In April, we welcomed José and Cinthya to La Mariola. They are friends of the farm and keen birders. They arrived with cameras and binoculars, ready to spend several days exploring the farm, nearby rivers and tropical rainforest.
Their first afternoon began by the water. After settling into the cabin and having lunch, they headed to the Santa Cruz River. They spent three hours watching birds along waterside vegetation and open stretches of river in the soft afternoon light.
Early the next morning, the route continued toward the Pocosol River, where they documented Snowy Cotinga (Carpodectes nitidus), a species that is not easy to see. They then returned to La Mariola and continued birding around the cabins, gardens, productive areas, river edge and trails.
On the third day they traveled toward Bartola and Indio-Maíz. In that forest, observation takes on a different rhythm. You have to listen more, wait longer and accept that many birds appear for only a few seconds. After returning, they continued adding observations at La Mariola and along the trail toward El Castillo.
Once the eBird checklists were consolidated, they had documented 202 species during the stay. These included Agami Heron (Agamia agami), Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias), White-collared Manakin (Manacus candei), Green-and-rufous Kingfisher (Chloroceryle inda) and Yellow-throated Toucan (Ramphastos ambiguus). They recorded 105 species at the farm during those days.
Every visit has its own rhythm. This one was shaped by an intensive approach to birding, with time to move between farm, river and forest. If you would like to review the complete lists, message us and we will gladly share the eBird links.