By the end of the day, we'd exceeded our previous best tally of 98 species (seen in December 2000) and had logged 107 species, including six species we had never had before on this same route. And it seems that most of the other routes likewise did quite well, because by the end of the day the total number of birds recorded in the Grecia count circle was 228 species; thus, far surpassing the former high count of 193 spp.!! This was a most gratifying way to celebrate the count's 20th edition and I can only wonder whether it was mere coincidence that the winning number for the big Christmas lottery, drawn that same Sunday, was the number 20!

Congratulations to Rafa Campos, compiler and (together with Gary Stiles) co-founder of Costa Rica's longest-running CBC!

A week later, the action moved north to Monteverde. Unfortunately, the weather on 20 December 2003 was far from conducive to good birding. Robert Dean sent this account*:

"Very strong winds together with continual showers were not what one could describe as ideal weather for birdwatching. On the morning of the count the temperature at the Monteverde reserve headquarters dropped to a chilly 6 degrees! However, this did not stop the appearance of some interesting rarities. I carried out my count in San Gerardo, downslope from the Santa Elena reserve and although prevailing thick mist made identification difficult at times, the forest trails rewarded us with a gorgeous Ochre-breasted Antpitta (Grallaricula flavirostris) and a surprise band of six Ocellated Antbirds (Phaenostictus mcleannani) in the company of Immaculate Antbirds (Myrmeciza immaculata), the first time I have encountered the former at such a high altitude.

"Lower down, Mark Wainwright and his group found good mixed-flock activity with good views of Sharpbill (Oxyruncus cristatus), Blue-and-gold Tanager (Bangsia arcaei) and Strong-billed Woodcreeper (Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus), amongst many others.

"In Poco Sol, on the other side of the Penas Blancas valley, Roberto Wesson and his group were lucky to see a Keel-billed Motmot (Electron carinatum) and Yellow-eared Toucanets (Selenidera spectabilis). Also in the Penas Blancas valley, a Crested Eagle (Morphnus guianensis) was sighted, an extreme rarity that had made a surprise appearance two days earlier at Finca Ecológica, presumably wandering farther afield than usual, due to the harsh weather enveloping the entire Atlantic side of the country during that time.

"The final count came to a not surprisingly lower-than-usual 331 species. Nonetheless, it was a valiant effort from all who participated."

As a result of Daniel Torres' organizational efforts, 66 people covered 23 routes. (Both Paserinni´s Tanager (Ramphocelus passerinii) and Chestnut-sided Warbler (Dendroica pensylvanica) were reported on 20 routes each.) Among the less-expected species observed were Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno), Black-throated Blue-Warbler (Dendroica caerulescens), Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius), White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica), Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae), Hooded Warbler (Wilsonia citrina), and Yellow-tailed Oriole (Icterus mesomelas). And although a number of fairly common species did not get recorded, 40 species were added that had not been seen the first year to bring the cumulative two-year total to 440 spp.!

Following a birding respite during Christmas, the Osa Peninsula initiated its count circle on 27 December 2003. Although I did not personally participate in this new count, on the afternoon of 25 December, my wife and I bid good-bye to our oldest son, Leonardo, at La Georgina Restaurant, atop Cerro de la Muerte, as he donned pack, Walkman, and helmet and peddled off into the mist on his bicycle. He phoned 24 hrs later, much to our relief, to say that he'd reached Puerto Jimenez.

"Our count down here went fairly well, considering we only had 5 expert birders and 15 helpers/beginner birders. There were two new species for the Osa. One species we had found a few weeks before the count in Neque: the Elegant Euphonia (Euphonia elegantissima). We saw approximately 10 individuals but there were probably more. We had seen them also a week before the count in La Palma, about 20 km north of the count location. That means there are two populations and it's probably not an accident. Nelger Campos, who organized the count, also saw a Black-crested Coquette (Lophornis helenae). These have never been reported on the Osa before either, although Ulisis, our guide, had told me he had seen one a month earlier but I wasn't sure it was a good identification.

"Nelger Campos has not finished totaling the count since some of the lists were slow arriving. Unofficially, he thinks our total for the Osa was approx 290 species. Our Bosque del Rio Tigre team totaled approx 168."

The next day, 28 December 2003, on the other side of the country, La Selva held it's 19th CBC. Fifty-six participants birded 19 routes and, taking advantage of a well-deserved break in the inclement weather that had plagued the Caribbean side of the country, managed to log a total of 337 spp. (the fourth highest in the count's history). Five new species were added to the cumulative tally, including the Pinnated Bittern (Botaurus pinnatus) -- yes, the same individual that you've been reading about in this newsletter for the past year or so. But I was personally most surprised at the presence of Black-faced Solitaire (Myadestes melanops) at such a low elevation. I had one individual feeding on small fruits out near the entrance gate and then learned of additional sightings along the Sendero Tres Rios and out the SOR trail by the successional plots!

After the New Year's break, 60 birders descended on the La Merced CBC, held 03 January 2004. The 19 routes produced the highest tally of any of the Costa Rican CBCs this season: 385 spp.!! Will any of the South American counts be able to top this?? Additionally, an impressive 14,405 individual birds were tabulated, with Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) being the most numerous: 1,047 individuals. Rare sightings included Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle (Spizastur melanoleucus), Ornate Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus ornatus), White-crested Coquette (Lophornis adorabilis), Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner (Anabacerthia variegaticeps), Scaly-throated Leaftosser (Sclerurus guatemalensis), Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet (Ornithion semiflavum), Mouse-colored Tyrannulet (Phaeomyias murina), Yellow-billed Cotinga (Carpodectes antoniae), Masked Yellowthroat (Geothlypis aequinoctialis), Stripe-headed Brush-Finch (Buarremon torquatus), and still more Elegant Euphonias!

Thanks to Noel Ureña for having provided the results of the count in route-by-route format on an Excel spreadsheet -- it was fun seeing where things showed up -- and for having done a fine organizational job again this year. (Too bad that Hacienda Baru completely dropped the ball by serving an intolerably late banquet of grilled grizzle. Oh yes, and they even charged Noel for the "service"!)

*My sincere thanks to the Birding Club of Costa Rica for allowing me to use the above excerpts that were originally published in the January 2004 Tico Tweeter.

I recently received (indirectly) this report from Normand David, which I am taking the liberty of reprinting here for the sake of spreading the word in hopes that perhaps someone will be able to obtain photographic evidence of a species that is extremely rare in Costa Rica:

As Regional Editor of Quebec for North American Birds, I know very well how RE's feel about a sighting of an accidental bird by one person that lasted ten seconds. Anyway, I have this to report:

American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), 20 January 2004, about 15:00, some 5 km south of the southern turnoff to Jaco, CR, in a small pond on the western side of the main road to Quepos. Of course, it was under a clear sky.

I have birded in CR on many occasions since 1985, I am familiar with all tiger-herons (barred rear-neck, grayish or brownish flight feathers). Less than 45 minutes before my sighting, I saw a Bare-throated T-H (larger, grayish remiges, etc.).

Now back at home, I read in the CR field guide that the Amer. Bittern is an accidental bird, not reported in the XXth century!

Why not then a Pinnated Bittern, a species I have never seen? All I can say is that the unmarked remiges, the unbarred upperparts and medium brown coloration (not golden or light buff) do not match descriptions and photos of the Pinnated Bittern.

One thing I would like to know: Are there recent sightings in CR of the American Bittern? I suspect that the tremendous increase of birwatching over the last 20 years may have produced new knowledge.

Sincerely,
Normand David, Directeur général
Association québécoise des groupes d'ornithologues

Well, I'm sure that both Normand and other readers will be interested to know that two months ago I received correspondence from Alfredo Scott informing me that on 05 November 2003, a guiding colleague, Humberto Hidalgo, apparently saw this species at another roadside wet spot a bit farther south on the Coastal Highway.

Humberto was in the company of a British birder, who immediately identified the bird as an American Bittern. They observed one individual in the morning, and three when they passed by the same spot in the afternoon! Supposedly, photographs were taken, but as yet I haven't heard any mention of their being sent to Humberto.

Alfredo went off in search of the bird(s) on 08 November, but there was no trace of it/them. I also passed by both sites on 17 January 2004 and saw little of note at either (the latter one was quite full of reedy vegetation). The second site, by the way, is the marshy area between Parrita and Quepos, just before the first old bridge when travelling south. This spot has been characterized by being on an 100-meter stretch of gravel road, but it looked as though they were getting ready to pave it the day I went by. Normand's site must surely be the small marshy spot at the turn-off to Playa Hermosa (one of the Southern Lapwing sites).

Although during an all-to-brief visit to Palo Verde on 13 January 2004 I did not see the kingbird (nor had it been reported recently), I did find two male Masked Ducks (Nomonyx dominicus) quietly sitting amid the aquatic vegetation in a fairly open bit of marsh beyond the northwestern end of the airstrip. For the last year or so, the O.T.S. has been involved in actively managing the marsh in front of the Palo Verde station and their efforts are showing results. There was a good amount of open water visible from the patio in front of the dining room, though I didn't see any ducks on it. Likewise, there is currently ample marsh with only low floating vegetation (i.e., good visibility) and we saw numerous Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), along with three Fulvous Whistling-Ducks (Dendrocygna bicolor), and several Snail Kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis). It's also worth mentioning that the O.T.S has recently made available five new rooms with private hot water showers at the field station, so natural history visitors who have been put off by the shared bath facilities now have another option. (Still, it's not the Four Seasons.)

Those of you who have traveled with me here in Costa Rica in the last two years may have heard me mention the possibility of organizing a "750 before 50" tour, the idea being to visit several areas that I rarely get to in order to hopefully produce my 750th Costa Rican tick before I turn 50 years old. I'm pleased to announce, however, that all plans for such a trip have now been cancelled.

Movement after movement turned out to be either Lesser Greenlet (Hylophilus decurtatus), Tropical Gnatcatcher (Polioptila plumbea), or Chestnut-sided Warbler. Becoming a bit desperate, I started pishing. And it worked! The vireo came in overhead and, although the lighting was not great and the angle was neck-breaking, I was able to see all of the pertinent field marks.

As fate would have it, Marcos Soto and Luis Morales were both at the lodge that evening and I was able to duly celebrate my 750th CR bird in good company.

The next morning, I returned to the Botanical Garden with Chris Knight and John Tyrie and in no time at all came upon a small mixed flock in the center of the garden. And lo and behold, there was the same first winter White-eyed Vireo! This time it obliged with incredible looks as it perched in a leafless shrub at eye-level no more than 10 meters away and with the sun behind us. For more than a minute it turned every which way and gave us views from every angle. Absolutely stunning!

Well, fellow travelers, at this stage it becomes increasingly difficult to add new birds to my country list, so perhaps in another 10 years I'll organize a "760 before 60" tour. Stay tuned.

The last few months have produced a number of noteworthy sightings in the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica.

On 12 November 2003, en route to Las Alturas de Coto Brus, Rafa Campos and a birding group he was leading spotted a Brewster's Warbler (Vermivora pinus x chrysoptera). The bird was seen in the vicinity of "El Mirador," a quarry about two or three kilometers before the village of Las Alturas. [Let me digress from the So. Pacific for a moment to add that Rich Hoyer observed a Brewster's Warbler (F2 backcross) at Selva Verde Lodge, while touring here in November.]

That same day, Rafa also added a CR tick: Ruddy Foliage-gleaner (Automolus rubiginosus). They observed a single bird nesting in a road cut. Birds of Costa Rica states "no Costa Rican record."

Noel Ureña has provided several interesting reports.

While hiking up Mt. Chirripó in November, Noel had a Brown-billed Scythebill (Campylorhamphus pusillus) at an elevation of 2,520 meters (near kilometer 7.3 along the trail). This is a remarkably high elevation for this species. Normally, one wouldn't expect any woodcreeper other than Spot-crowned Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes affinis) much above 1800m in Costa Rica.

On 28 November 2003, near the Río Jilguero (practically in downtown San Isidro de El General), Noel observed a group of several hundred White-collared Swifts (Streptoprocne zonaris) flying quite low, perhaps only 20 meters above the ground. For several seconds, his attention was drawn by the presence of a different looking individual. Given the similarity in size and proximity with the White-collared Swifts, he was sure that he saw a Great Swallow-tailed Swift (Panyptila sanctihieronymi)! The bird disappeared behind a line of trees and was not seen again.

On 08 December 2003, Noel had the good fortune of finding a Masked Yellowthroat (Geothlypis aequinoctialis) farther north than indicated in the field guide. The bird was in some wet pastureland, about 200 meters in from the San Isidro - Dominical road, near the village of Alto de San Juan at an elevation of about 1,100 meters. This area was among the 19 routes during the La Merced CBC, however, the individual that was reported during the count was seen along another route nearer the coast (Escaleras - Libano) by Adolfo "Fito" Downs and party.

And finally, on 29 December 2003, a Yellow-throated Warbler (Dendroica dominica) was observed by Johan Bogaert, a Belgian biologist, staying at Talari Mountain Lodge. Pieter Westra reports that this species has never been seen before in Talari.

Later on, at the Trogon Lodge, we ran into Rich Hoyer, who told me of having heard and seen an Unspotted Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius ridgwayi) the night before in the tree-dotted pastures a couple hundred meters down the road from the Soda El Junco.

The following day, on the grounds of the lodge, I was surprised to find two Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) at such an elevation (approx. 2,300m).

As far as I'm aware, Maroon-chested Ground-Dove (Claravis mondetoura) never put in an appearance at the aforementioned seeding bamboo. However, in mid-January, Steven Easley was birding on the flanks of Irazú Volcano and had nice close looks at a female. (Hmmm, that would make a very nice #751.)

César Sánchez sent this e-mail in mid-December and I'm reprinting it here to help spread the word:

New On-line Bibliographic Database published - 14 December, 2003

Worldwide Ornithological Literature

The British Ornithologists' Union (BOU), American Ornithologists' Union (AOU), and Birds Australia (BA) are proud to announce the launch of Worldwide Ornithological Literature (OWL), a new online bibliographic database for ornithologists, which replaces Recent

Ornithological Literature (ROL) which as been run by the same organisations for many years.

OWL is an indexed bibliographic database of citations from the worldwide scientific literature that pertain to the science of ornithology. OWL deals almost exclusively with serial publications.

The new database is accessible at www.BIRDLIT.ORG free of charge.

OWL's scope will be more than just the `recent' literature of ornithology. Eventually, the aim is to develop an online resource with a database that covers the last 50 years or more of ornithological serial literature.

OWL depends upon volunteers around the globe who compile the material. We are constantly seeking more volunteers to help in this effort. Anyone interested in helping should contact Jay Sheppard, Managing Editor (JMSheppar@aol.com), for a list of journals needing abstractors and other information. Abstractors must have access to a computer and their assigned journals. OWL also asks for citations for all recent doctoral dissertations and those papers published in obscure serials not usually covered in OWL.

Over 1100 serials have been cited in ROL/OWL since 1990. In a sample, 24% were exclusively ornithological in scope, 73% were not, and 3% were undetermined. Bibliographies from forty Birds of North America life history accounts were evaluated. Of the 5442 total citations, 66% were serials. A comparison revealed that 59% of the serial citations should have been found in Biological Abstracts and approximately 96% should have been found in the ROL. These numbers are only for comparative purposes, as many papers preceded both indexes by decades, if not a century or more. The commercial abstracting services charge a considerable fee for their services, while OWL is free to any Internet user. The database will be expanded with the addition of the old ROL supplements to the BOU's journal Ibis, the AOU's journal Auk, and the BA's journal Emu printed over the past 20 years. By the end of 2004, we expect to have a searchable database of up to 100,000 records.

In the 21st Century, any previously published scientific information that cannot be later found is literature that may be lost to science. We must be able to find all those papers published in our field of interest regardless of where in the world one is working. Please consider helping abstract. This is not an exceptionally time-consuming endeavor. You will be helping generations of ornithologists to come.

Congratulations for correct identifications go out to Jan Axel Cubilla, David Garrigues, Daniel Garrigues, Lori Conrad, and Alfredo Scott.

The answer will be announced in the April 2004 newsletter.

Congratulations to Alfredo Scott for having been the only reader to respond with the correct answer to the geography quiz in the last edition. Alfredo hit the nail on the head with his reply of the University for Peace, near Ciudad Colón. He also hedged his bet a bit by suggesting the western Central Valley region of Atenas and the hills of the Fila Aguacate, down to Desmontes. (Noel Ureña came close with his guess of Orotina, though that's a little low for Blue-and-white Swallow.) But the exact area I had in mind was the U. Peace/El Rodeo Forest Reserve area. Given its proximity to the Greater Metropolitan Area, this site offers very entertaining birding for a morning or afternoon outing from the city.

So, ready to try again? Just to remind you, the idea of this geography quiz is to see how many readers can guess the actual site -- or at least come close in terms of naming the region of Costa Rica -- where a given set of five bird species occurs together.

While having lunch at a roadside restaurant on 02 December 2003, I observed the following species from the restaurant veranda. Where in Costa Rica could I have been?

Chestnut-mandibled Toucan (Ramphastos swainsonii)

Hoffmann's Woodpecker (Melanerpes hoffmannii)

White-throated Magpie-Jay (Calocitta formosa)

Montezuma Oropendola (Psarocolius montezuma)

Black-cowled Oriole (Icterus prosthemelas)

I'll look forward to your answers!

Wishing you all great birding,

Richard Garrigues

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