Sarapiqui - San Gerardo de Dota help needed
Jul 27th, 2009, 04:06 PM
#21
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Yep, I'm in Louisiana, have ruby-throateds in summer with rufous, broad-tailed, black-chinned and calliope in winter.
We are also going to Rancho Naturalista for the hummingbirds - this and Savegre are two great spots in Costa Rica for birding.
Will be gone three weeks, first two visiting friends, Selva Bananito and staying a few days at Earth University to observe and learn about their various programs. I was going to have a week alone for a solo adventure. Now it's turned into four friends joining me for the birding week!
We are also going to Rancho Naturalista for the hummingbirds - this and Savegre are two great spots in Costa Rica for birding.
Will be gone three weeks, first two visiting friends, Selva Bananito and staying a few days at Earth University to observe and learn about their various programs. I was going to have a week alone for a solo adventure. Now it's turned into four friends joining me for the birding week!
Jul 28th, 2009, 08:34 PM
#23
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You must check out Dantica.com
This lodge is pristine....also there is a restaurant in San Gerado de Dota run by a Canadian woman and her husband...her name is Laura....she also runs a little bakery. They are wonderful people and very helpful. It is so beautiful there it felt like a holy experience. I was never a birder but I must admit San Gerado made me very close!! Also, coffee from this region is wonderful. There is also a great waterfall hike in the valley.
We keep trying to get back there but get pulled to the Osa over and over........
This lodge is pristine....also there is a restaurant in San Gerado de Dota run by a Canadian woman and her husband...her name is Laura....she also runs a little bakery. They are wonderful people and very helpful. It is so beautiful there it felt like a holy experience. I was never a birder but I must admit San Gerado made me very close!! Also, coffee from this region is wonderful. There is also a great waterfall hike in the valley.
We keep trying to get back there but get pulled to the Osa over and over........
Aug 5th, 2009, 11:37 AM
#25
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Artiejay,
Just a few brief thoughts on birding in the Sarapiqui area.
Regarding La Quinta, I have stayed there, but quite a few years ago. Did a mid-day walk on their property a couple of years ago. Their feeders attract some of the commoner birds, such as blue-gray and golden hooded tanagers, black-cheeked woodpeckers and lots of montezuma oropendolas. I've no doubt other birds visit the feeders as well. There are plenty of poison dart frogs along the trail near the river. In all a pleasant place to visit and when we were there the food was quite good.
You MUST visit La Selva Biological Station. They have guided nature hikes and also guided early-morning birding walks. Both are good. Sometimes even better is, even without a guide, to just to walk the last half mile or so of the entrance road , then stroll the grounds near the cafeteria / reception area. Early morning birding here is superb.
You get an excellent vista of birds leaving their night roosts and heading off to forage. The fields, edges, trees and small wetlands along here can be just alive with birds.
Some of the "goodies" we have seen along here include yellow-tailed oriole, tiny hawk, great currasow, crested guan,etc. The little wetlands have white-throated crake and sometimes Nicaraguan seed -finch. Generally there are lots of parrots and parakeets of several species, lots of toucans and collared aracaris, loads of flycatchers.....just lots of birds in general !
In the more wooded areas you might find both slaty - breasted and great tinamous, several species of trogon and a variety of antbirds etc.
Mammals we've seen here include tayra, collared peccary, northern tamandua, howler and spider monkeys,as well as agouti which seem quite common.
In general -this is the one area you must visit.
A few more suggestions will follow later.
cheers
Jerry
Just a few brief thoughts on birding in the Sarapiqui area.
Regarding La Quinta, I have stayed there, but quite a few years ago. Did a mid-day walk on their property a couple of years ago. Their feeders attract some of the commoner birds, such as blue-gray and golden hooded tanagers, black-cheeked woodpeckers and lots of montezuma oropendolas. I've no doubt other birds visit the feeders as well. There are plenty of poison dart frogs along the trail near the river. In all a pleasant place to visit and when we were there the food was quite good.
You MUST visit La Selva Biological Station. They have guided nature hikes and also guided early-morning birding walks. Both are good. Sometimes even better is, even without a guide, to just to walk the last half mile or so of the entrance road , then stroll the grounds near the cafeteria / reception area. Early morning birding here is superb.
You get an excellent vista of birds leaving their night roosts and heading off to forage. The fields, edges, trees and small wetlands along here can be just alive with birds.
Some of the "goodies" we have seen along here include yellow-tailed oriole, tiny hawk, great currasow, crested guan,etc. The little wetlands have white-throated crake and sometimes Nicaraguan seed -finch. Generally there are lots of parrots and parakeets of several species, lots of toucans and collared aracaris, loads of flycatchers.....just lots of birds in general !
In the more wooded areas you might find both slaty - breasted and great tinamous, several species of trogon and a variety of antbirds etc.
Mammals we've seen here include tayra, collared peccary, northern tamandua, howler and spider monkeys,as well as agouti which seem quite common.
In general -this is the one area you must visit.
A few more suggestions will follow later.
cheers
Jerry
Aug 5th, 2009, 03:30 PM
#26
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Thanks again Jerry,I really appreciate all the great information. It's gonna be hard to wait until April- I tried to sneak a solo trip in December past my wife- I was DENIED! Keep the great tips coming!
Aug 7th, 2009, 12:29 PM
#27
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We've GOT to get back to both La Selva and Savegre next year! We'll be staying near Rancho Nat. for the duration of the summer, and those are the 2 side trips I hope to take. And maybe back to Puerto Viejo. . .
All this talk is driving me crazy!
artiejay, have a great trip, and be reassured that Savegre's buffet isn't bad at all. Lots of trout, that's for sure! For what it's worth, I'm not "foodie", but generally don't care much for buffet food. We've not fished, but have visited with those who have. They've enjoyed themselves. We like looking at all the trout ponds, so teaming with fish. Watch for the osprey perched on a dead tree--he likes watching them as well! LOL
All this talk is driving me crazy!
artiejay, have a great trip, and be reassured that Savegre's buffet isn't bad at all. Lots of trout, that's for sure! For what it's worth, I'm not "foodie", but generally don't care much for buffet food. We've not fished, but have visited with those who have. They've enjoyed themselves. We like looking at all the trout ponds, so teaming with fish. Watch for the osprey perched on a dead tree--he likes watching them as well! LOL
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