Costa Rica Birding - Mass Audubon · lunch at a fine birding spot enroute. Located at an altitude of ~3500 ft. on the Caribbean slope in the Cordillera Talamanca, over 450 species

Costa Rica Birding March 5–15, 2019

with Jeff Collins

Sunbittern bv Dave Larson

Costa Rica March 5–15, 2019

Mass Audubon ▲ massaudubon.org/travel ▲ 800.289.9504 ▲ [email protected]

Day-to-Day Itinerary

Day 1, March 5: Arrive in San José, Costa Rica Our expedition begins at San José’s Juan Santamaría International Airport. You may arrive anytime late in the day, but we will send you arrival and flight recommendations in the fall. There will be one group transfer from the airport to the hotel (about 30 minutes away). Where we will check into the lovely Bougainvillea Hotel in the early evening. Surrounded by citrus orchards and lush gardens, these grounds are great for birding. Because people may be arriving late in the evening, there will be no dinner included. Overnight: Hotel Bougainvillea | http://www.hb.co.cr/en/

Day 2, March 6: Travel Rancho Naturalista and Tapantí National Park We will depart early this morning with a box breakfast (to beat the city traffic and get to our birding spot early). We will stop at Tapantí National Park. Located in wet country on the rainforested northern slopes of the Talamanca Mountain Range, these forests are home to 45 species of mammals, including Baird’s Tapir, Paca, Red Brocket Deer, Eastern Cottontail, Kinkajou, Raccoon, White-nosed Coati, White-faced Monkey, Mountain Hare, Agouti, Ocelot, and Jaguarundi. Tapantí National Park is a peculiarly good place to look for White-bellied Mountain-gem, Black-bellied Hummingbird, Red-headed and Prong-billed Barbets, and the Ornate Hawk-Eagle among many others. We will have our picnic breakfast and bird until we have had our fill! We’ll continue on to Rancho Naturalista, stopping for lunch at a fine birding spot enroute. Located at an altitude of ~3500 ft. on the Caribbean slope in the Cordillera Talamanca, over 450 species of birds have been recorded in the area. Birding is excellent right on the grounds of the lodge, and there are views of Costa Rica's two tallest volcanoes: Irazu and Turrialba. Overnight: Rancho Naturalista | http://www.ranchonaturalista.net | BLD

Day 3, March 7: Full Day of Birding at Rancho Naturalista Rancho Naturalista has plentiful hummingbirds on the large balcony where you can view the distant smoking volcano. The nearby trails are excellent and the location, within the Cordillera Talamanca, is a magnet for many resident and migratory birds. Nearby are several top birding sites, such as Rio Tuis, Cerro Silencio, and La Mina. We'll spend time exploring many of them looking for specialties such as Boat-billed Heron, Sharpbill, Lanceolated Monklet, Sunbittern, Resplendent Quetzal, Lovely Cotinga,

White-throated Mountain Gem by D Larson

http://www.hb.co.cr/en/

http://www.ranchonaturalista.net/birding_trips_volcan.htm

http://www.ranchonaturalista.net/



Rufous-rumped Antwren, and Wrenthrush. Evening brings more surprises with hummingbirds “dipping” into a pool and a moth sheet attracting rarities. Overnight Rancho Naturalista | http://www.ranchonaturalista.net | BLD

Day 4, March 8: Braulio Carrillo National Park After we check out of our lodge, we'll drive towards the Sarapiquí River area. Along the way, if road and trail conditions allow, we will make a stop at a trail in the Braulio Carrillo National Park. The thick foliage and rough trails can make birding difficult, but these wet, Caribbean foothills can be very productive for Lattice-tailed Trogon, Yellow-eared Toucanet, and Rufous Motmot. We will again break up our drive with a lunch stop (and birding) at a local restaurant, and then continue on to Cordillera Volcánica Central Biosphere Reserve area. Our comfortable hotel is strategically located very close to the La Selva Biological Station. Overnight: La Quinta Sarapiqui http://www.hotellaquintasarapiqui.com/ BLD

Great Antshrike (female), by Bernard Dupont

Day 5, March 9: La Selva Biological Station Our morning will begin with an early breakfast. We will then begin our hike on the grounds of La Selva Biological Station, the longest running and certainly one of the most prestigious tropical rainforest research stations anywhere in the world. La Selva Biological Station was purchased in 1968 by the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) and declared a private biological reserve and station. Set in the classic lowland tropical rainforest in the Cordillera Volcánica Central Biosphere Reserve, this station has been a focus for many tropical studies in the country. Today, the preserve and surrounding area at La Selva are home to more than half of the 857 species of birds in Costa Rica, including Red-capped Manakin, Great Antshrike, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Olive-backed Quail-Dove, Snowy Cotinga, Black-throated Wren, and Nicaraguan Seed-Finch. Located in a transition zone from the low, steep foothills of the Central Volcanic Cordillera to the vast Caribbean coastal plain in northeastern Costa Rica, La Selva contains over 3,790 acres of primary forest,

http://www.ranchonaturalista.net/

http://www.hotellaquintasarapiqui.com/



swamp, and abandoned farmland. There are over 100 species of mammals, thousands of insects, and 2,000 species of plants, including 800 species of trees, all of which have been identified in this biologically rich area. Once we have had our fill of the birds (if that is even possible), we will have lunch at our hotel and then return to the biological station for a short hike and more birding. For those who wish to enjoy the pool and amenities at the hotel, an afternoon free is also an option. Overnight: La Quinta Sarapiqui http://www.hotellaquintasarapiqui.com/ BLD

Mistico Hanging Bridges, by Vikramjeet Singh

Days 6–7, March 10–11: Arenal Volcano area Early in the morning (6 am), we will head to our sustainable, Green Leaders Lodge: the historic Arenal Observatory Lodge, surrounded by 270 acres of natural primary rainforest with rivers and waterfalls, 400 acres of reforested land and tropical gardens, and 200 acres of pastureland. This is the only hotel located within the Arenal Volcano National Park—originally built in 1987 as a scientific research station for the world-famous Smithsonian Institution. Well-marked trails through primary and secondary rainforest and open pastureland offer plentiful birding opportunities. Some of the more spectacular birds include: Three-wattled Bellbird, Crested Guan, Orange-bellied Trogon, White Hawk, Laughing Falcon, Red-lored Parrot, Green Heron, Squirrel Cuckoo, Great Potoo, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and Chestnut-mandibled and Keel-billed Toucans. En route, we will stop at the Mistico Hanging Bridges for birding without the crowds. We will spend two days here in this lovely spot. Our guides will take you birding around the numerous birding sites in and around the lodge property. Overnight: Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa | http://www.arenalobservatorylodge.com/ BLD

http://www.hotellaquintasarapiqui.com/

http://www.arenalobservatorylodge.com/



Day 8, March 12: Drive to Tarcoles River In the early morning, there will be optional birding followed by a 7 am breakfast. We'll depart for our three-hour drive to Tarcoles River, stopped en route for birding and lunch. After lunch, you can enjoy a Tarcoles River boat tour. This is an opportunity to observe one of the largest populations of American Crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) and the extensive mangrove habitat is home to a large number of waterfowl. This area is also one of the most important conservation areas for the Scarlet Macaw in Costa Rica. Overnight: Villa Lapas | https://villalapas.com | BLD

Day 9, March 13: Carara National Park We will have an early breakfast so we can get to to Carara National Park early. Located in a transition zone on the central Pacific coast, Carara has a wonderfully diverse mix of birds. On one old road, in mostly secondary forest, we will find mixed species flocks. The huge trees in this immense forest are the full of birds. As we explore second-growth and mature forest, we will look for Great Tinamou, Streak-chested Antpitta, Golden-naped Woodpecker, White-whiskered Puffbird, Bicolored and Chestnut-backed Antbirds, Spot-crowned Euphonia, Red-capped and Blue-crowned Manakins, and Baird´s Trogon. After a full morning, we’ll head to Macaw Lodge: located far off the beaten path, this lodge is one of our new favorites! Beautifully built, the lodge is crafted from reclaimed or sustainably grown materials. It is completely off-the-grid with solar power used to generate electricity and heat water. Macaw Lodge was created as a model of sustainability where lovers of nature can experience both comfort and harmony with the environment. The spacious, open ground floor of the Lodge is home to the restaurant, lounging area, Internet access, electronics charging center, lending library and bathrooms. It affords amazing views of surrounding ponds, gardens, forests and wildlife. The food is wonderful, as well! Overnight: Macaw Lodge (B,L,D) | http://www.macawlodge.com | BLD

Day 10: March 14: Full day at Macaw Lodge Today will be a restful and relaxing day to fully enjoy the beautiful grounds and trails. Located between two life zones, the humid tropical forest and the high-humidity premontane forest, the lodge is home to an abundance of birds, surpassing 300 species of migratory and resident species. Overnight: Macaw Lodge (B,L,D) | http://www.macawlodge.com | BLD

Fiery-billed Aracari, via Macaw Lodge

https://villalapas.com/

http://www.macawlodge.com/

http://www.macawlodge.com/



Day 11: March 15: Farewell to Costa Rica After another fine breakfast and delightful morning birding, we will head back to San Jose to catch our flights home. (B) Mass Audubon Birding

Mass Audubon Birding Guide Jeff Collins is Director of Mass Audubon's Ecological Management Department, coordinating habitat management planning and activities on our wildlife sanctuaries as well as assisting conservation partners through our Ecological Extension Service. He holds a master’s degree in botany from the University of Vermont Field Naturalist Program. Jeff takes a holistic approach to exploring and enjoying the landscape, considering the interplay of bedrock, soil, water, plants, and animals, all while sharing his enthusiasm for the natural beauty of each destination. He has traveled extensively, birding and botanizing in North America; exploring Southern Africa while a Peace Corps volunteer in Zimbabwe; visiting birding hot spots in Bolivia, Peru, Costa Rica, and Nepal; and leading tours to Namibia, Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago, and Mexico’s Baja Peninsula.

Costa Rican Birder/Naturalist Guide Rudy Zamora is considered to be one of the finest naturalist-birder guides in Costa Rica, winning the award for best guide in 1994 by ICT-CANATUR (Costa Rica Tourist Board-Costa Rican National Chamber of Commerce). A member of the American Birding Association, he has participated in ABA-sponsored conventions. Rudy was also a participant at the seminar on management of wildlife areas hosted at the Charles Darwin Institute in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. A true Renaissance man, Rudy is a farmer, has studied chemistry, has worked as a professional musician, and since 1987 has led numerous zoo, Audubon, and nature groups through his beloved homeland of Costa Rica. He has also traveled the world, visiting the USA (where he attended the University of Arizona), Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, and throughout Europe.



Price, Terms and Conditions

HOW TO BOOK: Please fill out the reservation form attached and send via:

email to [email protected] and call us with your credit card info: 800.289.9504, or

mail to Mass Audubon – Travel, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 with your check.

APPLICATIONS, RESERVATIONS, DEPOSITS: Early applications are strongly encouraged. Trip rosters usually must be finalized 4 months before departure! All applications must be accompanied by a completed reservation form and $500 deposit. Deposits can be by check or credit card (Visa or MasterCard). We reserve the right to decline your application. In the case of questionable health, we reserve the right to require a physician’s certification to affirm you are capable of the activities. Final payment is due 90 days before the departure date. Final payment must be by check or money order. RATES: All tour prices are based on double occupancy. If you would like us to find you a roommate, we’ll do our best, but cannot guarantee a share. If we cannot find a share, you will need to pay the single supplement. All forms and fares are accurate at the time of publication (March 2018) but are subject to change at any time prior to departure. It is our policy to only pass on the actual amount of any increases in airfares or land costs such as those increases due to the devaluation of the dollar. Rarely, a price increase may be called for if the group falls below the minimum, as listed in the itinerary.

Tour Price: US$4100 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement, $800 (only two single rooms available). Price is based on a minimum of 10 participants and a maximum of 12 participants. (if the group size is less than the minimum, there might be a small group surcharge.) Price includes:

All meals starting with breakfast on Day 2 and ending with breakfast on Day 12

All lodging in excellent hotels as indicated in the itinerary

Services of Mass Audubon naturalist leader, Jeff Collins

Services of local naturalist guides

All excursions and entrance fees

Extensive trip preparation notes and bird checklist

Transportation within Costa Rica

All tips and gratuities for guides and drivers (with the minimum number of travelers signed on)

Price excludes:

Round-trip travel to San Jose, Costa Rica

Porterage

Passport and visa fees; travel insurance

Airport taxes; excess baggage charges

Items of a personal nature, including alcoholic beverages, snacks, laundry, and telephone calls; other items not specifically mentioned as included.

mailto:[email protected]



FLIGHTS: You, the traveler, are responsible for booking and paying for your own international flights. Once you reserve your space, we’ll provide you with suggested flights and tell you which flights our staff will take. You may book flights directly with the airline, online, or with a travel agent. We often work with travel agent June Doliber at The Travel Collaborative: [email protected] or 617-497-8153.Please be aware that most tickets are non-refundable, therefore you should not book your flight arrangements until you have checked with us to be sure the tour has the minimum number of participants for the trip to go. We ask that you provide us with your flight details. TRIP INSURANCE: A brochure and application for optional trip cancellation, illness and baggage insurance will be sent to you upon registration. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself. See www.insuremytrip.com PHOTOS: Mass Audubon reserves the right to make use of any photographs taken by our guides on the tour. We guarantee that no photos of a compromising nature will be used. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us. CANCELLATION POLICY: If you need to change your booking, you must inform us immediately in writing. All cancellations must be done in writing and are effective upon receipt in the Massachusetts Audubon Travel Office. Cancellations received up to 121 days prior to departure will be refunded deposits less a $300 per person fee. For cancellations between 120 and 90 days prior to departure, all deposits are forfeit, but any balance paid beyond that is refundable. There are no refunds of any kind for cancellations 90 days or less from departure. We strongly urge all travelers to purchase trip cancellation insurance. You will be sent information from the Massachusetts Audubon Society upon receipt of your deposit. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: Although every precaution is taken to safeguard you and your belongings, group travel trips by their nature involve a certain amount of risk. Trip participants should understand that the domestic and international trips sponsored/operated by Massachusetts Audubon Society (Mass Audubon Tours) - hereafter collectively “M.A.S.” - involve known and unknown risks. M.A.S. assumes no responsibility for injuries, death, financial losses or damage to clients’ property caused by or occurring during participation in any of the travel trips sponsored/operated by M.A.S. Trip participants must assume responsibility for having sufficient skill and fitness to participate in the trips and activities offered or sponsored by M.A.S. Trip participants must also certify that they have no medical, mental or physical conditions which could interfere with their abilities to participate in the activities and/or trips they are participating in and they must assume and bear the cost of all risks that may be created, directly or indirectly, by any such condition. It is the responsibility of trip participants to have in place adequate insurance to cover any injury, damage or emergency transportation costs related to their travel and/or participation in trip activities and/or to bear the costs of such injury, damage or emergency transportation costs. Because of the risks associated with the travel trips sponsored by M.A.S. we urge all trip participants to supplement their own insurance with travel or vacation or emergency response types of insurance. M.A.S. requires that all trip participants acknowledge and assume these risks by reading and signing an M.A.S. Release and Waiver and Assumption of Risk contract prior to departure. CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL: Travelers will be provided with an itinerary and trip preparation information. It is expected that travelers will read this information prior to trip departure. Travelers will be responsible for completing an application reservation form, including the personal information and a release of liability (see attached). Travelers will be expected to abide by the terms set for in the invoice. During the tour, travelers are asked to respect and follow the directions of their guide and leader. PHOTO CREDITS: All photos not by Dave Larson or via lodgings are CC by 2.0 via Flickr.


http://www.insuremytrip.com/



Mass Audubon Natural History Travel Trip Application Form

Name (1) ____________________________________________________________________

Nickname, if any, for name tag: ____________________________________________

Name (2) ___________________________________________________________________

Nickname, if any, for name tag: _________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________

City: ______________________________ State: ________ Zip: _______________________

Primary phone: _________________ Secondary phone: ______________________________

Email address: _______________________________________________________________

Room Preferences I request single accommodations where available and will pay the single supplement. I would like to be assigned a roommate. If one is not available, I will pay the single supplement.

Deposit of $500 per person

Please find my enclosed check (payable to “Massachusetts Audubon Society”) Please charge my credit card MasterCard Visa

Card #: _____________________________________ Exp.: __________ CVV/CVC:________ Signature: ___________________________________________________________

Please read and sign the reverse side

HOW TO BOOK: Please fill out this form (both sides) and send via:

email to [email protected] and call us with your credit

card info: 800.289.9504, OR

mail to Mass Audubon – Travel, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 with your check or credit card info.




Massachusetts Audubon Society, Inc. RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK

Name: ______________________________________________________________ I would like to participate in the birding and nature tour named above (the “Tour”) organized by Massachusetts Audubon Society, Inc. (“Mass Audubon”). I am aware that participation in a Mass Audubon tour involves risk, including, but not limited to, the hazards of living in and traveling over unpredictable terrain often in remote areas without adequate medical facilities, exposure to disease and infection, being subject to the forces of nature, and travel by airplane and motor vehicle. In addition, I understand and acknowledge that, if I participate in the Tour, one or more of the risks described above or set forth below could result in or cause bodily injury or death to me or damage to personal property of mine: physical exertion; travel by foot, plane, train, auto, vans, bus, boat or other conveyance; consumption of food and beverages; civil unrest, terrorism, banditry, or criminal activity; high altitude; inadequate medical facilities or service. I acknowledge that I have received and read carefully information describing the Tour, including, but not limited to, the Terms and Conditions and the paragraph in the Terms and Conditions entitled “Your Responsibility.” I acknowledge that the enjoyment and excitement of touring is derived, at least in part, from the inherent risks incurred by travel and activity beyond the accepted safety and routine of life at home or work, and that part of the reason I have decided to participate in the Tour is to experience this enjoyment and excitement. I further acknowledge that I have had the opportunity to discuss with my medical provider the medical risks involved in the Tour. I have also had the opportunity to research the Tour and to understand fully the risks involved. Therefore, notwithstanding the risks of participating in the Tour set forth and as described above, and in consideration of Mass Audubon permitting me to participate in the Tour: (1) I AGREE TO ASSUME AND ACCEPT ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TOUR; AND (2) I HEREBY RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE AND COVENANT AND AGREE NOT TO SUE, AND AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS, MASS AUDUBON AND ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS (COLLECTIVELY, THE “RELEASEES”), AND EACH OF THE RELEASEES, FROM AND AGAINST AND IN REGARD TO ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, ACTIONS, SUITS, LOSSES, COSTS, DAMAGES, AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ATTORNEYS’ FEES), AND ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF EVERY KIND AND DESCRIPTION, WHICH I SHALL OR MAY HAVE AGAINST THE RELEASEES OR ANY ONE OR MORE OF THEM ARISING OUT OF, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, MY PARTICIPATION IN THE TOUR. I agree that this Release and Assumption of Risk shall be (a) binding upon me and my heirs, executors, legal representatives, successors, and assigns, and (b) deemed a contract made under seal under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of said Commonwealth without regard to its principles of conflict of laws. I HAVE CAREFULLY READ, UNDERSTAND, AND VOLUNTARILY SIGN THIS RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK. Signed: _____________________________________________________Date: _________________ Signed: ____________________________________________________Date: _________________ Printed: _____________________________________________________Date: _________________ Printed: ____________________________________________________Date: _________________

Documents

Costa Rica Birding - Mass Audubon · lunch at a fine birding spot enroute. Located at an altitude of ~3500 ft. on the Caribbean slope in the Cordillera Talamanca, over 450 species