Field trips

Due to COVID 19, we have not offered birding trips out of the general area of Atlanta, Georgia.  If you are interested in a day trip to the north Georgia mountains, please feel free to contact me.  I offer these for no charge.

georgannschmalz@windstream.net

INTERNATIONAL TRIPS

Costa Rica March 18 – 27, 2017

Highlights: Palo Verde National Park, Tenorio Volcano Park, and Cano Negro

Sponsored by Birding Adventures Inc. and Costa Rica Expeditions. Guide Charlie Gomez, Leader Georgann Schmalz

Costa Rica is known for its incredible diversity of micro-climates, ecological zones and habitats. . Our destinations for this trip will present our group with wetlands, tropical dry and wet forests, grasslands and spectacular birds that live there.

Palo Verde National Park is  a vast network of mangrove-rich swamp, lagoons, marshes, grassland, limestone outcrops, and forests, containing one of the best examples of tropical dry forests remaining anywhere in the world. Río Tempisque spreads to form extensive wetlands replete with wading birds. In the dry season, birding is particularly good because there is very little vegetation to obstruct views of the roosting fauna. As resources grow scarce, the birds cluster by waterholes, making for easier viewing.  We can expect Double-striped Thick-knee, Turquoise-browed Motmot, White-throated Magpie-Jay, and many others in this dryer, northwest habitat, but will not likely be found in other areas of Costa Rica.

Tenorio NP

Tenorio Volcano National Park is found in the northern region, between the Arenal volcano and Miravalles volcano and covers 12,000 hectares under both the Caribbean and the Pacific climate influences. The National Park is dominated by the volcano, from which it receives its name. The upper area of the park is primarily primary cloud forest, while the lower regions are carpeted with rainforest, receiving up to 4000 mm of rain per year.

Cano Negro

Cano Negro Refuge is a lowland habitat in far north-central Costa Rica. Cano Negro is a good place to see Nicaraguan Grackle, Green Ibis, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Black-collared Hawk, Spot-breasted Wren and a few others that might be target species. We will also have great looks at Bat Falcons, Bare-throated Tiger Herons, Gray-necked Wood Rail, and perhaps a Snowy Cotinga. Birding here is great fun as we will be on frequent boat trips.

Cost: Per Person $3251 (based on eight participants)

Single accommodation $450

Detailed Itinerary

Mar 18

Arrival and transfer to Atenas, a small town located 30 minutes from the San Jose airport

Overnight Hotel Colinas del Sol

Mar 19

After breakfast depart for La Pacifica in Cañas, en route Charlie will stop at Carara Park for some birding and lunch at Cerro Lodge.   Afternoon continue to Cañas

Overnight Hotel La Pacifica

Mar 20

Full day at Palo Verde National Park

Overnight Hotel La Pacifica

Mar 21

Mid-morning depart from La Pacifica to Celeste Mountain Lodge in Tenorio volcano slopes, afternoon birding at Celeste Lodge trails

Overnight Celeste Mountain Lodge

Mar 22

Birding at Heliconias trails and hanging bridges

Overnight Celeste Mountain Lodge

Mar 23

Birding in a local farm “Finca Danta”

Overnight Celeste Mountain Lodge

Mar 24

Mid-morning depart from Celeste to Caño Negro Lodge

Afternoon boat tour in Caño Negro river

Overnight Caño Negro Lodge

Mar 25

Morning boat tour in Caño Negro river

Afternoon birding Caño Negro by the lodge secondary roads

Overnight Caño Negro Lodge

Mar 26

Return to San Jose, stop for birding at “Medio Queso”

Mid to late afternoon arrive in San Jose

Overnight Hotel Bougainvillea

Mar 27

Departure transfer