Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
-
Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.
Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
Best on site birding lodges in Costa Rica (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Mekong birder
- Start date
Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
That says Monteverde Alan, you've seen so much that you can't remember where you saw it!
We got it at Tapanti.
A
Last edited:
Steve Lister
Senior Birder, ex County Recorder, Garden Moths.
Les Shulman
Active member
Regarding the decline of understory species at La Selva according to Patrick,
"It looks like researchers from Tulane have been studying the effects that Collared Peccaries have on forest ecosystem dynamics (http://gradworks.umi.com/35/11/3511560.html), and many others have noted the decline in understory birds (and leaf litter frogs) and wondered if peccaries might be part of the answer. I am sure that other edge effects don't help either but since peccaries seem to have a big impact on the forest understory in parts of La Selva, it seems that an overabundance of Collared Peccaries could be the biggest factor in reducing understory insectivores and some ground nesting birds there (such as White-fronted Nunbird)."
"It looks like researchers from Tulane have been studying the effects that Collared Peccaries have on forest ecosystem dynamics (http://gradworks.umi.com/35/11/3511560.html), and many others have noted the decline in understory birds (and leaf litter frogs) and wondered if peccaries might be part of the answer. I am sure that other edge effects don't help either but since peccaries seem to have a big impact on the forest understory in parts of La Selva, it seems that an overabundance of Collared Peccaries could be the biggest factor in reducing understory insectivores and some ground nesting birds there (such as White-fronted Nunbird)."
Birdingcraft
Well-known member
Understory birds at La Selva- I was speaking recently with someone who participated in those studies, he said that it is probably several factors working together that affect understory birds, most related to edge effects. Althought it's a sizeable area of lowland forest, La Selva is only loosely connected to other areas of lowland forest, most of them small in size. A real shame but probably shows that healthy populations of lowland rainforest birds in CR probably require larger areas of intact forest, or at least a mosaic of larger forested areas. A hotter, drier climate has probably also played a role, especially in recent years.
So, antpittas, some other have mentioned some spots. Scaled is not rare but is always tough because it rarely vocalizes in CR (or perhaps does so right at dawn). In my experience, best way to see it in CR is to carefully watch trails in the right habitat right at dawn.
Some of the better places to try are the San Gerardo field station, trails in Tapanti, El Copal, maybe Tolomuco, Catarata del Toro, and the trail along the river near the entrance to Savegre. It can turn up in a lot of places, just have to get lucky in looking for it.
Ochre-breasted- Pretty uncommon but chances improve if birding on trails at San Gerardo field station, El Copal, Tapanti, and other good middle elevation forest sites.
Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
There were 10-15 Peccaries hanging around the research blocks when we were there, quite unconcerned about people.
A
Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
That where we got Scaled, by the entrance to the Waterfall trail, right in the middle of the main road!
A
lewis20126
Well-known member
Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
That's a good walk I hear, one day, when I get my new knee, and maybe a hip or two!
A
Steve Lister
Senior Birder, ex County Recorder, Garden Moths.
Walking down is Ok - it's getting back up that is a bit of a strain. Great place though. I took one session off and just enjoyed scanning from the balcony - but my mates got the umbrellabird and I never caught it up.
Steve
Last edited:
Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
Oddly, I'm better uphill.
Anyhoo, by the time I'd had the recommendation for and was aware of this place, it was too late to do it, we'd got everything booked or we would have done it.
Same with Esquinas for the Ant Vireo, we ended up basically twitching it in the end when we should have stayed there.
A
Little SuperBirder
Addicted to Birds
Just curious -- what understory species are we talking about here? Antbirds and such? Definitely noticed a lack of birds once we got into the deeper areas of La Selva when I was there, but I assumed that was mostly due to the fact our guide showed up an hour and a half late and we didn't get hiking until after 9:00. We did find a pretty big ant swarm though but it had 0 antbirds at it (just a ton of woodcreepers and a Buff-rumped Warbler). Eventually found a Chestnut-backed Antbird but that was essentially it.
Had over 100 species in the 5 hours we had at La Selva, though, so it was worth it in my opinion. Definitely wish we had more time there as we missed some species I would've loved to see there but as I was attending a birding camp I couldn't really do anything about it.
Birdingcraft
Well-known member
The understory species that have seriously declined are mostly insectivores, yes, including antbirds, especially antwrens and the one antvireo there, Golden-crowned Spadebill, Northern Bentbill, etc. According to reports on eBird, most are seem to still be present somewhere in La Selva (maybe the back part of the reserve?) but their abundance (or lack of) has been well documented. Not seeing any antbirds at that swarm is probably a reflection of reduced populations of the obligate followers.
Yeah, hard to assess what's really happening during a short visit and a walk that starts so late- such a shame! It still is a great birding area for many species, especially Semiplumbeous Hawk, tinamous, umbrellabird in the winter months, and a few others tough to find elsewhere, as well as lots of common and uncommon birds. Visitors just need to be aware that several formerly common species on the list have become very rare to avoid unwarranted expectations and commit time to species unlikely to be found a the site.
gdhunter
Well-known member
Haven't tracked this thread diligently enough to glean details, but Patrick's observation excerpted above struck an old nerve. It's been a few years, but during two consecutive years I scheduled the services of La Selva bird guides for early-starting bird walks (while staying at Tirimbina for our overnights). Twice they had to scramble to find someone to actually guide us on the appointed day, and twice they did so only after delays of a couple hours. Perhaps things have changed, but late-starting walks may still be something of a norm.
Gary H
JJP
Well-known member
Mekong.
My last trip to San Gerardo was definitely worth it (2011). There were more uncommon birds in that area than almost any place I had been. Everything from Highland Tinamou to Gray-throated Leaf-Tosser. Several raptors overhead. I haven't heard that it was played out, and I'd be surprised if it was.
I have a little bit about it on my website. You should take some playback mechanism.
http://www.quetzalbycar.com/my-checklist/san-gerardo
Jim
alfredoscott
Member
You can not miss the northern Pacific for dry forest specialties. Ensenada Lodge and Solimar wetlands are a must.
Caño Negro is too far, the road is not in good conditions and you go there only for 4 birds. The rest of birds you find there are the same you see in a normal day in Tarcoles River
Caño Negro is too far, the road is not in good conditions and you go there only for 4 birds. The rest of birds you find there are the same you see in a normal day in Tarcoles River
Similar threads
