Punta Arenas, Costa Rica
4-29-08 Rainforest Skywalk and Pura Vida Botanical
Gardens
Scarlet Macaw Day. What could be more impressive than a noisy flock of these
huge parrots flying up a wooded valley, and then one of them stopping on an open
perch for us to admire?
On this shore day, we followed exactly the same itinerary as Helen describes in
her web page--http://helensbirds.homestead.com/cruise04costarica.html
She was there in January; we in April. She had 40 species; we had 38, including
17 that she did not see. That gives you an idea of the avian diversity in this
small area of Costa Rica. Keep in mind that these shore excursions generally are
in the middle of the day when bird activity is lowest.
Our leader this day was very knowledgeable about the history and culture of
Costa Rica, and somewhat informed about the birdlife of the area. He admitted
that his main natural history interest was trees, and he gave us lots of
interesting information about them.
Driving through the countryside we saw the occasional unidentified hawk on the
wire, and occasional glimpses of birds in flight, but really didn’t identify
anything. The Tarcoles River bridge did not disappoint. We were let off on the
north side, and slowly made our way across on the narrow “sidewalks--traffic
whizzing by all the time. Many large crocodiles were lazing below the bridge,
and a Turkey Vulture soared by very closely--too close to focus on! A
Yellow-headed Caracara was sitting on a nearby snag, and took flight as we
crossed the midway point of the bridge. A few birds were visible both upstream
and downstream. I snapped a photo of a large egret downstream, and upon
inspecting the image on the laptop screen that evening, discovered not only a
Great egret, but a Snowy Egret, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Tricolored Heron,
and Northern Jacanas! A single Scarlet Macaw flew upstream, allowing a too-brief
inspection. Our bus picked us up on the South side of the bridge. Just a couple
minutes later, we stopped briefly to view 2 Crested Caracaras at a cattle
watering trough. They were just 20 or 30 feet from the bus.
We drove on to Villa Lapas, for a bathroom stop which was all too brief. This is
a wonderful spot in the rainforest where we could have spent hours without
getting bored. A juvenile Bare-faced Tiger-Heron was in a nest directly above
the parking lot. The trees seemed alive with birds, including Palm,
White-shouldered and Blue-gray Tanagers, Streak-headed Woodcreeper, and Streaked
flycatcher. After this all too brief stop we drove up to the beginning of the
skywalk. This was a hot downhill walk on a well maintained trail which included
several impressive suspension bridges over a dry stream bed. Being mid-day, and
in the forest, we heard several birds, saw a few briefly, but generally this
part of the day was more interesting for the flora than fauna. This walk ended
back at Villa Lapas where we were provided with fruit snacks, and given the
opportunity to do some shopping.
Back in the bus we were driven further uphill to Pura Vida Gardens. We were
provided with a nice lunch, smorgasbord style, in a covered verandah. Pura Vida
is a gorgeous spot high in the hills, surrounded by forest and wildlife. The
views are expansive, and the paved trails and grounds impeccably maintained. We
had just over an hour to explore the area, which wasn’t nearly enough. The
flowering trees were alive with hummingbirds. Many of them were Green-breasted
Mangos. Scaly-breasted Hummingbirds were also identified. I’m sure other species
were present, but we never confirmed any others. Loud raucous calls could be
heard approaching from below, which turned out to be a flock of 10 or 12 Scarlet
Macaws! One of them perched for us to admire from a lookout. I spent some time
watching a pair of Social flycatchers feed their young in an unkempt nest in a
gazebo. Various other birds were identified, including Yellow-bellied Elaenia,
Yellow-throated Euphonia and Piratic Flycatcher. Just before we left, a toucan,
the Fiery-billed Aracari dropped by to bid us farewell from this beautiful spot.
The bus ride back to the cruise terminal in Punta Arenas was mostly in the rain.
We stopped at a small lagoon just before the terminal, and added Roseate
Spoonbill, Great and Little Blue Herons, and some 50 Wood Storks to the day’s
list.
Scarlet Macaws flying over Pura Vida Streak-headed Woodcreeper
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck At Tarcoles River bridge.
Black Vulture
Blue-gray Tanager Villa Lapas
Brown Pelican
Cattle Egret
Crested Caracara
Fiery-billed Aracari Pura Vida gardens.
Great-tailed Grackle
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Great Kiskadee Several at Pura Vida Gardens.
Green-breasted Mango
Laughing Gull
Little Blue Heron
Mangrove Swallow Pier
Northern Jacana At Tarcoles River bridge. Discovered by viewing a photo on the computer. Not seen at the time of taking the photo!
Palm Tanager
Piratic Flycatcher
Rock Dove
Roseate Spoonbill
Royal Tern
Ruddy Ground Dove
Scaly-breasted Hummingbird Pura Vida gardens.
Scarlet Macaw One flyover at Tarcoles river bridge, and about 10 more at Pura Vida Gardens.
Snowy Egret At Tarcoles River Bridge.
Social Flycatcher Feeding young at a nest at Pura Vida.
Streak-headed Woodcreeper Villa Lapas
Streaked Flycatcher Pura Vida gardens.
Tricolored Heron
Tropical Kingbird
Turkey Vulture At Tarcoles River bridge, within feet of us, swooping down to check us out.
White-shouldered Tanager Villa Lapas
White Crowned Parrot Seemed very tame, eating handouts at Pura Vida Gardens. Perhaps cannot fly, or just knows he has a good deal!
Wood Stork Lots at Lagoon beside the road in Punta Arenas.
Yellow-bellied Elaenia
Yellow-headed Caracara
Yellow-throated Euphonia Pura Vida gardens. Next Stop Puerto Chiapas Return to Home