This afternoon our local guide Melvin Hernandez took us into the semi-deciduous forest above the lodge. We stopped in a clearing on Los Robles trail that Melvin recommended for Costa Rican-Pygmy-Owl. After just a couple of plays of the recording we got a response and soon after we were watching this small owl in the canopy through our 'scopes. With this "under the belt" we headed up the trail in search of Silvery-throated Jay, only to get brief views of one dropping out of a bromeliad after tracking some calling birds for some time. Other highlights of the sfternoon included Large-footed Finch and Golden-browed Chlorophonia before we descended to the Quebrada trail where we saw Silvery-throated Tapaculo, Buffy Tuftedcheek and Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush. Zeledonias unfortunately remained hidden, despite calling nearby. Our afternoon ended back on the road above the lodge where Dusky Nightjars and Mottled Owls were calling. Savegre is a great birding locality and I look forward to returning again soon.
Thursday, 1 March 2007
Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl, Savegre Mountain Lodge, 11 February 2007.
This afternoon our local guide Melvin Hernandez took us into the semi-deciduous forest above the lodge. We stopped in a clearing on Los Robles trail that Melvin recommended for Costa Rican-Pygmy-Owl. After just a couple of plays of the recording we got a response and soon after we were watching this small owl in the canopy through our 'scopes. With this "under the belt" we headed up the trail in search of Silvery-throated Jay, only to get brief views of one dropping out of a bromeliad after tracking some calling birds for some time. Other highlights of the sfternoon included Large-footed Finch and Golden-browed Chlorophonia before we descended to the Quebrada trail where we saw Silvery-throated Tapaculo, Buffy Tuftedcheek and Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush. Zeledonias unfortunately remained hidden, despite calling nearby. Our afternoon ended back on the road above the lodge where Dusky Nightjars and Mottled Owls were calling. Savegre is a great birding locality and I look forward to returning again soon.
