The following of my foreign bird trip reports can be found on this page, in the following order: -
i. ARGENTINA (THE ANDES)
ii. COSTA RICA
iii. ETHIOPIA
iv. FUERTEVENTURA
ARGENTINA, April 2003
19th April. Arrival at Buenos Aires international airport early morning, quick stop en-route to the city at a small marsh/grassland area, with all afternoon spent at the Reserva Natural Costaneira Sur on the Rio Plate (located almost in the centre of the city): -
- White-tufted Grebe 150+
- Pied-billed Grebe 75+
- Great Grebe c.10
- Neotropic Cormorant 5+
- Great Egret 3
- Snowy Egret 50+
- Striated Heron 2+
- Black-crowned Night Heron 8+
- Rufescent Tiger-Heron 1
- White-faced Ibis 30+
- Fulvous Whistling Duck 1
- White-faced Whistling Duck 60+
- Coscoroba Swan 25
- Black-necked Swan 100+
- Yellow-billed Pintail 1
- Speckled Teal 4
- Silver Teal 30+
- Rosy-billed Pochard 8
- Argentine Ruddy (Lake) Duck c.25
- Black Vulture 2
- Snail Kite 4
- Long-winged Harrier 1
- Roadside Hawk 1
- Southern Crested Caracara 6
- Chimango Caracara 15
- Limpkin 1
- Red-gartered Coot 100s (commoner than the next species)
- White-winged Coot 100s
- Red-fronted Coot 5
- Moorhen many
- Spot-flanked Gallinule c.4
- Wattled Jacana 15+
- Southern Lapwing 15+
- South American Kelp Gull 8
- Brown-hooded Gull 40+
- Grey-hooded Gull c.25
- Picazuro Pigeon 25+
- Feral Pigeon many
- Eared Dove 12+
- Nenday (Black-hooded) Parrot 10+
- Monk Parakeet 30+
- Guira Cuckoo 6+
- Green Kingfisher 1
- Golden-breasted (Green-barred) Woodpecker 5
- Bar-winged Cinclodes 1
- Rufous Hornero 10+
- Spectacled Tyrant 3
- Sooty Tyrannulet 1
- Cattle Tyrant 5
- Yellow-browed Tyrant 1
- Great Kiskadee many
- Tropical Kingbird 1
- Vermilion Flycatcher 2
- White-crested Tyrannulet 6+
- Small-billed Elaenia 6
- Brown-chested Martin 2
- Chilean Swallow 1
- Southern House Wren 5
- White-banded Mockingbird 1
- Chalk-browed Mockingbird 12+
- Creamy-bellied Thrush 1
- Rufous-bellied Thrush 8+
- Masked Gnatcatcher 6
- Sayaca Tanager 2
- White-lined Tanager 1
- Red-crested Cardinal 3
- Yellow-billed Cardinal 3+
- Double-collared Seedeater 5
- Saffron Finch 2
- Rufous-collared Sparrow 10+
- House Sparrow many
- Black-and-rufous Warbling-Finch 6
- Black-capped Warbling-Finch 4
- Great Pampa-Finch 4
- Hooded Siskin 12+
- Epaulet Oriole 5
- Shiny Cowbird many
- Bay-winged Cowbird 3
- Yellow-winged Blackbird 2
20th April. Mid morning spent at Buenos Aires domestic airport, which is situated on the banks of the Rio Plate. Immediately opposite the airport (over the bridge or walking quickly over the busy road), the river can be viewed: -
o Snowy Egret 1
o Chimango Caracara c.15 (inc.9 flying over the river)
o Southern Crested Caracara 2+
o South American Kelp Gull 50+
o Olrog’s (Band-tailed) Gull 3+ (1+ adult, 2+ 1st-years)
o Grey-hooded Gull 25+
o Brown-chested Martin 2
o Eared Dove 5
Internal flight from Buenos Aires to Tucuman. A quick bit of birding in the airport grounds at Tucuman producing: -
- Glittering-bellied Emerald 2
- White-bellied Hummingbird 1
- White-banded Mockingbird 1
- Yellowish Pipit 1
- Rufous Hornero 1+
- Southern Lapwing 5+
- American Kestrel 1
Highway between Tucuman and the mountain pass running adjacent to the Rio Los Sosas: -
o Snowy Egret 3
o Black Vulture 20+
o Roadside Hawk 1
o Great Black-Hawk 1
o Smooth-billed Ani 3
o Guira Cuckoo 1
o Cattle Tyrant 1
o Great Kiskadee many
o Blue-and-white Swallow many
o Screaming Cowbird 4
The road adjacent to the Rio Los Sosas, climbing up the mountains in the direction of the town of Tafi del Valle (from the Tucuman highway): -
- Torrent Duck 1 female
- Turkey Vulture 2
- Black Vulture many
- Southern Crested Caracara 2
- Bar-winged Cinclodes 3
- Black Phoebe 5
- White-throated Tyrannulet 2
- Blue-and-white Swallow 100s
- Rufous-throated Dipper 1
- Southern House Wren 2
- Mountain Wren 1
- Red-eyed Vireo 1
- Brown-capped Redstart 2
- Tropical Parula 1
- Common Bush-Tanager 1
- Hooded Siskin 10+
Grassland area on the right of the road before the town of Tafi del Valle and the shores of El Mollar Lake: -
- Pied-billed Grebe 1
- Yellow-billed Pintail 4
- Speckled Teal (of the race oxpterum, ‘Sharp-winged Teal’) 2
- White-tailed Kite 1
- Red-backed Hawk 1
- Southern Crested Caracara 4
- Chimango Caracara 2+
- American Kestrel 1
- Andean Coot 5
- Black-necked Stilt (of the race melanurus, ‘White-backed Stilt’) 6
- Southern Lapwing 12+
- Andean Lapwing 1
- Andean Gull c.10
- Eared Dove 4
- Burrowing Owl 1
- Blue-and-white Swallow 20+
- Andean Slaty-Thrush 1
- Chiguanco Thrush 6+
- Rufous-collared Sparrow 1
- House Sparrow 10
21st April. Uphill from the town of Tafi del Valle (on the road towards El Infiernillo pass) there is a waterworks situated on a left hand bend. The small area of forestry uphill and behind the waterworks produced: -
- Tucuman Mountain-Finch 1
- Yellow-striped Brush-Finch 8
- Hooded Siskin 20+
- Bar-winged Cinclodes 1
- Andean Condor 3
- Bay-winged Hawk 2
- Red-backed Hawk 2
- Southern Crested Caracara 3
- Chiguanco Thrush 6+
- Cliff Flycatcher 1
- Mountain Wren 1
A couple of stops were made by vegetated ravines adjacent to the road between Tafi del Valle and the summit of the El Infiernillo pass: -
- Andean Condor 2
- Aplomado Falcon 2
- Peregrine 1
- Cinereous Harrier pair
- Red-backed Hawk 6+
- Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle 1
- Chimango Caracara 5
- Andean Lapwing 6
- Grey-hooded Parakeet 10+
- Black-winged Ground-Dove 6+
- Bare-eyed Ground-Dove 4
- Golden-spotted Ground-Dove 2
- Andean Flicker 2
- Andean Hillstar 1
- Andean Swift 15+
- Rufous-banded Miner 2
- White-winged Cinclodes 1
- Brown-capped Tit-Spinetail 2+
- Hooded Siskin 5
- Rufous-sided Warbling-Finch 2
- Rufous-collared Sparrow many
- Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch 15+
- Band-tailed Sierra-Finch 1
- Mourning Sierra-Finch 2
- Grey-hooded Sierra-Finch 3
- Greenish Yellow-Finch 8+
- Paramo Pipit 1
- Hellmayr’s Pipit 2
- D’Orbigny’s Chat-Tyrant 2+
- Yellow-browed Tyrant 1
- Spot-billed Ground-Tyrant 1
- Lesser (Mouse-brown) Shrike-Tyrant 1
- Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant 1
- Shiny Cowbird 100
Roadside stop in Ampimpa village (near the petrol station): -
- American Kestrel 1
- Turkey Vulture 4
- Black Vulture 2
- Picui Ground-Dove 1
- Andean Hillstar 2
- Chequered Woodpecker 1
- White-fronted Woodpecker 2
- Golden-breasted (Green-barred) Woodpecker 1
- Rusty-vented (Creamy-breasted) Canastero 1
- Patagonian Mockingbird 3
A couple of roadside stops in the desert area between Ampimpa and Cafayete.
- Elegant-crested Tinamou 4
- Turkey Vulture 1
- Southern Lapwing 2
- Spot-winged Pigeon 1
- Picui Ground-Dove 1
- Burrowing Parrot 40 (of the northern, dark-bellied race)
- Great Kiskadee 2
- Blue-and-yellow Tanager 1
- Patagonian Mockingbird 2
- Sandy Gallito 1+
- Andean Tyrant 1(female)
- White-winged Black-Tyrant 1
- Greater Wagtail-Tyrant 2
22nd April. The forested Los Laureles area at the start of the unpaved road up to Los Cardones National Park from the town of Moldes: -
o Great Egret 1
o Whistling Heron 2
o Scaly-headed Parrot 4
o Burrowing Owl 2
o Ocellated Piculet 1
o Dot-fronted Woodpecker 2
o Mountain Wren 1
o Stripe-crowned Spinetail 2
o White-crested Tyrannulet 2
o Plain Tyrannulet 1
o Yellow-browed Tyrant 1
o Giant Antshrike 1(male)
o Rufous-browed Peppershrike 1
o Tropical Parula 3
o Two-banded Warbler 2
o Brown-capped Redstart 3
o Common Bush-Tanager 2
o Sayaca Tanager 5
o Orange-headed Tanager 2
o Ultramarine Grosbeak 1(female)
o Fulvous-headed Brush-Finch 2
o Rufous-collared Sparrow 2
The road between Los Laureles right up the mountain, past the National Park entrance, to the summit at Parador Piedra del Molino, Herrera with several stops en-route: -
- Ornate Tinamou 2
- Andean Condor 2
- Turkey Vulture 2
- American Kestrel 2
- Roadside Hawk 1
- Red-backed Hawk 2
- Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle 1
- Southern Lapwing 3
- Dusky-legged Guan 6
- Mitred Parakeet 12
- Eared Dove 2
- Bare-eyed Ground-Dove 1
- Golden-spotted Ground-Dove c.40
- Andean Flicker 3
- Andean Swift 15+
- Red-tailed Comet 2+
- White-sided Hillstar 1
- Chestnut (Steinbach’s) Canastero 1+
- Rusty-vented (Creamy-bellied) Canastero 2+
- Cordilleran Canastero 1
- Rock Earthcreeper 2
- Buff-breasted Earthcreeper 1
- Rufous-banded Miner 3
- Azara’s Spinetail 1
- Brown-capped Tit-Spinetail 1
- Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant 2
- White-winged Black-Tyrant 1
- White-bellied Tyrannulet 1+
- Yellow-bellied Elaenia 1
- Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant 2
- Plush-crested Jay 2
- Golden-billed Saltator 3
- Grey-hooded Sierra-Finch 3
- Black-and-chestnut Warbling-Finch 2
- Mourning Sierra-Finch 2
- Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch 10+
- Saffron Finch 6+
- Plain-coloured Seedeater 2
- Double-collared Seedeater 2
- Black-backed Grosbeak 1(male)
- Sayaca Tanager 2
- Blue-and-yellow Tanager 1
- Bay-winged Cowbird 8+
Beyond the summit, there is a large plateau area of area of puna habitat at Cachi Pampa:
o Least Seedsnipe 6
o Tawny-throated Dotterel 16+
o Slender-billed Miner 2
Near Salta city: -
- Cattle Egret c.15
- Chimango Caracara 1
- Blue-and-white Swallow 10+
23rd April. Roadside stop at Laser, and area of small bushes adjacent to the river, a few kilometres out of San Lorenzo: -
- Cattle Egret 15+
- Snowy Egret 1
- Buff-necked Ibis 3
- Black Vulture 1
- American Kestrel 1
- Peregrine 1
- Chimango Caracara 1
- Southern Crested Caracara 3
- Grey-necked Wood-Rail 1
- Picazuro Pigeon 3
- Picui Ground-Dove 1
- Guira Cuckoo 1
- Mitred Parakeet 24
- Glittering-bellied Emerald 1
- Ocellated Piculet 1
- Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner 2
- White Monjita 2
- Yellow-browed Tyrant 2
- Great Kiskadee 1
- Rufous-bellied Thrush 1
- Golden-billed Saltator 1
- Brown-capped Redstart 2
- Hepatic Tanager 1(female)
- Sayaca Tanager 4+
- Ultramarine Grosbeak 1 (female)
- Black-capped Warbling-Finch 3
- Stripe-capped Sparrow 2
- Epaulet Oriole 3
- Bay-winged Cowbird 15+
Golf course area near Salta city: -
- Whistling Swan 2
- American Kestrel 1
- Burrowing Owl 2
- Picui Ground-Dove 2
- White Monjita 6
- Rufous Hornero 1
- Stripe-capped Sparrow 4
- Shiny Cowbird 25+
La Laganilla lake, just outside Salta city: -
- Neotropic Cormorant 20+
- Southern Screamer 1
- Black-necked Stilt (race melanurus, ‘White-backed Stilt’) 25+
- Red-gartered Coot 250+
- Andean Ruddy Duck 40+
- Brazilian Teal 3
- White-cheeked Pintail 12
- Silvery Teal 2
- Brown Pintail 30+
- Speckled Teal (of the race oxpterum, ‘Sharp-winged Teal’) 5
- Rosybill drk
- Cinnamon Teal 15+
- Black-headed Duck 2
- White-faced Ibis 100+
- Southern Lapwing 20+
- Pied-billed Grebe 40+
- White-tufted Grebe c.75
- Sharp-shinned (Rufous-thighed) Hawk 1
- Black Vulture 15+
- White-tailed Kite 1
- Snail Kite 1
- Moorhen 20+
- Picazuro Pigeon 30+
- Eared Dove 10+
- White-tipped Dove 1
- Picui Ground-Dove 15+
- Red-tailed Comet 1
- White-crested Tyrannulet 1
- Sooty Tyrannulet 1
- White Monjita 3
- Great Kiskadee 5
- Southern Rough-winged Swallow 2
- Blue-and-yellow Tanager 3
- Sayaca Tanager 2
- Black-and-chestnut Warbling-Finch 1
- Epaulet Oriole 1
- Hooded Siskin 2
Picnic site by the river in the National Park in the Yala hills: -
- Torrent Duck 2(pair)
- Rufous-throated Dipper 2
- Mitred Parakeet 25+
- Southern House Wren 1
- Red-tailed Comet 1
- Spot-breasted Thornbird 1
- Black Phoebe 1
- Blue-and-white Swallow 20+
Lagoon in the valley c.15 kilometres outside the town of Tilcara.
o Silvery Grebe 1
o Cattle Egret 5
o Puna Ibis 25
o Speckled Teal (of the race oxypterum, ‘Sharp-winged Teal’) 30+
o Brown Pintail 50+
o Puna Teal 1
o Cinnamon Teal 5
o Moorhen 15
o Red-gartered Coot 15+
o Andean Coot 5
o Southern Lapwing 10+
o Black-necked (White-backed) Stilt 15+
o Picui Ground-Dove 4
o Guira Cuckoo 6
o Rothschild’s Swift 3
o Red-tailed Comet 1
o Brown-capped Tit-Spinetail 1
o Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant 1
o White-winged Black-Tyrant 1
o Great Kiskadee 2
o Chalk-browed Mockingbird 2
o Band-tailed Seedeater 4
o Saffron Finch 5+
o Bay-winged Cowbird 10+
24th April. The road between Tilcara and Abra Pampa with several stops along the Humahuaca Canyon.
- White-tipped Plantcutter 4
- Grey-hooded Parakeet 12+
- Brown-backed Mockingbird 2
- Chalk-browed Mockingbird 5+
- Band-tailed Seedeater 6
- Blue-and-yellow Tanager 4
- Rufous-collared Sparrow 10+
- Great Kiskadee 1
- Bare-eyed (Moreno’s) Ground-Dove 5
- Picui Ground-Dove 6+
- Eared Dove 1
- Black-winged Ground-Dove 2
- White-sided Hillstar 1
- Plain-coloured Seedeater 3
- Golden-billed Saltator 1
- Saffron Finch 15+
- Black-hooded Sierra-Finch 6+
- Red-tailed Comet 1
- Bay-winged Cowbird c.10
- Aplomado Falcon 1
- Southern Crested Caracara 1
- Chimango Caracara 1
- Chiguanco Thrush 2
- D’Orbigny’s Chat-Tyrant 5+
- Streak-fronted Thornbird 1
- White-winged Cinclodes 2
- Mourning Sierra-Finch 3
- Greensih Yellow-Finch 12+
- Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail 3
- Hooded Siskin 5+
- Black Siskin 4
- Puna Yellow-Finch 2
- Andean Hillstar 1
Abra Pampa mountain pass and lagoons, although the largest lake was void of water: -
- Mountain Caracara 5
- Andean Goose c.15
- Black-necked (White-backed) Stilt 10
- Chilean Flamingo 18
- Puna Teal 8
- Speckled (‘Sharp-winged’) Teal 12
- Crested Duck 8+
- Red-backed Hawk 2
- Baird’s Sandpiper 12
- Lesser Yellowlegs 2
- Tawny-throated Dotterel 8+
- Black Vulture 1
- Turkey Vulture 2
- Andean Condor 1
- Common Miner 3
- Puna Miner 2
- Andean Negrito 2+
- Andean Avocet 4
- Andean Gull 3
- Cinereous Harrier 2
- American Kestrel 2
- Puna Ibis 2
- Cattle Egret 5
- White-winged Black-Tyrant 1
- White-tufted Grebe 1
- Burrowing Owl 2
- Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle 1
25th April. Outside the town of Tilcara, an area of scrub just off the main road to San Sebastian de Jujuy at Pulmamarca: -
- Rusty Flowerpiercer 1
- Sparkling Violetear 3
- Red-tailed Comet 6+
- Andean Hillstar 3
- Golden-billed Saltator 2
- Blue-and-yellow Tanager 10+
- Sayaca Tanager 5+
- Hooded Siskin 6+
- Saffron Finch 10+
- Eared Dove 1+
- Rufous-collared Sparrow 5
- Patagonian Mockingbird 2
- Chalk-browed Mockingbird 2+
- Bay-winged Cowbird 10+
- American Kestrel 1
- Chiguanco Thrush 2
- Rufous Hornero 3
- Grey-hooded Parakeet 8
The main road just beyond San Sebastian de Jujuy (heading in the direction of Salta): -
- Greater Rhea 7
- Guira Cuckoo 3
The lake at La Ciunaga and the adjacent scrubby area by the drainage ditch: -
- Chiloe Wigeon 1
- Brown Pintail 10
- Pied-billed Grebe 4
- Red-gartered Coot 15+
- White-crested Tyrannulet 1
- Sooty Tyrannulet 2
- Yellow-browed Tyrant 1
- Bran-coloured Flycatcher 1
- Bay-winged Cowbird 10+
- Rufous-fronted (Common) Thornbird 2
- Rufous Hornero 3
- Great Kiskadee 2
- American Kestrel 1
- Dot-fronted Woodpecker 2
- Brown-capped Redstart 1
- Stripe-capped Sparrow 1
- White-necked (Cocoi) Heron 1
- Snowy Egret 3
- White Monjita 2
Grassland area along the base of the La Corniza road in the Santa Laura area: -
- Red-legged Seriema 3+
- Ruddy Ground-Dove 6
- Mitred Parakeet 4
- Green-cheeked Parakeet 7
- Southern Crested Caracara 2
- Roadside Hawk 1
- Southern House Wren 1
- Sayaca Tanager 1
- Hooded Siskin 2
- Rufous-collared Sparrow 5
- Cattle Egret 20+
- Whistling Heron 2
- Southern Lapwing 8
- Glittering-bellied Emerald 1
- Bay-winged Cowbird 8+
Forested area along the La Corniza road at Campo Alegre: -
- Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher 1
- Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner 2
- Common Bush-Tanager 2
- Rusty-browed Warbling-Finch 1
- Black Vulture 3
- White-crested Tyrannulet 2
- Mountain Wren1
The lake at Campo Alegre: -
- Vermilion Flycatcher 3
- White-winged Coot 4
- Brazilian Teal 2
- Red-gartered Coot 15+
- Fulvous Whistling-Duck 6
- Brown Pintail 10+
- Neotropic Cormorant 5+
- Snowy Egret 6
- Great Egret 4
- Pied-billed Grebe 20+
- Rufous Hornero 2
- White Monjita 1
- Tropical Parula 2
- Saffron Finch 6
- Rufous-collared Sparrow 5
- Bay-winged Cowbird 12+
- Golden-fronted (Green-barred) Woodpecker 1
- White-faced Ibis 2
Between Campo Alegre Lake and Salta (c.5 km from the lake): -
- Huayco Tinamou 1, by the roadside
Salta Airport: -
- Southern House Wren 1
- Cliff Flycatcher 1
- Great Kiskadee 1
- Bay-winged Cowbird 5+
- Saffron Finch 3+
San Lorenzo village (after dark): -
- Presumed Tropical Screech-Owl 1 (though not calling)
27th April. Madrid Airport, Spain: -
Iberian Pied Flycatcher (male, probably fist-summer) showing well in bushes on far side of hire car area – large white covert patch, white on forehead extending up towards the crown and lack of significant traces of white within the outer-tail feathers. Western Subalpine Warbler (female) also in the same bushes & 1+ Blackcap and Serin heard there. 2 Swallow and 25 Common Swift over, 2 Monk Parakeet and an adult Short-toed Eagle (with a couple of secondaries missing on its right wing) low over mid-morning.
Costa Rica March 2003
Costa Rica is a relatively small country with an immense wealth of avifauna that inhabits a variety of habitats ranging from rainforests and beaches to upland, volcanic areas and coastal mangrove swamps. Alongside this excellent array of biodiversity, Costa Rica also boasts a relatively decent infrastructure and is a relatively safe country, with it seeing no need to have a national army or air force! The following trip report summarizes my trip to Costa Rica in March 2003, documenting where we went, what birds we saw as well as hints and tips for successful travel. In navigating ourselves around the country, several books were immensely helpful: -
- Mølgaard, E., Meedom, J. and Rasmussen, S.K. (1997) Birdwatching in Costa Rica March – April 1996. Danish Ornithological Society, Copenhagen.
- Sekerak, A.D (1996) A Travel and Site Guide to Birds of Costa Rica. Lone Pine Publishing, Canada.
- Stiles, G.F. and Skutch, A.F. (1989) A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica. Helm, London.
In addition to these birding resources, it was necessary to use a map of Costa Rica (all maps of the country are pretty basic but the Globetrotter’s map that we purchased was sufficient if you take into account the poorly signposted Costa Rican road systems) and a combination of ‘The Rough Guide to Costa Rica’ and ‘Lonely Plant – Costa Rica’ (in order to sort out accommodation and where to eat/drink in the evenings as we had only booked our first four nights accommodation at Selva Verde Lodge, Chilamate).
Basically, the country is relatively straightforward to negotiate your way around and it bares some parallels to the southern U.S. (particularly in the San José area). We hired a 4x4 vehicle (a Rav4), and after driving through some fairly rough roads cannot stress too strongly the importance of hiring one of these vehicles. The only other practicality is the language – although you can normally find someone who speaks some English, I found that speaking Spanish (or trying to) was occasionally necessary when trying to get accommodation in some of the more remote areas. In March 2003, US$1 = 385 colones, with the US$ pretty much acceptable anywhere (although you always get your change back in colones). The time difference from Britain is –6 hours GMT, -7 hours BST.
In 2 weeks of birding in the country, we recorded some 410 species. What is essential to note is that Costa Rica is full of micro-climates and that the country is of variable altitude, and as a consequence avifauna from one site to another often bears little resemblance to each other, with a completely new array of species often being present at each site. Undoubted highlights of the trip included excellent views of several target species including Mangrove Hummingbird, Three-wattled Bellbird, Jabiru, Sunbittern, Resplendent Quetzal and Chiriqui (Masked) Yellowthroat. On a more general note the sight of 2,000+ Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks on a Palo Verde lagoon, Common Pauraques on the road as we descended the hill above Golfito at dusk and a pair of Black-and-white Owls looking down at me in the centre of Orotina were also undoubted highlights of the trip.
Particular thanks to Stan Brunton who had the impetus to book the flights, car hire etc and who was excellent value throughout the holiday, particularly when it came to trying the Costa Rican food, and who also was extremely patient when it came to driving on Costa Rica’s variable roads. The next section is a daily diary of where we went, what we saw and where we stayed as well as detailing some value moments of the trip.
14th March – early morning flight Heathrow to Amsterdam with KLM, then mid morning flight Amsterdam (via Miami) to San José (arriving mid evening) with Martinair. 2-hour drive to Selva Verde Lodge, Chilamate when we arrived in San José.
15th March – the morning was spent in and around the grounds of Selva Verde Lodge, familiarizing ourselves with what’s common, what’s not etc. The highlight of the morning was excellent views of a pair of Sunbittern as they rested on a log close to the bridge over the Rio Saripiqui in the lodge grounds. Other interesting birds noted included a Red-footed Plumeleteer, Red-throated Ant-Tanager and a King Vulture over the grounds of the lodge. During the afternoon, we went to La Selva and explored the grassy area and adjacent forestry on the access road to the Biological Reserve until it started to pour down with rain (at which time we were miles from our car so deservedly got suitably wet). We noted such species as Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Grey Hawk, Thick-billed Seed-Finch, Olive-crowned Yellowthroat and a fly-over Muscovy Duck. A small pool in the village of Chilamate produced a few waders including a couple of Solitary Sands, Least Sands and Northern Jacanas.
16th March – a check of the pond at Chilamate early morning produced the hoped-for Fasciated Tiger Heron and we then drove the 1 ½ hours or so west to Volcan Poas National Park. As an aside, this was the first day we had experienced the Selva Verde packed lunch and I won’t forget one of our team’s comments of ‘what the f**k is that’ when he looked in the bag and saw the state of the sandwiches. Although the volcano’s last large blowout was in 1910, it is still classed as an active volcano and as such is immensely attractive to tourists. As a consequence, it is a fairly good idea to be by the park entrance gate for when it opens at 8a.m. in order to get in before the masses arrive. This site is often left out of Costa Rican bird itineraries as the majority of the species here can be seen (along with a few more species) at the other high altitude site, Cerro de la Muerte. Nevertheless, we had some success with species such as Black-and-Yellow Silky Flycatcher, Black Guan, Black-bellied Hummingbird, Large-footed Finch, Peg-billed Finch and Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush being recorded here. With heavy cloud and drizzle setting in by late morning, we drove back towards Selva Verde and stopped off by the road at Virgen del Socorro (west of La Virgen, accessed by the 1st sharp bend above the waterfall and toll booth when coming from the Chilamate direction). Luckily, our visit coincided with a feeding flock and many species were noted in quick succession including Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Slaty Spinetail, Spangled-cheeked Tanager amongst more regular species such as Wilson’s Warblers, Black-and-White Warblers and Chestnut-sided Warblers. We drove back to Selva Verde Lodge (with a Laughing Falcon and a Three-toed Sloth providing en-route attractions) and spent late afternoon birding there with little significant reward. In the evening, we were greeted with the news that several members of a tour company had been violently ill after eating the sandwiches from their packed lunch – looks like your comments may not have been wholly unfounded Stan! To finish the day off, views of a Great Potoo in trees adjacent to the river in the lodge grounds went down better than the sandwiches probably would have done.
17th March – we re-traced yesterday’s route as far as Virgen del Socorro and walked down the track into the valley. Although passerine activity was not as great as the previous afternoon, we were rewarded with excellent views of a pair of Solitary Eagles as they circled the valley, with other species noted being Silver-throated Tanagers, White-ruffed Manakin, Bay-headed Tanager and Lattice-tailed Trogon to name but a few. We proceeded up the hill by car for about 5-10 minutes and one of the first buildings on the left hand side in the first sizeable settlement (Chincona) is called Mirador Catarata San Fernando (translated as San Fernando Waterfall Viewpoint). It is free to enter (with a US$2 donation suggested) and just outside the windows are many hummingbird feeders that attracted species such as the endemic Coppery-headed Emerald, Violet Sabrewing, Green-crowned Brilliant, Crowned Woodnymph, Green Violetear, Brown Violetear and Green Thorntail whilst we were there. Emerald Toucanet, Short-tailed Hawk and many White-collared Swifts were also observed here. We drove back in the direction of Selva Verde Lodge and stopped by a small roadside pond (near Tome Café Rey) and deposited our packed lunch by the roadside as we watched a Pied-billed Grebe on the pond with a few Blue-and-white Swallows hawking nearby and a couple of Yellow-faced Grassquits skulking in the reed fringes. Birding near the river north of the small town of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui was relatively slow, although a pair of Yellowish Tyrannulets fly catching from low vegetation was sufficient reward. We birded the La Selva entrance track again mid to late afternoon and after negotiating with the security guard, we were allowed as far into the grounds as the shop. A few Olive-throated Parakeets were studied as they perched in the tree tops, a couple of Banded-backed Wrens skulked in isolated bushes by the chalets and both species of Toucan performed admirably throughout the late afternoon.
18th March – we left Selva Verde lodge and armed with our packed lunches (as well as our belongings) were ready for the long drive to the Monteverde area. As we expected a drive of 6 hours or so, we stopped off at Braulio Carillo NP (north of San José on the Limon road) for a few hours. Fortunately, we arrived at 8a.m. just as the bloke was opening up and as a consequence we were first up the trails that morning. We concentrated on the Quebrada Gonzales area, and although birding was fairly slow to begin with we soon started seeing some interesting species (quite a few we did not see anywhere else on our trip) such as Snowcap, Long-billed Gnatwren, White-throated Robin, Tawny-capped Euphonia, Rufous Mourner, Olive Tanager, a pair of White-throated Shrike-Tanager and a few Tawny-crested Tanagers. After leaving Braulio Carillo we drove through the centre of San José (and had a thoroughly enjoyable lunch at Denny’s) and out to the west in the general direction of Liberia and Puntarenas. We were fortunate enough to see a Crane Hawk circling over the Pan-American Highway near Alajuela, but the real experience of the day was the drive up towards Monteverde once we had turned off the Pan-American Highway. Within minutes, the road had turned to one of rocks and deeply eroded channels and in addition to this, the gradient of the road had significantly increased. After a couple of near incidents with lorries and buses around blind bends – as well as seeing species such as Turquoise-browed Motmot, Stripe-headed Sparrow, Orange-fronted Parakeet and White-throated Magpie-Jay en-route – we arrived early evening in the town of Monteverde. In terms of accommodation, we had been recommended the Pension Manakin by a couple of mates, and for US$6 per night we got a pretty good deal. The place was clean and the owners Mario and Yolanda Villegas (manakin@sol.racsa.co.cr) were fairly helpful in recommending areas to bird. We stayed here for two nights.
19th March – we drove up to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, and parked by the entrance gates waiting for the place to open at 7a.m. Unfortunately birding in Costa Rica is often dictated by the opening hours of the National Parks and when they do open, don’t be surprised about the fairly steep entrance fees! I don’t mind paying these fees, but when they try and flog you guides for US$50 per day I did start to take offence. I told them that we did not want, and did not need a guide, and when we bumped into these guides they all had Swarovski binoculars and Leica telescopes – it’s no wonder really considering the exorbitant fees they charge! Anyway, next to the cloud-shrouded entrance gate we were treated to excellent views of Orange-bellied Trogon and Buff-fronted Quail-Dove and then all of a sudden, a pair of Resplendent Quetzal showed themselves in the trees above us. Although somewhat bedraggled in the wet conditions, these birds weren’t bad considering I’m not really a fan of gaudy looking species. Once the park opened we walked up the main trail, with several interesting species seen including Eye-ringed Flatbill, Azure-hooded Jay, Red-faced Spinetail, Spotted Woodcreeper and several Three-striped Warblers squeaking near the forest floor. Perhaps the highlight of a trip to the Monteverde area is the hummingbird gallery (free entry) situated just downhill of the entrance gates to the Cloud Forest – when we were there, you could get within feet of Purple-throated Mountain-Gems, Magenta-throated Woodstars, the impressive Violet Sabrewings, Green-crowned Brilliants and a couple of Stripe-tailed Hummingbirds. We ate a perfectly adequate lunch at Stella’s Bakery in Monteverde, and watched a couple of Baltimore Orioles in the garden there. After lunch, we took the road past the petrol station in the village and after parking in the Hotel Belmar we walked uphill along the track and saw species such as Yellow-throated Brush-Finch, Mountain Elaenia, Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, Black-throated Green Warbler and Yellow-rumped Warbler along this track. Another track in the village (near the school and a Mexican restaurant) leads to some Biological Gardens where we saw White-eared Ground-Sparrow, Blue-crowned Motmot, Ochraceous Wren and a Blue-headed Vireo amongst the more common species. An excellent meal was had at Johnny’s Pizzeria in Monteverde village in the evening, but be sure to only order a small pizza as a couple of our team found out!
20th March – We left Monteverde with the next site being Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. Being of similar habitat to Monteverde and of similar altitude, species that occur here are fairly similar with birds such as Collared and Slate-throated Redstarts, Common Bush-Tanager and Three-striped Warbler being fairly numerous. Once again, we birded the area near the entrance before the park opened and once we entered the park birding was relatively difficult due to the dense vegetation. Few species were seen with highlights being a couple of Black Guans, Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush and a Black Hawk-Eagle over the forest canopy. However, pride of place has to go to the immaculate views of a male Three-wattled Bellbird as it honked out its tune from a slightly exposed perch. Once out of Santa Elena, we descended the mountains in the direction of Tilaran and stopped a couple of times to view a Red-tailed Hawk and a small pool that briefly attracted a few Cliff Swallows. Once down at sea level, the temperature soared and the afternoon’s birding at Lomas Barbudal (just off the Pan-American Highway halfway between Liberia and Bagaces) was relatively rewarding with species such as Black-headed Trogon, Yellow-green Vireo, Roadside Hawk and Scrub Euphonia being typical of this dry bush habitat. After looking for a hotel in nearby Bagaces, we were told by the police that the nearest hotels were in Liberia despite the fact there appeared to be one in their town – admittedly it looked like a whore house so they may have preferred us to go elsewhere. Anyhow, we spent the night in the Hotel Gunanacaste in Liberia and at US$15 per night this was perhaps slightly overpriced but the rooms were adequate. As we pulled into the car park a few minutes before dark, a flock of about 100 Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were hawking insects above us. We had dinner at the nearby Burger King.
21st March – we drove back to Bagaces and followed signs from the Pan-American Highway to Palo Verde NP, with the NP accessed by driving about 25km along rough roads and following signs to the park. Birding along this road early in the morning was especially productive with two excellent sightings being a Pinnated Bittern standing upright in a paddy field and a group of 3 Double-striped Thick-Knee immediately beside the road. Hundreds of Great Egrets and Cattle Egrets lined the damp fields, whilst Streak-backed Orioles, Turquoise-browed Motmots and a Squirrel Cuckoo were also noted. We paid US$6 to enter the park and in my opinion, this area was possibly the most impressive site visited in Costa Rica (and it is off the tourist route so void of large, noisy groups). We drove another few kilometres into the park and arrived near the Biological Station and overlooked a lagoon where over 2,000 Black-bellied Whistling Ducks had congregated alongside lesser numbers of Wood Storks, Blue-winged Teals, Black-necked Stilts, Bare-throated Tiger-Herons, Glossy Ibis and White Ibis. When we arrived at the lagoon, one of the closest birds to us was an adult Jabiru and although it only stayed a couple of minutes, we were able to admire its red neck sack whilst marvel at its sheer size. A Black-collared Hawk flew over the marsh and a Least Bittern was seen in the reeds with Steely-vented Hummingbird and Yellow-naped Parrot also seen in the environs. We carried on the track, took a left turn by the Tempisque River and all of a sudden the car began to slip and slide towards the riverbank. Not realizing we were driving in the previous nights tidal reach, a full-scale struggle in order to keep our vehicle away from the river eventually was deemed successful as we managed to turn the car round and get it back onto dry land. Nevertheless, everyone but the driver was covered in stinking mud for the next couple of hours. Negotiating our way back past the lagoon, we took a right turn midway between the lagoon and the entrance gate and followed this track for over two kilometres until it reached another marshy area. Birds present here included numerous Northern Jacanas, a couple of American Purple Gallinules, Black-crowned Night-Heron and an Anhinga whilst two Grey-fronted Doves fed on the path and a Peregrine flew over whilst a Laughing Falcon sat in a nearby tree. We left Palo Verde late morning and journeyed towards the Tarcoles area. Using some info we had been given (cheers Fred and Jonno), we stopped off at the town square in Orotina and were treated to an owl fest with a pair of Black-and-White Owl staring down at us as well as a couple of the diminutive Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl also roosting in the park (alongside a Two-toed Sloth). It seems that a street vendor knows where these birds are on a daily basis and once he sees birders wandering aimlessly in the park, he will point you in the right direction. Although he doesn’t ask for money, buying one of his ice-creams surely wouldn’t be asking too much as a means of saying thank you. A brief stop at the river bridge at Tarcoles revealed the resident Crocodile population, a couple of Northern Waterthrush and about 10 Scarlet Macaw. The number of tourists and the busy road made this site one of my least favourite visited and so on that note we headed off south to Jaco to find some accommodation for the next three nights. Large numbers of Magnificent Frigatebirds and Brown Pelicans frequented this area of the Pacific Coast with both Yellow-headed and Crested Caracaras frequently being encountered by the roadside. Once in Jaco, we found some accommodation at Cabinas Calú that was US$10 per night, with the rooms being fairly spacious and equipped with fairly powerful fans. For the three nights we stayed in Jaco, we ate at the Pizza Hut in this surfer-type town and sampled a couple of the many bars that line this beachfront place. I really enjoyed Jaco, it’s the sort of place where you can have a laugh at little expense but then again the older clientele may prefer somewhere a little bit more refined!
22nd March – the day was spent in and around the Tarcoles area, with the early morning spent overlooking the estuary near Tarcol Lodge with typical waders such as Lesser Yellowlegs, Willet and Semi-palmated Plover being seen alongside Roseate Spoonbill, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron and Tricoloured Heron. In the vegetated area by the lodge a Prothonotary Warbler skulked whilst a Rufous-browed Peppershrike and a Buff-throated Foliage-Gleaner were also noted. After watching a diurnal Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl undertake its hunting sallies, we took a track north from the road into the mangroves and were rewarded with sightings of Grey-crowned Yellowthroat, Northern Scrub Flycatcher, Panama Flycatcher, Rose-throated Becard and Barred Antshrike. We returned to Tarcol Lodge to see whether there was a possibility of doing a boat trip along the river either – as it turned out, we were in luck and we arranged to do a boat trip the following afternoon. We drove out of Tarcoles village and crossed the main road, going slightly up the valley to the grounds of the Villa Lapas Hotel. This fairly classy establishment is typical of the Costa Rican upscale tourist market that primarily caters for the retired North American clientele. Being aware that we were not actually staying at the place, we asked a couple of people whether we would be allowed in or not. We decided to take one person’s reply as gospel ‘just walk in, look as if you own the place and you’ll be alright’. So that’s what we did and there was no problem as we said hello to guests and employees alike whilst making our way down towards the riverside trails. Birding was relatively good here with Blue-throated Goldentail, Western Tanager and Dusky Antbird quickly seen with other goodies including a pair of Black-crowned Tityras, a male Red-headed Barbet and at least a couple of male Long-tailed Manakins perching motionless on small branches by a steep incline whilst an Orange-billed Sparrow twittered from nearby. In the evening we again visited the bridge by the river, being almost deafened by the traffic or from the screams from visitors as more Scarlet Macaws flew by.
23rd March – we parked at the Tarcoles River Bridge and walked back towards the 1st entrance to Carara Biological Reserve. By the roadside, a male Painted Bunting skulked in low vegetation whilst a Slaty-tailed Trogon sat motionless occasionally uttering its call. We entered the area before its official opening time (it is apparently fine to do this and pay your entrance fee on the way out) and soon found a small lek of Orange-collared Manakins by the path. This area of coastal, dry forest adjacent to the banks of the Tarcoles River produced many interesting sightings such as a Kentucky Warbler feeding on the path in front of us, Northern Bentbill, Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Dot-winged Antbird, Pale-billed Woodpecker, a couple of Barred Woodcreepers and a Double-toothed Kite perched in a tree above the path. Late morning we drove along the main road, past the Reserve Centre, and parked by the road and had a brief look a long the ‘figure of eight’ trails. Due to the time of day, bird activity was relatively subdued with a small group of Riverside Wrens and another Orange-collared Manakin being the highlights. We headed down to Tarcoles and after chilling out on the beach for a bit, watching the Magnificent Frigatebirds overhead and the plunge-diving Royal Terns offshore, it was time for the boat trip along the Tarcoles River. The price of the boat trip was US$25 and we were guided was Steve Easley from Rancho Naturalista. All in all it was worth the money for one species alone, the endemic and fairly scarce Mangrove Hummingbird – we saw a male fairly well as it perched conspicuously on an exposed twig in the mangroves. Other highlights of this trip included at least 7 Boat-billed Herons roosting in riverside trees, close views of an American Pygmy Kingfisher, a couple of Blue Ground-Doves, at least 2 Plumbeous Kites as well as several Mangrove Black-Hawks and a few Lesser Nighthawks over the river at dusk. We drove back to Jaco for another Pizza Hut meal and a few beers.
24th March – we left Jaco early morning and drove south along the coast, past Parrita, Quepos and Dominical in the direction of Palmar Norte. The roads were of variable standard with gravel and dirt tracks dominating up until Dominical with the road from there to Palmar Norte being completely tarmac. A Fiery-billed Aracari was spotted on the drive, as were a couple of Blue-black Grassquits and Black-striped Sparrows near a river bridge but a apart from these species the drive was relatively uneventful. Even when we did stop on the coast, it was the usual Brown Pelicans, Magnificent Frigatebirds and the odd Chestnut-sided Warbler in the bushes that typified the common Costa Rican Pacific coast avifauna. From Palmar Norte, we headed up the Pan-American Highway and turned off to San Vito where we were to go birding in the afternoon and the next morning. Before we started birding, we found a place just outside the town centre called Cabinas las Mirlas that was set in excellent grounds, and we thought we had stumbled upon a real bargain at US$5 per night. In the grounds our accommodation we saw Purple-crowned Fairy, White-throated Robin, Mistletoe Tyrannulet, Blue-crowned Motmot and numerous Silver-throated and Golden-hooded Tanagers. We drove up the road towards Lourdes and after a couple of kilometres you pass an airstrip on your left, and soon after that (slightly set back from the road) you will see a small marsh on the left with an observation tower. We parked our car by the houses on the dirt track and walked down to the marsh – at first glance this area wasn’t too impressive but after a couple of hours birding we saw some excellent species that we saw nowhere else on our trip. Birds seen at the marsh (called San Joaquin Wetlands) included a drake Masked Duck, 10 Blue-winged Teal, numerous Moorhens and American Purple Gallinules, Bran-coloured Flycatcher, Ruddy-breasted Seedeater, one Blue-headed Parrot in amongst a large flock of White-crowned Parrots, a couple of Rufous-capped Warblers but most impressively at least two Chiriqui (Masked) Yellowthroats as they skulked in the reeds adjacent to the marsh. We drove back to our accommodation, via Liliana’s Pizzeria in San Vito where we were served up a pretty decent pizza, and realized that when you pay US$5 per night, you get what you pay for. Basically we had a bed each which was all we really needed but we hadn’t noticed a massive ant’s nest in the shower nor had we realized that the building was hardly watertight. Anyway, it provided good value and one of our party bruised his hand whilst trying to kill cockroaches at this establishment!
25th March – we re-visited San Joaquin Wetlands early in the morning and viewed the Masked Duck again. Many White-collared Swifts passed low overhead whilst a couple of pairs of Yellow-bellied Seedeaters frequented the allotments near the houses. We drove back through San Vito and south for a few kilometres to the Wilson Botanical Gardens where we were to spend the morning and early afternoon. The gardens themselves were fairly productive with a pair of Thick-billed Euphonia, a Streaked Saltator, a couple of Swainson’s Thrushes, a Plain-capped Starthroat along with Eye-ringed Flatbill, Tawny-winged Woodcreeper, a Lesser Elaenia and several species of Nearctic wood-warblers including American Redstart, Blackburnian Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler amongst the ever-present Chestnut-sided Warblers. Near the viewpoint (mirador) a couple of loop trails enter a more mature forested area and birding along these trails produced a male White-ruffed Manakin, Brown-billed Scythebill, Ruddy Foliage-Gleaner, Rufous-tailed Jacamar and a few Blue-crowned Motmots. We returned to the car after a brief chill-out session by the visitors centre and headed south on the steep road down towards Ciudad Neily, having to navigate the road in sudden heavy downpours. We took the Pan-American Highway for a little while before turning off to our next destination – Golfito – where we would stay for two nights. Our early arrival meant that we were able to bird the area in the afternoon with species such as King Vulture, Blue Ground-Dove, Pale-vented Pigeon, Band-rumped Swift and Smooth-billed Ani noted in or over the mangroves to the north-west of the town. We stayed in the Hotel Gran Ceiba whilst in Golfito and at US$10 per night possibly represented the best value accommodation of the trip, as they were complete with fans and satellite television as well as being fairly spacious.
26th March – the whole day was spent in the Golfito area, with two areas being birded – the mangrove area (particularly by the bridge over a small stream) to the north-west of the town and the concreted road up the hill above the town towards the telecommunications masts. Two of us waded up the small stream near the bridge in the early morning and were rewarded with views of White-winged Becard and Scarlet-rumped Cacique not to mention a couple of Green Kingfishers flying over our heads from time to time. Also in the area near the bridge we noted at least 3 Mourning Warblers skulking low in the vegetation, a pair of Slaty-tailed Trogons, Rufous-winged Woodpecker and a Bronzy Hermit. Once the heat of the day set in, we drove up the hillside and birded the forested area up to the radio masts and, although birding was at times slow, saw some excellent species such as Black-tailed Flycatcher, White-shouldered Tanager, White-vented and Spotted-crowned Euphonias, Pale-billed Woodpecker, Ruddy Quail-Dove, Eastern Wood-Pewee, several Fiery-billed Aracaris and Swainson’s Thrushes whilst a King Vulture showed relatively well overhead. As the sun set behind the hill we started driving down the 5 or so kilometres towards the town and during this drive we saw at least 6 Common Pauraques as they rested on the road, several of them calling and showing exceptionally well. We ate in a hotel on the west side of the town centre with the food being wholly forgettable but not unpleasant.
27th March – we started our drive north towards San José early in the morning and by 8 a.m. we had arrived in San Isidro de General just as the McDonald’s was opening. After bizarrely eating a burger etc. at this time in the morning, our departure was more rapid than expected as whilst I was using the urinals, somebody flushed the conventional toilet and raw sewerage appeared at torrent speed on the floor of the establishment. Time to leave and continue on our journey to Cerro de la Muerte (literally translated means Mountain of Death). As we reached the summit, constant rain hampered our attempts to bird the track up to the radio mast and in a 5-minute attempt at birding I was able to note a Volcano Junco and a Volcano Hummingbird sheltering from the inclement weather. We drove on (leaving this area until tomorrow morning) and as the rain eased we pulled in off the road to do a little birding. A couple of Slaty Flowerpiercers, Black-and-Yellow Silky Flycatcher, Timberline Wren, Volcano and Fiery-throated Hummingbirds were noted alongside common mountain birds such as Sooty Robin, Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush and Mountain Robin. We arrived at the Albergue Montana de Tapanti early afternoon and were told that a cabin for 4 people would cost a reasonable US$13 per person per night. We unpacked our bags and in light rain, we commenced birding the grounds of the lodge seeing an excellent array of species including Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush, Flame-throated Warbler, Flame-coloured Tanager, Hairy Woodpecker, the exquisite Long-tailed Silky Flycatcher and the endemic Grey-tailed Mountain-Gem. After a couple of hours of birding we drove out of the lodge and visited the pulperia (Newsagent) in the nearby village of Trinidad where we were supplied with a key (US$2 per person) to open the gate at Finca el Jaular (situated on the south side of the Pan-American Highway about 1km east of Trinidad). Birding along the track late afternoon produced an assortment of species including a pair of Yellow-winged Vireos, at least three Black-cheeked Warblers as well as several Collared Redstarts, Sooty-capped Bush-Tanagers, Ruddy Treerunner and a Black-throated Green Warbler. We returned the key, went back to the lodge and were presented with some excellently cooked chicken and vegetables that were much more sufficient than the morning’s McDonald’s. Albergue Montana de Tapanti was excellent, with the interior of the main building being finely decorated alpine-like by wooden paneling yet the Tico-style ornaments and hanging toy Quetzals assured us that we were still in Costa Rica. We found out that at this high altitude the nights are fairly cold and T-shirt and shorts did not suffice.
28th March – we parked the car off the Pan-American Highway at the start of the track towards the radio masts at Cerro de la Muerte and walked the couple of kilometres up to the radio masts. At this high an altitude we did not expect many species yet were still did not expect the birding to have been this slow. Apart from several Volcano Juncos, Volcano Hummingbirds, Sooty Robins and Wilson’s Warblers, very little else was seen of note and a couple of distant raptors had not prepared us for the morning’s event. We walked back down the track and drove a few kilometres east along the highway and parked by the Hotel Georgina. As we got out of the car, a couple of Broad-winged Hawks moved themselves north-north-west along the mountain ridge and through the next hour or so a conservative 50 more (and one Swainson’s Hawk) migrated through the area. In addition to the hawks, a few Vaux’s Swifts glided over us, as did a Red-tailed Hawk. In the forestry on the opposite of the road to the hotel, a male Resplendent Quetzal was watched as it called rather forlornly whilst other birds noted in the area included Black-throated Green Warbler, Black-cheeked Warbler, a few Long-tailed Silky Flycatchers, Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush and quite a few Wilson’s Warblers. We drove back to our lodge to pick up our bags and continued west along the Pan-American Highway towards San José, via a quick stop at a telephone so that I could give my girlfriend a quick call (as well as find out whether anything had turned up in Britain, cheers for that Andy). We continued to the town of Cartago where we were to stay for the next two nights at the Hotel Los Angeles – US$15 per night – a friendly, clean establishment with satellite television opposite the Plaza de la Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles (translated (or so I think) as Our New Mother of Angel’s Cathedral Square). Repeatedly battered by earthquakes since it was originally built in 1576, the current Byzantine style design is dated at 1926 since the old structure was completely destroyed in the major earthquake of 1910. Back to the birds, and the remainder of the day was spent to the east of Cartago in the valley near Paraiso, with the small park (where the ruined church of Nuestra Senora de la Limpia Concepcion, built in 1693, can be found) in the village of Ujarras being particularly productive with Melodious Blackbird, Black Phoebe, Masked Tityra and a few Baltimore Orioles being seen as well as common species such as Great-tailed Grackles, Blue-grey Tanagers and Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds. In Cartago we walked the couple of hundred metres or so to the Pizza Hut, had a pizza and then went for a few drinks in the bar under the hotel. The Costa Rican beer ‘Imperial’ is excellent and costs less than US$1 per bottle in most places. We departed the bar when a rather plump woman (who we had suspected of being a prostitute only minutes earlier) commenced singing loudly.
29th March – We left Cartago with the aim of getting to Tapanti NP within the hour. Unfortunately, as in most places in Costa Rica, the lack of sign posts meant that it took somewhat longer but in the end we got there. A few kilometres after driving through the tranquil town of Orosi, there is a large road bridge (wooden, with a few planks missing but still easily passable) over the river. We parked just north of this bridge and were treated to excellent views of a Dark Pewee, a couple of Black Phoebes, a few Northern Rough-winged Swallows as well as a noisy gang of Chestnut-headed Oropendolas that appeared to be nesting in roadside trees. During a rush of excitement, one of us tried to run across the bridge but fell through where a missing slab should have been and had to hang on and gradually haul himself back up to normality. He survived, albeit with scars to prove the event, and we entered Tapanti National Park (US$6 per person entrance fee) and commenced birding on the Camino Principal (the main track), stopping at a couple of sunlit places as we drove up. We quickly encountered a couple of White-bellied Mountain-Gems as they perched motionless on exposed stems, with Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, Bay-headed and Silver-throated Tanagers, White-throated Robin, Blackburnian, Golden-winged and Chestnut-sided Warblers also prospering in the bright sunlight. We parked up and walked down the Sendero Oropendola (Oropendola Trail), stumbling upon a gorgeous male Blue-hooded Euphonia as well as seeing Azure-hooded Jay, Yellow-throated Brush-Finch, Blue-and-Gold Tanager, Elegant Trogon, Sharp-shinned Hawk and a pair of Torrent Tyrannulet on rocks in the centre of the river. Another trail, Sendero La Pava, was virtually void of bird activity although at least one Torrent Tyrannulet was noted by the river at the end of this trail, whilst numerous Band-tailed Pigeons and White-collared Swifts pierced the cloudless sky. By mid afternoon we left the National Park and found ourselves on the infamous bridge again, noting a couple of Torrent Tyrannulets nest-building on the river below it. We slowly drove back, stopping by a small bridge over a stream on the outskirts of Orosi (on one side of the bridge is the start of housing, on the other is a footpath leading slightly uphill alongside the stream). Here we finally located an American Dipper and whilst watching it a Swainson’s Hawk circled over the valley whilst a Golden-bellied Flycatcher perched momentarily on the streamside vegetation. We gradually drove back towards Cartago, feeling fairly contented and that the trip had been a success. In the evening, after another Pizza Hut bonanza, we retired to the bar and met up with a few drunken locals who asked us (me, as they couldn’t speak English and no one else in our team could speak Spanish) about our views on the U.S. and the war – these views will remain private. Anyhow we watched Costa Rica beat Paraguay 2-1 in a footy match and then went to bed, thankful that the previous night’s live entertainment wasn’t happening tonight.
30th March – we left Cartago mid morning and took the car to a car wash where it was immaculately cleaned inside and out for under US$4. We slowly ambled towards San José stopping briefly at a couple of shopping malls to stock up on the odd souvenir or two. After a hearty lunch at Denny’s, we returned the car to the car hire place and went to the airport to catch our evening flight (via Miami) to Amsterdam.
31st March – we arrived at Amsterdam Airport mid afternoon after an unsurprisingly non-eventful flight and got our connection back to London Heathrow, landing back in Britain mid evening.
The following is a list of species seen, with bird names following Stiles and Skutch (1989) except for Hudsonian Whimbrel (as opposed to Whimbrel which includes non-Nearctic races of the superspecies), Grey Plover (instead of Black-bellied Plover), Blue-headed Vireo (with Plumbeous Vireo split from the superspecies Solitary Vireo), Passerini’s and Cheri’s Tanagers (split into two from the superspecies Scarlet-rumped Tanager) and Chiriqui Yellowthroat (sometimes treated as a race of Masked Yellowthroat).
1) Pied-billed Grebe 1 on pond between Chilamate and La Virgen.
2) Brown Pelican common on the Pacific coast.
3) Olivaceous (Neotropic) Cormorant c.10 Tarcoles area.
4) Anhinga singles at Palo Verde and Tarcoles.
5) Magnificent Frigatebird common on the Pacific coast.
6) Pinnated Bittern 1 Palo Verde entrance road.
7) Least Bittern 1 Palo Verde.
8) Fasciated Tiger-Heron 1 Chilamate, 1 Selva Verde.
9) Bare-throated Tiger-Heron a few in the Palo Verde and Tarcoles areas.
10) Black-crowned Night-Heron 2 Palo Verde.
11) Yellow-crowned Night-Heron c.10 Tarcoles area.
12) Boat-billed Heron 7 Tarcoles area.
13) Cattle Egret common.
14) Green Heron common, small numbers seen in most locations.
15) Little Blue Heron common, largest numbers Palo Verde and Tarcoles.
16) Tricoloured Heron 3 Tarcoles, 1 Golfito.
17) Snowy Egret common especially at Palo Verde.
18) Great Egret common with hundreds at Palo Verde.
19) Great Blue Heron 3 Palo Verde, 1 Tarcoles.
20) Wood Stork 20+ Palo Verde, 1 Tarcoles.
21) Jabiru 1 Palo Verde.
22) White Ibis 5 Palo Verde, 20+ Tarcoles and 5+ Golfito.
23) Glossy Ibis 2 Palo Verde.
24) Roseate Spoonbill 2 Tarcoles, 1 Carara.
25) Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2,000+ Palo Verde, 2 Tarcoles.
26) Muscovy Duck 1 La Selva, 2+ Palo Verde.
27) Blue-winged Teal 25+ Palo Verde, 10 San Joaquin.
28) Masked Duck 1 drake San Joaquin.
29) Turkey Vulture common.
30) Black Vulture common.
31) King Vulture 1 Selva Verde, 2 Golfito.
32) Osprey a few seen, especially at Palo Verde and Tarcoles.
33) Hook-billed Kite 1 Virgen del Socorro.
34) American Swallow-tailed Kite a few seen especially in the Virgen del Socorro, Monteverde and Golfito areas.
35) White-tailed Kite 1 Tarcoles, 2 Ujarras, 1 San José.
36) Double-toothed Kite 1 Carara.
37) Plumbeous Kite 3 Tarcoles.
38) Crane Hawk 1 near Alajuela on the Pan-American Highway.
39) Black-chested Hawk 1 Palo Verde.
40) Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Selva Verde, 1 Tapanti.
41) Solitary Eagle pair Virgen del Socorro.
42) Black-collared Hawk 1 Palo Verde.
43) Mangrove Black-Hawk 5+ Tarcoles.
44) Grey Hawk 1 La Selva, 1 Tarcoles and 1 Golfito.
45) Roadside Hawk 2+ Lomas Barbudal, 1 Palo Verde and 1 Tarcoles.
46) Broad-winged Hawk widespread, 50+ migrating over Cerro de la Muerte.
47) Short-tailed Hawk 2 Catarata San Fernando, Chincona.
48) Swainson’s Hawk 1 Cerro de la Muerte, 1 Tapanti.
49) Red-tailed Hawk 1 Santa Elena-Tilaran, 2 Cerro de la Muerte.
50) Black Hawk-Eagle 1 Santa Elena.
51) Crested Caracara common, especially in Golfito and Tarcoles areas.
52) Yellow-headed Caracara a few on the Pacific coast south of Tarcoles.
53) Laughing Falcon 1 near La Virgen, 1 Palo Verde and 1 Golfito.
54) Peregrine 1 Palo Verde.
55) Black Guan 1 Volcan Poas, 2 Monteverde, 1 Santa Elena and 1 Cerro de la Muerte.
56) Spot-bellied Bobwhite 3 entrance road to Palo Verde.
57) Limpkin 6+ Palo Verde.
58) Moorhen 8 San Joaquin.
59) American Purple Gallinule 2 Palo Verde, 6 San Joaquin.
60) Sunbittern 2 Selva Verde.
61) Northern Jacana common, seen in most marshy areas/areas of water.
62) Black-necked Stilt 5 Palo Verde, 15+ Tarcoles.
63) Double-striped Thick-Knee 3 Palo Verde entrance track.
64) Grey Plover 5+ Tarcoles.
65) Semipalmated Plover 4 Palo Verde, 30+ Tarcoles.
66) Wilson’s Plover 2 Tarcoles.
67) Hudsonian Whimbrel 15+ Tarcoles, 1 Dominical.
68) Lesser Yellowlegs 4 Tarcoles.
69) Solitary Sandpiper 3 on pond at Chilamate.
70) Willet a few on the Pacific coast, particularly around Tarcoles.
71) Spotted Sandpiper common, a few seen at most locations near water.
72) Ruddy Turnstone 7 Tarcoles, 2 Golfito.
73) Western Sandpiper 1 Tarcoles.
74) Least Sandpiper 5 Chilamate, 3 Palo Verde, 50+ Tarcoles area.
75) Laughing Gull common on the Pacific coast.
76) Royal Tern common on the Pacific coast, c.80 Tarcoles area.
77) Sandwich Tern 15+ Tarcoles.
78) Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon a few seen in urban areas.
79) Band-tailed Pigeon 5+ Volcan Poas, 10 Monteverde, 25+ Cerro de la Muerte, 40+ Tapanti.
80) Pale-vented Pigeon 4 Golfito.
81) Red-billed Pigeon common, small numbers in Selva Verde, Virgen del Socorro and Monteverde areas.
82) Short-billed Pigeon 2 Selva Verde, 2 Carara, 1 Golfito.
83) Mourning Dove 1 La Selva.
84) White-winged Dove c.10 Tilaran, a few in Liberia and Bagaces towns.
85) Common Ground-Dove small numbers at Selva Verde, Monteverde and Palo Verde.
86) Ruddy Ground-Dove a fair few seen, e.g. on road between Chilamate and La Virgen, Tapanti, Carara and south Pacific coast road.
87) Inca Dove a few on road up to Monteverde, many Lomas Barbudal/ Palo Verde areas.
88) Plain-breasted Ground-Dove 2 road up to Monteverde.
89) Blue Ground-Dove 2 Tarcoles, 3 Golfito.
90) White-tipped Dove 1 La Selva, 2 Palo Verde, 2 Monteverde.
91) Grey-fronted Dove 2 Palo Verde.
92) Grey-chested Dove 3 Carara, 1 Golfito.
93) Purplish-backed Quail-Dove 2 Braulio Carrillo.
94) Buff-fronted Quail-Dove 1 Monteverde.
95) Ruddy Quail-Dove 1 Golfito.
96) Scarlet Macaw 25+ Tarcoles/Villa Lapas.
97) Crimson-fronted Parakeet a few in the Selva Verde/La Selva area.
98) Olive-throated Parakeet 5 La Selva.
99) Orange-fronted Parakeet 12+ road up to Monteverde.
100) Orange-chinned Parakeet a few seen in Selva Verde/La Selva and Carara areas.
101) White-crowned Parrot c.20 La Selva/Selva Verde and c.15 San Joaquin.
102) Blue-headed Parrot 1 San Joaquin.
103) White-fronted Parrot c.10 Monteverde/Santa Elena area.
104) Red-lored Parrot 4 Selva Verde, 2 Carara.
105) Yellow-naped Parrot 2 Palo Verde.
106) Mealy Parrot 10+ Selva Verde/La Selva area, 2 Carara.
107) Squirrel Cuckoo 1 Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, 1 Palo Verde.
108) Groove-billed Ani common.
109) Smooth-billed Ani 3+ Golfito.
110) Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl 2 Orotina, 1 Tarcoles.
111) Black-and-white Owl 2 Orotina.
112) Great Potoo 1 Selva Verde.
113) Lesser Nighthawk 8+ Tarcoles.
114) Common Pauraque 6 Golfito.
115) Black Swift 25+ Selva Verde.
116) White-collared Swift common at Catarata San Fernando (Chincona), Tapanti and Monteverde.
117) Vaux’s Swift 3 Cerro de la Muerte.
118) Band-rumped Swift c.15 Golfito.
119) Grey-rumped Swift 2+ La Selva.
120) Bronzy Hermit 1 Golfito.
121) Long-tailed Hermit widespread, small numbers at many sites.
122) Green Hermit 3 Monteverde.
123) Little Hermit 1+ Braulio Carrillo.
124) Scaly-breasted Hummingbird 3 Tarcoles.
125) Violet Sabrewing 2+ Catarata San Fernando (Chincona), 6+ Monteverde.
126) White-necked Jacobin 2 La Selva/Selva Verde.
127) Brown Violetear 1 Catarata San Fernando (Chincona).
128) Green Violetear 2+ Catarata San Fernando (Chincona), 2 Monteverde.
129) Violet-headed Hummingbird 1 Virgen del Socorro.
130) Green Thorntail 2 Catarata San Fernando (Chincona), 1 Tapanti.
131) Crowned Woodnymph 2 Catarata San Fernando (Chincona).
132) Fiery-throated Hummingbird 2 Cerro de la Muerte.
133) Blue-throated Goldentail 1 Villa Lapas.
134) Mangrove Hummingbird 1 Tarcoles.
135) Steely-vented Hummingbird 3 Palo Verde.
136) Rufous-tailed Hummingbird common.
137) Stripe-tailed Hummingbird 2+ Monteverde, 1 Tapanti.
138) Black-bellied Hummingbird 1 Volcan Poas.
139) Coppery-headed Emerald 4+ Catarata San Fernando (Chincona).
140) Snowcap 1 Braulio Carrillo.
141) Red-footed Plumeleteer 1 Selva Verde.
142) White-bellied Mountain-Gem 3+ Tapanti.
143) Purple-throated Mountain-Gem 10+ Monteverde.
144) Grey-tailed Mountain-Gem 3 Cerro de la Muerte.
145) Green-crowned Brilliant 10+ Monteverde, 3 Volcan Poas and 1 Cerro de la Muerte.
146) Magnificent Hummingbird 4 Cerro de la Muerte.
147) Purple-crowned Fairy 1 La Selva, 1 Carara and 1 San Vito.
148) Plain-capped Starthroat 1 Wilson Botanical Gardens.
149) Magenta-throated Woodstar 4 Monteverde.
150) Scintillant Hummingbird 1 Catarata San Fernando (Chincona), 1 Cerro de la Muerte.
151) Volcano Hummingbird 8+ Cerro de la Muerte.
152) Resplendent Quetzal 3 Monteverde, 1 Cerro de la Muerte.
153) Lattice-tailed Trogon 1 Virgen del Socorro.
154) Slaty-tailed Trogon 1 Carara, 2 Golfito.
155) Black-headed Trogon 3 Lomas Barbudal, 4 Palo Verde and 2 Carara.
156) Elegant Trogon 1 Tapanti.
157) Orange-bellied Trogon 2 Monteverde.
158) Violaceous Trogon 1+ Carara.
159) Ringed Kingfisher seen in 1’s and 2’s at Selva Verde, Villa Lapas, Tarcoles and Golfito.
160) Belted Kingfisher 1 Selva Verde.
161) Amazon Kingfisher 2 Selva Verde, 2+ Tarcoles.
162) Green Kingfisher 1 Selva Verde, 5+ Tarcoles, 2 Golfito.
163) American Pygmy Kingfisher 1 Tarcoles.
164) Turquoise-browed Motmot 2 road to Monteverde, 5+ Palo Verde.
165) Rufous Motmot 1 Selva Verde.
166) Blue-crowned Motmot 1 Monteverde, 2 Villa Lapas, 1 San Vito, 3+ Wilson Botanical Gardens.
167) Rufous-tailed Jacamar 1 La Selva, 1 Wilson Botanical Gardens.
168) Red-headed Barbet 1 Villa Lapas, 1 Golfito.
169) Emerald Toucanet 1 Catarata San Fernando (Chincona), 4+ Monteverde, 2 Santa Elena.
170) Collared Aracari 7+ Selva Verde/La Selva.
171) Fiery-billed Aracari 1 Jaco-Dominical, 3 Golfito.
172) Keel-billed Toucan c.8 La Selva/Selva Verde.
173) Chestnut-mandibled Toucan Widespread Selva Verde south to Golfito (where large numbers present).
174) Olivaceous Piculet 1 San Joaquin.
175) Black-cheeked Woodpecker 2+ La Selva/Selva Verde.
176) Hoffmann’s Woodpecker common.
177) Red-crowned Woodpecker 1 Selva Verde.
178) Hairy Woodpecker 1 Cerro de la Muerte.
179) Smoky-brown Woodpecker 1 Virgen del Socorro.
180) Rufous-winged Woodpecker 1 Golfito.
181) Chestnut-coloured Woodpecker 1 La Selva.
182) Pale-billed Woodpecker 1 Tarcoles, 2 Carara, 2+ Golfito.
183) Tawny-winged Woodcreeper 1 Wilson Botanical Gardens.
184) Olivaceous Woodcreeper 2 Braulio Carrillo, 2 Monteverde.
185) Wedge-billed Woodcreeper 1 Selva Verde, 2 Carara, 1 Tapanti.
186) Barred Woodcreeper 2 Carara.
187) Cocoa Woodcreeper 1 La Selva.
188) Spotted Woodcreeper 2 Monteverde.
189) Streak-headed Woodcreeper 1 Selva Verde, 2+ Carara.
190) Brown-billed Scythebill 1 Wilson Botanical Gardens.
191) Slaty Spinetail 1 Virgen del Socorro.
192) Red-faced Spinetail 2+ Monteverde.
193) Spotted Barbtail 1 Selva Verde, 2 Monteverde, 1 Tapanti.
194) Ruddy Treerunner 1 Virgen del Socorro, 2 Monteverde.
195) Buff-throated Foliage-Gleaner 1 Tarcoles.
196) Ruddy Foliage-Gleaner 1 Wilson Botanical Gardens.
197) Plain Xenops 2+ Carara, 1 Golfito.
198) Fasciated Antshrike 1+ La Selva.
199) Barred Antshrike 4 Tarcoles.
200) Black-hooded Antshrike 3+ Carara.
201) Russet Antshrike 2 Braulio Carrillo.
202) Dot-winged Antwren 2 Carara.
203) Dusky Antbird 2 Villa Lapas, 4 Carara.
204) Cinnamon Becard 3+ Selva Verde/La Selva.
205) White-winged Becard 1 Golfito.
206) Rose-throated Becard 4 Tarcoles, 2 Carara, 2 Wilson Botanical Gardens, 2 Golfito.
207) Masked Tityra Widespread, small numbers seen in several locations.
208) Black-crowned Tityra 2 Villa Lapas.
209) Rufous Piha 1+ Braulio Carrillo.
210) Three-wattled Bellbird 1 male Santa Elena.
211) Long-tailed Manakin 2 males Villa Lapas.
212) White-ruffed Manakin 1 male Virgen del Socorro, 1 male Wilson Botanical Gardens.
213) Orange-collared Manakin 3+ Carara.
214) White-collared Manakin 2+ La Selva/Selva Verde.
215) Thrushlike Manakin 1 Braulio Carrillo.
216) Black Phoebe 2 Ujarras, c.5 Tapanti.
217) Scissor-tailed Flycatcher common in Palo Verde/Liberia area with smaller numbers elsewhere on Pacific coast.
218) Tropical Kingbird common.
219) Piratic Flycatcher 2 Selva Verde, 2 Carara, 1 Golfito, 2 Wilson Botanical Gardens.
220) White-ringed Flycatcher 1 La Selva, 1 Selva Verde.
221) Boat-billed Flycatcher 1+ Selva Verde, 2 Virgen del Socorro.
222) Bright-rumped Attila 1 La Selva.
223) Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher 2 Selva Verde, 2 Virgen del Socorro.
224) Streaked Flycatcher 1 La Selva, 2+ Tarcoles.
225) Golden-bellied Flycatcher 1 Tapanti.
226) Grey-capped Flycatcher 4 La Selva/Selva Verde.
227) Social Flycatcher common.
228) Great Kiskadee common.
229) Rufous Mourner 1 Braulio Carrillo.
230) Panama Flycatcher 4+ Tarcoles, 1 Golfito.
231) Brown-crested Flycatcher common in Lomas Barbudal/Palo Verde areas.
232) Great Crested Flycatcher 2+ Palo Verde.
233) Dusky-capped Flycatcher 1 La Selva, 2 Carara.
234) Eastern Wood-Pewee 3 Golfito.
235) Tropical Pewee 2 La Selva, 2 Monteverde, 1 Carara.
236) Dark Pewee 1 Tapanti.
237) Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 1 Tarcoles.
238) Yellowish Flycatcher 4+ Volcan Poas, 1 Monteverde.
239) Black-capped Flycatcher 2 Volcan Poas, 5 Cerro de la Muerte.
240) Tufted Flycatcher 1 Virgen del Socorro.
241) Black-tailed Flycatcher 1 Golfito.
242) Bran-coloured Flycatcher 2+ San Joaquin.
243) Royal Flycatcher 1 Villa Lapas, 1 Carara.
244) Yellow-olive Flycatcher 1 Selva Verde, 2 Carara.
245) Eye-ringed Flatbill 1 Monteverde, 1 Wilson Botanical Gardens.
246) Common Tody-Flycatcher common with small numbers in several locations.
247) Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher 2 Carara.
248) Northern Bentbill 1 Carara.
249) Slate-crested Pygmy-Tyrant 4 Wilson Botanical Gardens.
250) Yellow Tyrannulet 2 Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui.
251) Torrent Tyrannulet 4+ Tapanti.
252) Yellow-bellied Elaenia 1+ San Vito, 1 Wilson Botanical Gardens, 2 Golfito.
253) Lesser Elaenia 1 Wilson Botanical Gardens.
254) Mountain Elaenia 2+ Monteverde, 5 Cerro de la Muerte.
255) Northern Scrub-Flycatcher 2+ Tarcoles.
256) Southern Beardless Tyrannulet 1 Carara, 1 Golfito.
257) Mistletoe Tyrannulet 2 Monteverde, 2+ San Vito, 2 Golfito, 3 Tapanti.
258) Ochre-bellied Flycatcher 1 Carara, 1 Wilson Botanical Gardens.
259) Purple Martin 1+ Palo Verde.
260) Grey-breasted Martin widespread in small numbers.
261) Cliff Swallow 5+ Santa Elena-Tilaran road.
262) Barn Swallow common.
263) Southern Rough-winged Swallow a few positively identified at La Selva, Monteverde and Tarcoles etc. (many R-w Swallow sp. seen).
264) Northern Rough-winged Swallow 5+ Tapanti.
265) Blue-and-white Swallow common.
266) Bank Swallow 1 Tarcoles.
267) Mangrove Swallow 25+ Tarcoles, 5 Golfito.
268) White-throated Magpie-Jay 5+ road to Monteverde, 2 Palo Verde, 2 Carara, 3 Cerro de la Muerte.
269) Brown Jay widespread, a few seen at several localities.
270) Azure-hooded Jay 2+ Monteverde, 2 Tapanti.
271) American Dipper 1 Tapanti.
272) Banded backed Wren 2 La Selva.
273) Rufous-naped Wren 2 Monteverde, common at Palo Verde and Tarcoles.
274) Plain (Canebrake) Wren 1 Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui.
275) Rufous-and-white Wren 1 Monteverde.
276) Stripe-breasted Wren 2+ Braulio Carrillo.
277) Riverside Wren 3 Carara.
278) Banded Wren 1 Lomas Barbudal.
279) Southern House Wren widespread, small numbers in several locations.
280) Ochraceous Wren 1 Monteverde, 1 Cerro de la Muerte.
281) Timberline Wren 1 Cerro de la Muerte.
282) White-breasted Wood-Wren 1 Braulio Carrillo.
283) Grey-breasted Wood-Wren c.10 Monteverde, 4 Santa Elena, 2 Tapanti.
284) White-throated Robin (Thrush) 1 Braulio Carrillo, 1 Monteverde, 2+ Wilson Botanical Gardens, 2 San Vito, 3+ Tapanti.
285) Clay-coloured Robin common.
286) Mountain Robin a few seen at Volcan Poas, Cerro de la Muerte, Monteverde and Santa Elena.
287) Sooty Robin 5+ Volcan Poas, 10+ Cerro de la Muerte.
288) Black-faced Solitaire 6 Monteverde, 3 Santa Elena.
289) Wood Thrush 2 Selva Verde.
290) Swainson’s Thrush 3 Wilson Botanical Gardens, 2 Golfito.
291) Veery 1 Santa Elena.
292) Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush 2+ Santa Elena, 1 Ujarras.
293) Ruddy-capped Nightingale Thrush 3 Cerro de la Muerte.
294) Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush 5 Volcan Poas, 3 Cerro de la Muerte.
295) White-lored Gnatcatcher 3 Palo Verde/Lomas Barbudal, 1 Carara.
296) Tropical Gnatcatcher a few seen in locations such as La Selva/Selva Verde, Monteverde and Tapanti.
297) Long-billed Gnatwren 1 Braulio Carrillo.
298) Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher 6+ Cerro de la Muerte.
299) Black-and-yellow Silky-Flycatcher 5 Volcan Poas, 2 Cerro de la Muerte.
300) Rufous-browed Peppershrike 1 Tarcoles.
301) Yellow-winged Vireo 1 Volcan Poas, 2 Cerro de la Muerte.
302) Yellow-throated Vireo c.12 seen at scattered locations, mostly singles.
303) Yellow-green Vireo 2+ Lomas Barbudal, 1 Golfito.
304) Blue-headed Vireo 1 Monteverde.
305) Philadelphia Vireo relatively common, a few seen at most localities.
306) Lesser Greenlet 2+ Selva Verde, 4 Carara.
307) Tawny-crowned Greenlet 1 Carara.
308) Bananaquit fairly common, a few seen at La Selva/Selva Verde, Monteverde, Santa Elena, Carara, Golfito and Tapanti.
309) Black-and-white Warbler 1 Virgen del Socorro, 2 Carara, 1 Tapanti.
310) Prothonotary Warbler 1+ Tarcoles.
311) Golden-winged Warbler a few seen with birds at Selva Verde/La Selva, Virgen del Socorro, Carara, Golfito and Tapanti.
312) Tennessee Warbler relatively common in most areas, especially Golfito.
313) Flame-throated Warbler 4 Cerro de la Muerte.
314) Tropical Parula 3 Virgen del Socorro, 2 Wilson Botanical Gardens.
315) Mangrove Warbler 1+ Palo Verde, 10+ Tarcoles.
316) Yellow Warbler widespread with a couple of birds at most locations.
317) Black-throated Green Warbler 1 Selva Verde, 1 Virgen del Socorro, 2 Monteverde and 2 Cerro de la Muerte.
318) Blackburnian Warbler 1 Virgen del Socorro, 1 Wilson Botanical Gardens, 1 Tapanti.
319) Chestnut-sided Warbler common.
320) Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 Monteverde.
321) Northern Waterthrush a few in the Tarcoles/Golfito areas.
322) Louisiana Waterthrush 1 Villa Lapas.
323) Kentucky Warbler 1 Carara.
324) Mourning Warbler 3 Golfito.
325) Olive-crowned Yellowthroat 1 La Selva.
326) Grey-crowned Yellowthroat 2 Monteverde, 1 Tarcoles.
327) Chiriqui (Masked) Yellowthroat 2 San Joaquin.
328) Wilson’s Warbler 2 Virgen del Socorro, 1 Monteverde, 1 Santa Elena, 5+ Cerro de la Muerte.
329) American Redstart 1 Tarcoles, 1 Wilson Botanical Gardens.
330) Slate-throated Redstart seen in small numbers at Monteverde, Santa Elena, Virgen del Socorro, Cerro de la Muerte and Tapanti.
331) Collared Redstart 2 Virgen del Socorro, 3+ Monteverde, 2+ Santa Elena, 4 Cerro de la Muerte.
332) Three-striped Warbler 8 Monteverde, 5 Santa Elena.
333) Black-cheeked Warbler 5 Cerro de la Muerte.
334) Rufous-capped Warbler 2 San Joaquin.
335) Buff-rumped Warbler 2+ Selva Verde.
336) Chestnut-headed Oropendola 3 Selva Verde, 10 Tapanti.
337) Montezuma Oropenola common in Selva Verde/La Selva area.
338) Bronzed Cowbird common.
339) Scarlet-rumped Cacique 2 Golfito.
340) Yellow-billed Cacique 1 Selva Verde.
341) Melodious Blackbird 1 Ujarras.
342) Great-tailed Grackle common.
343) Orchard Oriole 1 La Selva.
344) Black-cowled Oriole 1 Selva Verde, 2 La Selva.
345) Baltimore Oriole widespread with birds at most localities and larger numbers at Tarcoles and Golfito.
346) Streak-backed Oriole 3+ Palo Verde.
347) Red-winged Blackbird common in Palo Verde area.
348) Eastern Meadowlark 2+ Monteverde, 1 Tilaran, 2 Palo Verde.
349) Blue-hooded Euphonia 3 Tapanti.
350) Tawny-capped Euphonia 5 Braulio Carrillo.
351) White-vented Euphonia 1+ Golfito.
352) Scrub Euphonia 2 Lomas Barbudal, 1 Palo Verde.
353) Yellow-crowned Euphonia 4+ La Selva/Selva Verde.
354) Thick-billed Euphonia 1+ Wilson Botanical Gardens.
355) Yellow-throated Euphonia 3+ Monteverde.
356) Olive-backed Euphonia 4 Selva Verde/La Selva.
357) Spotted-crowned Euphonia 1 Golfito.
358) Emerald Tanager 3 Braulio Carrillo.
359) Silver-throated Tanager 2 Virgen del Socorro, 6+ San Vito, 5 Golfito and 10 Tapanti.
360) Golden-hooded Tanager a few seen at Selva Verde, Virgen del Socorro, San Vito, Golfito and Tapanti.
361) Bay-headed Tanager 4 Virgen del Socorro, 6 Tapanti.
362) Spangled-cheeked Tanager 2 Virgen del Socorro.
363) Green Honeycreeper 2 Selva Verde, 4 Golfito.
364) Red-legged Honeycreeper 2 Carara, 3 San Vito.
365) Shining Honeycreeper 2 La Selva.
366) Blue Dacnis 2+ La Selva/Selva Verde, 1 Virgen del Socorro.
367) Scarlet-thighed Dacnis 2 Monteverde, 1 San Vito, 2+ Golfito, 2 Wilson Botanical Gardens, 1 Tapanti.
368) Blue-and-gold Tanager 1 Tapanti.
369) Blue-grey Tanager common.
370) Palm Tanger widespread in small numbers.
371) Passerini’s Tanager 10+ La Selva/Selva Verde, 5 Tapanti.
372) Cheri’s Tanager common on Pacific side of country especially in Carara, Tarcoles, San Vito and Golfito.
373) Crimson-collared Tanager 2 La Selva, 1 Tapanti.
374) Summer Tanager 5+ Selva Verde/La Selva, 2 Villa Lapas, 1 Carara.
375) Flame-coloured Tanager 3 Cerro de la Muerte.
376) Olive Tanager 4 Braulio Carrillo.
377) Red-throated Ant-Tanager 1 Selva Verde.
378) White-throated Shrike-Tanager 2 Braulio Carrillo.
379) White-lined Tanager 2 La Selva.
380) Tawny-crested Tanager 4 Braulio Carillo.
381) White-shouldered Tanager 3 Golfito.
382) Grey-headed Tanager 2+ Carara.
383) Common Bush-Tanager common in middle-high elevation areas such as Virgen del Socorro, Santa Elena, Monteverde and Tapanti.
384) Ashy-throated Bush-Tanager 1 Braulio Carrillo.
385) Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager 10 Volcan Poas, 5 Santa Elena, 5+ Cerro de la Muerte.
386) Black-headed Saltator 1 Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui.
387) Buff-throated Saltator small numbers in several locations such as Selva Verde/La Selva, Carara, Braulio Carrillo, San Vito and Tapanti.
388) Greyish Saltator 2 La Selva/Selva Verde.
389) Streaked Saltator 1 San Joaquin, 1+ Wilson Botanical Gardens.
390) Black-faced Grosbeak 5+ La Selva/Selva Verde.
391) Blue Grosbeak 1 Monteverde.
392) Blue-black Grosbeak 4 Selva Verde, 2+ Carara.
393) Indigo Bunting 1 San Vito.
394) Painted Bunting 1 Tarcoles.
395) Yellow-faced Grassquit small numbers on La Virgen-Chilamate road, Monteverde and Golfito areas.
396) White-collared Seedeater 2+ Monteverde road, 2 Golfito, 2 San Vito.
397) Variable Seedeater common with Caribbean race at Selva Verde/La Selva, Braulio Carrillo and Tapanti areas with Pacific race elsewhere.
398) Ruddy-breasted Seedeater 3 San Joaquin.
399) Yellow-bellied Seedeater 4 San Joaquin.
400) Thick-billed Seed-Finch 2+ La Selva.
401) Blue-black Grassquit 2 Selva Verde, 5 Palo Verde, 2 Jaco-Dominical.
402) Peg-billed Finch 2 Volcan Poas.
403) Slaty Flowerpiercer 4+ Cerro de la Muerte.
404) Large-footed Finch 2 Volcan Poas.
405) Yellow-throated Brush-Finch 2 Monteverde, 1 Tapanti.
406) Orange-billed Sparrow 2 Selva Verde, 1 Villa Lapas, 1 Golfito.
407) Black-striped Sparrow 4+ La Selva, 2 Carara, 3 Golfito.
408) White-eared Ground-Sparrow 1+ Monteverde.
409) Stripe-headed Sparrow 4 Monteverde road, 3+ Palo Verde.
410) Volcano Junco c.10 Cerro de la Muerte.
411) Rufous-collared Sparrow common.
412) House Sparrow 2+ Chilamate, 1 San Vito, 3 Cartago.
ETHIOPIA FEBRUARY/MARCH 2003
22nd February – Gafersa Reservoir (night in Addis Ababa)
23rd February – Solulta Plains and Debre Libanos (night in Addis Ababa)
24th February – Lake Chelechleka, Lake Zwai and stops on the road to Wondo Guenet (night at Wondo Guenet)
25th February – Wondo Guenet forest (night at Wondo Guenet)
26th February – road from Wondo Guenet (Shashemene) to Goba (night near Goba)
27th February – Bale Mountains (night near Goba)
28th February – road from Goba to Shashemene, afternoon at Lake Awassa (night at Awassa)
1st March – Lake Awassa, Arsi Negele Ostrich Farm, Lake Abiatta, Lake Zwai and Lake Hora (night in Addis Ababa)
General birding was excellent, with at least 175 species noted on one date alone (28th February) and 353 species were noted during the trip. Highlights of the trip included several of Ethiopia’s endemic species such as Spot-breasted Plover, Rouget’s Rail, Golden-backed (Abyssinian) Woodpecker, Abyssinian Catbird and White-backed Black Tit. As well as these species, everlasting memories of the trip include a Martial Eagle and a Verreaux’s Eagle in the air side by side in the Bale Mountains, 2 Painted Snipe feeding in the evening light on the shore of Lake Awassa and a superb flock of 25 Great Black-headed Gulls at Lake Abiatta. Finally, cheers to Phil Misseldine and Steve Cooper who helped increase my knowledge of several species and races observed during the trip.
The following systematic list covers the species seen during the period 22nd February until 1st March. Please note that, when mentioned, the collective term ‘Rift Valley Lakes’ is applied to the lakes of Chelechleka, Zwai, Awassa and Abiatta.
1) LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis. Widespread, seen in numbers at several areas of water. Max 500+ Lake Hora 1st March.
2) GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus. 1 Lake Hora 1st March.
3) AFRICAN GREAT WHITE PELICAN Pelecanus onocrotalus. Localized with birds (up to 30) seen at Lake Zwai, Lake Awassa and Lake Abiatta.
4) PINK-BACKED PELICAN Pelecanus rufescens. Localized, though more numerous than the previous species, with this species seen at Lake Zwai, Lake Awassa and Lake Abiatta.
5) GREAT (WHITE-BREASTED) CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo lucides. Common, with large numbers seen at most areas of extensive water.
6) LONG-TAILED CORMORANT Phalacrocorax africanus. Common, though possibly slightly less numerous than Great Cormorant, being found at waters throughout.
7) (AFRICAN) DARTER Anhinga rufa. Max 20 at Lake Zwai 24th Feb, with small numbers also present at Lake Awassa and Lake Zwai.
8) BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON Nycticorax nycticorax. 4+ Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
9) SQUACCO HERON Ardeola ralloides. Common, with birds seen at many localities in close vicinity to water.
10) CATTLE EGRET Bubulcus ibis. Widespread, with birds frequenting both freshwater habitat and areas of cultivation, predominantly near cattle.
11) BLACK HERON Egretta ardesiaca. Widespread but uncommon with only single figure counts from Lake Zwai and Lake Awassa.
12) GREAT WHITE EGRET Egretta alba. Common by muddy water margins, with large numbers seen at Lake Chelechleka, Lake Zwai, Lake Awassa and Lake Abiatta with smaller numbers seen at smaller areas of water.
13) INTERMEDIATE EGRET Egretta intermedia. Uncommon, with low single figure counts from Lake Chelechleka, Lake Zwai and Lake Awassa.
14) LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta. Common, with medium to large numbers seen at Lake Chelechleka, Lake Zwai, Lake Awassa and Lake Abiatta.
15) GREY HERON Ardea cinerea. Small numbers seen at many of the lakes, with largest concentration being 20+ at Lake Abiatta on 1st March.
16) BLACK-HEADED HERON Ardea melanocephala. Widespread, with largest concentrations in the Rift Valley lakes, but birds also seen on isolated pools in the Bale mountains.
17) GOLIATH HERON Ardea goliath. Small numbers present at all Rift Valley lakes including Chelechleka, Zwai, Abiatta and Awassa.
18) PURPLE HERON Ardea purpurea. 1 in flight over Lake Zwai 24th Feb.
19) HAMMERKOP Scopus umbretta. Common and widespread, being seen by open water as well as in forested areas (such as Wondo Guenet).
20) WHITE STORK Ciconia ciconia. 25+ thermalling near Lake Chelechleka 24th Feb and 5 following a plough (with 15+ Abdim’s Storks) on the road between Awassa and Shashemene on 28th Feb.
21) ABDIM’S STORK Ciconia abdimii. 7 on the arid area between Shashemene and Goba 26th Feb and 15+ following a plough between Awassa and Shashemene on 28th Feb.
22) WOOLLY-NECKED STORK Ciconia episcopus. 1 over the dirt road just east of Shashemene 28th Feb.
23) SADDLE-BILLED STORK Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis. 1 immature on the shore of Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
24) AFRICAN OPEN-BILLED STORK Anastomus lamelligerus. 2 at Lake Zwai 1st March.
25) MARABOU Leptoptilos crumeniferus. Very common, especially near water though birds often seen spiraling over areas of human habitation.
26) YELLOW-BILLED STORK Mycteria ibis. 4 at Lake Chelechleka 24th Feb and 25+ on the shore of Lake Abiatta on 1st March.
27) SACRED IBIS Threskiornis aethiopica. Common to very common, though seemingly absent from more mountainous areas.
28) WATTLED IBIS Bostrychia carunculata. Common, particularly in the Bale mountains. Birds seen mainly away from water in either grassland or forested areas with concentrations seen at Gafersa Reservoir, Wondo Guenet and especially on the road between Shashemene and Goba (particularly at the mountainous Goba end).
29) HADADA Bostrychia hagedash. Uncommon though widespread, with single figure counts at Gafersa Reservoir and double figures at Lake Awassa.
30) GLOSSY IBIS Plegadis falcinellus. Small flocks seen at most of the Rift Valley Lakes, with 40 at Lake Zwai on 24th Feb, with 3 birds also present on a marshy area of the Solulta Plains 23rd Feb.
31) AFRICAN SPOONBILL Platalea alba. 12 at Gafersa Reservoir on 22nd Feb and 15+ at Lake Chelechleka on 24th Feb.
32) GREATER FLAMINGO Phoenicopterus rubber. 4 at Lake Chelechleka on 24th Feb.
33) WHITE-FACED WHISTLING DUCK Dendrocygna viduata. Localized, with 50+ at Lake Zwai on 24th Feb being peak count, with birds also present at Lake Awassa.
34) BLUE-WINGED GOOSE Cyanochen cyanoptera. Localized but widespread, with this species favouring small areas of marsh adjacent to open water and notable by their absence in the Rift Valley lakes. 2 at Gafersa Reservoir 22nd Feb, 12+ on the Solulta Plains on 23rd Feb though largest numbers present on upland marshes in the Bale mountains (both on the Shashemene to Goba road and in the national park) 26th – 28th Feb.
35) EGYPTIAN GOOSE Alopochen aegyptiacus. Very common, seen in large numbers at many localities.
36) RUDDY SHELDUCK Tadorna ferruginea. 2 at Lake Chelechleka 24th Feb and 3 on summit pools in the Bale Mountains National Park 27th Feb.
37) SPUR-WINGED GOOSE Plectropterus gambensis. Locally common, seen at most Rift Valley Lakes with largest numbers being 200+ at Lake Chelechleka on 24th Feb.
38) KNOB-BILLED GOOSE (COMB DUCK) Sarkidiornis melanotus. 10+ at Lake Chelechleka on 24th Feb and 5 at Lake Awassa on 28th Feb.
39) AFRICAN PYGMY GOOSE Nettapus auritus. Small numbers present in reedy margins of Lake Zwai and Lake Awassa, with at least 15 present at the latter site on 1st March.
40) AFRICAN BLACK DUCK Anas sparsa. 4 at Gafersa Reservoir 22nd Feb and 1 on a small stream just outside Goba before the road goes uphill towards the National Park.
41) EURASIAN WIGEON Anas penelope. A pair at Lake Chelechleka 24th Feb and 1 female at Lake Zwai 24th Feb.
42) EURASIAN TEAL Anas crecca. 10+ at Gafersa Reservoir 22nd Feb.
43) YELLOW-BILLED DUCK Anas undulata. Common, with birds present in double figures at many sites including the Rift Valley Lakes as well as smaller areas of water on the Solulta Plains and the Bale Mountains.
44) NORTHERN PINTAIL Anas acuta. Localized, with small numbers present at Lake Awassa and Lake Zwai, though the largest concentration being 50+ at Lake Chelechleka on 24th Feb.
45) RED-BILLED TEAL Anas erythrorhynchus. 2 at Lake Zwai on 24th Feb and 2 at Lake Awassa on 28th Feb.
46) HOTTENTOT TEAL Anas hottentota. Relatively common in the Rift Valley with up to 30 seen at Lake Zwai and Lake Awassa.
47) GARGANEY Anas querquedula. Common to very common, with large numbers (100+) present at Lakes Chelechleka and Zwai on 24th Feb, with many also present at Lake Awassa on 28th Feb.
48) NORTHERN SHOVELER Anas clypeata. Common, with 100s present at Lake Chelechleka on 24th Feb and birds also present at Gafersa Reservoir and Lakes Zwai, Abiatta and Awassa.
49) AFRICAN POCHARD Netta erythrophthalma. A pair at Lake Zwai on 24th Feb and 1st March (presumably the same birds on both dates) and a female at Lake Awassa on 28th Feb.
50) TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula. 20+ Gafersa Reservoir on 22nd Feb and 10 at Lake Hora on 1st March.
51) MACCOA DUCK Oxyura maccoa. 2 (a pair) at Gafersa Reservoir on 22nd Feb.
52) WHITE-BACKED DUCK Thalassornis leuconotus. Only recorded at Lake Awassa, with 80 counted on 28th Feb.
53) BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE Elanus caeruleus. 2 on the Solulta Plains 23rd Feb.
54) AFRICAN SWALLOW-TAILED (SCISSOR-TAILED) KITE Chelictinia riocourii. 3 on the plains between Goba and Shashemene 28th Feb.
55) BLACK (YELLOW-BILLED) KITE Milvus migrans parasitus. Very common to abundant, particularly in towns. At least one individual of the northern migratory race Milvus m. migrans (Black Kite) noted.
56) AFRICAN FISH EAGLE Haliaeetus vocifer. Regularly seen, either in flight or perched in bare trees, adjacent to large areas of water such as the Rift Valley Lakes (Chelechleka, Zwai, Abiatta and Awassa).
57) EGYPTIAN VULTURE Neophron percnopterus. 2 adult-type birds on the Solulta Plains 23rd Feb and an immature over Lake Chelechleka 24th Feb.
58) LAMMERGEIER Gypaetus barbatus. 3+ birds, including an adult that showed exceptionally well on the ground, at Debre Libanos gorge on 23rd Feb and 2 in the Bale Mountains 27th Feb.
59) HOODED VULTURE Necrosyrtes monachus. Common, occasionally seen in gatherings of up to 20 birds (e.g. Wondo Guenet 25th Feb).
60) AFRICAN WHITE-BACKED VULTURE Gyps africanus. Relatively regularly seen, often with Hooded Vultures, though not as common as this species.
61) RUPPELL’S GRIFFON VULTURE Gyps ruppelli. Regular, often in the presence of White-backed Vultures, and small groups of up to 6 birds seen in the Bale Mountains 27th Feb.
62) SHORT-TOED SNAKE EAGLE Circaetus gallicus. 1 on roadside post near Awassa on 1st March.
63) BLACK-CHESTED SNAKE EAGLE Circaetus pectoralis. 1 over the forest above the monastery at Debre Libanos 23rd Feb.
64) BANDED SNAKE EAGLE Circaetus cinerascens. 1 adjacent to Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
65) AFRICAN HARRIER-HAWK (GYMNOGENE) Polyboroides typus. 2 on the plains near Shashemene 28th Feb, 1 near Lake Zwai 1st March.
66) EUROPEAN MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus. 1 (fem/imm) over Lake Awassa on 28th Feb.
67) PALLID HARRIER Circus macrourus. 1 (male) over the Solulta Plains 23rd Feb, 1 (ringtail) near Lake Zwai 24th Feb and 1 (ringtail) by the mountain pool on the Shashemene-Goba road 26th Feb.
68) MONTAGU’S HARRIER Circus pygarus. 6+ on the plains between Shashemene and Goba 26th Feb, with 1+ seen there on 28th Feb.
69) DARK CHANTING GOSHAWK Melierax metabates. Regularly seen by the roadside, predominantly in areas of scattered vegetation or acacia scrub.
70) GABAR GOSHAWK Melierax gabar. 2 (1 pale morph, 1 dark morph) in acacia scrub north of Shashemene by the Addis road 24th Feb, 1 at Arsi Negele Ostrich Farm area 1st March.
71) GREAT SPARROWHAWK Accipter melanoleucus. 1 over Wondo Guenet 25th Feb and 1 by the stream near Goba 27th Feb.
72) AFRICAN LITTLE SPARROWHAWK Accipter minullus. 1 over Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
73) SHIKRA Accipter badius. 1 perched in a tree adjacent to Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
74) EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK Accipter nisus. 1 over the road between Goba and Shashemene 28th Feb.
75) COMMON (STEPPE) BUZZARD Buteo buteo vulpinus. Small numbers seen, predominately in mountainous/upland habitat.
76) AFRICAN MOUNTAIN BUZZARD Buteo oreophilus. 1 over the Shashemene-Goba road, adjacent to the small pond, in the Bale mountains near Goba 26th Feb.
77) AUGUR BUZZARD Buteo augur. Common, frequently seen by the roadside particularly in mountainous/upland areas.
78) GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE Aquila clanga. 1 (adult) by the Goba-Shashemene road on 28th Feb.
79) TAWNY EAGLE Aquila rapax. Fairly common, with up to double figures seen on several dates.
80) STEPPE EAGLE Aquila nipalensis. 2 seen with a few vultures and Tawny Eagles by the road between Zwai and Wondo Guenet 24th Feb, 1 Bale Mountains 27th Feb.
81) GOLDEN EAGLE Aquila chrysaetos. 1 (adult) over the Harenna Escarpment, Bale Mountains NP 27th Feb.
82) VERREAUX’S EAGLE Aquila verreauxii. 1 (adult) in the Bale Mountains accompanied in the air by a Martial Eagle, 27th Feb.
83) AFRICAN HAWK-EAGLE Hieraaetus fasciatus. 1 (imm) over Wondo Guenet on 25th Feb.
84) BOOTED EAGLE Hieraaetus penatus. 1 (pale morph) over the Shashemene-Goba road on 26th Feb.
85) LONG-CRESTED EAGLE Lophaetus occipitalis. 3 birds seen, all perched by the roadside, with 1 between Zwai and Wondo Guenet 24th Feb, 1 near Awassa 28th Feb and 1 again near Awassa 1st March.
86) MARTIAL EAGLE Polemaetus bellicosus. 1 in the Bale Mountains, just below the NP boundary, 27th Feb being accompanied by an adult Verreaux’s Eagle.
87) AFRICAN PYGMY FALCON Polihierax semitorquatus. 1 by the roadside between the prominent river bridge (on the Addis road) and Wondo Guenet/Shashemene 24th Feb.
88) COMMON KESTREL Falco tinnunculus. Relatively widespread, with small numbers seen almost daily especially in the plain/steppe areas.
89) GREY KESTREL Falco ardosiaceus. 2, both perched prominently in bare trees, at Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
90) LANNER Falco biarmicus. 5+ Solulta Plains/Debre Libanos 23rd Feb, 2 by the small pool in the mountains by the Shashemene-Goba road 26th Feb, 1 Bale Mountains 27th Feb.
91) CRESTED FRANCOLIN Francolinus sephaena. 4+ at Arsi Negele Ostrich Farm area on 1st March.
92) MOORLAND (GREY-WINGED) FRANCOLIN Francolinus psilolaemus. 7 on the Sanetti Plateau, Bale Mountains NP 27th Feb, 5+ by the Goba-Shashemene road (at the Goba end) 28th Feb.
93) CHESTNUT-NAPED FRANCOLIN Francolinus castaneicollis. 12 in the mountains adjacent to the Shashemene-Goba road 26th Feb, 2 in the Bale Mountains 27th Feb and 6+ on the Goba-Shashemene road 28th Feb.
94) HELMETED GUINEAFOWL Numida meleagris. c.10 at Arsi Negele Ostrich Farm area 1st March.
95) COMMON CRANE Grus grus. 100’s present in fields by Lake Chelechleka 24th Feb, 4 over road near Lake Hora 1st March.
96) BLACK CROWNED CRANE Balearica pavonina. 2 Lake Chelechleka 24th Feb.
97) ROUGET’S RAIL Rallus rougetii. Common in the Bale Mountains with 20+ seen by the Shashemene-Goba road (all within the last two hours to Goba, especially around the small upland pond on the left as you drive towards Goba) 26th Feb, 2 Bale Mountains NP 27th Feb and 6+ by the Goba-Shashemene road 28th Feb.
98) BLACK CRAKE Limnocorax flavirostra. 1 Lake Zwai 24th Feb, 4 Lake Awassa 28th Feb and 6 Lake Zwai 1st March.
99) COMMON MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus. Only noted at Lake Awassa, with 25+ seen on 28th Feb.
100) PURPLE GALLINULE Porphyrio porphyrio. 1 (adult) Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
101) ALLEN’S GALLINULE Porphyrio alleni. 1 (adult) Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
102) RED-KNOBBED COOT Fulica cristata. Common on open water, with large numbers present on the Rift Valley Lakes with smaller numbers on isolated pools in the Bale Mountains.
103) BLACK-BELLIED BUSTARD Eupodotis senegalensis. 1 (female) Arsi Negele Ostrich Farm area 1st March.
104) HARTLAUB’S BUSTARD Eupodotis hartlaubii. 1 (male) Arsi Negele Ostrich Farm area 1st March.
105) AFRICAN JACANA Actophilornis africanus. Relatively common by lake margins with 15+ Lake Zwai 24th Feb, 20+ Lake Awassa 28th Feb and 10+ Lake Zwai 1st March.
106) LESSER JACANA Gallinula chloropus. 1 Lake Zwai 24th Feb, 1 Lake Awassa 28th Feb and 1 Lake Zwai on 1st March.
107) PAINTED SNIPE Rostratula benghalensis. 2 Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
108) SPUR-WINGED PLOVER Vanellus spinosus. Common to very common, particularly on lake margins but also seen away from water in areas of cultivation.
109) BLACK-WINGED PLOVER Vanellus melanopterus. 15+ Solulta Plains 23rd Feb, 20+ on the plains by the Shashemene-Goba road 26th Feb and 4 near Shashemene 28th Feb.
110) CROWNED PLOVER Vanellus coronatus. 2 by the road between Zwai and Wondo Guenet 24th Feb.
111) (SENEGAL) WATTLED PLOVER Vanellus senegallus. 2 by the road near Awassa on 1st March.
112) SPOT-BREASTED PLOVER Vanellus melanocephalus. 31 on the Solulta Plains 23rd Feb and 20+ by the upland pool on the Shashemene-Goba road (within 2 hours of Goba) 26th Feb with 9 there on 28th Feb.
113) RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula. Present in small numbers on the shores of Lake Zwai, Lake Awassa and Lake Abiatta.
114) LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius. 4 Lake Zwai 24th Feb and 3 Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
115) KITTLITZ’S PLOVER Charadrius pecuarius. 30+ Lake Zwai 24th Feb and 100’s at Lake Abiatta on 1st March.
116) THREE-BANDED PLOVER Charadrius tricollaris 2 on small marshy area on the Solulta Plains 23rd Feb.
117) BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa. Relatively common with small numbers of this species present at most wetland habitats, especially the lakes in the Rift Valley.
118) GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia. Present in small numbers at Lakes Zwai, Abiatta, Awassa and Chelechleka as well as Gafersa Reservoir (with the next species being far more numerous).
119) MARSH SANDPIPER Tringa stagnatilis. Common, with several present at all Rift Valley Lakes and particularly numerous at Lake Abiatta 1st March.
120) WOOD SANDPIPER Tringa glareola. Common to very common in the Rift Valley, with birds present in large numbers particularly at Lake Awassa 28th Feb. Birds also present in smaller areas of marsh such as the Solulta Plains and Gafersa Reservoir.
121) GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus. Uncommon, predominantly confined to smaller areas of water with peak being 5+ by the small upland pool on the Shashemene-Goba road on 26th Feb.
122) TEREK SANDPIPER Xenus cinereus. 1 Lake Awassa on 28th Feb.
123) COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos. Small numbers present at most sites, both small areas of water as well as the large Rift Valley Lakes.
124) COMMON SNIPE Gallinago gallinago. Uncommon, with a peak of 12 at Lake Chelechleka 24th Feb but otherwise only 2-3 seen at Lakes Zwai and Awassa.
125) AFRICAN SNIPE Gallinago nigripennis. 1 Gafersa Reservoir 22nd Feb, 1 by the upland pool on the Shashemene-Goba road 26th Feb, 1 on pool on Sanetti plateau, Bale Mountains NP 27th Feb and 1 Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
126) DUNLIN Calidris alpina. 2 Lake Zwai 24th Feb and 2 Lake Zwai 1st March.
127) CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea. 4 Lake Zwai 1st March.
128) LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta. Relatively large numbers present at Lakes Chelechleka, Zwai, Awassa and Abiatta.
129) TEMMINCK’S STINT Calidris temminckii. Small numbers present along the muddy margins of the Rift Valley Lakes, with 3 also present on Solulta Plains 23rd Feb.
130) RUFF Philomachus pugnax. Very common around all areas of water, with 60+ birds also present on Solulta Plains 23rd Feb.
131) BLACK-WINGED STILT Himantopus himantopus. 10 Gafersa Reservoir 22nd Feb, 50+ at Lakes Zwai and Chelechleka 24th Feb with 20+ at Lake Awassa 28th Feb and 50+ at Lake Abiatta 1st March.
132) AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta. 4 Gafersa Reservoir 22nd Feb, 20+ Lake Chelechleka 24th Feb and 15+ Lake Abiatta 1st March.
133) SENEGAL THICKNEE Burhinus senegalensis. 6 by the prominent river bridge (on the Addis road) between Zwai and Wondo Guenet 24th Feb and 2 Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
134) GREAT BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ichthyaetus. 25 (including 7 summer plumaged adults) Lake Abiatta 1st March.
135) BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ridibundus. 3 Lake Zwai 24th Feb and 5+ Lake Abiatta 1st March.
136) GREY-HEADED GULL Larus cirrocephalus. 4 Lake Zwai 24th Feb, 12+ Lake Abiatta 1st March and 1 Lake Zwai 1st March.
137) LESSER BLACK-BACKED (BALTIC) GULL Larus fuscus fuscus. 2 Lake Zwai 24th Feb and 12 Lake Abiatta 1st March.
138) WESTERN YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus micahellis. 1 (2nd-winter/2nd-summer) Lake Abiatta 1st March.
139) GULL-BILLED TERN Geochelidon nilotica. 1 at Lake Abiatta on 1st March.
140) CHESTNUT-BELLIED SANDGROUSE Pterocles exustus. 1000’s over the main road (to Addis) north of Wondo Guenet early evening 24th Feb and 20+ over the road near Lake Hora 1st March.
141) WHITE-COLLARED PIGEON Columba albitorques. Relatively numerous, particularly in the more upland/mountainous areas with 50+ seen on road from Goba-Shashemene 28th Feb.
142) SPECKLED PIGEON Columba guinea. Common to very common, being noted in all habitats from towns to upland areas in the Bale Mountains.
143) OLIVE PIGEON Columba arquatrix. 1 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
144) DUSKY TURTLE (PINK-BREASTED) DOVE Streptopelia lugens. Fairly common, though by no means as numerous as Speckled Pigeon, with birds being seen in a variety of habitats with many present on the upland stretch of the Shashemene-Goba road on 26th Feb.
145) RED-EYED DOVE Streptopelia semitorquata. Small numbers seen on an almost daily basis, with this species appearing to prefer towns/areas of human habitation compared to Speckled and White-collared Pigeons and Dusky Turtle Dove.
146) AFRICAN MOURNING DOVE Streptopelia decipiens. Relatively common especially in areas of human habitation but absent in upland areas such as the Bale Mountains.
147) BARBARY (LAUGHING) DOVE Streptopelia senegalensis. Fairly common, particularly in areas of cultivation and scattered human settlement.
148) NAMAQUA DOVE Oena capensis. 6 Lake Chelechleka and Lake Zwai 24th Feb, 12+ Awassa 28th Feb and 10+ Awassa and Lake Zwai 1st March.
149) TAMBOURINE DOVE Turtur tympanistra. 4 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
150) BLUE-SPOTTED WOOD DOVE Turtur afer. 1 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
151) LEMON DOVE Aplopelia larvata. 1 in forest above Debre Libanos monastery 23rd Feb and 1 Wondo Guenet 25th and 26th Feb.
152) BRUCE’S GREEN PIGEON Treron waalia. 4+ Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
153) YELLOW-FRONTED PARROT Poicephalus flavifrons. 6 at Wondo Guenet 25th Feb and 1 there 26th Feb.
154) BLACK-WINGED LOVEBIRD Agapornis taranta. 6+ in acacia area by the road (to Addis) north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb, 8 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb, 10+ Lake Awassa 28th Feb and 1 Lake Awassa 1st March.
155) WHITE-CHEEKED TURACO Tauraco leucotis. Restricted to mature areas of vegetation, with 10+ at Wondo Guenet on 25th Feb. Birds also seen at Debre Libanos monastery and also in the wooded area downslope of the NP in the Bale Mountains.
156) WHITE-BELLIED GO-AWAY-BIRD Corythaixoides leucogaster. 1 Arsi Negele Ostrich Farm area 1st March.
157) BLUE-HEADED COUCAL Centropus monachus. 1 Lake Awassa 28th Feb and 1st March.
158) RED-CHESTED CUCKOO Cuculus solitarius. 1 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
159) DIDRIC CUCKOO Chrysococcyx caprius. 1 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
160) SPOTTED EAGLE OWL Bubo africanus cinerascens. 2 roosting in acacia scrub at Arsi Negele 1st March.
161) ALPINE SWIFT Apus melba. 1 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb and 10+ over Shashemene-Goba road 26th Feb.
162) MOTTLED SWIFT Apus aequatorialis. 5 (with Alpine Swifts) over Shashemene-Goba road 26th Feb with 5 again there on 28th Feb.
163) NYANZA SWIFT Apus niansae. Seen regularly in small numbers, with 50+ over the roadside gorge north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb being the peak number.
164) SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD Colius striatus. Frequently seen, especially in acacia scrub and vegetation near human habitation.
165) BLUE-NAPED MOUSEBIRD Urocolius macrourus. 5+ at Arsi Negele Ostrich Farm area on 1st March.
166) NARINA’S TROGON Apaloderma narina. 1 at Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
167) GIANT KINGFISHER Ceryle maxima. 1 on the stream just outside Goba (before the road climbs towards Bale Mountains NP) 27th Feb.
168) PIED KINGFISHER Ceryle rudis. Relatively common on the Rift Valley Lakes, with 15+ at Lake Awassa 28th Feb and birds also seen at Lakes Chelechleka, Zwai and Abiatta.
169) HALF-COLLARED KINGFISHER Alcedo semitorquata. 1 on the stream near the swimming pool at Wondo Guenet 26th Feb.
170) MALACHITE KINGFISHER Alcedo cristata. Relatively widespread, present at most water sites in small numbers – 2 seen at small rock pools near Debre Libanos 23rd Feb and a few present around the Rift Valley Lakes.
171) AFRICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER Ceyx picta. 1 by the prominent bridge on the Addis road north of Zwai 24th Feb.
172) WOODLAND KINGFISHER Halcyon senegalensis. Uncommon, with singles at Zwai 24th Feb and Wondo Guenet 25th Feb and 2 at Lake Awassa 28th Feb and 1st March.
173) BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER Merops superciliosus. 3 at Lake Zwai 24th Feb.
174) NORTHERN CARMINE BEE-EATER Merops nubicus nubicus. Common on roadside wires on the Shashemene-Goba road with 40+ on 26th Feb and 50+ on 28th Feb, and also seen in numbers near Awassa on 28th Feb and 1st March.
175) LITTLE BEE-EATER Merops pusillus. 2 in acacia scrub north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb and 5+ at Arsi Negele area 1st March.
176) BLUE-BREASTED BEE-EATER Merops variegatus. Widespread, though only seen in small numbers, and seen on an almost daily basis.
177) ABYSSINIAN ROLLER Coracias abyssinica. Seen on roadside wires in plains/steppe areas with birds seen on the Solulta Plains, Shashemene-Goba road and near Awassa.
178) LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER Coracias caudata. 1 (presumably the same bird) seen on roadside wires near Awassa on 28th Feb and 1st March.
179) BROAD-BILLED ROLLER Eurystomus glaucurus. 2 at Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
180) HOOPOE Upupa epops. Seen regularly, albeit in small numbers, particularly in areas of scattered trees and cultivation.
181) BLACK-BILLED WOOD-HOOPOE Phoeniculus somaliensis. 4 in acacia scrub by the (Addis) road north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb and 1+ at Arsi Negele 1st March.
182) RED-BILLED HORNBILL Tockus erythrorhynchus. 2 in acacia scrub north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb and 3+ in the Arsi Negele area 1st March.
183) AFRICAN GREY HORNBILL Tockus nasutus. 1 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
184) VON DER DECKEN’S HORNBILL Tockus deckeni. 7+ Arsi Negele area 1st March.
185) HEMPRICH’S HORNBILL Tockus hemprichii. Widespread, with two’s and three’s seen in a variety of localities including Debre Libanos, Wondo Guenet and the Shashemene-Goba road.
186) SILVERY-CHEEKED HORNBILL Bycanistes brevis. 12+ Wondo Guenet 25th Feb, with smaller numbers also seen on the Shashemene-Goba road 26th and 28th Feb.
187) ABYSSINIAN GROUND HORNBILL Bucorvus abyssinicus. Seen almost daily in open areas, with small groups (of up to 5) noted on the Solulta Plains, north of Wondo Guenet and near Awassa.
188) DOUBLE-TOOTHED BARBET Lybius bidentatus. 3 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb and 1 Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
189) BLACK-BILLED BARBET Lybius guifsobalito. 2 by the prominent river bridge on the (Addis) road north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb.
190) BANDED BARBET Lybius undatus. Seen in small numbers, particularly in forested areas such as Wondo Guenet and above Debre Libanos monastery, with 6 at Debre Libanos on 23rd Feb being the highest count.
191) RED-FRONTED TINKERBIRD Pogoniulus pusillus. 1 Debre Libanos 23rd Feb and 1 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
192) YELLOW-FRONTED TINKERBIRD Pogoniulus chrysoconus. 2 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
193) EASTERN GREEN-BACKED HONEYGUIDE (HONEYBIRD) Prodotiscus zambesiae. 1 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
194) LESSER HONEYGUIDE Indicator minor. 1 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
195) EURASIAN WRYNECK Jynx torquilla. 1 Bale Mountains 27th Feb and 1 Lake Awassa 28th Feb and 1st March.
196) RED-BREASTED WRYNECK Jynx ruficollis. 1 Lake Awassa 28th Feb and 1st March.
197) NUBIAN WOODPECKER Campethera nubica.1 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb and 1 Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
198) GOLDEN-BACKED (ABYSSINIAN) WOODPECKER Dendropicos abyssinicus. 2 in the forest above the monastery at Debre Libanos 23rd Feb and 1 in the forest between Goba and the Bale Mountains NP 27th Feb.
199) CARDINAL WOODPECKER Dendropicos fuscescens. 2 Debre Libanos 23rd Feb, 1 in acacia scrub north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb and 1 Arsi Negele 1st March.
200) GREY WOODPECKER Mesopicos goertae. 1 Debre Libanos 23rd Feb, 6+ Wondo Guenet 25th Feb and 1 Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
201) BEARDED WOODPECKER Thripias namaquus. 1 Arsi Negele area 1st March.
202) RED-CAPPED LARK Calandrella cinerea. 1 Gafersa Reservoir 22nd Feb, 1 Solulta Plains 23rd Feb and 1 by the Shashemene-Goba road 26th Feb.
203) CHESTNUT-BACKED SPARROW-LARK Eremopterix leucotis. 5 by Lake Chelechleka on 24th Feb.
204) THEKLA (SHORT-CRESTED) LARK Galerida malabarica. Only seen on the Solulta Plains and in the Bale Mountains/Shashemene-Goba road, proving relatively common at the latter site.
205) EURASIAN SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia. Small to sizeable flocks seen at several areas of water in the Rift Valley, though this species not as numerous as African Sand Martin.
206) AFRICAN SAND MARTIN Riparia paludicola. Common to very common, especially at Lake Awassa on 1st March and, to a lesser extent, other Rift Valley Lakes.
207) BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica. Widespread, with small numbers seen in all habitats including the Bale Mountains. Largest numbers observed at Lake Chelechleka 24th Feb.
208) WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW Hirundo smithii. 1 near the bridge on the (Addis) road north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb.
209) RED-RUMPED SWALLOW Hirundo daurica. 4+ around Debre Libanos gorge 23rd Feb.
210) LESSER STRIPED SWALLOW Hirundo abyssinica. 5+ around the river bridge on the (addis) road north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb and c.6 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
211) GREY-RUMPED SWALLOW Hirundo griseopyga. 2 Gafersa Reservoir 22nd Feb.
212) ROCK MARTIN Ptyonoprogne fuligula. Present in small to medium numbers near rocky outcrops, in particular Debre Libanos gorge, the roadside gorge north of Wondo Guenet and Wondo Guenet itself.
213) HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbica. 1 at Lake Chelechleka 24th Feb and 1 Bale Mountains 27th Feb.
214) BLACK SAW-WING Psalidoprocne pristoptera. 4 at Debre Libanos gorge 23rd Feb, 10+ Wondo Guenet 25th Feb and 2 Wondo Guenet 26th Feb.
215) YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava. Common and widespread, with birds predominantly of the ‘Blue-headed’ race flava, with lesser numbers of ‘Sykes’s’ beema. In addition, a ‘yellow-headed’ bird (either flavissima or lutea) was present at Gafersa Reservoir on 22nd Feb.
216) BLACK-HEADED WAGTAIL Motacilla feldegg. Widespread and seen on most days, with this species having a strong preference for areas near water/marsh compared to the more gregarious Yellow Wagtail.
217) GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea. Common in small numbers, especially near streams in the Bale Mountains and Debre Libanos.
218) MOUNTAIN WAGTAIL Motacilla clara. 1+ Debre Libanos 23rd Feb, 6 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb and 1 Shashemene-Goba road 26th Feb.
219) WHITE WAGTAIL Motacilla alba. Present in moderate numbers, but not as common as Yellow Wagtail, with many birds present at the Rift Valley Lakes.
220) GRASSLAND (RICHARD’S) PIPIT Anthus (novaeseelandiae) cinnamomeus. Common, seen mainly in areas of cultivation though also in areas adjacent to water.
221) PLAIN-BACKED PIPIT Anthus leucophrys. 1 Debre Libanos gorge 23rd Feb.
222) TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis. 3 by the Shashemene-Goba road 26th Feb.
223) RED-THROATED PIPIT Anthus cervinus. Common to very common, seen almost every day with birds present on the Solulta Plains, Bale Mountains and Rift Valley Lakes.
224) ABYSSINIAN LONGCLAW Macronyx flavicollis. 2 Gafersa Reservoir 22nd Feb, 1 Solulta Plains 23rd Feb and 2 by the Shashemene-Goba road (near the upland pool) 26th Feb.
225) GREY CUCKOO-SHRIKE Coracina caesia. 2 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
226) RED-SHOULDERED CUCKOO-SHRIKE Campephaga phoenica. 2 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb and 1 Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
227) COMMON BULBUL Pycnonotus barbatus. Common, seen throughout with both ‘yellow-vented’ and ‘white-vented’ birds present, often alongside each other.
228) WHITE-CROWNED (WHITE-RUMPED) (HELMET) SHRIKE Eurocephalus rueppelli. 2 in acacia scrub north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb and 5 at Arsi Negele 1st March.
229) WHITE HELMETSHRIKE Prionops plumata. 4 in acacia scrub north of Wondo Guenet on 24th Feb.
230) BRUBRU Nilaus afer. 1 in acacia scrub by the (Addis) road north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb.
231) NORTHERN PUFF-BACK Dryoscopus gambensis. 1 Debre Libanos 23rd Feb, 1 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb and 1 Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
232) TROPICAL BOUBOU Laniarius ferruginous. Seen in small numbers at several forested sites including Debre Libanos, Wondo Guenet and Lake Awassa.
233) SLATE-COLOURED BOUBOU Laniarius funebris. 1 Arsi Negele area 1st March.
234) ISABELLINE (DAURIAN) SHRIKE Lanius isabellinus isabellinus. 1 Lake Chelechleka 24th Feb, 1 by the river bridge north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb and 1 Lake Zwai 1st March.
235) GREY-BACKED FISCAL Lanius excubitorius. Seen in small numbers by the roadside, with a 4+ seen north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb and 3+ on the Shashemene-Goba road/Lake Awassa area 28th Feb and 1st March.
236) FISCAL Lanius collaris. Common, frequently seen by the roadside especially in arid/open areas such as the Solulta Plains and the Shashemene-Goba road.
237) WOODCHAT SHRIKE Lanius senator. 1 by the road near Zwai 24th Feb and 1 near Awassa 1st March.
238) MASKED (NUBIAN) SHRIKE Lanius nubicus. 1 (the same bird) in hotel gardens near Lake Zwai 24th Feb and 1st March.
239) STONECHAT Saxicola torquata. Both ‘African race’ axillaris and the ‘Ethiopian race’ albofasciata noted in small numbers, with the latter race appearing to be restricted to higher altitude areas such as the upper echelons of the Shashemene-Goba road and the Bale Mountains.
240) NORTHERN WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe. 1 Solulta Plains 23rd Feb, 2 Lake Chelechleka 24th Feb and 1 Shashemene-Goba road 26th Feb.
241) PIED WHEATEAR Oenanthe pleschanka. Common, with low double figures seen most days particularly in open areas and areas of cultivation.
242) ISABELLINE WHEATEAR Oenanthe isabellina. Seen in small numbers, particularly in open areas such as the Solulta Plains and Shashemene-Goba road but not as numerous as Pied Wheatear.
243) SCHALOW’S (MOURNING) WHEATEAR Oenanthe (lugens) schalowi. 2 by the roadside gorge north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb.
244) RED-BREASTED WHEATEAR Oenanthe bottae. Common on the Solulta Plains and the Bale Mountains though absent elsewhere (except 1+ at Gafersa Reservoir on 22nd Feb).
245) HILL (ALPINE) CHAT Cercomela sordida. Common to very common in the Bale Mountains, with smaller numbers noted on the Solulta Plains, Gafersa Reservoir and the Shashemene-Goba road.
246) WHITE-WINGED CLIFF CHAT Myrmecocichla semirufa. 1 (female) on the Solulta Plains 23rd Feb and 2+ near Debre Libanos gorge 23rd Feb.
247) RUPPELL’S BLACK CHAT Myrmecocichla melaena. 10+ in the Debre Libanos gorge area on 23rd Feb.
248) ROCK THRUSH Monticola saxatilis. 1 near Wondo Guenet 26th Feb.
249) BLUE ROCK THRUSH Monticola solitaria. 2 Debre Libanos gorge 23rd Feb.
250) LITTLE ROCK THRUSH Monticola rufocinerea. 1 above Debre Libanos monastery 23rd Feb and 1 in hotel gardens near Shashemene 28th Feb.
251) REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus samamiscus. 1 (male) Lake Chelechleka 24th Feb.
252) RUPPELL’S ROBIN-CHAT Cossypha semirufa. Seen in small numbers in forested/scrub areas such as Debre Libanos, Wondo Guenet and the Bale Mountains.
253) WHITE-BROWED ROBIN-CHAT Cossypha heuglini. 1 Arsi Negele area 1st March.
254) AFRICAN THRUSH Turdus pelios. 1 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb and 1 Lake Awassa 28th Feb and 1st March.
255) OLIVE THRUSH Turdus olivaceus. Common, seen on a daily basis in all variety of habitats.
256) GROUNDSCRAPER THRUSH Psophocichla litsitsirupa. Relatively common, with birds seen in open areas such as the Solulta Plains, Shashemene-Goba road and Gafersa Reservoir.
257) ABYSSINIAN GROUND THRUSH Zoothera piaggiae. 1 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb, 1 Bale Mountains 26th and 27th Feb.
258) ABYSSINIAN CATBIRD Parophasma galinieri. 1 near the headquarters in the Bale Mountains 26th Feb and c.4 in the forest below the Bale Mountains NP 27th Feb.
259) AFRICAN HILL-BABBLER Illadopsis abyssinica. 3 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
260) WHITE-RUMPED BABBLER Turdoides leucopygius. c.10 Debre Libanos 23rd Feb, 5+ Wondo Guenet 25th Feb and 5+ Arsi Negele area 1st March.
261) RUFOUS CHATTERER Turdoides rubiginosus. 2 Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
262) CINNAMON BRACKEN WARBLER Bradypterus cinnamomeus. 1 by the stream near Goba (just before the road goes uphill towards the NP) 27th Feb.
263) SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus. 1 Lake Awassa 28th Feb and 1st March.
264) REED WARBLER Acrocephalus scirpaceus fuscus(?) 1 Lake Awassa 1st March.
265) LESSER SWAMP WARBLER Acrocephalus gracilirostris. 2 Lake Awassa 28th Feb and 1 Lake Awassa 1st March.
266) EASTERN OLIVACEOUS WARBLER Hippolais (pallida) elaecia. Very small numbers seen, with birds noted at Gafersa Reservoir, near Lake Zwai and Lake Awassa.
267) BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla. 3+ Wondo Guenet 25th Feb and 2 Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
268) LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca. 2 Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
269) WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus. A few noted, but completely outnumbered by Chiffchaff, with birds seen near Lake Zwai and Lake Awassa.
270) CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita. Common in all habitats and seen on a daily basis.
271) BROWN WOODLAND WARBLER Phylloscopus umbrovirens. Small numbers noted at forested sites with 3 Debre Libanos 23rd Feb and 3+ Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
272) RATTLING CISTICOLA Cisticola chiniana. 1 Lake Awassa 28th Feb and 1st March.
273) WINDING CISTICOLA Cisticola galactotes. 2 Solulta Plains 23rd Feb and c.5 on the Shashemene-Goba road 26th Feb.
274) STOUT CISTICOLA Cisticola robusta. 3 on the Shashemene-Goba road 26th Feb and 1 there on 28th Feb.
275) TAWNY-FLANKED PRINIA Prinia subflava. Seen in small numbers, with birds noted at Debre Libanos, Shashemene-Goba road, Bale Mountains and Lake Awassa.
276) BUFF-BELLIED WARBLER Phyllolais pulchella. 2 Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
277) GREY-BACKED CAMAROPTERA Camaroptera brevicaudata. Common, albeit in small numbers, with birds seen skulking low in vegetation on an almost daily basis.
278) YELLOW-BELLIED EREMOMELA Eremomela icteropygialis. 2 Arsi Negele area 1st March.
279) BROWN PARISOMA Parisoma lugens. 1 Bale Mountains (just below the NP boundary) on 27th Feb.
280) RED-FACED CROMBEC Sylvietta whytii. 1 north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb, 1+ Lake Awassa 28th Feb and 2+ Arsi Negele area 1st March.
281) SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa striata. 1 Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
282) GAMBAGA DUSKY FLYCATCHER Muscicapa gambagae. 1 by the headquarters in the Bale Mountains 26th Feb.
283) DUSKY FLYCATCHER Muscicapa adusta. Common, with small numbers seen in acacia scrub and wooded areas on an almost daily basis.
284) ABYSSINIAN SLATY FLYCATCHER Melaenornis chocolatina. Fairly common, particularly in wooded areas, with c.8 at Debre Libanos 23rd Feb and 6+ Wondo Guenet being the highest concentrations.
285) NORTHERN BLACK FLYCATCHER Melaenornis edolioides. 3 Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
286) GREY FLYCATCHER Bradornis microrhynchus. 1 in acacia scrub north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb.
287) BLACK-HEADED BATIS Batis minor. Seen in small numbers, particularly in open woodland and acacia scrub in areas such as Wondo Guenet and Lake Awassa.
288) BANDED WATTLE-EYE Platysteira cyanea. 1 Debre Libanos 23rd Feb, 4+ Wondo Guenet 25th Feb and 1 Bale Mountains 27th Feb.
289) AFRICAN PARADISE FLYCATCHER Terpsiphone viridis. Common, with birds seen on a daily basis except for in the Bale Mountains.
290) NORTHERN BLACK TIT Parus leucomelas. 1 in acacia scrub by the (Addis) road north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb.
291) WHITE-BACKED BLACK TIT Parus leuconotus. 2 in forested area below the Bale Mountains NP 27th Feb.
292) MOUSE-COLOURED PENDULINE TIT Remiz musculus. 3 in Arsi Negele area 1st March.
293) SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD Nectarinia senegalensis. 1 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb and 1 Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
294) VARIABLE SUNBIRD Nectarinia venusta. Small numbers seen, with birds present at Debre Libanos, Wondo Guenet and Lake Awassa.
295) MARIQUA SUNBIRD Nectarinia mariquensis. 1 near Zwai 24th Feb.
296) TACAZZE SUNBIRD Nectarinia tacazze. The commonest Sunbird, being noted on an almost daily basis with especially large numbers (12+) being noted in the Bale Mountains forest on 27th Feb.
297) BEAUTIFUL SUNBIRD Nectarinia pulchella. A couple present in the hotel gardens near Zwai 24th Feb and 1st March, with birds also noted at Lake Awassa.
298) MALACHITE SUNBIRD Nectarinia famosa. 1 in forest area in the Bale Mountains 27th Feb.
299) MONTANE (GREEN) WHITE-EYE Zosterops poliogastra. Common, particularly in areas of acacia scrub and forest with many seen in areas such as Debre Libanos and Wondo Guenet.
300) ORTOLAN BUNTING Emberiza hortulana. 5 Gafersa Reservoir 22nd Feb, 5+ Solulta Plains 23rd Feb and 2 Shashemene-Goba road 26th Feb.
301) YELLOW-RUMPED SEEDEATER Serinus atrogularis. 2 near Lake Chelechleka 24th Feb.
302) YELLOW-CROWNED CANARY Serinus canicollis. 3+ near Lake Chelechleka 24th Feb and 2 in the forested area of the Bale Mountains 27th Feb.
303) AFRICAN CITRIL Serinus citrinelloides. Common, though relatively localized, with birds mainly seen in forest/scrub with 40+ Wondo Guenet 25th Feb being largest number.
304) BLACK-HEADED SISKIN Serinus nigriceps. Common, particularly in the Bale Mountains, with 20+ Gafersa Reservoir 22nd Feb, 60+ and 50+ in the Bale Mountains 26th and 27th Feb respectively and 100+ Shashemene-Goba road 28th Feb being largest numbers.
305) STREAKY SEEDEATER Serinus striolatus. Common, noted on a daily basis though in smaller numbers than Brown-rumped Seedeater.
306) BROWN-RUMPED SEEDEATER Serinus tristriatus. Common to very common, with birds noted in small flocks frequently in a variety of habitats.
307) PIN-TAILED WHYDAH Vidua macroura. 6+ near Lake Chelechleka 24th Feb.
308) EASTERN PARADISE WHYDAH Vidua paradisaea. 3 by the Shashemene-Goba road on 28th Feb.
309) VILLAGE INDIGOBIRD Vidua chalybeata. 1 on outskirts of Addis Ababa 23rd Feb.
310) YELLOW-BELLIED WAXBILL Estrilda melanotis. 8+ by the Shashemene-Goba road 26th Feb and 5+ Bale Mountains forest area 27th Feb.
311) COMMON WAXBILL Estrilda astrild. 20+ Lake Awassa 28th Feb, with 5+ there the next day.
312) BLACK-CHEEKED WAXBILL Estrilda erythronotos. 1 Arsi Negele area 1st March.
313) RED-CHEEKED CORDON-BLEU Uraeginthus bengalus. Relatively widespread, with small numbers seen around human habitation and vegetation in many areas including Debre Libanos, near Zwai and Lake Awassa.
314) RED-BILLED FIREFINCH Lagonosticta senegala. Small numbers seen, predominantly in urban areas with scattered vegetation - such as hotel gardens near Zwai and Shashemene.
315) BLACK-AND-WHITE MANNIKIN Lonchura bicolor. 6+ Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
316) BRONZE MANNIKIN Lonchura cucullata. 4 Lake Awassa 28th Feb.
317) GROSBEAK WEAVER Amblyospiza albifrons. 2 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
318) BAGLAFECHT WEAVER Ploceus baglafecht. Relatively common, with small numbers seen almost daily in acacia scrub and areas of cultivation.
319) LITTLE WEAVER Ploceus luteolus. 2 Arsi Negele Ostrich Farm area 1st March.
320) CHESTNUT WEAVER Ploceus rubiginosus. 2 near Lake Chelechleka 24th Feb.
321) RUPPELL’S WEAVER Ploceus galbula. 12+ near Lake Chelechleka 24th Feb.
322) LESSER MASKED WEAVER Ploceus intermedius. 2 near Lake Chelechleka 24th Feb.
323) VITELLINE MASKED WEAVER Ploceus velatus. 4 near Lake Chelechleka 24th Feb.
324) SPEKE’S WEAVER Ploceus spekei. 1+ Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
325) BLACK-HEADED (VILLAGE) WEAVER Ploceus cucullatus. 6+ by the (Addis) road north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb.
326) SPECTACLED WEAVER Ploceus ocularis. 3 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb and 5 Arsi Negele area 1st March.
327) RED-HEADED WEAVER Anaplectes rubriceps. 2 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
328) RED-BILLED QUELEA Quelea quelea. When present, often in large numbers with relatively large numbers seen on the Solulta Plains, near Lake Chelechleka, Lake Zwai and Lake Awassa.
329) YELLOW BISHOP Euplectes capensis. 4 near Gafersa Reservoir 22nd Feb and, elsewhere, common in the Bale Mountains 26th – 28th Feb particularly along the Shashemene-Goba road.
330) NORTHERN RED BISHOP Euplectes franciscanus. 3 Lake Awassa 1st March.
331) RED-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER Bubalornis niger. 1 by the (Addis) road north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb and 1 Arsi Negele area 1st March.
332) WHITE-HEADED BUFFALO-WEAVER Dinemellia dinemelli. 1 by the (Addis) road north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb.
333) WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER Plocepasser mahali. 2+ north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb and c.5 Arsi Negele area 1st March.
334) GREY-HEADED SPARROW Passer griseus. Relatively common and widespread, with birds seen in open cultivation on most dates.
335) SWAINSON’S SPARROW Passer swainsonii. 3 in trees by the Shashemene-Goba road 26th Feb.
336) CHESTNUT SPARROW Passer eminibey. 1 by the prominent road bridge on the (Addis) road near Zwai.
337) RED-WINGED STARLING Onychognathus morio. 2 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb and 3 on the Shashemene-Goba road 26th Feb.
338) WHITE-BILLED STARLING Onychognathus albirostris. 9+ Debre Libanos gorge 23rd Feb.
339) BLUE-EARED GLOSSY STARLING Lamprotornis chalybaeus. Common, seen on most dates in numbers particularly near human habitation.
340) (RUPPELL’S) LONG-TAILED GLOSSY STARLING Lamprotornis purpuropterus. Relatively common, with small flocks encountered in the Wondo Guenet area and larger numbers near Lake Awassa 28th Feb and 1st March.
341) SHARPE’S STARLING Cinnyricinchus sharpii. 2 Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
342) SUPERB STARLING Spreo superbus. 3 by the roadside north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb, 4+ near Awassa/Goba-Shashemene road 28th Feb and 2 near Awassa 1st March.
343) WATTLED STARLING Creatophora cinerea. Frequently seen in scattered vegetation and acacia scrub in areas such as Lake Awassa and Arsi Negele.
344) RED-BILLED OXPECKER Buphagus erythrorhynchus. One’s and two’s noted most days, though 4 present on cattle adjacent to the Shashemene-Goba road 26th Feb.
345) BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE Oriolus larvata. 1 in acacia scrub adjacent to the (Addis) road north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb.
346) BLACK-HEADED FOREST ORIOLE Oriolus monacha. 6+ Debre Libanos 23rd Feb and 15+ Wondo Guenet 25th Feb.
347) FORK-TAILED DRONGO Dicrurus adsimilis. 3 Zwai/north of Wondo Guenet 24th Feb, 1 Lake Awassa 28th Feb and 3 Arsi Negele 1st March.
348) RED-BILLED CHOUGH Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax. 3 in the mountains at the Goba end of the Shashemene-Goba road 26th Feb.
349) PIED CROW Corvus albus. Common, with birds noted in all habitats on every date though relatively scarce in the Bale Mountains.
350) BROWN-NECKED RAVEN Corvus ruficollis. 2 over the Shashemene-Goba road 26th Feb and 1 over the hotel near Goba 27th Feb.
351) CAPE ROOK Corvus capensis. Seen regularly by the roadside, particularly in arid areas on the Solulta Plains and Shashemene-Goba road.
352) FAN-TAILED RAVEN Corvus rhipiduris. Locally common, particularly Debre Libanos gorge with 15+ on 23rd Feb, with birds also seen at Wondo Guenet and Lake Awassa.
353) THICK-BILLED RAVEN Corvus crassirostris. Seen on most dates in small numbers, with sightings most prevalent in the Wondo Guenet and Lake Awassa areas.
FUERTEVENTURA JAN/FEB 2003.
Andrew Holden and myself spent a week on the island of Fuerteventura in late January/early February with several species being targeted as well as the need to observe several distinct forms of species that are endemic to either the island or the Canary Islands as a whole. During the week period, 70 species of bird were recorded (including Feral Pigeon/Rock Dove and some Laughing Doves of unknown origin) as well as up to 3 Sacred Ibises at Jandia (presumably emanating from the Stella Canaris collection) and a Cockatiel at Barranco de la Torre. All target species (Canary Islands’ Chat, Houbara Bustard, Cream-coloured Courser, Ruddy Shelduck, Barbary Falcon, Barbary Partridge, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Monk Parakeet, Berthelot’s Pipit and Trumpeter Finch) were observed well with several other interesting species noted (including 4 Slender-billed Gulls, 2 Spoonbills, 1 Gadwall and 1 Rock Sparrow). The distinctive subspecies’ of Stone-Curlew, Yellow-legged Gull, Lesser Short-toed Lark, Sardinian Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Blue Tit, Linnet, Goldfinch and Southern Grey Shrike all added interest to the proceedings.
The trip was most enjoyable but in order to enjoy the avifauna of the island, it is necessary to endure the many building sites that appear to be a never ending blot on Fuerteventura’s landscape and, particularly in the south (Sotovento beach area), you may find yourself having to converse with naked Germans and explaining what you are looking at! This report is split into two sections, with the first section containing a list of the sites (and to an extent directions) visited and the second section containing a full systematic list of the bird species recorded by ourselves during the period 29th January – 5th February 2003.
FUERTEVENTURA SITE GUIDE.
1) Barranco de la Torre. Access to this valley can be either approached by: -
i. from the FV2 south of Caleta de Fustes, take the turning to Las Salinas (Del Carmen), drive through the village on the gravel track (checking the small bay and the rectangular shaped salt pans) and the road will, after c.1km meander down to a derelict tower adjacent to a small bay. 20 metres beyond the tower is a small area on the left to park a car and continue on foot up the valley from here. A regular pair of Canary Islands Chat were seen by the palms about 500m inland from here, and the area also produced sightings of Barbary Partridge, Egyptian Vulture and Trumpeter Finch.
ii. Coming from Caleta de Fustes, the FV2 will cross the Barranco near km18. Drive across the Barranco and after about 200 metres on the right, you will see a small track leading to a building where there is ample parking. Walk back along the road and access the valley either upstream or downstream. Canary Islands’ Chat, Barbary Partridge and many Sardinian and Spectacled Warblers were located here.
iii. Further west than access ii. You will see a couple of building on the north side of the FV2 – one of these is a restaurant. 200-300 metres after this restaurant, turn right (if you are coming from Caleta de Fustes) and follow this track around to the right and after c.2km you will reach a small network of pools that lie adjacent to the dam at the north end of the Barranco. Many hirundines were seen hawking over these pools, with Common Sandpiper at the dam. However, this area was not as well-vegetated as the two other access areas and was hence relatively unproductive.
2) Casas Risco del Paso/Los Gorriones Hotel Gardens. Just to the south-west of Costa Calma, the Playa de Sotovento appeared to be the best beach/coastal area for birds. Access is off the FV2, either by taking the turnoff to Sol Gorriones Hotel (where the gardens appear lush compared to the arid surroundings and are hence a potential magnet to passerines) where one can access the east end of the beach, or by taking a discreetly signed ‘Casas Risco del Paso’ off the FV2 to access the west end of the beach. At Casas Risco del Paso, a large, shallow lagoon has formed on the beach due to the tidal processes with Spoonbill and 4 Slender-billed Gulls recorded amongst the more common species of shorebird.
3) Jandia. On the east side of Jandia, adjacent to the FV2, the Stella Canaris gardens offer an exceptionally easy site to see Monk Parakeet. Parking can be found immediately adjacent to the main road and the Monk Parakeets will be heard and seen almost immediately. Opposite the gardens and just east of the lighthouse, a small pool attracted a first-winter Black-headed Gull, 1 Greenshank and a Cattle Egret during our visits to the area as well as numerous Berthelot’s Pipits on the surrounding rough ground.
4) Costa Calma plains/La Pared. Access to Istmo de la Pared can be achieved several ways: -
i. Just south of the village of La Pared, a network of tracks lead off to the west. There is one track that leads to a cliff top car park where the coastal plains can be viewed, though further south along the FV605, a track that leads west from by a brown roadside sign allows one to gain a better vantage point of the plains.
ii. Coming from the east along the FV2, turn right at the 1st r’bout at Canada del Rio, head straight across the mini r’bout and you will branch left and through some holiday apartment blocks. Carry this road on until it peters out into a sandy track, following this track north for c.1km until you come to a farm building on the left where the car can be parked (soon after parking here you will see a cut-off fence by the track). Walk north to explore the plains. Houbara Bustard, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Barbary Partridge, Stone-Curlew, Trumpeter Finch and Lesser Short-toed Lark were all observed by walking north from this point.
iii. Coming from the east, turn right at the 2nd Canada del Rio r’bout (just after a petrol station), follow this road thru where it narrows by La Palmeral supermarket and go up the hill until the road bend sharply right. On this right hand bend, either park and walk up the track and explore the plains or simply drive up the track until it becomes too rough to drive (I was able to get a Seat Ibiza c.5km up the track before I was forced to park). Black-bellied Sandgrouse are common, with Houbara Bustard and Cream-coloured Courser all being observed here.
5) La Lajita. Park in the zoo car park immediately west of the village and beside the FV2, walk across the main road to an area where camels are. Walk west (i.e. away from the village), keeping the road and palm trees to the right and explore the area as far as the Barranco, with a track leading off uphill to the left (with a no entry sign for vehicles) being productive for both Canary Islands’ Chat and Barbary Partridge. A pair of Canary Islands’ Chat were particularly confiding in the scrub below the trees immediately opposite the zoo entrance, and at least 10 Laughing Doves (of unknown origin) frequent the area with Black-tailed Godwit, Cattle Egret and Barbary Falcon all seen in the immediate area.
6) La Vega de Rio de las Palmas. Coming from the north (from Betancuria) on the FV30, Vega Rio Palmas is signposted off to the right. Take this tarmac road, crossing a bridge after a few hundred metres, and then drive for about a further 1km until you meet the river/stream bed again. Immediately before you cross it again, it is possible to park on the right. Walk down the valley, following the stream-bed until after c.3-400metres you encounter a couple of nest boxes. Blue Tits of the race degener appear to be using at least one of these, and up to 4 birds of this species were seen in the valley. Turtle Dove, Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler, Goldfinch and Chiffchaff were all found along this stream-bed, although Embalse de las Penitas (c.1km walk from the car, continuing past the nest boxes) was relatively unproductive despite it containing water.
7) Rosa de los Negrines. Take the FV10 north from La Oliva (signposted El Cotillo) and opposite the last house on the edge of La Oliva, turn left to a steep-entranced track. Almost immediately this gravel track levels out and on the left after c.50 metres is a parking area where in the near vicinity 1 Rock Sparrow was found along with Corn Bunting, Trumpeter Finch, Lesser Short-toed Lark and many Spanish Sparrows. Continue this track downhill until you pass a garage and a farm building on your right (with a cage full of dogs), the fig trees behind this farm previously being a favoured evening site for Houbara Bustard. If you continue the track uphill and around to the left, you will get a good vantage point of the plains on both sides of the road. 1 male Houbara Bustard was seen to fly in to the right of the road (as one goes uphill) and then it walked down the slope away from the road. Spectacled Warbler, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Berthelot’s Pipit, Lesser Short-toed Lark and Trumpeter Finch were all observed in this area.
8) Rosa de Catalina Garcia Reservoir. From the FV2, take the FV20 north towards Tuineje for about 5km, passing a brown sign on the right stating ‘Rosa de Catalina Garcia’. A further c1km, take a track off to the right of the road (immediately before a building) and follow it for c.1km until you reach a small pull-off with a sign with Marbled Ducks and Ruddy Shelducks on it. A pair of Ruddy Shelduck and a couple of Little Ringed Plover were observed on this small area of water.
9) Barranco de Rio Cabras. Take the FV20 out of Puerto del Rosario (signed Casillas del Angel/Antigua). After a few kilometers, you will reach a r’bout with Triquivijate signed to the left. Turn left here and after c.500m, park and explore the Barranco both upstream and downstream of where the road crosses it. A pair of Canary Islands’ Chat were seen on the cliff edge downstream, with a Grey Wagtail and, surprisingly, a Laughing Dove found upstream.
10) Rosa del Taro. Continuing south along the road to Triquivijate (from site 9), c.4-5km north of the village of Triquivijate, you will see an obvious pool 100m from the roadside on the right (by a Ceramica/Pottery sign). The pool offered 2 Snipe and a few Coot, with the adjacent sallows producing Robin, 2 Redwing, Spectacled Warbler, Chiffchaff and many Lesser Short-toed Lark.
11) Costa Calma ‘Forest’. Alongside the FV2 in Costa Calma, a large area of palm/pine trees make up this site. Parking is restricted at the eastern end of the forest, yet there is ample parking in the petrol station and adjacent souvenir shop area at the western end of the forest (just east of the second Canada del Rio r’bout). 1 Redwing as well as a few of both Greenfinch and Goldfinch were found at this site.
12) Embalse de los Molinos. The largest area of freshwater on Fuerteventura producing up to 7 Ruddy Shelduck, Barbary Falcon, a female Gadwall, many Little Ringed Plover, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Plain and Pallid Swifts, Trumpeter Finch, many Lesser Short-toed Lark and a pair of Canary Islands’ Chat on our visits. Access can be gained from either end of the reservoir: -
i) South end. Traveling north along the FV207, about 2km from the FV207/FV30 junction two prominent palm trees set back from the road on the right will be visible. Take the gravel track on the left just before you pass these trees. After a couple of km, you will approach a gate which may/may not need to be opened. Pass through this gate and then take care to evade the numerous goats immediately ahead and park by the farm buildings. From here, walk north along the track to the gorge where the reservoir is situated.
ii) North end. Turn west off the FV207 just south of Tefia on a road signed Los Molinos and Las Parcelas. When you reach Las Parcelas, just after leaving the scattering of houses you will be confronted by a sharp right hand bend with a goat farm on the left. Take the track off this bend to the left, passing the goat farm and continue for a further c4km until you reach the dam end of the reservoir. Park the car, walk over the small fence and search the reservoir from here.
13) El Cotillo. The road to the north of the town towards the lighthouse (faro) produced a first-winter Spoonbill with a few Little Egrets, as well as several shorebirds. A small area of vegetation on the northern outskirts of the town, adjacent to the beach, produced a couple of Chiffchaffs and 2 Meadow Pipit.
14) Caleta de Fustes. The beach area at Caleta de Fustes can be viewed by following ‘playa’ signposts in the town. However, an early morning visit is essential as the majority of shorebirds will be flushed off the beach as soon as the tourists arrive.
SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED 29th Jan – 5th Feb 2003.
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
1 in salicornia area near the lighthouse at Jandia 30th Jan, 1 in the rough area opposite La Lajita zoo 3rd Feb.
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Common, but predominantly only seen in 1’s and 2’s, in coastal locations. Peak counts were from Casas Risco del Paso (on Playa de Sotovento) with 7 on 30th Jan and 10 on 3rd Feb, and 4 being seen on rock pools between El Cotillo and the lighthouse at Punta de la Ballena o de Toston on 2nd Feb.
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
1 over the FV2 at La Lajita 30th Jan, 1 at Caleta de Fustes 31st Jan, 1 over the plains north of Costa Calma 1st Feb, 1 Lajita 1st Feb, 1 Embalse de los Molinos 2nd Feb and 1 over Barranco de la Torre 2nd Feb.
Spoonbill Platalea leucordia
1 1st-winter bird present on the lagoon at Casas Risco del Paso (on Playa de Sotovento) on 30th Jan, 1st Feb and 3rd Feb, another 1st-winter on rock pools between El Cotillo and the lighthouse at Punta de la Ballena o de Toston on 2nd Feb.
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
5 at Embalse de los Molinos 31st Jan, 1 at Embalse de los Molinos 2nd Feb, 2 (a pair) on the small reservoir at Rosa de Catalina Garcia 3rd Feb, 7 at Embalse de los Molinos 4th Feb.
Gadwall Anas strepera
1 female at Embalse de los Molinos on 31st Jan, 2nd Feb and 4th Feb.
Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus
2 at the seaward end of Barranco de la Torre 30th Jan, 2 at La Vega de Rio de las Palmas 31st Jan, 1 at Barranco de la Torre 2nd Feb and 2 at La Vega de Rio de las Palmas 4th Feb.
Buzzard Buteo buteo insularum
Relatively widespread with birds seen at a variety of sites including Rosa de los Negrines (NW of La Oliva), a regular pair at Barranco de la Torre (with the nest on the east side of the gorge, about 200 metres north of the FV2), La Vega de Rio de las Palmas, the plains north of Costa Calma and El Cotillo.
Kestrel Falco tinnunculus dacotiae
Widespread, frequently seen from the roadside with birds seen at many sites including Rosa de los Negrines (NW of La Oliva), La Pared, Barranco de la Torre, Betancuria, La Vega de Rio de las Palmas, Barranco de la Torre, the plains to the north of Costa Calma, Embalse de los Molinos, Corralejo, El Cotillo and Jandia.
Barbary Falcon Falco peregrinoides
1 showed well as it circled over the zoo car park at La Lajita before flying off north into the mountains 30th Jan, 1 over Embalse de los Molinos 2nd Feb.
Barbary Partridge Alectoris Barbara
5 on the plains north of Costa Calma on 1st Feb, 1 Barranco de la Torre (seaward end, near the stand of palm trees in the valley bottom) 2nd Feb, 3 La Lajita (opposite the zoo) 3rd Feb, 1 Barranco de la Torre (400m south of the FV2) 5th Feb.
Coot Fulica atra
Recorded at 3 sites – Embalse de los Molinos (peak of 26 on 4th Feb), Embalse de las Penitas (3 on 31st Jan, 2 on 4th Feb) and 8 on small pool at Rosa del Taro (adjacent to the road running north from Triquivijate to the FV20 r’bout west of Puerto del Rosario) on 4th Feb.
Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata fuerteventurae
1 male Rosa de los Negrines (NW of La Oliva) late evening 29th Jan (bird appeared to fly in from the north, then progressively walked down slope on opposite side of hill to the traditional site (which is by the farm)), a pair displaying on the plains north of Costa Calma early morning 1st Feb with an additional male also seen here the same morning. 1 male seen mid a’noon on the plain north of Costa Calma (c.500 metres south of the northern coastline) 1st Feb.
Stone-Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus insularum
6+ on the plains north of Costa Calma early morning 1st Feb, 1 flew over the FV1 south of Corralejo by the dunes at Playa de Medano 2nd Feb. Also birds heard (but not seen) at Rosa de los Negrines (NW of La Oliva) 29th Jan and the plains adjacent to the village of La Pared 30th Jan.
Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor bannermani
1 on a nest (with two eggs) on the plains north of Costa Calma 1st Feb.
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius
10 at Embalse de los Molinos 31st Jan, 7 Embalse de los Molinos 2nd Feb, 3 on the reservoir at Rosa de Catalina Garcia 3rd Feb, 1 Barranco de Rio Cabras 4th Feb, 8+ Embalse de los Molinos 4th Feb.
Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
Relatively frequent on rocky shorelines around the island, being seen at sites such as Salinas del Carmen, El Cotillo, Caleta de Fustes, Puerto del Rosario and Corralejo, though peak count being 10+ at Casas Risco del Paso (on Playa de Sotovento) on 3rd Feb.
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrius
Locally common in coastal locations with 1 at Salinas del Carmen 30th Jan, 10+ on the beach at Caleta de Fustes 31st Jan, 15 Casas Risco del Paso 1st Feb, 1 Caleta de Fustes 2nd Feb and 8 Casas Risco del Paso 3rd Feb.
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
3 Salinas del Carmen 30th Jan, 1 Caleta de Fustes 31st Jan, 1 Caleta de Fustes 2nd Feb and 2 Playa del Moro 2nd Feb.
Sanderling Calidris alba
Common, with 25+ regularly on Playa de Sotovento at Casas Risco del Paso and 15 north of El Cotillo 2nd Feb, smaller numbers also noted at Caleta de Fustes and Puerto del Rosario.
Dunlin Calidris alpina
4 Caleta de Fustes beach 31st Jan, 25 Casas Risco del Paso 1st Feb, 28 Casas Risco del Paso 3rd Feb and 1 Embalse de los Molinos 4th Feb.
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago
2 flushed from small pool at Rosa del Taro (north-east of Triquivijate, south of FV20) 4th Feb, 1 Embalse de los Molinos 4th Feb.
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
1 over La Lajita 3rd Feb, 2 at Embalse de los Molinos 4th Feb.
Whimbrel Numenius phaepos
Seen in small numbers at many coastal sites including Caleta de Fustes, La Pared and Salinas del Carmen with largest flock being 14 at Casas Risco del Paso 30th Jan.
Redshank Tringa tetanus
1 Pozo Negro 30th Jan, 2 Salinas del Carmen 30th Jan, 1 Puerto del Rosario 2nd Feb and 1 Embalse de los Molinos 4th Feb.
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus
1 Embalse de los Molinos 2nd and 4th Feb.
Greenshank Tringa nebularia
1 on pool behind the beach at Jandia on 30th Jan, 1st and 3rd Feb, 2 Embalse de los Molinos 31st Jan, 1 Casas Risco del Paso 1st Feb, 3 Embalse de los Molinos 2nd and 4th Feb.
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Relatively common, though rarely in large numbers. Birds seen at Pozo Negro, Salinas del Carmen, Caleta de Fustes, Embalse de los Molinos, El Cotillo, Barranco de la Torre and Barranco de Rio Cabras. Largest count being 4 at Embalse de los Molinos on 4th Feb.
Turnstone Arenaria interpres
2 Pozo Negro 30th Jan, 5 Salinas del Carmen 30th Jan, 5 Caleta de Fustes 31st Jan, 1 Puerto del Rosario 2nd Feb, 2 El Cotillo 2nd Feb, 1 Jandia 3rd Feb.
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
1 1st-winter, appearing relatively inactive, on the pool behind the beach opposite Stella Canaris gardens in Jandia on 30th Jan, 1st Feb and 3rd Feb with an adult at Morro Jable harbour 3rd Feb.
Slender-billed Gull Larus genei
4 adults on the shallow lagoon on Sotovento beach at Casas Risco del Paso on 30th Jan, 1st Feb and 3rd Feb.
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus
50+ in the bay at Puerto del Rosario 29th Jan and 30+ on Sotovento beach on 1st Feb being peak counts, smaller numbers seen at several sites in amongst Western/Atlantic Yellow-legged Gulls. Predominantly of the race graellsii, but at least a couple of adult intermedius at Puerto del Rosario on 29th Jan.
Western/Atlantic Yellow-legged Gull Larus micahellis micahellis(?)/altlantis(?)
Common, though predominantly coastal with only single figures located on inland waters. Largest concentrations on Sotovento beach and the bay at Puerto del Rosario (presumably bathing here after feeding on the nearby tip (located south of the FV20 c.3km west of Puerto del Rosario)).
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandwichensis
Seen in small numbers at several coastal locations including La Pared, Salinas del Carmen and Jandia though largest concentrations being on Sotovento beach with peaks of 20 on 1st Feb and 10 on 3rd Feb.
Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis
Only noted at two sites – the plains to the NW of La Oliva at Rosa de los Negrines where 10 were seen on 29th Jan, and the other site being the plains (Istmo de la Pared) to the north of Costa Calma. At this latter site, this species is common with 7 being seen on 30th Jan, 84 sightings within a couple of hours mid a’noon on 1st Feb and 36 sightings on 3rd Feb.
(Feral Pigeon/Rock Dove Columbia livia)
Common and, as with most places where this species occurs, one can always find the odd candidate for a genuine Rock Dove. In truth though, the Fuerteventura pigeon gene pool is severely polluted.
Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
Common in urban areas with largest numbers noted around the zoo at La Lajita and around the Stella Canaris gardens in Jandia.
Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur
1 in the valley between La Vega de Rio de las Palmas and Embalse de las Penitas 31st Jan with 2 there on 4th Feb, 1 Costa Calma Forest 3rd Feb.
(Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis)
Unknown, but presumably captive, origin. 10+ in area opposite zoo entrance at La Lajita 30th Jan, 1 there on 1st Feb and 4 there on 3rd Feb. 1 Barranco de Rio Cabras 4th Feb.
Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus
Many birds (at least 15 – 20) nesting and calling loudly from trees by the Stella Canaris gardens in Jandia on 30th Jan, 1st Feb and 3rd Feb.
Plain Swift Apus unicolor
3+ birds with 40+ Pallid Swifts over Embalse de los Molinos 4th Feb.
Common Swift Apus apus
2 birds with 5 Pallid Swifts over Jandia beach and Stella Canaris gardens 30th Jan.
Pallid Swift Apus pallidus brehmorum
The commonest swift on the island, with small numbers seen at several locations. Highest counts being 30 at Embalse de los Molinos 31st Jan and 40+ at Embalse de los Molinos 4th Feb.
Hoopoe Upupa epops
Relatively widespread though only ever seen in 1’s and 2’s. Birds were seen at many sites including Rosa de los Negrines (NW of La Oliva), Casas Risco del Paso, Rosa de Catalina Garcia, Embalse de los Molinos, Barranco de la Torre, the plains north of Costa Calma and Barranco de Rio Cabras.
Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens polatzeki
Extremely common in desert areas though less numerous elsewhere. Largest concentrations at south end of Embalse de los Molinos by the goat farm where 50+ on 31st Jan and 2nd Feb, 60+ on the plains north of Costa Calma 3rd Feb.
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
2 Rosa de Catalina Garcia 30th Jan, 1 Pozo Negro 30th Jan, 4 Embalse de los Molinos 31st Jan, 3 Corralejo 2nd Feb, 5+ Barranco de la Torre 2nd Feb, 4 Barranco de Rio Cabras 4th Feb, 5 Embalse de los Molinos 4th Feb and 6+ Barranco de la Torre 5th Feb.
House Martin Delichon urbica
2 Jandia 30th Jan, 2 Rosa de Catalina Garcia 30th Jan, 5 Embalse de los Molinos 31st Jan, 3 Jandia 1st Feb, 1 La Lajita 1st Feb, 5+ Barranco de la Torre 2nd Feb, 1 Jandia 3rd Feb, 1 Embalse de los Molinos 4th Feb and 4 Barranco de la Torre 5th Feb.
Sand Martin Riparia riparia
1 in off the sea with House Martins and Swallows at Barranco de la Torre 5th Feb.
Berthelot’s Pipit Anthus berthelotii berthelotii
Common, with high single figures seen at several sites including Rosa de los Negrines (NW of La Oliva), Casas Risco del Paso, the plains north of Costa Calma, Barranco de la Torre and Embalse de los Molinos.
Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis
2 just north of El Cotillo in scrubby area/ small plantation by the beach 2nd Feb.
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
1 Barranco de Rio Cabras 4th Feb.
White Wagtail Motacilla alba
1 Barranco de la Torre 31st Jan, 3 La Lajita 1st Feb, 3+ Embalse de los Molinos 2nd Feb, 2 La Lajita 3rd Feb and 1 Embalse de los Molinos 4th Feb.
Robin Erithacus rubecula
1 in sallows by the pond at Rosa del Taro (by the road north of Triquivijate, opposite a ceramica/pottery sign) 4th Feb.
Canary Islands’ Chat Saxicola dacotiae
2(pair) at the seaward end of Barranco de la Torre by the palm trees 30th Jan, 4(3male (inc. 1 bird with an orange ring on its right leg),1female) Barranco de la Torre c.500m south of the FV2 31st Jan, 2 males in the area by the camels opposite the zoo at La Lajita 1st Feb, 1 female at the seaward end of Barranco de la Torre 2nd Feb, 2(pair) immediately opposite the zoo at La Lajita in scrub adjacent to the line of trees, 2(pair) at Barranco de Rio Cabras (accessed from west end of the Barranco, immediately south of the FV20/Triquivijate r’bout) 4th Feb, 2(pair) Embalse de los Molinos 4th Feb, 2(pair) seaward end of Barranco de la Torre 5th Feb.
Song Thrush Turdus philomelos
1 Barranco de la Torre 31st Jan, 1 Los Gorriones Hotel gardens (on Sotovento beach) 1st Feb, 8+ Costa Calma Forest 3rd Feb, 1 Barranco de la Torre 5th Feb.
Redwing Turdus iliacus
1 Costa Calma Forest 3rd Feb, 2 in sallows by the pond at Rosa del Taro 4th Feb.
Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata orbitalis
Relatively common with 2 seen at Rosa de los Negrines 29th Jan, 3 Barranco de la Torre 30th Jan and 31st Jan, 1 La Vega de Rio de las Palmas 31st Jan, 2 Rosa de los Negrines 2nd Feb, 4 Barranco de la Torre 2nd Feb, 1 Rosa del Taro 4th Feb and 4 Barranco de la Torre 5th Feb.
Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala leucogastra
Local but common with 2 Barranco de la Torre 31st Jan, 5 La Vega de Rio de las Palmas 31st Jan, 2 Barranco de la Torre 2nd Feb, 5+ La Vega de Rio de las Palmas 4th Feb and 3 Barranco de la Torre 5th Feb.
Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
1 female La Vega de Rio de las Palmas 31st Jan, 2(pair) Los Gorriones Hotel gardens (on Sotovento beach) 1st Feb and 1 male La Vega de Rio de las Palmas 4th Feb.
Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
4 La Vega de Rio de las Palmas 31st Jan, 2 El Cotillo 2nd Feb, 2 La Lajita 3rd Feb, 3+ Costa Calma Forest 3rd Feb, 4 Rosa del Taro 4th Feb and 2 La Vega de Rio de las Palmas 4th Feb.
Blue Tit Parus caeruleus degener
2 in the centre of Betancuria village 31st Jan, 4 La Vega de Rio de las Palmas 31st Jan, 2 La Vega de Rio de las Palmas 4th Feb (with one pair regularly visiting a nestbox marked ‘13’).
Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis koenigi
Common, with birds regularly seen from the roadside as well as at Casas Risco del Paso, Barranco de la Torre, Embalse de los Molinos, the plains to the north of Costa Calma, Costa Calma Forest and Rosa del Taro.
Raven Corvus corax tingitanus
Relatively common and widespread with birds seen in many locations such as Barranco de la Torre, Rosa de los Negrines, La Pared, Betancuria, La Vega de Rio de las Palmas, Casas Risco del Paso and the plains north of Costa Calma. Peak count being 5 over Embalse de los Molinos 4th Feb.
Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis
Common to very common, especially around human settlements. This species was seen at every site visited with particularly large numbers at the seaward end of Barranco de la Torre and the trees opposite the zoo entrance at La Lajita.
Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia
1 Rosa de los Negrines 29th Jan, c.100m along the track from where it meets the FV10.
Greenfinch Carduelis chloris (aurantiiventris?)
Very localized with 8+ birds in Costa Calma Forest 3rd Feb.
Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis parva
1 La Vega de Rio de las Palmas 31st Jan, 12+ Costa Calma Forest 3rd Feb.
Linnet Carduelis cannabina harteri
1 Rosa de los Negrines (NW of La Oliva) 29th Jan, 2 La Pared 30th Jan, 4 Casas Risco del Paso 1st Feb and 3rd Feb, 2 on the plains north of Costa Calma 3rd Feb.
Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus amantum
Common, with small numbers of birds being seen at many sites such as Rosa de los Negrines, Barranco de la Torre, Rosa del Toro, Casas Risco del Paso, La Lajita, Barranco de Rio Cabras and the plains to the north of Costa Calma. Large flocks included 30+ at the northern end of Barranco de la Torre 31st Jan, 15+ on the plains north of Costa Calma 1st Feb and 20+ Embalse de los Molinos 2nd Feb.
Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra
Only seen at Rosa de los Negrines (NW of La Oliva), with 5 on 29th Jan and 2 on 2nd Feb.
