Motmot and Iguanas before the mountains..

Our work with Costa Rica Bird Observatory began today with a morning ringing in INBioparque, in San Jose.

The national bird of Costa Rica, Clay-colored Robin, was the first bird ringed and 7 more followed.

The highlight of the morning though was a Blue-crowned Motmot, a resident commonly seen around the park.

As well as residents, there are now an increasing number of migrants passing through. A good variety of species were recorded on our area search during ringing including Red-eyed Vireo, Blackburnian Warbler and Yellow Warbler. American Redstart and Alder Flycatcher were ringed.
 Although we are used to seeing lizards on our net rounds on the Teifi Marsh, they don't quite match the thrill of seeing these massive Iguanas that roam around here!

The trip to and from the park was a different experience too, by train with interesting platforms which only reach part of the train, involving a big jump down from the other carriages!

Off to Madre Selva in the mountains tomorrow to ring at 2,500m. No internet for a while so we hope the group back on the teifi will be ringing some good birds to blog about instead...