Hello Everyone,
Due to a cancellation, we have one opening for this wonderful trip. Please
give me a jingle if interested. Mickey O'Connor, Milwaukee County
Greetings!
As an International Committee member for the Wisconsin Bird Conservation
Initiative, Iâm thrilled to present this invitation to participate in a
Conservation Birding trip to the Osa peninsula Costa Rica. Please consider
joining us January 24th through February 7th, 2017 to see the amazing
birdlife on the Osa as well as many other areas in southern Costa Rica. This
Conservation Birding trip is a unique, beneficial, and fun way for an
individual to travel to the tropics, observe amazing birds as well as other
wildlife, and be actively involved in conservation by raising funds to
further protect habitat for our feathered friends.
More than 55 neotropical migrants also found in Wisconsin winter on the Osa
peninsula. This is the primary reason I have chosen to focus my efforts in
assisting Osa Birds to raise funds to ensure future education and research
continues. It is incredibly important that local communities, especially
the younger generation, learn about citizen science, the importance of
preserving habitats, as well as what they can do to help birds. Please
visit www.osabirds.org to learn about their work within the scientific
community, but also their focus on education within various communities.
I have visited the Osa and much of southern Costa Rica several times and
can vouch for its uniqueness and importance to numerous species of
wildlifeâin particular the neotropical migrants, not to mention the
stunning resident birds! Please see the attached itinerary for details. The
trip will be nothing short of a spectacular experienceâAs a trip participant
, we hope that each individual will ask friends, family, and colleagues, to
sponsor them to raise additional funds for Osa Birds. *There is no
expectation on raising $$$*. Nonetheless, the more funds we raise, the
more we can help protect critically important habitats, through education
and citizen science.* All donations are 100% tax deductible*.
If interested in participating on this 15-day extravaganza or should there
be any questions, please contact me directly. This adventure is limited to
10 people (that includes me!) in order to enhance each individualâs
experience. Total cost is $3,525 + $500 donation to Osa Birds. Payment is
as follows: non-refundable $500 deposit due June 1, 2016 (this will
include in-country flight from Puerto Jimenez Airport to San Josè), balance
of $3,025 due October 31, 2016, and the $500 donation will be due on or
before January 24th, 2017. All food, drivers, guide, and lodging is
included (excludes international airfare to San Josè and gratuities). I
will *try* to coordinate international flights with other participants if
someone is reluctant to fly alone. All checks should be made out to: *Surcos
Tours*. Please send payments to myself at 11923 W. Bender Road, Milwaukee,
WI 53225-1007, and Iâll forward our checks to Costa Rica. **Please note
there isnât a single supplement fee; however, due to limited space at
lodges and transportation, single participants will more than likely share
a room with someone.
For more information, please contact me directly at (414) 771-3040, X144,
or
(214) 980-3103. My email is sharpbill@xxxxxxx <sharpbill@xxxxxxx%20> Hope
to see you on the Osa!
Michelene (Mickey) OâConnor, WBCI--International Committee
Avian Zookeeper, Milwaukee County Zoo
*Wisconsin** Bird Conservation Initiativeâs (WBCI)*
*Conservation Birding Trip*
*Southern Costa Rica and The Osa Peninsula*
January 24 â February 7, 2017
While this is a bird conservation trip, we will spend our time learning,
exploring, and observing all we encounter while walking through the various
habitats. Nito (Dionisio Paniagua Castro) is our personal guide for this
journey and his expertise as a naturalist always makes the trip superior.
*Day 1 (January 24)*: Arrive in San Josè where we will be shuttled to our
first nightâs lodging. Nito will provide a welcome and tour overview. The
Hotel Bougainvillea has absolutely fabulous grounds to get in some great
tropical birdwatching. We can expect to see Plain Wrens, Blue-crowned
Motmots, Buff-throated Saltators, Red-billed Pigeons, Brown Jays, as well
as Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds. See www.hb.co.cr. Dinner included.
*Day 2 (January 25)*: Early AM as we begin to head south through the
central cordillera, we travel to the Lankester Orchid Farm where we will
see a diverse array of hummingbirds, tanagers, songbirds, and migrants such
as American Redstart and Louisiana Waterthrush. Next we travel to Tapanti
National Park which is located in the northern Talamanca Mountain region. One
of the rainiest places in Costa Rica and only 90 minutes from San Josè,
this 12,500 acre park has an elevation of 4,000 to 8,000 feet and consists
of lower montane and pre-montane rainforest. Quetzels, Emerald Toucanets,
Black-banded Woodcreeper, Red-faced Spinetail, Green-fronted Lancebill,
Scaled Antpitta, Gray-throated Leaftosser, and Black-bellied Hummingbird
are all possibilities. If we are lucky, weâll spot the Thysania
Agripinaâthe largest butterfly in the Americas. Overnight at the Tapanti
Media Lodge.
*Day 3 (January 26)*: Today we explore more of the Talamanca Mountain area
including the park. With some luck, hopefully, Tawny-capped Euphonia and
White-naped Brush-Finch will be observed. Overnight at the Tapanti Media
Lodge.
*Day 4 (January 27)*: Early AM travel to Suria Lodge. The altitude here
is 7,000 feet. San Gerado de Dota is a small farming community on the
Pacific side of the Talamanca Mountains. The habitat hosts a number of
endemic species. We will be surrounded by over 150,000 acres of
un-interrupted forests, rivers, valleys, and mountains. Here we can expect
some highlight species such as the Resplendent Quetzal, Long-Tailed Silky
Flycatcher, Band-tailed Pigeon, the Volcano Hummingbird, and the
Stripe-tailed Hummingbird. This area is a paradise for bird watchers and
nature enthusiasts. The grounds have numerous trails, with a range of
habitats, and the lodge is run by a local family promoting sustainable
tourism. Lunch provided in the area which will be followed by more
exploring of this amazing property. Overnight Suria Lodge.
*Day 5 (January 28)*: Early AMâ¦oh yes, much more exploring of this
magnificent area. The trail along the river provides spectacular birding. We
may stop at the Savegre Lodge nearby to observe the numerous nectar
feeders, allowing for superb viewing of Green Violet-ear, Scintillant,
Stripe-tailed, and Magnificent Hummingbirds, as well as White-throated
Mountain-Gems. Other stunning birds possible are Flame-colored Tanagers,
Ruddy-capped Nightingale Thrush, Spangle-cheeked Tanagers, the adorable
Tufted Flycatcher, and Sulphur-winged Parakeets. Night hike anyone? Dusky
Nightjar is a strong possibility. Overnight at Suria Lodge.
*Day 6 (January 29)*: Travel to Wilson Botanical Gardens. Also known as
the Las Cruces Biological Station. This property consists of 625 acres of
protected forestâmost of which is primary forest. Here we will find an
incredible botanical collection which includes a palm collection of over
700 species. It is considered one of the most important tropical botanical
gardens in the world. Potential species here will be numerous parrots,
Orange-billed Nightingale Thrush, Scaled Pigeon, and Collared Trogon.
Departing
from the area, we will stop and search for Timberline Wren and Volcano
Junco. Overnight at Wilson Botanical Gardens or nearby hotel.
*Day 7 (January 30)*: Today, we travel to Las Tablas; home to one of the
worldâs most biologically diverse places. Part of La Amistad National
Park, the Las Tablas Protected Zone borders Panama and protects the flora
and fauna found here. Created in 1981, Las Tablas is 50,000 acres and
Quetzels are readily seen here, as well as Barred Becard, Three-wattled
Bellbird, and the Prong-billed Barbet. This is a rough and rugged journey
to get there; however, it will be well worth it! After our day of
exploring, weâll return to the San Vito area and overnight at Wilson
Botanical Gardens or nearby hotel.
*Day 8 (January 31)*: Explore more of Wilson Botanical Gardens or
surrounding areasâ¦Nito will take us to wherever the birds are! There are
many possibilities for migrants, spinetails, and seedeaters. Overnight at
Wilson Botanical Gardens or nearby hotel.
*Day 9 (February 1)*: Today we travel to the Terraba-Sierpe National
Wetlands, an internationally recognized RAMSAR site to the town of Sierpe
located along the Sierpe River. Since we will be birding through many
different habitats along the way, the skyâs the limit on the varied bird
species we will encounter! Overnight Sierpe area â Lodging TBD.
*Day 10 (February 2)*: Today we will travel by boat down the scenic Sierpe
River. With some luck, we should see sloths, squirrel monkeys, and many
birds! At the end of the river, we reach the Pacific Ocean where we cross
over to the Corcovado National Park Ranger Station at La Sirena. There are
13 distinct vegetation types which explain the amazing flora and fauna
found within the Park. For several hours we will hike inside the park
looking for tapirs, monkeys, birds, and other wildlife. Overnight Sierpe
area (TBD).
*Day 11 (February 3):* This morning after breakfast we will leave early to
head over to the Gulfo Dulce side of the peninsula to briefly explore the
mangrove forests near Rincón. We will revisit this area on Day 14! These
forests are part of the largest remaining mangrove complex on the Pacific
coast of Central America and are critically important from a conservation
perspective. They provide important habitat for myriad species including
Prothonotary Warbler, the endangered Mangrove Hummingbird and the
endangered Yellow-billed Cotinga, a secretive, endemic species whose last
remaining stronghold may be the Osaâs mangroves and associated upland
forest.
After spending the morning birding, we will return to Bosque del Rio Tigre
Lodge (BDRT) along the edge of the Rio Tigre, one of the largest watersheds
on the Osa Peninsula. This will be our destination for the next three days.
When we arrive at BDRT we will enjoy a wonderful lunch and have the chance
to rest, and of course enjoy more birding!
After lunch, founder of Osa Birds and ecologist, Karen Leavelle, will
discuss current and future projects with the organization as well as
present her latest research with the Yellow-billed Cotinga. Overnight at
BDRT.
*Day 12 (February 4)*: Today will be a slightly more restful chocolaty
kind of day as we tour the local and very famously delicious *Finca Kobo
Chocolate Farm*. Here you will see a large handful of honeycreepers and
migratory songbirds and enjoy some amazing and never ending chocolate
fondue. Before our tour however, we will visit Rincón once again and spend
more time exploring around the bridge, along the mangroves, and the
Yellow-billed Cotinga Preserve for species such as Ringed Kingfisher,
Roseate Spoonbill, trogon species, euphonias, and of course, the stunning
Yellow-Billed Cotinga! We will also visit Sandalo, and observe Mangrove
hummingbird, shorebird species, and learn about the several types of
mangroves and their importance to the shoreline. We will spend our
afternoon at our end-of-trip âDespedidaâ (good-bye lunch) with Nito and
Karen (location TBD).
This afternoon, we can explore the amazingly birdy forests surrounding BDRT.
Possibilities includeâLittle Tinamou, Uniform Crake, White-tipped
Sickleâbill (very cool hummer!), Striped Woodhaunter (a vexing tropical
ovenbird), Scaly-throated Leaftosser, trogons galore, some of those pesky
flycatchers, Marbled Wood Quail, Tiny Hawk, Black-Cheeked Ant-Tanager,
American Pygmy Kingfisher, Royal Flycatcher, and fingers crossed for the
diminutive White-crested Coquette, a hummer with a hairdo that puts Lyle
Lovett to shameâ¦you get the picture! Or, one can simply relax around the
lodge and let the birds come to you! Dinner and overnight at BDRT.
*Day 13 (February 5):* We will be getting up *VERY* early to drive to
Carate where weâll visit the spectacular Luna Lodge, have a lovely *brunch*
overlooking gardens and the pacific ocean, and learn about their *White
Hawk project*. Here we will search for the stunningly beautiful Turquoise
Cotinga, an increasingly rare fruit-eating bird restricted to the
endangered Isthmian-Pacific wet and moist forests of southwestern Costa
Rica and adjacent Panama. While near Carate, weâll spend time exploring
the Osaâs unique lagoon system. Crocodiles, Bare-throated Tiger Heron,
crakes, and a variety of herons are all possibilities. Weâll also keep a
watchful eye for flocks of brilliant Scarlet Macaws. Dinner and overnight
at BDRT.
*Day 14 (February 6):* Morning ride back to Puerto Jimenez where we should
have time to browse a shop or two before returning back to San Josè. Most
folks stay another night in San Josè as the majority of international
flights head out early in the AM. Included is our stay at the lovely Villa
San Ignacio near Poàs Alajuela. Breakfast provided at BDRT and dinner
provided in San Josè.
*Day 15 (February 7):* Depart for airport early in the AM, heading home
with wonderful pictures, fond memories, and new friends!
**Please note that some particulars of the itinerary may change, but it is
relatively close to what weâll experience. We will make sure everyone is
accommodated! *It is also worth mentioning that there is a fair amount of
hiking/walking (considered moderate and at times may be challenging)* on
this adventure which includes gravel, some hilly and uneven surfacesâtalk
to me should there be any concerns. Walking sticks are available. Also,
be advised that the food is exceptional!!!
**In addition to birds, we have observed species such as Tamandua (small
anteater), two and three-toed sloths, kinkajous, coatis, spiny rat, rice
mouse rat, numerous bat species, 4 species of monkeys (white-faced
capuchin, squirrel, howlers, and spider), many lizard species, spectacled
caiman, American crocodile, countless butterflies, as well as leaf cutter
and army ants. If folks arenât too tired(!!) night hikes can be done and
weâll explore around the lodge(s) searching for snakes and frogs.
Adventure travel can be unpredictable; therefore, understanding and some
flexibility is necessaryâif we face surprises head on and with a smile, all
will be okay. Whining is not permitted; it has been my experience on
previous birding excursions that whiners inexplicably disappear!!! Hope to
see you on the Osaâ¦
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