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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Birdingcraft" data-source="post: 1768503" data-attributes="member: 55810">While guiding some folks in the Sarapiqui area, I finally made a day visit to Quebrada Gonzalez after far too long of a hiatus. A bit of construction was taking place around the ranger station, but that didn't seem to affect the birding too much. From what I could gather, a second story will be added to the ranger station and guide service will be offered. Hopefully there won't be any more construction taking place unless they build a canopy tower.Unfortunately, on this day, the understory plants were flowering instead of fruiting, so frugivores such as tanagers, Pale-vented Thrush, and manakins were absent or flitting around in the canopy. Nevertheless, walking the trail once in the morning and then again in the afternoon produced brief, yet good looks at Ashy-throated Bush, Blue and Gold, Emerald, Speckled, White-shouldered, and White-throated Shrike Tanagers. Olive Tanagers and Black-faced Grosbeaks were two of the most frequently seen species inside the forest and we managed to get some other goodies such as:Barred Hawk: A pair flew around and called above the forest canopy.A few flocks of Broad-winged and Swainson's Hawks with Turkey Vultures were migrating north.King Vulture: One adult and one young bird soaring high above rainforest around noon.Snowcap: a female that perched 2 meters up and complained to us. By her behavior, she may have been nesting nearby.Lattice-tailed Trogon: A very shy male would not let us get more than the briefest of glimpses!White-whiskered Puffbird: Much friendlier than the trogon, a female allowed us to gaze at her through the scope for several minutes.Cinnamon and Rufous-winged Woodpeckers: heard but hardly seen as has become typical for this site. I used to get both in the parking lot before the trees they used were cut down to make way for the ranger station.Spotted Woodcreeper: several of these as per usual.Streak-chested Antpitta: one heard singing near the back of the trail.Although we couldn't get clear views of the Black-headed Nightingale-thrushes that were singing, we watched a pair of Dull-mantled Antbirds sing within a few meters of our feet. This is a foothill specialty I see on most trips to this site. With its reddish eye, dark coloration, and dots in the wing coverts, it always reminds me of Black Rail. Not too many flycatchers here but there are a few nice ones such as Sulphur-rumped which gave us nice, prolonged views.Two canopy specialists, Green Shrike Vireo and Slate-colored Grosbeak, were heard only, but Russet Antshrike, White-breasted Wood and Stripe-breasted Wrens, Chestnut-headed Oropendola, and Scarlet-rumped Cacique gave us nice views.Non-bird sightings were also good with close looks at a small Jumping Viper (which thankfully didn't jump), Casque-headed Lizard (try to find it in the picture!), and Mantled Howler Monkey.As always, I am eager to get back there, especially because Tiny Hawk has been recently seen from the parking lot, and because the place always has some surprise in store.</blockquote>

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