Wednesday, February 22

I again started the day early to get some quick birding in before breakfast. There was a lot of movement in certain spots along the trail, but mostly very secretive Furnariids that are difficult to differentiate even in good light. After many frustrating misses, I did finally get a picture of a Dusky-mantled Antbird. On the way out, I noticed a dove perched on branch near eye-level. Based on location, a hint of rufous on the nape, a yellow eye, red orbital skin and a dark grayish breast, this was a Grey-chested Dove. Many of the same characteristics describe the closely related Grey-headed Dove, also a Leptotila dove, but Grey-headed is only found on the Pacific slope.

After breakfast, we headed to Finca Luna Nueva, just down the heavily rutted dirt road from the Soltis Center. We met with Steve Farrell, a self-described back-to-the-land hippie farmer. His deep knowledge of the scientific research on agricultural practices was truly impressive and his participation in our program would be a tremendous addition. After chatting for nearly an hour, we took a tour of the operation. It seemed possible for our students to visit the finca in the morning, harvest cacao and produce their own chocolate. That struck me as both an incredible learning opportunity, to participate fully in the process of getting food from the field to the plate, and an experience that students would always remember.

We returned to the Center for lunch, and Eugenio had left my last afternoon open to see some of the sites in the area. Partly it was for me to enjoy myself, but there was also a practical aspect: idle hands do the devil’s work. A program that provides too little down-time for students would surely lead to burnout, but a program that contained too much unstructured time would invite students to create their own fun. I needed some ideas for recreational activities that students could do (and the university would approve) as part of the program. One option was visiting Volcan Arenal, but I opted for a hike of the Hanging Bridges. First, it offered an unparalleled view of the volcano. Second, it would provide an opportunity for excellent birding. It did not disappoint on either account.

It did not take long to find a Violet-headed and Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds and a Wood Thrush. Believe it or not, while I have seen and heard Wood Thrush on numerous occasions, this was the first time I was able to get a photograph. This was followed by a Yellow-olive Flycatcher with its diagnostic pale iris. Soon, the real fun began. With Alberth’s help, we identified Orange-billed Sparrow. As we came to one of the first bridges over a small stream, a Rufous Motmot was perched beautiful on an exposed branch. We remained still and he eventually moved too close to focus.

Around the next corner, a pair of Buff-throated Foliage-gleaners were foraging among dead leaves along with a White-breasted Wood-wren. While I snapped away, Alberth and Eugenio called me over to see a Broad-billed Motmot, the smaller relative of the Rufous. The next big find was a Tawny-capped Euphonia, though only the pictures of the female were decent. After exiting a tunnel, we entered a very birdy area that included both Dull-mantled Antbird, Wood Thrush and Green Hermit. I also caught a glimpse of a Spider Monkey with a baby clinging to its back.

Rufous Motmot

Broad-billed Motmot

Next, we crossed over a canyon via a bridge suspended by wire cables. At the end of the bridge, I could see a Dusky-rumped Warbler on the trail. I followed it down to the waterfall before it eventually flushed to the other side of the river. Crossing another suspended bridge, I flushed a dove, which thankfully Alberth noticed. Once moving, the dove was happy to walk along the forest floor just below the trail. We heard the song of a Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush, causing us to temporarily abandon the hunt. This striking bird hopped onto a tree stump allowing for a tremendous view. Returning to the mystery dove, we patiently waited for a good look through the underbrush, eventually identifying the bird as Olive-backed Quail Dove with its diagnostic white face. I should note, that none of the three provided good photographs given the light and dense underbrush.

Our next discovery was a Rufous-tailed Jacamar. As the trail ended, a group of Crested Guan were roosting in a tree along with a male Great Currasow. Overall, a tremendous couple of hours of birding. Even the ride back to the Center offered a Common Paraque roosting on the driveway.