Host: Dennis Rogers When: : Birding is good year-round, even in the rainy season (May-November), but prime time is March and early April. At that time, the weather is warm and sunny, the resident birds are gearing up for the nesting season, and migration is at its peak. During the rainy season, in the lowlands it usually rains in the afternoon, not interfering with the best birding hours. Fog and mist are regular in the highlands, but usually do not affect bird activity greatly. Length of stay: Anything from day-trips up to 10-day custom tours Minimum number of guests: 1 Fee(as of 2006): $150/day with transport included for up to three people. Bigger groups can be arranged, but rental of a larger vehicle would be extra. All meals, drinks, park entrance fees, and accommodation are on the client Orientation: As San Jose is in an intermontane valley at 1000 meters, the sites available for day trips are in the foothills and mountains. All are 1-1.5 hours from the city. Carara National Park on the Pacific coast is possible in a day with an uncomfortably early start. Virgen del Socorro-Volcan Poas This trip combines a site at mid-elevations on the Caribbean slope with an active volcano, Poas, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Costa Rica. Virgen del Socorro allows easy birding along a road through a forest reserve, with mixed flocks of tanagers and other foothill species. The river usually has Torrent Tyrannulet and Dipper. Returning up the mountain, a stop at a small restaurant with feeders allows face-to-face looks at the 7-10 hummingbird species regular in the area. At Volcan Poas, afternoon can mean clouds blocking the view of the crater, but a number of special bird species inhabit the area. Tapanti National Park This park also features mid-elevation Caribbean specialties, with access to higher elevations. Mixed flocks are a prominent feature here. Black Guan, Emerald Toucanet, Paltry Tyrannulet, and a variety of migrant warblers from eastern North America are regular. Cerro de la Muerte For high-elevation species, many of which are endemic to Costa Rica and western Panama, this mountain is the most accessible site. The biggest attraction is the Resplendent Quetzal, though it is not normally staked out here as at other locations. The fine oak forests and scrubby areas at the highest elevations also support Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Ruddy Treerunner, Black-capped Flycatcher, and Timberline Wren. Carara National Park On the Pacific coast, this area provides a variety of forest habitats and an estuary with waterbirds and mangroves. These sites routinely produce 170-180 species in a hard morning's birding. Scarlet Macaws are easily seen, a flock of Boat-billed Herons are habituated to humans, and the large crocodiles under the highway bridge are a big hit with Ticos returning from the beach. Additional sites that can be visited on a longer tour include: Santa Rosa and Palo Verde in the dry northwest part of the country; La Selva or Cahuita in the Caribbean lowlands; and San Vito near the Panama border.

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