gdhunter
Well-known member
During a recent visit to Hotel La Boruca, the owner (Kenneth) dropped me off along a road on which vehicular access eventually ended at a gate, behind which was a brown weathered sign evidently reading "Esta Area Pares De Uso Publico - MINAE ACCVC". Beyond the gate the road persisted as a reasonably well-maintained walking trail through some quality mid-elevation forested habitat. After about 90 minutes of walking beyond the gate the wide trail ended at an area of abandoned habitation, from which two narrow trails continued. At that point another weathered sign seemed to be a dedication to some Costa Ricans who died and others who lived, but my abysmally poor understanding of Spanish precluded any accurate or meaningful translation.
We had arrived at the gate during early afternoon and felt compelled (after a very short period on one of the narrow trails) to turn back in time to reach the road before dark. My companion was not a birder and my own claim is rather shaky, but during that period we did encounter Crested Guan, Chestnut-backed Antbirds, Bay Wens, Slate-throated Redstarts, Common Bush-Tanagers, Flame-colored Tanager, Sooty-faced and Yellow-thighed Finches. I suspect that I heard Yellow-eared Toucanet.
I believe that this area can be quite productive at the right time of day for birders more proficient than I. To get there, I suggest following the directions found here (http://www.laboruca.com/map2.html) for Hotel La Boruca, but continuing past the entrance along a road named (according to Google Maps) Calle La Palma. Perhaps 2 Km past the entrance to La Boruca the paved road ends, replaced by cobblestones. I am guessing that from the end of the pavement it may be another 2 Km to the gate that prevents vehicular entry. There is no designated parking area.
I suspect that during some of this walk we were within the boundaries of Braulio Carrillo NP. Kenneth tells me that the leftward narrow trail leads to a river.
We had arrived at the gate during early afternoon and felt compelled (after a very short period on one of the narrow trails) to turn back in time to reach the road before dark. My companion was not a birder and my own claim is rather shaky, but during that period we did encounter Crested Guan, Chestnut-backed Antbirds, Bay Wens, Slate-throated Redstarts, Common Bush-Tanagers, Flame-colored Tanager, Sooty-faced and Yellow-thighed Finches. I suspect that I heard Yellow-eared Toucanet.
I believe that this area can be quite productive at the right time of day for birders more proficient than I. To get there, I suggest following the directions found here (http://www.laboruca.com/map2.html) for Hotel La Boruca, but continuing past the entrance along a road named (according to Google Maps) Calle La Palma. Perhaps 2 Km past the entrance to La Boruca the paved road ends, replaced by cobblestones. I am guessing that from the end of the pavement it may be another 2 Km to the gate that prevents vehicular entry. There is no designated parking area.
I suspect that during some of this walk we were within the boundaries of Braulio Carrillo NP. Kenneth tells me that the leftward narrow trail leads to a river.
