I surpassed the 600 mark in 2011 but still missed a bunch of birds. That’s pretty much par for the course for any Big Year so I had already accepted a certain number of acceptable losses when I started counting birds on January 1st, 2011. Since 894 species have been recorded in Costa Rica, my [...]
Continue reading about Biggest Misses for Birding Costa Rica in 2011
Today is Halloween. The date conjures up images of jack-o-lanterns, trick or treaters, masquerades, and horror movie marathons. On the natural side of things, for those who reside in the temperate zone, the dark, cold winds of the early night and arrival of wintering waterfowl are reminders that freezing weather is right around the corner. [...]
Continue reading about Two Months and 20 Species to hit 600 for the Year
As always, I would love to do an official Big Year in Costa Rica. Slowly track my way up and down the hot, hilly terrain of the Osa while scanning the canopy and listening for distress calls of monkeys that would lead me to a Harpy Eagle. Maybe find a Red-throated Caracara or two (if [...]
Continue reading about 536 species so far for 2010 with two months to go
It has often been said that time flies when you are having fun (such as when birding Costa Rica). I, however, have discovered that it zips along like a hungry Merlin chasing a Chimney Swift when you are: 1. Running a business. 2. Have a not quite two year old, active, inquisitive daughter, and 3. [...]
Continue reading about Costa Rica birding: my year list for 2010
In the birding world, many of us are a list obsessed bunch. The lists other people use are temporal and pretty much inconsequential; a nearly forgotten, crumpled note that mentions milk, bread, butter, flour, cereal, mahi mahi (for those of us lucky enough to reside where this fish is standard) and other essentials like snickers [...]
