Sierra bird calls

Not much going in Leverett, saw the Pagoda, watching something other than the five movies we had in Costa Rica, working on Sierra bird calls, which is tough for now.

Collared Redstart


Volcano Hummingbird


Shabby looking Chestnut-sided Warbler


Pale-billed Woodpecker

Feeder Birds

I'm pretty much only seeing birds at the feeder...

Song


Purple


Tufted

Missed

A couple of things Massachusetts does not have to offer right now, or ever I suppose.

Variety

(Not Amanda or my hands)

Capris

The last two days of banding in Costa Rica were spectacular, with 49 birds (of 21 species) the first day and 38 birds (of 18 species) on the second, including two White-throated Spadebills, a Scintillant Hummingbird, a bunch of Fiery-throated and Magnificents, our first Northern Waterthrush, our second Streak-breasted Treehunter, and more Nightinggale Thrushes than I ever wanted to see.

This was the only picture I got of the two spadebills because both seemed ready to perish at the sight of a camera...but LOOK AT THAT BILL!


Hummingbirds will cling to anything they can get their paws on, including their own wings and bills, like this monster playing the trombone.


Me and my 2.2 gram buddy, weighting in at less than a penny.


This was our third Scintillant of the season, but our first male, distinctly different from the equally tiny Volcano by the orange gorget.


Streak-breasted Treehunter


Ah yes, we also had lots of Yellow-thighed Finches. I think they look more like they're wearing capris.


A good net run of the day.

So common

After a week away from the internet I always return with mixed feelings of dread and eagerness when it comes to checking email and reading my way through the 50+ blog posts sitting in my google reader. But with hours to kill in the airport, what else will I do? We thought we might have some troubles getting through immigration, because even though there is a 90 day maximum visit to CR (today is our 90th day), our passports had 40 days written in on the stamp for some reason...but now we're sitting at our gate having not even encountered a line or immigration desk.

In response to Danwell's recent kingbird and warbler posts, I give you the same species, but in MY BEAR HANDS.

Tropical Kingbird


Pissed off and showy


The most common warbler in Tortuguero, but only the last few that we captured showed any pazazz.

Goodbye CR

OK, we're out of here. We're in San Jose for the night, then off to the airport in the morning. Goodbye Costa Rica, we'll probably be back. I ended up encountering 277 species, 89 of which we banded.

A few of my obvious favorites...