[wisb] Osa Bird Trip Itinerary

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Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2014 10:35:30 -0400 (EDT)
Here is the actual itinerary...


Wisconsin Bird ConservationInitiativeâs (WBCI)

Osa Conservation Birding Trip

Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

February 13-22, 2015

 
While this is a bird conservationtrip, we will spend our time learning, 
exploring, and observing all weencounter while walking through the various 
habitats.  Nito (Dionisio Paniagua Castro) is ourpersonal guide for this 
journey and his expertise as a naturalist always makesthe trip superior.  

Day 1 (Februay 13):  Arrive in San JosÃ¨ where you will be shuttledto lodging 
site.  Nito will provide awelcome and tour overview.  The HotelBougainvillea 
has absolutely fabulous grounds to get in some great tropical birdwatching.  
See www.hb.co.cr. Dinner included.

Day 2 (February 14):  Early AM travel to Savegre Lodge.  San Gerado de Dota is 
a small farmingcommunity on the Pacific side of the Talamanca Mountains.  The 
habitat hosts a number of endemicspecies.  Here we can expect somehighlight 
species such as the Resplendent Quetzal, Long-Tailed SilkyFlycatcher, and the 
Volcano Hummingbird. The grounds have numerous trails with a range of habitats, 
and the lodgeis run by a local family who has dedicated their land to 
conservation andsustainable tourism.  Lunch provided inthe area which will be 
followed by more exploring of this amazingproperty.  Overnight Savegre Lodge.  

Day 3 (February 15):  Early AMâ¦oh yes, more exploring of thewonderful Savegre 
grounds.  Overnight atSavegre Lodge.

Day 4 (February 16):  Travel to Wilson Botanical Gardens.  Also known as the 
Las Cruces BiologicalStation.  This property consists of 625acres of protected 
forestâmost of which is primary forest.  Here we will find an incredible 
botanicalcollection which includes a palm collection of over 700 species.  It 
is considered one of the most importanttropical botanical gardens in the world. 
Overnight at lodge in area or Wilson Botanical Gardens.

Day 5 (February 17):  Early AM birding at Wilson BotanicalGardens.  Highlight 
species in the areawill include Marbled Wood-Quail, Streaked Saltator, 
Thick-Billed Euphonia andRough-Legged Tyrannulet.  Overnight atlodge in area or 
Wilson Botanical Gardens.

Day 6 (February 18):  Travel to Gulfo Dulce and RincÃ³n visiting theYellow 
Billed Cotinga preserve.  While inthis area weâll explore the area briefly 
around the bridge, etc. for speciessuch as Ringed Kingfisher, Roseate 
Spoonbill, trogon species, and of course,the stunning Yellow-Billed Cotinga! 
After a short visit, travel to Osa Conservationâs beautiful Piro 
BiologicalResearch Station.  Staff will provide astation presentation for us 
followed by more birding!  Of course one may rest if they wishâ¦

Piro Biological Station isnestled in primary rainforest that extends all the 
way to the sea.  There are well established trails throughoutthe 4200 acres of 
primary and secondary forest, which includes beach andcoastal habitat.  Here 
weâll hope to seeRed-Legged Honeycreepers, Scarlet Macaws, and Charming 
Hummingbirds.  Overnight at Piro.

Day 7 (February 19):  Getting up very early and drive to Caratewhere weâll 
visit the spectacular Luna Lodge and learn about their White Hawkproject.  Here 
we will search for thestunningly beautiful Turquoise Cotinga, an increasingly 
rare fruit-eating birdrestricted to the endangered Isthmian-Pacific moist 
forests of southwesternCosta Rica and adjacent Panama.  Whilenear Carate, 
weâll spend time exploring the Osaâs unique lagoon system.  Crocodiles, 
limpkins, crakes, and a varietyof herons are all possibilities.  Weâllalso 
keep a watchful eye for flocks of brilliant Scarlet Macaw.  Overnight at the 
Piro.

Day 8 (February 20):  This morning we take a taxi outto Matapalo and explore 
the area in hopes of seeing Spectacled Owl, CrestedCaracaras, Red-Breasted 
Blackbird, as well as seedeaters.  Afterwards the taxi will take us to 
Kobochocolate farm for a tour and late lunch. Upon returning back to Piro, 
weâll spend the early evening exploring theRio Piro, a beautiful clear water 
stream that meanders through tall secondaryforest.  Note that in this 
instance,exploring entails literally wading up the streamâappropriate 
pants/shorts andfootwear are a must!  Weâll keep an eyepeeled for riparian 
specialists like the secretive Agami Heron, North Americaâs smallest 
kingfisher, the diminutivePygmy, and the Basilisk Lizard (the only reptile that 
can literally run acrossthe surface of the water, hence its nickname as the 
âJesus ChristLizardâ).  This is a tremendousopportunity to view myriad of 
species such as the Black-crowned Tityra nesting.  Overnight at Piro.

Day 9 (February 21):  Early morning taxi up to Greg GundConservation Center and 
trek down to Piro. This is quite the walkâwhile leisurely, it can take 3-4 
hours, but iscompletely worth itâwith a bit of luck, weâll spot Barred 
Forest-falcon, BatFalcon, Long-billed Hermit, White-necked Jacobins, some 
woodcreepers, andBlue-crowned Manakin, just to mention a few! Weâll also 
continue to hone our flycatcher ID skills (no one said it wasgoing to be 
easy!).  In the afternoon, weâllexplore the grounds near the Station.  
Overnightat Piro.

Day 10 (February 22):  Early morning ride back to Puerto Jimenezwhere we should 
have time to browse a shop or two before returning back to SanJosÃ¨.  Most 
folks stay another night inSan JosÃ¨ as the majority of international flights 
head out early in theAM.  We typically stay at the Villa SanIgnacio near PoÃ s 
Alajuela where I will happily make the reservations.  Breakfast provided.

**Throughout the week, we willhave evening or afternoon presentations from 
local biologists.  Possibilities include:  Yellow-billed Cotinga research, 
amphibianmonitoring, sea turtle protection and management, and wild cat 
conservation(the Osa is home to 5 species of catsâJaguar, Mountain Lion, 
Ocelot, Margay, andJagarundi!), as well as the history of conservation on the 
Osa.

**Please note that someparticulars of the itinerary may change, but it is 
relatively close to whatweâll experience.  We will make sureeveryone is 
accommodated!  It is alsoworth mentioning that there is extensive 
hiking/walking (considered moderateand at times may bechallenging) on this 
adventure which includes gravel, some hilly and unevensurfacesâtalk to me 
should there be any concerns.  Walking sticks are available.  Also, be advised 
that the food isexceptional!!!

**In addition to birds, we haveobserved species such as Tamandua (small 
anteater), two and three-toed sloths,kinkajous, coatis, spiny rat, numerous bat 
species, 4 species of monkeys(white-faced capuchin, squirrel, howlers, and 
spider), many lizard species,spectacled caiman, countless butterflies, as well 
as leaf cutter and armyants.  On at least two evenings, if folksarenât too 
tired(!!), we explore around the lodge searching for snakes andfrogs.

Adventure travel can beunpredictable; therefore, understanding and some 
flexibility is necessaryâif weface surprises head on and with a smile, all 
will be okay.  Whining is not permitted; it has been myexperience on previous 
birding excursions that whiners inexplicably disappear!!!  Hope to see you on 
the Osaâ¦


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[wisb] Osa Bird Trip Itinerary

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