Author Archives: AWOlivieri

Trip to Aguas Calientes and Finca La Libertad on Thursday, February 12

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Please join us Thursday, Feb. 12 for a day trip to Aguas Calientes and Finca La Libertad. Once again, we will meet at the cemetery in San Vito to consolidate car pooling. Please be there no later than 8:15 am.

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird in flight. Photo by Julie Girard.

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird in flight. Photo by Julie Girard.

Our first stop will be Aguas Calientes, a natural thermal pool near Gutierrez Braun on the way to Amistad Park. We will bird around the entrance and along the path to the pool. In the past we have seen many species of migrants there including American Redstarts, Ovenbirds, Black-and-white warblers, Kentucky Warblers, Northern Waterthrushes plus local hummingbirds and Sulphur-winged Parakeets. Please bring bathing suits and a towel if you’d like to take a dip in the pool!

We’ll travel from there to Finca La Libertad, a working farm belonging to the Barrantes family where we will have a tour of the fruit orchard and vegetable garden and do some birding on the forest edge. A tasty Tico lunch will be provided while we feast our eyes on the beautiful Talamanca Mountains.

At $25 per person, a minimum of six people will be needed to run the trip with a maximum of 12 as space is somewhat limited at the pool. Please let us know ASAP if you would like to attend by sending an email to: sanvitobirdclub@gmail.com  First come, first served!

This adventure is for members only so if you would like to participate but have not paid your dues for 2015, please bring them with you! Hope to see you there!

A Fine Foray to Los Chocuacos!/Una Buena Incursión a Los Chocuacos!

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Boat-billed Heron, un chocuaco (photo by Jeff Worman).

Boat-billed Heron, un chocuaco (photo by Jeff Worman).

Desafios Tour, a local company offering interesting tours in and around San Vito, helped us plan a great day trip to the Boat-billed Heron colony near Paso Real on Friday, January 23, 2015. We had two guides from Desafios, owner-operator Henry Barrantes and his assistant Justyn Rodriguez, who arranged trip details and helped our 14-member group see Red-eared Slider turtles, a Forest Giant dragonfly, Least Grebes, Purple Gallinules, Neotropical Cormorants, one Northern Jacana, Green Herons, Boat-billed Herons by the tree-full and the (surprise!) Bird of the Day: Sungrebe, found by Greg Homer!

SUNGREBE! (Photo by Jeff Worman)

SUNGREBE! (Photo by Jeff Worman)

Other notable “landlubber” birds included Olivaceous Piculet, Plain Xenops, molting Summer Tanager, duetting Riverside Wrens, and Steaked Flycatcher.

We have not visited Los Chocuacos in several years and the owner, Miguel Antonio Lopes, has made some improvements including a covered dock extending out onto the lake where we were able to set up our scope to get additional views of the Sungrebe. The two swimming pools were a nice attraction for some as was lunch: a fresh tilapia casado with patacones, rice, salad and a big shot of Rompopo for dessert.

P.S. Wally Barton gets a free beer next time for correctly answering an Avian Pop Quiz: what family of birds has the most feathers? Yes, penguins!

SVBC at Los Chocuacos (photo by Henry Barrantes).

SVBC at Los Chocuacos (photo by Henry Barrantes).

Participants: from left to right Jo Davidson, Terry Farling, Wendy Russell Bernstein, Julie Girard, Alison Olivieri, Wally Barton, Barbara Keeler Barton, kneeling Greg Homer, Helen LeVasseur, Portia Wilkinson, Roni Chernin, Denise Worman, Jeff Worman and Pat Morgan.

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Desafíos Tour, una compañía local que ofrece tours interesantes en y alrededor de San Vito, nos ayudó a planear un grandioso viaje de un día a la colonia de garzas pico de bota cercana a Paso Real viernes, 23 enero 2015. Tuvimos dos guías de Desafíos, el dueño-operador Henry Barrantes y su asistente Justyn Rodriguez, quienes arreglaron los detalles del viaje y ayudaron a nuestro grupo de 14 miembros a ver tortugas de orejas rojas, una libélula gigante de bosque, zampullines macacitos, cormoranes neotropicales, una jacana del norte, garcitas verdosas, arzas pico de bota y (¡Sorpresa!) el Pájaro del Día: ¡El avesol americano, encontrado por Greg Homer!

Neotropical Cormorant (photo by Henry Barrantes).

Neotropical Cormorant (photo by Henry Barrantes).

Otros pájaros terrestres destacables incluyeron al carpinterito olivo, el picolezna menudo, una tangara veranera mudando, un dueto de soterreyes pechibarreteados y el bienteveo rayado.

No habíamos visitado Los Chocuacos en varios años y el dueño, Miguel Antonio Lopes, ha hecho unas lindas mejoras incluyendo un muelle cubierto que se extiende hacia dentro del lago donde pudimos establecer nuestro campo de visión con el fin de tener vistas adicionales del avesol americano. Las dos piscinas fueron un gran atractivo para algunos, al igual que el almuerzo: un casado de tilapia fresca con patacones, arroz, ensalada y un gran vaso de Rompope para el postre.

P.D. Wally Barton obtiene una cerveza gratis la próxima vez por responder correctamente el Examen sorpresa aviario: ¿Cuál familia de pájaros tiene la mayor cantidad de plumas? ¡Sí, los pingüinos!

A beautiful, birdy site -- Los Chocuacos is near Paso Real (photo by Henry Barrantes).

A beautiful, birdy site — Los Chocuacos is near Paso Real (photo by Henry Barrantes).

Participantes: Barb y Wally Barton, Roni Chernin, Jo Davidson, Terry Farling, Julie Girard, Helen y Greg Homer, Pat Morgan, Alison Olivieri, Wendy Russell Bernstein, Portia Wilkinson, Denise y Jeff Worman.

2nd Annual Big Birdfeeder Competition/2ª Gran Competencia Anual de Comederos de Pájaros!

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This year’s Big Birdfeeder Competition will run from January 14 through February 14 – one month to watch your feeder and make a list of all the species you see landing there or foraging underneath.

“Bird feeder” is defined by fruit (or other appropriate bird food) placed in the same spot for the duration of the contest. The odd hummingbird (or other non-feeding species) that lands on the feeder can be counted as can any bird that actively feeds on dropped scraps underneath but you may NOT count a bird randomly hopping under the feeder with no active feeding behavior.

Fiery-billed Aracari, first class feeder bird. Photo by Terry Farling.

Fiery-billed Aracari, first class feeder bird. Photo by Terry Farling.

Member Pat Morgan won the First Competition last year with 25 species! Let’s see if you can beat her record in 2015!

Please submit your list by February 19 to sanvitobirdclub@gmail.com – the winner will be announced (and prizes handed out) at the 2015 Annual Meeting on February 21.

READY? SET? GO!

Este año la Gran Competencia de Comederos de Pájaros será desde el 14 de enero hasta el 14 de febrero – un mes para observar su comedero y hacer una lista de todas las especies que vea posándose o buscando alimento en él.

Un “Comedero de Pájaros” comprende fruta (u otro alimento apropiado para pájaros) colocado en el mismo lugar durante todo el concurso. El extraño colibrí que se pose en el comedero (o otro especies solo visitando) puede ser contado como cualquier otro pájaro que se alimenta activamente de los residuos caídos del comedero pero no puede contarse un pájaro que brinca de forma espontánea bajo el alimentador sin mostrar comportamiento alguno de estarse alimentando activamente.

¡La miembro Pat Morgan ganó la Primera Competencia el año pasado con 25 especies! ¡Vamos a ver si usted puede batir su record en 2015!

Por favor envíe su lista antes del 19 de febrero a sanvitobirdclub@gmail.com – el ganador será anunciado (con premios) en la Reunión Anual 2015 el 21 de febrero.

¿EN SUS MARCAS? ¿LISTOS? ¡FUERA!

Happy New Year 2015! ¡Feliz Año Nuevo 2015!

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December's Double Rainbow in Linda Vista. Photo by Jo Davidson.

December’s Double Rainbow in Linda Vista. Photo by Jo Davidson.

We begin the New Year with a Membership Drive, so please don’t forget to pay your annual dues as soon as possible: International Membership $15 per person; Resident Dues are $20 per person.

While you are thinking about your SVBC membership, please also consider supporting our innovative education program, “Detectives de Pajaros”. This year we hope to have four teachers to present the class in at least 10 schools. One complete program of 10 lessons plus a community project for the school costs $350. We’re counting on your support for continued success in local schools!

The Big Birdfeeder Competition will begin January 14 and go for one month, ending on Valentine’s Day, February 14. You will then have a week to submit your birdfeeder counts as the winner will be announced at the Annual Meeting 2015 on February 21.

Here is a recap of the rules: the idea is to count the MOST species at your birdfeeder in a month. A “birdfeeder” can include just a hanging bunch of bananas but the location must remain constant for the month. Any bird that lands on the feeder is countable – yes, even a hummingbird or other oddity. Birds under the feeder that are actually feeding also qualify but not birds that accidentally land or hop there. Remember: this is an Honor System Competition!

We will provide details about the upcoming Annual Meeting in subsequent posts. In the meantime, the SVBC wishes you Good Birding in 2015!

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Empezamos el Año Nuevo con una Campaña de Membresía, así que por favor no olvide pagar sus cuotas anuales tan pronto como le sea posible: la Membresía Internacional es de $15 por persona; las Cuotas Residentes son de $20 por persona.

Mientras está pensando en su membresía al SVBC, por favor considere también apoyar nuestro innovador programa educativo, “Detectives de Pájaros”. Este año esperamos tener cuatro maestros para dar la clase en al menos 10 escuelas. Un programa completo de 10 lecciones más un proyecto comunal para la escuela cuesta $350. ¡Estamos contando con su apoyo para el éxito continuo en las escuelas locales!

La Gran Competencia de Comederos de Pájaros va a comenzar el 14 de enero y durará un mes, terminando el 14 de febrero, Día de San Valentín.  Usted tendrá entonces una semana para enviar los conteos de su comedero de aves ya que el ganador será anunciado el 21 de febrero en la Reunión Anual 2015.

Aquí hay una recapitulación de las reglas: la idea es contar la MAYOR CANTIDAD de especies en su comedero de pájaros en un mes. Un “comedero  de pájaros” puede ser sólo un montón de bananas colgadas pero la ubicación deberá ser constante durante el mes. Cualquier pájaro que se pose en el comedero cuenta – sí, incluso un colibrí o cualquier otra rareza. Los pájaros debajo del comedero que están comiendo del mismo también califican pero no los pájaros que accidentalmente se posan o saltan ahí. Recuerde: ¡Esta es una Competición con Sistema de Honor!

Proveeremos detalles sobre la próxima Reunión Anual en mensajes subsecuentes. Mientras tanto, el SVBC le desea ¡Una buena Observación de Pájaros en 2015!

 

1st Annual Volunteer Thank You Lunch/Primer Almuerzo de Agradecimiento a los Voluntarios

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As the rainy season draws to a close we decided it was time to thank members who’ve volunteered time, energy and supplies over the past several years with a special Volunteer Thank You Lunch at OTS Las Cruces!

Whether it was painting faces at the Festival Eco-Cultural and the Feria Brunka Emprende, baking and selling for our fund-raiser bake sales, contributing expertise to the Detectives de Pajaros community projects or anything else, we are extremely lucky to have these members who consistently, year after year, help the SVBC participate in community-based special events.

Horticulturist Dave Janas leading the Garden Walk November 8, 2014. Photo by Liz Allen.

Horticulturist Dave Janas leading the Garden Walk November 8, 2014. Photo by Liz Allen.

We have bird walks all the time but just prior to our lunch on Saturday, November 8, Dave Janas led us on a Garden Walk to the Cactus Garden, Cycad Hill, the Economy Garden and the Hummingbird Garden, pointing out interesting plants and answering all kinds of questions along the way. A trained horticulturist, Dave is new to the Wilson Botanical Garden — we all hope he will be here for some time to come!

Many of the “lunchees” signed up to help Dave twice a month with gardening projects that will renovate and beauty-up the botanical grounds. With a garden of this immense size, projects and needs for equipment and supplies never end so if you have time and energy to contribute, please contact Dave at davetheplantguy@gmail.com or click here to contact us or just send an email to sanvitobirdclub@gmail.com.

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Attendees at the SVBC Volunteer Thank You Lunch in November 2014. Photo by Liz Allen

Attendees at the SVBC Volunteer Thank You Lunch in November 2014. Photo by Liz Allen

Conforme la estación lluviosa se acerca a su fin, decidimos que era tiempo de agradecer a aquellos miembros que han aportado tiempo, energía y suministros durante los últimos años con ¡Un Almuerzo de Agradecimiento especial en la OET Las Cruces!

Ya fuese pintando caritas en el Festival Eco-Cultural y la Feria Brunka Emprende, horneando y vendiendo para nuestra venta para recaudar fondos, aportando experiencia a proyectos comunales de los Detectives de Pajaros o cualquier otra cosa, tenemos muchísima suerte de tener a estos miembros que consistentemente, año tras año, ayudan al SVBC participar en eventos especiales enfocados en la comunidad.

Tenemos caminatas para pajarear todo el tiempo pero, justo antes de nuestro almuerzo el sábado 8 de noviembre, Dave Janas nos guió en una Caminata de Jardín por los Jardines de Cactus, la Colina de las Cícadas, el Jardín de la Economía y el Jardín de Colibríes, señalando plantas interesantes y respondiendo toda clase de preguntas durante el camino. Dave es un horticultor entrenado nuevo en el Jardín Botánico Wilson ¡Todos esperamos que esté aquí por un tiempo más todavía!

Muchos de los “almorzadores” se inscribieron para ayudar a Dave dos veces al mes con proyectos de jardinería que van a renovar y embellecer los terrenos botánicos. Con un jardín de este inmenso tamaño, los proyectos y las necesidades de equipo nunca terminan. Así que, si usted tiene tiempo y energía para contribuir, por favor contacte a David a la dirección davetheplantguy@gmail.com o haga click aquí para contactarnos o envíe un correo electrónico a la dirección sanvitobirdclub@gmail.com.

Quiz Bird #2 Revealed/La Respuesta del Prueba #2!

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Quiz Bird #2 had nine entries, two of which were correct: Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria).

Lesser Goldfinch photographed by Jo Davidson.

Lesser Goldfinch photographed by Jo Davidson.

Our Official Winner is Suzanne Gross of Piedades, Santa Ana, who came on one of our walks at the Wilson Garden last December. Due to the difficulty of mailing cookies from San Vito, Suzanne has generously donated her one dozen Chocolate Chips to our next Bird Walk at the Wilson Garden.

Other entries included two orioles, two tanagers, a vireo, a warbler and a seedeater.

Thanks for a great job Photographer Jo Davidson on making sure the bill was hidden behind a leaf: we fooled everybody except Suzanne and member Jim Zook.

Gracias a nuestra miembre Jo Davidson para su foto de un Carduelis psaltria!

Tuvimos mas respuestas este vez, pero solo dos de nueve estaban correctos.

Felicidades a Suzanne Gross de Piedades, Santa Ana: su respuesta estaba correcto: Lesser Goldfinch!

Pop Quiz #2: What Bird Is This?/Prueba numero 2: cual ave es?

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Everybody ready? Hints for Quiz Bird #2: it’s smaller than a robin/thrush; the photograph was taken in Linda Vista near a house with shrubs and small trees but no real garden; this bird sings a lovely song.

Quiz Bird #2: cual es?

Quiz Bird #2: cual es?

First person to correctly identify this bird wins the same prize offered last time: one dozen home-made Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Listo? Algunas pistas estan: mas pequeno de un yiguirro, foto de Linda Vista cerca una casa con arbustos y arbolitos pero falta jardin; este pajaro canta muy bien!

Lo mismo premio: 12 galletas de chocolate, hizo de mano!

 

SEND YOUR ANSWER to: sanvitobirdclub@gmail.com or click here to contact us.

ENVIA SU CONTESTA a: sanvitobirdclub@gmail.com o haga clic aqui para contactarnos.

 

 

Bird Report: Tropical Mockingbird

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Mimus gilvus: Tropical Mockingbird.

Mimus gilvus: Tropical Mockingbird.

A Tropical Mockingbird, Mimus gilvus, has been spotted on the grounds of the Catholic church in downtown San Vito by Wally Barton. It is slightly larger than a thrush, predominantly gray on the back with white bars on blackish wings, white below, white patches in the wings and tail.

Historically this interesting species has had a discontinuous two-part range from Mexico to Honduras and then in northern South America, however, in the 1930s an introduced population was found in Panama. This might explain its occurrence here. The Birds of Costa Rica by Robert Dean and Richard Garrigues suggest this species is becoming established in Costa Rica where breeding pairs have been reliably found in Siquirres and Limon for many years. Reports of sightings have come from disparate locations like Bagaces, Arenal, San Isidro de General and Cartago and a breeding pair has been seen in La Union de Sabalito for the past five years. Closer to home, one or two of them have been visiting feeders near the San Vito Hospital and these (or this individual) may have taken up residence in the church yard.

They like open habitats with trees and shrubs so town parks and gardens are ideal. Readily visible, they often perch out in the open on telephone/electric lines or tops of bushes and trees.

Eating a small lizard!

Eating a small lizard!

Mockingbirds eat insects, small vertebrates and fruit. Their song is unmistakable: a long musical series of repeated phrases. Apparently, unlike Northern Mockingbirds, they do not mimic other species.

Escuela Lourdes Festival del Maiz este fin de semana 25-27 julio!

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Festival del Maiz at Escuela Lourdes!

Festival del Maiz at Escuela Lourdes!

Please join us at the Festival del Maiz this weekend, July 25-27, at the Lourdes School on the left-hand side of the road to Sabalito! This event is the school’s fund raiser for the year and it will be filled with delicious local food, games, prizes, music, dancing and other events!

Friday evening starting at 6, the event will open with a coronation as one of the students is crowned King of the Corn Festival. On Saturday from 1:00 pm on, the fun continues with games, prizes, activities, food and music. That night will feature a Dance Exhibit with several different kinds of Latin dancing and North American jitterbug and swing starting at 6:00 pm. On Sunday, the festival continues throughout the day and will feature a Marimba Band at 1:00 pm.

All by themselves, the chorreados (a typical local food at this time of year, these are pancakes made with ground young corn) will be worth the trip — you can have them sweetened with syrup, doused with sour cream or just the way they are = DELICIOUS!

CORN! YUM! COME ONE, COME ALL!

CORN! YUM! COME ONE, COME ALL!

Students in the 5th grade at Escuela Lourdes have just finished the ‘Detectives de Pajaros’ course taught by Roni Chernin. Please come to support this wonderful school!

 

Festival at Las Cruces/Wilson Garden Saturday, June 28!

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Festival_Eco_Cultural_2013 036Come one, come all to the OTS Las Cruces Biological Station/Wilson Botanical Garden Festival de la Conectividad Saturday, June 28.

We will be painting faces and selling yummy cookies and cakes to support our education class ‘Detectives de Pajaros’! Hope to see you there!Festival_Eco_Cultural_2013 039