jacamar and a more challenging Black-crowned Antpitta.
Umbrellabird and many other excellent birds were also seen at this consistently high quality site.
Spotless Saw-whet Owls
Yes, this time of year can also be good for one of Costa Rica’s more challenging and spectacular owls. If the rain stops and you can hear them at high altitudes (above 2,200 meters), perhaps especially in semi-open areas, you can connect with this main bird.
You can also boost your chances by staying at Gema del Bosque or taking a tour targeting special small birds. If interested in seeing this owl, contact me at [email protected]
Flamingos in Costa Rica!
Wait…what?!? Yes, the real pink bird has landed on Costa Rican shores. Myself and one or two other birders were wondering when one would appear here, so I included it in the Costa Rica Birds app as a possible species for the country (along with some shorebirds, Red -throated Pipit, and several other bird lottery winners. species). In all likelihood, this happens on very rare occasions but the birds don’t last long. The closest flamingos are in northern Colombia and the Yucatan, the sighting this morning could have come from either place.
This morning, someone made a video of an America Flamingo on the beach near Moin! Will it be refounded? I hope and much more hope it stays around long enough for us to see it too!
As for other Costa Rica birding news, I always have more to say. However, I’ll just mention that common birds are in common places, whether noted on eBird or not, the best sites are the ones with the most habitat, and according to eBird, 746 bird species have been identified in Costa Rica this time last month. Yes, in Costa Rica, there are always lots of birds to be seen! Hope to see you here, the birds are waiting.
