Back in Costa Rica...CES style

Wendy and I are back here in Costa Rica - standard banding with CRBO -  Costa Rica Bird Observatories. A couple of days in the Highlands, and some birds to show for our efforts...

 Collared Redstarts  are as common here as Chiffchaffs are in the UK at the moment.

We have spent time with some members of the Scientific and General Boards of  CRBO who were staying here with us in Madre Selva.

Saying goodbye this morning to Greg Butcher, C.John Ralph US Forest Service and CJ's wife Carol. It was a real pleasure to spend time with CJ again, having first met him at Long Point Bird Observatory and hear of the early days of setting up the current CRBO sites.

....deep in conversation with Greg too

The first migrants are with us, Louisiana Waterthrushes and Wilson's Warblers caught,  Black and White warblers seen.

Today has been great for endemics (to Highland Costa Rica and Panama) including this Large-footed Finch.

Not an endemic but ..a great name....Streak-breasted Treehunter.....

Bird of the Day....Barred Becard. ..!!

This an adult female caught during standard banding at our Home site this morning. The first that I have caught in 5 years.
Recaptures today included 2 Ruddy-capped Nightingale Thrushes, a Black-cheeked Warbler and a Yellow-thighed Finch - all were juveniles when we ringed them last Sept /Oct.

Back in Wales, some of the group are now visiting Mwnt, Linnets, Meadow Pipits, and general migrant birds the targets. Some numbers soon.

(photos by Wendy )