Going to Costa Rica in June? It will be good! More elbow room, lots of bird activity, I’m looking forward to it. For me, this is a great time of year to look for nesting birds, fruit trees, and enjoy the fresh, cloudy weather.
Yes, fresh, cloudy weather in June. Who would have thought? It’s June but you have to remember, Costa Rica doesn’t have any summer. There is no winter either. Just wet or dry, and high, middle or low elevation with some variation in local temperatures.
It will rain in the afternoon but I like it. Before the storm, the swifts revealed some of their mysteries in the waterfall and the birds were active, all morning. Partly rainy? Birds are on the move all day!
This is the beautiful thing about birding. Here’s some birding news to whet your palette.
Mega Hummingbird near Boca Tapada!
The biggest local birding news is the appearance of a White-bellied Emerald in northern Costa Rica, near Boca Tapada. This plain looking hummingbird is common in Mexico and northern Central America. In Costa Rica, it’s another story!
Known in Costa Rica from several past sightings, a couple of which may actually be Mangrove Hummingbirds, local birders have long hoped that one would return for a visit.
Earlier in the month, while birding near Boca Tapada, birding guide and owner of Lifer Tours Juan Diego Vargas caught a glimpse of one while guiding clients. Although he was sure of its identity, since he had not been able to photograph it, Juan Diego chose to wait to announce it until he could fully confirm an exotic bird. Check out his account here!
Before long, Lisa Erb (the owner of Rancho Naturalista), Harry Barnard, and Meche Alpizar (Rancho’s top birding guides) spotted the hummingbird and could confirm that yes, the White-bellied Emerald was back in town . !
Since then, dozens of local birders have traveled north to see this mega in some roadside Verbena (Porterweed). Although the landowner began charging people $20 per person (a fair amount for Costa Rica) to leave the road and walk on his property, many birders still came to see this. He also put up a plastic green “wall” to prevent non-paying birders from seeing it from the public road.
I can’t help but wonder if the drought has caused the bird to leave its usual range? I also wonder if there are a few more around. I bet you can! If you see any hummingbirds with mostly white undersides, please take a photo! The same goes for Blue-vented Hummingbirds that have rufous on their wings. That could be another vagrant bird that might be around; the Blue-tailed Hummingbird.
More Sightings of Buff-collared Nightjar
Wait, Buff-collared Nightjar? In Costa Rica? Yes! A few years ago, a small population was discovered in Santa Rosa National Park. Recently, Guanacaste-based birders landed a few more at a site just outside the park!
This is exciting for two reasons. For one, we now know of another population in Costa Rica. Another big reason for celebration is that this new place is not inside the park and therefore more accessible.
I didn’t know how the road was and expected it to be rocky, but the birds were there and many people came and saw them. Hopefully more birders will check out additional niches in that area. Seems like there should be more out there.
White-tailed Tropicbird in the Caribbean Basin
Another fun sighting was an adult White-tailed Tropicbird in the Caribbean Sea! This beautiful bird was spotted during pelagic bird tracking off the coast of Tortuguero. Unexpected but still quite rare for Costa Rica.
We actually have all three tropicbirds on the country list but the Red-billed is the only regular (and still uncommon).
A Good Time for Pelagic
Isn’t it always? Yes, I think so, but, for me, the rainy months are always better for pelagic birds. Or, maybe even better in the Gulf of Nicoya.
The rain brings more nutrients into the Gulf and that brings the birds. At least that’s my theory. These months past ferry trips have always been great, it’s time for another one!
Preparing Updates for the Costa Rica Birds Field Guide App
On another birding note, I’m gathering new photos and preparing to update the Costa Rica Birds Field Guide app. I may include a bird or two that is not on the bird list but could certainly appear.
I will definitely include more photos in general to help birders identify more birds in Costa Rica, learn about them, and be fully prepared for their birding trip. No, we won’t have any automatic identification tools like Merlin but will have accurate, localized information to help find and identify the more than 900 bird species in Costa Rica, and the usual features that help people to customize the app to their needs (making a target list, marking birds as soon as possible or heard, and more).
Birding will be good in June in Costa Rica. Hope to see you here!
